Race Prepping a Fox 40

Feb 3, 2017 at 2:13
by Matt Wragg  


The Fox 40 has been around for 13 years now. Over those years Fox has taken an incremental approach to improvement—each year it evolves and gets a little better. With that much evolution it has developed into something quite special. On the World Cup circuit it has become the dominant fork in recent years and this year it will be far and away the most popular fork among the front runners. Fox have tentatively admitted that it has reached the point where a number of teams are even buying the fork, rather than run some of the alternatives—a situation almost unheard of in World Cup racing. This winter we visited Fox's German HQ to catch up with Kolja Schmitt, one of their top world cup technicians, to find out more about how they prepare one of these forks to go racing and to get a few tips on how you can make your fork sing a little sweeter.

Even if your name is Aaron Gwin or Greg Minnaar your fork prep begins with a stock fork from the storeroom. Kolja let on that some of their riders would be riding next year s version but that s the only difference between what they run and what you can head to the store and buy.
Even if your name is Aaron Gwin or Greg Minnaar, your fork prep begins with a stock fork from the storeroom. Kolja let on that some of their riders' would be riding next year's version, but that's the only difference between what they run and what you can head to the store and buy.

Straight out of the box and onto the workbench.
Straight out of the box and onto the workbench.

With the fork in the clamp he removes one leg the other stays in the clamp and in the lower to keep it all together.
With the fork in the clamp he removes one leg, the other stays in the clamp and in the lower to keep it all together.

Spinning the fork in the clamp he releases the lower bolts to completely remove the stanchion.
Spinning the fork in the clamp he releases the lower bolts to completely remove the stanchion.

With the stanchion carefully set aside Kolja does one of the things that he says makes the biggest difference to the feel of the fork - he works the bushings. With mass manufacturing the tolerances for the bushings is tight opening the bushings does have a effect on the life of the fork which would mean the fork would need servicing much sooner. By opening the bushing the fork moves more freely in its travel.
With the stanchion carefully set aside, Kolja does one of the things that he says makes the biggest difference to the feel of the fork—he works the bushings. With mass manufacturing the tolerances for the bushings is tight, opening the bushings does have an effect on the life of the fork, which would mean the fork would need servicing much sooner. By opening the bushing the fork moves more freely in its travel.

While this is a level of prep well beyond what most people would consider for their fork it s a service Fox offer to the general public - you just have to ask for it when you send your fork in for service. Or if you are feeling rich you can buy the tool from them if you happen to have a spare 1 100 Euros to hand.
While this is a level of prep well beyond what most people would consider for their fork, it's a service Fox offer to the general public—you just have to ask for it when you send your fork in for service. Or, if you are feeling rich you can buy the tool from them if you happen to have a spare 1,100 Euros to hand.

With the lowers prepped it s time to give the stanchion a quick clean ready for some love.
With the lowers prepped it's time to give the stanchion a quick clean ready for some love.

Volume spacer are the only internal change on the air spring - Kolja says that the WC guys mostly run 3 spacers going up to 4 for the more extreme tracks and depending on the rider and preferences.
Volume spacer are the only internal change on the air spring—Kolja says that the WC guys mostly run 3 spacers, going up to 4 for the more extreme tracks and depending on the rider and preferences.

With the spacers in Kolja checks the fork s movement. By cycling the piston through it s travel a couple of times he can quickly check by feel that the spring is working like it should be.
With the spacers in, Kolja checks the fork's movement. By cycling the piston through its travel a couple of times he can quickly check by feel that the spring is working like it should be.

One last check of the piston.
One last check of the piston.

Before it can be reunited with the lower the bushings and seals get a quick touch of grease to keep them supple.
Before it can be reunited with the lower, the bushings and seals get a quick touch of grease to keep them supple.

With that done Kolja checks the stanchions movement in the lower.
With that done Kolja checks the stanchions movement in the lower.

Suspension works on alignment. So if your fork legs are not in line then the suspension cannot work to its full potential. One of the most common mistakes people make is in how they tighten the axle as it can hold the fork into a distorted position and restrict the movement. To avoid this you simply begin by first tightening the pinch bolts on this side.
Suspension works on alignment. So if your fork legs are not in line then the suspension cannot work to its full potential. One of the most common mistakes people make is in how they tighten the axle as it can hold the fork into a distorted position and restrict the movement. To avoid this you simply begin by first tightening the pinch bolts on this side.

