Fox TC 32 Factory
£1,000 Another MTB stalwart shows off its gravel offering
Weight 1,320g Travel 50mm Rake 45mm Axle to crown 445.5mm
Fox’s TC 32 wears its mountain bike origins on its sleeve. The 50mm of travel makes it one of the longer options available and with that comes Fox’s signature plush smoothness. Though it’s a long fork at 445.5mm, the clever reverse-arch design reduces this distance compared to a traditional front-facing arch. The fork also has (removable) mounts for a mudguard.
This premium model gets the slick gold Kashima coating on the 32mm stanchions for even better performance, externally adjustable low-speed compression with three settings: open, medium and firm, and rebound adjustment on the lower leg. Set-up is simple enough with a weight chart on the fork giving a recommended baseline for pressure.
Out on gravel roads, the TC 32 is supple and smooths out vibrations with ease. This top-end Factory model offers on-the-fly adjustment within the ‘open’ mode, via a second dial inside the compression dial. With 22 positions, it’s easy to tune the feel of the fork to your exact preference when using the full extent of the travel. While there’s no actual full lockout, the TC 32 in its firm setting avoids any bobbing or diving when you’re climbing or sprinting out of the saddle.
Like all gravel suspension forks, the Fox isn’t about squashing landings. Its main purpose is to add comfort and it does that brilliantly, with chatter and vibrations greatly minimised. The Fox also handles rowdier riding, conquering jarring hits with composure. It’s impressively light for a longer-travel fork, too, weighing just 20g more than the RockShox despite having 10mm more travel. The lower leg’s hollowed out rear is a clever weight-saving touch, but it does mean the bolts need a special tool for a strip down. The finish throughout is exemplary, with plenty of machined and anodised parts for dials and adjusters.
The slender lower third of the legs and reverse crown design look minimal but the Fox’s handling is excellent, with the lateral stiffness keeping the steering and traction in check. It can’t quite match the solidity of the Lefty but it’s a close match to the RockShox and Baxter. The stable feel is apparent when you switch out to the firmest setting for on-road sections.
The 32 TC Gravel runs the RockShox very close in this Factory version but just loses out because its longer length will have more of an effect on the frame it’s fitted to. It also costs £220 more. If you can swallow the expense and are looking for a fork to take on predominantly singletrack and more technical terrain, this Fox is a brilliant option.
Verdict Hard to beat as a longertravel option for gnarlier gravel