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Submitted by
johnnyb
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, Cali
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tamarancho | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Handles great, strong, reliable product | | Weaknesses: | Cost | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi, Rock Shox, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | Was NRS, was VT1 now Mount Cycle Rumble | | Bottom Line: | This fork has outlasted two broken bike frames and I've rebuilt it three times. There is at least 7,000 miles of steady singletrack riding on the fork and yet still rides great and exhibits no slop and the dropouts look great too. If people have problems with seals or scratches on there stanchions, you have to remember to be a little careful in handling your bike.
Scratches on stanchions occur when you cram bikes on a rear hatch rack, leaning the bike up with others on a wall, bike racks at stores. I scratched a Marzocchi fork by having a hammer fall off the work bench and wrecked the seal.
I highly recommend this fork after 2 and a half years of riding and the newer versions. Fox has always supplied the seals and part and customer support that a superior company does. Pay a little more and you won't be sorry. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SRR
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma, WA
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Hammerhead Cycles | | Strengths: | Superb action, tracking, and easy tuning. | | Weaknesses: | Reliability and durability (inferior seals), doesn't deliver advertised travel (90mm max), more brake-dive and climbing-bob than some other forks, useless warranty and poor customer support. | | Similar Products Used: | Numerous from Tange, Rock Shox, Manitou, Marazocchi, Amp Research, et al. | | Bike Setup: | Hammerhead 100X | | Bottom Line: | I ride a lot, at least two or three times a week, year-round, in the Pacific Northwest (2100 single-track miles over the last six months alone). So reliability and low maintenance are high on my list of priorities. Thus, how a fork works while its working is just a small part of total performance, to my mind, and, as many reviews here already attest, the Float certainly works very well in that regard. So I won't add to the rave, except to point out that
It would work even better if it delivered the FULL 100mm advertised; it doesn't. The exposed stanchion measures at exactly 100mm. Subtract 5mm bumpers to prevent an ugly collision between crown and lowers and you're down to 95mm. Add some air and you lose some more when it's fully compressed. Running at 60-65 psi my fork delivers at most 90mm. That's not what I paid for. And there's nothing you can do about this either -- it's not a matter of tuning -- or so Fox Tech Support confirmed, by their own admission, when I confronted them. (Of course, you can opt to not put any air in.) So, if you purchase one of these forks, just remember that -- however superb the action -- you're going to be sacrificing a good half inch of travel, compared to your buddies who run bona fide 100mm forks. Note: a comparable fork, say, an 02 Marathon SL, shows 110mm of exposed stanchion and delivers 100mm out-of-the-box. With a little tweaking, it will deliver more -- in fact, some subsequent models were advertised at 105mm, when Marazocchi realized this! And that extra 10mm can make a big difference. My Marathon has a 'bottomless' feel and seems more capable, handling big hits, especially on ugly descents. The Float is more supple, fluid, works better on the level, but inspires less confidence on the the downhill, and even on the level, in some circumstances. In fact, my Float has face-planted me a couple times now -- on level ground! -- when it reached full compression, after encountering a large root or something, and one huge pedal stroke is all it took to pivot bike and rider instantaneously around the front axle and over the bars, just like grabbing a fistful of front brake. This has never happened with other forks I've run, in similar situations -- and I'm no newbie -- and, needless to say, it can be quite unnerving. On one occasion, in fact, this happened while I was out of the saddle and going UPHILL! Before the stars cleared, while I was still spitting out dirt, my partner pulled up and could only exclaim: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED??!!! He couldn't understand it, nor could I at first, until I figured what was happening after a couple more unexpected endos. Ok, I guess I should skip the Wheaties from now on and run a little more air, BUT that means losing even more travel, and -- again -- that is something I don't have to do with other forks, which allow me to run a full 25% sag, which I prefer, WITHOUT making me nervous and wary. Ok, so much for how it actually works when it works. What about reliability?
