Modded Fox 36 for the 29er application:
I have ridden this fork for about 18 months on my Lenz Behemoth.
I bought it used on MTBR, had Alex Morgan from Buffalo Composite Design (BCD) mod it-(his idea, not mine). From my understanding he uses a CNC machine to machine the arch for clearance of the 29inch wheel and he adds an aluminum spacer to limit travel in one leg of the fork. Last I heard Alex races DH with a Fox 40 with the same mod. I bought the fork for $4hundy, paid alex $120ish for the mod, add shipping, I was into it $550 (not including a new 20mm TA wheel).
After 18 months of use, I love this fork. It is UBER stiff. Had some flex at first, but it was a POS velocity hoop, this was solved with a wheel change to a ZTR flow.
The fork performed like every other fox I have had- smooth and supple w/o a lick of problem. Set it up and ride. My first few rides I pinch flatted the front several times. Varied air pressure w/o success, finally went tubeless and have had zero problems since.
The TALAS option still worked, it was the older model, so I had to dial it up and down, which was a bit of a pain, but at least it still worked. Am tempted to try the new version with the push button TALAS, but have heard the push button travel adjust is finicky.
As far as the machined arch goes, I am a Behemoth rider for a reason. Clyde central- 6'6" 230 buck nah-ked. I had no problems with flex or cracks. I am also NOT a big jumper, so it didn't take huge jump style hits, but 245lbs geared, barreling down a trail into a G-out, rock garden or step up is good enuff for me.
There is not a lot of space between the tire and the arch, small rocks stuck in my tread would get wedged in the honeycomb of the back of the arch requiring stoppage for removal- this happened 4-5 times in 18months- not frequently enough for it to be a hassle. I ran the biggest Nevegals made for 29ers (2.3 me thinks). I have only seen the Dissent tire in photos, I see no way it would fit under the arch.
I ride in SoCal, dry and dusty (thanks for the H20 OR and CO). I would NOT consider this fork anywhere there is mud as you would quickly get impacted, requiring enemization. That being said, I think you could easily take a few more mm out for more space.
Travel was just over 5"- I measured it at 5 and an 1/8th when I first got it.
This was a sweet combo with my Behemoth.
FYI- this may shock some of you, but this is not a Fox approved modification to one of their forks. They have posted a warning on their website, voids your warranty, blah, blah, blah.
The fact that they know there is this mod should be a sports slap to the head for R&D to get us a Fox F29 36.
I have sold mine, to try out the new Marzocchi fork, mainly due to itchy feet on my part and desire to try new gear. If it doesn't pan-out I will mod a newer version of the 36.
I have ridden this fork for about 18 months on my Lenz Behemoth.
I bought it used on MTBR, had Alex Morgan from Buffalo Composite Design (BCD) mod it-(his idea, not mine). From my understanding he uses a CNC machine to machine the arch for clearance of the 29inch wheel and he adds an aluminum spacer to limit travel in one leg of the fork. Last I heard Alex races DH with a Fox 40 with the same mod. I bought the fork for $4hundy, paid alex $120ish for the mod, add shipping, I was into it $550 (not including a new 20mm TA wheel).
After 18 months of use, I love this fork. It is UBER stiff. Had some flex at first, but it was a POS velocity hoop, this was solved with a wheel change to a ZTR flow.
The fork performed like every other fox I have had- smooth and supple w/o a lick of problem. Set it up and ride. My first few rides I pinch flatted the front several times. Varied air pressure w/o success, finally went tubeless and have had zero problems since.
The TALAS option still worked, it was the older model, so I had to dial it up and down, which was a bit of a pain, but at least it still worked. Am tempted to try the new version with the push button TALAS, but have heard the push button travel adjust is finicky.
As far as the machined arch goes, I am a Behemoth rider for a reason. Clyde central- 6'6" 230 buck nah-ked. I had no problems with flex or cracks. I am also NOT a big jumper, so it didn't take huge jump style hits, but 245lbs geared, barreling down a trail into a G-out, rock garden or step up is good enuff for me.
There is not a lot of space between the tire and the arch, small rocks stuck in my tread would get wedged in the honeycomb of the back of the arch requiring stoppage for removal- this happened 4-5 times in 18months- not frequently enough for it to be a hassle. I ran the biggest Nevegals made for 29ers (2.3 me thinks). I have only seen the Dissent tire in photos, I see no way it would fit under the arch.
I ride in SoCal, dry and dusty (thanks for the H20 OR and CO). I would NOT consider this fork anywhere there is mud as you would quickly get impacted, requiring enemization. That being said, I think you could easily take a few more mm out for more space.
Travel was just over 5"- I measured it at 5 and an 1/8th when I first got it.
This was a sweet combo with my Behemoth.
FYI- this may shock some of you, but this is not a Fox approved modification to one of their forks. They have posted a warning on their website, voids your warranty, blah, blah, blah.
The fact that they know there is this mod should be a sports slap to the head for R&D to get us a Fox F29 36.
I have sold mine, to try out the new Marzocchi fork, mainly due to itchy feet on my part and desire to try new gear. If it doesn't pan-out I will mod a newer version of the 36.
It blows away 32mm forks hands down no comparing.:thumbsup:
