The F80X suspension fork is the pinnacle in technology for a racing cross-country mtn. bike suspension fork. The F80X damper with automatic intertia-vlave technology coupled with the F80 chassis makes this the ultimate XC racing fork. The F80 chassis used onthe F80RLT and F80X uses specially designed lightweight chassis and internal parts throughout the fork.
NEW Lightweight Chassis Parts:
-Lightweight Optimized double-butted steerer made from Easton EA70 material
-NEW forged 7075-T6 crown with external Scalloped machining and hollow Double-barrel machined internal features
-Lightweight F80 specific Uppertubes made from Easton EA70 material
-Lightweight Lower Leg with machined fork brace
NEW Lightweight Damper Parts
-Polished Hard Anodized Aluminum Damper shafts made from Easton 7075-T6 material
-Lightweight Rebound Adjuster Rod
-Lightweight Hard Anodized Cartridge Damper Tube
NEW Lightweight Air Spring Parts:
-Lightweight Air Shafts made from Easton 7075-T6 material
-Lightweight Air Piston
NEW F80 SLT Air Piston Seal:
-This new air piston seal is an advanced low-friction air seal that is designed with Scraper Lip Technology to retain FOX Float Fluid in the air cylinder
Submitted by
illnacord
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Demo Forest, Soquel, CA.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$525.00
Purchased At:
Fox Racing Demo
Strengths:
Looks, Technology, Fit, Name Brand Reputation, takes a beating.
Weaknesses:
No cable guide (Jagwire helped the lack of cable guides, which came a year later)
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox
Bike Setup:
Single speed steel 26" bike suspension corrected for 80mm fork.
Bottom Line:
The top of the line offering for the F-series, Fox made famous the Terralogic auto-lock function, aka now Specialized Brain, and I have the the last year to have Terralogic technology. It's a silver/red/blue 2006 disc only F100X fork that was spaced down to 80mm by Fox.
When Fox went to the white forks in 2007, I picked up an F29 80mm for my 29er - sick fork as well, but the lack of Terralogic was noticeable! The remote lockout knob on the F29 wasn't up to task. The Terralogic is something many Fox owners want to retrofit into their new F29 forks, MTBR has a couple forum posts about the successful swap of internals. I have been happy with this fork, it does not leak, it does sag and there is a bit of a clunk fore and aft which I believed to be worn seals. It was sent into Fox HQ for the full 9 yards and came back feeling exactly the same with exactly the same fore aft motion. I suppose that is normal? And not many bike parts can get a "that's sexy" from the ladies, but this fork has!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Venice, CA Date Reviewed: August 2, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pauley Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Rigid. Great handling. Easy to set up.
Weaknesses:
Terralogic is inconsistent. Brand new, I was amazed. Now, fully broken in, it's mushy, and this is after factory work which I paid for.
Similar Products Used:
A Marzocchi Z-3, which cost a quarter as much and is hardly similar but has performed flawlessly going on 3 years
Bike Setup:
24 lb steel hardtail
Bottom Line:
I ride more staircases and curbs on this bike than I do dirt. No question the fork tracks beautifully and soaks deflections like a sponge. Whenever I do hit the dirt on this bike it flies like on rails, and the fork's design is certainly part of the reason.
My problem is with the TerraLogic valve, the part that makes this fork cost so much. When I first installed it, locked out meant locked out - no bob, no squish, just rigidity until I hit a bump (as small as a centimeter-high join between sidewalk slabs) and the fork would open up and suck it up.
Now, a year later, the fork sags into its travel and bobs through the top inch or so continuously. (The pressure is exactly where it's always been.) I do a lot of standing and hammering on this bike (as you'd expect riding primarily on the road), and I bought this fork because I figured auto-lockout would be a great match. The squishiness has pretty much negated that idea.
And this is after sending the fork to Fox to fix right-side leaking seals. Enough oil had leaked out that the fork wasn't locking out at all. Having bought on eBay I had no warranty; Fox charged me $100 for the service and I got it back squishier than ever. And the seals still leak.
Worst of all, I keep dialing the knob to make the fork less and less sensitive s it'll stay locked out when I go to bunny hop an obstacle. Picture you're going for a hop - you grab and pull. If you've got no lockout, no problem - you know this and you compensate. Or if you're rigid, you know this and you work accordingly. But when you expect to be rigid and you compress... sometimes you're lucky to clear whatever it is you're hopping.
I like the way the fork tracks. I'd consider another Fox. But only if I got it with a warranty. And even then I wouldn't buy another Terralogic until I knew for sure they'd perfected it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jason
a Racer
from syracuse, ny,usa Date Reviewed: February 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
the one with dirt
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
Advance Cyclery
Strengths:
the automatic lockout works for a time. Mine got progressivley mushy.
