Hey guys! Today, we’re diving deep into the Fox 34 Performance Elite fork. If you're in the market for a new fork and want something that balances performance and price, this review is for you. We'll break down everything from its features and performance to how it stacks up against the competition. Let's get started!

Overview of the Fox 34 Performance Elite

The Fox 34 Performance Elite is designed as a trail fork, aimed at riders who want a blend of lightweight design and robust performance. It sits in Fox’s lineup between the standard Performance series and the top-tier Factory series. What sets the Performance Elite apart is that it offers nearly the same damper performance as the Factory models but without the Kashima coating, which helps keep the price more reasonable. This makes it an attractive option for riders who prioritize function over the ultimate bling factor.

Key Features

• EVOL Air Spring: The EVOL (Extra Volume) air spring increases negative air spring volume to aid small bump sensitivity. This means the fork can react more smoothly to smaller trail imperfections, providing better traction and control.
• FIT4 Damper: The FIT4 (Fox Isolated Technology) damper is known for its efficient and reliable performance. It offers three on-the-fly compression damping positions—Open, Medium, and Firm—allowing riders to quickly adjust the fork to different trail conditions. The Open mode also features a low-speed compression adjustment, giving you even finer control over the fork’s feel.
• Lightweight Chassis: The Fox 34 is designed to be light without sacrificing stiffness. This balance is crucial for trail riding, where you want a fork that’s responsive and easy to maneuver.
• Stanchion Diameter: It features 34mm stanchions, providing a good balance between weight and stiffness for trail riding applications.

Intended Use

The Fox 34 Performance Elite is primarily designed for trail riding. It’s suitable for bikes with travel ranging from 120mm to 140mm, making it versatile enough for various trail conditions. Whether you're climbing technical ascents or descending fast, rocky trails, this fork aims to provide consistent and reliable performance. It’s not designed for hardcore enduro or downhill riding; for those disciplines, you’d want to look at forks like the Fox 36 or 38.

Performance and Ride Quality

Okay, let’s talk about how this fork actually performs on the trail. The Fox 34 Performance Elite truly shines when it comes to soaking up bumps and maintaining traction. The EVOL air spring does an excellent job of making the fork feel supple off the top, meaning it reacts well to small trail chatter. This enhances comfort and control, especially on long rides.

Small Bump Sensitivity

One of the standout features of this fork is its small bump sensitivity. The EVOL air spring really makes a difference here, allowing the fork to react smoothly to even the smallest trail imperfections. This translates to better traction and control, as the front wheel stays planted on the ground instead of bouncing off every little rock and root. This is particularly noticeable on rough trails where maintaining momentum is crucial.

Mid-Stroke Support

Moving into the mid-stroke, the Fox 34 Performance Elite provides ample support for aggressive riding. The FIT4 damper helps the fork resist diving under braking and provides a stable platform for pushing through corners. This is where the fork feels most composed, giving you the confidence to tackle technical sections of the trail. Whether you’re hitting berms or navigating rocky chutes, the fork remains predictable and controlled.

End-Stroke Control

As you move deeper into the travel, the Fox 34 Performance Elite offers good end-stroke control, preventing harsh bottom-outs. While it’s not as plush or forgiving as some of the longer-travel enduro forks, it still does a commendable job of absorbing bigger hits without feeling jarring. This is thanks in part to the ability to add volume spacers to the air spring, allowing you to fine-tune the fork’s ramp-up characteristics. If you find yourself bottoming out frequently, adding a volume spacer can help increase the fork’s resistance to bottoming out.

Adjustability

The Fox 34 Performance Elite offers a good range of adjustability, allowing you to dial in the fork to your specific preferences and riding style. The FIT4 damper provides three on-the-fly compression damping positions—Open, Medium, and Firm—making it easy to adapt to changing trail conditions. In the Open mode, you also have the ability to adjust low-speed compression, giving you even finer control over the fork’s feel. Additionally, you can adjust the air pressure and add or remove volume spacers to tune the fork’s spring rate and bottom-out resistance. All these adjustments make it easy to find the sweet spot for your riding style.

Pros and Cons

To give you a clear picture, let's break down the pros and cons of the Fox 34 Performance Elite.

Pros

• Excellent Damper Performance: The FIT4 damper is highly regarded for its efficiency and reliability, offering a wide range of adjustability to suit different riding styles and trail conditions.
• Great Small Bump Sensitivity: Thanks to the EVOL air spring, the fork is incredibly supple off the top, providing excellent traction and control on rough trails.
• Lightweight Design: The Fox 34 strikes a good balance between weight and stiffness, making it ideal for trail riding where maneuverability is key.
• Good Adjustability: With on-the-fly compression damping adjustments and the ability to fine-tune the air spring, this fork offers plenty of options for dialing in the perfect feel.
• Price Point: Offers near-Factory level performance without the Factory level price tag.

Cons

• Not Ideal for Aggressive Enduro: While capable, it’s not the best choice for very aggressive enduro or downhill riding. For those disciplines, a burlier fork like the Fox 36 or 38 would be more suitable.
• No Kashima Coating: While this helps keep the price down, some riders may miss the ultra-smooth feel and bling factor of the Kashima coating found on the Factory series forks.

Alternatives to the Fox 34 Performance Elite

If the Fox 34 Performance Elite doesn’t quite fit your needs or budget, here are a few alternatives to consider:

RockShox Pike Select+

The RockShox Pike Select+ is another excellent trail fork that competes directly with the Fox 34. It features the Charger 2.1 damper, which is known for its smooth and controlled performance. The Pike also offers excellent small bump sensitivity and mid-stroke support, making it a great all-around trail fork. It tends to be slightly more affordable than the Fox 34, making it a good option for budget-conscious riders.

Marzocchi Z2

The Marzocchi Z2 is a more budget-friendly option that still delivers solid performance. It uses a simple but effective GRIP damper, which provides reliable performance and easy adjustability. While it may not be as refined as the FIT4 damper on the Fox 34, the Z2 is still a capable trail fork that offers good value for money. It’s a great choice for riders who want a dependable fork without breaking the bank.

DVO Sapphire 34

The DVO Sapphire 34 is a more boutique option that offers excellent performance and adjustability. It features DVO’s innovative OTT (Off The Top) adjustment, which allows you to fine-tune the fork’s small bump sensitivity. The Sapphire also offers a wide range of other adjustments, making it easy to dial in the perfect feel for your riding style. However, it tends to be more expensive than the Fox 34 and may require more maintenance.

Final Verdict

So, is the Fox 34 Performance Elite worth it? In my opinion, absolutely! It strikes an excellent balance between performance, weight, and price. The FIT4 damper and EVOL air spring provide a smooth and controlled ride, while the lightweight chassis makes it easy to maneuver on the trail. While it may not be the best choice for aggressive enduro riding, it’s an ideal fork for trail riders who want a high-performance upgrade without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for a fork that can handle a wide range of trail conditions and provide consistent, reliable performance, the Fox 34 Performance Elite is definitely worth considering. You get almost all the performance of the Factory series at a much more reasonable price.

I hope this review has been helpful in your search for the perfect trail fork. Happy trails, guys!