Ohlins RXF 38 Review | Is it the FASTEST Enduro Fork?

The Ohlins RXF 38 M.2 stands out in a sea of competitors in the enduro fork market. The RXF38 is extremely smooth and tunable, and loves being pushed to the limit.
In this video, Tor talks RXF 38 fork tech, reviews how it feels on the trails, and compares the RXF 38 vs Fox 38 vs RockShox ZEB to figure out which is best for you.
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The Lost Co // www.thelostco.com
Bellingham, WA // 360-306-8827
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0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Fork Tech
6:13 - RXF 38 Review
9:44 - RXF38 vs Fox 38 vs RockShox ZEB
#mountainbike #ohlins #enduromtb 👀

[@harisbuza8862]

Totally agree, this fork only feels good when it gets pushed hard. I’d say this fork is for experienced riders. You will spend alot of time adjusting each air chamber but it’s worth the effort.

[@StuartCali-vx7fq]

Typiclly people don’t know how to set this fork up. What settings were you running?

[@alexsharpe141]

Would definitely recommend the zeb over RXF for lighter riders too

[@harisbuza8862]

I’m 93kg with 110psi and 260psi. I had the chamber spacer removed from new, 25kg ebike.

[@StuartCali-vx7fq]

This fork loves more air in the ramp up. I’m the same weight with spacer removed and found 300-310 to Offer up a nice ramp up. I was running a touch less rebound to allow for this.

[@StuartCali-vx7fq]

This fork loves more air in the ramp up. I’m the same weight with spacer removed and found 300-310 to Offer up a nice ramp up. I was running a touch less rebound to allow for this.

[@Jacob99174]

Ma man is back! Excellent review as usual

[@TheLostCo]

Thanks Tim!! -Tor

[@RideyRodney]

I would love to see a soup to nuts video of a service of the fork as I’m the proud owner of one. The fox 36 service video on your channel is fantastic, helped a lot.

[@JaimetheNomad]

I really love the RXF 38 and have two of them, and I’ve been wanting to remove that negative volume spacer and try that as well. Now I Really need to try it!! Epic review guys 🤙

[@andyboy198577777]

You must be a doctor/ lawyer/engineer to have 2 of these suckers. Lmaoo.

[@JaimetheNomad]

@@andyboy198577777 😂😂 guilty with an engineering background

[@TheLostCo]

Get that volume spacer out!! You're going to be so stoked on the off the top suppleness! -Tor

[@JaimetheNomad]

@@TheLostCo excited to rip (gently) that thing outta there!!

[@JaimetheNomad]

@@TheLostCoremoved the spacer on my 38’s today. The first one took me a bit longer, I didn’t see the spacer. That little guy is up in there!! Lol luckily came out fairly easy with a little 45° angled pick. Now for the real test… to ride it 🤙🤙

[@JeepingNet]

I've had mine for about a week got it while my fox 38 is out for repair but think I'll keep this! I'd love to see a video on removing that volume spacer!

[@jailbreakoverlander]

would this run well on a 24 trek rail ebike??

[@TheLostCo]

Absolutely! Also I just realized that the price came DOWN to $1345 earlier this year! Time to buy!! -Tor 😎

[@giovanni19ify]

I’ve rode my rxf 38 over a year now and can say I would never go back to fox!!! This fork kills it over rocks and big drops . 100% love it

[@blackhorsegrind4255]

Review the EXT Era V2.1. That is the best fork I’ve ridden by far. Similar concept to Ohlins dual positive chamber but better done imo

[@Officernoob]

This guy is good

[@SubversionGarage]

Has there been some sort of update on the Ohlins for 2023? I don't recall reading any other reviews placing it ahead of the Fox 38, and at a 40% price premium over the Fox, makes little sense IMO

[@clemb2347]

Nice video i have a question what is the difference between RXF 38 44 OFFSET and RXF 38 44L Offset?

[@CANNABISfreedomNOtaxes]

Great review! I really like the feel of coil spring suspension a lot better than most air forks and rear shocks Ive ridden. Its too bad the only coil conversions are about $500.

