Öhlins RXF38 or Fox Factory 38

[Maxed280]

Hey all, Anyone had the luxury to ride Öhlins RXF38 M.3 and Fox Factory 38 on the Amflow?

Cost isn't the main concern for me rather the better setup without going too overboard like the podium (lots of discussion on that fork here anyway)

I would like to stick with one manufacturer for fork and shock so trying to make my mind up Fox or Ohlins. Any help would be appreciated. To add further to the indecision the new 2027 Fox 38 .

Coming from PL Carbon and don't really want to copy + past the PRO setup so leaning toward the Ohlins fork with a TTX1 anyway.

Thanks

 

[Bear-uk]

I have two bikes with fox 38s on. I would get the Ohlins

 

[PeterHenric]

Ohlins all the way

 

[Ho Lee Chit]

Agree on the RXF 38 like the guys before me! But you should get a TTX2 and not TTX1

 

[whitymon]

Not sure a 38mm on the amflow is the best for the bike. I am also not sure tons of people can see the diff between the two great fork. You definitely need some level to do so no?

 

[Powerslider]

I see no meaningful functional benefit from staying within the same shock and fork manufacturer. Is this about aesthetics?

 

[BikeBert]

Either one with Smashpot will blow everything out of the water.

 

[Maxed280]

I see no meaningful functional benefit from staying within the same shock and fork manufacturer. Is this about aesthetics?

Are you saying the shock is not good?

 

[whitymon]

Are you saying the shock is not good?

He's saying that aligning for the seek of it brand fork/shock is a nonsense which I do agree.

 

[Maxed280]

Each to their own, for me if the performance is good and I would imagine share similar characteristics as designed by the same company. I don't see a reason not to use them.
Just prefer my bikes like that.

 

[Powerslider]

Each to their own, for me if the performance is good and I would imagine share similar characteristics as designed by the same company. I don't see a reason not to use them.
Just prefer my bikes like that.

All good. Reminds me of one of my golf buddies who MUST have his whole bag be a single brand from driver to wedges. Not my way, but I do enjoy seeing the decisions others make. Best to you brotha.

 

[whitymon]

Each to their own, for me if the performance is good and I would imagine share similar characteristics as designed by the same company. I don't see a reason not to use them.
Just prefer my bikes like that.

Honestly no, there is no valid reason to align brand up/rear, definitely nothing at all. But I do agree you do you and the look of a bike is also huge for some people obviously.

The most important thing is that usually bike brand align them because people like brand A more than B - this is just marketing.

What is really more important is that you really need to grasp that a bike brand can setup in a very peculiar way the suspension through tuning (mostly the shock, less often the fork) and this is where the real magic happens.

 

[Maxed280]

Ok I get the point, so following that logic considering I'm leaning towards the Ohlins fork as I also like the damper design. what shock would you pair with it?
Then I can compare between that and the TTX2?

 

[Powerslider]

Are you saying the shock is not good?

Not saying that. I’m saying that personally I don’t see a functional reason to match my front and rear suspension manufacturers. If I were to pick say, and Öhlins shock, I’d look and consider an Ohlins fork but I’d move to a RS or Fox without hesitation if I thought it were better or similar at a lower cost. I even think it looks cool with an assortment of different manufacturers. To me it is an indication of someone picking the best option regardless of manufacturer.

When I see the same aftermarket manufacturers I wonder if the person only picked the parts because of brand consistency. It’s sorta like when people feel they need to match subwoofer manufacturers with their Left/Right speakers. Earns more cred with me when I see someone with say a JL subwoofer with their B&W’s instead of choosing a B&W sub. Conversely, I’d always match my Center with my Left/Right speakers because there’s a functional benefit.

All that being said- whether it’s audio systems, custom firearms, or custom bikes; I enjoy seeing the decisions people make. Zero hate here.

 

[whitymon]

You mean the TTX22 air or coil? Both are great. I do not recall if the suspension is progressive so the coil works 100%, better double check.

