7 ENDURO MTB Forks Put to the TEST

[@vitalmtb]

Go deeper into fork settings and impressions on our site - www.vitalmtb.com/features/whats-best-enduro-fork-2024-enduro-fork-test-sessions

[@cunning-stunt]

Manitou Mezzer Pro is the best Enduro fork and you couldn't get one to test?

[@N8SecondRide]

I really want to know what your preferred settings were for the Rockshox Zeb on the rough and steep dh trails. I've played with my Lyrik a bit and have been preferring full compression on everything with 30% sag. Wonder if it could feel even better though if I added a token or two, increased the psi and brought the compression down a little. Any thoughts about that...?

[@Peanutdenver]

I'd like to see you guys get a hold of the Push inverted fork. You guys are homies with the owner right? Great test btw...and I'm learning to love my Ohlins

[@bigshnitzeljesse]

Like 99% of us, I watch in hopes you stroke my ego about the fork I purchased. Sadly my AliExpress FOOX 38 wasn't reviewed.

[@ninjazzrhythm400]

😂😂😂

[@Cajo22]

😂😂😂

[@SturdoTube]

😂😂😂😂

[@mgillign]

The Öhlins is so good. Coming from the latest fox and RockShox I was pretty blown away. The harder you ride it the better it gets

[@woidmoasta4673]

that was she said

[@rockylocey4984]

to each their own i suppose...i could never get my ohlins to feel as good as a 38 with grip x2 personally

[@pigwangb]

@@woidmoasta4673😂😂

[@mythos14]

same applies to EXT

[@bitumen83]

I dont need any of these forks, but I love bike tech. Especially shocks and forks videos. Thanks Vital MTB 🤙

[@dmweyland]

Great job guys this is a great vid...Need to throw in there the manitiou mezzer pro and ext ERA and possibly the push nine one. i would love to see another vid with a back to back nine one vs fox 38 and ohlins 38

[@andreadriao]

+1 Mezzer Pro

[@jlcousineau]

Judging by their sales, a new mezzer pro is coming with the same updates that the mattoc saw. 🤞🏻🤞🏻hopefully soon

[@danielray1558]

+1 to the n Push 9.1 would love to see some reviews on that

[@woidmoasta4673]

agree Manitou made excellent forks.

[@FunctionFIVE]

I saw the thumbnail and I instantly asked, where is the Mezzer pro and the EXT ERA

[@danielcobb8886]

This attention to details by all of you makes this the best enduro fork test I've watched. Thank you!

[@DullBoyJack]

Would have liked to see the Marzocchi Super Z on this test as well- looks like another decent new option with a reasonable price.

[@4urima5]

Marzocchi Super Z is the same Fox basic 38 Rhythm. Why to review it when they got flagmen of each manufacturer? In this case you should test ZEB's lower modules etc.

[@noahscrofani3105]

@@4urima5super Z has high and low speed compression now. So it’s a 38 with a Grip X damper, not a grip X2

[@waynephilbert]

Thanks for taking the time to put this group test together. It looks like a lot of work. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@thermonuculur]

+1 on Vital's impressions of Ohlins. The dual chamber gives you grip and support without sacrificing one for the other. Very tunable, calm, and durable. (no creaks!)

[@pizza4921]

Formula fork also has a dual chamber in there race version of all there forks, I have the selva r which is the singe crown version with dual air chaimbers and its a game changer, allows you to dial in small bump and then also ramp up

[@Prof-Power]

@@thermonuculur Formula fork is an order of magnitude higher than Ohlins, Fox and Sram. The other speaker is absolutely right. At the same time, no additional tokens are needed in the chamber! The entire adjustment is a change of CTS in 5 minutes right on the track. But first, you need to change Gold CTS to Blue or Red or Green.

[@millerbrenthlei]

your market gives you options..!! After I'm done watching this the only access i have to is the Suntour XCM....😀😀

[@jeromecapundag9653]

HAHAHAH broooo

[@JeepingNet]

I really liked my Ohlins fork but then I put a fox 38 on my bike to try a slightly less travel and boy did it make me fall back in love with the ohlins when I put it back on it. It just works so well and if I'm going to bike park I'll increase the ramp up pressure and when I'm on a trail ride I'll drop it down. Its amazing but I'm still tempted to try the coil conversion.

