Fox 2022 MTB Suspension - New 34, Float X, & DHX Coil Shock [Video]

Words by: Liam Woods

What's New for Fox Suspension in 2022?

In typical bike industry fashion, we are talking about the all new Fox 2022 suspension lineup in April, but let's move past that. The big news today is that we have some all new forks and rear shocks to be excited about. First up is the new Fox 34 fork. Both the standard and step-cast version get an update and with it, come some great new features. This also includes an updated look to follow last years updates with the Fox 36, 38 & 40. Both forks get lighter and stiffer while also adding more performance. For rear shocks, we have the resurgence of the Fox Float X coming back into the lineup to replace the current Fox DPX2. Same with the new Fox DHX to slot in between the Fox Float DHX2 and the Marzocchi Bomber CR rear coil shock. The rest of the lineup from the Fox 32 to the Fox 36, 38, 40, Transfer Post & Float DPS & Float X2 / DHX2 remain unchanged. 

Fox 34 Fork:

The Fox 34 might be the most versatile fork in the Fox lineup. It could be raced in cross country races or set at 140/150mm for aggressive trail riding. The Fox 34 still has two chassis versions, the Fox 34 and the Fox 34SC (step cast). Both get the update but almost start to become two different forks. The Fox 34 features 34mm uppers and a travel range of 120-140mm stock. Only 29” wheels and boost 15 x 110mm hub spacing will be available. For 2022 a lot has changed on the 34, it is basically an entirely new fork to be honest. From the chassis and the design, you get the new arch shape offering more clearance on the headtube and a 58mm crown. Both save weight and stiffen up the chassis. Also new is an updated EVOL air spring to give you more support yet still that buttery feeling off the top. Weight for this new 34 is 1,698g, saving over 70g from the previous 2021 model. 

Specs:

• ALL-NEW chassis
• NEW air/oil channels
• NEW arch shape offers improved head tube clearance with shorter rakes
• NEW 58mm diameter crown
• Updated EVOL air spring
• Damper option(s): FIT4, GRIP2, and GRIP
• Travel option(s): 120mm-140mm
• Wheel size(s): 29"
• Offset(s): 44mm and 51mm
• Axle(s): 15x110 QR and 15x110 Kabolt
• Factory Series models feature Genuine Kashima Coat
• Available in Factory, Performance Elite, and Performance
• Starting weight: 1698 g
• MSRP USD $769 - $969 / CDN $1079 - $1399 / EUR €1069 - €1389

Fox 34 Step Cast Fork:

Now for the Fox 34 step cast. This fork could be looked at as the little sibling or even the twin of the 34. It is a little smaller and lighter, but more efficient. Either way, the Fox 34sc shared many of the updates from the 2022 Fox 34, but the big news is that it’s now the lightest “downcountry” fork on the market. Dropping over 100g over the previous 2021 model. The Fox 34sc is only available in 120mm travel and is the dedicated downcountry, light trail, xc+ fork for Fox. This 2022 Fox 34sc is even lighter than the recently released RockShox SID fork of 1520g. Many of the new features are the same as the standard 34, like the chassis with the new arch shape, larger EVOL air spring, and new air and oil channels to help lubricate the seals. Last, there is also a negative spring spacer that can be installed in  the  new  34sc. You can run it if you want more firm off the top XC race feel, or remove it if you want more of a supple trail feel for Downcountry-style riding. Forks set to 120mm from the factory, don’t come with the volume spacer installed. Fork’s  set  to  100mm  from  the  factory  do  come  with  the  volume  spacer  installed. Factory 34sc forks come in black or orange while also having the performance versions in all black, retails for $849-$1089. 

Specs:

• ALL-NEW chassis
• NEW air/oil channels
• NEW arch shape offers improved head tube clearance with shorter rakes
• NEW 58mm diameter crown
• Updated EVOL air spring
• Damper option(s): FIT4 and GRIP
• Travel option(s): 100mm-120mm
• Wheel size(s): 29"
• Offset(s): 44mm and 51mm
• Axle(s): 15x110 Kabolt and 15x110 QR
• Factory Series models feature Genuine Kashima Coat
• Available in Factory and Performance
• Starting weight: 1496 g
• MSRP USD $849 - $1089 / CDN $1149 - $1469 / EUR €1129 - €1459

Fox Float X Rear Shock:

Back into the lineup after a few years is the Fox Float X shock, coming in where it left off, ready to tackle aggressive trail riding needs. The Float X for 2022 replaces the DPX2 and brings in a few awesome features to help it improve from the DPX2. First, you have an all new chassis with a great look. You will notice visually there are some different adjustments on the shock, you have an external rebound adjustment, an external low speed compression adjustment, and a two position adjustment lever, open/firm. Inside the shock, there are a ton of new features too. Keeping it high level here, we have a new volume spacer kit that includes smaller spacers so you can really fine tune in that volume and ramp up. There is also a new high flow main piston, a new MCU bottom out bumper, hydraulic top out feature, and reduced damper noise. Available in factory and performance elite versions and pricing ranges from $499-$569.