Weaknesses:
Loses oil. Weight. Not black
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SX-R, Skareb Super
Bike Setup:
Epic, loaded
Bottom Line:
Fox made me pay to fix their fork, and a shock that had less than 20 hours. They claim quaility, but don't back it up. I'm selling their junk in favor of Manitou SPV. Manitou has better response on the high frequency chatter bumps, and less weight. Skareb Platinum here I come
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Travis
a Racer
from Mesa AZ Date Reviewed: February 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hawes Rd
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$625.00
Purchased At:
Jenson usa
Strengths:
Predictable handling, solid responsive tuning, no brainer lock out, plush unlocked suspension, incredable stiffness, good looking.
Weaknesses:
some oil leakage, weight,
Similar Products Used:
manitou mars,black and sid
Bike Setup:
trek 9.8 tru/stylo, xtpods, raceface TI/sigBB, thompson stem and post, king hubs on mavic 819's w/stans juice in tube tires,fox fx80.
Bottom Line:
Yes the fork does leak some oil which is silly for the price. Would I by this fork again? In a heart beat. Bottom line you dont buy a Porshe, and complain about the money it takes to keep it in excellent running condition. This fork while a little on the heavy side is a powerfull tool in any racers bag of tricks. And worth every penny, in its performance. If you can climb good with 100mm consider the fx100 but I find it a bit choppered out for my head tube angle. This fork may not be for you weight wennies. But it is my cup of tea at 6.03 and 185lbs. I have never felt this fork give to the point I was afraid this fork inspires confidence once it is dialed to your taste. My advice if you have the means buy it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bob
a Racer
from fenton Date Reviewed: December 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
just a follow up to my last post - i was very impressed that a representative from fox actually came to this site, read my post, and followed up with me to ensure my satisfaction. just a couple weeks later, i am sitting with a repaired shock already back on my bike. I must say I am very pleased.
Bob
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bob
a Racer
from fenton, mo Date Reviewed: November 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Extremely Stiff arm and lockout is amazing! Works perfectly
Weaknesses:
Oil Leaking on Right arm.
Similar Products Used:
Sid(s)
Bike Setup:
2003 S-Works FSR - many upgrades
Bottom Line:
Great working shocking. Amazingly stiff and the inertia valve works perfectly. BUT it will not stop leaking. LBS is absolutely no help. 4 calls to them on this already and no answer back from Fox. Not great service/support for a $800 retail shock! The oil leaking and lack of support drops this , in my opinion, to only a 2!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from london Date Reviewed: October 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
lookout
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Action bikes Ruislip
Strengths:
Reviewing FX100: Amazing stiffness, lockout sags when out of the saddle steepening head angle as you climb. When adjusted to small bump threshhold works best.
S-works Epic 2003, Full XTR, Hope, king, easton bars, Mavic
Bottom Line:
These are the best forks I've ridden to date, they complement the rear end of an epic although I am looking forward to getting the 2004 adjustable brain so I can properly balance both ends.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from San Jose, CA, USA Date Reviewed: October 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Titus
Strengths:
Fast! Works as marketed Very Precise Terrific race fork
Weaknesses:
More small bump vibrations - hard on the wrists till tuned....leaked on right side
Similar Products Used:
Sids and X/Fly 80
Bike Setup:
Titus Racer X -
Bottom Line:
I have gradually learned to like this fork - although I have reduced the air pressure so that it starts movement on even small bumps....I ride every day - and noticed that my hands and wrists got beat up at first - just like riding pre-shock....but now it is sucking most of them up...
But - I had the same leakage problem on the right side - and my fork had to be sent back to Fox. I hope they get it fixed right!
May get another fork for everyday riding and use this for races.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Engle
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocatello, Idaho Date Reviewed: October 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
riding here sucks ;-)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Amazing stiffness/steering, plush on big hits, active when you want it and rigid on smooth climbs. Exactly as advertised, terralogic is seamless. All I notice is a major performance improvement over my 2001 OEM Sid. The Sid was way too flexy and I lived with for 3 seasons. This fork is incredible.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox SID, Fox Talas RLC
Bike Setup:
2001 Trek Fuel 100 with many after market upgrades - best of which is my Fox F80X
Bottom Line:
My fuel is quick and an incredible ride though the SID was holding me back. I am not a racer but an epic rider. The uphill performance is better and the downhill is confidence inspiring - absolutely no comparison. Fantastic 80 mm fork. I demo'd a Fox Talas but even at 85 mm in affected the geometry and handling of my bike. Performance of the Talas was amazing and I new I had to get a Fox and I got the F80X instead - no regrets, worth every penny. Point and shoot! Totally recommended for cross-country race, cross-country adventure and epic riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Or Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mckenzie river
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Universal cycles
Strengths:
I have about 6-rides on the F80X and it performs as stated. On & off function is seamless, with noticeable improvement in efficiency on smooth surfaces while maintaining an extremely plush ride when needed. Weight is very reasonable considering the precision steering one gets from the stiff design. The minimal weight penalty is well worth the performance and hopefully longevity. Dollar amount was not reported as it was a comlete bike deal.
Weaknesses:
None that I have found yet.
Similar Products Used:
Several high end forks.
Bike Setup:
2004 Yeti ASR-5th Element air, XO, Marta SL, Crossmax SL, XTR cranks, Easton, Thompson
Bottom Line:
I would never go back to a standard fork, with or without a lock out. The terralogic works so well and seamless that all you have to think about is hammering. Combine this fork with a 5th Element air shock and you have a true cross country competitive ride that is plush when needed. Epic riders would also benefit from this Fork or the F100X.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Carpenter
a Cross Country Rider
from Mission Viejo Date Reviewed: October 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
San Juan
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
BeyondBikes.Com
Strengths:
The Fox F80X Automatic (inertia) lock-out really works! The fork easy to adjust and set up. It really wont compress with heavy front braking which allows you to have a lively feel on single track. Its fairly light, and its also stiff which provides a lot of confidence. Its far better than any of the competitors.
Weaknesses:
Some reviews say it will leak oil, however i am having success with mine and with Fox. Takes a while to dial it in, But then Your Golden! You Will look down on these other brands!
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float RLC 100's, Rock Shox 02 Sid Carbon's, Mantiou Black Elites 80/100 02 model
Bike Setup:
The Ultimate XC Bike Setup: Frame in Iron with red decals, Fox Forx F80X, All Shimano XTR, 03 Dual brakes/shifter controls, 03 XTR Disc brakes, Thomson Elite Stem (Black), Mavic UST X3.1 Wheels Hand Built Buy a Pro, Easton Ec 70bars, Thomson Seatpost, WTB Rocket V Laser Saddle, panaracer 2.1 meats!
Bottom Line:
It gives me more confidence on the trail! Thanks to the guys at BeyondBikes.Com for the awesome custom build, and the perfect set up with my Spider/F80X I am railing single track like no other! I was originally going to do a different model, but decided to go with the Fox after some convincing! Now I wouldnt have it any other way! This fork really improves a top of the line xc bike!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andy mills
a Racer
from winter park, fl Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
1990 UCI Worlds course in Durango
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Exactly as it is billed- the ultimate XC fork. Super rigid stantions- NO lateral flex, super plush and very cool... Fox's service is outstanding, as is their tech support at NCS events
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Fox 80 RLT, Rock Shox SID carbon, Rock Shox SID SL
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 100 (carbon) with King headset and disc hubs, FOX 80X up front, Fox RL in the rear (super nice also), Bontrager cranks, bar, stem and seatpost, Hayes disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
This fork is exactly what it was billed to be- soak up the bumps and lock right back out for the most efficient XC ride out there. I love my 80RLT and actually switch back and forth between forks depending on the course!! I used the 80X last weekend in a race and it rocked. You can blaze out of the turns because the handling is spot on and the fork immediately locks out when you get off the roughage. It worked great, and provided a super smooth ride, yet locked out on the flats and ups (as its supposed to). I used 2 clicks firmer than the factory set up (which is 6 clicks) and I'm getting progressively higher (for the bump threshold) as time goes on. I have been amazed by FOX forks and rear shocks. These guys build amazing, no nonsense shocks. Thanks and keep it up!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich E
a Racer
from Wisconsin Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
John Mur
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Super Super stiff! TIV is awsome! Light!
Weaknesses:
I've herd that FOX has seom awfull customer service
Similar Products Used:
Rock shox world cup (Light, yeat so crappy!) Rock shox judu SL (not bad for a fork that is 3 years old!)
Bike Setup:
Trek 9.9 03 xtr group, F80 TIV
Bottom Line:
After 3 months of use i have concluded that this fork is awomse! TIV is so great! it takes some getting used to at first, but once you do you relise how much faster you go! High points Super Super stiff Smoothest slider i've ever used, very plush and linear TIV Light! Lows Price is very high
Thats about it. I was lucky enough to get the 04 version and i havent experienced any of the problems the others have been talking about. And for gods sake, Dont use Rock shox world cup!! it may be .35 lbs lighter, but this is SOOOO much stiffer, has TIV, actly gets advertised travel (you cant get more then 63mm from any of the 02-03 sid line) and you dont have to worry about a carbon crown craking(Though it looks cool as hell) From reading past reviews I reccomend trying to get the 04 model if you can!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a
from Grand Junction Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ribbon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
This is a follow up from my below review.
