| |
Submitted by
D L
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble / Sweetwater | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | private party | | Strengths: | Super Plush, Stiff | | Weaknesses: | Forks sent in by my LBS for new seals. It took 4 MONTHS, (YES MONTHS!) to get new seals installed at the Fox facility! WOW! Apparently 3 of the weeks were due to the forks being sent to the wrong return address by Fox. Sounds like nobody really cares about the customer at Fox. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Marzocchi, Manitou | | Bottom Line: | Works great when working, constant problems with seals leaking, I will never again send to Fox for anything if I can help it. I've heard from others that they've had issues with Fox customer service, turn around, etc. Apparently customer service isn't important to them. I own two Fox forks, the others I purchased new at a LBS and I've had nothing but issues with the original seals either leaking or completely blowing out within the first few months of ownership. I've never had these issues with any other fork period! For the record, I take exceptional care of my equipment. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Griffiths
a Cross Country Rider
from Ben Lomond, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Top Secret | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$659.00 | | Purchased At: | Nowhere | | Strengths: | The reviews sound good | | Weaknesses: | Lack of product support, no custom orders | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox Mag 21, Hey 12 years 10,000 miles later they still work, no rebuilds. | | Bike Setup: | 95' Merlin Hard Tail, XTR | | Bottom Line: | Well, Fox headquarters is about 30 miles from where I live as the crow flies, but I could not even contact anyone to
request a custom 1" head tube installed in the crown for my "last a lifetime" $1900 titanium Merlin frame. So out of desperation I ended up purchasing a Marzzochi Corsa SL WC that was mfgd more than 7000+ miles away in Italy. I'll leave an honest review on the Corsa. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arthur
a
from Philadelphia, CA, US
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Test:
I read all the past years reviews about the malfunctions and sealing problems, but the 2007 model is superb, terralogic works without you notice any lag in time. it`s the best combination you can have with the epic brain. Try IT. you will not regreat! | | Bottom Line: | I read all the past years reviews about the malfunctions and sealing problems, but the 2007 model is superb, terralogic works without you notice any lag in time. it`s the best combination you can have with the epic brain. Try IT. you will not regreat!
-------This is a test posting | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Armstrong
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Lemmon, etc. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Bikes West | | Strengths: | tracks well, plush, reliable | | Similar Products Used: | several Judys, RST, etc. | | Bike Setup: | specialized epic comp, King headset | | Bottom Line: | Two years of hammering rugged desert terrain with zero maint. and still going strong. I'm a 200# rider who likes long fast rocky descents. I get no knocking noises that other riders complain about. I now ride this fork fairly soft for extra plush on the rough trails here. Tracks perfectly on technical trails (along with the Chris King headset- a major improvement if you can afford it) especially on those slow speed/wrestle the front wheel around/do or die manuevers. It helps to set the compression damping on the high side. I use zip ties for gauges to make sure I'm using the full travel of the suspension. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Gangi
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anyone I am riding on | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Classifieds | | Strengths: | Reliable, plush travel, strong/stiff, looks great. Did I say reliable? | | Weaknesses: | Spendy | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX-Ti, Noleen Mega Air, Rock Shox Indy SL, old elastomer shocks | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS Air | | Bottom Line: | This is the best and most reliable fork I have ever owned...bar none. I've had this on my bike for 2 years now and it has never given me any problems whatsoever -- no leaks, nothing. I just took it into the shop to get it serviced because I figured it had been neglected long enough. The shop charged me to change the oil and clean up the innerds, but everything else was 100% fine. Absolutely amazing dependability!
What attracted me to Fox in the first place is the plushness of the travel. It's top notch...better than other forks I have tried (although the new Reba's are pretty damn plush too).
The fork's 32mm stanchions are strong. This fork tracks straight and true, even when hammering the rock gardens. Sure this fork is 1/2 pound heavier than some other "XC" forks out there, but I will gladly give up 1/2 pound to have the stiffness up front.
Bottom line is that I am now a Fox believer. At first I was skeptical because everybody was blabbing about how great Fox Forx were and Fox was charging a ridiculous premium. But now that I've ridden a Fox I am a convert and will surely have Fox Forx on my future bikes...no matter what the cost.
