Fox 36 Float 160 - User Manual

36 FLOAT 160
Installing Your Fork | Before You Ride | Setting Sag | Adjusting Rebound | Adjusting High Speed Compression | Adjusting Low-Speed Compression | Service Intervals | Important Safety
Information
travel • 6.3 in./160 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
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
1. Check that your 20 mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts are properly adjusted and tightened.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust it accordingly to your bicycle manufacturer's recommendations.
5. Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
6. 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.
1. Unscrew the blue aircap on top of the left fork leg to expose the Schrader valve.
2. Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.
3. Pump your fork to the appropriate setting from the Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings table below, then remove the pump.
4. 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.
5. Make sure the low-speed compression is open (fully counter-clockwise out).
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Screw the blue aircap back on.
10. Check your rebound adjustment; adjust it if necessary.
11. Rider
Weight
lbs.
12. Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings
13. PSI
14. 160 mm
15. ≤125 16. 45
17. 125 - 135 18. 45
19. 135 - 145 20. 50
21. 145 - 155 22. 55
23. 155 - 170 24. 60
25. 170 - 185 26. 65
27. 185 - 200 28. 70
29. 200 - 215 30. 75
31. 215 - 230 32. 80
33. 230 - ≥250 34. 85
35.
36. Sag Setup
37. Travel 38. XC 39. All-Mountain
40. 160 mm (6.30") 41. 24 mm (0.94") 42. 40 mm (1.57")

Summary

Before You Ride

Setting Sag

Adjusting Rebound

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression

Adjusting High-Speed Compression

Service Intervals

Important Safety Information

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

This document describes the FOX 36 FLOAT 160 suspension fork, a component designed for mountain biking, specifically for All-Mountain (AM) and Freeride (FR) riding styles. It covers installation, setup, adjustment, and maintenance procedures, along with important safety information.

Function Description

The FOX 36 FLOAT 160 is an air-sprung suspension fork that provides 160 mm (6.3 inches) of travel. Its primary function is to absorb impacts and vibrations from the terrain, enhancing rider comfort, control, and traction. The fork features an air spring system that allows for adjustable stiffness, catering to different rider weights and preferences. Damping is managed through rebound, low-speed compression, and high-speed compression adjustments, which control how quickly the fork extends after compression and how it reacts to various types of impacts.

The fork is available in two main models: the Factory FIT RC2 and the Performance O/B R. Both models feature hard anodized or Kashima coated upper tubes and are compatible with 1.5" tapered or 1 1/8" steerer tubes. They utilize a 20QR thru-axle system for secure wheel attachment and post-style disc brake mounting. The FIT RC2 model offers more advanced damping adjustments, including low-speed and high-speed compression, while the Performance O/B R model provides air spring pressure and rebound adjustments.

Usage Features

Before riding, it's crucial to ensure the fork is properly installed and adjusted. This includes checking that the 20 mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts are tightened. The sag setting is a critical initial adjustment for optimal performance. Sag refers to the amount the fork compresses under the rider's weight. The document recommends setting sag to 15-25% of the total fork travel. This is achieved by adjusting the air spring pressure using a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump. The process involves attaching the pump to the Schrader valve, inflating to a suggested pressure based on rider weight, and then measuring the sag with an O-ring or zip tie. Fine-tuning the air pressure is done by adding or releasing small amounts of air until the desired sag value is reached.

Once sag is set, the damping adjustments can be configured. The rebound adjuster, located at the bottom of the right fork leg, controls the speed at which the fork extends after compression. Turning it clockwise slows rebound, while counter-clockwise speeds it up. A starting point of 12 clicks out from fully clockwise (full in) is suggested. Adjusting rebound is essential to prevent the fork from "packing down" (too slow) or causing poor traction and wheel hop (too fast).

For models with compression adjustments, low-speed compression damping influences how the fork reacts to rider weight shifts and braking. This adjuster has 24 clicks, with 12 clicks out from fully closed (clockwise) as the factory setting. Softer settings provide maximum wheel traction and bump compliance but can lead to excessive brake dive and a "wallowy" feel. Firmer settings resist brake dive and keep the fork higher in its travel but may reduce traction in loose conditions.

High-speed compression damping, also with 24 clicks and a factory setting of 12 clicks out from fully closed, controls the force required to move the fork through its travel and how quickly the wheel responds to bumps. Softer settings offer maximum traction and compliance but might lead to frequent bottom-outs on sharp impacts. Firmer settings reduce bottom-out and improve bump absorption but can result in a harsh ride with less traction if too firm.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is vital for extending the service life of the FOX fork. After each ride or race, the exterior of the fork should be cleaned with mild soap and water, rinsed with a light pressure water spray, and wiped dry with a soft, dry rag. It's crucial to avoid using solvents or de-greasers, as these can damage the paint and anodized parts. Direct water spray on the seal/upper tube junction and high-pressure washers should also be avoided. Inspecting the fork's exterior for any damage is important; if damage is found, the fork should not be used and should be inspected by a local dealer or FOX Racing Shox.

The document provides a detailed service interval chart for various FOX suspension products, including rear shocks, air spring forks (32, 34, 36 FLOAT, TALAS, and DRCV), and coil spring forks (36 VAN & 40). For air spring forks, daily or "each ride/race" maintenance includes checking and resetting sag and damping adjustments, and cleaning the fork exterior. Every 30 hours, additional checks include inspecting dropout thickness (for 9 mm dropouts) and bushings. Every 100 hours or annually, more in-depth service is required, such as changing oil in the lower legs, changing FLOAT fluid in the air chamber, and servicing the damper. Some of these procedures, particularly damper service, are recommended to be performed by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center.

Important safety warnings are highlighted throughout the manual. These include warnings against using FOX products on motorized vehicles, puncturing or disassembling pressurized components, modifying any part of the fork, and ensuring wheels and brakes are securely fastened and adjusted. Specific torque requirements for disc brake caliper mounting bolts are also provided to prevent failure. The document also advises against cutting threads into threadless steerers or using a fork with nicks or gouges on the steerer tube. If the fork loses oil, makes unusual sounds, or experiences a broken damper cartridge, riding should cease immediately, and the fork should be inspected by a qualified technician. For rear shocks, similar warnings apply regarding oil loss, unusual noises, and the dangers of opening nitrogen-pressurized shocks or attempting to service a "stuck down" shock without proper knowledge.

Fox 36 Float 160 Specifications