[@TheLostCo]

Ohlins used to make the first gen of this fork in a coil option as well, would be awesome to see them bring that back for the m.2 version! -Tor 😎

[@FOTB407]

@@TheLostCothey have an m2 coil rxf36 on their website, haven’t seen it distributed anywhere tho

[@PeterPan-kd6ww]

Pls do this with the öhlins ttx 2 air too

[@RedRidesMTB]

I have an RXF 36 M.2 and it’s a blast. Took me 3 days to set up. As a heavier rider the damping is amazing. I’l upgraded from a Fox Performance 38 and it’s only slightly less stiff but feels significantly better.

[@TheLostCo]

Yea man Ohlin's put some secret sauce in that TTX18 damper! -Tor 😎

[@chory1827]

I have problems with setting up the fork for more small bump sensitivity. I fell like middle stroke is very simmilar to Fox38 but I have troubles to have it work more smoothly in the first part of its travel. I sold my dh rig with Boxxer on it and I feel huge difference how the fork works and I dont really like it. From what Ive read I should lower the air in the main chamber and add ramp up but then Sag changes. I dont really want to do that because I would have to put softer coil on my damper, which is set perfectly. I was thinking about everything and to be honest I feel like this fork is designed to work best in the middle stroke and its almost imossible to make it soft in the first part of travel without using more sag, its just how this fork works i guess.

[@RedRidesMTB]

@@chory1827 there is a volume reducer in the main chamber that you can have removed for a softer initial stroke. I’d also recommend playing with reducing main chamber pressure and increasing ramp pressure

[@chory1827]

@@RedRidesMTB Does removing this volume reducer may negatively influence something else? Thanks for reply anyway !

[@RedRidesMTB]

@@chory1827 it will cause the fork’s ramp up to change a bit but you can tune that by adding pressure back into the ramp chamber. I personally run the volume reducer because I like how the fork feels with it. I found that running 27% sag with 5psi below recommended in the ramp chamber is just right for me and how I ride.

[@Druezy]

Love my Öhlins on my Capra Uncaged 9!

[@Tom-15]

Which weight are you and what settings do you ride? Actually I find it a little bit harsh in rough sections and on the same side there is not enough reserves available for big impacts in the back (shock is bottoming out easily when I case a jump) So I'm not sure if a harder spring would be the choice or if this would make #1 worse.

[@Druezy]

@Tom-15 I am 210lbs. Make sure it's set up correctly with all 3 different adjustments. It makes a world of a difference.

[@Tom-15]

@@Druezy Well that's clear. I'm only 150 lbs, maybe that's also a problem because some people say it's not so good for lighter riders

[@Druezy]

@Tom-15 Unfortunate. I run about 95psi, and settings are almost pointless to share. I have many videos using the bike, I absolutely love it. The Ohlins coil is also fantastic. I hope you find settings that work for you!

[@TheLostCo]

Rad to see specialty forks like this specced on complete bikes! Glad you're stoked on it! -Tor 😎

[@lostboysrideordie]

So can you swap the TTX18 damper into the Fox 38? I know it does not fit the Zeb.

[@TheLostCo]

We have no clue! Ohlins does make a TTX18 damper that drops into the Fox 40 but they don't make one that fits specifically in the Fox 38. So it could be that it threads right into the fork but we haven't tried it ourselves and haven't found anything online about anyone else trying it. Just make sure to tread carefully if you do try dropping one in there! (And let us know how it goes) -Tor 😎

[@davetscantech]

I just got one on my Tazer MX Alloy, I have a Zeb Ultimate Butter cups on my Tazer Carbon, the Zeb is awesome but something about the Ohlins feels better, I did find the smaller chatter not as smooth but just removed the Neg spacer and will be riding tomorrow so I’m looking forward to riding tomorrow. The spacer is easy to remove, it has a split in is so it comes off easily, just make sure fork is on its side level with the ground or the lower oil runs out. I’m running 125-130 and 240 and I’m 240lbs. It does clank when bottomed hard but have only done it twice.

