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Fox Racing Shox
TALAS RLC
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Average Rating
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4.55/5
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# of Reviews
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29
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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More Products from Fox Racing Shox
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Description:Proprietary travel adjustment between 85mm and 125mm is top-cap accessable for on-the-fly travel changes or set-and-forget optimization of steering geometry and handling.
FOX exclusive PSC chassis provides unparalleled steering precision and industry leading torsional rigidity.
Proprietary Linear Air-Spring system works integrally with the TALAS travel adjustment to insure optimal air-spring characteristics for each travel increment and utilizes a second, floating-piston seperated air-chamber, to provide air-spring weight with coil-spring feel.
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Submitted by
achawalla
a
from Dali, Yunnan, China
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Calgary Cycle | | Strengths: | Torsionally stiff, plush, adjustments work. It's nice. | | Weaknesses: | Er, the color? | | Similar Products Used: | Really? Are there anything out there 'similar'? | | Bike Setup: | Dekerf Implant, singlespeed. Parts found on every other bike. Too common and tedious to list. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line: I had my Dekerf built up in Oct 04 in Calgary and had it shipped to Japan to ride some rough s--t over there. It took a while to dial it in, but they work flawlessly after that. Then I started to ride here in Dali, China. Big mountains here. Rocks, roots, offcamberhorserutted chaos. Almost 2 years of some pretty hard riding. Never leaked air and never had an oil change. As I said before, they're some seriously good shocks. I'll highly recommend them to anybody and I'll get a new set of TALAS when it comes time to replace them, whenever that'll be, but the way how smooth they're runnng after 2 years of unforgiving abuse, need I say more. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris McBath
a Downhiller
from Woodinvile, Washington USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Wherever I get air | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Woodinville Bike Shop | | Strengths: | So far everything, this seems like a very solid fork. One of the best I'd have to say | | Weaknesses: | So far none | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Mz Comp, but thats a piece of crap | | Bike Setup: | Other then new tires, the shock, pedals, and new brakes. Its stock | | Bottom Line: | Good fork
A little expensive, still not sure if it was worth the money though
I wish it was about 600 retail
Its pretty much a good fork for anything, very adjustable and tough. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Area 51, Ithaca NY | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Jensen | | Strengths: | Strong, adjustable, supple, travel and rebound/compression adjustments truly are independent (unlike Manitou).
The perfect fork for this application (from xc racing to all mountain) | | Weaknesses: | None (maybe getting a little less travel than 80-125) | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou (old SX-ti, SX-R)(Sherman breakout plus on other bike)
Marzocchi Marathon SL (80mm)
| | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth, Romic in back, Raceface&SRAM drive, Hayes, Maxxis. | | Bottom Line: | There's a reason why since fox forks have hit the market just about everyone who seriously rides has one (just about everywhere I visit where there's a serious non-dh/freeride trail- most guys are riding this fork).
Having this fork for an epic ride feels like cheating. (short travel on the way up- long and slack on the way down-lockout and short on the road).
It's not a cheap fork- but it is a value since you won't need to get another fork in 2-3 years.
Have never had any minatenance probs- in 3 hard years of riding.
Probably didn't need to get the RLC- the RL would've been fine (I have adjusted the Compression once or twice- not a lot).
Get this fork and never shop for a 130mm or less travel fork again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Howard
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Any tough singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | I love this fork! It is so plush and takes so much punishment and has caused me not one minute of grief!
It holds air! It has enough adjustments to make your head spin! It handles small stuff with cush. It handles the big stuff with cush! I love it! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing! Nope! Nada! | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Minute 2 (pretty good), Fox F100X (really nice!) Manitou Axel (crap) | | Bike Setup: | Came stock on my 03 Hollowpoint Expert. I've never wanted another fork! Never even thought about it! | | Bottom Line: | This sucker rocks! I have ridden this shock almost every day for almost 1-1/2 years...probably close to 3000 miles of rough arizona mountain trails. I have never had to add air. It holds air! I have never had to add oil. It holds oil! I have never had it lock up or lock down. I can set it on the fly for just about any trail condition (I've since found the sweet spot and I don't fiddle with it much anymore.)
This is an expensive shock. If it had not come with the bike, I'm not sure that I would ever have discovered it. But I'm glad it did. It's worth it if you can get over the sticker shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cactuscorn
a Cross Country Rider
from Sioux City, Iowa
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Scheels All Sports | | Strengths: | Super Ultra Mega Plush! Way torsionally stiff. Incredibly tunable | | Weaknesses: | A bad reputation for leaks and customer service. takes time to achieve full travel or close enough to it to pass as advertised | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing THAT similar but:
X-Fly
Atom Bomb
Z-1
Moto 120
Judy SL
SX 5
Manitou 4
Manitou 3
| | Bike Setup: | Turner Burner, Float RL, XTR drivetrain (mostly), Sram chain and cassette, Avid BB7's, Woodman hubs and tons of Bontrager bits. | | Bottom Line: | now that ive spent some time on this fork i thought it time to share my thoughts. the first thought is, "DAMN! What a fork!" my introduction to this beauty was early in its first year of production at a demo on a really lame piece of ground but i did find a staircase or 2 to play on. i was instantly intrigued and knew i needed one. my days of bob-o-rama style forks ended when i found this one on a vendor closeout list for $..... never mind. lets just say i should be arrested for theft cuz it was so freakin cheap.
at first i as many others could not seem to find that last 15mm of travel. its also taking time to really dial in but im close. the near excess of external tuneability is very cool and makes the task easy. mood changes and terrain differences are no longer of any concern to me.
mostly i ride the tight but non technical wooded trails with tons of steep and short climbs at 90mm. i set the threshold just shy of firm with reasonable compression and a somewhat quick rebound to deal with the fast twistys, lung bustin climbs and rooty descents. just last week i set up for some downhilling with a few small parts mods including my prized John Marking hand built Vanilla R and a huge twist of the TALAS knob on the fork and started my runs. Holy crap this thing is stiff, solid, inspiring and sooooo plush. this CANT be a air fork! at one point on this short yet fun run theres a huge 8 foot hillside offshoot where ya blast up out of the bottom of a glen, around a tree, crest the top as you simultaneously need to fight the bikes desire to unweight itself and keep rising, deal with a substantial off camber bit, find the right line over a set of tall roots from a uphill tree as you turn back down into the glen and drop the very steep 8' into a high speed g out and then ya need to point it back down the trail again or you meet mr big a$$ bolder. pretty hairy stuff for a old guy with limited talent on a 3" air fork but not on this fox. i found myself attacking instead of just riding this section and even though the fork bottoms i never felt it disturb my line or confidence. it seems to just progressively ramp up to that point without the usual "bang" and loss of control i associate with reaching the end of ones travel. too cool! furthermore ive discovered i now get 119mm of the 125mm of advertised travel. ive learned thats close enough and ill just concede to calling it good.
all the knobs work well enough yet i agree with the complaints of such a huge turn needed to mess with the TALAS and lock out features. i take it in stride cuz lets face it, how often are we gonna reach for anything but brakes and shifters on anything but smooth trail? the lock out works great but isnt used much nor is the TALAS.
so far no weeping, leaks, and blown seals and i love the meaty industrial look. the stickers are a tad gawdy but they do match the blue on my king headset and frame graphics and anythings better than raised letters that either fall off in a stiff breeze or seem to say "DORK", or something close to it but i hear the Reba may actually work. i regress....
