![\"_IMC0694\"](\"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMC0694.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDetails<\/h3>\n\n- New X2 2-position Open\/Firm lever retains high and low speed compression adjustment<\/li>\n
- High- and low-speed compression \/ high- and low-speed rebound adjustment<\/li>\n
- Advanced RVS damping system provides more tunability<\/li>\n
- High oil flow improves damping control and consistency<\/li>\n
- SLS spring option provides titanium weight savings at affordable price<\/li>\n
- 7.875 x 2.25 & 8.5 x 2.5 sizes available<\/li>\n
- $599(US)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"_IMC0702\"](\"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMC0702.jpg\")
<\/a>Fox makes two gravity oriented rear dampers – \u00a0the Float X2 and the DHX2. \u00a0The former is air sprung and the latter(tested) is coil sprung with their new SLS spring, a fairly inexpensive super lightweight steel alloy that’s just about on par with a ti spring in terms of weight. Both air and coil units are available in the two sizes listed above – conveniently, they are two of the more common configurations for some of the most popular mid travel(150-170mm) bikes on the market. \u00a0We have a feeling that more sizes will become available in the future as well. \u00a0 Anyhow, read on to see how this little unit has held up to\u00a0the last few months of abuse.
\n<\/a><\/p>\nSet Up<\/h3>\n
Admittedly, when we first bolted this damper up to our bike, we’d already ridden the bike with another coil sprung shock after coming off of its stock air sprung shock. \u00a0The good thing about this is that it was easier for us to draw comparisons and look at this shock objectively. \u00a0We were already blown away by how much better our bike performed with a coil shock compared to an air shock and we think that over the next couple of years we will see a surge of developments in coil shocks for\u00a0mid travel bikes.![\"Untitled\"](\"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Untitled2.jpg\")
<\/a>We started out with the recommended settings per our contact from Fox. \u00a0However, a pretty handy tuning guide can be found here.<\/a>\u00a0 There is a massive range of adjustment at your fingertips within both high and low speed adjusters for rebound and compression; they are easily fine tuned with a 6mm and 3mm allen key respectively. \u00a0Fox gave us a nifty little tool which made on the fly tuning a bit less tedious. \u00a0It’s best to be really dilligent and take notes while you’re setting up the damping. \u00a0Anyhow, the stock settings felt quite good in the parking lot so it was off to get this thing dirty.<\/p>\nOn the Trail<\/h3>\n
One of the first things we noticed was just how freakishly quiet this shock is; perhaps the most silent shock we’ve tested. \u00a0Although that isn’t the<\/em> most important attribute, it’s safe to say that it indicates high quality construction and a well thought out design.![\"_IMC0435\"](\"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMC0435.jpg\")
<\/a>Once we got into the rough bits we were quite impressed with how composed the shock was, no funny behavior…just super predictable, controlled action. \u00a0Switching from an air shock to a coil on a fairly progressive trail bike does unlock a great deal of potential in general. \u00a0The ability to have a lockout at your finger tips without losing adjustments is incredible. Fox\u00a0should be lauded for the fact that this unit offers more adjustments than any other rear shock on the market.![\"_IMC0377\"](\"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMC0377.jpg\")
<\/a>Right away we appreciated the\u00a0increased\u00a0traction it provided. \u00a0Higher performance in the high speed, mid sized hits are noticeable right away as the shock can react quicker due to less seal friction as well as lower internal operating pressures – even compared to other coil shocks. \u00a0Big hits and mid stroke support are a bit of a mixed bag as air shocks offer a great deal more progression and bottoming resistance in general. \u00a0The DHX2 has a bit of a linear feel compared to\u00a0other coil shocks on the market so we aren’t sure how well it would pair with a single pivot bike that has a really\u00a0linear rate. \u00a0Perhaps a Float X2 with lever would be better suited to a bike like that. \u00a0With that in mind, the coil version paired\u00a0really nicely with our Evil Insurgent and its rising rate linkage.<\/p>\nOverall<\/h3>\n
If we had to come up with something to criticize\u00a0on the DHX2, oddly enough it might be the bottom out bumper. \u00a0While the shock rode incredibly well on our particular bike, under huge hits the bottom outs were noticeable and didn’t have a seamless transition. \u00a0If you have a bike with a more linear rate this might be exacerbated. \u00a0Compared to some other shocks on the market, the DHX2 features a fairly small bumper and we feel they could benefit from beefing it up.![\"_IMC0446\"](\"http:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMC0446.jpg\")
