FOX Float X2 ready to rip on 2014 Specialized Enduro 29.

FOX Float X2 ready to rip on 2014 Specialized Enduro 29 (click to enlarge).​

Lowdown: 2016 FOX Float X2

Mtbr has been riding a FOX Float X2 for the past few months. This shock has received accolades from many riders, and we were anxious to see how an air shock sans climb switch handled our everyday riding. Yes, the X2 has been available for a while now - however, there was a bike missing from the fit list: late model Specialized Enduro. FOX has remedied that situation; as soon as a production unit was available, I stopped by their headquarters in Scotts Valley to pick one up (the test mule is a 2014 Enduro 29).

Adjustability: low/high compression and reboundPrice: $595
Weight: 8.5x2.5: 493gRating:
5 Flamin' Chili Peppers
5 Chilis-out-of-5
Stat Box


Pluses

Minuses
  • Superbly balanced feel
  • No climbing switch for All Mountain riding
  • Tunable air spring curve (via volume reducers)
  • Need tools to make any adjustments
  • Independent low and high speed damping adjustments for rebound and compression
  • Plenty of adjustment range (even when running 250psi, over 1/3 of the range still available)
  • Well-sorted look complements bike appearance

Our trusty trail dog retrieved a nice nugget for us.

Our trusty trail dog retrieved a nice nugget for us.​

Update: Climb lever is now available

One of our key wishes for this shock has been fulfilled. The Float X2 and DHX2 shocks are now available with an optional 2-position X2 lever. New X2 2-position Open/Firm lever retains high- and low speed compression adjustment. X2 2-position lever available as an upgrade kit for any X2 shock.

The X2 lever is an optional feature on these shocks and is available as an uprade.

The X2 lever is an optional feature on these shocks and is available as an uprade.​

Review: 2016 FOX Float X2

Wow - the Float X2 looks amazing! Its form factor is great, with the adjusters easily accessible and includes all damping adjustments that I'd hope for. Sturdy construction is immediately apparent when handling the shock.

Technologies Employed in the Float X2

EVOL Air Sleeve: The air can has a higher volume that is more tuneable. This allows a lighter spring rate when high in the travel (requiring less force to move the rear tire - good for small bumps), and via tuning the volume, the rider can modify how quickly the air spring's rate increases during travel (to reduce bottom-out). FOX includes additional volume reducers with the shock, installation of which is discussed later in this review.

Air spring force versus shaft displacement for different air can volumes.  Photo courtesy of FOX

Air spring force versus shaft displacement for different air can volumes (click to enlarge). Photo courtesy of FOX​

RVS - Rod Valve System: The RVS introduces an intermediate shim stack to help when transitioning between the high speed and the lower speed paths. The two paths are quite different, with high speed utilizing a shim stack and the low speed using a valve. The goal is to slide between the two paths, rather than flipping a switch and having the damping characteristics change immediately.

HSC, LSC, HSR, LSR: Four damping adjustments are provided, with 24 clicks of range. Damper adjustment on the bike is easy, but hex keys are required. The adjusters are angled, making access much easier than many competing products.

HSR, LSR, HSC, LSC adjustors, 24 clicks of range.

HSR, LSR, HSC, LSC adjustors, 24 clicks of range (click to enlarge).​

Both audible and haptic feedback are the best on the market. I never wondered if I'd really heard/felt a notch, it's a definite CLICK even when muddy.

The compression and rebound adjusters are nested together. The high speed adjustors are the outer 6mm hex heads, modifying preload applied to the shim stacks. The low speed adjustors are the nested 3mm hex heads and modify the orifice size for the low speed valves. Each path (compression and rebound) have one-way check valves to isolate them.

Continue to page 2 to read more of the full review and verdict »



FOX has an excellent description of how these technologies interact.

Air Volume Tuning: For this particular shock size, 4 air volume reducers are installed at the factory and 4 included in the box. Volume spacer installation requires removing the shock from the bike, but nothing beyond that.

The procedure overview is:
  • Remove the shock from the bike (8mm, 6mm and 5mm hex keys for the Enduro)
  • Carefully de-pressurize the shock
  • Rotate the air can slightly (there's a keyed tab)
  • Slide the air can off
  • Add or remove the spacers as desired
  • Reassemble and revise damper settings as desired (e.g. less volume lends itself to reduced high speed damping needs, as the spring's rate will increase faster while deeper in the travel)

Official instructions from FOX can be found at www.ridefox.com.

There is a small key, which must be aligned with the hole prior to removing the air can.

There is a small key, which must be aligned with the hole prior to removing the air can (click to enlarge).​

Air can volume is fairly easy to adjust trail-side or in the parking lot, just taking a few minutes, but be very careful to avoid getting any dirt into the system!!!

Service

FOX lists 125 hours as the service interval, which is on-par to slightly better than the competition.

Bonus

In response to many riders' search for a DH oriented damping solution for their current generation Specialized Enduros, FOX has created a Float X2 that fits. This is a similar shock to what was seen on Gwin's Enduro last season, however, does not require frame modifications to fit! These frames are too expensive to void the warranty for most riders, so an approved solution is definitely appreciated.

When this was written, the Enduro's shock size was missing from the FOX web site, but it is available: 8.5x2.25.

Riding the X2

The first step is setting sag. This will let the rider know how much air pressure achieves the spring force required to support their weight. Once this is known, FOX provides suggested damper settings based on that pressure, which I used as the starting point. After that, it was time to ride and dial in the tune for the bike's specific geometry and rider preferences.

During the ride, even after adding multiple clicks of HSC damping, bottom-out was happening often and abruptly. I added two additional volume spacers to ramp up the spring rate when deeper in the travel. The combination of 6 total spacers and a couple additional clicks of HSC and HSR damping provided a well behaved ride for sharp hits and jumps.

FOX Float X2 disassembled for air can volume modifications.

FOX Float X2 disassembled for air can volume modifications (click to enlarge).​

Low speed settings were next on the list. Starting with the baseline, I added a few clicks of LSC to firm things up (to reduce travel for both pumping and pedaling) and found pedal bob to be reasonable. My rides tend to be pedal-commutes to the fun stuff, so climbing performance is not a priority and the climbs are definitely not technical ascents. As with HSR, LSR should be as open as possible, allowing the shock to extend after a compression, without being too lively. These settings are highly dependent on both the bike and rider, so spend some time playing with them.

If the shock was being used for DH only (shuttles and lift-served), I'd run less LSC. For improved pedaling performance (e.g. longer climbs), the LSC valve could be closed. I rarely did this, as that adjustment requires a tool and remembering to reopen it before descending. Photos have circulated online showing an X2 equipped with climb switch on FOX riders' bikes, so keep your eyes peeled.

After the initial tuning, adjustments have been minimal and mostly exploratory. Terrain has mostly consisted of steeper offerings in the Santa Cruz area (flowy high speed trails with moderate roots and rocks), plus some additional jump spots to collect air miles.

FOX Float X2 - a keeper.

FOX Float X2 - a keeper (click to enlarge).​

Verdict

The end result of testing this shock: it's not going anywhere. The Float X2 is staying on my Enduro.

The X2 is perfectly tailored for the aggressive all mountain and DH rider. Yes, there is some pedal bob, which I can live with because of the downhill performance. A climb switch would be a welcome addition. Long term durability is the only unknown, so we'll see how it rides over the next year. My hope is performance will gradually decline as the seals age, rather than catastrophic failure (which I've experienced with other shocks on this bike, grumble). For my personal riding and bike, the X2's closest competition was the Öhlins Coil, yet the X2 does not have a weight penalty.