2006 Fox 36 vs 06 Zoke 66SL

Turtle 1 · Feb 14, 2006

I rode an 06 Enduro the other day with an 06 36 front fork and noticed a big difference in ride height compared to my 6-Pack and 05 Fox 36. But I can't find measurements for the difference in ride height between 05 and 06 Fox 36 Talas forks. Do the new Vanilla's and Talas 36's have the same axle to crown height?

My other question is about the new Marzocchi 66SL. How does the axle to crown height of the 06 36 fork compare with the Zocchi 66SL? which one is taller? thanks.

I will say I liked the extra ride height of the new 06 Fox 36 fork-it sort of made my 05 feel short and stumppy.
thanks,
turtle

Jayem · Feb 14, 2006

The 36 talas was claimed at 535mm. It seemed to be a couple mm longer than this though.

The 36 vanilla would then be 545mm, but if it's a few mm longer, it would be closer to 550.

The 66 at 170mm of travel is 555mm.

For the amount of travel, the 66 forks are within a couple millimeters of the 36 series as far as height. You'd notice a big difference between the talas and vanilla 36 if your talas was missing out on 5mm or so of travel, then the 36 vanilla would be 15mm higher, which is a bigger difference.

SSINGA · Feb 14, 2006

Zocchi states that the 66 line is 555.2mm a-2-c at 170mm travel. Tried to find the Fox info but their site is so difficult to navigate I gave up!

Turtle 1 · Feb 14, 2006

Thanks. The less good news is I think you're right on when you said I would notice a big difference if my fork was only getting 145mm of travel-that made good sense to me; I think that's part of what made such a big difference. In fact, after I read your post I wrote to Fox-again, I told them I was not taking any prisoners this time and to give me a new fork; I'm sure they will comply with my wishes

.

drumstix · Feb 14, 2006

I also heard that the 06 air 36 was going to be bumped up to 160mm. I dont know if thats fact though. I do like my Vanilla 36 along with several converts who have been Shiver holdouts and that fork is plush!

FXRob · Feb 14, 2006

I have not ridden a 66SL, but my Vanilla 36 is soooo buttery plush. I've said it before and I'll say it again, best fork I've ever ridden by far. Now lets hope it doesn't break

benja55 · Feb 14, 2006

So whats the 66SL A2C @ 150mm?

SSINGA said:
Zocchi states that the 66 line is 555.2mm a-2-c at 170mm travel. Tried to find the Fox info but their site is so difficult to navigate I gave up!

I'm curious what the 66SL A2C is around 150mm or even 130....

tscheezy · Feb 14, 2006

Just do the math. It is a 1 to 1 relationship. Subtract 20mm travel, subtract 20mm A-C.

benja55 · Feb 14, 2006

Gotcha...

tscheezy said:
Just do the math. It is a 1 to 1 relationship. Subtract 20mm travel, subtract 20mm A-C.

Thx. I wasn't sure if it was 1 to 1 or if there was some other variable involved.

MK_ · Feb 14, 2006

drumstix said:
I also heard that the 06 air 36 was going to be bumped up to 160mm. I dont know if thats fact though. I do like my Vanilla 36 along with several converts who have been Shiver holdouts and that fork is plush!

In their infinite wisdom, Fox writes this in their 06 manual.
TALAS: Externally adjustable 6.3" (150mm) to 4" (110mm)
VAN: 6.3" (160mm)

So go figure.

_MK

MK_ · Feb 14, 2006

SSINGA said:
Zocchi states that the 66 line is 555.2mm a-2-c at 170mm travel. Tried to find the Fox info but their site is so difficult to navigate I gave up!

According to Speedgoat, the AC is 540mm (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=111103&cat=160&brand=303) for the VAN but elsewhere I read 550mm. Maybe 540 is for the TALAS. Hammerhead bikes says 535mm at 150mm for 05 TALAS. Fox spec sheet for the 05 TALAS say 535mm. But they were a few mm taller. Put all that together for an educated guess that the 36 has AC of 540 at 150mm.

_MK

FXRob · Feb 14, 2006

MK_ said:
According to Speedgoat, the AC is 540mm (http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=111103&cat=160&brand=303) for the VAN but elsewhere I read 550mm. Maybe 540 is for the TALAS. Hammerhead bikes says 535mm at 150mm for 05 TALAS. Fox spec sheet for the 05 TALAS say 535mm. But they were a few mm taller. Put all that together for an educated guess that the 36 has AC of 540 at 150mm.

_MK

I'll try and measure my 36 Vanilla tonight

kosmo · Feb 14, 2006

541

MK says: Put all that together for an educated guess that the 36 has AC of 540 at 150mm.