4 chili's for value as these are spendy forks, but 5 chili's for the overall rating because this is such a great piece of equipment. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | Stiff Legs (Tracks Well on Trail), Adjustments, Plush Travel, Lock Out Adjustment, Good Seals | | Weaknesses: | Slightly on the Heavy Side | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX, Manitou MARS Elite | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Stumpjumper Pro FSR, Fox RP3 rear shock, | | Bottom Line: | This review is for 2002 Fox F80 RLC. Just like RLT with addtional compression dial. I replaced my tired Manitou Elite with this fork. This fork tracks on the trail so much better then my Manitou. Instead of deflecting off rocks it pushs right through them, whether climbing or decending. Bottom line--improves steering control! Compression seems a little on the stiff side, I'm glad I have the compression adjustment to lossen it up a bit. Fork bobs quite a bit during inital travel (first 10mm), just lock it out and climb or hammer the flats. Bob not noticed in rough stuff or downhill. Lockout threshold is great asset. I set it up stiff for racing--when I expect to be out of the saddle. Set it up plusher for longer, in saddle climbs. Durablity seems to be good, last owner had it for two years and never changed oil or serviced it. Bushings still seem tight and performs good. I'm a cheap skate, would I pay new, full price for this fork? Maybe, but I got it for 1/3 the price of a new one and it's already broke in--good deal in my book. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Font Ninea
a Cross Country Rider
from Menlo Park, CA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | doctors park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (Go Ride in Redwood City) | | Strengths: | tracks 100% on target, fully adjustable, perfect craftsmanship | | Weaknesses: | only comes in 80mm | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 SID, rigid | | Bike Setup: | SS Chameleon, geared Chameleon | | Bottom Line: | I may have already reviewed this fork (though, I didn't see it on the board). Here is an update after riding for over a month on it.
It seems to have broken in nicely. The adjustments work as designed and everything is super smooth. I have noticed some "knocking" sounds when it tops out as others have mentioned, but it seems like it's not metal on metal, so I'm not worried. And it's not an "ugly" sound.
I love the lock-out feature. I really didn't think i'd use it, but it's proven itself oh-so-worthy in SS conditions when out of the saddle and hammering. I cannot imagine doing it any other way.
Another reviewer mentioned the Fox recommended air pressure seems too low. I thought so, too, but, after experimenting with higher pressures I think the manual is right on for my weight. YMMV. I found the default settings perfect for me, but you should experiment.
The hardest part after switching to this fork was learning how to ride again. I had compensated for my SID for so long it made my bike feel like it was from another planet. It used to be like steering a wet noodle. Now it's like steering an aeleron of a 767.
I recently rode a friend's SS with a 125mm FOX (don't know which one) and it ruled. I only wish the F80RLT came in longer lengths.
I could not be happier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Hickman
a Cross Country Rider
from lkwd Co
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | mathews winters | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | hp bike works | | Strengths: | Easy setup-adjusts very easy-very plush | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy but worth it for the stiffness | | Similar Products Used: | judy dh | | Bike Setup: | Salsa Bandito full XTR with a XT crank so I could get a 48t ring and king wheels | | Bottom Line: | get ride very plush The lock out is easy to use while riding a bit on the heavy side but tracks very well | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Pt. Mugu, Chesboro | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Plush suspension, STIFF, easy to set up, tracks very well, more travel than w/ other 80mm forks (@ least SID). | | Weaknesses: | Bit on the heavy side (not heavy, just a bit heavier than the SID I was using). | | Similar Products Used: | Manitous SXR, SID SL | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Silk Ti, Mavic Crossmax, Race Face Next cranks, Crank Bros Triple Ti pedals, King headset, Paul's motolight brakes and Love levers, XTR shifters, derailleurs, American Classic bottom bracket, Fox Forx F80RLT | | Bottom Line: | Only have 3 rides on it, but I'm impressed so far. I notice much better tracking and control due to the increased stiffness. Suspension movement is plush. Seem to be getting more travel than w/ the SID. I feel more confident on the decents. Great XC fork, especially for someone like me who weights 185. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christoph
a Cross Country Rider
from Stuttgart, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tremalzo Trails, Lake Garda, Italy | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Strengths: | plush, stiff, easy to set up | | Weaknesses: | maybe price | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Marathon SL 2003 | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Element Race with F80RLT, wild mix of different components :-) | | Bottom Line: | At first, the price does not really invite to buy this fork, if bike doesn't come equipped with. But this is really is the best fork I've ever used!!! I tried the Marathon SL before, but this is the opposite of this fork in terms of plushness. And it is plush from the beginning. Good job, guys from Fox!!!
