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DHX Air 5.0

	lengths & travels	7.5 x 2.0; 7.875 x 2.0; 7.875 x 2.25; 8.5 x 2.5; 8.75 x 2.5; 9.5 x 3.0
	model features, adjustments	Kashima coat, high volume standard air sleeve, angled air valve, position-sensitive Boost valve, adjustable ProPedal 2-position lever, adjustable bottom-out resistance, adjustable tuning range via Schrader valve, air spring pressure, rebound adjust
	spring	air
	riding styles	AM, FR, DH

Installing Your Shock

If you are installing your shock on a bike for which the shock is not original equipment:

Install the shock.
Remove the main air chamber air cap and let all the air out of the main air chamber.
Carefully cycle the suspension through its entire travel.
Check that all parts of the shock are clear of the frame and swingarm as it cycles through the travel.
Pressurize your main air chamber to a minimum of 50 PSI and no more than 300 PSI. You will tune to a more specific air pressure in the Setting Sag section below.
Set sag.

General Maintenance

There may be a small amount of air sleeve lubricant residue on the body. This is normal. If this residual air sleeve lubricant is not present, this is an indication that the air sleeve should be re-lubricated. Some other things to consider for all shock models:

If you ride in extreme conditions, service your shock and air sleeve more frequently. Check the maintenance schedule for your shock.
Wash your shock with soap and water only.
Do not use a high pressure washer to clean your shock.
Extensive internal service should be performed by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center.

Before You Ride

Clean the outside of your shock 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 damage the shock's exterior finish or its anodized parts.
Do not spray water directly on the seal/shock body junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your shock.
Inspect the entire exterior of your shock. The shock should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection or repair.
Make sure that your quick-release levers (or thru-axle pinch bolts) are properly adjusted and tightened.
Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust it accordingly to your bicycle manufacturer's recommendations.
Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
Test the proper operation of your front and rear brakes on level ground.

Setting Sag

You can also view a Flash video on Setting Sag.

To set sag on your DHX Air 5.0:

Measure sag, and compare it to the recommended sag setting shown in the Air Spring Setting Guidelines table below. Continue if the sag is not to specification.
Locate the Schrader air valve on the shock and remove the air valve cap.
Screw the FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump onto the air valve until the pump shows pressure on the gauge. Do not over-tighten.
Add air pressure until desired pressure is shown on the gauge. Refer to the Air Spring Setting Guidelines table below for the proper sag setting.
Unthread the pump from the air valve and measure sag.
Repeat steps 2-5 until proper sag is achieved, then replace the air valve cap.

Air Spring Setting Guidelines
Shock Travel
(in./mm)
Sag
(in./mm)
2.00/50.8
.50/12.7
2.25/57.2
.56/14.2
2.50/63.5
.62/15.7
3.00/76.2
.75/19.0

Adjusting Rebound

Rebound controls the rate at which your shock returns after it has been compressed. The proper rebound setting is a personal preference, and changes with rider weight, riding style and conditions. A rule of thumb is that rebound should be as fast as possible without kicking back and pushing the rider off the saddle.

The rebound dial has approximately 22 clicks of adjustment.

For slower rebound, turn the red adjuster knob clockwise.

For faster rebound, turn the red adjuster knob counter-clockwise.

ProPedal

Adjusting the ProPedal Dial

The ProPedal adjustment knob allows the rider to adjust the amount of ProPedal damping. ProPedal damping affects the initial part of the compression stroke and is designed to control pedal-induced suspension bob. Since suspension designs vary, not all bicycles require the same degree of ProPedal damping.

There are 15 clicks of adjustment:

For more ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal knob clockwise.

For lighter ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal knob (shown below) counter-clockwise.

Adjusting the ProPedal Switch

The ProPedal adjustment switch allows the rider to adjust the amount of ProPedal damping using a 2-position switch, which varies from FIRM to SOFT. ProPedal damping affects the initial part of the compression stroke and is designed to control pedal-induced suspension bob.

The switch has two (2) positions:

For more ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal switch clockwise.

For lighter ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal switch (shown below) counter-clockwise.

Bottom-Out Resistance

Bottom-out resistance affects the final part of the compression stroke. The knob can be turned with a 4 mm hex key inserted into one of the holes around the perimeter. Do not use any other tool to turn the knob—a 4 mm (or 5/32”) hex key only!

Turn the knob all the way clockwise for the most bottom-out resistance and counter-clockwise for the least. There are three (3) rotations of adjustment and three (3) corresponding adjustment indicator lines on the reservoir.

For more bottom-out resistance, turn the knob clockwise.

For less bottom-out resistance, turn the knob counter-clockwise.

NOTE: If the knob feels gritty during rotation, set the knob to maximum volume (fully counter-clockwise), and then use a 2 mm (or 5/64") hex key to loosen the set screws in the perimeter holes and remove the knob. Clean the knob thoroughly. Lightly grease, then re-install the knob.

Boost Valve

The Boost Valve creates a position-sensitive damping scheme that allows for a seamless transition from efficient ProPedal to square-edge bump absorption to a bottomless end-of-stroke feel. The Boost Valve also decouples the ProPedal and bottom-out adjustments, enabling ProPedal platform adjustments to be made without affecting the changes made to the bottom-out adjustment.

The Boost Valve is not adjusted directly. Instead, its behavior and performance characteristics are influenced by the air pressure setting in the reservoir and by adjusting the ProPedal knob.

To change the compression damping characteristics of your DHX Air 5.0 shock, attach a FOX High Pressure Pump to the air valve on the reservoir:

For a firmer ride, add 10 – 15 pounds of air pressure, to a maximum of 200 PSI.

For a softer ride, decrease the shock’s air pressure 10 – 15 pounds by using the pump’s bleed valve, to a minimum of 125 PSI.

Ride your bike and verify the settings before repeating the procedure.

CAUTION: Never ride your bike with more than 200 PSI, or less than 125 PSI in the reservoir air chamber. Doing so can damage your shock and require repairs that are NOT covered under warranty.

ProPedal + Boost Valve Interaction

Certain aspects of the Boost Valve can influence the ProPedal adjustment.

If the ProPedal adjustment knob is fully counter-clockwise (lightest ProPedal damping position) and the compression damping is still too strong, attach a shock pump to the Schrader valve on the reservoir and reduce the pressure 10 – 15 PSI. Repeat to achieve the desired compression damping.

If there is not enough compression damping with the ProPedal knob fully clockwise, add 10 – 15 PSI to the Boost Valve until desired compression damping is achieved.

Air Spring Setting Guidelines
Shock Travel (in./mm)	Sag (in./mm)
2.00/50.8	.50/12.7
2.25/57.2	.56/14.2
2.50/63.5	.62/15.7
3.00/76.2	.75/19.0