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I aired it up to 190 and back in business!
Yes the air spring and damper are backwards compatible.
Random question; is there an agreed upon term to describe the the newer air shocks we see on the market. Stuff like the ohlins ttx2, vivid air, X2? They all have a similar look/design to them, there has got to be a name for that style right?
I would say these are all large-volume air shocks. An extra sleeve on the outside of the air can allowing a much larger negative spring volume being the visual cue that ties them all together. Vivid is a monotube damper, Ohlins is a twin tube, X2 has been both.
The catch is it's an inverse architecture to regular air shocks when it comes to damper body and reservoir location and how the oil flows. But regular air shocks are the reverse of coil shocks anyway, so... Yeah 😂
Air-over-damper? (from the automotive term coil over damper) Reverse air shocks?
The reason why they exist is that you get the most performance, but servicing them is a pain compared to a regular shock. That's why they are reserved for the upper performance echelons. I guess you could make a regular air shock a twin tube if you wanted, the difference is just in where the air spring lives and subsequently the layout of the reservoir vs. damper body.
Forgot to update the forum, the piggyback leaks and doesn't quite last a single ride before deflating back to 50 psi....
A rebuild will take care of that. Replace the bladder as well as the all the rest of the seals. If I remember correctly the kit plus the bladder was under $50 from DVO… it’s easy to do at home if you’ve worked on a rear shock before. Even if you haven’t it’s not that much work to do it.
Any idea of timeline for NA stock of the parts?
New coil/air hybrid shock from Intend just dropped: https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/intend-launches-hybrid-rover-shock.
i should get my shock in the marketplace, this thing looks insane, and, it's super light too!
FOX Float X2 Live Valve Neo information below
FOX Float X2 Live Valve Neo - Own Gravity - Own Traction
FOX Factory is proud to introduce the most advanced gravity shock on the market - the Float X2 Live Valve Neo
FOX Factory is redefining gravity suspension once again with the introduction of the FLOAT X2 Live Valve Neo—a groundbreaking combination of the most advanced air shock in mountain biking and the fastest electronic MTB suspension system ever developed.
Bringing together the unmatched tunability and performance of FLOAT X2 with the real-time responsiveness of Live Valve Neo, this new platform delivers a level of traction, control, and speed that has never before been possible.
The Perfect Setting—In Every Moment
Trail conditions change constantly. Rider inputs change instantly. The FLOAT X2 Live Valve Neo adapts just as fast. At the core of the system is Live Valve Neo, which reads terrain and rider inputs 400 times per second, automatically opening or firming the shock’s compression circuit in as little as 1/70th of a second. The result is suspension that is:
- Firm when efficiency matters
- Plush when traction is critical
- Optimized at every moment on the trail
Unlike other electronic systems, Live Valve Neo is fast enough to confidently default to a firmer setting—without interrupting ride feel. This ability has already proven itself at the highest levels of racing, helping professional gravity athletes achieve winning performances.
The Definitive Gravity Shock—Now Faster
The FLOAT X2 has long been recognized as the definitive gravity air shock—delivering exceptional sensitivity, support, and adjustability for Enduro and Downhill racing. With Live Valve Neo integration, that performance is elevated even further.
Monotube construction increases durability and enables pressure balancing, improving damping response and consistency under the highest loads.
Live Suspension Gives You More
Live Valve Neo doesn’t replace rider preference—it enhances it. A 7-position Firm Mode adjust dial allows riders to fine-tune how supportive the shock feels when firmed, while The Low Speed Compression and High Speed/Low Speed Rebound dials let riders dial in their ideal descending performance. Our FOX Bike App provides the opportunity to further adapt Live Valve Neo to your ride style - with preset tunes or customization through our Precision Mode adjustments.
The combination of pressure-balanced damping, 4-way adjustability, and ultra-fast electronic control creates a system that keeps tires glued to the ground while maintaining chassis stability at speed. The ride sensation is often compared to a trophy truck—where the bike remains composed while the suspension absorbs the terrain beneath it.
