fox float x travel

• MAGAZINE OFFERS
• BIKE INSURANCE
• Best Products
• Maintenance
• Accessories
• Long-Term Reviews
• BikeRadar Podcast
• First Look Friday
• Bike of the Week
• Tech Features
• Routes and Rides
• Bike Galleries
• BikeRadar Bargains
• Buyer's Guides
• Fitness & Training
• Sizing & Fit
• Mountain Biking UK
• Cycling Plus

Fox Float X Factory rear shock review

Lightweight trail-focused shock with plenty of performance

Alex Evans / Our Media

Super-plush once it was in its travel; great, progressive mid-stroke and bottom-out resistance; no compression spike or packing down

Needed a re-tune for best performance; rebound damping still too firm

Fox’s newest Float X rear shock is claimed to offer outstanding damper performance in a lighter-weight design than the highly adjustable and top-performing Float X2 shock I've already reviewed.

This range-topping model features a Kashima-coated stanchion with external low-speed rebound and compression adjustment.

It uses Fox’s extra volume (EVOL) air spring that can be tuned using volume-reducing spacers, supplied with the shock.

Fox Float X Factory rear shock specifications and details

Fox says this iteration has an all-new chassis (the shock’s body) and damper with a high-flow main piston, which equate to performance improvements. The external low-speed compression damping has 11 clicks of adjustment, while the low-speed rebound adjuster has 16 clicks.

There’s also a two-position lockout lever with a lock mode for pedalling and an open setting for everything else. The damper, Fox claims, will make less audible noise when riding compared to the DPX2 this shock supersedes.

Fox says the increase in main piston area requires less air pressure to generate the same spring force. Its air spring can be adjusted in 0.1in³ increments from 0.1in³ up to 1.0in³, making it highly adjustable and adaptable for many frame and suspension types .

Also present is a hydraulic top-out spring and an MCU rubberised bottom-out bumper. The piggyback reservoir’s size is also tuned for each travel and shock size, according to how much oil is displaced during compression.

The 205x65mm trunnion mount Fox Float X Factory shock I tested weighed 507g on my scales.

Fox Float X Factory rear shock performance

I tested the Float X Factory rear shock on a Marin Alpine Trail XR with 150mm of rear-wheel travel . The bike uses a four-bar suspension system and is roughly 17 per cent progressive. This makes it well-suited to the tuneable nature of air springs, where adding volume-reducer spacers increases spring progression.

I back-to-back tested the Float X with the Fox X2 , DHX2 and DHX shocks, along with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate that comes fitted on the bike from the factory.

Testing happened in the Tweed Valley on the same trails used for the UK’s round of the Enduro World Series, UK national downhill events and at the famous Glentress trail centre and beyond. The terrain was incredibly varied and put the shock thoroughly through its paces.

Fox Float X Factory rear shock setup

The aftermarket version of the Float X Factory rear shock I tested comes delivered with medium-rebound and compression-damping tunes. Initial testing revealed this tune, while offering reasonable performance, wasn’t entirely suited to the Marin’s kinematics, which required lighter compression and rebound tunes.

With the stock tune, I ended up struggling to find a compromise between having the spring rate soft enough to get the shock moving quickly on its compression stroke to not feel harsh, but having the rebound damping open enough and the spring forces high enough so the shock could rebound quickly, and not packing down in its travel, unable to return to its sag point ready for the next bump.

I was convinced a retune would open up a great deal of performance potential, so spoke to Fox and the company agreed to tune the damper to make it better suited to the Marin.

• Mountain bike suspension setup: video guides to help you get the most from your bike

Shock retunes cost from £40 (in the UK) and most Fox service centres across the globe can do this work.

Fox was keen to point out its aftermarket shocks come tuned for the widest possible range of bikes, rider weights and riding styles, and it’s likely your bike will be suited to the stock tune.

In my opinion, it's worth factoring in the cost of a retune to the shock’s purchase price to get the best performance.

Once the shock had been retuned, I settled on 150psi in the air spring and fitted the orange 0.6in³ volume-reducer token, giving 18mm / 27.69 per cent of stroke sag for my 76kg kitted-up weight.

I initially set the low-speed compression and rebound to fully open, but in the end added three clicks of low-speed compression to help moderate low-speed shaft movement in berms and compressions.

Fox Float X Factory rear shock adjustability

The range of adjustability on the external dials is impressive, where even just a few clicks of low-speed compression or rebound damping had a marked effect on the way the shock performed.

Despite the depth of adjustment on offer, I found I wanted to keep the damping as open as possible to reduce the feelings of compression spike on high-speed chattery bumps and packing down on the rebound stroke, where the damping is too firm.

Although I did end up increasing the low-speed compression damping by a small amount (three clicks), I left the rebound adjuster fully open.

This hints that lighter riders might struggle to get their shock’s damping open enough for their needs or preferences, especially at low spring pressures, where rebound spring forces are reduced compared to higher pressures.

The spring volume is also highly adjustable. The extra-volume air spring is well-suited to volume adjustments, where adding spacers increases the progressivity of the spring. Adding spacers is quick and easy, and tool-free with the shock’s spring sleeve simply unthreading from its body.

Fox Float X Factory rear shock on-trail feel

On the trail, the Float X Factory is extremely smooth, particularly once it's sitting at sag. Its plushness stands out as its dominant quality.

Hitting mid- to large-sized bumps including rocks, roots and braking bumps, it was ready to compress and absorb impacts, with no perceptible lag or stickiness as it compressed further into its travel.