Specs:

• ALL-NEW chassis and damper
• High-flow main piston
• Air seal package
• Volume spacers with smaller increments
• MCU bottom out bumper
• Numbered tool-free 12 position single-turn LSC (Low Speed Compression) adjuster
• Independent firm mode circuit – Clockable 2 position adjuster
• Increased rebound adjuster range (over DPX2)
• Optimized reservoir lengths per shock size
• Hydraulic top out feature
• Reduced damper noise
• Larger air sleeve bore reduces average rider pressure by 40 psi vs. DPX2
• Bearing hardware compatible both sides
• Air valve location offers improved frame fitment and pump access
• Available in Factory and Performance Elite
• MSRP USD $499 - $569 / CDN $699 - $799 / EUR €699 - €799

Fox DHX Rear Shock:

Another model to come back into the Fox 2022 lineup is the Fox DHX rear coil shock. After missing for a few years, the DHX is now back and better than ever! The DHX is all new and bridges the gap between the top level Fox Float DHX2 and the set and forget it Marzocchi Bomber CR shock. With that, you get adjustments like a low speed compression adjustment and a 2 position compression lever to help aid that firm/open mode for climbing. Both of those the Marzocchi Bomber do not have, plus you get a more simple setup than the Fox Float DHX2. The DHX is a perfect coil shock for those looking to try out that hyped up coil feel while not spending as much as a Float DHX2 and also getting an easier setup with having some amazing performance!

Specs:

• ALL-NEW chassis and damper
• High-flow main piston
• Numbered Tool-free 12 position single-turn LSC (Low Speed Compression) adjuster
• Independent firm mode circuit – 2 position adjuster
• Optimized reservoir lengths per shock size
• Hydraulic top out feature
• Reduced damper noise
• MCU bottom out bumper
• Single-turn rebound adjuster with a variety of access modes (Tool-free, 3mm hex (direct access), 2mm hex or similar (side access)
• Spring preload collar with detents and max / min number of clicks and direction arrow
• Full diameter spring retainer with wire ring (like DHX2)
• Spring scuff guard on body (like DHX2)
• Available in Factory
• MSRP USD $549 / CDN $769 / EUR €759

Carrying Over for 2022:

As mentioned, carrying over from 2021 into 2022 is the Fox 32 fork, the Fox 36, 38 & 40 forks that we covered last year as well as the Fox DPS, Float X2 and Float DPX2 for the rear shocks. Check out our video coverage on both Fox 2021 Forks and Fox 2021 Rear Shocks if you want to see more on those. 

What is Worldwide Stoked About? 

As with every new product year a certain product excites us, for us personally I think the update to the Fox 34 fork is amazing! Both the 34sc and 34 are lighter and stiffer than before, and as the race to shave weight continues its nice to see Fox getting into that lightest in category for the Fox 34sc fork. Also we sell a ton of bikes with the Fox DPX2 and I think now having the new Float X to replace that slot will make tons of trail riders happier with those new features! What isn't to be stoked about, everything got better and lighter! 

This article was written / authored by Liam Woods. Liam has been in the bicycle industry for over 10 years as a racer, professional mechanic, service manager and as of late, media and content creator. Liam has ridden thousands of different bikes, ridden countless components, tested endless MTB apparel of all kinds and written reviews on it all. He's a key piece to the Worldwide Cyclery "All Things MTB" content creation puzzle. He also makes consistent appearances on the Worldwide Cyclery YouTube channel and Instagram.

If you are one strange human that would like to read a transcript of the podcast above, continue reading below!

