Compare FOX Factory 36 Fork Options

Truly the All-Mountain option the FOX Factory 36 is available in both 27.5″ and 29″ in a variety of travel, damper and offset configurations.

Here’s a look at the FOX offerings as well as some configurations from BikeCo.com by swapping air shafts to get you the perfect fork for your Trail and Enduro bike.

Already know the FOX Factory 36 you need? Scroll down and shop In-Stock Forks or use the contact form to let us know exactly what you want!

Learn more about the FOX Factory 36 details on the tabs below!

Compare the GRIP2 and FIT4 damper options, see available configurations and learn about suspension setup.

Comparing FOX fork options? You might wonder what some of the major differences between the GRIP2 and FIT4 dampers are. Well here are the notable differences on the GRIP2 vs FIT4 FOX forks.

GRIP2 vs FIT4 FOX Damper Comparison

The most obvious difference between the GRIP2 and FIT4 is in the compression setups.

On the GRIP2 (left) you’ll see the High and Low Speed Compression controls. High-Speed is the outer blue ring and the inner black dial is Low-Speed.

The FIT4 (right) has a 3 position switch and Low Speed Compression adjustment for the OPEN mode. The blue 3 position switch offers OPEN, MEDIUM and FIRM and is typically used as a pedaling platform.  The inner black dial adjusts the Low-Speed Compression adding some support to the OPEN mode.

GRIP2 vs FIT4 FOX Rebound Comparison

The GRIP2 (shown on left) also provides Low and High-Speed Rebound adjustment. This provides riders a bit more tuning capacity particularly those running high rebound settings to control higher air spring pressures.

With the FIT4 riders find the standard Low-Speed Rebound adjustment.

GRIP2 vs FIT4: Who Wants What?

So, which damper is right for your riding? While there is a decent range of cross-over typically riders find themselves leaning towards one or the other.

Want a pedal platform, or a climb switch? Well, you’re looking at the FIT4 option. While not used as often as a rear shock climb switch some riders prefer the option to increase the compression on those long climbs and the FIT4 gives you both a MEDIUM and FIRM option.

Are you a bigger rider (I am…)? Probably leaning towards the additional adjustability of the GRIP2. High and Low Speed controls produce a wider tunable range allowing you to fine tune your setup.

Are you a smaller, or lighter, or “poppy-er” rider? Well, the FIT4 tends to ride a bit more plush and at the same time has a bit more “pop” for those riders.

Read through more details on the tabs above about the technical aspects of both the GRIP2 and FIT4 or chat with our team to get on the right fork for your riding!

FOX 36 GRIP2 Fork

The favorite damper on the FOX 36 is the highly adjustable GRIP2.

GRIP2 Damper

The most popular damper across a wide range of rider disciplines the FOX GRIP2 provides the ultimate in quick external adjustment to fine tune your ride.

On the fork uppers riders find the FOX 36’s compression controls.

FOX Factory Fork GRIP2 Compression Control. External ring is High Speed Compression, black inside ring is Low Speed Compression adjuster.

FOX GRIP2 Compression Controls

The inner black knob controls the FOX GRIP2’s Low Speed Compression while the larger diameter blue dial controls the High Speed Compression.

High-Speed Compression – 8 Clicks (now with VVC)
Low-Speed Compression – 16 Clicks

The FOX GRIP2 damper provides Low and High speed compression controls to fine tune support.

Compression circuits hydraulically damp (or slow) the fork’s input assisting the air spring in providing appropriate mid-stroke and bottom out feel.

Low Speed Compression helps provide mid-stroke support. This allows a bike to ride taller in the travel in cornering while resisting brake dive, rider weight shift and other slow shaft speed inputs.

High Speed Compression works to fine tune bottom out feel as well as other high shaft speed inputs also known as square edge bumps. Example: if you sprint straight into a curb you’re likely to engage the High Speed Compression even if you’re not using full travel. This is due to the speed of the shaft moving oil to compensate for the hit.

