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Fox Racing Shox
Float 2000 RC
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Submitted by
Oswald Otte
a Cross Country Rider
from Brakel, Belgium
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | ChainReactionCycles | | Strengths: | Easy setup, dependable | | Weaknesses: | Could be lighter, but the new ones are :-) | | Similar Products Used: | RS Sid | | Bike Setup: | Has been on 3 bikes :-) | | Bottom Line: | This thing keeps on going. I've done so many marathons and xc races with it. I kept it from a frame that cracked after 3 years of use, a GT Idrive Team, best bike I ever had :-(
My new frame had the same shock, so I use the old one during muddy races and in winter. This way I can keep the new one in good condition.
Can't really say much about it. It's one of those parts that bug you when they don't work, and that you don't notice if they do work. This one works, so... I recommend it! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Angleles, WA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gold Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Did every it was supposed to do. Great compression and rebound adjustments. | | Weaknesses: | Bushings | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Tracer | | Bottom Line: | I have to write this. This thing lasted for almost three years without a whimper. It has almost 2500 SINGLE TRACK miles on it. I had it dialed in and have consistantly blown other riders away with technical uphill hook-up and very late braking over rocky crap. Time and technology march on so I will rebuild this trusty shock and keep it as a spare for the Romic double tube w/ Ti spring I have on order. Changing out the bushings is cheap and easy and mus be done twice a year up here in the rain forest. Put a Panaracer greenlight tube section over the shock to protect it and it will last a LONG TIME. I hope the Romic does as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, Ca
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | annadell | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | cambria | | Strengths: | Light, easy to rebuild. | | Weaknesses: | Have to rebuild after 6-8 months. Aluminum shock mount bushings get worn out and rattle around when riding. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer | | Bottom Line: | A good shock until the seals and aluminum shock mount bushings get worn out. The shock mount bushings got worn out after one winters worth of riding. I ended up boring out a little bit of material from the shock eye and pressing in a couple of sealed bearings, I had to make new bushings also. It seems kind of stupid that shocks aren't made this way to begin with. Then the air seals gave out and it wouldn't hold air over medium sized bumps. I got a rebuild kit from Cambria Bicycles, it cost about $12. They also had the lube for it but that was $25. They said any light oil with teflon would work and they gave me some Pedro's lube for about $7. The shocks are very easy to rebuild if it's just the air that's leaking. After a little bit of searching I found an online rebuild manual on the fox wesite, they even have a .pdf downloadable version. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from N. IL
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | To many... | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Never left me stranded. When new, the thing rocks. No pogo. | | Weaknesses: | It needed a rebuild in just over a year of riding in the midwest. If we had "mountains" to bike on, it probably would of tanked much sooner. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | FSR XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | Was great for a year and four months. I was riding on just air for 8 months (to lazy to send it in). Sent it to fox for a rebuild, THEY LOST IT!!!. Sent me a 2002 RL (good customer service). If it blows up in one year, I'm going to find something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Goggin
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Pacos/came with bike | | Strengths: | When working it works great. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized stumpjumper fsr pro | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to my previous review. My LBS sent the shock back to FOX and within 2 1/2 weeks I was back riding again. Fox replaced the shock with a new one. I would have to say that their turn around time was pretty good. And I am enjoying the ride, again. And the good news is there was no cost to me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gus Miron
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Skyline/Ringwood | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Light-adjustable-lockout | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | float | | Bike Setup: | SuperV700sx XTR-XT-LX-Advid discs-USE alien-Easton-WTB Rocket Laser. | | Bottom Line: | No problems so far. I enjoy the lockout feature for when I ride on te road. The shock is very adjustable but will take some time to properly tune for your ride. I am about 180lbs and pump this shock to about 270#'s and never have a problem uphill or bottom out. I highly recomend!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Goggin
a Cross Country Rider
from truckee, ca
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | pacos | | Strengths: | light | | Weaknesses: | In less than 1 year, the squishy noise presents itself. | | Similar Products Used: | my hard tail | | Bike Setup: | 2001 specialized FSR XC PRO | | Bottom Line: | Nothing this expensive should break this soon especially when being kept clean and used properly. After reading these reviews I can just imagine what to expect when I try to have Fox service it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K.
a
from SLC
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Good ride when it works | | Weaknesses: | many - see below | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer | | Bottom Line: | OK - I've finally become fed up enough with Fox that it's time to write a review. I've had two FS bikes with Fox rear shocks. they both have had the same problem - the shock only works for 6-12 months before needing service! And you can only get service by sending it back to Fox, putting your bike out of commission for 2-3 weeks. You need to have two shocks, or two bikes, just to keep riding.
