Revised Fox 36 Model Delivers Similar Performative Sensations as the 38, Yet Lights Up the Trails with a Lighter Weight, Fortified Chassis, Enhanced Bushing Overlapping, and Decreased Friction.
Freshened Up Fox 36: Slicker, Stiffer, and Smoother than Ever
Step aside, bike aficionados! Fox has revamped its popular 36 fork, taking it to new heights of stiffness and smoothness. A redesigned chassis, updated internals, and a sleek new look are just a few of the highlights. Dive deep into the details of the lightweight 36 SL or keep reading for the scoop on the latest Fox 36.
Topline: Fox 36 MY26
Fox has given its 36 fork a thorough makeover, focusing on increasing stiffness, reducing friction under load, and introducing a new 36 SL option. Ready to check out the lowdown on the lightweight 36 SL? Click here for the full lowdown.
A closer look at the upgraded Fox 36 reveals a new brace, crown, and lowers. But don't let the similar appearance fool you.
Fox 36: Need-to-Know
- Redesigned chassis offers a claimed 20% increase in torsional stiffness
- Improved bushing overlap - 30mm wider
- Bypass channels moved to inner leg
- Floating air spring piston reduces friction under load
- Generatively-designed crown and brace
- Low-profile bleeders
- Weight from 1,920g for the Grip X Factory model
- Redesigned mudguard
- UK prices start at £879
Get a sneak peek inside the new MY26 Fox 36, featuring the redesigned Grip X damper, new lowers, crown-steerer-tube assembly, air spring top cap, and air spring assembly.
Last Year's Upgrade: Grip X2 and Grip X Damper
Last year, the 36 welcomed the brand new Grip X2 and Grip X dampers, featuring a larger base valve diameter, additional shims, and a pressure-balanced design[2]. Moving on from the focus on the dampers, Fox is concentrating on the chassis for MY26, introducing a new generatively designed crown and lowers for improved stiffness, precision, and tracking. Internally, the new lowers expand the gap between bushings, enhancing sensitivity under load.
Generatively-Designed Chassis
Fox has applied its innovative generative design technology to the new 36 chassis, using artificial intelligence to come up with design solutions that meet certain design parameters[3]. Headlining the lower leg arch and crown, both share an intricate, organic shape with webs, bosses, ripples, and cutouts. A slicker and stiffer design? Check!
Better Bushing Overlap
The new lower legs casting in the MY26 Fox 36 boasts an extra 30mm of bushing overlap, further enhancing support and reducing friction under side loads, cornering, or fore-aft loads during braking or landing jumps. Negative air plate and piston head compatibility with rubber bushings ensure alignment with the upper tubes under load.
Floating Air Piston
The MY26's 36 also gets new rubber 'bushings' at the air shaft head and negative plate, allowing the piston to travel smoothly through the upper tubes while reducing binding[2]. A design reminiscent of 'Buttercups' for the piston head? Absolutely!
Repositioned Bypass Channels
Like the recent 34 SL fork, the bypass channels have been moved from the rear of the casting to the inside of the legs. This repositioning allows more material to support the bushings at a crucial area for maximizing fore-aft stiffness.
Smaller Bleed Valves and New Mudguard
Other minor updates include compact bleed valves and a pair of new mudguards, which attach fully to the brace with support at the seal flanges. Availability in long and short styles. Finally, at the main air spring valve, the top cap can now be removed using a Shimano cassette tool, just like RockShox.
My first ride on the new 36 Grip X2 was a breath of fresh air. Previous experiences left me feeling disappointed, with sore palms and a nearly fully-open compression damper knob. But this time, things were different. A more supple, less harsh fork with less feedback at my palms? It was a revelation. Friction reduction or other hidden improvements? It seems so. Fox asserts that the stock damping tune in the aftermarket fork remains the same, but the new 36 Grip X2 felt noticeably more supple, even with minor adjustments to low-speed damping.
After pushing the new 36 through some loose and dusty, if not ideal, trails, I can confirm that the fork offers great stiffness and precise steering, even on a 23kg e-bike. Stay tuned for a full review of the new Fox 36 Grip X2 at home!
The new Fox 36 MY26 incorporates smart-home-devices like generatively-designed crowns and lowers, enhancing its stiffness and precision. This technology-driven makeover also includes features such as the repositioned bypass channels and floating air piston, aimed at reducing friction and improving the overall performance of the gadget.