Equally, there was no compression spiking on fast, successive hits, and the rebound speed – despite having the adjuster fully open – was just quick enough to allow the shock to recover for the next hit. This super-smooth action helped maintain chassis stability.

Its low-speed compression damping, coupled with the progressive air spring, helped maintain bike-chassis composure and prevented all the shock’s travel getting used up too quickly. This reduced nodding where the bike was less prone to pitching back and forth in and out of its suspension travel in medium-load large-radius turns, helping to improve control.

The support generated by the damper and spring was impressive, and it made the bike poppy and playful to ride. Loading it into the ground for grip to change direction followed by being light to float over bumps felt intuitive and natural.

The adjustable-volume air spring created a gradually progressive ramp-up, with no sudden and perceptible increase in the forces needed to compress the shock. Instead, the shock came in for a ‘soft landing’ as it reached the last portion of its travel and bottom out.

The climb lever’s lockout was strong enough to prop the bike up in its travel once it had extended beyond the sag point. This was good for preserving geometry on steeper climbs, but meant that traction was reduced on rougher sections, limiting its practical application.

I found the damper to be quite noisy on longer descents once some heat had built up in its body. From a performance perspective, the noise didn’t appear to change anything, and I couldn’t feel any damper fade on particularly gruelling descents.

How does the Fox Float X Factory rear shock compare?

Off-the-top smoothness wasn’t quite as good as the DHX or DHX2 coil shocks and was marginally worse-feeling than the X2. The very first part of its travel did require some force to overcome, and was most noticeable on small, rough chatter, typically found on well-worn trail centre surfaces.

On the same sections of trail, the other shocks moved more freely, improving comfort compared to the Float X. While comfort was marginally reduced, traction, and therefore speed and control, weren’t.

Fox Float X Factory rear shock bottom line

The Float X Factory shock is vastly impressive given its intended trail-riding application. It’s not quite as smooth at the start of its travel as the Float X2, and isn’t as adjustable, but matches it in terms of mid-stroke and bottom-out performance. To boot, the Float X is 157g lighter and costs £110 less than the same-sized X2.

Its performance certainly outstrips the limits those headline figures should impose, and if weight and cost are your main concerns, there’s little to say against it. I recommend finding out whether the stock tune is suitable for your bike’s kinematics, otherwise accessing the performance I experienced might require a retune.

For the price and weight, there’s little out there that can top the Float X’s performance.

Share this article

Senior technical editor

• Terms & Conditions
• Subscribe to our magazines
• Manage preferences

2022 Fox Float X

Size Tested: 210 x 50 mm

Blister’s Measured Weight: 479 g

MSRP: $600 USD

• 190 x 45 mm
• 210 x 50 mm
• 210 x 52.5 mm
• 210 x 55 mm
• 230 x 57.5 mm
• 230 x 60 mm
• 230 x 65 mm
• 185 x 52.5 mm
• 185 x 55 mm
• 205 x 60 mm
• 205 x 62.5 mm

Bolted to: Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol

Reviewer: 6’, 170 lbs / 183 cm, 77.1 kg

Test Location: Washington

Test Duration: ~4 months

The Fox DPX2 was a bit of a mixed bag. While it worked well on some bikes, for some riders, other folks struggled with a lack of small-bump sensitivity and sometimes inconsistent performance as the shock heated up. Fox went back to the drawing board, and the result is the new Float X. The Float X replaces the DPX2 (in metric sizes; the legacy imperial DPX2 lives on) and its design is very, very different from the shock it replaces — and the on-trail performance is a lot different, too.

The Float X gets an entirely new damper design (which is shared with the DHX , its coil-sprung counterpart) — and in a major departure from the DPX2, as well as Fox’s Float X2 and DHX2 gravity shocks, it’s a monotube design, rather than a twin-tube one. And since Noah Bodman already covered the basic design differences really well in his DHX review , I’ll just quote him here:

“The main difference between a single- and twin-tube damper is that, in a single-tube damper, oil is pushed back and forth through the main piston head, and much of your damping force comes from the valving there. In a twin-tube damper, oil is pushed up by the main piston head, through the damper valves, and then recirculates down through a second tube (the “twin” tube) to the back side of the main piston head.

This can all get pretty complicated, so I’ll let the pros at Vorsprung explain it a bit more concisely — the visuals in their video on the subject definitely help.

The quick and dirty takeaways are that, in a perfect world, either damper style can yield the same performance, and perfection really comes down to the valving and tune of each specific damper. Twin-tube dampers have the advantage of being a bit more suited to a wide range of external adjustability, and they can have a narrower shock shaft that has smaller seals and less friction. Single-tube dampers can be a little simpler and have a bigger shock shaft that might hold up better to lateral loads, which can be especially troublesome on bikes that use a yoke to extend the rear shock.”

The adjustments on the Float X are similar to those found on the DPX2, but pared down slightly. In place of the three-position open / pedal / climb switch there’s a more conventional two-position affair. Tool-free low-speed compression adjusters round out the damper adjustability. Both sweep through their entire range in a single turn, and the settings are numbered for easy tracking. The compression knob has 11 settings, labeled 0 to 10 (having it go to eleven was right there ); the rebound one gets 14 settings, labeled, for some reason, 2 through 12, with a couple more clicks available past the etched numbers.

The indicated numbers are counting clicks from close (i.e., a compression setting of “4” is four clicks from maximum damping). Smaller numbers therefore correspond to more damping, which might be a bit counterintuitive, but counting clicks from closed is considered to be the best practice for mitigating the effects of assembly tolerances in comparing settings from one shock to another. And anyway, the compression and rebound knobs are also labeled with an arrow that says “firm” and “slow”, respectively, in case you lose track of which way is which.

