Comparison between Fox and Rockshox: What is the best fork for your mountain bike?
Fox and Rockshox are the reference brands in suspensions for Mountain Bike practically since this modality took off in the years 1990. Currently, the assembly of suspensions of the market of mountain bicycles. That is why it is important to be up to date with their ranges, characteristics of forks and shock absorbers, technologies and adjustments for, when buying a bicycle or just changing suspensions, know what the brand and model that best suits your needs is. At the moment we are going to focus on the front suspension, listing the current fork models of the catalog of both brands, characteristics and the type of MOuntain Bike (XC, trail, Enduro, etc.) for which they are destined. A complete and practical guide to guide you in your future purchase.
👉 How to perform proper maintenance of your bicycle fork
Fox fork range
Fox divides its range of suspension forks by the diameter of its bars. Likewise, each model is offered in different versions according to the buffer type used, from the simplest destined to the Mountain Bike occasional to the most complex and customizable dedicated to competition.
Fox 32
Fox 32 is the reference fork of the American brand for mountain cycling, limited to the Cross country. It was the first suspension fork for MTB that Fox launched to the market, back in 2001. His great innovation with respect to other brands was to enlarge the diameter of the bars up to 32 mm, to provide greater rigidity and control of the bicycle in the sections More technical. Currently, and for three years, it has been available with the practical Step-Cast design, whose bars are cut in half in the lower part to give more space to the brake disc and the bushing. At the same time, this design saves material and weight, which is estimated at more than 360 grams with respect to the previous generation. But, apart from the Ultra Light Step -cast (whose lighter version weight at 27.5 ”is only 1,387 g), Fox also offers the version with conventional bars. All of them have 100 mm of travel, availability for wheels of 27.5 "and 29” and different finishes depending on the type of cartridge and damping system: Factory (high range) and performance (low-media range). At the same time, at the same time, It is possible to choose the model with three positions adjustment dial (rise, plain or descent) or with remote blocking control from the handlebars.
Fox 34
Fox 34 is the most versatile fork and is indicated for bicycles of trail. Its bars are 34 mm in diameter and is offered in three travel options: 120 mm, 130 mm and 140 mm, both for 29 "and 27.5" wheels, and a special version for e-bikes with a thickness of greater bars, in 120 mm or 140 mm. trail. On the other hand, he has recently inherited the STEP-BAST design of Fox 32, but with a little less step in his bars. This Fox 34 Step -cast is only available at 120 mm (for 29 "and 27.5" wheels) and is recommended for bicycles of bicycles Down Country (Bikes of Cross country with better descent behavior) or to practice a type of trail More rolling. As in Fox 32, it can be acquired both in high -end factory version, and in the most affordable performance. The compression adjustment dials, meanwhile, are three (open, medium or closed) or two positions (open or blocked, controllable from remote control).
Fox 36
The fork with 36 mm fox bars is the one indicated to practice All Mountain either enduro. Tested in competition for the best RIDERS From the world, Fox 36 is a very rigid fork with a wide range of adjustments and travel options. In fact, by 2021 introduces the GRIP2 cartridge in its high -end version, with compression adjustment dial both low speed (pedaling) and high (obstacles, jumps and cuts). Apart from the GRIP2, it is available with the FIT4 system, with the three classic Fox adjustment modes: open, medium and closed (blocking). In addition, FOX 36 Factory forks with FIT4 add 22 extra position adjustment positions in open mode. Fox 36 has versions for wheels of 29 "and 27.5”, 150 and 160 mm tours, Factory and Performance Elite finishes and a special variant for electric bicycles, Fox 36-E, with a special anodized bar.
Fox 38
It is the last major novelty of the Fox suspension fork 38 mm. It also increases the route by 20 mm, until 180, although it has 160 mm and 170 mm versions. Fox 38 is a recommended fork for RIDERS adduca to Bike Park or make especially technical enduro routes. It incorporates the GRIP2 with high and low speed adjustments and can be acquired in three finishes: Factory, Elite Performance and Performance, both for wheels of 27.5 "and 29.. In addition, it also has an adapted version for Mountain electric bicycles, Fox 38-E.
Fox 40
Fox's 40 series refers to descent forks. Double platerine, rivals in the market with the rockshox boxxer. By 2021 it has been redesigned, introducing the GRIP2 cartridge and an EVOL optimized air chamber to gain customization and absorb better obstacles. It is only available in Factory finish with Kashima anti friction on the bars. It has availability for 27.5 "and 29” and its route is 203 mm.
Rockshox fork range
Rockshox is a pioneer in suspension systems for mountain bicycles. Since 1990, with the market launch of the unpublished and revolutionary fork RS-1, it is a reference in the suspension market. Currently, its range consists of 15 models, but they are not divided into series according to the diameter of the bars such as Fox. Rockshox has specific models for each modality of the Mountain Bike, in addition to others for low and half -ranges assemblies. This is your current offer.
Rockshox Sid
We start with the rockshox reference fork to Cross country, which rivals in the market with Fox 32. It has a long trajectory of achievements in competition behind it, with specific versions for racing, such as the SID-SL (only in 100 mm and 29 ”), and for fans (Sid range (range ). The latter, the conventional SID, has recently changed when introducing larger tour versions (110 mm or 120 mm) and a new chassis with 35 mm diameter bars, for bike assemblies Down Country and trail.
