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Shimano bicycle components are, simply put, some of the best bicycle components ever created. Their name has long been synonymous for reliable, high-quality and affordable bicycle parts, and the company has been responsible for some of the most groundbreaking advances in bicycle component design. Since about the 70s, Shimano quickly has come to represent the standard for many riders, bringing performance and quality together with incredibly well-engineered components.
When you’re shopping for a Shimano MTB groupset, you’re in good company, as they’ve been at the forefront of components engineering for over 40 years.
We've broken down their entire lineup of forks to help you find the right fork for your ride. Get started by clicking the link(s) below that best match your riding style. You can also click on the features and technologies throughout the article to learn more. Let's get started!
DEORE M6100 | SLX M7100 | XT M8100 | XTR M9100 | ZEE | SAINT | ENDURO | DOWNHILL
Intended use: XC, Trail, Enduro
Shimano SLX is aimed squarely at the rider who wants a great performance drivetrain that will deliver season after season of reliability, without a hefty price tag. This groupset meets the needs of the widest range of riders, matching impressive performance to a stellar price. While it is considered the lower rung of the “holy trinity” of Shimano’s MTB groupsets, the brand-new SLX 12-speed M7100 series group offers many of the same benefits of XT and XTR with just a bit of weight gain, and slightly less fancy materials and finish. We highly recommend this group but would opt for upgrading to an XT level shifter for the added function of Shimano's INSTANT RELEASE and MULTI RELEASE technologies which allows you shift two gears in one stroke in upshifts and makes shifts in either direction lightning fast. These are small features, but ones we think are well worth the few extra dollars.
*Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. *Not all combinations of travel, dampers, axles, offset options, etc. are available for each color and size of fork. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS
Intended use: XC, Trail, Enduro
Shimano’s XT groupset offers the ultimate price-to-performance ratio in the Shimano MTB drivetrain lineup. The jump to XT gives you the closest feel to XTR, and gains many of the weight-saving benefits and fine-tuning adjustment options of its higher-end sibling while retaining a price tag closer to SLX.
15QR x 110 Boost 15QR x 100 |
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* F-S, 32 SC, 27.5", 100mm Travel, Kaboltx110, 3Pos-Adj Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS | STEP-CAST
Intended use: XC, Trail, Enduro
This is it – the jewel in Shimano’s crown. Shimano XTR is the professional’s choice, built simply to win. It’s been torture-tested by pro riders and has been ridden to the top of many a podium of incredibly demanding races many times over. Unquestionably, this is the pinnacle of Shimano’s MTB groups. Originally created in 1992 as the world’s first MTB-specific groupset, it has continued to lead the pace on introducing new dynamic technologies that shape mountain biking.
15QR x 110 Boost | ||
*Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS | STEP-CAST
Intended use: XC, Trail, Enduro
Shimano Di2 (which stands for Digital Integrated Intelligence) revolutionized the world of cycling when it first exploded onto the scene in 2009. The electronic groupset shifts using servomotor-equipped derailleurs and relies on sophisticated electronics to deliver perfect shifts at the push of a button, every time. Since Di2’s release, it has changed the way component makers and frame designers think about componentry and bike design and has ushered in a new wave of innovation to create the perfect bicycle drivetrain.
9MM Open Dropout | |
* F-S, 32 SC, 27.5", 100mm Travel, Kaboltx110, 3Pos-Adj Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS
Intended use: Enduro, Freeride, DH
Shimano Zee was developed to serve the needs of Downhill and Freeride riders needing the performance of a downhill-specific groupset, without the hefty price tag of Saint. Zee is a great choice for riders needing huge stopping power of 4-piston brakes, a quiet, simple 1x10 speed drivetrain with a burly rear derailleur, tied together with super-strong forged cranks. Zee delivers on all fronts, and doesn’t flinch when it’s thrown over unforgiving terrain. The primary difference between Zee and Saint is primarily the weight and finish. Zee forgoes the flashy anodized and machined bits found on Saint and offers a great value for riders that know will thrash their components instead of baby them.
15QR x 110 Boost | 15QR x 110 Boost 15QR x 100 |
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*Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS
Intended use: Freeride, DH
Shimano Saint is the Downhill racer’s group of choice. Saint tackles descents unflinchingly, and has a highly precise, refined feel that is engineered to perform with exceptional stability in rough circumstances. The brakes are some of the strongest on the planet, and are the go-to for many a rider truly taking their riding to the extreme.
