In Fox’s relentless pursuit of the top step of the podium, it has completely redesigned the Fox 40 downhill fork to be “faster top-to-bottom.” Eagle-eyed folks, ourselves included, have been spotting the FOX 40 RAD (Racing Application Development) prototypes in the wild at events like Crankworx, Red Bull Hardline, and DH World Cups since last summer. Now, months of speculation are over as Fox finally pulls back the curtain on its latest version of the Fox 40 DH fork.
Externally, the Fox 40 receives a handful of updates, including a new chassis that aligns it with the rest of the Fox lineup’s architecture. However, the majority of the updates are internal, with some tech carrying over from the Podium inverted fork and the recently updated Fox 36. That includes the GRIP X2 damper, which has been significantly overhauled to enhance suppleness while maintaining support without harshness.
Fox 40: What’s New?
Let’s start with the visually obvious external updates to the Fox 40, most of which apply to the dedicated 29” version. The existing lowers of the 27.5” version carry over, but it gets all of the same internal updates. First and foremost, the 40 finally gets updated with the “generative designed arch,” which has small cutouts in the arch and provides a consistent design language across the Fox fork lineup. This reduces weight while maintaining the chassis’s stiffness, which has been optimized to minimize friction and allow the damper to perform all of the damping.
Additionally, the lower-leg bypass channels have been relocated to the inside of the fork legs, and the bleeders have also been updated. Fox also has a new, larger mudguard that attaches to a new GD4 mount — no more bleed valve mount. The air-side top cap now uses a splined cassette tool for simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Updated GRIP X2
Fox says the GRIP X2 damper was already the pinnacle of performance, but now it’s been updated to make it even better. Some of these damper updates have been in use in Fox’s inverted Podium fork already, and now they’re rolling it over to the rest of the X2 damper models to improve sensitivity across the gravity lineup.
Fox tells us that GRIP X2 has an entirely new mid-valve piston and valve stack. The valves have been reshaped, along with porting updates in the piston’s mid-valve housing. With the cut rebound valve design, this allows more oil flow at the mid valve. With oil able to flow more quickly through the piston, Fox says the updated GRIP X2 makes the Fox 40 even more supple and responsive. The new GRIP X2 damper still offers four-way adjustability, with external high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping offering extensive tuning capability.
Other Internal Updates
Fox has also included its GlideCore technology, which debuted on the Fox 36 and 36 SL last year, with a horizontally and vertically compliant air spring to further reduce friction and negate the effects of chassis flex. Inside, there’s also an updated MCU bottom-out bumper along with increased negative air volume, which is claimed to increase sensitivity even further.
Fox 40 Updates and Features
- Updated GRIP X2
- New Glidecore vertically and horizontally compliant air spring with MCU bottom-out bumper and increased negative volume
- New generative-designed lower legs on 29″ models
- Updated bleeders, relocated bypass channels on 29” models
- New 40 Mud Guard with GD4 mount on 29” models
- Splined cassette tool air side top cap
Fox 40 Specs
- Factory Series and Performance Series (OE option)
- 203mm Travel (190mm airshafts available)
- 29″ and 27.5″
- 52 Offset for 29″ AM forks, 48 Offset for 27.5″ AM Forks (44, 56mm Offset OE options)
- DH Boost 20mm Floating Axle
- PM 200 – 29″ / PM203 – 27.5″
- 230mm Max Brake Rotor
- 2.5″ Max Tire Size
- Starting weight – 2888g (40, 29, F-S, 200, Grip X2) and 2745 (40, 27.5, F-S, 203, Grip X2)
Fox 40: Pricing and Availability
The redesigned Fox 40 is available now in both 27.5” and 29” versions. The Fox 40 29” is offered in your choice of Shiny Black or Orange, while the 27.5” comes in Shiny Black only. Regardless of wheel size, the Fox 40 retails for $1,999 USD / $2,479 CAD / €2,199 / £2,099.
Head to the Fox website to learn more or order one directly from the brand. Otherwise, check out your local Fox dealer or your favorite online retailer to buy one and own gravity this season.
