Fox boast a whole host of improvements to their 36 fork to run smoother thanks to new internals with stiffness on par with their 38 fork to go with the new dampers they launched last year.
The new Fox 36 features increased bushing overlap, better performance under load, a stiffer chassis and smoother operation thanks to a full internal and external revamp. In the quest for the ultimate trail fork, the 36 SL offers shorter travel and less weight than its bigger brother.
Fox 36
Key features:
- 29, 27.5
- 140mm, 150mm, 160mm
- 37mm, 44mm (27.5”); 44mm (29”)
- Kabolt, 15QR on Performance Series
- Direct Mount 200, up to 230
- FLOAT EVOL Compliant air spring
- 1.5” Tapered steerer
- Weight: 1,920g (160mm Grip X Factory)
- £879.00 (Performance Grip), £1,259.00 (Performance Elite Grip X) / £1,399.00 (Factory Grip X/Grip X2)
- RideFox.com
With Fox’s focus last year being on dampers, namely their new Grip X line, their 2026 model year (in early 2025…) sees the 36 fork get a major overhaul inside and out. Primarily this hones in on making the fork more precise, improving stiffness and how the fork tracks the ground. There’s also a 30mm wider gap between the bushes to help the fork perform better under load. This is aimed at providing better fork sensitivity when you’re really pushing on.
Fox have also used algorithms with engineer input to ‘generatively design’ the lowers and crown. The brace wrapping around the stanchions and the ridges and buttressing are all part of this process. Stiffness compared to the 38 goes from 75 to 90% whilst saving almost 300g on its larger stanchioned sibling.
A redesigned air piston also moves better under load, reducing binding and allowing free movement of the piston through the uppers. Bypass channels move to the inside of the leg, like on the 34 SL, again improving stiffness and do a better job of keeping fork lube back up to the seal area. Fox have also redesigned the bleed valves and mudguard mounts.
Fox 36 SL
Key features:
- 29″ only
- 120mm, 130mm, 140mm
- 44mm offset
- Kabolt SL
- Direct Mount 180, up to 203
- FLOAT EVOL Compliant air spring
- 1.5” Tapered
- 1755g (29” 140mm GRIP X)
- £1,259.00 (Factory Grip X), £1,129.00 (Performance Elite Grip X), £809 (Performance Grip)
- RideFox.com
Taking lessons from the 34 SL, Fox having given the 36 the same treatment to offer a 120-140mm fork that goes hard without the weight penalty. Fox claim the weight is sub-1800g whilst offering more stiffness than the 34 but with a barely noticeable weight difference.
There’s also very little that carries over from the full fat 36. This is not just a 36 with some machining, it is an entirely different fork aimed at an entirely different user. That said, processes are similar, with weight and stiffness managed by the generative design. Bushing overlap increases compared to the 34 for smoother action, and you get the same bypass and bleed port location changes too.
You can check out the new Fox 36 and 36 SL over on their website here.
