Thoughts on Fox Factory Tuning?

half_man_half_scab said:

I’m contemplating the next shock in my life. There are a couple of intriguing platforms, though no matter the route I take, I’m 210 with riding gear on and would likely benefit from a custom shim stack. Rather than buy a shock and send it to a custom tuner, it appears that you can get a “Fox Factory Tuned” shock directly from the manufacturer. This could greatly simplify the process, if their tuning process is any good. Seems like the new Float X has promise for custom tunes, for example. Do they actually custom design a shim stack for you, or is it more of fitting just one of the 3 pre-defined high-medium-low compression stacks before mailing it to you?

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I know a few people that have gone down this route, and I am not aware of anyone that was pleased with the service, pricing or outcome. It's not a terrible option, but unless fox has already worked with an OEM on their tuning and shim stacks for that frame, you're just going to be getting a stab in the dark or just an off the shelf medium tune with either shim pre-load (digressive) or linear. While that is a pretty big impact in either direction... it's not going to net you much in terms of knowing that it's setup properly for your usage of the bike.

I do not know what frame you have, but i feel that the best option would be seeing of a rockshox superdeluxe can fit... and then finding one that is 2018-2019 aged and sending it into vorsprung for a tractive tune.

Yeah, but after Tractive it’s no longer user serviceable, so that one is out for me

Thanks for your thoughts on the Fox Factory Tuning. I wonder how outcomes would be for the DVO custom tunes on the new Topaz. I’ve got the prior gen Topaz now, suppose I could optimize that. But part of me is afraid for the long term parts supply from smaller manufacturers, given the ongoing Covid disruptions. In particular bespoke wear items, such as the bladders in their shocks.

half_man_half_scab said:

Thanks for your thoughts on the Fox Factory Tuning. I wonder how outcomes would be for the DVO custom tunes on the new Topaz. I’ve got the prior gen Topaz now, suppose I could optimize that. But part of me is afraid for the long term parts supply from smaller manufacturers, given the ongoing Covid disruptions. In particular bespoke wear items, such as the bladders in their shocks.

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I would have the Topaz tuned by DVO. You know how it works and what you want different. Parts availability should not be an issue for at least several years, it is a variation of a Suntour shock.

+1 for letting DVO tune one of their shocks. I have custom tunes from them on both my Onyx and my Jade. They nailed them! Exactly what I wanted for the both fork in shock in terms of damper tune in relation to the spring rate I need to run. I'm on the other end of the spectrum at 145 in DH gear so I also really benefit from custom work done well.

I also find the rates to be extremely reasonable. My custom tuned Jade was >500 all in...

F.I.T.nj said:

+1 for letting DVO tune one of their shocks. I have custom tunes from them on both my Onyx and my Jade. They nailed them! Exactly what I wanted for the both fork in shock in terms of damper tune in relation to the spring rate I need to run. I'm on the other end of the spectrum at 145 in DH gear so I also really benefit from custom work done well.

I also find the rates to be extremely reasonable. My custom tuned Jade was >500 all in...

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I'm a fan of the topaz but the lack of adjustability on the compression side (beyond the 3 position LSC adjuster) has me thinking about getting a float X2 or sending the shock in to DVO for a tune to get something between the open and middle modes. based on cost I think I'm leaning towards sending the Topaz in to DVO but it would be nice to have more adjustment without having to reshim things. I'm curious to hear your impressions before & after DVO tuning your dampers and if you have opened them up to see what they did (along with your weight & bike).

Cary said:

I would have the Topaz tuned by DVO. You know how it works and what you want different. Parts availability should not be an issue for at least several years, it is a variation of a Suntour shock.

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It is interesting, though, that Suntour opted for an IFP in what was otherwise an exact clone of the Topaz. While I’m a believer of the bladders, orings are cheaper and easier to come by. worst case you could switch to IFP later, maybe?

WhatsUpcountry said:

I'm a fan of the topaz but the lack of adjustability on the compression side (beyond the 3 position LSC adjuster) has me thinking about getting a float X2 or sending the shock in to DVO for a tune to get something between the open and middle modes. based on cost I think I'm leaning towards sending the Topaz in to DVO but it would be nice to have more adjustment without having to reshim things. I'm curious to hear your impressions before & after DVO tuning your dampers and if you have opened them up to see what they did (along with your weight & bike).

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This is another advantage the new Float X has over the Topaz; proper LSC adjustments.

So, it seems no one here has first hand experience with the Fox Factory Tuning?

half_man_half_scab said:

This is another advantage the new Float X has over the Topaz; proper LSC adjustments.

So, it seems no one here has first hand experience with the Fox Factory Tuning?

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I recall seeing some chatter about the DPX2 or float X not having much range in rebound adjustment but if you get the right base tune for you and your bike that shouldn't be and issue. I don't think there's necessarily a wrong choice. I like the DVO stuff from a serviceability standpoint but that may not matter to you.

If you're in the US.

And want Air, buy a Super Deluxe or Monarch and send it to AVY. Or buy a Mara Pro if you want to DIY.

If you want coil, buy a Marz CR and send it to Avy. Or maybe a Storia. The main diff is how each handles bottom out. Avy used a big ass rubber bumper. Storia uses hydraulics.

Honestly tho, if your within 160-190 lbs, you probably don't need custom tuning.

half_man_half_scab said:

Yeah, but after Tractive it’s no longer user serviceable, so that one is out for me

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Fox stuff generally isn't user serviceable in the first place, the reservoir piston IFP does not have a bleed fitting, the bleed fittings are intended for vacuum-bleeder equipment, etc. With the Super Deluxe, their normal tune does remove the user-serviceable IFP, but you can ask to retain the original IFP to allow for the user-service bleeds, which is quite easy with a Super Deluxe...as compared to Fox. You can work on Fox stuff at home...but it's generally a much bigger PITA.

Jayem said:

Fox stuff generally isn't user serviceable in the first place, the reservoir piston IFP does not have a bleed fitting, the bleed fittings are intended for vacuum-bleeder equipment, etc. With the Super Deluxe, their normal tune does remove the user-serviceable IFP, but you can ask to retain the original IFP to allow for the user-service bleeds, which is quite easy with a Super Deluxe...as compared to Fox. You can work on Fox stuff at home...but it's generally a much bigger PITA.

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That’s good info about the Tractive IFPs, thanks. Regarding ease of servicing Fox stuff, I think the 2022 Float X may be a special case, as some are reporting the old Monarch bleed fitting is compatible with the Float X bleed port. Looking at the service instructions for the Float X (again, 2022), it doesn’t look dramatically different when compared to a Topaz, and it’s not hard to imagine a manual process where it advises vacuum bleeding at the end:2022 FLOAT X Rebuild | Bike Help Center | FOX