The 36 has been a frontrunner in aggressive trail riding suspension for years, and the latest iteration feels like the most responsive one yet. The 36 Elite includes volume spacers to reduce the air spring volume for increased progressivity and rider customization.
The 36 Elite is compatible with 15-millimeter thru-axles, whereas the Factory edition 36 fork is convertible to a 20-mil axle. Fox says implementing EVOL design into a fork air spring increases negative air spring volume for optimum plushness and additional mid-stroke support. The latest 36 FLOAT rendition incorporates the brand’s EVOL technology (short for extra volume) originally seen on FLOAT shocks. The right fork leg features the FIT4 damper and black compression adjust knob.įox’s air-sprung suspension dons their FLOAT designation, which actually means Fox Load Optimum Air Technology. To add volume reducing spacers remove the top cap assembly from the crown and they easily snap into place. Photo Credit: Ryan Cleek Underneath the blue valve cap atop the left fork leg is where the air spring rate is adjusted. The rebound adjuster lives below the right fork leg and is protected by a thread-on top cap. While in the Open mode, the 36 Elite offers 20 clicks of compression adjustment. The lockout position also incorporates a blow-off setting which helps absorb an unexpected harsh impact. The Firm mode blocks oil from both the high-and-low-speed compression circuits and effectively locks out the fork. In the Medium mode the low-speed compression circuit is restricted and allows oil to only flow through the high-speed circuits resulting in a firmer beginning and mid-stroke feel. In the Open mode oil freely flows through the high and low-speed compression circuits and shim stacks for the most supple feel. Unlike the FIT HSC/LSC damper, the FIT4 utilizes 3 on-the-fly compression modes: Open, Medium, and Firm. Fox’s more recent damper offering, the FIT4, is the fourth generation of their Fox Isolated Technology cartridge damper. The FIT HSC/LSC damper offers externally adjustable high-and-low-speed compression and is identified by the notched blue dial atop the right fork leg which fine-tunes the high-speed compression setting.
Named after its 36-millimeter stanchions, the 36 Elite is offered with two damper options. I spent the last few months riding the 2018 160-millimeter-travel Fox 36 Elite 29er fork and FIT4 damper ($889, about $100 less than the FIT4 Factory edition fork and $165 less than the HSC/LSC damped Factory 36). Fox classifies their 36 fork in the “all-mountain” genre, and travel offerings differ slightly between the 650b option (150, 160, or 170mm) and the 29er version (150 or 160mm). The Elite options are offered for Fox’s 34, 36, and 40 fork families.
#Fox 36 fork series
The Performance Elite forks retain the same adjustments, dampers, weight, and 7000 series aluminum upper tubes as the Factory Series, but use black anodized upper tubes instead of the Kashima Coat. In recent years, Fox launched their Performance Elite models which apply proven Fox suspension technologies into slightly more wallet-friendly offerings. Eye-catching gold stanchions make a statement, however it’s the inner workings of the fork which really define the ride quality. A lot of riders recognize Fox Racing Shox’s gold-colored stanchion bling, aka Kashima coating, which is intended to reduce friction and keep suspension moving smoothly through its stroke.
0 kommentar(er)