The only thing that is tickling me is the why you want to go that burly on such frame. Bike is not built for something that requires these components and you will loose playfulness. Like you said, this is where media and youtuber f.. off all people.

If you can, not gonna say this is easy, but if someone has a similar build around or if a shop could rent you some matchable component you will see a huge difference.

 

[Maxed280]

When you guys say it's about sticking with a brand it's not 100% the case here. From what I see both have great options hence the question, however since what I have read people seem to think the Ohlins is better so I would like to understand why TTX2 coil or air wouldn't also be up there with the contenders and if I were to "mismatch" there should be a clear winner one over the other.
Like I say if the build quality and performance are on the same level between fork and shock, the feel can be dialled in with tuning then I can't see why not pair them together.

About the burleyness, having ridden the bike around 600 mines in mostly stock form I'm finding the limits on long technical decent like borrodale bash if you know it.
I'm a heavier rider at around 100kg + the bike and many people have found the 38 a big improvement.
I love riding the Amflow and aiming to make mine more plush on rough tracks around the lakes.
I would love to try a set of 38 on a Amflow before buying but that could be hard to find

 

[whitymon]

When you guys say it's about sticking with a brand it's not 100% the case here. From what I see both have great options hence the question, however since what I have read people seem to think the Ohlins is better so I would like to understand why TTX2 coil or air wouldn't also be up there with the contenders and if I were to "mismatch" there should be a clear winner one over the other.
Like I say if the build quality and performance are on the same level between fork and shock, the feel can be dialled in with tuning then I can't see why not pair them together.

About the burleyness, having ridden the bike around 600 mines in mostly stock form I'm finding the limits on long technical decent like borrodale bash if you know it.
I'm a heavier rider at around 100kg + the bike and many people have found the 38 a big improvement.
I love riding the Amflow and aiming to make mine more plush on rough tracks around the lakes.
I would love to try a set of 38 on a Amflow before buying but that could be hard to find

If it is open in your mind, I would strongly push you to look into the vivid air ultimate. This is just the best shock ever, so plush, so much traction and very similar to a coil. Tunning on it is excellent.

This is what I put on all my bikes from enduro to dh.

 

[Maxed280]

Appreciate the feedback guys, Seems the Vivid Ultimate Air is out as it doesn't fit. Everything i read is pointing towards the Ohlins setup. For rough natural terrain i think will be better. Not a bike park rider

 

[irie]

I see no meaningful functional benefit from staying within the same shock and fork manufacturer. Is this about aesthetics?

This ^^^

We have Ohlins Coil shocks with Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate fitted with Vorsprung Smashpot coils.

"Branditis" is not a response to what functionally works best, but is instead a response to brand advertising.

 

[Ho Lee Chit]

Appreciate the feedback guys, Seems the Vivid Ultimate Air is out as it doesn't fit. Everything i read is pointing towards the Ohlins setup. For rough natural terrain i think will be better. Not a bike park rider

Just go with the whole Öhlins setup if it’s that what you desire/want…you won’t be disappointed. I‘m running RXF 36/38 and TTX2 Air/TTX22 Coil setups for years on different bikes and brands and it’s good. Is it better or worse than an Fox or RS setup? I don’t know and I don’t care because it does what I want and for me it feels better than the other options. Everyone has his personal preferences and if you like to have the same brand for your shock and fork good on you.
Only thing I might consider and I would agree with @whitymon is the 38. The 36 might be the better option for the Amflow even with your weight. I run the 36/TTX2 combo on my Amflow with 93kg and it’s great

 

[Maxed280]

Just go with the whole Öhlins setup if it’s that what you desire/want…you won’t be disappointed. I‘m running RXF 36/38 and TTX2 Air/TTX22 Coil setups for years on different bikes and brands and it’s good. Is it better or worse than an Fox or RS setup? I don’t know and I don’t care because it does what I want and for me it feels better than the other options. Everyone has his personal preferences and if you like to have the same brand for your shock and fork good on you.
Only thing I might consider and I would agree with @whitymon is the 38. The 36 might be the better option for the Amflow even with your weight. I run the 36/TTX2 combo on my Amflow with 93kg and it’s great

Thanks this is exactly the feedback i was looking for, First time i hear "Branditis" and frankly don't care. I prefer user experiences like you say what they prefer and the reasons they prefer X/Y.

