 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi there, I (or rather my mate) has a 2012 Fox 36 Float R, 160mm. He wants the rebound to be faster than it is when completely open. I've heard that using a lighter weight oil could do this but would effect the compression. Another option would be to try and find a replacement damper.
Any suggestions?
Reshim the rebound otherwise as you say you'll affect the compression.
Replacement damper will cost a the best part of a new fork, when was the last service? 8 years old is getting on a bit for a fork. Although I guess it will be a 26 - aren't many 26 inch forks around - so maybe an Avalanche damper.
Ahhh no compression adjustment on those is there. Makes it trickier, though doesn't mean you can't try lighter oil (and the cost of experimenting is small). He wants faster rebound, does he have an opinion on compression? Could be you can lose a little damping there (and also could be you can counter it to some extent with a little air which again will speed up rebound so it's a bodge but quite a balanced one)
When were they last serviced? Might sound daft but an old fork that's not been cared for (ie, most of them) will probably be very sticky and that'll counter a lot of the rebound speed.
Thanks guys!
He asked me to service the fork about a month ago, but I didn't have the oil for the damper side so left it, I imagine it could do with flushing out so will probably try that before anything else.
Are there any downsides to balancing the lighter weight oil with more air pressure?
My mistake i remember now why i didn't replace the oil. The oil i found in the open bath was green, assuming the fork has never been serviced it should be red according to the oil volume chart.
Realising now, As long as i have found the right fork/damper in the chart it shouldn't matter that the current oil is green becuase it is probably just a different colour but the same weight (I.e not fox specific oil)
This is the oil chart im referencing https://www.ridefox.com/fox17/help.php?m=bike&id=530
I think, but am not sure that his fork is number 76 in the list.
You get Fox 10wt green and Fox 10wt red.
The oil chart you linked is the most updated version, not necessarily what the fork originally came with.
The 2012 chart shows green
https://www.ridefox.com/fox_tech_center/owners_manuals/012/Content/Oil_Volumes.html
(if that helps at all)
Also, if you're having trouble finding it, you can usually figure out who makes the actual fluid by the bottle shape- Fox have used Torco and Silkolene in the past, not sure who it is today.
cannonmech42
Free MemberAre there any downsides to balancing the lighter weight oil with more air pressure?
<Waggles hand vaguely> If the fork setup was perfect now then it'd be a negative move but it's probably not. Really you should be doing all of the fork position stuff with air, and all of the fork control stuff with damping, but in the real world even with loads of adjustment it's always a compromise so imo it's usually best to just go with what works rather than shooting for perfect.
Who knew!
That's great thanks guys, ill keep that in mind when i get a nice enough fork that has all these adjustments.