With the first side tightened compress the fork a couple of times. This will let the fork correct itself. Once this is done tighten the pinch bolts on the other side.
With the first side tightened, compress the fork a couple of times. This will let the fork correct itself. Once this is done, tighten the pinch bolts on the other side.

Kolja stressed that everything that they do to these race forks is with standard kit and tools - even the oil is the standard.
Kolja stressed that everything that they do to these race forks is with standard kit and tools—the oil is the standard.

A standard amount of oil goes into the spring leg before the spring side is closed up once more.
A standard amount of oil goes into the spring leg before the spring side is closed up once more.

If you either have an old 40 without the release valves or in fact any model of fork you can get the same result by sliding a zip tie inside the seal. This will release any build up of pressure below the seal which can restrict the forks performance. he recommends doing this every time before you drop into your race run.
If you either have an old 40 without the release valves or in fact any model fork, you can get the same result by sliding a zip tie inside the seal. This will release any build up of pressure below the seal which can restrict the forks performance. he recommends doing this every time before you drop into your race run.

If you have a newer fork a quick press of each of these buttons before you drop in.
If you have a newer fork, a quick press of each of these buttons before you drop in.

On the compression leg the process is much the same - strip check work the bushings reassemble and lubricate.
On the compression leg the process is much the same—strip, check, work the bushings, reassemble and lubricate.

To help keep your adjuster running sweetly it is worth popping it off every so often to clean and grease the interior.
To help keep your adjuster running sweetly it is worth popping it off every so often to clean and grease the interior.

Apparently one common mistake people make with air forks is not to keep an eye on their pressures. He recommends checking it every week as even a difference of a few psi can significantly effect the fork s performance.
Apparently one common mistake people make with air forks is not to keep an eye on their pressures. He recommends checking it every week as even a difference of a few psi can significantly affect the fork's performance.

Of course not everything is available to the public but the only difference between the lowers and the stock ones is the colour.
Of course, not everything is available to the public, but the only difference between the lowers and the stock ones is the colour.


Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

149 Comments
  • 140 4
 Despite the constant argument about high prices in the mountain bike industry, I've gotta say its really cool to know I'm riding on the same kit as the guys on the WC circuit... Not really a common thread across the motorsports world
  • 71 0
 What makes me love the sport of mountain biking even more is randomly coming across pro level athletes shredding the local trail or bike park. It also great that we can use the same equipment as the top tier athletes.
  • 74 0
 Notice how they don't talk about the damper side much
  • 29 4
 your not riding the same kit as WC dudes. basically.
  • 5 5
 @mtbman1980: that's the IP- aka the secret sauce - mojo - beans - onions - carrots - taking the cake - vegiees ! dont eat meat! lol
  • 30 4
 ^You must be fun at barbecues
  • 3 1
 @mtbman1980: The cartridge is completely tunable to your likings. They can't go through ever wc guys tunings because they all most likely has different tunes and it is quite likely they also change that from track to track.

You can have yours tuned exactly like you want too, just contact your local bike shop or fox tech center ????

Also remember every factory sponsored person is a test person, just like with any other brand or product, industry etc.
  • 1 2
 @themagicturtle: I know you can get it tuned to your liking but there are always tricks that they use for wc riders that they wont use on your fork as they cause higher service intervals. Notice the number of forks getting continuously rebuilt at a wc events.
  • 2 0
 @mtbman1980: ye of course could pros have different stuff Wink There is always parts to be improved? Sealheads, shafts, shims, could prolly also have different watt oile, you never know. Hench they are test persons and the public is only suppose to know about the stuff that went right not the failures Smile
Maybe Fox40 will even come as a Fit4 for the downduro people Wink hehe

and btw all the question marks in my previous post was not to be rude, the emojies from the phone just show as that Smile
  • 1 0
 My understanding, haven spoken to some guys and girls on RAD fox units, is that the dampers are different. They are the future dampers that we will see in a few years time. This also makes sense and ties up with just about every manufacturer ever. I may be wrong but I'd be surprised.
  • 1 0
 @that-monster: yep, but as some point is it all down to the small parts that makes the stiction less eg. a sealhead, a damper shaft or a diffrent tuning.
The stuff that RAD riders test does not always make production, but they get paied to test the stuff that might make it to the public Smile