This particular shock worked fine for about 10 months, then the damping sort of just went to hell. Had to put in about 50 psi more than I had been just to make it rideable. Sent it back to Fox and after a few months it's starting again - now past the 90 day warranty. It'll have to go back to Fox soon. Maybe someone else likes investing $100 in their rear shock every 6-12 months? I don't. The need for repeated rebuilds wouldn't be so bad if you could do it yourself or have it done locally, but that would slow down the Fox money train I suppose.
This is more or less the same story I had with the Alps 5R on my other FS.
Other complaints? You know that rebound damping? Hey, guess what, it's also compression damping! That's right - you don't get separate adjustments for each - somehow Fox never mentions this in all their advertising.
I just can't understand why all the magazine guys rave about Fox - maybe because they never have to keep the bikes for more than a month? The shock worked great for a while (except for the lack of independent rebound damping), but for long-term ownership, it's a headache.
Finally - does anyone else out there think that it's a really bad idea to have an aluminum-in-brass bushing setup? Just looks like a recipe for short life - I guess it's in line with the rest of the Fox philosophy. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Googy Boogey
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Light... Adjustable... Lockout... Rebound works... | | Weaknesses: | Became ill wihtin 3 months... Leaked air... Squishing sounds | | Bike Setup: | two wheels and a frame and other shiny junk | | Bottom Line: | The shock works great if it's not leaking air. I would fine tune the pressure to the desired setting and within a few miles see that I was at 50% sag (which feels good but sucks for climbing and apparently is not good for the poor sucker). Then there's the squishing noise it makes when it compresses and rebounds. Apparently, that naughty oil got mixed with the nitrogen and there's some bawstards running around in there. I sent it off to Fox to get reformed.
Aside from those problems, it works great. Being able to jack up the spring rate with just a shock pump is great for versatility. The rebound works nicely and give a good latitude of adjustment. And the lockout is a nice feature although I only used it like twice.
Overall, a good shock if it would only stay healthy. Good versatilty and reasonably plush if setup correctly. We'll see how Fox Float RC, Jr. handles. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a
from CA baby!
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This is a review of the service I received from Fox for my Float RC | | Bike Setup: | another damn Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | My Fox Float RC took a dump awhile back. Something strange happened -- the shock inadvertantly locked out near full compression (WTF??). While I was scratching my head and looking at it, it suddenly released itself. The shock appeared to be working fine after the event, however the lockout feature did not work. Although I never use the lockout feature, I was sceptical that something else was wrong with the shock, so I contacted Fox.
I called their 800 # and worked through the phone tree to the service department. Unfortunately (they must have been busy), I had to leave a message rather than speak to a live person. Within 24 hours "Joe" returned my call. Within about 5 minutes he had all the information and I had an RA#.
The shock was about 9 months old and still under warranty. I mailed it through the USPS on a Monday using 2-day priority. The shock was returned and waiting for me at home on Friday. I'd say that is pretty good service!
Now, I'm not exactly sure what they found upon examination, or what they did to the shock, but I have an invoice with a long list of items that reads like this:
Valve
Fastener
Piston Assembly
Rebuild kit
Bearing, External
Damping Adjust Part
Air Valve Parts
I'll be reinstalling the shock on the bike today and taking her for a ride to put her through the paces and make sure everything is OK, but for right now, I'm pretty damn pleased with Fox service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ernesto freyre
a
from miami, florida
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | oleta park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | bike tech | | Strengths: | Smooth, gives you the feel of stiff or soft control. It is like an airbed. Feels like cadillac or like a sporty car. | | Weaknesses: | Needs to adjust to meet the proper comfort. I use 110PSi works for me. | | Similar Products Used: | First time, never own it before | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | I have heard number of times from friends who have told me fox shox are awesome because it ranges from Cadillac to a sporty car.
From my experience in riding this bike, I could always adjust hard or soft, For example: When i go off road I use 110 psi, when I go long hard road up hill without dirt, i use 120psi.
