OWNER'S MANUALS
SHOCK- 2021 FLOAT DPS and DPX2
For general information and installation instructions click here »
Installing Your Shock
WARNING: Rear shock setup and configuration varies greatly between different bicycle manufacturers. Be sure to refer to the owner's manual for your bicycle. FOX products should be installed by a qualified bicycle service technician, in accordance with FOX installation specifications. Improperly installed shocks can fail, causing the rider to lose control, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Step 1
Check for clearance before riding.
If you are installing your shock on a bike for which the shock was not original equipment, follow the steps below to ensure proper clearance before riding.
- Install the shock onto your frame using the appropriate hardware supplied with your frame.
- Remove the air cap, attach a shock pump, then SLOWLY release all air out of the main air chamber.
- Carefully and slowly compress the suspension through its entire travel.
- Check that no part of your shock contacts any portion of your frame or linkage as it cycles through its travel.
- Add air pressure to the main air chamber in ~50 psi (3.4 bar) increments, slowly cycling the shock after every 50 psi (3.4 bar) addition.
- Set your main air chamber to between 50-300psi to prepare to set sag as described in the "Setting Shock Air Pressure" section below.
All shock mounting hardware will have some inherent level of axial float which is required to achieve smooth performance. This is normal and is not a safety or performance concern. If your shock mounting hardware exhibits what you believe to be excessive float or makes noise, please contact FOX for assistance. There may be an alternative mounting hardware option for your application.
Before You Ride
Step 1
Make sure that your shock is ready to ride
- Clean the outside of your shock with mild soap and water and wipe dry with a soft rag.
- Do not use any solvents or de-greasers as these products can damage the shock's exterior finish.
- Do not use a high pressure washer or spray water directly at the seal/shock body junction.
- Inspect the exterior of your shock. The shock should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged
- Contact your local FOX dealer or FOX directly for further inspection or repair.
- Make sure that your quick-release levers (or thru-axles) are properly adjusted and tightened.
- Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to your bicycle manufacturer's recommendations.
- Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
- Test the proper operation of your front and rear brakes on level ground.
Using the EVOL Air Sleeve
Step 1
The EVOL air sleeve comes standard on FLOAT DPS and DPX2 models. The EVOL air sleeve provides an external negative air chamber integrated into the main air sleeve to significantly reduce the force to initiate travel, providing excellent small bump performance. The system is also more linear in its progression offering improved mid stroke support and better bottom out resistance. It is important to add or remove air from the EVOL sleeve as detailed below to experience the best possible performance.
When adding air to the air chamber, it is important to equalize the positive and negative air chambers by slowly compressing the shock through 25% of its travel 10-20 times after every 50psi addition.
- Adding air to the shock without periodically equalizing the air chambers can lead to a condition in which the shock has more pressure in the positive chamber than the negative. In this condition the shock will be very stiff and can top-out. You can equalize the air chambers by slowly compressing the shock until you feel and hear a transfer of air. Hold the shock at this point for a few seconds to allow the air to transfer from the positive to the negative chamber.
When releasing air from the air chamber, it is important to do this slowly so the shock can transfer air from the negative to positive chamber and then be realeased through the Schrader valve.
- Releasing the air pressure too quickly can induce a condition in which the negative chamber has more pressure than the positive chamber. In this condition the shock will compress into its travel and not fully extend. You can remedy this by adding air pressure until the shock extends, then slowly compressing the shock through 25% of its travel 10-20 times.
Setting Shock Air Pressure
FLOAT DPS EVOL and FLOAT DPX2 EVOL shocks have a maximum pressure of 350psi (24.1 bar)
NOTE: Pressure measured at an ambient temperature of 70-75ËšF. Normal operating temperature range for FOX products is 20-140ËšF.
Step 1
Sag should be set to 25 - 30% of total shock travel
To achieve the best performance from your FOX suspension, adjust the air pressure to attain your proper sag setting. Sag is the amount your suspension compresses under your weight and riding gear. Sag range should be set to 25–30% of total shock travel.
Watch the sag setup video at ridefox.com/sagsetup
Your shock has a 4 digit ID code on the shock body. Use this number on the Help page at www.ridefox.com to find out more information about your shock, including shock travel.
- Turn the 3-position lever to the OPEN mode.
- Start by setting the shock air pressure (psi) to match your body weight in pounds. With the air pump attached to the shock valve, slowly cycle your shock through 25% of its travel 10 times as you reach your desired pressure. This will equalize the positive and negative air chambers and will change the pressure on the pump gauge.
Do not exceed the maximum FLOAT air pressure! - Remove the pump.
- Sit still on the bike in your normal riding position, using a wall or a tree for support.
- Pull the sag indicator o-ring up against the rubber air sleeve seal.
- Carefully dismount the bike without bouncing.
- Measure the distance between the sag indicator o-ring and the rubber air sleeve seal. Compare your measurement to the ‘Suggested Sag Measurements’ table.
- Add or remove air pressure until you reach your desired sag measurement.
Suggested Sag Measurements | ||
Travel | 25% sag (Firm) | 30% sag (Plush) |
25 mm (1.0 in) | 6 mm (0.25 in) | 7 mm (0.30 in) |
32 mm (1.25 in) | 8 mm (0.31 in) | 10 mm (0.37 in) |
38 mm (1.5 in) | 10 mm (0.38 in) | 11 mm (0.45 in) |
44 mm (1.75 in) | 11 mm (0.44 in) | 13 mm (0.53 in) |
51 mm (2.0 in) | 13 mm (0.50 in) | 15 mm (0.60 in) |
57 mm (2.25 in) | 14 mm (0.56 in) | 17 mm (0.68 in) |
63 mm (2.5 in) | 16 mm (0.63 in) | 19 mm (.75 in) |
76 mm (3.0 in) | 19 mm (0.75 in) | 23 mm (0.90 in) |
Adjusting Rebound
Step 1
Rebound controls how fast the shock extends after compressing
The rebound adjustment is dependent on the air pressure setting. For example, higher air pressures require more rebound damping. Use your air pressure to help find your rebound setting.
