Fox X2 Review Update

Launched for the 2016 season, the Fox X2 is a high-end air shock that’s aimed at the gravity market — check out our full review here. It features the new generation EVOL air spring; a setup that makes for an extremely supple and coil-like spring feel that can be tweaked with easy to fit volume reducers to make it more progressive if required. This combined with the external high and low speed compression and rebound adjustments makes for an extremely tunable shock.

What it lacks however, is an on-the-fly accessible climbing switch — well it did until now. For 2017 the X2 is offered with a new two position lever that lets you ramp up the low speed damping for the climbs or for smooth and pedally trails.

The two position lever will come as standard spec on all of the shorter length X2 shocks; from 200x57 through to 215x63. Above those lengths the switch will be offered as an option. Without the lever the X2 sells for $899 and this goes up to $979 if you opt for the two position switch when ordering a new shock. The good news for current X2 owners is that the 2016 shock can be upgraded to 2017 spec. Send your X2 back to the Australian Fox service centre and it’ll cost you around $275 to have the two position switch fitted (approximate cost for parts and labour). We had the two position switch added to our 2016 shock to see how it performed.

The lever keeps a relatively low profile and rotates around the high and low speed compression adjusters. While it’s not large and obvious, it is easy enough to locate and shouldn’t create any clearance issues (something that’s often a problem with large piggy back shocks like the X2).

In the open mode the shock performs as normal with the high and low speed adjusters controlling the damper (3mm allen key for low speed and the 6mm adjuster varies the high speed damping). Flick the new lever and you get a substantial increase in the amount of low speed compression damping — about a ¼ turn takes it from fully open to the firm setting.

Thankfully it’s not a full lockout and the shock will still move for bumps and track the terrain. On one occasion I reached the bottom of a 10-minute descent and found I’d had the shock in the firm setting the whole time. While it clearly adds harshness and compromises the suspension performance when engaged, the X2 still performs well enough and feels relatively natural with the switch set to the firm mode.

While the twin tube layout of the X2 is very similar to Cane Creek’s shocks, the Fox two position lever doesn’t work like the Climb Switch that’s found on their Double Barrel units. The Fox system only works on the compression circuit. Cane Creek increases the low speed rebound damping with their Climb Switch in an effort to keep the suspension planted on the trail whilst climbing. While this system definitely works, it tends to make the suspension pack down if the Climb Switch is inadvertently left on for a descent. This doesn’t happen with the X2 — the shock just feels comparatively harsh and doesn’t track the ground like it should.

Overall the two position switch does exactly what it’s meant to; it tames the rear suspension when climbing and should be a worthwhile addition to a longer travel rig that gets pedalled up the hills as well as down. It’ll be especially helpful on bikes that are at the more active end of the spectrum with minimal anti-squat to tame the rear end under power.

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