I'm in the market for a new bike and am wondering if it's worth the extra money to upgrade suspension. The lower priced build kit includes a Fox Performance Elite Float DPX2 EVOL rear shock and Fox Performance 36 fork. The next build kit up includes a Fox Factory Float DPX2 EVOL LV rear shock and a Fox Factory 36 Float fork. Is there a huge performance difference between "Performance" and "Factory" versions of the shocks? I'm more of a set it and forget it type of rider, checking air pressure occasionally but not the type to be adjusting settings all the time. let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
Fox "Factory" vs "Performance"
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Dango Dog
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I'm in the market for a new bike and am wondering if it's worth the extra money to upgrade suspension. The lower priced build kit includes a Fox Performance Elite Float DPX2 EVOL rear shock and Fox Performance 36 fork. The next build kit up includes a Fox Factory Float DPX2 EVOL LV rear shock and a Fox Factory 36 Float fork. Is there a huge performance difference between "Performance" and "Factory" versions of the shocks? I'm more of a set it and forget it type of rider, checking air pressure occasionally but not the type to be adjusting settings all the time. let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
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Stick with the Performance level, it's still really good.
You didn't really give any details about where/how you ride, or what you're looking to get out of it, or the price difference, but from the sound of it you'll still be really happy with the Performance variant.
You didn't really give any details about where/how you ride, or what you're looking to get out of it, or the price difference, but from the sound of it you'll still be really happy with the Performance variant.
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The difference between Performance Elite and Factory DPX2 shock is only the Kashima coating, while the Performance version dont have LSC adjusting in Open mode.
As for the 36 fork -
Performance > Grip damper
Performance Elite > Grip2 damper
Factory > Grip2 damper + Kashima coating
As for the 36 fork -
Performance > Grip damper
Performance Elite > Grip2 damper
Factory > Grip2 damper + Kashima coating
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Not necessarily, it could have a Fit4 damper.
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You're right, totally forgot about the Fit4 damper.
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GRIP damper is very good, I had run Factory GRIP2 before and don’t miss it. I installed a Runt on the GRIP and with good air spring settings don’t feel the need for more adjustment. I’m even at the edge of the tune spectrum at 210 lbs. Bike also came with Performance DPX2, depending on frame you might want LSC. On my Yeti 130 after messing with spacers, LSC is great with base tune.
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Thanks for the info. I ride in the north east, lots of chunk and technical, not lots of flow or speed. I'm an intermediate rider, don't leave the ground much and am not gonna win any races. I'm about 190lbs ready to ride.
Bike is a spot mayhem. Price difference is $800 between the build kits but it includes other upgrades as well (groupset and wheels).
Bike is a spot mayhem. Price difference is $800 between the build kits but it includes other upgrades as well (groupset and wheels).
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2,607 Posts
I'm gonna disagree a bit with the above. The Kashima coating really does seem to work. I have yet to scratch a stanchion/slider on a Kashima fork and I have yet to NOT scratch a stanchion/slider on a non-Kashima fork (Fox or RockShox). YMMV.
I have a Marzocchi Z1 that is basically a heavy FOX 36 with a GRIP damper. The damper is working nice, however, it is lacking "clicking" adjustment dials and I cannot keep the setting at the same spot. There are also no marks. In this respect, I have used paint marker to place dots to keep track of adjustments and I use tape for keeping the dial at the same position. This is stupid. Why wont they just use a clicky thing? I am currently thinking of either upgrading to a DVO Onyx or upgrading the damper to a GRIP2.
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Be careful with the rear shock. There used to be a Fox Performance and a Fox Performance Elite DPX2. The Performance only had 3 levels of compression adjustment (like the DPS). I am not sure what is the situation in 2020 but avoid the "Peformance" shock. If there is one thing that is VERY beneficial with a rear shock is to be able to adjust it: having only 3 compression settings is really not that great. Get the shock with the ten positions compression clicker.
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Thanks for the very succinct answer, @Muddy-Runs
As a follow up question: I just got a new Pivot Switchblade with Fox Performance 36 fork. I had demoed the Pro level which had the Fox Factory fork and now I'm trying to figure out if I can tell a difference. Certainly the damper on my Fox Performance lacks the separate low and high speed compression of the Grip2 damper and it lacks the Kashima coating but trying to figure out if otherwise it's pretty much the same hardware and hoping you can help.
In reading a bunch of subs, including your answer, it seems that Fox 36 Factory and Performance Elite are pretty much the same upper and lower hardware with the only difference being the Kashima coating on the uppers for Factory and black anodized coating for Performance Elite.
I've also read that Performance Elite and Performance share the same upper (black anodized vs Kashima) and lowers:Your complete guide to the Fox Shox fork range
If Factory and Performance Elite are basically the same save for the coating on the uppers, does this mean the only difference between Performance Elite and Performance is the Grip2 vs Grip damper?
If so, seems like if I really wanted to upgrade from Grip to Grip 2 on my Fox 36 PerformanceI'd pretty much be at Performance Elite.
Thanks in advance!
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yes, chassis is the same other than the Kashima coating.
you can definitely drop a grip2 in there and make it an Elite level forks.
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Well, if the "outers" and the "inners" are different, I'd say they're a pretty different fork...
The Fox Performance fork that came on my Pivot was OK, but swapping out the cartridge for a Grip 2 made a very noticeable difference (I also swapped out the rear shock for an X2). I also noticed that the black coating was more vulnerable to scratches vs my Fox 36 Factory. Lots of small visible dings on the sliders on the Performance fork.
I would definitely recommend the Grip 2 upgrade though - way cheaper than a new fork and an easy 10 minute job.
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794 Posts
As for the front fork....at least in the 32 line, the factory is lighter by a surprising amount. As far as spending extra for better.........once you drop the cash, it is soon forgotten but....you have that upgrade for as long as you own the thing...I have several higher end bikes and as I work on and ride these machines, I never once thing about all the extra cash I dropped on better performance and totally unneeded stuff like Red eTap or Di2. But I sure enjoy the hell out of my bikes so......go for the upgrade and you will quickly forget the cash....
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Ryhthym has lower grade aluminium uppers with black anodising and cheaper damper options.
Performance has same chassis as Performance Elite but cheaper dampers.
Performance Elite is same as Factory but black anodising.
Factory has Kashima.
Performance Elite and Factory are only cosmetically different. Everything is interchangable and damper options are the same.
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Thanks!
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Can you elaborate on the higher end aluminum uppers? That's the first l've ever heard that.
Sent from my moto g(6) forge using Tapatalk
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I thought it was the Rhythm that got lower grade uppers.
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I've just dug through CSU part nubmers and I think you're right. I've edited my post above.
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