Bottom Line:
I totally agree with c.j. below, the fork leaks oil from the right (damper) side. I called Fox about this and they gave me the same line of crap that is in their service manual. That is, that the fork has sponges under the seals to hold the oil and lubricate the slider tubes (hydrodynamic lubrication). OK, that’s fine, but the demonstration that there is something wrong is the fact that the leakage is asymmetrical. That is, the left side (air spring side) weeps little oil, but the right side leaks excessive amounts. If it were nothing more than simple hydrodynamic lubrication than both sides should weep oil at the same rate, but they do not. Here's what is going on. The left side of the fork only contains 35cc of oil, but the right side contains 160cc of oil. Oil in the right side is being forced out of the fork by hydraulic pressure produced during the compression stroke (the seals are not strong enough to hold back the fluid). This does not occur on the left side because the left side contains much less fluid and, therefore, produces much less hydraulic pressure. The fork is fundamentally flawed and Fox refuses to admit it. You cannot service this fork on your our own, so if you ride a lot, you will need to return it to Fox once or twice or more a year. This is ridiculous from a $700 fork. The problem is that are basically no good forks on the market by any manufacturer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from Steamboat Springs, CO Date Reviewed: August 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The last one I rode
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Sore Saddle Cyclery
Strengths:
When it works, this is a precision fork, slicing through turns with great accuracy, and ridding bumps in the trail with ease.
Weaknesses:
This is an update to two earlier reviews; my second F80x just went "active" full-time and I give up - I am no longer willing to be an unpaid beta tester for Fox. Dealer sent it back, they repaired it and I sold it. Purchased a 100RLC - fairly proven product from them.
Similar Products Used:
Fox 80RLC, Fox Talas RLC, Zoke Atom 80, Zoke X2Fly.
Bike Setup:
S-Works Epic with CrossMax UST, 2.3 Scorpions, King Headset, Maxim MX-6 Bars, 959 SPD's, Terry Fly Gel seat, Fox Float 100 RLC.
Bottom Line:
I am sure Fox will solve this problem sooner or later as I see the trend in shocks moving toward interia valve type suspension. Next year's Specialized upper end ($$$) bikes are all coming with inertia valve suspension on the rear - they call it the IQ Brain.
The rear Brain shock on this Epic has worked well for me after a 1000 miles of riding on it, so I think they will get this technology right on the front shocks, too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
HTail
a
from SF Bay area Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Inertial valve lockout work great, easy to adjust. All the other Fox fork benefits...smooth, stiff.
Weaknesses:
Depending on how the threshold is set, it won't activate on steeper climbs because most of the weight is off the fork. Seems to have this kind of jerky transition at time between locked and going active.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou, RockShox
Bike Setup:
Truth-Romic, CrossMaxSL, Avid Discs, XTR
Bottom Line:
So far the fork works as promised. I still don't think I have it dialed in, but it's definitely increased my speed and confidence on climbs and technical descents. Rest of my components are light, so haven't noticed the extra weight.
I think I'm experiencing a slight jerk when going from locked to active, but once active it floats nicely. This is probably due to the threshold setting. Yes there is a slight burping sound when it compresses. As with my Romic rear shock, I think it's quietly doing a lot more than I realize, not noticing the bumps as much anymore!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Felix
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Inertia valve works great. Plush suspension movement. Great control in going fast in the rough stuff.
Weaknesses:
Expensive. A bit heavy. Inertia valve can be fooled.
Similar Products Used:
SID SL, Marz Marathon
Bike Setup:
SC Blur
Bottom Line:
This review is for the F100X.
The inertia valve really does work well in most situations. When you're standing and sprinting on the flats, the fork does not bob at all. On a long climb, the fork stays active when you hit a rough areas. Unlike the Spesh Epic "Brain" shock, there isn't any lag before the fork goes active.
The only time the fork gets fooled in when you hit the bottom of a fast roller. The fork is active from the bumps on the downhill, so if you stand and sprint just as you go uphill, there is some noticable bob. However, all current forks would bob in such a situation--you just notice it more with this fork because that's pretty much the only time it bobs.
Although it may be marketed for racers, it's really an ideal XC fork. I would think racers would want lighter forks with controllable lockout. This fork is best suited to the XC or epic rider who wants the benefits of a lockout but doesn't want to fuss with one.
In addition, this fork is expensive. I like it a lot, but only those with poor fiscal judgement (like myself) would spend this much on a fork. I'm sure it'll get cheaper as more companies put out similar products. But this looks like the future of mountain-biking suspension.
3 chilis for value (it costs more than most hardtails, heh.) 5 chilis for overall (really 4.5 chilis, but there are no half chilis here--it's not perfect, but it works well).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
thriveguy
a Cross Country Rider
from usa Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$675.00
Strengths:
NO brake dive! Whew, that is the next big thing in xc riding. Typical Fox quality (metal and no plastic parts to break), excellent suspension action, laterally stiff and tuneable.
Weaknesses:
The cost of $775 retail and about $715 delivered mailorder is a bit steep
Similar Products Used:
I have a Talas Float 125 RLC now, and it's for sale (7.25" steerer for $525 shipped in lower 48). I've tried many other forks but the Talas and this 100X are in a different world for xc riding and racing.
Bike Setup:
A headtube for the fork to stick in.
Bottom Line:
My friend and I purchased the 100X's. I've always had a big issue about fork dive while sprinting or braking. No more. This thing feels like a coil fork in plushness and an air fork in weight. In fact, my friend didn't even ride his before he broke his arm racing his CRF450. If you want to buy his new in the box 100X, it's for sale. Either way, the 100X is the next generation of suspension forks.
Oh, 4 stars for value (if you can get it way below retail) and 5 for performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Jenner
a Cross Country Rider
from Windsor Canada Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Works awesome ,Simple ,stiff
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
Marathon Phylo Race
Bike Setup:
Brodie Sauce , scandium
Bottom Line:
This fork works great! . I had problems at first at the World cup but with the help of the factory rep we got it dialed to my riding syle. The factory recommended settings are only a starting point, play it makes the difference. It took a while to get use to the feel of climbing due to it being locked and not realizing it when you did nothing but pedal. This fork is stiff and puts a whole new feel of comfort and pleasure.It is true to say this fork is to good to be true! Worry fee as far as lockouts
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Junction Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ribbon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
This is for the Fox F100X Automatic (inertia) lock-out works very well. Laterally stiff. Easy to adjust and set up. Wonderfully smooth and compliant when ‘bump threshold’ (lock-out) is exceeded. Best ‘at speed’ fork I have ever ridden. Lack of brake sag (fork does not compress with heavy front braking) allows you to rail tight, twisty single track with more control (and speed). It also allows for more efficient braking (bike stops faster). No bobbing when going uphill. The best XC fork I have ever ridden. I don’t race, but I can see where this would be the best race fork ever. Relatively light. Look’s cool on my Yeti (let’s face it, this is all that really counts). A truly awesome fork.
Weaknesses:
Price. The real genius of this technology is it’s simplicity. A brass cylinder (‘brass mass’) resting on a spring. Bump forces push the brass mass downward allowing fluid flow and fork movement. Simple and ingenious, yes; expensive, no. Come on Fox, we’ll support you if you support us. Give us a break with the price. The only reason I bought this fork is because I needed a fork in the middle of summer, and the Fox fork I wanted (RLC 100) was sold out everywhere.
Seals (bushings) weep excessive amounts of oil. Enough to end up with oil-wetted seals and upper tubes during each ride. Fox calls this oil weeping “hydrodynamic lubrication” that results in very little friction between the bushings and shaft. Oil-wetted tubes attract lot’s of dirt. I don’t like the looks of it and the tubes need to be cleaned after each ride. I hope Fox knows what it’s doing here.
Owner’s manual comes as a stapled on, single page addendum to the standard owner’s manual for all Fox forks. Not enough information is provided to understand how to change the oil in this fork.
Similar Products Used:
Zokes, Rock Sucx, Manicrap
Bike Setup:
Yeti ASR
Bottom Line:
Remember your first ride on a ‘Zoke Z2 (or Z1), back in the mid-1990’s? How buttery smooth and wonderfully compliant they were on downhills. The problems began when you turned your Z2 around to go uphill and found that they bobbed excessively, sapping your energy and robbing you of forward momentum. The Fox F100X has all the positive attributes of the Z2, but none of the negative attributes of the Z2. This is the highest compliment I can give, because up until now I considered the Z2 as the best fork I have ever ridden. The automatic switch from lock-out to that wonderfully compliant feeling of the F100X is sometimes, but not always seamless. It depends on the kind of bump you hit to activate the fork. If you hit a slightly rounded rock or go into a small, rounded depression, then the transition is seamless. If, however, you hit a sharp, angular rock, then there is a nanosecond hesitation before the fork ‘opens up’ (becomes compliant). Note that once the fork ‘opens up’, it will stay open for 1 to 3 seconds (according to owners manual and confirmed in practice). So if you enter a rock field, the fork will ‘open up’ and stay open for the duration of the rock field. So once the action starts you don’t go through that locked-out to compliant transition again. When the trail smoothes out, then the fork locks out again. The point is, that the sometimes nanosecond hesitation is not always felt. Basically, the fork is awesome. A ‘must have’ fork for racers and a great XC fork that will make you ride more efficient.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kess
a Racer
from Vermont Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$595.00
Strengths:
Works as promised. Like an old guy on Viagra (pretty stiff) when the terrain is smooth (10mm of stiff sag - which does not bounce when climbing out of the saddle on smooth terrain) when locked out. It responds instantly and without transmitting the feeling of the bump or dip.
It seems too good to be true!
Stiff which provides a lot of confidence when bombing downhill (much more confidence inspiring then the SID I had on).
Controls actually do something!
Large volume low pressure air spring works better than the other way around (SID, White).
I run the fork setup pretty plush which I can do since it only works when it needs to. This type of setup leaves me feeling fresher after long rides or latter in races.
They look good on my bike!
Weaknesses:
Heavier then the fork they replaced (I hate adding weight to a race bike). I made the decision that the extra weight was worth the trade for the increased performance of this fork.
More than I ever thought I would pay for a fork!
Similar Products Used:
SID (several), White Bros.
Bike Setup:
Race bike -Ibis silk-ti (RIP), Mavic XMAX SL, Arch Supreme, Ultimate levers, XTR (all bike jewlery).
Bottom Line:
I like to go fast up and down hill. I also race regularly and do not want my equipment to slow me down. This fork eliminates the need to remember to lock and unlock the fork so I can just concentrate and how fast I am going and how much I am suffering.
The increased stiffness gives me much more confidence and thus I go faster with less braking on the downhills.
This fork perfectly compliments my riding style and my bike. In my last several race outings I have finished first and second. The motor is the key, but the fork has played a positive role in these results.
I highly recommend this fork. This may be the future direction of all fork design as the inertia valve only seems to improve performance (at no detrimental effect) and allow for a better (plusher) overall fork setup which helps me to go faster and have more fun - and isn't that what it is all about?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lowndesy
a Racer
from Bendigo Victoria Australia Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
just add dirt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Moroni's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Fox quality, those legs 32ml stanctions, no plastic did I mention Fox quality finish!!!!!! Only work when you hit a decent bump, push down on them and they feel bloody awfull! No need to worry about locking/unlocking froks at the top a climb or fire road.
Weaknesses:
None it's a another quality Fox product. Who cares about the price when they work so well.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox 02 Sid Carbon's, Mantiou Black Elites 80/100 02 model, Fox Float RLC 100's backed down to 80ml of travel on bike till new forks arrived.
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 100 02 Frame, Mavic Cross Max SL wheelset, IRC Serac XC Tubless Tyres and Hutchinson Scorpin Tubless Tyres for the mud and rain, SRAM XO Rear Der, and 9SL Half Pipe shifters, XT brake Levers, XTR Disk Brakes, Thompson Seat post and Stem, Easton Monkey Lite Bars, Chris King Head Set Patriot colour, Race Face Next LP White Carbon Cranks, FSA Bottom Bracket, Time Attac Carbon Pedals, SLR Saddle, Fox Handle Bar Remote Shifter for Rear Shock, XT Cassettee, Connex 908 Chain, XT Front Der, Nightrider Storm and Blow Torch HID's for when it get's dark.
Bottom Line:
I saw a poster for these forks last year at the Australian Bike Trade Show. I spoke to Bear the Fox tech and all round good bloke here in OZ about these forks and he was right they were worth the 9 month wait. Only 12 pair of these in the country. Stiff as and feel even better than my Fox Float RLC's has made my front end a little lighter and now I have the ultimate Race Bike. You get what you pay for and Fox is worth the dollars and the wait. Smooth as butter cutting through a knife, after 10 hours riding they are just getting better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from London UK Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
lower rock creek CA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
wheel world
Strengths:
rigidity tracking action
Weaknesses:
bump threshold on bottom of leg mine does not click after 1 ride too much mud in the UK.also the forks below have much better braking power ???
