Mick rides the new Fox Float X2 shock

Introduced back in 2020, the current generation Fox Float X2 shock earned itself something of a chequered reputation. While a significant step-up in performance and adjustability over the pre-2020 Float X2, its reliability, unfortunately, took a nose dive due to the likelihood of air creeping past the main seal and mixing with the damping oil within. You didn’t have to look far to find a fellow rider with a squishy Float X2, which could only be remedied by sending the shock off to have it rebuilt under warranty.

Fox rolled out some updates in 2022, though it wasn’t until 2023 that the aeration problem was fully addressed with a significant overhaul of the internal and external construction. Last year, we spent a heap of time scrutinising the latest version of the Float X2 across several test bikes and were happy to report that Fox had finally fought off its gremlins.

With that experience behind it, Fox has been working away on the next generation Float X2. The goal was to bring its performance up to speed with the latest 4-way adjustable GRIP X2 fork damper while further improving durability and reliability. The result is the 2026 Fox Float X2.

What’s new with the 2026 Fox Float X2?

All-new for 2026, the Fox Float X2 arrives alongside its coil-spring sibling; the DHX2. Both are gravity-oriented shocks that are designed for enduro, downhill and e-MTB applications. It’s the air-sprung Float X2 that Mick has been riding over the past week, and it’s the shock that we’ll be focussing on for this article.

According to Fox, the 2026 Float X2 is made up of over 100 new parts. The most obvious visual difference is the reoriented piggyback reservoir that affords more frame clearance. The Float X2 also updates to the same air seal package as the latest Float X, which sees the maximum operating pressure expand from 300 to 350psi.

Holding the new shock in your hand, it is quite the chonky number. Compared to the old Float X2 that came off Mick’s Ibis HD6, the latest version has gained 80g in weight (761g vs 679g).

Going monotube

Heading deeper inside, there are significant changes to the damper with a pivot away from the twin tube architecture of old. Instead, the new Float X2 moves to a more conventional monotube layout, which we understand was all about reducing the likelihood of oil aeration while achieving a pressure-balanced environment as with the GRIP X2 fork dampers. Here’s the word straight from the Fox’s mouth;

“Pressure balancing benefits suspension by maintaining a low positive pressure in the damper, allowing a much faster damper response time to rider inputs. That positive pressure in the damper prevents cavitation and alleviates oil aeration, both (of) which can negatively affect performance of the shock.”

Going away from the twin tube architecture also meant that Fox could use thicker walls for the damper body, while also upping the diameter of the main shaft from 9.5 to 12.7mm. This increases overall strength and rigidity, which is particularly beneficial for bikes that use a clevis link like the Specialized Stumpjumper 15. It makes the new Float X2 less susceptible to flex, which should reduce the chance of air and oil contamination.

4- way adjustability

A key challenge of making the monotube damper design work was maintaining the 4-way adjustability of the previous Float X2.

Fox’s engineers had to work some magic to incorporate a high-speed rebound dial, which utilises a novel mechanism with a cam and a pair of gears to adjust the VVC valve inside the damper. The result is what Fox is referring to as the world’s first 4-way adjustable monotube shock.

There are further improvements inside the Float X2’s damper, with a new larger base valve assembly that draws inspiration from the GRIP X2 forks. The main piston now incorporates no fewer than 50 shims, which is nearly double what was used in the old shock. This allows for more incremental fine-tuning of the compression damping, and Fox also says that the high-speed rebound VVC assembly has been refined to provide a more linear adjustment range between the extremes. The result is a broader and more usable range of adjustability that makes it easier for lighter and heavier riders to achieve the ideal setting before resorting to a custom tune.

Fox Float X2 price & specs

There will be three models in the 2026 Fox Float X2 lineup, though only the Performance Series and Factory Series shocks will be available to purchase aftermarket in Australia.

You’ll see the entry-level Performance Series Float X2 making its way onto complete bikes for the time being, and it’s worth noting that it receives nearly all of the same updates as the more expensive shocks. It doesn’t get the adjustable high-speed rebound dial, though the addition of adjustable high-speed compression damping is a new feature for the Performance Series Float X2.

