Flow’s First Bite: FOX Float X CTD Shock


The not-so-minor details

Product

FOX Float X CTD

Contact

SOLA Sport

Price

AUD839.00

Weight

365gm

Positives

A perfectly effective and wide range of compression adjustment.
Super supple and sensitive, and consistently composed when ridden hard.

Negatives

Rebound adjuster isn't tool-free adjustable.
Squeaky compression sound in all modes.

Us

To address the fast developing world of long travel trail bikes, all-mountain bikes and enduro racing bikes, FOX have released an air shock that combines the qualities of their lightest air shock, the FOX Float CTD, and the impact gobbling downhill shock – the FOX DHX.

We’ve mounted it in our Yeti SB66 Carbon test mule, replacing a Float CTD w/Trail adjust. So far the wide range of compression adjustability, and coil spring-like feel that it exhibits has made the bike feel even more like a plush downhiller. The lockout is nice and firm for tame uphills, and road sections, and the three micro adjusted ‘trail’ settings are clearly defined and super effective. Even descending in each mode still reveals the right amount of sensitivity to keep traction, without unwanted compression.

FOX Float X shock-3
Filling the gap between FOX’s lightweight shock, and their coil-sprung downhill shock, this Float X will boost performance of bikes with 140-180mm of travel.

The rebound dial is tucked away out of finger’s reach and will require a small allen key or even a stick on the trail to adjust. That may irk some people, but at least rebound adjustment isn’t really needed to be adjusted during the ride. Plus we find that on some Float shocks with light resistance on the rebound adjuster, the little red dial can creep open and unwind at times, speeding the rebound up without us realising. This won’t happen with this shock.

FOX Float X shock-5
The CTD adjustments sit off to one side, and are so very easy to access. Plus with such a wide range, each of the five settings can be used effectively to tailor the bikes pedalling efficiency to suit the terrain ahead.

From the outside it appears that FOX have taken the large volume DHX Air, with its piggyback chamber, and added the very user friendly on-the-fly compression adjustments found on current FLOAT shocks. The large blue lever is off to the side of the piggyback chamber, making for very quick and effective adjustments. But there is more going on than that inside this advanced piece of equipment, as we plan to figure out as our testing continues. We just need to find some mega long downhills to push its limits.

Our shock exhibits a little squeak on hard compressions, as the oil flow moves through the damping unit, which we’re sure will vary from shock to shock. Of the Float X shocks we have ridden so far, this is the first with a squeak.

FOX Float X shock-7
The Float X also has a larger volume of oil than the normal Float shock, for more consistent performance during long descents.

So stay tuned for more, but for now our first impressions are very positive and we just love the way suspension companies are pushing the development of this relatively new area of the market. It will let us ride lighter bikes harder, further and safer!

Them

New for 2014

  • New piggyback air shock for aggressive All-mountain riding
  • Wide CTD compression damping range and remote capability
  • Shares damping features and improvements made to DHX coil shocks
  • Easy maintenance air sleeve
  • 70g lighter than DHX Air – 8.5 x 2.5″ = 365g

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