Fox Racing Shox unveils full 2016 product line

New 36 fork as well as Float X2 and DHX2 shocks

Fox has added two new versions of the 36 fork as well as two new shocks for enduro and gravity riding to its 2016 product line

Courtesy

Josh Patterson

Published: April 20, 2015 at 11:15 pm
Fox has added two new versions of the 36 fork as well as two new shocks for enduro and gravity riding to its 2016 product line - Courtesy
The 32 series now has the same compression adjuster layout as the 2016 34 line, with low-speed compression damping adjustments moved from what was the ‘trail’ to the fully-open position formerly known as ‘descend’ - Courtesy
Fox has added a cheaper version of the 36 that uses the simplified FIT4 rebound and compression damping adjustment layout also used on 2016 32 and 34 series forks - Courtesy
The 36 831 uses the RC2 damper in a 100mm-travel package, 26in wheels means this is one for those that like to jump and trick - Courtesy
Much like the Float DPS, the new Float X gets an EVOL air sleeve option intended to give the shock a supple feel and better small-bump absorption - Courtesy
The new X2 shock uses a recirculating oil damper that, in addition to doing a better job of managing heat, offers riders the ability to independently adjust high- and low-speed compression as well as and high- and low-speed rebound - Courtesy
The blue dial adjusts high- and low-speed compression, while the red dial adjusts high- and low-speed rebound - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The DHX2 uses the same adjustment layout as the Float X2 in a coil-sprung version - Courtesy
This cutaway of the DHX2 shows the recirculating oil damper as well as the modular compression and rebound damping controls - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The new SLS spring (left) uses less coils than previous Fox springs, resulting in steel springs that weigh less than Ti versions, Fox claims - Courtesy

BikeRadar got an early look at the reworked Fox Float 34 and new Float DPS inline shock earlier this year. Fox has now unveiled the rest of its 2016 product line, with tweaks to its cross-country-oriented 32 series forks, significant updates to the 36 fork line and new shock options for enduro and gravity riding.

Related reading: 2016 Fox 34 Float first ride review

Updated 32 Float adjustments

The 32 series now has the same compression adjuster layout as the 2016 34 line, with low-speed compression damping adjustments moved from what was the ‘trail’ to the fully-open position formerly known as ‘descend’: the 32 series now has the same compression adjuster layout as the 2016 34 line, with low-speed compression damping adjustments moved from what was the ‘trail’ to the fully-open position formerly known as ‘descend’

As expected, other models in the Float fork line get FIT4 dampers (all open bath models have been eliminated). The 32 series now has the same compression adjuster layout as the 2016 34 line — with low-speed compression damping adjustments moved from what was ‘trail’ to the fully-open position formerly known as ‘descend’ in Fox-speak.

In addition to updates to the damper side of the fork, model year 2016 32 series forks also use the self-equalizing positive/negative air spring rolled out for the 34 series earlier this year.

While the internals get a makeover, the 32 series chassis remains unchanged from the 2015 model year.

A more user-friendly 36

Fox has added a version of the 36 that uses the simplified fit4 rebound and compression damping adjustment layout also used on 2016 32 and 34 series forks: fox has added a version of the 36 that uses the simplified fit4 rebound and compression damping adjustment layout also used on 2016 32 and 34 series forks

The 36 Float RC2 is an immensely capable fork, offering riders the ability to fine-tune both high- and low-speed compression and rebound. For some riders, and some applications, this can be overkill. To address this, Fox has added a version of the 36 that uses the simplified FIT4 rebound and compression damping adjustment layout also used on 2016 32 and 34 series forks.

This new three-position adjustable 36 FIT4 retains the ultra-plush air spring of the 36 Float RC2 with the ability to adjust travel via internal spacers.

Last but not least, where the 36 Float RC2 uses a convertible thru-axle system allowing the fork to accept 15 and 20mm axles, the new 36 is a 15mm-only fork.

