So, I'm sold on this fork. I've got 3 XC rides on it and 2 days shuttling. The stiffness of the top is gone, maybe the seals just needed to wear in. I think the draw backs I had with the Pike were of my own making, running a lower pressure to get small bumps nice and smooth, and as such, it would dive under braking and pack down on the high speed stuff. That is all gone with this fork and it now feels just as good as the Pike on the small bumps, rides high in the travel, takes repeated big hits so well, it's just so plush, smooth and controlled, I don't think I could ask more of a fork. I can't wait to pair it with a Nomad 4 or a Firebird, that shit will be unstoppable.
I'm leaning towards not trying the lighter spring, but I'll get a price and see if it's worth having a play around with it.
I never found the Pike flexy, maybe I just wasn't heavy enough, but I haven't felt any flex with this fork, it feels stiff as. But going off the Pinkbike review of the Air Ribbon, they say its more inline with a Pike's stiffness then a 36 or Lyrik. But I haven't had any decent time on those forks to compare.
I'll keep updating this thread as I get more rides and possibly play around with the lightest spring, but id say if you are sitting on the fence just go for it, not much of a weight penalty for the performance increase!