[@davetscantech]

Also it seems to not have any stiction, my Zeb always has a little stiction when I push on it the first time after sitting, this fork never seems to have any stiction

[@TheLostCo]

Something about the Ohlins is buttery smooth, both are great forks though! -Tor 😎

[@davetscantech]

@@TheLostCo yep, after removing the neg air spacer it’s even better

[@davetscantech]

Well, can’t stop it from bottoming hard on hard hits, ended up putting the Zeb on my bike, never seems to bottom out

[@chory1827]

@@davetscantech I just bought Canyon Torque with Ohlins suspension and find this fork very hard to set up. It just doesnt feel very plush in the begining of its travel. I was thinking about getting ramp up to 250-300 Psi and working with the air chamber from there but I dont know if that will help with small bump sensitivity. What is this neg spacer exactly? Did it help for better sensitivity?

[@TeamCykelhold]

Only missing the HBO and it would probably be almost be as good as a Mezzer.

[@Officernoob]

Lmk when you can find a 170mm 44mm offset

[@kingflynxi9420]

​@@Officernoobisn't the mezzer easily adjustable?

[@farkrop2930]

@@Officernoob you get the 44mm offset and change the travel from 180 yourself in 5 min. Done. You can even enlarge the negative chamber and get 170mm without touching the spring. Then it takes 5 seconds instead of 5 minutes.

[@TheLostCo]

Woah I didn't know the Mezzer had HBO! That's pretty rad, maybe we need to get one of those on the channel... 🤔 -Tor

[@TeamCykelhold]

@@TheLostCo Yeah it's pretty awesome. I run mine a bit more linier than I would otherwise be able to because of the HBO. And if you run anything below 180mm travel you can decide the negative volume by simply pushing down the fork with the pump attached since it equalizes at that point. That equalization method also means there is no dead spot like on a dimple equalizing fork. The only thing I would say you should do when you get one is service it right away. Mine was missing grease from the factory.

[@michaelgoodwin593]

It honestly feels and rides like an old GRIP damper like you find on a Fox Rythm fork. Other than the mid support which is way better than the Fox 38, it just feels like a basic damper.

[@chory1827]

Its definetly not a simple damper and I think it works exactly how you want it to work but I find it almost impossible to boost smoothness in the first part of the travel without jumping in more sag. Its what the manufacturer says - lower air pressure from main chamber and add ramp up. Maybe this will work but you can do that on any fork - less air and add tokens for more plush feel so I dont see the point. Maybe I should add like 250-300 psi to ramp up and then work with main air chamber to seek that fine plush feeling? Im running out of ideas.

[@ekolto]

Why doesn't Ohlins use the gold stanchion coating they use on the moto forks on the MTB?

[@edgarcastillo7005]

Cause fox did it first on the mtb industry so they have copyright

[@aditzudbz]

😂😂😂😂😂😂​@@edgarcastillo7005

[@timwoood3655]

Not true. Kashima coating is Japanese owned and patented. Diamond like coating black (DLC) is just as effective in reducing stiction. In fact ohlins have used Kashima coatings on their MX forks long before any other manufacturers. It's expensive with little gain other than market value. Instead of putting gimmicky coatings and raising the price of their products they can use cost effective DLC and concentrate on having more expensive internals than rivals and produce are more better quality and cost effective fork to market.

[@Sympatikus1]

Haven't found anything about Manitou Mattoc or Mezzer on your channel. Is it a not so asked vendor?

[@TheLostCo]

We just really don't ever see requests for any information on them. -Mike

[@briancrumpacker]

Ohlins was bought by a company called Tenneco. The same Tenneco which bought and destroyed Marzocchi Suspension technology, quality and customer service and forced Marzocchi to fail as a brand and a company, saved only by being purchased by Fox suspension and now just rebadging their own forks for a bigger footprint in the sales market. I will avoid Ohlins for at least a few more years to see if they survive before I consider purchasing any of their products which I used to hold in high regard.

