2009 Fox at Sea Otter

SingleTrackWorld.com got a chance to take a look at the 2009 Fox lineup that everyone has been waiting on.
Thier full article can be found at singletrackworld.com.

SINGLETRACKWORLD.COM ARTICLE ON 2009 FOX LINEUP

We finally got a look at the new Fox 15mm axle fork and its Shimano-built QR gubbins along with a new XC fork lockout. There’s also a new TALAS knob, a new DHX Air knob and a different crown for the 40.

The lovely Elayna from Fox took some time to show us round the new aspects of the Fox range for next year. Obviously, the biggest news is the new 15mm ‘standard’ that Shimano and Fox has been working on. Shimano will be offering XT and XTR hubs in the new 15mm style while Fox will offer 15mm lowers on all of its forks up to 140mm.

Doesn’t that look good? Riders who’ve used the fork reckon that it’s off-camber performance is fantastic, all with much less weight than a 20mm system.The funny dial thing is virtually fit and forget.

The 15mm axle will appear on all the 32mm forks.

The new 15mm standard is an open ‘standard’ with the only consistent bit being the size of the Shimano hubs. The Fox lower was developed, however, by Fox and Shimano together so should work pretty well (or else…) – there’s a dial on the non-skewer side of the fork. This is set at the factory so that the QR screws in and always comes to rest with the skewer lever pointing up. Should it change over time, or get knocked, it can always be user adjusted. It actually looks more complicated than it is. In theory, you just tighten it up and flip the QR lever and it’ll be set, job done.

15mm lowers will be available on all of Fox’ 32mm stanchion forks – so everything from the 80mm travel F80 up to the 32RLC 140mm. The 36mm forks will keep the 20mm thru axle.

XC racers take note – Fox has developed a bar-mounted lockout. Again using Shimano’s expertise at making fiddly little components, there’s a new bar mounted lever which saves the XC rider from having to reach all the way down to the top of the fork. There’s a normal-style thumb lever to lock out the fork, but a clever, side-mounted release shift that you just sort of nudge with the side of your hand – meaning that you don’t need to release your grip on the bars – useful on a rocky downhill.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always turning my TALAS knob the wrong way and dropping the travel on my forks, rather than increasing it. The TALAS fork now gains better labeling (including a plus and minus label for stupid people like me, along with a four-sided knob to allow for better grip. It’s still a three-position knob though.

A couple of pics for the gravity set. Everyone loves the Fox 40 and for next year it gains a different top crown that uses the Rockshox standard direct stem mount, using four bolts. The DHX Air remains unchanged apart from an easier to get to and use Propedal lever.

And if you wondered what these 1point5 to 1 1/8in steerers looked like – now you know.

198’S THOUGHTS

First, you can find my thoughts on the 15mm standard in my blog article.

Overall, the forks look great even if I don’t agree with going to 15mm. Fox has consistently put out high quality products, so we are safe to say these will be as well. It does appear that they are adding more features that the Rock Shox users have gotten used to for several years now. This includes better travel adjusters and the new bar mounted lockout. I think the fork market it getting a jolt because of better competition among brands. This turns out to be a great thing for riders because we get better products faster at a better price the higher the competition is.

The new propedal lever on the DHX looks good and I think moving it to the side is a great idea. Hopefully, Fox also improved the performance of the DHX-A for ’09 because previous models have been lacking in this area. Specifically, mid stroke wallow has been a concern, so it will be interesting to see how Fox has addressed this.

The Fox 40 is a monster. I just wish I had a ride that would take the fork.

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