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Calloused hands, burning forearms, and endless conversations about #BADUBADUBADU, #BOOHM, and #CLANK—we look back on months of intensive testing. From Bikepark Geisskopf to our local home trails, French bike parks, and Italian rock gardens, we've put six of the most exciting 170mm-travel forks through the Testpilot process.

In this final summary, we provide you with a conclusion and a review of all the test impressions from our 170 mm suspension field test. However, we don't just want to provide raw numbers and travel curves. We dive deeper into ride feel and shed some light on what really matters. A fork that matches your riding style. (**Click here for the intro article**)

What does Testpilot explain?

Our goal at Testpilot is to understand the soul and essence of every product: Where are the biggest strengths? What kind of riding characteristics hide behind the adjusters? And above all: Which fork truly suits your riding style, your weight, and your budget?

Because in the end, it's just like bike geometry: there's no single perfect product for everyone. Whether you're looking for the straightforward "set-and-forget" mentality of a steel spring, want to lose yourself in the "setup wonderland" of Italian engineers, or are striving for a handcrafted gold standard from the USA—the current test field shows what the market offers beyond the mainstream players.

Join us on a deep dive through the highlights of our individual tests and find out in the accompanying podcast what really is important for a good fork.

What you will find in this article

A quick overview about every suspension fork

Tech & History for every Model
Key-Facts
Impression in the field test and the time stamp in the podcast (this time in German)
Short conclusion

Under every paragraph you will find the link to the single review for every fork. These go deeper on the technology.

Enjoy the read and listening if you can understand the Görmans—and of course, enjoy setting up your suspension!

Testing protocol

1. 170 mm travel
2. 29er
3. Testriders with a broad range of weights
4. Benchmarking all forks
5. Expand impresssions on a broad variety of trails

Test Forks Overview

	Formula Selva V	Fox Podium Factory	Marzocchi Z1 Coil	Öhlins RXF38 m.3 Air	PUSH Industries Nine.One V2	SR Suntour DUROLUX38 X EVO
Application	Trail / Enduro	Enduro / aggressive AM / eMTB	AM / Enduro / Trail	Trail / Enduro / eMTB	Trail / Enduro / eMTB	E-Enduro
⌀	35 mm	(47 mm upper) 36 mm	36 mm	38 mm	36 mm Stanchions / 44 mm Uppers	38 mm
Travel	160 / 170 / 180 mm	150 / 160 / 170 mm	160 mm	160 / 170 / 180 mm	140–170 mm	160 / 170 / 180 mm
Settings	CTS, LSC, LSR, Lockout	HSC, LSC, HSR, LSR	Preload, LSR, C	LSC, HSC, LSR	HSC & LSC, LSR, Sub Chamber, HBO	Air Pressure, LSC, LSR
Spring System	Dual-Chamber-V-Air	FLOAT EVOL GlideCore Air	Steel Coil	Three-Chamber Air Spring	Coil Spring with Sub Chamber	AIR EQ
Damping	CTS + Internal Floating	GRIP X2	GRIP	TTX18	NINEONE	RC+
Wheel Sizes	29″	29″	29″ / 27.5″	29″ / 27.5″	29″ / 27.5″	29″
Max. Tire Width	2.6″	2.6″	2.6″	2.6″	2.6″	2.6″
Axle Dimension	15 x 110 mm Boost	20 x 110 mm Boost	15 x 110 mm Boost	15 x 110 mm Boost	15 x 110 mm Boost	15 x 110 mm Boost
Brake Rotor	PM7, max. 220 mm	PM 200 mm (up to 230 mm)	PM 180–203 mm	PM 200 mm (max. 230 mm)	PM 180–203 mm (220–223 mm adapter)	PM 203 mm (max. 220 mm)
Offset	43 mm	44 mm	44 mm	44 mm	44 mm (29″) / 37 mm (27.5″)	44 mm
Axle-to-Crown	583 mm at 170 mm	approx. 577–587 mm	approx. 580 mm	approx. 573–593 mm	551–581 mm (depending on travel)	580 mm at 160 mm
Steerer Tube	1.5–1 1/8″	1.5–1 1/8″	1.5–1 1/8″	1.5–1 1/8″	1.5–1 1/8″	1.5–1 1/8″
Casting	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
Wipers	Standard	Fox by SKF	Standard	Öhlins by SKF	Push ULF Seals	SKF
Fender	optional	optional	optional	optional	optional	Long/short version
Color	Matte Black / Ultraviolet	Kashima / Black	Shiny Black / Gloss Red	Gloss Black	Black / Bronze Variants	Metallic Slate; Gloss Black
Weight	2,070 g	2,780 g	2,549 g	2,313 g	2,941 g	2,656 g
Warranty	2 years + 10 years support	2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years	2 years
Price (MSRP)	approx. €1,307	approx. €2,400	approx. €999	approx. €1,499	approx. €2,399	approx. €899
Website	rideformula.com	ridefox.com	marzocchi.com	ohlins.com	pushindustries.com	srsuntour.com

SR Suntour Durolux38 X – Something we would call a "Raw Diamond"

A Toyota in the ranks of suspension forks

Robust, reliable, and without unnecessary frills: When handed over to our test team, the SR Suntour DUROLUX38 X was described as a "Toyota." A name in the automotive off-road world that stands for a clean manufacturing process and maximum durability. As the "Hardcore" variant (38 X), it's a heavyweight participant in our comparison test, specifically designed for extreme enduro, freeride, and e-bike use. At 2,656 g, it's certainly no lightweight contender, but it can convert that mass into high stiffness and composure when the terrain gets rough.

Technology & History: Focus on the essentials

SR Suntour breaks with the idea of putting more and more dials on their top models. The RC+PCS cartridge offers only one adjuster for compression and one for rebound. That's it. On the air side, you'll find the EQ air spring (Equalizer).

Einfachheit als Konzept: Simplicity as a concept: Instead of endless adjusters and options, Suntour relies on a combined compression dial that simultaneously affects both high-speed and low-speed compression.
The "TAP" factor: Our test fork initially required a bushing calibration to unlock its full potential. Going forward, Suntour assured us to rely on the now implemented TAP process (Total Alignment Process), where bushings are perfectly aligned in the casting from the factory to eliminate friction right from the start.

Field Check & Podcast Talk: Precision vs. Flex

In our podcast conversation, it quickly became clear: the DUROLUX38 X lives up to SR Suntour's idea of the extreme. While it precisely impresses riders over the 220 lb mark or aggressive e-bikers with its stiffness under hard braking and precision in rock gardens, it presents a challenge for lighter pilots.

Podcast takeaway: "For riders under 165 lbs, the massive stiffness can almost be too much of a good thing. Here, the fork tends to deflect off cross-roots rather than conform smoothly to the terrain."

However, those who ride the fork with enough power and inputs will be rewarded with a damping quality that works not just through progression but actively through shaft speed, reserving valuable travel in case of harsh landings and real emergencies when things get spicy.

Single review Verdict: Performance at a Steal

The DUROLUX38 X is practically bored on moderate flow trails—it craves higher speeds and hard hits. If you're willing to forgo an armada of dials, you get a fork that competes at the front in terms of robustness and damping. It's more than just a budget tip—it's a statement to the competition, especially when you consider the price-to-performance ratio.

"Reliable. Not the lightest. But it just works. Simple." – Chris

In-depth review: SR Suntour DUROLUX38 X in a detailed individual test
Höre die komplette Analyse im Podcast– (SR Suntour DUROLUX38 ab Minute 22:16)

Marzocchi Z1 Coil – A "Down 2 Earth"-Care-Free-Package

Simplicity as a Winning Model

Sometimes, simple is just better. The Marzocchi Z1 Coil is the fork for anyone who can't be bothered with air pressure charts and pump odysseys. It uses Fox's proven 36mm chassis and combines it with a classic steel spring and the straightforward GRIP damper. The result is a fork built for pragmatists and bike park regulars who value performance without stressing about the setup.

Technology & History: The Return of the Steel Spring

The Z1 Coil offers what air forks often struggle to simulate: an inimitable, sensitive small-bump response and the characteristic steel spring curve.

Progressive bottom-out protection: Since steel springs are inherently linear, Marzocchi uses a clever system where the air volume inside the casting (below the spring) acts as a natural bottom-out buffer. This effectively prevents hard clanking at the end of the travel.
Low maintenance vs. weight: With four available spring rates (for rider weights from 119 to 251 lbs), the tuning is coarser than with air, but it's truly "set and forget." The added weight of the steel spring (approx. 0.7–0.9 lbs) is more than offset by superior traction and minimal service demands.

