Best MTB Suspension Fork Upgrade

The best suspension fork upgrade for your MTB.

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Ideal for riders wanting smoother, more capable front suspension.

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Inputs cover budget, travel, brand, damper, and axle to find forks with superior damping and stiffness. These ensure the recommendation improves small-bump compliance and big-hit control. Limitation: fork upgrades may require matching rear shock.

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Recommended Fork Upgrade

For your specifications of a high-quality mountain bike fork with 150-170mm travel, a budget of $800-$1200, and a preference for Fox, I recommend the following:

1. Fox 36 Float Factory GRIP2

• Price: Approximately $1,099
• Travel: 160mm (adjustable in 10mm increments)
• Damper: GRIP2
• Why It's Plush: The GRIP2 damper features both high and low-speed compression adjustments, allowing for precise tuning to achieve a plush, responsive ride. The Float air spring provides excellent small bump sensitivity and mid-stroke support, making it ideal for aggressive trail and enduro riding.

Alternatives

2. Fox 36 Float Performance FIT4

• Price: Approximately $949
• Travel: 160mm (adjustable)
• Damper: FIT4
• Why It's Plush: The FIT4 damper provides three-position compression adjustments (Open, Medium, Firm), offering versatility for different terrains. Its design promotes a smooth ride with good mid-stroke support, enhancing overall traction and comfort.

3. RockShox Lyrik Ultimate

• Price: Approximately $1,049
• Travel: 160mm (adjustable)
• Damper: Charger 2.1
• Why It's Plush: The Charger 2.1 damper features independent high and low-speed compression tuning, allowing riders to dial in their desired plushness and support. The DebonAir spring provides excellent small bump compliance, making it a great choice for aggressive riding on varied terrain.

Brought to you by TheToolCollective.com

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The Tool Collective are a group of diverse and talented hobbyists on a mission to create thousands of ultra specific, and helpful decision making tools that help others who share our passions and interests. Whether they help with buying decisions, or give you expert level advice for techniques or methods, we will make it. Outdoor sprots and recreation is where our tools shine. We all have various outdoor hobbies, with mountain biking being one of the recent interests to most of us, especially when living near ski towns with easy access to phenomenal MTB trails in the summer months. We also believe this is a growing industry with more and more enthusiasts joining the MTB club every year, so we created a bunch of decision tools to help those entering the sport and for enthusiasts who need guidance on leveling up their gear. Enjoy!

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