AVA adjustment system allows the fine tuning of the spring progressivity to optimize the air-spring characteristics for your riding style and bike suspension geometry.
NEW for 2004 ProPedal Damping : FOX's exclusive low-speed compression circuit, reduces unwanted shock movement caused by pedaling.
Patented lock-out system allows On-the-fly adjustability for those times when hard-tail firmness is desired.
FOX's patented self-adjusting negative-spring and Teflon air-sleeve bushings provide hassle free shock set-up and result in coil-spring like compliance.
FLOAT air-spring tune works in unison with the shocks damping circuits to provide the perfect balance between efficiency, control and position-sensitive bottoming resistance.
24-clicks of externally adjustable rebound damping for an ultra-wide tuning range.
Strengths: Light weight, very adjustable, durable, long lasting, easy to service yourself, very plush...
Weaknesses: NONE!!!
Bottom Line:
Thid shock is awesome, works great on single pivot and vpp bikes. With any Santacruz bike a pro pedal is not needed, i have the 03 model with out pro pedal. I have been hard on this shock for over 2 years now and it keeps on working like new, the lock out works great, the AVA acculy does what it says it does, the reason why its hard to turn the AVA when its pumped up is because your not suposed to, de pressureize it first. nothing out there can beat this shock, i will use it untill i break it, i dont think that will happen.
Similar Products Used: 5th element, Rock Shox, Manapoo
Bike Setup: Santacruz Superlight, LX hydro brakes, XTR componets, Fox Vanilla 125 RLC.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnson City, TN
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2005
Strengths: Adjustability. Good ride.
Weaknesses: Setup quite difficult. Instruction manual blows, Fox customer service blows, lockout is useless(never worked all that great, now it doesn't work at all). Fox said they would service the shock for $100(what a joke, stand by your product).
Bottom Line:
This shock rides well, and has a lot of adjustability. The lockout is not a true lockout(its supposed to have a blowoff valve). I've never used the lockout except when climbing or when on pavement and it still managed to blow the seal. Fox offered to service the shock for $100. I say if you're going to charge $400 for a shock, stand by your product and at least cut your customers a break. I'll never have another Fox part again. Terrible product, terrible service, terrible prices.
Strengths: I was very impressed when I first got the shock. It's fairly light and the AVA works well. The shock is also well built, doesn't leak air and is incredibly smooth.
Weaknesses: The only thing I don't like about this shock is how hard it is to turn the AVA screw once you put air in the shock.
Bottom Line:
Other than being hard to adjust the AVA when you have the right amount of air inside. The shock works exceptionall well. I was impressed when I first tried it, it took the bumps without a problem and much better then my previous Float R. The lock out feature is very useful, easy to use and work well.
Overall, I would recommend this shock to any one. Preferably not to Xc for it's weight but any epic mountain or where weight doesn't really matter
Submitted by
aidan
a Cross Country Rider
from cambridge, uk
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2004
Strengths: super plush, but after a year im still messing about with setting the thing up! lock-out is fantastic though and the low weight is definately a plus
Weaknesses: slightly over-complicated
Bottom Line:
While getting the shock light weight (air) and lockout were at the top of my list so after a bit of research the fox was looking like the best option and i felt it was worth the relatively high price (£340) as it is so adjustable. i haven't regretted it one bit. i must commend the service from the shop and fox, both delivered exactly on schedule.
Similar Products Used: fox vanilla r (std oem shock)
Bike Setup: 2001 Schwinn Rocket 88 Stg 3, LX group, manitou scarab super, use atom bar, woodman carbo 400 post, selle italia tt, x317 rims on outland hubs, hope mini discs, ritchey stem
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Thomas Nicholson
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004
Strengths: Nice shox with lots of tuning ability.
Weaknesses: Not that customizable. Not good for riders over 200lbs.
Bottom Line:
The shock that came with my Superlight is ok but I would have like to had a chace to try the 5th Air. Since I am a larger rider a coil might even be a better upgrade. Helps to keep the bob at a noexistent level.
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Eastern Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004
Strengths: AVA is awesome, Regardless of VPP's anti-bob features, a true lockout is still the way to go for that hard-tail feel (road, etc)
Weaknesses: Weak product manual. Setup can be difficult for an air shock newbie. The AVA requires you to exhaust the air cylinder before adjustments can be made. Field adjustments require you to carry the shock pump. I guess this is to be expected, but you can count on multiple adjustments before finding "your" sweet spot.
Bottom Line:
The spider is my first full-suspension bike, so I have little to compare against. Unless I count the limited use of my friend's bikes. And I'm not about to count the bikes I've ridden at a bike shop. (Of course the parking lot can be rather technical. LOL) In any event, the AVA lives up to what I expected from a rear shock. I gave consideration to the 5th element (air), due to the performance praises.. but I also heard lots of bad feedback pertaining to seals, leaks, etc.. so I stuck with the AVA and haven't looked back since.
Hello to all you knowledgeable mtb-ers!
I have a 2004 ETSX-50 with the Fox FLOAT RL AVA.
I have consulted the Fox manual, but the info has proved less than helpful. I am b Read More »
Hey everyone,
I attempted to adjust the AVA on my '04 shock for the first time in 4 years and now the inner sleeve on the AVA or whatever it's called slides up and down if the A Read More »
I've been riding my 03 ETSX for 2 years. I took the rear shock off today because I'm thinking it's about time to get it overhauled. I new it was an RL with AVA. Now that I've lo Read More »
[URL="http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=25581"]7.875x2" Push'd Float AVA RL[/URL]
Will fit a Blur Classic, 4x, or Medium and Large XC.
Trail tuned for a 185 Read More »