despite the enormous retail cost, of all the forks ive owned, ridded or worked on, this is by far the pinnacle of user friendly, performance envelope expanding, confidence inspiring, pure joy. pony up kids! if youre tired of a buying a new fork for every new travel geometry or type of trail and dont mind a extra 1/2 lb for all the benefits, then beg borrow or steal, you need this fork! and it sure helps if ya only had to pay.... a cold beer honey? yes id love one. thanx!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Redondo Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | suicide | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | www.beyondbikes.com | | Strengths: | Lightish for travel. This is absolutely the most adjustable fork on the market. | | Weaknesses: | Travel: there is no way that this fork can achieve the claimed 125 mm of travel. Servicability. | | Similar Products Used: | White Bros. DC110, Manitou X-Vert, Rock Shox Psylo, Manitou Black | | Bike Setup: | This fork is on a mostly XT Ellsworth Id. | | Bottom Line: | There is absolutely no way that you can get the 125 mm of travel out of this fork. The most travel I've got out of this fork is 108 mm, and I only achieved this by running the air pressure ridiculously low. The travel on this fork is measured with no air in the fork, and the last 5 mm of travel is in the bottom-out bumper. Basically it is impossible to get the 125 mm out of this shock. Why do manufacturers do this? Why not make the shock capable of getting 135 mm so it actually gets the 125 mm they claim? And, my last complaint is servicability. I have nearly 15 years of shop experience. I can work on this shock but it's a pain in the butt. Manitou uses the most straight-forward design. It is very easy to work on a Manitou, and I was able to hotrod my Manitou to get more travel out of it. I got about 105 mm out of an 80 mm the X-Vert on my wife's bike, and about 125mm of travel out of the 115 mm X-Vert on my bike. They are also super easy to service. Oh well, I guess I should have got the Minute 2 after all. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ATBScott
a Cross Country Rider
from Castro Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Can you only have one? | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Hayward | | Strengths: | Plush Travel, reasonable weight, no-deflection or chattering, low-maintenance, good tire clearance for a wide range of rubber. | | Weaknesses: | Fork is not designed for self-servicing of internals,
Pricey | | Similar Products Used: | Rigid, Original Rock Shox, Girvin, Specialized, Manitous, Rock Shox Duke, etc... | | Bike Setup: | '03 Specialized Enduro Pro | | Bottom Line: | This fork is the best all-round fork that I have ridden. It is reasonably plush while still allowing enough degrees of adjustment to tune it to not be a mush-master. I rarely feel the need to lock out the fork, except for the occassional steep, smooth or paved climb. (By the way - locking out the fork, and then turning the blow-off release valve to it's lowest setting gives an almost stable-platform fork feel!) I run the fork a few psi higher than the recommended setting for my 185 lbs, and it feels good to me. Most of the time I ride it at a 100mm setting, but for longer rides with rougher descents, a few clicks and I get an extra inch of absorbtion for a bigger hit or just to gice my old bones some extra cushion when getting tired after 3 or 4 hours of riding. Once in a while I like to bomb down a bit and the extra travel is appreciated. I rarely ride this at the low-travel setting. It works so well that you forget about it. The best kudos I can give to any product. Fork came on the bike, and it was one of the selling points of the bike, as far as I was concerned. I wish that Fox would have made the fork to be able to be serviced by a competent mechanic without sending it in to the factory, yet 18 months of riding (lube the felt bushings under the seals every couple/three months) and the fork is still feeling like it did new. Maybe better. An expensive product, but very good quality. For those who do not need the extra travel, the Fox Float 100 RLC is as good and a little less $$ - and easy to service as well.
Keep the rubber side down! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G Mckshred
a Cross Country Rider
from scottsdale
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | mazerak | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS - Rage | | Strengths: | bulletproof. Works in all conditions. No deflection. Can handle any XC situation. Doesn't leak at all. No problems with any of the adjustment knobs or the fork at all. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Too many adjustments available. Anodizing wears off easily, due to zip ties and trail debris. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Duke SL and Judy SL.
Cannondale Headshock. | | Bike Setup: | INTENSE TRACER | | Bottom Line: | Fork is awesome. Not one problem. Works right every time.
Can't beat it. Worked in all kinds of terrain and weather conditions.
way better than my old Duke SL !!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
saddlesore
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Prairie view | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | strong, solid easy to set up and forget. | | Weaknesses: | it is prone to dinging the paint on my downtube with the rebound ajuster. could be a problem on other bikes | | Similar Products Used: | marzocchi Z1, Marzocchi Marathon, Psylo Race, | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur with XT and Raceface. | | Bottom Line: | It works, it works very well and it made me want a FS frame to match! so I bought a Blur frame from the MTBR classifieds. I got the fork from a family who lost their cyclist in a car wreck, so I got it at a garage sale price. it easily outperforms any fork I have used and the travel adjust and lockout are handy on long long climbs. I would never have paid retail for this though, it is WAY too high, it may be good, but it is not that good | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheverly, Maryland USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | paved trails of Greater Washington DC area, off road a very technical trail in North Carolina | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Adjustment increments, lockout feature, overall ease of use, stiffness and performance | | Weaknesses: | It could be a few grams lighter. not many optional colors | | Similar Products Used: | (98)Rockshox judy xc,
(2001) Rock shox Judy sl | | Bike Setup: | 2001 GT i drive 3, syncros stem and handle bars, avid 3 brakes, Deore shifters and front derailer, xtr rear derailer, GT wheel set and Pythos gold 2.1 tires, Easton carbon seat post 31.6. | | Bottom Line: | The upgrade to the TALAS fork improves the handling characteristics of my GT one hundred percent! For instance, when riding up a steep upgrade the lockout feature makes the task a snap. When I am riding in the urban jungle, massive pot holes appear out of nowhere. However the TALAS just eats them for lunch and control is not an issue. It is nice seeing all the cars slow down on the rough surfaces and I will go right pass them smooth as butter .I recommend the fork for mountain biking off road as well as for rough city commuting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Buttery smooth. Great design. Looks great. Beefy without being heavy. Easy to adjust. | | Weaknesses: | Takes awhile to lower travel. 3mm per click takes a bit. | | Bike Setup: | '04 Specialized Enduro Expert | | Bottom Line: | This fork is the best. I can't imagine riding with anything else. At the end of the ride, I see how much travel was used and am always amazed at how far up the "dust line" is. I look at it and wonder, "Where the heck was that bump?" I don't even feel the big hits, which is what a fork is supposed to do. So this fork does it's job, it does it EXTREMELY well and holds up to everything I've thrown at it.
