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.

1. Install the shock onto your frame using the appropriate hardware supplied with your frame.
2. Remove the air cap, attach a shock pump, then SLOWLY release all air out of the main air chamber.
3. Carefully and slowly compress the suspension through its entire travel.
4. Check that no part of your shock contacts any portion of your frame or linkage as it cycles through its travel.
5. 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.
6. Set your main air chamber to between 50-350psi to prepare to set sag as described in the "Setting Shock Air Pressure" section below.

Step 1

Make sure that your shock is ready to ride

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Make sure that your quick-release levers (or thru-axles) are properly adjusted and tightened.
4. Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to your bicycle manufacturer's recommendations.
5. Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
6. Test the proper operation of your front and rear brakes on level ground.

Step 1

The EVOL air sleeve comes standard on FLOAT 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.

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. 

1. Turn the compression lever or knob to the OPEN mode.
   
                                                                                       
   
   
2. 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!
   
   
3. Remove the pump.
4. Sit still on the bike in your normal riding position, using a wall or a tree for support.
5. Pull the sag indicator o-ring up against the rubber air sleeve seal.
6. Carefully dismount the bike without bouncing.
7. Measure the distance between the sag indicator o-ring and the rubber air sleeve seal. Compare your measurement to the ‘Suggested Sag Measurements’ table.
   
                                                                            
8. Add or remove air pressure until you reach your desired sag measurement.

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. 

Step 1

Easy on-the-fly adjustments for unprecedented control and performance

2-Position Lever: The 2-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 and the FIRM mode for smooth climbing.

FOX recommends beginning with the 2-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.

*Factory and Performance Elite Series non-remote shocks only.

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.

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 X Air Volume Tuning Kit: PN 803-01-725

Detailed information on FLOAT X volume spacers can be found here: FLOAT X Volume Spacer Installation »

The Video below shows basic instructions for installing or removing air volume spacers from FLOAT based shocks.

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.