FOX Racing Shox

36 TALAS 27.5 160 RC2 FIT Fork - 2015

Redesigned to dismantle blistering descents and finesse its way up steep singletrack, the FOX 36 TALAS 27.5 160 RC2 FIT Fork leaves previous criticisms by the wayside, offering unflappable stiffness, customizable compression settings, and 130 to 160mm of adjustable travel with the flick of a knob. Providing levels of stiffness previously unattainable by 15mm quick-release thru-axles, this fork uses a convertible 15/20mm thru-axle with four pinch-bolts (two on each dropout). Combined with its stout 36mm stanchions, precise tracking and high levels of stiffness are attained by the new FOX 36 TALAS, especially when you're braking on high-speed descents.

One of the fork's greatest assets is its high level of adjustability, with high- and low-speed compression dampening fine-tuning the fork's feel to your liking. Not only does this go beyond most manufacturers' pre-tuned settings, but it also allows you to customize the compression to the terrain at hand. The FIT RC2 damper, which stands for FOX Isolated Technology, reduces contamination for a consistently smooth feel, regardless of punishing trail conditions or extended downhill durations. Moreover, the fork's silky-smooth Kashima coating ensures lower friction and higher levels of durability, especially compared to standard stanchion coatings.

Perhaps most impressive, and what sets the TALAS apart from its FLOAT siblings, is its 130 to 160mm of adjustable travel. Standing for Travel Adjustable Linear Air Spring, the TALAS fork allows you to drop the fork's height profile down to 130mm when you're faced with brutal climbs or riding mellower terrain. However, you still have 160mm of terrain-chomping travel at hand when things get treacherous on slabby desert trails and technical alpine descents.