If you ride motocross or mountain bike you have heard about the brand Fox. It’s pretty much Fox this and Fox that.
But is the company that makes gear and clothes the same as the one making forks and shocks?
Let’s find out!
Is Fox Racing the same as Fox Shocks?
No, they are two separate companies.
Fox Racing (Fox Head Inc.) is a clothing and protective gear company making primarily riding gear for Motocross and Mountain Biking.
Fox Shocks (Fox Factory Inc.) manufacturers and sell suspension products for Mountain Bikes and Off-road vehicles.
But they do have history together. So it’s no coincidence that they share the Fox name.
Their history together
The early histories of Fox Racing and Fox Racing Shox (Fox Factory) were intertwined.
In the early 1970s Geoff Fox started a distribution business selling European specialty parts for motocross. He called the company Moto-X Fox, Inc.
In 1975, his brother Bob Fox joined the company. Bob had been prototyping an air-pressurized shock. And in their first year together they sold 200 pairs of the Fox Air Shox.
In 1977 the decision was made to split the Moto-X Fox company into two.
One being the Moto-X Fox division focusing on parts and later riding gear. Lead by Geoff. In 1985 the company became Fox Racing.
The other, FOX Factory Inc., focusing only on the FOX Air Shox and related suspension products. Lead by Bob.
About Fox Racing
Fox Racing is an American action sports (primarily focusing on motocross and mountain biking), riding gear, protective equipment and lifestyle clothing brand.
They are one of the most iconic brands in the world of action sports. And a lot of superstars have worn or wear the Fox head logo.
Fox Head was acquired by Altamont Capital Partners in 2014 and in July 2022 Altamont sold the company to Vista Outdoor for $540 million.
About Fox Factory
Fox Factory designs, engineers, manufactures and markets performance-defining products and systems.
Primarily suspension components for motorcycles, automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, trophy trucks, snowmobiles, and mountain bikes.
In 2008 founder Bob Fox sold a major share of the company to the private equity firm, Compass Diversified Holdings. Fox Factory Holding Corp, later went public in 2013.
Conclusion
- So no, Fox Racing and Fox Shocks are not the same company.
- But they do have history together and was in the beginning indeed the same company. Started by the Fox brothers, Geoff and Bob.
If you ride dirt bikes or mountain bike you know that Fox is one of the most known brands in the two-wheel world. But now you know that the two Foxes is separate companies. Although with similar history.
Questions? Let us know.
