Trek Rail with Fox DHX2 coil

BiGJZ74

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Mar 17, 2021
573
444
American Canyon, CA
I did pull white bushing didnt work at all
Did they send the wrong hardware? I installed the same offset bushings kit and DHX2 shock. Removed the white pressed in the black DU bushings inserted the pin + sleeves, then used the Trek 10mm Shock axle/bolt to tighten it all up. Curious as to why it didn't work. At least you found a way to make it work. Bike looks great.
 

PetrD

Member
Jul 27, 2020
70
21
CZ
I have fox dhx2 mounted with all bushings and axle from Trek on upper side, so I have to change the blue plastic fox bushing only on the upper joint of shock.
For the bottom side I bought the original fox spacers (40mm?) and use the white bushing inside of shock and there is only axle by Trek, everything other on bottom is Fox.
All frame bearings and o-rings are original by Trek and remained in frame.
I couldn't get the spacers by Fox for upper side, so I have to keep the Trek one (for RockShox originaly) and had to change the white bushing on the upper side of new shock.

8E7E36AA-2539-40C4-96B4-E1DB6EF0E69F.jpeg
 
Last edited:

dixie600mhz

Active member
Oct 13, 2020
174
159
Austin, Texas
I have fox dhx2 mounted with all bushings and axle from Trek on upper side, so I have to change the blue plastic fox bushing only on the upper joint of shock.
For the bottom side I bought the original fox spacers (40mm?) and use the white bushing inside of shock and there is only axle by Trek, everything other on bottom is Fox.
All frame bearings and o-rings are original by Trek and remained in frame.
I couldn't get the spacers by Fox for upper side, so I have to keep the Trek one (for RockShox originaly) and had to change the white bushing on the upper side of new shock.

View attachment 66170
Is that 230x65? What length of spring did you end up getting? It looks like it takes up most of the available space. Do you mind sharing how much you weigh and what spring seems to work best?
 

BiGJZ74

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Mar 17, 2021
573
444
American Canyon, CA
Is that 230x65? What length of spring did you end up getting? It looks like it takes up most of the available space. Do you mind sharing how much you weigh and what spring seems to work best?
I run a 230x65mm DHX2, The Black steel springs are a lot longer than the SLS springs. I run a 67mm 700lb spring @ 300lbs, could even go to 650 as the 700lb spring was great even at 340lbs..
IMG_2321.jpg
 

Offset

Bushings
Jun 18, 2020
14
29
UK
Our bushing kits for the Rail are designed to be used with our included DU bushes (the Fox ones come out easily with a flat head screwdriver and ours are pressed in with either a vice or our DU Tool which is available on our website). If you try to use it with the Fox DU, the spacers will be too wide.

If you'd like, we can produce them with narrower spacers to be used in conjunction with the Fox DU bushes, just specify this along with the frame and shock models when ordering when ordering these Shock Bushings | Trek Rail - it's not a problem.

We're always quicker via email if you have any questions, which you can find on our contact page.

Cheers guys!

Jeron @ Offset Bushings
 

davem85

Member
Feb 1, 2021
47
16
Germany
I run a 230x65mm DHX2, The Black steel springs are a lot longer than the SLS springs. I run a 67mm 700lb spring @ 300lbs, could even go to 650 as the 700lb spring was great even at 340lbs..
View attachment 74424

300lbs including the bike? That's how I'm running a 650lbs spring (Rail 5 XL) and think it's pretty spot on.

It's another shock (Marzocchi Bomber CR) though.
 

dixie600mhz

Active member
Oct 13, 2020
174
159
Austin, Texas
I weigh 195lbs but with full kit probably 210ish. I'm thinking of getting a 67mm fox SLS 550 spring? Should I try and find a 525 instead or even a 500? Thoughts? I like the bike super plush. Don't want to buy the wrong spring. The 550 is in stock at a few places. Can't find a 525 anywhere in the USA so far.
 

BiGJZ74

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Mar 17, 2021
573
444
American Canyon, CA
I weigh 195lbs but with full kit probably 210ish. I'm thinking of getting a 67mm fox SLS 550 spring? Should I try and find a 525 instead or even a 500? Thoughts? I like the bike super plush. Don't want to buy the wrong spring. The 550 is in stock at a few places. Can't find a 525 anywhere in the USA so far.
are you running shock at 65mm stroke?
 