My ride weight with water is only 165 and -- after twelve years -- I like to think that I ride with at least some finesse, although I am an aggressive rider. But four months is all it took (for me that's roughly 80 hours). Four months of dry, summer conditions, ordinary trails, no stunts or big air or other abuse. First my left seal blew (audibly) and left a trail of oil all the way down to my dropout. A week later, the right leg seal blew and now both seals were squirting me in the eye. Fox insists that some oil on the stanchions is normal during operation (part of the design, in fact – a built-in oil leak!), but that shouldn't mean stopping every five minutes to scoop oil off with your finger, to prevent it from contaminating your rims! Anyway, convinced that something was amiss, I returned the fork to Fox and they replaced the seals. They charged me for this, claiming it as fair wear and tear -- after only four months! -- and refused to treat it as a warranty issue, because their tech had determined, even BEFORE disassembling the fork, that it had been inadequately maintained. Why? BECAUSE there appeared to be some rust and dirt on the star nut. Yes, you read that right -- my STAR NUT was dirty!!! A few days later they called back to inform me that they had discovered a tiny nick on the left stanchion -- news to me -- that was barely visible but could be 'felt'. (This is when I discovered that they hadn’t even disassembled the fork to determine whether it was a warranty issue!!!) So they wanted to replace the stanchion assembly and were willing to cut me a break on the labor: it only cost me $250 to get my fork back. Plus, they refused to return my old stanchions so that I could inpect them myself. I should've insisted because that didn't explain why the other seal had blown, although the stanchion was in perfect condition on that side. So much, then, for reliability and low maintenance, Fox warranty, customer service, and product support. I only sent the fork to them to determine what had caused the problem, so that I could prevent something apparently so rare from happening again. $250 later and I still don't know. And for the first time ever, on long trips away, I actually carry a spare fork now – a Bomber of course -- along with my extra wheelset, JUST IN CASE! That’s not good ju-ju for a $600 fork.
And if the Float should fail again – action be damned -- I'm going to bolt it upside-down to my pickup bed and use it to transport front wheels! and my Bomber can stay on for keeps.
I hate to be the odd man out here – given all the rave reviews – but I know at least one other rider who’s had the same problems with seals on an earlier Float, and one credible enough to have generated some doubts in my own mind when I purchased my own Fox. I wish now that I’d gone with my instincts and stuck with a Bomber. At the very least, I’d really have 100mmm, and wouldn't have to worry about changing seals for a long time, if ever.* So, for those of you shopping and comparing, at least you can no longer say that you haven’t heard at least some negative things about the Fox Float 100, and from two different riders. That other fellow, incidentally, after a total of three seal-set failures, just purchased a new Marathon and his Float is now simply sitting idle in large pile of throw-aways.
* I have a Z2 Atom 80 that's been on three bikes now, still in use, with 6-7000 miles at least, only TWO oil changes, and still betrays no slop or leakage with ORIGINAL SEALS! Now why can't a top offering from Fox match a mid-level offering from Marazocchi? And, yes, that Z2 is every bit as buttery smooth as the Float (and don't forget, it only has about 10mm less travel)! :-o | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Really stiff, great adjustibility, plush | | Weaknesses: | horrible reliability - see below | | Bike Setup: | Heckler, xtr, romic, sun | | Bottom Line: | When I first got this fork I was really excited. It was super easy to use, easy to overhaul, rediculously stiff, fairly light, and it felt better than just about any fork I had ridden.
Six months down the line the right leg started weeping oil. Before I got this fork I had read that regular mantainance was absolutely necessary with this thing so I was religious about it. (Cleaning seals, changing oil, etc) Never-the-less a pretty bad leak. So I had the seals changed. Six months later same thing. Changed the seals again. About this time I noticed that the lockout ceased to work. It would stiffen up the fork but no more.
Fast forward another six months - (just about present day) the seals are leaking AGAIN and the fork has a horrible creak from the crown. I call up fox, and they're really nice on the phone as they tell me another 40 for seals and 250 to have the crown replaced. Unfortunately their warranty is only one year from purchase, so I'll have to pay for this myself. Besides, they say, the creak isn't a safety issue, just a "minor annoyance." I didn't even ask about the cost of a new damper.
Are you kidding me?!? This is a $600 fork, and I'm expected to put another 400 bucks into the thing over only a YEAR AND A HALF to keep it running like new? F-ing rediculous.
