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Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Joburg / Brisbane
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Westdene Cycles | | Strengths: | plush, stiff and responsive | | Weaknesses: | Fork seals have a tendency to leak a small amount of oil.. but i presume its normal from fox | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Marathon S 80 mm, Manitou Skareb, Rock Shox Judy TT, | | Bike Setup: | Santacruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | The fork is awesome, it handles everything thats thrown at it. Also for people who are concerned about the fork seals leaking oil slightly, it's probablly normal or acceptable. If you're concerned go to www.enduroforkseals.com and get the seal kit for this fork. Read the instructions on the site and happy home bike maintenance. Seriosly it's a bicycle at the end of the day not a space shuttle so have a go at it yourself. I use them and thier the best seals. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Kremer
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | together with Specialized Epic Comp | | Strengths: | good for cross country riding, responsive, good adjustment possibilities | | Weaknesses: | seal started leaking after 5 months, quality not good enough for a fork of this price, service from FOX Shox is shocking, no feedback to inquiries, they had the shox for 3 weeks and still not fixed, | | Similar Products Used: | U-Turn All Mountain, Skareb | | Bike Setup: | softtail for cross country and some technical riding | | Bottom Line: | don't buy them if you do anything but pure cross country, they cannot handle downhills or very rocky terrain, quality is not up to that level
would not buy anything from Fox Shox ever again, service and support are third world level. Their website promises "world renowned service and support" and from my experience this is nothing but a hollow marketing slogan. Time to give the little guys a chance | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alejo
a Cross Country Rider
from spain
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Smooth operation, precise steering, quality manufacturing both outside and inside,threshold adjustment, no leaking so far. | | Weaknesses: | Play between sliders and stanchions.Threshold adjustment should be more accessible.A bit expensive, only one year warranty. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi z3, Manitou Mars Cl | | Bike Setup: | Steel hardtail, Xtr disc and hubs,flat aluminium handlebar, syntace stem. | | Bottom Line: | It works very smooth, locks up nicely and the adjustable threshold is a very nice feature.I would prefer to have the threshold adjustment dial in the place of the rebound one, as I find myself using it more than the rebound.
It´s beautyfully made, the anodized aluminium dials and their operation are perfect... But I thing the play between the sliders and the stanchions should not be there. At a so high price one would expect perfection, and although the play hasn´t got any worst, it should simply not be there. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dieter
a Racer
from Las Cruces, NM
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | everything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Stiffness, Control, Confidence Inspiring, durability, very adjustable!!! | | Weaknesses: | weight, it would be great to finally have disc brake hose routings on the shock. Zip ties are great, but it is almost 2007, we can do better!!! Second having the hose routed externally is always a damage risk in a crash. | | Similar Products Used: | Sid, Marzochi Marathons SL, Answer R7 and Scareb, Pace, FRM | | Bike Setup: | Ultralight except for the Fox Shock. Stans ZTR, Sram X.0 .... | | Bottom Line: | I am not a strong technical rider and require a fork that makes up for my shortcomings as a rider. The sid, for example, just doesn't inspire the confidence I need on technical terrain. This fork is a great product and I know that fox reads every review and tries to make an effort to improve their product line. Yet another reason to choose Fox, but of course there is still room for improvement. Knock off some weight. Although a competitive weight, the fork would be great 200 grams lighter. Second, Marzochi allows the fork to be locked out in a compressed position for better climbing. This feature would be great for the fox line too. Third, as I mentioned, it is time to do away with the zip ties on the disc brake hoses!
Bottom line, I love this shock and feel immune to the dreaded endo on stetchy downhills after the fork bottoms out (I weigh about 145lb-150lb). It feels like a fork and not a toy from a crackerjack box, so I'm not scared to throw the bike around or take a chance in the technical, and I would rather have the security of a very stiff fork but responsive fork over the sid or R7 even if it means 200 grams. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pedro Bento
a Cross Country Rider
from Azeitão, Portugal
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Serra da Arrábida | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Arrábida Bikes, Setúbal | | Strengths: | Flawless design, adjustabilty, seamless functioning | | Weaknesses: | Pricey... | | Similar Products Used: | Marzzochi Bomber MX Comp Air 2004 | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Fox Float RP3, Fox F100 RLC, Mavic x819 UST Wheels, Maxxis Ignitor UST tires, Deore Hydraulic Disk brakes, Dual control levers | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Fox F100 RLC.
After having a Marzzochi MX Comp Air 2004 installed on my bike for the last three years, the difference in behaviour for the Fox F100 RLC is humungous! The difference in funnctioning is of such an enormous dimension that I'm under the impression that the Marzocchi was merely as stiff as a board and did only enough to barey suck up the bumps on the terrain. The Fox is so much more subtle, functioning in an almost seamless way, absorbing relentlesslty all the bumps, rocks, roots and holes on the trail. The lockout feature is very usefull for climbing standing up on the trail and to generally ride on the road. After 300km of use, I'm very impressed with the way it works and recommend it for it's simplicity of use, adjustability and apparent perfect adaptabilty to any trail I happen ride in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Poetra Prijadi
a Cross Country Rider
from Depok
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Super comfortable once you get all your personal settings setings. Absorbs almost everything. | | Weaknesses: | non | | Bottom Line: | Once you get all the seting setup for your ride...it feels total confortable. The performance & weight of this fork is perfect. It's the perfect combination for me and my style of ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | lightest fox forx i ever had, perfect travel adjust, and good trashold blow off. | | Weaknesses: | non | | Bottom Line: | This Fork Rocks it I would buy for all my bikes now.. to make it 200 g lighter. and its real stiff comfortable period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Djaka Dwiputra
a Weekend Warrior
from Jakarta
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stiff, Smooth action, verry Light and perfect Adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Non yet | | Bottom Line: | One of the best light fork out there. Impresive on small bump absorption and the fork always feels stiff. Smooth and quiet on Bigger hits. Perfect rebound adjust making it a real difference on various surfaces.
