Fox 34 vs. RockShox Pike - 2020 Edition | Which Fork Wins?

Fox Shox and RockShox still own the market as leading two suppliers for mountain bike suspension in today's world with their Pike and 34, but MTB suspension forks for trail bikes in 2020 are probably the best they have ever been and it is hard to imagine how they can get any better. There are many other contributors to the trail bike suspension market but none are as well known as the titans we call Fox and RockShox. But which one is better? Fox supplying the notorious Float 34 fork in many offerings from boost and non-boost, 27.5" and 29" wheel sizes, a lighter Step-Cast chassis, factory or performance finishings and their proven 3-position FIT4 Damper. RockShox holds their ground with a more modern approach by only offering boost spacing and one aftermarket level, the ultimate series, and allowing an option to use torque caps for more hub stiffness and 2 color options. Jeff goes over the key differences between the two forks so press play and learn what bike requires which fork and hopefully, you can decide which for you should be running.

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[WorldwideCyclery]

Which fork do you guys have, the RockShox Pike, Fox 34, or something else? Are you planning on purchasing one in the future? Let us know!

[liamwoods]

I like all the forks, but I mostly like to spoon after I fork

[curt]

Damn fork more expensive then my whole bike

[adamneulander]

Do a vid on the cheapest of the pikes and 34s

[rosskline]

I love the dynamic between you and your editor lol

[adamcvanwinkle]

2019 pike on a 130mm bike. Good call Jeff!

[vetmoto]

You said: "ride them blindfolded...." hahahahahha

[Ndcent]

Worldwide has the best and most informative vids. I started riding about a year and a half ago and these are my go to vids that have helped guide me.

[dylantyrie]

This was super helpful, I was looking to change my forks on my 1994 Marin and this helped me decide

[James-iltq]

Fox 36 Float on my Rocky Mountain Altitude A50. Beautifully supple over roots and other small/med hits. Not the most adjustable with compression dial on top and rebound on bottom but if you don't need extra adjustments a fantastic fork for trails and some enduro. Handles my 240lb frames very well v

[thStreet]

Amazing! I love my Pike but agree that for a lighter build a 34 would be choice.

[jared_erickson]

I had the 120mm Fox Factory 34 step cast on my SB100 and that thing was freakin awesome. Super light, handled everything that I could throw at it and came back asking for more, although I probably should have run some more volume spacers in it. I do agree the Pike is definitely more for mid travel trail bikes, although you really can't go wrong with either. Kind of like Jeff said, 130/140 I would go Pike up front and 150+ I would go with a Fox 36 with the Grip2. Boom.

[boyuap]

i just love fox kashima.. im paying for the kashima coat and orange color..

[Ztah]

IMO low speed comp makes more of a difference than most people realize
Wasn’t a fan of the pike on my 2015 Tracer but the pike on my 2019 Jeffsy feels great, supple and bottomless. Both RCT3 must’ve just found the right setup this time around

[I-Love-Taylor-Swift]

Great vid. That beginning always gets me!!

[LeecMTB]

I have the pike 2019 rct3 it’s awesome loads of mid range support, pike all the way !!!

[Pienimusta]

Like the simplicity of 34 Fit Grip's free adjusted 3-position damper. You can change it freely between the range of dampening, not just from full open to medium, but to somewhere middle if you want to. Easy to change on the fly depending on the changing terrain.

For sure something like 36 Grip2 or Fit4 will be amazing, if you want to play with different settings, but perhaps sometimes less is more.

[stephenlord]

Service intervals and serviceability are also different. I have a 36 rather than 34 and 2 Pikes and travel change on the Fox is much easier, at least going down within airshaft limits it’s just removing spacers and changing a bolt (unless your running a MRP then no bolt change). On the other hand the Fox takes 2x crush washer sizes and it’s far more preferable to have $100 of tools just to get the legs off. The RS you can just use the bolt and a 6” extension with the hex bit fitted (and reverse onto torque wrench to put back) .. but you need to do this less often with the Fox.
Going past a lowers service also takes more specific tools on the Fox ...

[clstile]

My bike came with a Pike DJ and I was planning on upgrading to a FOX .. but now that I’ve had my ride for over a month I just don’t see the need .. the RS Pike DJ has been amazing to me and easy to adjust, and I’m a big fan of the “maxle” that came with it as well 🤙🏻

[craigmckinnon]

My 2020 RockShox Pike ultimate direct mount holes for caliper are very soft metal magnesium. When you go to put on your brakes make sure you've used the longest bolts with washers or whatever it takes to get them all the way in. If not the standard Shimano short bolts May and will start the strip out the Magnesium thread and then you'll start to be into some s***.