These all seem like manufacturing defects to me anyway, as I only weigh 150lbs. I shouldn't be wrecking this fork no matter how hard I ride. And for the record I'm not riding drops or anything, just hard cross country.
Bottom line - I'm gonna spend $100 more than that repair quote and get a Z1. Anyone wanna buy this thing? It's going cheap...
Anyway I won't give it the lowest possible because it does feel like an expensive fork when everything is going well - it just doesn't last long.
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Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Stiff.
Durable/Reliable
Changeable travel. 80-100mm.
OK customer service.
| | Weaknesses: | Compression knob does little except inadverdently turn when using the lockout.
Not as easy to work on as a Zoke.
Expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Many. Zokes, Manatous, Talas. | | Bottom Line: | Good stiff xc fork. Even in the 100 mode not very plush. This is good and bad. Good if you want to hammer out of the saddle but not the best for bump compliance. It's not as plush as a Talas or a Marathon. Overall, a good xc race fork. I've been riding the fork quite hard for 2 seasons and it is still performing like new.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
x-country
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Discover Bicycles - Hood River, OR | | Strengths: | Very responsive, fully adjustable, easy to understand manual | | Weaknesses: | finish flakes off at skewer mount after some use | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla 125 RLC, Marzocchi SL, Marzocchi Comp | | Bike Setup: | SC Blur 5th Air | | Bottom Line: | This fork is great! It's not too plush, but can be tuned to exactly how you want it too feel. On the ride adjustments are super easy (and noticable)! Rebound adjustment is awesome and a must for these air shox. I haven't had a single problem or squeak from this fork. Never loses air. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Uthman Ray IV
a Racer
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tunnel Trail in SB | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Large range of adjustability--Precise air spring, rebound, compression, and lockout adjustments make the fork very easy to adjust for any race course or riding condition. Crown never made creaking noise as other forks I've ridden in the past have. I particularily found the blow-off threshold adjustment useful--it allowed the fork to be set very firm for mountain cross and slalom riding conditions, as well as more supple and active for cross country and general trail riding. | | Weaknesses: | Can't think of a single weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Similar Marzocchi and Rock Shox forks, all of which have now been replaced by Fox products. | | Bike Setup: | I have had this fork on two bikes: my mountain cross race bike: Intense Tazer, w/WTB, Truvativ, Hayes, Easton, Sram, Thomson, and Stealth components, and my cross country bike: Diamond Back hardtail w/WTB, Truvativ, Hayes, Sram, Easton, Thomson, and Stealth components. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is AWESOME! By far, this has to be the best fork I have ever ridden. The adjustments actually change that way the fork feels when you use them, which is not that case with many other forks on the market. On top of the high quality, reliability, and impeccable design of the fork, the guys who run the Fox race support are extremely helpful and willing to listen to any concerns you might have... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stiff. Rebound, compression, and lock out features. Blow off threshold. Smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Psylo 2001 Race, Psylo 2001 XC, Marzocchi Marathon S 2002. | | Bike Setup: | '03 Blur with full XTR, Fox Float 100 RLC, Chris King disk hubs and headset, Thompson stem and post, Selle Italia Fluid saddle, Crank Bros pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I have used ths fork in several XC races, trail rides, and commutes. This is by far the best fork I have ever ridden. The rebound and compression adjusters actually work as opposed to the Rock Shox I previously had. The fork is buttery smooth and flows through its travel on the large bumps.
I will get another when it comes time to building the second bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
johnnyb
a
from San Anselmo
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | I won't say | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$519.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, quality build | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Atom bomb, EXR air | | Bike Setup: | NRS3, Avid disc and this bad boy fork | | Bottom Line: | You get control and precise steering from this. Plus, you can lock it out on-the-fly so climbing gets very efficient on an NRS. The low-speed compression dial actually works and I will adjust it on-the-fly before I go through rocky stuff. Out of 80 mm travel I seem to be getting 70mm. Maybe after a decent breakin period it will extend, but I will go to 100mm after its first service.
