All Arround MTB

The last generation of X-Fusion droppers did the brand’s reputation no favours, but the all-new Manic is proving an excellent costeffective post.At over 700g, it’s heavy. It’s also longer than most 150mm posts, which may make it a squeeze to fit between you and your frame or just into your seat tube. It’s really well-priced, though, and while the neat shifter-style remote wobbles a bit from new, it has plenty of leverage for a light action. The stroke is smooth and easily controlled in both directions, with reasonable return speed and an easily-felt top-out clunk. While the Manic is a relatively new design – particularly the 150mm version – all the reliability feedback we’ve had from users has been excellent so far. Replacing the sealed-cartridge internals only costs $30 if there is an issue. The cable can unhook if you move the post in the frame without keeping it taut, but we’re assured there’s a fix imminent for that glitch. Weight 735g Stroke 125, 150mm Diameters 30.9, 3...

While the McQueen is an all-new plus tyre chassis, it shares its high-control Roughcut HLR internals with other proven X-Fusion forks, making it a standout buy for the money. While a disappointing number of ‘plus’ forks only just take a 27.5x2.8in or 29x2.4in tyre, the wide-stance McQueen will handle 27.5x3.25in or 29x2.6in rubber and we’ve had no clogging issues running a fender. That does make it around 10mm taller than average, but the internal ‘pin push’ system lets you set the travel anywhere from 80mm to 140mm in 10mm increments if you need to tweak geometry. The ‘LockX’ axle works OK. It’s a reasonable weight for a Boost fork too. The wide stance means the 34mm legs still track and communicate traction accurately, and it’s fine anchoring hard with a 200mm rotor. Offering both low and high-speed compression damping adjustment, the RC HLR damper is impressive too. It takes the solid mid-stroke carving support of X-Fusion’s RL2 damper ($675 in the McQueen chassis), adds far be...

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.

X-Fusion used to stand out because of its low prices but performance of its forks is now truly competitive, if not quite the bargains they once were.

As the name suggests, the Microlite shock is designed with weight reduction in mind. Our 184x44mm sample hit the scales at 195g saving around 50g when compared to a regular inline shock.

The Stage RLX is X-Fusion’s new all-mountain/enduro shock, which may not be obvious at frst. Where is the piggyback reservoir? All shocks need piggybacks to accommodate the extra oil that helps keep performance consistent on long downhills, right?

THE DROPPER POST is one of the most popular upgrades out there. X-Fusion’s latest cable operated offering has ‘stealth’ style internal routing and is easily user serviceable. 

X-FUSION’S NEW 650B Sweep is a reasonably controlled and affordable fork with a distinctive handling feel.