Hot News: New 36 RC2 fork highlights FOX 2015 releases
Suspension-maker FOX announced a new version of their 36 fork as well as updates to their 34 and 32 models in a 2015 product release this week. The model year also marks the company’s 40th anniversary and the company is celebrating by offering limited-edition stealth and heritage versions of selected forks and shocks.
The new FOX 36 features a convertible thru-axel design that accommodates both 15 and 20mm thru-axels.
New 36 goes on a diet, gets convertible 15/20mm thru-axel design
The new FOX 36 FLOAT RC2 all-mountain/enduro fork loses a half pound over its prior-year predecessor, dropping to 4.19 pounds. An interesting, new-for-2015 upgrade is a convertible thru-axle design that works both with 15mm and 20mm spindles. Natively the fork accommodates a 20mm thru-axel, but shim spacers are included to reduce the dropouts to 15mm. It appears FOX has had to return to a dual allen bolt system to make the system work—a departure from its quick-release system of recent years.
The new model also has updated geometry, a redesigned air spring system that equalizes rider weight for increased traction, and new model-specific RC2 damper. The company claims the damper’s redesigned valve system provides better small bump compliance, reduced friction, better traction, and wider tuning range.
The new FOX 36 RC2 is available in 26-, 27.5- and 29-inch models.
New FOX forks get RAD
FOX calls their pro athlete high performance program Racing Applications Development, or RAD. Prototypes and improvements made and refined in the RAD program one year usually make their way into production the next., For the 2015 product line, these include new compression tunes, redesigned damper seals, and new lubrication oil. The following is a model-specific summary:
- 32 and 34 forks have updated damping tunes for better small bump compliance and traction
- 32 and 34 Factory models offer on-the-fly CTD damping adjustment and seven-click Trail mode fine tuning
- 32, 34 and 36 forks feature a redesigned seal head architecture that virtually eliminates breakaway force
- 32, 34, 36, and 40 models use an advanced lubrication oil that integrates molybdenum from the Kashima Coat formula
FOX drew on it’s 40 year history and motocross roots as inspiration for it’s heritage graphics sets.
Heritage graphic decals
FOX drew on the artwork from the company’s first motocross decals to create heritage graphics the company is making available for aftermarket purchase. Available in red, blue, white, green, and tennis ball yellow, the graphics are designed to work on any fork or shock regardless of model or year.
FLOAT models get stealth treatment
Though they have yet to announce full details, FOX will offer three blacked out FLOAT fork models with stealth black decals and black anodized knobs—the FLOAT 32 29-inch/100mm CTD w/Trail Adjust; the FLOAT 34 27.5-inch/160mm CTD w/Trail Adjust; and the FLOAT 40 26-inch/203mm RC2.
Pricing and availability have yet to be announced.
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