As per usual for Fox, the Float X is available in three different trims — Factory, Performance Elite, and Performance. The Factory and Performance Elite shocks feature the same damper design, with the only difference being a shiny gold Kashima coating on the Factory version, whereas the Performance Elite model gets a black anodized finish. Fox says that the Kashima coating reduces friction compared to the black finish, but while we haven’t tested both versions of the Float X back-to-back to compare, we haven’t found it to make much difference in other Fox products over the years. Finally, the Performance trim gets the black finish of the Performance Elite, but with a pared-down damper that loses the compression adjuster. The Float X Performance is only available on complete bikes, but the other two versions can be purchased aftermarket.

The Float X also features a substantially bigger air piston than the DPX2, and the result is that a given rider on a given frame should need significantly lower air pressure than with the DPX2. That will be most beneficial to heavier riders and/or folks on higher-leverage-ratio bikes, who could find themselves bumping up against the 350 psi pressure limit for the DPX2. And indeed, I wound up running about 30 psi less in the Float X than the DPX2 I used for comparison on our Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol test bike (190 psi vs. 220). As per usual for an air-sprung shock, the Float X has provisions for a variety of sizes of volume spacers to tune the amount of spring ramp-up deeper in the stroke. The spacers are available in 0.2 through 1.0 cubic inch sizes, in 0.2 cubic inch increments, plus an 0.1 cubic inch mini spacer that can be clipped onto any one of the other spacers to split the difference between sizes. Volume spacer installation is tool-free, by simply unthreading the air can by hand (remember to let the air out first!) and snapping a new spacer into place.

Somewhat unusually, changing the stroke of the Float X is also an easy DIY task. It’s accomplished by removing the air can (as you would to change volume spacers) and then removing the two bolts that secure the plate that the bottom out bumper runs into, and adding or removing spacers behind it as desired. Spacers are available in 2.5 mm thicknesses and can be stacked on top of each other as needed. If you’re making a significant change one way or the other you’ll also need replacement bolts (standard M3 x 0.5 flat head cap screws) of an appropriate length to compensate for the change in spacer thickness. On a lot of bikes (including the Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol that I tested the Float X on — check out the review for more on that) it’s possible to increase the shock stroke to bump up the rear travel slightly, but it’s critical to check for clearance before you blindly go longer — you may run into issues with linkage parts interfering, the tire hitting the frame, or other such issues, depending on the bike in question. Consult with your frame manufacturer if you’re not sure.

All of that does come with a slight weight penalty as compared to the DPX2 — our 210 x 50 mm Float X test shock weighs in at 479 g, 60 g heavier than a DPX2 in the same size. That’s probably not make-or-break for most people (and the folks who do care would likely be better off with an inline shock, such as the Fox DPS anyway) but it’s still worth noting. How it works on the trail is a whole lot more important than any minor differences on a scale, so let’s get into that part of the Float X story.

On the Trail

Setting up the Float X for our Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol test bike was straightforward — I set sag per usual, started with both damping adjusters in the middle of their ranges, and hit the trail. After a bit of experimentation, I wound up running the rebound a bit faster (9 clicks from closed), the low-speed compression a bit firmer (3 or 4 clicks from closed), and a touch more air pressure than I started with (190 psi). The 0.4 cubic inch volume spacer that the shock shipped with felt on the money, and I wasn’t tempted to do anything different on that front.

Compared to the DPX2, one of the first things that jumps out about the Float X is that its small-bump sensitivity is greatly improved. The Float X is a whole lot smoother and feels quite a bit lower friction. Especially if you firm up the low-speed compression to try to add support when you start hitting bumps harder, the DPX2 is prone to feeling like there’s a bit of a platform that you have to break through to get it to start moving before the damping opens up. That’s gone with the Float X.

In his review of the DHX, Noah Bodman noted that the small-bump sensitivity was very impressive, but the shock felt like it blew through the deeper part of the travel too easily, and lacked support when you really started pushing it harder. And since the DHX and Float X share a damper, I was a bit concerned as to how the Float X was going to shape up on that front.

Now, it’s important to remember that rear shocks, in particular, can be had with a ton of different damper tunes directly from the factory, so comparing two versions of the same shock that are set up for different bikes isn’t always the most meaningful. But the good news is that this particular tune does feel a lot more dialed than the one Noah had on the DHX. I’d personally probably prefer a little more high-speed compression damping, but it hasn’t risen to anything close to what Noah described, and overall the Float X has worked really well. That said, it definitely hasn’t made the Float X2 feel redundant in Fox’s lineup, either — the bigger, more complex Float X2 definitely still has a place for more aggressive riders, especially on longer-travel bikes. The Float X2 is a bit more supportive and considerably more tunable — especially in terms of dialing in more high-speed compression damping. But it’s also more expensive, heavier, and more complicated to set up, and the Float X makes a lot of sense for Trail bike applications, especially for riders who’d rather just go ride than put a lot of time and effort into dialing in suspension setup.

I haven’t directly A/B’d the two on the same bike, but the current shock that the Float X reminds me of the most is the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate. It’s not a perfect 1:1 comparison though — in most tunes that I’ve tried so far, the Super Deluxe feels a touch less supple and low-friction right off the top, but a bit more supportive, and with a little firmer high-speed compression damping. Again, both the base tune and the kinematics of the bike that it’s bolted to have a big impact on a rear shock’s performance, and that makes comparisons tricky. But at least as set up here, the Float X feels quite a bit like a Super Deluxe that’s tuned for a little more plushness and sensitivity, at the expense of a little support.

