[Alloy]

Two days ago I got a DHX to replace the Romic on my 02 dhr. So far I’m very disappointed and can only hope that I have a defective shock.

I bought the shock because I was looking for something that won’t bottom out. So far I can not get this shock hold its travel over anything below a 2 ft drop. I do have it set up fairly soft…. Probably too soft, I took the recommended 400lb spring and with this it sags about 35 to 40 percent.

First thing I did was check the settings with the spring off to get a feel for what the knobs did. Basically there was no change higher air pressure made a small difference in compression but still hardly noticeable. Between the extremes on the volume adjuster or “bottom out control” there was absolutely no difference. Ok… fine, there is a slight chance that I can not recreate the velocities encountered on the trail . So with still a good amount of hope I tested it in the dirt.

I set it up with 125psi in the air chamber then turned the volume all the way down. I set the pro pedal at four clicks in and adjusted rebound to a fairly light setting.

Here’s my impressions. It pedaled up to the trail great, the bike didn’t bob really at all even when standing up and pedaling. It was a big improvement in that respect. Going down was a different story. I felt like I was always at the bottom of the travel and could feel all the small bumps. The bike wallowed in the g outs and I felt I had to land very soft on all the jumps. Every small rock or drop would take it right down to the elasamer. I couldn’t feel the boost valve or any increased compression damping. I left pretty winded but didn’t give up just yet. I went home and screwed with it some more and came back today and still it handles the same.

So far this shock has really become a irritating situation It doesn’t work anything like fox describes and all these majestic bottom out precautions don’t do anything. I’m desperate for answers right now. I just blew 400 bucks and as of now I feel scammed. So I thought Id post up and see if maybe you guys can suggest anything?

Any info or experiances with the shock would be appreciated.

 

[Extrovert]

Get an Avy! ****; Fox, Progressive, Manipoo, Romic, Stratos, Risse etc

 

[seismic]

Two days ago I got a DHX to replace the Romic on my 02 dhr. So far I’m very disappointed and can only hope that I have a defective shock.

I bought the shock because I was looking for something that won’t bottom out. So far I can not get this shock hold its travel over anything below a 2 ft drop. I do have it set up fairly soft…. Probably too soft, I took the recommended 400lb spring and with this it sags about 35 to 40 percent.

First thing I did was check the settings with the spring off to get a feel for what the knobs did. Basically there was no change higher air pressure made a small difference in compression but still hardly noticeable. Between the extremes on the volume adjuster or “bottom out control” there was absolutely no difference. Ok… fine, there is a slight chance that I can not recreate the velocities encountered on the trail . So with still a good amount of hope I tested it in the dirt.

I set it up with 125psi in the air chamber then turned the volume all the way down. I set the pro pedal at four clicks in and adjusted rebound to a fairly light setting.

Here’s my impressions. It pedaled up to the trail great, the bike didn’t bob really at all even when standing up and pedaling. It was a big improvement in that respect. Going down was a different story. I felt like I was always at the bottom of the travel and could feel all the small bumps. The bike wallowed in the g outs and I felt I had to land very soft on all the jumps. Every small rock or drop would take it right down to the elasamer. I couldn’t feel the boost valve or any increased compression damping. I left pretty winded but didn’t give up just yet. I went home and screwed with it some more and came back today and still it handles the same.

So far this shock has really become a irritating situation It doesn’t work anything like fox describes and all these majestic bottom out precautions don’t do anything. I’m desperate for answers right now. I just blew 400 bucks and as of now I feel scammed. So I thought Id post up and see if maybe you guys can suggest anything?

Any info or experiances with the shock would be appreciated.

Since it is a quite new model their might not be so many who have actually experienced riding it. If I was you I would contact Fox directly and explain them the problem. It might just be a matter of setup, - but the shock might also have a problem and in that case it is better to talk to Fox directly I think. Hope things work out for you. Good Luck

 

[vitox]

the lone dhx ive tried came poorly assembled from the factory, maybe fox is having some teething problems with that line, give them a call maybe they can recognize those symptoms and give you valuable info.

 

[Curb Hucker]

Get an Avy! ****; Fox, Progressive, Manipoo, Romic, Stratos, Risse etc

now theres an intelligent statement

 

[Matt D]

What consulting fees does your DHX charge?

 

[vitox]

now theres an intelligent statement

maybe RM should set up a bot that detects whenever someone has a problem with brand X and then suggests the purchase of all competing products.

that would really lighten the workload of many people.

 

[ckooi]

call Fox techs and check

Phone: (831) 274-6500

 

[WestCoastHucker]

i believe it may be nothing more than spring rate. i have also sat on this bike and the sag is more than 35-40% it is closer to 45-50%. it uses at least 4 inches when you sit on it, and then all the rest when you just bounce on it.....

 

[Kornphlake]

sounds like the shock was DOA, take it back to the dealer and get a replacement. I'd suggest dealing with Fox directly but when I did they treated me like crap. I'd gladly let a shop guy get the crap and insults instead.

 

[buildyourown]

i believe it may be nothing more than spring rate. i have also sat on this bike and the sag is more than 35-40% it is closer to 45-50%. it uses at least 4 inches when you sit on it, and then all the rest when you just bounce on it.....

I second that. When I first got my bike with the 5e, I was having the same symptoms. I asked the previous owner and he said he was the same weight as me so I was convinced that the spring rate was right. I finally caved and bought a new spring. Made all the difference.

 

[Alloy]

i believe it may be nothing more than spring rate. i have also sat on this bike and the sag is more than 35-40% it is closer to 45-50%. it uses at least 4 inches when you sit on it, and then all the rest when you just bounce on it.....

Shut your mouth Hucker... there should be more to a good shock than a firm spring to prevent bottoming out.

