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36 TALAS 160

travel

6.3 in./160 mm
TALAS 2-position travel adjust system, 160-120 mm

model features, adjustments

Factory FIT RC2, 160: Kashima coated or hard anodized upper tubes, 1.5" tapered or 1 1/8" steerer, low-speed compression, high-speed compression, air spring pressure, rebound

Performance O/B R, 160: Hard anodized upper tubes, 1.5" tapered or 1 1/8" steerer, air spring pressure, rebound

lower leg

20QR thru axle system, post style disc brake mounting

spring

air

riding styles

AM, FR

NOTE: This fork is designed to use the downhill brake system only. The disc brake caliper mounts directly to the fork leg and is positioned specifically for the use of 200-225 mm rotors.

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. If your fork came pre-installed on your bicycle, continue to the next section.

Before You Ride

Check that your 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 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 Racing Shox for further inspection and repair.
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

To get the best performance from your fork, it is necessary to set the proper air spring pressure by adjusting 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.
TIP: Hold the TALAS lever steady with one hand while unscrewing the aircap with the other.
Set the TALAS lever to the long travel position, open low-speed compression (fully counter-clockwise) and cycle the fork a few times.
NOTE: For the best TALAS performance, always set sag in the long travel position. Sag and spring rate will automatically readjust when you change to different travel settings.
Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.
Pump your fork to the appropriate setting from the Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings table below, then remove the pump.
Unless your fork already has a sag setting o-ring on an upper tube, install a zip tie to an upper tube. Slide the o-ring or the zip tie down against the scraper lip of the fork dust seal.
Dressed to ride, position your bike next to a wall or table to support yourself. Without bouncing, mount your bicycle. Assume a normal riding position for at least 30 seconds, allowing the suspension to fully settle.
Dismount your bike without bouncing downward, without further moving the o-ring or zip tie. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This measurement is your sag value.
Compare your actual sag value to your target sag value in the Sag Setup table below.

If your sag measurement value is less than the Sag Setup table value, 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 this adjustment, if necessary.

If your sag measurement value is greater than the Sag Setup table value, 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 this adjustment if necessary.
Screw the blue aircap back on.

Check your rebound adjustment; adjust it if necessary.

Rider Weight lbs.	Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings PSI
Rider Weight lbs.	160 mm
≤125	45
125 - 135	45
135 - 145	50
145 - 155	55
155 - 170	60
170 - 185	65
185 - 200	70
200 - 215	75
215 - 230	80
230 - ≥250	85

Sag Setup
Travel	XC/Race FIRM	Freeride PLUSH
160 mm (6.3")	24 mm (0.95")	40 mm (1.57")

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 is located on the top of the right fork leg. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counter-clockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counter-clockwise (out) 8 clicks.

Knob Setting (clicks out from full in)	Setting Description	Tuning Tips	Setup Tips
Full in	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	Average Rebound
Full out	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 Low-Speed Compression

Low-speed compression damping controls the influence of your forward and reverse weight shifts, and how your bike feels and performs when braking. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 24 clicks of adjustment. It is factory-set at 12 clicks out from the fully closed (clockwise) position.

Knob Setting (clicks counter-clockwise OUT from fully clockwise IN)	Setting Description	Tuning Tips	Setup Tips
24	Firm Compression	Too firm and you will experience poor traction and wheel hop.	Resists brake dive and keeps the fork up in the travel. Too firm and you may have poor traction in loose conditions.
12	Average Compression (factory setting)
1	Soft Compression	Too soft and your fork will pack down and ride harsh.	Maximum wheel traction and bump compliance. Too soft and you may have excessive brake dive and a wallowy feel.

Adjusting High-Speed Compression

High-speed compression damping controls the force it takes to move the fork through its travel, or how quickly the wheel responds to a bump. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 24 clicks of adjustment. It is factory-set at 12 clicks out from the fully closed (clockwise) position.

Knob Setting (clicks counter-clockwise OUT from fully clockwise IN)	Setting Description	Tuning Tips
24	Soft Compression	Maximum wheel traction and bump compliance. If setting is too soft, you may bottom often on square-edged hits and G-outs.
12	Average Compression (factory setting)
1	Firm Compression	Reduces bottom-out and provides maximum bump absorption. If setting is too firm, you may experience a harsh ride with poor traction and use too little of the available travel.

Adjusting TALAS Travel

160 mm:

6.30" (160 mm)
4.20" (120 mm)

36 TALAS forks feature two externally adjustable travel choices, which are easily selected with the TALAS travel adjusting topcap located on top of the left fork leg.

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.

CAUTION: For safety reasons, adjust TALAS travel only when you're not riding the bike.