Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Fox 34 Performance Elite fork. If you're in the market for a new trail fork that balances performance, weight, and cost, you've probably got this one on your radar. Let's break down what makes this fork tick, who it's for, and whether it lives up to the hype. We'll cover everything from its key features and performance on the trail to comparisons with other forks in its class. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of the Fox 34 Performance Elite

The Fox 34 Performance Elite is designed as a versatile trail fork, intended to bridge the gap between cross-country efficiency and more aggressive trail riding capabilities. It's part of Fox's Performance Elite series, which means it gets nearly all the top-tier features of the Factory series but at a slightly more accessible price point. This fork is built around a 34mm stanchion chassis, providing a good balance of stiffness and weight for riders tackling varied terrain. It's aimed at trail riders who want a fork that can handle technical climbs, flowy descents, and everything in between.

One of the key features of the Fox 34 Performance Elite is its FIT4 damper. This damper offers three on-the-fly compression damping positions – Open, Medium, and Firm – allowing riders to quickly adjust the fork's feel based on the trail conditions. In the Open mode, there's also a low-speed compression adjustment to fine-tune the fork's sensitivity to small bumps. The air spring system is highly tunable, enabling riders to dial in the desired level of support and bottom-out resistance. The fork is available in various travel options, typically ranging from 120mm to 140mm, making it suitable for a wide range of trail bikes. Overall, the Fox 34 Performance Elite is designed to offer a high level of performance and adjustability for discerning trail riders.

The construction and materials used in the Fox 34 Performance Elite contribute significantly to its performance and durability. The 34mm stanchions are made from lightweight aluminum, providing a sturdy yet responsive feel. The fork utilizes a Float air spring system, which is known for its smooth and consistent performance. The FIT4 damper cartridge is sealed to prevent contamination and maintain consistent damping over time. The fork also features a lightweight chassis and optimized design to minimize weight without sacrificing strength. Additionally, the anodized finish on the stanchions provides excellent wear resistance and a sleek appearance. The combination of these high-quality materials and construction techniques results in a fork that is both reliable and performs exceptionally well on the trail.

Key Features and Technologies

Let's dig into what makes the Fox 34 Performance Elite stand out. The fork is packed with features and technologies designed to enhance your riding experience. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important ones:

• FIT4 Damper: This is the heart of the fork. The FIT4 (Fox Isolated Technology) damper provides efficient and consistent damping performance in a lightweight package. It offers three on-the-fly compression damping positions: Open, Medium, and Firm. This allows you to quickly adapt to changing trail conditions without having to stop and make adjustments. In the Open mode, you can further fine-tune the low-speed compression to dial in the fork's sensitivity to small bumps and optimize traction.
• FLOAT Air Spring: The FLOAT (Fox Load Optimized Air Technology) air spring system is designed to provide a smooth and predictable feel throughout the fork's travel. It uses self-equalizing positive and negative air chambers to balance the pressure, resulting in consistent performance. The air spring is also highly tunable, allowing you to adjust the air pressure to match your weight, riding style, and trail conditions. Volume spacers can be added or removed to further customize the spring curve, providing more support in the mid-stroke or increased bottom-out resistance.
• 34mm Stanchions: The 34mm stanchions strike a great balance between stiffness and weight. They provide ample stiffness for precise handling and control, without adding unnecessary weight. This makes the fork ideal for trail riding, where you need a fork that is both responsive and efficient.
• Kashima Coat (on Factory Models): While the Performance Elite doesn't get the full Kashima Coat, it still benefits from a high-quality anodized finish on the stanchions. This finish provides excellent wear resistance and reduces friction, resulting in smoother performance and increased durability.

Performance on the Trail

Okay, enough with the tech talk. How does the Fox 34 Performance Elite actually perform when you're out on the trail? In a word, impressively. The fork offers a smooth and controlled ride that inspires confidence in a variety of conditions. Whether you're climbing technical ascents, bombing down flowy descents, or navigating rocky singletrack, the Fox 34 Performance Elite delivers consistent and predictable performance.

The FIT4 damper does an excellent job of absorbing bumps and chatter, keeping your front wheel planted and maintaining traction. The three compression damping positions are easily accessible and make a noticeable difference in the fork's feel. In the Open mode, the fork is supple and responsive, soaking up small bumps and providing excellent grip. The Medium mode firms up the fork for improved pedaling efficiency on smoother trails and climbs. The Firm mode locks out the fork for maximum efficiency on paved roads or smooth, sustained climbs.

