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2015 vs 2016 Fox 36 Float - Worth it?

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,001
1,693
Northern California
2015 36s are cheap right now. For anyone that's ridden both the 2015 and 2016 - is there a big difference between the RC2 models? I know the rebound valving is supposed to be different and there is a new Kashima coating; any of this noticeable when riding?
 

tacubaya

Monkey
Dec 19, 2009
720
89
Mexico City
2015 had a compression valving update between August and October 2014, then for 2016 the damper also had changes on the rebound valving (new piston, piston post and shimstack) but I don't know when this change occurred.
 
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Metamorphic

Monkey
May 12, 2015
274
177
Cackalack
Looks like 20mm and RC2 to me.
Man you might be right based on the photos. I called today, and asked about some description discrepancies. Like saying Damper: FIT (even though it's either a RC2 or FIT4). The guy was pretty useless but told me it wasn't the kind with fully adjustable HSC/LSC. And he kept thinking I was saying RCT instead of RC2. Oh man. Useless.

EDIT: Just ordered one. $650 shipped, and 6% back from Active Junky. Fingers crossed the photos are right. It'll either be a great deal or a hassle of returning something through the mail.
 

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,001
1,693
Northern California
Man you might be right based on the photos. I called today, and asked about some description discrepancies. Like saying Damper: FIT (even though it's either a RC2 or FIT4). The guy was pretty useless but told me it wasn't the kind with fully adjustable HSC/LSC. And he kept thinking I was saying RCT instead of RC2. Oh man. Useless.

EDIT: Just ordered one. $650 shipped, and 6% back from Active Junky. Fingers crossed the photos are right. It'll either be a great deal or a hassle of returning something through the mail.
Description also says 29" :bonk:
 

wood booger

Monkey
Jul 16, 2008
668
72
the land of cheap beer
Man you might be right based on the photos. I called today, and asked about some description discrepancies. Like saying Damper: FIT (even though it's either a RC2 or FIT4). The guy was pretty useless but told me it wasn't the kind with fully adjustable HSC/LSC. And he kept thinking I was saying RCT instead of RC2. Oh man. Useless.

EDIT: Just ordered one. $650 shipped, and 6% back from Active Junky. Fingers crossed the photos are right. It'll either be a great deal or a hassle of returning something through the mail.

Pretty sure you're getting these lowers with FIT4 damper.
OE stuff does not have the 20mm/15mm option lowers, 15mm dedicated only.
 

Metamorphic

Monkey
May 12, 2015
274
177
Cackalack
Just spoke with them again, new guy on the phone. I explained all the discrepancies in the listing, he checked and assured me this one was the RC2 model. Sheesh what a headache.
 

Metamorphic

Monkey
May 12, 2015
274
177
Cackalack
Did you check to make sure it's not a 29 :D
Haha, yes I checked that too. And I just got another one thrown at me. Email that the graphics are gray, not orange as shown. So they sent me a photo of the 29" version with the correct graphics. And now I think it's a 2015, not 2016, purely based on the graphics. So I really don't know what wheel size, damper, axle size, or year fork I ordered, but I will tell you guys in a week. Got a refund coming from Active Junky too, so I guess the hassle is worth this fork for ~$610 to my door. I hope!

 

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,001
1,693
Northern California
Installed mine last night. I'm amazed at the small bump sensitivity; the only fork I remember with similar initial compliance was the Shiver. Very unexpected.
 

SuboptimusPrime

Turbo Monkey
Aug 18, 2005
1,658
1,633
NorCack
How have the service intervals been for you guys that have been on a 2015 for a season? My 2010 Van RC2 was great for the time, but required very frequent rebuilds or performance declined substantially (much more frequent than my Pikes).
 

maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,140
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
How have the service intervals been for you guys that have been on a 2015 for a season? My 2010 Van RC2 was great for the time, but required very frequent rebuilds or performance declined substantially (much more frequent than my Pikes).
About 300 miles on my used 36 and have not serviced it, though I may soon, just to check the wear and tear to see how long I can actually get away with it. Previously had a 2012 36 TALAS and you could tell it's performance was dropping off by the 3rd or 4th ride. The new ones are a night and day improvement, also, so damn supple.
 

Metamorphic

Monkey
May 12, 2015
274
177
Cackalack
Dudes I scored that sweet sweet deal. Fork got here, sho' 'nuff it is a 2015 27.5 36 RC2. Came without the Fox box and no paperwork. No 20mm axle, no vol reducers, just the fork and that is it. I'll have to get the rest on my own. Buttttt $610? I am stoked. Bolting it up this week, can't wait!
 
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erikkellison

Monkey
Jan 28, 2004
918
0
Denver, CO
A 2016 Fox 36 RC2 is exactly the same as a 2015 except different decals, everything else is the same.

The damper tune on the new generation RC2 was corrected around August 2014, so its extremely likely that if you buy a 2015 36, the RC2 will have the most recent damper tune.
Looks like the 2016 Float 36 RC2 was changed from the 2015 - the 2016 has an updated rebound circuit for faster recovery from large hits. I've also seen claims that the Kashima coating has changed, but I don't know if that was instituted already with late 2015's, or if that's a 2016-only thing. I do know that my 2015 is awesomely supple.
 

Flo33

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2015
2,057
1,298
Styria
Can anybody with a 2015 or 2016 36 RC2 measure the threads of the damper cartridge top cap or the threads inside the uppers on the right side, please?