fox 32 fork travel

2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast Review | This brand new XC fork is the lightest that Fox has ever made

The not-so-minor details.

2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast

https://www.ridefox.com/

From $999 AUD ($1,699 AUD as tested)

- Incredibly light weight - Beautifully supple performance - Useful compression settings

- Limited to 100mm of travel

Wil reviews the 2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast

Whereas most of the 2025 Fox fork lineup has been updated with new dampers, the Fox 32 Step-Cast is entirely new from the inside-out.

It’s a pretty big deal too. Featuring a radical magnesium structure that adopts a distinctive reverse arch design, the 32 Step-Cast is purportedly the lightest suspension fork that Fox has ever produced. It also features the brand new GRIP SL damper, which replaces the outgoing FIT4 cartridge that had been in service for close to a decade.

To see how it performs on the trail and find out what clues this lightweight fork might hold for the future, I’ve been testing the Fox 32 Step-Cast on my home trails over the past couple of weeks.

Watch our video on the 2025 Fox Suspension range here:

An overview of the 2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast fork

The Fox 32 Step-Cast is a lightweight suspension fork that is purpose-built for XC riding and racing. It’s optimised around 100mm of travel, making it suited to hardtails and aggressive short-travel full suspension race bikes like the Trek Supercaliber , Specialized Epic World Cup and Canyon Lux World Cup .

With weight being a big focus, the 32 Step-Cast has been stripped back to the absolute bare essentials. It’s only produced in a single chassis option to suit 29in wheels, and it isn’t possible to change the travel. If you want more, you’ll need to look towards the bigger 34 Step-Cast fork .

As with its predecessor, the 32 Step-Cast features 32mm diameter upper tubes. However, in the pursuit of maximum gram-removal Fox has employed double-butting for the damper-side. Yes, the stanchions are actually specific to each side of the fork! This purportedly saves 9g, showing just how seriously the engineers have approached weight reduction.

Further weight savings come from a new hollow crown (-9g), steerer tube (-11g), and the Kabolt SL thru-axle (-12g). You thought you were a weight weenie? Think again!

Reverse arch chassis

Where things take a more radical turn with the new 32 Step-Cast is its reverse arch design. Made possible thanks to Manitou’s expired patent, the rearward facing bridge was first adopted by Fox for its 32 Taper-Cast gravel fork .

Here it takes on a much more prominent aesthetic with an organic-looking structure that was developed via generative design. This lead to a lattice-like structure with numerous hollowed-out pockets that are formed during the magnesium casting process. The arch is deep and sits quite low, though it still provides sufficient clearance for modern 2.4in wide XC tyres.

Hidden underneath the arch are oil channels that extend down the back of the lower legs. This feature has been borrowed from the bigger 34 Step-Cast , and it’s a clever way to help the forks splash fluid to properly lubricate the bushings, wiper seals and foam rings.

As well as producing a visually striking design, the reverse arch is claimed to improve torsional stiffness while also minimising weight. Fox claims the new 32 Step-Cast fork is 40% stiffer than its predecessor, while being 100g lighter.

Those aren’t insignificant numbers. Given the claimed improvements, I wouldn’t be surprised if Fox is working away behind the scenes to implement the reverse arch design into longer travel applications.

The new GRIP SL damper

Another key component of the Fox 32 Step-Cast is its brand new GRIP SL damper.

Replacing the old FIT4 damper, GRIP SL features a completely redesigned structure that draws on tech found in the longer travel GRIP X and GRIP X2 dampers. This sees it employ a coil-backed IFP with a self-purging design that aims to elevate both sensitivity and long-term durability.

Despite the claimed improvements, Fox says the GRIP SL cartridge is 65g lighter than the FIT4 damper it replaces.

It’s still plenty adjustable too, with a three-position compression lever that offers Open, Medium and Firm modes. You can also get a remote-activated version.

Adjusting the rebound damping is slightly trickier due to the omission of a traditional dial. Instead you’ll need a long 2.5mm hex key for accessing the adjuster inside the hollowed-out fork lowers. Thankfully Fox includes one in the box.

2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast weight

With its fancy new chassis and GRIP SL damper, the Fox 32 Step-Cast has dropped considerable weight over its predecessor. Claimed weight is just 1,287g making this one of, if not the lightest XC fork on the market.

I’ve had the chance to weigh our test fork after cutting the steerer tube to 165mm. With the Kabolt SL axle fitted it came in at 1,308g on my workshop scales, which is a little heavier than claimed but still lighter than any other mountain bike fork we’ve tested. Here’s how the real world weight stacks up against the other forks I’ve been able to put on the same scales;

• 2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast GRIP SL – 1,308g
• 2024 RockShox SID SL Charger Race Day 2 – 1,329g
• 2024 Fox 32 Step-Cast FIT4 – 1,430g
• 2024 RockShox SID Charger Race Day 2 – 1,510g
• 2024 Fox 34 Step-Cast FIT4 – 1,517g

2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast price & specs

• Use | XC Racing
• Travel   | 100mm
• Stanchions   | 32mm Tapered Alloy
• Spring   |  Float EVOL
• Damper   | GRIP SL (Factory Series & Performance Elite), GRIP (Performance Series)
• Adjustments | Air Pressure, Air Volume, Rebound, 3-Position Compression Lever
• Lowers   | Magnesium lowers w/Bypass Channels
• Axle   | Kabolt SL
• Rotor size   | 160-180mm
• Max tyre clearance  | 2.4in
• Claimed Weight | 1,287g
• Actual Weight | 1,308g
• Price | $999 AUD (Performance Series) – $1,699 AUD (Factory Series)

Installation

I fitted the 2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast to my trusty Specialized Chisel LTD hardtail  in place of a RockShox SID SL .

Installation was straightforward, though I did have to switch out the front hub’s oversized Torque Caps for a set of conventional end caps on my Zipp 1Zero HiTop wheelset . On this note, I’d love to see Fox adopt the oversized Torque Cap dropouts that RockShox has been using for years, as it seems like a no-brainer for increasing torsional stiffness between the fork and front wheel.

There’s a neat bolt-on hose guide, and the post-mount brake tabs are designed to accommodate a 160mm rotor without the need for an adapter. It is possible to fit a 180mm rotor, but the step-cast lowers prevent you from going any larger than that.

As usual, Fox puts a handy setup chart on the back of the fork legs with recommended pressures and rebound settings based on your riding weight (that’s you with your riding gear). I went with the recommended 74psi and set the rebound damping at 10/18 clicks. Adjusting rebound with the included hex key is easy, and it’s small enough to throw in a jersey pocket or hip pack for the first few rides as you get things dialled in.

On the topic of setup, the 32 Step-Cast utilises the same blue plastic volume spacers as the old fork. It comes from the factory with a single volume spacer installed, and there’s room for up to four if you need to increase progression. Opening up the top cap to add or subtract spacers has been made easier thanks to the move to a lower-profile cassette interface. This is something RockShox has been doing for a while now, and I expect more Fox forks will adopt the same standard moving forward.

Testing the 2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast fork

While I’ve only had the new Fox 32 Step-Cast for a couple of weeks, I’ve already managed to log a decent amount of trail time.

Straight away I was impressed with its supple action. The previous 32 Step-Cast was already quite an active little fork, but the new version takes that sensitivity to a whole new level. It’s buttery smooth and does a marvellous job of soaking up small chatter while keeping the front tyre glued to the ground. This is particularly noticeable and appreciated on the hardtail, where the fork is doing a lot of the legwork when you’re traversing over rocky terrain.

The new GRIP SL damper no doubt deserves a lot of credit for the improved sensitivity. Set in the Open position, the 32 Step-Cast eagerly gobbles up everything from small roots through to chunkier rocks. It readily uses all of its travel when absorbing harder landings, though surprisingly for such a lightweight fork it doesn’t squirm about like I expected it to. It feels a lot more solid than its predecessor, and the internal bottom-out bumper means the end of the travel is well cushioned. I haven’t encountered any harshness at the end of the stroke, though if I were to fit this fork to a more progressive full suspension XC bike I can see myself experimenting with adding a volume spacer for a little more ramp.

A firm but useable platform

Flip the GRIP SL lever into the Medium compression mode and you can feel the low-speed damping firm up. This provides a noticeable pedalling platform that helps the fork to resist bobbing while also holding it higher in its travel.

That’s great for riding along smoother trails, but what surprised me about the Medium mode was just how easily the fork would still absorb smaller rocks and roots. Normally I tend to run XC forks wide open on my home trails as I prefer them to absorb the trail rather than pass feedback onto my wrists and arms. In the case of the 32 Step-Cast however, it’s still highly effective in that Medium compression mode, and not just on bigger square-edge hits. In fact, I’ve come to use it most of the time, only flipping the lever into Open for extended descents.

The Firm mode is also handy for sprinting along smooth fireroads and when commuting on bitumen to and from the trailhead. It’s more than ‘firm’, being pretty much a hard lockout that turns the Chisel into a fully rigid bike. There is still a blowoff circuit that will allow the fork to absorb a really hard hit if you accidentally forget to unlock it.

On the note of the GRIP SL lever, the action is much lighter than the old FIT4 damper. The elongated and rounded-off lever profile feels a lot nicer in the hand, and there’s less effort required when switching modes. I expect this will translate to the remote-activated version, which should lead to a lighter lever action.

Any downsides so far?

The main downside of the 2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast fork is the fact that it’s limited to just 100mm of travel.

A lot of modern XC bikes are moving towards bigger 110-120mm travel forks, with the Specialized Epic 8 , Orbea Oiz and Scott Spark RC being the most well-known examples. As such, the latest RockShox SID and the 34 Step-Cast have become the more popular options even amongst World Cup XC racers.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t riders out there who are looking for a lightweight and high-performance 100mm travel fork. It’s just a bit of a bummer that the new 32 Step-Cast is somewhat restricted to being used on hardtails and more traditional full suspension XC bikes, because that market isn’t exactly growing.

However, given the amount of time and resources that Fox has poured into the development of this fork, I expect it may be laying the groundwork for building those technologies into longer travel platforms.

I should also point out that the bigger 34 Step-Cast fork has been updated for 2025 with the new GRIP SL damper. And based on my positive experience with the 32 Step-Cast, I’m very excited to try out its bigger brother in the near future.

Flow’s Early Verdict

The new 2025 Fox 32 Step-Cast doesn’t just impress with its radical appearance and incredibly low weight, it also delivers a supremely smooth performance out on the trail. It does well to maximise traction on choppy terrain, and it’s proven to be surprisingly sturdy when copping bigger hits.

There’s useful adjustability from the new GRIP SL damper, which allows you to make use of the Medium mode more of the time. And while it’s early days in terms of testing, the new damper architecture should offer benefits for long-term servicing.

Indeed for those who own the previous 32 Step-Cast, or any other older 100mm travel XC fork, this new version will make for a compelling upgrade. It’s lighter, sturdier and a whole lot more sensitive than anything that’s come before it.

It is a bit of a shame that this fork is limited to just 100mm of travel, but it’s worth noting that the bigger 34 Step-Cast will come with the same GRIP SL damper for 2025. We’ll have one of those in for review soon, so stay tuned as we dive deeper into the Fox suspension range over the coming months.

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2016+ 32mm/34mm FLOAT Internally Adjusting Fork Travel

Required tools.

