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Fox Racing Shox
36 Talas RC2
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Submitted by
Jerk_Chicken
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great Damping, adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Delivered without bath oil, poor seals, bad paint. | | Similar Products Used: | Zoke 66, Z1 Light, Wotan | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Turner RFX | | Bottom Line: | Originally I thought it was a nice fork, but something always felt wrong. It turns out that the fork had no little/no oil in the legs, something reported by many others. You may experience stiction and lack of full travel. At some point, it does feel smooth, no doubt due to the soft bushings and the coating on the stanchions and perhaps a bit of the oil on the foams, however, it will never perform right and you can back off compression and rebound and it will still feel "off".
So I added oil to the legs, which made the fork work many times better. Also another problem is that the oe seals are not really oil seals, so you will have a slick of oil on the stanchions. No problem, but they're also not good at keeping muck out. If you want this fork to be little maintenance, you need to install a proper oil and dust seal, as I did in the Enduro package. The oil now stays in the leg, and because the dust seal works, it stays clean. Over time, you will deplete your oil supply with the oe seals, which is likely the reason you're supposed to periodically oil the foams. The foams get lubed with splash and contact anyhow, so I'm thinking the few CC's you add is to maintain the small bath. The oe seals also collect a lot of dirt inside, partly the reason to pull them, as instructed by Fox.
I refrained from a review until I got more time to see what the drawbacks were and properly evaluate durability. I originally didn't like the damper, but have since moved to a different area and the damper is really fantastic, especially at high speeds on this terrain. It's smooth and appears to really work well midstroke. The chassis is fine, although I never found it to be "amazingly" stiffer than my 32mm stanchion Z1 Light.
The TALAS is fine, though I don't trust it. I don't use it, either. It can be used similarly to ETA in that you hit it and it will drop you down, but also you're more likely to bottom at lower settings, despite the fact that the fork's spring feels similar in all settings, but less progressive in the lower ones. The thing many don't mention about the TALAS is that unlike ETA, when you go back to a higher setting, the TALAS is slow, and you really have to lean back and pop wheelies to get it to extend, unless you don't mind stopping.
So the tip here is to check the oil levels out of the box. People always trusted Fox, but they are part of the wrong oil level problem as well.
Check my posts and the DIY's I put together on the fork.
I don't think the fork is worth the price, but of course, no one sells it for that price, except for the big mail order companies.
3 Chilis value, 4 overall - overpriced, bad paint, bad sealing, no/low lubricating oil, poor Fox support. The overall was raised, as the damper is superb, and perhaps two months ago at my hometown I would not have given it such a good rating. Check the oil and install proper oil seals. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | BB | | Strengths: | The travel settings of 100-130-160mm are perfect. Super burly and stiff without a huge weight penalty. Adjustments are easy to use and it's easy to get dialed in. Fox's version of the thru-axle is super easy to use as well. Most importantly--it's a FOX. | | Weaknesses: | None!! | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi AMSL 1--total crap. Fox Vanilla. Fox 32 TALAS | | Bike Setup: | Yeti 575. | | Bottom Line: | This is far and away the best fork on the market. It works better the more you use it and get it broken in.
The travel settings of 100-130-160mm are perfect. 100mm for climbing, 160mm for the DH and 130mm for everything else.
Super burly and stiff without a huge weight penalty. I mean, you're talking a 160mm thru-axle fork and just a bit over 5 lbs!!
Adjustments are easy to use and it's easy to get dialed in. The TALAS lever is very easy to use on the fly.
Fox's version of the thru-axle is super easy to use as well.