<\/a>Our 7.875 x 2.25(200mm X 57mm) shock weighed about 725 grams with the SLS spring, which puts it at about 350 grams heavier than our stock air shock. \u00a0So is a $599 price tag and a modest 3\/4 pound weight increase worth it? \u00a0Absolutely. \u00a0The lockout is brilliant, providing a much better feel and more traction while climbing compared to an air shock. \u00a0You also get to keep your\u00a0massive range of adjustment and tunability.\u00a0The DHX2 has held up incredibly well over the last 6 months and is running as good as new. \u00a0Speaking of wear, something that could easily be overlooked is Fox’s\u00a0brilliant hardware system which is nicely sealed and hasn’t developed any play whatsoever. \u00a0Smooth, quiet, controlled and trouble free. \u00a0This is a great upgrade to a mid travel bike if you’re looking to push your bike’s limits just a bit harder.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, when we first bolted this damper up to our bike, we’d already ridden the bike with another coil sprung shock after coming off of its stock air sprung shock. \u00a0The good thing about this is that it was easier for us to draw comparisons and look at this shock objectively. \u00a0We were already blown away by how much better our bike performed with a coil shock compared to an air shock and we think that over the next couple of years we will see a surge of developments in coil shocks for\u00a0mid travel bikes. One of the first things we noticed was just how freakishly quiet this shock is; perhaps the most silent shock we’ve tested. \u00a0Although that isn’t the<\/em> most important attribute, it’s safe to say that it indicates high quality construction and a well thought out design. If we had to come up with something to criticize\u00a0on the DHX2, oddly enough it might be the bottom out bumper. \u00a0While the shock rode incredibly well on our particular bike, under huge hits the bottom outs were noticeable and didn’t have a seamless transition. \u00a0If you have a bike with a more linear rate this might be exacerbated. \u00a0Compared to some other shocks on the market, the DHX2 features a fairly small bumper and we feel they could benefit from beefing it up.<\/a>Fox makes two gravity oriented rear dampers – \u00a0the Float X2 and the DHX2. \u00a0The former is air sprung and the latter(tested) is coil sprung with their new SLS spring, a fairly inexpensive super lightweight steel alloy that’s just about on par with a ti spring in terms of weight. Both air and coil units are available in the two sizes listed above – conveniently, they are two of the more common configurations for some of the most popular mid travel(150-170mm) bikes on the market. \u00a0We have a feeling that more sizes will become available in the future as well. \u00a0 Anyhow, read on to see how this little unit has held up to\u00a0the last few months of abuse.
\n<\/a><\/p>\nSet Up<\/h3>\n
<\/a>We started out with the recommended settings per our contact from Fox. \u00a0However, a pretty handy tuning guide can be found here.<\/a>\u00a0 There is a massive range of adjustment at your fingertips within both high and low speed adjusters for rebound and compression; they are easily fine tuned with a 6mm and 3mm allen key respectively. \u00a0Fox gave us a nifty little tool which made on the fly tuning a bit less tedious. \u00a0It’s best to be really dilligent and take notes while you’re setting up the damping. \u00a0Anyhow, the stock settings felt quite good in the parking lot so it was off to get this thing dirty.<\/p>\nOn the Trail<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Once we got into the rough bits we were quite impressed with how composed the shock was, no funny behavior…just super predictable, controlled action. \u00a0Switching from an air shock to a coil on a fairly progressive trail bike does unlock a great deal of potential in general. \u00a0The ability to have a lockout at your finger tips without losing adjustments is incredible. Fox\u00a0should be lauded for the fact that this unit offers more adjustments than any other rear shock on the market.<\/a>Right away we appreciated the\u00a0increased\u00a0traction it provided. \u00a0Higher performance in the high speed, mid sized hits are noticeable right away as the shock can react quicker due to less seal friction as well as lower internal operating pressures – even compared to other coil shocks. \u00a0Big hits and mid stroke support are a bit of a mixed bag as air shocks offer a great deal more progression and bottoming resistance in general. \u00a0The DHX2 has a bit of a linear feel compared to\u00a0other coil shocks on the market so we aren’t sure how well it would pair with a single pivot bike that has a really\u00a0linear rate. \u00a0Perhaps a Float X2 with lever would be better suited to a bike like that. \u00a0With that in mind, the coil version paired\u00a0really nicely with our Evil Insurgent and its rising rate linkage.<\/p>\nOverall<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Our 7.875 x 2.25(200mm X 57mm) shock weighed about 725 grams with the SLS spring, which puts it at about 350 grams heavier than our stock air shock. \u00a0So is a $599 price tag and a modest 3\/4 pound weight increase worth it? \u00a0Absolutely. \u00a0The lockout is brilliant, providing a much better feel and more traction while climbing compared to an air shock. \u00a0You also get to keep your\u00a0massive range of adjustment and tunability.\u00a0The DHX2 has held up incredibly well over the last 6 months and is running as good as new. \u00a0Speaking of wear, something that could easily be overlooked is Fox’s\u00a0brilliant hardware system which is nicely sealed and hasn’t developed any play whatsoever. \u00a0Smooth, quiet, controlled and trouble free. \u00a0This is a great upgrade to a mid travel bike if you’re looking to push your bike’s limits just a bit harder.<\/p>\n