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FOX 34 Performance 2017 GRIP vs 2016 FIT4?

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dviratinis

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
I just received new FOX 34 Performance 27,5 2017 140mm fork with GRIP damper. I'ts really beautiful, black stachions, but I started to hesitate, because for almost the same price I can get FOX 34 Performance 2016 with FIT4 3 pos. damper and golden (non kashima) stanchions. 2016 fork is lighter, MY2016 1780g vs MY2017 1890 g. 2017 GRIP version has some kind of in between adjustments between 3 positions while 2016 version has only 3 firm positions but its FIT4 and supposedly better. Looks like apart different damper and stanchion color everything else are the same on these forks.

So I need advice: Keep better looking 2017 GRIP fork or its more logic to return it and go with 2016 FOX performance with FIT4? Thanks
 
#2 ·
I sold a bike with a 2016 FIT4 and the new bike came with a 2017 GRIP damper....and there is no doubt that for me, the GRIP feels and performs a little bit better. I know people go crazy sometimes when that is said, but several professional reviews have said the same. At best, the two are equal in performance. So to me, it comes down to weight. Do you care about the 100 grams?
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Haymarket, thank you for you answer. Yes, I've read these reviews, but I also want to know how it is in real for riders, so thank you for sharing your experience. I think the fact that FOX released FACTORY 36 forks with GRIP2 confirms that GRIP is approved as good and reliable damper. I don't care about 100 g that much, it's not XC race bike, but I care about the look and functionality. So, if performance is equal or even better, I think I will install that fork :)
 
#4 ·
No experience with fit4;
I did ride the latest revision of ctd fit (2015 was it?) 32 then a move to 34 Grip with a new bike.

I was sure I will swap the damper immediately. Wrong.... I did switch to Evol (2018) airspring and removed a lot of air spacers.
Fork feels really good.

Oren


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
I have the 2017 performance 34 with the grip damper on my transition vanquish and I love it. It’s far better than the factory 34 fit 4 I had on my yeti 4.5. My grip fork is 120mm and it’s night and day better than the factory 34 that was 140mm. The grip damper is so plush on off the top I won’t buy another fit4 fork.
 
#7 ·
dviratinis said:
Thanks for sharing your experience, guys! I think I'm convinced enough :) going to install that GRIP fork today. I'll post my experience after few rides.
Click to expand...
Do note that if it feels harsh - the negative spring is probably full of grease.
Had my fork behave this way... once grease was cleaned and wipers were lubricated it started feeling nicer.

Oren

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#8 ·
dviratinis said:
Haymarket, thank you for you answer. Yes, I've read these reviews, but I also want to know how it is in real for riders, so thank you for sharing your experience. I think the fact that FOX released FACTORY 36 forks with GRIP2 confirms that GRIP is approved as good and reliable damper. I don't care about 100 g that much, it's not XC race bike, but I care about the look and functionality. So, if performance is equal or even better, I think I will install that fork :)
Click to expand...
GRIP2 is completely different (than GRIP) - it's based on technology taken from Marzochi (C2R2 dampers).
(and GRIP was just something very cheap from Fox)

and then, you can find a lot of reviews saying that fox GRIP is a piece of %$%&$
https://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/...tegory/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension/product/whyte-t-130rs-review-51160/
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
razorjack said:
GRIP2 is completely different (than GRIP) - it's based on technology taken from Marzochi (C2R2 dampers).
(and GRIP was just something very cheap from Fox)

and then, you can find a lot of reviews saying that fox GRIP is a piece of %$%&$
https://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/...tegory/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension/product/whyte-t-130rs-review-51160/
Click to expand...
You can find a very good reviews also. Like this: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/fox-34-float-grip-review-2016.html
or this:
https://reviews.mtbr.com/inside-look-at-foxs-budget-fit-grip-damper

Have you ridden this fork yourself?
I did for a few months and my impressions are good, so I can't agree with you that it is something very cheap from FOX. I am not saying that it's perfect, but I can tell that it's way better then my previous Rockshox Sektor fork which I can not call a "piece of %$%&$" either. I don't regret that I purchased it for a 250 EUR brand new. I've got a lot of fork for the money.
 
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