Short travel. Hard hitting. All trail.
The lightest 36 ever, the sub-1800g 36 SL injects plushness and steering responsiveness into a true trail fork. An evolution of the 36 chassis optimised for 120 to 140mm of travel, the 36 SL gives modern trail riders the confidence to go big without the weight.
Trail riders have long had to choose between over-forking for stiffness or under-forking for lower weight. The 36 SL supplants the 34 with 20% additional torsional stiffness while the updated chassis minimises the weight increase to just 100 grams. At 1755g (29" 140mm Grip X) with a host of ride feel improvements, the 36 SL easily beats out its predecessor and the competition.
Arch and Stiffness
Generatively designed and optimised by Fox engineers, the new 36 SL arch and crown increase torsional stiffness of the fork by a full 20% over the previous trail fork, the 34. Cutouts and lightening bores at strategic locations help minimise weight.
Air Spring Compliance
A large enough bending force—such as hitting a large rock or root at high speed—can cause the air spring to bind to the inside of the stanchion when the fork is compressing through its travel. The redesigned and compliant FLOAT air spring decouples the stanchion from the air shaft, allowing the piston to move with the fork while under these bending loads rather than resisting them. The result is smoother suspension action overall, especially when the fork is experiencing high loads from speed or the weight of a rider.
Bushing Overlap
As the fork is loaded sideways, such as running over an obstacle on the trail, that bending force is translated from the lower leg to the stanchions through Teflon-lined sleeves called bushings. The 36 SL has 20mm additional bushing overlap over the 34, which reduces friction between the stanchions and lower legs throughout the stroke, resulting in a smoother-feeling fork overall.
GRIP X Damper
Trail riders no longer need to choose between a descent-focused damper or a lightweight endurance damper. GRIP X exudes the exemplary descent performance of GRIP X2, refined for less weight, easier set up, and an easy access firm mode for pedalling efficiency.
Inboard Bypass Channels
Bypass channels help curb pressure ramping for increased small bump sensitivity as well as recirculating oil to lubricating bushings and seals. By relocating the bypass channels from the aft side of the fork to the inboard side, they are now out of the fore-aft load path to further reduce friction throughout the fork's travel.
Added Utility
The 36 SL features low profile bleeders with a grooved design that allows pressure to escape around your finger as you press the bleeder. The air spring top cap now uses the common Shimano cassette tool for easy volume adjustments, and the mudguard mounts to seal flanges and arch instead of bleeder ports for refined aesthetic durability and seal protection.
Key Features & Benefits:
- GRIP X Damper: Provides exemplary descent performance with an easy-access firm mode for pedalling efficiency.
- Increased Torsional Stiffness: The arch and crown design increases stiffness by 20% over the previous 34 model for improved steering responsiveness.
- FLOAT Glidecore Air Spring: Decouples the stanchion from the air shaft to reduce friction and provide smoother suspension action under dynamic loads.
Full Specification:
- Series: Performance Elite
- Chassis: SL
- Travel: 140mm
- Damper: GRIP X
- Axle: Kabolt SL 110
- Steerer: 1.5 Tapered
- Upper Tube Finish: Black Anodized
- Air Channels: Yes
- Bleeders: Yes
- Rotor Size: 200mm direct Post Mount (up to 230mm compatible)
- Mud Guard Mount: Optional FOX 36/38 Mud Guard
- Air Spring: FLOAT EVOL
- Starting Weight: 1755g