Fox FIT RLC Cartridge Overview
For the upcoming 2010 season Fox has equipped their 32 series forks with the proven FIT damper system. Previously only available on Fox's longer travel offerings, the FIT damper is designed to offer a more consistent damping over rough terrain, as well as added adjustment range and a slightly lighter overall fork weight. While Fox's original open bath platform can still be found on certain models, the FIT damper is their premium system and will add another level of performance to the 32 mm forks.
Interested in the new 32 mm FIT equipped forks? Watch the video for more information!
2010 Fox FIT RLC damper as found in select 32 series forks
The FIT damper is a sealed cartridge, effectively separating damping and lubrication oil. The benefits of going this route are two fold: One, because the damping oil no longer does double duty as lubrication oil, service interval periods should be greatly extended. Two, the opportunity for the oil to suffer from cavitation (foaming) is reduced due to the element of air in an open system being removed from the equation. This is where the FIT bladder plays a major part, compensating for the oil displacement as the damper rod cycles through its stroke. An added benefit of using a bladder instead of a floating piston is reduced friction as one more seal is removed from the system.
FIT RLC damper body, bladder on far right
The FIT cartridge sits inside the right fork leg and is upside down when compared to some other designs. The rebound dial is now found at the bottom of the fork leg, low speed compression adjustment and lock out force are both located at the fork crown. The FIT RLC damper has a wider low speed compression range that can be dialed in to give a super active to firm platform, and anywhere in between.
Rebound adjustment dial
• FIT RLC and RL (OE only) can now be found on select 32 mm Fox forks for 2010
• RLC adjustments include rebound, low speed compression, lock out and lockout force adjustment, air pressure
• RL adjustments include rebound, lock out, and air pressure
• Total weight loss of 72g. (FIT RLC equipped fork)
Inside Fox's 32 mm fork and FIT cartridge
The 32 mm series of forks has two axle options to pick from, traditional QR dropouts and the newer 15 mm QR system. A tapered steerer is also available for the same riders who would consider the 15 mm QR lowers.
FIT RLC cartridge exploded view, note bladder at the top of the fork
Have a look at Fox's 32 F-Series fork featuring the new FIT RLC damper cartridge.
Fox Boost Valve Overview on the RP23
Fox's Boost Valve technology began life on their DH dampers and now can be found on the venerable RP23 shock for the 2010 season. Although Boost Valve is utilized through the entire stroke on the RP23 (as opposed to the last 1/3 on the RC4), one of the obvious benefits of the Boost Valve is added control at the end of the stroke. As small as the RP23 is, it is poised to become one of the most versatile shocks on the market.
Watch the video and let Nick from Fox Racing Shox explain the benefits of the Boost Valve on the RP23
Fox RP23 with Boost Valve
The Boost Valve found on Fox's RP23 does much more than just control the shock's ending stroke, it is actually in use throughout the entire stroke. The position sensitive damping of the Boost Valve system can be taken advantage of at the beginning of the stroke to gain higher pedaling efficiency on bikes that could benefit from a firmer feel without having to resort to flipping the ProPedal lever. As a rider that deplores having to fiddle with levers, I look forward to having a go on this new RP23.
Exploded view of Boost Valve equipped RP23 behind glass
• Boost Valve within the Float family can only be found on the RP23
• Position sensitive damping comes to the RP23
• RP23 adjustments include ProPedal level, ProPedal on/off, rebound, and air spring pressure
• RP23 is available in many sizes between 5.5" x 1" stroke to 8.5" x 2.5" stroke, and many sizes in between
RP23 with Boost Valve detail
Fox 32 series FIT RLC cartridge and RP23 with Boost Valve technology
More info on Fox's Boost Valve technology as used on the RP23.
Go to
Foxracingshox.com to see all Fox's suspension products!
Mike "Kakah" Levy
What I really want is a 180mm 36 series. Stop jiggling about with the dampers already and make a bloody 7" SC fork for crying out loud! Can't you hear the requests coming from the consumer market?
Jezzz....
Manitou is not offering such product with 1.1/8 steer tube, Marzo's are heavy as s*** and a bit unreliable latelly, and I would never risk a Totem after what I saw with the ones from some mates of mine (like, even the stantions got broken, and the guys are fairly light riders). Nothing wrong with RS (I have a boxxer) but the toten doesnt seem - to me - to be "there" yet.
Further more, I have a 36 float and the thing feels great on my 6 or so inches bike. I want a 7" fork - from FOX - for my heavy duty bike... and as far as I can see over the web, so does half the world.
C'mon Fox, chop chop...
personally, their current line-up may as well be the best on the market and still sells out every year. If i were them, i would also be hard-pressed to add another.
of course Fox engineers are crazy awesome at designing flawless product... Maybe at least one attempt would be nice.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/2138741
www.pinkbike.com/photo/3131825
www.pinkbike.com/photo/3608731
This is not true. The 2010 Trek Scratch models have 160mm travel Float and Vanilla 36 models (Scratch Air 8 and Scratch 9, respectively).
Are you sure?
i wonder what the team of designers and engineers at fox would have to say to that.
But business men want to thirst up the riders then introduce their product when theY would be sure to swallow up the market and other competitors like Totem-Domain-66-Travis and….
Production is more into money than into demand and performance.
i want a single crown 40!!!!
ut really, even after the abuse i threw on to my 40, and after the mild maintenace it needed, it still out performed athe other forks ive used, ( Marz. 888 WC and boxxer), and i can service my forty in my living room in like fifteen minutes! it stiff as all hell (too stiff? bring it i say)
every fork needs seals after a few months of getting rad!
the 40 can be reduced to 170 or 160 if thats all you want.....
i like fox, and they fave tsken better care of me as a rider, then any other brand cared too,
and in the end, that is what makes the diff....
marso left me hangin for over two months on a rear shock that was for racing!!!
and RS is soooo close to dialing the totem.. but still.....
fox is where i live.