It relies upon highly sophisticated multiple oil-flow circuits and shimmed damping control to deliver the goods. At the user end, new laser etched markings on the top-cap adjustment cluster.
Submitted by
TwoHeadsBrewing
a Weekend Warrior
from Chico, CA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2010
Strengths: Plush yet firm on the bigger drops, simple single air spring, 140mm is great travel on a trail bike.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
So far this is a great, plush fork with enough travel to take out the chop and smaller bumps and the big stuff. Climbs very efficiently despite the longer travel, but you'll definitely want to lock it out on the longer smooth climbs. Brake dive is tolerable for a longer travel fork and firms up nicely near the middle of the stroke. Very predictable and perfectly adequate for trail riding a little rougher than normal XC.
Submitted by
Mysterion
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2010
Strengths: Super smooth travel, solid lockout, all knobs easy to reach and use. I love this thing. I've used it for cross-country, dirt-jumping, commuting, and urban assault. Handles everything well, and I weigh 220! Depending on where I'm riding I change the pressure and rebound settings, but it's really easy and even if I mess the settings up, it still feels better than any other fork I've tried. Luckily, the guy before me took good care of it and all I've had to do to it is wipe the dirt off and keep riding!
Weaknesses: Absolutely none so far. Handles everything like a champ!
Bottom Line:
Amazing fork at any price. I couldn't afford one new, but found one in good condition. I like it so much I traded my Pike for a Float R that needs a rebuild. Will post my impressions of the non-lockout model after I get a few months on it. As far as the customer service goes, take it to your Local Bike Shop (not Performance!) and let them deal with Fox. They are very friendly and understanding with their dealers.
Anyone with a desire for a high-quality, easily serviceable, and amazingly dependable fork should go get one. Just clean the seals every couple rides and make sure your pressure is in the right ballpark and you'll have a great ride for years to come!
Similar Products Used: Rockshox Psylo, Rochshox Pike (coil), Fox Talas 36 (also awesome) Marzocchi Dirt Jam Pro (heavy!) Surly Instigator (permanent lockout)
Bike Setup: VooDoo Shango DJ frame single-speed, 8" avid juicy 7 (rear only) EA50 Bars, DMR Headstock, Chris King NoThreadSet. Also have run it on my Rocky Mountain Oxygen Hardtail, 9-speed, Avid brakes front and rear.
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Submitted by
mcap
a Weekend Warrior
from Fountainville, PA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2009
Strengths: Easy to adjust, good feel, forgiving, great performer
Bottom Line:
This fork came stock on my bike. If I were to buy another fork I would probably get the same one. Very reliable, easy to adjust. What else can I say...It's a Fox
Bike Setup: 2007 Trek Fuel EX8, XTXTR, Tubeless, 32T E thirteen
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Submitted by
kolaska
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2009
Strengths: Very stiff, tracks straight and plush like a coil shock.
Weaknesses: Not really light but not too heavy either. No remote lockout.
Bottom Line:
Big step up from my Rock Shox Recon 351. Just as plush but way stiffer and tracks very well. Not sure what Tom Matthews is smokin' but I've been riding for 25 years and I can tell you this thing tracks dead straight. Maybe he's got a broken axle?
Similar Products Used: Marzochi, manitou, rock shox.
Bike Setup: Norco fluid 1
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Submitted by
hifi1
a Cross Country Rider
from houston texas
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2008
Strengths: fairly light, extremely plush, broad range of adjustments, solid as a rock. compression and rebound controls actually work great!
Weaknesses: must be serviced at factory, when seals go they go quick!!
Bottom Line:
Have been riding these over all types of terrain, the most punishing being the limestone and rocks in the Austin area. Fork handles rocks, dropoffs and jumps like a champ. Makes my Manitou Black fork seem like a cheap toy by comparison in terms of construction and handling. Didn't think I'd ever find an air fork that felt like a coil fork but this thing ramps up as smoothly as any coil and you get all the travel out of it. Seals finally gave out after two years but its been flawless up to this point.
Strengths: This is a really solid shock, smooth action, very dependable and predictable. It has increased my confidence on the trails immensely.
Weaknesses: I haven't noticed any. Specifically, I don't notice loose steering mentioned by others. I'm 145 lbs though, so perhaps with heavier loads...? I find that it holds lines beautifully. A friend of mine however had a lemon and it was replaced quickly by Fox.
