New Fox fork but which one?
 

I read somewhere recently that I can send in my 2013 Fox Evolution 32 CTD fork (from a Giant Trance X bike) to get the damper cartridge upgraded. After contacting the Canadian Fox service place and getting the prices, I realized that I can pick up a gently used 2014 fork for around the same price. I looked around and I've found 2 that would suit my needs. There's a Fox F-series FIT RLC 32 120mm fork, and a Fox Talas 34 CTD fork (both 2014 models). I'm not entirely sure if the FIT fork has the CTD function but I really do like the CTD on my current Evolution fork. Which would be better for my bike? I tried searching for comparisons using Google but all I could come up with were comparisons for maintenance, not actual usage and features.

Fox will use the latest & greatest guts in your fork if they rebuild it. Supposedly in 2015 model year, they finally got the CTD damper tuned properly for small bump compliance without blowing through all the travel. So, I'd vote for servicing yours. Except that you'll be without it for a while, and I'd guess being waaaaaay north you don't have much of a riding season so you probably want to minimize downtime.

The 2016 model year Float 34s are starting to become available - not sure when 32s will ship. Hate to use the word again, but supposedly, the new Fit4 damper is way better and the 34s are a lot lighter than before.

On a Trance I'd be quite tempted to make a more significant upgrade to a 140 or 150mm 2016 Float 34 Fit4, even if you have to wait until after this season to do it.

The Fox service place didn't tell me the model year equivalency of the new damper cartridge. They just told me this, "You will find your fork more sensitive and reactive for high speed bumps and get a better Climb and Trail stiffness" Shipping from me to the service location would be upwards of 3-4 weeks in either direction, so right there I'm looking at 1 month and a half or more. The turn around time for servicing itself is less than a week. The riding season up here will be over by around the middle of September. Is it really worth it for me for this year to potentially loose half of my riding time this season for a new cartridge? Doubtful... This is why I'm debating just getting a new fork. Unfortunately though I can't afford a new fork which is why I was looking at those 2, 2014 models. I figured that it would still be better than what I've got now.
Just got confirmation about the upgrade cartridge. It is the 2015 FIT cartridge but without the trail adjust feature.

I'm also open to suggestions on other brands of forks as well, as long as it has a tapered steerer.

What are the specific details you need for a fork? 26", tapered, what travel, QR or 15mm?

the extra time to do the refit is just the time get the fork to Fox.

The current fork is 26", tapered, 125mm and 15mm. I don't mind changing the travel a bit, anywhere from 120-140mm(ish) would be ok. Can't really chage the rest though. Also due to my location, there are no lbs's around so any new forks would be ordered online.

Since this on a Giant, is the steerer Overdrive or Overdrive 2? If you have a standard tapered steerer you could get a RS Sektor or X Fusion Velvet for under $400

It's this bike Trance X2 (2013) | Giant Bicycles | Canada I'm assuming from a quick search that it's the overdrive 2

if you get a fork with a standard steerer tube you will need to get a new upper bearing for the headset also.

If the fork is a 2014...it should have the CTD. The FiT cartridge feels much nicer than the standard open bath fork. The FiT feels a lot more plush.

I would go with the new 2016 internals (FiT4) from Fox if you can. They've made some big improvements from the CTD of a couple years back. I've got a 2013 FiT and plan on upgrading to the new FiT4 damper. The new damper will also have the three position adjustment. It will perform better than the 2014 you plan on picking up.

If at all possible...can you send in the fork after the riding season is over...or is your current fork in bad enough shape so that it won't last the rest of the season?

The current fork is fine. It's just that everyone kept bashing the 2013 fork that I have, and kept raving/encouraging about the upgrade. I didn't have anyone suggest this to me directly, but it's mentioned tons in several forums. After getting the upgrade specs from the Canadian service place, I'm definitely inclined to get it done. They told me that it would be the 2015 FiT cartridge, perhaps if I wait till the end of the season, it would be the 2016 instead?

You should buy a Rockshox, Fox forks are junk, you may not realize it until you have to rebuild it, or see the premature stanchion wear.

Before you totally give up on your Evolution, you owe it to yourself to contact Jerry at HippieTech and see what he can do for it.

SERVICE | Hippie Tech Suspension

I would have mentioned Push too but they evidently work on non-Evolution models.

I have a 2013 FiT CTD and I got no issues with it. If your fork is riding fine...then stick with it. Don't do it because a bunch of guys online say so. If it hasn't had a oil and seal service...think about doing that. My fork actually felt smoother after a basic oil and seal service.

It sounds like the OP was happy with his bike until bike forums and others riders told him he wasn't.

I never said that I was not happy with the current fork. However if there is noticeable room for improvement, I don't see the harm in exploring those options.