I think one important factor to consider is where the extra 1cm of a2c comes from on the Durolux which is larger the steerer tube overlap at the crown. Considering how many different forks are having issues with the crown-steerer interface I think this is a worthwhile tradeoff given my experiences with the Durolux chassis.
A fresh GRIP2 fork feels wicked. Personally, I much prefer the FIT-RC2 (or FIT-4) forks for a couple of reasons.
1) It's much faster and easier to do a basic lower service and you only have to capture and recycle <30ml of oil in the process. A home mechanic can get 1-2 basic services out of a set of the SKF seals without touching the damper or air system before the fork is due for a 100hr service.
2) The sealed damper in the FIT (Bladder) system - also true of Charger, X-Fusion HLR, Suntour - isn't cycling bath oil so there's no breakdown caused by contaminants or contact with internal surfaces. Ride a GRIP fork and a FIT fork for 50 hours and then dump the damper fluid from both into a container and you'll see what I mean. It's a give and take and given I don't service my stuff super regularly I'd personally go FIT if I was buying a Fox fork.
Hope that's helpful!
July 25, 2019, 6:50 p.m. - Andrew Major
I think one important factor to consider is where the extra 1cm of a2c comes from on the Durolux which is larger the steerer tube overlap at the crown. Considering how many different forks are having issues with the crown-steerer interface I think this is a worthwhile tradeoff given my experiences with the Durolux chassis. A fresh GRIP2 fork feels wicked. Personally, I much prefer the FIT-RC2 (or FIT-4) forks for a couple of reasons. 1) It's much faster and easier to do a basic lower service and you only have to capture and recycle <30ml of oil in the process. A home mechanic can get 1-2 basic services out of a set of the SKF seals without touching the damper or air system before the fork is due for a 100hr service. 2) The sealed damper in the FIT (Bladder) system - also true of Charger, X-Fusion HLR, Suntour - isn't cycling bath oil so there's no breakdown caused by contaminants or contact with internal surfaces. Ride a GRIP fork and a FIT fork for 50 hours and then dump the damper fluid from both into a container and you'll see what I mean. It's a give and take and given I don't service my stuff super regularly I'd personally go FIT if I was buying a Fox fork. Hope that's helpful!