I'm on the verge of doing the conversion but the local bike shop pulled me up today and told me that it would be better of to get the guys at SOLA SPORT (fox suspension dealers) to do it. I've just got off the phone to them and they also said it's not an easy job to do. I read online and so many people have done it. I change the oil in my lowers all the time and I've even re-built a friends rockshox recon forks, I know that fox is a lot more complex but I thought even with that experience it shouldn't be that hard?
Is the Float to talas conversion hard?
alfred.fetta
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I'm on the verge of doing the conversion but the local bike shop pulled me up today and told me that it would be better of to get the guys at SOLA SPORT (fox suspension dealers) to do it. I've just got off the phone to them and they also said it's not an easy job to do. I read online and so many people have done it. I change the oil in my lowers all the time and I've even re-built a friends rockshox recon forks, I know that fox is a lot more complex but I thought even with that experience it shouldn't be that hard?
Its very easy to swap from Float to TALAS or from TALAS to Float , no brainer .
Anybody telling you any different is trying to take your Money.
You are better off doing it yourself anyway , that way you know what you got and you know its done correctly .
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Thanks. Be good if there was a vid on how to do it but I think it can't be that hard.
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I couldn't find a vid, but I just pulled the Talas unit apart to change the shuttle bumper. The new 2014 Talas 5 is one complete unit that you remove from the top of the fork. Follow these instructions to remove the Float topcap and air spring:
2013 Float 130 - 180 Travel Adjust
Then insert the Talas unit from the top and the top cap will thread in and hold the entire unit in place. Re-install lowers and fill with recommended amount of Fox Green Oil (I couldn't find 2014, so I used 2013 amounts) and you're done. It is by far the easiest fork I've ever worked on.
Here's a pic of the Talas assembly:
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2013 Float 130 - 180 Travel Adjust
Then insert the Talas unit from the top and the top cap will thread in and hold the entire unit in place. Re-install lowers and fill with recommended amount of Fox Green Oil (I couldn't find 2014, so I used 2013 amounts) and you're done. It is by far the easiest fork I've ever worked on.
Here's a pic of the Talas assembly:
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Thanks for the info. Much appreciated
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Can anyone tell me which parts I would need to do this the other way round - convert a 2013 34 TALAS 26 to a Float.
Or if its somehow possible to mod the TALAS to remove some of the stiction (even at the expense of functionality as I never use the travel adjust). Thanks in advance.
Or if its somehow possible to mod the TALAS to remove some of the stiction (even at the expense of functionality as I never use the travel adjust). Thanks in advance.
You need the Float air spring assembly with the correct length shuttle bumper on it for your travel your after, the correct negative plate, the spiral lock ring , the air chamber cap and schradder cap, some sealing washers for the cartridge lower nuts , some suspension oil and Fox anti friction lube for the air piston side .
If you call Fox they will get you everything you need to do this swap , they are use to getting this call ......:eekster:
You can mod the TALAS assembly to help it work like a Float , but it does not turn out as well as the Float and it is not as simple to do as one would think , you are better off doing the true conversion
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Thanks kelstr for the thorough answer. Is there someway to buy all these parts online, I'm in Asia so contacting Fox direct is not so easy.
Why not get the 2014 Talas assembly? Just swap out your 2013 version for the 2014 as above. By all accounts so far the 2014 Talas is vastly improved and feels very similar to the Float.
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^ This.
I converted my 2012 Talas 140mm 34 to the new cartridge and it's a lot better stiction wise AND you can set-up the lower position in 5mm increments.
So you can go from 140mm to say 125mm (3 5mm spacers) and ride it mainly in the lower position and use the 140 for going down.
You should go on Youtube and check out the service video on the Talas to see how it comes apart. That was the hardest part IMO.
The cartridge was $250 and $1 for each spacer.
I converted my 2012 Talas 140mm 34 to the new cartridge and it's a lot better stiction wise AND you can set-up the lower position in 5mm increments.
So you can go from 140mm to say 125mm (3 5mm spacers) and ride it mainly in the lower position and use the 140 for going down.
You should go on Youtube and check out the service video on the Talas to see how it comes apart. That was the hardest part IMO.
The cartridge was $250 and $1 for each spacer.
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You can try one of the Fox distributors:
Global Distributors | FOX
If you never use the Talas function, then switch to a Float. Cheaper, less weight and less things to service over time.
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I can't find it. Do you have a link?
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Try this link for the Talas service. It come apart in three sections and the new one is a drop in cartridge.
Fox Talas Fork Oil Change Part 1 - YouTube
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Oh, I thought you found a video specifically about servicing the Talas 5. Currently there's zero info online. I can't even find an exploded parts diagram or oil volumes.
Does this video apply to the older Talas (mine is a 2008)... !?
Ps: great find very well made..
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I didn't even know Fox numbered their Talas systems. (Don't think they do.)
This was a link for an older Talas for a previous poster who wants to replace an older Talas system with a Float system or the newer cartridge.
If you do need servicing on that, I'd assume you only need the lower servicing which should be 30ml od lube in each lowers.
The cartridge should be good for awhile I would think.
When/if you find sevice info on the cartridge, please post!!
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