Enduro forks

Today’s big-travel bikes need forks that can withstand huge forces and tame the rowdiest terrain; we put six models to the test

Over the last year or so, many brands’ long-travel forks have evolved into bigger, burlier and stiffer products that can be pushed harder than ever. It’s partly a reaction to the latest generation of über-capable enduro race bikes, and also due to the growth in e-bikes and the increased weight and greater forces they place on components.

Since modern big-travel rigs are ever more stable and composed, speeds have increased, jumps have got bigger and terrain has become rougher, so forks now see huge loads put through them. Plus, the latest 160-180mm bikes often roll on 29in wheels too, which adds to the need for greater stiffness, as a longer fork is more prone to flex than a shorter one.

At the top of the pyramid, 38mm stanchions and 180mm travel means enduro forks are now essentially mini DH forks. The brands leading the charge with these oversize legs are Fox and Rockshox with the 38 and Zeb respectively. Launched last year, they both offer an altogether chunkier chassis and extended travel options. Since then, Swedish suspension brand Öhlins has joined the party with the RXF M.2 – also packing 38mm legs.

Other brands tested here use slightly slimmer stanchions, but with added muscle for longer-travel use up to 180mm. In these cases reinforcements tend to concentrate around greater bushing overlap, more solid materials and broader wall thicknesses, along with internal tweaks like increased damping oil volumes and more sophisticated valving.

Of these remaining brands, DVO is a boutique American brand founded by former Marzocchi employees with a cult reputation for performance, tunability and reliability. Italian brand Marzocchi is itself now part of the Fox family, with its Bomber Z1 here using a cheaper version of Fox’s GRIP damper found in the 38. Finally, SR Suntour is a huge manufacturer producing forks for many other brands and boasts some top athletes racing enduro, downhill and XC on its suspension – most notably new Olympic champion Tom Pidcock.

Prices range from premium luxe (Fox and Öhlins) through mid-pack with Rockshox (even in its ‘Ultimate’ guise) and DVO, to Suntour and Marzocchi representing better value. So, if you’re intrigued as to whether you get what you pay for, and what we reckon the best money-no-object fork is, then read on…