FOX FLOAT SL Bike Shocks Owner’s Manual

: June 9, 2024
: FOX

FOX FLOAT SL Bike Shocks Owner’s Manual

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you for choosing a FOX suspension product for your bicycle. FOX suspension products are designed and tested by the finest professionals in the industry, in Santa Cruz County, California, USA.
Follow the guidelines and instructions provided in this owner’s guide, so that you are able to properly set up, use, and maintain your new FOX product.
More information and videos are available at http://www.ridefox.com/OwnersManuals, or call FOX US at 1.800.369.7469, email mtbservice@ridefox.com, or contact an Authorized International FOX Service Center at http://www.ridefox.com/GlobalDistributors. If access to the Internet is not available to you, contact FOX to order a paper copy of the online FOX owner’s manual for your product, free of charge.

WARNING AND SAFETY INFORMATION

FOX products should be installed by a professional bicycle service technician, in accordance with FOX installation specifications.
Improperly installed forks can fail, causing the rider to lose control resulting in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Modification or alteration of a FOX product can cause product failure resulting in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. Never modify or alter ANY part of a FOX product (including coil springs, lower leg cross brace, crown, steerer, upper tubes, lower leg, air can, seat post, air volume spacers, internals, axle slit shims, axle adapters, or any other parts).
FOX bicycle suspension products may also be used on pedal- assisted motorized cycles or motorized vehicles that produce up to 250 watts of power. DO NOT use FOX Bicycle suspension
products on vehicles that produce more than 250 watts of power.

FOX E-BIKE OPTIMIZED suspension products may be used on motorized cycles or motorized vehicles producing between 250- 500 watts of power. DO NOT use any FOX bicycle suspension product on any pedal-assisted motorized cycle or motorized vehicle that produces more than 500 watts of power.

DO NOT use any FOX bicycle suspension products or FOX

IKE OPTIMIZED suspension products on any pedal-assisted motorized cycle or motorized vehicle that produces more than 500 watts of DO NOT use any FOX bicycle suspension product on any throttle-equipped motorized vehicle.

Misuse of FOX suspension products may cause the suspension to fail, resulting in property damage or SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, and void the warranty.
DO NOT use FOX bicycle suspension products on any vehicle carrying more than one operator or rider, such as a tandem bicycle or heavy utility bicycle.
Improper service, or use of non-FOX replacement parts with FOX forks and shocks may cause the product to malfunction, resulting in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH
Never use a power washer to clean your FOX product.
Follow your brake manufacturer’s installation instructions for proper installation and adjustment of the brake system. Failure to properly install and adjust your brakes can lead to a loss of control of the bicycle, which can result in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.

Modification or alteration of your frame in a way that affects the rear shock may cause product failure resulting in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. Never modify, or alter ANY part of your OEM frame components that actuate the rear shock (including yokes, strut mounting components, or rocker links).
Use of aftermarket frame parts that affect the rear shock (not tested and approved by the OE frame manufacturer) may cause the product to malfunction, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Your fork or shock may fail under conditions that cause bending and/or breaking to any part of the fork or shock. Any condition that causes a loss of air and/or oil, such as a collision or extended periods of non-use, may also cause your fork or shock to fail.

A damaged and/or leaking fork or shock can fail, resulting in a crash and SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. If you suspect your fork or shock has been damaged, stop riding immediately and contact FOX for inspection and repair.
Never attempt to pull apart, open, disassemble, or service a FOX shock that is in a “stuck down” condition. A “stuck down” condition results from a failure of the dynamic air seal (located between the positive and negative air chambers within the non-EVOL shock air sleeve), resulting with the negative chamber retaining a higher pressure than the positive chamber. To test whether the shock is in fact “stuck down”:

Remove the air cap and depress the Schrader valve, to completely release air pressure from the positive chamber of the
If the shock body retracts into the air sleeve near bottom- out after the air is released from the positive chamber, attach a FOX high-pressure pump and pressurize the shock to 250 psi (17 bar).
If the shock does not fully extend, it is in a “stuck down”
Any attempt to service FOX air shocks in the “stuck down” condition can lead to SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. Contact FOX or an Authorized Service Center for

REAR SHOCK INSTALLATION

WARNING

Rear shock setup and configuration varies greatly between different bicycle manufacturers. Be sure to refer to the owner’s manual for your bicycle. FOX products should be installed by a qualified bicycle service technician, in accordance with FOX installation specifications. Improperly installed shocks can fail, causing the rider to lose control, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
If you are installing your shock on a bike for which the shock was not original equipment, follow the steps below to ensure proper clearance before riding.