I rode my bike once with less than 100PSI, I had trouble controling my bike. Then I add it up to 110 was perfect for me. It is all depends on your weight and feel. I would suggest for starters, not to start below 100PSi, you will be in big trouble. Honest it is a good start, and gives you comfort. I am happy with it. IN 3 months I will comment again and let you know from my experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sammy Al-Doory
a Weekend Warrior
from Akron,Ohio
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | pigeon roost WVa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Seems to be holding up well, though I have not really thrashed it yet. | | Weaknesses: | Rebound adjustment is a joke. The thing goes dead after a few turns of the knob.I either get bucked off or I end up riding a hard tail.
I feel that the shock is overpriced and not worth it. The lockout is unnecessary and also adds a lot to the price. I am switching to a romic coilover. I want more sensitivity, more adjustability, and a softer ride.
This shock does not deliver. | | Similar Products Used: | rock shock | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Truth xc | | Bottom Line: | For me, not worth it. Would not recommend to a friend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any rough terrain that i can find | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Treknology bikes | | Strengths: | Ultra light weight,superb dampening,lockout feature,good adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | None to date | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox Judy, Cane creek | | Bike Setup: | Trek super lite 300 (1999) | | Bottom Line: | This is the coolest rear shock i have ever owned and its the BEST!.The lockout system was pretty useful as i could lock out the rear shock when going uphill and the adjustablity of the shock was great 200lbs of air pumped into it was all that i needed to get me started ! The fox rear shock is really a state of the art equiptment and i would reccomend it to people of all ages!I LOVE IT!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Wolff
a Cross Country Rider
from Salida, CO
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Monarch Crest Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | It still holds air. The lock out is nice | | Weaknesses: | It keeps braking... Fox customer service is the worst | | Similar Products Used: | Other fox Shoxs, Rock Shox, Cane Creek | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, XTR, Z2 Atom Race, avid disc (ft), avid 7 (rear), Fox Float RC | | Bottom Line: | Fox sucks. After only a couple of months my shox broke. It leaked oil, the lock out stopped working and it made the worst squeeking noise. Strangly, it did still hold air.
The worst part was not the product but the customer service. When I sent it back to be repaired, Fox lost my shox!! It took them 5 weeks to get it back to me!! They said it was sitting on someone bench, under a pile of stuff. At the time I was even wrenching in a shop, and they still blew me off. I stopped recommending (and buying) fox products.
After two months of riding since it was repaired it is broken again. This time the noise is back, but it now also makes a clicking noise (I think it is the valve rattleing around inside). Strangly, it still holds air!?
Fox (the company) sucks. I could fix the shox if fox would sell seal kits but they keep that service for themselves, which means it has to go back to them for repair (hopefully not for another 5 weeks).
This is the weird part... most people I know with santa cruzs and float RCs have broken shoxs?!?! What is the deal? I love my bike but do these shoxs not hold up under the superlight's geometery or is this just a weak product? You be ther judge... I just want to ride without my rear shox screwed up.
I like the lock out (when it works). It is nice on roads, steep climbs and makes doing a wheelie easier. I am impressed that the shox still holds air after all the problems I have had.
I have yet to find a good rear shox that is as light as air and performs like a coil. I just hope these new ti rear coil shox turn out to be everything they say ther are.
The 2 value chillis are for the lock out, and its light weight.
The 2 overall chillis are only for the holding air factor so I did not have to walk back to the car.
I understand things will break, but their customer service is a joke. If you buy Fox, it will break, so good luck with their customer service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Rudick
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga, NY
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Stables | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Mountain Goat, Massachussets | | Strengths: | Lightweight and Simple | | Weaknesses: | Extremely poor Customer Service. History of not holding air. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Float | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR Pro | | Bottom Line: | I recieved this shock from Specialized after they warranteed a broken frame with incredible speed (new frame on it's way the day we called!). The previous frame had a Fox Float which did it's job fine.
The new shock has never held it's pressure from the day I got it. I have to fill up the chamber every 30 minutes of my ride. So, I called Fox to let them know I got a defective shock and need to get another sent to me. What they did next is a textbook case of a company that is usually in serious financial troubles:
The customer service said that I need to service my BRAND new shock by taking it apart and checking to see if there are any problems with the seals. They wouldn't send me a new shock, nor even accept having me send it back until I serviced it. This was odd since the shock was brand new and thought servicing is something you do to a used shock. I went ahead with it, but with concern since I am not a mechanic and was just glad I am mechanically savy to pull this off.
So, I serviced the shock, put it back together and it still leaked air. I called up Fox and they said they would still not send me a new one, but that I would now have to spend my money to send it back to them to get it fixed. This would take two weeks, which is unacceptable since I would not give up my riding time for their inability to make sure their shock was working properly before it left the factory.
