FOX X2 issues

Sounds like my X2. I had it rebuilt 4 times in 4 years.

I no longer own any Fox suspension.

Look at another shock. What bike?

I had a couple from a similar vintage and they were largely fine, think one needed warranty work for a blown seal early on.

I'd be gutted to be in your situation though. They seem to have a terrible rep these days though.

Seems like the newer (not sure if current) X2 have a terrible reputation for reliability. Don't know of the specific issues, sorry.

X2s do seem to have multiple issues. I had mine serviced due to the usual squelchy noise they develop, then 'retired' it one ride after getting it back in favour of a more robust coil shock. I wasn't willing to roll the dice on continuing to use it and the potential for more issues.

What bike is it for? If you're happy switching to coil, for the £400 you're mentioning to repair the X2 again you could get a Cane Creek DB Coil in-line. That's what I chose. Initially considered the Marz Bomber CR coil but TF Tuned warned against it due to the alloy shaft and my bike being prone to putting sideways load on the shock (hence Cane Creek with steel shaft instead).

Cheers for the replies

Bike is A Spesh Levo e-mtb, coil shock is a no no on the Levo, they tend to snap the shafts!

Can get good deals on DVO suspension through a friend but then i have to deal with the anno green parts on their shocks which wont go with the rest of the bike plus my forks, broken X2 and seatpost all have Kashima coating so would like to keep it all the same

Have emailed Silverfish and waiting to see what they say

Levos can be quite hard on shocks. Is the oil coming from around the area of the bleed screw? They do crack in that area.

I wouldn't recommend a DVO on one of these bikes.

SQUIT THE BED! £1400 ON A FOX SHOCK that has seen minimal use.

I'd be in this case composing a letter to Fox Shox UK issuing that it was never produced in factory properly and therefore faulty.

Tftuned sound like a joke too tbf.

Then with refund choose a custom shock.

From a workshop point of view (doing suspension service);

I see a lot of squelchy X2s (air in oil)

Specialized yoke linkages are shock killers

X2 casting leaks are a known issue

Fox warranty is 2 years from DOP, through Silverfish in the UK. Needs to be returned to them for warranty inspection, they will not send out warranty parts. Minimum specified service intervals are 125h or annually, whatever comes first. Also a lovely little add on that if you ride DH etc or in the wet/muddy/dry/dusty more regular maintenance will be required

Is the warranty not 1 year? (developing odd noises on a barely used 15month old x2 and worrying)

I thought dvo were good for yoke driven shocks - that’s why they’re specced (coil and air) on the Ripmo af. The coil has a 14mm shaft vs 9mm on say a Fox DHX2.

Cane creek Kitsuma air is decent - that’s black and gold - although I think only Fox have a kashima stanchion on shocks.

On the transition pages on Pinkbike / fb there are loads of Fox problems - and none of those have a yoke driven shock. X2 and Float X often having to go back with a knocking noise - but the X2 being the most problematic. No issues with the Rockshox specced options or coils.

Have an X2 on my ebike, it has been fixed once due to the air in oil issue, it's not the plushest and can see it failing again, it's why i went with an Ohlins TTX air on the other bike, just too many reliability issues with the X2 these days.

Ohlins coil is fine for a Levo.

Cane creek Kitsuma air

I'd consider one of these if you need to stick with an air shock, but perhaps Rick knows if they'd be a good choice for your Levo?

X2 casting leaks are a known issue

and should be covered by sale-of-goods act - that's 'not fit for purpose' as far as I'm concerned. The various air can/shaft/other issues can all legitimately be usage issues but surely if the casting is poor enough that it leaks that should be a no questions asked replacement.

Is the warranty not 1 year? (developing odd noises on a barely used 15month old x2 and worrying)

1 year in the US, 2 years in the UK (I assume due to CRA or similar). If you have proof of purchase I would send it to Silverfish.

X2 casting leaks are a known issue

and should be covered by sale-of-goods act – that’s ‘not fit for purpose’ as far as I’m concerned. The various air can/shaft/other issues can all legitimately be usage issues but surely if the casting is poor enough that it leaks that should be a no questions asked replacement.

You would probably need claim from the retailer under CRA 2015, rather than the manufacturers warranty, so might need to go small claims if the retailer disputes.

