Fox factory 38

[Mcharza]

That's my plan also, but now it's too expensive here in Europe. Over 400€

 

[Mikerb]

It is a common comment it seems that the Fox 38 is too harsh...........indeed many reviewers say they set it up with all compression setting set to zero. The Fox 38 is after all the top of the range Enduro fork designed to be ridden hard on pretty harsh terrain.
I have the E Bike tuned version at 180 on one bike and the non ebike tuned 160 on another bike. The 180 is set fairly close to Ridefox recommendation except for air pressure which is set a little lower. It rides like a magic carpet but with plenty of ramp up.
I have spent ages trying to make my 160 as plush yet as supportive as the 180 and I think I have finally cracked it!! Settings are nowhere near Ridefox recommendations! What I found was that the relationship between air pressure and damping is very critical. I set SAG at 25% using 2 tokens then set LSC and LSR both on 6 from open/fast, HSR and HSC both on 3 from open/fast (although I completely open HSC until/unless i am hitting jump lines or drops). I am mostly doing forest gravity runs with small/moderate drops and jumps rather than bike park type jump lines. On these settings and at my weight the fork is plush with no bottom outs

 

[RickBullotta]

I agree, that’s what my son & I are doing since we already have 38’s on our ride, so we’ll just do the drop-in whereas I believe alchemist was saying he was looking to buy new fork which is why I advised getting 2024 model 38.

I just put a 2025 Fox 36 with the new X2 cartridge on my Santa Cruz Hightower. Took it out on its first ride today, and even for not having my clickers perfectly dialed yet (or maybe I do?), the fork was NOTICEABLY more planted in the chop than the Fox 36 with the Grip 2 cartridge. Very impressed after one ride. Will report again in a couple weeks.

 

[Pedec]

Air pressure make a huge difference. What I do is set air pressure to what is recommend for my weight on both fork and shock with rebound and compression set at mid position. I have 36 factory grip4 e-tuned suspension. Then I go to the trail I know well with the biggest jumps and demand the most travel and suspension demands. At the end of run see how much travel I used. With my forks they felt very harsh at recommended air pressure 105 psi for my weight but yet sag was still ok 25%. So I drop air pressure 5 psi in both and ride same trail again till I use up travel. I got down to 80 psi on fork before it was bottoming out. Went up 85psi and was good sag 30% now. Just adjusted clickers after that to fine it. Feels really good now

 

[Lago]

Is there any advantage of an e-optimized 36 over the regular 38 from Fox?

I have both of them at home for my Levo SL with 160mm (one will go back to the retailer). I am a not too heavy rider with 72kg and hence I leaned towards the 36 as I thought it would be the lighter fork. However, the weight of the 36 e-optimized is almost exactly the same as the 38… thus I am wondering if there is any more criteria why to pick the e-optimized 36 over the 38?

 

[RickBullotta]

Is there any advantage of an e-optimized 36 over the regular 38 from Fox?

I have both of them at home for my Levo SL with 160mm (one will go back to the retailer). I am a not too heavy rider with 72kg and hence I leaned towards the 36 as I thought it would be the lighter fork. However, the weight of the 36 e-optimized is almost exactly the same as the 38… thus I am wondering if there is any more criteria why to pick the e-optimized 36 over the 38?

With an eMTB, you're pushing a little more weight with a lot more power through a turn, so I do think there is an advantage of the 38 over the 36. I think the "e-optimized" thing is silly though.

 

[gmoss]

The e optimized comes with a more damped setup, more adjustability. It has been said that even for heavier riders the e fork would be suited better for them on normal bikes. However, I am running conventional 36's on both my bikes, one a light E (42 lbs) and the other a normal bike (30 lbs)and other than a click or two maybe, they perform the same. But, between the 2 forks you have, and the decision to keep one or the other, I'd keep the 38 as my understanding is it is a different animal and MUCH better than the 36.

 

[Mikerb]

E optimised is different to e tuned. On the 36 e optimised is only about adding some strength with thicker metal used in the lowers.....on the air spring side that reduces the overall volume of the air spring which is why set up is different to a normal 36...probably less flexible as well. ....also why it weighs more than an evol 36 and not a lot less than a 38. Ebike tuned on the other hand is a modified damper tune. My choice would be a standard 36 Factory if the bike is mostly aimed at trail type riding or a Factory/performance elite ebike tuned 38 for full on enduro trails.

