Is a $1000 Fox 34 GRIP2 really worth it? High Low Ep 3 

"It has a compression knob that I'll never touch." This is the absolute truth for the vast majority of us average mountain bikers. Great video. Loving this series!

The forks pinkbike should have actually used! Thanks for the quality content!

I love that you really made a great comparison video with parts people would actually consider. Thanks for all the work!!

I really gotta state how much I appreciate the effort and commitment into this series, I mean you Bought two of the same Bike which isn’t cheap alone especially for a growing RU-vidr. Big respect and even bigger production value. Keep it up 👍🏻👍🏻

Man I'm loving this series!! Spot on with the editing, your going the extra mile here and it shows!

I absolutely love the gold look of the fox fork. When i think front suspension this is the image that comes to mind.

I subbed bout 6 months ago but ive been watching your vids since you had like 70 or so subs, your stuff has always been high quality and youve definitely earned your following today. Keep it up my man!

Thanks for making this. It was entertaining and useful at the same time. I like how you compared it to actual GOOD budget forks and not some eBay dumpster trash. Looking forward for more videos !

Ok so this series is soooo much better than I thought possible. Good work matey.

Top tier suspension is definately amazing but considering the cost different of $700 and how good a Z2 actually is as a trail fork...I could get a Z2 plus a great rear shock for what that Fox costs...and a better headset

Hey Evan, just wanted to say that this is a great inspiring series and I enjoy this content. Keep the great work up and I can't wait for the video! The idea of comparing expensive to cheap is cool and I guess that it's pretty fun to do as well? I have always liked expensive parts, (not that I own many) but this gives me a new perspective!

I've watched this series twice now, it doesn't get old💯

I love the Evan v Chad run. Thanks for the content man. It's theoretically simple to do the chad segments but like... hassle. So. I salute you for the added effort.

I am liking this series more than the Pink bike equivalent. Great job!

I love your siskiu d5 videos. Keep it coming!

This is already better than Pinkbikes version.. kudos to you Evan! 🙌🏽 your videos NEVER disappoint 💯

I am loving this series!

25k! congrats evan! hi-low is such a great series

The content keeps getting better! Keep up the good work! I wish I had what you have to be in front of the camera making content.

This series is awesome. But I would spend a bit more time trying to dial in the z2. having too few volume spacers and too much air pressure will make it harsh.

Thanks for posting a video and letting me procrastinate a bit longer. Very swag

Another killer video. You’ve nailed the time and angles on the installation bits; interesting and shows the process without killing the flow. I wonder if a bit more tuning on the Marzocchi might change your mind. Maybe you should do 2 laps, first for assessment, second after adjustments.

Thanks for making great quality content keep riding!!

great video! FYI, PVC pipe plus end cap makes for an awesome crown race setter. Fits perfect around the 1.5" head tube and sets the race perfectly. Great for Cane creek with the rubber seal on it too so you don't have to hammer the sides unevenly.

A bike set up to go faster is going to feel worse every time. Maybe that Bomber is set up to go faster compared to your settings on the 34. Using the same pressure and rebound settings is utterly pointless if the dampers are different. Each setting affects the other settings in some way. This is why I think a high end damper with 4-5 different adjustments is a double edged sword, an average joe will have a hard time achieving a good setup. The Marzocchis are very limited but in both directions. You can't make them perfect but you can't fck them up completely either by randomly turning some knobs. I think paying the premium for high end dampers only makes sense if you already found the limit of a simpler damper and understand how to set it up for an improved ride.

Keep it commin'. Loved the series

Still blowing pinkbike out the water with every episode of high/low keep it up 👍

I love that you shoot your videos at FINS as that's the closest trail system to my home! Nice video!

Haha, this was a sweet video. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

Your channel is taking off ! Well deserved 🤗

one of the best series on yt

Fun to watch and get information a lot.

As a roadie who's dipped into the mtn/gravel/bike packing world, there's so many more variables that it can be overwhelming. I'm glad my fork is as basic as me, just remembering to unlock the fork at the top of a hill is a lot for me

Great series! It’s too bad the D5 doesn’t have Boost spacing. “Chad” is going to have issues with that 141mm rear axle.

Awesome video as usual my man.

Hell yeah! Y'know it's gonna be a good day when Evan uploads!

This is what pink bike should have done! This series is way better because you are actually making smart upgrades for the budget bike.

