Best in Test Fox Transfer Factory
When the Fox Transfer dropped onto the market, fans of Kashima golden goodness jumped for joy. The Transfer boasts infinite adjustment, two remote options, and long service intervals. The post is available with internal or external cable routing, and in both the Kashima Factory model and a more affordable black-anodized performance model. Inside the post, uniquely, the hydraulic cartridge sits in the upper tube, where a self-equalising valve takes care of pressure changes and a spool valve is used to open and close ports to lock the post, resulting in a delightfully minimal release pressure. Manufacturers take note! Installing the FOX Transfer is so easy we had it up and running within ten minutes, and we did not even open the instructions. The cable end is captured at the post actuator, meaning all cable adjustment is done at the remote – easy and idiot-proof. Fox have prioritised long service intervals over ease of home servicing, and the high pressure nitrogen in the sealed cartridge means it needs to be serviced by professionals. (Fox reason that a dropper post should be serviced along with the suspension units.) The zero-offset head is cleanly engineered but a little tall at 60 mm, and the design also means fore/aft movement is restricted more than certain posts in this test, while the vertical seat clamp bolts are less convenient to tighten.
On the trail the remote offers a beautifully light release pressure, like a hair trigger that’s effortlessly easy to modulate – a gentle push sees the post creep gently upwards, but press harder and the post rockets up with enthusiasm. The Transfer moves with the same silky smoothness as would be expected from the suspension maestros, with no friction from cable movement or the lustrous Kashima shaft. An unexpected highlight of the post is the audible ‘chang’ as the post hits maximum extension, providing great feedback and near instantaneous transitions. We have been running a Transfer for twelve months and it has not hesitated once; even after lashings of Scottish mud, hanging the bike from the seat, sub-zero temperatures, and regular abuse from a hose pipe, the movement is still box-fresh. The Transfer is not quite perfect, as the remote sits a little too far from the bar and is a little wobbly on its axle, but the performance is unquestioned. For those who are deterred by the price of the Factory model, we would highly recommend the €319.00 non-Kashima Performance version, bringing the same amazing performance with a slightly less exhibitionistic appearance. After thousands of muddy kilometers the Fox Transfer has been faultless. Facing stiff competition, it still takes the test win for its true fit-and-forget operation and sublime trail feedback. The Fox Transfer sets the new standard against which all other posts are judged.
Drops: 100 mm/125 mm/150 mm
Weight:588 g/28 g (post/remote)
Price: €399/€79 (post/remote)
Strengths
- Fit-and-forget
- Perfect performance
Weaknesses
- Remote feels cheap
- Wobbly lever
For more information head to ridefox.com
