Fox Grip damping cartridges 2025: New internals for all Fox suspension forks

In 2017, Fox presented the affordable Grip damping cartridge for the first time, which was used in suspension forks from the Rhythm series onwards. Just one year later, Fox followed suit and launched the Grip 2 cartridge, a damping unit with maximum adjustability that was exclusively reserved for factory models.

For the 2025 model year, the American suspension specialist is going all out and launching three completely new grip cartridges for all suspension forks from cross country to downhill. The castings (shape) of the existing suspension forks will be retained. The following three grip cartridges will be available in future:

• Grip X2DH focus, is installed in the Fox 36,38, 40 and as original equipment version in the 34
• Grip XAll Mountain focus, is installed in the Fox 34, 36 and 38 OEM version
• Grip SLCross Country focus, installed in 32 Taper Cast, 32 Step Cast, 34 Step Cast

Fox Grip X2: the new one for the rough stuff

Until now, the Fox Grip 2 cartridge was the first choice when it came to pure downhill performance and maximum adjustability. The Grip 2 cartridge was available in the Fox 34, 36, 38 and 40. For the 2025 model year, the successor is called Grip X2 and will be available for the aftermarket from the 36 series upwards. Some original equipment manufacturers will probably also specify the Grip X2 cartridge in the Fox 34.

Compared to the Grip 2, the Grip X2 should have even better adjustability and cover a larger damping range. Work has also been done on the damping support. According to Fox, the fork should be higher in its travel and still offer more comfort. According to Fox, the traction has also been raised to a higher level. In order to achieve this goal, the piston in the Grip X2 has been enlarged from 20 to 24 millimetres, which results in an improved oil flow. Instead of the previous seven shims, a shim stack consisting of 23 individual shims is now used. The maximum adjustability has been retained. The rebound and compression damping for the high and low-speed range can therefore also be adjusted on the new Grip X2. This means that four independent damping adjustment options are available.

Fox Grip X: the first choice for Trail and All Mountain

The new Grip X cartridge is primarily used in the Fox 34 and 36 and thus covers the suspension travel range from 120 to 150 millimetres. Original equipment manufacturers also have the option of specifying the Grip X cartridge in the Fox 38. With the Grip X cartridge, which weighs 120 grams less than the Grip X2, the high-speed and low-speed compression and rebound can be adjusted. If you close the high-speed compression knob clockwise to a defined click, the entire compression stage is closed. The fork is then in platform mode, which effectively prevents spring movement.

Fox Grip SL: the new lightweight for racers

The Grip SL cartridge is the new lightweight and is used in all Taper Cast (Gravel) and Step Cast (32 and 34) models. The minimalist damping cartridge is said to be a whole 60 grams lighter than a Fit 4 cartridge and also has a blow-off valve in lockout mode that opens automatically on hard impacts. In the middle and open position of the compression setting, the Grip SL should offer a high level of comfort, but still good efficiency when pedalling.

Fox 32 Step Cast suspension fork: it couldn't be easier

Fox has a very special treat in store for racers looking for a suspension fork with a maximum of 100 millimetres of travel. The Fox 32 Step Cast not only features the new Grip SL cartridge, but also a completely new casting. In order to achieve the record weight of just 1287 grams, every last detail was scrutinised and ultimately optimised.

The fork crown is now made from 7000 aluminium, which saves nine grams. To further reduce material, the crown does not have the usual offset. The so-called fork pre-bend is achieved by an angle of the steerer tube in the crown. This gives the fork the usual 44 millimetre pre-bend at the dropout. Further savings have been realised on the axle (- 12 grams), the stanchions (- 9 grams), the head tube (- 11 grams) and the cable guide (- 1 gram). In total, the new 32 SC weighs 107 grams less than its predecessor.