Thread: Float RLC 36 review

Short Version: Like it a lot
Pros: Feels great in corners, inspiring in whoops and firm hits, low speed compression easy to adjust on the fly, 3/4 lb lighter than my 2007 TALAS.

Cons: Should have RC2 damper instead of RLC.

Long Version:

This is a crash replacement for a 2007 TALAS. When I was offered the Float RLC I actually asked for a VAN instead but they didn't have any available. Other reviews had me worried this fork was too harsh and didn't offer the small bump compliance I was after with a Float instead a a TALAS. After break in and with the right pressure this thing rides great, a bit harsher than coil yes, but riding has been really good thus far.

Here is the course of events of setting it up and the realization I've since had about proper pressure and not worrying about getting all the travel every ride:

Got the fork, set it up with some experimenting around the house where I could test bottom out. Basically ran straight into a curb with a railroad tie just above it to see what pressure was needed to just barely bottom out on an aggressive hit. This was 50 psi or so for my 180 rider weight (pretty soft) with the low speed compression set to 4/5 clicks right in the middle.

So then I rode it on a fairly technical swooping trail around here that I ride regularly. The initial results were not good, I was riding sloppy and while the fork wasn't bottoming out it felt too soft. I then added 10 pounds of pressure to be closer to the recommended 65 psi (think its actually about 62). The next section of the trail was a series of swooping turns and BAM! I suddenly could corner again like I hadn't in ages. The remainder of the trail felt great too- steep drops and rock moves where the fork holding the bike up just felt right and I could confidently run into slabs of granite without much dive, though I wasn't coming anywhere close to bottoming it out. The small bump compliance was poor, but I didn't care, I was able to rally the bike and "push" into corners and ramp ups with confidence.

Since then I have gone on many more rides and the fork has broken in significantly. I find I can run about 60 psi and adjust the low speed compression for the type of trail I'm on. I turn it all the way off for rough rocky sections, then ramp it up 4-6 clicks for smooth turns where I want that "push back" feeling in corners and whoops.

Lesson learned- I had experienced such shitty performance from my old Talas that I was setting it up too soft to try to get a "plush" feeling. When I read reviews about the RLC being harsh I made the same mistake- too little pressure. After a few great rides with significant downhill, you'd be hard pressed to talk me into any other fork on the market.

Oh, and FWIW I don't bother with the lockout at all, low speed compression is all I need for adjustment.

gunniride,
Thanks for review. I picked one of these up this January for the Transition Covert i built up and went through the same thought process you did. Reviews made me think twice, as did the first two rides. I had been making the same mistakes. Once i added a few pounds of pressure, it turned my opinion right around as i could could just let loose and rail into just about everything. After a few months of breaking it in and dialing it to my likes, i could not be happier. it is my first air fork and i am loving it.
Good to hear that someone else went through the same thought process and came to the same conclusion.