Earlier this year we ran our enduro fork group test where the relative newcomer, the Öhlins RXF 34, came to the party and stole the show; unanimously awarded best in test by all our testers. We have been testing the bigger RXF 36 fork and TTX Coil shock to see if the durability can match the performance.

The TTX Coil shock, even more unmistakable than the RXF 36 forks.
The TTX Coil shock, even more unmistakable than the RXF 36 forks.
Die Öhlins RXF36 Gabel ist optisch ein Leckerbissen.
The Öhlins RXF36 Fork is pure eyecandy.

Although released too late for our group test, we managed to get hold of a box-fresh set of RXF 36 forks and a 50 mm stroke TTX coil shock for testing. So how, you may ask yourself, did this exotic Swedish set-up fare over 600 km of riding in all conditions?

Ohlins Springs come in some very odd sizes, we were sent the 548 for our 89kg rider.
Öhlins Springs come in some very odd sizes, we were sent the 548 for our 89kg rider.
With Open, Trail and Uphill  settings controlled by the black lever, this basically controls the level of low-speed damping.
With Open, Trail and Uphill settings controlled by the black lever, this basically controls the level of low-speed damping.

Öhlins TTX Coil Shock Options

Öhlins has been synonymous with the world of motor racing in many disciplines since 1967, having taken no less than 200 world championship titles with their suspension and 300 with their products. It was only within the last few years they ventured over to the world of MTB, where they teamed up with Specialized to kit out some of their higher-end models with their air and coil shocks. Only this year and after a very successful joint venture have they decided to start making their shocks available for most brands of bikes with a variety of 7 stroke/shock length options and all types of mounting hardware.

The outer black lever controls the high speed compression or climbing, trail, descending; our tester prefered to leave this fully open in all conditions. The inner blue dial is controls the low-speed compression.
The outer black lever controls the high speed compression or climbing, trail, descending; our tester prefered to leave this fully open in all conditions. The inner blue dial is controls the low-speed compression.
Die Zugstufenregelung findet sich am Ausfallende, wie auch bei anderen Modellen.
Rebound damping is on the bottom of the leg, like most forks on the market.
Simple but strong axle with just two allen wrench fixings, the small black air valve cover fits on top of the ramp-up valve.
Simple but strong axle with just two allen wrench fixings, the small black air valve cover fits on top of the ramp-up valve.

When it comes to the RXF 36 fork it possesses several traits which set it apart from the competition. Firstly when choosing your fork you need not stress on wether you will have to sell it when converting to a different wheel-size, the RXF comes in a kind of “one size fits all” as their fork is designed to fit 29”, 29+, 650+ and most 650b frames. Due to Öhlins’ built-in headset BB race, the forks are also stiffer and a small amount of weight has been reduced. The crown and steerer are a one-piece affair, creating a very stiff fork indeed and they have ditched any messing around with tokens for your ramp-up adjustment, favouring a separate air chamber for infinite adjustment, which can easily be adjusted “on the fly”. The forks are currently available in four travel options of 120 mm, 140 mm, 150 mm and 160 mm with rumours of a future 170 mm version.

The RXF 36 comes with both air cartridge pressure guides, but we liked to add more ramp-up pressure for added progression in the stroke.
The RXF 36 comes with both air cartridge pressure guides, but we liked to add more ramp-up pressure for added progression in the stroke.

Setting up our Öhlins TTX Coil Shock & RXF 36 Forks

The forks come with two external compression adjusters, one high speed (5 click adjustment) and one low speed (24 click adjustment). Also on the top of the legs is your main air volume valve. On the lower legs you have your rebound adjustment (24 click adjustment) and the ramp-up air valve too. With our tester being quite an aggressive rider and weighing in at 89 kg we had the main air chamber set at 95 psi, ramp-up air chamber at 140 psi, ran the rebound at 4 clicks out, high speed compression fully out and low speed compression 6 clicks in. On occasions these settings were tweaked, but that was the general go-to settings we ran. As for the TTX shock, we used a 548 spring, running the rebound adjuster 4 clicks outwards of the 6 available and the low speed 20 click dial was run at 11 clicks out.

With the RXF 36 fork being compatible for plus size and Boost width, the clearance on our Boost 29 wheel is superb.
With the RXF 36 fork being compatible for plus size and Boost width, the clearance on our Boost 29 wheel is superb.

