Fox Racing Shox Vanilla X Older Rear Shocks

3.8/5 (5 Reviews)


Product Description

Fox Vanilla X


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Reviews 1 - 5 (5 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by dog man a Cross Country Rider from victoria, B.C. ,canada

Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000

Strengths:    awsome

Weaknesses:    none

Bottom Line:   
good

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   More than 3 years

Similar Products Used:   some


Overall Rating:3
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Robert a Weekend Warrior from Northridge, CA, USA

Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000

Strengths:    - extremely simple to operate
- heavy-duty construction


Weaknesses:    - lack of tuneability
- rough ride ("clunking") on quick drops, fast bumps
- linear response


Bottom Line:   
Seems reliable and sturdy, but doesn't quite take out all the hits, especially the smaller quicker bumps which the shock can't seem to take, preferring instead to "clunk" and transmit a heavy knock up your spine, and this happens fairly often on washboards and downhills. It does well on big stuff, and is worlds better than a seatpost suspension if you just want to get away from a hardtail. I'm told it beats the pants off of the RockShox products in reliability by several of my LBS's.

The shock does pogo a bit and has no adjustability really whatsoever. That doesn't bother me much, I just like to get all around smooth performance, which it doesn't seem to do quite as well as I would like. In my opinion, the Fox Vanilla X just doesn't "feel" like the air shocks I have tried... they were plusher, smoother, more responsive.

I'm currently waiting to get a Cane Creek or Stratos, after which I may update this review. In my opinion, try different shocks before you buy them, on as much terrain as you can. Seems to me it's not worth purchasing this one outright, unless you get it cheap with a bike, and plan to beat the hell out of your bike and want sturdier stuff that will not require adjusting.

These factors notwithstanding, the price is unbeatable (FREE). It comes with a lot of bikes these days.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   Chesebro

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Similar Products Used:   - thudbuster seatpost suspension

Bike Setup:   - DBR X2 1999, stock

Overall Rating:5
Submitted by John Kowalik a Racer from Maple Ridge, BC

Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999

Strengths:    
very plush
adjustable from very very soft to locked out


Weaknesses:    
none


Bottom Line:   
awesome shock
no problems, and easy maintenance

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   
anything big

Duration Product Used:   
1 Year

Similar Products Used:   
Rock shox (all of em)
Fox (all of em)


Bike Setup:   
Trek Y-Glide
magura 500s
xtr

Overall Rating:5
Submitted by Bas sommers a Racer from Holland

Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999

Strengths:    
Simple, works very well


Weaknesses:    
The weight, but what did you expect for that price


Bottom Line:   
I would certainly not race this shock, I only use it for long trainingrides like those 5 hour rides on those really bumpy singletracks, and for that purpose the fox rules. It's much plusher the the alps 5, but if you are looking for a racing shock don't go here, but use a airshock (No SID doh)
5 chills for training shock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   
1 Year

Similar Products Used:   
Fox alps 5 RS SID


Bike Setup:   
Trek Y22 '96 model

Overall Rating:1
Submitted by mike a Weekend Warrior from Chicago, IL

Date Reviewed: July 21, 1999

Strengths:    
simple, Fox name


Weaknesses:    
heavy, non-adjustable(except spring tension)


Bottom Line:   
Spec'd as an OEM unit on my bike, good thing they don't sell them aftermarket or the would lose tons in returns. Its not that bad of a shock if you don't like being able to adjust it. Its weight is a real drawback. Besdies that it rides smooth. 1 flaming turd becasue of weight, lack of adjustablity

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   
freeride crap

Duration Product Used:   
3 months

Similar Products Used:   
none


Bike Setup:   
custom heckler(do you even care)

Reviews 1 - 5 (5 Reviews Total)

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

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