So, I sent them a letter and cc Specialized, the bike it came on. Specialized came back to me concerned and understanding my frustration. Fox came back to me with a letter restating their warranty and that it the shock would not be covered if damaged from abuse, or improper service.
At this point I was furious. How could the shock be abused if it was brand new. Second, if it was improperly serviced it was because they told me to service it.
OK enough venting....BUY CANE CREEK. They rock! I warn you about FOX. They don't look reliable from the friends I know that have had multiple problems with their Fox shocks. Shocks are complicated and may need service once in a while. Fox Racing Shox's commitment to customer sastisfaction is nil to non-existent in my experience.
In final thoughts, I am still battling this one out, mind you on my own valuable time. I will update everyone if for some reason FOX pulls their head out of their ass and figures out what to do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Desolation Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light and works so far. Works very well, in fact, great adjustability on the rebound dampening. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't had any reliability problems as yet, but I think the way I have it set up and ride it is part of why: I don't use the lock-out, and I keep the pressure high enough that the shock never bottoms-out. | | Similar Products Used: | Mostly the Girvin GDT from way back. I've demoed others but I think the Fox is the best-performing thus far. I have not tried Stratos yet. | | Bike Setup: | RM 2000 Instinct, Mechanical rate is about 2.5:1 (2.5" suspension travel per inch shock travel), pressure is set at 180 for my 160 lb weight. | | Bottom Line: | So far it has been great. Wonderfully smooth damping characteristics and my frame's suspension mechanism has a marginally falling rate which makes the most of the Float's marginally rising rate. I don't use the lockout at all, and I think that may have a lot to do with why some people are having seal problems.
To the best that I understand the shock shuts a valve to stop the travel. If you know some physics then you know this probably means that air is trapped in a very small volume with almost no room to compress, such that it effectively doesn't move. Since that air has to effectively stop the rider across almost no distance, it will exert very high instantaneous pressures on the seals and valves. Supposedly Fox has designed in a blowoff valve, but regardless of how well designed it is, a locked-out shock will be dealing with much more mechanical stress than when not locked-out.
For this same reason I have kept my shock pressure somewhat high; most of the energy of the bump is dissipated early in the travel before the internal pressure starts to rise too exponentially. It's a lot easier to explain with a graph. I don't really know if this is why everyone having problems is having their specific problems, but I suspect that most people will maximize the longevity of this shock (or any other air shock, for that matter) by not using the lock-out and putting the pressure high enough such that they essentially never bottom-out.
In my mind, they shouldn't put lock-out features on shocks. It would be much more reliable, and arguably more effective, to put in compression dampening with very wide and immediately accessible adjustability, so that the riders that want to can still reduce suspension activity uphill, but now to varying degrees, in a way that doesn't put extreme loads on the seals and valves. I said it first, I should be on their payroll.
Overall, this may be the best air shock on the market, but I think the lock-out feature as-designed is a weakness. I'm glad I never need or am tempted to use it. In the context of my use, I'm putting in five stars because I haven't found anything that damps better, but if I used or wanted lock-out I might have felt differently. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tequila Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont,CA. USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The ones that go downhill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Garage | | Strengths: | lightweight, smooth and the lockout feature (I climb lots of hills) | | Weaknesses: | kind of pricey | | Similar Products Used: | OEM coil over | | Bike Setup: | Marin Quake 9.1 with XTR and SID XC front suspension | | Bottom Line: | I upgraded to this shock after my coil-over shock blew a seal. I haven't looked back yet. This is an excellent product that can take the rigors of agressive riding. I've had the Float RC mounted for a year now and I'm completely satisfied. I ride with intensity (XC) and expect top of the line equipment to stand up to the test of hard riding. After eleven months, I did experienced the same "swishing" sound as some other reviewers mentioned but Fox serviced and returned it to me in two days. The product support from Fox is outstanding. I will always do business with a company like Foxracing Shox. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Hamilton
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Osos, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Manzanita | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | Excellent rebound damping. Plush to Firm setting makes it very versatile. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized FSR S-works M4 frame, XTR, Mountain Speed X-rated link kit | | Bottom Line: | If you want a shock that takes the hits and demands of serious single track, look no further!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BVBR
a Racer
from Ocomukowonowaukesha, WI
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Lab | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | OEM on Superlight | | Strengths: | Tunability, user-servicable air chamber, excellent website with support | | Weaknesses: | Aside from the air chamber being user-servicable nothing else is! | | Similar Products Used: | Noleen NR-2, NR-4 | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight | | Bottom Line: | It was totally silent when I got it. Now it makes a squishing sound. I've cleaned the air sleeve which unfortunately is the full extent of user-servicability. Now I have to send it to fox for service if I want the squishiness resolved, however that means an unusable fs bike for 1-2 weeks. I'm sure Fox will stand behind it, but its just a hassle to have to send it in and be without my fs bike for 1-2 weeks. I'm probably going to have to get a backup shock so I can keep riding my fs bike while the Fox is being serviced.
