Who remembers when our suspension forks had rubber bumpers in them, and adjusting them started and stopped with turning a preload dial that may or may not have done anything at all? Now, we're riding highly advanced suspension that borrows and shrinks down technology from the motorsport world to deliver some seriously incredible performance. And not only that, these things can be adjusted every which way to suit nearly anyone's needs and terrain.
That description is especially true when talking about all three of our Suspension Product of the Year nominees, but there is one that stands above the rest when it comes to performance.
This isn't exactly an upset win, is it? If you've spent any time on Fox's top-tier mid-travel fork, you'll know why it's at the top of our list when considering what to put on the front of your all-mountain or enduro bike, but it's also a fact that there are more options in 2016 than ever before. Yes, we've spent a load of time on offerings from DVO, Öhlins, and Manitou, and you can't talk about killer suspension without including the Pike and its big brother, the Lyrik, can you? The truth is that no one is going to be disappointed to have any of those forks working for them, but there's one that always seems to be just a bit ahead of the rest: the Factory 36 Float.
An all-new 36 was introduced back in 2014 and it was impressive right from the get-go, winning this very award last year. In fact, it would surely still be a contender had Fox left it at that and moved on to tinker with other stuff. But they didn't leave it alone; instead, they refined the fork's tune to further improve its action, and it's gotten even better since its initial release. Another reason for the 36 taking the Suspension Product of the Year honors is its consistency, and I'm not only talking about its dialed FIT4 damper. Every Factory 36 Float fork that we've dealt with, be it on test bikes here to be reviewed or personal steeds, has been flawless in its performance, often leaving us with not much to write about in reviews that we haven't said before.
With its dependably top notch performance, and effective and easy to understand adjustments, the Factory 36 Float is our choice for the 2016 Suspension Product of the Year.
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | The current Factory 36 Float fork is the perfect of example of a product that has been honed to near-perfection, and it doesn't require any gimmicks or tricks because of that fact. It's reliable, easily tuneable, and extremely capable. - Mike Levy |
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I used to work at a Santa Cruz bikes dealer, when we brought in bikes for stock, it was cheaper to get a top end build kit featuring a fox 36 at the time vs. a mid range AM kit featuring something like a rock shox revelation. This is cause duties on importing products made outside of the continent.
This still occurs today and is probably the reason there are more fox 36 forks around here. dealers bring in american bikes featuring fox suspension cause its the same price as bringing in a mid range build with a foreign manufactured product.
On paper as for import, they are a considered a made in the US product.
36 2016 on backcountry : 699 USD (u can find it on ebay too)
www.backcountry.com/fox-racing-shox-36-float-27.5-160-hsc-lsc-fit-fork-2016?skid=FRS002R-BK-S15TS1520MMTA&ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6Zm94IDM2IGZsb2F0OjE6Njpmb3ggMzYgZmxvYXQ
pike rct3 2016 130: 499 USD (same on ebay) + 60 USD for 160mm piston rod
www.backcountry.com/rockshox-pike-rct3-solo-air-130-fork-27.5in?skid=RSX002H-DIFBK-S15TS15MMMALI&ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6cGlrZSByY3QzOjE6MjA6cGlrZSByY3Qz
So d=200 USD at least, u can argue a lot about d worthing it or not, but most of us agreed that RS forks needs to be prepared to reach 36 mid-stroke support, which will cost you 200 USD more at least, so...
The difference is you can find the Pike and Lyrik on sale online; good luck doing that with a 36, especially a boost 36. I just picked up a DPA Lyrik for $300 USD off list.
The Lyric will give it a better run for it's money i'd say, but not ridden it so can't say.
36 is far better for service intervals than any Sram fork, just as easy to service, but feel good for longer post service and need it less.
36 Floats adjustability (that actually makes a difference) is another reason i'd send the extra $$$
But we like our prestige brands, ha! I wouldn't be seen dead with a pair of suntours, not cool!
Just got myself another new set and bloody love them.
Pike calls for removing the lowers every 50 hours and "the rest" every 200 hours.
sram-cdn-pull-zone-gsdesign.netdna-ssl.com/cdn/farfuture/x7W1QSXggty6eyvRkZB7p4OYIM3sApQ67nWHhPhdduo/mtime:1471279267/sites/default/files/techdocs/gen_0000000004461_rev_e_2014-2017_pike_service_manual_english.pdf
Fox says 125 hours for a "full service". They figure most high useage riders will drop the lowers and change the oil a few times a year.
www.ridefox.com/service.php?m=bike&ref=topnav
Moreover my pike and lyric saw their performance progressively decreased between two services, thing that didn't happen with my 36 past the break in period.
I would really like to know if there is a difference between OEM and aftermarket RS and Fox forks.
At it's price point and performance that's a whole lot of fork for much less than the 36. To me, Manitou have finally got a fork worth fighting for again and yet it's been beaten here by a thundering heavy weight in the MTB world.
We all know the story of David and Goliath. I was hoping this was Manitou's year this year. Maybe next year?
crikey I have loads to get done my fox 40, 32, 36 and a several fox rear shocks....better stagger the servicing I guess or I will be broke.
/4 when going aggressive and strong breaking on steep technical terrain?
What? You've got a bridge for sale? I'll take it!!!
also, i'm not the only person who thinks this fork does not function that great. read some of the other comments here.
reading. i know it can be hard sometimes, but it's a valuable tool.
I have the 2015 180mm version on my 26er and it is much plusher. As we both have the 170mm version have you thought about turning it into a 180mm and running a little more sag? The mod is easy, just remove the 10mm neg spacer and extend the shaft to the last notch, no parts required.
Luckily it came on a full bike i purchased because with the current price difference between it and the lyrik id have had the lyrik.