Rock Shoxs vs Fox >2013

lbalony

I have always loved Fox but since my persistent issues with the fork & shock on my 2013 bike I think they could be better. I complained to Mojo who fitted 2014 dampers in the fork and spacers in the shock and carried out a custone tune. They are a lot better but still either to stiff but have no bob or brake dive, or too soft with lots of brake dive and pedal bob with good trail absorption. Im sure its not me setting them up as only 5psi in either or. I have give up on them after 18months and considering rock shocks relevation (pikes are not available in 140mm/26) and a monarch rear can.

What side of the fence do you sit on and whats yours experiences and advice?

supersonic

Feel of forks is rather subjective, but there has been a lot of complaints about the 2013 Fox range. I'm suprised the upgrade hasn't srted it to be honest, as I have similary heard lots of very good reports about more recent stuff.

Which fox exactly do you have, what adjustment, and how much sag do you run?

rockmonkeysc

2013 was a bad year for Fox.
Pikes can be spaced down to 140mm.

lawman

The 2013 forks weren't great, 2014 felt like an improvement but the Pike is far better than the 34. Even with a huge price drop (they're now £700ish instead of £900+, I guess they've dropped the price because the 36 is both lighter and more adjustable, makes you wonder who would buy the 34 so I guess the lowered price is an attempt to sell a fork for those who can't afford the 36) I'd probably still go for the Pike and regulars will now I'm a big Fox fan. Tbh if I were to built a new bike I'd probably go for a Monarch Plus or DB Inline over a CTD or Float X shock as well. My 2011 32 RLC's are, flex issues aside, hands down one of the best performing forks I've ever ridden, supple, supportive, no major brake dive and super easy to set up. Up until the recent stanchion wear/discolouration issue they've been faultlessly reliable too.

lbalony

supersonic wrote:

Feel of forks is rather subjective, but there has been a lot of complaints about the 2013 Fox range. I'm suprised the upgrade hasn't srted it to be honest, as I have similary heard lots of very good reports about more recent stuff.

Which fox exactly do you have, what adjustment, and how much sag do you run?

Fork: fox factory ctd 140 2013 with 2014 damper
Shock. Fox factory ctd 2013 with spacers

Both with 25-35% travel

Ive dedicated full days at places to get set perfect. Even with there custom tune it was too harsh compared to my previous fox/shock.

lbalony

lawman wrote:

The 2013 forks weren't great, 2014 felt like an improvement but the Pike is far better than the 34. Even with a huge price drop (they're now £700ish instead of £900+, I guess they've dropped the price because the 36 is both lighter and more adjustable, makes you wonder who would buy the 34 so I guess the lowered price is an attempt to sell a fork for those who can't afford the 36) I'd probably still go for the Pike and regulars will now I'm a big Fox fan. Tbh if I were to built a new bike I'd probably go for a Monarch Plus or DB Inline over a CTD or Float X shock as well. My 2011 32 RLC's are, flex issues aside, hands down one of the best performing forks I've ever ridden, supple, supportive, no major brake dive and super easy to set up. Up until the recent stanchion wear/discolouration issue they've been faultlessly reliable too.

I loved my 2011 fox shock & rear too. No issues and set up so easy. These have plagued my riding ever since. Im considering sticking both on ebay and seeing what I get and then attempting to buy rock shox

supersonic

Do you have the trail adjust feature then?

Dick Scruttock

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Pikes can be spaced down to 140mm.

No they cannot.

They can be reduced to 140mm by fitting a different air shaft or cutting the existing one. They cannot be spaced down.

paul.skibum

I have 2013 Fox Evo Float rear shock and Fox Evo Float 34 forks on my Bronson. They are frankly, bullshit.

The forks have improved slightly with a lot of tinkering with set up and getting some mileage to beat the stiction out of them, the rear shock is ok but still needs more tinkering with the set up. I run them in Trail or Climb all the time - Descend is a recipe for both collapsing like a toilet paper castle in the rain at the first sign of a bump and then I either go over the bars or get pogo'd off the bike.

I spoke to two local Fox service agents who said the only improvement they could do was to upgrade the damper to the Factory FIT for $350 plus tax plus service costs which to be honest seems a little pricey vs the cost of a replacement fork (as I can get discounts as staff at the bike park)

The only downside of looking at upgrades is that pinkbike buy and sell is the graveyard for Fox forks - a load of Evo's but also Factory and Performance Kashima so the chances of selling them for a decent price - Nil.

I have been told the Factory and Performance models were better but I seriously avoid any of them and my experiences have not made me a Fox convert. Would have loved the Pike/CCDBA combo now being offered on the Bronson and will go that route if I can find the cash to upgrade.

rockmonkeysc

It's worth considering Marzocchi forks as well. Everyone seem to forget about them but the 55 rc3 and 350 rc3 ti evo are by far the best forks I have ridden.
The new Marzocchi coil shock is better than my Cane Creek DB coil as well.

poah

RockmonkeySC wrote:

2013 was a bad year for Fox.
Pikes can be spaced down to 140mm.

pikes can't be spaced down to 140mm, you have to machine the air spring assemble down for the 26.

poah

manitou mattoc can be spaced down to 140mm and the monarch plus is a good shock if it suits your frame. I'm going to be selling mine soon to get a DBinline

rockmonkeysc

The Monarch plus doesn't work for larger riders. One of the lads I ride with has one. He is 15.5 stone and running max pressure and max rebound and needs more of both. Obviously that also depends on the linkage ratio.

poah

RockmonkeySC wrote:

The Monarch plus doesn't work for larger riders. One of the lads I ride with has one. He is 15.5 stone and running max pressure and max rebound and needs more of both. Obviously that also depends on the linkage ratio.

or the air can, compression/rebound tune too

lbalony

RockmonkeySC wrote:

It's worth considering Marzocchi forks as well. Everyone seem to forget about them but the 55 rc3 and 350 rc3 ti evo are by far the best forks I have ridden.
The new Marzocchi coil shock is better than my Cane Creek DB coil as well.

I had forgot also. I shall check them out.

rockmonkeysc

lbalony wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

It's worth considering Marzocchi forks as well. Everyone seem to forget about them but the 55 rc3 and 350 rc3 ti evo are by far the best forks I have ridden.
The new Marzocchi coil shock is better than my Cane Creek DB coil as well.

I had forgot also. I shall check them out.

The new 350, the replacement for the 55 is also supposed to be very good, it certainly has a distinctive look.