OWNER'S MANUALS

FORK- 2015 36 FLOAT 140mm-180mm and TALAS (up to 160mm)

FORK- 2015 36 FLOAT 140mm-180mm and TALAS (up to 160mm)

Travel

 

FLOAT:

  • 26in - 160mm-180mm (6.3in-7.1in)
  • 27.5in - 150mm-180mm (5.9in-7.1in)
  • 29in - 140mm-160mm (5.5in-6.3in)

TALAS:

  • 26in - 160mm (6.3in)
  • 27.5in - 150mm (5.9in) or 160mm (6.3in)
  • 29in - 140mm (5.5in), 150mm (5.9in), or 160mm (6.3in)

 

 

 

Features/Adjustments

Kashima Coated or anodized (OE only) upper tubes, 1-1/8" straight or 1.5" tapered steerer, low-speed compression, high-speed compression, rebound, air pressure, TALAS 2-position travel adjust (TALAS only).

Lower leg

20mm or 15mm convertible pinch-axle, 180mm direct post style disc brake mounting

Spring

FLOAT w/self-adjusting negative air or TALAS Travel Adjustable (30mm Adjustment Range Standard, OE configurations may vary)

Riding style

Trail, Enduro, AM, FR

For general information and installation instructions click here »

Before You Ride

Step 1

Make sure that your fork is ready to ride

  1. Check that quick-release levers and axle pinch bolts of the bike are properly adjusted and tightened.
  2. Inspect the entire exterior of your fork. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Contact your local dealer or FOX for further inspection and repair.
  3. Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust it accordingly to your bicycle manufacturer's recommendations.
  4. Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
  5. Test the proper operation of your front and rear brakes on level ground.
  6. Before every race or ride, clean the outside of your fork with only mild soap and water, and wipe dry with a soft dry rag. Do not spray water directly into the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your fork.

Mounting Disc Brakes

WARNING: Follow your brake manufacturer's installation instructions for proper installation and adjustment of the brake system. Failure to properly install and adjust your brakes can lead to a loss of control of the bicycle which can result in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Step 1

The 2015 36 FLOAT uses 180mm Post Mounts that allow you to bolt your caliper directly to the fork and utilize a 180mm rotor. This post mount eliminates the need for a caliper adaptor when using the most common 180mm rotor size for forks with these amounts of travel, which saves overall system weight. 

 

If your current 180mm brake setup came with bolts and a caliper spacer, you may need to source shorter bolts as you will not need a caliper spacer when using a 180mm rotor.

 

If using a 203mm rotor, you will need to source the appropriate caliper spacer and bolts. Contact the brake manufacturer for further information.

 

180-brake-mount.jpg

Installing the Front Wheel

Step 1

Install Your Wheel Correctly to Benefit From the Floating Axle

The 2015 36 fork uses a true floating axle. Follow the installation instructions in the video below to properly install your front wheel and enjoy the friction reducing benefits of the floating axle. 

Wheel installation is identical for both the 15mm and 20mm axles. Information regarding converting between 15mm and 20mm axles can be found in the 15mm and 20mm Axle Conversion section. 

 

 

Setting Fork Air Pressure

2015 36 FLOAT maximum air pressure is 125psi

2015 36 TALAS maximum air pressure is 200psi

Depending on variables such as riding style, terrain, bike geometry, etc, you may find that you can only achieve proper sag and ride performance with up to 10psi over or under the recommended value in the suggested starting pressure chart below. Feel free to experiment with fork air pressures using the chart below as a guide.

Step 1

Sag should be set to 15 - 20% of total fork travel

  1. Unscrew the blue air cap on top of the left fork leg counter-clockwise to expose the schrader valve.
    CTD_32_Air_topcap_knob.jpg       talas-long-32.jpg
  2. Attach a FOX High Pressure Pump to the schrader valve.
  3. Pump your fork to the appropriate pressure as listed in the 'Suggested Starting Points For Setting Sag' table below, then remove the pump.
  4. Using your forks sag setting o-ring on the left upper tube (or temporarily install a zip tie to the upper tube), slide the o-ring (or zip tie) down against the fork dust wiper.
    sag-setting-o-ringA.jpg
  5. Make sure your RC2 adjusters are in the open position (both fully counter-clockwise).
  6. Dressed to ride (including a filled hydration pack, if you use one), position your bike next to a wall or table to support yourself. Mount your bicycle. Assume your riding position for at least 10 seconds, allowing the suspension to fully settle. Make sure you distribute your weight evenly between the saddle, handlebars and pedals.
  7. While in your riding position, slide the o-ring (or zip tie) down against the fork dust wiper.
  8. Dismount your bike without bouncing, to avoid further moving the o-ring or zip tie. Measure the distance between the dust wiper and the o-ring or zip tie. This is your sag measurement. Suggested sag measurements are listed in the table below.
  9. Add or remove air pressure until your sag measurement is between 15-20% of your forks total travel.
  10. Repeat steps 2-8 and recheck sag measurement.
  11. When sag measurement is correct, document the pressure for your records, then screw the blue air cap on clockwise until snug.

