2018 FOX 36 - Any Better?

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2018 FOX 36 - Any Better?
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flag notphaedrus
Posted: Jun 21, 2017 at 4:38 Quote
Anyone ridden a New FOX 36 (2018 version) that has ridden the 2015 - 2017 Fox 36? I've got a 2016 FOX 36 RC2 and always found it to be harsh. I wondered if the claims made by Fox are true? i.e. plusher
flag leverageRatio
Posted: Jun 21, 2017 at 16:49 Quote
Yes - I can attest that the 2018 it is smoother and plusher. I have ridden and installed Float 32, 34 and 36 -2016, 2017 and 2018 models.

The air shaft on the 2018 Float 36 is now in line with what Fox did to their 2016, 2017 Float 32 and 34's. The 2016, 2017 Float 36 was a bit rough here and there, especially with a more slacker fork. Also - it took a bit more initial force to start the compression (e.g. small bumps).

Here is a good link to show the new air shaft on the 2018 Float 36 (which was already on the 2016, 2017 Float 32, 34).
The new thing for all 32,34 (and 36) is the EVOL as well.
https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/blogs/worldwide-cyclery-blog/details-on-the-new-2018-fox-float-36-fork

Here is a great video depicting the older design of 2016,2017 Float 36 design.
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-tuesday-tune-e01-fox-float-fork-spring-systems.html
In time elapse 5:15, that is the older style air shaft

You can tell the previous difference by the air volume spacers used between the Float 32,34 (clip on) and Float 36 (flat spacer slide in).

Also - even the 2016, 2017 Float 32,34 were much more "buttery" with plushness compared with the 2016, 2017 Float 36.

Now the 2018 Float 36 is very near on par with the Float 32, 34.
flag ckspeed
O+
Posted: Jun 21, 2017 at 17:26 Quote
notphaedrus wrote:
Anyone ridden a New FOX 36 (2018 version) that has ridden the 2015 - 2017 Fox 36? I've got a 2016 FOX 36 RC2 and always found it to be harsh. I wondered if the claims made by Fox are true? i.e. plusher

This might not be the answer that you are looking for. Have you look into the MRP Ramp Control Cartridge for Fox 36 Fork? I might go this route for my Fox 36 FIT4 in the future.
flag leverageRatio
Posted: Jun 21, 2017 at 23:17 Quote
ckspeed: Thanks for the reference. The only thing I have against the MRP Ramp Control Cartridge is that for lighter riders like me, that cartridge eats into the full length travel. Even on a default Fox Float, I remove all volume spacers to get less rampup (at the end) and lower initial force required to compress for better small bump sensitivity. By having less physical space volume spacers, I can get pretty good full range travel.

But I tell ya - with the new 2018 air shaft and EVOL (more negative air chamber), that initial ramp up is more linear and more sensitive to the small bumps (more plusher). The air shaft on the 2016/2017 Float 36 imho sucked.
flag notphaedrus
Posted: Jun 22, 2017 at 0:16 Quote
Thanks for all of the feedback. Sounds like the claims are true! Better get one ordered then...
flag kyle-99
Posted: Jun 22, 2017 at 0:30 Quote
OHLINS... will solve all your desires
flag mmjohnson
O+
Posted: Jun 22, 2017 at 13:17 Quote
Hey I have a 2017 fox 36 170mm on my C7.1 Norco Range and was left scratching my head a bit when i looked up the recommended PSI. It states that for my weight 210lbs I should have 83 psi in the fork in reality to get %30 sag I need to have about 50 psi in there. Seems to far off from recommended?
flag gramboh
O+ FL
Posted: Jun 22, 2017 at 15:32 Quote
mmjohnson wrote:
Hey I have a 2017 fox 36 170mm on my C7.1 Norco Range and was left scratching my head a bit when i looked up the recommended PSI. It states that for my weight 210lbs I should have 83 psi in the fork in reality to get %30 sag I need to have about 50 psi in there. Seems to far off from recommended?

30% sag on a fork is way too much. Also are you checking sag with the fork "warmed up" a bit? Ride around and pump through it's travel, maybe considering backing off all the LSC/HSC while you set it.

I have a Fox 40 that had a similar issue, at 210lbs body weight I was getting 65-70 psi for 20% sag. Turns out the issue is I was setting it up in the winter when it was probably 5C outside, so I suspect the viscosity of the oil in the lowers was impeding sag somehow.

Also great info posted by leverageRatio on the different air spring on the 2018, thank you!
flag mmjohnson
O+
Posted: Jun 23, 2017 at 4:49 Quote
gramboh wrote:
mmjohnson wrote:
Hey I have a 2017 fox 36 170mm on my C7.1 Norco Range and was left scratching my head a bit when i looked up the recommended PSI. It states that for my weight 210lbs I should have 83 psi in the fork in reality to get %30 sag I need to have about 50 psi in there. Seems to far off from recommended?

30% sag on a fork is way too much. Also are you checking sag with the fork "warmed up" a bit? Ride around and pump through it's travel, maybe considering backing off all the LSC/HSC while you set it.

I have a Fox 40 that had a similar issue, at 210lbs body weight I was getting 65-70 psi for 20% sag. Turns out the issue is I was setting it up in the winter when it was probably 5C outside, so I suspect the viscosity of the oil in the lowers was impeding sag somehow.

Also great info posted by leverageRatio on the different air spring on the 2018, thank you!

sorry bit of a typo was thinking shock when I wrote this I was shooting for 20% ill give it a go with warming up the fork a bit
flag terb4044
Posted: Jul 3, 2017 at 4:32 Quote
notphaedrus wrote:
Thanks for all of the feedback. Sounds like the claims are true! Better get one ordered then...

I agree they sound like the be very plush and I help so I have one on the way
flag brianl
Posted: Jul 3, 2017 at 15:02 Quote
mmjohnson wrote:
gramboh wrote:
mmjohnson wrote:
Hey I have a 2017 fox 36 170mm on my C7.1 Norco Range and was left scratching my head a bit when i looked up the recommended PSI. It states that for my weight 210lbs I should have 83 psi in the fork in reality to get %30 sag I need to have about 50 psi in there. Seems to far off from recommended?

30% sag on a fork is way too much. Also are you checking sag with the fork "warmed up" a bit? Ride around and pump through it's travel, maybe considering backing off all the LSC/HSC while you set it.

I have a Fox 40 that had a similar issue, at 210lbs body weight I was getting 65-70 psi for 20% sag. Turns out the issue is I was setting it up in the winter when it was probably 5C outside, so I suspect the viscosity of the oil in the lowers was impeding sag somehow.

Also great info posted by leverageRatio on the different air spring on the 2018, thank you!

sorry bit of a typo was thinking shock when I wrote this I was shooting for 20% ill give it a go with warming up the fork a bit
Usually the recommended pressure is too high, not too low, so like was said, dial out all compression before checking sag, and bounce to settle the fork before setting the o-ring to measure it. Also, are you standing up when measuring fork sag?

If it's still too firm, sometimes the lowers can get pressurized, so try the zip-tie method to release any pressure, or, it might be worth dropping the lowers to drain/refill them, since they can come underfilled from the factory.
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