Q: Why do the 36 and 38 have a 15mm axle instead of 20mm?
A: Boost 15mm is nearly as stiff as 20mm, much easier to use, and more versatile?
Q: Can Bleeders be added to Performance Series 36 and 38?
A: Yes, Bleeders can be purchased separately and added to any 2021 fork with the Bleeder bosses on the back of the fork legs.
Q: Why is the elliptical steerer tube just on the 38?
A: It is only on the 38 for now but might find its way to other forks in the future.
Q: Why does the 38 use an inner air sleeve/cartridge tube and higher air pressures than the 36?
A: Because of the large diameter upper tubes of the 38, in order to achieve optimum air spring function and progressivity, positive air volume needed to be reduced. This is the reason for the inner sleeve.
A: The piston diameter in the 38 is smaller than the 36, therefore, the piston area of the 38 is less than the 36. The smaller piston area requires more pressure to achieve the same force.
Q: VVC was added to compression circuit on MY21 Grip2-equipped forks, was VVC also added to DHX2 and FloatX2 this year?
A: VVC was added to the rebound circuit of DHX2 and Float X2 for MY21.
Q: Is the new 36 and 38 mud guard compatible with earlier models of 36?
A: No, it only works on the new forks as the lower legs which the mud guard attaches to are an entirely different shape.
Q: Is the longer 40 mud guard compatible with 36 and 38?
A: No, the 40 mud guard only fits the 40.
Q: What's up with the new arch design, why does it lean forward so much?
A: The new arch design is the optimum shape for max stiffness and min weight, and the forward lean is to provide clearance at full compression for modern, large profile head tubes.
Q: What are the ridges on the back of the fork legs?
A: Those ridges are internal channels that dramatically increase air volume in the lower legs, reducing pressure buildup near bottom out, and allow bath oil to lubricate the foam rings, seals and bushings as the fork compresses and extends.
Q: What's the difference between the QR15 axle and the KaboltX axle on the new 36 and 38?
A: The short answer is that we typically recommend the QR15 axle for riders who frequently remove their front wheel, and the KaboltX for riders who rarely remove their front wheel. The long answer is that the QR15 axle allows for easier front wheel removal and it also allows for perfect chassis alignment with repeated front wheel removal and reinstallation. The KaboltX axle requires an Allen key for removal and chassis alignment should be reset each time the wheel is removed and reinstalled. But, the KaboltX axle shaves about 75 grams over the QR15 and it increases stiffness somewhat due to pinching the drive side of the axle to the dropout, which the QR15 axle does not do. So, it's really a question of do you prioritize marginal gains in the categories of weight and stiffness, or do you prioritize ultimate convenience? You can't go wrong either way!
Q: What is new about EVOL air spring across the 3 new fork models?
A: All three forks benefit from more negative volume in the air spring and more volume in the lower leg. These two features combine to provide a more linear spring curve and greater tuning options on progressivity.