First Look: Fox's 34 Fork Gets a Redesigned Crown & More - Pond Beaver 2021
Fox have unveiled their newly updated 34 series of forks today. According to Fox, the new 34 and 34 SC (Step-Cast) were designed to be the ultimate forks for modern XC racing and trail riding.
The 34 is available with 100mm-120mm of travel as a Step-Cast model with a FIT4 or GRIP damper and then in 120mm-140mm without the Step-Cast lowers and with a FIT4, GRIP2, or GRIP damper.
Wheel size is exclusively Boost 29" for both forks (previous generation forks will still be for sale) and offset choices are 44 and 51mm. There are Performance and Factory models available in both forks and all travels, with prices ranging from $849 - $1089 USD for the SC version, and from $769 - $969 USD for the standard 34.
34 SC
The new 34 SC replaces the previous 34 SC and the smaller-stanchioned XC race 32 SC. The fork is designed to meet demands of modern XC racing and riding. With XC riding becoming increasingly technical and bikes becoming ever more capable, Fox claim riders were asking for a stiffer fork with a bit more travel.
The new 34 SC does weigh slightly more than the 32, but Fox feel that the performance benefits are worth a few extra grams. It's stiffer than the old 32 SC, slightly less stiff than the previous 34 SC, and a lot lighter than the 34 SC. Most of the weight for the new fork was shed by changing the step-cast from the outside to the inside of the fork. This allowed there to still be room for a 180mm brake rotor. More importantly, it allowed Fox to narrow the crown of the fork, which trimmed down a good bit of weight.
The Factory 34 SC at 100mm weighs in at 1496g, while still being able to fit a 2.4" tire. The forward lean on the arch is to provide greater clearance at full compression for more modern, large profile head tubes.
Besides the chassis redesign, the new 34 SC also has a new EVOL air spring with more positive and negative air volume. Additionally, the negative air volume is tunable with a volume spacer that riders can add or remove to modify the initial stroke of the fork. If a rider were to purchase the fork at 100mm, it will have the spacer installed so it is firmer off the top and more race-appropriate. The 120mm travel 34 SC will have the spacer removed, but it can be added if desired. There are still volume spacers that can tune the positive air volume, as in the past.
There are lower leg bypass channels on the fork now, something we see in the 36, 38, and 40. The grooves on the back of the fork allow air to escape above the bushings and dust wipers. At full bottom out, this also increases the air volume by a percentage which should, in theory, allow for less air pressure in the lower leg at full compression and more supple travel throughout the stroke of the fork. Fox claim this makes it easier to get full travel out of the 34 SC. Noticeably missing is a bleed valve, as seen on the longer travel forks. Fox claim that this was omitted because of the additional weight it would add and that it's more designed for gravity applications.
34
The non-step-cast version of the 34 is available in 120mm-140mm travel options and it carries over some of the same updates as its more XC/downcountry oriented sibling. There's a redesigned crown and an overall burlier chassis making it a good fit for slightly longer travel trail applications. The 34 also has the option of a GRIP2 damper, in addition to GRIP and FIT4.
The 34 does weigh a touch more than the 34 SC, starting at 1698g. It also clears a larger 29" x 2.6" tire and accommodates up to a 203mm brake rotor.
We'll be putting the miles on the 34 SC and the regular SC over the course of the next few months and report back with a full review later this year.
Title image courtesy of Fox
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"The new 34 SC does weight slightly more than the 32, ... It's stiffer than the old 32 SC, slightly less stiff than the previous 34 SC, and a lot lighter than the 34 SC."
How many forks does Peter have?
If FOX don't like selling suspension in EU, we should respect their choice.
www.foxracingshox.de/detail/index/sArticle/28225/sCategory/2366
I still have the fork but considering switching to an Intend or a Pike Ultimate, just disappointed really as the Fox really wasn't a cheap fork, especially in Europe.
The real question is now, why would you buy this at all?