Love this series keep it up👍🤙

I sure hope Les Franks is enjoying his new bike

I have the z2, and love it. It is on my Fuse 27.5. There is no denying though that factory is a much higher level. I think the Z1 is comparable to the Factory.

For general riding trails Mazzocchi Bomber Z2 good fork Nice and plush I had one. No complaints at all

I have a bomber on my bike and I like it a lot. Never gives me any problems and rides very nice.

Great series thx

Way better approach than what pink bike did. Well done

I recently snagged a Fox 34 rhythm for $275, i have been pretty happy with its performance on my axum build from my channel. I did read that you can upgrade the older fox forks with the new grip2 stuff which i thought was super rad.

The hilow of the bikes, i like it!

i just switched from my fox 38 factory with e-bike tune and all the marketing you can imagine to a marzocchi z1 coil and can't wait to try it out.

Lovi'n this series!

The Donut Media inspired format is dope!

I mean....one could consider a Cane Creek 10 Series or FSA No.57 a "budget" headset... As far as the forks, the Marz is basically a Fox Rhythm (from what I've been told) which is actually a pretty decent fork setup correctly. True it's no Fox Factory 34 or RS Pike....but still a pretty dang good fork. Personally, I own a DVO Diamond which has that LSC/HSC and OTT and all the other ABCs, but I still prefer one with a basic on/off switch....open/lockout to run a remote lockout.

I really like this series of videos

I just put a Marzocchi Bomber z2 on my new Norco Fluid fs2. The fork is awesome I also have a norco sight vlt a1 with a fox 34. I love them both.

Pink bike has some competition

Things are made for what they were designed. I bought a Bolany fork two years ago and since that time, I have been taking it beyond its limits, now is time to give it a honorable retirement. I will buy a Marzocchi fork to test it and I will do the same, a FOX fork could be great, but in the heat of the road, for sure I cannot feel the difference, and more if I take a ride on our fabolous & horrible streets of Mexico. I love urban MTB, here. Thanks for the video and precious info.

Such a great content!!!

Wish I seen this video before I just purchased the Fox Factory 34 to upgrade from my Marzocchi bomberZ2 been told by so many people also my bike shop said the same thing & other videos that I wouldn’t regret the upgrade. But now that I seen this video makes me 2nd guess my decision 🤦🏻🤷🏻. Great video btw. Lol

Cool video mate 🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻

Great to see some AZ MTB’s out there. Great video!

Marzocchi used to build some of the greatest forks ever (they mainly build Moto-Cross forks). The coating on my Junior-T (1998) is still just as new. Now there's only the brands name left [like many great brands. Grundig, Blaupunkt, etc.]

really cool video man. I've been begging Fox to make a quality damper for the 34 since they introduced the model. Nice to see this up against the Marzocchi. I think that it would have been worthwhile to talk about the respective air springs, whether they are similar or different. Maybe you do, in another video. I'm new here.

Love how you tease what part its gonna be about next episode! An XX1 axs derailleur!?!??

Love ur videos bro!

Great video!

I love this series! Kinda wanna know more about those hubs 🤔

4:26 You should apply grease on the headset, the compression ring, the top of the bearing. This assures it won't get stuck, and adds another layer of protection. So it helps to prevent rust.

great video! i think with a proper service and tune the marzocchi would be enough, i like fox, the only problem i have with them is precisely the kashima coating, it performs well, but i needs higher maintenace and care, i seems a more fragile coating. high end parts equal high end maintenance. not to mention "It has a compression knob that I'll never touch." you should a koozer hubs review, i see them all the time for sale, and the look very good for the price tag, but i can´'t find proper reviews about them.

For truing wheels you might want to pick up a park tool dish checker as well. Dish is the offset that your hub is from left to right. By just truing the wheel you can screw up dish and effect the way the wheel rides. Along with that truing a wheel isn’t just straightening a wheel you have to make sure the wheel stays round as well and not like an oval. Great first step in getting a good stand just make sure you get a way to check dish and don’t forget to check roundness while your at it. This could also have a bit of effect on the feel and could be what you’re feeling. On my full sus i have a factory 36 that feels amazing but on my hardtail i built i have a z2. So far the z2 is good but I haven’t gotten it out on trails yet. And definitely don’t let this discourage you from a z2 the forks are really good its just when compared to a factory 34 it’s never gonna feel the same. I personally think the z2 is a really good budget option that will still feel amazing if you take the time to tune it. But overall I’m loving the series its so much better then pink bikes with actual good budget options. Also to anyone thats read this far please never buy budget headsets. Theres mid tier headsets that will do fine. If it holds the bike together usually you don’t want to cheap out.

