2019 Fox 36 gets more damping adjustment and less offset

Benjamin Haworth

Softer at the start. Firmer in the middle.

fox 36

New Fox 36 features GRIP2 damper with 4-way high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment and two fork offset options.

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2019 Fox 36 need to know

  • FIT GRIP2 damper with 4-way high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping
  • FLOAT EVOL air spring
  • Short offset options: 37mm for 27.5″, 44mm for 29″
  • 15QRx110 mm, 15QRx100 mm, or 15/20 mm convertible thru-axle
  • Travel options:29” – 150, 160 mm, 27.5” – 160, 170, 180 mm, 26” – 100 mm (831), 160, 180 mm
  • 1.5” tapered or 1-1/8” (26” only) steerer tube
  • UK £ TBC

Fox GRIP2 damper

It’s actually inspired by a damper that Fox used in their cheaper OEM-only forks that used a spring-backed IFP rather than a bladder. These OEM forks got rave reviews and became something of a cult item. Fox took notice and the GRIP2 is a spring-backed IFP design albeit one that offers more rebound and compression adjustment.

4-way adjustability (HSC/LSC/HSR/LSR). Variable Valve Control (VVC) rebound adjuster changes valve stiffness – like changing high speed valve shims rather than adding preload. Mid-valve design allows more effective shaping of compression damping curve – another level of refinement. Reduced shaft friction vs. RC2. New seals reduce friction. Wider and improved range of compression.

Fox EVOL air spring

The 2019 Fox 36 still has the EVOL sir spring from the 2018 fork. Taking its cues from Fox’s EVOL 34 fork, the old 2018 Fox 36 EVOL had a larger negative chamber resulting in a plusher, more linear first 25% of travel.

To be frank, that really is pretty much all you needed to know about how the 2018 36 differed from previous incarnations. Previous 36 forks have been uniformly excellent, so there wasn’t much at all to tweak on them.

 

The only comment that some riders and testers had with the 36 fork was that it was a bit on the stiff/firm side at and around the sag point. Some riders and EWS racers liked this feeling (more accurate and feedback-y etc) but a lot of folk felt it was a bit harsh and lead to aching forearms on long descents and rides.

 

This EVOL spring then. It gets its name from the Extra VOLume of the negative chamber. As well as offering a more easy-moving, plusher first part of the travel, it also has the added benefit of having fewer dynamic seals.