Fox DHX2 Rear Shock: Rider Review

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for. 

Fox's DHX2 might be the most well-known coil rear shock for today's riders. Probably because they came out with some shiny orange springs that all the pros used for a season. OR, maybe because they are just that good. Our buddy Rex recently installed one on his bike and this is what he had to say about the upgrade:

Rex's Review

I’m a huge fan of the Fox rear coil shock.  I’ve been riding on an air shock for two years since I got into mountain biking, and I never thought to try anything else.  I’m a big fat guy…240 lbs with all my gear and hydration pack because I’m a thirsty fat boy!  My riding progressed to the point where I was hitting 3-foot drops and I couldn’t stop bottoming out the rear shock.  I followed the recommended settings on the Fox website, but I kept slamming down so hard I ended up rounding out the eyelet on the end of the shock.

It took several weeks to get the shock back from being rebuilt, and I’ve tried to take it easy on the poor thing…but you know how that goes.  Haha!  I was introduced to riding a coil shock when we took a trip to Whistler.  I was surprised by how well the coil absorbed big impacts.  I’d send a big drop and brace myself for the impact, but it felt like I was landing on my bed!  I couldn’t believe it!  The plush landings inspired confidence and I was able to send bigger drops than I had previously thought for a fat old dude like me.  Riding down A-Line was super fun the more I laid off the brakes and the further I’d launch it.  After two trips to Whistler, I decided I had spent enough on rental bikes and I bought a used downhill bike.  Sooooooooooooo cushy! 

I wanted to be able to have this kind of plush suspension on my regular bike, but I was also thinking I wanted to get a bike with more travel.  So I test rode a 2020 Transition Patrol with a coil shock in Bellingham, WA.  I started off easy but as the day went on I gained confidence and started sending big jumps and drops.  It was a little tough to clear jumps because the coil absorbed some of my energy on the takeoffs, but the landings were so soft it sealed the deal for me.  I can’t get enough of sending jumps and drops, and since I’m a big fat guy I need to protect my knees and back.  I deliberated over buying a Patrol and ended up buying a frame and building it up with the parts I wanted. 

Conclusion

"I got two separate rear shocks, a DPX2 as well as a DHX2.  I dig how cushy the DHX2 is and how much better I feel the day after a ride.  I bought two different weight coils and went with the heavier of the two.  I had a friend run the bike down a trail with 16 gaps in a row and he said the bike felt lighter than his.  He has a Patrol as well and uses a DPX2.  I don’t know how it works, but he said he was clearing the jumps more easily on my bike with the coil.  He keeps floating the idea of trading shocks.  Haha!  Really the bottom line is…my back is eternally grateful for the Fox coil shock!" - Rex