I tried removing a couple of cc of oil from the air chamber as suggested by Fox to another owner with these problems and the result is noticeably less dramatic ramp-up but still only 80mm of travel for 27mm of sag. That’s what I had with my Marzocchi Marathons in 2002!

Will call Wheelbase, where I bought the bike, and see what they have to say.

Exactly! I can’t believe that Fox can get away with this. I’m surprised Chipps hasn’t mentioned anything about this problem with his Fuel EX9.8 – any comments Chipps?

I work in Hook so if anyone fancies a ride then let me know.

Barry

Still got the scars on my knee and elbow from a particularly memorable descent of the Garburn Pass. Some walkers coming up, me coming down, I tried to pass them and suddenly realised there was a large drop-off ahead of me. Landed almost in one piece and then the wheel hit a large rock. The bike stopped and I kept going. The walkers were most distressed but I was more embarrassed and jump back on, blood streaming from the various wounds. Great ride.

You’re very fortunate. There is one of the finest pieces of singletrack in southern England just down the road from Hook. It’s a beautiful nearly 1 mile of slightly downhill singletrack that goes from Farleigh Wallop church down to Cliddesden primary school. It’s a little more overgrown at this time of year but in spring, winter and later autumn it’s a blinder (still good now, just a little slower). Go and ride it.

Another great piece of track is from Merritts Farm at Ellisfield Church down to Preston Oak Hills. You can create a loop that takes in both tracks. Loop ’em up on the map and go and ride them then report back.

Barry