ROCKSHOX Pike Ultimate 27.5″ Charger 3.1 RC2 – 44mm Offset – 2025

Ultra-versatile, super capable, lightweight on the scales, heavy on the attitude—this is Pike. Not afraid of the rooty chutes. Unintimidated by the calf-crushing climbs. RockShox updated their trail-capable legend with the new Charger 3.1 RC2 damper. Along with vibration-killing ButterCups, this damper offers better traction, comfort, and control. With more tunable range, Charger 3.1 enables riders to set up the perfect suspension action for their preferences. A fork designed to level up your trail game. Experience the legend.

 

New Charger 3.1 Damper

RockShox updated the plumbing through the Low Speed Compression circuit to make the oil’s easy-flow path even easier, allowing more oil to flow through the LSC when the adjuster is set to Open. 68% more oil flow, to be exact. This means less compression damping, so you can hold onto traction and control to mute low-speed trail noise.

During testing, RockShox World Cup racers requested more high-speed damping for an even more supportive ride on the fastest tracks. They increased the size of the High Speed Compression pyramid (peep that cutaway for a visual), to create more damping when the HSC adjuster is closed, so you can add the exact amount of support you need.

 

Buttercups

Little gold-packaged rubber pucks live at the end of the damper and air spring shafts and fit into the lower leg of the fork. Similar technology is found in off-road vehicles, chainsaws, and most devices that transfer high-frequency vibrations into the hands and arms of the user. Like a rubber mount on the handle of the chainsaw, ButterCups measurably eliminate trail chatter by on average 20%. Proven by data acquisition over thousands of trail miles and confirmed by riders. Featured in all Ultimate models and upgrade-able in the full line up of new Pike, Lyrik, and ZEBs.

Debonair+ Air Spring

By focusing on refining the shape of the spring curve, RockShox created an air spring that’s more plush off-the-top, with a supremely supportive mid-stroke and improved end-stroke ramp up. They zeroed in on details to improve small bump absorption to be extremely reactive over every inch of trail and added mid-stroke support allowing the fork to sit higher in travel and utilize every millimeter of travel. The new DebonAir+ offers a supreme ride feel and consistency you can trust.

RockShox hollowed out the top cap to maximize the volume of Pike’s negative air chamber. This makes initiating travel even easier, improving overall traction and small-bump sensitivity.

Bushing Package

RockShox’s steps to innovate represent the learnings from every development project. During the latest BoXXer development, they fine-tuned their ride testing protocols and enhanced testing in their Colorado Development center. They made improvements at their factory to ensure the highest level of manufacturing quality and consistency, all to ensure riders receive high-performance products right out of the box.

The result is an all-new bushing package available on all models of ZEB, Lyrik, and Pike. RockShox developed new production specs for lower leg reaming alongside new bushing sizing requirements, resulting in the lowest possible friction for an overall improved system.