The bad news first: breaking through the sound barrier downhill like downhill stars Jackson Goldstone or Asa Vermette will hardly be possible for the average rider, even with the new Fox 40. However, the Californian suspension specialist has turned all the knobs to make the downhill-focussed range even better. Numerous changes in detail may not reinvent the suspension fork, but all in all they make a noticeable difference. Fox has used some of the findings from the 36 fork introduced last year and, above all, the expensive high-end Fox Podium fork.
A surprising acquaintance: The new old Grip X2 cushioning
Already sufficiently confused? Don't worry, it's not that complex. At the heart of the update to the new Fox 40 fork is a revised damping system. Specifically, a new mid-valve is used in the compression stage (blue adjustment knob). The principle: more oil flow through more generous openings should allow more damping without the fork feeling harsh. The result should be more grip and control. This can be seen in the enlarged holes and side cut-outs on the new Mid-Valve component.
Surprise: the damping is not entirely new. Fox secretly introduced the new mid-valve component inside the high-end Podium upside-down fork last year. With success: Perhaps not only, but also because of this, the Podium was able to clearly outperform Zeb and 38 in our test.
The Podium utilises the entire suspension travel, but never bottoms out or bottoms out hard. The fork and damping work consistently and with definition. The traction is amazing. - Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager
Fox itself does not talk about more comfort with regard to the new damping, but rather emphasises control and traction. The sporty, defined character of the Fox forks should therefore remain unchanged. Anyone expecting a generally less firm damping due to the greater oil flow could be disappointed.
More volume, less friction, more comfort
Fox has also made some changes to the left fork leg with the air chamber. The aim of the developers: a larger air chamber for a potentially more linear characteristic curve and fewer components for less internal friction and even better response behaviour.
Friction in the fork is unwanted damping. The less friction in the system, the more damping we can map via the oil flow on the damping side. And the more control the fork ultimately offers. - Fox
By now at the latest, a reference to the competitor must also be permitted. Rockshox also relies on a similar principle with the new Boxxer: larger air chamber, more linear characteristic curve, less friction. Fox also equips the new air spring in the 40 with small rubber buffers for maximum sensitivity on small, fast bumps. A technology that is also shared by both suspension fork giants. A revision of the overpressure valves on the casting and spacer replacement using a classic cassette tool, as on the Fox 36, which was launched last year, round off the update.
Fox 40: The facts
- 190 or 203mm Travel
- 29 inch or 27.5 inch
- 44, 48, 52, 56mm Offset
- DH Boost 20mm thru axle
- Brake disc standard: PM200 - 29 / PM203 - 27.5
- 230mm max. brake disc diameter
- 2.5 inch Max tyre width
- Weight from: 2755g
Float X and DHX: Damper update
In line with the fork update - fewer components, better oil flow, less friction - the Float X (air shock with reservoir) and DHX (trail shock with steel spring) shocks have also been given a corresponding makeover. The main piston has been significantly revised, as has the damping. Both dampers are intended to offer improved grip on the rear wheel and move closer to the Float X2 enduro and downhill air damper, which was relaunched last year. Both dampers are now also with the new Fox Live Valve Neo system (test here) available.
BIKE verdict: successful model update!
With the new damping cartridge and the fresh air spring, the latest model update of the Fox 40 is more than just a small update. If control and traction really are as close to the upside-down fork podium as Fox promises, that would be a relevant step forward. But the "old" technology is already working at a high level. A switch to the new technology would therefore only be worthwhile for ambitious professionals with a big budget.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