FOX Factory Fork GRIP2 Rebound Control

FOX GRIP2 Rebound Controls

The larger diameter (higher) red knob controls High-Speed Rebound while the smaller diameter (lower) knob controls Low-Speed Rebound. (These have a black cover threaded over the assembly)

High-Speed Rebound – 8 Clicks (now with VVC)
Low-Speed Rebound – 16 Clicks

The GRIP2 damper provides both Low (LSR) and High (HSR) rebound controls.

The addition of the High Speed or HSR control provides increased rebound control to account for the higher PSI produced by aggressive or heavier riders.

Typically riders will adjust LSR, Low Speed Rebound, to suit riding style and taste and refer to FOX’s guide for the appropriate HSR, High Speed Rebound, pairing.

FOX 36 FIT4 Fork

A great option for lighter riders or those looking for a climb switch or on-the-fly adjustment.

FIT4 Damper

On trail the FIT4 gives riders easy access to a 3 position Open, Medium and Firm setting – great for stiffening the bike’s fork on those long climbs. The FIT4 is robust enough for Enduro duty for lighter riders and provides a great Trail riding feel for a wide range of users.

FOX Factory FIT4 Compression Control

FOX FIT4 Compression Controls

The inner black knob controls the FOX FIT4’s Low Speed Compression (or Open Mode Adjust) while the larger diameter blue lever is a on-the-fly 3 position Open, Medium, Firm switch.

On-The-Fly – 3 Positions: Open – Medium – Firm
Low-Speed Compression (Open Mode Adjust) – 22 Clicks

Looking for a little more support on your climb? The FIT4 3 position Open, Medium, Firm switch provides a popular pedal platform for those long grinds.

The FIT4 also provides riders tunable support and bottom out resistance with 22 clicks of Low-Speed Compression adjustment. This setting will shift the performance in the 3 position switch’s Open mode. This is popular to give the bike a bit more support in the corners, under hard braking, etc. The 22 clicks of Low-Speed Compression are typically tuned in concert with the fork’s volume spacers.

FOX Factory Fork FIT4 Rebound Control

FOX FIT4 Rebound Controls

The red knob at the bottom of the lower controls the FIT4 Low-Speed Rebound.

Low-Speed Rebound – 10 Clicks

Rebound settings will vary depending on rider size, ground speed and terrain. Ideally rebound is set fast enough to allow the fork to return to neutral before the next obstacle without being a pogo-stick!

The FOX Float EVOL air spring has been fine tuned over the years to provide riders exceptional performance.

Using volume spacers the FOX Factory 36 fork can modify its progression rate creating either a more linear (less volume spacers, more total air volume) or more progressive (more volume spacers, less total air volume) feel.

FOX 36 Fork Maximum Volume Spacers

Do not use more volume spacers than FOX specifies. Severe damage to the fork and or loss of control will occur.

FOX 36 Maximum Volume Spacers

170mm: 5
160mm: 6
150mm: 7
140mm: 8
130mm: 9

Check out more details on the FOX 36 tuning guide.

FOX 36 Factory Fork Shared Features

Upper Tube Finish: Kashima Coat

FOX Factory Fork Bleeders and Channels

Air Channels & Bleeders: Yes.

Shown above the FOX 36 provides riders a simple way to eliminate any air buildup in the fork lowers. Simply push the bleeder valve to release any pressurized air in the fork lower. Since pressure in the fork lower creates a harsh ride these small bleeders provide a notable improvement in performance and are especially valuable on lift access mountain days, races or days with big heat input changes.

Air pressure can build in the lowers from heat saturation or if the fork “gulps” air past the seals during operation. Either way, these bleeders have you covered.

The channels improve flow through the fork for more consistent performance across a range of terrain and ground speeds.

FOX Factory 38 GRIP2 Rebound Control and Floating Axle

Floating Axle: Yes.

Floating axles do not need to be adjusted each time a wheel is removed. However, having the ability to set a floating axle to a new hub or wheel will greatly improve performance.

Rotor Size: 180 Direct Mount with compatibility to 230mm

Mud Guard Mount: Yes. 4 point direct mount for optional Mud Guards

Air Spring: Float EVOL

Steer Tube: 1.5″ Taper

FOX Factory Fork Revised Arch

Revised Arch: Yes.

