DHX AIR 3.0

Installing Your Shock  |  General Maintenance  |  Before You Ride  |  Measuring Sag  |  Setting Sag  |  Adjusting Rebound  |  ProPedal  |  Boost Valve  |  Service Intervals  |  Important Safety Information  |  Stuck Down Shock  |  Air Sleeve Maintenance  |  DHX Air Explained

 

weight

0.91 lbs./415 g
(8.75" x 2.5" No reducers)

features/
adjustments

position-sensitive Boost valve, factory-set ProPedal Technology that provides pedaling efficiency as well as control and sensitivity for big and small hits., adjustable tuning range via Schrader valve, adjustable air spring pressure, rebound adjust

spring

air

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., 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., all-mountain A style of bicycle riding that melds the stamina and conditioning required of cross-country with the technical abilities of freeriding., cross-country A style of bicycle riding that is defined by long rides, lightweight bicycles and stamina.

Installing Your Shock

If you are installing your shock on a bike in which the shock is not original equipment:

  1. Install the shock.

  2. Remove the main air chamber air cap and let all the air out of the main air chamber.

  3. Carefully cycle the suspension through its entire travel.

  4. Check that all parts of the shock are clear of the frame and swingarm as it cycles through the travel.

  5. Pressurize your main air chamber to a minimum of 50 psi and no more than 300 psi. You will tune to a more specific air pressure in the Setting 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. section below.

  6. Set sag.

General Maintenance

There may be a small amount of air sleeve lubricant residue on the body. This is normal. If this residual air sleeve lubricant is not present, this is an indication that the air sleeve should be re-lubricated. Some other things to consider for all shock models:

Before You Ride

  1. Clean the outside of your shock with soap and water and wipe dry with a soft dry rag. Do not use a high pressure washer on your shock.

  2. Inspect entire exterior of shock for damage. The shock 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.

  3. Check that quick-release levers (or thru-axle pinch bolts) are properly adjusted and tightened.

  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 set sag on your DHX Air 3.0:

  1. Measure sag, and compare it to the recommended sag setting shown in the Air Spring Settings table below. Continue if the sag is not to specification.

  2. Locate the Schrader air valve on the shock and remove the air valve cap.

  3. Screw the FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump onto the air valve until the pump shows pressure on the gauge. Do not over-tighten.

  4. Add air pressure until desired pressure is shown on the gauge. Refer to the Air Spring Settings table below for the proper sag setting.

  5. Unthread the pump from the air valve and measure sag.

  6. Repeat steps 2-5 until proper sag is achieved, then replace the air valve cap.

AIR SPRING SETTINGS

Shock Travel
(in./mm)

Recommended Sag
(in./mm)

2.00/50.8

.50/12.7

2.25/57.2

.56/14.2

2.50/63.5

.62/15.7

3.00/76.2

.75/19.0

Adjusting Rebound

Rebound controls the rate at which your shock returns after it has been compressed. The proper rebound setting is a personal preference, and changes with rider weight, riding style and conditions. A rule of thumb is that rebound should be as fast as possible without kicking back and pushing the rider off the saddle.

The rebound dial has approximately 22 clicks of adjustment.

For slower rebound, turn the red adjuster knob clockwise.

For faster rebound, turn the red adjuster knob counterclockwise.

ProPedal

The ProPedal on your DHX Air 3.0 is set at the factory, and cannot be adjusted.

Boost Valve

The Boost Valve creates a position-sensitive damping scheme that allows for a seamless transition from efficient ProPedal to square-edge bump absorption to a bottomless end-of-stroke feel. The Boost Valve also decouples the factory-set ProPedal and factory-set bottom-out resistance without affecting the compression damping Oil or air damping resistance felt when trying to compress a shock or fork. curve.

The Boost Valve is not adjusted directly. Instead, its behavior and performance characteristics are influenced by the air pressure setting in the reservoir.

To change the compression damping characteristics of your DHX Air 3.0 shock, attach a FOX High Pressure Pump to the air valve on the reservoir:

For a firmer ride, add 10 – 15 pounds of air pressure.

For a softer ride, decrease the shock’s air pressure 10 – 15 pounds by using the pump’s bleed valve.

Ride your bike and verify the settings before repeating the procedure.

Never ride your bike with more than 200 PSI or less than 75 PSI in the reservoir air chamber. Doing so can damage your shock and require repairs that are NOT covered under warranty.

eng047