Words by Connor Macleod. Photos by Derek Dix.
Date: 2010-07-07
When a Handjob won’t do and picking up a STD is out of the question, it’s time to take another look at the G-Spot. For 2010, Cove completely redesigned the venerable G-Spot from the loam up.
The biggest change for the G-Spot is the suspension design. Gone is the rocker arm linkage with pivots on the seat stays and around the bottom bracket, in favour of the same floating pivot point suspension design as its big brother, the Shocker. So, how does this new version of a Shore classic ride? Good question… (more…)
Here is a quick preview of the new Fox Shox 2011 suspension lineup. Stay tuned for full coverage.
36 180 Float
Model
- NEW FIT RLC2 180
Damper
- FIT
Stanchions
- NEW Kashima Coat
Weight (1 1/8″ steerer)
- 5.22 lbs / 2.37 kg
Weight (1.5″ steerer)
- 5.18 lbs / 2.35 kg
Travel
- 7.1 inches / 180 mm
External Adjustments
- Low-speed High-speed compression
- Air spring pressure
- Rebound
- Talus 2 Position travel is adjustable down to 100mm in 10mm increments
Lower Leg
- 20QR thru axle system, Post style disc brake mounting
Color
- White
Spring
- Air
NEW 36 160 Talas
Model
- NEW FIT RLC 160
Damper
- FIT
Stanchions
- NEW Kashima Coat
Weight (1 1/8″ steerer)
- 4.67 lbs / 2.12 kg
Weight (1.5″ steerer)
- 4.65 lbs / 2.11 kg
Travel
- 6.3 inches / 160 mm
External Adjustments
- Low-speed compression
- Lock force out
- Air spring pressure
- Rebound
- Talus 2 Position travel is adjustable down to 120mm in 10mm increments
Lower Leg
- 20QR thru axle system, Post style disc brake mounting
With the new 831 fork, Fox finally has a short travel but burly option for riders who want to run Fox suspension on their 4X or dirt jump bikes. Inside we’ll take a closer look at some of the technology that it uses and what makes the 831 special. Two great videos to watch!
Watch this great video to learn more about Fox’s new 831 DJ and 4X fork:
If you ever spent time flipping through the Fox Shox catalog you’d discover that they had a fork for nearlyevery discipline for riding. Missing from the Fox party had always been a dedicated dirt jump and 4X race fork. Sure, riders were chopping down the travel on various 36s but in the end it was still not the fork that the many 4X focused riders wanted it to be. That all changed recently when Fox announced the addition of the 831 fork to their lineup for 2010. Far from a lowered 32 or 36 series fork, the 831 is Fox’s single minded approach to a shorter travel and lighter option to their previous offerings.
Some more observant riders may have noticed the prototype 831s that have been under Jared Graves’ and Dan Atherton’s race bikes during the ’09 season. The two riders had a big hand in developing the 831, a perfect example of trial by fire you could say. The 831 uses Fox’s 32 mm stanchions taken from the 150 mm version (slightly thicker walls) combined with new meatier 32 mm compatible lowers to keep the weight low but stiffness high. The result is a fork that is about a full pound lighter than a 36 series fork. From a distance the fork may resemble one of Fox’s other 32 mm options but it is important to note that the 831 uses an entirely different chassis altogether.
A webbed arch as opposed to a scooped out arch (as found on the other 32 forks) increases stiffness and strength
Fox 831 specs
• 100 mm of travel, adjustable internally from 80 – 120 mm • Adjustments include air pressure, low-speed compression, rebound, travel (5 mm increments) • 15 mm QR thru-axle • Both 1.125″ and 1.5″ steerer tube options • 3.8 lbs.
The new 831 DJ fork uses the same FIT technology as Fox’s other top end forks, watch the video and let Nick Delauder explain it to you!:
The 831 uses a 15 mm thru-axle to keep things stiff but light
Inside the 831 you’ll find a modified version of Fox’s FIT damper. FIT stands for Fox Isolated Technology and is just that, they separate the damping oil from the lubrication oil. Going about it this way should produce more consistent damping as well as longer service intervals. When compared to the FIT dampers used on Fox’s other 32 mm forks, the 831′s FIT cartridge has a refined damping range that will better deal with the impacts that a 4X racer or dirt jump specialist will put it through, this is not just a slammed XC fork!
- High performance, light weight fiberglass shelled riding helmet that won’t break the bank
- Suede micro fiber in comfort liner and cheek pads wicks moisture away
- 11 venting ports promote increased airflow and breathability
- CPSC and ASTM approved for off road cycling
- Cheek pads and inner comfort liner are removable and washable
Price: £94.99
Options
Bronze / Small (iD: 21402)
Bronze / Medium (iD: 21403)
Bronze / Large (iD: 21404)
Bronze / X Large (iD: 21405)
Black / Small (iD: 21491)
Black / Medium (iD: 21492)
Black / Large (iD: 21494)
Black / X Large (iD: 21497)
Watsonville, CA, November 12, 2008 – FOX Racing Shox is proud to announce their World Championship Limited Edition 40 RC2 Fork and DHX RC4 Rear Shock will be made available for sale in a run of just 200 individually numbered units. In June, 2008 at Val di Sole, Italy history was made when sister and brother Rachel and Gee Atherton of team Animal-Commencal rode to dual victories in the World Championship Downhill race riding FOX’s 40 RC2 and DHX RC4.
The 40 RC2 limited edition has the same damping that was tested, tuned and won on throughout the season. Its performance characteristics are designed specifically to be pushed at the highest level of competition and comes stock with a stiffer Titanium spring than the 2009 production model. Race Manager Mark Fitzsimmons tested with FOX’s top Downhillers throughout the season to tune both the fork and shock for ultimate, winning performance. “The harder these products are ridden, the more rewarding the ride becomes,” stated Fitzsimmons.
The DHX RC4 is a new from-the-ground-up, purpose built downhill shock specifically engineered to meet the demands of the world’s most brutal downhill courses and the athletes that dominate them. External adjustments for velocity sensitive damping and position sensitive ending stroke control act independently of one another allowing the rider to dial in the perfect balance of small bump compliance/traction, dynamic control, and big hit absorption. The World Champion version has been tuned and tweaked throughout the season to perform at the highest World Cup level of competition to give the aggressive rider the extra edge for winning performance.
“These Limited Edition products are the culmination of hundreds of hours of testing and working with our Engineers, Race Support Team and Athletes. Our Race program is not just a Marketing effort, we work year round with the World’s best athletes to develop and improve our products so that we can win World Championships and ultimately deliver products to the end consumer that are best in class,” said Mario Galasso VP of FOX’s Bike division.
Gee riding to third in qualifying at Rampage 08.Photo ~ David Ferguson.
The Limited Edition World Champion 40 RC2 and DHX RC4 will be available mid December. Lucky owners will find trading cards with Rachel and Gee’s photos and statistics in the package as well as videos of their winning runs on the Limited Edition owner’s manual CD. Along with the Limited Edition product decals there are also tuning decals on the product to keep track of the owner’s preferred settings. Inquire at your favourite dealer for availability and price.