| Author | Message | ||
     Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 496 Registered: 02-2003 |
Any of yall riden the Fox forks. how are they holding up for yall | ||
| Clif Ashley (Cta586) Senior Member Username: Cta586 Post Number: 359 Registered: 04-2002 |
I haven't riden them, but a couple of guys I ride with say its the best fork they've owned. Seems like a pretty positive vibe surrounding them. | ||
| Luis Constantin (Luisc) Member Username: Luisc Post Number: 159 Registered: 02-2003 |
I liked my Marzocchi Bombers before someone stole my mtn bike this week. Bastards! | ||
| Tim (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 587 Registered: 12-2002 |
I've heard good reviews concerning Fox forks. They have a deep moto background and know suspension. I just hope they can hold on financially up against Rock Shox and Manitou. | ||
| Matt Beckman (Coloradodisco) New Member Username: Coloradodisco Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2003 |
best shocks I have had yet on my bike | ||
| John (Donjuandr) Member Username: Donjuandr Post Number: 43 Registered: 07-2003 |
I have the vanilla on (2 years now) and they the bomb, and the float I hear is even better. The difference is that the vanilla is with springs and the float is air. I say go for it , u won't regret it! john | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 854 Registered: 05-2002 |
"I just hope they can hold on financially up against Rock Shox and Manitou." Fox is a much larger company than both RS & Manitou combined. Not only is thier presence widely known in the moto world, but in the auto and industrial worlds as well. Thier bike shocks are just a small part of thier overall business. While I cannot attest to thier forks, I have been running a Vanilla in the rear for over three years and it performs superbly. | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 2100 Registered: 02-2002 |
I have a Fox in my rear as well  Great shock. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 565 Registered: 03-2002 |
i have a fox on the rear of one in my stable, no complaints...i hear that they have REALLY started to focus on the front shock market and some of their new stuff is pretty cool (i used to work as a bike mechanic and i hear this from some of my buddies still in the game). my favorite still has to be my first amp fork! east to work on, no flex, just jump on and ride! mike | ||
| Kahbahzahkee (Koby) Senior Member Username: Koby Post Number: 596 Registered: 02-2002 |
Oh man, do I ever miss my AMP Research fork! The first coil-sprung and oil damped fork on the market. Not to mention as laterally stiff as any non-sprung fork. The only drawback to that fork was when I ever came down a steep dropoff onto my front tire... The fork would arc up and back and take away some of that forward momentum. I performed several very graceful slow endos before I got completely used to that fork. | ||
| Edward Bibb (Heirless) Member Username: Heirless Post Number: 49 Registered: 04-2003 |
wow, KOBY, I suppose you need to change your diet. To do "SLOW ENDO's" would imply you have eaten your share of "trail salad". I am on a bomber and there wasn't any ENDO ADJUSTMENT in the owners manual. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 498 Registered: 02-2003 |
thanks for the info I am scoping out the Talas. just think about how many people "posuers" are rocking FOX clothing, I am sure they make a killing off of that merchandise not to mention the other divisions. From what I can gather the FOx are the best out and people will pay for them because they are the best.... thanks for the info keep it coming. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 566 Registered: 03-2002 |
wow, koby...i thought that one would fall on deaf ears...glad to hear they sold at least 3 forks...;) i still have (what was eventually called the F1) first series of amp forks and also an F4 BLT. i remember the first full amp bike we got in...i built one for the shop, took it for a ride, stabbed the brakes to make sure they did not squeak, almost shot over the handlebars...;) a little too much dive in the fork and too much spring the rebound = rainy day shop fun! we had contests to see who had the best hang time for the rear wheel in the air! i have 2 amp forks, one rock shock, one white bro's, and a lefty. love those amps though... | ||
| Kahbahzahkee (Koby) Senior Member Username: Koby Post Number: 598 Registered: 02-2002 |
Eddie, you see how I eat on the trail ;) http://www.expeditionexchange.com/ics2/DSC07817.jpg Mikeyb: I had two F1s, one single damper and the second a dual damper version. I worked sales at a shop that did a lot of business with AMP Research. Were it not for so much rear-end flex in their first-gen rear suspension bike, I'd probably still have an AMP Research bike in my stable. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 567 Registered: 03-2002 |