This is a great fork, and when World cup mechanics like Steve Gravenites recommend it, believe it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a
from steamboat springs, CO
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | see previous review | | Weaknesses: | see previous review | | Bottom Line: | I just received a phone call from Fox after sending in a letter stating my problems and concerns. They voluntarily agreed to refund me all costs (shipping and repair)related to my lastest fork problem. That was a huge step for Fox to restore my dedication and support. The agent even gave me their extension # so that I could call if I have problems in the future!
My concerns about the fork's durability over the long term will only be answered after miles and hours of single track attacking. But based on the fork's great performance and my recent experience with Fox, I encourage you to give a Fox fork a try IF you want the best fork out there for non-flex slicing and dicing on a light weight cross country/trail bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from steamboat springs, co
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | it goes where you point it without deflection, adjustable and supple | | Weaknesses: | air leak, knob failures, reliability, serviceability and Fox service dept's attitudes. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox's, Marz. X-Fly and Z1 Bomber | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer X Ti (built around this fork) with all the trick goodies | | Bottom Line: | When this fork works right, its the best all round fork I've ridden since suspension forks came out - bar none. It holds the line you want and sucks up the rough and not so rough stuff all at the same time. BUT... the fork slowly leaked air right out of the box (~ 4 psi/day) in 02'. This past summer it worked great for only a short time before the lockout and then the rebound adjustments quite working. Then the entire rebound knob and rod came FLYING out along with the oil in the leg which got all over me! That repair cost me $$$ again. Nice touchs for a $600+ fork and from a company that touts realibility. I've sent letters to Fox explaining my frustrations and issues and hoping for some resolution but no response. Bottom line: best fork for serious single track attack work - when its working! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Add
a Cross Country Rider
from PNW
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tahoe Rocks! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$635.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles West :( | | Strengths: | Plush,confidice inspiring,adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | It failed once. Pissed oil everywhere and the dampning was gone. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | Bike on bottom, me on top (most of the time) | | Bottom Line: | The fork TOTALY ROCKS. I had an issue with Fox customer service and bashed Fox for their customer service ( May or June of last year). Fox came through and I am again very, very happy with their product. MTBR, WHAT HAPPENED TO MY NEGATIVE REVIEW? Seems it's gone. Makes me wonder about this sites credibility. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
César Pinho
a Cross Country Rider
from Aveiro - Portugal
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Serra da Freita - Muita Pedra | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | www.pernalonga.net | | Strengths: | Rigidez - Qualidade de Construção - Funcionamento - Assistencia | | Similar Products Used: | Psylo Race Air - Duke Race Air - Maraton SL - Black | | Bike Setup: | Commençal Doctor. Suspensão total | | Bottom Line: | Bem esta suspensão é uma surpresa, uma caixinha de surpresas.
Quando montei a suspensão nunca pensei sentir diferencas pois tinha uma Psylo Race Air e nunc tinha andado em nada tão bom, e pensava não haver nada melhor, mas enganei-me e muito.
A Float 100 RLC é uma maquina.
Em curva com buracos não é preciso fazer nada basta segurar o guiador e pedalar pois a frente tem um precisão e uma estabilidade tal que "nem aquece nem arrefece".
Com uma sensibilidade notavel é em grandes irregularidadews que a eficacia se torna mais evidente, nem mexe.
Mesmo quado se vai mais cabeça no ar a tolinho e se cometem alguns erros de trajetoria basta pensar é está tudo de novo sob control.
Bem uma surpresa bem agradavel e uma nova dimensão nas voltinhas do fim de semana.
