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Öhlins DH38 m.1 enhances control w/ updated air spring & damper, new low friction fluid

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Looks like the Öhlins DH38 is about to get smoother, and probably faster. The company is updating their current DH fork with the new m.1 edition. Thanks to a number of internal improvements and new lubrication, the fork promises increased sensitivity and adjustability just in time for DH racing to (hopefully) start again soon.

Still offered in 180 or 200mm travel with the possibility of being rebuilt to 120-170mm of travel, the DH38 m.1 has an updated air spring as well as changes to the damping cartridge. A few of these developments are borrowed from the RXF36 m.2, which not only will improve the DH38, but will allow the two forks to share more parts. Along with mechanical improvements to the internals, the forks will use new low friction fluid and functional grease to allow the fork to break into the travel with less force for better small bump compliance.

List of key improvements & enhancements from Öhlins

  • New lubrication and functional grease to decrease the breakaway force and make the fork feel smoother.
  • New seal head design with reduced friction that also enables increased oil levels for better lubrication.
  • Option to tune the negative chamber to be bigger for improved comfort or to add spacers for increased feedback and control.
  • Utilizing the pressurized piston design taken from the RXF36 m.2 ensures even more consistent damper performance.
  • New needle design to increase adjustability of low-speed compression and rebound.
  • Improved durability and serviceability, both in terms of construction and because more parts and kits are shared with RXF36 m.2.
  • New construction of ramp up tube to increase durability and minimize service down time.
  • Redesigned high-speed and low-speed compression damping adjusters for better click feeling.
  • Cassette tool interface implementation on both damper and air spring for easier take-down servicing and lower risk of scratching during maintenance
  • Refined one-way valve controlling twin tube oil flow, another design developed from the RXF36 m.2.

Many of the key specifications of the fork remain the same including tire clearance for up to 29 x 2.8″ or 27.5 x 3.0″, 110 Boost DH hub spacing, a floating axle with dual clamps, and 46, 50, 54, and 58mm available offsets. Note that the fork is e-bike approved, and requires a 200mm disc rotor. Retail pricing is set at $1600, with availability later this month.

ohlinsusa.com

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Sean
Sean
4 years ago

What would be the usage case for a dual crown DH fork with only 120mm of travel?

BMX
BMX
4 years ago
Reply to  Sean

sean, I seen that too… maybe its for the front of a gravel bike with 120mm

JNH
JNH
4 years ago
Reply to  Sean

Presumably tandems and E-totally-not-a-motorbikes that needs a chunkier fork than the average e-mtb.

Jason West
Jason West
4 years ago
Reply to  Sean

For those that want it its an option. Options are good!

Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict
4 years ago
Reply to  Sean

They are getting ready for the next big push by the MTB influencers which would be advocating dual crown/triple clamps on everything, XC, DH, Enduro, AM, DJ, CX, Gravel, etc.

Greg
Greg
4 years ago
Reply to  Sean

My guess is that the internals are shared with a single crown fork that may make more sense stepped down to 120. So this fork gets the same adjustability by default.

Dylan
Dylan
4 years ago

If both crowns can be moved, a shorter travel setting would allow it to be run on 26″ and 24″ bikes for hard charging kids without messing up the axle-crown height as much. Just take care not to face-plant onto the upper stanchion protruding up past the handle bars…

Greg
Greg
4 years ago

Functional grease as opposed to what, non-functional grease?

pm732
4 years ago

nice press release. would love to see pics of internals.

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