The climb switch on the Float X is also tuned quite nicely. It’s substantially firmer than any of the versions of the newer 2021+ Float X2 that I’ve been on (and I’ve tried a lot by now), but a touch less firm than the norm for the RockShox Super Deluxe. I think that’s a good range to be in — and to be clear, the Float X and Super Deluxe are in a similar ballpark, and the gap to the Float X2 is a whole lot bigger. Nobody’s making you use the climb switch any time you’re climbing, so having one that makes a modest difference feels largely pointless to me. A very firm climb mode isn’t always ideal to be sure, especially when climbs get rougher and more technical, but you can just turn it off in those scenarios. I’d much rather do that, and have a climb mode that’s very effective when you do choose to use it than one that’s fine to leave on for pretty much any climb, but also doesn’t make much of a difference. The Float X hits a nice balance there.

I don’t have much to report on the durability front — the Float X has held up well and performed reliably in my time on it so far. I don’t think I’ve quite hit Fox’s 125-hour recommended service interval yet, but I can’t be that far off it either, and it hasn’t given me anything to comment on. So far so good.

Bottom Line

The Fox Float X is a good all-arounder Trail bike shock, and one that I think will work a lot better for most people than the DPX2 that it replaces. Folks who are on a bike with an imperial-sized shock are unfortunately out of luck, and the Float X isn’t going to take the place of the Float X2 (or DHX2) for riders who want a more tunable, more supportive option for longer-travel bikes. But it’s a good performing shock that’s easy to set up and hard to make feel too out of whack, as long as the base tune is decent, and that makes it a good option for a whole lot of people.

9 comments on “2022 Fox Float X”

Great review! Thanks for posting.

The Float X would be perfect for me if the 3 position switch was carried over. I love leaving the DPX2 in “trail” mode for local trails to give it a bit more pop.

I too was a big fan of the 3pstn Switch/lever and wish it got carried over.

I have 2022 RM Instinct with a Fox DPS. If I can find a 2022 Fox Float take-off with the exact tune I need, would I notice any difference in performance, or is the piggy back only for longer descents? I just really want a compression adjustment, but I don’t like the weight penalty going from in-line to piggy.

This shock is always compared with the DPX2, but what about changing a DPS with a DPX2 (Santa Cruz Hightower 2). Would that make much difference?

Change DPS with Float X I mean ofcourse :-)

Thanks Mr. Golay for the helpful review. I’ve got five rides on my new Stumpjumper Evo, which comes with the Fox Float-X shock. It felt pretty good right away with the stock settings, but after stepping up my riding a bit, I felt like I was blowing through the travel too easily on jumps and drops. My air pressure and sag were correct, so I swapped to a larger volume reducer. It came stock with the 0.2″ spacer. I’ve got the 0.4″ spacer now and that feels better. I’m 175 lb. I’ll keep experimenting.

Interesting quirk of the performance model: if you remove the black cap over where the compression adjuster is on the factory and PE models, you can actually access the compression adjustment. Gearwork on instagram has 3D printed a dial to adjust it on his Turbo Levo, and it works a treat.

You wouldn’t happen to know the tune ID on the shock?

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Shocks and Suspension

Fox float x travel

• Add to quote

Hi guys i just ordered from my lbs a float x 210x55. The guy at shop said that this shock comes out as 210x50 and fox change the travel to 210x55 or 210x52.5 according to the customer request. Is it true?  

Yes...it has an internal travel limiter Sent from my KB2007 using Tapatalk  

Ok thanks, so i can adjust it from 210x50 to 210x60?  

No. There is no such thing as a 210x60 shock.  

You can change travel yourself from 47.5mm -> 55mm in 2.5mm increments, no need for Fox.  

Just curious will removing the travel limiter also decrease the progression of the shock? It looks like they function in the same manner as a volume spacer as well.  

ashmtb said: dont think so. Just because the volume spacer has actually more volume than the stroke spacer Just curious will removing the travel limiter also decrease the progression of the shocSpacerk? It looks like they function in the same manner as a volume spacer as well. Click to expand...

So, extending this to other i2i. 205x65 could be reduced to 62.5 and 60mm stroke?  

half_man_half_scab said: So, extending this to other i2i. 205x65 could be reduced to 62.5 and 60mm stroke? Click to expand...

They’re all 205x65 after you remove the travel spacers  

• ?            
• 15.5M posts
• 517.2K members

Top Contributors this Month

FOX FLOAT X Factory

Regular price $ 599.00.

Unit price / per 

THE MASTER OF ALL-MOUNTAIN

From aggressive trail to enduro, the advanced damping, fade free performance and class-leading durability of FLOAT X makes it the versatile and lightweight choice for All-Mountain riders earning their descents.

Float X Specs

ALL-NEW chassis and damper High-flow main piston Air seal package Volume spacers with smaller increments MCU bottom out bumper Numbered tool-free 12 position single-turn LSC (Low Speed Compression) adjuster Independent firm mode circuit – Clockable 2 position adjuster Increased rebound adjuster range (over DPX2) Optimized reservoir lengths per shock size Hydraulic top out feature Reduced damper noise Larger air sleeve bore reduces average rider pressure by 40 psi vs. DPX2 Bearing hardware compatible both sides Air valve location offers improved frame fitment and pump access

Tuning & Product Manuals

Shipping & returns policy.

