Fox 40 Factory GRIP2: downhill fork built for World Cup speed

The Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 is Fox Factory Holding Corp.'s flagship dual-crown downhill fork, pairing a stiff chassis with the top-tier GRIP2 damper and EVOL air spring for riders chasing World Cup-level performance on the steepest tracks.

Responsible: ad hoc news B2B & Pro Desk. Reviewed prior to publication on June 13, 2026 at 11:42:25 AM ET. Details in the imprint.

The Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 stands at the top of Fox Factory Holding Corp.'s gravity lineup as a dual-crown downhill fork aimed at riders who spend their time on bike-park laps, shuttle days, and timed race runs rather than mellow trail rides. For the current model year, the 40 Factory combines a stiff 40 mm stanchion chassis with Fox's GRIP2 damper and EVOL air spring, giving gravity riders fine-tuned control over small-bump sensitivity, mid-stroke support, and big-hit stability. In the U.S., the fork is typically available in 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheel versions, with travel configurations around 200 mm that match modern downhill frames from major bike brands. U.S. riders can usually find the 40 Factory GRIP2 through authorized dealers and large online retailers, with pricing positioned at the very top of Fox's suspension range to reflect its race-level feature set.

What the Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 is designed to do

The Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 is engineered for one specific task: handling the speeds and impacts of downhill and bike-park riding where a single-crown enduro fork would reach its limits. Its dual-crown layout clamps the stanchions at both the crown and the lower triple clamp, significantly boosting torsional stiffness when riders hit square-edge bumps, hard braking zones, or compressions at high speed. The 40 mm upper tubes are larger than those used on Fox's 36 and 38 trail and enduro forks, a difference that is noticeable in rough, steep sections where steering precision matters. Fox positions this fork as the choice for World Cup downhill racers and for advanced riders looking for a similar level of control on public tracks, which explains why it appears regularly on gravity-focused builds from top bike manufacturers and custom shops.

Central to the 40 Factory's performance is the GRIP2 damper, the same top-tier damper Fox uses in its highest-performance single-crown forks such as the 34 Factory GRIP2 and 38 Factory GRIP2, but tuned for downhill demands. GRIP2 offers independent high-speed and low-speed compression adjustment along with high-speed and low-speed rebound settings, giving riders four primary external adjusters to dial in how the fork responds to impacts and body movements. According to Fox's product information, the damper incorporates Variable Valve Control (VVC) on select circuits, allowing finer changes to damping behavior compared with older designs. This multi-axis adjustability lets a racer soften high-speed compression for better traction in wet rock gardens while keeping low-speed compression firm enough to support aggressive cornering and take-offs, or tailor rebound to balance grip and pop across a full race run.

The air spring in the 40 Factory GRIP2 uses Fox's EVOL technology, short for Extra Volume, which is designed to make the initial part of the travel more sensitive while maintaining support deeper in the stroke. Riders can typically tune progression by adding or removing volume spacers, adjusting how quickly the spring ramps up toward the end of the travel and influencing bottom-out resistance on big jumps and drops. This combination of an EVOL air spring and GRIP2 damper effectively allows the fork to be set up for anything from fast, chattery tracks with many small impacts to jump-heavy lines with large, isolated hits. Fox's official data emphasize that this level of tunability is intended for riders who can articulate what they feel on the trail and who are willing to make incremental changes run-by-run to optimize performance.

Beyond the internals, the Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 includes features that reflect the needs of modern downhill bikes. The chassis is optimized for 20 mm thru-axles, providing a strong interface with downhill hubs, and the lower legs are shaped to maintain stiffness while keeping weight manageable for a fork in this category. Many current versions offer both 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheel compatibility, with specific offsets suited to the geometry of gravity frames, and some configurations provide clearance for wide tires commonly used in bike parks. Fox's Factory-level finish includes the brand's Kashima-coated upper tubes, which are marketed to reduce stiction and improve sensitivity, particularly noticeable when the fork is moving at low speeds or under minimal load. This premium finish is one reason why the 40 Factory GRIP2 tends to be spec'd on higher-priced complete bikes and on custom builds where owners seek a visually distinctive suspension setup.