they were a little whippy...do you remember that soft tail that manitou made a long time ago...? the one where they replaced the seat stays with a matching front fork with the crown removed? there is a museum item i wish i had a copy of...it was hard to tell if that bike was coming or going... | ||
| Kahbahzahkee (Koby) Senior Member Username: Koby Post Number: 599 Registered: 02-2002 |
I sold those Manitou bikes. What pieces of junk. Clearly an attempt to make some money on the new soft-tail fad. I was a fan however of the Manitou EFC. I still have one with titanium springs and a White Bros. damper cartridge. | ||
| michael burt (Mikeyb) Senior Member Username: Mikeyb Post Number: 568 Registered: 03-2002 |
yeah...? we only saw one of those, but i thought it was a pretty intereting idea...i never rode the thing though and the guy that had it did not ride much, so maybe that is why it seemed ok...pretty funny look though. manitou is doing the insides of the leftys now, right? | ||
| Devin Walton (Devin_walton) New Member Username: Devin_walton Post Number: 27 Registered: 03-2003 |
The Fox forks are excellent quality forks and while Rockshox makes some stuff that's lighter, the Fox have way less stiction and handle much better. I don't have much experience with the Marozocchi's other than to note that most guys that I know using them with disc brakes have a hard time tuning out noise (due to vibration?). The only bummer is that Fox doesn't make anything for 20mm thru axle applications, so for now the Answer Sherman fills that duty well. Devin | ||
| Glyn Jones (Glyn) New Member Username: Glyn Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2003 |
Having just faced the whole 'What make, air/oil v spring, weight, flex" thing. I settled on a Marz Bomber Marathon SL. I couldn't justify the extra $150-200 on a Fox. Is it me or are they so much more expensive?? And a question for those that ride monocoque frames, how on earth do you mount them on a bike rack that is meant for bikes with top tubes??? Glyn | ||
| Patrick Oberg (Obie) New Member Username: Obie Post Number: 26 Registered: 02-2003 |
>>>And a question for those that ride monocoque frames, how on earth do you mount them on a bike rack that is meant for bikes with top tubes???<<< you get a new rack! if you have Yakima, get the "Boa", i think it's like, $60.00 'bucks'! it attaches @ the forks, looks better! ciao. | ||
| Mark Johnston (Markj) New Member Username: Markj Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2003 |
Fox are expensive but well worth it. The Talus is an excellent fork. Fox and Marzocchi are the only two brands worth buying. The only exception is for downhill racing where the Manitou Dorado is the best pure racing fork. Fox is better in the cross-counrty through trail bike applications and Marzocchi is better for freeride and big it application. I think every manufacturers spec'd the new 888 on thier big hit bikes for '04. Roxshox and Manitou just aren't keeping up anymore, although the Shermans and Minutes from Manitou aren't too bad. I do also miss my AMP fork as well as the Girvin that was on my old ProFlex | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 2134 Registered: 02-2002 |
I remember when the first Trek Y-22 came out. I ordered the frame and installed the latest Fox in the rear and Judy SL in the front. I think I spent like $3400 on that thing, but man it was damn smooth. I raced the '96 24 Hours of Canaan with that thing. I agree with Mark, that Rock Shox has dropped the ball. | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 488 Registered: 01-2003 |
Paul-LOL I raced the 96 24-hours of Cannan on a y-33. I got the second frame shipped in the country when trek started to sell them as framesets, 96 was the first year for that. I had the first generation B1 on it and a stratos lock out air oil on the back. I cheated as I worked for a shop, but I spent a ton on building that thing up. I miss that screaming yellow bike. I remember the mud of 96 and getting off mid lap at 2am to clear the brakes so my wheels could roll again. Good times I ended up only having that bike for 2 years, although it was smooth, I blew up that rear shock like 5 times. Also I went through so many damn trek bushings, because of south central PA mud, I was convinced to never buy a full suspension ever again. Now with my san andreas DHR and bearings, not bushings, I again enjoy the benefits of a full suspension bike. Nothing says love like a zoki B-1 MCR with the 130mm travel springs and an 8" hayes hydrualic disk in front and a stratos helix pro with 125mm of travel in back. Perfect for the riding here in Utah, lots of big hits. | ||
| Glyn Jones (Glyn) New Member Username: Glyn Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2003 |
Andy, Do you have any suggestions to pass on regarding your San Andreas? how you put it on/in your Disco. Also if you use a storage rack at home, which one? I'm almost done building a San Andreas XC, can't wait. | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 492 Registered: 01-2003 |