 

FLOAT Suggested Starting Points for Setting Sag
Rider Weight lbs/kgs Pressure
≤125 - 135 ≤57 - 61 53psi
135 - 145 61 - 66 57psi
145 - 155 66 - 70 61psi
155 - 170 70 - 77 66psi
170 - 185 77 - 84 72psi
185 - 200 84 - 91 78psi
200 - 215 91 - 98 84psi
215 - 230 98 - 104 90psi
230 - ≥250 104 - ≥113 97psi

 

TALAS Suggested Starting Points for Setting Sag
Rider Weight lbs/kgs Pressure
≤125 - 135 ≤57 - 61 95psi
135 - 145 61 - 66 105psi
145 - 155 66 - 70 115psi
155 - 170 70 - 77 125psi
170 - 185 77 - 84 135psi
185 - 200 84 - 91 145psi
200 - 215 91 - 98 155psi
215 - 230 98 - 104 165psi
230 - ≥250 104 - ≥113 175psi

 

Suggested Sag Measurements
Travel 15% sag (Firm) 20% sag (Plush)
5.5 in./140mm  .82 in./21mm  1.1 in./28mm 
5.9 in./150mm  .88 in./22mm  1.2 in./30mm 
6.3 in./160mm  .95 in./24mm  1.3 in./32mm 
6.7 in./170mm 1.0 in./26mm 1.3 in./34mm
7.1 in./180mm 1.1 in./27mm 1.4 in./36mm

Adjusting Rebound

Step 1

Rebound controls how fast the fork extends after compressing

34-36-reb-knob.jpg  

The red rebound adjuster is located at the bottom of the right fork leg. FOX recommends that riders on the 2015 36 FLOAT start out with your rebound set 13 clicks out (counter-clockwise) from full in (fully clockwise).

Rebound controls the rate of speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise (in) slows down rebound; turning the knob counter-clockwise (out) speeds up rebound. Rebound damping should be set after first setting your air pressure by measuring sag. In general, higher air pressures will require more rebound damping. To experiment with your rebound setting you can follow the steps below as a general guide. 

  1. Make sure your RC2 adjusters are in the open position (both fully counter-clockwise).
  2. Starting with the rebound adjuster fully open (counter-clockwise) push on the fork to compress it and feel its return speed.
  3. Increase rebound damping by turning the red rebound knob in clockwise until when tested, the fork returns quickly but does not top out.

Top out is felt when a fork 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.

Using the RC2 High and Low Speed Compression Adjusters

Step 1

Independently Control High and Low Speed Compression

The 2015 36 FLOAT uses a newly tuned FIT RC2 damper.

FOX recommends that you start with your low-speed compression damping set 13 clicks out (counter-clockwise) from fully closed (fully clockwise) and high-speed compression damping set 18 clicks out (counter-clockwise) from fully closed (fully clockwise). As you ride and get used to your new fork you can increase or decrease high-speed and low-speed compression damping as needed.

 

Adjusting your high and low speed compression setting controls how the fork 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.

 

Low-speed compression:

rc2-lsc.jpg 

Low-speed compression damping controls how the fork feels when being compressed slowly. This adjustment is useful to control fork performance under rider weight shifts, brake dive, G-outs, and other slow inputs. Turning your low-speed compression dial clockwise increases low-speed compression damping and will make your fork feel stiffer when being compressed slowly. Turning your low-speed compression dial counter-clockwise decreases low-speed compression damping and will make your fork feel softer when being compressed slowly.

 

High-speed compression:

rc2-hsc.jpg 

High-speed compression damping controls how the fork feels when being compressed quickly. This adjustment is useful to control fork performance under bigger hits, landings, and square-edged bumps. Turning your high-speed compression dial clockwise increases high-speed compression damping and will make your fork feel stiffer when being compressed quickly. Turning your high-speed compression dial counter-clockwise decreases compression damping and will make your fork feel softer when being compressed quickly. 

15mm and 20mm Axle Conversion

Step 1

New for 2015 36 Forks Can Convert Between 15mm and 20mm Axles

The video below guides you through the process of converting from the 20mm axle to the 15mm axle.

  • Grease can be used in place of suspension oil when coating axle adaptors during installation. FOX recommends Slick Honey or a multi-purpose lithium based grease.

