Today we’re diving into a topic that has sparked a lot of debate and strong opinions lately – the Fox Podium fork. If you’ve been following the talk online, you probably know what we’re talking about. Fox released their original fender, and let’s just say, it didn’t click with everyone. Many of you asked us to modify our EXT VAIA mudguards to fit the new FOX fork, so finally we decided to take a crack at it and create an aftermarket alternative that looks and works the way you’d expect.
The journey to this point wasn’t easy and took us several months. The biggest challenge was that, for a long time, we didn’t have permanent access to this specific fork model. We found one rider who owned a Fox Podium, but we couldn’t just take it back to the workshop for long-term testing. Because of that, our progress was slow and difficult. Making prototypes, sending to the rider, collecting feedback and redesigning. The first iterations we managed to create simply couldn’t handle the stress and they would snap during rides. On top of that, there were heavy vibrations that made riding with the fender pretty annoying. But step by step we were slowly moving forward.
Things changed recently because we finally got a Fox Podium fork in our workshop for good. This has allowed our mounting work to move much faster since we can now test everything in real-time, fix small errors, and make sure every single part fits perfectly to the millimeter. We want to give you a choice, so we are designing two alternatives: the Racing version mounted on the wheel and the MX version mounted under the crown. From the very beginning, the Racing model was our main priority because we knew it’s the one you want the most. To be honest, we only decided on the MX option once we realized how incredibly difficult it is to get the on-wheel version right. We have focused all our energy on the Racing model so far, which is why the MX version (even though it will eventually be the preferred option due to the fork’s design) has to wait a bit longer for its turn before we fully dial it in.
This is where you come in. We need your support for the beta testing phase, so we’ve decided to release a limited run of the Racing version (the one mounted directly on the wheel) on a “first-come, first-served” basis. We want to get these out to you for real-world testing, but before you jump in, please ensure your setup is a match: this specific beta unit is designed exclusively for the FOX Podium Factory fork with carbon stanchion covers and fits tires up to 2.5 inches. The price covers just part of our costs, but we have to be real: by purchasing a beta version, you agree that the product is not covered by any warranty. If it snaps on your first jump, that’s just the risk at this stage of development. However, to thank you for taking that risk and helping us find the design’s limits, you will receive a dedicated discount on the final, market-ready version once it’s officially released.
We’re counting on your help and honest feedback because we need to see how much this design can handle before the final version goes on sale. If you want to help us with this tough project and aren’t afraid to test prototypes on your own gear, we’d love to have you on board. We hope that with your help, we’ll soon deliver a product that finally looks and works the way this fork deserves. See you on the trails!
Here you can order the FOX Podium Mudguard Beta test Version.
0 Comments