 

[gmoss]

That's right, forgot about them having both in this moment. Ugh, complication where there doesn't need to be.

 

[Mikerb]

The 38 does not have e optimised.....it is fully strong enough by design

 

[gmoss]

That's why I don't understand the added options for 36. If it weighs the ssme, I would run a 38.

 

[RickBullotta]

38 is significantly heavier - about 240g

 

[gmoss]

38 is significantly heavier - about 240g

Compared to which fork?

Its not much considering we choose weight at the worst place, tires. I know its needed in the right circumstances, but many of us are over weighted on tires. I am erked thst my go to XR4 has been replaced by a tire that is going to be 3/4 heavier per pair. If it means a big boost in performance, 1/2 lb in a fork I can deal with moreso, but it depends on what its being compared to.

 

[Lago]

Thanks for all your feedback!!

@RickBullotta I have both forks at home with 160mm and original shaft. They felt equally heavy when lifting them out of the box, this triggered me to put them on a balance - see photos attached (not done super professionally I admit).

@gmoss @Mikerb yes that is what I was thinking after realizing the weight of the 36 e-opt, especially as the main use case is for a light EMTB (18kg/40lbs)

I have a full power EMTB as well, but this one is running already a ZEB ultimate which I am quite happy with, so not sure I would be better of on this one with the 36 e-opt

 

[gmoss]

E optimised is different to e tuned. On the 36 e optimised is only about adding some strength with thicker metal used in the lowers.....on the air spring side that reduces the overall volume of the air spring which is why set up is different to a normal 36...probably less flexible as well. ....also why it weighs more than an evol 36 and not a lot less than a 38. Ebike tuned on the other hand is a modified damper tune. My choice would be a standard 36 Factory if the bike is mostly aimed at trail type riding or a Factory/performance elite ebike tuned 38 for full on enduro trails.

Isn't the e optimized running essentially 34 internals as well, due to the extra wall thickness? Thought I had read that.

 

[RickBullotta]

Thanks for all your feedback!!

@RickBullotta I have both forks at home with 160mm and original shaft. They felt equally heavy when lifting them out of the box, this triggered me to put them on a balance - see photos attached (not done super professionally I admit).

@gmoss @Mikerb yes that is what I was thinking after realizing the weight of the 36 e-opt, especially as the main use case is for a light EMTB (18kg/40lbs)

I have a full power EMTB as well, but this one is running already a ZEB ultimate which I am quite happy with, so not sure I would be better of on this one with the 36 e-opt

Fox's specs show a 240 gram difference. Which obviously makes sense. More material all around.

 

[RickBullotta]

Compared to which fork?

Its not much considering we choose weight at the worst place, tires. I know its needed in the right circumstances, but many of us are over weighted on tires. I am erked thst my go to XR4 has been replaced by a tire that is going to be 3/4 heavier per pair. If it means a big boost in performance, 1/2 lb in a fork I can deal with moreso, but it depends on what its being compared to.

Yes, 1/2 lb is not super relevant on an eMTB but matters a lot for a regular bike.

 

[gmoss]

Yes, 1/2 lb is not super relevant on an eMTB but matters a lot for a regular bike.

Absolutely agree with ya.

 

[Nomad1]

I have just installed a new X2 damped Fox 38 in factory orange on my Yeti 160e, not ebike tuned, the regular 38 is suitable for a combined weight of 26 stone so don't get caught up in the "e-bike specific" talk, tuning a regular fork to your liking us what matters, the "e-tuned" sticker on the fork does not matter.
Rob took his Crestline to the Fox launch event and I believe the Gold stanchioned 38 was regular flavour.

It not just a sticker but, non E could work fine for you wants. Speaking of sticker thou
you can get fox sticker in several colors for your fork even put your name on it!

 

[RustyIron]

the fork was NOTICEABLY more planted in the chop than the Fox 36 with the Grip 2 cartridge. Very impressed after one ride. Will report again in a couple weeks.

It's been more than a couple weeks, so I'm assuming the X2 is so good that all your spare time is being spent on the trails. I've heard that the difference is dramatic. Yesterday I ordered an X2 damper, but it won't show up until the first week of June. It's going to be a looooong few weeks.

 

[RickBullotta]

It's been more than a couple weeks, so I'm assuming the X2 is so good that all your spare time is being spent on the trails. I've heard that the difference is dramatic. Yesterday I ordered an X2 damper, but it won't show up until the first week of June. It's going to be a looooong few weeks.

