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2012 FOXHelp Owners Manual

You are here: Forks > 36 mm > 36 TALAS 180

36 TALAS 180
Installing Your Fork | Before You Ride | Setting Sag | Adjusting Rebound | Adjusting High-Speed Compression | Adjusting Low-Speed Compression | Adjusting TALAS Travel | Service Intervals | Important Safety Information 7.1 in./180 mm TALAS 2-position travel adjust system, 180-140 mm Factory FIT RC2, 180: Kashima coated upper tubes, 1.5" tapered steerer, 1 1/8" steerer, low-speed compression, lever actuated lockout, lockout force adjust, air spring pressure, rebound Performance O/B R, 180: Hard anodized upper tubes, 1.5" tapered steerer, 1 1/8" steerer, air spring pressure, rebound 20QR thru axle system, post style disc brake mounting air

travel

model features, adjustments

lower leg

spring

riding style

AM, FR, DH

NOTE: This fork is designed to use the downhill brake system only. The disc brake caliper mounts directly to the fork leg and is positioned specifically for the use of 200-225 mm rotors.

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. If your fork came pre-installed on your bicycle, continue to the next section.

Before You Ride

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1. Check that your 20 mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts are properly adjusted and tightened. 2. Clean the outside of your fork with only mild soap and water, and wipe dry with a soft dry rag. NOTE: Do not use any solvents or de-greasers, as these products can cause serious damage to paint and anodized parts (upper tubes, knobs, steerers). Do not spray water directly on the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your fork. 3. Inspect the entire exterior of your fork. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and repair. 4. Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust it accordingly to your bicycle manufacturer's recommendations. 5. Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened. 6. Test the proper operation of your front and rear brakes on level ground.

Setting Sag
You can also view a Flash video on Setting Sag. To get the best performance from your fork, it is necessary to set and adjust sag. Generally, sag should be set to 15 25% of total fork travel. 1. Unscrew the center blue aircap in the middle of the TALAS travel adjusting topcap on top of the left fork leg, to expose the Schrader valve. TIP: Hold the TALAS lever steady with one hand while unscrewing the aircap with the other.

2. Set the TALAS lever to the long travel position, turn off lockout and cycle the fork a few times. NOTE: For the best TALAS performance, always set sag in the long travel position. Sag and spring rate will automatically readjust when you change to different travel settings. 3. Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve. 4. Pump your fork to the appropriate setting from the Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings table below, then remove the pump. 5. Unless your fork already has a sag setting o-ring on an upper tube, install a zip tie to an upper tube. Slide the o-ring or the zip tie down against the scraper lip of the fork dust seal. 6. Dressed to ride, position your bike next to a wall or table to support yourself. Without bouncing, mount your bicycle. Assume a normal riding position for at least 30 seconds, allowing the suspension to fully settle. 7. Dismount your bike without bouncing downward, without further moving the o-ring or zip tie. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This measurement is your sag value. 8. Compare your actual sag value to your target sag value in the Sag Setup table below.

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If your sag measurement value is less than the Sag Setup table value, screw on the pump tting, note the current air pressure setting and depress the black bleed-valve to reduce the gauge pressure by 5 psi. Measure sag again and repeat this adjustment, if necessary. If your sag measurement value is greater than the Sag Setup table value, screw on the pump tting, note the current air pressure setting and pump to increase the gauge pressure by 5 psi. Measure sag again and repeat this adjustment if necessary. 9. Screw the blue aircap back on, and go ride. Rider Weight lbs. 125 125 - 135 135 - 145 145 - 155 155 - 170 170 - 185 185 - 200 200 - 215 215 - 230 230 - 250 Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings PSI 180 mm 45 48 50 53 55 60 70 80 90 100

Sag Setup
Travel 170 mm (6.7") 180 mm (7.1") XC/Race FIRM 25.5 mm (1.00") 27.0 mm (1.06") Freeride PLUSH 42.5 mm (1.67") 45 mm (1.77")

Sag Troubleshooting
Symptom Too much sag Too little sag Excessive bottoming Harsh ride; full travel not utilized Remedy (+) air pressure in 5 psi increments (-) air pressure in 5 psi increments (+) air pressure in 5 psi increments (-) air pressure in 5 psi increments

Adjusting Rebound

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The rebound knob (shown below) is located on the bottom of the right fork leg, and has 18 clicks of adjustment. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counter-clockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counterclockwise (out) 9 clicks. The rebound knob is protected by a black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 TALAS FIT RC2 without this black protective cap installed.

Knob Setting
(clicks counterclockwise OUT from fully clockwise IN)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

Setup Tips

1 9 (Factory setting)

Slow Rebound

Too slow and your fork will pack down and ride harsh.

If you increase your spring rate or air pressure, you will need to slow down your rebound

Average Rebound Too fast and you will experience poor traction and wheel hop. If you decrease your spring rate or air pressure, you will need to speed up your rebound setting.

18

Fast Rebound

Adjusting High-Speed Compression

High-speed compression damping controls the force it takes to move the fork through its travel and how the wheel reacts to a bump. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 24 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 12 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position.

Knob
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Setting
(clicks counterclockwise OUT from fully clockwise IN)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

1 12 (Factory setting)

Soft Compression

Maximum wheel traction and bump compliance. If setting is too soft, you may bottom often on squareedged hits and G-outs.

Average Compression Reduces bottom-out and provides maximum bump absorption. If setting is too firm, you may experience a harsh ride with bad traction and use too little available travel.

24

Firm Compression

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression

Low-speed compression damping controls the influence of the riders weight shifts and bike attitude under braking. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 24 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 12 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position.

Knob Setting
(clicks counterclockwise OUT from fully clockwise IN)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

1 12 (Factory setting)

Soft Compression

Maximum wheel traction and bump compliance. Too soft and you maybe have excessive brake dive and wallowy feel.

Average Compression Resists brake dive and keeps the fork up in the travel. Too firm and you may have poor traction in loose conditions.

24

Firm Compression

Adjusting TALAS Travel

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170 mm: 6.70" (170 mm) 5.10" (130 mm)

180 mm: 7.10" (180 mm) 5.50" (140 mm)

36 TALAS RC2 forks feature two externally adjustable travel choices, and these are easily selected with the TALAS travel adjusting topcap located on top of the left fork leg. Travel options and direction are printed on the topcap. NOTE: When changing travel, the TALAS system automatically adjusts to provide you with the appropriate linear air spring rate for each travel setting. There is no need to change the air pressure in the TALAS air chamber after adjusting travel.

CAUTION: For safety reasons, adjust TALAS travel only when you're not riding the bike.

Bushing Technology & Inspection | C ontrol Direction | Oil Volumes | Structural Inspection | Dropout Thickness Inspection | Torque Values | Unit C onversion | Suspension Tuning Tips | Using the Pump | Important Safety Information | Service Intervals | C ontact FOX Service | Warranty Information | FOXHelp Service Web Site C opyright 2011 FOX Factory Inc.

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