The fork is really easy to set up, and the quality of the components is outstanding. Not one single cheap part.
The fork is also very stiff what makes it a good choice for use of disc brakes. Plus this makes steering very precise.
BTW: I can not confirm the clicking sounds some people mention.
I don' regret any dollar spent for this fork. I would recommend it to anybody who gets along with the travel of 80mm. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TODD
a Cross Country Rider
from GARNER
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All trails are favorites | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Rigidity, dampening, lockout. | | Weaknesses: | None
| | Similar Products Used: | Marzzochi atom race,m80, rock shox. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Pahoehoe, xtr/xt, avid, thomson, selle italia, race face, titec, tioga, WTB. | | Bottom Line: | I was concerned that maybe I was wasting my money on a new fork, but damn, this is the best fork I've ever been on. Yeah it's expensive, but it works flawlessly, and was easy to dial in. If you can swing the cost, get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Acworth, Ga
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came stock on bike | | Strengths: | Outstanding tracking, stiff, you can really tune this thing in. | | Weaknesses: | Only thing I have bad to say so far is that it does leak oil on the right side. | | Similar Products Used: | Manatou, Rock Shock Duke Race | | Bike Setup: | S-Works FSR Epic, XT Drive and shifters, Avid SD 7 and levers, Cane Creek WAM, 959's | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the F80RL. Best fork I have ever used. It was as dramatic a change from my Duke Race as I experienced going from a rigid fork to a suspension fork. I can not compare this to any other product used, its that much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy mills
a Racer
from winter park, fl
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 1990 UCI course at Durango | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Unbeliebably true when tracking and super plush. This is the sweetest fork I have ever ridden. Superior customer service. | | Weaknesses: | Nadda | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Carbon SID, Rock Shox SID SL | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 100 (carbon), XTR cranks, Hayes Disc, King headset and disc hubs, SRAM XO drive train, Bontrager bars, stem, seatpost and cranks. FOX RL rear shock and 80RLT up front | | Bottom Line: | This fork is the sweetest, plushest fork I have ever ridden. The lock-out makes it quite nice on climbs, but the rigidity of the stantion tubes allows you to take downhills MUCH faster and with more confidence than with forks I have ridden in the past. There is absolutely NO CHATTER like you get with a SID. I have actually been able to take sketchier lines with this fork because I'm 100% confident it will be spot on. When you finish an epic ride or race with a competitors brand fork, your arms are usually very tired and upper body fatigued. Not with this fork- its that nice (obviously make sure its set up properly). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
4ced2work
a
from dublin
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | Light, Stiff, Ultra-plush, company support | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | This is the nicest fork I've ever ridden. Stiffer than you could ever really need. If you look at all of the manufatures building forks for mountain bikes Fox has much more experience in building suspensions for just about anything with wheels. That experience shows, these are great forks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Avid Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from SF
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | plush | | Weaknesses: | customer service | | Bottom Line: | If anything goes wrong with your fox shock you may have a problem gettting good service. That alone makes the shock only get 3 chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
axel
a Weekend Warrior
from yakima
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$310.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | stiff,plush,smooth as hell,simple,adjustable,looks | | Weaknesses: | too much oil, this fork would weigh much less than any sid if fox could figure out how to use less oil. fox uses 190cc of oil and C*ck shox only uses 40cc, but they feel like crap | | Similar Products Used: | fox vanilla 125r, bomber EXR, manitou skereb. | | Bike Setup: | 03 giant nrs full xtr,fsa carbon,fox,hope mini's,hugi x317 disk whls | | Bottom Line: | this fork is the best part on the whole bike. it rides better with this fork than it ever did before. for full suspension bikes this fork is perfect because for only having 80mm of travel it feels smooth enough to acount for about 130mm. for a short travel fork it is incredible. buy one for yourself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Racer
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | planet earth | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This is the plushest fork I've ever ridden with the stiffness of 200 year old oak trees. | | Weaknesses: | Can't say I've found one yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Too many to list | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Sugar 1, XT/XTR, King Header, Fox F80RLT | | Bottom Line: | This is the most amazing fork I've ever ridden. I've ridden Bombers since my first day on the trails for their unparalleled plushness and stiffness. Now there is a new fork on the trail and it's tearin' it up big time. No question this fork rocks! Worth the $$ and the wait. Everyone needs a Fox fork on their bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came on my bike | | Strengths: | Plush,strong,great lockout with threshold adjust,nice rebound adjust. | | Weaknesses: | A little bit on the heavy side but these forks decided which bike i chose.
| | Similar Products Used: | marzochi bombers,rock shox duke, manitou skareb elite | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp (stock so far) | | Bottom Line: | Best shock I tested and since I bought it has only made me feel good about my purchase.I've terrorized the urban scene and jumped over everything I came across and love this fork.The little bit of trail riding I've done has tested the lockout and adjustments and when tuned work flawless.I've read the other reviews and read about noises and I'm glad to say mine make none other than the sound of the air chamber hissing and for the plushness of these forks that's just fine with me.They rock and i have not bottomed them out yet.If you are looking for the most plush and strong and adjustable forks buy these.If you are looking for light then buy something else and i have no suggestions because i couldnt find a lighter fork that felt even close to these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Emberley
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Stiff, Super spring-like suppleness. | | Weaknesses: | Noisey, a little too supple for a fork with no compression damping. A tip from a reader to use the "Heavy-damping" style lockout on this fork to adjust compression damping works OK but is tricky to get a good spot since the lockout is abrupt at the dial not gradual. I find the damping on this fork is not very smooth and quite noisey/wheezy. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Marzocchi Marathon | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock Epic Disc | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to a previous negative review. After having problems with lots of noise and rough movement, and no response from Fox, I recieved a response from Fox by phone and they said to ship it to them -either myself or through the shop. I decided to wait since I was soon going to the Big Bear NORBA. At the Fox tent there they checked it out and said this: top of travel clunk noise is normal(I still dislike it but...)the other clunking, and I assume rough travel, they said was a bad bushing. I was not crazy after all.They said ship it. I have shipped it off and will report later. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott McKenzie
a Racer
from Grants Pass, Oregon
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fall line | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$625.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Rigid, Sturdy, Great damping and rebound. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | None compare | | Bike Setup: | 75 psi | | Bottom Line: | This is the best fork that I've ever ridden and will continue to ride fox forks because of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J
a Racer
from Glenmont
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | skidmore | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | fox | | Strengths: | no plastic parts. 32mm stachions. beefy fork that can take some major abuse. yet still race worthy. | | Weaknesses: | I too have the slight noise going on during the break in period. I wouldn't consider the 3.5 weight a weakness though, my ride still comes in under 23 pounds. | | Similar Products Used: | I wrench at a shop, so you name it. | | Bike Setup: | Moots Rigor. '03 XTR, except cranks, Race Face. Crossmax SL | | Bottom Line: | I gotta admit, in the search to build my dream ride, there was really only a close second,a marzocchi Marathon SL. After working in the shop and seeing all the Sid's come back with worn out bushings in less than 6 months did not instill any confidance in me. Manitou changes their fork platforms every couple of months, so who know when they will get it right. I could have had a marathon a little quicker than waiting for the Fox, but damn, it was worth the wait. I have since put a vanilla on my play bike. The other mechanic I work with loves marzocchi's. But in my humble opinion, those are the only two option's and fox so far has a 100% reliability rate, so after my research I picked the Fox F80 RLT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clint
a Racer
from Gainesville, FL
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | The Bike Route | | Strengths: | Plush. Durable. Lockout w/ threshhold adjustment. Easy rebound adjustment. Fox quality. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, if your a weight weenie. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Duke Race, Manitou SX | | Bottom Line: | This is my first Fox fork, and I don't think I'll ever build/buy a bike w/ anything but a Fox now. My Rock Shox Duke race seemed to stop abruptly in its travel. This fork has much more linear travel and it makes a WORLD of difference.
The lockout threshhold adjustment ROCKS! It's almost like have the fork w/ the inertia valve. You can keep the fork locked out and have it respond to harder hits.
