Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Fox 34 Performance Elite fork. If you're in the market for a new suspension fork that balances performance, weight, and adjustability, this review is for you. We’ll break down everything you need to know to decide if the Fox 34 Performance Elite is the right choice for your riding style and your bike. Let's get started!

Overview of the Fox 34 Performance Elite

The Fox 34 Performance Elite is designed as a versatile trail fork, sitting comfortably in the mid-range of Fox's extensive lineup. It's built for riders who demand high performance without needing to shell out top-dollar for the Factory series. The 34mm stanchions strike a balance between stiffness and weight, making it suitable for a wide range of trail conditions and riding styles. This fork aims to provide excellent control, plushness, and adjustability, ensuring you can dial in your suspension to match your preferences. The Performance Elite series differentiates itself by offering the same dampers and technologies found in the higher-end Factory series, but with a more budget-friendly price tag. This is primarily achieved by using a black anodized finish on the stanchions instead of the Kashima coating found on the Factory models. For many riders, this is a worthwhile trade-off, as the performance difference is minimal, while the cost savings can be significant.

Key Features and Technologies

• EVOL Air Spring: The Enhanced Volume (EVOL) air spring increases negative air spring volume, optimizing small bump sensitivity and providing a more linear spring curve. This means improved traction and control on rough terrain. The EVOL air spring is highly tunable, allowing riders to adjust the spring rate using volume spacers to fine-tune the fork's progression.
• FIT4 Damper: The FIT4 (Fox Isolated Technology) damper is a sealed cartridge system that offers three on-the-fly compression damping positions: Open, Medium, and Firm. These settings allow you to quickly adapt to changing trail conditions. In the Open mode, there's an additional low-speed compression adjustment, giving you even more control over the fork's feel.
• Lightweight Chassis: The Fox 34 Performance Elite boasts a lightweight chassis that enhances agility and responsiveness on the trail. The combination of 34mm stanchions and optimized casting design ensures a stiff yet compliant feel.
• Boost Spacing: Designed for modern trail bikes, the fork features Boost spacing (15x110mm) for increased wheel stiffness and precise handling.

Performance and Ride Quality

When it comes to hitting the trails, the Fox 34 Performance Elite truly shines. The fork provides a smooth and controlled ride, soaking up small bumps with ease thanks to the EVOL air spring. This enhances traction and reduces fatigue, allowing you to ride faster and more confidently. On bigger hits and drops, the fork offers plenty of support, preventing it from bottoming out harshly. The FIT4 damper does an excellent job of managing the fork's compression and rebound, keeping the front end composed and stable.

Climbing

Climbing with the Fox 34 Performance Elite is efficient and comfortable. The Firm setting on the FIT4 damper provides a near-lockout feel, minimizing energy-wasting bobbing and allowing you to power up steep inclines. Even in the Open or Medium settings, the fork remains composed and doesn't wallow excessively, maintaining good traction and control. The lightweight chassis also contributes to its climbing prowess, making it easier to maneuver through technical sections.

Descending

Descending is where the Fox 34 Performance Elite truly excels. The fork's plushness and control inspire confidence, allowing you to tackle challenging terrain with ease. The EVOL air spring keeps the front wheel glued to the ground, providing excellent grip and reducing the risk of washing out. The FIT4 damper ensures that the fork remains composed and predictable, even when faced with repeated impacts and high-speed compressions. Whether you're navigating rocky chutes, flowy singletrack, or jump lines, the Fox 34 Performance Elite delivers a smooth, controlled, and confidence-inspiring ride.

Adjustability and Tuning

One of the standout features of the Fox 34 Performance Elite is its adjustability. The fork offers a wide range of tuning options, allowing you to dial in the suspension to match your weight, riding style, and trail conditions. The EVOL air spring can be easily adjusted using a shock pump, allowing you to fine-tune the fork's spring rate. Volume spacers can be added or removed to adjust the fork's progression, making it more or less resistant to bottoming out. The FIT4 damper provides three on-the-fly compression damping positions, allowing you to quickly adapt to changing terrain. In the Open mode, there's an additional low-speed compression adjustment, giving you even more control over the fork's feel. Rebound damping is also adjustable, allowing you to fine-tune the rate at which the fork returns to its fully extended position.

Setting Up the Fork

Setting up the Fox 34 Performance Elite is relatively straightforward. Start by consulting the air pressure chart provided by Fox, which recommends a starting pressure based on your weight. From there, you can fine-tune the pressure to achieve the desired sag. Sag is the amount the fork compresses when you're sitting on the bike in a neutral position. A good starting point is around 20-25% of the fork's travel. Next, adjust the rebound damping to match your preference. A good starting point is to set the rebound to the middle of its range and then adjust it until the fork feels controlled and doesn't bounce excessively. Finally, experiment with the compression damping settings to find the right balance between efficiency and comfort. Use the Firm setting for climbing, the Medium setting for general trail riding, and the Open setting for descending.

Pros and Cons

To give you a clear picture, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Fox 34 Performance Elite:

Pros

• Excellent Performance: The fork delivers smooth, controlled, and confidence-inspiring performance on a wide range of trails.
• Highly Adjustable: The fork offers a wide range of tuning options, allowing you to dial in the suspension to match your preferences.
• Lightweight: The fork's lightweight chassis enhances agility and responsiveness on the trail.
• Durable: The Fox 34 Performance Elite is built to withstand the rigors of trail riding, ensuring long-lasting performance.
• Great Value: The fork offers excellent performance at a more affordable price point than the Factory series.

Cons

• Not as Plush as Factory Series: While the Performance Elite offers excellent performance, it's not quite as plush as the Factory series forks with Kashima coating.
• Can Be Overkill for Entry-Level Riders: The fork's advanced features and adjustability may be overwhelming for beginners.

Alternatives to the Fox 34 Performance Elite

If the Fox 34 Performance Elite doesn't quite meet your needs or budget, here are a few alternative options to consider:

• RockShox Pike Select+: The RockShox Pike Select+ is a popular trail fork that offers similar performance and features to the Fox 34 Performance Elite. It features a Charger 2.1 damper and DebonAir air spring for a smooth and controlled ride.
• Fox 34 Factory: For those willing to spend more, the Fox 34 Factory offers even better performance and features, including a Kashima coating for enhanced smoothness and sensitivity.
• Marzocchi Z2: The Marzocchi Z2 is a more budget-friendly option that still delivers solid performance. It features a Rail damper and Float air spring for a comfortable and controlled ride.

Who is the Fox 34 Performance Elite For?

The Fox 34 Performance Elite is ideal for intermediate to advanced trail riders who demand high performance and adjustability. It's a great choice for riders who tackle a variety of terrain, from flowy singletrack to technical descents. The fork's lightweight chassis also makes it suitable for riders who prioritize climbing efficiency. If you're looking for a versatile and capable trail fork that offers excellent value for the money, the Fox 34 Performance Elite is definitely worth considering.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, the Fox 34 Performance Elite is an outstanding trail fork that delivers excellent performance, adjustability, and value. It's a great choice for riders who want a high-quality suspension fork without breaking the bank. While it may not be quite as plush as the Factory series forks, the performance difference is minimal, and the cost savings can be significant. If you're in the market for a new trail fork, the Fox 34 Performance Elite should definitely be on your list.