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Sending a shock into Fox for servicing versus a LBS?

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ELmRidge

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a 2015 Trek Remedy 7 with fewer than 200 hours on it. The rear shock is a Fox Float EVO DRCV which they no longer make. I'm screwed for a replacement if I needed one because my bike's mounts only accept this shock and there are no replacements made for it without serious modifications to a different shock and/or the bike's frame. Thankfully the shock is in very good condition.

Fox's website says it's $160+ plus shipping to send my rear shock to them for servicing.

a LBS near me services shocks and forks. I do not know what they charge.

Does anyone know if Fox goes above and beyond with servicing one of their shocks versus what a LBS may do? What is an average cost for an LBS to service a rear shock? Do you think Fox is more apt to automatically replace internal components whereas a LBS may just clean things up and reuse them?

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Unless a shop is an actual service center for shocks (ie: they have a HP nitrogen setup), I would avoid them for shock service. If you are just doing an air-can service, yes, any monkey with two halves of a brain to rub together can do that adequately. I'm gathering that's not what you are looking for, though.

In my experience, Fox usually replaces stuff that is questionable. They will call 1) when the part is received to a workbench to discuss the expected service, and 2) if some part further in the shock needs replacing that isn't immediately obvious. So, you aren't just going to get a surprise bill.
 
#4 ·
ELmRidge said:
I have a 2015 Trek Remedy 7 with fewer than 200 hours on it. The rear shock is a Fox Float EVO DRCV which they no longer make. I'm screwed for a replacement if I needed one because my bike's mounts only accept this shock and there are no replacements made for it without serious modifications to a different shock and/or the bike's frame. Thankfully the shock is in very good condition.

Fox's website says it's $160+ plus shipping to send my rear shock to them for servicing.

a LBS near me services shocks and forks. I do not know what they charge.

Does anyone know if Fox goes above and beyond with servicing one of their shocks versus what a LBS may do? What is an average cost for an LBS to service a rear shock? Do you think Fox is more apt to automatically replace internal components whereas a LBS may just clean things up and reuse them?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Fox aims to return a new-functioning product, just as a competent shop would. Not many shops are equipped to provide that level of service. The CTD(non-Reaktiv) versions of DrCV shocks are the same to service as their non-DrCV counterparts, with a bit more to do for the air spring.

I'm not sure if they still support shocks of that age. Platform specific parts are no longer available.

You do have replacement options, but you may lose a little travel. Trek still has the conversion bolts to mount shocks with standard eyelets.
 
#5 ·
Only thing 95% of bike shops are good for is selling you a bike........
The other 3 out of the remaining 5 are only good for BASIC maintenance
Maybe 2% are capable of doing a rebuild of a shock.

Granted for MOST shocks its not terribly difficult, I find they just don't care. bike service shops now days just don't pay attention to the details...... i cant tell you how many times ive had to work on friedns bikes after they come back from the "Shop"

Send it back.
 
#7 ·
I vote send it to a competent suspension only shop vs sending it to Fox. There are at least 5-6 good options in the US.

I have seen some of the stuff back from their service departments, it is questionable for sure. Fox has made lots of changes the past few years, and it seems like a high turnover and general lack of knowledge from Fox service is currently the norm.

We have joked about recording phone conversations with Fox suspension service center techs as they are so funny. Like people coming straight from a job at Walmart now trying to diagnose and service suspension products. :rolleyes:

Funny, yet sad at the same time.
 
#8 ·
Bassmantweed said:
Only thing 95% of bike shops are good for is selling you a bike........
The other 3 out of the remaining 5 are only good for BASIC maintenance
Maybe 2% are capable of doing a rebuild of a shock.
Click to expand...
In my unhappy experience this is an understatement. Consider watching YouTube videos, buying specialized tools as needed and doing it yourself. In the long run this will pay off many times over.
 
#11 ·
IMHO Fox factory service has declined. I say this due to the (lack of) service I received on my Fox 34 FLOAT Factory FIT4 29 2022.

