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36 VAN 180

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


travel

  • 7.1 in./180 mm

model features, adjustments

Factory FIT RC2, 180: Kashima coated upper tubes, 1.5" tapered steerer, 1 1/8" steerer, low-speed compression, high-speed compression, coil spring preload, rebound. Hydraulic bottom-out resistance in damper.

Performance O/B R, 180: Hard anodized upper tubes, 1.5" tapered steerer, 1 1/8" steerer, coil spring preload, rebound

lower leg

20QR thru axle system, post style disc brake mounting

spring

coil

riding styles

AM, FR, DH

NOTE:  This fork is designed to use the downhill brake system only. The disc brake caliper mounts directly to the fork leg and is positioned specifically for the use of 200-225 mm rotors.

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 your 20 mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts 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. 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 zip tie down against the scraper lip of the fork dust seal.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Compare your sag measurement value to the appropriate value in the Sag Setup table:

    Sag Setup

    Travel

    XC/Race FIRM

    Freeride PLUSH

    160 mm (6.3")

    24.0 mm (0.94")

    40.0 mm (0.75")

    170 mm (6.7")

    25.5 mm (1.00")

    42.5 mm (1.67")

    180 mm (7.1")

    27.0 mm (1.06")

    45.0 mm (1.77")


    If your sag measurement value is less than the Sag Setup table value: turn the preload knob counter-clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat this adjustment if necessary.

    If your sag measurement value is greater than the Sag Setup table value: turn the preload knob clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and this repeat adjustment if necessary.

    NOTE:  If you cannot achieve correct sag by adjusting the preload knob, you may need to change your VAN coil spring to one with the appropriate spring rate for your weight and fork travel.

    See the Sag Troubleshooting table, and given the travel length of your fork, see either the 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 160 mm or 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 170 & 180 mm table. If you are uncertain as to which coil spring is the original specification, see Changing the Coil Spring.


    Sag Troubleshooting

    Symptom

    Remedy

    Too much sag

    Change to higher rate coil spring

    Too little sag

    Change to lower rate coil spring

    Excessive bottoming

    Change to higher rate coil spring

    Harsh ride; full travel not utilized

    Change to lower rate coil spring


    36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 160 mm

    FOX Part #

    Spring Rate ±8%

    Color Code

    Rider Weight
    Lbs.

    039-05-100

    35 lb/in

    Black

    <90–115

    039-05-101

    40 lb/in

    Purple

    115–155

    039-05-102

    45 lb/in

    Blue (default)

    150–180

    039-05-103

    50 lb/in

    Green

    175–210

    039-05-104

    55 lb/in

    Yellow

    205–240+


    36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 170 & 180 mm

    FOX Part #

    Spring Rate ±8%

    Color Code

    Rider Weight
    Lbs.

    039-05-090

    31.4 lb/in

    Black

    <90–115

    039-05-091

    35.9 lb/in

    Purple

    115–155

    039-05-092

    40.4 lb/in

    Blue (default)

    150–180

    039-05-093

    44.8 lb/in

    Green

    175–210

    039-05-094

    49.3 lb/in

    Yellow

    205–240+


Changing the Coil Spring

NOTE:  36 VAN forks cannot be reduced in travel.

  1. With a 32 mm (or 1.25") 6-point socket wrench, loosen and remove the preload topcap (top of left leg).
  2. Compress the fork slightly and remove the coil spring. You may need to firmly pull up on the spring to disengage it from the plunger shaft.
  3. Wipe the spring dry with a rag and check its color code (see 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 160 mm or 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 170 & 180 mm).
  4. Install the new spring by dropping it into the upper tube, then torque the top cap to 220 in-lb (24.86 Nm).
  5. Rotate the fork to a horizontal position and shake it. This lubricates the spring before its first push into travel.
  6. Measure and set sag.

Adjusting Rebound

The rebound knob (shown below) is located on the bottom of the right fork leg, and has 18 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) 9 clicks.

The rebound knob is protected by a black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 VAN without this black protective cap installed (170 and 180 only).

Knob Setting
(clicks counter-clockwise OUT from fully clockwise 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

9

(Factory setting)

Average Rebound

18

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

High-speed compression damping 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 24 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 12 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position.

Knob Setting
(clicks counter-clockwise OUT from fully clockwise IN)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

1

Soft Compression

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

12

(Factory setting)

Average Compression

24

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.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression

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 24 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 12 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position.

Knob Setting
(clicks counter-clockwise OUT from fully clockwise IN)

Setting Description

Tuning Tips

1

Soft Compression

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

12

(Factory setting)

Average Compression

24

Firm Compression

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


When It Counts.

When It Counts.


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