Best 29er 160mm Suspension Forks for All-Mountain Bikes

160mm forks suit all-mountain bikes built for steep descents, rough trails and long days in the mountains. The extra travel can give you more room to absorb bigger impacts, while a capable damper helps keep the front wheel controlled through repeated hits. Choose a fork that matches both your riding and your frame’s approved travel.

This guide compares six 29-inch, 160mm forks from RockShox, FOX and Marzocchi by price, performance, weight, stiffness and best use. The lineup ranges from the value-focused Bomber Z1 to premium Lyrik Ultimate and FOX Factory options.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from purchases through these links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a specification-based guide, not a hands-on group test.

Marzocchi Bomber Z1 RAIL Air (160mm) suspension fork
Marzocchi Bomber Z1 RAIL Air (160mm)
RAIL damper • 29-inch
Value PickJenson USA Price
Price
✓
$609Lowest listed price in this comparison; 160mm air version.
Performance
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RAIL damper + air springSimple rebound adjustment suits riders who prefer an easy setup.
Weight
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2,109g manufacturer referencePublished Z1 figure; the manufacturer does not specify the exact build used.
Strength / Stiffness
✓
36mm upper tubes15QR×110mm axle and tapered aluminum steerer.
Best For
✓
Affordable all-mountain buildsA sturdy option when lower cost matters more than extensive damper tuning.
FOX 36 Performance GRIP (160mm) suspension fork
FOX 36 Performance GRIP (160mm)
GRIP 3-position • 29-inch
All-Round FOX ValueJenson USA Price
Price
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$819Below the Factory models while retaining a 36mm chassis.
Performance
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GRIP damper + FLOAT EVOL springOpen, medium and firm positions, plus rebound adjustment.
Weight
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Exact listed weight not publishedCompare the selected 160mm SKU; Factory weights do not describe this build.
Strength / Stiffness
✓
36mm black-anodized upper tubes15QR×110mm axle; the linked model uses a 200mm direct brake mount.
Best For
✓
Dependable FOX performance for lessA practical choice for riders who want straightforward setup and trail versatility.
RockShox Lyrik Select E1 (160mm) suspension fork
RockShox Lyrik Select E1 (160mm)
Delta RC • LinearXL • 29-inch
Simpler All-Mountain ChoiceAmazon PriceJenson USA Price
Price
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$929A lower-cost route to the current E1 Lyrik platform.
Performance
✓
Delta RC + LinearXL air springCompression and rebound controls with fixed bottom-out support.
Weight
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Exact 160mm weight not publishedThe E1 product page does not give a comparable complete-fork weight.
Strength / Stiffness
✓
35mm aluminum upper tubes15×110mm Boost axle and a tapered steerer.
Best For
✓
Riders who prefer fewer external controlsAll-mountain riding with the current spring platform and simpler adjustment.
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate E1 (160mm) suspension fork
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate E1 (160mm)
Charger 3.2 RC2 • LinearXL • 29-inch
Premium All-Round PickAmazon PriceJenson USA Price
Price
✕
$1,259Premium price for the E1 Ultimate specification.
Performance
✓
Charger 3.2 RC2 + adjustable bottom outButterCups and ButterWagonTech bushing lubrication complement the LinearXL spring.
Weight
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2,290g manufacturer referenceFor a 29-inch, 160mm fork with 1.5-inch tapered steerer and Maxle Stealth axle.
Strength / Stiffness
✓
35mm aluminum upper tubesA 15×110mm Boost all-mountain chassis.
Best For
✓
Riders who want detailed suspension tuningSeparate compression controls and adjustable end-stroke support.
FOX 36 Factory GRIP X (160mm) suspension fork
FOX 36 Factory GRIP X (160mm)
2027 model • 29-inch
Premium Trail PickJenson USA Price
Price
✕
$1,299Factory-level pricing for the linked 2027 model.
Performance
✓
GRIP X + FLOAT EVOL GlideCoreKashima-coated upper tubes and a trail-focused damper.
Weight
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Lighter damper than GRIP X2The retailer quotes a damper-weight advantage, not a complete 160mm fork weight.
Strength / Stiffness
✓
36mm upper tubesKabolt-X 110 axle with lower-leg air channels and bleeders.
Best For
✓
Technical trails and all-day mountain ridesPremium suspension for riders who favor a trail-focused setup.
FOX 36 Factory GRIP X2 (160mm) suspension fork
FOX 36 Factory GRIP X2 (160mm)
2027 model • 29-inch
Most Damping AdjustmentJenson USA Price
Price
✕
$1,299The same listed price as the GRIP X Factory option.
Performance
✓
GRIP X2 damperIndependent high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment.
Weight
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Tuning takes priority over minimum weightUse the exact 160mm configuration for a complete-fork comparison.
Strength / Stiffness
✓
36mm upper tubes29-inch Factory chassis with a 15×110mm axle interface.
Best For
✓
Riders who fine-tune rough-descent controlThe choice here for riders who want the widest range of damping adjustments.

For a lower-cost 160mm build, start with the Marzocchi Bomber Z1 RAIL Air or FOX 36 Performance GRIP. The Bomber keeps setup simple and costs less, while the FOX adds three-position compression adjustment. The Lyrik Select E1 is worth considering if you want RockShox’s current LinearXL spring with fewer external controls.

For premium builds, compare the Lyrik Ultimate E1 with the FOX 36 Factory GRIP X. The Lyrik offers adjustable bottom-out support; the FOX provides a trail-focused Factory package. Choose the FOX 36 Factory GRIP X2 when independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment are priorities.

Before buying: Select the 29-inch, 160mm version. Match your frame’s approved fork travel and axle-to-crown range, tapered steerer, 15×110mm front hub, offset, tire clearance and brake setup. The linked FOX 36 Performance uses a 200mm direct brake mount; rotor requirements vary across this lineup. The Bomber listing also includes a coil version—choose the air model described here. Retailer pages may open on another travel or color option.

Prices are retailer references checked November 1, 2026 and may change by option, seller and availability. Use the Amazon and Jenson USA buttons for current pricing. Published weights are configuration-specific references, not a measured ranking. Colored indicators summarize price and feature tradeoffs; they are not test scores.

Technical references: Lyrik Ultimate E1, Lyrik Select E1, FOX 36, FOX 36 Performance and Bomber Z1. For shorter travel, see our 150mm all-mountain fork comparison.