Fox Racing Shox 38 Factory 29in 170mm Fork - Custom Tune Review
Introduction
Hello MTB enthusiasts! If you’re reading this, you’re probably considering the Fox Racing Shox 38 Factory 29” 170mm Fork with Custom Tune for your ride. From experienced mountain bikers to those who simply appreciate top-notch suspension components, this review is for you.
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The Basics: What’s in the Box?
- Fork: The mighty Fox 38 Factory 29” 170mm fork, complete with that sweet Kashima coating.
- Accessories: Various adapters, volume spacers, and a star nut.
- Manual: Yeah, like anyone reads those, right? But seriously, it’s worth a peek.
Key Features
Kashima Coating
The Kashima coating is to forks what chocolate chips are to cookies – essential and delicious. It reduces friction, adds durability, and looks totally badass.
GRIP2 Damper
The GRIP2 damper is like having a butler for your fork. It offers high and low-speed compression and rebound adjustments, making sure you can dial in your ride just the way you like it.
38mm Stanchions
Thicker than a bowl of oatmeal, the 38mm stanchions provide unparalleled stiffness and control. No more flexing under pressure.
Float EVOL Air Spring
This feature ensures that your fork’s sensitivity and progression are optimized.
Custom Tune
The custom tune option is like getting a tailor-made suit – it fits perfectly and makes you look good. This fork is specifically tuned for your riding style and weight, ensuring maximum performance.
Performance
On the Trails
Hitting the trails with the Fox 38 Factory is like upgrading from a pogo stick to a luxury SUV. Every bump, rock, and root is smoothed out, giving you a ride experience that’s both plush and controlled.
Adjustability
The GRIP2 damper allows for endless tinkering. It’s perfect for those who love to fine-tune their setup. The four independent circuits mean compression and rebound can be tuned separately at high and low speeds, giving riders granular control over how the fork behaves during slow technical sections versus high-speed chunk.
Weight and Feel
Despite its beefy appearance, the Fox 38 Factory weighs approximately 2,180 grams uncut, making it competitive with other high-end forks in the 170mm travel category. The 38mm chassis does add stiffness over the Fox 36, which translates to more predictable steering in aggressive cornering and under hard braking. Riders above 80 kg or those running aggressive geometry benefit the most from that extra rigidity.
Comparison with Competitors
RockShox Zeb Ultimate
The RockShox Zeb Ultimate is a worthy competitor, but it lacks the finesse and adjustability of the Fox 38 Factory.
Marzocchi Bomber Z1
The Marzocchi Bomber Z1 is another popular choice, especially for those on a budget. However, it can’t match the custom tune and high-end features of the Fox 38 Factory.
Conclusion
In summary, the Fox Racing Shox 38 Factory 29” 170mm Fork with Custom Tune is a top-of-the-line choice for mountain bikers looking for exceptional performance, adjustability, and durability. While it comes with a hefty price tag, the investment is worth it for those serious about their riding experience.
Service Intervals and Long-Term Ownership
Fox recommends a lower leg service every 50 hours of riding — this involves draining old bath oil, cleaning the foam rings, and refilling with fresh 20wt Gold suspension fluid. A full damper overhaul is recommended every 200 hours or annually, whichever comes first. Skipping these intervals leads to degraded small-bump sensitivity as dust contaminates the wiper seals and oil breaks down. The Kashima coating reduces friction and extends service intervals compared to standard anodized stanchions, but it is not a substitute for proper maintenance. Budget roughly 40-60 euros per lower leg service (DIY cost for oil, seals, and tools) or 80-120 euros at a shop. Full rebuilds run higher but restore the fork to factory-fresh performance, making the Fox 38 a long-term investment when properly maintained.
Custom Tune: What It Actually Means
The “Custom Tune” designation on the Fox 38 Factory refers to a factory-configured valve shim stack tuned to a specific rider weight and riding style. When ordering from select dealers, riders provide their weight, riding discipline (enduro, downhill, freeride), and terrain preferences. Fox then assembles the damper with a shim stack optimized for those parameters, resulting in a fork that performs optimally out of the box without the trial-and-error of aftermarket tuning. This service typically adds 50-100 euros to the retail price but eliminates the need for expensive aftermarket revalving that would otherwise cost 150-250 euros from a suspension tuner. For riders who weigh significantly above or below the 75-85 kg range that stock tunes target, the custom option is transformative — producing consistent damping throughout the travel rather than the either-too-firm or too-soft feel that off-the-shelf settings produce for outlier body weights.
Related Reads
- Bluegrass Rogue Helmet Review – Complete review of the stylish and functional enduro helmet.
- Bell Super DH MIPS Review – Another essential piece of MTB gear.
Happy riding, and remember – life’s too short for bad suspension!