AIR SHOCKS

Install the shock onto your frame according to your frame manufacturer’s
Remove the air cap, attach a shock pump, then SLOWLY release all air out of the main air
Slowly compress the suspension through its entire
Check that the shock does NOT contact any portion of your frame or linkage as it cycles through its
Set the sag according to instructions online at ridefox.com.

Minimum air pressure is:

50 psi for all air shocks. Pressure measured at an ambient temperature of 70-75˚F. Normal operating temperature range for FOX products is 20-140˚F.

SAG SETTING

To achieve the best performance from your FOX suspension, adjust the air pressure to attain your proper sag setting. Sag is the amount your suspension compresses under your weight and riding gear. Sag range should be set to 25–30% of total shock travel.

Watch the sag setup video at ridefox.com/sagsetup.

Turn the compression adjuster fully counter-clockwise and set the 2-position lever to the Open mode if present
Start by setting the shock air pressure (psi) to match your weight in pounds. With the air pump attached to the shock valve, slowly cycle your shock through 25% of its travel 10 times as you reach your desired This will equalize the positive and negative air chambers and will change the pressure on the pump gauge.

WARNING

Do not exceed maximum air pressure: FLOAT SL air shocks have a maximum air pressure of 350 psi.

Remove the
Sit still on the bike in your normal riding position, using a wall or a tree for
Pull the sag indicator o-ring up against the rubber air sleeve
Carefully dismount the bike without
Measure the distance between the sag indicator o-ring and the rubber air sleeve Compare your measurement to the ‘Suggested Sag Measurements’ table.
Add or remove air pressure until you reach your desired sag

EVOL AIR SLEEVE

EVOL comes factory installed on FLOAT SL shocks.

ADDING AIR PRESSURE

Equalize the positive and negative air chambers by slowly compressing the shock through 25% of its travel 10-20 times after every 50 psi addition.
Failure to equalize the chambers can result in greater pressure in the positive air chamber than the negative chamber. If the shock feels very stiff and is in the topout position, compress the shock until you hear or feel air transfer. Hold the shock in this compressed position for a few seconds.

RELEASING AIR PRESSURE

Release air slowly so the air from the negative chamber can also be released through the Schrader valve.
Releasing the air pressure too quickly can cause the negative chamber to have more pressure than the positive chamber. If the shock is compressed into its travel and does not fully extend, add air pressure until the shock extends, then slowly compress the shock through 25% of its travel 10-20 times.

COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENTS

3-POSITION LEVER

Begin with the 3-position lever in the OPEN mode.

The 3-position lever is useful to make on-the- under significant changes in terrain, and is intended to be adjusted throughout the ride.
Use the OPEN mode during rough descending, the MEDIUM mode for undulating terrain, and the FIRM mode for smooth climbing.

OPEN MODE ADJUST

Set the open mode adjust to setting 1

Open mode adjust provides 3 additional fine tuning adjustments for the OPEN mode.

OPEN MODE ADJUST

Lift the open mode adjuster, rotate it to the 1, 2, or 3 position, and press it in to lock the position.
It is recommended to make these adjustments with the 3-position lever in the Medium or Firm mode.
Setting 1 will have a more plush feel and setting 3 will have a firmer feel.
*Factory Series and Performance Elite Series shocks only

REBOUND ADJUSTMENT

The rebound adjustment is dependent on the air pressure setting. For example, higher air pressures
require slower rebound settings. Use your air pressure to find your rebound setting.
Turn your rebound knob to the closed position (full clockwise) until it stops. Then back it out (counterclockwise) to the number of clicks shown in the table below.

Air Pressure (psi/bar)	Starting Rebound Setting
<100 / <6,9	10
100-120 / 6,9-8,3	10
120-140 / 8,3-9,7	9
140-160 / 9,7-11	8
160-180 / 11-12,4	7
180-200 / 12,4-13,8	6
200-220 / 13,8-15,2	5
220-240 / 15,2-16,5	4
240-260 / 16,5-17,9	3
260-280 / 17,9-19,3	2
280-300 / 19,3-20,7	1

REAR SHOCKS

The remote can either be installed under the handlebar on the non-drive side, where a front shifter would typically be placed, or installed above the handlebar on the drive side. The remote can be used with two cables to control both the fork and shock simultaneously.