A nearby Trek store in Lee's Summit, MO looks to be a good choice. They have a couple of good techs and a shock dyno. I might try them next time.
 
#12 · (Edited)
ARider said:
I vote send it to a competent suspension only shop vs sending it to Fox. There are at least 5-6 good options in the US.

I have seen some of the stuff back from their service departments, it is questionable for sure. Fox has made lots of changes the past few years, and it seems like a high turnover and general lack of knowledge from Fox service is currently the norm.

We have joked about recording phone conversations with Fox suspension service center techs as they are so funny. Like people coming straight from a job at Walmart now trying to diagnose and service suspension products. :rolleyes:

Funny, yet sad at the same time.
Click to expand...
Fox's in house service is a joke. I have had multiple products they have "serviced" and "repaired" to have them returned with same issue they were sent to have fixed. Took them three times with a 36RC2 to fix a no rebound issue. Send your shock to a suspension specialist, they charge the same amount and generally do much better work.

I would very reluctant to have a LBS do a full service, unless you know for a fact the person working on your shock and/or fork has the knowledge, tools, and experience to do so properly. A relatively large LBS that my buddy's nephew works for is 0 for 3 on doing basic service (not even full rebuilds) on his suspension. Lower service on a Fox 36, they managed to not clean the air spring side well and couldn't get it to hold pressure, told him he needed a new fork. I dropped the lowers, found the contamination, reinstalled, all good. Round two, they unseated the OTT spring on a DVO Onyx doing a service, then couldn't figure out how to stop the rattling. Last round was after his nephew called me and asked about rebuilding his Fox DHX2. I told him, my success rate is 0 for 1 and they really need a bleeder to do it right. Even offered to let them use my bullet tool. Guess what, he now has a paperweight.

Presently, I have his other nephew's hardtail in my garage to fix the drivetrain issues and service the fork, because the shop couldn't figure out the shifter was not returning properly and wouldn't do a service on the Manitou R7 because they said it was too complicated (about the easiest fork in the world to service.)
 
#17 ·
Looks like this thread is more than a couple years old, but it's a relevant question for sure. I'm trying to decide this right now, but my feeling is that sending away to Fox is too much of an inconvenience. Do I want to spend time to take the fork off the bike, just for a service? Then figure out how to box it up well enough, and ship it off. And spending all that time, when I could just drop my bike off somewhere? And then the shipping to Fox, may be pretty costly. I don't know how it can be worth it, unless they are really doing something above and beyond.
 
#18 ·
nwberm said:
Looks like this thread is more than a couple years old, but it's a relevant question for sure. I'm trying to decide this right now, but my feeling is that sending away to Fox is too much of an inconvenience. Do I want to spend time to take the fork off the bike, just for a service? Then figure out how to box it up well enough, and ship it off. And spending all that time, when I could just drop my bike off somewhere? And then the shipping to Fox, may be pretty costly. I don't know how it can be worth it, unless they are really doing something above and beyond.
Click to expand...
It depends on the service you need. If you just need a lowers service, sure, your LBS is a great option. If your fork needs a full rebuild (usually done every couple years depending on how much you ride), it's worth it to send it off to Fox imo. They'll go through it with a fine tooth comb and tell you if anything is looks like it's worn out and needs replacing, like bushings. Plus they have all the parts right there, so turn around time will be quicker.

If your LBS has an accomplished suspension service tech, that changes the story. But I wouldn't recommend your average LBS Grom tech for a full fork rebuild.
 
#19 ·
Bikesair said:
If your fork needs a full rebuild (usually done every couple years depending on how much you ride), it's worth it to send it off to Fox imo. They'll go through it with a fine tooth comb and tell you if anything is looks like it's worn out and needs replacing, like bushings. Plus they have all the parts right there, so turn around time will be quicker.
Click to expand...
Yup. It always blows me away to see the list of stuff the replace. IMO it shows the level of inspection/teardown they provide.
 
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