The bomber forks nowadays are basically more affordable float forks. They have the fox internals so really the only thing you're missing is whether or not you have Kashima. I like the new bomber forks. Price isn't bad if you can't afford a Fox fork, whilst still getting a float without it being a fox. That's about as simple as it gets.

this channel is so underrated

first video i see from this guy and I can tell he´s comin from motorbikes before!

man the chris king headset is just wow i cannot wait on whats next

I saw a pro ride put marrazoci lowers and fox uppers and it looked insane

Great vid

Nice video man. Cool comparison, however they are so different because of the damper and the premium “guts”. If the rider has the cash, spend it on your budget build if you can. If you run a little higher stack or put a spacer or two on the top of your stem, you can always re use the nicer fork on a different bike. Oh and I have been subscribed for over a year and my chain has not snapped!

Personally I believe that many MTBers have bikes that don't match their experience and skill level. The ability to just smash through a trail and not learn to pick your lines, is a testament to today's technology.

When it comes to the brakes, I’m stoked to see which high end brakes you’ll choose. I have a pair of Sram G2 4-piston brakes that I’m wanting to swap out for some TRP or Hope’s

Let me say there both great forks and I would be happy with either fork

Hey Evan, great video. Been watching the channel for a while now. I am wondering if you spent time tuning the fox 34 with LSC, HSC, HSR, and LSR plus volume tokens would it make a difference? Maybe you did that and I didn’t realize but from what you stated in the video it seemed like you set both forks to an equal damping setting and then road it. Just a thought. Enjoying the series so far!

If you take the time to learn what each dampening adjuster does, and then you’re able to dial in the correct setting, the Grip 2 definitely rewards you

Definitely Getting A Fox34😎

the marzochi fork looks awsome

I got a polygon d5 for my birthday, my dad bought a d7 for himself and we try to go mountain biking every time we can but we are usually busy. I was thinking about upgrading my polygon sense he has a rock shox on his. I found a fox 36 for a couple hundred. Obviously I didn’t want to research if it fit so I just watched your video

I got a marzocchi bomber 888 dh for for £80 in great condition to add to my budget downhill bike and no problems what so ever so always check around before spending loads of money on parts I’ve spent about £400 and have a fully working dh bike

The Marzocchi look good

ayy this vid hit 100k!!! along with the video where you put the nx drivetrain on the d7

As one brave man Said. Never cheap out at bars suspension Frame and bearings. With a reason. This is a nice fork on a low bike, Frame is solid, dont buy $10 bars. Low bike isn’t the cheapest bike. Same as headset, odyssey has a great deal at Like $50 or at Least it was $50 when i bought mine.

booth of these forks are expensive here in the Philippines i would go for suntour dorulux a bit pricey too but atleast i can afford.. hehe. great content as always..

I love my fox 36 grip 2’s.

Damn u sure are a pro at bikes

My Markhour Manitou Machete 29” QR (new dork for old bikes) has never let my hard tail down. I have a fox Factory 34 on my FS bike it’s great but the manitou forks are great for the same terrain and the majority of riders

Definitely Donut Media inspired. But hey, they do make great videos and the hi low idea works on bikes very well too

As a 51yr old biker who has owned and tried almost any major fork brand and fork travel, I can tell you it's not worth it for the most of us. Now I ride a Z2 140mm.

Koozer hubs Are actually sick

On the risk headset, I didn't see you put in the spacer at the top. Did you put it at the bottom of the stem, or it just didn't have it, or maybe forgot it, and maybe why it got lose on the ride?

Since when did bicycle parts become as expensive or more expensive than cars??????

Well Risk products I found very well made and afordable by it’s price.

My previous bike had a Fox Performance 34 and a new bike has the Grip 2 34 Factory. After much tweaking and tuning the latter is much better than the Performance could’ve ever hoped to be. Ironically, it’s not as good as the FIT 4 34 I used to own.

IDEA for a LOW bike brakes: change only brake leavers to a one of the top Shimano ones. There is a urban legend that XT leavers on a MT200 transforms it to a "almostXT" brakes

At 4:20 the crown race was way too easy to insert, normally you need to slam it down with a mallet or a pipe. That is probably why you had problems with your headset on the low bike. I had the same issue and to fix it, i put a little piece of aluminium can between the race and the steerer. As sketchy as it sounds, it does fix the issue nicely.

Nice Video