We offer  free standard shipping on all orders of $99 and above.  We offer standard flat rate shipping for $10 on orders under $100 and expedited shipping based on your location.

Please note we do not ship outside of the USA. Please Visit our Canadian FOX Shop for shipments to Canada. Typically you will receive a tracking number within 2 business days following your order.

Within 30 days of purchase online FOX will accept returns of all returned with original packaging in unused condition. To initiate the return please fill out the returns form and await contact by email from our Customer Service Team. Please note shipping charges will not be refunded.

All Terrain Adaptability

Tool-free adjustment for compression and rebound means the FLOAT X can be quickly and easily set up or tuned for the current trail and riding conditions. The numbered 11-click low-speed compression dial and 2-position (Open or Firm) lever switch run on independent circuits, giving all-mountain riders the descent tuneability they need with the convenience of a single switch for climbing.

Well-Rounded Weight and Performance

Each size of the FLOAT X is paired with a specific length of piggyback reservoir, giving the shock just the right amount of volume for maximum performance-to-weight ratio. Paired with the large EVOL air chamber, ride feel remains consistent over long descents. A hard-hitting shock geared for the gamut of aggressive trail and all-mountain riding while fitting a wide range of frame designs and geometries.

Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. Alternatively use it as a simple call to action with a link to a product or a page.

Age verification

By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol.

Here to Help

• - Contact Us
• - Accessories
• - Shipping & Returns
• - Dealer Locator

Shopping Cart

Your cart is currently empty..

Fox Float X or X2: Which Rear Shock Rules The Trails?

On the hunt for the perfect shock to take your mountain biking to the next level? Look no further than the Fox Float X and X2. 

These two shocks are among the most popular on the market, but which one is right for you? 

In this article, we’ll compare the Float X and X2, covering everything from air spring systems to performance and handling. Whether you’re a cross-country rider, enduro enthusiast, or downhill daredevil, we’ve got you covered. 

Let’s get started and take a closer look at these performance-packed rear shocks.

Table of Contents

Advertising links are marked with *. We receive a small commission on sales, nothing changes for you.

Short Overview of Fox Float x

The Fox Float X is a rear shock for aggressive trail riders. It comes with: 

• Low-speed rebound and compression adjustments for improved comfort and handling on various terrains.
• 2-position adjuster for quick adjustments on the fly.
• New chassis for more aggressive riding styles and challenging terrain.
• Lightweight damper for better maneuverability.

Pros and Cons of the Float X

Short overview of fox float x2.

The Fox Float X2 is a direct upgrade to the  high-performance rear shock that delivers ultimate control and performance on rough terrain. It features the following:

• A Genuine Kashima Coat on air sleeve and body for performance and longevity.
• The XV EVOL air spring for a more controlled and comfortable ride.
• Advanced Rod Valve System (RVS) damping for extra tunability. 

Pros and Cons of the Float X2

Float x vs x2 comparison table.

Here’s a quick look at everything before we go into details.

Fox Float X Vs X2 Detailed Comparison

In this section, we’ll dive into a detailed comparison of the Fox Float X and the Fox Float X2. 

Damper Design And Performance

Winner: Fox Float X2

The Fox Float X and Fox Float X2 both offer high-performance suspension, but differ in their damper designs. 

The Float X2’s Advanced Rod Valve System (RVS) provides superior tunability and control with high and low-speed compression and rebound adjustments, as well as the ability to easily adjust progression with clip-on volume spacers and climb switch.

Meanwhile the Float X offers a simpler system. It’s easier to set up, but the X2 offers ultimate customization and precision in suspension tuning.

• Mountain Bike Fork Brands Fox vs. Rockshox: Beginner Guide
• SRAM SX vs NX: A Full-Fledged Comparison
• Shimano XT m8020 vs. XT m8120: Which One Is Right for You?

Overall Feel and Responsiveness

Winner: Tie, depends on user preferences.

The Float X2 provides excellent small bump compliance and sensitivity, resulting in a controlled and comfortable ride on challenging terrain. 

Meanwhile, the Float X offers a smooth and plush ride that can effectively absorb bumps and vibrations, providing superb control and comfort on rough terrain. 

However, most riders find the Float X’s rebound damping too firm, potentially affecting their comfort and control. 

Handling and Terrain Compatibility

Winner: Tie, depends on riding style.

The Float X2 can handle more aggressive riding styles and technical terrain, with more adjustment options available for fine-tuning the suspension to your preferences. 

On the other hand, the Float X offers great mid-stroke and bottom-out progression, preventing compression spikes and packing down, which can be great for riders seeking control on rougher trails and terrain that has sudden drops or obstacles.

The latter can also be a better choice for cross-country riding and smoother trails.

Maintenance

Winner: Float X

Both shocks require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity, especially with how good they are for mountain biking. 

However, the Float X2 is more complex to service due to its more advanced damping system, which requires additional effort and cost. 

In comparison, the Float X’s simpler damping system is easier to maintain.

Suitable Riding Style

Winner: Tie, depends.

The Float X2 is ideal for enduro and downhill riding, where the terrain is more challenging and riders demand more from the suspension. 

Meanwhile, the Float X is better for cross-country riders who prioritize weight and efficiency, as well as all-mountain riders who want a balance of comfort, control, and versatility.

Fox Float X vs x2: Which One is Right for You?

The Fox Float X2 is better for advanced riders who want precision in their suspension tuning and ride more technical and aggressive terrain. 