For gravity riders, that translates directly into:
- Increased traction
-Reduced fatigue
- Greater confidence at speed
Own the Moment
The FLOAT X2 Live Valve Neo represents a new benchmark in suspension performance—where cutting-edge mechanical engineering meets real-time electronic intelligence. Because in gravity, speed comes from control—and control comes from traction.
FOX FLOAT X2 Neo Product Pages
USA: https://ridefox.com/pages/fox-float-x2-live-valve-neo-learn-more
CAN: https://ca.ridefox.com/pages/fox-float-x2-live-valve-neo-learn-more
AUS: https://au.ridefox.com/pages/fox-float-x2-live-valve-neo-learn-more
Float X2 Neo Highlights
- F-S and P-SE Neo Wireless
- CAN bus version custom for ORBEA
- Trunnion and standard eyelet options
- Wide range of sizes
- 3-way adjustable – high and low speed rebound, low speed compression
- Tool-free rebound and compression adjusters
- 750g (210x55)
- Uses same battery as all other Neo products
- Pressure Balanced Monotube architecture for GRIP X2 fork damper-level performance in a rear shock
- Larger 1/2” diameter shaft for increased strength and durability
- 1cc increment air volume adjustments for ultra-pre- cise spring rate tuning (Max 350psi)
- Updated Variable Valve Control (VVC) on high-speed rebound
- Parallel reservoir orientation available for frame clearance (select sizes)
- 7-click Firm mode adjust, 11-click Low-Speed com pression (same as LV Neo Float X/DHX)
Sizes and Pricing
Here's our fresh review of the FOX Float X Live Valve Neo, tested on a short-travel trail bike (hint: we really like it...): https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/fox-float-x-live-valve-neo-review-and-discussion.
One quick question, previous gen Super Deluxe Air had the option to be udoated to the high flow piston and the new force-named compression and rebound shim stacks. On the coil side the update was pushed out in the form of Super Deluxe Coil being renamed to the Vivid Coil.
Is there nevertheless an upgrade option for the last Super Deluxe Coil in the same vein as there is for the Air? Or could I revalve it to the same tune I had previously in my air shock and get similar results?
(there are some cheap used options out there and I'm getting a spending itch 😂)
Just looking at the new Maxima SG920 grease that SRAM claim is a step up from the usual suspension grease and was keen to try it in my forks. Unfortunately the service info on the SRAM site says it isn't backwards compatible and can only be used on MY27 forks, they say it will cause mayhem with older forks/seals.
Can anyone confirm this or is it BS, has anyone tried the new grease?
The Maxima site doesn't say anything about issues with using it in older products.
I have nothing to back this up but sounds like BS
I've got a question related to shock tune that doesn't make sense to me. I've seen a few reviews of the Dreadnought v2 and I think it also came up on the Druid CorE and Dreadnought E, where the reviewers mention the Vivid's shock tune feels harsh. It comes with an R85 C26 tune, which compared to the generic retail tune of R55 C34 should be very fast rebound and very light comp. The LR graphs look normal for a modern enduro bike. Anti-squat looks high vs. a non-HP bike but that's kinda the point of HP. AR looks extremely low (on Dreadnought E, appears to be 3.5% -> -9.5%). Is this harshness reviewers talk about likely due to too light of a comp tune, or something related to the weird AR? I'd think that crazy low AR will cause it to squat like crazy, which coupled with low comp tune could lead to a feeling of harshness when it gets deep into the stroke.
Edit: I had AR backwards. These bikes should fight like crazy to extend. So I'm still confused why the rear end with that shock/tune would feel harsh.
From the manufacturer's website:For use on all forks, shocks, and reciprocating hydraulic systems where smooth action is critical. Safe for NBR, Fluoroelastomer, Urethane, and Silicone seal materials.
