FOX 36 Performance Elite Suspension Fork [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

Fox has been one of the main staples in the industry when it comes to suspension for decades now. They recently updated their 36 forks, and our friend, Chris, just got his hands on the new Fox 36. See what they think! 

Overview

When I first started mountain biking in my adult life I had a fox 30 100mm fork. Looking back it was totally capable for the riding I was doing. I was unskilled and slow and at those slow speeds the fork was adequate. I even conquered several intimidating rollers with that fork. Rollers that still intimidate me today with much much better equipment. Back then I didn't know anything about fork stiffness or dampers or anything...but I thought fox was cool. Not long after I bought a pre-owned "backup bike" that came with a fox 32 120mm fork. Besides the increase in travel I didn't know any difference and it was still adequate at my slow speeds. Broke the first bike and used the warranty to replace it with a new bike now with a fox 34 140mm fork.

By this point I am getting faster on the bike (still not fast) and it was with increased speed that the differences in the fork really became apparent. I remember moving pretty good on a trail I had never ridden and I ended up on the top of a big, off camber roller with lots of moss and even a few roots to make it even more sketchy. It was too late to stop and I mentally prepared to crash thinking I ended up on a really bad line...instead I got to the bottom unremarkably. The fork felt more solid through the chunkiness of the off camber roller than I was expecting. I went home and for the first time noticed the numbers on the lowers...I had a 34, a 32, and a 30...and the 34 was the most capable-I now understood why. I upgraded the damper and happily rode that fork for 6 years on everything from lift serviced downhill to more intermediate terrain...until the bike broke.

Just got my new frame calling for a 150-160mm fork. When given a travel range I always go to the top end so I was looking for a new 160mm fork. I know a lot more about the different fork options now than I ever did. One local shop was pushing the RockShox mainly because of its ease of servicing and overall solid performance...they're more available during the pandemic as well. But then fox released the all-new design 36 and the 38 (both available in 160mm) and I was drawn to it. The 36 already had a good reputation and with the new features and design making it even stiffer than previous models was appealing.

I also considered the new 38 which seemed to get rave reviews. In the end I chose the weight savings of the 36 over the 38 because my bike needs to climb regularly and often on technical, challenging terrain. I haven't had it long, and I probably don't even have it totally dialed yet, but so far has not disappointed.

After only a few miles I started hitting drops and jumps and rollers and the increased stiffness of the fork along with the increased travel started inspiring confidence immediately where

I was more comfortable hitting bigger features with noticeable increase in control upon landing.

It's already got me re-evaluating features I have shy'd away from in the past and I find myself aiming for, and plowing through, some of the obstacles I used to just ride around on my local trails.

Final Thoughts

Now several rides in maybe the biggest difference is I find myself gripping my handlebars with all 10 fingers more often on descents instead of keeping 1 finger on the brake lever despite going just as fast if not faster than I did on my previous bike. I'm sure overall bike geometry and my rear suspension is also playing a role but there is no doubt my front line defense (my fork!) is smoothing out my initial path. No regrets.