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TALAS 29 O/B RL

Installing Your Fork | Before You Ride | Setting Sag | Adjusting Rebound | Locking Out the Fork | Adjusting TALAS Travel | Service Intervals | Important Safety Information


travel

29 RL 120: 4.7 in./120 mm
TALAS: 95 +120 mm

features/adjustments

TALAS 2-position travel adjust system, lever actuated lockout, air spring pressure, rebound; for 29 inch (700c) wheels

spring/damper type

air/open bath RL

intended use

cross-country

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

  1. Check that quick-release levers 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 (shown below), 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:  Always set sag in the long TALAS 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. Make sure your fork lockout is not engaged.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Compare your actual sag value to your target sag value in the Sag Setup table below.

    If your sag value is less than the table value
    , screw on the pump fitting, 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 value is greater than the table value
    , screw on the pump fitting, 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.
  10. Screw the blue aircap back on, and go ride.

    Rider
    Weight
    lbs.

    Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings
    PSI

    120 mm

    ≤125

    50

    125 - 135

    55

    135 - 145

    60

    145 - 155

    70

    155 - 170

    80

    170 - 185

    90

    185 - 200

    100

    200 - 215

    110

    215 - 230

    120

    230 - ≥250

    125


    Sag Setup

    Travel

    XC/Race FIRM

    All-Mountain PLUSH

    120 mm (4.70")

    18 mm (0.69")

    30 mm (1.19")


    Sag Troubleshooting

    Symptom

    Remedy

    Too much sag

    (+) air pressure in 5 psi increments

    Too little sag

    (-) air pressure in 5 psi increments

    Excessive bottoming

    (+) air pressure in 5 psi increments

    Harsh ride; full travel not utilized

    (-) air pressure in 5 psi increments

Adjusting Rebound

The red rebound knob is located on the top of the right fork leg, and has 12 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 counter-clockwise (out) 6 clicks.


Knob Setting
(clicks out from full in)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

Setup Tips

1

Slow Rebound

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

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

6

(Factory setting)

Average Rebound

 

12

Fast 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.

Locking Out the Fork

The blue compression lockout lever, located below the red rebound adjuster knob, allows you to close the compression damping circuit in the fork. This keeps the fork at the top of its travel, making it harder to compress.

Rotate the lever fully clockwise to lockout the fork. This position is useful in climbing and sprinting situations, but will sag with the rider’s weight. The fork will "blowoff" in the event that a big hit is encountered with the fork locked out.

To unlock the fork, simply rotate the lever fully counter-clockwise.

Note:  The fork may cycle a couple of times after enabling lockout. Once complete lockout is achieved, the fork may continue to move 3 - 5 mm. This is normal and does not affect performance.

Adjusting TALAS Travel

120 mm:
  • 4.70" (120 mm)
  • 3.74" (95 mm)

TALAS forks feature two externally adjustable travel choices, which are easily selected with the TALAS travel adjusting topcap located on top of the left fork leg. Travel options and direction settings are printed directly 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.



When It Counts.

When It Counts.


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