[@dito_blabla]

I have done the coil conversion with my 36 and never regret it. No more turning knobs and blablabla. Just ride. That said I never ridden with the 38.

[@Squidsonbikeswithhats3958]

Yes! More of this!

[@jayracer7474]

Very happy with my dvo 38

[@ScottBowman19]

Pair the zeb with the new vivid air.... it's freaking amazing.

[@sebastian_cervantes]

Great video! Really dig this format

[@aftondanforth7387]

fwi there is a small shim in the airspring of the ohlins rxf 38 m.2, when removed the small bump gets a lot better well still holding support

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

This was a really good video and format. Please do the same with shocks, both air and coil.

[@reviresurreccion732]

dope content! thanks for the reviews

[@justinmcnab5585]

I love these videos. Thanks for putting it together!

[@notpablo8369]

few years ago i was in valparaiso watching the urban freeride i was impress by the rockshox zeb run by the Ghost bikes team💯💯💯

[@enduropeteSD]

The intro is filmed in basically my back yard. How do I never run into you guys!

[@pawel102]

You know that in ohlins you have tokens in negative chamber? Ther is one for start, you can add one and have two or take one out and hava non this and 10-15% static sag givs you almoust coil spring fealing. Compresion tune for start is C40 is to litle for 80-90kg riders

[@Coerced]

I may have missed it, but did you guys remove the negative spacer from the Ohlins 38? Some reviewers say doing that makes it even more sensitive than the Zeb

[@wesleyoke8448]

We stuck the zeb ultimate on the wife's bike and I run the ohlins 38.. and I think it's so funny because this exactly summed our feelings up on what we were after and what they were. I'm always jealous of the zeb but then I ride the way I ride and the ohlins actors slightly more to that niche.. lol.

[@AdventureAwaits4u]

Great video and I really enjoyed the slow motion video of each fork. Shout out to the camera 🎥 man or woman. 👍🏼

[@rewind9536]

29:10 Formula explains this with that it would cost them $100 million to change the cast for the lowers between every model, so they just go with the same lowers for all their forks.

[@serjturischev9557]

thank you for that big review . guys.

[@unclewickedmtb2023]

Was definitely a little disappointed with the finish quality of the Onyx 38. The paint/powder coat chipped off in big chunks very easily. I’ve never experienced this with a Fox or RS fork. 😢

[@johnnybaridi]

since you all tested the forks on your own bike on the same trails to keep it consistent, it would be also good to have someone test them that weighs around 65kgs

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

While I think that the overall quality of the test is high, the overview sections are hard to listen to. Seemingly reading off the manufacturers marketing material does not improve video quality. A light weight test rider would have been a great addition.

[@JaggedTusk]

Formula is on to something with an enduro dual crown that uses 15mm axles and tapered steerer tube. I promise you won't notice the reduced turning radius of a dual crown when going over 20mph.

[@alexgordon8277]

but none of the big boys who tested found a benefit in stiffness, so...

[@brandonarch2906]

@@alexgordon8277there is more to a DC fork than stiffness. I have a Dorado on my Patrol and there is a level of confidence it gives you that a SC cannot give. I really notice it when I go back forth between my bikes.

[@boriscima8134]

on slow tech you will notice

[@alexgordon8277]

@@brandonarch2906 dorado is a sick fork, I loved it back in 2014. 200 mm travel, hydraulic bottom out, so smooth and controlled. nothing to do with the fact that it's a dual crown. but what is it then? technically speaking, there is nothing but stiffness as far as I am aware. I don't believe in magic and wonders. placebo maybe?

[@alexgordon8277]

@@boriscima8134 the reviewers haven't though.

[@xuseg]

Manitou, ext, intend, marzocchi, mrp...

[@kaiweber24]

There was a budget😂

[@woidmoasta4673]

Yes Manitou made great forks. and that older marzocchi made in Italia man this old marzocchi forks are still my favorite Forks of all time.

[@Prof-Power]

@@xuseg Intend was not included because it would tear everyone apart during the test. Although no! They will deliberately lower its ratings like Formula. Because they need to force hamsters to buy Sram, Fox, Ohlins forks.