Designed to be lighter, strong while accommodating revised bike geo a lot of attention went into the fork arch.

New Crown: Yes.

20g lighter with more steer tube overlap at the CSU. All the stiffness without the weight!

FOX Factory 36 Fork Configurations and Part Numbers

Both the 27.5″ and 29″ FOX Factory 36 are offered in shiny black or shiny orange lowers.

The gloss orange lowers are available from FOX only in the GRIP2 160mm configuration.
However, we can swap the air shaft / damper to produce an Orange FOX 36 in 150mm travel or FIT4 damper as well!

FOX Factory 36 GRIP2 Fork with Glossy Orange Lowers profile

Gloss Orange: FOX 36

The following are the details for the FOX Factory 36 Shiny Orange forks available from FOX.

27.5″ FOX Factory 36 GRIP2 Shiny Orange

160mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-119

29″ FOX Factory 36 GRIP2 Shiny Orange

160mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-113

BikeCo Available Configurations:

As mentioned before BikeCo can deliver a Factory 36 with shiny Orange lowers in 150 or 160mm travel in either GRIP2 of FIT4 damper configuration. If your new rig would look perfect with that 160 or 150mm gloss orange fork let us make it happen for you!

Gloss Black: FOX 36

The following are the details for the FOX Factory 36 Shiny Black forks available from FOX.

FOX Factory 36 GRIP2 Fork with Glossy Black Lowers profile

27.5″ FOX Factory 36 GRIP2 Shiny Black

160mm Travel with 37mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-121

27.5″ FOX Factory 36 FIT4 Shiny Black

160mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-123

29″ FOX Factory 36 GRIP2 Shiny Black

160mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-111

150mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-115

160mm Travel with 51mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-114

29″ FOX Factory 36 FIT4 Shiny Black

150mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-116

150mm Travel with 51mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-117

FOX 36e eMTB Forks

FOX Factory 36E GRIP2 Fork with Glossy Black Lowers profile

27.5″ FOX Factory 36e GRIP2 Shiny Black

160mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-103

140mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-105

29″ FOX Factory 36e GRIP2 Shiny Black

160mm Travel with 44mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-100

160mm Travel with 51mm Offset Lowers and 15QR Axle
FOX Part Number: 910-21-101

BikeCo Configurations:

Looking for a 27.5″ in 150mm travel? Or a 150 or FIT4 27.5″ in 37mm Offset? Chat with our team about getting the perfect fork spec on your rig for your riding.

Check out a quick video to learn more about how your MTB suspension functions and how each setting interacts with the others.

Float 36: FOX Performance vs. Factory Kashima

Let’s look at some differences from the Factory 36 compared to the FOX Performance or a OEM Performance 36.

Float 36 Defining The Differences

FOX Factory

FOX Factory forks feature the Kashima coating as well as the top tier dampers the FIT4 or GRIP2.

They’re called Factory or Kashima options. And they’re pretty easy to spot with the dark brown hue.

As described above the FOX Factory 36 is available in the FIT4 or GRIP2 damper depending on preference. Both of these dampers offer riders low-speed rebound and low-speed compression adjustments. The GRIP2 offers high-speed compression and rebound while the FIT4 provides a 3 position OPEN – MEDIUM – FIRM switch for climbing on those long days.

FOX Performance ELITE

FOX Performance Elite forks typically feature the top tier damper systems, with all the adjustments of the Factory fork, but have a black ano coating.

FOX Performance

Some forks are available from FOX in a Performance configuration. The FOX Performance forks tend to have a less sophisticated GRIP damper, generally without as many compression controls as the Factory or Performance Elite shocks are spec’d with. The damper body has a black ano coating.

OEM FOX Float 36

You might see take-off shocks in a variety of configurations. Manufacturers can spec differences in the body, dampers, etc so understanding which damper is spec’d on an OEM fork will allow you to compare “apples to apples” so to speak.

FOX Factory 36 versus Performance 36

Improved Compression Setup

This is the biggest difference.

The FOX Factory 36 FIT4 offers a 3 position OPEN – MEDIUM – FIRM as well as the 22 clicks of Low-Speed compression adjustment in the OPEN mode.