On my Giga, the X2 lasted less than 200 miles before suffering the squelch/graunch symptoms. Went back to Silverfish and was returned within a week with a new damper shaft. Since then it's been okay but it's still pretty noisy and it doesn't feel as good as I'd expect from a high end air shock. Hard to know without trying something else.

I'm 90% sure I'm getting Sprung to build me a new RS Coil with a EXT spring. I'll keep both but the extra weight isn't going to make much difference on that bike so if I like the coil ( and I've always liked coil sprung bikes), I'll probably just leave it on. Decision really is we're off to Molini in a month or so and I really don't trust the X2!

@alex - been to Molini before?

@honourablegeorge nope but two of our friends who we're going with have. They really rate it. Went to Finale a few years ago. It rained all week so I'm hoping for something a bit drier! Have you been? Looks a great area, pretty quiet compared to Finale.

I blew my shock on day 2 of a Molini holiday IIRC, fortunately I'd taken a spare (as it was one of the original notoriously unreliable CCDB Inline air units).

Thanks @cha****ng - that's helping me make the 'RIGHT' decision 🙂

On the transition pages on Pinkbike / fb there are loads of Fox problems

I'd be checking the alignment, trunnion mount is a truly epically shit idea. Its taken 50% of the compliance that a double bushing shock would have.

Quite why companies arn't mounting shocks on sphericals in this day and age is a mystery*. Removes a lot of the issues of side loading and tolerance issues, shocks last longer. The EXT on my G1 did two years and a lot of riding without a single issue, only serviced out of sympathy!!!

*probably due to laziness and not wanting to make reliable products, which are structurally sound.

Fox suspension always feels great but has the build quality of something cheap & nasty - I always go for Rockshox because I like it to work and not need constant maintenance - honourable mention to X-Fusion, I ran a fork & shock on a Trance I built from frame only and it was great, solidly built, no leaks etc.

X-Fusion are a real underdog in suss world though can confirm having had a velvet rl2 and a coil shock and coil RV1 fork with roughcut damper that they are excellent performance for the money or lack of spending out on more "seen to be premium" products from others.

SQUIT THE BED! £1400 ON A FOX SHOCK that has seen minimal use.

I’d be in this case composing a letter to Fox Shox UK issuing that it was never produced in factory properly and therefore faulty.

A whole truckload of this ^.

If that were my shock, I'd be very, very upset and would be politely - but firmly - explaining to Fox/Silverfish that any future purchases of Fox suspension kit will be wholly dependent upon their satisfactorily handling this matter.

Fox suspension always feels great but has the build quality of something cheap & nasty

I think there's a few million people like me who've been running Fox Shox without any issues for the last 30odd years who'd disagree, but hey-ho one faulty shock probably does mean they are all cheap rubbish.

OP - tried the actual distributor for Fox Shox? https://www.silverfish-uk.com/contentpage/fox
could message them here

Does one read a op these dayz lol

Does one read a op these dayz lol

It's standard practice to read the thread title then go straight to reply isn't it?

Also one person's good experience means everyone else who experiences a common and well documented fault is on a crazy witch hunt.

See also, people who have Shimano brakes which work perfectly and can't see what everyone else's problem is.

🤣

I’d be checking the alignment, trunnion mount is a truly epically shit idea. Its taken 50% of the compliance that a double bushing shock would have.

You maybe right, but it’s literally only Fox shocks that seem to be having issues from what I’ve read. No dramas with RockShox models.

My float x has been ok as has my cane creek Kitsuma coil so far. Although on the coil I don’t think the frame is progressive enough for me from my experience so far (24%).

Update:  I managed to convince myself that a week's trip to Molini was more than enough justification for:

https://flic.kr/p/2nKoTjW

https://flic.kr/p/2nKiZEn

https://flic.kr/p/2nKr6b1

It feels fantastically plush. Proper ride in the next day or so. But look at it, thing of beauty.

I'm going to tell my wife the bike was stolen and this is how it came back 🙂 Might need a slightly lighter spring. Comes with 2, even if Mojo decided to send me two of the same one 😉

I'm keeping the X2 for now. Not sure it'll ever go back on tho.

@Alex.
Who's a lucky boy then.😁
You'll not regret that choice.
Or going to Molini.