• 398-00-681 2002-017 32 Damper-side and ALL 32-34-36-40 Spring-side Removal Tool
• 398-00-682 2005-017 34-36-40 Damper-side Removal Tool (needed only for 34mm forks)
• 398-00-702 Tooling: Fork Topcap Socket, 26mm, 3/8 Drive

Supplies Needed

• 10mm Socket
• 15mm Socket
• 2mm Hex Wrench
• Torque Wrench

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves during service to prevent potential injury. Failure to wear protective equipment during service may lead to SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: Some damper and spring combinations are not possible. DO NOT attempt to extend travel on a 32mm or 34mm FLOAT fork without first contacting FOX directly to verify  that the damper and chassis of the fork can handle the new longer travel. Failure to do so may lead to an unapproved combination of parts that could fail,  causing a loss of control of the bicycle leading to SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH.

2016 32mm FLOAT forks can be travel adjusted by replacing the air shaft assembly. 32mm forks can be reduced in travel as low as 80mm. Certain 32mm forks may have travel extended only if they were built with a damper and chassis that can be extended safely to the new longer travel. Please contact FOX directly before extending travel on any fork to verify that the stock components of the fork can handle the new longer travel. 

32mm forks may be built with two different upper tube bore diameters, 1.110" and 1.117". The upper tubes with the larger 1.117" bore diameter have slightly thinner walls to save weight in certain applications. Make sure to select the appropriate replacement air shaft assembly with a piston diameter that matches the bore of your upper tube.  

The chart below lists 32mm FLOAT air shaft assemblies for 2016+ forks with their bore diameter. 

You can determine your bore diameter by contacting FOX directly with your forks serial number (located under the crown on the base of the steertube) or 4 digit ID code.

When adjusting travel, you will change your air spring compression ratio. To tune your new air spring to feel the same as the original at a different travel, you may need to add or remove air volume spacers from the topcap. You can find instructions for changing air volume spacers in 32mm and 34mm forks by clicking: 2016 32mm/34mm FLOAT Air Spring Tuning with Air Volume Spacers » . The chart below lists recommended air volume spacers by upper tube bore, wheel size, and travel. The maximum number of spacers is listed in parenthesis for each configuration. Never exceed the listed maximum amount of air volume spacers.

2016 34mm FLOAT forks can be travel adjusted by replacing the air shaft assembly. 34mm forks can be reduced in travel as low as 110mm. 2016 27.5in 34mm forks may have travel extended up to 160mm. While 2016 29in 34mm forks may have travel extended up to 140mm, forks starting at 120 or below will need a new damper to acheive greater than 120 travel. All 2016 34mm forks share the same upper tube bore diameter.

The chart below lists 34mm FLOAT air shaft assemblies for 2016+ forks.

When adjusting travel, you will change your air spring compression ratio. To tune your new air spring to feel the same as the original at a different travel, you may need to add or remove air volume spacers from the topcap. You can find instructions for changing air volume spacers in 32mm and 34mm forks by clicking:  2016 32mm/34mm FLOAT Air Spring Tuning with Air Volume Spacers » . The chart below lists recommended air volume spacers by travel. The maximum number of spacers is listed in parenthesis for each configuration. Never exceed the listed maximum amount of air volume spacers.

WARNING: FOX products should be serviced by a trained bicycle service technician, in accordance with FOX specifications. If you have any doubt whether or not you can properly service your FOX product, then DO NOT attempt it. Improperly serviced products can fail, causing the rider to lose control resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: Never attempt to modify air volume spacers or air shaft assemblies, as this can damage your fork causing a loss of control of the bicycle leading to SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH.

WARNING: FOX suspension products contain pressurized nitrogen, air, oil, or all 3. Suspension misuse can cause property damage, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT puncture, incinerate or crush any portion of a FOX suspension product. DO NOT attempt to disassemble any portion of a FOX suspension product, unless expressly instructed to do so by the applicable FOX technical documentation, and then ONLY while strictly adhering to all FOX instructions and warnings in that instance.

WARNING: Modification, improper service, or use of aftermarket replacement parts with FOX forks and shocks may cause the product to malfunction, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT modify any part of a fork or shock, including the fork brace (lower leg cross brace), crown, steerer, upper and lower leg tubes, or internal parts, except as instructed herein. Any unauthorized modification may void the warranty, and may cause failure or the fork or shock, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remove the blue air cap and cover the air valve with a rag as you release the air pressure.

WARNING: Please verify that all air has been released from the air chamber by pushing down on the Schrader valve core. Failure to release all air pressure before further disassembly may cause parts to eject causing SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

With a chamfer-less 6-point 26mm socket (PN: 398-00-602), unthread the topcap assembly completely (counter-clockwise). Pull straight up to remove the entire topcap assembly from the left side upper tube. Some upward force might be needed to overcome the friction of the stock air volume spacer.

Use a 2mm hex wrench to unthread the set screw in the red rebound knob. Remove the knob and set it aside. 

Use a 10mm socket to unthread and remove the air side bottom nut. Remove and discard the original crushwasher.

Note: You may need a custom 10mm socket that has been reduced in outer diameter to clear certain Step-Cast lower leg castings. 

32mm:  Use a 10mm socket to remove the damper side bottom nut. Remove and discard the original crushwasher.

34mm:  Use a 15mm socket to remove the damper side bottom nut. Make sure to remove and discard the orginal crushwasher which may be stuck to the bottom nut.

Use Damper Removal Tools 398-00-681 and 398-00-682 to dislodge the shafts from the lowers. Make sure that you have approximately half of the available threads engaged with your tool before striking with your mallet. Remove the damper removal tools, then bring the fork upright over an oil basin to drain. After oil stops draining from the lowers, pull the lowers off of the upper tubes and set them aside.

Remove the retaining ring from the bottom of the air side upper tube. 32mm forks use a double wound flat retaining ring. 34mm forks use a single wound Hoopster style retaining ring.

Thread the damper removal tool (PN: 398-00-681) onto the air shaft and pull out from the upper tube to remove the air shaft assembly.

Apply a thin film of Slick Honey to the inside of the upper tube. Apply a thick film of Slick Honey to the new air shaft assembly in the areas of the piston, neg plate, and shaft above the neg plate. 

Insert the air shaft assembly into the end of the upper tube. Push the air shaft assembly into the upper tube far enough to allow you to start the neg plate into the upper tube. Push the shaft into the upper tube to pull the neg plate into its installed position.

Replace the retaining ring making sure it is fully seated in its groove by pulling on the air shaft. (32mm version shown)

Inject 3cc of FOX 20wt. Gold oil into the main air chamber through the top of the upper tube.  Reinstall the topcap into the fork crown and tighten clockwise to 220 in-lb (24.8 Nm) torque with your 6-point chamfer-less 26mm socket.

Add air pressure to your desired setting using a FOX high pressure pump. See the  Setting Fork Air Pressure  section for more information. Reinstall the blue air cap.

Install the Lower Leg Assembly onto the upper tubes. Inject the approprate amount of FOX 20wt. Gold oil into each leg through the bottom hole.

Install a new crushwasher on each side followed by the appropriate bottom nut. Torque both bottom nuts to 50in-lb (5.7 Nm). 

Use a 2mm hex wrench to install the red rebound knob. Make sure that the set screw lines up with the depression in the rebound adjuster shaft. Clean the exterior of your fork.

After assembly you must compress the fork 3-5mm very slowly until you feel the chamber pressures equalize.

Distributor and OEM service documents access

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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First Rides: A Stiffer FOX 32 Step Cast XC Fork Feels Light, Fast & Capable for just 100mm

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I’ll try to keep this one short and sweet heading into the weekend, but we had the exclusive opportunity for a first test of the wild new reverse arch FOX 32 Step Cast XC fork. Although it almost looks smaller than ever without seeing a conventional fork arch up front, this is undeniably a highly capable cross-country fork. Combining a new level of stiffness with an almost silly amount of apparent weight loss vs. the already light original 32 SC, this new fork will be a killer option for ultralight hardtail or short-travel full-suspension XC bikes!

MY 2025 Fox 32 Step Cast XC fork: First Rides Review

I said I’ll try to be brief.*

Since I really only managed to squeeze in two solid rides on the new Fox 32 Step Cast cross-country fork, mounted to the same all-new Pinarello Dogma XC full-suspension race bike that Tom Pidcock raced to a 2023 XCO World Championship win.

* But readers who recognize my byline might not be so easily convinced. Oops.

Yet this fork was completely new to me. And new to the entire team at Pinarello. Their INEOS team race on SR Suntour suspension, and literally no one had even thrown a leg over this bike fitted with Fox’s wild new reverse arch XC fork .

So everyone had their fingers crossed. But no one 100% knew what to expect.

And the fork was really good. Essentially right out of the box, with minimal setup and fiddling required.

So, I rode it hard over a wide range of terrain, and have plenty of positive feedback to share.

A brief catch-up on new Fox 32 Step Cast tech

The 2025 Fox 32 Step Cast XC fork just came out last week , unveiled by Fox on the 9th. I rode it on the 11th.

It’s mostly unique in that it replaces the conventional forward-facing fork brace with a reverse arch design. That reverse arch is also composed of an open web said to maximize stiffness with limited material.

The new Fox 32 SC fork is 29er only and limited to 100mm of travel – for XC, marathon, and ultra-distance racing. But it also happens to have shed more than one hundred grams over the previous generation, even when that weight was for the 27.5 version. And at a claimed 1287g now, it has reclaimed the title of lightest XC suspension fork back from the RockShox SID SL .

Into the weeds

That open reverse arch is all about increasing stiffness – lowering the arch and balancing the axle offset on the opposite side of the lowers. These new cast magnesium lowers are in fact a couple grams heavier, not in fact lighter than the old lowers. But Fox claims they are significantly stiffer compared to the old 32 Step Cast. The overall fork is said increase torsional stiffness by 40%, making it nearly as stiff as the 34 SC.

The fork’s weight savings are mostly hidden inside – the lighter damper, stanchion, steerer tube & Kabolt SL thru-axle are said to save 97g.

Plus, another 9g for the new zero offset crown that reduced cantilevered forces to become stiffer.

Instead of having the stanchions in line with the headtube angle, this new crown angles or can’t the telescoping elements of the fork more in line with the forces coming in from the axle. It looks a bit odd with no offset at the crown. But means improved stiffness with less weight.

Fox does say this solution is limited to shorter travel fork loads. So even though it seems logical, we don’t expect to see it on many more forks in the short term.

It still uses a Step Cast design towards the axle to save weight. And inside the now double-butted right leg, there’s a new lighter Grip SL damper – with smoother and faster compression adjustment between open, pedal & locked modes. The air spring side sticks with straight internal walls in its stanchion.

Full details on the updated MY25 Fox dampers, here .

My XC Setup

Itching to get out of the trail early the next day, I set my air pressure the night before, pumped up to the low end of the recommended range for my 85kg riding weight (at 95psi). I tried to figure on almost 25% sag, knowing that I had a remote mechanical lockout if I felt the fork was too soft.

That’s quite a bit more sag than the stiff 15-20% that Fox recommends. But I wasn’t going to be racing, so I wanted to be sure to use the travel. And I got that sag while essentially using the pressure recommended on the side of the fork leg.

In fact, the fork felt sufficiently plush for the short 100mm travel. But ramped up to offer plenty of support. Out of the saddle sprinting ( like above ) didn’t even require locking the fork out.

Climbing – Open, Medium, or Firm lockout modes

And for the most part, I only went full lock on asphalt climbs. On really steep off-road climbs I did pop it into the middle half-locked Medium mode, which did a good job resisting bobbing as I stair-stepped up some nasty ramps in probably too hard a gear.

But the top-spec Pinarello Dogma XC felt so light, it wanted to fly up steep climbs. So often I would just stand up and stomp it out instead of downshifting. And the supportive fork in Medium semi-locked compression mode provided a perfect balance with ample stiffness, but still enough movement to keep the tire attached to the ground.

