Fox X2 Shock

Unlike the Float series that preceded it, the X2 features a twin tube damper design with independent high and low speed adjustments for both compression and rebound. This setup bears more than a passing resemblance to the popular and highly reputed Cane Creek Double Barrel Air. But how do they compare?

For this review I fitted the $899 X2 Air shock to my 160mm travel Norco Range. Out of the box the 216x64mm shock weighed 493g. That’s around 50g less than a Double Barrel but 100g more than a RockShox Monarch Plus.

While the Double Barrel Air shares identical adjustment options, the suggested setup process is very different. Cane Creek offers a range of ‘base tunes’ for different bike models. While this sounds neat, I’ve found their recommendations hold little relevance if you’re outside of the average weight range.

With the X2 you set the sag to 25-30% and take note of the air pressure required (135psi in my case). The Fox setup guide then provides a recommended damper tune based on the air pressure setting. This method mightn’t account for the leverage curve or anti-squat values of a particular bike, but it does address the most important factor; your weight.

Tinker Time
Aside from the air pressure and low/high speed damper adjustments, you can also vary the progressiveness of the spring rate. A total of seven volume spacers allow you to change the shock from being extremely linear (uses all the travel easily) to very progressive (resists bottoming). Swapping the spacers is really easy, as the air can twists off without tools.

The stock setup runs three spacers which makes the air spring relatively linear—it was a good match for the progressive leverage rate of my Norco. After adding and removing spacers, I migrated back to the stock setup. I also experimented with the independent high and low speed compression and rebound adjustments—you just need 3mm and 6mm allen keys for this. Nice positive clicks accompany each turn, making it easy to keep track of where you’re at (the DB Air dials feel vague by comparison).

Every click or two has a subtle but detectable influence on the performance. The overall adjustment range is very broad, and it seemed to extend further towards the lighter end than the Double Barrel Air—something that will benefit smaller riders. After a good deal of fiddling, I returned to the recommended settings as it was perfect for 90% of my riding.

X-Factor
To begin with I was blown away by how supple the X2 is; there’s virtually zero resistance in the first few millimetres of travel—it feels almost identical to a coil shock in this regard. This is mainly due to the oversized EVOL negative air spring. By comparison the Double Barrel Air feels a bit clunky; harder to actuate with a slight bump as the negative and positive air springs equalise. On the trail the comparative stickiness of the DB Air disappears and the two shocks don’t feel as radically different, although I’d say the Fox still has a noticeable edge when it comes to keeping the tyre glued to the ground over smaller bumps and across off-camber slopes. The X2 also stays well up in its travel; while it readily gobbles up the bigger hits and uses all of the travel, it doesn’t wallow meaninglessly through the stroke. Overall I’d say the new generation Fox air can is definitely superior. It’s not a night and day difference on the trail but the X2 does feel more refined.

With its ground hugging suppleness, the X2 also moves around more when climbing. Dialling in more low speed compression helps but if you add enough damping to really limit the bob, it starts to compromise the suspension performance. Descending is clearly the priority here and there’s no hiding that. As it stands, the climbing performance will be heavily dependent on the suspension design and bikes with strong anti-squat qualities will do well.

On this front the main advantage offered by Cane Creek is the ‘Climb Switch’. The X2 currently lacks this feature but we suspect Fox will introduce something in the very near future; we’d even bet that the Fox climbing function will be retrofittable, but we’ll have to wait and see!
Note: Fox has since added a two position low speed compression lever to the X2 - read about it here.

In summing up, the X2 delivers a ridiculously supple and controlled ride that helps the bike remain composed no matter what. While it helped the rear wheel stay glued to the trail like velcro, it never felt dead or lifeless and there was always enough ‘pop’ when you needed to air over something. I wouldn’t hesitate to say that the X2 is the best feeling and most capable air shock I’ve used.

Sola Sport (02) 9550 1655 www.ridefox.com