Rebound adjusting on a Fox is super easy and super effective. The fork is very responsive and precise, especially w/ smaller (1.90) tires. It is as precise, IMO, as a Cannondale Head Shock.
The quality of this fork is great, even in details like air valve covers. I can't even screw the cap on my '02 Rock Shox. The cap on the Fox comes on and off super easy.
A few people talk about weight, but it's not that big of a deal. If your the kind of person who runs superlight tubes at risk of flatting more, maybe you should buy a SID and suffer more. If you want a fork that is quick AND plush, this is your baby. If I have to add a few ounces for a fork that rides like this one, I'll do it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Cliff's / Rob's Corners | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$625.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | supple on stutter and small bumps, still takes big hits for an 80mm travel fork, adjustments that do something, doesn't wobble like a white plastic fast food fork, lockout's easy to activate. | | Weaknesses: | weird squooshy noises and clunks, still a bit heavier than claimed, did I mention the noises | | Similar Products Used: | Float 80RLC, Marzzochi Marathon S, Marz X-Fly, | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Vertex hardtail, asst'd Race Face bits, Egg beaters, | | Bottom Line: | Interesting to read of the other comments on weird noises, I got the same "wait 20hrs" response when I asked Fox about the squooshy and clunky noises. The clunk seems to get worse as it broke in, but it doesn't wobble so it doesn't seem to be falling apart. The clunk happens in the first bit of travel from full extension so you hear it on every sharp edge small hit, and it does sound like a loose headset. Other than the distracting noises it is directionally very stable and a plush fork. The only way I could get my Marathon to be this supple on rough stuff was to reduce the air pressure to the point where it would blow through all it's travel on bigger hits (and I tried higher pressure on the negative chamber but it always leaked down to be the same as the positive chamber as others noted in the review of that fork). The Fox is heavier than the Marathon, but the stability is worth it, and with the clunking and squooshing noises there's less chance of sneaking up on a bear and surprising it. Get a Fox, forget the bear bell. The ride and handling qualities are really great though. I'm running last year's Float 80RLC on my Rocky Instinct and it's been just as good performance wise, a bit heavier and a lot quieter. The F80RLT misses perfect scores for being this noisy for the big bucks. It's likely a 4.5 but not a 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon Area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Seems to work really well at high speeds and in the rocky rough stuff. Lots of control. Super soft/plush travel. Lock-out work very well- it has a little movement which is nice. (Funny, the lock-out movement is about as much as the original MAG 21! Times have changed.) | | Weaknesses: | Knocking noise at slow speed, as in technical climbing. The bushings seem very loose on the right /damping side. I keep thinking the headset is loose. There is a rough scratchy feeling when you push down on them. Not buttery at all. Though when you are flying down a hill all you notice is the knocking and wheezing noises, particularly at higher damping settings.
Stock compression damping is so soft, I would prefer a compression damping adjustment like the RLC model. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Marathon, Manitou Carbon, old Judys | | Bike Setup: | Fox FloatRL80 on stock 2003 Epic Disc with a few upgrades like lighter bars, cogs, Gripshift etc. | | Bottom Line: | I like the fork at speed and in the rough. But something should be done about all the noise and bushing play. I'm worried it's falling apart. Having a loose headset feeling all the time is a drag, I'm sorry. I have seen someone say it is supposed to feel that way, something about oil needing to move around the bushings. Oh really? At the cost of this fork you have to have knocking and wheezing and no compression damping? Come on!
The shop was not much help. They said Fox told them I should wait 20hours. Hmmm. It get worse each ride. I have gotten no response from Fox e-mail. I would love to have someone give me a straight answer. I will keep trying Fox and the shop. Any one out there know what I'm talking about? Or am I the only one? I'll hold back on raving about the action like everyone else until I get these issues sorted out.I'm ready to switch to Marzocchi. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Racer
from Madison
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$540.00 | | Purchased At: | on-line | | Strengths: | Everything - Fox is the now the only game in my book. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | '03 Sid World Cup, '03 Sid Team, '02 Sid race, '03 Manitou Super | | Bike Setup: | Nice | | Bottom Line: | Fox Forx - don't use anything else...I swapped out SiD World Cups with the F80 after a lap on the course - wow!