Rebound I kept in the middle of the range, a happy medium of quick but not bouncy return. Enough to keep the front wheel attached to the ground over rough terrain, but not harsh on tougher descents.

And luckily didn’t need to change it, since it requires a fiddly little 2mm hex to adjust.

What does Fox mean that the 32 Step Cast is for Marathon, not World Cup XC?

It’s a bit tricky where this new 32 SC gets pigeonholed. Fox describes the new ultralight fork as the “ Absolute Lightest in XC. Made for Marathon. “

Sure, a lot of XC racers have moved up to 120mm of travel to tackle the more technical tracks. So 100mm of lightweight travel is maybe not quite enough for the high race-pace speeds of the World Cup XCO circuit. But I’m pretty sure that I’m not attacking climbs and descents anywhere near the likes of Tom Pidcock on this bike.

So, while I love long-travel mountain bikes, 100mm on an XC bike is probably enough for most of us.

Even blasting down slabs of rock, drifting through gravel-strewn forest roads at probably too high speed, and smashing though rock gardens as fast as I felt comfortable, it was probably lightweight 2.4″ XC tires with tiny tread knobs that felt like my limiting factor.

I never felt lacking of travel or stiffness on my two fast rides. Smashing around technical trails and an XC race training loop just outside of Riva del Garda last week, the new 100mm Fox 32 SC

The 100mm travel Fox 32 SC managed to feel like it was really soaking up the bumps. Without quite edging into a zone I would call plush. It was active, supportive, and shock-absorbing in the best sense.

Plenty capable enough on the downhills for most of us

I also didn’t manage to bottom it out, even though I tried pretty hard. Sending the short travel XC bike into rock gardens and off drops wherever I could see a clear-enough landing to be sure that the Recon Race tires would hook up enough for me to keep the rubber side down.

I set the fork up on the soft side. It supported my weight in and out of the saddle over steep terrain up and down. And it was plenty stiff to track wherever I pointed it whether through choppy turns or into rocks and roots.

It really did everything I could ask of a 100mm fork. The fact that it is probably the lightest 100mm for that I’ve ever ridden is just a huge bonus.

So, who is the new Fox 32 SC actually for, after all?

This is a top-tier cross-country race fork, with a long-distance marathon leaning. And it comes with a suitably high cost. So, it’s clearly not fork everyone.

But as the lightest mountain bike fork on the market, the $970 price tag for the new Fox 32 SC Factory seems a lot more reasonable than I would have expected. A SID SL Ultimate with Flight Attendant sells for $1350. More my style of riding at home, a top-tier 36 Factory or Lyrik Ultimate, both sell for $1100. (Not considering Flight Attendant).

Now what bike would I want this new Fox 32 Step Cast on?

The full-suspension Pinarello Dogma XC that I tested this new fork on was great. It is a UCI XC World Cup and World Championship-winning bike with this amount of travel. So that makes the 120mm travel argument a bit dependent on the rider. I would love that setup if I raced marathon distance XC.

But for how I like to ride, I would love to stick this on an ultralight carbon hardtail. Just like 12x World Champ Pauline Ferrand-Prévot . Try to build up a 9kg race rocket and see how fast I could push it on my local singletrack, forest roads, and maybe some local XCO & XCM racing. Or maybe inch up closer to 10kg with a light hardtail build suitable for off-road adventure racing.

This is a fork that wants to go fast. It’s just up to the rider to put the power into the pedals.

RideFox.com

Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com .

Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking for over 25 years, even before the industry created some of these names. Prior to Bikerumor, Cory was a practicing Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, has designed bike shops & bike components, and worked as a bike shop mechanic.

Based in the Czech Republic for 15+ years, he is a technical mountain biker, adventurous gravel rider, and short & medium-haul bikepacker. Cory travels extensively across Europe riding bikes, meeting with key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next.

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How would this compare to the Sid sL with flight attendant? Ie how much do you “need” the attendant over just leaving it “alone” as you did ?

I thought 120mm was the new suspension travel for XC? I wonder why Fox is only making this in 100mm.

34SC for 120mm, also very light, but a little more capable. The 32 is for Marathon, a lot of XCO athletes are using the 34SC.

And Marathon is what XC used to be.

I’m mystified to see wisps of leg hairs in an article talking about XC and 32mm stanchion 100mm travel forks.

a 9kg race rocket haha 9kg is heavy for a HT. My large fully with 120mm DT Swiss, SRAM Transmission and dropper is 8.5kg. with the new 32 SC, you could easily build a 100mm fully below 9kg. but not with this super ugly pinarellos, too heavy.

I’ll have the original reverse-arch XC weapon, R7, please

And the new damper is basically the same thing as Manitou’s intrinsic TPC damper. Fox is a marketing company.

What is the A2C?

Axle to Crown.

I would own this if it was affordable. Too bad the bike industry is pricing itself out of business. Seems like the parts on aliexpress are getting more attractive with every new bike/part post on BR. 🙁

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Fox 32 SC Factory 2020 Fork Review

Fox 32 sc factory fork gets a new crown for 2020 but does this mean it reigns supreme on rowdy xc trails.

BikePerfect Verdict

Fox’s latest 32 Step Cast is its most impressive fork so far

Fantastic travel-flattering suspension control with full-ride character adjustability

New crown is noticeably more accurate when you’re getting aggressive

Performance version packs in most of the on trail wins for less money

Only 100mm travel options and tight on tyre space

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

If you’ve watched any World Cup XC racing recently you’ll see that courses have seriously stepped up in terms of the size of rock gardens and drops regularly featured and the speed riders are hitting them at. Increasingly trail-style geometry numbers, full suspension and dropper posts also up the potential for pilots to get really aggressive on short-travel bikes. That puts even more pressure on the forks that have to handle these faster, bigger loads first though but Fox’s latest 32 Step Cast is its most impressive so far.

• Best mountain bike forks for all disciplines

The lower legs of the SC stay the same, with their distinctive STEP CAST inside tip cut outs allowing a 10mm narrower stance than non SC 32s. The SC design also raises the floor of the damper and spring chambers to reduce weight, with a basket-style extender on the rebound rod to keep weight to a minimum. Sticking with an alloy rather than carbon steerer means no need for a heavier carbon headset plug either.

The crown is all-new though and, according to Fox, it gives the same stiffness figures as the bigger-legged 34 but only adds 30g so weight is still only just over 1400g for the 29er version including bolted ‘Kabolt’ axle. The Factory version gets Fox’s signature golden Kashima coating on the upper legs, while the Performance option uses the same architecture just with a cheaper black anodised stanchion finish.

There are 27.5- and 29-inch wheel options and two offset options for both forks but travel is limited to 100mm and fork clearance to 2.3in. That means it’s definitely XC focused and not as fatter-rubber versatile as the RockShox SID if you’re thinking of going 2.4in like Schurter and others.

Packing consistent impact control into just 100mm of travel without compromising sensitive traction or blowing through to the bumps stops isn’t easy. Fox has a track record of doing it better than anyone else though and the latest 32 SC is no different. The increased volume EVOL negative spring makes it super grippy to stop skip and chatter around sag point when climbing or scrabbling for connection as the trail falls away in a corner. Transition into the supportive mid-stroke never feels choked or constipated though, just predictable and purposeful, and it carries on feeling that composed and communicative to full travel. You can alter progression easily by adding internal spacers to the top cap of the air spring too, so it’s simple to balance to preference or sync with rear suspension feel. There’s a recommended pressure chart on the left leg too, although we generally added 10 per cent over the guide figures to keep the fork in the sweet spot.

The FIT 4 damper gives Open, Medium and Firm base settings with a sweep of the blue fork top lever (or you can choose a two-position remote control lever) and fine adjustment of low-speed compression in Open mode via a smaller central dial. Unlike older, longer-travel Fox forks, not only is the damping flawless in terms of composure, the adjustment range is ample whether you’re a light, smooth-lining XC whippet or a heavy, hard charger who wants minimal movement outside of emergencies. If you’re not a fettler or lever flicker the good news is that it runs fine in all but extreme rider/riding situations with just a basic sag and rebound check and the FIT 4 damper left open. If that’s your approach though you may as well get the Performance model with the excellent Grip damper cartridge which limits adjustability but still delivers outstanding control for less cash.

None of the above will come as a surprise to current 32 owners as the internals are unchanged to previous models, but where the new fork really shines is steering precision. Fox’s claim that the 20 per cent crown gains make it as stiff as the 34 rings true when riding the two forks back-to-back with the same wheel and tyre combo. Then again the 34 isn’t particularly stiff so it’s not a massive boast and it’s still not as stiff as DT’s OPM fork. It definitely handles bullying from the trail, aggressive line choice or just the leverage of big bars and brake rotors better than the 2019 version though and more than muscularly enough for the front ends and traction levels of most bikes and tyres it’ll be paired with.

How well the proven internals inside the skinny legs of Fox’s flagship XC fork deliver consistent control and a ‘120mm feel’ in just 100mm isn’t a surprise. Fox has had that seamlessly progressive supple start to robust big-hit capture sorted for a while. That makes it a great set-and-forget fork compared to most short-travel forks that struggle to find a balance between glued down sensitivity and effective but never obtrusive control of bigger hits. The increased crown stiffness really lets you exploit that on more challenging trails too, rather than buckling under you or freaking out in corners/cambers before rear suspension or geometry is close to it’s limits. While we’ve tested the top dollar Factory version here we’ve also ridden the Performance fork and we’re pretty sure most riders wouldn’t be able to tell any difference in a blindfold test. In fact it’s probably a better fork for most riders who don’t want to spend extra time tuning before they hit the trail and are unlikely to tweak it once they’re riding so if that helps pay for a couple more race entries and a few tubs of recovery drink then you won’t miss much on the trail.

Test conditions

• Temperature: 12 to 23 degrees in dry and wet weather
• Trails: Man-made and natural, dirt, wood gravel trails, dirt
• Terrain: Blue, red and occasional black graded trail centre climbs and descents

Tech spec: 2020 Fox 32 SC Factory Fork

• Weight: 1418g (29er, Boost with Kabolt bolted axle, cut steerer and star-fangled nut)
• Stanchion diamante: 32mm, Kashima coated
• Travel: 100mm
• Adjustability: Self setting negative air spring. 3 position compression damping adjuster with Open mode fine tuning. Rebound damping

Guy has been working on Bike Perfect since we launched in 2019. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Forbidden Druid V2, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

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Most Popular

FOX 32 Factory Step-Cast - GRIP SL

Regular price $ 969.00.

Unit price / per 

Damper Control

ABSOLUTE LIGHTEST IN  XC . MADE FOR MARATHON.

At under 1300g , the 32 Step-Cast is the lightest MTB fork and made for marathon racing . With a slee k reverse arch , this fork also gains 40% stiffness over its predecessor . Available in 100mm travel only .

Your FOX 32 Step-Cast fork:

FOX 32 Specs

Upper Tube Finish: Kashima Coat Rotor Size: 160 Direct Post Mount, (29 up to 180 compatible) Air Spring: FLOAT EVOL Steerer: 1.5 Taper Starting Weight: 1161g (32TC, 700c, F-S, 50, Grip SL, Kabolt)*

Tuning & Product Manuals

Shipping & returns policy.

We offer  free standard shipping on all orders of $99 and above.  We offer standard flat rate shipping for $10 on orders under $100 and expedited shipping based on your location.

Please note we do not ship outside of the USA. Please Visit our Canadian FOX Shop for shipments to Canada. Typically you will receive a tracking number within 2 business days following your order.

Within 30 days of purchase online FOX will accept returns of all returned with original packaging in unused condition. To initiate the return please fill out the returns form and await contact by email from our Customer Service Team. Please note shipping charges will not be refunded.