My overall impressions having not ridden the Fox factory or Ohlins is that Fox is let's say more racing Jumping/downhill focused vs Ohlins more plush and planted in rough terrain?

My feeling on the bike is that the front is extremely light and working with bar/stem setup to gain a bit more confidence and even to chill it out a bit. Leads me down the road of 38 from what people have said but fully agree if 38 is overkill then no issue with 36.

Slowly narrowing down

 

[richsemtex]

Öhlins all the way. One bit of advice that really makes them shine is to take them to J-Tech Suspension and have them tuned and set up for your riding weight, including your riding pack. Once they’re properly dialled in, the bike feels completely different and far better to ride.

 

[Maxed280]

Öhlins all the way. One bit of advice that really makes them shine is to take them to J-Tech Suspension and have them tuned and set up for your riding weight, including your riding pack. Once they’re properly dialled in, the bike feels completely different and far better to ride.

Already in the basket with J-tech they seem to know the stuff and free tuning! Just wanting to double check its the right choice.

 

[richsemtex]

Already in the basket with J-tech they seem to know the stuff and free tuning! Just wanting to double check its the right choice.

well you aced it

 

[Bad Mechanic]

I'm late to the party, but Ohlins. Their dampers actually work and can be effectively tuned. Design and architecturally they're in a different class than Fox.

 

[PhilSchy]

Hey all, Anyone had the luxury to ride Öhlins RXF38 M.3 and Fox Factory 38 on the Amflow?

Cost isn't the main concern for me rather the better setup without going too overboard like the podium (lots of discussion on that fork here anyway)

I would like to stick with one manufacturer for fork and shock so trying to make my mind up Fox or Ohlins. Any help would be appreciated. To add further to the indecision the new 2027 Fox 38 :confus:.

Coming from PL Carbon and don't really want to copy + past the PRO setup so leaning toward the Ohlins fork with a TTX1 anyway.

Thanks

Bonjour. Mon conseil que j’applique Zeb ultimate 170 et Vivid coil. Un réel plaisirs

 

[Heckler Sb130]

Either one with Smashpot will blow everything out of the water.

Why not just get the Ohlins 38 with their coil version. Bonus points that you can adjust the fork length with just a tool and not a new spring. But yes, I’m going coil fork on my new Crestline!

 

[Heckler Sb130]

Hey all, Anyone had the luxury to ride Öhlins RXF38 M.3 and Fox Factory 38 on the Amflow?

Cost isn't the main concern for me rather the better setup without going too overboard like the podium (lots of discussion on that fork here anyway)

I would like to stick with one manufacturer for fork and shock so trying to make my mind up Fox or Ohlins. Any help would be appreciated. To add further to the indecision the new 2027 Fox 38 .

Coming from PL Carbon and don't really want to copy + past the PRO setup so leaning toward the Ohlins fork with a TTX1 anyway.

Thanks

You can’t go wrong either way. Ohlins is high performing and the new Fox 38 made great improvements. Now to get the best out of either I’d suggest getting a custom tune. Having a fork & shock tuned to your bike’s suspension design, your riding style, typical terrain and rider weight is night & day better over any stock fork/shock setup. If you have the dollars to do so it’s a no brainer IMHO. If you are thinking you may want to try coil up front the ohlins is an easier swap with their design/products.

 

[martin_m_bo]

for this money i woud go for Home - Intend Blackline
and you get custom tune for your weight

 

[ArmyOfEvilRobots]

I've stopped buying Fox products after back to back failed CSUs on my SC Nomad. I killed three of those crown units, two under warranty, and a third after it expired.
I've been running an Ohlins on my main bike now for 4 years with no problems. I actually transferred it to a new bike last summer because it has been so reliable. I can do my own air and seal service on it too.