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FOX Suspension 2016 Highlights
FOX Suspension 2016 Highlights
FOX go all out for 2016, and their new lineup receives a solid dose of the technology trickle down treatment. With a focus on their new mantra ‘Own the Trail, Track or Mountain’ FOX aim to cater for the needs of all the growing areas of the sport.
The big forking news for 2016 is the new damper – FIT 4 found in ALL forks going forward (except 36, 381 and 40), we won’t see any more open cartridge dampers in favour of the new FIT 4. We’ve already spent some time on the FIT 4 damper inside the new FOX 34 fork as well as the new Float DPS rear shock.
The first major change is the new adjuster configuration; there are three main compression settings (much like CTD, with open, medium and firm), but there’s also a completely independent low-speed compression adjustment. The central black dial has 22 points of adjustment, giving you a much broader and precise range of control over low speed compression, similar to the 36’s RC2 damper.
The second big damper change that users will notice is an all new rebound assembly, which is designed keep the fork riding higher in its travel, particularly after big impacts. Beginning stroke rebound (i.e. for smaller impacts) can be set quite slow, for a more stable and planted ride feel. But on bigger impacts the fork will rebound more quickly to recover from heavy compressions, helping avoid getting bogged down deep in its travel.
Finally, FOX have made some huge leaps in terms of service requirements for their forks. Through better sealing and more advanced lubricants (especially the new Gold Oil), service intervals are now 120 hours of riding, which is far cry more manageable than the 30-hour intervals of yesteryear!
All the rear shocks also receive some new features, with the DPS (Dual Position System) and EVOL (Extra Volume) in the popular Float series.
DPS and EVOL System Explained
The EVOL air sleeve will be retrofittable to older FOX shocks too. This is more than just an extra volume air can, as we’ve seen in the past. The EVOL air sleeve is all about increasing the volume of the shock’s negative air spring. This has a number of positive effects.
Firstly, there’s improved bump sensitivity in the initial parts of the stroke. Secondly, the EVOL air sleeve provides an overall flatter spring curve, with more support in the mid-stroke (helping alleviate that wallowing feeling that can afflict some longer-travel air sprung bikes). Finally, the EVOL air sleeve helps slow down the shock’s rebound as it nears full extension, which should reduce the likelihood of getting ‘bucked’ over the bars after heavy compressions, particularly off the lip of a jump.
There has also been a huge re-think of the shock’s damping, which has led to the new Dual Piston System design and the ditching of the Boost Valve system. Again, we’ll avoid teching you out too much here, and stick to what’s actually noticeable for the user.
While the external damping adjustments are the same (CTD lever, with three position Trail Adjust), the firmness of the lockout (or Climb mode) has been increased significantly. At the same time as making this setting firmer, the level of damping control provided once your blow through the lockout has also been improved. On Boost Valve shocks, there was often inadequate compression control once you’d pushed past the initial lockout platform, but this has been rectified. If, like many cross country racers, you like to run your shock in Climb mode a lot, this change will definitely be appreciated.
See the highlights from FOX below:
ALL NEW 34 SERIES – for aggressive trail riders in a super lightweight package
•Ideal travel options: 120-140mm
•Weight: 34 27.5 160mm = 1746 g / 3.85 lb 219g / .48lb less than MY15 – 34 29 140mm = 1769 g / 3.9 lb 297g / .65lb less than MY15
32 SERIES – Lightweight XC Series
•Ideal travel options: 80-100mm
ALL NEW 34 27.5+ fork – built for larger tires and a sense of adventure
•Travel options: 120mm/140mm
36 SERIES – Award-winning 36 lineup expanded
•New FACTORY FIT4 damper and new 15QR axle option
•FACTORY FIT HSC/LSC (RC2) damper and convertible 15/20mm bolt-on axle option
•Retains 36 FLOAT air spring with internal travel adjust via spacers
•Updated RC2 damper tune and dual circuit rebound
•Ideal travel options: 150-180mm
ALL NEW 36 831 – Designed for dual slalom and dirt jumping FACTORY FIT HSC/LSC (RC2) damper andconvertible 15/20mm bolt-on axle option
•Specific 36 831 FLOAT air spring
•1-1/8” and 1.5 taper steer tube options
40 SERIES – World Championship-winning design
•Updated RC2 damper tune and dual circuit rebound
•Available in 27.5” and 26”
ALL NEW FLOAT DPS – Our most capable inline shock ever
•New full lockout and three on-the-fly settings: Open, Medium and Firm
•New EVOL air sleeve option
•FACTORY Series feature 3 clicks of low-speed compression adjust in the Open Mode.
FLOAT X – The Enduro World Series-winning Enduro and all-mountain shock
•New EVOL air sleeve option
•New damping tune with added compliance and control
•FACTORY Series feature 3 clicks of low-speed compression adjust in the Open Mode.
ALL NEW FLOAT X2 – Our highest performing air shock
•New RVS technology for seamless damping transitions
•New recirculating oil damper with independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping
•Main piston features two valves stacks that are reversible to change tune
ALL NEW FLOAT DHX2 – World Championship- winning design
New RVS technology for seamless damping transitions
New recirculating oil damper with independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping
Main piston features two valves stacks that are reversible to change tune
New SLS (Super Lightweight Steel) spring option
Super Lightweight Steel (SLS) springs are lighter than titanium at more affordable prices
Proprietary surface treatment and stress relief process removes residual stresses from the spring, allowing them to withstand higher stresses
Each spring is optimize by using a smaller wire diameter and less coils, creating a lighter spring
Technology developed for highly stressed valve springs in drag racing cars
Available in 25-pound increments
Sizes: 2.75” stoke – 300-550#, 3.0 stroke –300-525#, 3.5 stroke – 225-400#