Field Check & Podcast Talk: "Set and Forget" in Hard Use

In our podcast conversation, the Z1 emerged as an ultimate workhorse. It doesn't mess around; it just works. Where you notice the difference compared to high-end forks is in a direct side-by-side comparison at the limit.

Podcast takeaway: "The Z1 does what it's supposed to do, and you get down anything without issues. In a direct comparison with the rest of the test field, it is a bit more tiring on the hands during long descents because, in terms of damping refinement, it doesn't quite keep up with the absolute top models."

However, especially for heavier riders and rough terrain, it's an ideal partner, as the chassis is plenty stiff and it offers a confident baseline setup.

Single Review Verdict: The Pragmatist's Choice

If you're honest with yourself regarding what you really need and don't want to constantly fiddle with adjusters, the Marzocchi Z1 Coil is a fork that makes even much more expensive high-end cartridges look old in terms of reliability and function. It's the value king for everyone who considers weight secondary as long as the front wheel traction is right.

"It's always a bit of a fundamental question, because most forks do a decent job, and even the simple ones, they'll still work just fine in most situations and won't make you miss a fine-tune adjuster." – Jens

In-depth review: Marzocchi Z1 Coil in a detailed individual test
Höre die komplette Analyse im Podcast – (Marzocchi Z1 Coil ab Minute 40:10)

Öhlins RXF38 m.3 – The "Dark Horse" from Sweden

Focus on Traction and Comfort

With the Mark III version of the RXF38, Öhlins has noticeably shifted its focus. While previous generations were often perceived as rather firm and "race-oriented," the m.3 presents itself as a true traction machine. It's the fork for riders seeking maximum ground grip without sacrificing that signature Öhlins feel. Those who still prefer the firmer setting of the previous generation can achieve that through internal adjustments.

Technology & History: The Triple-Chamber Secret

Öhlins' technological standout feature remains the Triple Chamber system, which has been consistently developed in the m.3 version:

Three chambers for full control: In addition to the positive and negative chambers, a third chamber (ramp-up) allows adjustment of the end progression directly via the pump—no need for volume spacers (tokens).
Improved small-bump sensitivity: Thanks to an enlarged negative chamber, the front wheel practically sticks to the ground. A special bonus for bike nerds: Because the air spring sits inside a closed cartridge, the inner surfaces of the stanchions cannot be scratched. A conversion to a coil spring is therefore possible at any time without leaving traces. In other words, you can also switch back and forth between the air and coil version if desired.

Field Check & Podcast Talk: The "Ground Hugging Machine"

In the podcast discussion, it quickly became clear that the Öhlins has a unique character. It conveys a high sense of security but demands an active riding style if you want to get airborne.

Podcast takeaway: "The fork generates massive traction and turns rock gardens into butter. This 'ground hugging' means you just don't touch the brakes in chunky sections. There is a price for it: By design, it offers slightly less 'pop' and feedback than, say, a Fox or Push."

If you like to pop off every root, you'll need to invest a bit more rider input on the Öhlins—but if you're seeking maximum composure, you'll find your perfect partner here.

Single Review Verdict: A Precision Tool for Tech Nerds

The RXF38 m.3 is a fork for riders who enjoy really diving into fine-tuning their suspension. Thanks to the interaction of the three chambers, the spring curve can be fine-tuned like almost no other fork on the market. It is the ultimate tool for anyone seeking a "sofa-like feel" with maximum control and who is willing to invest time in achieving the perfect setup.

"Ground hugging... it just plows. It provides you really high confidence when things get rough." – Chris

In-depth review: Öhlins RXF38 m.3 in a detailed individual test
Höre die komplette Analyse im Podcast – (Öhlins RXF38 m.3 ab Minute 58:20)

Formula Selva V – An Italian "Hidden Gem"

A Diva standing tall (broad)

The Formula Selva V is the Italian diva in the test field—and that in the best possible sense. While the trend is inexorably moving toward increasingly massive stanchions, Formula proves with 35mm that true stability comes from elsewhere. Thanks to the distinctive, wide stance of the fork crown, it offers a unique balance between precision, compliance, and enhanced grip. Its low weight and the ability to provide a lively character without sacrificing control are truly impressive.

Technology & History: The Modular Principle (CTS & Neopos)

Formula pursues a consistently modular approach that makes the Selva one of the most adaptable forks on the market:

CTS (Compression Tuning System): The heart of the damping. Instead of just turning knobs, Formula allows you to swap out the entire compression valve within a few minutes. With seven different valves—ranging from "Super Soft" to "E-Bike Racing"—the fundamental character of the fork can be completely transformed.
Neopos Technology: These special foam volume spacers work inside the air chamber. Unlike rigid plastic tokens, they compress differently, depending on the impact speed. Therefore, they can provide a more linear progression in the mid-stroke while still offering the necessary support for hard bottom-outs.