The GRIP SL is an incredibly light, short travel-specific damper that not only saves weight, but provides an unparalleled ride feel in its class. Riders experience a supple stroke with an optimized pedal-to-bump efficiency, as well as a smooth blowoff force in lockout mode to reduce rider fatigue. Learn more about the new GRIP family.

REAR ARCH MATRIX

The rear arch matrix was generatively designed to increase stiffness by 40% while minimizing the weight penalty. With 100mm of travel in the 32 Step-Cast, the rear arch has all the necessary clearance for XC frames.

KABOLT SL AXLE

The svelte new Kabolt SL thru-axle drops an additional 12g over our standard Kabolt axle by eliminating the additional weight of an axle nut and decreasing the flange diameter.

REDESIGNED CROWN

A new 7000 Series aluminum, zero-offset crown supports angled upper tubes, rather than relying on extra material to achieve rake overall rake. The crown not only contributes to the 32 Step-Cast’s stiffness, but when combined with our ultra-light steerer tube, saves approximately 20g over the previous model.

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Fox 32 Suspension Fork

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Competition drives innovation, and as cross-country athletes and course designers push the boundaries of lightweight components, 32 Step-Cast Performance rises to meet the demand. A redesigned crown for 2020 increases stiffness to the same level as the trail-proven 34. The distinct shape of the Step-Cast chassis uses a narrow stance to save weight and the step design makes room for the spokes and brake rotor. Black anodized upper tubes 32 mm upper tubes and ample bushing overlap for a quality ride Hollowed out lower legs provide even more weight savings FIT GRIP damper and FLOAT air spring Performance Series black-on-black graphics package Item Specifications Axle to Crown Length 501 Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Matte Black Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black External Adjustments Low Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Rebound Damping Front Axle 15mm Thru x 110mm Lockout Switch Crown Maximum Tire Width 58 Negative Spring Air Offset 51 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Stanchion Diameter 32 Steerer Tube Length (mm) 264 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 100 Wheel Size 29" FOX 32 Step-Cast Performance Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 821973418643

Competition drives innovation, and as cross-country athletes and course designers push the boundaries of lightweight components, 32 Step-Cast Performance rises to meet the demand. A redesigned crown for 2020 increases stiffness to the same level as the trail-proven 34. The distinct shape of the Step-Cast chassis uses a narrow stance to save weight and the step design makes room for the spokes and brake rotor. Black anodized upper tubes 32 mm upper tubes and ample bushing overlap for a quality ride Hollowed out lower legs provide even more weight savings FIT GRIP damper and FLOAT air spring Performance Series black-on-black graphics package Item Specifications Axle to Crown Length 501 Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Matte Black Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black External Adjustments Low Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Rebound Damping Front Axle 15mm Thru x 100mm Lockout Switch Crown Maximum Tire Width 58 Negative Spring Air Offset 44 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Stanchion Diameter 32 Steerer Tube Length (mm) 264 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 100 Wheel Size 29" FOX 32 Step-Cast Performance Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 821973418650

Competition drives innovation, and as cross-country athletes and course designers push the boundaries of lightweight components, 32 Step-Cast Performance rises to meet the demand. A redesigned crown for 2020 increases stiffness to the same level as the trail-proven 34. The distinct shape of the Step-Cast chassis uses a narrow stance to save weight and the step design makes room for the spokes and brake rotor. Black anodized upper tubes 32 mm upper tubes and ample bushing overlap for a quality ride Hollowed out lower legs provide even more weight savings FIT GRIP damper and FLOAT air spring Performance Series black-on-black graphics package Item Specifications Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Matte Black Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black Front Axle 15mm Thru x 110mm Lockout Switch Crown Negative Spring Air Offset 44 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 100 Wheel Size 27.5" FOX 32 Step-Cast Performance Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 821973457291

Competition drives innovation, and as cross-country athletes and course designers push the boundaries of lightweight components, 32 Step-Cast Performance rises to meet the demand. A redesigned crown for 2020 increases stiffness to the same level as the trail-proven 34. The distinct shape of the Step-Cast chassis uses a narrow stance to save weight and the step design makes room for the spokes and brake rotor. Black anodized upper tubes 32 mm upper tubes and ample bushing overlap for a quality ride Hollowed out lower legs provide even more weight savings FIT GRIP damper and FLOAT air spring Performance Series black-on-black graphics package Item Specifications Axle to Crown Length 488 Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Matte Black Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black External Adjustments Low Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Rebound Damping Front Axle 15mm Thru x 110mm Lockout Switch Crown Maximum Tire Width 60 Negative Spring Air Offset 44 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Stanchion Diameter 32 Steerer Tube Length (mm) 264 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 100 Wheel Size 27.5" FOX 32 Step-Cast Performance Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 821973418698

With a FLOAT EVOL air spring and on-the-fly compression adjustability, 32 Taper-Cast Performance delivers just enough tunable travel to take the edge off of wherever your gravel adventures may lead you. 700c chassis with clearance for large volume tires (50 mm max) Black anodized 7000 series aluminum stanchions and 12x100mm bolt-on thru axle FLOAT EVOL Air Spring and GRIP damper, featuring three on-the-fly settings - Open, Medium, and Firm Lightweight air spring optimized for short-travel Lightweight 32mm Step-Cast chassis with Lower Leg Air/Oil Bypass Channels Integrated full fender mounts (700c x 45 mm max with fender) Performance Series black-on-black graphics package Item Specifications Axle to Crown Length 435 Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Matte Black Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black External Adjustments Low Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Rebound Damping Front Axle 12mm Thru x 100mm Lockout Switch Crown Maximum Tire Width 50 Negative Spring Air Offset 44 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Stanchion Diameter 32 Steerer Tube Length (mm) 264 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 40 Weight 1226 Wheel Size 700c FOX 32 Taper-Cast Performance Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 821973418896

Grip SL gives riders the lightest XC damper with unparalleled ride feel. Drawing on 50 years of suspension innovation, in 2024 FOX is launching three new dampers—each engineered from the ground up—that represent the pinnacle of suspension performance; the Grip X2 for ultimate descending performance, The Grip X for uncompromised all-mountain traction, and the Grip SL, the lightest XC damper with unparalleled ride feel. In the world of endurance racing, every gram counts. With the Grip SL, we created a short travel-specific damper that not only reduced weight but could keep up with increasingly demanding World Cup XCO and XCM races. Lockout performance is paramount on the Grip SL; firm for hammering pedals during a sprint while maintaining a smooth blowoff force when you hit a bump with lockout engaged. This reduces fatigue and conserves rider energy. When the compression adjuster is in Middle or Open mode, riders experience a supple stroke in the early stages of the travel with an optimized pedal-to-bump efficiency. The 32 Step-Cast Factory is the choice for riders who want an all-round fork that performs in a vast range of applications: lightweight for climbs and highly capable for demanding terrain with enough travel to instill confidence when the trail gets rough. Weight savings are attributed to external lower casting steps, hollow lower section, and shortened shaft lengths. Item Specifications Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Shiny Black Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black External Adjustments High Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Low Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Rebound Damping Front Axle 15mm Thru x 110mm Lockout Switch Crown Maximum Tire Width 66 Negative Spring Air Offset 44 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Stanchion Diameter 32 Steerer Tube Length (mm) 264 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 100 Wheel Size 29" FOX 32 Step-Cast Factory Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 821973493244

FOX's Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Podium Gold Fork FOX has made a little over 7,000 of these limited edition forks for the 32, 34, 36 , 38 , & 40! Each Fork will be numbered along with a special note from Mr. FOX himself to celebrate the continued rider support FOX has received over the years! Once they're gone, they're gone forever!! Grip SL gives riders the lightest XC damper with unparalleled ride feel. Drawing on 50 years of suspension innovation, in 2024 FOX is launching three new dampers—each engineered from the ground up—that represent the pinnacle of suspension performance; the Grip X2 for ultimate descending performance, The Grip X for uncompromised all-mountain traction, and the Grip SL, the lightest XC damper with unparalleled ride feel. In the world of endurance racing, every gram counts. With the Grip SL, we created a short travel-specific damper that not only reduced weight but could keep up with increasingly demanding World Cup XCO and XCM races. Lockout performance is paramount on the Grip SL; firm for hammering pedals during a sprint while maintaining a smooth blowoff force when you hit a bump with lockout engaged. This reduces fatigue and conserves rider energy. When the compression adjuster is in Middle or Open mode, riders experience a supple stroke in the early stages of the travel with an optimized pedal-to-bump efficiency. The 32 Step-Cast Factory is the choice for riders who want an all-round fork that performs in a vast range of applications: lightweight for climbs and highly capable for demanding terrain with enough travel to instill confidence when the trail gets rough. Weight savings are attributed to external lower casting steps, hollow lower section, and shortened shaft lengths. Item Specifications Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Shiny Gold Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black External Adjustments High Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Low Speed Compression Damping External Adjustments Rebound Damping Front Axle 15mm Thru x 110mm Lockout Switch Crown Maximum Tire Width 66 Negative Spring Air Offset 44 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Stanchion Diameter 32 Steerer Tube Length (mm) 264 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 100 Wheel Size 29" FOX 32 Step-Cast Factory Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 0821973485386

Competition drives innovation, and as cross-country athletes and course designers push the boundaries of lightweight components, 32 Step-Cast Factory rises to meet the demand. A redesigned crown for 2020 increases stiffness to the same level as the trail-proven 34. The distinct shape of the Step-Cast chassis uses a narrow stance to save weight and the step design makes room for the spokes and brake rotor. Genuine Kashima Coating on upper tubes 32 mm upper tubes and ample bushing overlap for a quality ride Hollowed out lower legs provide even more weight savings FIT4 damper and FLOAT air spring Item Specifications Brake Type Post Mount 160 Color Black Crown Race 40 Defined Color Black Front Axle 15mm Thru x 110mm Lockout Switch Handlebar - Cable Negative Spring Air Offset 44 Positive Spring Air S.H.I.S. Stem Clamp Diameter 28.6 Steerer Type Tapered Travel (mm) 100 Wheel Size 700c FOX 32 Step-Cast Factory Suspension Fork Suspension Fork UPC: 821973419350

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off-road.cc

Your complete guide to the fox fork range.

Fox has a long history in the world of shocks in both mountain biking and motocross, but their first mountain bike suspension fork was launched back in 2001. It proved a huge hit and this 32 chassis was quickly followed by the burly 36, downhill 40 and then the trail 34 and super enduro 38 forks, all available in a number of specs to suit different budgets.

• Your complete guide to the RockShox fork range
• What's the best way to clean disc brakes on a bicycle?
• The best mountain bikes for under £1,000 - the best budget buys ridden and rated

Our guide will run you through the current Fox front fork range , including all the different models, the specifications available for each of those and what all means, in order to help you find which one is best for you and your budget.

[Updated 7th April  2020]

2021 Fox fork range

• Fox 32 fork range
• Fox 34 fork range  
• Fox 36 fork range 
• Fox 38 fork range
• Fox 40 fork range  
• Fox fork technologies glossary

All Fox forks follow the same naming convention, where a number tells you the upper leg diameter in millimetres, which in turn gives you an idea of the end-user the fork is suitable for. Roughly summed up, the 32 series of forks are made for cross-country and light trail use, the 34 forks are meant for all-around trail use, the 36 is for heavy-duty trail/all-mountain use, the 38 is for enduro riding and racing while the dual crown 40 is made for downhill and extreme gravity riding. All of Fox's aftermarket forks use air springs.

In addition to these base chassis designs, here are a number of different specification levels for each of them, which is why the Fox fork range adds up to around 160 different models...

Factory Series forks

This is the highest level of Fox fork and is priced accordingly. All these models have high-end FIT4 and FIT GRIP 2 dampers and use the distinctive golden 'Kashima' coating on the upper legs to reduce friction and increase wear life. The Kashima treatment creates microscopic pores on the upper legs that retain lubricating oil as the forks cycles through the travel, making it much slippier.