As far as everything else goes. It holds air fine. Its super adjustable for damping and preload (air). The quality of travel is excellent. It always seems to be using all of its travel, however it never seems to bottom out...amazing. The lock out is nice, but I really don't use it like I thought I would. If you have a choice between getting the lockout or saving cash...save the cash.
Fox's website is excellent. Full accurate manual's available for printing (Marzocchi could learn something), and even a video step by step presentation of air sleeve maintainance. This website is the standard by which all bike component manufacturers should be judged! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Hunt
a Racer
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | light | | Weaknesses: | poor seals, lock out activates on bumpy terrain | | Similar Products Used: | Fox vanila r | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Specialized FSR Enduro Pro | | Bottom Line: | It's very light. The seals do not work well. I have to air it up before every ride and sometimes durring. Once dialed in it works well but does not feel as good as a quality coil shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Reagan
a Weekend Warrior
from Burbank
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Its A Fox. | | Weaknesses: | Air pressure remains the same but the shock will get soft?? | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz,came with the bike | | Bottom Line: | I found that when I started with a fixed pressure,set to about 2/3 -3/4 hard travel,(gives me 1inch of backup) the shock would start to compress more. About every 2 rides or so. I found that the air was moving into the back chamber, giving me the same reading in lbs. Pressures pressure, no mater where it is in the shock. Loss of air mass in the 1st chamber would then soften the shock causing me to add more air, but only having it get soft again.
I found that if you let out all the air (hold open the air valve and compress the shock)This resets it. By removing the air in the back chamber and allowing for new air to be pumped into th new 1st air free chamber. tryit and use your o-ring to see how much compression your getting. hope this helps. ~~O-^o___---_------__-- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Lodi CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Very light shock. Easy to lock out. Great for climbing or moderate trail use | | Weaknesses: | Bad choice for heavy trail riding unless you carry your shock pump with you on rides, who wants to carry extra gear? The shock worked fine for the first five months I had it, then the lock out stopped working and it started making a loud air sucking noise after each compression. I sent it back to fox for service. Those guys at Fox don't screw around, they fixed my shock and had it back to me in about three days.I put the shock back on my bike and it felt like new again.I've read many reviews about this shock that claim the same problems. I changed over to the Fox vanilla RC and everything is great so far , I'll review it in about six months. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | Good light weight shock for climbing or moderate trail use, but not so good for a more agressive riding style.
I still have the shock for back up and would like to sell it. It's just been serviced with about twenty miles on it and has six months of service warranty left on it. It's a year 2001 model and is in new condition. Contact me through e-mail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
frank nijs
a
from kuringen, Belgium
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Again another fox shocks with "free with a 1 pence chocolate" bushings, even worsened by reducing the travel to 30% after a while | | Similar Products Used: | Fox vanilla RC | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer 2000, XTRn chris King wheelset, Hope Pro diskbrake, Judy 2001 | | Bottom Line: | Okay, U can say whatever U want but hey this has happened to every 2000 foxshock I own. The bushes wear more quickly then a pair of super soft formula One tires. Not only this problem, also the fact that the fox stopped working after a while because it stopped getting back to full travel.
Seems that there was an overflow from the positive to the negative chamber, whatever it is sent back to Shock Therapy in Germany who does the service for fox.