On the other hand, the Float X is good for riders who are just starting out, are on a budget, or prioritize weight and efficiency. 

Here are some factors you can consider:

• Your Weight And Skill Level: Look at the tunability and see if you can take full control of the potential.
• Terrain: The type of terrain you ride on will impact the shock you choose. Rough terrains require a shock with more travel and a better damping system, while smooth terrain needs less travel.
• Compatibility: Choose a shock that is compatible with your bike’s suspension system. Ensure it has the correct measurements and mounting hardware.
• Maintenance Requirements: Different shocks have varying levels of maintenance. Ensure you can care for your shock properly and prolong its lifespan.

What is the travel of the Fox Float X?

The Fox Float X has 150mm of rear-wheel travel when used on a Marin Alpine Trail XR with a four-bar suspension system.

Does the Fox Float X have a lockout?

Yes, the Fox Float X has a two-position lockout lever with a lock mode for pedaling and an open setting for everything else.

What is the maximum air pressure for the Fox Float X?

The maximum air pressure for the Fox Float X air shock is 350 psi.

Does the Fox Float X2 have a lockout?

Yes, the Fox Float X2 has an independent lockout lever, which is firmer than the outgoing shock.

How much air pressure should I put in my Fox Float X2?

You should set the main air chamber to between 50-300 psi to prepare to set sag.

Can you adjust the stroke on Fox Float X2?

Yes, the Float X2 (2022 variant) uses a stroke spacer that can be reconfigured to adjust shock stroke.

Final Thoughts: Fox Float X vs x2

Both are exceptional rear shocks offering advanced features and benefits. Whether you’re looking for more control over rough terrain, smoother suspension, or better climbing efficiency, there’s a shock that’s right for your needs. 

Just remember, don’t settle for a mediocre ride – with a good shock, you can experience the thrill of a smooth, responsive ride that’s tailored to your enjoyment.

Hi dear visitor! I’m Sebastian, a bike maniac who loves to spend a lot of time on two wheels in nature (I love white chocolate, so I absolutely need a calorie-burning balance that’s fun to boot ). Blogging is my second great passion. That’s why cyclinghalloffame.com regularly features new bike-related content.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Popular Ressources

Guide: Buying a Bike

Most famous Cyclists of all time

Mountain Bikes

Legal Information

Legal Notice

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

© 2024 cyclinghalloffame.com | Sitemap

Fox’s 2022 Float X and DPX Raise the Bar for Trail Shocks

New trail shocks from Fox better align with the needs of modern riders and their bikes.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

The Takeaway: The new Float X and DPX raise the bar for trail shocks.

• New Float X air shock runs lower pressures than DPX2
• New medium-duty DHX coil-over for trail and all-mountain bikes
• Numbered clickers on Float X and DHX make tuning easier

Prices: $499 to $569 (Float X); $549 (DHX, with no spring); $130 (SLS Spring) Weights: 485g (Float X, 210 x 50mm, no eyelet hardware); 470g (DHX, 210 x 50mm, no eyelet hardware); 339g (SLS Spring, 61mm x 550 lb.)

Accompanying the new Fox 34 fork the company rolled out today are a pair of all-new trail shocks. The Float X replaces the very popular and widely spec’d DPX2 (so you’ll see it everywhere), while the DHX is a new medium-duty coil-over for trail and all-mountain bikes.

What You Need To Know About the 2022 Fox Float X

Reviving an old model name for a new shock, the 2022 Fox Float X replaces the Float DPX2, Fox’s medium-duty piggyback air shock. Coincidentally, in 2018, the DPX2 replaced the then Float X. The X2 remains Fox’s biggest and heaviest-duty air shock.

The DPX2 is/was a prevalent shock with tons of spec, which means you’ll soon see the Float X everywhere.

The Float X is larger and heavier than the DPX2: my scale says the Float X weighs about 70 grams more than the DPX2 (both shocks are 210x50mm with hardware for my Marin Rift Zone Carbon test sled).

But larger was one of the main design goals. The Float X has a larger air sleeve bore, and the air piston has more surface area. According to Fox, this reduces the average air pressure required to support the rider by about 40 psi. I’m about 180-ish pounds (kitted to ride), and on some DPX2-equipped bikes, I was running 280psi to get proper (usually 30-percent) sag. The DPX2’s maximum pressure is 350psi—some mental math says that 200+ pound riders ran into issues getting proper sag on bikes with higher initial leverage ratios and the DPX2 shock.

Another significant improvement is the addition of a microcellular urethane (MCU) bottom-out bumper. The DPX2’s bottom-out bumper, such as it was, was a three-millimeter rubber O-ring. “It is a huge improvement for bottoming and opens up some doors on spring tuning since you don’t have to rely so much on spring ramp to avoid those hard bottom-out events,” said Chance Ferro of Specialized’s suspension R&D department.

The next improvement is related to tuning and bottom outs. Fox cooked up a new set of air volume spacers for the Float X. They come in smaller increments (-0.1, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1.0 in 3 ),plus you can stack the -0.1 with one of the other spacers. This gives the rider 12 possible air-volume options (zero to -1.1 in 3 ).

The Float X employs a different damper architecture than the DPX2. While the latter was a twin-tube damper, the Float X is a monotube design. “By going to a single tube, we were able to build in a much wider tuning range,” said Fox’s Estes.

I discussed the Float X with multiple brands, and they all agreed that the Float X is a better performing shock than the DPX2.

“The new architecture of the damper is much better at separating low, mid, and high speed, which in turn allows more control of the final ride quality of the shock and bike together,” said Matthew Cipes, Marin’s mountain bike product manager.

