The solidity of the structure is felt throughout, both on the bumpy sections and above all in the insertion and handling of curves, where this fork allows greater precision and transmits more safety to the biker.
Video test featured in episode 59 of 'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori'
PRESENTATION
The fork in question is the elite performance, which shares the hydraulic part and the structure with its older sister, differing only in the stems that lack the Kaschima treatment.
THE FORK
The fork boasts a truly extensive set of redesigned elements. There is a new pin, with a bolt closure that guarantees greater precision and rigidity of the assembly. The one in question also had the Kabolt-x pin, which allows you to reduce weight and at the same time increase torsional rigidity even more.
One of the elements that aroused the greatest curiosity were the two bleenders positioned at the rear, which have the function of bleeding the fork which could generate air bubbles during operation. Another very interesting solution is given by the channels on the sliders, by pass that serve to better distribute the air during the compression of the fork, I believe an extra volume that in addition to this function are able to make the oil flow more easily from the lower part of the fork. sheaths.
On a structural level, the designers have advanced the design of the bow. The reason is to be found in the presence of a fork with an increasingly reduced offset that makes it necessary to create more light between the fork head and the bow to avoid possible interference with the frame. The GRIP 2 cartridge now features a new Variable Valve Control (VVC) system.
DATASHEET
Top tube finish black anodized
Air channels Yes
Bleeders Yes
Floating axle Yes
Rotor size 180 direct Post Mount, compatible up to 230
FOX 36/38 Fender Holder Optional fender with robust 4-point direct mount attachment
FLOAT EVOL air spring
Steerer 1.5 Taper - internally elliptical
Starting weight 2180 g
ADJUSTMENTS
High-speed compression (with VVC) 8 clicks
Low speed compression 16 clicks
High speed rebound (with VVC) 8 clicks
Low speed bounce 16 clicks
GRIP cartridge explanation 2
PROOF
A solid structure with a but ..
As mentioned at the beginning, with this fork FOX raises the bar in the enduro sector. What immediately catches the eye from the first curves is the rigidity of the whole, both in the insertion of the curves and in the braking at the limit, where this fork does not break down. For a setting that satisfied me I took some time, trying different solutions. The reason is perhaps to be found in the fact that at the same time I was also looking for the right feeling with the new Giant Reign, of which you will read the proof later.
But returning to this fork, as already mentioned, what surprised me most is the stiffness and precision it guarantees when entering corners. Despite being a single plate with 170mm of travel and with an exceptional sliding of the stems, the insertion and conduction of the curves takes place with a precision never before found on an enduro fork. If we shift the attention from the structure to the hydraulics, the sensations change, but it should be emphasized that we enter a sector where speech can be greatly affected by the subjectivity of the rider and in part also by the means with which the test takes place. In fact, depending on how you ride, how fast you go and how the rear of your bike works, the reaction of the fork can also change.
Let's start from the positives: the sensitivity to small bumps is very good, as well as the smoothness of the stems and the ability to adjust for the rebound. On the other hand, some perplexities have raised the hydraulics in compression. In fact, the feeling is of having little support at low speeds, a situation that forced me to travel with a pressure higher than that recommended by the house. But this solution has generated a problem in adjusting the compression at high speeds, in fact, while eliminating the tokens, the fork in the final part of the stroke does not work optimally, with an end-of-stroke bearing close to 4 cm.
What can be the cause?
There are two possibilities, either the hydraulics at low speeds are too little sustained or the same in the final phase is too much. Personally I favor the first hypothesis; in fact, trying to work with the quantity of air recommended by the manufacturer, the fork works better in the final, managing to make better use of the entire stroke, where the insertion of the channels on the chainstays allows a better air distribution, but with a greater sinking in the initial part, which translates into less support in the insertions and in the conduction of curves, with the closure of the steering angle and with a sinking in the holes in the series where personally I would prefer more support to have a more reactive bike.
CONCLUSION
Fork that thanks to the solid structure instills safety in driving and allows excellent precision. Very good sensitivity and smoothness, with a series of adjustments that even with a few clicks are able to change its behavior, some more reserves on the hydraulics in the compression phase with little support in the initial part.