Fica uma bike completamente diferente. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Vieke
a Cross Country Rider
from Oxnard
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | To many to mention | | Weaknesses: | Lock-out afecting the damping knobs. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | This is the best investment I have made since I started Mountain biking. This shock rocks. I am able to go faster and the bike handles better than anything I have used in the past. I have also noticed my spectacular crashes have diminished due to the better handling chacteristics. The weaknesses are more of an inconvenience. I just have to stop to readjustthe damper knobs when I need to unlock the shock. I have not had had leak nor any of the other problems other people have complained about. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel cleare
a Racer
from tempe,AZ
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | so far McDowell race loops | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | OEM on Klien Palomino XV | | Strengths: | Track supurb. Easy to adjust. looks | | Weaknesses: | weight. But i will take the extra weight for the great handling!!! | | Similar Products Used: | FOX F80RLT | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2004 Klien Palomino XV. Speedplay. Thompson seatpost. Ti seat. Easton carbon bar. DT 240 wheel set. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is great!!! I bought this bike to do some xc riding/ training / trecking. I used my Fuel 100 for racing. I cannot believe how this fork works. Extremely smooth. I have no problems in the rough stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | CBOE | | Strengths: | Stiff, very adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | leaks oil, leaks air, compression adjustment moves closed when lockout is used. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur X-Disc | | Bottom Line: | This fork came on my bike as part of the X-disc kit from Santa Cruz. I don't know if I would have picked this or not. I know Fox has had problems with their seals. My fork started leaking oil after about 60 miles, and air from day one. I had to rate this product as poor, due to having to send it back, and not having my bike for two weeks. I have three friends that have this fork, two of us have had to send it in for warranty work. Since I don't know of another product that offers all of the features of the Fox Float, for any price, I guess I will stick with thing. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D Sims
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | a hard one | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$575.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay baby | | Strengths: | Strong, durable, the dials actually work. Light compared to the size of the shock. Just feels confident. | | Weaknesses: | If left on lockout over night the lockout disengages and will not engage again until you adjust the lockout tension dial on the bottom of the fork. Do not know if this is just me or everybody. At least it keeps working. It is a little expensive but you get what you pay for | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shock Sid SL, Cannondale fatty sl, manitou | | Bike Setup: | Ti bike with XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | I have owned this fork for five months but I waited to write a review until I put this fork to the test. I just did the 24hours at Conyers and the fork worked flawlessly over the bumpy granite over and over again. It felt confident and the thick arms make your ride more predictable. The FOX RLC is only half-pound more than the sid but the thickness of the arms and the aluminum instead of plastic dials would makes you think it is two pounds more. At 190 and a hard rider I wore my sid sl out after two-half years, despite sending it back to the factory twice. The sid would be fine if you are sub 150 and do not ride that hard. So Far no leaks and not problems. BEST FORK OUT THERE but you had being willing to pay for it. I did and do not regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary White
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Springs Trail, Marin, Ca | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Dirt & Dreams, London | | Strengths: | Reliable, plush travel, excellent adjustment, stiffness | | Weaknesses: | None - other than always worrying about seals, as with all air forks | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi X-Fly | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight A (2001 frame), Fox Float RLC 100mm forks, Mavic Crossmax XL wheelset, Panaracer UST Trailblaster tires, Race Face Turbine LP crankset, XT cassette, Sachs PC69 chain, Race Face stem, carbon Monkeylite bars and seat post, Shimano 959 pedals, XTR shifers and mechs, Hope mini brakeset | | Bottom Line: | The best. The big advantage of this fork over other manufacturers is the small hit, stutterbump control. It gives you control at all times - if over gentle ground followed by big hits. Excllent. Very tunable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SingleTrackHound
a Cross Country Rider
from CO SPGS