Tho lockout and rebound features are easy to use. The adjustment feature is easy to use as well, it just takes a little longer. But you've gotta love all that adjustability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Bennett
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Beautiful design and engineering, super smooth action, travel adjust system, light weight, stiff, great seals. | | Weaknesses: | Could do with a through axle option. Travel adjustment needs fewer clicks. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Psylo SL, RS Psylo Race, RS Sid SL, Manitou Skareb comp, Marzocchi Z1 dropoff, | | Bike Setup: | Specialized '03 S-Works Enduro frame, XTR discs, Hope Bulb/Mavic 823'
Azonic double wall bar, shorty 75mm stem, Azonic X pedals | | Bottom Line: | Having this fork played a big part in choosing my bike. I'm glad because I had never looked properly at an Specialized Enduro before and I think it is just brilliant. The Fox TALAS forks were about as "all mountain as you could get then. Recently Manitou has gone into overdrive and produced some great options. The Fox TALAS RLC, as a lightweight 5" fork can hold it's ground against anything out there. It is dissapointing that there is't a thru' axle version and, because of this, discs over 180mm aren't warrantied by Fox.
Where it shines is: The damper is the smoothest over small bumps you'll find, it handles all bumps well. As with all "RLC" Foxes, being able to set the threshold of the lochout means you can set it up as a stable platform fork. Like most of these systems though, if you over do it you will lose small bump sensitivity. The travel adjustment is really cool. You can lean down and dial it while you're riding (not always recomended). There is only a light click resistacne. It would be even better though if each click moved it about twice as much. (6 clicks not 12).
The machining tollerances are so tight that not a spec of dirt has got past the seals in over a year. No more than a light film of oil has come out either. I have never had to add any air. Set it up and it just works. I ride in a pretty rugged place withh lots of hard edged rocks to hit. This fork is inspiring! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Antonio
a Weekend Warrior
from Bilbao
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Any single track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | mthighciclery | | Strengths: | Adjustability, weigth, stifness | | Weaknesses: | oil leakage, price, too many clicks to change travel | | Similar Products Used: | Marathon, Z1, DirtJumper, | | Bike Setup: | Ventana Saltamontes with Hope brakes, hope wheels, XTR shifters and derailleurs | | Bottom Line: | This is a good fork for all use, from XC to medium agressive freeride, adjustable lockout in a click, revound a comprensión adjustability, preload, travel (but with too many clicks, maybe better with 5 points.
Good materials, no plastics, good looking, the 32mm botles give a good stiffness BUT
IT is NOT a good fork for anything, neither XC o agresive freeride, heavy for XC and not so stiff for downhil.
