The big eat the small. This law applies not only in the shark tank, but apparently also in the bicycle industry. Fewer and fewer brands are taking more and more market share. Shifters come from Shimano or Sram. Almost no alternative. When it comes to tyres, over 75 percent of our readers rely on Schwalbe, Conti or Maxxis. For Vittoria, WTB or Onza, only the crumbs of the big cake remain. And a clear picture also emerges for suspension forks. It seems as if the big American companies Rockshox and Fox are dividing the market for high-quality suspension forks between themselves. If you click through various websites of the still numerous bicycle manufacturers, you will realise that hardly any bike above the € 2000 mark is without suspension from the market leaders. However, it would be wrong to claim that there are no alternatives to the top dogs. SR Suntour, Formula, Manitou and many other manufacturers also produce good forks, but their products are rarely seen in the wild. In this test, the DVO Sapphire proves that even crumbs can taste very good - literally.
The two all-mountain forks, the Pike and Float 34, provide a foretaste of why Rockshox and Fox share the market on the scales in our test lab. At 1827 grams, the high-quality Factory version of the Fox 34 Float is over 200 grams lighter than its competitors from DVO or X-Fusion. At 1910 grams, the Rockshox Pike still takes second place in the weight ranking. However, after measuring the torsional and braking stiffness, the Fox fork's lead shrinks slightly. Because with 22 Newton metres per degree of torsional stiffness, it is almost
30 per cent behind the competition. In practice, however, there is hardly any difference in steering precision between the X-Fusion (stiffest fork) and the Fox.
Before the first test ride, however, the BIKE test team has to overcome one more hurdle. This is because setting up a modern suspension fork not only takes a lot of time, but also requires a certain amount of expertise. With the numerous setting options, even experts sometimes have to consult the operating instructions. Nevertheless, with the exception of X-Fusion and DVO, all manufacturers provide an air pressure recommendation according to the rider's weight on the back of the fork. Fox and Rockshox agree that a simple adjustment of the compression damping should be sufficient for touring riders. In addition to the small adjustment wheel for the low-speed compression stage, the two market leaders also offer the option of using a large, handy control to set an effective platform and even a lockout. The ideal solution to tighten up your suspension for the famous town sign sprint or a long Alpine climb. DVO and X-Fusion both rely on separately adjustable high- and low-speed compression settings, putting the biker's expertise and sensitivity to the test. The differentiated adjustment of the compression speed takes a lot of time and experience and, in our opinion, is out of place in the touring segment. It is better suited to enduro racers who are fighting for the last tenth on the descent. The OTT adjustment for adjusting the response behaviour of the DVO fork, on the other hand, is self-explanatory and pleasing.
On the trail, Fox and Rockshox finally underline their market power. Both forks are high in their travel and effectively filter impacts before they reach the rider. The DVO works at a similarly high level. The inexpensive X-Fusion responds poorly and struggles with fast hits in rough terrain.
Conclusion Ludwig Döhl, BIKE test editor:
Fox and Rockshox leave no doubt about their dominant market position. Both forks are not only light, but are also easy to set up and were convincing in the practical test on the trails of Finale Ligure. The Rockshox Pike won the test with a wider range of use and significantly higher stiffness. The Fox 34 Float Factory has a sportier character. The DVO works very well in practice, but loses important points due to its high weight and complicated adjustment. X-Fusion's Trace 36 looks outdated and can't compete with the rest of the test field. In past tests, manufacturers such as Formula or Manitou didn't have what it takes to challenge the supremacy of the market leaders.
THE DETAILS
Suspension fork manufacturers are always coming up with new details to attract customers. Not everything makes sense.
THE TEST RESULTS
All-mountain forks have to manage a balancing act between weight, stiffness and function. Rockshox and Fox master the challenge best.
DVO SAPPHIRE 29"
Price / weight¹ 899 Euro / 2037 gram
Suspension travel¹ / factory specification 142 mm / 140 mm
Manufacturer information
Setting options Spring stiffness via air pressure, rebound, H. and L. compression stage, response val.
