Bomber Z1 vs new and old Lyric

I somehow ended up with too many forks. I have a 2023 Bomber Z1 Air, a brand new Lyric Select+, and a 2019 Lyric RC2. Which one is better? Depends on what you like in a fork. The bomber is much more plush and responsive off the top, and Is easy to adjust on the fly with the sweep damper adjuster. The new Lyric is much firmer and more supportive. Rides quite a bit higher in its travel and is stiffer torsionally. Better for steeps and rolling off stuff. It also feels more precise somehow. Not as comfortable on small trail chatter though. The OG lyric with the Charger 2.1 damper feels somewhere in between the two. For my full suspension bike the new Lyric wins hands down. For my long slack hardtail I am not sure yet. I've really enjoyed the Z1 on it but I am going to swap in the new Lyric and see how it compares.

I’ve got a new Z1 Bomber Coil and 2020 Lyrik RC2. The bomber is super plush and smooth. The Lyrik rides great and is more adjustable, so I can dial in full travel with full support. Both ride great and could swap either way. I think the coil would kinda work better on the hardtail.

I've got a 2021 Bomber Z1 Air. I don't know that anything has changed since then. It is a great fork. I run the compression wide open and enjoy that Grip damper for my weight/riding. I've got a MRP Ribbon Coil and a Lyrik Ultimate [2020]. They are all a bit different, but I really wouldn't care which one I was riding on my hardtail if you gave one to me. If I was buying new I'd probably go for the Z1 simply because it's hard to beat on a performance to cost basis. I would like to try the Z1 coil, but I didn't see it in a 140mm travel version which is what I use on all my hardtails.

Helm coil would suit that @vikb…

It comes come down to how much goldilocks zone each fork covers for you and the differences/tradeoffs between 'good-enough' and 'constantly searching'
I had a Z1 coil on my hardtail and really liked it, especially for the price, but there was a point where I couldn't get exactly what I wanted from the grip damper and the rebound. I moved to a Formula selva which greatly increased the fiddling I could do but expanded the range at the expense of more bracketing etc etc 
Now I'm on the most basic Yari damper, so back to square zero. I can feel what I don't like and know what I would like to get done in terms of damper upgrades.

The bestest fork I ever did have was a factory fox36 Fit4 with a Vorsprung smashpot fitted. So I'm now on the hunt for a good price used chassis/damper to get that conversion done again.

How are you folks getting along with the limited selection of springs for the Z1 coil? I was tempted to buy one but would have ended up right between two of the four total available spring rates.

I didn't get on too well with any of them. Medium was where I started. Tried softer and then started to look at other springs that could fit and then decided to look at other forks instead. If it was possible to get very incremental amounts the Z1 might be worth another look for me, but I also wonder if the damper would need re working?

I had a lyrik that came with the "C1" air spring. It was supportive but pretty harsh off the top. I swapped a B1 air spring and it was much better, but better yet if set over forked 10mm as it rode lower. 

I have a helm air and I hate equalizer button setup. May convert it to coil. 

Also have an RXF36 air. It is fantastic. 

Spare fork is an old DVO diamond, 6 years old, very trusty. Never feels amazing, but never feels bad, and I can strip it to individual bits and reassemble it in my garage.

Posted by: Kenny

I had a lyrik that came with the "C1" air spring. It was supportive but pretty harsh off the top. I swapped a B1 air spring and it was much better, but better yet if set over forked 10mm as it rode lower. 

I have a helm air and I hate equalizer button setup. May convert it to coil. 

Also have an RXF36 air. It is fantastic. 

Spare fork is an old DVO diamond, 6 years old, very trusty. Never feels amazing, but never feels bad, and I can strip it to individual bits and reassemble it in my garage.

I went through the same experience with my 2019 Lyric. Started with a C1 spring and didn't like it. I went to a B1 spring that was 10mm longer and it felt much better. I've ridden with that fork since then with no complaints but since swapping to the 2023 Charger 3 Lyric I realized how much the old fork was diving into its travel. The new Lyric is far more supportive and composed feeling, but not as plush/comfortable.

It's funny you mention that, I started to notice that forks were feeling less plush but was putting it down to old shoulders.

Posted by: skooks

Posted by: Kenny

I had a lyrik that came with the "C1" air spring. It was supportive but pretty harsh off the top. I swapped a B1 air spring and it was much better, but better yet if set over forked 10mm as it rode lower. 

I have a helm air and I hate equalizer button setup. May convert it to coil. 

Also have an RXF36 air. It is fantastic. 

Spare fork is an old DVO diamond, 6 years old, very trusty. Never feels amazing, but never feels bad, and I can strip it to individual bits and reassemble it in my garage.

I went through the same experience with my 2019 Lyric. Started with a C1 spring and didn't like it. I went to a B1 spring that was 10mm longer and it felt much better. I've ridden with that fork since then with no complaints but since swapping to the 2023 Charger 3 Lyric I realized how much the old fork was diving into its travel. The new Lyric is far more supportive and composed feeling, but not as plush/comfortable.

Exactly the same here. I sold the lyric in the end. The Ohlins is wild because it is so supportive on big compressions and rides high, yet is smooth. Love it.

Z1 coil

I found it tricky at 170 mm with a medium spring but at 150 mm it’s amazing. 

I weight around 165 I think

I also changed the oil volumes after online queries. 

Only 7 mm on the spring side and 30 on the damper side. Way better

Posted by: Heinous

Helm coil would suit that @vikb…

For sure. I never seem to come across one on sale when it's new fork time. I would be happy to give a Helm a shot.