 

[Alloy]

the lone dhx ive tried came poorly assembled from the factory, maybe fox is having some teething problems with that line, give them a call maybe they can recognize those symptoms and give you valuable info.

That is interensting, what problems where you having?

 

[WestCoastHucker]

Shut your mouth Hucker... there should be more to a good shock than a firm spring to prevent bottoming out.

agreed, but you still get way too much initial sag..... no amount of knob tweaking will solve that....

 

[zedro]

Shut your mouth Hucker... there should be more to a good shock than a firm spring to prevent bottoming out.

no, the proper spring rate is integral to suspension handling....period. The damping's purpose is not designed to make up for under-springing. If you are under-springing and then over-damping to compensate, then you will have a crummy setup.

was the volume adjuster screwed in or out (it should be further in, you said 'all the way down' which means nothing to me).
The air pressure mostly controls high speed compression which is a subtle thing.

Anyways my DHX is like butter and feels bottomless now that i've got my linkage setup in the right.

 

[Alloy]

I called up Fox and they said a 400 or 450 spring was about right for my weight. They suggest I adjust the "boost valve" up to 200psi. So I did that and the shock feels a little stiffer. Now, off of a 2ft drop the shaft stops about a 1/16" above the elastamer and off a 3 and half foot drop it compresses on the elastamer.

They said the only problem there could be internally is that someone my have cycled the shock with no air pressure. In that case the floating piston would be in the wrong position and that’s not covered by warranty.

 

[binary visions]

no, the proper spring rate is integral to suspension handling....period. The damping's purpose is not designed to make up for under-springing. If you are under-springing and then over-damping to compensate, then you will have a crummy setup.

Your shock may indeed be defective but the fact is that your first and most important suspension setup step is having the correct spring rate. Everything else is secondary.

No damper can make up for the wrong spring rate - nor should it. It's rediculous, the number of people who think a fork is lousy because they can bottom out the stock setup... A shock or fork bottoming is almost never the fault of the damper itself... 99.9% of the time, it's improper setup.

That's not to say that your shock doesn't fall in the 0.1% category, though...

 

[WestCoastHucker]

I called up Fox and they said a 400 or 450 spring was about right for my weight.......................

c'mon mark, you know what i went thru with foes on this........

we are hardcore, we need hardcore springs....

 

[Alloy]

c'mon mark, you know what i went thru with foes on this........

we are hardcore, we need hardcore springs....

Yeah but if thats the case than I wasted my money. I could throw a 900lb spring on my romic and have the same results. I was hoping all these anti bottoming claims where more than just marketing.

Anyways I'm going to school when I get back I'll call Fox again.

 

[seismic]

Yeah but if thats the case than I wasted my money. I could throw a 900lb spring on my romic and have the same results. I was hoping all these anti bottoming claims where more than just marketing.

Anyways I'm going to school when I get back I'll call Fox again.

What about atleast trying with a stiffer spring and see how it is. Then, if that does not work either you have an issue with Fox.

 

[leprechaun]

for sure you should buy an avy,i run NO spring on mine and it never bottoms out!
really though i have been using a DHX for 3 weeks now and have been meaning to write a review...
I am running the same spring as on my Pushed RC.(400 on an ASX 125 lb rider)
What spring were you running before?????
True,the adjustments do not make a HUGE difference,but i feel they idiot proofed the shock by having a blowoff of sorts so it feels pretty plush even if all the adjustment are cranked up.
With sag set at 30% the shock works very well.more than 35% is BS if you really like to jump or drop stuff IMO.
When sag is set i feel that the boost valve is nice in that when i run it all the way out it feels deep and plush for rough trail,but gets sloppy on big hits and high speed riding.When turned up the boost valve it feels like it has less travel since it ramps up a bit and resists bottoming on drops.i mostly run it 1/3 in for most riding.The hand adjustable valve is nice since i can be rippin a trail and when i come up on a drop or stunt i reach down and turn it in all the way and it makes the bike feel more solid.
My pushed RC did fell a bit more plush but not as controlled at speed and not nearly the bottoming control.Although it doesn't feel as plush i am not really getting rim dents or being knocked around any more than before.I think it moves just as much as it needs to but does not whoosh down into the travel like the RC did.
So anyway try a stiffer spring,and then see if the shock is malfunctioning.

 

[oly]

for sure you should buy an avy,i run NO spring on mine and it never bottoms out!
.

CLASSIC!

 

[Extrovert]

I dont see the problem guys, I'm entitled to my opinion. I think Fox, Progressive, Manipoo etc etc are cheaply made, cast, nasty crap... thats my opinion.
Sorry.

 

[binary visions]

I dont see the problem guys, I'm entitled to my opinion. I think Fox, Progressive, Manipoo etc etc are cheaply made, cast, nasty crap... thats my opinion.
Sorry.

Uh huh. And your opinion on the subject of Fox, Progressive, "Manipoo" etc. was not asked for, and nobody cares.

If someone said "What shock should I buy?", that's another story. Here's a guy asking what's the deal with the adjustments on his Fox, and you tell him to buy another shock.

 

[zedro]

Uh huh. And your opinion on the subject of Fox, Progressive, "Manipoo" etc. was not asked for, and nobody cares.

If someone said "What shock should I buy?", that's another story. Here's a guy asking what's the deal with the adjustments on his Fox, and you tell him to buy another shock.

well, thats on par with brake or fork tech questions...

 

[seismic]

Hey, hey....easy now guys...no reason to become angry. There will always come some responese that might not match the question....but we will survice that too. I still think you should try to put a heavier spring on your Fox.

 

[vitox]

id try a heavier spring before anything else, as zedro said, sag is a spring problem in almost all cases.