[@Fxnn557]

Hey Guys im trying to build a Propain Custom and the Bike has a 42 mm offset and i want a Rockshox zeb ultimate has someone an idea? or can i use a 44 offset to or has it to be a 42. And also nice Video

[@kingflynxi9420]

44 will be close enough to not feel a difference

[@TheTomppaa]

If you are considering Zeb I guess you are building a Spindrift? 29”? At least Spindrift 4 with 29 “ should have 44 mm offset. 2 mm difference doesn’t matter anyways.

[@TheLostCo]

Thanks for the comment! I don't think you'll notice the 2mm difference and I don't think that should influence your choice. Get whichever short offset fork tickles your fancy and hit the trails! -Tor

[@JaimetheNomad]

Agree with everyone else. To be honest, most humans wouldn’t notice the difference in a 10mm offset difference. So 2mm is no big deal and is just what different manufacturers offer

[@elloworld600]

ran a fox 38 pfe on my capra mk3 switched to a 23 zeb and love it but i adore my rfx38 out of my uncaged 9

[@hjapheth]

Since you had all 3 forks side by side, why didn’t you mention the 3 weight diff?

[@TheLostCo]

Fair question! We included all the weights in our blog post review right here: thelostco.com/blogs/blog/ohlins-rxf38-review Thanks for the comment! -Tor 😎

[@hjapheth]

@@TheLostCo Thanks Dude!! Ride On!

[@kiansaghafi8681]

turn up the music i can almost hear you

[@86309]

Model Year 2023 ZEB 190mm + ROCKS = SPEED

[@TheLostCo]

More rocks = more faster. Math is easy

[@Jack20c]

I removed the air spring and all the oil came out the bottom im going to guess i have done it wrong?

[@TheLostCo]

That's normal! Just refer to the RXF38 manual and put the right amount of oil back in when you re install the air spring! -Tor 😎

[@jonespec]

I think you should have said that in the video😅 Also, it would be nice to see the spacer you took out

[@giovanni19ify]

So each leg takes a different oil and the inside of the air spring takes also takes different oil . There is 3 different oils to use. And fork should be held horizontal so you don’t loose much fluid

[@johndevine2469]

Does the rfx 36 have this volume spacer in the negative air spring as well?

[@RM-yc3dq]

Yea you do as well

[@johndevine2469]

@@RM-yc3dq do you have a pic of the spacer?

[@JaimetheNomad]

@@johndevine2469I just removed mine from my 38, it was white and was way up inside that blue anodized collar they show in the video. It’s maybe 5mm or so thick, you’ll need a pick or something to grab it and get it out

[@johndevine2469]

@@JaimetheNomad Thanks! Did it improve small bump performance?

[@JaimetheNomad]

@@johndevine2469 unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to ride it yet after, I hate riding when it’s crazy hot outside lol but it’s finally supposed to cool off next week

[@melbournechugging2999]

Habibi says yes that's the best fork 👍

[@loamchasers]

It comes feeling “stiff” for beginner and intermediate riders. This fork is for experienced riders and or racers. It’s a race fork nothing else

[@chory1827]

Well this is false. This fork can be set up exactly how you want it to be, although I didint figure it out yet how to make it more plush in the first part of the travel :D I hope removing the neg spacer will do the trick.

[@bikedude019]

Over engineered fork, cost more to service compared other forks, and bushing comes loose after 10 hours ish of riding. The negative air chamber is pressurized and leaks most of the time. You’ll have to check pressure before every ride. Easiest and cheapest fork to service is still Rockshox. Going Scandinavian is fancy but comes with a price. If you are looking for something to “set and forget” that is not the right pick, but if you are a suspension geek mechanic and looking for to spend more time in the shop versus riding, that fork will fit you well.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Fox is becoming rubbish now .

[@jesterguinanao5929]

The problem is the design its boring unlike on there motorcycle counterparts

[@rusevbozhidar]

first

[@ReverseRG1234]

No your not

[@ernst_42]

@@ReverseRG1234 magic?

[@CANNABISfreedomNOtaxes]

Congratulations! Your car's extended warranty has expired. If you want to hear more, press 1 on your keypad now.

[@jazzechos1372]

Slow the Christ down your reading so fast it becomes less believable yacking.

[@moonmuscle3332]

this