What do the numbers 32, 34, 36, 38 on Fox mean?

It's the stanchion diameter and it marks the discipline: 32 for XC, 34 for trail, 36 for enduro, 38 for gravity and 40 for downhill. The higher the number, the thicker the stanchion and the burlier the fork.

What's the difference between Rhythm, Performance and Factory?

They are the finishes, from lowest to highest: Rhythm -> Performance -> Performance Elite -> Factory. The Factory carries Kashima coating on the stanchions. The adjustments and the damper cartridge step up with the level.

What does Fox Factory match against RockShox?

Fox Factory matches RockShox Ultimate; Performance Elite matches Select+ and Performance matches Select. It's a tier equivalence, not an identical part.

Suspension & dropper cluster · Lineups

The Fox fork lineup explained

Quick answer

Fox names by stanchion diameter: 32 (XC), 34 (trail), 36 (enduro), 38 (gravity), 40 (DH). On top comes the finish, from lowest to highest: Rhythm → Performance → Performance Elite → Factory (with Kashima). Cartridges: GRIP, FIT4 and GRIP2. In equivalences, Factory ≈ RockShox Ultimate; compare them in RockShox vs Fox and look at the travel your frame allows.

The number is the discipline; the finish is how much you spend on adjustments and stanchions. Moving up a finish doesn't change the discipline: a 34 Factory is still a trail fork.

The number: stanchion diameter and discipline

32. The thinnest, for cross country: low weight and short travel.

34. Trail: a touch more stiffness without putting on weight.

36. Enduro: thick stanchions for demanding terrain.

38. Gravity: even burlier, for heavy enduro.

40. Downhill: the biggest stanchion, 180-200 mm of travel.

The finish: from Rhythm to Factory

The finish steps up in this order: Rhythm → Performance → Performance Elite → Factory. The Factory carries the stanchions with Kashima (gold) coating and the most complete adjustments. With the level, the damper cartridge also changes: GRIP, FIT4 and GRIP2.

Quick table

XC · short travel

trail

enduro

gravity · heavy enduro

DH · 180-200 mm

Finishes

Rhythm → Performance → Performance Elite → Factory (Kashima)

Cartridges

GRIP · FIT4 · GRIP2

Equivalence

Factory ≈ RockShox Ultimate · P. Elite ≈ Select+ · Performance ≈ Select

Anatomy of a Fox fork: stanchions of different diameter 32 34 36 38 and GRIP, FIT4 or GRIP2 damper cartridge — The number marks the stanchion diameter; the finish, the cartridge and the Kashima coating.

How to choose without going wrong

First the number, according to your discipline and the travel your frame allows; then the finish, according to budget. A 34 works for trail in both Rhythm and Factory: what changes is the fine tuning and the weight, not the discipline. Before buying, confirm what fork fits your bike.

Common mistake: thinking "Factory" fixes a fork that's too thin for your use. If you ride enduro, a 32 Factory is still XC: you need to step up a number (36), not just a finish.

Confused by number and finish?

Tell us your discipline, frame and budget and we'll tell you which Fox fits. Message us on WhatsApp

Frequently asked questions

What do 32, 34, 36, 38 mean?

The stanchion diameter and the discipline: 32 XC, 34 trail, 36 enduro, 38 gravity, 40 DH. The higher the number, the burlier.

Rhythm vs Factory?

They are finishes, from lowest to highest: Rhythm → Performance → Performance Elite → Factory (with Kashima). It steps up adjustments and cartridge.

What does Factory match?

Factory ≈ RockShox Ultimate; Performance Elite ≈ Select+; Performance ≈ Select. It's a tier equivalence.

RockShox vs Fox → RockShox lineup → What fork fits my bike → Suspension & dropper cluster →

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