Fox have simply launched their new Podium fork. That includes reverse stanchions and greater crowns, they’re not your common suspension forks. However what’s truly behind this distinctive design and what will we at Merlin assume?
What’s behind the product
Fox’s goal with the Podium was to make their lowest-friction fork doable. To try this they adopted reverse stanchions – a primary in Fox’s historical past of MTB forks – for its advantages close to diminished unsprung mass. That is as a result of stanchions switching locations with the lowers (as discovered on a standard fork). Because of this, it permits for improved sensitivity as much less upward drive from the path is required to compress them. That is furthered by the improved lubrication of the fork; the seals and bushes are continuously fed with suspension oil as a consequence of gravity retaining it gathered on the backside of the stanchions. A heavier obligation crown additionally performs a key function on this fork’s effectivity because it reduces for/aft flexion mitigating any danger of binding throughout compression.
From the skin…
The excessive value level of the Podium is what instantly stands out to many with these forks. With a value nicely above many top-of-the-range downhill forks, it may be exhausting to justify spending a lot on a pair of enduro forks. That being stated, Fox promise these forks to supply one of the best of each worlds. The Podium provides downhill fork qualities but stored all inside the journey ranges of an enduro bike. The opposite key draw back to those forks is that whereas thicker stanchions supply improved stiffness, they contribute to a weight a lot heavier than your common single crown fork.
Efficiency
Regardless of it being the primary fork of this sort for Fox, the evaluations surrounding the Podium Fox counsel that it does what Fox have designed to do. The thought behind the reverse stanchions means the fork could make higher use out of its journey when issues get rougher. Nevertheless, it nonetheless permits for the choice of climbing hills effectively. Whereas some would argue that your conventional forks nonetheless have the upperhand in terms of all-round using, these forks are the perfect part for heavy enduro days and bike park laps the place forks just like the Fox 38s would possibly fall wanting assist.
To seek out out extra about Fox’s new Podium fork, click on right here.