Eg. I had a 2015 Fox 36, it had a horrible tuning - So I had a custom tune made. Then 2016 came and the cartridge was "updated" or improved etcetc. they changed the tuning to one that a pro rider used, prolly Jared Graves, because they mad the limited models that year Smile
  • 1 0
 @themagicturtle: Fair enough, was it a CTD fork? I'm sure if my lap times were consistent enough I'd go down the professional custom tune route. Can tell you now though, I wouldn't want Jared Graves' tune, completely different rider to me, both in style and build.
  • 78 4
 "with the sanction carefully set aside"..... next picture.... sanction in trash can....
  • 63 8
 stanchion
  • 9 1
 A fortunate trash can...
  • 11 0
 @Pedro404: theres no gt bike in the bin then ;-)
  • 2 0
 let it soak, let it soak, let it soak.
  • 4 0
 likely so they dont make a mess of seeping oil when the lowers are removed
  • 15 1
 @Pedro404: sorry my spelling stancs
  • 4 0
 exactly what @ccolagio said, its so any oil that could be in the underside of the stanchion can run off into the garbage rather then on the floor or bench, you can do the same thing with lowers when changing the seals to not make a mess.
  • 6 15
flag stumpymidget (Feb 8, 2017 at 15:13) (Below Threshold)
 @qman11: "than."
  • 1 1
 Our shops is used as a baseball bat now,
  • 32 6
 I don't knooooow, I'm always leery of Mechanics with flat brim hats. I'm more of a Five panel hat on my Mechanic kind of guy.
  • 2 1
 amen
  • 17 0
 What is wrong with a flat brim hat? What if your mechanic had one of those roadie hats with the brim flipped up? Or a hat with a propeller on the top?
  • 5 0
 @weebleswobbles: well shit dude, if I found a mechanic with a helicopter hat I'd be pumped!

As for the roadie hat... I'm not sure how I'd feel about that guy, I may only let him clean my chain.
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: haha you are in luck, I'm a semi professional mechanic with a helicopter hat! This is gonna be yuge!
  • 1 0
 @weebleswobbles: Pics or it isn't real! lol
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: if I can't find it I'll buy a new one! I think its gonna be my first ever profile pic. Me, my mullet, and a helicopter hat!
  • 1 0
 @weebleswobbles: you better keep your promises! Lol
  • 1 0
 @2bigwheels: haha it's on!
  • 20 1
 So the bushing tool - is it like a reamer? Or abrasive? 1100 Euros is a fun price for it either way.

Awesome article BTW.
  • 4 0
 @trumbullhucker55: Good find. That's interesting, it seems like there's no cutting involved and they just press different size dies through the bushing?
  • 3 2
 I don't know for sure in this exact case, but I believe the bushings are pressed into a tapered seat. Pulling the bushing up a little in their tapered seat would "loosen" them. If someone knows better please correct me, but this is how I understand that fork bushings work.
  • 12 1
 it is a burnishing process, and opens up the ID slightly. common practice for thin wall bushings to size them after installation.
  • 2 1
 @trumbullhucker55: I don't think that this is the tool he is using to loosen the fit of the bushings. This is for removing and installing bushings, but maybe it is used for both, any one know for sure?
  • 9 0
 @solidautomech: scroll further.
  • 2 1
 @atrokz: I gave you thumbs down, but didn't mean to, I think you're rightSmile
  • 1 0
 @bmxsnox: If you read the service article @trumbullhucker55 posted, you shove the tool into the installed bushing and remove, twisting the whole time.

