Last year Fox dramatically updated its 36 fork, and for 2016 it’s the turn of the trail-friendly Fox 34 Float fork to get a makeover, with an improved damper, easy adjustment and lower weight. There’s also an updated to the rear shock, the Float DPS EVOL with several changes.

The new Fox 34 Float fork gets lighter thanks to a redesigned steerer tube, crown and lower legs and packs a new FIT4 damper inside. The new fork loses the previous CTD compression adjustment dial and, still with three positions, switches to a simpler open, platform and lockout dial adjustment. Fox now offers adjustable low speed compression damping with a 22-clock dial on top of the fork.

The changes should make it easier to set the fork up to preference and with a wider range of adjustment than before. Another change is the introduction of air volume spacers. These are similar to the Tokens used by RockShox, and simply allow you to adjust the spring curve to suit your style of riding and body weight, by producing a more progressive spring curve.

The 34 Float is available for both 27.5 and 29in wheels and in travel options from 120 to 160mm. Yes, there’s no 26in fork option, that has been phased out for 2016.  All forks have a  15mm bolt-thru axle. We mentioned it’s lighter, Fox claim a weight for 160mm 27.5in fork of 1,746g (3.85lb). That’s a couple of hundred grams lighter than the previous fork.

The acronym heavy new Float DPS EVOL rear shock has been some time in development and it’s now available to the public. The new shock says goodbye to the Boost Valve and CTD of previous shocks, and introduces DPS (Dual Piston System) and EVOL (Extra VOLume negative spring). Like the fork, it offers a three-position adjustment, with open, medium and firm replacing the previous climb, trail and descend modes.

Inside the shock are two dampers, a second used solely for the firm mode and the main damper is used for compression and rebound, so basically they can be adjusted independently. The three-way adjuster dial offers open, medium and firm settings, the latter can be set up without affecting the open and medium settings. EVOL is a new negative spring built into the shocks air sleeve and reduces the force required to get the shock moving, which should translate to better small bump sensitivity.

More on pricing and availability at www.ridefox.com and mojo.co.uk