Thinking about upgrading my forks at some point in the future. Looking at the options out there and find myself thinking that some forks (and shocks) have loads of options to set them up, but does this actually mean there is more to go wrong both in how they are setup but also more internals which could fail?

Lusting after the Fox Float 36 160s but come in RLC and R flavours – I’m sure the Rs perform really well and have less to go wrong. I suppose I’m more of a fit and forget kind of riders which is perhaps what is guiding my thoughts.

Are the extra settings really worth it?

unless you change your settings on a daily basis, no, not really worth it.

lots of knobs to twiddle is nice, but you do have to pay for them.

The L stands for lockout right? And the C for compression?

I like having lock out, so I’d go for the RLCs.

u-turn/travel adjust is quite useful sometimes but most of the time I don’t bother and keep them wound out to 140mm. I never use lockout but it can come in handy especially if you’re singlespeeding (more time out of saddle).

Having compression damping is useful on the other hand I don’t use my lockout at all.

Having compression damping is useful on the other hand I don’t use my lockout at all.

Both the forks have compression damping, but you can adjust (high and low speed) it on the RLC

I’ve never heard of anything going “wrong” with the compression adjustments, the only problems I’ve heard about with fox forks is stanchions wearing, float cartridges blowing up and talas adjust breaking.

I have found that being on the whippety end of weight the extra faffy bits on my revs let me have a fork that suit me. I think it depends on how close you are to the average weight/style of rider the fork would be built around. If you are Joe average, then the settings will deviate little from factory preset. If you are a little eccentric in your riding/physique then the tuning will be noticeable.

I never use lockout on the trail (good bob defense should eliminate this unless you’re competing), but I do think height adjustment (like u turn) could be welcome. I’ve found a fairly all round setting for my dual air which still has enough absorption for bigger hits.

I don’t claim to be an expert, these are just my experiences!

You can use the C to prevent dive when you’re braking. I am well aware that the R’s have compression damping 🙄

Are the adjustments things you need? I never use lockout but others like it -depends on are you a “sit and spin” climber of ” stand and mash it” I haven’t even fitted the lockout levers to my bikes. Same with travel adjust – I always forget to adjust it out ont eh trail – I have given up and just leave it at an average setting now.

I’ve just bought some fox 36 R’s. I went for the R’s because they were on offer 😮