In 2015 Fox introduced new shock surfaces, new pistons, new seals and new lubricants to offer a better feel and range of adjustment for their products. But for 2016, they’ve made big changes, including completely doing away with open cartridges. What’s that mean? Well any 2016 model bike with a ‘Performance’ fork on it will now have a Fox Fit4 cartridge instead, with the better range of adjustments, longer service life and higher performance that incorporates.

The FIT4 Cartridge

The FIT cartridges are closed system cartridges that have had over 10 years of refinement. The shaft has been upgraded to 10mm, and the dual circuit rebound allows for more controlled return on bigger hits, plus better return on successive hits – so no packing up. The big news is that CTD is gone, instead you have three positions: Open, Medium and Firm. No that’s not just an exercise in rebranding, as the Open setting has 22 clicks of compression damping adjustment. Best of all, you don’t lose this adjustment if you have a bar-mounted lock out.

The new Float Air Spring

Lots of changes here too. It’s a self equalising spring, so just like on other models you set the air pressure and it sets the positive and negative chambers. It can be tuned with air volume spacers and has dropped weight throughout the ranges (within 32, 34 and 40 models).

Float 32 – Own the course

The choice for XC and Marathon, the 32 receives the new FIT4 cartridge and Float Air Spring. It’s the lightest fork (although we’ll have to wait to test one to confirm the weight) and has a very firm lockout. Have you seen the cover of our latest issue? Dan McConnell is on one.

Float 34 – Own the trail

The slightly bigger brother to the 32, the 34 has had a huge make over. It has shed close to 300g in the 29″ version, thanks to a new lightweight chassis. With close to 220g saved on the 27.5″ version there is still a big saving there too. More than just a trim weight, the 34 has the new Air Spring and FIT4 damper, offering a great mix of weight, suspension adjustment and high performance.

Float 34 27.5+

For those who go semi-fat, the 34 27.5+ is built for the Boost 110x15mm front standard, with clearance for 27.5+ plus tyres (with a max of 3.25″). In either 120 or 140mm, it has the new Air Spring and FIT4 damper as well.

The 34+ fork

Float 36 – Own the mountain

Everyone’s favourite from 2015 has expanded. Along with the FIT4 cartridge there is also an option for QR15. The 36 Air Spring with internal travel adjust remains, as does the RC2 damper, although with updates to the tune including the dual circuit rebound. There is also a convertible 15/20mm bolt on axle option.

Float 36 831

A 36 fork that is specific to the needs of dirt jumpers and dual slalom. Why? Because it’s 26″. It has a unique Float Air spring and the RC2 damper.

Kabolt

A new light option that is compatible with any QR15 forks, it’s just a through axle (Kabush style) in either 100 or 110mm widths. You use a 6mm hex to fit and remove it. It drops 40g off a regular QR15 axle.

Float 40 – Own the track

The World Championship winning work retains the RC2 damper (with the new rebound circuit though) and gains the new Air Spring. It’s still available in 26″, and also 27.5″.

Rear Shocks

Big news in the air shocks is the DPS damper, which allows full lockout without compromising bump compliance and control. This involves five different damping circuits. There are 3 positions with Open, Medium and Firm, and Open has three adjustments. The EVOL Air Sleeve option reduces the force to start action too, which should make small bump performance amazing. The Float DPS will suit XC, Marathon and Trail applications.

The Float X has the new Air Sleeve option, and the 3 click adjuster on the Factory Series.

The Rod Valve System is on the bigger shocks. Basically a two headed tuning option via 3 and 6mm hex keys to tune high and low speed compression independently, and the same for rebound. This is on the all new Float X2 and in the coil shock variant too, which sees a new lightweight coil spring. The spring has a smaller wire diameter, less coils and a surface treatment and stress relief process for low weight and long life.

Need more details? Go see your local Fox dealer.