2012 Trek® FLOAT DRCV

Installing Your Fork | Before You Ride | Setting Sag | Adjustments: RLC | Adjustments: RL | Adjustments: O/B RL |  Service Intervals | Important Safety Information

Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) Technology

The Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV) deploys a dual air chamber system, in which a secondary air chamber opens at a specific point during shock travel. The DRCV system combines the efficiency of a smaller air volume ride with the plush response of a large air volume shock deeper into its travel stroke.

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 mild soapy 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 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

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.

Tip: Use your air spring PSI value in Suggested Air Spring SettingsPSI as a starting point only. Discovering your best sag value is a dynamic process that takes time to explore, given your riding style, bike geometry, total weight, and suspension feel preferences.

To set sag:

1. Cycle your DRCV fork past 60% of its full travel at least once.
2. Measure sag, and compare it to the recommended sag setting shown in the Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings  table below. Continue with the following step if sag is not to specification.
3. Locate the dual-chamber air valve on the fork and remove the air valve cap.

   Note:  The dual-chamber air valve looks very similar to a Schrader valve, but internally it's very different. This valve automatically equalizes air pressure between the main and secondary air chambers, as air is pumped into or released from this dual-chamber valve.

   CAUTION:  Do not attempt to service the dual-chamber air valve, or remove and reinstall its core! Doing this will risk irreparable damage to the valve, impairing its normal operation. Any damage caused to this valve is repairable only by an Authorized Fox Service Center.

4. Thread the FOX High Pressure Pump hose onto the air valve until the pump indicates a pressure reading on the gauge. Turn an additional 1¼ turns, however do not over-tighten. As you thread the additional 1¼ turns, you'll notice a second increase in pressure on the gauge. This effect is caused by air pressure equalizing between the main and secondary air chambers.

   Note:  For proper sag adjustment, it is mandatory to thread the pump hose an additional 1¼ turns past the point where the pump initially shows a pressure reading.

5. Add or release air pressure, until the desired pressure setting is shown on the gauge. Refer to the Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings table below for the proper sag setting.

   Note:  It is necessary to cycle the fork beyond 60% of its full travel at least once after the pump hose is removed, before attempting to measure sag.

6. Unthread the pump from the air valve, cycle your fork and measure sag.
7. Repeat steps 1-6, until your proper sag adjustment is achieved. Replace the dual-chamber air valve cap.
   
   
   • If your sag measurement value is less than the Sag Setup 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 measurement value is greater than the Sag Setup 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.
   
   

   Rider Weight lbs.	Suggested Air Spring Settings PSI
   	32/26 120 mm	32/29 120 mm	34/29 140 mm	32/26 150 mm
   ≤125	64	64	64	51
   125 - 135	68	68	68	55
   135 - 145	73	73	73	62
   145 - 155	80	80	80	76
   155 - 170	90	90	90	83
   170 - 185	95	95	95	90
   185 - 200	100	100	100	94
   200 - 215	105	105	105	99
   215 - 230	110	110	110	106
   230 - ≥250	125	125	125	115

   
   

   Sag Setup
   Travel	XC/Race FIRM	All-Mountain PLUSH
   120 mm (4.70")	18 mm (0.69")	30 mm (1.19")
   140 mm (5.50")	21 mm (0.81")	35 mm (1.38")
   150 mm (5.90")	23 mm (0.87")	38 mm (1.50")

   
   

   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

Adjustments: FIT RLC

Adjusting Rebound

The rebound adjuster knob is located at the bottom of the right fork leg. This knob has 18 clicks of adjustment range.

Rebound controls the rate of 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) 12 clicks.

Locking Out the Fork

The blue compression lockout lever, located just below the black lockout force 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.

Note:  When you adjust the compression lockout lever, the black lockout force adjuster knob will also move. This is normal; the lockout force adjustment setting will not be affected.

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 Lockout Force

Even when your fork is fully locked out, there are instances when you still want your fork suspension to be active. To protect your fork's internal parts, your FOX fork will "blowoff" when it encounters an intense hit. You can adjust when the fork blows off—lockout force—by adjusting the black knob on the right-side top cap.

A convenient tuning feature of the lockout force knob is that it allows you to leave your fork in the locked out position—no more fiddling with fork controls when the trail requires your undivided attention. Although you might need to adjust the knob a few times to find the sweet spot, once it is found you can simply leave your fork locked out. Your fork will then respond to hits in the trail for example, but will be locked out when you are out of your saddle on a climb.

Turn the knob clockwise to increase lockout force and counter-clockwise to decrease lockout force.

Note:  When you adjust the black lockout force adjuster knob, hold the blue compression lockout lever in place.

There are 10 clicks of adjustment. As a starting point, turn the knob all the way clockwise until it stops, then back off one click counter-clockwise.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression

Low-speed compression damping is adjusted with the blue bezel ring that is positioned just below the blue lockout lever. This ring has 8 clicks of adjustment range. Compression damping controls the fork compression speed. Adjust the low-speed compression with lockout off (the lockout lever turned fully counter-clockwise). The factory setting is 8 clicks out counter-clockwise, from fully in clockwise.

Adjustments: FIT RL

Adjusting Rebound

The rebound adjuster knob is located at the bottom of the right fork leg. This knob has 18 clicks of potential adjustment range.

Rebound controls the rate of 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) 12 clicks.

Locking Out the Fork

The blue compression lockout lever, located on the right-side top cap, 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 lock out 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.

Adjustments: Open Bath RL

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.

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.

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