Fox' 36 is the rough classic par excellence. It was initially installed as a single crown fork on freeride bikes and later developed into a super robust enduro fork. The current 36 is rock-solid, very stable, has good suspension travel even on steep descents and has powerful damping that can be adjusted via the high and low-speed compression stages and, of course, the rebound stage. The fork offers an incredibly high level of performance for every enduro biker. What else could be improved?

Less friction

For example, the response behavior: That of the 2018 Fox 36 is very good, something that could not be said of all Fox forks in the past. But why only very good when the response could be great? Fox uses low-friction IFP seals inside the damper cartridge. Less friction should allow the fork to respond more sensitively to fast, small impacts. In order to consistently improve this, the shaft seal also had to make way for a smooth-running one.

New damping system meets proven air suspension

Fox has also given the 36-float fork a new damping system - the four-way adjustable "Fit-Grip2". This offers the option of adjusting the high- and low-speed compression damping as well as the high- and low-speed rebound damping separately. But that's not all: smaller adjustment steps allow finer tuning of the high- and low-speed compression. And without delving deeper into the abyss of technical jargon, Fox has optimized the damper's internals so that its adjustment range is not only larger and finer, but each click also has more effect.

In short, the new Fit-Grip2 damping system is designed to offer the rider more support, i.e. to prevent unnecessary bottoming out at crucial moments without sacrificing responsiveness. This results in more grip on the front wheel as well as control.

Airy and measured

Fox continues to rely on the Evol system - Extra Volume - for the air suspension. This extra volume is applied to the negative air chamber and ensures that the fork works linearly over the first 25 percent of its travel. This results in a fine response, more counter-pressure in the mid-travel range and a better tunable end progression.

The Fox 36 "Float Fit Grip2" is available for the three wheel sizes 26-, 27.5- and 29-inch. The 26ers are available with 100, 160 and 180 millimetres of travel, although the short-stroke version for dirt jump use is called "831". With 160 to 180 millimetres of travel, the 36er has suspension for the middle wheel size, while the travel for the twentyniner fork can be selected from 150 and 160 millimetres.

However, Fox also offers all common axle variants: 15QR x 110 millimetres (Boost), 15QR x 100 millimetres and even 15/20 millimetre axles.

36 mm and 34 mm for ebikes

Fox is launching the e-bike-optimized Float-36 and Float-34 for the higher loads associated with e-mountainbikes. These have a stronger chassis that is reinforced in the areas subject to greater stress. The Factory model of the 36 comes with the new FIT-Grip2 damping, the Performance fork with the simple Grip cartridge.

The new 34 Step Cast

Two years ago, Fox launched the ultra-light Float 32 Step Cast. A cross-country suspension fork with a narrow chassis. Now the 34 SC is the bigger brother. The fork is intended for tougher cross-country and marathon use, i.e. for races where a light fork is needed, but which is somewhat stiffer and offers slightly more reserves with up to 120 millimeters of travel. The fork has the same stiffness as the normal 34 mm fork with 140 mm travel, but weighs almost 230 grams less, so is available from 1,590 grams.

The 34 SC features the FLOAT-EVOL air suspension system and the FIT4 damping system. Fox also allows for really wide tires: The 27.5-inch version swallows tires up to 2.8 inches wide, while the Twentyniner fork accepts tires up to 2.6 inches.

But the normal Float 24 fork is also getting a remake: the trail and all-mountain suspension fork comes with the FLOAT EVOL air suspension system and is available with the FIT4 or new FIT Grip damping system, as well as in three versions for 27.5-, 27.5-plus and 29-inch wheels. In addition, 100 and 110 millimeter axle width variants are available.

Step Cast for gravel fans

The 32 SC cross-country race fork has been "downsized" especially for the gravel sector. The 32 Step-Cast AX offers 40 millimetres of travel and makes those gravel bikers happy who are looking for a little more comfort and don't shy away from roots. The AX features the EVOL air suspension system and the FIT4 damping with three-position lever, which allows fine-tuning of the open mode to 22 positions, right up to the lockout.

The 32 SC AX only comes with a 15x100 millimeter axle and accepts tires up to 700x40c.


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