All Arround MTB

THE NEW DEVILLE RaRe FCV enduro fork from French company BOS contains their latest tech innovation, the Frequency Control Valve. It’s basically an inertia valve inside their hydraulic cartridge and acts as a second damper, which is claimed to offer hugely increased comfort and control on rocky terrain, while also improving small-bump absorption.

If your Fox 32, 34 or 36 feels sticky but isn’t due a service, re-lubing its foam rings could boost performance

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.

ROCKSHOX’S PIKE IS as much trail fork as most riders will ever need, but there was a definite gap in their line-up for a gonzo fork to take on the Fox 36 for single-crown downhill domination honours. Rather than upsizing the outer diameter of the Pike’s 35mm stanchions for the Lyrik, RockShox have made them thicker throughout their tapering walls. They’ve also increased the depth and stiffness of the crown, and made the arch taller.The result is the stiffest fork in our static tests, even in 180mm format.

SUNTOUR’S CONTINUED EVOLUTION of the Auron makes it a genuine rival to premium forks at a fraction of the price. Seal and bushing changes, compression damper remapping and improvements in quality control meant last year’s fork blew us away – but only after Suntour’s technicians cut the volume elastomer down to 11mm. For 2016 there’s no need to get the knife out – the elastomer has been replaced with reversible spacers that can be added or removed.We found a single spacer gave spot-on progression for reliable mid-stroke ride height but still left the fork sensitive enough off the top.

MARZOCCHI MADE THEIR reputation with reliable, no nonsense forks that outperformed their price tag and the 350 CR is a great return to form – though in typical Marzocchi style it can take a few hours for the seals to stop dragging.You’ll often need a couple of strokes at the start of each ride to wet it through too, but once the fork’s bedded in the start stroke is plush and the new stanchion coating is a lot more durable than the ‘Espresso’ finish on the first 350s.

THE MORE AFFORDABLE of the two new big-capability forks from RockShox is a super-strong bomber with impressive high traction, big hit control for the cash.

WHILE THE NEW 36 Float FIT4-Adj is 90$ cheaper and offers faster flick-lever compression adjustment, the RC2 is still the go-to version for full-gas Fox fans. That’s primarily because the high-speed compression damping is fully adjustable externally rather than preset. This lets you open up the fork more in the mid stroke for an easier ride on your wrists when you’re off the brakes and on a mission.

MANITOU’S DISTINCTIVE MATTOC is slightly flexy but otherwise an impressively controlled, high value performer that’s now more adjustable, upgradable and reliable than before.

FOX’S MID-SIZE trail fork packs the same damping and air spring technology as their big-hitting 36 Float into a lighter and cheaper but less rigid chassis.

DVO’S SINGLE-CROWN trail fork can deliver fantastically smooth, fine-tuned control but only if you’re a skilled and patient fettler who isn’t watching weight or running high-volume tyres.

AT ITS BEST, MRP’s evolved Stage is even smoother than before, but accurate, instruction following set-up is crucial.

First trail fork from moto suspension masters

In the most simplistic terms, the new Lyrik is much like RockShox’s renowned Pike fork, but better. While it shares the Pike’s Charger damper and SKF seals and sticks with a 35mm chassis, there are some subtle but significant differences that you can feel on the trail.

Waaaay back in 2002, RockShox revolutionized the suspension world with the release of its Psylo range of forks. The forks came with 30mm stanchions, a lockout/compression adjustment, the travel was adjustable from 80-120mm, and......wait for it, they came with a quick release 20mm through axle.

As a SRAM sponsored athlete, Andy Blair was one of the first riders in the country to bolt on a pair of RS-1 forks; here's what he had to say about the forks after nearly 6 months riding time on this revolutionary new suspension fork.

BOS has a well-earned reputation for superb suspension and the heritage is clear in this light yet superbly performing fork.

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.

Despite being the cheapest fork on test, the Reba still manages to perform on a similar level, though there's more noticeable flex when pushed hard.

Marzocchi has been off the boil with its forks for a number of years, but this marks a return to form, with a smooth and controlled unit best suited to aggressive riders.