It is also imposible to get 125mm of travel, the 120 is enough for the purposes of this fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pic-N-Sav
a Weekend Warrior
from Mission Viejo, Ca
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Plush
Stiff
Weight for 125 mm fork
Adjustability
Plush | | Weaknesses: | Price
A little bit of oil on stanchions | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Minute 3, RS Psylo, Manitou Black, Manitou Minute 1, Manitou Mars, Junior T | | Bike Setup: | ID w/ Romic, Talas, Sram, Hayes, Thomson, Laser Lite hubs, 819 rims, Mutano Raptor tires | | Bottom Line: | This was my first ride on this new fork. I can think of one word to sum it up, PLUSH. This is an amazing fork. It handled like my Junior T. I can't believe this is an air fork, it acts like a coil. Usually there is a break in period on new forks, not on this one. I can lower the fork while riding and this is a first, I increase the travel while riding too. I recommend this fork if you like to go downhill fast, like to ride all day, and if you want to improve your bike handling. It's great fork, hopefully you find it on sale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Racer
from Lyons CO USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many to name.... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Solid performing fork. Like someone said, once you set it up, it just works, period. That is definitely a true statment. | | Weaknesses: | Ok, so I had my bike on my roof rack (fork mount) and was driving to property where I have a trailer. This a well maintained gravel road with some washboard bumps. No bid deal right? Well after the 6 miles into my land I hear my bike tip over on the roof still connect by the rear tire strap. I take a closer look and the drop out had snapped off!!! This obviously infuriated me but also has me extremely concerned. This fork is actually an '03 and I've been using for just about year now. So I'm asking myself, did this just happen because of a large impact while on the roof, or has it been fatigued over time due to riding/transporting??? Who's to know? All I know is that the drop out cannot handle a ride on a roof rack and more importantly potentially could fail while riding aggressively?
Has anyone else ever heard of this issue with Fox Forx (specifically the Talas)? Is this an isolated incident?
| | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Yeti AS-R | | Bottom Line: | As far as fork performance, unmatched in my eyes. But now I am extremely concerned about the drop out robustness.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Busch
a Cross Country Rider
from SLO
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ramero | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Pro-Deal | | Strengths: | Glad to see David down below has the "inside scope" at fox, sounds like he needs to get a less complicated bike. The Talas works great for what is was built to do, be a light 5" fork. The adjustable travel is more or less useless, unless you have adjustable rear suspension as well. On a hard tail the geometry change is too extreem. It does provide the ability to change bikes though and always have the right travel fork. | | Weaknesses: | Too many techweenies who cant wrench own them. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots | | Bike Setup: | Single speed of course | | Bottom Line: | This fork feels just like the rest of the Fox line up, once you set it up it works, period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shimon
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Any new ST | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came on my bike | | Strengths: | - Stiff, Stiff, Stiff
- Very sensitive to small bumps, but still can be "dropped"
- Travel change (the TALAS idea is great)
- Versatility (can be dialed to match many styles) | | Weaknesses: | - I would prefer 3-set positions for travel change (many clicks diling is too difficuilt while riding).
- Break-in period took too long (~500 km) | | Similar Products Used: | RS Quadra 10, MANITOU SX-E, RS SID-XC, MANITOU X-VERT | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain ETS X-50 stock | | Bottom Line: | This fork changed everything I knew about air-spring. It is both sensitive to small bumps and soaks moderate drops. The ability to change to low travel while climbing is great.
The tuning options are very easy to adjust (just think about 1/4 of a turn of total rebound setting at RS forks, compared to 12 easy clicks at FOX).
Who should have it ? If you are jumping hard, it will be probably hard to setup this fork to be sensitive. If you are counting granns, it's too heavy. Everybody else,take a test ride and see yourself - It's the best trail fork ever!