We're all guessing here, so I'll throw in my $0.02. Since the tool is greased and smooth and the bushing has that seam in the side, I bet the tool is pushing the bushing open at that seam it has.
  • 8 0
 @WaterBear: I'm not guessing Wink the process is essentially ballizing with a burnishing die.
  • 1 0
 @atrokz: I see. Did not know this.
  • 1 4
 @trumbullhucker55: HUH this tool does not match what he is using in the picture. This tool you posted is for removal and install of bushings
  • 2 0
 @peterguns: Go all the way to the bottom of the page @trumbullhucker55 posted.
  • 2 2
 1100 for a steel pipe with a tee handle?!? No wonder local shops charge so much for servicing, they are getting raped on tool prices...
  • 3 0
 @TheDoctoRR: I imagine the main cost comes from making dies that are accurate to within a thousandth of a millimeter. Probably still doesn't come close to what they're charging for it, but calling it "a steel pipe with a tee handle" would be selling it a bit short.
  • 2 5
 @atrokz: its called honing....
  • 4 1
 @twellsie: honing uses abrasive stones, generally used in an expanding mandrel setup (with exceptions like BRM's honing brushes, like we use here making landing gear. I've honed dozens upon dozens of bushings for dies. Have you performing honing, ballizing, or burnishing at a professional capacity before? This is not honing.
  • 2 3
 @atrokz: yes my friend I have, time served engineer for over 20 years, take a look at the bushings in question, if you try to ballize you will seperate the bushing pads from the outer....
  • 9 0
 @twellsie: As an engineer, you should be aware that honing uses abrasives, not forming dies (which is essentially what those dies are), to remove material, not form it over similar to ballizing or burnishing. As an aerospace manufacturing engineer, former certified tool and die maker, I have extensive experience in both processes chasing very high tolerance assemblies for landing gear, or formerly bushings for die assemblies so there's some experience behind my perspective. The material being formed does not change the process, it is forming the shape via pressure vs removal of material from the bushing via abrasive or cutting edge (honing, reaming, boring, lapping, etc), which is by definition burnishing when it pertains to this process (rolling and pressure action vs abrasive action). the material is simply being smeared over, vs cut/removed by abrasives or cutting tools. Burnishing/ballizing is the closest process this relates to.
  • 2 0
 @atrokz: shots fired!
  • 2 0
 @scary1: it's always just banter between industry types Wink
  • 3 0
 @atrokz: rather than continue to argue about this i decided to investigate the tool in question and will concede that you are correct, FOX call it reaming, but would suggest your description is closer the actual process

service.foxracingshox.com/consumers/Content/Service/QuickTech/013_FOX-BBI_fork_bushing_tool_SP.htm
  • 1 0
 @twellsie: Figured you'd come around Wink yea, in cycling industry you see incorrect terms being thrown around daily! Imgaine if they actually put a reamer in there and how many mechanics would mess it up! hahaha.
  • 15 2
 I get that they're not gonna tell us what they do to/with the piston and shim stack, but the very least they could mention the fact that both get worked over. I get Fox(and every other manufacturer) not wanting to let the details out, but if PB could release the suction between their collective lips and Fox's A$$ for just a second, and not BS us into thinking that the only 'mod' done to WC forks is basically a strip-and-check(apart from boring out the bushings, although my particular 40's came that way from the factory and cost me $80 to replace at my first rebuilt).
They're supposed to give us the impression that their job is to report the 'facts', as opposed to being nothing more than a PR channel for the bike industry.
  • 13 0
 Who'd a thunk racers take their forks apart and make them feel like they're more broken in, without actually breaking them in...

"Race tuned" = worn like it's actually ridden more than one race weekend.
  • 9 0
 Now that I think about it, that's true for a lot of racing and sports: broken in baseball gloves work better, skis are faster with more wax in them so they get saturated before the first ride, car tires are faster when warm, and they get warmed before a race, etc. Interesting how that works
  • 7 0
 I read somewhere that the SKY road team trains on new chains until they're "perfectly broken-in", at which point they remove them and use them later, during races.
  • 5 0
 I recall from a (very old) interview with Chris Porter from Mojo that he actually reams the bushings to perfectly suit the stanchions for that particular fork. Apparently there is always some variation in bushing dimensions as well as in stanchion diameters through production. It seems well worth it. Only means more frequent cleaning and lubing of the fork lowers, but that's easy for a non open bath fork. The coating on your stanchions might even last longer if the bushings are more round.
  • 2 0
 @kingpine: Aged tubulars used to be a thing too, not sure what the protocol is now. Not used, though, just "cellared like wine"
  • 1 0
 @kingpine: hey how do you like your guerrila gravity ?
  • 3 0
 Minnaar's mechanic also takes a drill to his CK hubs to spin them up several ten thousand revolutions. Loosens up the pawls a bit and makes them run faster. Apparently.
  • 2 0
 @weebleswobbles: I really like it. In fact I'm waiting on my Gen 2 as we speak. I'm not the most graceful rider out there so its nice to be on a rig that will allow "point-and-shoot"-style descending. It also climbs really well, for being a 6" bike; I rarely experience front wheel wander and and I can leave the coil shock on full open with little to no pedal bob, which is great for uphill traction. If you happen to be in the PNW I could probably find one for you to throw a leg over ...
  • 1 0
 @kingpine: sounds like my riding, I have the most fun but not gracefully. I built up an azonic avenger 160mm fox rear, 170 mm marzocchi front. It's the first foxzocchi! Definitely trying to hit PNW from norcal this spring
  • 2 0
 @weebleswobbles: That sounds saaweet! I'll have the Lyric 150/180 with a PUSH in back, so I guess I'll RockPUSH-ing! Smile
  • 14 0
 Top article,
  • 29 1
 I totally got a 200mm bike boner when I saw all that fox inventory....okay, more like 80mm but you know what I mean. #gettinalotdonewith80mm
  • 3 0
 @dirtworks911:

