Fox Racing Shox launch three new dampers in the form of the GripSL, GripX and GripX2 along with limited edition 50th anniversary colour.
Fox’s latest offering in the damping stakes is the triumvirate of new dampers to suit different travel applications, from cross country to enduro and downhill as well as everything in between.
Fox have released three usage-specific dampers for their 2025 season suspension forks, rather than rely on the same damper doing everything, at some point, there will be too much of a compromise. The end result is the GripX2 at the gravity end, the GripSL at the endurance end and the GripX in the middle.
In addition to this, to celebrate their 50th anniversary, there is a gold colourway across the full range of Fox suspension forks. The bushings get an update and no longer have a groove to allow oil to them, rather a bypass valve handles this resulting in smoother running and a more even oil coat on the bushings.
Fox GripX2
Out goes the venerable Grip2 damper and in comes the GripX2. This gravity-focused damper retains the four-way adjustment with the main change being a massive increase in tuneability and response time. The aim being to increase traction and control.
Gone is the Variable Valve Control (VVC) that was either too open at the open end or would offer only a wall of compression when closed. This would force more reliance on the air spring and volume tokens. Removing VVC allowed the inclusion of a large compression shim stack and base valve. Grip 2 had a 20mm base valve with seven shims. Grip X2 has a 24mm base valve with 23 shims. Quite the change.
All this should add up to greater consistency, better feel off the top and better support. Adding compression won’t add harshness and the range of tune is more usable. Grip X2 sports 10 clicks of HSC and 16 clicks of LSC, the older Grip 2 had 8 clicks of HSC and 16 clicks of LSC.
Key features:
- Intended use: all-mountain, enduro, gravity
- High- and low-speed compression adjustment
- High- and low-speed rebound adjustment
- Larger valve stack than previous Grip 2 (23 shims vs. 7 shims)
- 24mm base valve (vs. 20mm on Grip 2)
- Faster response time due to lower positive pressure
- Available for: 34, 36, 38, 40 (34 OEM spec only)
Fox Grip X
In the middle is the GripX. Lighter and simpler than GripX2 but offering the same level of control traction and consistency. You get a smaller main valve piston and shaft with just low speed rebound on the GripX.
The high speed compression adjustment’s firmness ramps up towards the firm end, with the last click closing both high and low speed compression, with a blow off valve, naturally. A raised indicator to get you back to where you were before.
Like GripX2, Grip X is a Factory and Performance Elite level damper rather than a cheaper version of the GripX2.
Key features:
- Intended use: all-mountain, trail
- High- and low-speed compression adjustment
- Firm mode at the end of high-speed adjustment closes off compression, creating a firm pedaling platform
- Low-speed rebound adjustment
- 120g lighter than the X2 damper
- Available for: 34, 36, 38
Fox GripSL
Fox’s lightest ever damper and 60g lighter than the FIT4 damper. The expanding bladder has gone and has been replaced by the same spring-backed IFP of its bigger brothers. A floating valve stack allows lever-actuated, 3-position compression between open, medium and firm settings.
Low speed rebound remains but low speed compression adjust has been done away with. The other major design requirement was to create a smoother, less tiring damper that will allow riders to perform better on the gnarlier World Cup cross country tracks.
Key features:
- Intended use: XC, short track, marathon
- 3-position compression adjustment: Open, Medium, Firm
- Low-speed rebound adjustment
- Spring back IFP
- 60g lighter than FIT4
- Available for: 32 Taper-Cast, 32 Step-Cast, 34 Step-Cast
