[Closed] BOS Deville Vs modern forks

I had a 2006 fox 36 with a custom tuned damper. Best fork I've ever had. All forks are essentially the same. Some sliding tubes and a piston with a stack of shims.

If it's tuned to you, any "improvement" over they years are only going to be small increments

Thanks Onzadog. They're not tuned to me, but I have learned how to get the most out of them. I'm eyeing up some replacements as although I may repair them it may be throwing good money after bad?

I’ve just sold some 2016 or 2017 Devilles on my Orange Alpine. I rate them very highly - literally no contest between them and my Pikes with charger 2.1 rct3 & newest air spring. The Rockshox are awful in comparison. My next route is custom tuning, which I’m not averse to (I’ve had both Push & Avalnche times in the past) but it kinda sticks in my throat to spend even more on this fork when I know the Devilles were so good out the box.

If I could buy 29” Devilles in the UK I’d bin the Pikes every day of the week.

I still have some 2012 Deville's waiting to be sold, currently running Fox 34's and Mattoc's. I've also ridden various Pikes, Lyriks etc. I think the Bos keep feeling better for longer, probably due to the open bath damper. I'd still happily be running them if they fitted on my bike!

I ran 2013 devilles for 5 years with regular services and they were great. i only switched because I went to 29".

I will say that I rate the 2019 Lyrik fork above them, a lot more respnsive. I can't see myself switching to Zeb or fox at this stage but would definitely consider Bos if they made something new.

We had Devilles on the Wife’s Capra and thryre better than anything I’ve tried before or since. But the after service care from BOS is nonexistent and they were a fussy fork that (while never breaking, working sub par or anything like that) did need to keep have air pressure topped up every time we went for a ride.

In terms of feel & performance I would agree, they probably rate up there as the best fork I’ve ever used, but totally let down by BOS themselves. Their support was a joke in the UK.

They do actually make a 29” Deville now, no idea if it’s available, reliable, supported or even the same as BOS of old.

https://www.bos-suspension.com/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=2167256

They were relatively easily serviced being open bath and used the same seals as 34's so it shouldn't have been a big issue. Warranty might be a different story.

Thanks all, really helpful. I've found servicing them easy due to compatibility of Fox 34 seals. They're wearing out, looking for a reason to bin them off for something shinier but looks like that might be pointless!

Non scientific answer is my 2012 DT Swiss were absolutely ace. Then I got some 2014 Pike that were another level. Currently running 2018 Fox 36 that are miles better than the Pike.

Conclusion, a decent modern fork will probably be better.

Previous Deville owner here, Manitou Mattoc are my new favourite fork, had one for 3 years on my 5010, another on my hardtail for a year, and just bought a new one to replace the 3 yr old one as they're on offer for £400 on CRC.

Thanks Stevelol - I read great things about the Mattoc! Better than the Deville do you think?

Hob Nob, yeah -
"totally let down by BOS themselves. Their support was a joke in the UK"
yep, agree absolutely.
Shinny racing tried, Roger at R53 tried - and on and on. Bloody terrible support from BOS for the UK end of their operation. It smelled of arrogance too me.
I had a Deville and VIP'r that I liked too, but went with my old Nicolai AM 5 years ago.

For anyone trying to keep BOS stuff going -
I reckon J-Tech is your place for BOS servicing etc, they did all my Boy stuff eventually.
My recently serviced old 26" Idylle SC is still going strong on a mates classic Spesh Enduro reduced to 160 travel - it does feel bloody good too. And supportive. Proper easy off the sag point. Long service intervals - those original BOS seals are magical, low stiction AND keep the crap out.
I reckon maybe only the EXT ERA fork will match the Idylle SC for feel - my Lyric is good, but definitely not as "buttery". My 36 - (now gone) same.
My old BOS S**Toy coil shock is on a mates Nicolai e-bike and he rates it as WAY better than the Fox X2 he took off. Loves it actually."Transformed the bike"!

Early BOS products were bloody good as evidenced by bike journal god Steve Jones being such a fan-boy (I've no idea about the later more mass produced stuff) but you need a good specialist to care for BOS stuff, in the absence of factory interest, lucky we have James and his team at J-Tech to do that.

My Bos fork and shock came on a YT, I had an early issue with the fork which was sorted under warranty through YT with no issues. I had my fork and shock serviced by Plush (though I think the Vip'r has to go back to Bos due to the need for specialist tools)

I haven't ridden Devilles for 8 years (sold the whole bike they were on after a year) but I never find the Mattocs lacking, I find the recommended settings great for me (Peaks, Calderdale) with sightly faster rebound and a couple more psi in the IRT (mid stroke) chamber for a more playful feel then they're just set and forget.

Easy to completely service at home (videos on YouTube) and the lower lube is engine oil, perfect match for the DVO Topaz rear shock.

Have Boss D's on my Identity AKA and they are great. Only downside i've found is they are a bit heavier than a Fox or RS. I've been tempted to out them a few times but can't find anything that floats my boat... or offer the value for money these batboys do.
I also like having something you don't see on everyone else's rides. In my 26' days i ran my Pace RC104 with Maverick DU32 inverts 🙂