Performance Elite forks

This is the middle of the Fox forks range and while they share the same high-end damper technologies as the Factory forks with FIT4 and FIT GRIP2 options, the upper legs just have a black anodised finish rather than the Kashima coat.

Performance forks

This is the entry-level specification of Fox forks that are available on the aftermarket. Different, less complicated FIT GRIP dampers are used and the upper legs are again black anodised. The lower legs are the same as the higher end forks, however.

Rhythm forks

This is an original equipment (OEM) only level of fork that you'll on see specced on complete bikes. The Rhythm forks have a slightly less adjustable GRIP damper and the lower legs are cast from a heavier but more affordable grade of aluminium to keep costs down. 

Step Cast models

Fox has introduced 'Step-Cast' versions of both the 32 and 34 series, which use a narrower stance plus slimmed down, stepped lower legs to help reduce weight. They're pitched at the lightweight cross-country and lightweight trail markets respectively.

E-Bike models

There are also E-bike specific versions of the Fox 34 and Fox 36 series. These use thicker-walled upper legs to increase stiffness and so deal better with the extra bulk of an electric bike. The trade-off is that they're heavier.

Fox 32 fork range 

The Fox 32 Step-Cast is available for 650b and 29" wheel sizes in Factory and Performance spec, all having 100mm of air-sprung travel, a tapered steerer and standard or Boost hub spacing with a 15mm through axle.

Factory-level forks get a sealed FIT4 cartridge damper which has a three-position compression adjuster with a low-speed fine-tuning adjuster in the open mode, plus rebound damping adjustment. There is also a two-position bar-mounted lockout available.

Performance forks use a GRIP cartridge damper which offers three-position compression adjustment.

There is also a special version of the 32 Step-Cast called the Fox Step-Cast AX or Adventure Cross.  It's specially modified to work on gravel bikes with 700c or 650b wheels and has just 40mm of travel from a specially converted spring. It uses a FIT4 damper.

• Review: Fox Step-Cast AX gravel bike fork

The Fox 32 Factory fork is available in both 29" and 650b wheels with 120mm of travel, a 15mm through-axle and a tapered steerer. The FIT4 damper and Float air spring are used, though there is the option of a two-position bar-mounted remote instead of the top cap mounted adjustments the FIT4 has as standard.

The Fox 32 Performance fork  is available in 26", 650b and 29" wheel sizes, all with a three-position GRIP damper. The 26" fork has 100mm, 120mm and 140mm travel options with either an open 9mm or bolt-through 15mm axle, plus straight 1.125" or tapered steerer. The 650b fork only comes with 100mm travel and a 9mm open axle and a tapered steerer, while the 29" fork comes in 100mm with a 9mm dropout or 120mm with a 15mm through-axle.

Fox 34 fork range

Again, there is a Step-Cast range of 34 forks, which start with the 34 Step-Cast Factory . Only available in the 29" wheel size, it comes with 100 and120mm travel options and 44mm, and 51mm offsets with Boost hub spacing and a tapered steerer. As always, it's got Kashima coated upper legs and uses the FIT4 damper with remote option, though both this and the air spring have a dedicated tune. This one also gets a tuneable negative air spring and space for up to a 2.4" tyre.

There's also the 34 Step-Cast Performance fork , which only comes at a 29" wheeled, Boost spaced, tapered steerer 120mm travel model with GRIP three-position damper.

The standard chassis range is topped by the 34 Factory  which comes with the FIT4 three-position damper for 2022. Like its Step-Cast sibling it only comes in a 29" wheel option but unlike the Step-Cast model, there are 130mm and 140mm travel options. A tapered steerer is the only option but you can get it in Boost and non-Boost spacing for a 15mm axle. This model can also fit up to a 2.6" tyre,

The 34 Performance Elite  does without the Kashima coating but retains the FIT4 damper. It only comes in 29" options and with 130mm of travel.

The 34 Performance uses a three-position GRIP damper and it's only available in the 29" wheelsize. It gets 140mm of travel and space for up to a 2.6" tyre.

When it comes to e-MTB specific models, there's only one. The 34 E-Bike Performance gets a GRIP damper and black anodised upper legs made from thicker-walled tubing than the conventional range. It only comes in 120mm travel with Boost spacing, whether in 650b or 29er form.

Fox 36 fork range 

Fox's 36 range was overhauled for 2021, moving it to more of a long-travel trail bike fork as the 38 picks up the enduro duties, with travel being capped at 160mm. New features include air bleeders on the lower legs, new internal channels to reduce pressure build-up in the lowers, a floating axle and an updated version of the EVOL air spring and FIT GRIP2 damper.

The 36 lineup is topped by the Fox 36 Factory  which is available for 26", 650b and 29" wheels and only comes with an EVOL Float air spring.

The 650b fork comes in 150mm and 160mm travel options, with either an updated version of the four-way adjustable FIT GRIP2 damper for £1,199 or the FIT4 damper for £1,139. It's tapered steerer with Boost spacing only and you can have 37mm or 44mm offsets.

The 29" fork comes in 150mm travel options with a FIT4 for £1,139 or with a FIT GRIP2 in 150mm and 160mm for £1,199. Offset options are 44mm and 51mm.

When it comes to 26" wheeled versions, these use a different chassis based on an older version of the 36. There's a dirt jump bike specific model called the 36 Factory 831 26  which only comes in 100mm travel, plus a trail model in 160mm and 180mm travel options. Both have a FIT GRIP2 damper with a non-boost 15mm axle that can be converted to 20mm. There are straight or tapered steerer options. RRP is £1,179.

Fox 36 Performance Elite forks only use a FIT GRIP2 damper and both are 650b and 29" forks are only in 160mm travel. You can only get Boost spacing and a tapered steerer in these forks. RRP is £1,099.

The 36 E-Bike Factory fork is available as a 29" fork with 160mm of travel (though of course 650b Plus tyres fit into this model) with a FIT GRIP2 or FIT4 damper, Boost spacing and tapered steerer and your pick of 44mm or 51mm offset. It also comes in 650b with 140mm, 160mm or 180mm travel options.

The 36 E-Bike Performance fork only comes in a Boost 29" version with 160mm of travel but has black anodised upper legs and uses a three-position GRIP damper. Offsets are 44mm or 51mm.

Fox 38 fork range

The new for 2021 Fox 38 fork is designed as a hard-hitting, long-travel enduro fork, replacing the longer travel variants of the 36. It gets air bleeders on the lower legs, new internal channels to reduce pressure build-up in the lowers and an updated version of the EVOL air spring and FIT GRIP2 damper. It also uses a steerer tube that has an oval internal profile to help beef up a highly stressed area.

The range-topper is the Kashima coated  Fox 38 Factory , which is only available with a FIT GRIP2 damper and 160mm, 170mm or 180mm of travel. The 650b forks have offset options of 37mm or 44mm, while the 29" forks come in 44mm or 51mm. RRP is £1,299.

The Fox 38 Performance Elite  only comes in 170mm travel with a FIT GRIP2 damper. Both the 650b fork and the 29" fork have an offset of 44mm and cost £1,199.

The Fox 38 Performance  only comes in 170mm travel with a GRIP damper. Both the 650b fork and the 29" fork have an offset of 44mm and cost £1,049.

There's also an e-bike specific version, the Kashima coated  Fox 38 E-Bike Factory . It's only available as a 180mm travel, FIT GRIP2, 29" fork with 44mm offset and costs £1,299.

Fox 40 fork range

When it comes to aftermarket options, you can only buy a Kashima coated, air-sprung  Fox 40 Factory,  but there are a trio of wheel size options, with 26", 650b and 29" options. All have 203mm of travel, FIT GRIP2 dampers and straight 1.125" steerers. The 26' and 650b forks have a 20mm through axle, but the 29er - now known as the Fox 40 Factory - gets a 20mm Boost axle.

The 40 range had a makeover for 2021 with similar air channels in the lowers as the 36 and 38 forks, plus similar chassis revisions.

There are also Fox 40 Performance level forks, but these are original equipment for manufacturers only.

Fox fork technologies

Fox has a number of technologies that they use exclusively on their forks.

• Float EVOL air spring: This is Fox's air spring system used across the entire range. The EVOL part stands for 'Extra VOLume' and indicates that it has a larger negative air spring than previous Float designs in order to make . the initial part of the travel more linear.
• FIT 4 damper:  This is one of Fox's premium cartridge dampers. The name stands for 'Fox Isolated Technology. It has a three-position compression adjust via the blue lever on the top car with fine-tuning adjustment in the open mode via the black knob, or there is a two-position remote lockout available. It also has a rebound adjustment at the bottom of the leg. It uses a sealed design with a rubber bladder to compensate for displaced oil as the damper cycles through the travel.
• FIT GRIP damper: This is the damper fitted to more affordable models in the Fox fork range. It has a three-position compression damping adjustment from a blue lever at the top of the leg and a rebound at the bottom. It is a semi-sealed cartridge that uses a sprung piston to compensate for displaced oil, with a feature that allows it to bleed excess oil as needed.
• FIT GRIP2 damper: This is a premium damper seen on Fox's gravity focussed forks. It has the same basic architecture as the FIT GRIP damper - namely a sprung piston - but it has much more adjustment, with both high and low-speed compression damping adjustment and independent high and low-speed rebound damping on offer too. It uses something called Variable Valve Control adjust the high-speed rebound damping, which alters valve flex rather than preload, which Fox say "provides the same effect as revalving high-speed rebound but without the need for damper disassembly". It also has a different mid valve, plus various friction reducing treatments over the standard GRIP damper. 
• Kabolt axle: This is an axle that can be used to replace the standard flip-lever 15mm through axle found on Fox forks. It's lighter than standard but requires a 6mm Allen key to undo.
• Kashima Coat : This is a hard anodising surface treatment created by Miyaka Company of Japan . It consists of "lubricating molybdenum disulfide deposited via electrical induction into the billions of micro-pores on the surface of hard-anodized aluminium for better lubrication and less abrasion and wear."

This greater volume provides less ramp-up effect, meaning the air spring can operate without this interference. It's also allowed them to use a greater volume of lubricating oil in the lower and provides a pathway for that oil to get higher up into the bushings and seals, meaning your fork should stay smoother for longer.

Volume spacers: All Fox Shox forks allow the user to control how progressive the ending stroke of the fork is by using volume spacers. These require you to undo the top cap of the fork's air spring side leg and then add or remove clip-on spacers. Adding more increase the resistance to bottoming out, while removing them does the opposite. The volume spacers are specific to fork models and colour coded to match. The thicker legs on E-Bike specific forks require you to use a spacer from the fork below it; a 36 E-Bike fork would use the spacer for a standard 34 fork, not a standard 36 fork.

• www.ridefox.com

You might also like:

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Author block

Jon Woodhouse

Jon was previously the editor here at off.road.cc. Whether it's big days out on the gravel bike or hurtling down technical singletracks, if it's got two wheels and can be ridden on dirt, then he's into it. He's previously been technical editor at BikeRadar.com, editor at What Mountain Bike Magazine and also web editor at Singletrackworld.co.uk. Yes, he's been around the houses.

Find great off-road deals

Polarizing & Plush: the Fox 32 TC gravel suspension fork reviewed

Undeniably fun and remarkably comfortable, the Fox 32 TC is a worthy upgrade for gravel cyclists who like to shred or are singletrack-curious

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Few products have triggered the off-road cycling trolls as much as the recent crop of gravel forks, but love them or hate them, it’s hard to deny the performance and comfort benefits a suspension fork offers gravel riders. Unlike other products that increase comfort at the cost of performance, the Fox 32 TC allows you to push harder and go deeper than you might think.