Which is is completely the opposite to what Rockshox are saying https://support.rockshox.com/hc/en-us/articles/46636920845211-Is-SG920-reverse-compatible-with-older-RockShox-forks-If-so-which-forks
Almost certainly BS,but I'm not brave enough to try it in my 2025 Zebs, going to stick with the SRAM butter.
Could delayed service on the linkage/shock cause sag to display improperly? This season my Sentinel seems like it’s riding better at 27% sag, which last season was way too firm. It’s also seen plenty of inclement weather and wet conditions between last fall and this spring, so I’m wondering if the stiction there is causing a discrepancy between static sag in the garage and dynamic sag when I’m actually riding.
Sure can, sticky linkage will throw sag measurements off, measuring sag can be even used to estimate if your bearings need service. Good guide is published in motorcycle suspension bible.
That confirms my suspicions, thank you! I was like “well, guess it’s time to get a Vivid” and then I remembered I was actually really happy with the bike last fall, and figured something else must be off.
RS started using it last year. One of the RS shops is actually trying to blend it with older SRAM butter. Parking lot, butter feels better, but at temp 920 is better. I run it blended, no issues.
C26 is very soft so thats possibly the cause - all the rebound tunes are slow as well which doesn't help. High pivot bikes usually suit light low speed compression damping and more high speed compression, so if there LSC is a bit too firm (or even friction in the air shock) then that could feel harsh too.
I don't think so - the piston design basically stayed the same and they just added the touchdown "feature" . I think you can pretty much use the Vivid coil tunes in a Super Deluxe as well, just double check the stack heights. At least on the compression - I would avoid using the stiffer/progressive rebound tunes in an SDLX, I found it generated huge pressures and caused some weird blow-by behaviour, which I believe is the true reason for the touchdown piston with 2 glide rings, and the newest Vivid just used a thicker piston that doesn't flex instead.
Makes sense. I now realized I mischaracterized the shock's rebound tune (higher number = higher resistance/more damping by the RS scheme), so that could lead to packing. In addition I also misread the AR graph, so maybe they thought they needed heavily damped rebound to make up for the total lack of AR?
Slickoleum/sram butter is one of those products I've always found so good and reliable that there is literally no reason to change from it - I was thinking they might have done it to reduce the cost and stick to one manufacturer, but if thats true they certainly aren't passing those savings on 😅
It's probably really good - but so is sram butter so just use whatever you feel like or can easily get. From the little info I can get out the MSDS it just looks like calcium sulfonate grease (like slickoleum) with there own 11 herbs and spices so I don't see any reason it wouldn't be interchangeable (that would also be very stupid - All the seals are the same old elastomers)
Not sure that I'm ready to join in on mixing different greases just yet!
I will stick with the SRAM butter for now. I think the biggest performance improvement I can give myself is servicing my suspension sooner rather than later. A freshly serviced fork is a wonderful thing.
Here's something I was thinking about the other day while day dreaming about a park bike: if you were to equip a coil USD fork, like a Dorado Comp, with an open-bath damper, could you just pour the old oil out, pour new oil in, then call it a day for most services? I know that seals have to be replaced every once and again, but they must last a long time in an USD fork, no?
In theory, yes - thats why Push has a 50 hour "speed service" for the nine-one that lets you drain the old oil and fill it back up without disassembly, but for other brands its normally worth opening things up to make sure nothing is wearing out. Maybe after a while you would get a feel for how its holding up (if the oil was discolouring each time it means something is wearing or seals are failing) and you could extend things further without a rebuild.
This was basically what we did with the old open bath marzocchis and it was sort of OK but I later learnt that the internals would still wear pretty badly (although that was mostly because they didn't anodise the damper sliding surfaces) and the seals tended to run fine for ages and then fail completely in one go......
IMO that approach is really good for maintaining performance between major rebuilds, just be aware it doesn't exactly "extend" the time between services. Things like Nitrile seals break down from being exposed to oxygen and PU seals take set and break down over time so personally I find after about 2 years you will want to replace the important seals regardless of use and servicing. Obviously people often get much longer than that but I find its a bit of a gamble so I don't advise it.
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