Lowering / platform no / no
Max. Ø disc / weight limit 203 mm / no
Available shafts Taper
Available dropouts 15x110 mm; 15x100 mm
Measured values¹
Installation length 550 mm
Torsional rigidity 29 Nm/°
Brake rigidity 206 Nm/°
Sensitivity (15 %) 12 out of 12 points
Uphill (15 %) 8 out of 12 points
Downhill (30 %) 9 out of 12 points
Handling (10 %) 8 out of 12 points
Stiffness (15 %) 10 out of 12 points
Weight (15 %) 8 out of 12 points
CONCLUSION The adjustment of the response behaviour via the OTT knob is unique and has a great effect. No fork responds better. The setup with two separate compression settings is complicated. The fork sags slightly after off-road stages. The Sapphire only releases its full travel in absolute emergency situations.
BIKE judgement² VERY GOOD
FOX 34 FLOAT FACTORY SERIES FIT 4 29"
Price / weight¹ 1169 Euro / 1827 gram
Suspension travel¹ / factory specification 143 mm / 140 mm
Manufacturer information
Setting options Spring stiffness via air pressure, rebound, compression, progression
Lowering / platform no / yes
Max. Ø disc / weight limit 205 mm / no
Available shafts Taper
Available dropouts 15x110 mm; 15x100 mm
Measured values¹
Installation length 550 mm
Torsional rigidity 22 Nm/°
Brake rigidity 198 Nm/°
Sensitivity (15 %) 10 out of 12 points
Uphill (15 %) 10 out of 12 points
Downhill (30 %) 11 out of 12 points
Handling (10 %) 9 out of 12 points
Stiffness (15 %) 8 out of 12 points
Weight (15 %) 9 out of 12 points
CONCLUSION The Fox is the sportiest fork in the test field, as it provides clear feedback from the ground even when the compression damping is fully open. It is high in its travel and works very linearly. At high speeds, the fork feels really comfortable, but touring riders will miss some comfort. The lightest fork in the test.
BIKE judgement² SUPER
ROCKSHOX PIKE RCT 3 29"
Price / weight¹ 970 Euro / 1910 gram
Suspension travel¹ / factory specification 139 mm / 140 mm
Manufacturer information
Setting options Spring stiffness via air pressure, rebound, compression, progression
Lowering / platform no / yes
Max. Ø disc / weight limit 203 mm / no
Available shafts Taper
Available dropouts 15x110 mm; 15x100 mm
Measured values¹
Installation length 550 mm
Torsional rigidity 33 Nm/°
Brake rigidity 231 Nm/°
Sensitivity (15 %) 11 out of 12 points
Uphill (15 %) 12 out of 10 points
Downhill (30 %) 12 out of 12 points
Handling (10 %) 10 out of 12 points
Stiffness (15 %) 11 out of 12 points
Weight (15 %) 8 out of 12 points
CONCLUSION The new Pike has the widest range of use, as it is comfortable or sporty and firm depending on the compression setting. The adjustment range of the Charger 2 cartridge is very effective. It has a minimal tendency to sag after the steps. The response behaviour is very good. Top compromise between weight and stiffness.
BIKE judgement² SUPER
X-FUSION TRACE 36 29"
Price / weight¹ 1100 Euro / 2096 gram
Suspension travel¹ / factory specification 141 mm / 140 mm
Manufacturer information
Setting options Spring stiffness via air pressure, rebound, H. and L. compression stage
Lowering / platform no / no
Max. Ø disc / weight limit 203 mm / no
Available shafts Taper
Available dropouts 15x110 mm
Measured values¹
Installation length 550 mm
Torsional rigidity 32 Nm/°
Brake rigidity 256 Nm/°
Sensitivity (15 %) 6 out of 12 points
Uphill (15 %) 8 out of 12 points
Downhill (30 %) 8 out of 12 points
Handling (10 %) 9 out of 12 points
Stiffness (15 %) 12 out of 12 points
Weight (15 %) 8 out of 12 points
CONCLUSION The X-Fusion responds poorly and offers little comfort on rough terrain. On fast hits, the fork hardens completely, resulting in fat forearms after long descents. The two adjustment knobs for the compression damping are poorly rasterised and also have little effect. High weight.
BIKE judgement² GOOD
¹Measured values from the BIKE laboratory ²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measured values and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price.
BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, satisfactory, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory. The exact price was not yet known at the time of going to press.
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 6/2018 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the issue in the DK shop reorder:
