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TALAS RL - Open Bath Damper

	travel	140 RL: 5.5 in./140 mm 140+120+100 mm 150 RL: 5.9 in./150 mm 150+130+110 mm
	features/adjustments	TALAS travel adjust system, lockout, air spring pressure, rebound
	spring/damper type	air/open bath
	intended use	all-mountain, cross-country

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. Clicking on the link above will take you to a new page.

Before You Ride

Check that quick-release levers are properly adjusted and tightened.
Clean the outside of your fork with only mild soap and water, and wipe dry with a soft dry rag.
Note: Do not use any solvents or de-greasers, as these products can cause serious damage to paint and anodized parts (upper tubes, knobs, steerers).
Do not spray water directly on the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your fork.
Inspect entire exterior of fork for damage. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Please contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and repair.
Check headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Check that brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
Check that the front and rear brakes operate properly on flat land.

Setting Sag

You can also view a Flash video on Setting Sag.

To get the best performance from your fork, it is necessary to set and adjust sag. Generally, sag should be set to 15 – 25% of total fork travel.

Unscrew the center blue aircap in the middle of the TALAS travel adjusting topcap on top of the left fork leg (shown below), to expose the Schrader valve.
Note: Hold the TALAS lever steady with one hand while unscrewing the aircap with the other. This will facilitate removal of the aircap and also protect the TALAS lever from being forced past its stops.
Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.
Using the Air Spring Settings table below, pump your fork to the appropriate setting using the FOX High Pressure Pump, then remove the pump.
Install a zip tie with light friction on the upper tube and push it down until it contacts the fork seal.
Carefully sit on the bike and assume a normal riding position. The fork should compress slightly.
Being careful not to further compress the fork, dismount the bicycle. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This distance is sag.
Compare your sag measurement to the Sag Setup table below.

If your sag is lower than on the table, screw on the pump ﬁtting, note the current air pressure setting and depress the black bleed-valve to reduce the gauge pressure by 5 psi. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment, if necessary.

If your sag is higher than on the table, screw on the pump ﬁtting, note the current air pressure setting and pump to increase the gauge pressure by 5 psi. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary.

Screw the blue aircap back on, and go ride.

32 mm TALAS Air Spring Setting Guidelines
Rider Weight	Air Pressure 140 mm	Air Pressure 150 mm
< 125 lbs.	50 psi	45 psi
125 - 135 lbs.	55 psi	50 psi
135 - 145 lbs.	60 psi	55 psi
145 - 155 lbs.	65 psi	60 psi
155 - 170 lbs.	70 psi	65 psi
170 - 185 lbs.	80 psi	75 psi
185 - 200 lbs.	90 psi	95 psi
200 - 215 lbs.	100 psi	105 psi
215 - 230 lbs.	115 psi	110 psi
230 - 250 lbs.	125 psi	120 psi

Sag Setup
Travel	XC/Race FIRM	All-Mountain PLUSH
80 mm (3.50")	12 mm (0.50")	20 mm (0.75")
100 mm (3.90")	15 mm (0.62")	25 mm (0.98")
120 mm (4.70")	18 mm (0.69")	30 mm (1.19")
140 mm (5.50")	21 mm (0.81")	35 mm (1.38")
150 mm (5.90")	23 mm (0.91")	38 mm (1.50")

Note: Sag and spring rate will self adjust to the proper setting and rate as TALAS is adjusted to shorter travel positions.

Sag Troubleshooting
Symptom	Remedy
Too much sag	(+) air pressure in 5 psi increments
Too little sag	(-) air pressure in 5 psi increments
Excessive bottoming	(+) air pressure in 5 psi increments
Harsh ride; full travel not utilized	(-) air pressure in 5 psi increments

Adjusting Rebound

The red rebound knob is located on the top of the right fork leg, and has 12 clicks of adjustment. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counterclockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counterclockwise (out) 6 clicks.

Knob Setting (clicks out from full in)	Setting Description	Tuning Tips	Setup Tips
1	Slow Rebound	Too slow and your fork will pack down and ride harshly.	If you increase your spring rate or air pressure, you will need to slow down your rebound.
6 (Factory setting)	Average Rebound
12	Fast Rebound	Too fast and you will experience poor traction and wheel hop.	If you decrease your spring rate or air pressure, you will need to speed up your rebound setting.

Locking Out the Fork

The blue compression lockout lever is located below the red rebound adjuster knob. It allows the rider to close the compression damping circuit in the fork. This keeps the fork at the top of its travel, making it harder to compress.

Rotate the lever fully clockwise to lockout the fork. This position is useful in climbing and sprinting situations, but will sag with the rider’s weight. The fork will "blowoff" in the event that a big hit is encountered with the fork locked out.

To unlock the fork, simply rotate the lever fully counterclockwise.

Note: The fork may cycle a couple of times after enabling lockout. Once complete lockout is achieved, the fork may continue to move 3 - 5 mm. This is normal and does not affect performance.

Changing Travel

32 mm TALAS forks feature three externally adjustable travel choices per maximum fork travel specification. These travel settings are easily selected using the TALAS travel adjusting topcap on top of the left fork leg, as shown below. Travel options and direction settings are printed directly on the topcap:

140 mm

5.50” (140 mm)
4.75" (120 mm)
4.00” (100 mm)

150 mm

5.90” (150 mm)
5.12" (130 mm)
4.33” (110 mm)

Note: When changing travel, the TALAS system automatically adjusts to provide you with the appropriate linear air spring rate for each travel setting. There is no need to change the air pressure in the TALAS air chamber after adjusting travel.

For safety reasons, it is recommended that travel adjustment be done while off the bike. If necessary, travel can be adjusted on-the-fly (be careful when using this "extreme" travel adjusting method), which can be handy right before a grueling climb or steep descent.

WHEREVER YOU RIDE.