Do yourself a favor and get this fork. It is by far the best upgrade I ever made on my Yeti. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Beach, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$975.00 | | Purchased At: | The Path, Tustin | | Strengths: | Smooth. Laterally stiff. It's like having three bikes in one. | | Weaknesses: | Takes a while to return to 160 after climbing in 100. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Nixon, Fox Float RLC | | Bike Setup: | Yeti 575, DT Swiss 1750 wheelset, Fox Talas 36 RC2, Avid Juicy 7, Race Face, XT, XTR, Thompson, yada yada... | | Bottom Line: | This fork is even better than I expected. I was looking at the Marzocchi 55 ATA, Rock Shox Lyric 2-step air and the Fox. Talked to at least ten people at five shops. Read all the reviews. This fork is amazing. I climb better than ever, I'm going way too fast downhill and the 130 setting was perfect for the constant up and down at Gooseberry. I only run about 72lbs of air in the main spring (I'm 6'4" 210 lbs). That's the only way to get all of the travel. I don't do big drops - 4ft max. Compression settings allow the light air setting. Plush. Absorbs trail chatter. Enough already. Go ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jiro
a
from alberta
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | kickinghorse | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | man,, where do i start,,it looks nice, very stiff, talas is wicked, great damping, wheel comes off easyyy | | Weaknesses: | hmmm none so far. im still little worry about how air spring will hold up on hard ridings | | Similar Products Used: | monster t, 66rc, dirtjumper1 and 2, jr t | | Bike Setup: | 06 nemesis, 08 36 talas rc2, 07 evolver 6way, 08 code | | Bottom Line: | it turns out they are 2pounds lighter than the 66rc it replaced and that alone made me very happy. removing the tire is so easy, and the fork is soo stiff. i use all 3 setings on talas on my nemesis and they are good for all different types of riding i do on my nemesis since it is my only do it all bike. i got my slightly used and a killer deal. im not sure if i would have spent full retail price,,,but hey, its all good. bottom line, i am happy i converted to fox,,,, so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Monica, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, Plush, Adjustable travel works seemlessly. | | Weaknesses: | Lighter, cheaper, blah blah blah | | Similar Products Used: | Various Zochi's, Rock Shox, and Fox | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Nomad blah blah blah | | Bottom Line: | First of all, anyone who thinks Fox makes junk has lost credibility right there. I guess the reviewer has more refined tastes in bike components than the pros that put their lives on the line using them.
Second, this fork has saved my talentless butt more times than it deserves. Miscalculated landings where I thought for sure that I would lose a collarbone turned out safe because of how well built this fork is.
Third, rock gardens? My bike rides more true and plush than
any fork I've tried.
Last, I continue to ride Fox forx from previous generations on my other bikes with no complaints of quality.
If there are problems, they are the few exceptions and not the rule. At this point, I don't even consider other makes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Georgiy Romanov
a
from Solnechnogorsk
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Well, i want to write my third review. I rode on this fork about 5 month and want to sell it because the TALAS system is a very unreliable.
Guys if you want RIDE your bike (not repairing them) don't buy fox with TALAS. In the market we have only one good changeable travel system - U-Turn coil! ATA and TALAS is a piece of crap!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis Miguel Torres
a Weekend Warrior
from MEXICO
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Mexico | | Strengths: | Travel settings, strenght and looks cool | | Weaknesses: | The Talas system did not work | | Similar Products Used: | Pike Race | | Bike Setup: | Santacruz Nomad, XT drivetrain, Mavic wheels with Chris King hubs, Thompson seat tube and stem | | Bottom Line: | I have used a Pike fork for nearly two years, I bought this fork Octuber last year, from that date I have used just for 2 months because the rest it spend it in the bike shop,the Talas system did not work as it should be, it did not change from 100 to 130 nor 130 to 160, they try to fix it but the next weekend happened the same, right now is there again, I´m very dissapointed with this thing I spend a lot of dough and all it has given me is troubles, I´m really thinking asking my money back and buy a similar like a Marzocchi or a Rock Shock (with whom I was very happy) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Gorilla
a Weekend Warrior
from Bergen, Norway, Europa
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Arnanipa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebeij | | Strengths: | Adjustability, easy travel change, plush | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, takes a little tinkering to get it perfect, but after that, none. | | Similar Products Used: | Mars 80mm, 03 Talas 32 90-120mm RLC, RS Revelation 426 130mm | | Bike Setup: | Marin Wolf Ridge `06/ Whyte frame with RP3 shock, 185fr + 160rr Juicys, Hope PRo II hubs laced on Mavic 719`s, RF LP isis cranks, 2x9 x.7 drivetrain. Schwalbe big jim 2.3 tyres. | | Bottom Line: | Takes a little tinkering to get it working right for your weight, style, and local trails, but it is really worthwhile. Once tuned in with the frame/shock I don`t miss a lockout, no bob going uphill, superplush downhill, and no brakedive!