From a setup perspective, the 40 Factory GRIP2 demands more attention than Fox's lower-tier forks, which aligns with its positioning as a professional-grade component. Riders generally start by setting sag with air pressure, often targeting about 15 to 20 percent sag for downhill use, and then refine rebound and compression to match track conditions. For example, a rough, rooty World Cup-style course may call for slightly more open high-speed compression and faster rebound to help the wheel follow the ground, while a bike-park day on jump lines may benefit from more low-speed compression for takeoff support and slower rebound to keep the fork composed on landings. This kind of iterative tuning, typically done over multiple runs, is part of the value proposition for experienced riders who choose a fork like the 40 Factory GRIP2 over a simpler, less adjustable option.

In Fox's broader portfolio, the 40 Factory GRIP2 sits above single-crown models such as the 34 Factory GRIP2, which target aggressive trail riders rather than full downhill specialists. Where the 34 Factory emphasizes a balance of light weight and stiffness for trail and light enduro use, the 40 Factory accepts a higher system weight as the cost of the dual-crown structure and downhill-proof stiffness. This clear segmentation helps shops guide customers: riders who pedal to the top and prioritize versatility are more likely to gravitate toward Fox's 34 or 36 series, while frequent bike-park visitors and downhill racers look at the 38 and 40 series, with the 40 Factory GRIP2 occupying the uppermost rung. As a result, the 40 Factory often appears in Fox's marketing materials and trade-show displays as the halo product that showcases the company's suspension engineering capabilities.

For the U.S. market, availability of the Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 tends to follow the broader mountain bike sales cycle. New model-year versions generally land ahead of the North American riding season, and U.S. consumers can typically purchase the fork through Fox's dealer network, specialty online retailers, and some large direct-to-consumer bike brands that sell frame-and-fork packages. Pricing is positioned at the high end of the downhill fork segment, with many configurations in the four-figure range in U.S. dollars, reflecting the use of Fox's most advanced damper, Kashima coating, and a gravity-optimized chassis. Because the fork is a significant investment, it tends to appeal to riders who have already committed to a dedicated downhill bike and who expect multiple seasons of use on demanding tracks, rather than to casual riders or those just beginning to explore lift-served terrain.

Given its flagship status in gravity riding, the Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 plays a signaling role for Fox Factory Holding Corp., showing both consumers and bike brands what the company can deliver at the top of its performance range. This halo effect can influence how riders perceive the rest of Fox's fork lineup, including more affordable trail and enduro models that borrow technologies from the 40. For consumers watching the product, the presence of the 40 Factory GRIP2 on pro race bikes and in high-profile media builds helps anchor Fox's image in the premium, race-proven segment of the suspension market. Shares of Fox Factory Holding Corp. (US35138V1026, ticker FOXF) traded at $72.34 on Nasdaq on June 12, 2026.

Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 at a glance

• Product: Fox 40 Factory GRIP2 (downhill fork)
• Manufacturer: Fox Factory Holding Corp.
• Category: B2B/Pro line (downhill suspension fork)
• Launch date: Current model-year versions available ahead of the recent North American downhill season
• MSRP / Price: High four-figure range in US dollars for Factory GRIP2 configurations, depending on travel and wheel size
• Availability: U.S. authorized dealers, specialty online retailers, and selected OEM downhill bike builds
• Target audience: Downhill racers, bike-park enthusiasts, and gravity-focused riders seeking a dual-crown fork
• Key feature / USP: Dual-crown 40 mm chassis combined with Fox's top-tier GRIP2 damper and EVOL air spring for tunable, race-level downhill performance

This article was created with a.i. assistance and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at any time. Not investment advice, not a buy or sell recommendation. Trading in securities carries risks up to the total loss of capital.