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2023 Fox 36 GRIP2 -- Set up tips and tricks?

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climbanymtn

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
I just got a brand new MY23 Fox 36 w/160mm travel and GRIP2 damper. This is an upgrade for my Santa Cruz Hightower LT which has a 2018 Fox 36 Performance Elite with FIT4 damper and 150mm travel.

Just wondering if there is anything beyond the Fox suggested starting points for setting sag, rebound and HSC/LSR that I should be aware of? Any tips/tricks to dialing in tune?

I've read that it's best to get a number of rides using the Fox suggested settings and let the fork "break-in" before trying to dial in specific HSC/LSR adjustments, adding/removing volume spacers, etc. Not sure how much break-in time is needed though.

FYI: I am 185-190lbs geared up. My biggest gripes with my current fork was poor small bump sensitivity (ie damping trail chatter) and lack of full travel, despite many attempts at changing settings and servicing. Hoping this fork is a night and day improvement!

UPDATE:
Fork Spec:
29in
160mm
1.5 T
51mm rake
58HT (not sure what this spec means)
GRIP2 Damper
HSC,LSC,HSR,LSR
15QRx110 (thinking about switching it to Kabolt X though)
 
#2 ·
Even though it new fork out of the box, you should consider making lower lag service as well as checking that the air shaft not overloaded with grease…

As for setting - take out the volume spacers, open fully the compression and find the right psi and rebound for your weight, you can use Fox recommended settings as starting point. Then, start closing the compression to add support. Once you having good base setting, you can fine tune everything and see if it’ll improve the riding feel. And if you’re bottoming out too often, add volume spacer.
 
#3 ·
climbanymtn said:
I just got a brand new MY23 Fox 36 w/160mm travel and GRIP2 damper. This is an upgrade for my Santa Cruz Hightower LT which has a 2018 Fox 36 Performance Elite with FIT4 damper and 150mm travel.

Just wondering if there is anything beyond the Fox suggested starting points for setting sag, rebound and HSC/LSR that I should be aware of? Any tips/tricks to dialing in tune?

I've read that it's best to get a number of rides using the Fox suggested settings and let the fork "break-in" before trying to dial in specific HSC/LSR adjustments, adding/removing volume spacers, etc. Not sure how much break-in time is needed though.

FYI: I am 185-190lbs geared up. My biggest gripes with my current fork was poor small bump sensitivity (ie damping trail chatter) and lack of full travel, despite many attempts at changing settings and servicing. Hoping this fork is a night and day improvement!
Click to expand...
I really don't want to burst your bubble... but it might not be much better. Do the lower leg service as recommended, my new 38 grip2 didn't have enough oil in it and way too much grease.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
@SilentMTB @yzedf Wow, I didn't realize that Fox ships new forks in such a sorry state! I will have my suspension guy take a look at it to make sure everything's good. I hope it performs better or I will be bummed. From all the reviews I've read, the GRIP2 damper and other improvements to the Fox 36 since 2018 make a big difference. Worst case I will have a shiny new fork with Kashima. LOL. Crossing my fingers!
 
#5 ·
SilentMTB said:
Even though it new fork out of the box, you should consider making lower lag service as well as checking that the air shaft not overloaded with grease…

As for setting - take out the volume spacers, open fully the compression and find the right psi and rebound for your weight, you can use Fox recommended settings as starting point. Then, start closing the compression to add support. Once you having good base setting, you can fine tune everything and see if it’ll improve the riding feel. And if you’re bottoming out too often, add volume spacer.
Click to expand...
The difference between my fork out of the box vs after servicing it was pretty significant lol

Plus my fork was apparently missing some washers on the rebound knob.
So yeah, I recommend servicing a Fox fork immediately upon purchase.
 
#6 ·
I just got a Canyon Spectral with the Fox 160 mm fork. I weigh 185 so I set the pressure where they say and I couldn’t even get close to 25-30% sag. I never even road the bike that way because I could tell it would be quite harsh. Ended lowering the for to 80 PSI which I believe is slightly below what they recommend for my weight. Just finished a ride today with some decent downhill chunk. When I got back the o-ring was pretty much in line with the rear shock o-ring which is what I was shooting for. I have to say I am pretty impressed with this fork. It was very plush yet offered good support on larger hits. I wouldn’t remove the volume spacers (I didn’t) because you need to do some more riding first.
 
#7 ·
FrontRangeFriend said:
The difference between my fork out of the box vs after servicing it was pretty significant lol

Plus my fork was apparently missing some washers on the rebound knob.
So yeah, I recommend servicing a Fox fork immediately upon purchase.
Click to expand...
Washers on the rebound knob?
 
