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Fox Racing Shox F80 RLT 2004 Front Shocks

4.82/5 (22 Reviews)

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Weight : 3.33 lbs.


Product Description

  • 80mm Travel
  • Specially designed and purpose-built internal and chassis parts make the F80RLT the ultimate XC race fork.
  • FOX exclusive PSC chassis provides unparalleled steering precision and industry leading torsional rigidity.
  • Patented, High-flow, open-bath damper with SDC (Shimmed Damping Control) and exclusive 3-Way top-cap adjusters for on-the-fly convenience.


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    Reviews 1 - 15 (22 Reviews Total) | Next 15

    User Reviews

    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by AsianPersuasion a Weekend Warrior from Queens, NY

    Date Reviewed: June 11, 2009

    Strengths:    Solid, strong, reliable, Fox quality

    Weaknesses:    None really, except she's not the lightest girl at the dance...

    Bottom Line:   
    This was an "upgrade" from a Rock Shox SID WC on my weight weenie xc rig. Don't get me wrong, I loved my SID which was gorgeous and functioned flawlessly. Putting the Fox on actually added some weight to my bike. The upgrade was an improvement in stability and strength.
    Through the years, I have gained more weight and gone onto more challenging terrain. Although the SID was a great xc fork, in rougher terrain, it did tend to flex a little under my weight and also in my tendency to take the occassional drop. The carbon crown also had me a little tenative although I've never heard of any kind of catarophic failures. I guess if I can trust a carbon bar and seatpost, I should be more at ease. But anyway, I moved to the Fox...
    The F80 rides quite similar to the SID. A hair more plush but definately no Vanilla. I still wanted to stay light as possible which is why I passed on the Vanilla. The stiffness is not evident on smoother singletracks and fire roads, but very noticeable on rockier, rootier terrain. Once dialed in, you pretty much forget it. The response is sharp but not jarring. On a short travel full suspension rig, it just feels right. Tune the rebound, pump up to proper pressure and ride. Climbing in full open has some bob but that's why there's the lockout. The switch does not turn it into a full rigid but it does help on those uphills that seem like it last forever. Down the fun side, I miss the convenience of the SID's PopLock
    This fork, despite the added stiffness, is by no means an all mtn/freeride/downhill. I have lived through the occassional jump and/or accidental drops but gotta be smart about self-preservation. Weighing 200+ lbs did not bottom out this fork on a 3+ foot landing nor did it feel squirrelly. I was quite relieved and impressed. Remember its limits and you'll stay out of an ER.
    What impressed me the most was how well it held all the pressure inside. Never lost pressure through the cold winter which we do not ride every week. I can honestly say the fork has not even had to go in for tune up and it's been ridden over 5 years. It is probably time but why fix what's not broken? It still rides was well as my friends 1 year old!
    Definately a solid purchase in every way.

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   Cunningham (Currently), NY

    Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

    Price Paid:    $300.00

    Purchased At:   Peak

    Similar Products Used:   Rock Shox Judy, SID SL, SID World Cup

    Bike Setup:   Dean Ace
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by Eric P. a Cross Country Rider from Fort Dodge

    Date Reviewed: November 1, 2006

    Strengths:    No-touch maintenance. Just spray the mud off of it every now and then, you can pretty much forget about it once it is set up correctly.

    Weaknesses:    Makes everything else seem like junk.

    Bottom Line:   
    Ok, I'm no cross country racer. I'm hard on gear. I'm pushing 200 lbs most of the time and I don't ride with finesse, I hammer. This fork has put up with nearly everything I've thrown at it. Nearly everything.. One ride at a pretty steep, rutty, rooted downhill section toasted the oil seal in the right leg. Really, I probobly taxed it beyond it's usefull service range. Everyone else riding that section had 120+ forks. So I guess I can't really blame the fork. At least it hasn't completely died yet. But it definately needs a re-build now.

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   Sugar Bottom

    Duration Product Used:   1 Year

    Purchased At:   Came with bike

    Similar Products Used:   Marzzochi coil 80 mm

    Bike Setup:   NRS Carbon, full xtr, egg beaters, easton carbon riser, thompson stem
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Todd a Cross Country Rider from Garner NC

    Date Reviewed: December 6, 2005

    Strengths:    Design

    Weaknesses:    None

    Bottom Line:   
    This fork is worth every penny you would ever pay for one. I have over 4000 miles on mine and never even had the oil changed. It's a great cross-country fork. I like it so much, I bought one for the wife and she loves hers. It was a definite improvement for her riding style.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   2 Years

    Similar Products Used:   Marzocchi, rock shox, manitou

    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by Theo a Weekend Warrior from Singapore

    Date Reviewed: October 25, 2005

    Strengths:    There doesn't seem to be a F100RLT to review for, so I'll post mine here...

