Fox 34 Grip2 2022 in the test: gold like a crown - MTB-News.de

Fox 34 Grip2 2022 on test: After the Grip2 cartridge was implemented in the existing Fox 34 in the last model year, Fox has completely revised the fork for 2022. With an adapted air spring, Grip2 VVC damping and a completely new casting, it had to face its old self in the test!

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On the trail

We noticed that

Conclusion – Fox 34 Grip2 2022

Fox 34 Grip2 2022 info and prices

With the addition of the Fox 38 (to our Fox 38 test), the portfolio of the American suspension specialists was more clearly graded in the spring travel areas last year. In the past, the 34 was also available with up to 160 mm of travel, but Fox now only uses it up to 140 mm. Area of ​​application: Modern trail bikes and sporty down-country runabouts. With the addition "SC" for Step Cast, the 34 is also available for the current range of XC race bikes.

Exciting: If you want to ride this latest generation of the Fox 34, you will inevitably need 29″ wheels. The new evolution of the 34 is now only available for the big wheels. Apart from that, you still have options: 44 or 51 mm offset, Fit4, Grip or Grip2 damping, plus 120 to 140 mm of travel.

The 34 is available as a Factory, Performance Elite or Performance version. Without a step in the casting, our test suspension fork weighs 1,862 g and thus more than the specified 1,698 g, which will then probably apply to the Fit4 model. Nevertheless, the fork is 8 g below the old Fit4 fork from our trail suspension fork test!

Price €1,329 (RRP) | Bike market: Buy the Fox 34 Grip2

# The Fox 34 has been extensively revised for the new model year and has slimmed down 150 g - the expensive fork costs €1,329, our test example with Grip2 damping and 140 mm spring travel weighs 1,862 g Start slide show »

In detail

Let's go into detail, top to bottom. The Fox 34 2022 is equipped with a new crown. On this, the diameter around the shaft has grown to 58 mm. Nothing has changed on the outside of the standpipes. The casting has been significantly adjusted for this. In a similar style as on 36, 38 and 40, the bridge of the casting was shaped more round here. It also extends a little further forward to make room for the combination of a voluminous head tube and a short offset. At the same time, however, they want to have achieved an excellent ratio of weight to rigidity.

# Fresh crown with more meat around the shank # Two offset options are available - 44 or 51mm

It continues with the now well-known survey on the back of the casting. Behind it is a channel that connects the individual cavities in the casting and creates additional air volume. Fox wants to prevent the air volume in the casting from influencing the characteristic curve too much - less progression build-up in the casting, more control over the air spring. A positive side effect: lubricating oil can get to the top better and should thus significantly improve the lubrication of the fork. In contrast to the 36, 38 and 40, Fox has decided against the pressure equalization valves for weight reasons.

# In the meantime we have gotten used to the new casting, we already know the rounder shape from the 36, 38 and 40 - but now only 29" front wheels fit into the casting - of course you could also drive 27.5" wheels with the short offset , but the installation height is not quite right.# More space #1 - the new bridge should be a little further forward for more head tube freedom. This should pay off, especially when using Reach Adjust headsets.# More space #2 - a bump on the back of the casting connects the volumes between the bushings better and allows the oil to reach the dust wipers more easily.

The brake mount is a bit more conventional: A post mount ensures adapter-free compatibility with 180 mm brake discs, discs up to 230 mm in size are approved. You also meet an old acquaintance with the axis. The floating axle is not used here, but the system with indexed lock nut used up to the 2020 model year for weight reasons. Either QR axis or Kabolt screw axis can be used.

# Post mount for 180 mm discs - suitable for the area of ​​application, proven, uncomplicated and approved for discs with a diameter of up to 230 mm.# Instead of the floating axle, the old axle is used here - in combination with the Kabolt thru axle you have to use the counter nut but don't change it.

suspension and damping

The adjustments to the inner workings of the Fox 34 are more manageable. Nothing has changed in the damping cartridges. Fit, Grip and Grip2 remain at the same technological level as last time. But there are innovations in the air spring.

suspension

An enlarged negative air spring is intended to provide greater support in the middle spring travel with the well-known sensitivity and reliability. Apart from this fine-tuning of the characteristic curve, everything remains state-of-the-art. The EVOL air spring therefore remains a self-balancing dual air system with positive and negative springs. As usual, the equalization takes place with the help of an overflow channel.

Even with the volume change, everything remains the same: the 34 continues to work with volume spacers, one is fitted ex works. Up to five pieces can be mounted in the air chamber of the 140 mm model.

# Fine tuning of the air spring - above all, a larger negative air chamber should further improve the characteristic - but the components have largely remained the same and the position of the overflow channel has been changed.

damping

As noted, the Grip2 VVC damping remains state-of-the-art. With last year's revision, Fox now uses the independent VVC valve for rebound and compression. This controls the high-speed damping via a leaf spring and changing the lever to this spring.