The FLOAT air spring provides a smooth and progressive feel throughout the fork's travel. It's easy to dial in the air pressure to match your weight and riding style, and the volume spacers allow you to further customize the spring curve to suit your preferences. Whether you prefer a more linear feel or a more progressive feel, the Fox 34 Performance Elite can be tuned to deliver the desired level of support and bottom-out resistance.

Setting Up Your Fox 34 Performance Elite

Dialing in your Fox 34 Performance Elite is crucial to getting the most out of it. Here’s a simplified guide to get you started:

1. Air Pressure: Start by consulting the air pressure chart on the fork lowers. This chart provides a recommended air pressure range based on your weight. Use a shock pump to add or remove air until you reach the recommended pressure. Remember, this is just a starting point – you may need to adjust the pressure based on your riding style and trail conditions.
2. Rebound: The rebound adjustment controls how quickly the fork returns to its fully extended position after compressing. Start with the rebound adjuster in the middle position and adjust it until the fork rebounds quickly enough to maintain traction, but not so quickly that it feels harsh or bouncy.
3. Compression: Use the three-position compression damping adjuster to fine-tune the fork's feel based on the trail conditions. Use the Open mode for rough and technical terrain, the Medium mode for smoother trails and climbs, and the Firm mode for paved roads or smooth, sustained climbs. In the Open mode, you can further fine-tune the low-speed compression to dial in the fork's sensitivity to small bumps.
4. Volume Spacers: If you're experiencing harsh bottom-outs or not using all of the fork's travel, you may need to add volume spacers to the air spring. Volume spacers reduce the air volume in the positive chamber, making the spring curve more progressive and providing more support in the mid-stroke and increased bottom-out resistance. Consult the Fox website or your local bike shop for more information on adding or removing volume spacers.

Pros and Cons

Like any piece of kit, the Fox 34 Performance Elite has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s weigh them up:

Pros:

• Excellent Performance: The FIT4 damper and FLOAT air spring provide a smooth, controlled, and predictable ride.
• Highly Tunable: The adjustable air pressure, rebound, compression, and volume spacers allow you to dial in the fork to your exact preferences.
• Lightweight: The 34mm stanchions strike a great balance between stiffness and weight.
• Durable: The high-quality materials and construction ensure long-lasting performance.
• Good Value: The Performance Elite offers nearly all the features of the Factory series at a more accessible price point.

Cons:

• Not as Plush as Factory Series: The Performance Elite lacks the Kashima Coat of the Factory series, which can result in slightly less small-bump sensitivity.
• Can Be Overwhelming to Tune: The number of adjustments can be overwhelming for novice riders.

Alternatives to the Fox 34 Performance Elite

If the Fox 34 Performance Elite isn't quite what you're looking for, here are a few other options to consider:

• RockShox Pike: The Pike is a popular and highly regarded trail fork that offers similar performance and features to the Fox 34 Performance Elite. It features a Charger damper, which is known for its smooth and controlled feel, and a DebonAir air spring, which provides excellent small-bump sensitivity.
• Marzocchi Z2: The Marzocchi Z2 is a more budget-friendly option that still offers impressive performance. It features a Rail damper and a Float air spring, providing a smooth and controlled ride. While it doesn't have as many adjustments as the Fox 34 Performance Elite, it's still a great option for riders who want a high-performing fork without breaking the bank.
• Fox 34 Factory: If you're willing to spend a bit more money, the Fox 34 Factory is the top-of-the-line option. It features a Kashima Coat, which provides increased small-bump sensitivity and smoother performance, as well as a FIT4 damper and a FLOAT air spring.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

So, is the Fox 34 Performance Elite worth it? In my opinion, absolutely. It offers an excellent balance of performance, weight, and cost, making it a great option for trail riders who want a high-quality fork without breaking the bank. The FIT4 damper and FLOAT air spring provide a smooth, controlled, and predictable ride, while the adjustable air pressure, rebound, compression, and volume spacers allow you to dial in the fork to your exact preferences. While it may not be as plush as the Factory series, the Performance Elite still offers impressive performance and is a great value for the money. If you are looking for a reliable and high-performing trail fork, the Fox 34 Performance Elite is definitely worth considering. It's a solid investment that will enhance your riding experience and help you tackle any trail with confidence.