[@ryansteiger6960]

thank you for the excellent video 😍

[@ROSE-by5su]

You should do top 10 suspension tuners

[@Styrleden]

I ride a Öhlins rfx 36 m2 and i really love it when i ride ot hard, it just eats up all the abuse

[@jimmypereira830]

@3:32 that's in NJ, Mountain Creek. Crap shoot step up

[@braveheart0317]

Wow great job 👍 guys

[@bartoszligeza4803]

Great video. Do you plan on making DH forks test session?

[@4urima5]

Fox 38 29er goes in 180mm travel as well ;)

[@allmtbnzscottbrownhill2896]

I love my 160 mm DVO diamonds but as per this review the factory settings did not hold up in the travel and I only weigh 75kg. Once setup they are amazing but it took some time. On the hunt for some 38 forks for another bike.

[@MrJob91]

Great video!

[@mrvwbug4423]

Have not ridden the Ohlins, but I run a 38 and my bike and have ridden a few Zebs on other bikes. Between the two, I find the Zeb is a hair smoother off the top, and the 38 is just a hair more stable on big hits (probably the HSR coming into play). My personal preference is for the 38, but if my bike came with a Zeb instead I wouldn't be in any hurry to get rid of it. Interested to try the Ohlins.

[@MonsterMX99]

Which model Fox 38 do you have? 2025?

[@mrvwbug4423]

@@MonsterMX99 2023 38 Perf Elite, so Grip 2, no gold stanchions.

[@johnconnolly2815]

WTH, no Manitou?

[@mikestivers8302]

i'm a light rider at 160lbs geared up, so an enduro fork only need be 35mm stanchions for me! i have a few, zeb-lyrik-diamond d1-fox 36- Helm mkii the standout is the zeb. running 180 for park days and it's ultra. the Helm is my #2 fave in the group. hard trail riding makes it sing..

[@solaradam7470]

I love New Jersey!

[@solaradam7470]

"more clickers is more better"

[@davetscantech]

Was the negative air chamber spacer removed from the Ohlins? I have a 3.0 Zeb and the RFX38 and I found the Ohlins noticeably smoother over small chop, I thought I had low air pressure in my tire.

[@TexonStudio]

How about shocks?

[@mikes.8305]

Shocks are so dependent on the suspension design as well as the intended focus of the bike it goes on. I don’t know if there is a universal way to get the best shock for all bikes. Perhaps categories for short travel, long travel, progressive, all rounders?

[@RiderP411]

​@@mikes.8305yes, too many variables in a whole system, like people think you need progressive linkage to run coil, but that's because linear linkages require progressive compression damping that's way outside the OEM range and bike brands just didn't bother for a custom tune.

[@kingflynxi9420]

​@@RiderP411 You can ride a linear bike with a progressive coil spring or HBO

[@TexonStudio]

@@mikes.8305you're rights but from the video i see that guys rode different bikes so i can imagine that they would testing shock in various frames with different characteristics.

[@Krikstar123]

I've always found CaneCreeks coil shocks to be amazing. Love that all the adjustments works independently with no crossover. Have the Kitsuma on my enduro and the 2025 DHX2 on my DH bike. Hard to say which is the better - its two completely different bikes after all, but the fact that you have to use tools/allen wrenches to adjust the DHX2 is annoying AF as I like to do quick changes on the trail to get immediate feedback. Quick/on the go changes is just a chore compared to the finger/toolless adjusters on the Kitsuma.

[@4mtbexperience]

the background city at the beginning looks pretty cool, where is it?

[@kaiweber24]

Good videp

[@downhill_4_ever_leon]

Can you also test the downhill forks?😮

[@crashkid1982]

Ha. At 1:05 I was secretly hoping he’d pull a lost zombie-painted-treasure-hunt-Barbie 🎃 from those good ole Diablo days out of the tree. Good times. 🤙

[@Fleijah]

Did you guys remove the spacer from the negative chamber in the Ohlins?

[@Lou-f]

54:12 dampening 🤪

[@phil5073]

Have you test the Push ACS3 coils for fork?

[@mattleonard5268]

I was impressed by my Durolux RCA

[@SolidxSnakexDuke]

The old 26" Suntour Duro lux with 150mm tra´vel was a beast xD 15 jears old

[@tonyvaccarelli7950]

like to see you guys used a scott ransom as a test mule

[@JeepingNet]

Would you ever consider the coil conversion for the ohlins?

[@vitalmtb]

johan has one and will be posting his review of it in a couple weeks.

