FIRST LOOK

ÖHLINS RXF38 M.2 FORK

$1,450 Scandinavian super suspension

With chunky 38mm stanchions and DH-derived damping, the RXF38 m.2 has been introduced to compete with the Fox 38 and RockShox ZEB at the top of the enduro/e-bike fork hierarchy. Öhlins' motorsport heritage brings expectations of top quality and precision engineering, and, on first impressions, that's exactly what you get.

Key to the RXF38's performance is the Swedish brand's new twin-tube TTX18 damper, which utilises the same 18mm piston found in Loïc Bruni's World Cup-winning DH38 m.1 downhill fork. The damping is three-way adjustable via external dials that offer 15 clicks of low-speed rebound and compression, and three clicks of high-speed compression. Ohlins have redesigned their three-chamber, twin-piston air spring, enlarging the negative chamber in a bid to reduce the breakaway force at the sag point. This should mean less unwanted feedback through the bar and increased control in choppy terrain.

The RXF38 is only available for 29in wheels, with clearance for a 2.6in tyre and with a 44mm or 51mm offset. Like Rockshox's ZEB it has 200mm direct-mount brake bosses, so only large rotors can be run, but no adapter is required. Travel is internally adjustable between 160mm, 170mm or 180mm. Our fork weighs 2,331g (160mm travel, 51mm offset).