# Grip 2 VVC damping cartridge - with high and low-speed rebound and compression, a very versatile adjustable product.# Recommendations for the rebound are given - if you want it less complicated, you can still get the Fit4 cartridge in the 34.

Set up

With the help of the enclosed user manual or the sticker on the fork, the setup is very quick. In addition to the weight-dependent air pressure recommendation, Fox has also been giving air pressure-dependent rebound stage recommendations for its fork for a while. We started with the recommended pressure – a pretty good recommendation for more relaxed home trail riding – but also experimented a lot with higher pressures and volume spacers when it came to harder trails.

The compression level is broad with 8 clicks for the HSC and 16 clicks for the LSC. Fox recommends starting with -10 clicks LSC and -5 clicks HSC from the closed position.

# Setup process made easy - the recommendations are good for everyday use - we only corrected them up a bit for fast and hard trails.

On the trail

After a bit of breaking-in time, relaxed trail laps on more or less tough routes, on which the fork has done completely without complaint, we are actually quite happy. Completely uncomplicated, full, sensitive - the 34 does exactly what you expect from a suspension fork. Without corners and edges. Pretty awesome. But can that be the ultimate truth?

We take the fork to routes where we also test enduros, we put it against other forks from the trail sector, in particular the 2021 34 Grip2 - in our first Fox 34 Grip2 2021 test we were already very fond of this fork done. When a product is that good, the heavy artillery is brought out and the absolute endurance test is carried out.

More on the topic5 XC suspension forks in the comparison test Keep it short – the bottom line!Fox 34 SC Factory in the test Sophisticated lightweight construction5 XC suspension forks in the comparison test Light top performers for the race track6 Enduro suspension forks in the comparison test 170 mm suspension travel for everyone – our conclusion! # For mountain sprinters there is still the Fit4 cartridge - but thanks to slimming down and good basic cushioning, the Fox 34 Grip2 is also a pleasure to step out of the saddle from time to time

We shoot run for run on hard tracks, the pace keeps increasing. The damping controls are screwed in quite a bit, the fork provides noticeable support. The individual clicks bring noticeable changes. However, arm pump does not occur. The rebound also works very smoothly – the front wheel bites itself everywhere, the lateral support tears off at most very sandy spots. First of all, we come to the limits with the final progression. Two additional spacers later, however, we get pretty much perfect travel utilization for the tough hack we're running right now. Otherwise, the fork works like a dream: high in the travel, but incredibly sensitive. And despite only 140 mm, it saves your strength and even allows full-throttle runs without your arms falling off. Impressive.

# We really liked the 34 right from the start - on relaxed home trail rides it impresses with its sensitive, smooth handling.# On steep terrain, however, you always remain in control - the fork is very predictable with its travel and does exactly that, what she should!

The Fox 34 also outshines other forks such as the RockShox Pike Ultimate (to our RockShox Pike Ultimate test), which master the combination of control and sensitive, low-vibration function very well. Its older sibling, the 34 Grip2 from last year, can keep up with the control, but causes swollen arms more quickly - here we had to take the damping out bit by bit and quickly wished for the new fork back. You can drive them harder and get tired later. Brilliant!

This makes the new 34 currently the perfect fork for short-travel bikes like the Norco Optic, but also for riders who value low weight, are looking for a smooth fork for a relaxed riding style and still want full control over the damping in each want area. In my career as a tester, I've always hated using the word "reference". But here it is absolutely appropriate: The Fox 34 2022 is the current reference for the trail suspension fork market.

# In the endurance test, we only reach the limits with the factory-adjusted final progression - two more spacers and the fork works like a dream - it saves our strength overall and we can suddenly hammer full descents on rough bike park trails without getting arm pump .

We noticed that

Conclusion – Fox 34 Grip2 2022

The Fox 34 is currently not fooling anyone. The trail suspension fork combines riding comfort and control at an extremely high level. In addition, at 1,862 g it also weighs a lot, has the usual good workmanship, is absolutely reliable and is always a great pleasure when the obstacles just rain down on the front wheel. The Fox 34 is currently the trail suspension fork to beat and the undisputed reference in this area!

Pro Contra

Have you already tried the new 34?

# Lateral support, control, sensitivity - the 34 Grip2 pulls out all the stops without letting the overall weight skyrocket. This fork has to be beaten when you're out and about in the trail suspension fork sector.

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test procedure

The Fox 34 was provided to us free of charge for the test period. We ridden them in direct comparison with the 2021 Fox 34 Grip2 and other suspension forks. It was tested in everyday trail use, on well-known home trails, but also on unfamiliar routes. We also rode the 34 back-to-back for a day at the bike park.

Here we tested Fox 34 Grip2 2022

Tester profile Christoph Spath – please fold outTester profile: Christoph SpathChris likes to ride everything from dirt jumps to trails and enduro to downhill, likes to be fast, on rough terrain and with a lot of air space

driving style

fluid

I mainly drive

Downhill, enduro

chassis preferences

on the tight side, lots of compression, balance between front and rear

Geometry preferences

Long front, medium rear, flat steering angle