The RXF34 m.2 is Öhlins' new downcountry fork
New fork is optimised for short travel 29ers with all-new damper
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Big suspension brand, Öhlins has added to the highly regarded range, now offering a fork built specifically for the rigors of downcountry riding. The RXF34 M.2 replaces the previous iteration, offering short travel and a setup that's ideal for short travel 29" bikes with a brand new damper.
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Öhlins' new fork employs the brand's near half a century of experience creating suspension for Formula 1, motocross, and Moto GP to create a fork that's claimed to weigh 1698g.
The RXF34 M.2 benefits from the new OTX18 'downcountry damper'. Inspired by the TTX18 found on the existing downhill and enduro forks, the OTX18 is purpose-built for lighter bikes. Its built isn't too dissimilar from the heavier hitting options but this model sheds 27% of weight compared to the burlier units. Öhlins says that it's optimised for faster and more fluid trail riding, balancing traction, control, weight, and stiffness.
The OTX18 comes sorted with a bunch of adjustments, including 15 clicks of low-speed compression and rebound along with three for high-speed compression. Building the fork with just three clicks of high-speed compression damping has been done in the name of simplicity as the brand wanted to offer fewer, more useful settings rather than loads that you likely won't need.
Then, the fork gets a lighter air spring that's built with a positive and self-adjusting negative chamber. Öhlins says that the positive damper allows for easy tuning using the brand's new volume spacers and the negative chamber is said to provide a plush feel at the start of the fork's stroke. The spring has been designed with a surface and seals that minimise friction and breakaway force to boost the fork's said smooth feel.
Finally, the chassis has been built with a tailored flex pattern but with enough stiffness to achieve accurate steering, says the brand. The RXF34 M.2 is built with a closed-end outer tube design that Öhlins reckons boosts stiffness while boosting the air volume of the lower legs. The upped volume of air then increases the impact of the air spring overall, it's said.
The RXF24 M.2 is available only with a 44mm offset and for 29" wheels. It comes in either 120mm or 130mm of travel, it's eMTB approved and its post mount can fit a 160mm rotor and can accommodate up to a 203mm rotor with the right spacer. The fork's maximum tyre size is 29x2.6" and it features a 541mm axle to crown measurement on the 130mm fork.
If your short travel 29er is crying out for a new downcountry specific fork, Öhlins new RXF34 M.2 will set you back £1,185.
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