Outstanding performance on small bumps, your wrists & hands will thank you

Familiar feeling damper

Adjustments are simple & clicks make distinct changes to performance

Impressive build quality

Fender mounts!

Long steerer tube will work with even the longest head tubes

Kashima & Orange look great

Doesn’t play nicely with 650B

Axle to Crown length might not work well with your frame geometry (it’s a LONG fork)

You will have to hear people say “just ride a mountain bike”

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

• Construction

What's in the box

Value and conclusion, the bike setup.

Fox has been making legendary suspension products since 1977. Its products have been on countless podiums, and the brand is known for pushing the envelope of what is possible on a bicycle. In 2017, Fox released its first dedicated adventure fork, the 32 Step-Cast AX, which shares its DNA with the brand's XC mountain bike offerings. This 2022-released Fox 32 TC is redesigned from the ground up, and the result is a lighter platform tuned specifically for gravel riding, allowing you the confidence to push your rides further. Plus, that reverse arch and Kashima-coated stanchions look amazing.

Fox 32 TC: Construction

The Fox 32 TC comes in 40mm (tested) or 50mm travel options with three trim levels: Performance, Performance Elite and Factory (tested). The Performance level comes with a grip damper, while the Performance Elite and Factory come equipped with a Fit4 damper. All levels sit on Fox's 'FLOAT EVOL' air spring, specifically designed for this travel length. The Factory units come equipped with Kashima-coated stanchions and an option for Factory Orange paint. 

Other specs include: 

• Brake Mount: Flat Mount, 160mm or 180mm max rotor size
• Travel: 40mm or 50mm
• Weight: 1226g
• Axle: 12x100 Kabolt (note: dropout will not fit a 15x100 CX hub with sleeve to 12mm)
• Max Tire Size: 700c x 50mm (Optimized for 700c – not 650b compatible)
• Axle-to-crown: 435.5mm - 40mm travel • 445.5mm - 50mm travel
• Steerer: 1 ½ tapered
• High-speed Compression Adjustments: 3 Position — Open - Medium - Firm (Fit4 & Grip)
• Low-speed Compression Adjustments: 22 Clicks in Open Mode (Fit4) Micro Indents (Grip)
• Low-speed Rebound Adjustments: 10 Clicks (Fit4 & Grip)

The Fox fork tuning guide is easy to navigate and is a great way to get started

The fork comes with two volume spacers, fender mounts, an instruction manual, and a tuning guide. Fox has been generous with the steerer tube on the 32 TC; it is 350mm long and should work with all but the most extreme headtubes. It is worth noting that the upper fender mount is in quite a different spot than a standard rigid fork. If you have a set of fenders that you have fit to a fork, they might need some slight adjustment to the top mount in order to fit properly on the 32 TC.

The fork has three high-speed compression adjustments:  Open - Medium - Firm (Fit4 & Grip)

The tuning guide is easy to navigate and is a great way to get started. I used the guide for setup, which landed me on 121psi of air pressure and 12 clicks of rebound. Those settings felt great to start, and I only needed to adjust a couple things to get the fork feeling even better. It’s worth mentioning that with this fork you’ll have a aluminum steerer tube. This means you can take advantage of all the fun steerer tube storage solutions with this fork, like a ONEUP EDC. Bonus!

The fork I was replacing was a Whisky CX fork, coming it at 395mm axle to crown. The Fox 32 TC at 40mm of travel is a whopping 435mm — 429 at 15% sag. This is significantly longer than my fork, and after a quick search, it would seem that it is significantly longer than most rigid gravel forks. And I was a bit worried that this significant geometry change would adversely affect the ride.

Fox 32 TC: The Ride

The 32 TC gravel suspension fork gives your bike a mountain bike-esque feel. You can push harder, preload the suspension to pop off roots or take it off drops and jumps.

Before I hopped on the bike, I was filled with doubts about this setup. As soon as I clipped in though, I knew it was the real deal. The fork is plush but supportive. It erases small imperfections in the road, and it keeps the wheel planted. I ride a Fox 36 on my trail bike, and the feeling of the suspension was immediately familiar. It was like I was on my trail bike but the miniature version.

My inaugural ride was a local group ride. The kind of ride where the goal is to ride as many trails as possible with the shortest road connectors. Folks show up on all sorts of bikes: CX, Gravel, Hardtail, Full-sus. It was the perfect testing grounds for the new fork. The initial climb is a steady 12% grade littered with cobbles, sharp rocks and various drainage cuts. I was impressed at how well the 40mm of squish was able to all but erase those bumps, and let me focus on pedaling. Normally on my rigid fork, my tire is deflecting off any surface not perfectly perpendicular to my path. On the 32, it would pop right up and over the obstacle with only a little feedback making it to my hands. On the descents, the fork is even better.

One of my biggest challenges with gravel riding is finding the right tire pressure to take the edge off on the descents while also maintaining performance in corners and compressions. Inevitably, you have to compromise on one of those. Either opting for beaten up hands or sloppy handling. With the Fox 32 TC, you don't have to compromise. This fork allows you to run high enough pressure in your tires to keep them from folding, and rely on the air spring to do the squishy part. The result is a mountain bike-esque feel. You can push harder, preload the suspension to pop off roots or take it off (small) drops and jumps. Once you start pushing, you might find some limits. I found that my tire selection couldn’t quite keep up. To really maximize the fun of this fork, you’ll need to run something with substantial side lugs for cornering, and some good braking traction. This would be a great platform for the Pirelli Cinturato M , Teravail Rutland or the WTB Raddler.

My biggest qualm with the fork: why didn’t Fox design it to work with 650B?

Once you get back on the road, you can flip the compression dial to firm and it will go from plush to almost rigid, allowing you to put in out of the saddle efforts without wasting too much energy. It’s not a complete lockout but it’s close and it works great on long road stretches. Over the next few weeks I took this fork out on a variety of routes, from 90% road to 90% trail. The fork performs exceptionally on long washboard-riddled gravel descents, rough road sections, and singletrack. My hands felt relief that they haven’t in years of underbiking, and for that fact alone, I think this fork is worth it.

This brings me to my biggest qualm with the fork. Why didn’t Fox design it to work with 650B ? Seems like from a design perspective it isn’t a huge ask but from a performance/flexibility perspective, it is a massive gain. For reference, the MRP Baxter fork can clear 27 x 2.4. The ability to run up to a 27 x 2.4 mountain specific tire opens up countless route possibilities. It also makes for more fun on the local trails. This fork would absolutely rip with a set of 27 x 2.3 Maxxis Minion SS rubber — oh the side knobs! But this is getting close to the point where we start flirting with the original question that triggered so many internet trolls. Why not just ride a mountain bike?

So who exactly is this fork for? I believe the Fox 32 TC is a perfect upgrade for anyone that currently loves their gravel bike but is singletrack-curious. Someone looking to push the possibilities of their routes. Someone that is looking for a little hand and wrist relief but doesn’t want to buy and store an entirely new bike.

For the Factory unit, you are looking at $949 / £1079 retail, which is pretty steep considering you can get a complete Kona Lava Dome or Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike for less. But getting a new bike does come with drawbacks; more storage, more maintenance.

At the end of the day, I think this is a fantastic piece of kit that will really enhance your riding experience. If you are a die hard 700c fan, I highly recommend this fork. If you like to ride 650Bs on your gravel bike, I would look into the MRP Baxter.

Oh, and once you install one on your bike, be prepared for everyone to share their opinion about it with you…

4 out of 5 stars, simply for the fact it isn’t compatible with 650. 

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Hi! I'm Charlie. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest riding a 20" BMX bike around the neighborhood, building jumps, smashing through ditches and causing chaos. Nowadays I find myself searching for that same feeling but on a larger scale. The neighborhood got bigger, and the rides got longer. But the goals have remained the same: explore new pathways, connect with nature, get airborne and have fun. When I am not riding, I am generally tinkering with my bikes. Always trying to find a new way to maximize fun, style, and efficiency.

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Fox 32 Float 140 FIT CTD w/Trail Adjust review

Climb/Trail/Descend air sprung fork

James Huang/Future Publishing

James Huang

Fox's new 32 Float 140 FIT CTD w/Trail Adjust fork sports all the bells and whistles: the new three-position CTD (Climb, Trail and Descend) compression damper, Kashima-coated stanchions, the latest 32mm-diameter chassis with 15mm thru-axle dropouts, and a more linear air spring.

The new features undoubtedly make the fork more user friendly than before, but some of the predecessor's awesome performance seems to have faded as well.

The new CTD damper is the heart and soul of the new fork, with three distinct positions and a simpler interface that should be less intimidating to non tech-savvy riders. Gone are the old low-speed compression, high-speed compression and lockout knobs, in favor of more readily comprehensible Climb, Trail, and Descend modes where the appropriate damper settings have already been determined for you.

Advanced riders might miss the old damper's greater tuning flexibility, but CTD works and will likely be more popular with the masses. Climb practically locks things out for efficient pedaling on pavement and fire roads, Trail provides a good do-everything compromise and Descend yields an ultra-buttery ride.

The crown-mounted CTD Trail Adjust dials work as intended

Three months of testing later, we've grown to like the 'set and forget' style of adjustment. However, we can't say we fully agree with how all the settings are tuned, and we can't help but feel that Fox has sacrificed some all-out performance for high-end users in order to cater to well-heeled buyers who might not have understood previous forks' panoply of tuning parameters.

In particular, we found the fully open Descend mode too light on compression damping, offering an ultra-smooth ride but with lots of brake dive in hard corners and technical sections. With so little compression damping, we also found there was almost no platform to push off from when attacking berms and jumps.

Exacerbating the situation is the revised spring rate. Fox has flattened the spring curve for all its forks with 130mm of travel or more – to make it easier to achieve full travel – and it's not a move we're particularly fond of.

Adding enough air to keep from blowing through the travel on typical trail rides (Fox recommends 15-20psi more pressure than before) sacrifices small bump sensitivity, while prioritizing suppleness results in frequent bottom-outs on even modest drop-offs, plus brake dive that's almost excessive to the point of being unmanageable.

We eked out the most performance from our test fork with a whopping 20-25cc of extra oil in the air chamber, to ramp up the progression to our liking. Combining that with the Trail mode at the lightest intermediate setting retained enviable small bump compliance, especially with the slippery Kashima stanchion coating and new low-friction wiper seals. It also provides a more performance-oriented spring rate and enough of a platform for more advanced maneuvers. Indeed, Fox finally seems to have squelched the small-bump demons of early FIT damper-equipped forks .

The Kashima coating on the stanchions makes for excellent small bump sensitivity

Moreover, front wheel traction and control with this setup reminded us of some of our favorite Fox forks of yesteryear, with outstanding mid-stroke and bottom-out control plus a generally planted feel that inspired confidence on fast, technical trails.

Finally, Fox's latest 32mm chassis drops a few grams – it's now just 1.73kg (3.81lb) uncut without the axle – and remains an impressive balance of light weight and stiffness, particularly for riders of smaller or medium stature.

That said, our test sample's 140mm of travel falls near the upper limit of what we feel this platform can comfortably handle, especially coming off bigger jumps and dropouts or attacking high-load bermed corners at speed. Riders who are heavier or especially aggressive might want to consider stepping up to Fox's 34mm platform.

Overall, the Fox 32 Float 140 FIT CTD w/Trail Adjust fork is a great piece of hardware – and is utterly fantastic with a little time invested. However, the latest stock tune feels like a step in the wrong direction, and with competitors now nipping at its heels Fox needs to stay on top of its game.

