Fox 34 Fork Updated for 2016. New FLOAT DPS EVOL rear shock.

New Fox FLOAT 34 FIT Fork

After redesigning the Fox 36 fork last year, it’s now time for Fox to introduce the completely new 34. This fork features aggressive weight reduction and a completely new damper, more in line with that of the FIT RC2 36. Gone is the CTD (Climb, Trail, Descend) three position lever of old, replaced with a more familiar open, platform and lockout. The fine adjuster atop the cartridge now adjusts the fork in Open position and features 22 clicks of low speed compression adjustment. The first position has the least damping and the 22nd position is equivalent to the platform middle setting. Further tuning is possible with internal air spacers that clip together and reduce the air volume (and increase progressiveness).

The fork comes in 15mm axle only and comes in 120-160mm lengths and regular 100mm width – but this is where we can reveal that the new 27.5+ forks, announced recently, already have this new chassis and internals – so there’ll effectively be two versions – a normal and a wide (and tall) in 27.5in…

Don’t worry 29er riders, the fork also comes in 29in, complete with suitable weight reduction too. The estimated weights for both are as follows:

• 34 27.5 160mm = 1746 g / 3.85 lb
(Which is 219g / .48lb less than the current MY15 34)

• 34 29 140mm = 1769 g / 3.9 lb
(297g / .65lb less than MY15)

We’ve had a set for a couple of months now (expect a review in issue 97, out at the end of April) and the weight is definitely under 1800g for our 130mm version.

Importer Mojo is expecting the forks and shocks to appear in early May 2015. Prices are to be confirmed, though expect the 34 to be under or around £800 depending on configuration.

Fox is claiming that these are the “new benchmark for trail forks” and, based on our test riding, both in Calderdale and in places like the Tweed Valley, we have to admit that we’re impressed. The fork has a very capable feel throughout its travel – especially when going flat-out over rocks. The Factory version of the fork will come in silver and matte black with the slippery Kashima coating. The FIT (Fox Isolated Technology) closed cartridge is now in its fourth generation and the 34 carries everything Fox has learned from bigger forks like the 40 and 36. There’s a dual circuit rebound that allows “more controlled return from hard hits and quicker recovery from successive impacts” as well as the increased 10mm shaft size that allows more oil flow and better compression damping control.

Float EVOL DPS (Dual Piston System) rear shock.

This new rear shock also offers a three-position, on the fly adjustment of Open/Medium/Firm. Like the fork, the shock has adjustment of low-speed compression in the Open position. We weighed ours at 300g, which is a little more than the existing Float rear shock, but the feel is much improved. The guide price will be around £400 and, again, coming out after market in May, but you’ll probably start seeing it appear on production bikes soon too.