As big fans of X-Fusion’s cost effective Velvet 26in fork, we’ve been eager to try the Slide 29er version, and it hasn’t disappointed. At just under 1,900g chopped to fit, it’s heavy compared to Magura, RockShox and Fox 120mm (4.7in) 29ers, but a lot cheaper.
The extra bulk around the 32mm legs gives extra stiffness compared to the latter two when you’re trying to twist a big wheel out of a rut or cut across an off-camber trail.
The Syntace X-15 15mm screw-thru axle can be set to close at the same angle every time via a 4mm Allen bolt. We tested it at full 120mm (4.7in) travel length, but internal push-pins let you drop it to 80 or 100mm and there’s an internal converter spacer available for 650b wheels.
Suspension performance is impressive. It takes a while to bed in and it’s never as supple as the best Fox or Marzocchi options. It is reliably consistent and controlled though, with a usefully progressive rate in an increasingly linear-feeling fork world. There’s a simple on/off lockout too.
Reliability on long-term X-Fusion forks has been flawless, underlining their excellent value.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
