Mountain Bike Forks Reviews
SR Suntour Durolux36 R2C2 PCS Boost EQ
The Durolux36 is Suntours model aimed at the enduro rider. Available in 150-160 or 170mm travel, it comes equipped with 36mm stanchions. There are three different models available, one with just compression and rebound adjustment, one with high and low speed compression and rebound adjustment and the top model which has high and low speed compression and high and low...
RockShox SID Ultimate
Synonymous with XC racing, the SID has been getting riders on podiums for as long as I can remember and this latest version is certainly continuing the tradition. For 2020 models RockShox has introduced the new Ultimate versions of its forks. These represent the highest level of technology in the range in each of the chassis available i.e. Pike, Lyric,...
RockShox Lyrik RC2
The mighty Lyrik has been around long enough now to have a devout following of riders and racers who swear by its performance. This year Rock Shox dropped the next version of the classic, incorporating all that was new in suspension tech and of course, painting it red. Aimed firmly at the enduro crowd, the Lyrik aims to be for...
X-Fusion Trace 36 HLR
X Fusion has quietly been producing suspension goods over the past decade. Hidden within their range have been some absolute gems and they continue to surprise with some impressive products. Their dropper post for one is an example of a great piece of kit. What's been missing for a while has been a long travel 29er fork and the Trace...
Motion Ride E-18 Linkage Forks
Motion is a French company that has a slightly different approach to making suspension for mountain bikes. They decided that the standard telescopic fork, that we all know and love, isn't quite good enough. As a result they have developed the E18 Linkage fork. Now, the E18 fork is certainly striking, with multiple pivots and an entirely different set of...
SR Suntour AXON-WERX34
XC has become more demanding both technically and physically and races are no longer won solely on the climbs and technical descending is becoming more prevalent. Suntour has risen to this challenge of creating the ultimate XC fork with the Axon Werx 34. Offering 34mm stanchions in a super lightweight package, and with it, the Axon aims to not compromise...
Fox Racing Shox Step Cast 34 Factory
The Step-Cast 34 is the offspring of Fox’s super light Step-Cast 32 fork and their trail/all-rounder 34. Taking the 34mm stanchions of the trail fork, Fox has dropped the travel to 120mm and redesigned the lowers to shave all the weight they can without sacrificing stiffness. This leads to a 120mm fork that is as stiff as the 34 140mm...
MRP Ribbon SL
Described by MRP as an Endurance XC/Trail fork, the Ribbon SL expands on their successful Ribbon fork and takes the fight to the world of short travel trail bikes. MRPs lighter weight short travel fork, up till now, has been the Loop which offers suspension in a weight-conscious package. The Ribbon, by contrast with its 35mm stanchions, was previously reserved...
Marzocchi Bomber Z1
It's not every day we see a classic reborn. Having grown up riding bikes through the '90s there was nothing I wanted more than a DMR Trailstar with a set of Bomber Z1s. For me, at the time, there was nothing cooler and they represented something that was lacking at the time; a reliable and burly fork with a usable...
Fox Racing Shox 36 Factory GRIP2
Just when you thought you were getting your head around 2018 Fox decides the future is coming early and drops some 2019 goods on our laps. Given I barely know what I'm up to next week, 2019 feels a long way off! Still, never one to sniff at some fresh produce, these rather lovely 36s arrived in time to celebrate...
Formula Thirty Five
Formula originated from the Motorcross scene in 1972 although better known in those days as ‘AIM’. AIM was profoundly respected for their innovative style which Formula has remained faithful to and kept alive, so suspension technology is nothing new for these guys, in fact, these guys arguably have a heritage as long as brands such as Fox or Ohlins. Described...
Formula Selva
SELVA, Formula's newest addition to their suspension fork range, is aimed at the 'All Mountain' or dare I say it ‘Enduro’ category of mountain biking. The Formula range of suspension forks has rapidly expanded in the last two years. This fork is effectively a boosted version of their existing fork, the 35, with a few added treats! I was lucky...
Manitou Mattoc Pro
Manitou have put the Mattoc out as a strong contender in the modern enduro fork market. In recent years Manitou were all but out of the public choice when it came to forks, with other brands stealing the show, however, the Mattoc aims to be a game-changer for the brand. While maintaining the classic reverse brace arch on the lowers,...
SR Suntour Durolux
This year the Durolux from SRSuntour gets a revamp to bring it right up to date. Upping the stanchion size to 36mm shows that this fork means business, and is available in 160/170/180mm options which should do for the hardest hitting riders. The R2C2 damper is a closed cartridge system with both high and low-speed compression and rebound adjustments; this...
Lauf Forks Trail Racer 60mm
And now for something completely different! The Lauf Trail Racer is a full carbon build, 996grams on my scales, 60mm of progressively stiffening travel provided by glass fibre spring leafs. Aimed at the XC/marathon rider market where low weight is key, with the added bonus of no maintenance, no seals to worry about, no oil to replenish, no sanctions to...
BOS Suspension Idylle
BOS Suspension have been turning heads in the MTB world for some time now, and rightly so. The French outfit have some very sexy products with some exceedingly sorted internals. The Idylle is their do-it-all DH triple crown fork, it uses a coil spring and sits alongside two other forks in the range that have air internals. The fork ships...
SR Suntour Durolux TAD 180mm
The Durolux is a new long travel fork from SR Suntour for 2011. It features their new QLoc 20mm axle and comes available with a standard or tapered 1.5” steerer. The TAD part in the name stands for Travel Adjust, this is done remotely via a lever on your handlebars and on the 180mm fork it can be set anywhere...
Manitou R7 MRD Forks
Weight: 1527g The R7 MRD from Manitou is a weight watchers dream fork. It isn’t cheap, but then it is packed with some of Manitou’s top technology. Everything about the fork has been designed to save on weight whilst maintaining as much strength as possible. The crown is a deep bore hollow affair, the stanchions are 30mm as opposed to...
RockShox Lyric 2 Step
Straight out of the box the Lyric looks a fork that can take you places. 35mm 7000 grade aluminium uppers sit in power bulged magnesium lowers that sport the tool free Maxle Lite 20mm axle system. The 2 step ¼ turn lever sits atop the left leg within easy reach with the Floodgate toggle is close at hand on the...