Fox’s top-of-the-range, slick Kashima-coated F100 RLC is the ultimate, maximum control fit-and-forget short-travel race/trail fork for those who can afford it.
The scooped brace lowers with 15mm screw-through axle and tapered top give a usefully taut and controlled feel on the trail, but it’s still an obedient fork in a quick-release format. Rebound and low speed compression dials plus lockout lever are within easy reach on the fork top, so setting your preferred damping feel is easy.
What really sets the Fox apart though is the ultra-supple, terrain-tracking, traction-boosting fluidity of the FIT cartridge, gold-coloured Kashima stanchion coating and SKF seals. As long as you get the air spring pressure somewhere right, the fork floats through the most rutted, ragged and rooty sections with outstanding control and sensitivity.
Obviously there’s a limit to what the 100mm stroke will swallow but it never over travels or feels notchy however fast the hits are coming. Even when slammed to full travel it sucks it up calmly. The angle adjustable Fox/Shimano 15QR axle is the most user friendly, weatherproof screw-through available too.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