[@JeepingNet]

@@vitalmtb Awesome I'll be excited to see that -- Currently can't find the coil conversion in Canada but hope to find it soon to try. Love the fact you can in theory switch back and forth.

[@vitalmtb]

@@JeepingNet more than "in theory", it's super easy to swap back and forth. As for feedback on the coil, yep, it works great. In the right circumstances it's of course very smooth, but you do give up the high level of tunability that the dual-chamber air spring provides, so depending on the range of different trails you ride, you might be better off with the air set-up. Coil in a fork is pretty sensitive to spring weight, more so than a shock which works in tandem with the leverage ratio and curve of the frame.

[@cberg9480]

Mountain creek !

[@wbshoggoth6831]

I love my Formula Selva, while the Belva is too inconsistent in my opinion to compete with other forks.

[@pizza4921]

I have the selva r and I love it

[@pizza4921]

What cts do you run?

[@Sam-tk9tt]

I saw the SR Suntour Durolux38 on sale for $310 which makes it punch so much harder.

[@HelplmAlive]

How come no Mezzer Pro or Ext Era?

[@youling1997]

44:07 I swear to god that the caliper wasn't installed correctly lol

[@JJaguar333]

I don’t know quite why you went for the Formula triple clamp fork instead of the Selva S or R?

[@SlowMtbRider]

No EXT ?

[@shredbroinc2988]

How does it compare to the Etuned 38 fork?

[@TheFinnito]

especially after hearing your thoughts on the öhlins I woulf love to compare it to my mezzer pro. I had to habe the bushings calibrated but after that it became a very decent fork. Would like to do some testing....

[@thermonuculur]

I owned both a Mezzer and Ohlins' RXF36 and 38, and the Mezzer felt very similar to the RXF forks. Ohlins' has the best support and comfort I've gotten out of a fork, when set up right. Only changed from the Mezzer because I had 2 steerers creak. The Mezzer stiffness seemed close enough to the 38 but truthfully the 36 was stiff enough for Enduro too, overbuilt compared to a Fox 36.

[@Prof-Power]

@@TheFinnito test Formula. It doesn't need to adjust the bushings because it's already done at the factory. Formula works out of the box (except for the pre-installed Gold CTS - it needs to be urgently changed to Blue or Red or Green).

[@TheFinnito]

@@thermonuculur I had a creaking CSU too. Though it had an aftermarket steerer tube that creaked. Fortunately they still replaced it as warranty.

[@TheFinnito]

@@Prof-Power tbh tested the version from this review, with the gold shims and it wasn't as good. It would have been nice if at least one of them changed the shims to a different version as it is a nice feature.

[@radimpalus]

What is Your opinion about Manitou forks?

[@patrickmccormack1427]

Nice to see SunTour get a good review. Buy the ST fork and still have money for a shock, drive train, or almost a set of wheels.

[@deanemberley2333]

it wasn’t that much cheaper. Like $400

[@tomasstraka5244]

yeah and you will blow it up in 2 days of riding....

[@g.w.customcreations3534]

​@tomasstraka5244 they really aren't that bad. I had a 140/150mm aion a few years ago. In 18 months it never gave me an issue other than the axle being awkward to use. Used it for 70miles of commuting during the week, and 30-60miles of fun at the weekend, in all weathers, every week. It did xc, general trail thrashing, dirtjump, downhill, and a bit of everything on my hard-core hardtail. Never even had a leaky seal, and never serviced it till I sold the bike. Don't bag on them, they make good budget gear.

[@mikehomer3793]

Probably take best out of the title when you are not testing EXT, Push and Intend. Personally just got an Intend flash and its insane how much more mid support and traction it has over Fox 38 and Zeb, Intend and Push are alittle zesty on price for the normal market tho lol

[@chasejiannalone8763]

Same here. 1 ride on my Intend Flash and I will never go back to conventional forks. My setup baseline was a guess and it was amazing

[@Krikstar123]

Which model/year/damper Fox 38 and Zeb? SRY but people often buy the newest generation of one product and goes "oh it's so much better then the competition", completely forgetting that they are comparing it to an outdated design that has already been replaced by something better.

[@lsbrushnpaint5847]

Why....Manitou, marzochi,cane creek, boss, ....?

