Ebike Optimized Forks Or Not

[raine]

Fox = Make ebike specific forks as well as regular forks.
RockShox = tested all ‘normal’ forks on ebikes and exceeded all tests. Manufacturers can order normal forks with an Ebike sticker, if they wish.

Marketing Departments are good ?.

(I have ebike specific forks). But I believe it’s all BS.

I don't think it makes a difference either, TBH; if my 35mm Rockshox can handle the rough stuff, a "normal" Fox 36 should.

So yeah - the marketing behind the Fox E-Bike fork might be BS, but physically they are actually built different with the thicker stanchions, etc. it's not just a sticker job.

 

[Al Boneta]

The mezzer has 180 mm travel but the stock Levo has 150. Does this fork change the geometry significantly by raising the front?

Yes it would raise the front significantly. I think the sweet for a Levo is a 160mm fork.
I am using the Manitou Mezzer on my Kenevo which is a 180mm travel bike. The Mezzer travel can be reduced with the included travel tokens.

 

[skypickle]

The complexity of the adjustments on the messer scares me a bit. I don't ride enough to really tune the thing, let alone take it apart. One user of the mezzer took it apart and made comments about the nut being only finger tight, etc..

Manitou Mezzer - Page 2- Mtbr.com

I might just go w the fox 36 factory ebike version. A lot of people here have gone that way. Not that I want to be a sheep but 'the wisdom of the crowd' is real.

 

[mitch1808]

Not sure if it was a oversight, the lowers are Fox 36 not a 34. Its the internals which are from the 34 (damper/air shaft) due to the stanchion walls being thicker (smaller ID).

Does it make any difference to have a F34 damper vs a F36 damper in terms of performance?

 

[YrianX]

Just to pile on the fun here....

FOX is actually looking to bring out a FOX 38 single crown fork.... Do we need that? Or even want it? I have no idea

Prototype Spotted – FOX 38 Suspension Fork | ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine

 

[Dewi]

Does it make any difference to have a F34 damper vs a F36 damper in terms of performance?

The damper is the same, it makes no difference to the damper performance if housed in a slightly smaller i.d. tube.
The difference is in the airshaft side, 34 airspring will have slightly less volume and will tune the springrate a little different. I think it works well on the heavy ebike as it ramps up a bit more, plus the added stiffness surely can't be a bad thing.
I don't believe the weight difference is a concern on these heavy bikes.

 

[Gemini2k]

There IS a difference: the e-MTB specific Fox 36 fork has has thicker stanchions and more material in the fork crown to handle the heavier e-MTB. .

I know that the lowers are thicker, I don't think the stanchions are though.

 

[Dewi]

I know that the lowers are thicker, I don't think the stanchions are though.

They are, hence the 34 airshaft and tokens fit the 36 forks

 

[raine]

I know that the lowers are thicker, I don't think the stanchions are though.

They are.

Chris Trojer, marketing manager for Fox Europe:

“Our ‘E-Bike Optimized’ 36 forks are characterised by their steering precision, stiffness and lack of flex during braking as well as our renowned damping performance. The steerer is reinforced with thicker walls, whilst the forged crown isn’t hollow and the stanchions also use thicker walls. This means that a FIT4 damping cartridge from a 34 Fork is used, because the stanchions have a 2mm larger diameter.​

Obviously this does result in a higher weight, but this shouldn’t be a problem on an E-Bike – instead the overall ride characteristics will be noticeably improved. On the trail, the feel of the stronger chassis is extremely positive.”​

Physically there is a difference.

EDIT: Removed last comment, not worth the trouble. Facts are facts.

 

[Shjay]

I have the Manitou Mezzer on my Transition Smuggler lowered to 140mm travel with the supplied spacers it’s a very nice plush fork as good as my freshly serviced Ohlins RXF34 but stiffer. It’s now on my new Ibis Ripley V4 but. It test ridden due to fractured shoulder. Have a Yari RC with Smashpot conversion on the E-Sommet

 

[Gemini2k]

They are.

Chris Trojer, marketing manager for Fox Europe:

“Our ‘E-Bike Optimized’ 36 forks are characterised by their steering precision, stiffness and lack of flex during braking as well as our renowned damping performance. The steerer is reinforced with thicker walls, whilst the forged crown isn’t hollow and the stanchions also use thicker walls. This means that a FIT4 damping cartridge from a 34 Fork is used, because the stanchions have a 2mm larger diameter.​

Obviously this does result in a higher weight, but this shouldn’t be a problem on an E-Bike – instead the overall ride characteristics will be noticeably improved. On the trail, the feel of the stronger chassis is extremely positive.”​

Physically there is a difference.

EDIT: Removed last comment, not worth the trouble. Facts are facts.

Oooo interesting. Guess I had it backwards ?

 

[Fatty-at-the-Back]

Not sure if this helps the original poster but i've just come off the phone with a Fox specialist from Silverfish and he said normal Fox Factory 36s are fine on ebikes. I already have one on an analogue bike which i'm going to transfer to my Canyon Spectral ON (which currently has Fox 36 Rhythm forks). It should be a straight swap.

 

[Tooks]

My e-bike came on RS 32mm forks, many e-bikes come with Fox 34 Rhythm‘s.

e-bike specific forks? Not necessary in my humble opinion. If they’re for ‘heavier bikes‘, then they also need to be able to cope with heavier people on normal bikes. Does a pair of forks care whether the 120kgs it’s being asked to support are made up of more bike or more person?

 

[Fatty-at-the-Back]

My e-bike came on RS 32mm forks, many e-bikes come with Fox 34 Rhythm‘s.

e-bike specific forks? Not necessary in my humble opinion. If they’re for ‘heavier bikes‘, then they also need to be able to cope with heavier people on normal bikes. Does a pair of forks care whether the 120kgs it’s being asked to support are made up of more bike or more person?

