[chowdapilot]

I need to order up a new fork for my 2011 5spot this week. I'm toying with the idea of trying a coil Van 36 on my new spot instead of a float. I'm 210 lbs and small bump sensitivity is key. I can get a deal on Fox forks so I'm not going to consider other brands. So the question, what fork will match up with the rp23 better? Are there any issues running a front spring with rear air shocks. Should I pull the trigger in the Van or stay with a float? Thanks!

 

[bobo_krkk_NIN]

Love my vanilla 32 on my TNT spot!

 

[kosmo]

If small bump compliance trumps all else, you really can't beat coil. But air fork compliance has come so far over the last few years, and the new Kashima coating may improve that even further.

As far as balance with the RP23 out back, as long as you know how to twiddle the low speed compression knob, you can balance a Vanilla fork out with any rear shock you choose.

 

[whoda*huck]

.65 lbs difference according to the Fox website. I'm deciding the same thing you are for a new spot, use an '08 float I've got or get a new Van fit RC2 with the kashiny coating.

edit: Seems there's less than 1/3 lb. difference from my '08 float to the newest van. Got any group deals from Fox, Chowda?:idea:

 

[Hangtime]

I put a 2010 Van 36 on my Spot and it's butter smooth. The coil is awesome.

 

[El Chingon]

Go with the Van. I had the 36 Float with Kashima, and I could never get full travel on the thing. Several other people have complained of the same thing. I was always an inch away from full travel, even on bigger hits. Now I'm on a Lyrik soloair, and am glad I got ride of the Fox. Much better small bump compliance on the lyrik too.

 

[qbert2000]

If small bump compliance trumps all else, you really can't beat coil. But air fork compliance has come so far over the last few years, and the new Kashima coating may improve that even further.

As far as balance with the RP23 out back, as long as you know how to twiddle the low speed compression knob, you can balance a Vanilla fork out with any rear shock you choose.

i have a 36float with kashima coat. whoever says kashima makes it buttery smooth is full of crap. its one benefit over the standard fox anodizing is its durability. for that alone, its a worthy upgrade over the old fox coating which was crap. kashima has proven itself in the moto world as a durable coating. yes, a coil will be more supple but the one issue is making sure you get the correct spring rate. sometimes you can ne a tweener weight and miss out on all the benefits. i like the option of adding or removing air pressure easily to change the spring rate. its true you will never get full travel on a float.

 

[dealy663]

I just got full travel on my float 2 days ago

I have a 2008 Talas 100/120/140, and not really having the funds to send it in to Push for servicing, I just did the oil/seal/wiper change myself. I was not getting beyond the last 1" of travel on my Talas either. And I thought that maybe something was wrong with the fork. But after spending so much money getting a new 5 Spot, I felt I had to wait on sending the fork in.

So after replacing the oil with the newer 10 Wt stuff from Torco, I found that I was still not getting the last 1" of travel, and also that with the new oil my old settings for preload, and low speed compression were no longer to my liking. So before my ride last friday I re-adjusted the sag and set it to the full plush 35mm setting according to Fox. I decided to leave the low speed compression and rebound alone since its smart to change only one thing at a time. Well sure enough, on my ride that day the fork was really active on the small stuff, and I got full travel.

Now as it turns out 35mm of sag is too much for my liking. It wasn't an especially tough downhill run and I really shouldn't have used all the travel on my fork that day. Not to mention that at that setting the fork was not evenly matched to the RP23 in the rear. So I'm gonna reduce the sag to 31mm for tomorrow's ride and see how that works.

Just because you often see people saying that Float's never get their last inch of travel doesn't mean it's true. Verify it for yourself, experiment with your fork's adjustments, and if you have to go beyond the maximum suggested sag to get full travel then you know something is probably wrong with your fork.

i have a 36float with kashima coat. whoever says kashima makes it buttery smooth is full of crap. its one benefit over the standard fox anodizing is its durability. for that alone, its a worthy upgrade over the old fox coating which was crap. kashima has proven itself in the moto world as a durable coating. yes, a coil will be more supple but the one issue is making sure you get the correct spring rate. sometimes you can ne a tweener weight and miss out on all the benefits. i like the option of adding or removing air pressure easily to change the spring rate. its true you will never get full travel on a float.

 

[serhij]

TALAS to Float

I have a 2008 Talas [...] Float's never get their last inch of travel [...]

Talas and Float are totally different beasts. TALAS stands for Travel Adjusted Linear Air Spring, and must admit it is quite linear all right. Float is standard air spring, progressive as only air spring can be...

 

[chowdapilot]

Thanks for the help. I think the van would have been great but at 205 - 210 I've decided to go with a 2010 Float 36 rc2. Just a little worried I'd be between springs on the Van Rc2.

 

[nightofthefleming]

Good job on finding a 2010, I have absolutely no idea why they ditched the RC2 cart for the 160 float, makes no sense to me. I had my heart set on a 36 float for my 575, but now that it's a RLC, I'm going for a Lyrik solo air DH RC2 170 and space it down to 160, that way I could remove the spacer in case I ever get my hands on a little longer travel frame. Now if I could only find a bunch of money under a rock...

 

[istvisinet]

I would take a serious look at a Marzocchi 55 RC3 Ti if you can catch one on chainlove for around $440. At that price it is probably as cheap as you can get a Fox, even with dealer/employee pricing and I feel rides much better. I have been riding Fox 36 for past 3 years ( 08 Float 36 RC2 on my 575, a 2010 36 RC2 on my Firebird, and an 07 36 Van on my ASX ) and recently took a chance and put a 2010 55 on my new trail bike and I love it. It feels sooooo much better than any of my other Fox forks. I am so glad I took a chance. Now I just hope it holds up over time. Just a thought.

 

[whoda*huck]

I've looked at that 55 Zoke and almost pulled the trigger. Just can't get over the full pound heavier than the newest Float.

 

[chowdapilot]

I don't doubt for a second that the 55 Zoke is a better performing fork. Ive had quite a few in the past and loved them but my last 2 broke so many times I won't consider them until they get a few solid years under their belt.

 

[serhij]

I've looked at that 55 Zoke and almost pulled the trigger. Just can't get over the full pound heavier than the newest Float.

Light bike doesn't ride by itself. Zoke is a great performer, I ride it smaller brother 44RC3 Ti, and the only reason I've chosen 44 over 55 is that trails in my neighborhood are quite flat (compering to big mountains), so I'm forced to hit VERY steep climbs to get bigsmile on my face. If you ride a lot in the mountains or just don't attack some stupid steep climbs, 55 will give much better geo and definitely more fun.

 

[serhij]

naaah, you just had a bad luck, that's all. I had number of forks and if we take my personal experience it's RockShox (boxxer) and Fox (36) that brake, not Marzocchi. Sometimes s**t happens, if you like plush yet supple ride, look no further - 55 RC3Ti.

 

[stevo5]

Hello!

Why are we not talking about the Lyrik? I have spoken with a few top notch suspension experts and the like the Lyrik. And if it is plush and small bump compliance you want then the Mission Control DH damper is the one for that job!

 

[whoda*huck]

Why are we not talking about the Lyrik?

Did you read the original post?
"I can get a deal on Fox forks so I'm not going to consider other brands."

 

[rmac]

Did you read the original post?
"I can get a deal on Fox forks so I'm not going to consider other brands."

Since discussion on the Marz had already intruded, seemed like a fair question.

 

[whoda*huck]

True. Wouldn't be the first time a thread went off on several tangents. (I know I'm guilty of adding to one of those tangents by replying to the 55 Marz suggestion...)