Review: Fox 36 Talas R – 160mm Mountain Bike Suspension Fork

Fox Racing Shox has carved out a name for themselves in the mountain biking industry for providing high quality suspension components for riders of all levels. The 36 suspension fork lineup is Fox Racing Shox 36 mm stanchion platform that is available in Float (air spring, fixed travel), Talas (air spring, travel adjust) and Vanilla (coil spring, fixed travel) models. Each of these three Fox 36 models have sub-models with different features and price points. This Talas 36 R model is the bottom rung in the 36 Talas lineup with he RC2 as the upper level premium.

From FoxRacingShox.com

The All-Mountain 36® TALAS® R has a new ergonomically designed 3-position TALAS lever allows for quick on-the-fly (160-130-110mm) travel adjustments, and optimized spring curves for each travel setting. Our 20QR tool-free thru axle system makes wheel changes quick and efficient. Enormous 36mm stanchions combined with the stepped 20mm axle provide unparalleled stiffness and steering precision while reduced friction throughout the fork maximizes bump sensitivity and front-end confidence. The R model’s open bath damping system offers legendary performance and reliability with fully adjustable high and low speed compression and rebound damping.

The description on the website is somewhat misleading as the R model only has air spring pressure and rebound adjustments. High and low speed adjusting is reserved for the RC2 model.

Fox 36 Talas R Specs
Fox 36 Talas R Suspension Fork

  • Weight: 4.93 lbs (w/20mm TA installed)
  • Travel: 6.3 inches (160 mm)
  • Travel Adjust: TALAS travel adjust 160-130-100
  • Adjustments: Air spring pressure and Rebound
  • Damper: Open Bath
  • Lower Leg: 20QR thru-axle system w/post-style disc brake mounting
  • Standard Steerer Tube: 1 1/8″ (optional tapered and 1.5″)
  • Spring: Air
  • Integrated Brake Cable Routing
  • Color: Titanium
  • Intended Use: DH, FR, AM

Installation and Setup on the 36 Talas R

The Fox 36 Talas R installs easily just like any other suspension fork. The standard post mount brake mounts (which every suspension for manufacturer as switched to as of this point) allows you to directly mount the caliper to the fork if you are using a 160mm rotor, but I would recommend running at least a 180mm up front on any bike that is taking a 160mm travel suspension fork. The integrated disc brake cable guide makes routing the brake link to the handlebar from the brake caliper about as easy as it gets and it prevents you from scrapping up the fork lowers with a thick zip tie. Just be careful with the small hex bolt as it is small and can be prone to stripping.

Fox 20mm QR TA LeverThe 20QR thru-axle system from Fox Racing Shox is easy to use but slightly more complicated than other screw in 20mm TA’s on the market. You have the added task of clamping down a lever on each fork leg which adds a little bit of time and effort, but it much better than using bolts to accomplish the same task. Once you screw in the axle and flip down the levers, you are set and ready to ride.

Each adjustment on the 36 Talas R is handled on the top of the fork legs. The rebound adjust knob can be turned while riding on the right side fork leg and the air spring pressure valve is located in the center of the Talas travel adjust. In my opinion, the Talas travel adjust is the best balance on the market. It gives you three options (160/130/100) while riding and the 130mm option seems to hit the perfect climbing point on 160mm rear travel suspension bikes. While other manufactures offer their form of adjusting suspension travel on the fly, Fox makes it easy with the settings I need and nothing more.

Since Fox ran the air pressure valve in the center of the Talas adjust knob, it does make it difficult to get the valve cap off to make slight adjustments. During my testing period with this fork, I actually just left the cap off until I found a spring pressure I was happy with for riding. It provided to be too much of a pain in the ass to get that cap on and off when I needed to adjust the fork. Small annoyance…but still there.

Riding the Fox 36 Talas R

198 On The Fox 36 Talas R Suspension ForkThe test bike for the Fox 36 Talas R was the Rocky Mountain Slayer review sled. With its 153mm rear travel platform and low slung center of gravity, the RM Slayer was the perfect rig to see what this fork could handle in the rough stuff and on extended climbs. The 36 lineup has the benefit of being capable of running on a wide range of mountain bikes. With installations ranging from more DH oriented mountain bikes like the Specialized SX Trail to this all mountain Rocky Mountain Slayer, the 36 platform (and other comparable forks from other suspension fork manufacturers) has to cover a lot of ground be a well rounded fork for a lot of riding needs.