[@TrekkinMTB]

I live in Florida so I don't have to deal with the pnw and all of the extreme downhill and stuff. I have a trek Roscoe 9 and I'm looking to upgrade the fork. It comes with a fox Rhythm 36 140 mm but I'd like to put a Cane Creek 150 mm on it. is the Cane Creek Helm a decent Trail Fork. I also can't seem to find the helm Fender anywhere some help with this would be awesome guys thank you so much

[@spayrex_]

i wonder how much worse a fox 38 performance with normal grip damper is and how much difference between zeb base and zeb ultimate is, since only the ultimate has the butter cups

[@DrCrimp-sg5pb]

How could you forget EXT?

[@clubtouge1052]

Which crown wont creak in a year 😅

[@pulDag]

Ohlins is dewurst on slippery terain like wet stones or roots..

[@Cevirus93]

I currently ride the Zeb and Vivid on my SC Nomad 6. In the past I was a fox fanboy. I've changed and won't go back (Sorry!) even though fox is still amazing. Cheers :)

[@Prof-Power]

@@Cevirus93 Try Formula and you'll remember Sram and Fox as a bad dream. Seriously.

[@gophop]

Wish Mezzer Pro was in the mix.

[@TheDavidjakeson]

LOL @ Formula putting a 180 mm post mount on a dual crown enduro fork

[@trentvlak]

I was looking forward to you not being able to figure out the Manitou Mezzer settings. oh well.

[@SoGoMTB]

So love it

[@derekfoster9357]

Why no Manitou Mezzer on test?

[@FantomPhish]

Forgot the Manitou Mezzer Pro. Which is a shame as it smokes pretty much every for you tested..

[@thegibbonisreal]

What makes Vital better than the other place? 54:12

[@ZhengHU-h6q]

Great great great!!! After all these years, just nobody would take fox any more.

[@vrhkrv4696]

Where's Manitou?

[@cunning-stunt]

Manitou Mezzer Pro is the best Enduro fork and you couldn't get one to test?

[@cunning-stunt]

IMO not tried the EXT yet.

[@Prof-Power]

@@cunning-stunt The best enduro fork is Formula. Mezzer is worse.

[@DK-wd8ju]

@@Prof-Poweryou sure are in love with formula.. it’s not better than the mezzer though. Try them back to back

[@ninjazzrhythm400]

Will there be an OTT review in the future. For what gather, most reviews I've seen were just the SL and no OTT, which mean for heavy people?

[@turboraduno2825]

BRIGHT RACING SHOX (usd)

[@martinhayes5087]

My Ohlins 38 fork was absolutely awful, I got it a couple of months after release, initially great, but after two rides it went super harsh, I could lift myself off the floor without the fork even compressing, it went back to ohlins 3 times for repair and they never solved it, ended up giving me a refund. Bought a Zeb afterwards and that's been fine from day one

[@SoGoMTB]

So meant flexibility but sadly almost everyone e use one setting for all trail condition

[@vicentemorande1558]

Manitou and Intend are missing.

[@StuartPlumbley]

Why no buklos?

[@hakky0ku]

54:10

[@xuseg]

😢 Faltan muchas horquillas interesantes

[@Emtbtoday]

Just like cheap phones and cheap cases if the come with a case and screen protector they are compensating for something in the design of the main product it's a tatic that makes your brain think " this is awesome " to swerve your attention away from the issue in the first place! What I think when see forks with "free mudguards" what are they hiding, or they are just not reliable.

[@leonardoschool821]

marzocchi?

[@vrwgq3q]

Its no surprise that Fox and Rockshox are here. They've been making big boy double crowns for a long long time and Rockshox based on my local suspension shop - is leading with most innovation, at least on the Fork side and also with durability. That said, gotta wonder if this is any better gear than what Minaar ran on his old Honda with Showa suspension.

[@blackhorsegrind4255]

How do you leave out EXT Era? It is the best air fork on the market Even at 36mm stanchions it outperforms the other offerings. Ohlins is similar in its damping but EXT is more advanced system. Disappointed

[@vitalmtb]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJLEmGl6ia6GmaM

[@blackhorsegrind4255]

@@vitalmtb I’ve seen it, 3+ years ago. This video 2024 is about comparing the best enduro forks on market and it was left out. If you are leaving out some better offerings can it really be titled best enduro forks of 2024? Disappointed

[@taz800]

Where's EXT???

[@vitalmtb]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJLEmGl6ia6GmaM