For starters I`d recommend setting the compression 3-5 clicks from anticlockwise, the slow compression at 5-6clicks from anticlockwise, and the rebound in the middle or 1-2clicks towards fast, set the air according to weight. Tune in your rear shock at the same time so that both yer front and rear react in a similar fashion.
If your regular ride involves steep 1500ft+ climbs and evolve into steep descents with rockgardens and drops (aka. "all-mountain") this is the fork of choice. Probably OK for light freeriding and downhilling too, you have a darn big range of adjustability here...
If you do normal trailriding this fork is at tad on the heavy side, I`d go for the Talas 32mm 100+120+140mm or RS revelation 426 130mm / Pike 140mm just for the weight benefits.
In the end, this fork is so expensive that you really have to use it several times a week to justify the investment and really appreciate the adjustability.
For occasional, non-tinkering/set&forget riders look at RS`cheaper alternatives.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Georgiy Romanov
a Downhiller
from Solnechnogorsk
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Sunhill MTB Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Veloimperia | | Weaknesses: | Special tools for repair fork | | Bottom Line: | After a two weeks of riding my TALAS system doesn't working anymore. Official dealer of Fox Shox in Russia can't fix the problem because they are don't have a specific IFP Charging Tool for pumping the negative air chamber. Why Fox Shox don't put this tool in to each fork, like Marzocchi guys?
Fortunately i don't sell my Marzocchi Z.1 Light ETA and can ride my bike
-1 for Fox Shox.
-1 for russian dealer | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Georgiy Romanov
a Downhiller
from Solnechnogorsk, Russia
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Sunnhill MTB park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Veloimperia | | Strengths: | can change travel on the fly, best QR system of front wheel, very stiff design, very good work of damper | | Weaknesses: | Non so far, at this point is price. High price for a fork and high price on a space parts (seals for a 45$) | | Similar Products Used: | Marzo Z.1 Light ETA 2006 | | Bike Setup: | Yeti AS-X in 36lbs AM setup | | Bottom Line: | My weight is 240lbs and heigt is 5'10
I was choosing my new fork from RockShox Lyrik, Marzo 55ETA and Manitou Nixon.
I chose FOX because:
This fork have changing-on-the-fly travel system. Only one click and you can change geometry of your bike on 1 degree! It very important for me, because i have many steep ups and downs.
Best 20QR System, very stiff and easy to setup.
Damper working is great! Minimal bobbing when you pedaling on the climb, very plush on the downhill.
This fork have one of the stiffest construction on the market! Roots, rocks, fast corners - no problem. FOX can do what you want from her.
Big range of adjustments. You can tune your fork as you wish.
I'll write another review after four or six month | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtbiker-s
a Weekend Warrior
from Altadena, CA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | El Prieto | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$875.00 | | Purchased At: | The All Mountain Co - Web | | Strengths: | 100, 130, 160mm travel at your fingertips, you can't beat that. The perfect all mountain fork. Super plush eats boulders for breakfast, lunch and dinner. | | Weaknesses: | My bottom disc brake caliper mount got jacked up, middle of threads got fused with caliper bolt. I'm nice to my fork so I know when it was installed it was not over torqued. Also did some adjustments and it was nice until I hit my first ride. Also the right fork leg started to leak oil into paint. Only after initial ride. | | Similar Products Used: | None Like This. My old Marzocchi DJ1 does not even come close to this fork. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Cove G Spot, All Race Face Comps, XTR, 08 Fox Racing TALAS RC2, 07 FOX Racing Shox RP23, Sun Ringle SUVs with Panaracer FR 2.4s | | Bottom Line: | This fork was awesome from the get go. To test it out I did I nice ride from the top of RedBox to JPL in Angeles Crest National Forest (SoCal). This trail offers a pretty good variety of terrain to test it out on. It totally kicked butt. I was riding over some really rocky sections and notice nothing but only how buttery smooth this fork worked. Hit some nice jumps and felt nothing. Climbed with out any problems.