We have a winner!

I just measured mine right out of the crisp, fresh, factory box. It looks like 541 mm.

Now I just need DT to get my new RFX frame back from finishing, and give this fork a home!

FXRob · Feb 15, 2006

Well my measuring tape gave me just under 22", so around 555mm a/c on my 36 Vanilla.

PCinSC · Feb 15, 2006

MK_ said:
In their infinite wisdom, Fox writes this in their 06 manual.
TALAS: Externally adjustable 6.3" (150mm) to 4" (110mm)
VAN: 6.3" (160mm)

So go figure.

_MK

I saw that too and had myself a little chuckle. These two forks are major contenders in my search but sure doesn't seem like Fox has their ducks in a row. (I actually rant a little about that here ). It appears not only is their QA crappy but they can't properly convert from metric units

. Needless to say, I'm leaning toward the 66sl.

Patrick

Turtle 1 · Feb 15, 2006

Ladies and Gents, hold onto your socks, I just got off the phone, here's the latest from Fox Central. The 2005 and 2006 Fox 36 Talas provides 535mm of adjustable travel. The Vanilla 36 provides 545mm. Now here this: When the new Talas 2 cartridge is availalbe-sometime this Spring, they will upgrade the 06 Talas 36 giving it 160mm of travel and 145mm of axle to crown height.The 06 36 Talas currently measures 535 and will jump up to 545 when the new Talas 2 cartridge is availalbe. geeze, sure hope I got that right

In addition to the above, the 2005 Fox 36 Talas is good for 5.9" of travel-that's what they stand by. The 06 model is currently 5.9" but will increase to 160mm with the Talas 2 cartridge. If my fork comes back with 5.9" of travel I will be a happy camper.

The last thing he told me is there is no recall on the DHX 5.0 Air shock. However, he did acknowledge the stuck down issues. Fox has been really good about talking to me and answering questions, I found a customer service rep who has worked there for years-he's very consistent with the information he provides. Regarding the customer service, so far so good-they've been very helpful.
turtle.

tscheezy · Feb 15, 2006

Turtle, that's some pretty confused sh!t you posted.

Lets recap (and edit?):
2005:
Talas: A-C 535mm, travel 5.9" or 150mm
Van: A-C 545mm, travel 6.3" or 160mm

2006:
Talas: same as 05 (or A-C 545mm?, 160mm w/ upgrade)
Van: same as 05?

Turtle 1 · Feb 15, 2006

tscheezy said:
Turtle, that's some pretty confused sh!t you posted.

Lets recap (and edit?):
2005:
Talas: A-C 535mm, travel 5.9" or 150mm
Van: A-C 545mm, travel 6.3" or 160mm

2006:
Talas: same as 05 (or A-C 545mm?, 160mm w/ upgrade)
Van: same as 05?

05 and 06 Talas 36 are the same for now; 535 and 5.9 inches of travel. sometime in spring the Talas 2 will kick the 06 Talas 36 up to same as Vanilla; 545 and 160mm travel. The 05 Talas 36 stays the same (sometimes) at A/C 535mm and 5.9 inches of travel. did I get it wrong again?

J_B · Feb 15, 2006

Turtle 1 said:
05 and 06 Talas 36 are the same for now; 535 and 5.9 inches of travel. sometime in spring the Talas 2 will kick the 06 Talas 36 up to same as Vanilla; 545 and 160mm travel. did I get it wrong again?

As far as the Van, you are correct. My '06 says 160mm. I wouldn't know about the Talas.

sirbikesalot · Feb 15, 2006

This is all very confusing. Air, coil, talas 2... A couple of predictions:

1) Fox's prices are so high and demand is so great that I expect that there will be new competitors entering the market in the next several years. Who wouldn't when they are commanding up to $1000 for a crappy talas fork and getting it. It makes the mtb market attractive enough to enter for mfrs that currently only serve the motocross/motorcycle market.

2) Prices for top-of-the-line forks will only go up when it happens. Fox will lose market share as a result of superior technology those competitors will bring from motocross/motorcycles to upstage Fox.

3) The technology will trickle down to the lower price point forks.

And the point of all this is? The customer wins. Thank people like us who will pay for the best.

It's late.

J_B said:
As far as the Van, you are correct. My '06 says 160mm. I wouldn't know about the Talas.

2006 Fox 36 vs 06 Zoke 66SL

Turtle 1

Jayem

SSINGA

Turtle 1

drumstix

FXRob

benja55

tscheezy

benja55

MK_

MK_

FXRob

kosmo

FXRob

PCinSC

Turtle 1

tscheezy

Turtle 1

J_B

sirbikesalot

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities