Market / MTB: For many years, the name Öhlins has stood for high-quality chassis components, especially among motorcyclists. For some time now, the Swedish manufacturer has also been making its first attempts in the MTB sector. Initially in cooperation with US manufacturer Specialized, who exclusively installed dampers and forks. For some time now there has also been a potent fork for everyone in the form of the RXF 36 - now they are adding to it: for example, the RXF 36 coil for 29″ bikes is completely new and the existing air fork for smaller wheels is also getting an update.
More choice on the suspension fork market! Even if Rock Shox and FOX are still the two top dogs in the performance-oriented MTB sector, buyers and tuners are offered an ever greater choice. Be it DT Swiss, MRP, Suntour, Formula, Cane Creek or now Öhlins: Perhaps never before has the selection of long-travel and high-performance suspension forks been greater than it is now. Öhlins should also be known to people who don't like horsepower and it's no coincidence that the Swedes' products have an excellent reputation - especially among motorcyclists.
Öhlins RXF 36 Coil – Potent 29 enduro fork with steel spring
Two years ago they started in the MTB sector with a cooperation with Specialized, a short time later they added their first own fork and now they are going one better: With the RXF 36 coil they are introducing a rather exotic fork, but for some rider may be the dream come true of the perfect suspension fork. With beefy 36mm stanchions, it is clear that the fork is more in the enduro sector - even if the spring travel can be reduced internally to up to 110mm. Exotic because on the one hand they rely on 29″ wheels – a trend that can currently be observed in enduro, freeride and downhill bikes as well. On the other hand, a fork with a steel spring was chosen; Coil chassis are currently celebrating a small revival. In this respect, two exciting and highly topical trends are included here.
The TTX22 damping cartridge of the RXF 36 coil has already been used in this form in the RXF 36 and offers external rebound adjustment and separate controls for high-speed and low-speed compression. The appropriate springs for adjusting to the driver's weight will be available in a total of seven stages. The Öhlins RXF 36 Coil, which is only available with Boost axles, weighs in at an impressive 2.380g with the full shaft length - so nothing for lightweight builders.
Öhlins RXF 36 27,5 – Back in black
The RXF 36 for 27,5″ is also celebrating its comeback this model year. In contrast to the 29″ version, this one comes with an air spring and weighs a few grams less at 2.085g. Here, too, only Boost axles are used and the casting offers space for tires with a width of up to 2,8″ - so it is definitely Plus-compatible. The RXF 36 27,5 will be available in 140, 150, 160 and 170mm travel variants.
The Air version of the RXF 36 also features TTX22 damping with separate settings for rebound, high-speed and low-speed compression. The third "ramp up" air chamber (next to the positive and negative chamber) is exciting, as it influences the progression of the fork and can also be adjusted externally and easily during the ride.
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