Mountain Bike Suspension Fork Guide

Damper:

The damper is a key component of all suspension, this is used to regulate how fast the fork moves into its travel (Compression) and how fast it returns to full travel (Rebound). 

• The low speed circuit affects behaviour during slower movements. Such as climbing, cornering, and small bumps. This affects sensitivity and overall feel.
• The high speed circuit affects response to sudden,  high-impact hits, like drops, jumps, and large rocks. This impacts the suspension's ability to absorb and dissipate energy from big impacts, preventing harsh bottom outs, maintaining control.
• Lock out: The lockout closes off the compression, making the suspension a lot firmer for ease when pedalling. 

Stanchion:

The forks stanchions are the smoothed cylindrical part that ‘travels’ into the fork lowers, these contain both the damper and the air spring / physical spring on either side of the fork. These are one of the main structural components of the fork and they play a crucial part in bike support, the bikes travel and the overall shock absorption.

Stanchion Width:

• This is just the diameter of a stanchion. This affects stiffness and usually the overall travel of a bike, as a stiffer fork will take bigger loads allowing it to be able to travel further. 

Stanchion Coating:

• Designed to reduce friction allowing the fork to move slowly through its travel.

Why do these things have such an impact on choosing a fork and what are the key points I should consider when looking at my fork options?

What terrain are you riding?

• If you’re riding along bridle paths and canals, you would want a smaller stanchion, less travel fork as this will provide comfort whilst also keeping the overall weight of the bike down. 
• If you’re riding the downhill track all day you’ll need a big stanchion, long travel fork that can take the big impacts and fast corners. 
• If you’re looking at a good all rounder that copes well on most trails especially trail centres you'll be looking at the mid range such as a 36mm diameter stanchion.
• For bigger riders, thicker stanchions will provide better stiffness and support. The larger diameter doesn't necessarily hold higher pressure (the internal air spring does that), but it makes the fork less likely to flex or twist under your weight and during hard braking or cornering. This results in more precise steering and better overall control, giving you more confidence on the trail.

Do you require a lot of adjustability?

• Minimal adjustability - best for riders who tend to set their bike up once, then leave the setup without often adjusting it.
• High adjustability - best for riders who like to adjust and fine tuning their bikes depending on terrain and gradients.

Fox

Fox are regarded as one of the premier suspension providers and their products are often seen fitted to some of the best bikes on the market. That being said they do have a fork designed for every use and rider.

There are a few key components that make up these suspension platforms and they also give them their specification:

Kashima: This coating gives the stanchions its gold appearance. It is a porous coating that holds oil meaning the suspension can move through its travel smoother.

Grip X damper: Adjustable compression and rebound with one point of adjustment for each.

Grip X2 damper: Features adjustable high and low speed on both compression and rebound.

The below table shows the current 2025 Fox models and how they differ, these almost all come in all three spec levels.

Marzocchi

Marzocchi was taken over by Fox and their products contains some of the Fox technologies we discussed earlier.

Marzocchi products are known for their reliability, their components are often slightly heavier but the materials are often very durable.

RockShox

Like Fox, Rockshox are world renowned for their suspension platforms and they offer a huge range to cover any customer's needs from entry-level to world cup winning technology.

Again we will see some main technologies, especially in the higher spec levels:

Charger 2.1 RC2 

• a high-performance mountain bike fork damper that offers independent high and low-speed compression adjustment for precise control and a customizable ride.

Charger 3 RC2:

• high-performance mountain bike fork damper that offers independent high and low-speed compression adjustment, along with a lockout feature for firming up the suspension on smooth terrain.
• More detailed High speed compression control.

Debonaire+:

• type of air spring system used in mountain bike forks and shocks. It's designed to provide a more plush and responsive ride, especially over small bumps.
• Debonaire+ air spring offers a balance of comfort and support, making it suitable for a wide range of riding styles and conditions.

We will again see three main spec levels to these forks:

Öhlins

Ohlins are renowned for their high quality suspension systems in motor sports and they have recently moved into the world of mountain bikes and they are arguably making some of the best suspension on the market.

Their suspension features the most adjustment points on any fork and below are the main technologies found in these forks:

TTX Damping:

• The TTX system separates the compression and rebound damping circuits into two distinct tubes. This allows for more precise adjustment and better control over suspension behaviour
• Offers high and low speed rebound damping

Two Chamber air spring:

• The air spring features the usual chamber to add air and control the spring rate, the second chamber controls the ramp up and acts similar to adding volume spacers

Easy Coil replacement:

• Ohlins allows for simple swap out from a air spring to coil spring

Öhlins only comes in one specification level and features all of their mentioned technologies.