XC / Trail Fork Comparison
Loop SL, Loop TR, and Ribbon SL forks.
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Products
I was excited to finally see a company (MRP) had finally decided to make a weight scaled damper for commonly available forks.
unfortunately i had just bought a new fox 38 with the VVC Grip 2 on sale and the fork budget was out for a bit. After a disappointing and frustrating trip away with the 38s I came home with the realization that revalving for a heavier rider is a necessity. I am about 118kg with gear on, so sit in the middle of the red tune and reading some reviews recommending to tune down made me hesitant on a decision. After finally deciding to go with the red tune for my vorsprung smashpot equipped Marzocchi Z1 I pulled the trigger and ordered one. The first ride was a revelation and I am not kidding I have never felt a fork like this i was blown away and left wondering is this what they are supposed to feel like. Full disclosure my bike is a homemade high pivot with a designed low leverage ratio for a heavy rider on the rear and I work on hard on maintaining strength and power for my weight. Not sure if any of this has contributed to the magic spot this damper has filled on this bike. The only regret I have is not ordering an extra one for the other fork when buying this one on sale.
I upgraded a 2019 Fox 34 Fit4 to the v1 Lift. It dropped right in with no issues during a lowers service - no crush washer necessary. I've been putting it through the ringer in New England jank for a couple of months now. The results are phenomenal, no more hand spikes, and a firm, supportive platform that just works great once dialed in to you. It rides high during climbs and just gets out of the way when smashing rocks. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this upgrade to anyone looking for better performance from their fork.
At 200lb I started with the green tune on a 140/120 trail bike, then swapped to the blue compression tune since the shorter travel fork has to do more work with less travel. The green rebound stayed in for extra pop.
I think MRP did a fantastic job, and the v2 looks to be even better. Being able to custom tune a shock from your home garage is a real game-changer! This is a major upgrade for anyone changing out a Fit4, Grip1, Grip2, or GripX damper. And far less harsh and fiddly than the GripX2 on my Fox 40, if only there was one that fit there too... sigh...
easy to install . . I do not typically have an issue with rocks & derailleur impacts. I like the innovative approach MRP takes as well as very slight weight penalty for extra protection.
Better than new Fox Grip X2 dampers. Rebound is stand out better. No need for HSC knob.
Damper upgrade is worth 10 times more than air spring upgrade
I just installed the lift damper on my 2020 Fox 36 Performance. I was never impressed with the GRIP damper on the fox, decided to give MRP a whirl having used their products since the early 2000's (bones crankset was awesome). I also have an older Raze coil shock on my "buddy bike," and have been impressed how good it still feels after 11 years of not servicing it, ever (whoops)! This lift damper seems to be really good, maybe a little too supportive if I match the same PSI I was using on the Grip damper, dropped 10-15psi and it seems to be very nice. It's paired with an MRP Ramp Control Pro and Push Industries fork seals/maxima oil. Decided to erase any evidence of Fox making this a true franken-fork. My only concern so far is that the rebound feels non-existent and I have it set 1-2 clicks from closed to slow it down - otherwise it feels a like a pogo stick. The instructions also didn't make it clear whether I should use the crush washer on the damper side with my push fork seal kit. I didn't install it, but it felt wrong after decades of DIY suspension services. I am excited to take it to my favorite local trail and do hawt lapz with the toddler.
