36 TALAS RC2 & R

Installing Your Fork  |  Before You Ride |  Setting Sag  |  Adjusting Rebound  |  Adjusting High-Speed Compression  |  Adjusting Low-Speed Compression  |  Changing Travel  |  Service Intervals  |  Important Safety Information

 

weight RC2
weight R

5.27 lbs./2.39 kg
5.19 lbs./2.36 kg

travel The total amount the shock or fork compresses. On a shock it is measured using the eye-to-eye distance or shaft travel.

6.3 in. / 160 mm

TALAS 160+130+100 mm

features/adjustments RC2

TALAS II travel adjust, low-speed compression, high-speed compression, hydraulic bottom-out in damper, air spring pressure, rebound

features/adjustments R

TALAS II travel adjust, hydraulic bottom-out in damper, air spring pressure, rebound

spring/damper type

air/RC2 FIT damper

intended use

downhill A style of riding defined by steep descents down insanely steep mountains, hills or, in some cases, buildings. Downhill bicycles and their components are generally the strongest available. Hence, the 40 and DHX 5.0., all-mountain A style of bicycle riding that melds the stamina and conditioning required of cross-country with the technical abilities of freeriding., freeride A style of riding that is defined by short course technical acrobatics and athletes that defy gravity. Generally, the bikes and components required for freeriding are stronger and heavier than their lightweight cross-country brethren. Combine the aerial pyrotechnics of freeriding with some longer trails and courses, as is typical of cross-country riding, and now you're looking at all-mountain riding.

color

TALAS Blue

 

 

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. Clicking on the link above will take you to a new page.  

Before You Ride

  1. Check that the 20mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts are properly adjusted and tightened.

  2. Clean the outside of your fork with soap and water and wipe dry with a soft dry rag. Do not spray water directly on the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your fork.

  3. Inspect entire exterior of fork for damage. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Please contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and repair.

  4. Check headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

  5. Check that brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.

  6. Check that the front and rear brakes operate properly on flat land.

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 Amount a shock or fork compresses with the rider sitting on the bike in a normal riding position. Best measured with an assistant holding your bike up and with the rider in full riding gear. On a fork, it is helpful to place a ZIP tie around one of the upper tubes.. Generally, sag should be set to 15 – 25% of total fork travel.

  1. Unscrew the center blue aircap in the middle of the TALAS lever (shown below) on top of the left fork leg to expose the Schrader valve.

Hold the TALAS lever steady with one hand while unscrewing the aircap with the other. This will facilitate removal of the aircap and also protect the TALAS lever from being forced past its stops.

  1. Set the lever in the long travel position and cycle the fork a few times.

  2. Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.

  3. Using the 36 TALAS Air Spring Settings table below, pump your fork to the appropriate setting using the FOX High Pressure Pump, then remove the pump.

  4. Install a zip tie with light friction on the upper tube and push it down until it contacts the fork seal.

  5. Carefully sit on the bike and assume a normal riding position. The fork should compress slightly.

  6. Being careful not to further compress the fork, dismount the bicycle. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This distance is sag.

  7. Compare your sag measurement to the Sag Setup table below.

    If your sag is lower than on the table
    , 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 adjustment, if necessary.

    If your sag is higher than on the table
    , 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 adjustment if necessary.

  8. Screw the blue aircap back on, and go ride.

 

36 TALAS AIR SPRING SETTING guidelines

Rider Weight

Air Pressure

< 125 lbs.

45 psi

125 - 135 lbs.

48 psi

135 - 145 lbs.

50 psi

145 - 155 lbs.

53 psi

155 - 170 lbs.

55 psi

170 - 185 lbs.

62 psi

185 - 200 lbs.

69 psi

200 - 215 lbs.

76 psi

215 - 230 lbs

83 psi

230 - 250 lbs.

90 psi

 

sag setup

Travel

XC/Race FIRM

Freeride PLUSH

100 mm (4")

15mm (1/2")

20mm (3/4")

130 mm (5")

20mm (3/4")

32mm (1.25")

160 mm (6.3")

20mm (3/4")

40mm (1.5")

Sag and spring rate Force required to compress a spring one inch. will self adjust to the proper setting and rate as TALAS is adjusted to shorter travel positions.

sag troubleshooting

Symptom

Remedy

Too much sag

(+) air pressure in 5psi increments

Too little sag

(-) air pressure in 5psi increments

Excessive bottoming

(+) air pressure in 5psi increments

Harsh ride; full travel not utilized

(-) air pressure in 5psi increments

Adjusting Rebound

The rebound knob (shown below) is located on the top of the right fork leg, and has 15 clicks of adjustment. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise A motion that proceeds from the top to the right, then down and then to the left, and back to the top, like the clock's hands. slows down rebound; turning the knob counterclockwise 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) 8 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 harsh.

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

8

(Factory setting)

Average Rebound

15

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.

Adjusting High-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

High-speed compression damping Oil or air damping resistance felt when trying to compress a shock or fork. 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 15 clicks of adjustment. It is preset from the factory at 1 click in from the full out (counterclockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Knob Setting
(clicks IN from full OUT)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

1

Slow Compression

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

1

(Factory setting)

Average Compression

15

Firm 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.

 

"Boost" Feature of the High-Speed Compression Adjuster (RC2 only)

The high-speed compression adjuster is equipped with a maximum “Boost” setting. This setting offers increased bump force resistance well beyond the adjuster's linear range up until the stop at full firm (clockwise). To enable the “Boost” feature, turn the high-speed compression knob to the full in (clockwise) position, to the stop with firm hand torque. You can use a 3mm hex key to assist in turning the knob to the full in position or to untorque when de-tuning the Boost feature.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

Low-speed compression damping controls the influence of the rider’s weight shifts and bike attitude under braking. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 17 clicks of adjustment. It is preset from the factory at 1 click in from the full out (counterclockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Knob Setting
(clicks IN from full OUT)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

1

Slow Compression

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

1

(Factory setting)

Average Compression

17

Firm Compression

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

 

Hydraulic Bottom-Out System

The 36 VAN is equipped with a patent-pending Internally Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom-Out Control System. This feature can be adjusted inside the cartridge by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center. It comes preset from the factory at the FIRM setting.

Changing Travel

36 TALAS forks feature three externally adjustable travel choices from 6.3” (160mm) to 5" (130mm) to 4” (100mm), which are easily selected using the TALAS lever (shown below) on top of the left fork leg. Travel options and direction settings are printed directly on the lever.

When changing travel, the TALAS II system automatically adjusts to provide you with the appropriate linear air spring rate for each travel setting. There is no need to re-adjust the air pressure in the TALAS air chamber after changing travel.

 

For safety reasons, it is recommended that travel adjustment be done while off the bike. If necessary, travel can be adjusted on-the-fly (be careful when using this "extreme" travel adjusting method), which can be handy right before a grueling climb or steep descent.

Decreasing Travel

From the 160 or 130 mm position, turn the lever counterclockwise to decrease travel. Travel will be decreased in 30mm increments. Do not force the lever past the 100mm position.

Increasing Travel

From the 100 or 130 mm position, turn the lever clockwise to increase travel. Travel will be increased in 30mm increments. Do not force the lever past the 160mm position.

 

eng042