Let u know more when it comes back | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juny Binamira
a Cross Country Rider
from Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | OEM, Came with the frameset | | Strengths: | The shock must be good when you can forget about the bike and just enjoy a smooth, confident ride! Easy setup, very effective rebound damper - I got the bike dialed very quickly. Lockout works on the road, but I barely ever touch it on the trail. The guys at FOX really stand behind their product - I asked a very simple question about grease and got the response less than a day later. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing I can think of is that access to the rebound dial is a little tight - not a problem when you adjust it off the bike, but a little more space around the dial would make it easier to adjust on the fly. | | Similar Products Used: | FOX Alps on a Cannondale Super-V | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight 2K1, Rock Shox SID SL 2K1 (w/ climb-it control), all the lightest bits and pieces... the bike weighs an honest 23lbs. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent air shock. plush, easy setup, adjustable on the fly. The shock came with my frameset, but I had done my research about the shock before purchase, the frameset I bought is also available w/ the Cane Creek AD-10, I opted for the more expensive Float RC. No regrets!!! only a big smile plastered on my face every time I go for a ride! EXCELLENT!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbell CA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | not sure yet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | lockout worked great, great tuning, felt really smooth on the trail | | Weaknesses: | seal between the air and oil broke, making me order a new one, other than that, it was great | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, '01 sid 100, super x kit, planning upgrades to include Chris King hubs, headset, Race Face Next LP cranks, ISIS b.b. | | Bottom Line: | I wish the thing had lasted longer. I was on my first real ride with it, had barely even done any downhills on it. Finally climb to the top, flip off the lockout, and it starts making that noise. As i had no time on this shock almost, so i thought maybe it was ok. took the trail down, went to the LBS that i work at, my manager, who had the same thing happen, said the seal was broken. so for value, only 2 here, and overall 3. If the new one works, I'll write a new review. Happy Trails!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Tennessee
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Plush...nice travel...good dampening | | Weaknesses: | It messed up in just a few rides. Badly. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruze Super Light | | Bottom Line: | I like the shock. It worked well when it worked. After a few rides it developed a noise and felt rough. It was a noise like sucking air through your two fromt teeth... only much louder. Fox said it was air in the oil. They are taking care of it, but my bike is down for 3 weeks. (shipping and repair). Add to this that it took 4 weeks to get my Santa Cruze in the first place, and it makes for a crappy deal. I love the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Liam
a Cross Country Rider
from B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Fred | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Barn, Penticton, B.C. Best service on the planet | | Strengths: | Plush, reliable, lockout is a nice feature but I find that I rarely use it because my Rocky doesn't bob much. Much better than the Vanilla. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Rocky Mountain Instinct without the pathetic Formula discs. | | Bottom Line: | Great shock. Takes abuse and only needs a cleaning and greasing every few months. I was lucky to get a deal through the Bike Barn, otherwise the retail price would have been about $450 CDN. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alfonso
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | consistent plush ride across varied surface conditions, easy on the fly lockout, user-friendly rebound control, pretty reliable seals so far | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla coil, Cane Creek AD10 | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | When shopping around for my first FS bike, I borrowed some and long-term loaned some Santa Cruz bikes. Among all those I tried, I found the most consistently pleasing and adaptable rear rides from those equipped with the RC shock. I personally liked the damping action of the air shocks over those of the coils. Tuning and persistence of settings tended to be a bit better with the Fox RC over the Cane Creek. When it came time to buy my own frameset, this shock was a hands down winner.
After purchasing my own frameset, I discovered that it's best to slightly overcompensate air pressure recommendations provided with the shock (that, or the Fox shock pump gauge just sucks). For instance, prescribed air pressure for a 160 lb. rider is 95 psi. I've found that the happy medium that eliminates chronic bottoms-out really lies in about 105 psi (which is halfway to the recommendation for a 180 lb. rider).
Ride after ride, the seals do a remarkable job: air pressure remains consistent for a long time and elements are kept away from the internals. Best of all, the shock seems to "know" the difference between big and small bumps and reacts accordingly (beautifully!).
