Who is running a 2021 Fox 36 831?

Author	Message

randomtask79

Posted: Dec 16, 2020 at 9:50	Quote
How are you guys running it? Ive got max air pressure in it, and I have the lsc and hsc wound all the way in, and its still too soft for dirt jumps and pump tracks The grip damper doesn't seem to offer the adjustability that the older FIT damper did. I could pretty much lock the old fork out. I am thinking about switching the damper out.

alpherjo

Posted: Dec 20, 2020 at 12:59

Quote

Hi Random I'm running one. I have a Majesty, was riding the non-tapered with an Argyle RC and upgraded to the tapered Majesty and got a 2021 831 new.

I know your frustration, I was about to go back to my old majesty and Argyle, but after reading some different forums and research I've gotten the fork nice and stiff and I'm really happy with it.

To do this, I added all volume spacers I could, which is 10 max. I think the 831 comes stock with 9, and adding that one more volume spacer helps a lot.

Also after reading a lot about the air pressure with the Grip2 dampers, I found a lot of people actually pump those up over the max. This is obviously not recommended by Fox and would probably affect warranty, but I figured adding 10 psi over the max 120 psi shouldn't really be bad as their max PSI probably has some wiggle room. 130 vs 120 is also a huge difference.

So with compression wound all the way in, 10 volume spacers and 130 PSI air pressure, the fork is nice and stiff for me. Been riding it almost daily for over a month now with no problems, hopefully the damper will hold up.

I weigh 190 lbs btw.

randomtask79

Posted: Dec 20, 2020 at 21:11

Quote

Thanks for the info. I ended up talking to FOX, and they said if I really want the fork to be firmer, then switching out the damper is the only solution, which is crazy considering the cost of the fork already. I really do not understand how they sell this fork as the '831' fork and it isn't fit for the purpose it was supposedly designed for.

alpherjo wrote:

alpherjo

Posted: Dec 22, 2020 at 10:59	Quote
I agree. I'm assuming they recommended the regular Grip damper then? Or something else?

randomtask79

Posted: Dec 23, 2020 at 11:54

Quote

They offered me the damper from the Marzocchi DJ fork, it drops straight into the FOX 36 which would have been the cheapest option. It is a GRIP damper that basically offers fully open or fully closed compression adjustment. If you want the same damper as the Marzocchi DJ fork (and it will have a lock-out), you’ll need: 820-18-091-KIT Service Set: 2019 36 27.5 & 29 180 MAX, P-S Grip Cart Assy Complete $175.00. This is the fork I should have bought really, its pretty much the same thing, except that I'm a FOX snob....

The other option they suggested was the standard GRIP damper from the 36, I don't know exactly how this differs from the Marzocchi version, I think maybe just the top cap?? I can't remember more on this option.

The last option and most expensive was to run an older config FIT4 damper, with their highest compression tune, I think they list it as '820-08-787-KIT Service Set: 2018 Cartridge Assy Complete, 36 160 RC2, 831, Black Ano $305.00' The guy at FOX (Eric) told me this is what their in house dirt Jump tech guys recommend. this is what I went with, because I clearly have more money than sense. I plan to post up here how it works out.

As it happens I went and rode a legit velosolutions pump track the other day with the 36 maxed out at 120psi, compression dialed all the way in and correct rebound for the settings. It actually turned out pretty good. I think the only place I will miss the stiffer compression is tight, steep dirt jumps. BTW I weigh 190lbs and I am running them on a Ticket S. Im an experienced rider, not a big trick guy. I like to think I'm smoother and not a huck to flat guy.

alpherjo wrote:

I agree. I'm assuming they recommended the regular Grip damper then? Or something else?

alpherjo

Posted: Dec 23, 2020 at 12:09

Quote

Hey RandomTask this is some great info! Yes I was considering the DJ1 but it was sold out and I bit the bullet on the 831. I do have to say though with max pressure overall I'm happy with it, hopefully the damper will hold up. If not, I might have to get one of the FIT4 dampers too (though I wish it was cheaper). Will keep an eye on this post for your future review of it!

Anyway, I think other riders will find this post really helpful in the future too, thanks again for sharing and have a good one.

CoreyGun

Posted: Jan 23, 2023 at 14:36

Quote

I'm going to lower my 36 to 100mm, but the Grip damper is apparently only compatible with 130-180 travel. So Q1. Is there a different Grip damper they use in 831 36's with 100mm? I know the newer ones have Grip2 but going by the above posts, they recommend using a Grip in a 100mm 36. And 2. Does the Fit4 damper work with 100mm travel?

What's stopping a Grip damper being used at 100mm? It's still the same range as a 160mm fork, just missing the first 60mm of travel.

alpherjo

Posted: Jan 25, 2023 at 13:10

Quote

whoa way to refresh this old post CoreyGun . I've still been running the Grip2 but with pretty high pressure (150) for over a year now with no problems. My only complaint is I do wish it wasn't so soft on the top.

The Marzocchi DJ runs a Grip damper with 100mm so it's definitely doable at 100mm, but I'm not sure if there are different Grip dampers depending on travel. If you have a damper that's currently for 130mm it might not be able to be lowered to 100mm.

I've called Fox a few times direct usually very helpful might want to try that.

CoreyGun

Posted: Jan 25, 2023 at 14:07

Quote

alpherjo wrote:

The Marzocchi DJ runs a Grip damper with 100mm so it's definitely doable at 100mm, but I'm not sure if there are different Grip dampers depending on travel. If you have a damper that's currently for 130mm it might not be able to be lowered to 100mm.

Well the damper rod in a FIT4 I have from a 160 fork, obviously moves all the way from 0mm to over 180mm, as do all dampers (otherwise the fork wouldn't go through all it's travel), so I don't understand what the issue could be. Unless the damping isn't constant and changes a little at different stages of it's travel, but I don't think it does, and doesn't feel like it in my hands.

So basically I think it should just behave like I'm running a 160mm fork with 60mm sag.

alpherjo

Posted: Jan 25, 2023 at 15:09	Quote
I honestly just don't know about reducing the travel on that. I would give Fox a call they're always really helpful.

CoreyGun

Posted: Jan 25, 2023 at 15:44

Quote

alpherjo wrote:

I honestly just don't know about reducing the travel on that. I would give Fox a call they're always really helpful.

In the UK it'll just be a distributor phone number. I'll send them an email but I'm not expecting anything more than a "no it can't/shouldn't be done".

stoobot

Posted: Jan 26, 2023 at 1:41

Quote

CoreyGun wrote:

alpherjo wrote:

I honestly just don't know about reducing the travel on that. I would give Fox a call they're always really helpful.

In the UK it'll just be a distributor phone number. I'll send them an email but I'm not expecting anything more than a "no it can't/shouldn't be done".

Id call TF tuned rather than silverfish.

You've got more chance of getting a helpful answer rather than the fox company line "no don't do that"

TF are always very helpful even with stuff like this

CoreyGun

Posted: Jan 30, 2023 at 9:06

Quote

I can confirm that a standard FIT4 damper from a 2018 160mm fork works with the travel reduced to 100/120mm. I can't see what the apparent minimum of 130mm is for, but it works just as it would if you were running a 160 fork with 50% sag so your 'starting' point is 80mm. Perhaps it lacks some sensitivity further down? Dunno, but as a DJ fork this isn't important. The damper dampens.

I have a GRIP damper to try in it next.

I also took a standard NA2 160mm travel air shaft and shortened it myself, pretty easy.

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