The updated Mattoc and its added customizability represents fantastic value for the money, and it cuts incredibly close to the competition in terms of performance for considerably less. Regardless of all of the adjustability, the fork doesn't quite mute some of the smaller trail feedback like the competition does; chatter is more noticeable, especially during long descents. But this is comparing it to forks that cost hundreds more, and in reality, if you're looking for something in this price bracket, there isn't anything out there that offers up as much customization and adjustment. - AJ Barlas |
Offering a lot of performance for a lot of money isn't good enough these days; it's simply expected. But coming to the table with a product that performs as well as more expensive options, and even better in some cases, is a much more noteworthy achievement. And that's what Fox has done with the new 34 Float GRIP. It's still not inexpensive, and there are lighter forks out there, but the 34 Float GRIP offers performance that would have been unheard of only a handful of years ago, let alone in a package that saves you money compared to forks that offer basically the same sort of performance. - Mike Levy |
Up front, the Fox 36 Float RC2 was flawless. I'd probably add a volume spacer or two if I were going to spend most of my riding time rubbing my ass on the bike's rear tire, but that's more of a terrain-specific comment than an actual complaint. It's extremely adjustable, extremely active, and an extremely nice fork overall. - Mike Levy |
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I bought a Pike.
Horses for courses.
There is zero reason to buy one of these aftermarket when there are may better options for not much money more.
And two years ago your 5k bike would have had a fork with kashima and a real dampener. Now it comes with no adjustments and stanchion coatings that tell the world how poor you are.
It's easy to feel jaded, and a lot of it is justified, but you get more for your money these days, both in spec and performance. Zero doubt about that in my mind.
But in the middle, I just feel like 5k doesn't get you what you use to. You get stuck with all kinds of annoying cost cutting moves such as lousy hubs, pinned rims, no suspension adjustments, cheap house brand parts, etc.
I guess what I don't follow is how that's not a really good thing, especially when it means that the fork on the front of your $2,100 trailbike performs basically as well as the fork on the front of your buddy's $6,000 trailbike...
Fox 34 float grip suspension product of the year ???
There so many other really great products, (Suntour Auron/Durolux, Bos Deville, DVO diamond, MRP Stage without even mentioning RS), that's a shame !
By the way I don't think it's a good money value for products made in Taiwan...
And once again, I'm sad to see 2/3 of the ranking taken by the same brand while there's a plethoric offer on the suspension market.
Just my point...
2 different dampers with completely different internal architecture that are designed for different purposes and perform differently. Is one nominated? Are they both nominated? Is the chassis as a whole nominated regardless of the damper configuration?
Anyways, I based the question on this sentence in the article: "Fox is able to produce a closed cartridge that offers much more consistent control compared to the older open design"
The Pike is idiot proof and performs right in the middle on everything. It's easy to service, setup and just ride. I found it felt taxed on fast sections comparatively but still solid.
The 36 is truly in a league of its own but that is likely the result of Push "fat guy" tuning. I would expect that given the price. I've only had it for a few rides but am noticeably faster and more comfortable in all situations. The thing that really blows my mind is how much better it works in turns. I feel like I have a new bike, which is far cheaper than upgrading. Just as an FYI you can buy the 36 from Push (tuned for you) for roughly the same price as retail.
Spare no expense performance: 36
Simplicity: Pike
Budget/adjustability: Mattoc
Really? DVO, MRP, Bos, SR Suntour, Manitou, Ohlins...
Not one DVO product ? Double Fail
Multiple Fox products ? Triple Fail
Three strikes your out PB..
These are bull@@@s. The mattoc is just superior to its rivals. You need to find something to say since RS & Fox have higher marketing budgets to spend? Well there is nothing.
That would be sweet and would piss all over Lyrik and 36!
"...ever so close to TRUMPing the best..."
*triggered*
*starts protesting*
I never knew fox was owned by the same Pharmaceutical company that makes Epi pens. The savings are.......nowhere.
Thanks for the laugh and reminding me why I spend more interest on CX now. Decent laugh and still overpriced as ever.
seriously though i have a fox 32 factory, 36 van r and a fox 40 factory and several fox rear shocks i am gonna go with the manitou next as i still wanna ride 26" wheels and i like the price of the mattoc and i do like the appeal of an underdog option hence why a have a magura fork on my carbon hardtail.
I read this, and my first thought was, 'gee, that's great criteria(I've never ridden said forks, so I have no idea whether they're 'worthy' of the award, I'm just commenting on the criteria)', but then I read the other 'of the year' selections: a run-of-the-mill helmet, run-of-the-mill knee pads, and BLACK [FUGLY] SUMMER PANTS? Nobody's ever gonna wear those things, nevermind the fact that coming from POC, you'd need to up the limit on your credit card just to afford them- I wonder if the same people came up with both 'awards'/articles?
The former..perfecto(again, not ever having ridden said forks, I'm only commenting on selecting forks for the award, and the criteria for selecting the winner)!
The latter...fecies smeared on the wall would've been a better selection
Colour is more important than performance for 99% of riders 75% of the time.
So yes it's about looks > Unique looks. I will spare you all another rant on why Enve sucks because of that...
i was way ahead of the tech curve
CB Inline? RockShox Deluxe and SuperDeluxe?
No marzocchi 053 s3c2r (R2D2 C3PO)?
That little tiny shock rocks. It even can handle a ccdba in the damping department, is only around 315 grams at 216*63 shock size and only costs 320 USD!
That is a bargain highend shock!
- Post with the biggest sh1t storm in the comments section
- Comment of the year
- Pun of the year
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