With over 50 years of experience in rally and Formula 1 racing, Italian manufacturer EXT aims to bring its expertise to the trail: the EXT ERA V2.1 enters our comparison test as the only enduro-specific fork with slimmer 36 mm stanchions, and yet promises to impress with outstanding stiffness and top-notch mid-stroke support. But does this justify the eye-watering € 1,759 price tag?
With its understated black finish and bronze decals, the EXT ERA V2.1 takes on the competition with an elegant, discrete look. Not as discrete is its price tag of €1,759, which might leave you with a big dent in your credit card and makes it the priciest fork in the test. Weighing in at 2,341 grams, it sits just below the average in this comparison test in terms of weight. It’s also the only enduro-specific model in this test that relies on 36-mm stanchions, while all other enduro forks use thicker 38-mm stanchions. To achieve optimal stiffness with the slimmer stanchions, the steerer tube is additionally reinforced at the base near the crown. While EXT faced reliability issues in the past, the manufacturer claims improvements, and we had no issues at all during this test.
The ERA V2.1 comes equipped with a 180-mm post mount brake mount, which allows you to fit rotors up to 220 mm with the right adapter. The fork has two mounting points for a mudguard, but EXT doesn’t offer an in-house fender, meaning that you’ll have to source one from third parties. Instead, they provide a universal mudguard that attaches with zip ties, but this could potentially scratch the fork.
Learn more about this comparison test: The best MTB fork – 8 forks in comparison
Alongside the EXT ERA V2.1, the Italian manufacturer also offers the ERA V2 LT fork, with travel options between 180 mm and 190 mm. Both models feature the HS3 three-chamber air spring system, consisting of a main positive chamber (+), a negative chamber, and an additional positive chamber (++). The additional positive chamber, which has a bronze valve, allows you to adjust the fork’s mid-stroke support and end progression. It’s crucial to inflate the chambers in the right order: fill the “++” chamber (bronze valve) first, then the “+” chamber (black valve). A table on the stanchion provides a recommended base setting, and EXT includes a detailed setup guide too.
The rebound can be adjusted over 20 clicks, with 16 clicks available for low-speed compression and 14 for high-speed compression. All adjustments provide solid haptic feedback with distinct clicks, though the labels can be confusing. With compression settings, “Open” means less damping (softer), while “Close” means more damping (firmer). For rebound, “Open” means faster rebound, while “Close” slows it down.
The EXT Era 2.1 fork on the trail
Once fitted on our test bike, the Era 2.1 announced itself with a faint knocking noise whenever the front wheel hit the ground, almost as if something was loose inside. The initial millimeters of travel felt “dead,” making a distinct noise that faded completely once the fork settled into its sag.
Starting on a flat trail with some tricky off-camber sections, the Era 2.1 initially felt a bit stiff. With minimal load on the front, it was less responsive to small bumps and subtle hits, which gets amplified by its high ride height. In these situations, it simply lacks the sensitive response of forks like the FOX 38 GRIP X2 and the DVO Onyx 38 D1 SL. However, when the front is actively loaded, for example when braking, the fork’s behavior changes. The Era 2.1 stays glued to the ground, and its high position plays to its strengths, preventing any sensation of going over the bars.
Despite its thinner 36-mm stanchions, the Era 2.1 is impressively stiff, allowing you to follow your line with great precision and tracking with outstanding efficiency. However, the Era shows a weakness on demanding enduro trails: in a nutshell, it simply lacks mid-stroke support, meaning that it blows through its travel with medium to hard impacts, compromising control on rough terrain. The default setting of the additional air chamber (++) doesn’t provide optimal support, and you’re left longing for more mid-stroke support. Increasing the pressure in the additional positive chamber can help, but it also amplifies the already strong end progression, making the fork highly progressive in the last third of its travel. While this is similar to the DVO Onyx 38 D1 SL, the EXT offers a smoother, delayed transition. Heavier riders might also struggle with fast rebound, as the Era 2.1 can extend quickly at high pressures, leading to less control on high-speed sections.
Conclusions about the EXT Era 2.1 fork
The EXT Era 2.1 impresses with strong traction under load, while the stiff construction ensures high tracking precision. The adjustable mid- and end-stroke allow for fine-tuning flexibility. However, the limited mid-stroke support, less sensitive initial response, and pronounced end progression leave it trailing behind top-tier competitors on rough enduro tracks. Overall, it sits in the lower mid-range of our test field.
Tops
- Strong grip under load
- High tracking precision
- Adjustable mid and end stroke
Flops
- Less sensitive initial response
- High end progression
- Limited mid-stroke support
For more information, visit EXT’s website.
All forks on test:
DVO Onyx D1 38 SL | EXT ERA V2.1 | Formula Selva S | FOX 38 GRIP X2 | FOX 36 GRIP X | Öhlins RXF38 | RockShox ZEB Ultimate | RockShox Lyrik Ultimate |
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Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Peter Walker
