The all-new Öhlins RXF34 m.2 is a totally revamped 29er downcountry fork constructed to get essentially the most out of the most recent crop of long-travel XC, marathon, and short-travel trail bikes. Significantly lighter with simplified single air internals & shorter 120/130m journey, the second technology RXF34 is a totally totally different animal, but nonetheless able to make your light-weight, short-travel trail bike quicker and extra enjoyable…
Öhlins RXF34 120/130mm light trail fork
Premium Swedish suspension maker Öhlins has been updating & upgrading their mountain bike forks with m.2 (mark two) variations of their 140-170mm RXF36 all-mountain trail & 160-180mm RXF38 enduro/freeride forks. Now the smaller 34mm stanchion fork will get its personal overhaul, dialed again to 120-130mm of journey to pair to trendy 100-130mm journey cross-country, downcountry, and light trail bikes.
Öhlins says, “Modern short-travel bike design needs suspension to match. The RXF34 m.2 is designed to maximise enjoyment of the downcountry riding style. Go fast. Keep momentum.”
What’s new?
new OTX18 damper internals
The secret to massive weight financial savings is a model new 27% lighter OTX18 downcountry damper, optimized for shorter journey, lighter bikes, and less-aggressive using types. An evolution of the dual tube separated oil circuits & 2+1 air chambers of the gravity-ready TTX18, this new one tube OTX18 damper nonetheless will get the identical 18mm inner piston however a simplified 1+1 optimistic & self-adjusting unfavorable air chamber that Ohlins says is healthier suited to quick, light-weight trail bikes.
The simplified damper nonetheless will get premium fine-tuning adjustability, with 15 clicks of low-speed compression, 15 clicks of rebound regulate, plus 3-position high-speed compression for absolutely open descending, supportive trail & locked-out climb mode.
new air quantity spacers
In truth, there’s much more adjustability now, as Ohlins has added an easy-to-use air quantity spacer system that enables the rider to easily snap collectively as much as 5-6 quantity spacers to change the air spring curve to their liking.
Plus, Ohlins gives a big database of setting that they’ve examined, ridden, and might advocate for mountain bikers seeking to additional customise their journey.
Stiffness has at all times been a key goal for Ohlins forks for exact steering and general predictable dealing with, and the brand new RXF34 m.2 is claimed to have obtained a brand new “flex pattern tailored for lightweight trail riding”. The fork’s closed-end lowers assist increase stiffness, improve air quantity & trail sturdiness, letting the fork ship easy small bump sensitivity & plush journey so mountain bikers can tune to their particular person using type.
Tech particulars
The new RXF34 m.2 is a 29er-only mountain bike suspension fork with 44mm offset, and the choice for 120mm or 130mm of journey. Even although it includes a easier single air OTX18 damper, journey remains to be not simply adjustable, however it’s now at the least doable. Swapping from one to the opposite appears to require a whole fork service and alternative of a few of the damper’s internals.
The new downcountry fork sticks with the identical 34mm stanchions, one-piece crown & steerer, and floating axle design that makes use of a pinch bolt along with the usual 15mm bolt-on axle to be able to lower axle friction whereas sustaining excessive stiffness. The new fork after all will get up to date to trendy Boost spacing.
The shorter journey, lighter Öhlins RXF34 m.2 fork is claimed to weigh simply 1698g (with out quantity spacers) and remains to be rated for eMTB use. Designed for 160mm publish mount brakes, you may bolt as much as a 203mm rotor, and match as much as a 29 x 2.6″ tire.
Ohlins RXF34 – Pricing, choices & availability
The all-new Öhlins RXF34 m.2 fork is on the market to order beginning immediately, changing the original, manufacturing unit preset to both 120mm (531mm axle-crown) or 130mm (541mm a-c). Either journey variant of the revamped downcountry fork will set you again the identical $1180 / £1185 / 1294€, as you goal to improve your brief journey 29er trail bike.
First Ride Impressions
We’ve had the brand new RXF34 m.2 fork for only some brief weeks, however have been squeezing quick trail rides in between breaks in snow and freezing climate. Swapping out the inventory Fox 34 Step Cast fork on the Canyon Lux Trail, the brand new Ohlins fork added a bit of additional weight, however a noticeably increase in stiffness and confidence on technical trails.
Check out our detailed First Ride impressions and the precise Öhlins RXF34 m.2 weight, coming quickly.