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Templeton @ Palmer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$620.00 | | Purchased At: | Don't remember | | Strengths: | Stiffness, plushness, damping feel, quality parts, durability, & customer service. | | Weaknesses: | Low speed compression adjustment's effectiveness, lock out lever changes low speed compression setting, high speed compression spike at my 155lb body weight, & price. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shox Psylo Race and SL. | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer with Romic rear shock, XTR drive train, Crossmax XL with Avid mech disc, Thompsom stem, Synco seatpost, Titec Hellbent handlebar, Azonic headset lockon, & Times. | | Bottom Line: | Best fork I ever used. Love the plushness, damping, stiffness, and durability. I used it for one year and few months and not a single issue. Just had a local shop replace the oil few months ago for P.M. but that's it. It does have a high speed compression spike but I've heard that changing the oil to 2.5 or 5 weight will solve that issue; heavier riders are fine with OEM oil. Low speed compression adjustment is not noticeable. To use the full range of the travel, set the air pressure 10% less than what Fox recommends; otherwise, it never uses the full range and doesn't feel supple on small stuff. Customer service is great too; I don't know why other reviewers had bad experience. Maybe you shouldn't call them on Monday. Best fork I ever used and Rock shox don't compare. If this fork does eventually wear out, even Maytag does at some point, I will try Talas RLC since it has more adjustability and I've been told that compression adjustment is more noticeable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
24 racer
a Racer
from HK
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Strengths: | Plush, stiff | | Weaknesses: | color and sticker, not using all the travel!! PRICE !!! oil on the tubes | | Similar Products Used: | psylo, z1, fatty ultra, SID | | Bike Setup: | NRS with XTR, Mavic, thomson, MonkeyLite | | Bottom Line: | I am 120lbs with 50psi and 5wt oil, not using the last inch even drop 5 foot
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Watlington
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Excellent fork. Reasonable weight with excellent rigidity yet a plush ride. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | RS and Marzocchi (another excellent product) | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Truth | | Bottom Line: | I'd like to encourage everyone to treat these reviews seriously. I have relied on them many times for buying decisions as have many others. It accomplishes little to post a gripe on 3 different versions of the same model as the person recently did on the FOX 100. Its too bad the fork leaked. Quality control is never perfect. My experience is that the fork is reliable and performs extremely well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c. j.
a Cross Country Rider
from SF
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Roaring Mouse | | Strengths: | stiff and plush | | Weaknesses: | customer service | | Bottom Line: | The fork is a great fork but I have had a problem with the fork leaking oil. I'm writing this to tell people considering to buy a fox fork that they are terrible with their warranty stuff. I actually own a Fox RLC and it leaks like the Titanic. They told me it should have some oil around the outside seal. It is so bad that after one ride it has oil running down the leg. They said it should be like that even though the local bike shop disagrees. Sent back twice with little change and even charged for the work the last time. Roaring Mouse rules b/c they said "No Charge". Basically Fox has crapped on my ice cream and called it sprinkles. Thanks you Beotches. I recommend staying away from the oil/air forks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Racer
from Aspen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | stiff and very plush, an excellent fork. | | Weaknesses: | none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Sid Race. | | Bike Setup: | Santacruz Superligt, mavi wheels, Panaracer fire xc pro wheels, R-Disc kit. | | Bottom Line: | this is my first 100mm fork and it works like a dream. i love the rebound, lockout, and compression dials they make it very easy to fine tune your fork. this fork may not be lighter than any sid, but it sure as hell out performs one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kev
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno/Tahoe
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume Trail- Tahoes NV side | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$519.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSource | | Strengths: | Very stiff, felt like the front end on my crotch rocket on the first ride. Very adjustable. Not sure about the low end dampening ring effectiveness. | | Weaknesses: | Less than a month old and it's going back to FOX. Won't hold air pressure. I hope this is not a repeat of my FLOAT RL rear shock which I had to send back 3 times. After the 4th work-around they finally replaced the part that was cracked and leaking. Up until then they were trying to use goop and teflon tape to basically put a band-aid on a serious problem. Would like to see external lubes ports. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou, SID | | Bike Setup: | Superlight, XT, XTR | | Bottom Line: | I'm middle of the road until I see how they handle this customer service issue. I would say the service is the draw-back, and not so much the product itself. Just wish I could use it long enough to dial in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stripes
a Cross Country Rider
from Pasadena
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Wow. I have never ridden such a stiff fork that suspension works so great. This shock just rolls over rocks and roots like you would expect. Not noodley at all. I know folks say it's a bit heavy, but it hasn't made a difference in my riding for worse--only for better. | | Weaknesses: | I miss the lube points that the Manitou forks have. I'm not sure how much fun maintenence will be on this fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Lessee.. Manitou Xvert Air was probably the closest thing that I had to this. Before the Fox, I was using a Manitou Mars Super, which doesn't even compare. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ GS, XT/XTR mix, RF cranks. | | Bottom Line: | You get what you paid for, that's the bottom line with this fork. I'm glad I waited until the 2003 model after hearing about all the leaks with the 2002 models. This fork has been on several rides this past month, and if anything, it makes my riding easier.
