I have installed an Avalanche cartridge on my Fox Float 34 CTD fork. The cartridge comes with low speed compression and low speed rebound settings. I have played around with them, but I don't feel much difference. With other forks, the compression/rebound settings make a big difference, but, leaning over my bike and pressing in it, the forks feels the same regardless of the low speed settings. I guess I should be riding it to feel the difference, but what to look (feel?) for? I thought low speed compression would be noticeable in seated climbing (to counteract bobbing) or out of the saddle sprints, am I right?
Low speed compression, how to tune?
zonoskar
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Which level of F34 do you have? There are 3 different versions/levels for Fox. Friend has the Evolution (ie. lowest end on his Rumblefish and stiction right out the box was horrible, but it has improved quite a bit now he's had it for a few months and done some good miles, but still not like my Kashima F34.
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And of course they would say that, wouldn't they 
There's definitely a difference in how the different levels feel, especially Kashima vs None, but maybe the newer lower end models have different seals, but know that what I've felt on the F34s on 2 SJ FSR Elites and the one on the RF Elite, definitely very much stiction right off the bat, my Kashima coated , not an ounce. Try as suggested and lube up the seals real good.
There's definitely a difference in how the different levels feel, especially Kashima vs None, but maybe the newer lower end models have different seals, but know that what I've felt on the F34s on 2 SJ FSR Elites and the one on the RF Elite, definitely very much stiction right off the bat, my Kashima coated , not an ounce. Try as suggested and lube up the seals real good.
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Have you checked the sizing of the fork bushings?
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Yeah, but I already upgraded the damper, so that's not it.
No, I didn't check them. Is there a problem with bushing size? And how would I check the size? Is there a description, or simply measure with a caliper?
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Hey Zonoskar,
Are you doing the parking lot test with the bike right out of the shed? IMHO horizontal storage requires a couple of minutes of riding (...impacts) for the lube oil to get all over the place. My Altitude is stored horizontally and it's always a bit sticky in the beginning. Got 6 months of riding on it. Yet my Element hangs vertically. Consequently the oil is always between the upper and lower bushings from the get go, so it appears smoother from the first pedal stroke.
Note my Element's F32 120 had new (tighter) bushings placed at some point, and these were so tight this has accelerated wear, so 'tight' bushings is probably not the cause. If you want to measure you're in need of calipers or sending off to Sabma.
NB: If the Ava cartridge isn't doing it for you and it will ft 650b, hit me up with a PM of FB or an e-mail, I'd be happy to help you recover most of the cost
Are you doing the parking lot test with the bike right out of the shed? IMHO horizontal storage requires a couple of minutes of riding (...impacts) for the lube oil to get all over the place. My Altitude is stored horizontally and it's always a bit sticky in the beginning. Got 6 months of riding on it. Yet my Element hangs vertically. Consequently the oil is always between the upper and lower bushings from the get go, so it appears smoother from the first pedal stroke.
Note my Element's F32 120 had new (tighter) bushings placed at some point, and these were so tight this has accelerated wear, so 'tight' bushings is probably not the cause. If you want to measure you're in need of calipers or sending off to Sabma.
NB: If the Ava cartridge isn't doing it for you and it will ft 650b, hit me up with a PM of FB or an e-mail, I'd be happy to help you recover most of the cost
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I'd strip the fork down and remove the two wiper seals and foam rings, clean the lowers of all oil and check that the bushings are not tight. Each fork will be different so its where I would start IMHO.
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Hey Eric, yes, my bikes are always stored on their wheels, right way up. The avy is working fine, it's the fork that's sticky. I'll take Rick's advice and strip the fork. Hopefully this weekend.
/edit: found some time. Removed the lowers, cleaned the wiper seals and foam rings, they were not very dirty. I would have been really surprised if it was different. I lubed the upper bushings, i couldn't get to the lower ones. Also lubed the seals and foam rings and reinstalled everything. Stiction is a hair lower, but not much.
Could the stiction be due to the air seals in the air chamber? The fork is buttery smooth at 0 sag, but at 3cm sag it is not anymore and like I described. I'll take the bike out for a quick spin tomorrow to see how it handles.
/edit: found some time. Removed the lowers, cleaned the wiper seals and foam rings, they were not very dirty. I would have been really surprised if it was different. I lubed the upper bushings, i couldn't get to the lower ones. Also lubed the seals and foam rings and reinstalled everything. Stiction is a hair lower, but not much.
Could the stiction be due to the air seals in the air chamber? The fork is buttery smooth at 0 sag, but at 3cm sag it is not anymore and like I described. I'll take the bike out for a quick spin tomorrow to see how it handles.
I don't think there's much that you can do to reduce stiction on the Fox 34. Fox has addressed it on their RAD forks, but we won't be getting them anytime soon.
Riding FOX's Prototype RAD 34 Fork - Pinkbike
I also have a 2014 FOX 34 and will be upgrading to a PIKE in the near future.
Riding FOX's Prototype RAD 34 Fork - Pinkbike
I also have a 2014 FOX 34 and will be upgrading to a PIKE in the near future.
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I tried a few things (strip the fork, use a super slick lube on the lowers), but I think I gave up. A Pike is high om my want-list. Only thing lacking is funds. The only thing I want to try is increasing the air volume by modding the piston in the air chamber. My LBS said they might be able to do this, depending on how the inside of the stanchions is shaped.
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