Fox 34 vs RockShox Pike

[Grease_Monkey]

The Fox 34 from 2013/2014 had a poor reputation due to its weight and apparent lack of plushness on small bumps at low to moderate speeds when compared to Pike. Both of these characteristiscs were fixed in the 2015 release which is some 200g lighter and has better sensitivity with a new damper. Fox ditched the CTD damping for a better Firm/Med/Open platform valving system that has the low speed compression adjustability in the Open mode (like Pike RCT). Most reviews of the newer version rate it as good as or slightly better than the Pike.

 

In SA the service kits probably cost more than the Pike's.

 

I have the 34 Factory Kashima 140mm CTD model from 2014 on a SC TallboyLT. It is the supposedly 'bad' fork but I have no issues with it. Well made, reliable and the faster you go the better it performs. I rate it better at speed than the Pike on my new bike but this might be because I don't have the Pike fully dialled in yet. Also the Fox 15mm TA is nicer to use than the Pike's Maxle....better feel and I find it easier to remove/replace the wheel.

 

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Thanks for this. Was the type of info I was looking for!   

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Thanks for this. Was the type of info I was looking for!   

Which, incidentally, is completely irrelevant to your particular conundrum

 

Late 2015 - 2016 34's don't suffer from this issue. It's a completely different fork to the 2013-2015 CTD versions, having the FIT cartridge which was previously only found on the Factory line of Fox forks. 

 

And even then, it's been updated. 

 

So, again - no. Not worth the 20k extra. Even if it was the fork that had problems, you'd still be able to sell it and get an MRP / Pike / DVO / etc and come out with more cash at the end of the day. 

[Grease_Monkey]

Which, incidentally, is completely irrelevant to your particular conundrum

 

Late 2015 - 2016 34's don't suffer from this issue. It's a completely different fork to the 2013-2015 CTD versions, having the FIT cartridge which was previously only found on the Factory line of Fox forks. 

 

And even then, it's been updated. 

 

So, again - no. Not worth the 20k extra. Even if it was the fork that had problems, you'd still be able to sell it and get an MRP / Pike / DVO / etc and come out with more cash at the end of the day. 

 

He does mention the whole CTD to OMF shift in the first bit of his post...

 

"Fox ditched the CTD damping for a better Firm/Med/Open platform valving system that has the low speed compression adjustability in the Open mode (like Pike RCT). Most reviews of the newer version rate it as good as or slightly better than the Pike."

 

But anyway, I don't think I will be getting rid of the 34s, from the reviews and comments I have read they will be plenty good enough for me. And like you said, not worth the extra 20k for a Pike - which was my main concern to start with...

[JXV]

Which, incidentally, is completely irrelevant to your particular conundrum

 

Late 2015 - 2016 34's don't suffer from this issue. It's a completely different fork to the 2013-2015 CTD versions, having the FIT cartridge which was previously only found on the Factory line of Fox forks.

 

And even then, it's been updated.

 

So, again - no. Not worth the 20k extra. Even if it was the fork that had problems, you'd still be able to sell it and get an MRP / Pike / DVO / etc and come out with more cash at the end of the day.

Myles my 2013 Fox 34 is the Factory version with FiT damper and I could never work out why people say its a crap fork. It isn't...plain and simple. Can't speak for other versions without FiT. If you gonna buy a premium fork then go full house or don't bother IMO. Anyway it came with the bike. The FiT4 damper is now common across all versions of the new 34.

 

the newer 2016 model (released late 2015) has the FiT4 damper with a revised version of the CTD system only they don't call it CTD any more. Functionality is much the same as Pike RCT now. Also have to say that the new Fox Gold 20wt oil made a big difference to the plushness...this stuff is like silk.

 

My older 34 fork is well dialled in and gives a very similar ride to my new Pike...only less harsh at speed....so far. I am still playing with volume spacers in the Pike and getting it settled. So based on this, the newer Fox 34 fork, which gets better reviews is hardly going to disappoint compared to Pike.