Field Check & Podcast Talk: The Paradise for Individualists

In our podcast, it became clear: The Selva V is not an off-the-shelf product you should just install and forget. It is an invitation to engage with your own riding style and improve your understanding of suspension.

Podcast takeaway: "The Selva is a fork for individualists. You have to be willing to invest time in the setup and the CTS options. Those who do will be rewarded with a nimbleness that has become rare in the 38mm segment. But if you just want to 'set and forget,' you risk getting stuck in a setup that may not suit your riding style at all."

Single Review Verdict: Tailored Performance

The Selva V is the result of years of evolution. It proves that clever engineering can replace heavy artillery. Those who have the patience to test the CTS inserts and Neopos combinations will get a suspension setup tailored precisely to their personal preferences. A true hidden gem for connoisseurs who value agility and technical adjustability.

"If you invest the time, you will definitely be rewarded with a very well-functioning fork, exactly the way you actually like it." – Chris

In-depth review: Formula Selva V in a detailed individual test
Höre die komplette Analyse im Podcast – (Formula Selva V ab Minute 47:40)

FOX Podium – "Tipp E-Bike" Turning a statement on its head

Evolution and a New Approach in a Fork

The FOX Podium is a radical appearance and the result of a long development history. 14 years after the first USD prototypes, FOX is bringing a production-series single-crown upside-down fork that sets new standards both visually and technically. With massive 47mm outer tubes directly below the crown, it's not just an eye-catcher but the perfect complement for modern, chunky e-bike frames and heavy-duty enduros.

Technology & History: The Upside-Down Principle Reimagined

The Podium's USD concept breaks with standard design and consistently exploits physical advantages:

Permanent lubrication: Because the fork is "upside down," the seals and bushings are constantly bathed in oil. The result is an improved sensitive small-bump response that often leaves conventional designs in the dirt.
Maximum stiffness where it matters most: The highest bending forces on a fork occur right at the crown. That's precisely where the Podium's thickest tubes are located. Its bushing overlap is high, allowing it to function smoothly in every situation.
InneNext-generation internals: Inside works the new GRIP X2 cartridge, which also forms the heart of the current 2027 models such as the FOX 38.

Field Check & Podcast Talk: Composure and Grip at the Limit

In the podcast discussion, the unique ride feel was the main topic. The Podium confidently "plows" through heavy terrain and is not thrown off even by hard hits.

Podcast takeaway: "The often-criticized lack of torsional stiffness of USD forks was hardly an issue in daily testing. On the contrary, the fork generates massive grip in extreme lean angles, allowing minimal, controlled twist that guides the front wheel undisturbed through rock gardens. At just over 6.1 lbs, it is a heavyweight, but one that fits perfectly with the overall system weight of an e-MTB."

Single Review Verdict: High-End for Heavy Duty

The FOX Podium is not a toy; it's a statement. It offers one of the most sensitive small-bump responses on the market and a look that polarizes. The maintenance effort and complexity are somewhat higher due to the design, but the ride feel is unique. If you're seeking the maximum in style and performance for your e-bike, you can't get around the Podium.

"It's awesome! [...] massive, fits insanely well with voluminous carbon frames, and heavy e-bikes." – Jens

In-depth review: FOX Podium in a detailed individual test
Höre die komplette Analyse im Podcast – (FOX Podium ab Stunde 1:14:50)

Push Industries Nine.One V2 – The "Chef's Kiss" Masterpiece

When Perfection Is No Question about the Price

If money is no object and only absolute technical perfection matters, your path leads to Push Industries. The Nine.One V2 is far more than a mass-produced item—it is a handcrafted luxury component made in Colorado for hardcore MTB nerds. Those who invest here are not just paying for hardware but for maximum customer proximity, excellent service, and a custom tune that is precisely tailored to the rider's weight and personal riding style straight from the factory.

