Vital's Forum Discussion on the FOX Podium

Charlie's FOX Podium Review

Podium Tech Talk with FOX product developers

Vital's FOX Podium fork review dropped on Tuesday and our tester, Charlie Sponsel, encouraged you to leave any questions that remained. Sorting through dozens of great inquiries, the highlights have been pulled and Charlie answers them so you can learn more about this expensive, heavy, but incredibly-performing enduro fork.

0:00 - Intro, baggage fee avoidance struggles

10:00 - Charlie's Zeb setup (it's not stock)

13:46 - Is This basically a prototype for sale?

16:40 - Did the CSU Creak?

19:06 - Why is it 29er only and does it matter?

20:03 - Is the FOX 38 really just the 38SL and Podium is burlier version?

21:19 - Won't the stanchions be really easy to damage?

27:28 - Podium's crown, weight and why no 180mm

33:25 - Would you run 180mm if they offered it?

34:07 - Why is it so heavy?

36:16 - Could a lighter fork be as stiff?

37:48 - Currently compatible 20mm hubs?

39:26 - Why not have swappable axle size options like EXT?

42:50 - Do you think axle size was a reason for your positive experience?

46:23 - Why not put the airspring on the opposite side to avoid brake rotor contamination?

51:06 - How does Podium differ from an Intend or a Push fork?

52:37 - Would you buy one?

57:23 - Would the Podium work on a TrailDuro setup?

1:03:57 - Burly Freeride build, Podium or a 190mm dual crown?

1:05:23 - Why would Podium be better for ebikes?

1:07:56 - Is Vital's testing method flawed?

1:13:49 - Why Charlie really enjoyed the Podium

1:17:05 - Berm performance, less compromise on setup because of less binding

After plenty of drama and mild discontent surrounding the first three races of the season, it was nice to have a good old-fashioned downhill race in Val di Sole. No one complained about the track being too straight or too easy. There were plenty of fresh sections and line choices. And the racing was as competitive as ever. Our main man Dak was back for his second race of the season, and his weekend was nothing short of a battle. We discuss how Dak’s feeling at this stage of his recovery, as well as Jackson’s ‘bouncy’ riding style, Reece Wilson’s 6D windshield goggles, Team Points, what to do with the Junior categories, Dak’s experience going from Shimano XTR/Saint brakes to SRAM Maven’s, and more. Plus, the usual race recaps. Thanks for tuning in, enjoy!

0:05 - Bring back 4X Racing
5:48 - Content and Media Landscape
10:05 - Where’s the culture??
14:53 - After party tales
19:56 - B Practice does Whistler
22:29 - Dak is filming a Vital RAW
24:26 - Dak’s war stories from VDS
31:07 - Dak’s approach after getting two races under his belt
38:33 - Balancing recovery with giving 100%
43:02 - Dak’s pre-ride warm-up routine
51:43 - Dak’s experience going from XTR/Saint to Maven brakes
1:02:32 - VDS Track Talk
1:03:48 - Jackson’s ‘bouncy’ style = speed
1:10:20 - Dak compares his style and setup to Jackson’s
1:13:27 - USD forks: so hot right now
1:15:13 - Track changes, but similar times?
1:17:33 - No more complaining about straight, easy tracks after VDS
1:19:42 - Reece Wilson’s 6D windshield goggles
1:22:22 - Sam Gale’s bloody crash
1:24:21 - DH is dangerous, period
1:26:25 - Team Points discussion
1:31:34 - How Team Points will affect junior selection in the future
1:33:30 - No juniors 2026 discussion
1:48:28 - Maxxis Make or Brake Section
1:51:40 - No chains 2026 - chainless racing only
1:54:03 - Junior Women’s Race Recap
1:55:43 - Junior Men’s Race Recap
1:58:16 - Elite Women’s Race Recap
2:09:26 - Elite Men’s Race Recap
2:18:07 - Burgtec Labour of Love Award
2:19:44 - La Thuile next week - thoughts?
2:22:58 - Vital Fantasy tips

Watch this interview - https://youtu.be/Z5CN3pD_7Yg

FOX Podium Review - https://youtu.be/UEW1tMYVM20

The Podium isn't FOX's first foray into the upside-down MTB fork market. In 2011, they developed a prototype downhill fork that used an inverted design for 26" wheels. It was heavy and flexy, so they dropped it. Fast-forward 14 years later and their single crown Podium inverted fork has dropped and we wanted to see why. Charlie Sponsel sits down with Ariel Lindsley, Jordi Cortes and Neko Mulally to learn how the FOX Podium inverted MTB fork came to be.

0:00 - Ariel Lindsley - 2011 FOX 26" inverted DH fork prototype, Podium development story

28:43 - Jordi Cortes - Why he was against an inverted fork and what does he think now?

43:29 - Neko Mulally - on trail performance of the FOX Podium