The difference in damping
Anyone who rides on rough gravel knows the jolts you feel through the handlebars. Wide tyres can absorb a fair bit of the impact, but with fast, hard impacts, a rigid fork still provides a direct connection to the ground. DT Swiss counters this constant barrage from below with two air-sprung forks for gravel bikes: the F 132 and the F 132 One. Both models are now also available separately, not just as part of a complete bike such as the Canyon Gail Rift.
Our verdict on the new DT Swiss forks
Suspension on gravel bikes is nothing new. And, in principle, neither is the F 132, as the fork is already familiar from Canyon’s Grail Rift. However, the F 132 is now available in various versions as an aftermarket fork: with 45, 50 or 56 millimetres of fork travel, with lockout and adjustable rebound damping, and available as an affordable, stripped-down model.
The travel is 40 millimetres in each case. The air spring can be adjusted to the rider’s weight using a damper pump to set the appropriate sag. There are differences in the damping: in the F 132, the Openflow system operates with a continuous flow of oil. There is neither a lockout nor an adjustable rebound damping. If you’re looking for a fork that absorbs bumps without any intervention whilst riding, this is the simpler option.
The F 132 One offers more adjustment options. Its ‘Plaingain’ damping allows for nine-click rebound adjustment. Added to this is Pushcontrol: a lever on the handlebars allows you to switch between open and locked modes. On smooth terrain, the fork can be locked in this way, then unlocked again before a rough section. According to DT Swiss, the lever can be reached from various grip positions.
Retrofitting: these dimensions must be correct
It is not only travel and handling that are relevant for fitting. Both models have a fit height of 435 millimetres and are available with 45, 50 or 56 millimetres of fork offset. As the trail affects steering behaviour, the correct measurement should match that of the original standard fork or be agreed with the manufacturer of the complete bike. The new DT forks are suitable for 700C wheels and tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. They come with a 12×100-millimetre thru-axle and flat-mount brake mounts for 160- or 180-millimetre discs.
For bikepacking, optional adaptors, each with three mounting points, can be fitted to both forks. DT Swiss specifies a maximum load of three kilograms per side. According to the manufacturer, both models are also approved for use on e-bikes; the recommended maximum system weight is 130 kilograms. A minor service is recommended after 150 operating hours or one year, and a full service after 500 hours or two years. Shorter intervals may be necessary under particularly harsh operating conditions.
F 132: Key figures
- Suspension travel and suspension: 40 millimetres, adjustable Lineair-SL air spring
- Damping: Openflow; no lockout, no rebound adjustment
- Weight: 1,380 grams according to the manufacturer, excluding the axle
- Installation dimensions: 435 millimetres installation height; 45, 50 or 56 millimetres fork offset
- Facilities: Optional bikepacking adaptors for up to three kilograms per side
- Price: 809 euros
F 132 One: Key specifications
- Suspension travel and suspension: 40 millimetres, adjustable Lineair-SL air spring
- Damping: Plaingain with rebound damping adjustable in nine clicks
- Instructions: Pushcontrol lockout via the L1 lever on the racing handlebars
- Weight: 1,340 grams according to the manufacturer, excluding the remote lever, cable and axle
- Installation dimensions: 435 millimetres installation height; 45, 50 or 56 millimetres fork offset
- Price: 1,149 euros
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
