FOX Racing Shox 36 Float 29 Grip 2 Performance Elite Boost Fork

When it comes to bikes, there are those who like to tinker with settings of just about every component, and others who prefer to go for a quick general setup and leave things be. FOX's 36 Float 29 Grip 2 Performance Elite Boost Fork is for the former. Its for the riders who want to dial in every detail, seeking more tuning options than ever, rewarding you with its Grip 2 damper that offers control over high-and-low-speed compression, as well as high-and-low-speed rebound. It features four-way control over compression and rebound that FOX's engineers refer to as Variable Valve Control, which set you up with a whopping four different knobs for dialing in the fork's riding characteristics to the exact level of precision that you're seeking for tackling everything from undulating rollers in the Pacific Northwest to sand-stone booters and wheel-gobbling rock gardens of Virgin, Utah.

When it comes to big hits and high speeds, having control of your high-speed rebound can make or break your day, and the Grip 2 damper is ready to let you dial things in to your liking — this translates to a better prepared ride for bike park laps, and top-speed DH descents that max out your fork's travel. On the high/low-speed compression side of things, there's a bit of a wider range in tunability, so you can precisely dial in the level of support without harshness that detracts from your ride. This particular model of 36 Float Performance Fork continues to use FOX's EVOL air spring, which has increased negative air spring volume, improving traction, and higher levels of small-bump compliance when you're charging into rocks and roots.

FOX aimed to lower these friction levels beyond even its previous 36 Float by using improved ultra-low friction seals, allowing the anodized stanchions to glide smoothly through every millimeter of travel. Another update is a revised mid-valve design of the Grip 2 damper, which enables the fork to resist brake dive when you're booking it at warp speed and need to scrub off a little heat before leaning into a berm, or rolling down a steep rock garden. Both of these updates are subtle improvements that aim at making this fork smoother and more composed, without being a drastic overhaul in the design and operation of one of our favorite FOX forks.

This particular iteration of FOX's 36 Float Grip 2 comes with the Performance Elite designation, which means it foregoes the more expensive Factory line's Kashima-coating for anodized black stanchions. The result is a fork that's a bit more pocket friendly, while still maintaining an extremely supportive and plush feel through its travel, albeit lacking the extra hit of sensitivity you'd experience with the Kashima-coated stanchions of the Factory Series fork. Additionally, it comes with a 44-millimeter offset, which helps to quicken the steering of 29ers that would previously be a little on the lagged side when it comes to responding to low-speed maneuvers on the trail.