The Fox service guy explained that yes, there are ebike-specific Fox forks but normal ones are fine for ebikes. He said "I bet your the Fox 36 Rhythms on your Canyon Spectral ON 6 are non-ebike." He was right.

 

[raine]

...one year later, people still answering the wrong question LOL

 

[KeithR]

...one year later, people still answering the wrong question LOL

Or not.

The OP asked:

I am looking to replace the twisted forks on my Trek powerfly fs9, is there much difference between ebike optimized fox 36 forks and a set that isnt ebike opt?

Seems to me that everything since has been on topic.

 

[raine]

Seems to me that everything since has been on topic.

Nope... most people were giving their subjective opinions on if you need an "e-bike" fork or not.
Only a few actually answered the objective "is there a difference" question that was the OP's original question.

 

[Tooks]

...one year later, people still answering the wrong question LOL

Yep, and the really good thing is you’re not still going on about it. LOL.

 

[raine]

Yep, and the really good thing is you’re not still going on about it. LOL.

Neither are you... oh wait.

 

[Tooks]

Neither are you... oh wait.

I posted once mate, before you chimed in.

I passed an opinion, the original question was long since answered.

But hey, guess you’re one of these guys who can’t be wrong on the internet...

 

[Fatty-at-the-Back]

I posted once mate, before you chimed in.

I passed an opinion, the original question was long since answered.

But hey, guess you’re one of these guys who can’t be wrong on the internet...

A lot of them about. Like a virus.

 

[IanVersion2]

Sorry, I'm with raine. They answered the original question in the very first response. Once you get on to whether an emtb needs a special fork you might as well start asking how many of us need 150mm travel or need £80 pedals or need a £5k emtb for that matter!

 

[Tooks]

Sorry, I'm with raine. They answered the original question in the very first response. Once you get on to whether an emtb needs a special fork you might as well start asking how many of us need 150mm travel or need £80 pedals or need a £5k emtb for that matter!

Need and want get very confuddled in all things mountain biking I find!

 

[Ducatijones]

Nope... most people were giving their subjective opinions on if you need an "e-bike" fork or not.
Only a few actually answered the objective "is there a difference" question that was the OP's original question.

I think I asked is there "MUCH" difference. It was 400 quid more for E-bike specific forks, I wanted to know if non specific parts were ok for an E-bike. To me it's put to bed, there is a bit of difference, not enough to to warrant paying the prices they charge. If you got an E-bike you must have money to burn perhaps ?
Have had my Fox factory 36 forks for a year now, I don't regret buying them and would recommend non specific parts. But that's just my opinion lol.
Anyway happy riding everyone and cheer up guys, some people need to chill

 

[raine]

Sorry, I'm with raine. They answered the original question in the very first response. Once you get on to whether an emtb needs a special fork you might as well start asking how many of us need 150mm travel or need £80 pedals or need a £5k emtb for that matter!

Thanks, but no worries. I used that 'ignore' button and the conversation is over LOL

I think I asked is there "MUCH" difference. It was 400 quid more for E-bike specific forks, I wanted to know if non specific parts were ok for an E-bike. To me it's put to bed, there is a bit of difference, not enough to to warrant paying the prices they charge. If you got an E-bike you must have money to burn perhaps ?
Have had my Fox factory 36 forks for a year now, I don't regret buying them and would recommend non specific parts. But that's just my opinion lol.
Anyway happy riding everyone and cheer up guys, some people need to chill

All good here... and your reply just now was the perfect conclusion to close this thread out (since you're OP).
unsubbed, enjoy your e-MTB... and the fork you chose to use

 

[ULEWZ]

One thing I am wondering about, is if the EMTB Specific Fox 36 isn't just a Marzocchi Bomber Z1 with some bling on it - the Bomber is based off the fox, but has thicker stanchions, and 34 internals from what I know of it.

That would be very good news if it is confirmed it has 34 internals, because that would imply that the Z1 coil upgrade kit would fit my Fox 36E Rhythm forks!

 

[leftside]

Sorry to raise an old thread from the dead, but I just wanted to share the internals of a Fox 36 ebike specific fork that I've broken. Would this also have happened with a "regular" fork with "regular 36 (and not 34) internals? I'm not sure to be honest.

I'm now looking for another fork whilst the warranty replacement is processed, and searched to find what differences there are between a "regular" fox fork and an "ebike specific" fork. I did find this thread to be useful - so thanks.

I'm pretty desperate to be up and running again, so will take whatever decent fork I can find - "regular" or "ebike specific". Think I might have found a "regular" Fox 38....

Does the Fox 38 now make this less of an argument? Even though I see they also have an "ebike specific" 38...

Edit: Fox 38 Fork Review - The Best Fork We Have Ridden | The Loam Wolf

What is the difference between an eMTB model and a normal 38? Could a person buy a 38 this year and then next year when they see how much better ebikes are, put it on that? Haha

Difference will be in the Damper Tune. The E-bike damper tunes will have a lighter compression. We found that a vast majority of E-bikes are sitting down more when riding because they are under power. This allows for a more comfortable ride at the top end of the stroke. The E-bike damper is optimized for e-bikes. You can run a standard damper on an e-bike but might find that your ride experience would be more enjoyable on a properly tuned damper

 

[SEBA]

where to read oil quantities for an ebike fox 36 fork 2019 please ? to the 36 lines or the 34 lines ? I ask that because its confusing , ebike 36 fox is 34 inside from what I ve read here and here ...

 

[mitch1808]

It says ALL 36 grip 2, that includes ebike as well.

 

[SEBA]

It says ALL 36 grip 2, that includes ebike as well.

my fox 36 ebike is fit4 not grip