Posts
21
Joined
1/27/2016
Location
GB
Edited Date/Time
11/14/2018 8:20am
I'm a big fan of twin tube damper shocks. Ever since I first rode a Cane Creek double barrel, they feel so different I just knew I'd never go back to the de carbon system I believe it's called.
Anyway so my current bike came with a Fox DPS shock, which is great most of the time, but I definitely want a twin tube on there, but I can't figure out whether to get a DPX2 or the full Float X2.
Has anyone tried both - on the same bike?
The difficult bit is that I use this one bike for everything (albeit with a couple of wheelsets) - Alpine road trips, loads of DH bike parks, long XC rides, Enduro races and the odd DH race. I live in the Peak District so a lot of XC.
So the bike and shock have a lot of work and have to be good at pretty much everything.
Anyway so my current bike came with a Fox DPS shock, which is great most of the time, but I definitely want a twin tube on there, but I can't figure out whether to get a DPX2 or the full Float X2.
Has anyone tried both - on the same bike?
The difficult bit is that I use this one bike for everything (albeit with a couple of wheelsets) - Alpine road trips, loads of DH bike parks, long XC rides, Enduro races and the odd DH race. I live in the Peak District so a lot of XC.
So the bike and shock have a lot of work and have to be good at pretty much everything.
I tested both those shocks on the same bike for my review of the DPX2. Have a read and let me know if you still have any specific questions afterwards, and I'll try to answer them if I can.
-Johan
The Float X2 is a much more versatile shock, as it's designed for more abuse.
The DPX2 is the step down from the Float X2, it really was designed to fill the gap for riders like yourself.
With that said, the bigger can, oil flow, and general robust built of the Float X2 is preferable (in my opinion) if you are doing really long descents or racing. The extra weight is negligible if you want a single shock to do everything from an after-work-ride to a stage race.
Worth noting, the DPX2 has a regressive tune, meaning it has a falling rate built into the end stroke, the idea being it is less harsh on the end stroke - it ramps like air, but is mildly more linear than a non-regressive air tune.
My suggestion: get the Float X2, it's going to be fine for trail rides, and then shine and not hold you up for the big days.
Thanks for the replies, I'll read your review fully when I get home this evening Iceman
I'm definitely starting to feel more like the full-fat X2 is probably the one. The lack of bottom out resistance that you both mention in the DPX2 is a concern. The G16 is slightly progressive, but not massively - the DPS I currently have does whack the bottom out occasionally.
Iceman, I have 2 questions about your write up please:
Firstly, what's the firm mode like on the X2?
Does it still leave the shock fairly active like the medium mode on the DPX2?
And secondly, please could you elaborate on the latter part of this paragraph you wrote:
"The X2 is first and foremost a gravity-oriented shock, a great match for big-hitting enduro bikes but not necessarily the first choice for those looking to improve the liveliness of their ride - that is where the DPX2 really shines."
So is the DPX2 more lively? Can you explain?
"lack of bottom out support" - I wouldn't call it a lack, just that the end of the stroke is ever so slightly more "dramatic" in that you can feel the transition to the bottom out bumper a bit more markedly. There's plenty of ramp in the DPX2, and you can always throw in the biggest volume spacer for more.
The firm mode on the Float X2 is less firm than on the DPX2. It's still pretty active even when you close that lever.
As for liveliness, yes, the DPX2 felt a little bit more "poppy" on my test bike. Partially because it requires a bit more pressure to play nice with bigger features, but also due to the overall smaller air volume and the tune of the damping. It's a "Trail" shock so this is to be expected. The X2 doesn't lack in support, it just seems to want to stick to the trail much more, even when you load it up with tokens and run more damping.
As for your choice, I would also tend to gravitate towards the full-fat X2 over the half-and-half, skinny-latte DPX2.
As for the spring curves, if anything, the X2 offers more control over the spring curve than most other shocks (large number of tokens), so it should adapt more easily to more frames.
So the bottomline , get the float X2. It is Overall a better shock and has so many Tuning Options that a "livlier feel of the dpx" is totaly a thing of adjustment
It transformed the ride of my old Transition Patrol, which was already superb. I couldn't believe how much faster I felt comfortable going, after i fitted it.
Cannot wait to get one on my Reign
I've also got upgradeItis right now for my 2017 Patrol. Stock SuperDeluxe is due for full rebuild, so it's sent it to Avalanche for $250, get a coil, or get something like the X2. I'm leaning toward Avy - custom tune, cheaper, not as mainstream. But coil, mmmmmm.
Go with the FloatX2. Has more adjustability. Just follow the Factory setup guide and take your time tuning it correctly.
if you re riding trails 80% of the time, i d go DPX2 no question. pedaling platform is better, the propedal system and the tuning for reb and low speed comp are easy access, and easier to set up
i feel the X2 very planted to the ground, giving that 'flat tire' feeling. if you're ding long techy descents all the time and go in the bike park every weekend, then X2.
Want to buy an x2 for $315? 200x57
I prefer the DB Air CS, same deal, takes a few long days of setup and suspension knowledge to get in the ballpark but once dialled in very confidence inspiring shock. I use this in conjunction with a shockwiz for fine tuning and analysis.
I write this as a CC "supported" rider (ie small discount on rrp) but writing this as honestly and impartial as I can. It's no fox X2 and that's the best shock I've ridden even though I was one of the people who had an air can literally explode right near my balls lol.
1) Frame
2) Riding style
3) Weight
4) What you like/dislike out of a suspension package
5) How a particular shock was setup (tune, sag etc)
6) Did you time yourself on comparable setups or going only by "feel"?
7) How many beers did you have the night before? How did you sleep? How much have you been riding?
8) What was the dirt like?
Bla bla bla.
Point is, comparing shocks is cool, but going merely by feel, without taking the time to really play around with the package, compare times, realize the human factor is HUGE and make sure setup is spot on can lead to some really interesting (AKA bad) decision making.
In my experience all the shocks are pretty dang good these days. Some more tunable than others. Most of us aren't able to touch the top end of what any of them are capable of from the manufacturer (OEM setups are setup pretty well all things considered)
My $0.02.
There is a lot of cognitive bias in bike parts. Placebo effect is huge. Is it really better, or did you just think it was going to be better so it was better.
This is why I'm so convinced you need to do some kind of objective analysis if you are really going to say "this is absolutely better"
If anyone has tried a Manitou McLeod rear shock it will teach you that money doesn't equal performance, I've seen those shocks in the bargain bins for dirt cheap and they are a great option for a heavy boi.
Post a reply to: FOX DPX2 or Float X2 rear shock