The FOX Factory 36 GRIP2 provides 8 clicks of High-Speed compression adjustment and 160 clicks of Low-Speed Compression tuning.

The Factory forks use the low-speed and high-speed compression with volume spacing to control support and bottom out.

The Performance 36 GRIP damper has some adjustment to compression, however the circuit is simplified compared to either the FIT4 or the GRIP2 option.

Therefor a Performance fork leans on the volume spacing and PSI to produce support and bottom out characteristics.

This added Compression control is exceptionally notable as your ground speeds increase as well as for larger riders.

Kashima Coating vs Black Ano

Without access to all of FOX’s testing I’m referencing my years of experience riding both FOX coatings as well as our background on custom shock manufacturing and tuning.

The Black Ano coating works well. I ran a Performance Elite fork and shock with the black ano for years without noticing any wear in the coating.

The Kashima coating is slightly more “slippery” – which means less stiction – probably more notable for smaller riders.

When BikeCo has done custom internals or custom branded shocks we work closely with our coating specialists. Many of the additive packages aimed at producing a surface with less surface friction have an additional benefit that they work really well at negating or minimizing heat input on the shaft. This helps minimize performance changes to the shock during a fast run with thousands of shaft inputs. BTW: these additive packs tended to produce a rich, brown color… Just saying…

So in conclusion: Factory forks have notable advantages in overall tuning setup as well as direct benefits for large and small riders on different sides of the spectrum!

Comparing the FOX 36 to other forks

Before the 38 and the FOX 34 with a GRIP2 option you’d see 36s on everything from aggressive downcountry / trail bikes to big mountain, park rigs.

With the 38 and 34 taking up some of the slack the FOX 36 has shifted to the 150 and 160mm travel range – perfect for a wide range of bikes. Bikes like the Mondraker RAZE or the Yeti SB140 29 can use either the 150 or 160mm travel options on the 36.

Riders looking for a 160/170 fork option will likely gravitate to the FOX 38 while 34 takes on sub 150mm travel options.

Shop In-Stock & Available Forks Below

(Don’t see what you’re looking for? Scroll down for a contact form and let us know what you need!)

Narrow by In-Stock and Available Forks

Don’t see what you’re looking for?
Use the inquiry form and our team will contact you with availability or similar options.

Buy with BikeCo: Advantages

Shopping suspension? There are notable reasons to work with The Bike Company. We care about Expertise & Experience: Yours!

Our staff is excited to help you get the right product, setup for your riding. Whether you’re looking to understand your product front to back or simply want to know you got the best product for your needs dialed in for your riding we are here for you.

BikeCo.com Pro Tune Suspension

Ready to take your Fox 36 fork’s performance to the next level? Then it’s time for BikeCo’s Pro Tune Suspension.

BikeCo’s suspension tuners take Fox’s excellent performing forks and shocks and personalize the tune parameters to your specifics.

We will contact you for a riding bio to assess your riding level, terrain, riding disposition, ground speeds, etc. Our proprietary modifications then narrow the fork’s performance window, and thus improve the adjust-ability for you!

Out of the box Fox makes a great product. But it has to “fit” everyone. From the lightweight, smooth rider to a biggest, burliest basher. And everything in between. Well, chances are you’re somewhere in a narrower window with your riding… Let’s dial it in for you.

After Sales Service from BikeCo.com

Another aspect that sets BikeCo apart is our after sales service. The best components for each budget is the first step. Dialing in the exact setup combination is the next step. No other shop has the experience to help you understand and setup modern mountain bikes.

Our team will reach out with a variety of loaded questions to help you find that “ah-ha” moment with your bike. A click here, a turn there, a bit of stack, a couple PSI – it can be intimidating. But not for BikeCo clients. We’re here by phone, email, chat or in-store to help you enjoy your MTB.


Contact Me: FOX Factory 36 Fork

Questions on this product? Looking for a specific spec? Use this form and we will be in contact ASAP.




Name(Required)






Contact Preference
Please Contact me by:
Wheel Size
Damper Options
Travel
Offset
Lower Colors


Have any other notes? Let us know.


Return to Top of Page