Similar Products Used:
pace rc31 rigid carbon
Bike Setup:
pace rc300 hardtail hope minis race face morati stem xtr chris king answer bars
Bottom Line:
works as it should do amazing no bob well only the 12mm of sag it is set up on a 1 in 9 road hill seated seamless suspension buy now forget the price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, USA Date Reviewed: June 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
hall ranch
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
jenson.com
Strengths:
Fork functions as advertised without any problems.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Mars, Rock Shox Quadra 21R
Bike Setup:
Klein Attitude Race - XT/XTR, rolf wheels, ATAC carbon
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that this forks works amazingly well. I was skeptical at first, but found that the fork works perfectly. I ride everyday and race on the weekends so this fork takes plenty of abuse and loves it!! I am a 22, 155 lb rider with 60lbs of pressure in the fork. BUY this fork!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
STP
a Racer
from Palmdale, CA Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ave P land
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$775.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Path Bicycles
Strengths:
This is actually for the FX-100. I decided to go with the 100mm of travel, because I was using up just about all of the 80mm that I had before. The 100 can't weigh too much more than the 80mm. Almost went with a SID World Cup, but decided that Fox quality and durability were going to be the deciding factor not weight. The performs what it does exactly when it needs to. There is zero hesitation or lag in the suspension action. The transition from locked out to full action is totally seamless. You won't be able to tell. It just works. 21 clicks of bump threshold give you the adjustablity you need. I ran with the factory recommendation (6 clicks out) and this was great. There are other niceties. No brake dive for one. This helps you stop faster. Also, no fork dive when track standing. Boy, do those become easier. I work in aerospace and everything about this fork is aerospace, full-on-trick, quality. The knobs feel satin smooth in their action with a nice snickety action on the clicks. Very deluxe. The handling is superb. The bike tracks straight and true. You can really rock on the fireroad parts of the race course with this setup, but yet, nail the toughest parts of the course with confidence. It was my fourth ride on my brand new bike, that I had built up myself, when I raced the NORBA Nationals on May 17th. The combination of the bike and myself were good enough for 2nd place, Mens Sport 40-49. (Missed 1st place by 45 seconds!). If you don't spec this fork on your next ride, you'll be kickin' yourself in the behind. The new technology is here and it ROCKS!
Weaknesses:
Weight, but who cares? I'm right at 25 lbs for my full suspension Razorpig.
Similar Products Used:
None, Fox blows everything else away.
Bike Setup:
2003 K2 Razorback w/Fox Float RL, Mavic Crossmax SL, FSA Carbon Cranks, Raceface Sig-Ti BB, Easton cockpit, Serfas DDvado Seat and Avid Ultimate V's. SRAM XO and 2003 XTR Front Derrlr. ODI Grips and Michilen Wildgripper Tubeless tires.
Bottom Line:
You won't regret buying this fork, I sure didn't. I'm totally stoked with how it works. The smooth climbs find this bad-boy totally locked out hard and rigid. I can't detect any play. Yet, a 100mm of Fox susp'n action, opens up when the going gets rough. It takes about a second and a half for it to relock, when it gets back to the smooth stuff. Sometimes, I hear a tiny pish from the inertia valve, but I rarely even notice it and it is not a detractor from what this fork does
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scooter
a Racer
from Colorado Springs, CO Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Keystone
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Pro Cycling in CS
Strengths:
Stiff! Strong! Carves well! Works exactly as advertised--You don't have to think about whether you are locked out or not
Weaknesses:
A bit on the heavy side, but minor. A small amount of play when locked out, which is normal.
Similar Products Used:
RockShox Sid Carbon Race
Bike Setup:
2003 Specialized Epic XL M5 S-Works, full Dura-Ace, Mavic 2003 Crossmax tubeless wheelset, Easton Monkey-Lite bar, Eggbeater triple-ti pedals, Selle Italia 135 gram saddle. This is a 25.25 lb awesome race bike.
Bottom Line:
I raced for 3 years on a Rock Shox Sid Carbon fork that was light for sure, but had a tremendous amount of flex. I am 6'3" and 190 lbs and you would expect that. The Fox fork is about a full pound heavier, but I have noticed it carves great, keeps the wheel on the ground when ascending switchbacks, and handles great when descending rough terrain. The shock just works and you don't have to think about it. I can't count how many times I have descended and forgot to "unlock" the Rock Shox fork! This fork is a perfect compliment to the Epic.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Welch
a Cross Country Rider
from Anacortes, WA Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Build quality, ability to dynamically go active without rider intervention, stiffness.
Weaknesses:
Weight
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID (light but flexible)
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Tanasi, XTR 2003, Mavic UST Tubeless Rins, Chris King hubs, Jet S tires
Bottom Line:
My initial impressions are that this is an excellent fork - you can easily adjust the sensitivity of how it switches to active. At the factory recommended sensitivity setting just a tap or slight drop on the wheel is sufficient to get it to switch into active mode. There is a slight valve noise when it switches to active mode. The ride takes a little to get used to on a rutted x-country trail as the fork is constantly switching modes - however, I am convinced that end result is a higher-performance ride. It would be nice if there was a manual over-ride on the fork - a three position switch = active, standard and lock-out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from Steamboat Springs, CO USA Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Sore Saddle Cyclery
Strengths:
Auto Lock-out, torsional rigidity.
