Pike Select+ V Fox 34 Performance Grip2.

I haven’t been able to find a direct review of the 34, but I think this stw review is close. Am I right in thinking the difference is the chassis?

https://singletrackworld.com/2023/01/fox-34-float-factory-grip2-review/

I’d go for the 34, I think ‘Performance Elite’ is the top spec fork with the bonus of not having the gaudy Kashima

The only difference between Pike Select + and Ultimate is the buttercups, otherwise it’s the same damper. Personally I prefer Pikes, I have just replaced a set of 34’s with them and they feel far better damped and stiffer which I prefer. If going for Fox then I agree with Rubber_Buccaneer that the performance elite is the best option for a fox fork.

Switching between the 34 (140mm)on the full suss and the Revs (130mm) on the hardtail, the rev and therefore Pike is stiffer, but I don’t feel the flex is that detrimental. 
These are for a Signal Ti used for XC/trail. Comfort is high on the list of priorities 

Posted by: P20

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I haven’t been able to find a direct review of the 34, but I think this stw review is close. Am I right in thinking the difference is the chassis?

https://singletrackworld.com/2023/01/fox-34-float-factory-grip2-review/

That is the exact same fork as the one at Merlin other than the Kashima. The 2022 onwards 120-140mm chassis, plus Grip2. 

I've been running the fork in the STW review for past 3 years, this generation of 34 were waaaay stiffer than the previous gen (and they also limited them at 140mm travel). 

Yes, a 36 is stiffer (I own 2 pairs!), or a Lyrik, but for general trail use they are now perfectly stiff enough, and usefully lighter. I have also run Pikes too and they are very close - I am pretty sure most comparisons stating Pikes are stiffer are based on the 'old' 34 chassis. 

The RS i find generally easier to setup, the grip2 damper requries some work to get it in the sweet spot. You also need to be in a 'normal' range of weights to get the damping right without tuning, I'd guess at maybe 75-90kg. Outside of that you will struggle.  If your the kind of person who that suits, get the Fox. 

They're both great forks. The Pike is a touch stiffer and rides higher in its travel. The 34 weighs a bit less and the damper is slightly plusher. And as others have said, if you go down the Fox route then go for the Performance Elite range, unless you like overpaying for gaudy gold stanchions.

I also found this review, again it’s the posh version. Mark seemed very happy!!

https://singletrackworld.com/2021/08/2022-fox-34-grip-2-review-the-king-of-trail-forks/

I’m 11st 10lb and I’ve always run forks at softer settings, I tend to find the recommended pressures mean I never get full travel. With My old school pikes I used to have the compression backed off completely unless I was riding something more tech or had drops on the trail. I would leave the rtc on ride and used trail for climbing. 

Personally I'd save 100 quid and get the Fox 34 non-elite version, its a standard grip damper instead of grip2, otherwise the same. I found the hsc/lsc/hsr/lsr adjustment a bit too much personally, especially on a 130mm travel fork.
https://www.merlincycles.com/fox-34-float-performance-grip-boost-mtb-forks-29-280633.html

I think those are the equivalent of the forks on my full suss but different chassis, I think I read it’s different alloys in the rhythm and performance. I’m happy with them on the fs, but I’m tempted by the better damper

For Fox... roughly... but it depends on model and model year...

Rhythm has its own chassis and stanchions, and air spring, but shares its damper with...

Performance, which while it shares its damper with the Rhythm, everything else is the same as...

Performance Elite, which is just like the Performance, but has the top end damper the same as...

Factory, which is just the same as Performance Elite but with Kashima.

The only difference between Pike Select + and Ultimate is the buttercups

If that is the case it’s a pretty close thing (I just assumed the Select + was a lesser damper than the ultimate) as I don’t think I personally can tell the difference between buttercups or not.

Is there any difference in availability of bolt on mudguards etc that may sway your decision?

@kelvin that’s a very good way of summing and confirming what I have read. Thanks.

@rubber_buccaneer both appear to have bolt on guards which is definitely a preference. These hardtail gets used more in the winter

I've recently bought those Grip 2 34s for my Stanton hardtail and I've got the previous gen Pikes on my other bike.

I'm a bit heavier than you - around 14 stone, depending on the season and luncheon choices.

Even with the older Pikes, which aren't as stiff as the new ones, I can feel a small difference in stiffness. But it's not a problem with the 34 at 130mm of travel. Personally, I wouldn't run a 34 over that travel but I am heavier and that's irrelevant here anyway.

In your case, I'd go with 34s. The Pikes are the Charger 3 damper which got criticised a lot for harshness and inconsistent damping, hence Rockshox rushed out Charger 3.1 damper soon after. It can be fixed, but at a cost of course.

Even though I bought the Grip 2 Performance Elites, HoratioHufnagel may have a point about saving £100 on the regular Grip equipped Performance model... the Grip 2 is a great damper, but the Standard Grip isn't that far behind and the setup on the 2 is a bit of a minefield. Apart from the four compression dials, I find Fox forks have a lot of clicks with not much difference between them. In my case, I was sending them J-Tech for a travel reduction to 120mm anyway and opted for a 'while you're in there' custom tune and settings. If I'd been running them as is, I would've bought the regular Grip Damper model

Just found the grip2 thread of confusion 😂 

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/bike-forum/grip2-damper-settings/

Fox 34 Grip2 ordered 👍🏻