In addition to having a simplified adjuster layout, this new addition to the 36 line is also more affordable, meaning it might see greater spec on model year 2016 enduro bikes.

The FIT4-equipped 36 will retail for US$975, which is $75 less than the RC2 version. (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be announced.)

A 36 for heavy hitters

The 36 831 uses the rc2 damper in a 100mm-travel package: the 36 831 uses the rc2 damper in a 100mm-travel package

Big hits don’t always mean big travel — slopestyle riders and dirt jumpers don’t need a lot of travel, but they do need stiff forks capable of absorbing big hits. To that end, Fox has developed a short-travel version of the 36. The 36 831 uses the RC2 damper in a 100mm-travel package.

Like the 36 RC2, the 36 831 can accept 15 and 20mm thru-axles. It seems that dirt jump and slopestyle is the last bastion of 26in wheels. Accordingly, this fork will only be offered in a 26in version.

Pricing is set at US$1050. (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be announced.)

Updated Float X

Much like the float dps, the new float x gets an evol air sleeve option intended to give the shock a supple feel and better small-bump absorption : much like the float dps, the new float x gets an evol air sleeve option intended to give the shock a supple feel and better small-bump absorption

Much like the Float DPS, the new Float X gets an EVOL air sleeve option intended to give the shock a supple feel — and better small-bump absorption — at the beginning of the stroke by increasing the volume of the negative air chamber.

Like the Float DPS and 2016 model year Fox forks, the adjustment layout has been reworked to give the rider three adjustable levels of low-speed compression adjustment in the open position, as opposed offering this adjustment in the middle, ‘trail’ position of previous Float X versions.

The 2016 Float X will retail for US$575. (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be announced.)

Related reading: 2016 Fox Float DPS first ride review

All-new Float X2

The new x2 shock uses a recirculating oil damper that, in addition to doing a better job of managing heat, offers riders the ability to independently adjust high- and low-speed compression as well as and high- and low-speed rebound: the new x2 shock uses a recirculating oil damper that, in addition to doing a better job of managing heat, offers riders the ability to independently adjust high- and low-speed compression as well as and high- and low-speed rebound

The X2 has been in development since 2012, with multiple appearances on the world cup downhill circuit.

The X2 uses a recirculating oil damper that, in addition to doing a better job of managing heat, offers riders the ability to independently adjust high- and low-speed compression as well as high- and low-speed rebound.

The blue dial adjusts high- and low-speed compression, while the red dial adjusts high- and low-speed rebound: the blue dial adjusts high- and low-speed compression, while the red dial adjusts high- and low-speed rebound

The Float X2 is the most tunable Fox air shock

The Float X2 will retail for US$595. (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be announced.)

DHX2 and SLS spring

The dhx2 uses the same adjustment layout as the float x2 in a coil-sprung version:

Like the Float X2, the DHX2 has been widely seen on the gravity race circuit. It shares the same dual compression and rebound adjustments as the Float X2 in a coil-sprung package.The DHX2 shock will retail for US$595. (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be announced.)

This cutaway of the dhx2 shows the recirculating oil damper as well as the modular compression and rebound damping controls:

Like the Float X2, the DHX2 uses a recirculating oil damper and dual high- and low-speed damping adjustments

Rather than incorporating a titanium spring to shed grams, Fox opted to design a new lightweight steel coil that uses a proprietary surface treatment and stress relieving process to yield a steel coil that can be wound with smaller diameter wire and fewer coils without sacrificing strength.

The new sls spring (left) uses less coils than previous fox springs, resulting in steel springs that weigh less than ti versions, fox claims:

The Orange SLS spring uses narrower gauge wire and fewer coils to achieve weights that are on par with titanium springs, Fox claims

The new SLS spring comes in 25lb increments. It will come stock on the DHX2 shock and, best of all, can be retrofit to existing DHX and Van coil shocks.

The SLS spring retails for US$130. (UK and Australian pricing has yet to be announced.)

Josh Patterson

Contributor

Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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