Ha - I wish. I did do an XC race on it and although my lungs and legs were screaming, my hands and arms were unusually good afterwards, on a very rocky course. So I'd say thus far, it's still a big thumbs up for the X2 damper. Time will tell on durability. Also, it might not be just the damper - there are different bushings in the 2025 forks that probably affect small bump compliance a bit as well.

 

[SEBA]

what 's the part number of e tuned 38 gripx2 ?! it exists ?

 

[Nomad1]

what 's the part number of e tuned 38 gripx2 ?! it exists ?

I think they only offer the 36E and a SUV E version. I don't believe they currently have a 38E version.

 

[SEBA]

I think they only offer the 36E and a SUV E version. I don't believe they currently have a 38E version.

that was my conclusion too , after some search. they do an ebike version but it's only the crown that differs, 68mm vs 58mm, for bigger ebike headset

 

[Nomad1]

that was my conclusion too , after some search. they do an ebike version but it's only the crown that differs, 68mm vs 58mm, for bigger ebike headset

If I remember correctly fox believes there is not a need for 38E because the 38 can be tuned for both and is strong enough to handle it. I don't know as I totally agree with that.

 

[RickBullotta]

what 's the part number of e tuned 38 gripx2 ?! it exists ?

Unnecessary. Get a regular 38 Grip X2. Will do the job just fine.

 

[RickBullotta]

It's been more than a couple weeks, so I'm assuming the X2 is so good that all your spare time is being spent on the trails. I've heard that the difference is dramatic. Yesterday I ordered an X2 damper, but it won't show up until the first week of June. It's going to be a looooong few weeks.

Did you get a chance to ride the fork with the new damper yet? Any thoughts?

 

[Downhillr]

what 's the part number of e tuned 38 gripx2 ?! it exists ?

There us no current e-tune version. The original was only around for a couple years due to Fox figuring iut it didn't really work for true mtb, apparently, without saying it, the firk was was softer sprung assuming that e-bikes wouldn’t be used for rugged riding. I and others found that tune blew through first part of travel and even max compression damping didn't overcome that issue so when Fox upgraded 38 forks in ‘23 the e-tune was dropped.
BTW, the new 2024 forks have an updated damper and a retrofit kit is coming for prior year 36/38’s offering a wider tuning range adjusted externally by the dials so you can get your ride dialed in… certainly worth the wait judging by latest reviews.

 

[RustyIron]

Did you get a chance to ride the fork with the new damper yet? Any thoughts?

Indeed, I have. I've been running it for a month, and have 180 miles on the damper. I'm reluctant to give a review because I'm afraid it would make me sound like a silly fanboy who will say anything to rationalize his decision. Trust me when I tell you that I really am trying to be objective.

The fork is set up with the recommended compression settings and slightly faster rebound. The small chattery bumps that rattle your eyeballs are now smoothed out enough that they don't feel like they're going to pop out of their sockets. On the medium sized chunk, I can ride it faster and the bike holds its line better.

I'm not a big jumper, but on my little baby jumps, even bad landings feel marshmallowy. But not marshmallowy to a degree that it robs me of momentum... it just plants itself and with no drama. In the fast turns, the tire stays in contact with the ground so that little features don't cause a loss of traction. If it is lost, recovery is predictable.

The differences are most noticeable when riding hard. If I get lazy and am just rolling like a slug, the difference is not as evident. I suppose it's like that with everything, though. Most folks want to know if the upgrade is worth it. For me, the upgraded damper was totally worth it.

 

[Mikerb]

I wonder if we know how any particular brand "tunes" suspension, quite apart from the changes that Fox have made in recent years. When you buy a bike there is no way of knowing what " model year" the fork is either!

For example I have A Whyte E160 RSX bought in July 2022 and another E160 RSX bought in April 2024. Both have Fox 38 Performance Elite forks. Neither is marked as E Tuned. I have both set with the same air pressure and Compression/Rebound settings..............but they are very different in use!! Both are Grip2 Forks.

The 2024 bike ( I assume 2023 Fork?) is far more plush yet with good ramp up and no bottom out. In fact it performs very similar to the Fox 38 Factory fork I had on a Whyte E 180 RS ( 180mm travel fork) previously which was marked as E Bike tuned.
Certainly with the 2024 bike I have absolutely no need to consider any fork upgrades.