X-FUSION’S AFFORDABLE ALL-ROUNDER has been fitted with a new ‘Roughcut’ cartridge developed from the HLR damper of their gravity forks and the results are brilliant.
Compared to the most succulent forks here there’s a slight amount of stiction when new, but the Sweep becomes properly plush once you’re into double-figure riding hours. Where it really shines, though, is in the mid stroke. Low-speed compression support right through the stroke is a strong point of X-Fusion’s forks, letting you run generous sag but still rail round berms or pump hard without losing feedback or blowing through the stroke. While their RL2 damper can spike and blow your arms up if hammered through high-speed hits, the RC HLR cartridge has impeccable big-hit response without losing mid-stroke composure. That preserves your forearms and keeps you nailed onto the trail. Crucially it does this without losing a precise HD clarity that lets you carve the tightest, sketchiest lines in confidence.
Even riding it back to back with the most expensive forks here, the Sweep never felt outclassed. Both high- and low-speed compression are widely adjustable for aggressive riders wanting a firmer feel, and the 36-click rebound dial is ultra sensitive. Tracking stiffness is reasonable for a mid weight, 34mm legged fork and it’s easy to adjust the travel. That leaves leg knock when turning the 15mm cam axle the only slight irritation. Long-term low-maintenance reliability of X-Fusion forks has always been excellent, making the Sweep’s premium performance a total bargain at 825$.
WEIGHT: 1,880g
TRAVEL: 100-160mm (adjusted via internal spacers)
Price 825$