 

One major difference is travel adjustability. The Fox 34 is only rated up to 140mm on a 29er/27.5+ chassis whereas the Pike can go to 160mm. In both cases though, if you want to go 160mm the Fox36/Lyric might be a better choice

 

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[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yes

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

The ONLY reason I'd go pike over 34 is due to the larger stanchions but then I'm a fatty.

 

Were the comparison between 36 and pike or lyrik it'd be purely down to cost, adjustability and availability

 

Point stands though. It is NOT worth 20k more just to get a pike.

 

Oh and jxv we are on the same page here. Yours performs cos it's a FIT fork. And no, it's not CTD anymore. It's firm mid open or something like that. Completely different damper.

[AlanD]

For what its worth, my Trance came with a fox 34 talas ctd fit kashima coat fork (what a mouthful) and so far its been amazing but thas coming from an old 26er talas fork.

[The_Phoenix]

The fox 34 is awesome. pike has 35mm stanchions but its really not worth it on a trail bike. Pin the 34, it will be more than sufficient

[Grease_Monkey]

The ONLY reason I'd go pike over 34 is due to the larger stanchions but then I'm a fatty.

Lol, me too! But I guess the better solution to that is to lose 20kg hahaha

[AlanD]

Lol, me too! But I guess the better solution to that is to lose 20kg hahaha

Cheaper too

[Grease_Monkey]

Cheaper too

Ja, it's a sad day when you stand back, look at your bike and count up how much you have spent on carbon parts only to realise that your fat @$$ is the only thing weighing down your ride!

[cpelser]

You say you're not bothered by the different brakes but sram guides are streets ahead of xt brakes. Especially if you're a larger guy.

 

Then another noteworthy item to mention is a all sram drivetrain means you only have two clamps on your handlebars. And that's amazing, but not worth money. Just looks cool.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

You say you're not bothered by the different brakes but sram guides are streets ahead of xt brakes. Especially if you're a larger guy.

 

Then another noteworthy item to mention is a all sram drivetrain means you only have two clamps on your handlebars. And that's amazing, but not worth money. Just looks cool.

They're the guide r's though. And still. Not worth the 20k difference at all.

[Iwan Kemp]

Have only read bits of the discussion, but I have to say I'm with Myles on this one. And the others who are thinking along the same lines.  

 

As long as you're getting a 2015 or 2016 34 there's no reason to spend the extra R20k. Take that money and go have yourself a kick-ass mtb holiday rather. You could even make the ALPS if you squeeze a booking agent.

 

The 34 is right up there with the Pike. i'd even go so far as to say that for some it will be preferred "feel". It can be tuned with volume spacers and tuned even further if you'd want to go to the effort to send it to the agents or Stoke. That alone could be worth a couple of bucks out of the saving, as chances are, as good as the Pike is, either one will take some setting up, but both will get you there. The one just for R20k less.

 

Use that money and spoil yourself somewhere else.

[Grease_Monkey]

Have only read bits of the discussion, but I have to say I'm with Myles on this one. And the others who are thinking along the same lines.  

 

As long as you're getting a 2015 or 2016 34 there's no reason to spend the extra R20k. Take that money and go have yourself a kick-ass mtb holiday rather. You could even make the ALPS if you squeeze a booking agent.

 

The 34 is right up there with the Pike. i'd even go so far as to say that for some it will be preferred "feel". It can be tuned with volume spacers and tuned even further if you'd want to go to the effort to send it to the agents or Stoke. That alone could be worth a couple of bucks out of the saving, as chances are, as good as the Pike is, either one will take some setting up, but both will get you there. The one just for R20k less.

 

Use that money and spoil yourself somewhere else.

 

Spot on!

 

Seems everyone would have gone for the 2017 bike with Guide and Pike if it were the same price, but the 20k difference has everyone leaning towards the 2016 model with 34s and XT brakes. 

 

So seems like I made the wise choice.

 

And thanks for that brilliant idea of what to do with the extra 20k. I might just have to make work of such a holiday!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Have only read bits of the discussion, but I have to say I'm with Myles on this one.

 

Use that money and spoil yourself somewhere else.

Lol. Sounds as if it's a grudging agreement