Fox 36 Talas R Stiffness

The Fox 36 Talas R provides a very stiff platform given its weight. With a large crown, 20mm thru axle and 36mm stanchions, I didn’t notice any flex or unwanted deflection while riding in rock gardens or off of drops. Under high speeds, the fork tracked straight and just went where you were pointed. The 20mm axle  never came loose during riding or showed any signs of independent fork leg flex. The fork just flat out worked as I rode without the worry of unwanted movement while riding.

Fox 36 Talas R Adjusting

The Talas travel adjust platform is great for dialing in the geometry of your bike while on the trail. While I kept the fork in the 160mm travel setting for most of my rides, during really steep, extended climbs…I was able to drop it down to 130 to steepen the head angle of the bike for more efficient climbing. Since there is no high/low speed compression adjustment, there is no option to dial up the low speed compression to help with rider induced feedback while climbing, but that is not missed on my end as I rarely ever lockout a fork as it is…especially on 160mm travel versions.

Having the rebound adjustment knob on the top side of the fork allows for easy adjustment on the trail as you ride. I like to be able to change the speed of the forks rebound depending on trail conditions, so having that readily accessible (not on the bottom of the fork leg) is a huge bonus. For some riders, this may be a non-issue as you like to set and forget, but I found it incredibly useful to have the adjustment within arms reach.

As mentioned before, the air spring valve is a little hard to get to thanks to the Talas adjustment knob, so that can make dialing in the fork somewhat difficult. Once you get your air spring pressure set…it is more a set and forget function, so you will not be messing with that valve for very long. Fox provides an ano blue cap that seals the area with a rubber o-ring.

I did miss the high and low speed compression adjustments but the factory settings seemed to be great for all around riding. If you want to step it up a notch and get those adjustments on your fork…you’ll have to opt for the RC2 version of the 36 Talas.

Fox 36 Talas R Travel Quality

As with all Talas adjust forks, you give up a little bit of plushness in favor of the travel adjust. While this is a minimal change…it is there and is most noticeable in small bump, beginning travel situations. As you get into harder hits and further down the forks stroke, the difference becomes less noticeable in comparison to the fixed travel Float model.

Overall, the Fox 36 Talas R had great travel quality as you hit the trail. Extreme changes in suspension direction went largely unnoticed as I navigated changing terrain – a sign of good damping circuits. Mid-stroke control and plushness was pretty much dead on as you almost forgot the fork was even there (that’s a good thing).

I do think the travel quality while riding could have been improved a little bit more with increased adjustment ability for the low and high speed circuits, but…the stock settings for this fork should be great for most riders and the lack of these adjustments makes the fork a little bit easier on the wallet.

Overall Thoughts on the Fox 36 Talas R

For those of you that are looking for a 160mm travel fork that is light enough for all mountain duty and performs without the need of any fancy adjustments, the Fox 36 Talas R is the fork you are looking for. With a stupid simple travel adjust system and quality travel, the Fox 36 Talas R was a very capable fork that performed well in all conditions. If you are looking for added plushness and are not worried about dropping the fork’s travel down, check out the Float lineup as you will gain back some of that beginning stroke, small bump sensitivity.

For the money and ease of use…the Fox 36 Talas R is a hard fork to beat for those looking for a great performer on a smaller budget (in premium fork terms).

Good Fox 36 Talas R Suspension Fork

  • Super Stiff Platform
  • Best Travel Adjust in the Business
  • Subtle but High Quality Looks
  • Great Mid-Stroke Plushness and Hard Hit Responsiveness

Some Things To Work On – Fox 36 Talas R

  • Talas Takes Out Some Beginning Stroke Plushness
  • Air Spring Valve Difficult To Get To
  • 3 Step Axle Removal More Complicated Than Some Competition
  • Even Budget Fork for Fox Can Be Expensive At Retail Around $900.00

Note: For 2010, Fox has introduced their new FIT cartridge in their suspension fork lineup. The FIT damper is position sensitive and may ride differently than this test fork.

Buy A Fox 36 Talas R or RC2

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