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The Fox 32 TC Suspension Fork Is the Future of Gravel

Enhanced comfort and control, and more speed. This is the future of gravel.

The Takeaway: The 32TC is a brilliant piece of hardware that offers a transcendent gravel riding experience on rough roads and trails. But it’s not for all gravel riders or all gravel bikes.

• 40 or 50mm travel in 45 or 50mm offset
• Fits up to a 700x50mm tire. Not designed for 650b.
• Longer than most rigid gravel forks—will change the fit and handling of many existing gravel bikes.
• Offered only with 1-1/8-inch to 1-1/2-inch steerer.
• Removable mudguard mounts.
• 180mm rotor compatible for extra braking power.
• Axle-to-crown: 435.5 mm (40 mm travel), or 445.5 mm (50 mm travel)‑— significantly longer than most current rigid gravel forks.

Curious about what a gravel suspension fork will do to your bike? Read our gravel suspension explainer.

Fox 32 TC—Specifications and Details

The 32TC comes in two travels, 40 or 50mm, each with a dedicated air-spring assembly. Riders can change the forks’ travel, but doing so requires purchasing a new air shaft, which should cost $30 to $40. Fox offers two offsets, 45 or 50mm, but only one steerer option: a 1-1/8-inch to 1-1/2-inch taper. The axle is 12x100mm, so many existing gravel wheels will slot right in. It takes a flat-mount caliper, the same reversible adapter found on many road and gravel bikes. However, this fork fits either 160mm (minimum) or 180mm (maximum) rotor and not 140mm/160mm like many road and gravel forks.

The standout detail of the 32TC is the reverse arch lowers—a feature of Manitou forks for over a decade—with tapered and trussed legs. Fox says placing the arch on the back of the fork lets them reduce its height compared to a front arch, saving weight. The 32TC has shorter stanchions and less upper/lower overlap than a mountain bike, which lets Fox employ the tapered and trussed legs. This is a less-stiff design than a mountain bike fork, but Fox states that since the 32AX runs such short travels, the overlap is not needed, and the tapered legs save weight and reducing their frontal area improves the fork’s aerodynamic profile. The ribs on the back of the legs are bypass channels. They prevent excess air pressure build-up as the fork compresses and help circulate oil to keep the fork moving smoothly. Fox debuted this technology with their 2021 34, 36, and 38 mountain bike forks .

Maximum tire clearance is 700 x 50mm, but the fork is not officially 650b compatible. “The 32 TC is optimized around 700c wheels. The narrowest point on the lower legs of the 32 TC – the reinforced area where the bushings press in – happens to be exactly the same place as the widest point of a 650b tire. This limits 650b tire clearance to approx. 30mm, which defeats the purpose of going down to 650b,” Fox states in its press materials, adding that 700 wheels roll more efficiently than 650 wheels. In the name of science, I did run a 650x50 tire in the 32TC without issue, though there was visibly less mud clearance than with a 700x50 tire.

Foul-weather riders will rejoice at the are hidden/removable mudguard mounts (tire clearance drops to 45mm with mudguards).

Fox offers the 32TC in multiple levels. The top-of-the-line Factory ($949) gets slippery Kashima Coat legs and a FIT4 damper with adjustable low-speed compression and a three-position switch (open, medium, firm). Lower cost Performance Elite and Performance models don’t get the Kashima legs, and Performance ($769) models will run Fox’s simpler and heavier GRIP damper. These specifications apply to aftermarket forks only: OE customers (Trek, Specialized, etc.) often get custom blends of features and technology.

Fox 32 TC—Setup And Installation

I installed the 32 TC on an Otso Waheela C . This is one of the only gravel bikes currently available designed for a suspension fork, so I didn’t experience any of the rider fit or bike handling issues that would arise with sticking this fork in a frame designed around a shorter fork.

Installation of my 40mm travel review fork was straightforward, but I had some issues with the setup. Recommended sag for this fork is 15 to 20 percent of travel. According to the weight chart on the fork leg, Fox recommends around 123psi for my weight—about 180 dressed to ride. But that recommendation was way off. Even with 150 psi in the fork—the maximum pressure—I was at 25-percent sag. I’m not a flyweight, but neither am I a Clydesdale and if production forks are like my fork, riders over 180lb will be out of luck unless they want to risk running above the recommended pressure in the 32TC. I checked in with a different rider who’s on a 32TC, and they said their pressures were in line with Fox’s recommendations. So perhaps there’s something goofy with my fork. I’m working with Fox to find out, but I don’t have any answers yet.

Pressure aside, I added an air volume spacer to my fork for a total of four—the maximum Fox recommends (the fork ships with thee installed). But even with four spacers, I still used the fork’s full travel. This also points to an issue with my fork’s air-spring tune—I have trouble believing this is the tune Fox intended.

Although my setup pressures and spacers seem off—if only because a 180-pound rider should not be at the upper end of the rider weight spectrum for this fork—the fork still performed exceptionally well.

Fox 32 TC—What I Don’t Like

Suspension is always heavier than no suspension, and replacing a rigid fork with a 32TC will add weight to your bike. The 32TC weighs 1,265g (my scale) which is 667g (about a pound and a half) heavier than the 598g rigid fork I took off my Otso Waheela C when I installed the 32TC. And 598g is on the heavy side for a rigid carbon gravel fork. Admittedly I am a bit of a weight weenie, but ultimately, I care more about performance and fun. After living with the 32TC for a while, I’m willing to—for how and where I ride a gravel bike—take the weight hit because it’s worth the additional comfort, traction, and control.

Though I’ve not run it through a wind tunnel, I’m confident that the 32TC, relative to a rigid carbon fork, has an aerodynamic profile of a bar door. Gravel riding is fast enough, and some gravel rides/races have enough wind that aerodynamics play a role. This again asks the rider, “Is it worth the tradeoff?” For racers, I think this might be a race-to-race decision. For everyone else, you’ll want to think about how and where you ride your gravel bike. Speaking only for myself—and I’m not a serious gravel racer—I’ll take an aero hit on the faster and more exposed parts of my gravel ride for a suspension fork’s considerable benefits in other terrains. But if you stick to smoother terrain, you should think about the aerodynamic penalty of the 32TC.

The length of the 32TC, 30 to 40mm longer than many rigid gravel forks, will significantly alter the fit and handling geometry of a bike designed around a shorter fork. Unfortunately, there’s no way around this. I anticipate gravel follows the same path as mountain bikes did three decades ago, and we’ll start seeing a new generation of “suspension corrected” gravel bikes designed around longer forks that aren’t subject to the fit and handling issues that happen when plugging a longer fork into an existing frame.

Fox 32 TC—What I Like

I was predisposed to like the 32 TC. I lived through the mountain bike suspension revolution, and I’ve been riding with suspension on my mountain bikes for about three decades. I’ve cursed the pounding and jostling I’m put through riding a rigid gravel bike on rough sections of gravel and trail because I knew—based on my experience on a mountain bike—how much smoother and faster I could be riding those same sections with properly designed suspension. And now that I’m able to ride those gravel sections and trails with suspension, it’s just as wonderful and transformative as I’d hoped.

Yes, you can ride faster on rough stuff with suspension. But that’s just a bonus in addition to the main benefits: Enhanced comfort and control. I noted my setup issues above, but even so, the fork was close enough in sag and support/progression that, on gravel and trails, it was working as intended. And now that I’ve tasted riding gravel with suspension, I don’t want to go back to rigid. Admittedly, I seek the more extreme end of gravel—singletrack and rougher forest roads—but when in the middle of firm mode, the 32TC disappeared enough that I didn’t rue its presence on smoother roads. Riding with the 32TC was more comfortable and fun, and I finished my rides feeling less punished than I did after those same rides on a rigid gravel bike.

Though my air spring was off, the damper tune felt correct—sensitive where needed, but with plenty of big-hit control. The lockout is super firm, appropriate for this fork’s purpose. There’s little mush or noticeable play in the fork when it’s locked out, so the bike feels like it has a rigid fork even when pushing maximum out of the saddle efforts on the pavement.

Fox 32 TC—Final Thoughts

I do not think suspension will dominate gravel the way it dominates mountain bikes. Gravel is road adjacent, and road has a strong traditionalist streak, plus many riders put a premium on weight and, to a lesser degree, aerodynamics for gravel equipment go all-in on suspension. Plus, plenty of gravel roads are smooth enough that suspension is unnecessary. But I do think suspension has a place in gravel. The 32TC is more proof that the technology is too beneficial and the improvements in comfort and control are too great to write off.

But the 32 TC is a forward-looking product. There aren’t many existing gravel frames that meet all the requirements necessary to plug in a gravel-suspension fork. Those are 1-1/8-inch to 1-1/2-inch tapered-steerer compatible head tube, geometry designed around a suspension length fork, impact tested to sustain the additional forces of a longer fork. With so few frames around that meet the requirements of the 32 TC, I don’t anticipate substantial aftermarket sales for this fork. Instead, I think most of you will get your first gravel suspension fork when they buy a new gravel bike designed around one.

There’s always a chicken or egg problem with new cycling equipment ideas. What comes first: Gravel bikes designed for suspension forks or gravel suspension forks? If there are no forks, what do the frame designers plan around? Meanwhile, the fork makers have no one to sell to if there are no frames. In this case, the fork makers took the calculated plunge and are trying to pull the frame makers along.

Now that the two most prominent and most influential players in suspension, Fox and RockShox, have gravel suspension forks, brands can design their frames around a real thing instead of an idea. And I think that means, in the future, we’ll see a lot of the new gravel frames designed around a suspension length fork. Whether those bikes come with a gravel suspension fork stock or not is another question. However, I think most brands will offer at least some higher-end models with a suspension fork, while less expensive bikes will have rigid forks but be suspension-ready.

Ultimately, I think we’ll see many riders embrace its benefits despite the additional weight. And I think that, like suspension changed the sport of mountain biking, the acceptance and use of suspension will change how and where we ride our gravel bikes.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

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The Ultimate Guide To Changing The Travel On A Fox 40

• Last updated May 09, 2024
• Difficulty Intemediate

• Category Travel

Are you tired of using the default travel settings on your Fox 40 suspension fork? Look no further! In this ultimate guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of changing the travel on your Fox 40 fork to suit your personal riding style and preferences. Whether you're an experienced rider looking for a more aggressive setup or a beginner wanting a smoother ride, this guide has got you covered. So grab your tools and get ready to unlock the full potential of your Fox 40 fork!

What You'll Learn

Fox 40 travel: understanding the basics, tools and materials needed for changing fox 40 travel, step-by-step guide for changing fox 40 travel, tips and troubleshooting for a successful fox 40 travel change.

The Fox 40 is one of the most popular downhill forks on the market, known for its robustness and performance. One of the key features of the Fox 40 is its ability to adjust the travel, allowing riders to fine-tune their suspension for various riding conditions. Changing the travel can greatly affect the fork's handling characteristics, so it's important to understand the basics of how to change the Fox 40 travel.

Before we dive into the process, it's crucial to note that changing the travel on the Fox 40 requires some technical knowledge and the right tools. If you're not confident in your ability to perform this procedure, it's best to take your fork to a qualified bike shop for assistance.

Here are the steps to change the travel on a Fox 40:

Step 1: Preparing the Fork

First, ensure that you have all the necessary tools. You will need a set of Allen keys, a torque wrench, a Fox 40-specific top cap socket, and a 24mm socket. Additionally, make sure you have a clean workspace and a mounting stand or bike repair stand to secure the fork.

Step 2: Removing the Fork from the Bike

If the fork is still mounted on your bike, you'll need to remove it before you can change the travel. This can typically be done by loosening the axle pinch bolts on the lower legs and removing the front wheel. Next, remove the brake caliper from the fork by loosening the mounting bolts. Finally, remove the stem cap and loosen the headset bolts to release the fork from the frame.

