Fox have simply launched their new Podium fork. That includes reverse stanchions and larger crowns, they’re not your common suspension forks. However what’s really behind this distinctive design and what can we at Merlin assume?
What’s behind the product
Fox’s goal with the Podium was to make their lowest-friction fork attainable. To aim this they adopted reverse stanchions – a primary in Fox’s historical past of MTB forks – for its advantages almost about lowered unsprung mass. That is because of the stanchions switching locations with the lowers (as discovered on a conventional fork). Because of this, it permits for improved sensitivity as much less upward pressure from the path is required to compress them. That is furthered via the improved lubrication of the fork; the seals and bushes are always fed with suspension oil on account 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 surface…
The excessive value level of the Podium is what instantly stands out to many with these forks. With a price effectively 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 presents 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 recommend 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. Nonetheless, it nonetheless permits for the choice of climbing hills effectively. Whereas some would argue that your conventional forks nonetheless have the upperhand in relation to all-round using, these forks are the best element 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.
