2017 Fox Rear Shock Lineup

Known for their high performance, reliability, and durability, Fox makes some of the best mountain bike suspension in the business. We are here to discuss the 2017 rear shock lineup from Fox and highlight their key features so that you can hopefully get the right shock for your bike!

All of the rear shocks from Fox can be split up into four categories: Float shocks, Float X shocks, Float X2 shocks, and DHX2 shocks.  Below we will break down each of these shocks, talk about what kind of bikes you may find them on, and what adjustments they each have available for tuning.

Float Shocks

The Fox Float shocks can be found on short travel full suspension cross country bikes and is the lightest inline shock Fox offers.

• Featuring the Float Dual Position System, or DPS. DPS is a three position compression adjustment system that allows the rider to adapt their bike setup to a wide variety of terrain. This valve design gives a strong lockout while maintaining bump compliance, which in the end gives the rider good traction and control while increasing pedaling efficiency.
• The Float shock is available with the tradition 3 position lever adjust with or without a remote, or with the iRD electronic activation system.

• Other adjustments include:
• Air volume
• Air Pressure
• Rebound

• The Factory Series Float shocks include a three position fine tune adjustment for the open mode and Kashima Coating.

• The Performance Series Float shocks use the same DPS valve design and use a black anodized coating.

• Fox’s extra volume air canister, or EVOL can, is available on 7.5 x 2 shocks and up. The EVOL can gives the shock more sensitivity and increases its small bump compliance.

• Call Worldwide Cyclery for more information on Float shock sizes. The availability on all shock sizes here depends on the model selected.

Float X Shocks

The reservoir design on the Float X allows for more oil flow in the shock, keeping the temperatures of the shock lower with more aggressive trail riding.  The lightweight Float X is optimal for trail bikes using anywhere from 120mm to 160mm of rear wheel travel.

• The Float X also uses a three position compression adjustment, open, medium, and firm, similar to the Float shock.

• The Factory Series Float shocks include a three position fine tune adjustment for the open mode and Kashima Coating.

• Other adjustments include:
• Air volume
• Air Pressure
• Rebound

• The EVOL can is available for all Float X models and with the use of volume reducers, the progressiveness of the spring curve can be controlled.

• Shock sizes from 7.5 x 2 through 8.75 x 2.5 are available.

Float X2 Shocks

The Float X2 shock has become the most versatile shock Fox offers and has been successful in both the Enduro World Series and UCI World Cup piloted by riders like Richie Rude, Aaron Gwin, and Neko Mulally.  The Float X2 works great on both enduro bikes as well as full on downhill bikes!

• The Rod Valve System (RVS) offers both high speed and low speed compression and high speed and low speed rebound adjustments. These four way adjusters with RVS allow the rider to tune the shock for any terrain or leverage curve characteristics inherent with a particular bike. RVS provides incredible traction, keeping your tires glued to the ground when you want them to be! 

• New for 2017 are new X2 lever options for FLOAT X2 and DHX2 shocks. The X2 2 position lever allows the rider to open and close the high and low speed compression for more pedaling efficiency while still keeping the same settings perfect for ripping the downhills.

• The Float X2 has more oil flow to improve damping reliability over long runs. Genuine Kashima coating keeps the shock running buttery smooth.

• The EVOL can improves sensitivity and responsiveness and is offered with all Float X2 sizes.

• The Float X2 is available in 7.875 x 2 through 10.5 x 3.5 shock sizes.

• The air spring characteristics can be controlled by using volume reducers along with adjusting your air pressure. Feel free to call Worldwide Cyclery with any questions on how to set up your sag! 

DHX2 Shocks

The DHX2 coil shock is the choice of world cup champions Rachel Atherton and Gee Atherton. The DHX2 coil shock is the next generation of performance from Fox and is perfect for any downhill bike as well a rad enduro machine.

• The DHX2 shocks uses the same Rod Valve System seen in the Float X2 shock with high speed and low speed compression and high speed and low speed rebound adjustments.  

• New for 2017 are new X2 lever options for FLOAT X2 and DHX2 shocks. For those riders using a DHX2 coil shock on their enduro or trail bike, the 2 position lever gives a great pedaling platform while keeping the sensitivity that a coil shock gives.

• Fox’s Super Lightweight Spring (SLS) is lighter than a comparable titanium spring at a much more affordable price. The SLS spring is optimized by using a smaller wire diameter and less coils creating a lighter spring.  These orange springs are offered in 25 lb increments, giving the rider even more tunability.  

• The DHX2 is available in 7.875 x 2 through 10.5 x 3.5 shock sizes.

• The shock shaft uses a Ti Nitride coating.

Click here to read up on the 2017 lineup of Fox forks!

Written by Max Morgan

@mxmorgan77