Not had them long enough to judge reliabilty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
philip carre
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego ca
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Idylwild | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | well built all around | | Weaknesses: | Leak | | Similar Products Used: | SID race 2006 | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9.8 | | Bottom Line: | Love the fork which is doing a hell of a job ( like Bush would say) over rocks going downhill. A bit too plush for my taste, but it's me.It leaks a bit and was told not to worry about it, otherwise this is a great fork. Don't buy it full price though, get it on ebay.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Stiff, Buttery-Smooth, Relatively light. Blow off on the lock out. | | Weaknesses: | Price. | | Similar Products Used: | R.S. Duke, Sid World Cup. Fox 125rlc | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Ellsworth Truth and all the Goodies!! | | Bottom Line: | This fork is not cheap. You do get what you pay for in a fork. Beyond bikes was GREAT!! Thanks Kerry!! This fork is just AWESOME!! PLUSH! Lock out is smooth and adjustable blow off for it. BUY THIS FORK, PERIOD!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PAUL
a Cross Country Rider
from ACWORTH, GA USA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | TSALI | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | ebAY | | Strengths: | great tracking, blow off threshold adjustment, plush and infinetly adjustable, lack flex and small bump compliant. | | Weaknesses: | weaps oil a tad but really not a problem after you learn to service your fork. | | Similar Products Used: | F100RLC, F100R, Manitou SX, Rock Shock Duke Race/Psylo | | Bike Setup: | 05 XL Racer X 100, XT Drive and Shifters, Thomson Stem and Post, 959 pedals, Dave's Speed Dreams Wheels, Avid SD SL V Brakes | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding Fox forks for a few years. I am pretty big for a mountain biker and really notice when products are lightly constructed. The Fox Forks have always been superior as far as lack of flex while also being very plush and adjustable. I have found them very durable and have had no problems beyond a little oil weaping after hard rides. That is not even a major issue after you learn to perform basic maint on the fork. As far as the RLT100 is concerned, all above applies and I think the lockout blow off adjustment rocks. It really is a nice feature and very applicable to real trail conditions as it allows me to run a lower PSI and set the lockout with a very light threshold setting while climbing. If you decend before being able to switch off the lockout, the blow off will allow the fork to react to a big hit. The rebound adjustment actually works very well and is a must for proper fork compliance. I like this fork alot for general cross country and all mountain riding | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jo Dirt
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere in southern BC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Cafe, Canmore | | Strengths: | light weight, exquisite craftsmanship, ultra-smooth travel, perfect combination of light weight and toughness. | | Weaknesses: | frustratingly expensive, not as light as the super-light stuff from rock-shox | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 marz marathon sl, bomber; rock shox judy, 1994 fsx carbon mag-21, 1997 quadra; 2002 manitou dorado; 2004 fox vanilla 130rl, 2005 f100rl | | Bike Setup: | 2005 specialized s-works epic w/fox f100rlt: 25lbs of race-sled fun | | Bottom Line: | Over the past 5 months, the f100rlt has proven an exceptionally plush and responsive fork with almost limitless tuning options. The threshold adjust works not only as a way to tune the lockout of the fork, but also as a compression damper, allowing the rider to tune the compliance of the fork, locking travel until a significant bump is encountered and reducing rider input at the same time.
Relative to the f100x, I felt that the rlt won out in terms of simplicity, weight and cost, providing 99% of the performance of the fx fork without the added weight and internal complexity.
Compared to my last fork, the marzocchi marathon sl (85mm travel) the fox is head and shoulders the superior performer: the fox is stiffer and more precise, offers smoother action, seemingly bottomless travel and less stiction, all in a package almost half a pound lighter than the marathon. My only concern is with regards to the seals and bushings in the fox. There is slight oil weeping at the seals right out of the box whereas the marzocchi was absolutely tight even after a year of riding. Fox has assured me that the oil on the stantions is normal and a result of the lubrication system fox employs, but it remains to be seen if the seals and bushings share the same longevity as those from marzocchi, who, in my opinion, employ the best stock seals of any manufacturer. But, Fox offers a 1 year warranty, so we shall see how the fork stands up in the long-term.
Lastly, I must comment on the spring rate in the rlt: it is truly dialed, with plenty of plush in the first half of the stroke, ramping evenly through the second half. Not once have I bottomed the fork, nor does it wallow near the bottom of its travel descending technical terrain like the marathon did. I have to say, this is the best tuned, smoothest, stiffest, best built and sexiest looking fork I have ridden in over 12 years of riding suspension.
For those with a few extra sheckles to burn on a truly capable and race worthy product capable of sustaining significant free-ride style abuse, this is it. Quite honestly the best I've ridden, and truly worth the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento Ca USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Flume Trail, lake Tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | River Rats MTB came with my Sta Cruz | | Strengths: | Adjustable compression, plush suspension, lightweight, cool looks, lockout feature | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Skareb Super 80mm | | Bike Setup: | Sta Cruz Blur Shimano XTs, Fox Forx 100mm RLT, Fox Float R, Mavic Disc rims | | Bottom Line: | Worked well on heavily rocky areas, blowout valve feature is useful especially if you forget to unlock, light weight than other higher end Fox Forx cross country/All mountain product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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