Technology & History: The Symbiosis of Steel and High-Tech

Push combines the incomparable feel of a steel spring with highly complex damping features that set technical benchmarks:

The Sub-Chamber System: One highlight is the "Sub Chamber." It functions as a simply switchable bottom-out protection and allows fine-tuning of the spring curve without affecting the steel spring's sensitive response.
Hydraulic Bottom-Out (HBO): Complementing the Sub Chamber, a finely adjustable (via shock pump) hydraulic bottom-out ensures a "soft landing" at the end of the travel—even on the hardest landings and most massive compressions.
Precision in the Details: From the specially manufactured bushings to the damping architecture, every component is tuned for maximum performance and minimal friction.

Field Check & Podcast Talk: The New Gold Standard

In unserer Podcast-Analyse kristallisierte sich die Nine.One schnell als die Benchmark des gesamten Testfelds heraus. Sie verschiebt die Grenzen dessen, was man von einer Federgabel an Laufruhe und Traktion erwarten kann.

Podcast takeaway: "The Push is the new gold standard. The combination of steel spring sensitivity and this highly complex damping simply makes you forget that you're plowing through a chunky rock garden. The most impressive characteristic: You no longer have to actively fight for lines—the fork does the work for you. The range between a planted ride feel and the ability to still get it off the ground easily is impressive."

Single Review Verdict: Luxury but worth it

With a price of around €2,400, the Nine.One marks the upper end of the scale for the testing field. But behind the high price is a substance that no mass-production manufacturer can offer in this form. It delivers a level of customization and support that makes it the ultimate choice for riders seeking the absolute maximum. If you're ready to pay for perfection, you'll find your dream suspension here.

"The biggest aha moment with the Push is that you no longer have to fight against lines." – Yannick

In-depth review: Push Industries Nine.One V2 in a detailed individual test
Höre die komplette Analyse im Podcast– (Push Industries Nine.One V2 ab Stunde 1:38:42)

The verdict of the Test-Team: It is all about the Setup

Our suspension field test makes it clear once again: these days, there are hardly any "bad" forks anymore. What these forks deliver on the trail is at a higher level than ever before. The real key to performance is not just pulling through your card and taking the top-of-the-line model home. Every product—no matter how simple—can provide a lot of fun with a proper setup that matches your weight and riding style.

It's striking that smaller manufacturers and boutique brands in particular are driving technological innovation forward. Custom solutions like the Formula CTS, Push's Sub Chamber, hydraulic bottom-outs, or tool-free progression adjustment via air pressure (Öhlins) show that there are tailored answers to specific needs that big players just can't provide for in that detail.

Optimization Instead of just Buying New

Besides these individual solutions, a highly professional service and tuning scene has emerged. Not only does it ensure that existing suspension performs at its full potential again, but it also enables performance through internal adjustments (custom tuning) that often go far beyond the stock configuration. The market has rarely been as exciting and diverse as it is today.

In recent years, many competent suspension centers have established custom tuning as a second pillar of their business. However, you have to understand that "tuning" isn't a strictly defined term.

For the most part, it refers to updating used forks with the latest technologies from the original manufacturer. That's roughly comparable to a full operating system update for your aging laptop. The hardware stays the same, but the software processes become more efficient, faster, and smoother.

Examples: RockShox Charger 3 to 3.2, Fox Grip/Grip2 with updated shim stacks, and Öhlins RXF38 m.2 to m.3.

The next level of "laptop tuning" would be a RAM upgrade—on a fork, this often takes the form of replacing the entire damper cartridge. This can involve original parts as well as aftermarket components.

Original examples: RockShox Charger 2 to Charger 3.2, or Fox Grip/Grip2 to GripX/GripX2
Aftermarket examples: MRP Lift, FAST Suspension, Avalanche Racing

Between these two "simple" tuning options lies a vast gray area where many manufacturers and additional options reside: Vorsprung Smashpot steel spring system, Vorsprung air cap/Secus, RampAir progression adjustment, M-Suspensiontech tuning kits, FluidFocus tuning kits, WPS tuning kits, and several more.

The true art of a tuner lies in understanding the customer and their needs, providing competent advice, and protecting them from potentially costly mistakes. This requires technical knowledge as much as empathy. Don't be afraid to describe your specific problem—chances are good that you'll get a custom tune that makes your "old" fork work far better than "the latest and greatest."

However, any tuning should always begin with a complete service—that's the essential foundation before diving down the rabbit hole.

The Final Word from Our Testers:

"If your fork isn't working well, you're going to be unhappy. [...] First, try to really dial in what you already have perfectly."

Want to dive deeper into the subject?

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High-Tech vs. being real: The 170-mm-Suspension-Field-test