[Closed] low friction seals Fox 36 2018 a good idea

Don’t know the answer but as my 36 is going to need service I too would like to know this.

Also, I have seen 2019 version of air shaft for 36 available, does this do anything to 2018 models? I’d like to have bit more initial sensitivity without loosing mid travel support.

I'll be interested to see what real-world users suggest, having just bought a pair of MY18 36's.  After a few conversations over seal replacement on previous Fox forx, I've shunned aftermarket seals in favour of OE, but have moved away from Fox Gold 20wt in the lowers and back to 10wt oil (plus increased volumes) with seemingly good results - rational is the 10wt flows around the innards easier plus Gold gets very sticky in UK colder temps (compared to SoCal!).

2019 airshaft removes the top-out clunk which happens from time to time, via a redesigned bumper.  It's a warranty item if your fork is having this issue.

Interesting about the oil @strike.  Mine are being used in mid sweden so temps are perhaps even more relevant.

 Even if your name is Aaron Gwin or Greg Minnaar, your fork prep begins with a stock fork from the storeroom. Kolja let on that some of their riders' would be riding next year's version, but that's the only difference between what they run and what you can head to the store and buy.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/race-prepping-a-fox-40.html

For me if the stock seals are good enough at the pro level the aftermarket stuff is probably snake oil 😉 A regular service probably makes more difference

work those bushings! hmm food for thought.

Factory Fox seals are good, keep them cleaned and lubed and they feel great.

Its not uncommon for new fork seals to be dry, doing a lower service and lightly greasing the seals can make things feel really smooth.

work those bushings! hmm food for thought.

If you use them for longer than your average WC racer then you will have done that already

I saw a local mechanic was upgrading Fox forks to have SKF seals and ended up getting them put in my Lyrik when I had it serviced, feels great!

On Instagram look up Amped cycleworx to see images of forks which have had it done.

There's a few tests on youtube using weights to test the friction of Racing Bros Lycan Edge seals vs SKF and OEM - it seemed like there could be a difference in break away forces. They weren't particularly scientifically valid, but enough to convince me that it may not be snake oil.

They weren’t particularly scientifically valid, but enough to convince me that it may not be snake oil.

and comparing them to keeping some nice grease in there and a regular lowers service?

Well no,

but then you might as well go back to the god awful seals of a few years back. Then you may as well not bother with larger negative springs. May as well not bother with designs that need less seals etc etc

Incremental improvements add up.

and comparing them to keeping some nice grease in there and a regular lowers service?

Maybe they were already greased and serviced?

Incremental improvements add up.

They do, what we are waiting to quantity is if this is an improvement or just in the head.

i might just stick with OEM. Perhaps in 6 months after a full service i'll think again.