Rootdown (Series VI) Frame – 2025

Description

XC Bred. Downcountry Ready.

The FOX 34 SL is built for the most technical World Cup XC courses and the increasing demands of modern downcountry riding. Designed to deliver more stiffness, more suppleness, and only a minimal weight gain from its predecessor, the 34 Step-Cast, the 34 SL brings never-before-seen XC capability into a full-width 34mm chassis with up to 130mm of travel.

Whether you’re chasing podiums or exploring demanding trails, the 34 SL provides the confidence, control, and lightweight efficiency riders expect from FOX. Built for modern XC courses where capability and efficiency are equally important, this fork answers the call for more travel, more stiffness, and better ride qualitywithout compromising weight.

Unequaled XC Capability

The 34 Step-Cast set the standard for class-leading weight, but the demand for 130mm travel in XC riding is growing. With the 34 SL, FOX pushes the potential of the 34 chassis even further, giving short-travel riders more capability than ever before.

The 34 SL uses a full 34mm chassis (not step-cast), featuring a larger volume air spring that allows for a maximum travel of 130mm. Whether you need it or just want it, this increased travel option comes at a weight that makes sense for elite World Cup XC racers and weekend amateur competitors alike.

Redesigned Arch and Crown

Engineered for optimal performance, the 34 SL features a generatively designed arch that wraps around the lowers, increasing torsional stiffness by 17% over the previous 34 Step-Cast fork. This added stiffness improves handling and control, particularly when pushing through rough terrain.

Strategic cutouts in the arch minimize weight, while the new 7000 series aluminum crown, also generatively designed, includes larger internal lightening bores and a black anodized finish. The anodized finish is lighter than paint, further reducing weight without sacrificing durability.

More Bushing Overlap for a Smoother Ride

The 34 SL increases bushing overlap by 20% compared to the 34 Step-Cast. Bushings are Teflon-lined sleeves that interface between the stanchions and lower legs of the fork. Greater overlap between upper and lower bushings reduces friction and improves stiffness, especially under sideways loads like those encountered when riding over obstacles.

The result? A smoother-feeling fork, increased suppleness at higher speeds, and better handling under heavy bending loads.

GRIP SL Damper Climb Faster. Descend Harder. Recover Quicker.

In endurance racing, every gram counts. The GRIP SL damper was designed specifically for short-travel forks, reducing weight while delivering the performance needed for demanding World Cup XCO and XCM races.

With optimized pedal-to-bump efficiency, the GRIP SL provides riders with a lightweight damper and unparalleled ride feelwhether climbing, descending, or charging through technical sections.

Inboard Bypass Channels for Reduced Friction

The 34 SL’s inboard bypass channels help curb pressure ramping, increasing small bump sensitivity. These channels also recirculate bath oil, effectively lubricating bushings and seals for smoother operation.

Relocated from the aft side of the fork to the inboard side, the channels are now out of the fore-aft load path. This reduces dynamic friction throughout the forks travel, improving ride quality and responsiveness.

Weight Optimized in Every Detail

Every component of the 34 SL was scrutinized for weight savings:

• Kabolt SL Axle: Drops an additional 12g compared to the standard Kabolt axle by eliminating the axle nut and decreasing flange diameter.
• Double-Butted Stanchion Tube: On the damper side, this saves approximately 9g.
• Refined Full-Width Lowers: Engineered to save as much weight as possible while accommodating a 2.5 max tire size and a 203mm max rotorboth improvements over previous Step-Cast designs.

At 1475g (29 130mm GRIP SL), the 34 SL is 100g lighter than its closest competitor. While theres a roughly 50g weight increase from the 34 Step-Cast, the longer travel, increased stiffness, and greater capability make the 34 SL the go-to fork for modern XC and downcountry riders.