You lucky bastard.

Shirley you can drop by on a ride and get the spring swapped over?

Indeed I am @singlespeedstu 🙂 I bought it from Sprung in the Forest so I'll either go back there or pop into Mojo. Having shifted the bike into the other setting on the flip chip and tried with a backpack, I think it's going to be closer to (the recommended) 30% than I thought when trying it at Sprung.

I am *quite* looking forward to going to Molini 🙂

I'm making myself feel better by remembering how much the church bells in Molini kept me awake all night.😉
Riding was ****ing brilliant though so well worth it.

I'd go and see the lads at Mojo myself for the spring swap and any further setup.
They really are a very helpful bunch.

Fair enough. They are extremely local 🙂

My ability to sleep through everything up and including a minor earthquake is helpful here. My snoring apparently less so.

Ask them for a pair of nylon spring shims while you're there.
Stops any noise from the coil rubbing on the spring perches as it compresses.

Alex

@honourablegeorge nope but two of our friends who we’re going with have. They really rate it. Went to Finale a few years ago. It rained all week so I’m hoping for something a bit drier! Have you been? Looks a great area, pretty quiet compared to Finale.

Like Finale, but with 1600m descending in 1 run and no brake bumps.

Are you guiding with Luca?

singlespeedstu

I’m making myself feel better by remembering how much the church bells in Molini kept me awake all night.

LOL, yeah - there's nine churches or something mental, isn't there?

Every 15 minutes from what I remember coming from all directions.😫

@singlespeedstu - interesting. I know my mate's EXT is a happy shock from those squishing noises 🙂

@honourablegeorge - Yep. Accom + Guiding from Luca. Been to Finale once. Braking bumps mostly turned into puddles. Rained all week. Very much hoping for better weather in Molini!

Luca is a great guide - he rides those 1600m descents with his daughter on the shotgun seat - and if you're staying with him, it's a ovely B&B and Sylvia makes a great breakfast, you'll have an ace time. I am massively jealous, was there earlier in the year for the second time, will definitely be back.

Very much hoping for better weather in Molini!

I wouldn’t hold your breath, given their proximity - if it’s raining at one, it’s likely be, or has been at the other.

Not that I wish it to be that way, as I am off out to Molini/Sospel/Nava & Finale tomorrow for a couple of weeks 😆

Have a great time @hobnob. Very much enjoyed riding in Sospel. Ash rented his fab house to us and Bryan drove the coolbus all week 🙂

It was May 2019 when we went to Finale. Apparently it never rains in May. Hah. Before or since maybe not that week! I've done a few trips to the Ardeche in Sept and it's always been fantastic. So I've told myself it's going to be more like that!

Great breakfasts, great trails, GREAT WEATHER and a bunch of great mates. I mean there is the 14 hour journey down there in my mate's van but hey ho...

@singlespeedstu - spoke to Mojo (for the first time in ages) and they were very helpful as you said. Going to take the spring back along with the bike and they're going to check/tune the setup. I'll go ride it first obviously.

I'm sure they'll look after you well.

Both the of problems you've encountered with your X2 shock are likely caused by frame/linkage alignment rather than the shock being solely at fault.
A scored inner air sleeve and the fracture in the casting are most commonly the result of the shock not running in a true linear path, ie, being forced sideways as it compresses. I would suggest getting your bike thoroughly checked out by a workshop that knows their shizzle when it comes to alignment and linkage path issues.

Both the of problems you’ve encountered with your X2 shock are likely caused by frame/linkage alignment rather than the shock being solely at fault.
A scored inner air sleeve and the fracture in the casting are most commonly the result of the shock not running in a true linear path, ie, being forced sideways as it compresses. I would suggest getting your bike thoroughly checked out by a workshop that knows their shizzle when it comes to alignment and linkage path issues.

Ive been speaking to Silverfish and TFTuned and they have been saying its the frame's linkage design that is causing all the issues and they are seeing this on quite a few gen 2 Spesh Levo's that have had an X2 on them

Sliverfish and TFtuned have been great, Silverfish replaced the casting with a good used one for free and in the end it cost £233 in total to get fixed rather than £400+

As this is only going to keep happening due to the Levo's design TFTuned also suggested a Ohlins shock may fare better and have offered me one with a good discount, im just deciding what on im going to do

Last update from me. Mojo were great. They also think the problem was likely the X2 as there's no yoke or anything on the Giga.  I guess we'll see, They've fitted the shock with a lighter spring, tuned it a bit and it feels great.

