Fresh Product – FOX Suspension 2016 Highlights


FOX go all out for 2016, and their new lineup receives a solid dose of the technology trickle down treatment. With a focus on their new mantra ‘Own the Trail, Track or Mountain’ FOX aim to cater for the needs of all the growing areas of the sport.

The big forking news for 2016 is the new damper – FIT 4 found in ALL forks going forward (except 36, 381 and 40), we won’t see any more open cartridge dampers in favour of the new FIT 4. We’ve already spent some time on the FIT 4 damper inside the new FOX 34 fork as well as the new Float DPS rear shock – read our full review here. https://flowmountainbike.com/tests/tested-2016-fox-34-fork-and-float-dps-shock/

FOX 2016 2 FOX 2016 13 FOX 2016 10

[divider]FIT 4 Explained[/divider]

The first major change is the new adjuster configuration; there are three main compression settings (much like CTD, with open, medium and firm), but there’s also a completely independent low-speed compression adjustment. The central black dial has 22 points of adjustment, giving you a much broader and precise range of control over low speed compression, similar to the 36’s RC2 damper.

The second big damper change that users will notice is an all new rebound assembly, which is designed keep the fork riding higher in its travel, particularly after big impacts. Beginning stroke rebound (i.e. for smaller impacts) can be set quite slow, for a more stable and planted ride feel. But on bigger impacts the fork will rebound more quickly to recover from heavy compressions, helping avoid getting bogged down deep in its travel. 

Finally, FOX have made some huge leaps in terms of service requirements for their forks. Through better sealing and more advanced lubricants (especially the new Gold Oil), service intervals are now 120 hours of riding, which is far cry more manageable than the 30-hour intervals of yesteryear!

All the rear shocks also receive some new features, with the DPS (Dual Position System) and EVOL (Extra Volume) in the popular Float series.

[divider]DPS and EVOL System Explained[/divider]

The EVOL  air sleeve will be retrofittable to older FOX shocks too. This is more than just an extra volume air can, as we’ve seen in the past. The EVOL air sleeve is all about increasing the volume of the shock’s negative air spring. This has a number of positive effects.

Firstly, there’s improved bump sensitivity in the initial parts of the stroke. Secondly, the EVOL air sleeve provides an overall flatter spring curve, with more support in the mid-stroke (helping alleviate that wallowing feeling that can afflict some longer-travel air sprung bikes). Finally, the EVOL air sleeve helps slow down the shock’s rebound as it nears full extension, which should reduce the likelihood of getting ‘bucked’ over the bars after heavy compressions, particularly off the lip of a jump.

There has also been a huge re-think of the shock’s damping, which has led to the new Dual Piston System design and the ditching of the Boost Valve system. Again, we’ll avoid teching you out too much here, and stick to what’s actually noticeable for the user.

While the external damping adjustments are the same (CTD lever, with three position Trail Adjust), the firmness of the lockout (or Climb mode) has been increased significantly. At the same time as making this setting firmer, the level of damping control provided once your blow through the lockout has also been improved. On Boost Valve shocks, there was often inadequate compression control once you’d pushed past the initial lockout platform, but this has been rectified. If, like many cross country racers, you like to run your shock in Climb mode a lot, this change will definitely be appreciated.

See the highlights from FOX below:


 FOX 34

ALL NEW 34 SERIES – for aggressive trail riders in a super lightweight package

New lightweight chassis

New FLOAT air spring

New FIT4 damper

•Ideal travel options: 120-140mm 

•Weight: 34 27.5 160mm = 1746 g / 3.85 lb 219g / .48lb less than MY15 – 34 29 140mm = 1769 g / 3.9 lb 297g / .65lb less than MY15


2016 FOX 2

FOX 32

32 SERIES – Lightweight XC Series

New FLOAT air spring

New FIT4 damper

•Ideal travel options: 80-100mm 

2016 FOX 1

FOX 34 27.5+

ALL NEW 34 27.5+ fork – built for larger tires and a sense of adventure

•Max tire size 3.25

Boost 15x110mm axle

New FLOAT air spring

New FIT4 damper

•Travel options: 120mm/140mm 

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FOX 36

36 SERIES – Award-winning 36 lineup expanded

New FACTORY FIT4 damper and new 15QR axle option 

FACTORY FIT HSC/LSC (RC2) damper and convertible 15/20mm bolt-on axle option

Retains 36 FLOAT air spring with internal travel adjust via spacers

Updated RC2 damper tune and dual circuit rebound 

•Ideal travel options: 150-180mm 

2016 FOX 4

FOX 381

ALL NEW 36 831 – Designed for dual slalom and dirt jumping FACTORY FIT HSC/LSC (RC2) damper and convertible 15/20mm bolt-on axle option

Specific 36 831 FLOAT air spring

26” only

1-1/8” and 1.5 taper steer tube options

2016 FOX 3

FOX 40

40 SERIES – World Championship-winning design

New FLOAT air spring

Updated RC2 damper tune and dual circuit rebound 

Available in 27.5” and 26” 

2016 FOX 5

FOX Float DPS

ALL NEW FLOAT DPS – Our most capable inline shock ever

New full lockout and three on-the-fly settings: Open, Medium and Firm

New DPS damper 

New EVOL air sleeve option

FACTORY Series feature 3 clicks of low-speed compression adjust in the Open Mode.

2016 FOX 10

FOX Float X

FLOAT X – The Enduro World Series-winning Enduro and all-mountain shock

New EVOL air sleeve option

New damping tune with added compliance and control

FACTORY Series feature 3 clicks of low-speed compression adjust in the Open Mode.

2016 FOX 7

FOX Float X2

ALL NEW FLOAT X2 – Our highest performing air shock

New RVS technology for seamless damping transitions

New recirculating oil damper with independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping

•Main piston features two valves stacks that are reversible to change tune

2016 FOX 8

FOX Float DHX2

ALL NEW FLOAT DHX2 – World Championship- winning design

  • New RVS technology for seamless damping transitions
  • New recirculating oil damper with independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping
  • Main piston features two valves stacks that are reversible to change tune
  • New SLS (Super Lightweight Steel) spring option 

2016 FOX 6

 

Super Lightweight Steel (SLS) springs are lighter than titanium at more affordable prices

  • Proprietary surface treatment and stress relief process removes residual stresses from the spring, allowing them to withstand higher stresses
  • Each spring is optimize by using a smaller wire diameter and less coils, creating a lighter spring
  • Technology developed for highly stressed valve springs in drag racing cars
  • Fits all FOX coil shocks
  • Available in 25-pound increments
  • Sizes: 2.75” stoke – 300-550#, 3.0 stroke –300-525#, 3.5 stroke – 225-400#

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