ICD9 752.64
  • 2 0
 @IamZOSO:

Por que?
  • 4 0
 @dirtworks911:

Copy and paste it to your browser. Der.
  • 1 0
 @IamZOSO: oh, I see! I've already been clinically diagnosed. I hear it makes you jump better, you know, less weight and all.
  • 2 0
 @dirtworks911: Well you sound healthy.
  • 5 1
 "One of the most common mistakes people make is in how they tighten the axle as it can hold the fork into a distorted position and restrict the movement. To avoid this you simply begin by first tightening the pinch bolts on this side."

Really ??? In non-upside-down forks too???
  • 2 0
 yes
  • 1 0
 Why? Aren't the lowers supposed to be a rigid single piece? Aligned to what?
  • 1 0
 Some people think that dual crown forks are bombproof and flex free. Twisted forks is a pretty common and frustrating issue. It happen on usd and regular forks.
  • 5 1
 @foxracingshox, When are you going to put release valves on the 36 lowers?! Also, by stretching out the bushings in the lowers, how much quicker (in average, non-muddy conditions) would you recommend replacing them?
  • 6 0
 Prep the wallet more like
  • 2 1
 another thing world cup techs do to racer fox 40's is to remove the foam rings, and fill the void with slick honey. By using slick honey instead of the foam ring... you can definitely feel the difference. The overall action is a lot smoother. Although, you have to service the 40 a lot more and replenish the slick honey a ton. I do it every 2 or 3 rides, however, they change it out every run I believe.
  • 4 1
 I would trade jobs with that guy anyday. The calendar on the wall will be hung just as a reminder if how many awesome work days I get to have per month!
  • 4 0
 Be right back, I'm gonna head to the store and pick up a couple of 40's. Got some preppin' to do.
  • 1 0
 Avalanche is amazing. Beat on their stuff year after year with no loss of feel and with the exception of leaky seals after several seasons, nearly no maintenance.
My OCD machinists side says that if the goal is to get perfectly round, centered, and square bores in the brand new bushings, then you shouldn't be doing it by hand. Square everything up in a jig, center on the stanchion, and use mechanical means to keep even pressure & rotation. Or that tool should have a sliding guide to keep it straight & centered in the stanchion. Of course, that extra work would probably make them last a lot longer, and these guys just need their forks to last a few runs if not a few minutes.
  • 1 1
 So did any one else notice under one of the photos it said that some of there riders would be using next years fork. Although there proberly isn't much difference between the forks year by year next years fork is still different and something that none of us are able to have so from the very start before it's tuned it's a complete factory special part that's not on offer to every one
  • 2 2
 'Factory riders' on the same kit you can buy means there isn't the appetite in the industry to budget for real prototype factory racing teams world superbikes vs moto gp is a comparison that springs to mind but tell yourselves what you want
  • 4 0
 I want to know WHO is that racer going for 5 Tokens if most use 3 or 4 ?
  • 2 0
 You know da man.
  • 1 0
 I believe A gwinner uses that many tokens
  • 2 1
 Wow that's awesome seeing acknowledgement of needing to release pressure from the lowers to get performance back. Many forks like the 36 get harsh quickly and people don't realize this should be done every ride.
  • 3 0
 Lovely fork but you can keep the orange for the pros, it does nothing for me
  • 3 4
 "Fox have tentatively admitted that it has reached the point where a number of teams are even buying the fork, rather than run some of the alternatives—a situation almost unheard of in World Cup racing"..........Kind of surprising that, to me the recipe looks like, "copy the Rock Shox Boxxer, work on it for awhile, "WE'RE THE NEW GOLD STANDARD, AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!!!"" LOL
  • 1 0
 After looking into it a bit further, the market is actually quite interesting.
  • 4 1
 @Kramz:

What are you talking about? What has Fox copied from the BoXXer?

