Fox 36 Talas 180 - User Manual

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36 TALAS 180

Intervals | Important Safety Information

travel

• 7.1 in./180 mm

TALAS 2-position travel adjust

system, 180-140 mm

model

features,

adjustments

Factory FIT RC2, 180: 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, 180: 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 style AM, FR, DH

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

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 center blue aircap in the middle of the TALAS travel adjusting topcap on top of the left fork leg, to expose the Schrader valve. TIP: Hold the TALAS lever steady

with one hand while unscrewing the aircap with the other.

2. Set the TALAS lever to the long travel position, turn off lockout 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.

3. Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.

4. Pump your fork to the appropriate setting from the Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings table below, then remove the pump.

5. 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.

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. 180 mm

15. ≤125 16. 45

17. 125 - 135 18. 48

19. 135 - 145 20. 50

21. 145 - 155 22. 53

23. 155 - 170 24. 55

25. 170 - 185 26. 60

27. 185 - 200 28. 70

29. 200 - 215 30. 80

31. 215 - 230 32. 90

33. 230 - ≥250 34. 100

Main Page

Questions and Answers

М
МихаилAug 7, 2025
Какую можно максимальную резину поставить на эту вилку?

Summary

Installing Your Fork

Before You Ride

Pre-ride checks including pinch bolts, cleaning, inspection, headset, and brakes.

Setting Sag

Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings

Table of recommended air pressures based on rider weight for different travel settings.

Sag Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting common sag issues like too much/little sag or bottoming.

Adjusting Rebound

Rebound Control

Explains rebound knob function, settings, tuning tips for fork extension speed.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression

Low-Speed Compression Damping

Controls fork behavior during weight shifts and braking; factory setting is 12 clicks.

Adjusting High-Speed Compression

High-Speed Compression Damping

Controls fork response to bumps; adjuster has 24 clicks, factory setting is 12.

Adjusting TALAS Travel

TALAS Travel Adjustment

How to select between 180mm and 140mm travel using the topcap adjuster.

Service Intervals

Service Recommendations for Forks and Shocks

Schedule for maintenance tasks like setting sag, cleaning, and fluid service.

Important Safety Information

General Fork Safety Warnings

Warnings against misuse, modification, improper installation, and brake checks.

Disc Brake Mounting Torque

Details on correct thread engagement and torque for disc brake caliper mounting bolts.

Carrier Mounting and Wheel Security

Safety advice for mounting bikes on carriers and securing wheels with quick releases.

Rear Shocks

Rear Shock Safety and Service

Safety warnings for shocks, service recommendations, and handling 'stuck down' conditions.

The FOX 36 TALAS 180 is a high-performance suspension fork designed for aggressive mountain biking disciplines such as All-Mountain (AM), Freeride (FR), and Downhill (DH). Its primary function is to absorb impacts and maintain tire contact with the ground, providing a smoother, more controlled ride over varied terrain. The fork features an air spring system, allowing riders to adjust the spring rate to match their weight and riding style, ensuring optimal performance.

Function Description:

The core function of the FOX 36 TALAS 180 is to provide suspension for the front wheel of a bicycle. This is achieved through an internal air spring and a sophisticated damping system. The air spring, which is adjustable, supports the rider's weight and absorbs initial impacts, while the damping system controls the speed at which the fork compresses and extends. This control is crucial for preventing harsh bottom-outs and maintaining traction. The TALAS (Travel Adjust Linear Air Spring) system is a key feature, enabling riders to quickly change the fork's travel between two distinct settings (180mm and 140mm). This on-the-fly adjustment is particularly useful for adapting to different trail conditions, such as reducing travel for climbing efficiency or extending it for downhill descents. The fork is specifically designed for use with downhill brake systems and accommodates 200-225mm rotors, indicating its robust construction for demanding applications.

Usage Features:

The FOX 36 TALAS 180 offers several user-adjustable features to fine-tune its performance.

Travel Adjustment (TALAS): This is a primary usage feature, allowing riders to switch between 180mm and 140mm of travel. This adjustment is made via a topcap on the left fork leg. The system automatically adjusts the air spring rate when travel is changed, eliminating the need for manual air pressure adjustments. This feature is designed to be used when not riding the bike for safety.
Sag Setting: Proper sag is critical for optimal performance. Riders set the sag by adjusting the air spring pressure to achieve a specific percentage of total fork travel (typically 15-25%) when in a normal riding position. This ensures the fork can both compress and extend to absorb bumps effectively. The manual provides a suggested air spring pressure table based on rider weight to guide this initial setup.
Rebound Adjustment: Located on the bottom of the right fork leg, the rebound knob controls the speed at which the fork extends after compression. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound, while counter-clockwise speeds it up. This adjustment is crucial for preventing the fork from "packing down" on successive bumps (too slow) or "kicking back" and losing traction (too fast). The manual suggests a starting point of 9 clicks out from fully clockwise.
Low-Speed Compression Adjustment: This adjuster, found on the fork, controls how the fork responds to rider weight shifts and braking forces. It has 24 clicks of adjustment, with a factory setting of 12 clicks out from fully closed (clockwise). Adjusting low-speed compression can help resist brake dive and keep the fork higher in its travel, or provide maximum wheel traction and bump compliance.
High-Speed Compression Adjustment: Similar to low-speed compression, this adjuster (also with 24 clicks and a factory setting of 12 clicks out) controls the force required to move the fork through its travel and how quickly it responds to sharp, high-speed impacts. This helps prevent bottom-outs on large hits and ensures smooth absorption of square-edged bumps.

Maintenance Features:

Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity and performance of the FOX 36 TALAS 180. The manual outlines a comprehensive maintenance schedule, categorized by frequency.

Each Ride/Race:
- Set Sag: Riders should check and reset sag as needed to maintain optimal suspension performance.
- Set Damping Adjustments: Damping settings should be checked and adjusted as necessary to suit riding conditions and personal preference.
- Clean Exterior: The fork's exterior should be cleaned with mild soap and water, then wiped dry with a soft towel. This prevents dirt and grime from damaging seals and anodized parts. It's crucial not to use solvents or degreasers, as these can cause serious damage, and to avoid spraying water directly on the seal/upper tube junction or using high-pressure washers.
Every 30 Hours:
- In addition to the "each ride/race" tasks, the manual implies more in-depth checks or services may be needed, though specific details for this interval are not fully elaborated in the provided text for the fork itself, but rather for rear shocks. However, for forks, it is generally understood that more frequent checks of seals and bushings might be beneficial under extreme riding conditions.
Every 100 Hours/Annually:
- Inspect Dropout Thickness (9mm): This is a critical safety check to ensure the structural integrity of the dropouts.
- Inspect Bushings: Bushings should be inspected for wear and tear, as worn bushings can lead to excessive play and reduced performance.
- Suspension Fluid Service: This is a more involved service that must be performed by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center. It involves replacing the suspension fluid, which degrades over time and affects damping performance.
- Change Oil in Lower Legs: This service is also recommended at this interval to ensure smooth operation and protect internal components.
- Service Damper: The damper unit itself requires periodic service to maintain its functionality.

The manual emphasizes the importance of following these service intervals, especially if riding in extreme conditions (wet, muddy, downhill racing, winter riding). It also provides crucial safety warnings regarding unauthorized modifications, improper service, and the use of non-genuine FOX parts, all of which can lead to product malfunction, serious injury, or death. The fork is not designed for motorized bicycles or tandem use, and misuse voids all warranties. Proper installation of brakes and wheels, along with correct torque specifications for mounting bolts, are also highlighted as critical safety considerations.