The Fox 36 Factory GRIP X2 was one of the highlights of our Amflow PX Carbon Pro test. Its ability to deal with the terrain while supporting the front end through corners made a strong impression. That is a better reason to want one than the gold Kashima finish, attractive though it is.
This Fox 36 Factory GRIP X2 review builds on our time riding the Amflow PX Carbon Pro, alongside published test evidence, verified specifications and current UK buying options. The verdict concerns the 160mm fork fitted to our Amflow; the price card compares a specific MY2027 aftermarket version. A photograph alone cannot establish every internal revision.
Fox 36 Factory GRIP X2 – 29in, 160mm, 44mm offset
A standout fork on our Amflow PX Carbon Pro, with strong cornering support and four-way damping adjustment. Premium pricing and setup complexity are the compromises.
At Tweeks Cycles
MY2027 Factory GRIP X2, 29in, 160mm, 44mm offset, 15x110mm, black
+ Pros
- Excellent front-end support in our Amflow test
- Four-way compression and rebound adjustment
- A capable option for technical trail riding
− Cons
- High aftermarket price
- Four adjusters need a methodical setup
- Model year and e-bike approval must match your bike
Compare prices
MY2027 Factory GRIP X2, 29in, 160mm, 44mm offset, 15x110mm, black
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-10-20 08:45 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Our verdict
The Fox 36 Factory was a highlight of our Amflow PX Carbon Pro review, handling terrain confidently and supporting the bike through corners. GRIP X2 offers scope to refine that support, but the extra controls are only useful if you spend time on setup. Check the exact chassis, steerer and e-bike approval before buying: the factory-fitted fork does not make every aftermarket 36 interchangeable.
Key specifications
- Travel
- 160mm
- Wheel size
- 29in
- Damper
- GRIP X2
- Adjustments
- High/low-speed compression and rebound
- Axle
- 15x110mm Boost
- Offset
- 44mm
- Upper tubes
- 36mm, Kashima finish
- Air spring
- FLOAT
- Weight
- Sample not weighed
What is fitted to the Amflow?
The photographs show the Factory finish and GRIP X2 compression controls. Amflow’s published specification lists a 160mm Fox 36 Factory GRIP X2, with a 15x110mm axle and 44mm offset. It has separate high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment: four controls to help tailor its response.
Fox’s MY2027 aftermarket listing includes its GlideCore FLOAT air spring, lower-leg pressure bleeders and a Kabolt X axle. Those details belong to that listed version. Check the fork’s identification code when comparing a factory-fitted unit with a discounted aftermarket fork carrying a similar name.
Fox 36 Factory GRIP X2 on the trail
In our Amflow PX Carbon Pro review, the fork stood out for its front-end support and composure through corners. The bike gripped well and changed direction confidently. The rear suspension reached its limits sooner as the terrain became more demanding, leaving the Fox 36 as a particularly convincing part of the package.
That is an assessment of the fork within a complete bike. Tyres, geometry and the rest of the suspension also shape the handling, so the Amflow’s grip cannot all be credited to the fork. We have not isolated it in a controlled swap test, weighed this sample or established a long-term service history.
The wider test evidence supports that impression: the 36 combines sensitivity to small bumps with enough support to avoid sitting too deep in its travel on steeper ground. Repeated roots and rock impacts are where that balance matters. A fork needs to absorb the surface without using up the travel that keeps the front end composed for the next compression.
Longer-term evidence also includes an earlier sample that lost suppleness because air accumulated in its lower legs; servicing resolved the problem. That is a reported issue from published testing, not a fault recorded on our Amflow, and it should not be treated as a failure shared by every MY2027 fork. It does reinforce the importance of checking a premium fork’s condition rather than assuming its price guarantees flawless operation.
Four adjusters: useful scope, more setup work
GRIP X2 gives riders more ways to refine the ride, but extra controls are not an automatic improvement. There is little value in buying a sophisticated damper and then turning several dials at once without knowing which change helped.
