The big difference is that the Race moves to coil springs and everything gets 80-125mm U-Turn adjustment. Psylo is now in itвЂ™s third year of development but doesnвЂ™t get too many changes for 2003. ItвЂ™s good to see the Duke C getting proper damping and U-Turn travel adjustment too, after this yearвЂ™s hyperactive performance. Meanwhile the 80mm SL is the lightest (3.4lb) Duke thanks to the Pure DeLite damper and Easton upper tubes. The вЂRaceвЂ™ gets the option of either вЂClimb-ItвЂ™ lockout control or the new remote lever as well as a bossless disc option.

The air sprung side of the Duke line also gets updated. Although (as usual) we just left the travel long for climbs and descents some folk will love the вЂdial a travelвЂ™ option. Compression was smooth and eager with no spiking even on big drop ins and the wide range of rebound adjustment was easy to balance between chatter and packdown. We certainly ran into no problems with the SLвЂ™s we got to ride, even on long stepped sections.

The SL and SL U-Turn fork get the new lightweight Pure DeLite damping system, while the new HC2 oil damping is used on Dukes XC and C. TheyвЂ™ve also added вЂSantopreneвЂ™ rubber inserts for extra grip and protection of the plastic leg top knob. Before you ask no you canвЂ™t peel the ruler and other stanchion markings off, but although RS assure us theyвЂ™ll last at least a year weвЂ™ll have to see if that means a year including a British winter. The on leg graphics also include Easton aluminium logoвЂ™s where appropriate and air forks get a quick reference air chart on the leg too. Like all other 2003 U-Turn forks they now get travel markings down the side of the stanchion as well as a removable plastic sag / travel checking clip. It appears on the SL, XC and C coil versions but as Duke is designed to be more all terrain rather than big terrain, the spring stack is shorter, with adjustment between 63 and 108mm. Competent photographer and nice weather not pictured.ДЄfter the success of the neat travel adjusting U-Turn system on the Psylo, it was only a matter of time before DukeвЂ™s got the system too.

Rock shox psylo race