15QR x 110 Boost | ||
*Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. *Not all combinations of travel, dampers, axles, offset options, etc. are available for each color and size of fork. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS | AIR CHANNELS | BLEEDERS | LOWER LEG ARCH
Suspension is evolving at a rapid rate and becoming much smoother, stiffer, and more tunable. Modern suspension is more capable than ever before and lets riders conquer the terrain with ease. The Fox 38 Float series forks are hard-hitting, long-travel enduro specialists. It carries over all of the new features of the redesigned 36 and pairs them with the stiffer 38mm to cope with the hardest hits. You'll find the floating axle to match the exact width of your hubs, the lower leg bleeders and the air channels to further perfect your suspension feel. A feature not found on the 36 is the elliptical steer tube that adds material where it's needed, but not where it isn't, to increase strength and stiffness.
15QR x 110 Boost | 15QR x 110 Boost | ||
*Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. *Not all combinations of travel, dampers, axles, offset options, etc. are available for each color and size of fork. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS | AIR CHANNELS | BLEEDERS | LOWER LEG ARCH
Completely redesigned for 2021, the line of Fox 40 forks are built for the most demanding riding conditions from DH racing to park laps to remote freeride. It features a floating axle offers a distinct performance advantage due to their unique ability to match the exact width of the fork's wheel mounting surface precisely to the front hub flange spacing. This creates a perfect chassis alignment that eliminates unwanted friction between the upper and lower fork legs. The lower legs have bleeders that allow for atmospheric pressure equalization at the press of a button. With the lower leg arch, you'll have enhanced stiffness without the extra weight. These forks feature Fox's legendary Kashima coating that provides a buttery smooth feel paired with a GRIP2 damper that provides high and low-speed compression adjustments and high and low-speed rebound adjustments.
*Fork weights shown are at 165mm steerer length with star fangled nut and disc brake guide installed. *Not all combinations of travel, dampers, axles, offset options, etc. are available for each color and size of fork. |
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | STANCHION FINISH | EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS | AIR CHANNELS | BLEEDERS | LOWER LEG ARCH
FACTORY VS PERFORMANCE | FINISH OPTIONS | FLOAT EVOL AIR SPRING | DAMPER OPTIONS | AXLE OPTIONS | STEP-CAST | AIR CHANNELS | BLEEDERS | LOWER LEG ARCH
"Factory" says it all. The best-of-the-best technology Fox has to offer is available in their Factory Series models with the buttery smooth, and ultra durable Genuine Kashima Coat. These products are World Cup proven. You'll find the latest Grip2 damper paired with Factory forks for maximum tuneability.
Performance Elite forks retain the same adjustments, features, dampers, weight, and 7000 series aluminum upper tubes as Factory Series, but have black anodized stanchions instead of Genuine Kashima Coat; a killer option for those who love a subtle look or are looking to save a few bucks.
Performance Series forks retain the same black anodized 7000 series aluminum upper tubes as Performance Elite, except paired with a GRIP damper making this the most affordable option out of the Fox lineup, but lacking some of the top-end bells and whistles.
Beyond the looks, there is one key aspect that sets Kashima apart from it's black anodized counterpart; durability. The friction performance of the two finishes are nearly identical (slight nod to Kashima) and would be hard for most riders to notice. So, why would you want Kashima? That all lies in it's durability. Kashima provides that same low-friction feel for longer with less wear on the stanchion surface. This means less maintenance and better feel for longer.
Fox's FLOAT EVOL linear spring curve gives forks and shocks plushness off the top, extra mid-stroke support, and more tunable bottom-out progression, allowing riders to tap into the ideal pairing of front and rear-end feel.
EVOL technology increases negative air spring volume, optimizing small bump sensitivity. EVOL’s linear spring curve delivers plushness off the top, extra mid-stroke support, and more tunable bottom-out progression.
The benefits of EVOL are further enhanced by the new Lower Leg channels and Bleeders (found on 36, 38, and 40 forks), which both function to reduce air pressure captured in the lower legs, allowing the EVOL air spring to operate freely without unintended interference.
The GRIP2 damper is the benchmark for unparalleled ride quality and ultra-precise on-the-fly adjustability. For 2021, Fox has taken the GRIP2 to the next level by adding their patented VVC technology to the high-speed compression circuit. VVC is a proprietary variable valve control system that allows for external fine-tuning of suspension performance. GRIP2 achieves with the twist of a knob what typically requires the time consuming and complicated task of completely disassembling and reassembling the fork.
