RFLoXa Fork Buyer’s Guide

How to Choose the Right Fork & Spring Setup

This knowledge base article is designed to help RFLoXa customers choose the correct front fork and spring rate for their bike. RFLoXa offers multiple fork models, and while the names can seem confusing at first, choosing the right fork becomes straightforward once you understand what actually affects performance.

Key takeaway:
Fork performance is driven by spring rate, travel, and tuning.
Fork model names primarily define fork construction level, height, crown design, and bike fitment.

Use this guide to confidently select the correct RFLoXa fork for your bike, weight, riding style, and wheel size.

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Key Concept: Fork Model vs Suspension Performance

RFLoXa fork model names (Hawk32, Hawk31 Pro, Hawk31 Max, Hawk33 Max, Hawk35 Max, Max Plus) do not represent power or performance levels in the traditional sense.

What actually determines ride performance:

• Spring rate (matched to rider weight)

• Travel length

• Preload, compression, and rebound tuning

What fork model names mainly define:

• Fork construction level (budget → premium)

• Overall length (center distance)

• Available travel options

• Crown design (standard, drop crown, or flat crown)

• Bike-specific mounting and fitment

Several RFLoXa forks share similar suspension architecture, but differ in materials, geometry, height, and crown design, which affects wheel compatibility and intended use.

Once this is understood, choosing the correct fork becomes much simpler.

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RFLoXa Fork Models — What Each One Is

RFLoXa Hawk32 (Budget Option)

Position: Entry-level / most affordable RFLoXa fork
Best for: Riders upgrading from stock suspension on a budget

Key Characteristics

• Most affordable fork in the RFLoXa lineup

• Inverted fork design

• Adjustable preload, compression, and rebound

• Standard triple clamp and hardware

• Available spring rates: 45 lb, 60 lb, 45–60 lb progressive

• Compatible with 19" front wheels

Why it matters:
The Hawk32 is a cost-effective way to get adjustable suspension and improved control over stock forks, without stepping into higher-end materials or extended travel setups.

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RFLoXa Hawk31 Pro (Mid-Level Performance)

Position: Next step up from Hawk32
Best for: Riders who want better hardware, more tuning range, and multiple travel options

Key Characteristics

• Higher-quality materials and machining than Hawk32

• CNC-machined triple clamp

• Adjustable preload, compression, and rebound

• Tube diameter: Ø37 mm

• Center distance options: 750 mm or 800 mm

• Travel options: 203 mm or 228 mm

• Spring options:

  • 45 lb

  • 55 lb

  • 60 lb

  • 45–60 lb progressive

• Compatible with:

  • 19" front wheel (203 mm travel)

  • 19" or 21" front wheel (228 mm travel)

Why it matters:
Hawk31 Pro offers meaningful performance and configuration upgrades without moving into drop-crown geometry. It’s a strong choice for riders who want flexibility and better damping control.

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RFLoXa Hawk31 Max / Hawk33 Max / Hawk35 Max (Same Platform)

These three forks share the same suspension platform, damping system, and performance capability.
The only differences are bike-specific fitment and mounting dimensions.

Fitment

• Hawk31 Max: Surron / Talaria / similar platforms

• Hawk33 Max: Talaria MX5

• Hawk35 Max: E Ride Pro 3.0 / SR

Key Characteristics

• Extended-height fork with drop crown

• Allows increased travel and taller geometry

• Center distance options: 750 mm or 800 mm

• Travel options: 203 mm or 228 mm

• Adjustable preload, high-speed compression, low-speed compression, and rebound

• Spring options:

  • 45 lb

  • 55 lb

  • 60 lb

  • 45–60 lb progressive

• Designed to support:

  • 19" front wheels

  • 21" front wheels (commonly used with drop crown)

Why it matters:
The Max platform allows taller setups and increased travel. The drop crown makes 21" front wheel setups possible and improves stability for aggressive trail, MX, and high-speed riding.

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RFLoXa Max Plus (Premium / Highest Performance)

Position: Top-tier RFLoXa fork
Best for: Riders who want the best materials, smoothest action, and 21" wheel compatibility without a drop crown

Key Characteristics

• Premium fork combining features of Pro and Max platforms

• Overall length: 775 mm (optimized midpoint)

• Travel: 225 mm

• Crown: Flat crown with widened clamp (no drop crown required)

• Seals: SKF low-friction seals

• Stanchions: Diamond-coated for reduced friction and increased durability

• Clean bronze-coated fork tubes

• Allows 21" front wheel fitment without a drop crown

• Fitment: Hawk31 / Hawk33 / Hawk35 platforms

• Full adjustability: preload, high-speed compression, low-speed compression, rebound

Why it matters:
Max Plus delivers the smoothest action, best durability, and cleanest geometry in the RFLoXa lineup. It offers extended travel and 21" compatibility without the compromises of a drop crown.

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Max vs Max Plus — Quick Comparison

Feature	Max (31/33/35)	Max Plus (31/33/35)
Overall Length	750 mm or 800 mm	775 mm
Travel	203–228 mm	225 mm
Crown Design	Drop crown	Flat crown
21" Front Wheel	Yes (with drop crown)	Yes (no drop crown)
Stanchions	Standard coating	Diamond-coated
Seals	Standard	SKF low-friction
Ride Feel	Proven, aggressive	Smoother, more refined
Best Use	Aggressive trail / MX	Highest performance builds

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Spring Rate — The Most Important Choice

Spring rate has a bigger impact on ride quality than fork model choice.

Common RFLoXa Spring Rates

• 45 lb – Soft

• 55 lb – Medium (most common)

• 60 lb – Firm

• 45–60 lb Progressive – Soft initial feel with firmer ramp-up

Spring Rate Recommendations (Starting Point)

Rider Weight	Recommended Spring
Under 140 lbs	45 lb or progressive
140–180 lbs	55 lb
180–210 lbs	55–60 lb
Over 210 lbs	60 lb

Final feel should always be refined with preload and damping adjustments.

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Wheel Size Guidance

19" Front Wheel

• Compatible with all RFLoXa forks

• Quicker steering and lighter feel

21" Front Wheel

• Best paired with:

  • Max platform forks (with drop crown)

  • Max Plus (no drop crown required)

• Improved rollover and stability in rough terrain

Wheel size does not change spring rate recommendations, but aggressive terrain and larger wheels often benefit from firmer springs.

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Simple Decision Chart

Step 1: Choose Spring Rate

• Under 140 lbs → 45 lb

• 140–180 lbs → 55 lb

• 180–210 lbs → 55–60 lb

• Over 210 lbs → 60 lb

Step 2: Choose Fork Model

• Budget upgrade → Hawk32

• Mid-level performance → Hawk31 Pro

• Taller / aggressive / 21" wheel → Max or Max Plus

• Best overall performance → Max Plus

Step 3: Tune

• Set sag with preload

• Adjust compression and rebound for terrain and speed

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Final Notes

Spring rate and tuning are critical to how any RFLoXa fork performs. Correct spring selection, sag, and damping adjustments will always have a major impact on ride quality, control, and confidence.

That said, the RFLoXa Max Plus represents the highest-performance option in the lineup. Its optimized length, increased travel, premium coatings, and SKF seals deliver the smoothest action and best durability—especially for aggressive riding and 21" front wheel setups.

The best results come from pairing the right spring rate and proper tuning with the fork that fits your bike and riding goals.