Step 3: Draining the Oil

To change the travel, you'll need to drain the oil from the lower legs. Flip the fork upside down and remove the lower leg screws using a 5mm Allen key. Be careful as the oil may drip out once the screws are removed. To speed up the process, you can push the fork down to force the oil out.

Step 4: Changing the Travel Spacer

With the oil drained, you'll now have access to the travel spacer. The travel spacer is a small plastic or metal piece that determines the fork's travel. Depending on the model and year of your Fox 40, the travel spacer may be located on the air spring rod or inside the air chamber. Check the Fox website or consult the user manual for specific instructions on locating and changing the travel spacer for your fork.

Using the appropriate tool, carefully remove the travel spacer. In most cases, you'll need a 24mm socket to unscrew the air spring rod and access the travel spacer. If the travel spacer is inside the air chamber, you may need a Fox 40-specific top cap socket to remove the top cap and access the spacer.

Step 5: Adjusting the Travel

Once you have removed the travel spacer, it's time to determine the desired travel and install the appropriate spacer. Fox 40 forks usually come with multiple travel spacer options, allowing you to adjust the travel within a specific range. Refer to the Fox website or user manual to find the recommended travel settings for your specific fork.

Install the new travel spacer and ensure it is securely in place. If you're using a metal travel spacer, make sure it is aligned correctly and tightened to the manufacturer's specifications. For plastic spacers, check for any signs of wear or damage and replace if necessary.

Step 6: Refilling the Oil

With the new travel spacer installed, it's time to refill the lower legs with fresh suspension oil. Use the appropriate suspension oil for your fork model and refer to the user manual for the recommended oil volume and weight. Slowly pour the oil into the lower leg, taking care not to overfill. Once filled, gently cycle the fork up and down to remove any air bubbles and ensure proper oil distribution.

Step 7: Reassembling the Fork

Now that the travel has been adjusted, it's time to reassemble the fork. Begin by reinstalling the lower leg screws, ensuring they are tightened to the manufacturer's specifications. Next, reinstall the fork onto the bike frame, tightening the headset and stem bolts securely. Finally, reinstall the front wheel and brake caliper, torquing the mounting bolts to the manufacturer's specifications.

Step 8: Testing and Fine-Tuning

Once the fork is reassembled, it's important to test the suspension and fine-tune the settings. Inflate the air spring to the recommended pressure and adjust the rebound and compression settings to your preference. Take the bike out for a test ride to gauge the comfort and performance of the new travel setting. If needed, make further adjustments to achieve optimal suspension performance for your riding style and terrain.

Changing the travel on a Fox 40 can significantly influence the fork's characteristics, allowing you to optimize your bike's setup for different riding conditions. By following these steps and exercising caution, you can safely and effectively change the travel on your Fox 40 and enjoy a more tailored suspension experience.

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To change the travel on a Fox 40 fork, you will need a few tools and materials to ensure a smooth and successful process. Here is a list of everything you will need:

• Allen wrench set: A variety of sizes, typically ranging from 2mm to 8mm, will be necessary to loosen and tighten bolts throughout the process.
• Torque wrench: This tool will allow you to tighten the bolts to the manufacturer's recommended torque specifications without over-tightening or damaging any components.
• Fox 40 service kit: This kit will contain all the necessary seals, o-rings, and lubricants needed to complete the travel change. It is important to use genuine Fox parts to ensure proper fit and performance.
• Suspension pump: You will need a suspension pump with a pressure gauge to adjust the air pressure in the air chamber of the fork. This will determine the desired ride height and feel of your fork.
• Cable ties: These will be used to secure and organize cables and hoses throughout the process, preventing any potential issues or damage.
• Clean rags and rubbing alcohol: These materials are essential for cleaning and degreasing components, such as the stanchions and seals, to ensure optimal performance and longevity. It is crucial to remove any dirt or debris before reassembly.
• Plastic mallet or rubber hammer: This tool will be used to lightly tap the stanchions or other components into place if needed. Avoid using excessive force to prevent damage.
• Work stand or bike stand: To properly secure your bike during the process, a sturdy work stand or bike stand is recommended. This will give you easy access to the fork and prevent any unnecessary stress or strain on the frame.
• Owner's manual: The Fox 40 owner's manual will provide detailed instructions specific to your fork model. It is highly recommended to consult the manual throughout the process to ensure proper steps are followed.

Having all these tools and materials ready before you start the travel change will save you time and frustration, and ensure that the process goes smoothly. Additionally, it is always a good idea to have a clean and organized workspace to make the task more efficient and enjoyable.

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Changing the travel of your Fox 40 suspension fork can greatly enhance your riding experience. Whether you want more travel for hitting bigger drops and jumps, or less travel for improved climbing and stability, adjusting the travel is fairly simple. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of changing the travel on your Fox 40 fork.

Step 1: Gather the necessary tools and materials

Before you begin, make sure you have all the tools and materials you will need for the job. You will need a set of Allen wrenches, a torque wrench, a tape measure, suspension grease, and the appropriate travel spacers or tokens for your fork. You can usually find the spacers or tokens in a Fox 40 service kit or purchase them separately.

Step 2: Prepare your workspace

Find a clean, well-lit area to work on your bike. Make sure you have enough room to move around and access the front of the bike. Lay down a clean towel or mat to protect your bike and prevent any small parts from rolling away.

Step 3: Remove the front wheel and brace your fork

To change the travel of your Fox 40 fork, you will need to remove the front wheel. This will allow you to access the lower legs of the fork. Once the wheel is removed, brace the fork by placing something sturdy, such as a block of wood or a bike stand, under the lower legs. This will prevent the fork from compressing while you are working on it.

Step 4: Release the air pressure and remove the top cap

Using an Allen wrench, slowly release the air pressure from both the positive and negative air chambers of your fork. This will prevent any sudden movements or rebounds while you are working on it. Once the pressure is released, remove the top cap by unscrewing it counter-clockwise. Be careful not to lose any small parts, like the rebound adjuster knob or the top-out bumper.

Step 5: Remove the spring assembly

With the top cap removed, you can now remove the spring assembly from the fork. Carefully pull the spring out of the fork leg and set it aside. Some forks may have a bottom-out bumper located on the spring assembly. If this is the case, remove the bottom-out bumper as well.

Step 6: Install the travel spacers or tokens

To change the travel of your Fox 40 fork, you will need to add or remove travel spacers or tokens. These spacers or tokens will adjust the amount of travel available in your fork. Consult your fork's user manual or the Fox website to determine the recommended number of spacers or tokens for your desired travel.

Using suspension grease, lubricate the travel spacers or tokens and insert them into the fork leg. Make sure they are seated properly and evenly. The number of spacers or tokens you insert will determine the amount of travel adjustment.

Step 7: Reassemble the fork

Once the spacers or tokens are installed, you can reassemble the fork. Slide the spring assembly back into the fork leg, making sure it engages properly. If you removed a bottom-out bumper, reinstall it at this time. Carefully thread the top cap back onto the fork leg clockwise, making sure it is tightened to the recommended torque specification.

Step 8: Inflate the fork and test the travel

Using a shock pump, inflate the positive and negative air chambers of your fork to the recommended air pressure specified by Fox. Refer to your fork's user manual or the Fox website for the correct air pressure settings.

Once the fork is inflated, remove the brace from under the fork and compress the fork a few times to ensure the travel is working properly. Check for any unwanted noises or resistance. If everything feels and sounds good, you're ready to reinstall the front wheel.

Step 9: Fine-tuning and adjustments

After changing the travel of your Fox 40 fork, you may need to make some additional adjustments to fine-tune the performance. This can include adjusting the rebound, compression, and air pressure settings. Refer to your fork's user manual or the Fox website for guidance on these adjustments.

In conclusion, changing the travel of your Fox 40 suspension fork is a straightforward process that can greatly improve your riding experience. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily adjust the travel to suit your preferences and trail conditions. Remember to always consult your fork's user manual or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions and recommendations. Happy riding!

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Changing the travel on your Fox 40 suspension fork can greatly enhance your riding experience. Whether you want to increase or decrease the amount of travel, it's important to follow the proper steps to ensure a successful modification. In this article, we'll provide you with some tips and troubleshooting advice to help you achieve the desired travel change on your Fox 40 fork.

Before starting, make sure you have the necessary tools and equipment. You'll need a set of Allen keys, a torque wrench, suspension grease, and possibly some additional spacers or parts, depending on your specific fork model.

• Determine the desired travel change: The first step is to decide whether you want to increase or decrease the travel on your Fox 40 fork. This decision will affect the type of modifications you need to make.
• Understand the limitations: It's important to note that changing the travel on a Fox 40 fork beyond the manufacturer's recommendations can void the warranty, and may also impact the performance and safety of your fork. Make sure you understand the implications before proceeding.
• Consult the Fox 40 user manual: The Fox 40 user manual is a valuable resource that provides detailed instructions specific to your fork model. Refer to the manual to understand the recommended travel change procedures and any specific considerations.
• Prepare your workspace: Find a suitable workspace with enough room to maneuver your bike and work on the fork. Ensure you have good lighting and a clean area to prevent any dirt or debris from entering the fork internals.
• Remove the fork: Start by removing the front wheel and disconnecting the front brake caliper. Loosen the bolts securing the fork to the frame and carefully remove it from the bike.
• Disassemble the fork: Follow the steps outlined in the user manual to disassemble your Fox 40 fork. This typically involves removing the lower legs and the air spring or coil, depending on your fork model.
• Change the travel spacers: To increase the travel, you'll need to remove spacers from inside the fork. These spacers limit the maximum extension of the fork and can be found between the air spring or coil and the lower leg. Remove them one at a time, as per the manufacturer's instructions, until you achieve the desired travel increase. To reduce the travel, you may need to add spacers or utilize different internal parts, as recommended by Fox.
• Reassemble the fork: Once you've made the necessary travel changes, reassemble the fork by following the reverse steps outlined in the user manual. Ensure all parts are properly lubricated with suspension grease, and use the recommended torque settings when tightening the bolts.
• Test the fork: After reassembling the fork, reinstall it on your bike and perform a thorough test ride. Pay attention to any unusual sounds, excessive bottoming out, or discomfort. If you experience any issues, consult a professional bike mechanic for further assistance.
• Fine-tune the setup: It's normal to fine-tune the suspension setup after a travel change. Adjust the compression and rebound settings according to your riding preferences, and consider consulting the Fox 40 user manual for recommended settings based on your weight and riding style.

In summary, changing the travel on your Fox 40 fork can be an effective way to improve your riding experience. Following these tips and troubleshooting advice will help you successfully modify the travel while maintaining the performance and safety of your suspension fork. Remember to consult the user manual for model-specific instructions and recommendations. Happy riding!

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Frequently asked questions.

To change the travel on a Fox 40 fork, you will need to purchase a specific air spring assembly kit that is compatible with your fork model. Once you have the kit, follow the instructions provided to disassemble the fork, replace the current air spring with the new one, and then reassemble the fork.

No, changing the travel on a Fox 40 fork typically requires the use of specific tools provided in the air spring assembly kit. These tools are designed to properly disassemble and reassemble the fork without causing damage. Attempting to change the travel without the proper tools may result in damage to the fork or injury.

While it is technically possible to change the travel on a Fox 40 fork yourself, it is recommended to seek professional help if you are not experienced or confident in working with bike suspension systems. A professional bike mechanic will have the necessary tools, knowledge, and expertise to ensure the process is done correctly and safely.

• Merve Nussman Author Reviewer Traveller

• Julia May Author Editor Reviewer Traveller

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