Please note that I did not notice any of the issues till I inspected the fork prior to my next outing. Too bad mine got jacked up on the first ride. I got on the phone with Fox Racing and got Return Authorization number from them and they took care of the rest. Got my fork and it is installed, and configed to my liking, I and can't wait till my next outing.
Can't say anything bad so far except for my initial problem. I can't wait to ride it again.
I'm giving it 4 Flamin' Chillis because I had to send mine back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Calera, Alabama, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1225.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Plush as one would ever want, but stiff when the going gets rough. This is the do it all fork in my opinion. Adjustments to suit the serious beginner to the pro level. Easy quick release remove of front tire. | | Weaknesses: | Cost allot, but worth every cent. You get what you pay for. | | Similar Products Used: | None to mention like this one. | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Yeti ASX with this fork and the Fox DHX 5.0 rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | This fork cost allot, but it is so smooth and worth the dough. Get it if you can afford it and it will adapt to your abilities with all the adjustment options. Setup is not difficult at all but the fork still has the range to compensate as you progress in your ability. Fork is just perfect and I whole heartedly commend Fox on this stellar fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D-Unit
a
from Orange County, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$825.00 | | Purchased At: | Used via MTBR classifieds | | Strengths: | Light for 6 inches, adjustable travel, both high and low speed compression adjustments, plush, stiff, quick release, great looking. | | Weaknesses: | None so far....could maybe have a lockout feature? Pretty dang pricey! | | Similar Products Used: | Pike 454 | | Bike Setup: | RFX w/ 2008 36 TALAS RC2 up front and DHX Air in the rear...X9, Avid, DT Swiss, Atlas cranks, etc | | Bottom Line: | I really like this fork and am quite impressed so far. I am coming off a Pike 454 which I would consider a good fork that is both light, yet can take abuse and has the 20mm quick release through axle. Then comes the Fox 36!!!! I've have bombed down several of the same trails that that would rattle me and shake my hands pretty hard on the Pike. I have taken much less of a beating on the Fox and am less fatigued on rough trails on my way down. I can't believe how much more plush it is and buttery smooth, yet can take bigger hits that I haven't even began to push it's limits yets. My compression is only 2 in from the softest setting and is pretty stiff for my 190 lb butt. I also like how I can set at 100 or 130mm for climbing which makes it an excellent all around fork. This thing is expensive, but I got it from a guy who rode it twice and I paid $825 so I could justify the cost. Plus the fact that it has quick release now sold me...I wouldn't have bought it before as I have to take off my front tire to transport. Pretty dang expensive new, but worth it if you want the shiznit! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainsville, FL
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | Fox Factory | | Strengths: | Everything. Super smooth, super stiff, looks super sexy. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have found. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla 32, Various other forks. | | Bike Setup: | Transition Covert with some stuff. | | Bottom Line: | This thing is amazing. It's really expensive, good thing I work at a bike shop or I wouldn't have one. I Love It! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Surrey, B.C.
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Crank It Up - Whistler | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$890.00 | | Strengths: | Amazing dampening which increases traction over my old 2006 36 Talas.
Super stiff, much more so than the Lyrik that it replaced.
Super easy to remove the wheel compared to the old 36 but not quite as easy as the Maxle.
Talas works great. I pretty much only use the 160mm & 130mm settings on my Nomad but the fork is a natural match for the frame.
All of the adjustments work really well and make a big difference in the ride of the fork. | | Weaknesses: | The 20mm axle QR system is a little outdated. You'd think Fox could have come up with some sort of Maxle type system. | | Similar Products Used: | 2006 Fox 36 Talas
2007 Rock Shox Lyrik 2-step
2007 Rock Shox Totem 2-step
2006 Marzocchi 66 RC2X (170mm) | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Santa Cruz Nomad c/w Fox DHX Air, Crossmax XL's, Race Face Atlas cranks, Atlas stem, Atlas bars, Thomson post, Nevegals | | Bottom Line: | Amazing changes to the fork since the last couple of years. The dampening is soooo much better, it allows you to blast through rough terrain at scary speeds! The weight is also lower but it's not all that noticeable. Basically, this is my dream fork and matches my riding style and the feel of the Nomad very well.
The fork is expensive but well worth it if you ride a lot and need a super stiff, super smooth fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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