Pivot’s CEO Chris Cocalis said, “With the tunes that we are running, the actual range of the [DPX2’s] damping adjusters was not as wide as we would like it to be. The New Float X is interesting in that it can still give us that lively, poppy feel that we achieved with the DPX2, but there is more oil volume, lower air pressures, and a larger damping range.”

Specialized’s Ferro agreed with Cocalis’s assessment of the Float X’s available damping range. “The rebound adjuster range is much broader, allowing it to fit a wider range of riders. On the compression side, the tuning options are broader, and the low-speed compression adjuster does a better job of effecting low-speed compression,” he said.

Deeper in the list of newness is a two-position climb switch (open or firm) on numbered clickers which makes set up straightforward—no more counting clicks back from all the way in), and more rebound damping adjustment range when compared to the DPX2 ( Trek was the first to get Fox to make numbered clickers ). There’s also a repositioned air valve, which should eliminate pump fitment options, as we saw on Niner’s RIP 9 RDO . Fox also says the Float X is quieter than the DPX2, and you can, if the frame allows, fit the brand’s cartridge bearing eyelets on both ends.

How the 2022 Fox Float X Rides

I tested the new Float X on a Marin Rift Zone Carbon frame. It’s the same bike I used to test the new 34 fork and the DHX coil-over (see below).

Before I installed the Float X, I got some rides on the DPX2 shock that comes on 2020/2021 versions of the frame. On the trail, and with both shocks properly set up, I have to say I didn’t notice a huge performance difference. The biggest distinction was the Float X provided a slightly more supportive ride and stayed a bit higher in its travel without any trade-off in small bump sensitivity.

For me, the biggest improvement the Float X offered versus the DPX2 is the improved tuning resolution offered by the new air-volume spacer system. With the new MCU bottom-out bumper, I felt I could set the shock up with a bit less progression without fear of a nasty-sounding bottom-out. And with the -0.1 volume spacer increments, I could make the shock’s end stroke feel just right instead of mostly right. And because the shock is a bit more supportive, running the Float X slightly less progressive doesn’t result in a wallowing mid-stroke.

But the thing about me and shocks is: I’m a male of average-ish height and weight, and I ride a medium frame. Most brands tune their stuff for someone like me. So, unless something goes off the rails, most stock shock tunes are in the ballpark for me. Set my sag, set my rebound, and I’m usually good. Maybe a volume spacer change and/or a couple clicks of added low-speed compression damping, but that’s about it.

But for riders on the ends of the bell curve, that’s where things get tough. And I think that’s where the Float X will really set itself apart from the DPX2. With the Float X’s increased tuning range and resolution, more riders should be able to, more easily, get their suspension to work optimally and feel and perform like it almost always does for me.

What You Need To Know About the 2022 Fox DHX

The DHX is a new shock option from Fox that doesn’t supplant anything in the brand’s line. It is essentially a Float X with a coil spring: A medium-duty coil-over shock for trail and mountain bikes . It is a simpler and lighter shock than Fox’s DHX2 coil-over, which sees use on DH and enduro bikes. The DHX does share one feature with the DHX2—a spring preload collar with detents.

Like the Float X, the DHX has a two-position climb switch and a numbered low-speed compression knob. However, the rebound knob is not numbered on this shock and is located at the lower eyelet but can take several formats (tooled or tool-free adjuster).

How the 2022 Fox Float DHX Rides

This shock was also sized and tuned for my Marin Rift Zone Carbon, so I could swap this into the same bike I used for testing the Float X and the new 34.

I’m already a sucker for the sweet, sensitive ride of a coil-over shock, so I figured I’d love this shock. I wasn’t wrong—it is magnificent. That said, it is not as lively and springy (no pun intended) as I anticipated. Like the Float X, it offers excellent support and rides high in its travel with a buttoned-down ride.

But even though—with the low-speed adjuster wide open—the compression circuit feels somewhat firm based on the parking lot seat-of-the-pants test, on the trail it is velvety smooth. Smooth enough that I could dial in a few clicks of compression damping for even more support without compromising sensitivity and grip in low-traction situations.

The interesting thing for me was that, with this shock installed, I largely didn’t feel what the shock was doing, but rather the effect of the shock on the bike. The bike seemed preternaturally calm and predictable. It was like time slowed down even though I was riding faster. Without pushing or trying, I was surprised to see some personal best times pop up on trails I ride often.

At the time, I didn’t feel like I was going for-me fast: I was jamming along and havin’ some fun—it was just that easy to go PR fast.

Though it is quite a weight hit compared to a Float X—the DHX for my Marin was, with spring, 322 grams heavier than the Float X for the same bike—I think this shock will be a very popular upgrade for a lot of owners of trail and all-mountain bikes. It has a deliciously smooth feel and amazing sensitivity while offering the support for climbing and pedaling that trail riders need. And it is lighter and much easier to dial in than the DHX2.

A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling , Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race. 

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} Cycling Gear

Fresh New Mountain Bikes and Gear for Spring

The Hottest Road and Gravel Bikes for Spring

The Best Helmet Cameras for Fun and for Safety

The 8 Best Bike Shorts with Pockets

Keep Time Trial Weird

The 7 Best Bike Bells for Any Riding Style

The 7 Best Cycling Socks for Hot and Cold Weather

The Best Saddle Bags for Storing Tools and More

Silca's New StripChip and Chain Waxing System

The 6 Best Garmin Watches for Cyclists

Tested: Hunt's new SUB50 Limitless Wheels

2021+ FLOAT X2 Travel Adjustment

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves during service to prevent potential injury. Failure to wear protective equipment during service may lead to SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

The following steps guide you through the process of changing travel on the 2021 FLOAT X2 shock. Make sure that the travel change being made is appropriate for the bike application before use. 

