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The Dominator: Fox Podium 2025 – this was the first time we tested the Fox Podium. And because only comparative tests provide genuine insight, we included the top dogs of the enduro fork world, the Fox 38 and RockShox ZEB (at the time, the 2025 models). On paper, the Podium caused some concern beforehand: a full 300 grams heavier than the 38 Factory of the time and almost twice as expensive as the RockShox ZEB Ultimate. Ouch. Premature criticism, and of the negative kind at that. Now we’ve ridden the fork again, and here are our impressions from the test.
Review: The Fox Podium Factory
Adjust first, then drive.
The setup:
Fox is still Fox. The setup of the Podium Factory is just as intuitive as with all Fox Factory forks. A sticker provides the recommended air pressure for the rider’s weight – along with click-based guidance for compression and rebound damping. No guesswork, no frustration. The high- and low-speed compression can be adjusted on the fork crown without tools, with 8 and 18 clicks respectively. Setup enthusiasts will also be delighted to find high- and low-speed rebound adjustment.
Let’s go!
A real ‘aha’ moment right from the start: On our rough, root-strewn test track, the Podium not only offers comfort but also impressive traction – we felt this particularly in root-strewn bends, where other forks tend to bounce, whilst the Podium cut into the bend as if on rails. We certainly noticed the lower torsional stiffness – but it was entirely positive and provided a noticeable boost to comfort. When the pace picked up and things got serious, the Podium ensured impressive stability at the front. Steps, ridges, thick root trunks – the Podium absorbed them like a slot machine swallows a gambling addict’s coins – in, gone, on to the next! Only on small, rapid impacts could it react with a little more sensitivity. Even extensive experimentation with the rebound damping didn’t help. What the Podium definitely excels at, however, is absorbing big, hard impacts. It utilises its full travel and remains pleasantly progressive towards the end of the stroke – peak forces are cushioned whilst control is maintained.
Conclusion:
The Fox Podium Factory is a real cracker. Comfort, traction, speed – it excels in all areas and, in practice, even outperforms the test-winning Fox 38 fork. Only two things mar the picture: the price (!) and the weight.
In a nutshell
- Adjustment options: Air pressure, high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping, volume spacers Max. disc diameter: 230 mm
- Weight limit: 169 kg
- Riser pipe: Ø 38 mm
- Available suspension travel: 160, 170 mm
- Installation length: 595 mm
- Torsional stiffness/braking stiffness: 17.3 Nm/° / 355.1 Nm/°
- Weight: 2,786 grams
- Price: 2,399 euros >> Available here at a reduced price
How BIKE conducts its tests
Laboratory: Our suspension forks are tested by our test laboratory. As well as weighing, the programme also included stiffness measurements.
Practice: To ensure maximum comparability, we tested KYB’s upside-down competitor model on identical test bikes. At the Geisskopf Bike Park, we rode them on various trails. For the set-up, we initially followed the manufacturer’s recommendations and then gradually fine-tuned the settings to achieve the optimum configuration.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