 

 axle-adapter-id.jpg

 

 

  

 The video below guides you through the process of converting from the 15mm axle to the 20mm axle.

 

 

WARNING: The 15mm axle should only be used with the 15mm axle adapters and 15mm axle slit shims. Do not use the 15mm axle without the 15mm axle adapters. Do not use the 15mm axle with the 20mm axle slit shims. Failure to use the proper adapters and axle slit shims with the 15mm axle can damage the fork dropouts which can lead to a loss of control of the bicycle which can result in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: Never attempt to modify axle slit shims or axle adapters. Modification of these parts can lead to improper installation which can lead to a loss of control of the bicycle which can result in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: When using the 15mm axle slit shims, make sure to install the notched shim in the rider's left dropout. Failure to install the 15mm axle slit shims in their correct locations may result in damage to the dropout that can lead to a loss of control of the bicycle which can result in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: The 20mm axle slit shims must be used when using the 20mm axle. Leaving the 20mm axle slit shims out when using the 20mm axle can allow for dropout damage to occur, which can lead to a loss of control of the bicycle that can result in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: Never attempt to force any parts to fit. Doing so may result in dropout damage, which can lead to a loss of control of the bicycle that can result in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Adjusting Fork Compression Ratio with Air Volume Spacers (FLOAT only)

Step 1

Adjust Your Compression Ratio For The Perfect Air Spring Feel

The 2015 36 FLOAT uses an all new air spring system that can be adjusted to provide different compression ratios. The video below shows you how to change your compression ratios by adding or removing air volume spacers.

There are two different air volume spacers: small Blue 7.6cc and large Orange 10.8cc

New 2015 36 FLOAT forks come from the factory with one blue 7.6cc spacer installed. To make it easier to achieve full travel, you can remove the existing spacer to lower your compression ratio. If you are going through your travel too easily, you use  up to 4 total spacers (any combination of blue and orange) to achieve the desired compression ratio.

 

 

Air volume spacers may be desired when reducing travel as any reduction in travel will reduce your overall compression ratio. 

Internally Adjusting Fork Travel (FLOAT only)

Step 1

The 2015 36 FLOAT uses an all new air spring system that can be adjusted down to lower travel settings in 10mm increments. To shorten travel you will need one Neg Plate Spacer (PN: 234-04-627) for each 10mm reduction in travel desired. 

 

  • 2015 36 FLOAT 170mm and 180mm forks can be reduced in travel down to 130mm.
  • 2015 36 FLOAT 160mm forks can be reduced in travel down to 110mm.

  • 2015 36 FLOAT 160mm forks CANNOT be extended past 160mm of travel.
  • 2015 36 FLOAT 180mm forks CANNOT be extended past 180mm of travel.

  • 2015 36 FLOAT 170mm forks can be extended to 180mm of travel.

 

2015-36-float-air-shaft-id.jpg

 

160mm Maximum Travel Configurations
160mm Hole #1/ No Spacers
150mm Hole #2/ 1 Spacer
140mm Hole #3/ 2 Spacers
130mm Hole #4/ 3 Spacers
120mm Hole #5/ 4 Spacers
110mm Hole #6/ 5 Spacers

 

180mm Maximum Travel Configurations
180mm Hole #1/ No Spacers
170mm Hole #2/ 1 Spacer
160mm Hole #3/ 2 Spacers
150mm Hole #4/ 3 Spacers
140mm Hole #5/ 4 Spacers
130mm Hole #6/ 5 Spacers

   

36-FLOAT-NA-Travel-Adjust-Map.jpg

 

The video below shows you how to travel adjust your 36 FLOAT fork.

 

 

Using the TALAS Travel Adjustable Air Spring (TALAS only)

Step 1

Precise Travel Adjustments Offer Great Control

TALAS forks give you the option to switch between two travel settings while riding. 

FOX recommends that you adjust your fork pressure in the travel mode that you intend to use most. 

 

Long Travel Mode:

talas-long-32.jpg

Turning the TALAS lever toward the "+" (clockwise) sets your fork in the long travel mode. When adjusting to long travel mode, your fork will extend once unweighted.

 

Short Travel Mode:

talas-short-32.jpg

Turning the TALAS lever toward the "-" (counter-clockwise) and compressing the fork sets your fork in short travel mode. You must compress the fork deeply into its travel after turning your lever to the short travel mode to travel adjust your fork to short travel mode.

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.

2015 fork service intervals.jpg

 

*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.

Dust Wiper and Bath Oil Service

Step 1

Maintaining your fork is key to good performance on the trail. This video guides you through the process of changing your bath oil and dust wipers in the 2015 36mm fork in order to reduce friction and prevent wear.

Any bath oil service should be accompanied by an evaluation of the damper and service if necessary. Information on damper services can be found here »