Ebike Optimized Forks Or Not

[Eckythump]

Fox e-bike specific forks have extra material in the fork crown and thicker stanchions. Also, the 36 e-bike fork uses a FOX 34 air spring, and the lower legs are the same as a regular FOX 34 fork. So basically the upper half is where there is a difference.

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).

 

[bowser]

Anyone know is RS do the same for their ebike forks?

 

[Welshman]

Since you don't even read the thread, start with #63.

that could happen to any fork........

 

[Gary]

My friend sent me a picture of some Kenevo forks after a Surrey Hills session at the weekend... ? View attachment 16303

That's one tough red O-ring to have split the crown

 

[Jamsxr]

that could happen to any fork........

It’s a picture of a cracked eBike crown, that’s a pretty good case for having a stronger crown, no?

Clearly eBikes don’t need an eBike specific fork, but clearly more force is exerted through eBike frames and components, so there is a case for stronger/more durable components.

The likelihood is you’re not missing out on much, but there is still a fairly good case for having them.

 

[Fivetones]

This thread is nuts. So much repetition and so much pedantry and splitting hairs.

Folks, there are way more variables than makes this a simple yes/no. Riding style is a biggie as has pointed out but also an effective view of what is outside the sprung part of the comparison needs factoring in (wheels, lower suspension parts, swing arm, brakes, tyres, derailleur etc).

Need less to say each one of us will know whether we hit the forks hard from riding so get out there and ride!

 

[Jamsxr]

This thread is nuts. So much repetition and so much pedantry and splitting hairs.

Folks, there are way more variables than makes this a simple yes/no. Riding style is a biggie as has pointed out but also an effective view of what is outside the sprung part of the comparison needs factoring in (wheels, lower suspension parts, swing arm, brakes, tyres, derailleur etc).

Need less to say each one of us will know whether we hit the forks hard from riding so get out there and ride!

Agreed. I don’t mind rising to the bait though ?

 

[raine]

This thread is nuts. So much repetition and so much pedantry and splitting hairs.

Seriously... haha

Funny, the actual original question the OP asked was answered a long time ago in post #2.

But then people went straight to "but do you need it" or "what's the difference small guy + big bike vs. big guy + small bike" and "you're not rad enough" and so forth.

Now it just came around to that point where people aren't even reading what was said already, just commenting to comment lol

 

[Ducatijones]

Well I did originally want to know the difference but after a few comments I did want to know, Do I really need it ?
From what I can see only Fox make ebike specific forks, does that mean all other e-bike riders non Fox fork users are riding a bike that is dangerous ?
I have learned a lot, and you cant beat a bit of banter, can you ?

 

[khorn]

Well I did originally want to know the difference but after a few comments I did want to know, Do I really need it ?
From what I can see only Fox make ebike specific forks, does that mean all other e-bike riders non Fox fork users are riding a bike that is dangerous ?
I have learned a lot, and you cant beat a bit of banter, can you ?

You nailed it totally above, if this so-called ebike specific fork is sooooo much better than all the rest, why do the majority of the big brands choose otherwise?

It’s nothing but a marketing gimmick and the FOX EBIKE 36 Should actually be branded as something else as it got 34 internals. All the highest rated ebikes comes with everything but FOX and it’s working quite ok ?

Karsten

 

[Eckythump]

It’s stiffer than a Yari. Big drawback is max travel of 160mm. You cannot get a longer airshaft.

 

[raine]

Well I did originally want to know the difference but after a few comments I did want to know, Do I really need it ?
From what I can see only Fox make ebike specific forks, does that mean all other e-bike riders non Fox fork users are riding a bike that is dangerous ?
I have learned a lot, and you cant beat a bit of banter, can you ?

Do you really need it?
That's up to you and your budget, IMO.

Are those without e-specific forks riding a bike that's dangerous?
Probably not... I agree some of the Fox E-bike fork can be called "marketing" but we've already established that the Fox e-bike fork is built differently than their non e-bike fork. IMO for something to be "all marketing" it would have to be something like the same fork parts but with an "e-bike" sticker slapped on it or something

I have a Lyrik on my e-MTB, all E-Bikes with Rockshox run 35mm standard forks (non "e-bike" labelled). I haven't had a problem. My riding buddy has one of these Fox E-Bike specific forks on his Giant E-Trance. We ride the same stuff, from flow to crazy rock garden, some jumps, some drops, some bike park, etc.

And I'm totally okay with the banter (it's a forum!) but some people tend to try to shift things personal if they hear (er, read) things that they don't agree with.

