2016 Fox Float X2 Review

Fox announced the new Float X2 earlier this year. It was created to compete against the CCDB AIR, Vivid Air and the BOS Void rear shocks. These are all high volume air shocks offering high and low speed compression and rebound adjusters.

Extra Volume

Our Extra Volume (EVOL) air sleeve significantly reduces the force to initiate travel, providing added sensitivity and better small bump compliance. The progressiveness of the spring curve can be adjusted via air volume spacers, allowing riders to fine-tune the feel of the air spring.

Rod Valve System

Rod Valve System (RVS) provides a more seamless damping transition when absorbing small to large impacts, resulting in faster system response, more control, and less harshness.

 

Adjustemnts

• Low-speed compression
• High-speed compression
• Low-speed rebound
• High-speed rebound
• Air spring pressure

Sizes

• 7.875 x 2
• 7.875 x 2.25
• 8.5 x 2.5
• 8.75 x 2.75
• 9.5 x 3
• 10.5 x 3.5

Kurtis D

Testing consisted of about two months of riding (approximately 150 miles) over various terrains. Refined suspension designs and new technology is continuing to blur the line between DH and aggressive trail/enduro riding. We expect that the majority of aftermarket buyers of this shock will be those that often times pedal to the top of their favorite downhill trail. As a result of this, the new 27.5 Santa Cruz Nomad was chosen as an appropriate bike to test the shock on. The Nomad is definitely gravity oriented, but it also has won a lot of praise for being a relatively good climber.

The Float X2 was first tested at Northstar California’s bike park. This allowed a variety of settings to be tested in a fairly short amount of time and get the shock dialed in rapidly. It also provided a good mix of trails which ranged from flowy jumps (Livewire) to rocky & rough trails (e.g. Boondocks) and everything in between. The next testing ground was trail riding in SoCal, which typically consists of an hour or so of climbing and a 5-10+ minute descent, then repeat until tired. Trails are a mix of rocks, berms, and braking bumps.

The elephant in the room: this review couldn’t be written without acknowledging that Cane Creek’s Double Barrel Air (DBA and DBA CS) is a major reason we now have Fox rear shocks with external HSC, LSC, HSR, and LSR adjustments. The CC DBA and DBA CS are also the main air shock competitors to the Float X2. Therefore CC will have a brief mention/comparison in this review.

The first thing noticed with the Float X2 is that it likes to ride high in travel while still being extremely supple on the initial part of the shock stroke. To me, this is the biggest, but still not largest difference between the Double Barrel Air CS and the Float X2. The shocks are extremely similar, but the DBA feels a bit duller or less supportive in the mid-stroke. The DBA tends to squat more. I wouldn’t say that it’s a large difference, but there is a difference. Nor have I noticed a difference in my descent times between the two shocks.

For general trail riding the Float X2 worked very well. Once it was tuned there was no sensation of excessive pedal-bob. It also felt lively without being out of control. Long fireroad climbs were the only time I had a minor quibble with the X2. On long climbs I will occasionally look down at my rear shock and with the X2 I could see it go in and out just a little bit. The loss in power is probably not much but it would be nice to have some sort of climb switch or lockout. Yes, the compression and rebound could be adjusted to reduce this even further, but how many of us are going to remember to do this every time? I have a hard enough time just remembering to flip a climb switch.

Let’s talk about descending. That’s where the Float X2 really shines. There’s something about the X2 that makes it feel glued to the ground and this is especially noticeable at speed in chatter where other shocks can get a bit overwhelmed. Despite feeling glued, the X2 also feels lively. If you want to pop the bike over some rough terrain, the shock is more than willing to help, but it doesn’t mind staying on the ground through the bumps either. On long descents the Float X2 did get warm and almost hot on a lovely SoCal 100+ degree day. Despite this, no fading or loss of performance was noticed. All in all, the Float X2 is an exceptional shock and if a major part of your riding enjoyment comes from the descents then seriously consider this shock.

Shock Settings From Closed

• HSC: 17
• LSC: 19 (trail); 21 (bike park)
• HSR: 15
• LSR: 19
• Spacers: 3 (trail); 4 (bike park)
• Sag: 25-28%
• PSI: 177
• Rider Weight: 175lbs

Conclusion

The Nomad that we tested the Fox Float X2 on has had a CCDB AIR CS and a Vivid Air on it in the last 8 months. The Fox held it's own and improved the overall ride of the Nomad on the descents. So far the Float X2 has been mounted on the bike for 4 months. We have had no issues with the shock. Fox seems to be pretty spot on in their suggestions for settings. These provided a good start point for our rider.

Overall the Fox Float X2 prvided us with an improved ride aboard our VPP driven Nomad. It helped the bike eat up the chunkier terrain better without hindering its pedalling platform. We hould have no problem suggesting the Float X2 to a friend. It seems to do the job it was designed for without much fussing needed.