I question the dollar "value" of this particular shock. Although I must admit, my determination for value is unortohodox since the equipment did come with my frameset. Still... Folks who know Santa Cruz know they're priced quite uniformly everywhere. So why is it that the price jump I found between a Float R equipped frameset and a Float RC frameset was $155? Are the new internals and the lockout worth that much money? C'mon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
special sauce
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft Lauderdale FL
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Belleview, Ocala | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came with frameset | | Strengths: | The lock out is a great feature, easy to adjust | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | fox float, fox vanilla, RS sid | | Bike Setup: | S-works FSR XC M4 | | Bottom Line: | I personally like air shocks over coil shocks, I prefer it to be a little more stiff. This shock does its job, and it does it well. I do know that the only thing I did not have problems with on my old Specialized Enduro was with the float, I expect the same reliability from this one, Fox has their s@^# together. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Vaughn
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, WA USA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ape Canyon Trail or Sun top | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came with my bike | | Strengths: | Don't leave home without it. This rear shock has made my XC experience an overall blast. I was a hardtailer until I found a bike with a full suspension lock out system on it. I can take multiple ribs in a row without losing face (literally). The lockout on the fly comes in especially handy during race time with steep uphills because of the flip switch. This shock has a lot less maintenance than a coil spring but the price shows that. I've hit a few big jumps without releasing the lock out and thought I was going to severely damage the shock but it didn't. | | Weaknesses: | I really can't blame Fox for this weakness but all I can say is...Don't forget to release the lock out before trying to get that 'big air!' | | Similar Products Used: | none - first full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR M4 XC Pro, Mavic Ceramics, XTR components, Chris King headset, Kore stem, 858 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is...since I've owned this shock, faster downhills with zero broken bones and I sleep better knowing that Fox cares about my health. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Anderson
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very plush ride, easy to set up and adjust. Lockout is great on long or bumpy uphill rides. Company stands behind its products. | | Weaknesses: | Not as bullet-proof as a coil over shock | | Similar Products Used: | Sid, fox vanilla | | Bike Setup: | Trek 99' superlite 300. Rolf Rims, xtr components | | Bottom Line: | WOW! You don't know what your missing until you get ahold of a real piece of equipment. I SUFFERED for a year with a piece of crap sid that did nothing but blow up every 3rd ride. Now I can ride with confidence and comfort with the float RC.
This baby soaks up the washboard ruts as well as the big hits. I set it up in about 10 minuites and it has been maintainence free for two months. If you don't want the weight of a coil shock, this air ride is the ticket.
The price is too high so I ding Fox 1 chili for being so greedy. But...you get what you pay for with this shock so I go the full burrito on overall rating.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | company reputation, lightweight, positive comments from people who have used it, adjustability | | Weaknesses: | durability | | Bike Setup: | Heckler w/zokie z1.xfly up front | | Bottom Line: | I was really liking this shock until I broke it. I've come to learn that air shocks just can't take abuse like coils, my shock started making creaking noises after 4 days of tough Moab riding. The warranty service from Fox seems to be pretty responsive, but my bike is still out of action until I get the shock replaced.
This is a solid rear shock, but if you are going to do anything more than XC riding, go with a coil shock. Don't make the mistake that I did and try to save a little weight.
PS- the lock out works but it can ultimately just be a novelty. My Heckler climbs like a goat with or without the shock locked out, if I was to do it over I would just skip the lockout. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugh LePage
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Que. Canada
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Laurentians | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Plushness, adjustability, good rep for product & company, light weight, new design for 2000 year. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | R.S. Super delux, Noleen NR-2, Stratos Helix expert | | Bike Setup: | Kona King K. 2000 | | Bottom Line: | This shock came stock on my bike. I love the lockout feature for long climbs and for getting to trailheads.
Most other shocks that I have tried or have had on my own bikes had either poor reliability or lack of adjutability. Seems Fox did their homework as this thing works great and from what I have seen on other posts seems to be reliable. I have had bike for only one month and will post later in the summer to cover reliability. This shock combined with my SID fork works great. You know your suspension is dialed when you can forget about it and just ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Shaw
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | High quality construction,Rebound adjustabilty endless,very very plush | | Weaknesses: | None found to date | | Similar Products Used: | Fox float | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Santacruz Superlight XTR | | Bottom Line: | This rear shock is @ the top of the food chain.The lock out is a real treat | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Master Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bike Setup: | C-Dale Jekyll 900 SX | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up from 2 posts ago. I called on Monday after blowing up the shock (called C-Dale) and they next day aired a new shock. It has been holding up very well and it has shown no signs of problems. This shock has a DEALER COST of $216! Wow! Thats pretty expensive. Its the special one made for Cannondale Jekylls, so thats probably why.
