Fox FLOAT X2 Bike Shock Absorber Review: Popular Shock Absorber
Bike component part manufacturer, Fox, has recently put out a voluntary recall for the Fox FLOAT X2 Bike Shock Absorber.
Fox FLOAT X2
Bike Shock Absorber
- Consistently superb performance
- Useful climb switch
- Clip-on volume spacers make for simple progression adjustment
There are approximately 7,000 of these FLOAT X2’s in the hands of bike riders. This voluntary recall covers all models and some of the FLOAT X2 rear shocks. The manufacturer has stated that the outer sleeve of the FLOAT X2 can actually rupture while riding the bike, which can cause injury to the rider or hit the moving parts on the bike itself.
While no injuries have actually occurred according to Fox, seven FLOAT X2 shock absorbers have failed and have been reported.
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Details
This shock absorber, made by Fox, have been sold in both pre-installed, full-suspension mountain bikes as well as individual units, costing around $700. The bikes that featured the recalled FLOAT X2 as a pre-install retailed between $2,700 to $10,000.
Installed mainly on high-end bikes, some of the affected bike brands include:
- Trek
- Diamondback
- Giant
- Scott
- Orbea
If you have purchased a model FLOAT X2 as an individual component part or in a bike with it pre-installed, it is highly recommended that you cease riding the bike immediately and return the unit or bike (depending on how you purchased) to the place of the purchase for a free repair.
How to Find Out if You Have an Affected FLOAT X2
You can read the complete Fox FLOAT X2 recall information directly from Fox themselves at the their site.
At their site, you can enter the serial number on your bike and check to see if your unit is one of the affected.
Overview
TheFox X2 is an incredible shock, and I would know because I put it to the test. After both researching for hours online and talking to friends who ride,I decided this wasthe frame for me. And they were not wrong; from my first pedal stroke,it was apparent that this bike loved going downhill fast.
When you make a decision like building your own enduro bike in today’s market, you have to be sure of every component choice.
After realizing my newframe tended more towards linearity than coils, I knew the Fox X2 was the right shockfor me. And It didn’t disappoint; climbs well considering it came coil equippedto start with but changes direction faster than any coil sprung fox has beforealmost felt nervous at times!
The Fox X2 comes with igus bushings installed but doesn’t come with frame hardware, so make sure to add the right size before you finalize your order. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to install this shock, especially considering its large size.
There wasn’t any issue regarding clearance for my frame, however every frame is different so yours may vary. That being said, based on Fox’s design of where the reservoir sits, along with the mounting points and adjustors, most enduro and downhill frames should fit this shock without any problems.
Fox provides a chart that will help you determine your baseline pressure, compression, and rebound settings. Fox suggests matching your body weight for air pressure, but I found that the shock required 15 psi extra air pressure to my liking.
Based on Fox’s recommendations, the suggested high-speed compression, high-speed rebound, and low-speed rebound settings were all about correct. The low-speed rebound setting was by far the most incorrect in their chart. I’m using the low-speed rebound at twice the speed as recommended by Fox.
Bottom Line
Suspension improves every year. Sometimes the small yearly, incremental enhancements go unnoticed. They can be as straightforward as that. The Fox Float X2 is in the latter category; it rides better, is more tunable, and is simpler to get on a setting that rides well (and conversely, more difficult to land on a setting that riles).
While the Float X2 is designed more for downhill riding, it can be used on trail-oriented bikes. However, it’s worth noting that this shock has great absorption capabilities and climbing switch, making it a sturdy choice. If you’re looking for an air shock with suspension performance similar to a coil one but with adjustable features, the Float X2 should definitely be considered.