No experience of Ohlins shocks @escrs but TFT have always been a trusted source of advice for me.

Storia in the wild. That was before it'd been tweaked and it felt very good on our local (quite damp and slippy trails)

https://flic.kr/p/2nKH4p5

Looks awesome! The Mojo lot are always brilliant to deal with.

Oh and with apologies to the OP/thread derail, I'm getting the loan of a smashpot coil conversion of the Zebs. Yeah it's going to add (another) pound but it'll be all-the-plushness. Never had coil both ends before, that's the great things about MTBs, never stop learning stuff/trying things out.

I'm not in any doubt WHATSOEVER that the bike/kit is somehow the high water mark of my riding tho 😉

Ive been speaking to Silverfish and TFTuned and they have been saying its the frame’s linkage design that is causing all the issues and they are seeing this on quite a few gen 2 Spesh Levo’s that have had an X2 on them

Whilst I agree there are certain bikes that exacerbate an early failure in some shocks (mostly yoke driven stuff) I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many failures of a shock as the current X2. When it works, it’s great, but having personally had a load of warranty fixes (and now a brand new one where they have changed the design on the top piece) & pretty much everyone I ride with having to warranty them at least once, it’s not a shock I would be choosing.

On a separate Molini church bell related note, the locals have got so pissed off with the noise, they forced a change, so now it’s quiet from 9pm to 7am, when all hell breaks loose.

Last day here tomorrow, then off somewhere else. Going to be slightly controversial & say whilst the riding is good, I’m not sure it’s worthy of the hype it gets. I’ve definitely ridden better places.

You're not doing much the sale-ability of my X2 there @hobnob 🙂 But I agree with ^^ all that based on mine and riding buddies experiences.

Good news on the bells, less so on the riding. I'll be on hols with my mates tho, riding bikes hopefully in at least some sunshine then drinking beer afterwards. I'll take that.

Be interested what you think of Sospel as I had similar thoughts....

When it works, it’s great

While watching the DH WCs I had to explain to Mrs a11y why a X2 shock was good enough for the DH racers but not good enough for me... A shame we don't all have access to a Fox mechanic after each ride. I've mothballed my X2 in favour of a CC inline coil after a recent service which fixed the cavitation/squelch, as I know in time it'll return. Freshly serviced yet sitting in a box, no point selling it as @Alex hints at the sale-ability of them ain't great for those that know.

cavitation/squelch

Yep that seems to be their defining characteristic if/when they go wrong.

Kind of interesting that Mojo/EXT don't recommend using the bearing in the aft end of the shock (trunnion) for their products. Just bolted into using standard hardware. Wonder if that bearing is a solution looking for a problem.

Out riding mine with the Smashpot coil installed in the Zeb. Expect it'll be pretty good 🙂

’ll be on hols with my mates tho, riding bikes hopefully in at least some sunshine then drinking beer afterwards. I’ll take that.

Don’t get me wrong, the riding is good & it’s a cool little place. If you are with a bunch of friends & like riding, you will have a great time, personally I just feel there are better places 🙂

Sorry for the hijack but how are you enjoying the Giga? My LBS have 1 left in stock and it is my size, I am trying not to buy it.

@hobnob - we should start a 'best place to ride thread'. 1000 posts no problem 🙂 I kind of felt let down a bit by Finale, but 99% of that was because I was expecting it to be a bit better than perfect. Whereas the Basque MTB trip was even better than all the hype. I think Im just probably spoiled 🙂

@hooli. Feel free to drop me a DM rather than we further derail this thread. Short answer is buy it 🙂 My mate has one as well and he loves it, rides it for everything. It's a way better trail bike that it has any right to be and it's an absolutely brilliant 'big' (I'm not saying Enduro)!) for the likes of just about competent riders like me.

I've had a couple of issues with bearings (sorted very quickly by disti), the paint is rubbish (I have three NP's it's the same on all of them) but otherwise in 1000km of riding it's been fantastic fun and definitely saved me a couple of times!

Just don't get the one with the X2!