The 36 VAN R offers 160mm of buttery smooth coil sprung travel. With the confidence inspiring damping characteristics of its reliable open bath damper and widely adjustable rebound, VAN R is prepared for whatever your trail can dish out. VAN's 20QR tool-free axle system with stepped thru axle combined with huge 36mm stanchions provide for incredible stiffness and precise traction.
Weaknesses: If I had to nit-pik, I'd say small bump sensitivity, but it gets alot better with time.
Bottom Line:
If you want a set up and forget simple fork then go for it. I had emough of fancy forks that always broke! Price is a little steep, but if you search Ebay you should find a new one for a good price. (FYI)I weight about 155lbs with gear and I'm using the lightest spring that came with the fork.
Similar Products Used: Manitou Min/Nixon, Zocchi, Lefty, Rock Shox
Bike Setup: Intense 6.6 Fox R in the rear too.
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Submitted by
mgrantorser
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2010
Strengths: Stiff, Light, Well Damped, Plush, Reliable, Simple
Weaknesses: Lack of Adjustment
Bottom Line:
I Bought this fork to replace a 32 talas rlc, which i found a bit too flexy for the type of riding i do out here. I bought the R instead of the RC2 because i dont trust the fit damper, Ive seen two blow up. running the fork at the lower end of the recommended pressure range the fork is plush as a couch from the 80's, i hit bottom when i need to, but never too early. My suggestion to the above reviewer is that it is being run too stiff. With respect to the lack of adjustment that is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand i miss being able to adjust things on the fly. On the other hand, unlike a RS or a zocchi, when it sais it only has R, that means only R is externally adjustable. The compression is adjustable by shifting internal wafers, but this is only advisable if you have a lot of time for careful trial and error, or know a factory tech. Rather than effing with the internals i just took out a bit of the 7.5wt oil and replaced it with 10wt. This made the rebound adjustment have significantly more effect, im running it with one click. My final opinion on this fork is that it is so far reliable, it is stiff, it is light, and it makes the trail disappear.
Similar Products Used: 32 Talas RLC, Manitou Minute SVP Super, 66RCV, Totem solo air
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Chameleon, XTR, DT wheels, Thompson, Avid juicy 7
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Submitted by
Sheik_Yerbouti
a Downhiller
from Cumberland, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2010
Strengths: Looks good, stiff, fairly light. Absorbs large hits nice.
Weaknesses: Pretty bad small bump sensitivity. Might be due to not broken in yet but I definitely get rattled around more than I'd like at medium speeds on small bumps. Doesn't feel that plush.
Bottom Line:
Decent Fork, Not very plush and doesn't have the greatest small bump sensitivity. Good enough if it comes stock on your bike but I wouldn't shell out the cash if buying new. The air forks feel a lot more plush.
Do these forks always have this much stiction when new? I've read so many reviews about these forks being "super" plush. I've only been on a ride with this fork and tooling aroun Read More »
My Endorphin currently has a set of 2007 Fox 36 Van R forks which I got from a friend relatively cheaply. They are a plush and stiff fork but can be a hindrance on the longer climb Read More »
Hey guys...
I'm an happy owner of an '06 Enduro Elite.
Some mods are rear coil shock with 222 x 70mm for increased rear travel, brakes & wheels.
I was thinking about changin Read More »
