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36 TALAS RC2 & R

	travel	6.3 in./160 mm TALAS 160+130+100 mm
	features/adjustments RC2	TALAS travel adjust, low-speed compression, high-speed compression, hydraulic bottom-out in damper, air spring pressure, rebound
	features/adjustments R	TALAS travel adjust, hydraulic bottom-out in damper, air spring pressure, rebound
	spring/damper type	RC2: air/FIT damper R: air/open bath
	intended use	downhill, all-mountain, freeride

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 the 20 mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts 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.
Set the lever in the long travel position and cycle the fork a few times.
Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.
Using the 36 TALAS 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.

36 TALAS Air Spring Setting Guidelines
Rider Weight	Air Pressure
< 125 lbs.	45 psi
125 - 135 lbs.	48 psi
135 - 145 lbs.	50 psi
145 - 155 lbs.	53 psi
155 - 170 lbs.	55 psi
170 - 185 lbs.	62 psi
185 - 200 lbs.	69 psi
200 - 215 lbs.	76 psi
215 - 230 lbs	83 psi
230 - 250 lbs.	90 psi

Sag Setup
Travel	XC/Race FIRM	Freeride PLUSH
100 mm (4")	15 mm (1/2")	20 mm (3/4")
130 mm (5")	20 mm (3/4")	32 mm (1.25")
160 mm (6.3")	20 mm (3/4")	40 mm (1.5")

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 rebound knob (shown below) is located on the top of the right fork leg, and has 15 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) 8 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 harsh.	If you increase your spring rate or air pressure, you will need to slow down your rebound
8 (Factory setting)	Average Rebound
15	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.

Adjusting High-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

High-speed compression damping controls the force it takes to move the fork through its travel and how the wheel reacts to a bump. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 15 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 8 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Knob Setting (clicks IN from full OUT)	Setting Description	Tuning Tips
1	Soft Compression	Maximum wheel traction and bump compliance. If setting is too soft, you may bottom often on square-edged hits and G-outs.
8 (Factory setting)	Average Compression
15	Firm Compression	Reduces bottom-out and provides maximum bump absorption. If setting is too firm, you may experience a harsh ride with bad traction and use too little available travel.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

Low-speed compression damping controls the influence of the rider’s weight shifts and bike attitude under braking. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 17 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 8 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Knob Setting (clicks IN from full OUT)	Setting Description	Tuning Tips
1	Soft Compression	Maximum wheel traction and bump compliance. Too soft and you maybe have excessive brake dive and wallowy feel.
8 (Factory setting)	Average Compression
17	Firm Compression	Resists brake dive and keeps the fork up in the travel. Too firm and you may have poor traction in loose conditions.

Hydraulic Bottom-Out System

The 36 VAN is equipped with a patent-pending Internally Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom-Out Control System. This feature can be adjusted inside the cartridge by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center. It comes preset from the factory at the FIRM setting.

Changing Travel

36 TALAS forks feature three externally adjustable travel choices from 6.3” (160 mm) to 5" (130 mm) to 4” (100 mm), which are easily selected using the TALAS travel adjusting topcap on top of the left fork leg, shown below. Travel options and direction settings are printed directly on the topcap.

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.