2011 FOX Racing Shox 36 180mm and 40

2011 FOX Racing Shox 36 and 40

FOX Racing Shox unveiled their new 2011 forks and shocks. They’ve included many updates across their whole line. Kashima stanchion coating, new 180mm 36 fork series, and new FIT RC2 damper were the big topics. Check inside for more pictures and information.

FOX 36 180mm

FOX had their new 36 180mm series forks on display. For 2011 FOX will offer this fork in TALAS, FLOAT, and VAN models. It features a completely new chassis, Kashima stanchion coating, and many other 36 performance features. For 2011 there are several new enhancements and features in the 36 line that we’ll detail below.

2011 FOX 36 180mm (click to enlarge)

What FOX has to say about the 36 180mm:

“Today’s mountain bike riders are pushing their equipment to new limits, going farther, faster, and bigger than they ever have before. More travel, more control, more adjustability and lighter weight, top their wish lists. We’ve responded with our new for 2011, 36 TALAS, FLOAT, and VAN models, are now available with 180 mm of travel. Riders who want on-the-fly adjustable travel will love the new 36 TALAS, with its new ergonomically pleasing TALAS lever that easily changes the travel setting from 180 to 140 mm.

The ultra-lightweight champion throughout the FOX family, the 36 FLOAT is the lightest 180 mm single crown fork in the business. Riders who crave the linear progression of a coil spring will love the new, long travel, lightweight and silky-smooth VAN. Each model is available with our all-new FIT RC2 inverted damper, as well as our open bath R damper, an industry benchmark for damping performance and reliability. The new FIT RC2 damper lowers un-sprung weight, allowing the fork to react quicker for better steering control. Its unique single-wall bladder design has been engineered to provide incredibly reliable and consistent, fade-free damping. The inverted design offers the same ultra-wide range of adjustability, but the new high and low speed adjusters have been moved to the top of the stanchion for increased convenience. Improved Bottom-Out Control enhances rider confidence and front-end control by producing a virtually bottomless suspension feel. We designed the 36 180 mm series with an incredibly large amount of bushing overlap and a new below axle tube design creating an extremely stiff chassis and the lowest axle to crown distance available in a 180 mm fork, giving the uncompromising steering precision in a long travel package. RC2 models come with Kashima Coat stanchions for stiction-free performance, to give you quicker suspension response and improved durability. We make your long travel single crown fork dreams a reality.”

dropout detail (click to enlarge)

2011 FOX 36 Features:

LIGHTER WEIGHT – The new 36 FLOAT FIT RLC 160 weighs in at an astonishing 4.47 lbs, making it .44 lbs lighter than its 2010 predecessor*, the 36 FLOAT RC2 160. In addition to a new and lighter FIT RLC damper that’s found in the FLOAT and TALAS, all 36 160 models have new, lightweight crowns and upper tubes.

*2010 36 FLOAT RC2 with 1.5? taper steerer compared to a 2011 36 FLOAT RLC with 1.5? taper steerer.

MORE TRAVEL – Your search for a long travel, single crown fork is over. Say hello to our all-new from the ground up 180 lineup. All 36 forks are now available with the new FIT RC2 or open bath R damper specifi cally designed for 180 mm of travel. All 180 models also get new single crowns, upper tubes, steerer tubes, and lower legs that are optimized for long travel to retain the legendary FOX control you desire.

Chassis and crown improvements, as well as an incredibly large amount of bushing overlap, have been made to maximize the ride quality of the 36 Series. Producing the lowest possible ride height, and an extremely stiff chassis package, the 36 FLOAT is the lightest 180 mm single crown fork in the business.

KASHIMA STANCHION COATING – This coating makes the fork stanchions up to 4 times slicker than traditional hard anodizing. The coating is also much more durable. The coating has Teflon embedded into it to decrease friction. Even as the coating wears it is still slick due to the embedded coating process.

FIT RLC DAMPER – We’ve brought the optional FIT RLC damper into both TALAS 160 and FLOAT 160 models. Offering riders an incredibly wide range of low-speed compression and rebound adjustments in a new, lighter weight damper that provides unparalleled front wheel terrain following.

The FIT RLC damper provides low-speed compression, rebound, lockout, and lockout force adjust. The all-new lockout lever has been ergonomically designed for quick and easy use.

The 36 Series FIT RLC damper is based on our successful 32 Series FIT RLC damper. It’s extremely lightweight and adjustable, and brings the XC world to the All-mountain crowd.

INVERTED FIT RC2 DAMPER – Offered in the 36 VAN 160 and all 36 180 models (FLOAT, TALAS, and VAN). The new FIT RC2 damper lowers un-sprung weight allowing the fork to react quicker for better steering control. Its unique single-wall bladder design has been engineered to provide incredibly reliable and consistent, fade-free damping. The inverted design offers the same ultra-wide range of adjustability, but the new high and low speed adjusters have been moved to the top of the stanchion for increased convenience. Improved Bottom-Out Control enhances rider confidence and front-end control by producing a virtually bottomless suspension feel.

now the compression adjustments are available on the top of the crown

FLOAT AIR SPRING CURVES – The FLOAT air spring has been improved for a more linear feel.

TALAS 2-POSITION SYSTEM – Riders who want on-the-fl y adjustable travel will love the new 36 TALAS 2-position system. Its new, ergonomically pleasing TALAS lever, quickly and easily changes the travel setting from 180 to 140 mm (for 180 models), or 160 to 120 mm (for 160 models).

VAN SPRING SYSTEM – All models of the VAN have a new low friction coil spring system.

2011 FOX 36 Axle To Crown Measurements:

• 180mm FOX36 has a 565mm axle to crown
• 160mm FOX36 has a 545mm axle to crown

FOX 36 180mm Series Specs:

2011 FOX 36 180mm Series Specs (click to enlarge)

36 Float 180mm (click to enlarge)

36 Talas 180mm (click to enlarge)

FOX 40

The 40 also receives several updates including Kashima coating, inverted FIT damping controls, and smoother coil spring with less noise.

Kashima coating on 36 and 40 (click to enlarge)

What FOX has to say about the 2011 40:

“For 2011, we’ve inverted the 40’s celebrated FIT RC2 damper, and made it lighter in the process. This new damper lowers the fork’s un-sprung weight, which allows it to react quicker, improving the 40’s already legendary terrain following and front-end confidence.

With its unique, single-wall bladder design, the new FIT RC2 damper provides increased reliability, and consistently fade-free damping. Improved Bottom-Out Control produces a virtually bottomless feel enhancing rider confidence and front-end control. The new inverted damper design offers the same ultra-wide range of adjustability, giving riders tuning options for every course. We’ve swapped the adjuster position too. By placing the new high-and low-speed compression dials on top, we’re giving you easier access to fine-tuning your setup. Rebound is now on the bottom of the fork leg and the new knob provides greater clearance.

The 40 receives the same Kashima Coat stanchions we tested on the World Cup circuit that reduce friction and improve front end sensitivity. In fact, friction has been reduced throughout the ultra-stiff chassis, which further improves its legendary performance and reliability. We never stop improving the 40 RC2’s winning ways so that you can keep winning.”

2011 FOX40 Axle to crown:

• 571mm

2011 FOX 40 Specs (click to enlarge)