Today we have some very exciting news in the bike industry fox has launched their 2022 lineup of suspension products and they have some revisions to the fox 34 the 34 step cast into two new rear shocks let's get into it

Fox is a company that needs no introduction they have been making some of the best mountain bike forks and shocks and dropper posts for years now this year we saw some major changes to the fox 34 34 step cast as well as the introduction of two new rear shocks the float x which is replacing the dpx2 and the dhx which is going to slot just below the dhx2 the rest of the lineup will essentially remain unchanged so for today's video we're going to focus on the new fox 34 34 stepcast float x and dhx let's talk about the forks

For 2022 fox has basically completely overhauled the new 34 and 34 step cast now it has a stiffer and lighter chassis for better on trail feel with new updated arch design that you've already seen in the new 36 and 38 forks it also has new air and oil channels and an updated evol air spring for super plush supportive and progressive feel the new 58 millimeter crown looks more sleek and sexy on modern bikes and would you just look at this thing look at it sexy yeah baby chances are if you're interested in this fork you probably care about how much it weighs well i'm here to give you the good news the new 34 and 34 step cast are actually lighter than they used to be starting weight for the fox 34 is 1698 grams compared to 2021 version that was 1770 grams for 27.5 and 1790 grams for the 29 inch version for the 34 step cast we're talking about a 1496 gram starting weight compared to the old fork which was 1589 grams for 27.5 and 1623 grams for the 29 inch version so basically you get all these awesome new features on these cool new forks and the pricing has remained the same pricing basically starts from 769 us dollars up to almost 1100 just depending on the type of fork and the options that you select so we talked about all the features we talked about price let's talk about how it performs well let me tell you this thing is awesome on the trail super lightweight as you would expect it is very supportive in its air suspension curve basically it's really nice and plush off the top but you feel that really nice mid-range support and the progression as you go through the fork and just got a really nice damp feel i mean if you've ridden the 34 and the 34 step cast then you pretty much know what to expect but with this version you're getting more support plusher feel stiffer chassis and basically all that is going to translate to more fun on the trail and who doesn't want to have more fun you talking to me so that is pretty much everything we've got on the new 34 and 34 step cast let's get into the rear shocks the float x and the dhx the 2022 fox float x same same but different but still same [Laughter] but in all seriousness the new float x replaces the dpx2 and it's designed for aggressive trail riding it's got an only chassis only damper and if you rode the dpx2 then you already know that it was a super versatile shock could pretty much handle everything from you know mellow single track to aggressive endural trails so super stoked to see the new float x basically improve on everything that the dpx 2 was i actually had the fox float dpx2 on my yeti SB130 lunch ride a little while back and i didn't think that shock could get any better so i was definitely pleasantly surprised that fox proved me wrong with the new float x riding the new shock i was actually really stoked that it felt familiar but also improved in a lot of ways that you would expect for instance you know more supportive throughout the travel super plush off the top progressive but also very tunable it actually has new volume spacers that are smaller increments so it's easier to find that kind of perfect feel for your suspension a couple of other really awesome features to see on this thing are the toolless rebound and compression adjustments and they're also numbered so you know if your buddies have been messing with your settings on your shock

What get out of here come on shoot get out of here it's very cool to see it makes it just super awesome to go and tune and uh you know change things on the fly and compare where you are now with where you are at just a couple of laps ago there is also a super cool new climb switch that's just you know plain and simple firm mode open mode which is awesome to see you know more like trying to figure out which way i need to turn the dial to lock out my shock so that is very cool to see for pricing these start at 499 to 569 depending on you know the configuration and everything that you choose for your bike wait hold up this thing is the 210 by 47.5 shock size and on our scale weight in at about 483 grams so weights will vary depending on you know what size goes for your bike also came in at about 10 grams lighter than the previous version which is pretty cool you know fox is considering things like weight and also improving the performance which is awesome to see for all the other little nitty gritty details check out the link in the description below and we've got you covered on everything

Last but not least we have the new fox dhx coil shock this one is for the set it and forget it type crowd who wants something super reliable super durable and really just to handle all those modern enduro and dh style trails it has tool-less adjustment which is really cool to see you don't have to carry a little allen wrench around for you to make those little adjustments on the trail and yeah super nice to see something like that come out it's also 549 which is a little bit less than the dhx2 you know unfortunately i don't have one here or on my bike to try out but i imagine that if i did it would feel as smooth as matthew mcconaughey i can respect that there you have it folks a couple of awesome new products from fox for 2022. if you enjoyed this video share it with your friends that'd be awesome also if you have any questions or want to know more check out the link below in the description and there should be all the information you're looking for in there well see you guys in the next one thanks for watching