The testers' forearms are glowing. For this test of 22 suspension forks, we covered almost 50,000 metres in depth on the three-country enduro trails at Lake Reschen. Each individual suspension fork was piloted 700 metres down into the valley by three test riders. The roots, jumps and boulders on the Schöneben trail not only revealed the subtle differences between the 14 enduro and all-mountain forks, but also put a strain on the test riders' bodies. That's why nobody protested against the suggestion to test the shorter-travel cross-country and trail forks with 100 to 120 millimetres of travel on the gentler terrain around the Bergkastelbahn. With aching arms and a few thousand metres of descending, the question naturally arises: Why this enormous effort? Especially after the extensive laboratory measurements that have already provided solid facts about the forks' capabilities?
The complete suspension fork test in the categories Enduro, All Mountain, Trail and Cross Country with all information, overview tables and grades can be found as a PDF in the download area below:
ENDURO 160 mm
- Formula Selva S 27.5
- Fox 36 Float Factory Fit4
- Manitou Mezzer Pro
- Öhlins RFX 36 m2. Air TTX
- Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate
ALL MOUNTAIN 140 mm
- Cane Creek Helmet Works 130
- DVO Sapphire 29
- Formula Selva S 29
- Fox 34 Float Factory Fit4
- Intend Hero
- Manitou Mattoc Pro 2
- Marzocchi Bomber Z2
- Rockshox Pike Ultimate
- X-Fusion Trace 36 HLR
TRAIL 120 mm
- Fox 34 Float Factory Fit4 SC
- MRP Ribbon
- Rockshox Sid Ultimate Remote
- Suntour Axon Werx
CROSS COUNTRY 100 mm
- Fox 32 Float Factory Fit4 SC
- Lefty Ocho Carbon
- Rockshox Sid Ultimate Carbon
A mountain bike consists of many individual parts. The chassis, with the suspension fork as an important element, characterises the handling of a mountain bike. If it works stubbornly, you ride through technical trail sections as if the handbrake is on. If, on the other hand, it sensitively filters all bumps and thus provides grip on the front wheel, the rider feels safe even in the nastiest rock gardens and enjoys the descent. They may even be able to risk more speed to improve their riding skills. As well as having a major influence on riding behaviour, the fork is usually the most expensive component on a complete bike. This comprehensive test therefore provides key information for an important purchase decision - either for winter tuning sessions on an existing bike or for the upcoming purchase of a complete bike. Every bike is only as good as its fork. That's why the suspension fork test in BIKE magazine has been delivering well-founded results for decades. Once again this year, three laboratory measurements and 2100 metres of downhill singletrack with every single test subject - and now the arms no longer hurt.
A total of 14 companies make up the test field of this suspension fork test. Hardly any of our readers would be able to name them all straight away. This is because 90 per cent of the forks in the BIKE magazine test cellar come from two manufacturers: Fox and Rockshox share the market of original equipment manufacturers for high-quality mountain bikes almost fraternally. It is rare to find a Manitou, SR Suntour or Formula on a production bike. Öhlins has also been banned from Specialized's top models. The dominance of Fox and Rockshox is due to the quality and performance of their products. As a result, they win all four categories of this test. Unlike many small specialised suppliers, the two manufacturers are also present in every niche and in all variants of mountain bikes. The reasons for this superiority? Many years of experience, efficient development teams and financial resources are certainly part of it. But for our test team, the main question is: What can Fox and Rockshox forks do better in the lab and on the trail? Our test results are based on laboratory values (weight and stiffness), handling and riding characteristics in practice.
Suspension fork lexicon: We explain the technical terms.
You can find the complete comparison test including all data, points tables and the score overview in BIKE 11/2019. The comparison test costs 1.99 euros as a PDF. Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in BIKE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, hundreds of thousands of euros every year.
You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