 

[raine]

It’s nothing but a marketing gimmick and the FOX EBIKE 36 Should actually be branded as something else as it got 34 internals.

Stanchions are 36mm outer measurement, which is what "36" means. But the thicker walls mean they have to use the 34 internals.

 

[skypickle]

The last Manitou fork I ran was the Manitou Sherman. I have ridden this new fork the Manitou Mezzer. It is the stiffest single crown fork I have ever felt. I don’t care for double crown forks when it gets slow and technical with switchbacks. I feel like I am steering an aircraft carrier.

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

 

[Ducatijones]

My new Fox 36 factory on the left, Fox 36 performance E-bike fork on right.
I have measured them up and externally I can not find a difference.

 

[raine]

View attachment 16785 My new Fox 36 factory on the left, Fox 36 performance E-bike fork on right.
I have measured them up and externally I can not find a difference.

LOL of course not - it's been said multiple times now in this thread (one of those times literally 2 posts before yours) that the E-bike fork has 36mm stanchions with thicker walls - so outside it's still going to be 36mm stanchion outer diameter with 36mm lowers.

Measure the inside stanchion opening and measure the damper diameter and it's different.

Why won't this thread die LOL

 

[Ducatijones]

LOL of course not - it's been said multiple times now in this thread (one of those times literally 2 posts before yours) that the E-bike fork has 36mm stanchions with thicker walls - so outside it's still going to be 36mm stanchion outer diameter with 36mm lowers.

Measure the inside stanchion opening and measure the damper diameter and it's different.

Why won't this thread die LOL

LOL of course not - it's been said multiple times now in this thread (one of those times literally 2 posts before yours) that the E-bike fork has 36mm stanchions with thicker walls - so outside it's still going to be 36mm stanchion outer diameter with 36mm lowers.

Measure the inside stanchion opening and measure the damper diameter and it's different.

Why won't this thread die LOL

Ha ha ha well it should now, I have bit the bullet and bought a pair. Thanks for the input .

 

[raine]

No problem, enjoy

 

[Rich-Baillon]

I think from what I have read Fox have thicker steerer tubes on the E bike forks and also on the legs. For instance they use the F34 internals in the F36 E bike fork. I will buy the E bike version but don't really do jumps and then only small ones. I have seen fork steerers give way on people and it is very nasty. Worth the extra money IMHO.

 

[Jamsxr]

So what’s the difference again...? ?

 

[raine]

So what’s the difference again...? ?

LOLOL

 

[Swissrob]

So what’s the difference again...? ?

I think it is the silver stickers are made from titanium so that makes them strong enuf for an ebike.......

 

[Mattwilko92]

I bought the ebike specific ones.

Does anyone care?

Me neither.

 

[tedturbine]

I bought the ebike specific ones.

Does anyone care?

Me neither.

This great news deserves it's own thread

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

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.

 

[bowser]

Keep in mind the differences in coil spring requirements if choosing to go down that route with ebike specific forks.

 

[Jamsxr]

Wow, we’re really getting this thread going again ?

Bearing in mind I personally know less people who ride eBikes, but out of those people I’ve seen 2 x crown failure. Also, for the first time ever, I snapped a pedal clean off landing a double on my eBike.. all the evidence, so far, points towards stronger components not being a bad thing... ?

 

[Ducatijones]

Wow, we’re really getting this thread going again ?

Bearing in mind I personally know less people who ride eBikes, but out of those people I’ve seen 2 x crown failure. Also, for the first time ever, I snapped a pedal clean off landing a double on my eBike.. all the evidence, so far, points towards stronger components not being a bad thing... ?

I am all for stronger more reliable, the forks I bent twisted on the arch or bridge connecting the lowers, I think that's a week spot. The non Ebike fork bridge is identical. The wall thickness of the stanchion are 1mm thicker and the only difference so use smaller internals. Imo that isnt enough to justify calling them a specific fork.

 

[Jamsxr]

I am all for stronger more reliable, the forks I bent twisted on the arch or bridge connecting the lowers, I think that's a week spot. The non Ebike fork bridge is identical. The wall thickness of the stanchion are 1mm thicker and the only difference so use smaller internals. Imo that isnt enough to justify calling them a specific fork.

“There’s extra material in the fork crown and the walls of the stanchions are thicker”

 

[Ducatijones]

Yes stanchion wall 1mm thicker or 40 thousands of an inch in old money. I checked the crown and it looks the same. I am also a tight Welshman, it broke my heart paying £720 on Fox 36 float factory grip 2 forks. I honestly cant see how they can charge £1140 for a similar fork with an E-bike sticker on it. I will start another thread if I bend these ones lol.
Good riding folks ?