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 according to your frame manufacturer’s instructions. For strut mount bikes, follow the steps in this section, along with the instructions: STRUT MOUNT BIKES (below).
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 the shock does NOT contact any portion of your frame or linkage as it cycles through its travel. See the POSITIONING AND CLEARANCE section, which details the clearance required between the air valve, shock reservoir, and frame.
5. Add air pressure to the main air chamber in ~50 psi (3.4 bar) increments, slowly cycling the shock 10-20 times through 25% of its travel 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

Your shock should come positioned correctly on your bicycle from the factory. However, if the XV air sleeve is rotated for any reason, it must not interfere with any part of the shock or frame. In the examples below, the XV air sleeve/air valve is rotated separately from the rebound eyelet. Image A shows a few examples of air valve positions to achieve proper clearance between the air valve and shock reservoir, but the shock would still need to be tested for frame clearance throughout the entire stroke (see the INSTALLATION section on the previous page). Image B shows the range of positions you can NOT use because the air valve will interfere with the reservoir and will result in shock damage.

NOTE: On parallel reservoir models (250 mm x 75 mm with no lever), the air valve will clear the shock reservoir in any of the available positions. It will still need the same test for frame clearance as mentioned above.

Step 1

In strut mount applications, the rebound eyelet is typically rotated 90 degrees. The air valve/XV sleeve must be repositioned (rotated separately from the rebound eyelet) into one of the proper clearance locations. Image C shows a few examples of air valve positions to achieve proper clearance between the air valve and shock reservoir, but the shock would still need to be tested for frame clearance throughout the entire stroke (see the INSTALLATION section on the previous page). Make sure the air valve is not positioned toward the shock reservoir (Image D).

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 is standard on FLOAT X2 shocks. The EVOL air sleeve provides an external negative air chamber added to 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

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 should be set to ~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. 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 350 psi (24.1 bar), the maximum FLOAT X2 air pressure!
   
   
2. Remove the pump.
3. Sit still on the bike in your normal riding position, using a wall or a tree for support.
4. Pull the sag indicator o-ring up against the rubber air sleeve seal.
5. Carefully dismount the bike without bouncing.
6. Measure the distance between the sag indicator o-ring and the rubber air sleeve seal. Compare your measurement to the ‘Suggested Sag Measurements’ table.
   
   
7. Add or remove air pressure until you reach your desired sag measurement.
   
   

Step 1

After setting shock air pressure by adjusting sag, use your air pressure in the table below to help find the suggested starting damper settings. As you ride and get used to your new shock, adjust your settings as needed.

Turn all damper settings to the closed position (full clockwise) until they stop. Then back them out (counter-clockwise) tot he number of clicks shown in the table below.

Note: HSR and HSC adjustment is only available on Factory Series FLOAT X2 shocks.

Step 1

The rebound adjustment is dependent on the air spring pressure. For example, higher air spring pressures require more rebound damping.

*High-speed Rebound (HSR) adjustment is useful to allow the shock to recover from bigger hits and square-edged bumps quickly enough to absorb consecutive hits. Turning the knob clockwise (in) slows down High-speed rebound, turning the knob counter-clockwise (out) speeds up High-speed rebound.

Low-speed Rebound (LSR) adjustment is useful to control shock performance during brake bumps, technical climbing, and offcamber cornering, when extra traction is needed. Turning the 3mm Hex clockwise (in) slows down Low-speed rebound, turning the 3mm Hex counter-clockwise (out) speeds up Low-speed rebound.

Adjust rebound until when tested, the shock returns quickly but does not top out.

Top out is felt when a shock fully extends too quickly and comes to an abrupt stop when it reaches full extension (you will hear/feel a small noise). Top out should be avoided through proper rebound setting.

*Factory Series only

Step 1

Adjusting your high and low speed compression setting controls how the shock feels as it's compressed through its travel under various types of hits. Use your high and low speed compression adjusters to tune the fork to meet your riding style and terrain.

*High-speed Compression (HSC) adjustment is useful to control shock performance during bigger hits, landings, and squareedged bumps. Turning the 6mm Hex clockwise (in) adds High-speed compression damping (firmer), turning the 6mm Hex counter-clockwise (out) reduces High-speed compression damping (softer).

Low-speed Compression (LSC) adjustment is useful to control shock performance during rider weight shifts, G-outs, and other slow inputs. Turning the 3mm Hex clockwise (in) adds Low-speed compression damping (firmer), turning the 3mm Hex counter-clockwise (out) reduces Low-speed compression damping (softer).

*Factory Series only

Step 1

The 2-Position compression lever available on some FLOAT X2 shocks can be used to quickly switch between your pre-set High and Low speed compression settings and a Firm mode for improved climbing.

• Turning the lever clockwise sets the shock in the Firm mode. Firm mode is a very firm low-speed compression setting. This setting is most useful for climbing and sprinting. 
  
  
• Turning the lever counter-clockwise sets the shock in the Open mode which utilizes your pre-set HSC/LSC setting. The HSC and LSC adjustments only have an affect on compression damping when the 2-Position lever is in the counter-clockwise setting.  

FOX recommends beginning with the 2-position lever in the Open 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 more spacers to increase bottom out resistance. If you have set your sag correctly and are not using full travel, then you could install fewer spacers to decrease bottom out resistance.

1. Remove the black air cap and thread on your FOX shock pump. Slowly release all air from the main air chamber with your pump while firmly pulling the shock apart as it deflates. This will prevent the air from transfering to the negative chamber and “sucking” the shock in. Then remove the pump. Verify that all air has been released by depressing the Schrader valve.

2. Rotate the wire retaining ring to align the opening in the ring with one of the eyelet tabs. Use a pick to remove the ring from the groove, rotating the ring as needed to fully remove it.

3. Ensure the alignment dots on the XV sleeve are correctly aligned (see page 4). You will need to realign these dots during  installation. Slide the XV sleeve away from the negative air sealhead to remove it.
   
   NOTE: Remove the rebound knob or apply a strip of tape over it to prevent the inside of the XV sleeve from getting scratched, which can cause air leaks.

4. Remove or install volume spacers as needed, making sure not to exceed the maximum number of spacers for your shock’s
   travel (determined by the ribs on the inside of the XV sleeve). Mix and match the 1 cc and 2 cc spacers to provide 1 cc  increments. Apply a thin layer of Slick Honey to the air seals, then reinstall the XV sleeve as shown (bottom image). Rotate the XV sleeve until the alignment dots are correctly aligned. This must be one of the correct air valve clearance locations above in Position and Clearance.

5. Slide the XV sleeve down to the negative air sealhead to engage the air seals.

6. Reinstall the wire retaining ring, and make sure that it is fully seated in its groove.

7. Install the shock on your bike and cycle through the entire stroke. Ensure there is at least 3 mm of clearance between any portion of the shock and the frame.

8. Attach your shock pump then add air while you slowly cycle your shock through 25% of its travel 10 times as you reach your desired pressure. Reinstall the black air cap.

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.