For riding XC, you have to keep the shock threaded all the way out. I tried turning it in 3 turns and the bike was handling turns very bad. Id go into a turn hard and the front was super slow. Its amazing that only 3 turns made that big a difference. I threaded it back out on the trail and it was much better.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric neuatadter
a Downhiller
from walnutport,pa ,usa
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | lock out for when i actually need it.rebound that works.ultra lite unit. | | Weaknesses: | none found yet besides that should come with pump | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox deluxe | | Bike Setup: | 99 giant warp ds-2 jr.t fork raceface cranks,crosslinks,avid brakes | | Bottom Line: | this shock rules.im a freerider ill ride anything this shoch will get u there.lock out works with out total harshness that comes from hardtail.this shock takes big hits with ease so if your out for a good shock for everything this thing rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Master mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Island Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light
Very Adjustable
Nice Looks
Lockout | | Weaknesses: | BLEW UP!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Vanilla Coil Over | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Cannondale Jekyll 900 SX | | Bottom Line: | I rode 15 miles and the shock exploded when I was bunny hopping 5" on flat ground to get used to the feel of the new bike. The cap that seals the air chamber and holds the rebound/lockout knobs camee off the shock body. The threads obviously have a problem. I had the shock at 175 psi. After rethreading it together thinking it was loose the first time, it happened again at 200 psi. Sounds like a freakin shot gun going off. That time I rode off a 6" curb. Its Sat. and my bike is unrideable. I hoping Fox sends a new shock next week. If not, they shouldnt bother, Ill sell the bike. Going back to school and I wont be able to get the damn shock. They have top notch customer service, so I expect no problems. My Vanilla coil over on my Y bike has over 5100 miles with no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nathan goldsmith
a Cross Country Rider
from newburgh NY
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | stewart-mta land | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | super light, very adjustable, as firm or as plush as you want, awesome customer service by fox racing | | Weaknesses: | un user servicible dampner, no complete parts breakdown in manual( probably for our own good) | | Similar Products Used: | pogo stick, bed mattress, bungee cords. | | Bike Setup: | rocky mtn. instinct 2000 model (dont order one you will never get it) | | Bottom Line: | Had this bike for one month now, initialy didnt know how to set up air pressure because everyone had last year model shock that had less volume. Found the shock works nice at 120lbs pressure for my 180 lbs. The damper is so adjustable I had trouble deciding which setting works the best. I was bored one day and removed the lock out pin cause i never use it and then I couldnt put it back because the lockout pin button popped out and stopped the pin from being able to be put back. then all the oil and nitrogen charge leaked out all over the floor. I was pissed at myself for being a moron. Called fox and told them the truth and they laughed and told me where to send it to be fixed for free in 48 hrs and free three day shipping back. Awesome! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jdcamb
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Crescent/Letchworth/OCP/FLT | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | My second review. Still kicks ass! Works great in the cold. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive. Cane Creek AD-10 cost $225. Float RC costs $349. I think it's worth it though. None that are mechanical. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Deluxe, Cane Creek AD-10, etc.... | | Bike Setup: | GT I-Drive. Basically same as my last review.... | | Bottom Line: | Works Great in the cold. Me and my Bud went riding on the Crescent trail in 3 degree weather with 6" of snow. The trail was pocked with ice and footprints. Cold as hell. Well I cleaned everything (so did he) which I usually don't. My buds Cane Creek AD-10 froze up halfway through the ride. I had no problems. Trail was hell but didn't faze me. This thing is amazing. My old Rock Shox Deluxe would clunk and weaze in the cold and the damping would get so slow it almost wouldn't work. The AD-10 is very good shock but water gets by the seals and freezes. Making stiction a big problem. The seals get hard too. In defense of the AD-10 the Specialized FSR XC has the shock mounted almost horizontal and my GT I-drive is more vertical and doesn't hold water and mud as much. I suspect my Bud will be going back to his Float R for the winter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jdcamb
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | FLT/OCP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, Very adjustable, Plush, No plastic bushings. Quiet! Casey at sales was very cool and helpful. Expensive as the Stratos | | Weaknesses: | Needed smaller bushings for GT I-Drive. Needs HP pump not included. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Deluxe w/rebound adjust, Fox Vanilla RC, Cane Creek AD-10, RS Super Deluxe, Stratos XC-Pro | | Bike Setup: | GT I-Drive, XT/LX, Judy 100 w/Englund Air Cartridges. | | Bottom Line: | Very plush. I am getting 1" more travel then RS Deluxe. No noise or oil spewing now! The action on this shock is very smooth. Low air pressure (110lbs. for a 175lbs. rider) and easy to set sag. Buy a pump you will need it to set it up. Takes the big hits yet still compliant to the small hits. Very light at 225 grams. RS Deluxe was 490 and sucked compared to this bad boy. Smoother then the Float RC on my buds Specialized FSR. Lockout rules on the long climbs. This thing is very active. Rebound adjust actually works as compared to the RS Deluxe and you don't need a pump to adjust it like a Cane Creek AD-10. As far as reliability I will keep you posted. Awesome so far. Great Shock! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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