You mean the Fit damper that came out years before the charger? The idea of only using SKF dust wipers rather than the oil and dust seal that RS uses?

At first glance it appears the air springs are the same but in actuality they are completely different. The Fox works much, much better.
  • 2 0
 Makes me glad I work at a machine shop. I would just make myself one of those tools. The burnisher is easy.
  • 4 5
 Odd. I and most of Fox's techs would never use grease on the new dust-wipers. Usually you leave them dry or use a very thin layer of gold. I find it works much better, and not is the way they come out of the factory and from most qualified service centres.
  • 2 0
 Isn't the point of the foam rings to keep lubrication up by the seals?
  • 3 5
 @Xyphota: yup! Which is why I was told (buy fox) to not use grease on the wipers, but only ever a slight amount of oil or just leave them dry. Personally in my trials I find a thin layer of their 20wt gold works best.
  • 6 2
 I'm sure a 'quick touch of grease' is no different in real terms, assuming he's using Slickoleum or similar.. I doubt he's using marine grease! I'm sure that a 'top World Cup technician' knows what he is doing.
  • 2 2
 Oh I'm not saying he doesn't. It's just weird because those wipers were developed to work the best dry. They us a dry lubricant and they always claimed that they worked best completely dry. And Fox would always insist that they be left dry, hence why all forks come that way out of the factory.
  • 11 5
 @z-man: until you learn how to spell I don't trust a thing you say.
If someone told you vaginas work better dry would you believe that too?
  • 3 0
 @jflb: To be fair, they do come from Fox dry, the service guides tell you to leave them dry. However, here in the UK they come from Mojo servicing with a wipe of light suspension grease so this is how we service them as well. From my own experience they can feel a little wooden before the first service although how much is down to the seals is hard to say.
  • 2 1
 @jflb: his is PinkBike. I'm not gonna worry about spelling too much.

Also, when your job is workong on suspension, you listen to the folks who design the product. Things aren't always as simple as you think. Which is why they clearly instruct you to leave them dry. I was just pointing that out. It's really not a huge deal.
  • 3 0
 @jflb:

And to be honest, I was hoping someone who actually knew what they were talking about, or the OP to reply and give me the reason why they go against what Fox says to do. Not some smart ass that doesn't know anything about suspension.
  • 2 7
flag jflb (Feb 9, 2017 at 10:22) (Below Threshold)
 @z-man: oh my bad I didn't know you were somebody who works on people's suspension, If I had i would have treated town more like the genius you clearly are.
Except you can't spell. And if you can't spell its pretty likely your shit at most other things too including working on suspension.
  • 6 0
 @jflb: *You're
  • 1 4
 auto correct doesnt count
  • 4 2
 @jflb: Sorry I don't t have time to go back and correct all my pointless spelling mistakes. I assure you I know how to spell. I mean atleast I know the difference between your and you're.

Anyhow, I can tell this is pointless when you start judging based on my spelling of small words such as "this" and "use".

Go be a smartass somewhere else. You're not brining any useful insight to this thread whatsoever.
  • 2 5
 @z-man: k i'll brine some useful insight to the thread.
Anyone who's pushed on a two day old fox fork with dry wipers knows they dont work well dry.
And anyone who calls themselves a professional yet just syringes the lube into the very bottom of the lowers where gravity is sure to keep it, and it contributes next to nothing in actually keeping the bushings lubed doesn't know how to overhaul a fork.
  • 3 1
 @jflb:

So now you're the one saying the OP doesn't know what he's doing.

While I actually don't disagree about the lube through the bottom technique, you're years late to the table with that tidbit if information. Lots of fox techs have always been sure to coat the bushings front the top before assembly of the fork.

