If you ever spent time flipping through the Fox Shox catalog you’d discover that they had a fork for nearlyevery discipline for riding. Missing from the Fox party had always been a dedicated dirt jump and 4X race fork. Sure, riders were chopping down the travel on various 36s but in the end it was still not the fork that the many 4X focused riders wanted it to be. That all changed recently when Fox announced the addition of the 831 fork to their lineup for 2010. Far from a lowered 32 or 36 series fork, the 831 is Fox’s single minded approach to a shorter travel and lighter option to their previous offerings.

Some more observant riders may have noticed the prototype 831s that have been under Jared Graves’ and Dan Atherton’s race bikes during the ’09 season. The two riders had a big hand in developing the 831, a perfect example of trial by fire you could say. The 831 uses Fox’s 32 mm stanchions taken from the 150 mm version (slightly thicker walls) combined with new meatier 32 mm compatible lowers to keep the weight low but stiffness high. The result is a fork that is about a full pound lighter than a 36 series fork. From a distance the fork may resemble one of Fox’s other 32 mm options but it is important to note that the 831 uses an entirely different chassis altogether. 

A webbed arch as opposed to a scooped out arch (as found on the other 32 forks) increases stiffness and strength

Fox 831 specs

• 100 mm of travel, adjustable internally from 80 – 120 mm
• Adjustments include air pressure, low-speed compression, rebound, travel (5 mm increments)
• 15 mm QR thru-axle 
• Both 1.125″ and 1.5″ steerer tube options
• 3.8 lbs. 

The new 831 DJ fork uses the same FIT technology as Fox’s other top end forks, watch the video and let Nick Delauder explain it to you!:

The 831 uses a 15 mm thru-axle to keep things stiff but light

Inside the 831 you’ll find a modified version of Fox’s FIT damper. FIT stands for Fox Isolated Technology and is just that, they separate the damping oil from the lubrication oil. Going about it this way should produce more consistent damping as well as longer service intervals. When compared to the FIT dampers used on Fox’s other 32 mm forks, the 831′s FIT cartridge has a refined damping range that will better deal with the impacts that a 4X racer or dirt jump specialist will put it through, this is not just a slammed XC fork!

Have a look at Fox’s entire lineup!