#8 ·
I recently got a bike with a F36 Factory Grip 2. Used Fox's suggested settings. After the first ride my hands were hurting. I removed the two volume spacers and turned the LSC and HSC to full open...then started from there. I think after about some 60 miles...the bushings are starting to loosen up.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Scott_123 said:
I just got a Canyon Spectral with the Fox 160 mm fork. I weigh 185 so I set the pressure where they say and I couldn’t even get close to 25-30% sag. I never even road the bike that way because I could tell it would be quite harsh. Ended lowering the for to 80 PSI which I believe is slightly below what they recommend for my weight. Just finished a ride today with some decent downhill chunk. When I got back the o-ring was pretty much in line with the rear shock o-ring which is what I was shooting for. I have to say I am pretty impressed with this fork. It was very plush yet offered good support on larger hits. I wouldn’t remove the volume spacers (I didn’t) because you need to do some more riding first.
Click to expand...
Very interesting! When I get mine installed I'll see how it goes with air pressure and sag. I wonder if this relates to the volume spacer? Does a brand new fork come with one spacer pre-installed or none? Did you hit the air bleeds before or after you got your pressure set?
 
#10 ·
These forks don't have much compression damping and the damper is harsh on sharp edges. Pretty much everyone runs them stock with damper open and over-springing the air.

Getting the rebound right with HSR/LSR is difficult. Made even more difficult with them all being built slightly differently. No two dyno the same on rebound so you can't just use someone elses settings.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
RS VR6 said:
I recently got a bike with a F36 Factory Grip 2. Used Fox's suggested settings. After the first ride my hands were hurting. I removed the two volume spacers and turned the LSC and HSC to full open...then started from there. I think after about some 60 miles...the bushings are starting to loosen up.
Click to expand...
This is good to know. I didn't realize it came with 2 spacers pre-installed. My fork came with 3 extra spacers in the box, but not sure how many are installed inside the fork already.
 
#13 ·
climbanymtn said:
Very interesting! When I get mine installed I'll see how it goes with air pressure and sag. I wonder if this relates to the volume spacer? Does a brand new fork come with one spacer pre-installed or none? Did you hit the air bleeds before or after you got your pressure set?
Click to expand...
It might. I forgot to mention I set compression at wide open which I almost always do. My Wolf Ridge also has a 160 mm fork (Lyrik) and at first I pulled both volume spacers but after doing a complete seal service and damper upgrade I ended up putting one volume spacer back in.

I still say don’t just dive in and eliminate the volume spacers. Go through the process of air pressure, ride time and you’ll get a much better idea what to do with the volume spacers after that. As far as how many VS are in there I don’t know. Rockshox does a way better job with making OEM and after-market information available so I know my Lyrik RC had two VS as shipped but on the OEM Fox I guess that might take some digging. Or just let the air out and pull the cap to see.
 
#14 ·
I just got a new Fox 36 Grip 2 on my bike and I had to do a lower service after my first ride because it felt harsh. The fork had plenty of oil, but there was so much grease on the shaft I don't think it was equalizing properly. The fork felt a lot more plush after the lower service. I have never understood why Fox does not follow their own service procedures and use a light coating of grease on the airshaft. Seems like bad marketing to hear so many people say they have to service a brand new fork.

 
#15 ·
@climbanymtn, your fork should have one volume spacer preinstalled.

Scott_123 said:
I just got a Canyon Spectral with the Fox 160 mm fork. I weigh 185 so I set the pressure where they say and I couldn’t even get close to 25-30% sag. I never even road the bike that way because I could tell it would be quite harsh. Ended lowering the for to 80 PSI which I believe is slightly below what they recommend for my weight. Just finished a ride today with some decent downhill chunk. When I got back the o-ring was pretty much in line with the rear shock o-ring which is what I was shooting for. I have to say I am pretty impressed with this fork. It was very plush yet offered good support on larger hits. I wouldn’t remove the volume spacers (I didn’t) because you need to do some more riding first.
Click to expand...
Fox recommended between 15-20% sag, but use their recommended settings as tarting point… as for using full travel all the time, as long as you’re happy from the way your fork works, it’s not that important.
 
#19 ·
climbanymtn said:
Just found a really great 2023 article on dialing in Fox forks. Some really good stuff in there.

flowmountainbike.com

Flow's guide for setting up your Fox fork | Suspension Tuning Tips Pt.1

How do you set up a Fox fork? We take you through some of the best tips and recommendations in our suspension tuning guide.
flowmountainbike.com flowmountainbike.com
Click to expand...
Quick summary. They're using sag, they're using a push and release test for rebound. Using recommended settings and bracketing.

Nah, do this instead: 1 Page Suspension Setup Guide - Suspension Setup - Technical | Shockcraft
 
#20 ·
Dougal said:
Quick summary. They're using sag, they're using a push and release test for rebound. Using recommended settings and bracketing.

Nah, do this instead: 1 Page Suspension Setup Guide - Suspension Setup - Technical | Shockcraft
Click to expand...
That's a misleading guide. Lower or higher spring rate can change the overall support and feel of the fork, but wont change the return speed, to control this you’re using the rebound knob.

Instead, use the recommended settings as starting point to balance between the spring rate and the rebound speed for your weight.
 
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