    Stiff, strong, plush and looks great.

    Clamping the wheel skewers down doesn't leave me having to realign the disc brake pads like I used to have to do on the SID. A bike's meant to be ridden, not to have to realign things here and there everytime right?

    Confidence inspiring due to its stiffness, much much more than the noodly SID which had to be eased over stuff. With the Fox, one can just ride through stuff with less caution.

    Weaknesses:    Hmmm....to most, it may be the price that'll cause an initial shock, but the fork pays off on its own. If I want to be nit-picky, I'd say the weak point is the paint? Comes off a bit too easily for my liking. Had to scour hobby shops for a mix of aluminium and silver/metallic grey paint to get a match to touch up the fork.

    Bottom Line:   
    Expensive (but well worth it), plush, stiff and strong. So far no problems with the seals or any leakage whatsoever. I suppose storing the fork (and bike) upside down helps. Well, I think other reviewers have said almost anything that can be said!

    If you've the cash, this is the XC fork for you. Even if you don't have enough at the moment, save up a bit more for this, its well worth it!

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   Anywhere rideable by me, haa!

    Duration Product Used:   6 months

    Price Paid:    $650.00

    Purchased At:   TEF

    Similar Products Used:   Rock Shox Judy TT, RST461DH, Rock Shox SID Race

    Bike Setup:   Giant NRS 3
    Frame Size: Large
    Handlebar: Race Face Next XC low-rise
    Grips: ODI Lock-On Ruffian grips
    Stem: Thomson Elite 120mm, 5 degree rise
    Fork: Fox F100RLT
    Air pressure: 70 psi
    Shifters: Shimano XTR rapidfire pods
    Brake levers: Avid SD7
    Brakes: Avid Ball Bearing Mechanical Disc Brakes
    Front Derailleur: Shimano XT '04
    Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT '04
    Crankset: Shimano XT '04 46T (Middleburn)/32T/22T
    Wheelset: Shimano M765
    Skewers: Shimano XT
    Rear shock: Cane Creek Cloud 9
    Air pressure: 175 psi
    Seatpost: Thomson Elite, 400mm uncut
    Seatpost clamp: Hope
    Saddle: Selle Italia Trans Am Gel Flow
    Cyclometer: Cateye Cordless 7
    Tyres, on road: WTB Slickasaurus 1.5"
    Tyres, off road: WTB Exiwolf 2.1"
    Tubes: Panaracer X-Lite 150g
    Overall Rating:4
    Value Rating:3
    Submitted by Ben a Cross Country Rider from Malaysia

    Date Reviewed: August 6, 2005

    Strengths:    IT's bloody stiff and feels damn nice going downhills. You should get this if u plan to just dive down hills after going up long steepss!Controls damn GOOD downwards.

    Weaknesses:    The shop sold me a #$@@# fork which i only used for 3 days,then i had to send it back to the dealer and wait for another week cuz the lower legs were shaking! What kinda fox did FOX MADE?no quality check or something? they should BUCK UP on that! it's not encouraging to the product if this happens often.

    Bottom Line:   
    It's a very stiff fork, handles well, absorbs like POGO STIK! but when u buy it for 3 days and have to send it back to the factory to have something replace it, its dissapointing. Especially when u've got weeks of holidays just spent waiting to get it BACK and HOpe that nothing goes wrong when it comes back.
    If the problems dint arise. i'd prob give it 5 chillis but since i had to send it back. i'll gif it a 3.
    You should buy it If u're focused on cross country and prefer plush forks where these pair are very plush but just bear in mind check them when they're new u never know wat happens. But thanks to their services i'll be getting my lower legs replaced cuz it was only 3 days and i havent even take it to the limite yet..

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

    Price Paid:    $454.00

    Purchased At:   Local Bike Shop

    Similar Products Used:   SID XC. these pair of forks hasn't got a reboucn after 5 years with no spare parts,think about buying a rockshox if u're willing to fork out money to buy a new fork every year cuz they have no replacement parts.They GO exTINCT.