Bottom Line:
I've found this to be the nicest fork I've ever ridden. It is responsive, well constructed, very durable (so far) and doesn't need attention. It sucks up bumps that used to stop me on my 100 mm travel fork, and does so with much more panache. I've left the rebound in the middle of its range and it behaves wonderfully. I can't wait to get out enough to get a feel for its behavior at other settings. The lockout seems extraneous, but then again I prefer to sit while climbing.
It is pricey by itself but among the best out there. You get what you pay for, thus a 5 overall. However for those of us in school or without awesome jobs it's a steep price, so 4 value.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox, a few others on high end rentals
Bike Setup: Stock Diamondback Mission 2, Fox R rear and Float 32 front
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Submitted by
Neill
a Weekend Warrior
from Higham Ferrers
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2008
Strengths: Very light and plenty of travel, look great on my bike, silky smooth on all terrain
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
My aim was to build the ultimate hardtail weekend hack, and these forks were the icing on the cake - totally smooth and plenty of rebound control over lots of varied landscape. As a 13.5st heavyweight, these forks are asked to deliver and they have not disappointed. As an ex-competiton level BMXer I seek out jumps and air time, and so far all have been given a great landing on these excellent forks. When matched with a complete Bontrager carbon Race XXX Lite front end and the awesome Avid BB7 brakes, front end feel and control is superb. And the bargain eBay price was also a stroke of luck. I can see this rig lasting a good few years, and has made the retirement of my Scott SuperAmerica easier to live with!
Similar Products Used: Spinner Edge 4; Marzocchi Bomber; Suntour XCR
Bike Setup: Marin Indian Fire Trail, Bontrager Race XXX Riser Bar, Stem, seatpost; XTR Chainset, DX platforms; Mavic XM819/XTR; Avid BB7 Mech brakes with XTR dual levers;
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Submitted by
warzone
from Slovakia
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007
Strengths: very good All Mountain fork,I had no problem with it(and had two-RL 120mm and RL 140mm,it took everything from small stones to bigger ones,some small jumps no problem,for me was stiff enought and 2007 very nice :p
Weaknesses: maybe somebody miss compression setting,none alse found
Bottom Line:
As I said this is very good AM fork,works perfectly I had no problem with this one and I had two on two new bikes-Specialized Stumpjumper fsr comp '07 and Giant Reign 1 '07.Just my Reign asked for maxle axle :o)
Bike Setup: Giant Reign 1,but I changed it for RS Lyrik...
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Submitted by
Tom Matthews
a Cross Country Rider
from El Paso, TX,USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2007
Strengths: Adjustability- can be precisely dialed to whatever type of terrain. Does everything awesome. Plush, takes big hits. Except one major problem.
Weaknesses: Fork legs are not stiff. Too much twist for any precision. Ruts and off camber can upset easily. Constant corrections needed to kepp striaght. Cannot aim and shoot with this one. Miss my Pyslo. Never had issues with others like this one. Maybe it is defective. Only 6 rides on this. Hate it even after endless adjustment efforts. Constant over correcting necessary.
Bottom Line:
Would not use this if it were given to me. Looking for a shock that goes where it is pointed. My Pslo and Marzocci's were rifle straight and I could attck with confidence. this one is possessed by evil demons that take me off even the slowest lines. Whats the point?
Submitted by
scott blacklow
a Cross Country Rider
from hobart
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2006
Strengths: Plush, light from what I can tell. I ride some technical trails and rock gardens in Tasmanias forests and the length of travel is heaps. Rebound adjustment is totally necessary for good control. Lock out is useful to climb gradual slopes or flats standing in big gears, or to sit pedaling hard, and also to stand and climb.
Weaknesses: Not much, maybe flexes a little, but better tyres and brake control and less driver error I think would take care of things. Its not this forks fault but on my bike adjustable travel and pedal platform would be great. In Aust dealer is telling me you don't if you can respace the travel (less) until you commit to opening up the fork for a premature service.
Bottom Line:
Very good fork for its climbing options, general plush predictable travel when air and rebound are set right for the trail. Bought it on complete bike so dont know re value/price.
Similar Products Used: 1999 Rock Shock Judys, Marzocchi Bombers, Manitou Black, Fox Float RL with 140mmm
Bike Setup: Standard. Would love to know if you can re space the travel.
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Submitted by
Philip
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2006
Strengths: Stiff, Light, Easy to use Features, Aluminum Parts (no plastic)
Weaknesses: no compression dampening
Bottom Line:
this fork is great - I've been staying away from air forks for the last few years, but I love this thing! It extremely adjustable - you get FULL travel, and it's plush like springs.