I used to be a big fan of Manitou, but when I was looking for a good shock with 100mm travel and is air sprung, this is the one I opted for. I haven't been happy with the Rock Shox since the Mag 21, and this is better than any Manitou I've ridden.
The thing that takes a few rides is getting it adjusted right for your riding style, terrain, and personal enjoyment. I've taken air out and had to play with the adjustment knobs to get it set correctly, but the adjustments knobs actually work (unlike some other shocks) and they aren't the plastic crap that everyone else uses.
Yeah, they're expensive, but it's definitely a worthwhile fork. You can tell that it was well-researched before Fox came out with the final product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe therider
a Cross Country Rider
from america
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | many of many | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | very plush, stiff, knobs are well designed and sturdy, holds air good sofar,looks good too i guess. | | Weaknesses: | expensive, i never recieved a shock pump,( not the fault of fox) finish rubs off and scratches very easily, i hate lock out but wanted campression adjustments, lockout is a waste of my time(yes i do plenty of climbing, no i dont ride on the street). | | Similar Products Used: | sid, marzocchi, headshock for one ride, it sucked! | | Bike Setup: | mountainbike style | | Bottom Line: | definatly the best i have ever used, 6 months is an early review for me, but the product is definatly worth risking my good name and giving them the benifiet of a doubt on durability, rest assured if it craps out on me...like today...or in the neat future, i will post again, and it will be brutal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evren Seven
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | fremont older | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | calabazas cyclery | | Strengths: | the adjustments are awesome, the lockout is clutch... comes with a HP pump. it just feels really sweet. I upgraded from the duke C that comes standard on the GT idrive 1.0 and it takes the bike to the next level. Landings feel like foam. plus, it looks really cool. | | Weaknesses: | Fox parts are hard to get a hold of, but Rob at calabazas cyclery hooked it up and makes sure you get customer support. also, I wish they made the lockout knob longer because you end up softening your compression adjust when you unlock it, because the knobs are right on top of each other. | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Duke C... C for Crap | | Bike Setup: | GT idrive 1.0, stock 'cept for the foxforx and shimano 646 pedals | | Bottom Line: | get this fork and slap it on your bike. Chances are you've already spent 4 figures on your hobby might as well splurge a little more and really enjoy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Javier
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, NY. USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$519.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenaline Bikes | | Strengths: | Stiff, easy to use and adjust, sooooo many different settings for all types of riding. | | Weaknesses: | none...at this price, there shouldn't be any!
| | Similar Products Used: | rock shox sid xc, manitou black | | Bike Setup: | Foes FXC, crossmax wheels, XTR drivetrain, XTR brakes, Easton monkey lite XC handlebar, thompson seatpost, raceface stem and crank. | | Bottom Line: | What a GREAT shock...simply the BEST. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield Mo
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Dead on suspension for ANY mountain bike. The thicker stanction tubes, and the super stiff brake arch make for a sweet handling fork. The amount of adjustment makes you able to tune this thing to the en'th degree. Take your time setting it up and you'll be rewarded. Low air pressure saves the seals, and the rebound and compression damping are spot on. Fox is now the suspension company that everyone else is chasing. | | Weaknesses: | Are you serious? | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi X-Fly 80, Manitou Black Elite, Marzocchi Marathon. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Tomac 98 Special Pro, Crossmax wheels, XTR/XT setup, Easton bars ans seatpost etc. | | Bottom Line: | Fox is on the money. My previous favorite fork had been a 2001 Marzocchi X-Fly 80, but not anymore. If your looking for an air fork buy this one! Sure, the SID is lighter but does not work nearly as well, especially for bigger guys. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado springs, CO
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | not telling | | Strengths: | i rode on judy's last year which were crap. total and complete crap. how do i know? having riden a total of one hard day on my 100RLC's and knowing what a great shock can do for your ride.
Don't be concerned by the weight. It's a good thing to have a little weight up there cuz it keeps a line esp. in washout. | | Weaknesses: | bike fell over first day i got it and the powder coating on the bottom of the shox totally flaked off.
which was kind of bizarre. but hey so long as the performance isn't compromised</ |
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$ 629.00
