Fox Factory 32 Taper-Cast Gravel Fork Review: Worth the Weight

Last weekend, Graveleur’s Mike Israel accomplished an extraordinary feat by completing the Cloudride Prologue 500, a challenging 500km loop starting and ending in Canberra, predominantly on gravel roads. With just 2hrs of sleep, Mike conquered the course in 37 hours over two days, leaving us thoroughly impressed!

A set of Fox Factory Forks arrived in the mail just before the Prologue. While it’s generally recommended to test new equipment before a race, especially one as demanding as a 500km ride, Mike decided to give them a go. With some pre-weekend tinkering, he ensured the forks fit, leaving him well-prepared for the challenge ahead.

Installing the forks was straightforward, although the increased length (40mm travel) required fitting a longer brake hose. Keep this in mind when planning your own build to avoid any last-minute trips to your local bike shop.

One aspect to note is that the forks, out of the box, lack attachments for bottle cages (although they do come with bolts for fenders). While this might not be an issue for some, it's worth considering for bikepacking or longer rides. There are aftermarket solutions as a workaround such as the Free Parable Gorilla Cage system which can be installed directly onto the forks, but unfortunately for Mike they didn’t arrive in time for the weekend’s ride.

Let's talk weight: compared to carbon forks, the Fox Factory spec adds about 800g to your bike's load. For weight-conscious cyclists, this may raise eyebrows, but for bikepackers, the difference is negligible when factoring in the overall load.

In Mike’s opinion, the benefits you gain in comfort and handling make that extra weight worth it.

Mike's firsthand experience after 32 hours on the saddle speaks volumes. The fork significantly mitigated the toll on his body, particularly his hands and arms. Its plush suspension allowed him to tackle rough terrain with greater ease, smoothing out bumps and enhancing overall comfort. It's worth mentioning that he was also running a Redshift Shockstop Stem on his bike, which also helped with suspension. The most noticeable difference in comfort came from the fork - but the stem/fork work perfectly fine together in the set up, with barely any noticeable flex in the stem.

So, who are these forks for?

In Mike's view, they cater to both racers and enthusiasts alike. Elite riders can exploit the handling advantages for improved performance, while endurance cyclists like Mike benefit from the added comfort and control over long distances, making it an appealing option for those prioritising ride quality over weight savings.

Will the norm start to be more suspension forks on gravel bikes?!

Mike’s set up for the Prologue 500