BiGJZ74

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Mar 17, 2021
573
444
American Canyon, CA
I was going to order the dhx2 as 230 x 65. Do I need to go with a longer spring? Is the rule of thumb max travel plus 8mm?
I run a 67mm spring. Just run 1mm of preload. and ur fine. Shouldn't run more that that anyways. According to Fox Calculator, 550 may be way too much. I attached the calculator with a body weight of 210lbs in gear, shock stroke @ 65mm and rear travel of 169mm. For 30% sag ur probably at 425lbs according to the chart. It says 400 for 31%. If you jump or do medium to big drops you'd probably want to get a bit heavier with 450-500max. Tftuned's calculator said 466lb spring for 28% since that spring doesn't exist, 450lb would be the choice if you used their chart. If I had to guess based on the charts I'd go 450. Since the Rail isn't the most progressive system, you can probably err on the side of a stronger spring with softer settings on the shock. 550 if you really send it. I helped a guy on here who weighed 230lbs, 245-250 w gear, he went with 550 which was the fox recommendation for 250lbs and he said it was perfect.

The fox chart when I weighed 340 (355ibs in gear) said 700 which was perfect. I should probably drop my spring to 650 now but I've just opened up the compression and it still runs great

Fanatikbike.com has Fox SLS springs 2.65" (67mm) instock @ 450/475/500- Fanatik bike SLS 2.65"

thelostco.com has them in 475/500/550. thelostco.com Fox SLS 2.65"

Screenshot 2021-10-24 at 12-40-13 Mountain Bike Spring Rate Calculator.png

1635108789440.png
 

dixie600mhz

Active member
Oct 13, 2020
174
159
Austin, Texas
I run a 67mm spring. Just run 1mm of preload. and ur fine. Shouldn't run more that that anyways. According to Fox Calculator, 550 may be way too much. I attached the calculator with a body weight of 210lbs in gear, shock stroke @ 65mm and rear travel of 169mm. For 30% sag ur probably at 425lbs according to the chart. It says 400 for 31%. If you jump or do medium to big drops you'd probably want to get a bit heavier with 450-500max. Tftuned's calculator said 466lb spring for 28% since that spring doesn't exist, 450lb would be the choice if you used their chart. If I had to guess based on the charts I'd go 450. Since the Rail isn't the most progressive system, you can probably err on the side of a stronger spring with softer settings on the shock. 550 if you really send it. I helped a guy on here who weighed 230lbs, 245-250 w gear, he went with 550 which was the fox recommendation for 250lbs and he said it was perfect.

The fox chart when I weighed 340 (355ibs in gear) said 700 which was perfect. I should probably drop my spring to 650 now but I've just opened up the compression and it still runs great

Fanatikbike.com has Fox SLS springs 2.65" (67mm) instock @ 450/475/500- Fanatik bike SLS 2.65"

thelostco.com has them in 475/500/550. thelostco.com Fox SLS 2.65"

View attachment 74524
View attachment 74531
Thanks dude. I'll buy you a beer next time you visit Austin!!
 

dixie600mhz

Active member
Oct 13, 2020
174
159
Austin, Texas
Finally finished the DHX2 install. 230x65 fits perfect. My total riding weight fully loaded is 215 lbs. After trying three springs I ended up with a fox SLS 475 spring to get sag at 32%.

With compression fully open I still haven't quite bottomed out with the 475, but sag was at least 36% using a 450 spring. First impressions after installing are that it felt like the rear tire is always super soft (but its not). Super plush ride. Tweaking compression and rebound after finding the ideal spring gets it really dialed in to feel great.

To help others, for my 2021 9.8XT Rail Trunnion Mount Rockshox Delux shock to DHX2 coil conversion I needed:
Trek Mounting pins: 599898 and 599900
FOX Bushing kit: 803-03-329 and 803-03-311
DHX2 2022: 630x65
FOX SLS Spring 475lb/inch 3.65"/67mm

I messed around with Sprindex and Fox SLS springs going from 450 up to 550. Can't say enough about Carl at Sprindex. He was awesome and sent extra springs to try at no charge. Also very helpful is the yo-yo for measuring sag and total travel. I'm running minimum preload possible (8 clicks). With a 450 spring I could get the sag down from ~36% to 33% using 24 clicks preload, but I noticed the small bump magic carpet smoothness was diminished significantly so went to a 475 spring setup.

It feels great. Can't believe how much a different rebound adjustments make!

shock.jpg


pins.jpg


pin_bill.PNG


shock_bill.PNG

just_shock_588g.jpg


450_sls_303g.jpg


fully_compressed.jpg


230_65_fully_compressed.jpg


assembly.jpg


done.jpg


setting_sag.jpg
 

BiGJZ74

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Mar 17, 2021
573
444
American Canyon, CA
Finally finished the DHX2 install. 230x65 fits perfect. My total riding weight fully loaded is 215 lbs. After trying three springs I ended up with a fox SLS 475 spring to get sag at 32%.

With compression fully open I still haven't quite bottomed out with the 475, but sag was at least 36% using a 450 spring. First impressions after installing are that it felt like the rear tire is always super soft (but its not). Super plush ride. Tweaking compression and rebound after finding the ideal spring gets it really dialed in to feel great.