Weaknesses:
Unknowns of new technology and Fox customer support.
Update on earlier review - this is a little stinger for Fox customer service - my F80X TIV had a stroke after 6 rides and then I had only a fully active front shock. Dealer has called Fox repeatedly for an RMA # to return for warranty repair and to date, after 3 weeks, no call back from Fox.
Dealer kind enough to sell me another at cost and it is working fine so far; I hate being a beta tester for new products but this fork is awesome paired with the Epic rear Brain shock so I am giving it one more try.
Will update again after a few months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Sitkins
a Weekend Warrior
from Kalispell, Montana, USA Date Reviewed: April 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Farragut
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$665.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
Light but very strong and rigid. Auto-Lockout works pretty much as promised.
Weaknesses:
A little pricy, but worth every penny, and I agree with the other posts about the slight noise.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy that came stock on my 2001 Trek 8000.
Bike Setup:
2001 Trek 8000, Fox F80X, Rock Shox Seatpost, Shimano XT setup, King threadless Headset, Rolf Wheels, Serfas Saddle, etc.
Bottom Line:
I agree with the previous post, I'm a 180-185 lb rider, and 95 lbs of pressure in the fork works great for me and gives me about 80%. This is an early post and I plan on dialing it in a bit more. But overall....I'm VERY happy with this fork over my Rock Shox. The quality control from Fox is far above and beyond what I have seen from Rock Shox in the past year. I think I have offically become a permnant Fox rider from now on. My bikes front end is over a pound lighter than it was before, it feels like a new bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
M. Speaks
a Weekend Warrior
from Marietta, Ga. USA Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Rigidity. Relative low weight.
Weaknesses:
Noisy. Action may not be as smooth as other Fox forks.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy, Manitou Carbon SX, Fox Float 80RLC.
Bike Setup:
Stock EPIC Marathon except for F80X fork and stan's no-tubes.
Bottom Line:
The F80X feels quite a bit lighter than the Float 80RLC. My cheap scale(of very questionable accuracy) shows 1/2 lb difference - approx. 3.5 lb.s for the F80X. I am still continuing to dial in the F80X, which I set-up for 100 m.m. travel(not as simple to do as other Fox forks). The fork is as rigid as the Float RLC, but noisy and it tops out very noticably. So far, I don't feel that the action is as good as the Float RLC, but I really like the lighter weight -- and my lap times on our local trail improved measurable since installing the fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from Steamboat Springs, CO, USA Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
729
Strengths:
Works as advertised, just when it is supposed to become active, it does; otherwise it is locked out.
Weaknesses:
None that I can see yet. If the price bothers you, wait until next year - other models will use the same technology.
Similar Products Used:
2002 Fox RLC 80, 2001 Zoke Atom 80
Bike Setup:
'03 Specialized S-Works FSR Epic, Mavic Cross Max XL Tubeless wheelset with Hutch Mosquitoes, Maxim MX-6 Bars, Shimano 959 pedals, Terry Fly Tri-Gel seat.
Bottom Line:
Agree with previous reviewer completely; slight sucking sound when shock goes active somewhat unnerving at first but you get used to it. Learned that the factory recommended air pressure is spot on - 95 lbs. for 195 lb. rider gets you 80% use with zip tie test. Nice ride and I now have a bike with a brain in its rear end and its front end - more than I can say for its owner.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Slow Joe
a
from Thailand Date Reviewed: March 20, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Sriracha Bike / Bike Net
Strengths:
Automatic lock-out works as promised.
Weaknesses:
Expensive, slight noise when valve first opens, makes the rest of my bike look old.
Similar Products Used:
'98 Sid, '01 Sid Race, '02 Duke Race, '02 Fox Float 80RLC
Finally! 1660g w/ uncut steerer. At least 100g lighter than last year's RLC. ('03 RLT is 1600g). Just a few short rides close to home so far, but everything seems to work as promised. Locked out when everything is smooth. Reacts instantly to the slightest bump or hole. Even dropping the front wheel from a couple of inches will activate the shock. On the return to smooth ground, valve stays open just long enough for one push on the handlebar before locking out again. Lockout is not as firm as last years RLC, but works well enough. When standing on a climb, the fork will slowly settle a little (1/2-3/4") into the travel, but there is no bob from peddling. The fork makes a slight 'sucking' sound on the first bump, but this is not felt only heard. Not a problem for me. Price is a little higher than any shock should be, but no one forced me to buy it.
This is a very early post, but I thought someone may be waiting for this info as I have been. I'll update if anything changes. Going to see how it works dodging trees (hopefully no scuds) this weekend.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 775.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
