Top 5 Best Mountain Bike Forks

Suspension forks can be one of the more costly yet effective upgrades you can add to your mountain bike.

 More and more models make setting up and fine-tuning easier, with some brands providing air pressure stickers or interactive tuning apps for setup or fine-tuning purposes.

 Top 5 Best Mountain Bike Forks

1. RockShox ZEB Ultimate

RockShox's Zeb fork was designed specifically to tackle massive days on demanding trails.

 Ranging in travel from 160mm to 190mm, its performance matches that of its Lyrik and Pike counterparts with some minor tweaks--most notably the new RC2 damper installed into 38mm stanchions that offers supercharged small bump sensitivity, mid stroke support, and impressively low levels of friction thanks to an enhanced lower bushing design that maximises overlap, as well as using its own brand Maxima Plush fluid--making fork ownership an impressive experience indeed!

At its core, RockShox's Zeb fork is designed to take hard punishment on any terrain.

 It can absorb significant impacts without becoming harsh; bottoming out easier than Fox's budget 38; yet remains generally calm and composed upon major hits with minimal weight shift during big hits. Set-up should be straightforward if you follow RockShox's air recommendations; this fork should give a great ride from day one.

2. RockShox Lyrik Ultimate

RockShox has created one of the most versatile and adaptable forks available with the Lyrik.

 Specifically tailored for riders of all levels of experience from cross country racers to enduro veterans, it caters to everyone.

The latest Lyrik offers smooth action and wide adjustability options to meet all riding styles and weight requirements, while featuring industry-leading tech like the new Charger 3.1 RC2 damper, ButterCups technology, and DebonAir air spring with its robust 35mm chassis.

Initial stroke was ultra smooth, while when climbing there was barely any bob and the fork tracked the ground well.

 Even deep into its travel range it remains responsive, providing plenty of support when needed most.

RockShox claims the 3.1 has eliminated high and low-speed compression [adjustment] cross-talk, something you're sure to recognize immediately. It outshines its competitors with absolute ease and will let you push beyond your limits with total confidence - unlike its ZEB cousin which requires time and patience before reaching its true potential.

 Top 5 Best Mountain Bike Forks

3. FOX 36 Factory

As its name implies, Fox's premium all-mountain fork equipped with their GRIP2 damper offers superior damping performance and has an elegant aesthetic.

As far as handling is concerned, the 36 Factory fork is an outstanding performer that easily absorbs bumps and big hits without losing control.

 Furthermore, its responsive nature means you can push hard into corners without fearing your front end is going to dive.

2021 saw an update for the 36, with features including new lower leg designs with bypass channels and bleed valves as well as a floating axle design to increase torsional stiffness and help with frame alignment.

 Furthermore, its crown was upgraded with improved durability that reduces creaking steerer tubes.

The 36 is an ideal fork for riders who ride 160mm travel trail bikes and enjoy big hits and bike park runs.

 This tough fork can handle whatever comes your way and is also great for use in enduro races or just extra descent confidence.

 Top 5 Best Mountain Bike Forks

4. Formula Selva R

Formula is known for their brakes, and now offer their inaugural fork in the form of the Selva R fork.

 Designed to offer easy setup with fine-tunable damping capability should desired, the Selva R provides plenty of adjustability on setup as well.

Formula's 34 XC fork utilizes the same basic design, yet adds features that differentiate it from other air forks.

 One such feature is its use of a separate negative air chamber with its own dedicated air pressure to avoid being negatively affected by compression forces from positive air chamber.

 This results in lower air pressure in negative chamber and more comfortable initial part of travel.

Formula's Neo Pos compressible volume spacers give this fork the ability to customize its progression curve and create a less harsh ramp at the end of travel, similar to what would be experienced when riding coil forks. When combined with swappable CTS compression circuits, there are an impressive variety of ways this fork can tailor itself specifically to match your riding style and bike.

5. RockShox Yari

RockShox made waves last year with their launch of their Lyrik fork, but they also released the more budget-minded Yari fork with DebonAir air spring technology which provides increased mid-stroke support and greater sensitivity, helping it win our Best in Class award in our suspension fork group test.

Fork was designed to instil confidence among hard-hitting enduro and E-MTB riders.

 It combines the Lyrik chassis with DebonAir air spring and Motion Control damper for maximum damping performance, as well as deeper crown and 35mm stanchions which increase stiffness.

RockShox designed the Yari fork to fill an opening in their OEM lineup and provide aggressive riders with access to top-tier forks at a lower cost point.

 Though the fork doesn't quite match up to Lyrik or Pike performance levels, it still offers outstanding value and utilizes Torque Cap dropouts which connect with oversized hub end caps to increase stiffness for increased stiffness and rigidity.

 Top 5 Best Mountain Bike Forks