Fox go all in with 2022 Fox 34 trail forks and shocks

Following on from launching the new Fox 38 and Fox 36 suspension forks, new Transfer dropper posts and more last year, Fox turned their attention to the cross-country and trail scene for the 2022 model year. The suspension specialists have just released an all-new Fox 34, along with a completely new Fox 34 Step Cast (SC). 

Business in the front

The new Fox 34 platform forks share some of the new fetaures from the Fox 38 and Fox 36, while also sticking to their roots as lighter weight trail and cross-country options. This new Fox 34 is lighter, has more adjustability and smoother performance than any previous model.

The Fox 34 range adopts the lower leg bypass channels, which help even out pressure during compression, to avoid ramping up more than you would expect and preventing being able to access all the travel. The lower leg channels help increase the air volume, reducing pressure ramping. As a bonus, the leg channels keep oil circulating to the seals and bushings for smooth performance.

Visually, you'll notice the new lower leg arch. It looks rounder, and sits more pronounced from the lower legs. The new design is not just lighter and stiffer, but it offers greater clearance for larger head tubes that are seen on modern trail bikes. Fox have also adopted the 58mm diameter crown, which suits modern bikes better as well.

What's inside counts, and the Float EVOL has seen updates too. There is an enlarged negative air spring which helps support the fork in the mid-stroke. The Fox 34 has options with FIT4, GRIP2 and GRIP dampers, in travel options from 120-140mm.

Your wheel size option is 29” with Boost spacing, with 44mm or 51mm offset. The range is available in Factory, Performance Elite and Performance models, with weight starting at 1698g. Pricing runs from $1309 through to $1689.

The Fox 34 Step Cast (XC) shares the same new look arch and crown as the new Fox 34, but has the Step Cast lowers. The Step Cast design has moved the cut away from being an outie, to an innie – matching the 100mm Fox 32 SC forks.

The weight for the Fox 34 SC now starts at 1496g. Travel options are available from 100-120mm, in 44mm and 51mm offset and 29” Boost sizes only. The Fox 34 SC has a FIT4 damper on the Factory model, and GRIP on the Performance model. There's no GRIP2 as the lighter weight FIT4 is better suited to the 34 SC realm.

On the Fox 34 SC, there is the option to tune the negative air spring with a spacer, so you can get the fork feel just right on your race bike. If you use the spacer you'll keep a racey and firm feel off the top of the travel. Without it, it's a little more supple. So, 120mm forks won't have the spacer as stock, but 100mm Fox 34 SC will.

So what fork is right for you? The Fox 34 has always been the light and fast trail fork and it will continue to be. It's now just lighter and stiffer, while still carrying over the option to run GRIP2 as in 2021.

However, the Fox 34 SC is now lighter again, and may prove to be the ultimate choice for cross-country, downcountry and aggressive XC-oriented bikes. Given you can run the fork in 100mm, 110mm or 120mm options, who wouldn't choose greater control from the 34mm legs over the 32 SC? The 34 SC has a 2.4" maximum tyre size.

Pricing starts at $1389 for a Fox 34 Performance, running up to $1739 for a Fox Factory 34 with remote lock out.

Party in the back

A shiny new fork is nice, but true performance is about what's going on in the back as well. And Fox have two new rear shocks for 2022. The new Float X has been developed for aggressive trail riders. The lightweight package offers high-tech damping with fade free performance.

The Float X has a new chassis and damper, with a high-flow main piston. The larger air sleeve bore will allow lower pressure for the same support, and there are volume spacers available with even smaller increments so you can truly get the ride you want.

Fox have an MCU bottom out bumper in there for the big sends, with a numbered 12-position low speed compression (LSC) adjuster. There's more rebound adjustment range compared to a DPX2, and an independent firm mode circuit, with two positions.

Along with a few changes like better valve placement to suit more frames, less noise from the damper and a hydraulic top out feature, the Float X is ready to hit the trails with a high-performance package and a huge range of user adjustability, all at a fighting weight.

The Float X is available in Factory and Performance Elite models. Trunnion mounts and more sizes are available in the Factory models. Pricing is $835 for Performance Elite, and $969 for Factory models.

Tell me about the coils

If you're all about coil, don't worry, Fox have got you. The new DHX is said to provide the coil performance you want for the trail. It's got an all-new damper and chassis, with a high-flow main piston.

Like the Float X there is a 12 position low speed compression (LSC) adjuster, along with a independent 2 position firm mode circuit. Fox have also got a bunch of access options for the single turn rebound adjuster – no more fiddling!

The reservoir size is optimised for each shock length, and you can expect quiet running with an MCU bottom out bumper and reduced damper noise. These ones are Factory models only.

Pricing is $939 and these are Factory models only – this price does not include the spring.

For the full specifications head to ridefox.com