Sure, if you use hydrualic brakes, drill out the cable stops on the bike to route the hose through them. It's much cleaner, but mine is a '01 I think the newer ones they did that at the factory. Also I wrapped electrical tape around the rub points by the truss thing that holds the seat post. At full compression you can rub brake lines and rear shifter cables, considering that edge on that truss thing you could wear right through those lines and cable housing if your not careful. I replace that tape every couple of months and have had no problems with abrated cables. When adjusting or tightening the swing arm bolts. disconnect the shock. I noticed it is a very fine line between bearing stiction and a smooth movement. I remove the shock, service/clean the bearings, retighten those bolts, move the swing arm through the stroke cycle, make sure it's just right under the point of stiction, put the shock on, get on the bike and bunny hop it off a curb a few times to get the rear to fully compress a few times, go back to the stand, pull the shock and check the swing arm travel again and make sure all is tight. Over all this bike has been on of the most reliable bomb proof bikes I ever owned. It's not that heavy, maybe 28lbs but I never weighted it, I always figured this bike was suppose to be strong not super-light. Loads of fun on these big Utah mountain decents. Not the best on long climbs, but it easily gets the job done. Works really well at technical climbs, once you get used to the travel. I store it by hanging it on the rim from the ceiling in my houses storage area using one of those big hooks. I transport it to my local trail heads by hanging it off my LR ladder by the pedal and some straps. If I go farther I use my roof rack and a fork mount, or I use a transport sportworks rack in the hitch. I see you live in CO. if you want to try and meet up and ride sometime, let me know, I live in SLC. | ||
| Glyn Jones (Glyn) New Member Username: Glyn Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2003 |
Thanks Andy, I chose Avid mechanicals instead of fluid, but I am planning on keeping a close eye on what rubs against the frame. I think there are a few detail changes from your frame. The swing arm has sealed cartridge bearings, i'm not even sure what I can do to them. Do you use a torque wrench on them? The cable guides are a little odd, I think I have to zip tie the cable outers to them, there are not any standard guides welded to the frame. I am presuming you have a downhill set up? I am going for a complete XC bike with 4 inches front and rear. My current bike fits perfectly in the back with the front wheel off, with the seats up, but of course not much room for gear if you want to carry people, I don't have a rack on the top yet (or the money to get one) what put me off was the height of the disco and trying to lift the bike up there. So my choices are between a hitch rack and spare tire one, I didn't think of trying to attach it to the ladder, but I think I need a more long term solution. What I was hoping for was a way to give the San Andreas a top tube? some sort of bar that fits to the seat post and the stem or handle bars, that way I could use any standard rack, anybody seen one of these? I will check out the rack you mentioned. Andy thank you for all your info, I am always up for a ride, I am pretty new to Colorado so most of my riding has been along the front range, but I am open to suggestions? Glyn | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 493 Registered: 01-2003 |
Yakima actually makes a top tube adapter. Basically it connects to the stem and seat post and makes our bikes rackable on a typical rear rack. You can get it at your local bike shop or REI. I get scared running the bikes on the roof, I'm real careful what I drive under. I set my bike up as a freeride/xc bike, 5 inches front and 4.8 rear. These long downhill runs in Utah, in places like Moab,Gooseberry Mesa, or Brian Head make having a strong big hit bike a good idea. I've only rode in Fruita CO, think Moab with single track, but I'm always up to trying more in CO. | ||
| Brian O'Connor (Hooky) New Member Username: Hooky Post Number: 25 Registered: 09-2003 |
try http://www.mtbr.com/ for more info. Or http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2003_front_shocks/ will cut to the chase... I'm too cheep for a Fox, but have heard good things about them from those that are not... My RS Duke seems to help me keep pace with the Fox riders just fine :-) | ||
| Glyn Jones (Glyn) New Member Username: Glyn Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2003 |
Agreed, mtbr.com is probably the best place for real rider based feedback on everything moutain bike related. But also check out http://www.angryasian.com/ for a fork specific suspension site. |