Not to dis the SID's - the new world cups are soo much better than any other sid I've used but I chose to go with the Fox because the course was bumby and had lots of roots and several fast DH's.
The F80 track really well! And when you want control on fast downhills - ofrget about it - the difference between the World Cups and the F80 is like night and day, really.
Fox is definitely heavier but the control and the confidence you get fromn these shocks is worth it. I rode the RLC last year on my Klein Adept pro - was impressed with Fox then - now I'm convinced that Fox is supreme.
(BTW - I really liked the new Manitou Supers - plush as always - maybe better bump contol than the F80 but not nearly as stiff.)
You'll really like this fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Enrique
a Cross Country Rider
from Caracas, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Solid feel, yet very smooth
Predictable, reliable
Easy to setup
Lock-on works great while climbing | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Mars Elite, Rock Shock Judy | | Bike Setup: | Specialized S-Works FSRxc, XT/XTR, Avid, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I used to get off the bike through technical parts of the trail. I used to go very slowly while descending hills.
Not anymore.
One word for this fork: confidence. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a
from Pocatello, ID
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pocatello Pedalfest Racecourse | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I am sure everyone knows by know the Fox Forx is making some smooth forks. The tubes slide with very little friction. The machined knob are very easy to adjust on the fly and appear to be much more durable than those plastic knobs on other bikes.
The lockout is a great addition. It takes a few cycles to get the lockout's full effect. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Duke XC | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Epic Comp | | Bottom Line: | This fork will make your next ride a lot smoother, and it will allow you to be more aggressive. I will be racing on this fork for the next couple of years. It was worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Hayter
a Cross Country Rider
from Guildford, UK
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ...the next one... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$569.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Mountain Bikes, Cranleigh | | Strengths: | Very stiff, no deflection, smooth and controlled compression, wide range of control on rebound, fairly light, look great. | | Weaknesses: | Boy, they're expensive. £569 works out to about $900 at current exchange rates! | | Similar Products Used: | Pace RC-35, RockShox Judy XC, Marzocchi Bomber Z2, Marzocchi X-Fly 80. | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer: XTR shifters, front mech v-brakes and hubs, Race Face cranks and seatpost, Bontrager Mustang ceramic rims, IRC Mythos tyres, Syncros stem, Easton EC70 flat bars, Titec carbon bar ends, Royce Ti BB. About 25.5lbs all up | | Bottom Line: | This fork is a great XC all-rounder. Light enough to race, tough enough to ride all day.
I'm pretty heavy (235lbs) but I ride pretty light: I'm not what you'd call aggressive, though I enjoy a good decent as much as the next man. So I put 115psi in the left leg and set the rebound about half way. The results are amazing. Virtually no stiction, very smooth and controlled compression and rebound. This fork feels plush like my old Z2s, but when climbing they are so controlled that so far I haven't wanted to use the lockout.
Descending, they feel amazing. The stiffness gives you great confidence to push the front end into turns whlie the suspension action eats the bumps. Small roots and stones are absorbed so well that you only hear them, not feel them: an amazing sensation. Bigger hits are coped with very well and the rebound damping pushes the front end back very well, without kicking up.
All in all a great fork.
I haven't had it long enough to judge whether it'll be reliable. If I have any problems, I'll write another review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Mill Valley
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | CycleWorks | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush, tracks great at all speeds, uphill and down; maintenece, simplicity. | | Weaknesses: | Would like disk-only version. Price. Slight clicking from stanchions (thought it was headset). Minor. | | Similar Products Used: | Judy XC | | Bike Setup: | Yo-Eddy (hardtail) with XT | | Bottom Line: | This seems to be a very high quality product. Has improved my enjoyment on the mountain 100%, and increased comfort level at speed signigicantly. The bike is possesed!
I really like the easy lock-out, and being able to adjust rebound while riding uphill. Found that real bumpy rooty uphills favor slow rebound, while downhills the reverse. So if long climb I'll slow it down a few clicks.
If you can afford it, this fork will not disappoint you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rex
a Cross Country Rider
from Palo Alto, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | City Cycle of San Francisco | | Strengths: | Solidity, handling, smoothness of operation. | | Weaknesses: | H |
|
$ 650.00