Route the cable housing from the remote lever to the rear shock cable stop and cut to Install ferrules on both ends.
Set the remote lever to OPEN mode by pushing the release Make sure that the cable head is completely seated in the remote lever.
Use a short piece of housing with one ferrule between the in-line barrel adjuster and the remote lever
With all cable housing fully seated and no slack in the system, lightly lubricate the inner cable and thread it through the cable housing and the small hole in the blue remote Do not turn the flush mounted set screw that attaches the blue remote pulley to the shock! The cable pinch bolt is located in the protruding portion of the blue remote pulley.
While holding the cable tight, tighten the pinch bolt, cut off excess cable, and crimp the

ADDITIONAL TUNING OPTIONS

**** VOLUME SPACERS

Changing volume spacers in the shock is an internal adjustment that allows you to change the amount of mid stroke and bottom out resistance.
If you have set your sag correctly and are using full travel (bottoming out) too easily, then you could install a larger spacer to increase bottom out resistance.
If you have set your sag correctly and are not using full travel, then you could install a smaller spacer to decrease bottom out resistance.
Installation procedure and tuning options are available online at: ridefox.com/ownersmanuals.

SERVICE

Properly cleaning your FOX product between rides, in addition to maintenance service scheduled at regular intervals, will help to reduce repair costs and extend product life.
For further service procedures information, visit www.ridefox.com/OwnersManuals, or contact FOX for complete maintenance service (1.800.369.7469 or mtbservice@ridefox.com)

Minimum Recommended Service Items

|

Before every ride

|

After every ride

|

Regularly

|

Every 125 hours **or yearly, whichever comes first***

---|---|---|---|---
Inspect the entire exterior of your fork/shock. The fork/shock should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Contact your local dealer or FOX for repair.|

X

| | |
Clean exterior with mild soap and water only, then wipe dry with a soft towel. Do not use a high-pressure washer or spray water directly at the seal/shock body junction.| |

X

| |
Check sag and damper settings. Inspect the controls for visual damage and function.| | |

X

|
Full service (full internal/external inspection, damper rebuild, air seal replacement for air shocks, air spring rebuild, bath oil and wiper replacement).| | | |

X

For those who ride lift-accessed DH, Park, or Extreme Freeride or in extremely wet/muddy or dry/dusty environmental conditions where trail debris is sprayed onto the shock while on the trail, FOX encourages riders to perform maintenance earlier than recommended above as needed. If you hear, see, or feel something unusual, stop riding immediately and contact a FOX Authorized Service Center for proper servicing.

SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND VIDEOS:

FOX makes the following LIMITED WARRANTY with respect to its suspension products: FOX LIMITED WARRANTY
LIMITED ONE (1) YEAR WARRANTY ON SUSPENSION PRODUCTS
Subject to the limitations, terms and conditions hereof, FOX warrants, to the original retail owner (consumer) of each new FOX suspension product, that the FOX suspension product, when new, is free from defects in materials and workmanship. This limited warranty expires one (1) year from the date of the original FOX suspension product retail purchase from an authorized FOX dealer or from a FOX authorized Original Equipment Manufacturer where FOX suspension is included as original equipment on a purchased vehicle.

TERMS OF WARRANTY

This limited warranty is conditioned on the FOX suspension product being operated under normal conditions and properly maintained as specified by FOX. This limited warranty is only applicable to FOX suspension purchased new from an authorized FOX source and is made only to the original retail owner (consumer) of the new FOX suspension product and is not transferable to subsequent owners.
Should it be determined, by FOX in its sole and final discretion, that a FOX suspension product is covered by this limited warranty, it will be repaired or replaced, by a comparable model, at FOX’s sole option, which will be conclusive and binding. THIS IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. ANY AND ALL OTHER REMEDIES AND DAMAGES THAT MAY OTHERWISE BE APPLICABLE UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY ARE EXCLUDED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR

PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

This limited warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, malfunctions or failures that result from abuse, neglect, improper assembly, alteration or modification, improper or unauthorized repair or maintenance, crash, accident or collision, or other abnormal, excessive or improper use.
This limited warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights. The consumer may also have other legal rights under the applicable national laws which are not affected by this limited warranty. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that a certain provision of this limited warranty does not apply, such determination shall not affect any other provision of this limited warranty and all other provisions shall remain in effect.

THIS IS THE ONLY WARRANTY MADE BY FOX ON ITS SUSPENSION PRODUCTS AND COMPONENTS, AND THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES WHICH EXTEND BEYOND THE DESCRIPTION HEREIN. ANY WARRANTIES THAT MAY OTHERWISE BE IMPLIED BY LAW INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXCLUDED.
This limited warranty shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of California.
For questions regarding this warranty or FOX products please contact the US Customer Service Department at FOX by calling 1-800-369-7469, or visiting www.FOX.com.

When making a claim under this Limited Warranty you will be required to provide to an authorized FOX Service Center:

The Product (or the affected part) and
A copy of the original proof of purchase, which clearly indicates the name and address of the seller, the date and place of purchase, the product part number and if utilized, a serial If FOX products are sold as part of a complete bicycle, the bicycle brand, model, model year, and serial number should be included.