2026 Fox Float X2 Factory Series Shock

• Spring | New High Volume Air Spring w/Tuneable Volume Spacers (1cc Increments)
• Damper | Pressure-Balanced Monotube
• Stroke | 50, 55, 60, 65 & 75mm
• Adjustments | Air Pressure, Air Volume, High & Low-Speed Compression, High & Low-Speed Rebound, Optional Climb Switch
• Claimed Weight | 720g (210x55mm)
• Actual Weight | 761g (230x65mm)
• Price | $1,199 AUD (Performance Elite) – $1,299 AUD (Factory Series)

Installation & custom tuning

To test out the new Fox Float X2, Mick requested a shock to install on his Ibis HD6. This would allow for a relatively direct comparison with the previous Float X2 that he’d been riding for the past year.

We should acknowledge that testing and reviewing a shock comes with the added complication of having the appropriate tune for a given bike and rider. For those buying a new Float X2 off-the-shelf, it’s worth noting that Fox specs it with a relatively neutral tune (CS50, RL60, Rezi B60, Bleed 0.9). This turned out to be a pretty good match for the HD6, though it won’t necessarily work for all suspension designs and leverage ratios.

Most brands will have a list of shock tunes that are recommended for their full suspension models, so our advice is to contact your bike’s manufacturer to get a hold of that information. From here, you’ll want to consider where your weight sits within the typical 65-85kg bell curve. If you need to get the Float X2 custom tuned straight away, Ride Fox Australia can perform this service on a new shock for approximately $185 AUD before it’s sent out to you.

Alternatively, if the recommended tune is close to the off-the-shelf configuration, you may want to try out the shock to see where you land in the adjustment range. If you end up maxing out the adjusters and are still not getting the feel you’re after, then it would still be possible to send the shock back to Fox for a retune. This would be more expensive at approximately $359 AUD, which is due to the added servicing cost for a shock that isn’t brand new.

Setting up

Out of the box, the new Fox Float X comes with 16cc worth of volume spaces fitted as standard. This is the maximum that the air can will accommodate, though you have the ability to reduce that number in 1cc increments all the way down to zero. You get both blue (2cc) and green (1cc) volume spacers included in the box, so there’s plenty of scope to dial in the progression as you need. It’s a significant improvement over the old Float X2, which only had four orange spacers to play with.

To suit his Ibis HD6, Mick was recommended to start with 2cc worth of volume spacers and quickly upped it to 6cc. From here, he set the air pressure to hit 30% sag and positioned all the damper adjustments in the middle of their range.

It’s worth noting that Fox has refined the tuning range of the high and low-speed adjusters. You get 16 clicks each for low-speed rebound and compression, and 8 clicks each for high-speed rebound and compression.

Also noteworthy, both rebound adjusters are now located at the lower shock eyelet and feature a tool-free design. While they’re easier to actuate, their positioning can make them awkward to access on certain frame designs. Mick hasn’t had any problems rotating either dial by hand on his HD6, though the drilled notches mean it’s possible to get a skinny hex key in there if needed.

First Impressions

Mick’s only had a week of riding on the new Fox Float X2 shock and is still fine-tuning the air volume and damper settings for his Ibis HD6. There is an enormous range of adjustability on offer, so it’s worth setting some time aside to get things dialled in. If you need some help decoding all the terms and adjustments, check out our handy Fox shock tuning tips article for a breakdown of all the tech.

One aspect that stood out immediately with the new Float X2 is its quiet damper performance. There is appreciably less noise than the old shock, which could be attributed to the move to the monotube damper design, or perhaps is just down to some refinement of the various oil paths. Whatever the reason, anything that makes your mountain bike quieter and easier to focus on the trail ahead is a good thing in our books.

Also noticeable is the firmer climb mode. The Float X2 is available with an optional two-position climb switch that is either in Open or Firm, with the latter being a handy mode for pedalling along a fire road or climbing up smoother singletrack. Compared to the previous Float X2, the new version benefits from reworked internals that deliver a more solid pedalling platform when engaged.

Otherwise Mick has been pleased with the overall level of sensitivity and support out of the new Float X2, which is working away beautifully on the back of the big Ibis. We’re looking forward to spending more time on it over the coming year, which will include some back-to-back testing with its predecessor as well as the RockShox Vivid, so stay tuned for further insights in the near future.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER - Mick Ross

Hometown

Newcastle, Australia

Height

179cm

Weight80kg

RIDING STYLE

Not quite as good as it used to be.