Fox go big with new 38, 36, 40 and rear shocks!
Fox have lifted the covers off part of their 2021 range. And they have gone big!
Fox have a big reveal every April, and even without the Sea Otter mountain bike festival, it's still the time of the year when they lift the veil of secrecy on what they have been working on over the previous months and years. And in 2021, Fox have worked hard to push the goal posts back with their bigger forks, with an all-new 36 and 40, and a new Fox 38 along with all-new Float X2 and DHX2 rear shocks.
Chassis updates on the new Fox 38 and updated Fox 36 fork
With the Fox 38 being seen in secret last year on Richie Rude's EWS bike in Zermatt, now all the details are out we can look at them more closely. Fox claim the updated 36 and the new 38 are their smoothest and most tuneable forks they have ever produced. Here's some of the key tech they are working with.
The new 38, 36 and 40 get the Floating Axle on the chassis. Fox say that it allows for precise alignment of the wheel regardless of flange height, and with their QR through-axle they have a system were you set the floating collar and then have tool free fitment – there's also a Kabolt option. The benefits are smoother action in the travel, as the chassis is perfectly aligned from top to bottom, not clamped or splayed at the axle.
The forks also have Lower Leg Channels – they look like a raised section down the back of the legs. They serve two purposes. One, they help oil flow from the lower bath up to the seals, to keep your fork seals properly lubricated. But they also help with the increase of pressure deep into your fork's travel, which can often restrict your fork from getting full travel.
And you probably spotted the bleeders. Like all these other features they are on the updated 36 and the new 38. They're a little press button to equalise pressure after big climbs or descents. Your air fork will experience a change in pressure with dramatic changes in atmospheric pressure (and so will your tyres FYI) and so relieving the pressure change helps you get all that small bump sensitivity back. This is likely to be less noticeable in Australia, but if you do some big shuttle runs in the Alps, and don't mind the odd jaunt to the European Alps or big mountains in Canada, you'll like this feature.
The lower leg arch on the 36, 38 and 40 has a new shape – it's really round and pronounced! Stiffness was the aim and that's what Fox claim they have delivered. But there is also more clearance, including for the head tube, as that was really getting pretty tight with short offset forks and bulky head tubes on big bikes. Fox reckon they have optimised the stiffness and clearance while only adding the tiniest bit of weight.
The Fox 38 also has an eliptical steerer. Fear not, it is eliptical internally and not externally. Theer is more material at the front and back of the steerer tube, creating greater stiffness and strength in the fore-aft plane.
Tuneability for the new Fox range
Fox have stated that the 2021 range is more tuneable than ever before. Fox have added variable valve control (VVC) to their GRIP2 damper, adding external adjustment to the compression tuning that used to be an internal adjustment. This is a pretty high end feature, but for those chasing the marginal gains available in traction with their suspension – this is a big deal.
Fox also claim that their updated EVOL air spring will be working even better, thanks to the leg channels and bleeders. So we expect that means you can be even more precise with tuning your spring rate in for optimal performance.
All the details on the new Fox 38
Just want the facts? Well the Fox 38 is the big single crown fork, with huge 38mm stanchions. It has the new elliptical steerer, leg channels, bleeders, floating axle, arch shape and a 58mm crown diameter to better suit modern frames. This fork is squarely aimed at long-travel, hard hititng enduro racing and enduro-style riding. Fox claim it's upto 38% stiffer than a 36. Travel is between 160-180mm, in 29" and 27.5" wheels and with 37mm, 44mm and 51mm offset.
There are options for the damper with GRIP2 with VVC, FiT4 and GRIP matching 8 click high speed compression (HSC) and high speed rebound (HSR) on the Grip 2 forks and rear shocks. You can get Factory, Performance Elite, Performance and E-bike models. Weight starts at 2180g.
This is one monster fork, and it has been designed to serve riders who are really pushing the limits for what their bike, and their skills, can handle.
The all-new Fox 36
The 36 is all-new with a brand new chassis. It's got the leg channels, bleeders, floating axle, arch shape and an increased crown diameter to better suit modern frames. This 36 the standard for enduro riding, but Fox improved it anyway. Travel is between 150-160mm, in 29" and 27.5" wheels and with 37mm, 44mm and 51mm offset.
There's options for the damper with GRIP 2 with VVC, FiT4 and GRIP matching 8 click high speed compression (HSC) and high speed rebound (HSR) on the Grip 2 forks and X2 rear shocks. You can get Factory, Performance Elite and E-bike models. Weight starts at 1965g.
The new Fox 40 big boi
With an updated air spring, updated damper and all-new to the chassis, the Fox 40 is aiming at the top step of the World Cup. With 203mm of travel, the Fox 40 has a 110x20mm floating axle setup, and 8 clicks of HSC and HSR adjustment on the GRIP2 models to match X2 shocks.
Offsets of 48mm, 52mm and 56mm are available in 27.5" and 29". This is a Factory only fork.
Someting special – the Heriatge Collection
Fox have made some limited edition forks, with all the bells and whistles and sweet upgrades like the Kabol-X floating axle and black knobs. There are Heritage Collection forks for the 36, 38 and 40, and matching graphic kits for rear shocks too.
More party out the back
Fox didn't stop just by overhauling their big forks – they went crazy with rear shocks as well.
The Fox Float X2 has a new chassis and damper and high flow main piston. Fox have added a progressive MCU (multicellular urethane) bottom out bumper, and have the HSC and HSC 8 click adjustments matched to the GRIP2 forks. The HSR settings also have VVC.
The Float X2 has a firmer lock out thanks to a new circuit. Those who earn their turns will rejoice! The inner seal has less stiction and the reduced length of the reservoir is said to have better fit for some frames thanks to increased clearance.
The all-new DHX2 has just about all those features plus a new durable and low friction shaft finish. Fox also have included a better firm mode. Fox have also added detents on the spring collar to prevent loosening under light preload settings.
The springs are still available separately.
So what do the changes to forks and shocks mean?
Simple, greater performance and adjustability. This means more traction, greater confidence, and more speed. The changes to the chassis on the forks is not only helping the suspension peformance, but also the confidence via stiffness and precision through the front end of your bike.
The changes that help the internals creates a suspension system that runs better for longer, across a wider range of conditions. So you get more predictable performance.
Throw in more adjustability so you can get the suspension running just how you like it, and Fox have given you options to abosolutely get your bike dialled! Need more details? Head to the Ride Fox website.
We're yet to put any trail time on any of these products, but given our familiarity with the Fox range, we can't wait to experience the improvements these products will deliver.