Tech of the Öhlins RXF 36 Forks and TTX Coil Shock

Öhlins originally came up with this idea of the twin chamber TTX cartridge for mountain biking when they first developed the original DB Air shock for Cane Creek. Two Öhlins engineers worked with Cane Creek way back in 2004 on the development of that shock. The TTX shock uses it’s own unique nitrogen-charged pressure bladder instead of using the usual internal floating piston opted for by some manufacturers; this is said to keep the feel of the suspension more supple during the stroke. Weights come in at 2080 g – 2150 g for the RXF 36 forks (dependent on travel) and 423 g – 454 g for the TTX coil shock (dependent on stroke and length)

Feel of the Öhlins RXF 36 Forks and TTX Coil Shock

Fitting the forks and shock was a doddle, no real difference to any other manufacturer, although we favoured the clean lines of the RXF 36 axle for it’s Boost-compliant wheel rather than a Maxle. Fork axles can be over complicated and time consuming when it comes to wheel removal, but Öhlins have opted for a simple 5 mm (allen wrench head) axle bolt with one more 5 mm (allen wrench head) pinch bolt, keeping wheel fitting as fast and efficient as possible for a non-Maxle.

Even climbing on the smoother trails and tiny bumps the Ohlins set-up feels so plush.
Even climbing on the smoother trails and tiny bumps the Öhlins set-up feels so plush.

Climbing on the Öhlins RXF 36 Forks and TTX Coil Shock

Once out upon the trails the suspension sensitivity cannot be ignored. Going along relatively rough sections of flat trail with the shock set in the middle (trail) setting, the bike feels as though grip is limited only by tyre choice and rider weight distribution, as the reactive action of the suspension seems to suck the wheels to the ground the more the terrain tries to stall or buck the bike. Our tester preferred to leave the fork’s climb (high-speed compression) dial in fully open for most riding situations.

Point uphill and you are only restricted by the power of your legs and again, the grip of your tyres. Our only gripe here would be with the TTX shock is that the climb position does not stiffen up the rear end enough to totally minimise bob, especially when standing up for the toughest of ascents.

Uphill or downhill sprint, nothing seems to hinder acceleration with this ultra-responsive suspension.
Uphill or downhill sprint, nothing seems to hinder acceleration with this ultra-responsive suspension.
Hit the rocks at high speed and the feeling of confidence through superb handling is second to none!
Hit the rocks at high speed and the feeling of confidence through superb handling is second to none!

Descending on the Öhlins RXF 36 Forks and TTX Coil Shock

On the descents, especially hitting big holes and G-outs, this is where the infinite adjustment of the ramp-up cartridge comes into it’s own, as the RXF 36 fork’s main chamber can be run relatively soft and the ramp-up pretty firm, to keep things supple, yet firm under the heavy hits. We never felt the terrain was “too much” for this suspension and the “smooth as silk” rear coil and supple forks work in unison to hang with the big boys even on some of the rougher DH tracks, much to other riders amazement!

Riding off jumps the coil shock’s “pop” was surprising compared to an air shock, as a coil can often deaden the feel of loading the bike and the progressive feel of the forks and shock were confidence inspiring when landing the larger drops.

Sending the Ohlins off any lip or drop and you are always rewarded with a safe landing!
Sending the Öhlins off any lip or drop and you are always rewarded with a safe landing!
Es braucht schon einige harte Schläge, um den TTX-Dämpfer durchschlagen zu lassen – die Progressionskammer der RXF 36 scheint dem stets gefeit!
It can take some big hucks to fully bottom out the TTX shock, whereas the forks’ ramp-up chamber seems to always stop that bottom-out bang!

Improvements to the Öhlins RXF 36 Forks and TTX Coil Shock

We would certainly have liked to see a firmer climb mode tune on the TTX shock, as this is an option available by Öhlins authorised service centres. The only other thing we would mention is that it would have been amazing to have seen the RXF 36 forks manufactured in that fantastic gold anodising seen on so many of Ohlin’s other motorsport suspension systems.

Eine Inspektion des Inneren der RXF 36 nach unserem Test zeigte ein beeindruckendes Bild.
On inspection of the RXF 36 forks internals after so much use, the condition is very impressive.

Maintenance on the RXF 36 Forks and TTX Coil Shock

The TTX shock had to go back after two weeks as there was a problem where the climb lever ended up making no difference whatsoever, it was fixed and returned, and has suffered no such problems since. This bike has been ridden and raced hard over the past few months, probably having the amount of rides most average riders would put in during the course of a full year. It has always been cleaned with the use of a jetwash and thoroughly lubed ready for the next ride. We were intrigued to see how the inside of the RXF 36 forks would look during a routine strip down. It would seem the low friction seals and bushings had done their job along with the self bleeding cartridge, as there was only a tiny bit of dirt in there and amazingly, zero signs of any wear!

Summing Öp the RXF 36 Forks and TTX Coil Shock

The Öhlins RXF 36 forks come in at €1323.00 and TTX coil shock at €860.00 (with spring). We were very impressed by the the amount of use these have had and the fact they are still performing like new. If you weigh up the after-sale service costs against the competition and the obvious performance advantage of running Öhlins to go along with their amazing bling factor then the outcome is simple! To us the Öhlins suspension is worth it’s weight in gold, just a shame it’s not gold coloured!

For more information head to ohlins.eu


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Words: Photos: Doc Ward