    Bike Setup:   Giant XTC, XT groupset. XTR WHEELSET MAVIC 517 wheels, Thomson stem and seatpost, Gobi Saddle i've got no idea wat else to put.
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by Doug Gangi a Racer from Phoenix, AZ

    Date Reviewed: March 20, 2005

    Strengths:    Very responsive, very plush ride, 32mm stanchions have no flex, travel never bottoms out when set up correctly

    Weaknesses:    Boring silver paint

    Bottom Line:   
    From my experience, this is the best XC suspension fork money can buy. It's a tad heavy to be considered a "weight weenie" product, but I'll give up the 1/4 pound in weight over a SID or Skareb any day for the added stiffness and control this fork offers. This fork has plushness on the small stuff yet compliance on the big stuff - initial travel is relatively easy and it progressively gets harder, thus avoiding bottom-outs on really big hits. Of course, this can be tuned to rider preference -- I have mine set up on the harder end of the spectrum for my weight yet it still feels far plusher than any other fork I've tried.

    Control with this fork is absolutely superb. 32mm stanchions make a huge difference over 28mm (RS) or 30mm (Manitou), especially on technical trails. I never realized how flexy my Manitou was until I rode the Fox for 6 mo's and then tried the old bike. The Fox made the Manitou feel like a noodle, and in it's day the Manitou was heralded as "stiff".

    Reliability has been good so far -- the fork had an initial problem with the dampner rod within 6 months of life but Fox was quick to repair it and get me back on the trail (1-day turnaround!). In the 15 months since then the fork has leaked no air or given me any trouble.

    Anyway, if you are looking for an XC-oriented fork and can afford a Fox F80RLT, get one. You will never look back. 4 flamin' chilies for value because these things are so damn expensive. But 5 flamin' chilies for the overall rating as these things work that well.

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   Anyone that I am riding on

    Duration Product Used:   1 Year

    Price Paid:    $380.00

    Purchased At:   eBay

    Similar Products Used:   Manitou SX-Ti, Noleen Mega Air, RS SID, Marzocchi Marathon

    Bike Setup:   '03 Giant NRS-Air
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Randy a Cross Country Rider from Portland, Maine

    Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005

    Strengths:    Lots of adjustment, rigid, well made, and lightweight. Mine weighs 3 pounds, 6 ounces, precisely.

    Weaknesses:    None. When I first got it, it made a clunking noise when it topped out. After a bad crash which broke the dropout I returned it to Fox for service. When I got the shock back the clunking noise was gone.

    Bottom Line:   
    This fork is extremely dependable and adjustable. I run mine with the factory recommended air, mid-range compression adjustment, threshold adjustment set at 4 clicks from the lightest setting, and the fork locked at all times. With this setting the fork will not move under pedaling pressure but will handle all trail bumps. I also removed the 20mm spacer in the left leg and increased my travel to 100mm. The fork handles great and it soaks up all the bumps except the really small trail "noise". There are a lot of companies that offer aftermarket services and it is one of the few forks that is built well enough that it's worth it to rebuild it. The fork is expensive but I don't have to replace it every two years like other forks I've owned.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   1 Year

    Price Paid:    $450.00

    Purchased At:   bikeman.com

    Similar Products Used:   Rock Shox and Manitou products.

    Bike Setup:   Titus Racer-X, Pushed Fox RL rear shock, SpeedDream wheels, SRAM XO shifters and derailleur, Crank Bros. pedals, Easton carbon bars and seatpost, Kenda Nevagal 1.9 tires, Stans NoTubes, Marta SL disc brakes. 24.75 pounds.
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by rafuli a Cross Country Rider from Jerusalem

    Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005

    Strengths:    trouble free, steef, plush, doesn't bottom out.

    Weaknesses:    a beet havey.
    fox manual and internet site are totally useless when you want to service the fork. it's good that www. enduroforkseals.com have recently put some excellent pictorial instructions

    Bottom Line:   
    a very good and reliable fork for xc and racing.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   1 Year

    Similar Products Used:   manitou sxr, manitou mars elite

    Bike Setup:   Airborne black widow, xo, ultimates etc
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:4
    Submitted by Tristan Smit a Racer from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

    Date Reviewed: January 7, 2005

    Strengths:    Relatively light-weight, looks great, steering precision is amazing

    Weaknesses:    A little pricey, a little heavier than the lightest racing forks available.

    Bottom Line:   
    Extremely stiff compared to all the Rock Shox forks I've used. The front wheel of my bike tracks way better than with any of the Rock Shox I've owned. I can take corners way faster than before and gnarly decents feel way less sketchy than with the 2002 SID carbon which is the fork I switched it out for. There is a .25-.35 lbs weight penalty with this fork compared to a Rock SHox SID World Cup or Rock Shox SID Team but the improved bike handling that the Fox offers is more than worth this small penalty. The fork inspires a much more confident feeling when racing at high speeds on rough terrain and it smooths out the bumps better than my previous Rock Shox forks.

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   Buckwallow & Albion Hills

    Duration Product Used:   1 Year

    Price Paid:    $600.00

    Purchased At:   McBride Cycle

    Similar Products Used:   99,02, Rock Shox SID SL's and SID carbon.

    Bike Setup:   2002 Giant NRS 1
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by g love a Weekend Warrior from charleston, sc

    Date Reviewed: October 29, 2004

    Strengths:    stiff, plush, reliable

    Weaknesses:    heavier than others

    Bottom Line:   
    very stiff, plush and reliable fork. i'm not a hardcore xc racer, so it's light enough for me. very adjustable. a great fork.

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   dupont

    Duration Product Used:   6 months

    Price Paid:    $400.00

    Purchased At:   internet

    Similar Products Used:   f100x, sid sl, sid xc, mag 20 and mag 21

    Bike Setup:   if deluxe (steel), full xtr, mavic crossmax xl, ck headset, kenda karma dtc tires, thomson stem & post, flite saddle
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Mike a Cross Country Rider from Spokane

    Date Reviewed: September 19, 2004

    Strengths:    great plushness, stiff and solid, light, very high quality construction

    Weaknesses:    price

    Bottom Line:   
    This purchase was a noticable step up for me. Every aspect of this fork was impressive from the moment I took it out of the box. The quality of the build in RLT is amazingly good compared to lower end forks. All control are easy to operate, and because they're aluminum not plastic, they shouldn't break. On the bike the travel feels plush all the way through. Adjustment is easy to figure out. I just used the recommended air pressure and rebound setting that was given in the instructions. I am 220lbs, and I like a stiff feel to the compression. With the factory recommended air pressure, I have never bottomed out, in fact, after 5 months, I aired down from factory recommended, and still haven't bottomed out. I'm lazy about experimenting with adjustments and I have never experimented much with the rebound dampening. I didn't think I would notice this, but laterally, the shock is very stiff. Between new rims and a new fork, I have a whole new bike that is much more capable in the bumps and ruts of my area. I haven't had any problems with either air or oil leakage in the 6 months I've owned it. Although the stanction tubes are always wet with oil. My only gripe, which isn't fair, is that I should have gotton the 100 mm travel fork. But the 80 RLT has got to be the best 80mm travel fork out there.

    This fork has taught me why more expensive forks are worth the price.

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   6 months

    Price Paid:    $500.00

    Purchased At:   online

    Similar Products Used:   Manitou SX-R and other low end shocks; nothing that compares

    Bike Setup:   '04 GF Zigarat Size XL
    XT hubs/F519 rims
    Hope Mono Minis
    Overall Rating:2
    Value Rating:1
    Submitted by forest slowreck a Cross Country Rider from campbell ca usa

    Date Reviewed: August 22, 2004

    Strengths:    looks the part,pretty

    Weaknesses:    looks are decieving,bad bushings,oil leaks,rebound cap hits frame,blows through travel.

    Bottom Line:   
    I wanted this fork,the price was right,great friend.the rebound dial hit frame,so I grounded the lip off a old crown race to use as a spacer.that worked well.my hardtail is a very standard geometry and i was surprised that the fox needed mods.I've had no problems with any other fork.the fox looks great and the craftsmanship looks good.now to whats important,the ride.YUK!I hated the ride.at slow speeds the fork felt plush,stiff with no stiction,I guess a little oil seeping keeps it smooth.And whats up with the loose bushings,I thought my headset was loose.I tried various air pressures,rebound adj,but no cigar,the fork just blows through its travel.it felt like it only had 1 1/2 inches of travel.I have talked with others riders who had similar problems,and have seen lots oil running down fork sliders.I'm returning fork back to my friend,like alot of people,he likes his fox.persnally,I'll stick with Marzocchi,the MARZ never dissapoints,the fox is still new, so i did'nt have to buy it.two chili's for looks

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   annadale

    Duration Product Used:   3 months

    Price Paid:    $200.00

    Purchased At:   friend

    Similar Products Used:   marz-atom race 80,Z1 cr,mxr 100,z3 air,mcr z1.rockshox-judy race,xc,sl,triple clamp,headshock fatty sl

    Bike Setup:   sweet steel hardtail
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by darkmatter a Cross Country Rider from Omaha, NE

    Date Reviewed: July 5, 2004

    Strengths:    This thing can be tuned like piano. It makes me think those knobs on those other forks I had were for looks. The lock out is a must have now that I have it!

    Weaknesses:    price, but anything this sweet ain't gonna come free.

    Bottom Line:   
    This fork is light years better than any Rock Sux product I have ever tried out. I have been on sids and dukes but this thing is so much better it isn't even funny. I used get sketched out on the corners but this thing tracks like it's on rails. The front wheel is just on the ground, period. CONTROL

    Expand full review >>

    Duration Product Used:   6 months

    Purchased At:   Wrench Science

    Similar Products Used:   Judy SL Mag21 Some trek POS

    Bike Setup:   Titus Racer X XTR/FSA/Avid
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by font9a a Cross Country Rider from austin, tx on sabbatical in palo alto, ca

    Date Reviewed: June 5, 2004

    Strengths:    Italian Master-like craftsmanship, stiffness, tracking, ease of setup, easy to tune, plushness

    Weaknesses:    none. well it's not powder blue with little daisies hand painted on it...


    Bottom Line:   
    best $450 i've ever spent. it makes my chameleon feel like a single speed again. i can use the lock out to actually get out of the saddle and hammer, like it's meant to.

    i don't have a lot of experience with suspension forx. i bought a sid xc in 99 and it's been on bike ever since; as a single speed and as a geared bike. the sid was rebuilt twice and i thought it was pretty plush.

    man. i was sooo wrong. the F80 RLT rules. it's actually lighter than my old sid, tracks like an M3, and feels like it has twice the travel of my old sid.

    the hardest part is getting used to how good this shock is compared to the sid. i expect and compensate for a wobbly front end, but it delivers the goods with sterling aplomb.

    the guys at the bike shop told me it was a screaming deal, and i'm impressed.

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   doctors park

    Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

    Price Paid:    $450.00

    Purchased At:   LBS (Go Ride in Redwood City)

    Similar Products Used:   99 Sid XC, rigid custom steel

    Bike Setup:   98 chameleon, XTR stuff with the stupid gear indicators dremel-ed off, next lp carbons, king hubs on campy K2s, ti this and that, eggbeaters, those amazing azonic teflon cables (they actually *are* smoother)
    Overall Rating:5
    Value Rating:5
    Submitted by Tim Hartfield a Cross Country Rider from Portland ,Or,USA

    Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004

    Strengths:    extremely well built and machined components. smooth action and reliable hand control features.

    Weaknesses:    none

    Bottom Line:   
    I have been very pleased with this shock. The tracking on downhill decents has been right on.No vibration , like I had with the SID. You have to ride it to believe it.Recently I sent the shock back for a warranty issue,I broke the bottom of the shock putting it in my bike rack.I really didn't expect FOX to be as generous as they were. within 8 days my shock was back, and I am really impressed with their service.The best product also delivers with the best service,enough said.

    Expand full review >>

    Favorite Trail:   browns camp

    Duration Product Used:   3 months

    Price Paid:    $650.00

    Purchased At:   bike shop

    Similar Products Used:   SID XC

    Bike Setup:   Fisher 1 updated components mostly XTR
    Reviews 1 - 15 (22 Reviews Total) | Next 15

    Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

    Why shouldn't I buy an OEM FOX F80 RLT??

    Keep seeing these around, along with others. Pulled off of brand new bikes and put up for sale, oem ...
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    Best deal for Fox F80 RLT?

    Any ideas? Jenson USA is offering $650 + free Race Face Deus headset + free shipping. *Must ha ...
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    Fox F80 RLT remote lockout?

    So - the pros have remote lockout levers at the bar for their Fox forks - are these available to non ...
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    White Brothers XC or Fox F80 RLT / F80x ?

    I race semi-technical to smooth XC courses in the midwest USA, weigh 165 lbs, and want a good 80mm f ...
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    Fox F80 RLT maintenance

    Sorry to sound like such a dolt -- this goes along with my last post -- but I would like to know wha ...
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    Read More »



    		 

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