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Installing the 32, 34, & 36 FOX Fork

NOTE:  Maximum fork air spring pressures are as follows:

• 32 mm: 125 PSI (8.62 bar)
• 34 mm: 110 PSI (7.58 bar)
• 36 mm: 105 PSI (7.24 bar)

WARNING:  It is extremely advisable to have a qualified bicycle service technician install your new FOX fork onto your bicycle. If you have any doubt about whether or not you can properly install your fork, do not attempt it. Improperly installed forks can fail, causing the rider to lose control, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING:  Never modify the lower crown position or lower leg cross bridge of any FOX fork from its original intended factory specification for wheel size. Removing material from the lower leg cross bridge to fit a larger wheel size can cause the weakened part to suddenly fail, causing the rider to lose control and suffer SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING:  Never use more than 30 mm of height of steerer stem spacers under the steerer stem, as this condition can cause the steerer tube to fail prematurely, causing a loss of control resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

  1. Remove the original fork from the bicycle.
  2. Remove the crown race from the original fork.
  3. Measure the FOX fork steerer tube against the length of the original, to confirm whether you need to cut the FOX fork steerer tube. Transfer this measurement to the steerer tube of your new FOX fork.

    NOTE:  If there is no original fork to measure by, cut the new fork steerer to the proper length with the following procedure:

    1. Install the new fork on the bicycle using all of the headset parts. Use a crown race setter to install the crown race firmly against the top of the crown.
    2. Install the headset spacers (if required) and stem on the steerer, and lightly tighten the stem clamp bolt(s).
    3. Mark the steerer tube with a scribe at the top edge of the stem. Disassemble the new fork from the bicycle.

    Figure 1: Headset Parts Stack

  4. If it is necessary to cut the steerer tube, always measure twice and cut once!

    CAUTION:  Prior to any cutting, consult your headset and stem manufacture’s instructions to ensure that you have left enough steerer tube length for clamping the steerer.

    CAUTION:  It is extremely advisable that you always use a saw guide when cutting the steerer tube of any fork model.

    Single crown-steerer forks (32 mm, 34 mm, and 36 mm): Prior to cutting the steerer tube, refer to your stem manufacture’s instructions to ensure that you will have enough steerer tube length for clamping the steerer. Mark the steerer tube accordingly and cut it to proper length.

    WARNING:  If the steerer has any nicks or gouges, the crown-steerer-upper tube assembly must be replaced. A nick or gouge can cause the steerer to fail prematurely, and cause loss of control of the bicycle and serious or fatal injuries.

  5. Use a flat file to de-burr the outer and inner top edges of the newly cut steerer tube.

    WARNING:  Never attempt to cut threads into the threadless steerers of FOX forks. Cutting threads into a threadless steerer can cause the steerer tube to fail prematurely, resulting in a loss of control of the bicycle and SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

  6. Install the star-fangled nut into the aluminum steerer tube, in accordance with the star-fangled nut manufacture’s installation instructions.

    Figure 2: Star-fangled Nut

  7. Using a crown race setter, install the crown race firmly against the top of the crown. Use a 39.8 mm crown race for 1 1/2” steerer tubes, and a 29.9 mm crown race for 1 1/8” steerer tubes.
  8. Always use a new threadless headset, and thoroughly read the headset manufacture’s installation instructions. Install all headset parts and stem spacers (only if these spacers are required).

    NOTE:  The total height of spacers used on a FOX steerer tube should never exceed 30 mm.


    After tightening the stem clamping bolt(s) to the stem manufacturer's torque specification, the headset should turn freely without drag or excessive play.

  9. Install disc brakes and torque all fasteners according to manufacturer’s specifications.
    1. Route the front disc brake housing to the inside of the lower leg, and through the supplied disc brake housing guide. Tighten the M3 x 12 disc brake hose guide screw with a 2.5 mm hex key wrench to 8 in-lb (0.90 Nm) torque.
    2. If your fork model does not have a disc brake housing guide, use a zip tie to secure the disc brake housing to the left lower leg.

    NOTE:  Disc brakes with 160 – 203 mm rotors can be used on FOX 32 mm forks. Do not use rotors larger than 203 mm.

    CAUTION:  IMPORTANT: the disc brake caliper mounting bolts must have 10-12 mm of thread engagement with the fork. Be sure these mounting bolts are torque wrench tightened to the manufacturer’s specification. In any case, the disc brake caliper mounting bolt tightening torque level must never exceed 90 in-lb. Tighten the brake calipers to the brake manufacturer's torque specifications.

    Install, route and check that all cable housings or hydraulic hoses are securely fastened to the lower leg, and will not move with compression of the fork. For fork models without a disc brake hose guide, secure the brake hose with a zip tie.

    Figure 3: Using a Zip Tie


    Figure 4: Using the Brake Hose Guide

    NOTE:  Cable housing contacting the fork crown will cause abrasion damage to the crown over time. If contact is unavoidable, cover the point of contact. The FOX warranty does not cover abrasion damage to the FOX fork crown.

    Install new disc brake pads to ensure proper pad alignment. Test your brakes for optimal operation on level ground.

  10. Mount the front wheel. Check that the quick-release nuts sit in the fork dropout counterbores. The quick-release should engage four (4) or more threads. Close the quick-release with the lever in front of and parallel to the left fork leg.

    Tire Size Specifications

    In the table below, all values assume that your tire is installed and fully inflated.

    WARNING:  For any fork model and size, do not use a tire if any of its measurement specifications exceeds its maximum safe value in the table below. Using tires having larger than these maximum safe dimensions may cause you to lose control and suffer SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

    SpecificationsFork Families
    All 32 mm
    26 inch
    All 32 mm
    29 inch
    All 34 mm
    29 inch
    All 36 mm
    26 inch
    40 mm
    26 inch
    Maximum Tire Size26 x 2.4029 x 2.3029 x 2.5526 x 2.8026 x 2.80
    Maximum Peak Tire Diameter686 mm (27.00")744 mm (29.29")748 mm (29.45")694 mm (27.32")694 mm (27.30")
    Maximum Edge Tire Diameter652 mm (25.67")721 mm (28.38")733 mm (28.85")670 mm (26.37")670 mm (26.40")
    Maximum Tire Width61.0 mm (2.40")58.5 mm (2.30")60.6 mm (2.55")71.0 mm (2.80")71 mm (2.80")


When It Counts.

When It Counts.


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