Öhlins Says the Updated D38 m.1 Downhill Fork is More Sensitive and Tuneable Than Ever

Downhill legend Loïc Bruni's downhill MTB fork just got a little better.

Downhill legend Loïc Bruni’s fork just got a little better. Öhlins, the Swedish suspension manufacturer, claims that the updated D38 m.1 fork includes some changes that will “make downhill runs faster, with more control and comfort whether it’s fitted to a pedal-powered or e-MTB gravity rig.”

Improvements include new lubrication and “functional grease” to make the stanchions run smoother and lower the amount of pressure required to get it moving. The D38 m.1 also has a revamped seal head design to reduce friction, said to allow for increased oil levels and better lubrication.

On the windy side, the negative air chamber can be enlarged to improve small bump sensitivity, or riders can add spacers to increase the feedback from the trail.

On the durability and serviceability front, this dual crown shares more parts with the brand’s single-crown RXF36 m.2 squisher, including that fork’s “refined one-way valve controlling twin tube oil flow.” To adjust all of that oily goodness, Öhlins has redesigned their low and high speed external compression adjusters for a better click feel.

Regarding overall construction, the fork comes in 180 or 200mm travel measurements, and it can be rebuilt to squish between 120-170mm. The lowers are compatible with 29×2.8″ and 27.5×3.0″ max tire sizes, and come in 46, 50, 54, 58mm offsets. The whole thing is held together by a floating 110mm axle that’s said to provide minimum friction.

“MSRP excluding VAT is $1600 / €1,442.63 / £1,254.46 for the fork and $350 / €315.58 / £274.42 for the crown. Available to purchase from June from your local dealer or via Ohlins.seOhlins.eu and OhlinsUSA.com.”