In its fourth generation, Fox's patented FIT4 closed cartridge system provides three on-the-fly compression damping positions—Open, Medium, and Firm—to adapt to varying trail conditions. Factory Series forks feature an additional 22 clicks of low-speed compression adjust in the Open mode, allowing riders to fine-tune their exact damping preferences.
Inspired from moto, the GRIP damper uses the FIT sealed cartridge technology combined with a coil-sprung, independent floating piston. GRIP allows excess oil to purge through specially designed ports at the top of the damper to maintain consistent damping and increase durability. Performance Series forks provide Open, Medium, and Firm modes with additional micro-adjust between settings.
Many of the forks in Fox's lineup can be configured with either their quick release (QR) style thru-axles or with their Kabolt axle. The QR style axles are very convenient since they don't require any tools to remove them, but they carry a bit of a weight penalty and have the QR lever can be exposed to possible rock strikes if you ride techier and tighter trails. The Kabolt loses the QR level in exchange for using a traditional 6mm hex tool, but shaves weight, reduces exposed parts, and comes in orange or black colors. You will need to be sure to have a 6mm or multitool handy for removing your front wheel, but most riders carry tools on the ride anyway, so it's not a big deal.
The all-new 36 and 38 come equipped with a new quick-release lever operated patent-pending floating axle system, combining the benefit of a floating axle with the ease of a tool-free quick-release. With this system, axle/hub spacing is locked in via a floating sleeve, allowing repeated front wheel removal and reinstallation while maintaining perfect fork alignment.
Floating axles might look similar to other axles, but in fact they offer a distinct performance advantage due to their unique ability to match the exact width of the fork’s wheel mounting surface precisely to the front hub flange spacing, thus creating perfect chassis alignment and eliminating unwanted friction between the upper and lower fork legs. Floating axles provide much smoother suspension movement throughout the entire range of the fork’s travel, notably improving sensitivity and overall ride quality.
Available optionally is the new Kabolt-X, a lightweight bolt-on floating axle exclusively for the all-new 36 and 38 that not only shaves grams but also increases torsional stiffness via its sleeveless, single-sided pinch bolt design. Chassis alignment must be reset each time the front wheel is removed and reinstalled on both the Kabolt-X and 40 floating axles, but the end result is the same – perfect alignment and perfect performance.
Chasing gram-shaving without sacrificing stiffness is an common endeavor in the world of bikes. Fox found a very creative way to accomplish this goal with their Step-Cast technology. Visually, Step-Cast forks are easy to spot with a cutaway from the lower leg around the rotor and hub. This cutaway is one of many methods of shaving weight that Fox employed to make their Step-Cast forks some of the lightest in the market. Fox also shortened the upper tubes raising the lower leg floor and allowing for the hollow "step" on the lower leg. This step allowed Fox to narrow up the stance of these forks by 10mm (meaning less material) while still accomodating the rotors and spokes, and keeping torsional stiffness. Fox even modified their FIT4 damper to reduce unnecessary materials and consolidate parts all with the intent of reducing the overall weight. Step-Cast can be found within Fox's 32 and 34 line of forks intended for light XC and light trail style riding.
As a fork compresses, the air volume within the lower legs decreases, increasing air pressure. The more the fork compresses, the more pressure increases. This effect can have the unintended consequence of preventing full travel from being achieved. The lower leg channels help alleviate this issue by dramatically increasing air volume within the lower legs and thereby reducing the amount of additional unintended pressure ramping.
Another benefit of these channels is that lower leg bath oil is circulated to the upper reaches of the lower legs, continuously lubricating the foam rings and bushings as the fork compresses and extends through its travel.
Stiffness-to-weight is the ultimate metric for bicycle design. Engineers invest countless hours poring over every ounce of material in an effort to optimize this critical ratio. The all-new lower leg design pulls out all the stops, shaving every possible gram while making sure not to compromise stiffness or strength requirements of modern enduro and gravity style riding.
Modern frame designs and geometry trends require modern suspension design solutions. The arch design of the all-new 36, 38, and 40 is designed to pair perfectly with modern Enduro and Downhill bikes. Head tube profiles have grown larger and larger, and fork offsets shorter and shorter. The new arch shape takes this need into account by jutting forward to provide ample headtube clearance at full compression. State-of-the-art computer modeling techniques helped Fox to create an organic lower leg shape that optimizes stiffness with the absolute minimal amount of material.