To help others, for my 2021 9.8XT Rail Trunnion Mount Rockshox Delux shock to DHX2 coil conversion I needed:
Trek Mounting pins: 599898 and 599900
FOX Bushing kit: 803-03-329 and 803-03-311
DHX2 2022: 630x65
FOX SLS Spring 475lb/inch 3.65"/67mm

I messed around with Sprindex and Fox SLS springs going from 450 up to 550. Can't say enough about Carl at Sprindex. He was awesome and sent extra springs to try at no charge. Also very helpful is the yo-yo for measuring sag and total travel. I'm running minimum preload possible (8 clicks). With a 450 spring I could get the sag down from ~36% to 33% using 24 clicks preload, but I noticed the small bump magic carpet smoothness was diminished significantly so went to a 475 spring setup.

It feels great. Can't believe how much a different rebound adjustments make!

View attachment 77360

View attachment 77361

View attachment 77362

View attachment 77369
View attachment 77363

View attachment 77364

View attachment 77365

View attachment 77366

View attachment 77367

View attachment 77368

View attachment 77370
It is ridiculous how great the DHX2 feels on the Rail.
 

zaykay

Member
Dec 3, 2019
93
79
Finland
Finally finished the DHX2 install. 230x65 fits perfect.
View attachment 77365
If that picture is taken with bottom out bumber still in place I'm afraid you don't have enough clearance for bottoming. I've had the understanding that in Large frame 62,5mm (for 2021 style reservoir, 60mm for older type dhx2) is the longest stroke which clears the frame. Is this XL frame?
 

BiGJZ74

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Mar 17, 2021
573
444
American Canyon, CA
If that picture is taken with bottom out bumber still in place I'm afraid you don't have enough clearance for bottoming. I've had the understanding that in Large frame 62,5mm (for 2021 style reservoir, 60mm for older type dhx2) is the longest stroke which clears the frame. Is this XL frame?
Thats the new resi and I jumped on my pedals without the spring installed and had zero contact
 

zaykay

Member
Dec 3, 2019
93
79
Finland
Thats the new resi and I jumped on my pedals without the spring installed and had zero contact
I don't think that kind of test compresses the bottom out bumber fully. Have you bottomed out the shock yet in riding situation? So that you feel the metal clunk hard stop?
 

BiGJZ74

E*POWAH Master
Subscriber
Mar 17, 2021
573
444
American Canyon, CA
I don't think that kind of test compresses the bottom out bumber fully. Have you bottomed out the shock yet in riding situation? So that you feel the metal clunk hard stop?
I'm 340lbs....but yes...6ft huck to an ooops to flat bottom out without issue. Over 1000 miles and i'm fine.
 

Raph-1970

New Member
Dec 1, 2021
15
4
Belgium
Guys ,
this post is very very interesting ... it will be useful for me when I will install a DHX2 on my Rail 5 size L and my weight is 210 lbs ;
what do you recommend as measurements of DHX2 with spring ?
 

dixie600mhz

Active member
Oct 13, 2020
174
159
Austin, Texas
If that picture is taken with bottom out bumber still in place I'm afraid you don't have enough clearance for bottoming. I've had the understanding that in Large frame 62,5mm (for 2021 style reservoir, 60mm for older type dhx2) is the longest stroke which clears the frame. Is this XL frame?

I understand the concern. That pic was taken with the bump stop still in and no spring, bike fully loaded down. I was worried about it making contact so kept an eye on it. When I used a 450 spring and no damping, on some bigger jumps I was able to bottom out the shock completely (metal on metal feel). Inspection of the paint at that potential contact point remains untouched. So I believe that it's not hitting under worst case. I've switched to a 475 spring since and the bike feels magical. Haven't been able to bottom it out yet.
 

dixie600mhz

Active member
Oct 13, 2020
174
159
Austin, Texas
It is ridiculous how great the DHX2 feels on the Rail.
Yeah it's making me feel like that Zeb is the shittiest suspension I've ever had. Rear is plush and smooth. Zeb just can't do it for me. No matter what, I'm still getting wrist pump and numb hands. Don't get it on any of my other bikes.
 

Richiefromboston

Active member
Mar 15, 2021
228
121
Boston, Ma. USA
Yeah it's making me feel like that Zeb is the shittiest suspension I've ever had. Rear is plush and smooth. Zeb just can't do it for me. No matter what, I'm still getting wrist pump and numb hands. Don't get it on any of my other bikes.
 

Rob Rides EMTB

Administrator
Staff member
Subscriber
Jan 14, 2018
6,257
13,692
Surrey, UK
Yeah it's making me feel like that Zeb is the shittiest suspension I've ever had. Rear is plush and smooth. Zeb just can't do it for me. No matter what, I'm still getting wrist pump and numb hands. Don't get it on any of my other bikes.
Which Zeb is it you have?
 

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