Why do you think Shimano had to clamp down on European shops shipping to US? The Rotor cranks I just ordered are considerable cheaper even after shipping from R-2 or Hibike in Germany.
Please don't bring VAT into it. You all chose that.
The only reason the 35 Sid makes sense is if they are preparing for arrival of 32” wheels. Yes 32mm uppers are flexy but... it’s an XC racing fork for Gods sake. Ifsomeone likes downcountry and is so woke they want a light fork to this woke Enduro geo and Minions they may ekhem want a Pike maybe?
There are more of them and they’ll buy many other things that may be slightly lighter, fractionally advanced, or just cooler looking. The mtb industry doesn’t want to sell stuff to those that use bikes as tools, they want to sell stuff to those that see their bike as an extension of their identity.
So for the vast majority of the mtb industry target audience, sense of self accomplishment/ increase in self esteem come in the form of buying stuff rather than learning how to do stuff on their bike. These people simply buy way more crap, so that’s where the industry is focused.
Its not a conspiracy, its just that fox did a bit of research.
I wish companies like Fox or RS would stop catering to mediocrity and beefed up the 38/ Zeb with more steerer insert and 1.8” - 2,2” race, at the risk of hearing whining on the subject of axle to crown by people who don’t have a slightest clue about structure and the concept of “compromise”.
These are fork used on heavy Ebikes and 180-200 bikes. The chassis of 38 and ZEB is ridiculous. Would never buy any of these. Extra cash, extra weight and all you win is less uppers binding in the bushings for big folks. I never had issues with Lyrik or 36 at 270-180 even if it felt on the edge
I must have read that wrong?. i'd be amazed if Fox scraps the Fox 32SC given its a XC staple.
What annoys me is that Fox claimed the redesigned for 2019 32 SC crown now made the fork stiffer than the old 32 and even the 34 SC, but now this one that's stiffer than the old 32 SC is slightly less stiff than the old 34 SC... so at some point, a fair bit of misinformation from marketing there.
I was already pretty sure my next race fork would be a SID, now there’s no question.
2.) I wouldnt be surprised if this years marketing dept. is full of different people with no clue of what has been used to hype product recently.
TOTALLY WRONG.
first the air cannot escape out side the seals and the wipers.
no matter the presence of air channels or slotted bushings.
second, there is no need for air channels for air migration on upper side of bushings: bushings are never air-tight, the air goes already in any fork on planet, back and forth the bushings, as well the oil.
But I do agree in regards to air not being able to pass the seals.
I was pretty sure that all of the newer Rock Shox and Fox forks have slotted bushings... I‘ll keep an eye on it the next time I open an new 36/38 or lyrik!
If only someone could have predicted we would get inflation in manufactured goods!
Now, could companies afford to keep prices the same? Maybe. Materials costs are exploding with everything else for the same reasons, but raw material (except carbon) probably isn’t a huge factor for bike prices. But if prices did stay flat it would be even harder to get what you need to repair that broken component because they just can’t make enough of them.
This isn’t a comment on whether governments were right or wrong to hand out that money. Just that the consequences were extremely predictable, and it’s kind of weird to watch everyone act like this is a surprise.
the last fox 36 kashima I've brought was in early october 2019 and cost me 799 euro, discount price from the regular RRP. I would like to have someone from Fox explain how a '38 kashima cost double??, with no discounts in sight.
again, 800 euros vs 1600 euros(in fact, the actual price is 1654 euro on multiple websites in EU).
Whats left?
Mojo 4
5010
Aether 7
All of which I’d run with a 36...
Agree and there are always be weight weenies too... But we’re talking a percentage that obviously doesn’t justify production.
At least bikes are still plentiful and not suffering from a 10-20% markup... right?
Did you hear people want us to wear masks in public too?
I just woke up from a 12 month nap too, what's going on?
Messer is german for knive, so we german guys could get that wrong