Turn your rebound knob to the closed position (full clockwise) until it stops. Then back it out (counter-clockwise) to the number of clicks shown in the table below.
FLOAT DPS:
Adjusting Compression Damping
Step 1
Easy on-the-fly adjustments for unprecedented control and performance
3-Position Lever: The 3-position lever is useful to make on-the-fly adjustments to control shock performance under significant changes in terrain, and is intended to be adjusted throughout the ride. You can use the OPEN mode during rough descending, the MEDIUM mode for undulating terrain, and the FIRM mode for smooth climbing.
FOX recommends beginning with the 3-position lever in the open mode.
*Open Mode Adjust: Open mode adjust is useful to control shock performance during rider weight shifts, G-outs, and slow inputs. Open mode adjust provides 3 additional fine tuning adjustments for the OPEN mode. Lift the open mode adjuster, rotate it to the 1, 2, or 3 position, and press it in to lock the position. It is recommended to make these adjustments with the 3-position lever in the Medium or Firm mode. Setting 1 will have a more plush feel and setting 3 will have a firmer feel.
FOX Recommends beginning with the open mode adjust set to 1.
DPX2 Comp Adj: The Comp Adj knob allows for changes in overall compression damping. Turn the knob clockwise to increase compression damping and couter-clockwise to decrease compression damping.
*Factory and Performance Elite Series non-remote shocks only.
Using the 2-Position Remote
Step 1
The 2-position remote is designed to be used in place of a front shifter, under the handlebar on the rider's left side. The 2-position remote can be used with 2 cables to control both the front fork and rear shock simultaneously.
The 2-Position Remote lets you to switch between the OPEN and FIRM modes while riding.
- Push-to-Lock – Push the actuation lever to set the fork to FIRM mode. Push the release lever to set the fork to OPEN mode.
- Push-to-Unlock – Push the actuation lever to set the fork to OPEN mode. Push the release lever to set the fork to FIRM mode.
Tuning with Air Volume Spacers
Step 1
Changing volume spacers in the shock is an internal adjustment that allows you to change the amount of mid stroke and bottom out resistance.
- If you have set your sag correctly and are using full travel (bottoming out) too easily, then you could install a larger spacer to increase bottom out resistance.
- If you have set your sag correctly and are not using full travel, then you could install a smaller spacer to decrease bottom out resistance.
- FLOAT DPS (9mm shaft) Air Spring Volume Tuning Kit: PN 803-01-250
- FLOAT DPX2 (1/2" shaft) Air Spring Volume Tuning Kit: PN 803-01-251
The Video below shows basic instructions for installing or removing air volume spacers from FLOAT based shocks.
WARNING: FOX suspension products contain pressurized nitrogen, air, oil, or all 3. Suspension misuse can cause property damage, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT puncture, incinerate or crush any portion of a FOX suspension product. DO NOT attempt to disassemble any portion of a FOX suspension product, unless expressly instructed to do so by the applicable FOX technical documentation, and then ONLY while strictly adhering to all FOX instructions and warnings in that instance.
WARNING: Modification, improper service, or use of aftermarket replacement parts with FOX forks and shocks may cause the product to malfunction, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT modify any part of a fork or shock, including the fork brace (lower leg cross brace), crown, steerer, upper and lower leg tubes, or internal parts, except as instructed herein. Any unauthorized modification may void the warranty, and may cause failure or the fork or shock, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
WARNING: Never attempt to pull apart, open, disassemble, or service a FOX shock that is in a "stuck down" condition. A "stuck down" condition results from a failure of the dynamic air seal (located between the positive and negative air chambers within the non-EVOL shock air sleeve), resulting with the negative chamber retaining a higher pressure than the positive chamber. To test whether the shock is in fact "stuck down":
- Remove the air cap and depress the Schrader valve, to completely release air pressure from the positive chamber of the shock.
- If the shock body retracts into the air sleeve near bottom-out after the air is released from the positive chamber, attach a FOX high pressure pump and pressurize the shock to 250psi (17 bar).
- If the shock does not fully extend, it is in a "stuck down" condition.
Any attempt to service FOX air shocks in the "stuck down" condition can lead to SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Contact FOX or an Authorized Service Center for repair.
Service Intervals
Step 1
To best maintain the performance and durability of your product under normal use, FOX recommends that you have regular fork and shock maintenance performed according to the service intervals listed below.
*Suspension product will require more frequent servicing the harder they are worked. For those who ride lift-accessed DH, Park, or Extreme Freeride or in extremely wet/muddy or dry/dusty environmental conditions where trail debris is sprayed onto the fork or shock while on the trail, or e-mtb's, FOX encourages riders to perform maintenance earlier than recommended above as needed. If you hear, see, or feel something unusual, stop riding immediately and contact a FOX Authorized Service Center for proper servicing.
WARNING: FOX products should be serviced by a qualified bicycle service technician, in accordance with FOX specifications. If you have any doubt whether or not you can properly service your FOX product, then DO NOT attempt it. Improperly serviced products can fail, causing the rider to lose control resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.