X Fusion bicycle forks

Original photo by

Chris Yarzab

X Fusion forks are a relatively new company in the mountain bike game.  For the sake of simplicity on my part, I'm not going to discuss any of the Freeride/Down Hill, Trail/Enduro, Enduro/Freeride, Enduro/All Mountain forks X Fusion offers.

Instead, I'm sticking with the XC/Trail offerings: The Slide 29'er fork and The Velvet 26"/27.5" fork.  Both of these forks can be found in X Fusion's RL2R or RL2 configurations.

Both forks have a climbing lock-out feature.  The last "R" in RL2R is for the handlebar mounted remote, allowing the climbing lock-out to be controlled without moving your hands off of the bars.  That's a nice feature for hard-core XC racers.

The 100mm travel Slider is a bit heavier in weight at 4lbs compared to the Rock Shox Reba RLT at 3.67lbs or the Fox Float at roughly 3.5lbs depending on the configuration.  Not a show stopper, it is easier to lose a pound or two from riding more as well as gaining the power and endurance from all the riding, than it is to shell out several hundred more dollars for a lighter fork.

The X Fusion Slider RL2 can be had at $500, the Reba RLT 29'er sells for $700, and the Fox Float 29'er sells for around $750.

The Velvet fork has all of the same technology as the Slider, but instead of 29" wheels, it is geared towards the 26" wheel and 27.5" wheel.  The Velvet fork can be found for around $570 for 100mm of travel and 27.5" wheel size.

So, if you are in the market for a new front fork check out X Fusion.  They have a fork for whatever type of riding you plan on doing.

As always, keep it rubber side down!
Clayton