Like others have explained - better thought through than how I would've put it - it's smootherWhat is a floating axle and y should I care?
SMOOTHER
36 & 38 Floating Axle
FLOATING AXLE
Floating axles might look similar to other axles, but in fact they offer a distinct performance advantage due to their unique ability to match the exact width of the fork’s wheel mounting surface precisely to the front hub flange spacing, thus creating perfect chassis alignment and eliminating unwanted friction between the upper and lower fork legs. Floating axles provide much smoother suspension movement throughout the entire range of the fork’s travel, notably improving sensitivity and overall ride quality.
The all-new 36 and 38 come equipped with a new quick-release lever operated patent-pending floating axle system, combining the benefit of a floating axle with the ease of a tool-free quick-release. With this system, spacing is locked in via a floating sleeve, allowing repeated front wheel removal and reinstallation while maintaining perfect fork alignment. Floating sleeve positioning comes preset from the factory so if you are unsure of how to operate the floating axle system or simply don’t want to bother with it, you can just install the front wheel and get on with your ride.
Available optionally is the new Kabolt-X, a lightweight bolt-on floating axle exclusively for the all-new 36 and 38 that not only shaves grams but also increases torsional stiffness via its sleeveless, single-sided pinch bolt design. Chassis alignment must be reset each time the front wheel is removed and reinstalled on both the Kabolt-X and 40 floating axles, but the end result is the same – perfect alignment and perfect performance.
My experience is that they spend a lot more time being repaired than Fox components - and I prefer to be riding.
Most fox will have creaky crowns over time , it’s just the way they’re made . Just have to live with it ! Never had a creaky crowned RS !People here are saying that two week old Fox 38's are already creaking from crown interface. Wonder if Zeb is better in this aspect...
My experience is quite literally the opposite. I am on my 9th one in 25 years and they've been bombproof, even the first one, a Judy SL. Had a few Fox too and they were great if a little fragile.
Its like they where destined to meet some dayJust got these installed today.
View attachment 35566
(Stopped for a quick photo shoot on the way back from Squamish)
Will put them through the paces tomorrow.
I wonder if the dual position Rockshox offering stop the addition of tokens?
TALAS = Travel Adjustable Linear Air System.Was considering the dual postion fork, but just don't think I'm ready to begin adjusting the travel 6-10 times during a ride, plus it's not going to have the opportunity to add the ultimate damper if I want down the road if I'm thinking correctly. It's a great idea, but smashing down the trails then catching a quick steep uphill for a bit will have me stopping or adjusting on the fly while rolling? Fox did this with the Tallus (sp?) fork years ago but it never seemed to fully catch on. It's the very reason most don't reach down to adjust the firmness setting on their rear or front shock. It's a pain, and if your moving faster, it's a distraction. Thoughts?
In early 2014, I went to the Welsh mtb trail Antur Stiniog on my Norco Sight with its TALAS system. Big mistaaake! Antur Stiniog is designed for DH mtbs not lightweight trail bikes. Think Bike Park Wales on steroids.....and it’s double pain when you forget to extend them after the climb !
Classic! Safe to say we can cross off "fork dive" on the possible concern list. Bike is looking tight dooodAfter ride update:
I put 11KM in bright and early this morning.
I rode Expresso / Lower Expresso / Lower Digger X2.
I’m 205lbs with gear
I have sag set to around 27%
1 Token
No Torque Caps (I still need to get in touch with Industry 9).
I pushed it a little on the climb and dropped right into the first decent.
I was definitely sloppy with line choice and placing the front tire.
The fork felt really supportive and didn’t dive in the corners.
The first noticeable difference was in the steep rock roll down the back face of a boulder.
View attachment 35623
At the bottom of this, there is a decent right hand turn. I got super squirly but pushed out of it without washing out and getting right stuffed into the woods.
The rest of Expresso and the lower continuation has a lot of berms, roots and rocks trying to keep you honest and some jumps.
ZEB is a killer fork.
I plowed my way down the hill, launching on top of rocks and root...mostly because I’m shitastic at looking at where I should go (place my tire), instead I seem to be looking at all the baby heads and wooden middle fingers littered on the ground.
The fork is way more plush and supple than the Lyrik Select (Duh!)
I’m really happy with putting down the extra cash, instead of just upgrading the air spring and damper to Ultimate status.
Bottom Line:
I’m heavy, not smooth and plow like I’m back home on the prairies of Alberta. (In another life)
This fork saved my ass numerous times today and with some tweaking to the air volume and rebound - I’m looking forward to it saving my ass many many more times.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Happy to reply with my thoughts.
-Kinger
View attachment 35625
[Before it got all dirty today]
It's not mandatory - just adjust when you really feel the need.Was considering the dual postion fork, but just don't think I'm ready to begin adjusting the travel 6-10 times during a ride
I’m in for buying the zeb select 180mm 27.5 for the 2020 kenevo comp but am unsure which offset 38 or 44 ? Bike has a 42mm atm !
Thanks but those numbers just don’t mean anything ! Am I right in thinking the bigger the offset the less the trail ? I must admit I’m abit confusedThere is a fork offset calculator somewhere online. Enter the data for both configurations to assess the impact compared to your current geo.
Edit Bicycle Trail Calculator | yojimg.net
The "c" is for compression adjustment. Quite useful i thinkDoes anyone understand the differences between the Charger R and charger RC dampers? I don't need the low speed adjustments of the cheaper select but it's only £50 more than the fixed travel base model on Bikeinn so I don't want to miss out on a better damper in case there are other differences.
I’ll take a premium damper over farting around with the travel any day.Was considering the dual postion fork, but just don't think I'm ready to begin adjusting the travel 6-10 times during a ride, plus it's not going to have the opportunity to add the ultimate damper if I want down the road if I'm thinking correctly. It's a great idea, but smashing down the trails then catching a quick steep uphill for a bit will have me stopping or adjusting on the fly while rolling? Fox did this with the Tallus (sp?) fork years ago but it never seemed to fully catch on. It's the very reason most don't reach down to adjust the firmness setting on their rear or front shock. It's a pain, and if your moving faster, it's a distraction. Thoughts?
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