The Fox Lexicon

When it comes to premium, performance-driven MTB suspension, Fox is the undisputed leader. The Californians set the bar with a lineup dedicated to the high-end segment. Here’s your ultimate guide through the maze of acronyms and technologies, helping you to better understand your suspension setup.

Fox and Rock Shox, the two heavyweights in suspension componentry, are neck and neck in the race for the top spot. Both names are synonymous with utmost quality and performance. While Rock Shox impresses with its extensive product range, Fox is known for its focused expertise in the exclusive high-end sector.

Fox’s lineup is not limited to forks but also extends to an impressive array of shocks and dropper posts, transforming challenging trails and high-speed descents into truly exhilarating experiences. From the short-travel 32 series forks to the beefy 40 series dual crown forks, Fox covers every need in terms of travel and thus offers an impressive selection for every avid rider.

And here’s an important clarification: Despite the shared name, Fox in the suspension business is not related to the well-known apparel brand FOX. They are two completely distinct companies, each excelling in their own right. In this lexicon, we will focus on the technical marvels from Fox and shine a light on the plethora of acronyms and technologies. So, let’s dive into the details without further ado.

Bikers and trail aficionados, take note: When it comes to high-end components for your cherished rides, Fox is a name you simply can’t overlook. We’re diving into the quality tiers that Fox offers for its suspension systems and shocks – a straightforward scheme to support you during upgrades or new bike purchases. Let’s start at ground zero, the gateway into the realm of enhanced riding pleasure: the Rhythm series. Crafted for those of you who prioritize solid performance and durability without breaking the bank. Easy-to-use adjustments meet a plush damping profile.

Moving up a notch, we have the Performance series, the bridge to the high-end segment. Here, riders looking for more will find a blend of advanced Fox technology and enhanced manufacturing quality.

As you ascend to the Performance Elite level, you enter the realm of those who accept no compromises. These components offer the full gamut of high-tech features that Fox has to offer – optimized responsiveness, precise adjustability of dual compression stages, and all that with a weight saving. The functionality of Performance Elite suspensions is on par with the Factory components.

Finally, the Factory Series – the ultimate, the crème de la crème of suspension design. This is the domain of racers and riders who settle for nothing less than what’s technically possible. The Factory line always comes with the golden Kashima coating. This series embodies the pinnacle of engineering ingenuity and allows you to push the limits of performance. Compression and rebound damping are ultra-tuneable here.

To put it simply: Fox defines the quality tiers with clear boundaries, and investing in a higher tier translates to an immediate drain from the bank account and a surge of technology.

As you navigate the maze of mountain biking gear, you’ll encounter marketing jargon that might seem cryptic at first glance. But as a seasoned rider, you know that every feature can impact your ride. So, let’s dive into the thicket of terms and reveal the secrets behind them.

Let’s start with Kashima. This isn’t just an exotic-sounding term, but also synonymous with top-notch performance and quality. Kashima is a special coating applied to the stanchions of suspension forks and shocks. Its primary goal? To minimize friction as much as possible, allowing your fork to glide through the terrain smoother than ever. In reality, the golden hue is mainly a marketing ploy designed to distinctly mark Fox Factory products.

Then there’s Grip. This refers to a damping system or cartridge inside the more affordable suspension fork. The damping controls the flow of oil, determining how your fork responds to rugged terrain and can be customized to personal preferences. With Grip 2, you’re served the next level of evolution – an upgrade with even more refined adjustability for high- and low-speed compression as well as rebound damping. Grip 2 cartridges are used exclusively in forks of the Performance Elite quality level.

Equally important are the Volume Spacers. These small, often colored plastic rings are inserted into the air chamber of your fork or shock to adjust the progressivity of the suspension. They reduce the volume of the air chamber, thereby affecting how firm your suspension becomes towards the end of its travel. Rock Shox has the same technology with their Tokens.

LSC stands for Low-Speed Compression, which refers to the damping at low shaft speeds. This adjustment helps you control the behavior of your bike during slow impacts or loads (riding through a berm) and maximize traction.

The HSC, or High-Speed Compression, allows you to control how your suspension behaves at high shaft speeds, such as those encountered during hard hits or big drops. Fine-tuning this setting helps you find the perfect balance between comfort and control at high speeds. Both HSC and LSC can be adjusted with blue (sometimes black) dials on your fork and shock.

Rebound is essentially the speed at which your suspension extends back out after compression. A correct rebound setting is crucial as it affects how quickly your bike is ready for the next impact and how stable it feels even on rough terrain. Grip2 damper cartridges feature both high and low-speed rebound adjustments. All others have a simple tuning option via a red dial.

The operation of the Live Valve system does, however, depend on a power source, which typically comes in the form of a central battery. This need for power supply brings disadvantages with it. Despite the benefits of reactive suspension, enthusiasts must also accept the presence of cables on their full-suspension rig, which for many riders remains both an aesthetic and practical dilemma. Stealthy integration of such cable systems continues to be a challenge for the industry.

Another sticking point of the Live Valve system is the cost factor. Such advanced technology is inevitably reflected in the price, putting it out of reach for many avid bikers. The investment in a Live Valve system is considerable and thus represents a significant consideration for potential buyers who are weighing the added value against conventional suspension systems.