Mountain Biking - Fox Fork

I bought a Fox F80RLT about 4 months ago. Its by far the best fork I've ever felt, but now I'm wishing I got a Fox with 100mm of travel. What would some of you guys do in my situation. Just ride the hell out of it or try and sell and get more travel?

btw, if any of you are interested in buying the fork. Give me a shout

how much travel does it have now? 80mm? for basic XC 80 is fine. I have a 2001 Z4 air fork with 80mm and its great. If the F80RLT is an air fork (i have no idea) put a little extra air into it that may help you to keep some of your travel.

Uh...how much will you sell the fork for in CDN?

I wouldnt worry about the travel. Selling a fork just to get 20mm more travel is ridiculous. A lot of people that have 4" of travel never use it and just have it as a peace of mind thing. 80mm of travel with a fox feels just like 100 in a manitou etc. I have a Float RL by the way with 80mms of travel

My Fox Vanilla is my favorite fork ever too, I have been very impressed with Fox's products. I have a Fox Float on the rear of my race bike as well.

I wouldn't sell it for more travel if it were mine. By the way, if you think adding air to increase upward travel (decreased sag) you are thinking in the wrong terms for suspension. Sag in the proper amount is very important. If you take it to the extreme (for example, with zero sag), you might have more upward travel in your fork but you will also have zero downward travel, that sag is desgined so that your fork will have a little downward travel when you hit a hole or catch some air. A fork with too little sag will feel harsh and the sag that is designed into the suspension is an important setting. Try it both ways sometimes and you will see.

yea.. I'm keepin it. Its such an awesome fork

I would recommend a fox to anyone. Id say Fox will have you DH guys a fork in the near future! Wont that be sweet.

By the way, I bought my Vanilla used (it's an '02 model) and when I got it it had been pretty well ridden (when an ad says "good" condition it really means "trashed"). Anyway, I went ahead and rode it hard for a month or so before I completely trashed it, the thing sounded kinda like a kitty cat caught in a fan belt. I called Fox and asked if it could be repaired and they told me to ship it back and they would see. After about 3 weeks I got it back, completely rebuilt, and all it cost me was $60. I want to replace it with a Float this year for my race bike but man, those things are expensive! The only bad thing I can say about them is the price of their products...

I have an opposite story about Progressive suspension, but I'll save that nightmare story for another day heheh...

as most have said, 80mm of a great fork like the Fox Float should be fine -i have a '02 FSR with a Fox Float RLT80mm (air) and a '03 RM Slayer with Fox Vanilla RL 125mm (coil)

but almost all of the Fox 80mm forks can be rebuilt to 100mm (like mine for instance) -- i THINK it is even described in the owner's manual -- by taking out a spacer i think - check your manual and even if you cannot do it yourself, paying the shop to do it would be WAY cheaper then buying a new fork.

nathank,

The F80 RLT fork is fixed at 80 mm of travel, so you can not upgrade it yourself to 100. The float fork, though, is upgradeable.

The Vanilla and Float forks like Dmulyava are adjustible, but not the FX80. I have the Fox Talas fork it has been great!! I was dreading any repairs to it since only Fox can do them, but if they just charged you $60 does not sound like they overcharge. Best prices I found on average were at mtnhighcyclery which is where I bought mine last year.

nathank,

The F80 RLT fork is fixed at 80 mm of travel, so you can not upgrade it yourself to 100. The float fork, though, is upgradeable.

ok, i must have the Float 80 RLT b/c mine is upgradeable (it's in the manual and a friend of mine with the same exact bike changed his)

Service question: this last year my Fox was leaking oil... first the lockout wasn't working well (i've heard from lots of people that happens when the oil gets low) and now the fork is sluggish. anyway, it's time for service as it's approaching 2 years and about 8000km...

is it true that Fox recommends shipping the Fork to them for service? or should i be able to find a LBS to do it? (i've checked at 2 shops who said to send it in) or can you buy a seal kit and do it yourself? opinions?

Personally, I would send it into Fox for service work. I havent had to send mine in yet, but when that time comes I will certainly send it to fox.

is it true that Fox recommends shipping the Fork to them for service? or should i be able to find a LBS to do it? (i've checked at 2 shops who said to send it in) or can you buy a seal kit and do it yourself? opinions?


There arne't many shops who can service it (I don't know any here at all). And typically they don't warranty roque repairs. Anything you want done to a fox needs to be done by a certified mech :)

http://www.foxracingshox.com/website/WarrantyInfo.asp?Market=MBike

Gotta love gauging :)

I stand corrected. They have lessened there requirements for THEM to do work. Good on them.

thanks guy. i was in the shop Friday and the shop is sending both the Fox Float fork and the Fox Float rear shock to Fox-Europe for service - supposedly €90-100 for EACH! yikes!