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Hi
I’m not too clued up about suspension.
Which is the best from the following three?
https://www.wiggle.com/p/fox-suspension-36-float-performance-boost-fork-2023
https://www.wiggle.com/p/fox-suspension-36-float-factory-grip2-boost-fork-2021
In terms of outright performance the Mezzer and Fox 36 Grip2 have the best performance and higher levels of adjustment.
I think it would come down to personal preference on which is better. Fox is probably more commonly supported by suspension service centres and easier to get spares for.
But you need to know what you are doing with the various different control knobs to get that better damping and performance from the fork.
You can very easily make the fork feel terrible if you don’t know what you are doing. So sometimes it can be better to go for a fork with a simpler damper but easier for a novice to get right. So possibly the more basic Fox fork might be better choice for you?
Appreciate the response.
I was inclined towards the Mezzer but the Fox is billiant too.
If adjustments were done correctly I take it the fox is the best of the bunch?
the press wold have you believe so
Manitou have a very loyal group of supporters who'd tell you different
two mezzers and a machete in this household
Im not expert on the latest forks, but from the info the Fox offers more adjustments with high and low speed adjustments for both rebound and compression. The messer a has high and low speed circuits in the damper but both get adjusted together from one control knob. So sounds like the Fox might be better but I’m a huge fan of Manitou so it would be a hard choice for me.
From those options, I'd pick the Fox grip 2. The Mezzer is the Expert not the Pro. Not difficult to upgrade it, but then you hit the very reason why I wouldn't choose the Mezzer. A very good fork by all accounts but a real pain to get spares for. Have a quick look at how many places you can get Fox compatible seals from compared to Manitou.
I sort of went thru this when I specced my Shand. In the end I went for a cheaper simpler fork on 2 grounds 1) more easily repaired with better parts availability and 2) i would not push it hard enough to get any benefit from all the adjustments
First is to point out that two of them are for 160mm travel and one is for 180mm travel.
Second to point out is that if you don't know much about suspension then on the Factory version of the Fox you'll be paying extra for features that you're unlikely to use. It depends on how much £50 will alter your budget.
I'm quite geeky about suspension, and even I wonder whether buying a bike with a reasonably high end Fox fork was value for money, because of all the complexity.
The Mezzer can be switched to 160mm easily enough with a couple of spacers which should be in the box. If they're not though, they might be tricky to track down.
Certainly damping is less critical in a fork than it is in a rear shock and lots of people run forks with HSC and LSC fully open.
But a 2021 Grip 2 over a 2023 lower spec grip damper, for £50? Why wouldn't you?
It's a lot easier to learn about suspension if you have the adjusters and can feel the effect they have.
My pal had a Mezzer. 160 travel I think. We tried a lot but could not get it to work nicely. I don’t think we are alone in that. He has a Zeb now. And a 32 Fox. Likes both.
I was told Fox Rhythym has a non upgradeable damper. May apply to “performance” models too. Better check.
Cheers guys.
Sorted now
You have to tell us which option you went with.
I'd think the fox factory would have been the better deal. The Kashmir coating is by many accounts more hard wearing than fast black.
Sorry I ended up with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate.
Which leads me to another question.
I also have a Shimano WH-M8120 front wheel. The specification keeps mentioning e thru axle.
The fork came with a thru axle. Can that thru axle be used with the wheel?
This whole e thru thing has me confused.
The axle is specced with the fork rather than the hub. Both your fork and hub will be 110mm wide and 15mm in diameter.
The only difference will be the torque cap recess on the forks. Not a problem per se, just a bit of a faff getting the axle aligned. You can buy little sticky spacers to fill the gap in the fork and make it easier.
As Shimano had a tie in with fox, I don't think there are torque cap options for Shimano but someone will be along shortly to correct me if I'm wrong.
Much appreciated.
The whole E thru axle got me confused.
I tried the wheel with the fork thru axle and it all fitted fine.