Start with the pressure, sag and damper guidance for your exact fork, wearing your normal riding kit. Record the starting settings, then make one small change at a time on a familiar section of trail. Fox’s sag setup guidance is a useful starting point; our eMTB fork and suspension setup guide puts the process into a wider riding context. There is no single pressure or click count that suits every rider.
UK prices, compatibility and the alternative
At our 20 October 2026 check, the black MY2027 29in/160mm/44mm-offset Factory GRIP X2 was £1,139.99 at Tweeks Cycles and £1,189.99 at Tredz, against a £1,399 RRP. Both listings qualified for their advertised free UK delivery thresholds. Tredz quoted dispatch in three to four working days. Prices and availability can change; the card links to the checked variants.
This remains a substantial purchase. An older discounted 36, an E-Optimized version and a standard-chassis fork are not automatically interchangeable bargains. Confirm the exact model, frame approval, steerer, axle and brake requirements with your bike manufacturer or a competent workshop. The fact that Amflow fits a Fox 36 does not make every aftermarket 36 suitable for every eMTB.
The RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Charger 3.1 below is a lower-priced alternative worth comparing. Its damper has separate high- and low-speed compression adjustment and one rebound control. Leisure Lakes listed the matching black 29in/160mm/44mm version at £971.10, although we could not confirm its delivery charge or dispatch estimate. This is the older Charger 3.1 version, and a researched comparison rather than a back-to-back riding test.
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Charger 3.1 – 29in, 160mm, 44mm offset
A lower-priced alternative to the Fox 36 Factory, with separate high- and low-speed compression controls. This is the Charger 3.1 version; we have not tested it back to back with the Fox.
At Leisure Lakes Bikes
2025 Lyrik Ultimate Charger 3.1 RC2, 29in, 160mm, 44mm offset, 15x110mm, Gloss Black; RSF1025012
+ Pros
- Lower listed price than the Fox 36 Factory
- Separate high- and low-speed compression controls
- DebonAir+ spring and ButterCups
− Cons
- No independent high-speed rebound adjustment
- Older Charger 3.1 version, not the newer 3.2
- No back-to-back test in this review
Compare prices
2025 Lyrik Ultimate Charger 3.1 RC2, 29in, 160mm, 44mm offset, 15x110mm, Gloss Black; RSF1025012
Prices and availability may change. Prices last checked: 2026-10-20 08:45 UTC. Prices are checked when this guide is updated. Confirm the current price and availability with the retailer.
Why it makes the shortlist
A sensible value comparison if you want a premium 160mm trail fork without paying Fox Factory money. The Charger 3.1 damper offers high- and low-speed compression plus low-speed rebound adjustment. Our recommendation is based on specifications and the verified retailer listing, not a direct riding comparison. Confirm frame approval, steerer and brake compatibility before ordering.
Key specifications
- Travel
- 160mm
- Wheel size
- 29in
- Damper
- Charger 3.1 RC2
- Air spring
- DebonAir+
- Adjustments
- High/low-speed compression; low-speed rebound
- Axle
- 15x110mm Boost
- Offset
- 44mm
Verdict
The Fox 36 Factory GRIP X2 earns its appeal through the support and confidence it brought to our Amflow test. It is a strong premium trail-fork option for riders who will take time to tune it. The price is harder to justify if your existing fork already works well, or you simply want minimal setup. Check compatibility first, then decide whether you need its adjustment range rather than buying on the Factory badge alone.
Frequently asked questions
How much travel does the reviewed fork have?
The fork fitted to our Amflow PX Carbon Pro has 160mm of travel. Fox sells different configurations, so check the individual listing rather than relying on the 36 name.
Have we tested the RockShox alternative?
Not as part of this comparison. Its inclusion is based on the published specification and a checked UK retailer listing, with that distinction shown on its product card.
Should I upgrade a working Fox 36?
Only if you can identify a limitation you want to address. Correct setup and appropriate servicing are sensible first steps before spending four figures on a replacement.