FLOAT X2 Travel Spacers are available in 2.5mm (233-00-490), 5.0mm (233-00-491), and 7.5mm (233-00-492) sizes. FLOAT X2 Travel Spacers are NOT  stackable. Please order the appropriate spacers for the travel reduction desired. FLOAT X2 Travel Spacers must be used in pairs.

There are two different screws used with the 2021 FLOAT X2 Bearing Housing for different spacer configurations. 

WARNING: FOX products should be serviced by a trained bicycle service technician, in accordance with FOX specifications. If you have any doubt whether or not you can properly service your FOX product, then DO NOT attempt it. Improperly serviced products can fail, causing the rider to lose control resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: FOX suspension products contain pressurized nitrogen, air, oil, or all 3. Suspension misuse can cause property damage, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT puncture, incinerate or crush any portion of a FOX suspension product. DO NOT attempt to disassemble any portion of a FOX suspension product, unless expressly instructed to do so by the applicable FOX technical documentation, and then ONLY while strictly adhering to all FOX instructions and warnings in that instance.

WARNING: Modification, improper service, or use of aftermarket replacement parts with FOX forks and shocks may cause the product to malfunction, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT modify any part of a fork or shock, including the fork brace (lower leg cross brace), crown, steerer, upper and lower leg tubes, or internal parts, except as instructed herein. Any unauthorized modification may void the warranty, and may cause failure or the fork or shock, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remove the black air cap and thread on your FOX shock pump. Slowly release all air from the main air chamber with your pump, then remove the pump. Verify that all air has been released by depressing the Schrader valve.

WARNING: Please verify that all air has been released from the air chamber by pushing down on the Schrader valve core. Failure to release all air pressure before further disassembly may cause parts to eject causing SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

Rotate the wire retaining ring to align the opening in the ring with the tab on eyelet. Use a pick to remove the ring.

Slide the outer air sleeve away from the negative air sealhead to remove.

DO NOT clamp the FLOAT X2 Inner Air Sleeve below the externally threaded area. Only use the FLOAT X2 Air Sleeve Clamps (PN: 803-01-690 REV A) to clamp the FLOAT X2 Inner Air Sleeve between the ribs.

WARNING: Using the 2019 FLOAT X2 Air Sleeve Clamps (803-01-318 REV A) can cause damage to the inner air sleeve on certain size 2021 and later FLOAT X2 shocks. Please use only the 803-01-690 REV A Air Sleeve Clamps as they've been modified to fit all sizes of all FLOAT X2 shocks for all model years. Failure to use the correct clamp may cause the product to malfunction, resulting in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

Remove any Air Volume Spacers if present. Clean the inner air sleeve with Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free paper towels. Use the X2 air sleeve clamps (PN: 803-01-690) to hold the inner air sleeve while you unthread the shaft eyelet counter-clockwise with Knipex pliers or the eyelet torque tool (PN: 398-00-280).

Separate the Inner Air Sleeve from the Shaft Eyelet to expose the Bearing Housing.  Unthread the two screws in the Bearing Housing Cap counter-clockwise with a 2mm hex wrench. Lift up on the Bearing Housing Cap to reveal any Travel Spacers if present.

Hold the Bearing Housing Cap up to remove or add Travel Spacer pairs as desired. Make sure that the travel you are configuring the shock for is appropriate for the intended bike application. Position the Travel Spacers so their center through-holes are aligned with the threaded holes in the Bearing Assembly and the raised rim is facing up away from the Bearing Housing. (Note: The same Travel Spacers found in this shock are being reinstalled resulting in no actual travel change. This procedure is for demonstration purposes only).

Reposition the Bearing Housing Cap on top of the Bearing Housing and any Travel Spacers present, making sure to align the through-holes with the threaded holes of the Bearing Housing. Reinstall the two screws, tightening clockwise to 10 in-lb (1.1 Nm) torque with a 2mm hex wrench.

Replace any 20wt. Gold oil lost during disassembly (up to 2cc) then thread the Shaft Eyelet clockwise onto the Inner Air Sleeve.  Clean the inner air sleeve with Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free paper towels. Use the X2 air sleeve clamps (PN: 803-01-690) to hold the inner air sleeve while you thread the shaft eyelet clockwise with Knipex pliers or the eyelet torque tool (PN: 398-00-280). Tighten to 180 in-lb (20.3 Nm) torque.

Replace any Air Volume Spacers that were present.  Coat the air seals in a thin film of Slick Honey then reinstall the outer air sleeve with the air valve side first. Rotate the outer air sleeve until the tab on the eyelet aligns with the notch in the outer sleeve. Slide the outer air sleeve all the way to the negative air sealhead to engage the air seals. Reinstall the wire retaining ring making sure that it is fully seated in its groove.

Attach your shock pump then add air while you slowly cycle your shock through 25% of its travel 10 times as you reach your desired pressure. Reinstall the black air cap.

Distributor and OEM service documents access

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Buy suspension, shop apparel, technical help center.

• Pinkbike.com
• Register New User
• First Looks
• Friday Fails
• Community Blogs
• Fantasy League DH
• Places Directory

First Look: Fox's New Float X & DHX Shocks - Pond Beaver 2021

Cool Features