I guess you haven't picked on a new 2016 or 2017 Fox fork then, eh? Ass they all have bone dry wipers.
  • 2 1
 @jflb: pushed* as*

Also, stop calling me out on my spelling when yours is just as bad, if not worse.
  • 4 0
 @jflb: the man may have words spelt incorrectly.
But only a whiny douch bag would point out somthing so trivial.
  • 5 1
 @Sshredder: oh come on you don't think it's funny that some guy who's being a know it all and trying to rep his street cred to a bunch of faceless fake names on pink bike is getting his balls busted by some other know it all for something stupid like spelling, and then gets his halls busted by some other guy who can't spell?
Ha ha it's funny.
  • 1 0
 @jflb: yes it is entertainingSmile
  • 1 0
 I can not answer for Fox guidelines in the rest of the world, but here in Norway its recommended by the Fox-tech-guy to use some Slick Honey inside the dust seals...and it makes a clear difference from my experience (forks run smoother in the long run, foam ring lubrication stays cleaner and less crap works its way down into the lowers) from just using some 20 wt Gold oil for lubin´.
  • 1 0
 Has anyone ever done up there axle like this? I am an avid reader of tech docs and have not come across this before...
  • 5 0
 Actually fox was recommending it this way when the 36 and 40 were first launched and the only option was the pitch bolts. I have been doing it that way from day one.
  • 5 0
 Yep, always. Tells you to in their wheel install vid - www.ridefox.com/help.php?m=bike&id=553
  • 4 2
 I do miss the blue days of fox....
  • 3 0
 #schmittybuilt
  • 2 1
 Damn, when are those orange lowers going to drop to the public? Fox marketing has done a great job of creating demand...
  • 2 3
 The nice thing about Fox is the bushings are serviceable. For RS and Marz, your bushings wear out, you need new lowers. The sizing aspect also helps. I had my 36 Push'd and that's what they did. Pretty damn smooth fork...
  • 1 0
 This was awesome!.....please keep stuff like this coming! Fox, please give me orange lowers!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 His hands look wrecked. Get this man some triamcinolone cream!
  • 1 0
 Edit Cant be arsed, not worth it.
  • 5 3
 1,100 euros for a tool?
  • 13 1
 They're a good band...
  • 7 0
 Trust me good tools are always expensive, esp. if they are as highly specialized as this one. i dont belive they produce enough of them to have any economy of scale effect. Also those dies look like they were ground not milled for a better surface finish and thats bloody expensive.
  • 2 1
 @Luneec: it's economics of scale, the burnishing dies themselves will be hardened and ground, but something that could be done easily by any toolmaker or experienced machinist. This tool could be sold much cheaper (in the few hundreds range for precision ground A2 for instance) if quantities were ordered.
  • 2 1
 @Luneec: No not really, they are just not produced in very high quantities, and they dont want them to be so inexpensive that anyone can afford to purchase such tools and in the end they end up losing money because no one sends it their stuff for servicing.
  • 1 4
 it probably has a snap off logo somewhere on it, but really it looks like a machined pole, which'd be about half an hour on a lathe, and wouldn't be any where near 1100 euro unless the machinist wanted to take you for a ride.
  • 3 0
 @ashyjay: the handle is the easy part, the die itself is hardened tool steel, then center ground to a tight tolerance. Thats where the effort is.
  • 2 0
 @MtlWoodworker: lol. They'll make much more money when some punter reams their bushings to zero because they read an article on the internet telling them to do so.
  • 1 4
 zip tie on the seal? is that really recommended by fox? judging by how most people maintain their fork and never clean their seals this just seems like an opening for dirt and such to go inside...

when are they gonna come out with a tapered steer tube for the 40? apart from anglesets I don't really see why they havn't gone with a different crown/steertube interface? (could be lighter and like 90% of recent frames (27.5 frames, not some old clapped out 2007 norco) use a tapered headset)
  • 6 0
 Using a clean zip tie for a split second should be fine as long as you wipe everything down before, you're not leaving it there. And no need for a tapered steerer as it's clamoped at both ends. Tapered is to reduce deflection in the steerer tube but it's not an issue if it's clamped at both ends. This means a dual crown straight steerer is thinner walled than a single crown version minimizing the weight reduction of tapered and it allows the most angle and reach adjust.
  • 2 1
 tapered steerers only make sense for single crown forx, look at a moto fork, it's a rod with bearing races. if your seal is full of grit dont jam shit in it, that seams like commen sence.
  • 1 0
 Yes Schmitty!!!
  • 1 0
 ziptie, good idea
  • 3 5
 So when did the bushing tool become a "stock" tool? I've never even heard of it before this article.
  • 1 2
 Can't they figure out how to do a open bath seal set up? Hahaha
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