The Fox 34 goes SL, promising 'unequalled XC capability'
Fox claims to redefine what's possible on short travel mountain bikes with the 34 SL.
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Modern cross-country mountain biking is gnarly, there are no two ways about it and Fox is moving away from the down-country-friendly 34 Step-Cast and bringing an all-new chassis with the 34 SL without adding grams. There's more than a new lower, so read on for more.
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Promising to bring even more capability to cross-country and down-country riding, the all-new Fox 34 SL replaces the 34 Step-Cast. Boasting more stiffness with minimal weight gain, according to the brand, the new full-length chassis allows for a larger air spring up to 130mm of travel, a measurement that's becoming increasingly common on the more technical XC circuits.
As seen on the 32 SL that dons a reverse arch, the Fox has made use of generative design to shape the 34 SL arch. Now, it wraps around the lower and increases stiffness by 17%. There are also cutouts at specific points in that arch to shed weight. The fork's crown has received a touch of generative design magic too, with larger internal bores and an anodised finish contributing to weight savings.
2025 fox 34 sl 1.jpg, by Liam Mercer
With the longer air spring, Fox has built more bushing overlap into the fork by a claimed 20%. The result promises to be a smoother feeling fork and better suppleness at speed, where flex loads are at their greatest.
Using the recent GRIP SL damper, the 34 SL gets inboard bypass channels designed to reduce pressure ramping inside the fork to boost small-bump sensitivity. These channels, as seen on the brand's larger forks are also designed to better circulate oil within the fork, helping to lubricate the seals and bushings. However, on the 34 SL, they're inboard of the fork or facing the wheel to reduce dynamic friction as they're no longer located on the fore-aft load path.
2025 fox 34 sl close.jpg, by Liam Mercer
To keep weight low, the 34 SL employs the Kabolt SL axle, which saves 12g over the standard Kabolt and the damper side stanchion is double-butted, claiming to save a further nine grams. The full width lower has been refined to allow up to 2.5in tyres and a 203mm rotor.
The Fox 34 SL is available with travel from 110mm to 130mm, gets a 44mm offset and can accommodate rotors from 180 to 203mm in diameter. It also uses Fox's Float EVOL Compliant air spring. The claimed system weight for a 130mm GRIP SL-equipped fork is 1,475g.
2025 fox 34 sl riding.jpg, by Liam Mercer
As well as the fork, Fox has brought a new Twin Stick lever that actuates both a cable dropper post and a cable-operated suspension lockout. It can be set up to actuate the fork only, shock only or both simultaneously and it's set to weigh 76g with a clamp.
Prices for the new Fox 34 SL start at £749 and go up to £1,259.
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