Bob Fox

What do you do at FOX?
As the guy who started the company, I've pretty much "been there, done that" at one time or another for just about every job function we have here - design, production, accounting, sales, race support, purchasing, etc. I like to think that, over the years, I have led by example to create the FOX Racing Shox culture of pursuit of excellence in everything we do - especially in product design and production.

How long have you worked at FOX?
39 years

Tell us about your bike/vehicle setup.
FOX RLC fork and Factory Series FLOAT RP23 shock on a (confidential) trail bike.

What else is in your garage?
Some vintage Maicos motocrossers, and a 1943 Massey-Harris tractor just like the one I plowed fields with on our farm in Wisconsin when I was 10 years old.

How often do you ride?
Not enough.

What career path would you have chosen if you didn't work for FOX?
In grade school I dreamed of being a baseball star. In high school I hoped to become a pro golfer. In college I majored in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics - but I loved mechanical engineering the most. After 10 years working as a mechanical engineer, my career path took an unusual turn when I decided to play poker for a living for 3 years. With the free time that gave me, I began racing motocross as a hobby - which led me to designing my first FOX Air Shocks and starting the company. Doing engineering design work, and running an engineering-based company, turned out to be the perfect career for me.

What's the best thing about working at FOX?
Designing great products.

Any major injuries, and how did you recover?
Broken elbow in the late 70's, near Lake Tahoe. Lucky enough to have it operated on by Dr. Richard Steadman, who was the team doctor for the U.S. Ski team at the time. His facility is now in Vail, Colorado. I'm told he's also done surgery on John Elway, Dan Marino, and Joe Montana - so that feels kinda cool!

What motivated you to get started riding?
The first time I ever rode a dirt motorcycle was in 1969. I crashed within 5 minutes. But I realized that, besides being kind of cool, riding was also a ton of FUN! My experiences with mountain bikes have been similar, and FUN continues to be the prime motivation.

What other sports are you interested in?
At one time or another, I've also played basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, wrestling, snow skiing, water skiing, etc. Currently I'm not doing any of those, but I do go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week to lift weights and do cardio to try to stay young and in shape.