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2017 Fox Racing Shox overview – More Boost, more options & more controls

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2017 Fox 32 34 and 36 mountain bike suspension forks

The 2017 Fox suspension lineup has kicked off with the wild new 32 Step Cast fork, shown on left, which we introduced with initial ride impressions and a full tech overview. But that’s not all that’s new for next year…or, um, this summer, really.

The Fox 34 is now available with Boost 110 axle spacing on both 27.5 and 29er wheel sizes, giving you the option of running it with Plus sized tires on the 29er version. They also reconfigured the shim stack to make the low speed damping a little lighter for better sensitivity without changing the mid- and high-speed damping that controls mid-stroke support. The 36 also comes in Boost 110, also for 27.5 and 29, and it also gets the refined low speed damping tune. The dual crown 40 DH fork carries over unchanged, no Boost option. Why not? Because there’s no demand for it yet.

They’re also adding new control options for the shocks and remotes, and a new price point level fork…

2017 Fox fork spec level options

The fork lineup will now consist of Factory at the top, Performance Elite as an upper tier OEM option, standard Performance for mid-level aftermarket upgrades, and the affordable Rhythm line for sub-$3,000 bikes. It and the Performance forks use the new FIT GRIP damper, which switches from the FIT4’s bladder based system to a spring-loaded IFP to handle oil pressure in the return cycle. Fox’s PR manager Mark Jordan says it rides very well, and the Rhythm fork would likely retail for about $500 if sold aftermarket. To save money, it uses heavier 6000-series alloy upper tubes (rather than 7000-series on the higher end forks) and a less sophisticated casting on the lowers.

They’re also introducing Speed Pedelec e-Bike versions of forks that have beefed up bodies and a firmer tune because the bikes are usually 45lbs or more.

2017 Fox Float-X2 and DHX rear shock upgrades and options

The Float DPS (left) carries over unchanged, but the Float X also gets a slight compression damping retune. They’ve rebalanced how the main piston and valves work together that, with the EVOL air can, they can build in a little more mid-stroke support without losing small bump sensitivity.

The Float X2 and DHX2, which let you adjust all of that high and low speed stuff on your own, get a new 2-position low-speed compression lever. It’s available as a stock option or aftermarket upgrade and adds a “firm” mode to the high and low speed compression, which essentially firms up the compression by shutting off the secondary valve stack inside the adjustment circuit. But it leaves the primary valve circuit alone so there’s still some squish. This makes more sense on longer travel bikes where these shocks are used than a full lockout on something like an XC bike. And, it does all that without limiting the adjustment range of the high and low speed circuits. Aftermarket upgrade will require a shock bleed, parts pricing TBD.

And what about Metric sizing? Thus far, Fox has been silent on the matter, so we asked. “We’re making and offering them, and we’ll continue offering everything we had before,” said Jordan. “We’ll make whatever our customers need.” As far as performance improvements that seem to be the reason for some others to get excited about the switch to a metric sizing, “We’re remaining neutral and will just make the best shock we can for the size needed.”

2017 Fox two position remote lever for rear shocks

Lastly, they’ve got a new 2-position remote that’s a sealed design that can replace the usual 3-position remote for any compatible fork or shock. The sealed design is meant for people riding in nastier conditions, but since it only uses two positions, it means you’re giving up the Medium middle position and jumping straight from Open to Firm and back. It functions like a shifter trigger, with one lever pushing it to Firm, the other releasing it to Open. Aftermarket price is $40.

FoxRacingShox.com

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chase
chase
7 years ago

That new X2 and DHX2 are going to rule.the shock world.
Very nice. Cane Creek will be suffering.

bearCol
bearCol
7 years ago
Reply to  chase

You have to give cane creek credit though for bringing twin tube damper technology to the MTB world ten years before fox. Not that they came up with the design, Ohlins gets the credit there, but CC brought it to market first.

Vincent
7 years ago

Can we have the detail of the 29er boost fork available ?

bearCol
bearCol
7 years ago

If 110×15 is boost is the original standard 110×20 boost plus?

boom
boom
7 years ago

I’m a little bummed they don’t have a new dual lockout switch. I’ve been extremely disappointed by their current lockout switch as it only lasts 1-2 rides before needing a complete rebuild and new cables to function properly again. It’s actually the main reason why I’m selling my current bike and getting a new one with iCD

Micah
7 years ago

Is the 32 only available in Step Cast now?

andydrummondAndy
7 years ago

Any news on iCTD and the DOSS?

wheelz
wheelz
7 years ago

More details about the 29er Plus compatible fork please! I’m trying to build up my 29er plus bike now and need to decide on a fork.

stiingya
7 years ago

Dear FOX,

Please save me where everyone else has let us down… I want a “usable” travel-adjust 36. (150-170 is what I want, but I bet you’d sale 140-160, 130-150 too!) I don’t want a “bailout” travel adjust 160 all the way down to 130 that is nearly useless. I want a PERFECT 150 travel “trail fork” for most of the time, and a flip of the switch rake it out to 170 for full on Enduro/DH badassedness all in one fork.

The dampening adjustments on the back of my bike with the FloatX are so good, with volume spacers and the right sag it’s like you got a DH bike in the back when it’s open, but the flip of a switch is trailbike efficient! And just for the heck of it if you get stuck grinding up some super steeps/road you can always use the soft lockout…

BUT, on the front were still stuck making a choice. Your either matching geometry for the better all around trail bike. OR your adding 10-20mm to rake it out a bit and get that last little bit of steep thrills! But it’s one or the other and the trade off isn’t easy either way.

My bike is SO CLOSE to being perfect! I think a usable travel adjust fork would finally seal the deal…

thanks!

ctguru
ctguru
7 years ago

What about some fatbike forks to compete with the Bluto?

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