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Spotted! New Fox 32 Reverse Arch XC fork

prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch
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We spotted it from afar earlier this season, but now we’ve got an up close look at what’s likely the next generation Fox 32 SC suspension fork, plus exclusive details from our friends at the Maxxis Factory Racing team.

closeup details of prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch
All photos ©Bikerumor / Jordan Villella

The lowers are obviously updated with that reverse arch and said to be much lighter.

closeup details of prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch

Like their AX gravel forks, moving the arch to the back can maintain stiffness with a lighter design, but that’s not all…

closeup details of prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch

The arch gets a woven, lattice-like structure, leaving only what’s needed to resist twisting forces. They say it’s stiff without being overweight. It’s also much deeper, extending back over the sides of the tire much more than a typical arch would.

This could definitely (and we’re betting will) be used to make the AX gravel fork even lighter in the future, too.

closeup details of prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch

Surprisingly, they say it can have 100-120mm travel, an increase from the current 32 Step Cast fork’s 100mm limit. A lot of brands spec the 34 SC on 120mm XC bikes because it’s much stiffer than the 32 SC. But we could see that changing if this new one is noticeably stiffer than the current 32 Step Cast fork. Improved stiffness plus that longer travel could make it more of a threat to the 35mm stanchion Rockshox SID, too.

closeup details of prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch

The design will fit 29×2.40 tires…like these prototype Maxxis Rekon Race tires…

closeup details of prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch

This one has their existing three-position (lock, semi-open,full-open) remote lockout working a FIT GRIP damper. The other lever is the dropper remote. Check that bar tap in the middle for those brief seconds when an aero tuck helps!

closeup details of prototype fox 32 xc fork with reverse arch

The crown is also quite different looking. It’s a bit taller, but with different shapes. No word on whether that particular part is lighter, or if the weight savings come specifically from the new lowers.

No word on availability or other details. It’s still part of their RAD development branch and only for sponsored athletes for now.

RideFox.com

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Tucker
Tucker
1 year ago

so… they made a Manitou R7?

Pollymath
Pollymath
1 year ago
Reply to  Tucker

Except the R7 is relatively heavy for its travel and stanchion size, hence why the Rockrider team has been riding a beefier replacement. Hopefully Manitou can keep it competitive to this new flattering Fox.

Hexsense
Hexsense
1 year ago
Reply to  Tucker

Manitou R7 Pro damper has loads of oil. Too much for XC application even. That amount of oil is beyond needed for extended descending. It still provide benefit in term of durability / extended service interval. You pretty much never have to rebuild the damper, unlike Fit4 and Race Day charger which should be bleed/rebuild more often for optimal performance.
But for XC race application. Racers don’t mind rebuilding damper every other race. I expect next version of R7 to change damper design to save significant amount of weight. Looking at how Manitou Mattoc Pro with its lighter sealed damper still managed to weight the same as Manitou Mattoc Expert (with damper similar to R7 Pro) despite having IRT and HBO added to the fork. The future look promising.

Last edited 1 year ago by Hexsense
Greg
Greg
11 months ago
Reply to  Hexsense

Manitou had the MRD damper in the r7 back in the day (don’t know about currently, I haven’t kept up). It was a downright slim cartridge similar in dimensions to the Charger Race Day damper. It was the first time I saw a truly slimmed down cartridge. I think it was 2007-8

Robert
Robert
1 year ago

Manitou have been using the reverse arch concept for about 20 years and it keeps dirt and dust away from the garter seals . They had a design patent on it . Did Fox get a copyright license to use Manitou Answer’s design ?

2TurnersNotEnough
2TurnersNotEnough
1 year ago
Reply to  Robert

Answer/Manitou’s patent recently expired. So Fox is free to build a reverse-arch fork without a license.

carbonnation
carbonnation
1 year ago
Reply to  Robert

…Pace before them…

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