Fox has unveiled a completely redesigned version of its 38 enduro fork, marking the first full overhaul of the platform since its launch in 2020.
The substantial overhaul of the 38 brings it in line with Fox’s gravity-focused range – including the 36, Podium and newly released 40 – with a revised chassis, updated GRIP X2 and GRIP X dampers, and a new Glidecore air spring. The focus is on reducing friction, improving sensitivity and refining ride feel.
While Fox has updated the 38 incrementally over the past five years – most notably through damper revisions – this latest version represents a ground-up rethink of one of the most widely used forks in enduro racing.
Podium learnings
The biggest change is to the chassis. The new 38 features a generatively designed lower-leg assembly with 20mm more bushing overlap. According to Fox, this increases fore-aft stiffness by around nine per cent, while also reducing friction under load.
At the same time, torsional stiffness has been reduced by just under seven per cent. While the original 38 prioritised outright stiffness and precision, the new fork appears to take a more balanced approach, similar to Fox’s Podium fork. By slightly reducing torsional stiffness, the fork should track uneven ground more effectively and maintain grip in rough terrain.
There are also updates to the air-bleeder valves, while the bypass channels have been relocated inside the lowers – a change first seen on the latest Fox 40. Together, these updates point to a broader effort to reduce friction to the fork under load and improve consistency.
In theory, the revised chassis should deliver a fork that remains stable under heavy braking and big impacts, and feels smoother and less harsh when the trails get rough.
Feel the flow
The GRIP X2 and GRIP X dampers remain, but with internal revisions rather than a complete redesign.
The key update is a new mid-valve piston and valve stack (shim stack). Fox has altered both the shape of the piston ports and the valve stack itself, while retaining the same overall damping architecture.
These changes are intended to improve oil flow and small-bump sensitivity, while maintaining the strong mid-stroke support the 38 is known for. Fox says the aim is to increase suppleness without sacrificing control or introducing harshness deeper in the travel.
In practice, this points to a refinement of the existing damper’s character, rather than a wholesale change in design.
New Glidecore air spring
The new 38 also features Fox’s Glidecore air spring, first seen in the Fox 36. This is intended to reduce friction caused by side-loading.
Unlike the previous Float EVOL air spring, Glidecore enables a small amount of controlled movement between the air piston and air shaft. Using compliant interfaces and larger O-rings, the system enables the internals to self-align under load, rather than bind when the fork is twisted through rough terrain.
The result should be smoother suspension action, improved small-bump sensitivity and more consistent performance.
Fox has also added an MCU bottom-out bumper to better control full-travel impacts.
A more refined ride?
The new Fox 38 focuses on reducing unwanted resistance through the fork. By minimising friction, stiction and binding, Fox is aiming to enable the damper and air spring to control the fork’s behaviour more efficiently, with less interference from the chassis.
The combination of increased fore-aft stiffness, reduced torsional stiffness and lower friction should result in improved sensitivity, better grip and reduced rider fatigue – particularly on rough, high-speed terrain.
Familiar formats, similar weight
The Fox 38 family remains unchanged, with the Factory, Performance Elite and Performance (OE only) models available.
Travel options remain unchanged at 160mm, 170mm and 180mm, with both 29in and 27.5in versions available. The fork retains a 15x110mm Boost axle and clearance for up to 2.6in tyres.
At a claimed starting weight of 2,200g, it’s broadly in line with the previous model.
New Fox 38 pricing
- Fox 38 Factory: £1,439 / $1,369 / €1,499 / AU$2,199
- Fox 38 Performance Elite: £1,299 / $1,259 / €1,399 / AU$1,999
