WWMD Fox 36 Float RLC 2012 Carsh replacement

[gunniride]

Any opinions on here with the new Float RLC forks?

Sent my old Talas to get serviced and asked for them to switch it to a Float. Because of the amount of repair, and damage to the uppers they offered me a crash replacement 2012 Float RLC. I asked for a van but they didn't have them available. The whole reason I wanted my Talas switched to a Float was to improve the small bump performance, but now it sounds from the reviews I've read that the small bump is poor with the RLC damper replacing the RC2. Some people have had luck messing with the oil, tinkering with different shit, etc.

So....WWMD?

1. Ride the brand spanking new fork and don't listen to little whiner's opinions on various Mtb Bike threads.
2. Sell it right off and get a Van 36 RC2 or Lyric with Mission Control.
3. Ride it and trade later if it indeed has all the issues other people are having.

[gunniride]

Went with option #1 and love the fork. Review here

[iscariot]

Send your useless brand new 2012 Fox Float RLC to me and call it a lesson learned.

You pay shipping.

[robnow]

My experience going from:
2011 Talas 36 -> SKF Seals added -> Talas to Float conversion -> 2012 RLC internals added due to warranty issue

The SKF seals made the biggest difference with small bump sensitivity. I converted Talas to Float because I wasn't using travel adjust on Mojo HD and hoping for more progressive bottom out and increased reliability. I don't feel a difference in the fork performance between Talas->Float. Then due to a warranty issue with the rebound, a '12 RLC cartridge was put in. I had read somewhere that the '12 cartridge was supposed to offer more mid stroke support over the '11 but nobody seems to really know. I haven't felt a difference.

Overall I'm unhappy with the Fox performance due to too much dive. IME the fork is only sensitive when run fully open but then too much dive. Add compression damping to combat dive and then it doesn't offer the same sensitivity. After two seasons am still unable to find a happy medium adjusting air/compression. I think some of this effect is amplified on the Mojos due to the rear staying higher in the travel and putting more weight on the front end, same reason I believe that the travel adjust isn't as necessary on these bikes. My next bike I'll be looking at something different, perhaps BOS?

[gunniride]

INteresting comment on SKF seals. Maybe I'll try them when I do a service. I've found I can quickly switch between the fork feeling plush- 0-2 clicks LS damping, to supportive- 4-5 clicks LS damping depending on the trails I'm riding. I've been feeling better with a firmer setting that I can push into corners and rally the bike. If a trail is really rough I just back the LS damping off a couple clicks.

With suspension I've always thought you'd want to set and forget, but now I think that is more the case with air pressure and rebound- the LS damping being the setting to give a click here and there. Maybe my TALAS was just too old and sticky, but this new fork rides soooo much better. especially after some break in.

[Finstah]

INteresting comment on SKF seals. Maybe I'll try them when I do a service. .

Your 2012 RLC Float no doubt came with the new SKF seals. If they've got a few circle shaped indentures around the perimeter of the dust wipers, they're SKF's.

I also found the SKF seals helped make my 2010 36 Float RC2 more sensitive to small bumps. That said, I still may be converting the fork to coil. Based on your review I think you may be stoked you have the RLC cartridge as opposed to the RC2.

[gunniride]

Your 2012 RLC Float no doubt came with the new SKF seals.... Based on your review I think you may be stoked you have the RLC cartridge as opposed to the RC2.

/\/\/\ Thanks for info on seals.

Bottom line is I am stoked. Stoked to push corners, to pretend to keep up with the big rigs, stoked to be on a bike, to live in the mtns, for summer, for lift served CBMR, for the spine of the earth we call the continental divide we get to play on year round via Monarch Pass.

[PeachesN'Cream]

Y'all might want to look into doing the air shaft shortening mod. I trimmed my 2010 Float RC2 down 15mm to increase the volume which in turn plushed things up some and allowed me to utilize more of my travel. LSC can still be adjusted to dial the ride quality. Worked well for me.

[markcjr]

My 2012 rlc talas is butter, I put tri flow on the seals every ride. No problems using all the travel. I'm 190 lbs. 70 psi in the chamber. Lsc just high enough not to dive Super small bump compliance and wrecks shop on the rough stuff