... just don't make you opinion if the fork is brand new - it's a bit harsh before brake-in period... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T
a Weekend Warrior
from albuquerque,nm, usa
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | employee purchased | | Strengths: | This fork is lightweight, good looking, the most adjustable fork i've ever ridden, slightly progressive travel-if set up correctly, you dont bottom it often.also it is soo smooth | | Weaknesses: | people complain about turning the compression setting when locking fork out, but if you just take a second to look at the fork, while locking out, then there is no problem. the pricetag is a weakness, but worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | dukes, phylos, and blacks. | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Evolution II | | Bottom Line: | Awsome fork, has every adjustment you need and more, i use this fork for urban, dirtjumping, and xc, and this fork has excelled in all of those fields.get it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Cohasset, MA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wompatuck State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$660.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | very adjustable; feels like a spring shock, but works like an air shock; i love the travel adjustment, 125mm is awesome for freeride but 80mm is great for XC racing; seems very sturdy; | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | marzocchi x-fly 80 | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Trek 6000 frame; XT drivetrain w/ XT shifters and XT v-brakes; eggbeater pedals; 2004 Fox Talas RLC; panaracer XC tires | | Bottom Line: | great fork; built to last; great technology and a pretty good value for everything that you get in the fork; most adjustable fork i have ever rode on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV, USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Market | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR Classifieds | | Strengths: | Stiff. Keeps the front wheel on the ground. Do I have to say "Adjustability?" | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than my old Marathon | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Marathon | | Bike Setup: | Switchblade, XTR, Thomson, King, and now, a TALAS | | Bottom Line: | I'm excited about this fork. Really feels like it uses all of it's travel well. Predictable, tunable response. On behind the seat rollers and endo inducing transitions, even at speed, it soaks up the big hits and keeps your bike upright. On technical trails it makes you faster since your front wheel is glued to the ground. Kind of like your front end is on a rail, and you can think your way to wherever you want it to go. I love the travel adjust, even though I will probably only use it for racing. The extra inch dosen't seem to bother me on technical climbs since my front wheel is making much better contact than before. Overall, I'm glad I bought it, even though it's heavier than my old Marathon, which is in it's own right, an awesome fork. But that's another review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Weir
a Racer
from Novato Ca
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | The Fox Talas RLC is the best all around trail fork i have ever used. The fork is stiff light weight and plush this fork works as good as the coil but with out the extra weight. I run this fork on all my bikes and not just because they sponsor are team but because i think they are the best fork out. It's all about the ride not about the free. | | Weaknesses: | I have been beating the hell out of them all winter rain or shine about 130 miles a week off road have not had a problem yet. | | Similar Products Used: | evry fork you can think of i have tried. | | Bike Setup: | Hostile trail: 5" up front 7" in the back head angle 67.5 BB height 13". | | Bottom Line: | The guys at Fox ride bikes and they live in Norcal those alone are good reasons to ride this fork. If you are a guy or girl that does it all XC,DH,all mountain you name it this fork is the best one for the job if you don't believe me email me and we can ride and i will show you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a
from Anaheim Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | The Path Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Wow, this is an air fork? It doesn't feel like one. Lateral stiffness. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla RLC, Manitou Black, Marz Z1 | | Bike Setup: | Heckler with the TALAS, Hope M4 Mono's and Progressive 5th Element | | Bottom Line: | I can't believe that this is an air fork, let's get that out front.
I purchased this fork and sat on it for a while, not putting it on a bike as I was thinking about selling it. I just wasn't sold on an "air fork".
This thing is amazing. It has the feel of a coil but without the weight AND with the adjustability that coils lack. Wow.
On grinder climbs I happily adjusted the travel down to 85mm and then let it rip at full travel for seat of the pants singletracks. Man, this thing is good.
Why didn't I install this earlier? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Uthman Ray IV
a Racer
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all SB trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Smooth/plush travel, large stanctions provide stiffness needed for aggressive riding, very adjustable, progresses evenly thought the travel. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any, and doubt I will. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Psylo, Marzocchi Z1, Manitou Black. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro, Fox Talas fork, WTB rims, tires, saddle, grips, Easton bars, Thomson stem and seatpost, Hayes brakes, Truvative cranks and BB. | | Bottom Line: | Whether you're a racer, freerider, dirt jumper, or weekend warrior, the Fox Talas fork can be adjusted to your liking. Air spring, travel, compression, rebound, lock-out, and blow-off adjustments allow the fork to be set to a variety of riding conditions and/or styles. I have found myself having more fun and riding some of my favorite trails faster than ever before after installing this fork on my bike. The adjustable travel allows the fork to be set to 5 inches for more aggressive conditions, and to 3 inches for climbing--both of which can be done with only a few turns of a knob. The smooth travel and stiffness of the fork provides the tracking and rigidity needed for cornering. I would recommend this fork to anyone who is looking for a fork with enough travel to take up the bumps of downhill riding, and a weight that won't have you cursing by the time you get to the top of a climb. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Devlin
a Weekend Warrior
from Lafayette, California
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | sharp bicycle (lafayette) | | Strengths: | large stantions(32mm),beefy legs and crown,very adjustable (travel, rider weight, rebound valving,threshold blowoff, light, all metal parts, 8" rotor compatable. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Z1, Z1 mcr, marathon, marathon sl | | Bike Setup: | cromo jercho slalom frame, intense spider(beefed up) | | Bottom Line: | if you are looking for a extemely adjustable, STIFF,light, plush air fork you have found it. this is a riders fork, with a great company backing it up.
FYI: if you are one of those riders that likes to adjust to a short travel mode for climbing, this fork must go through several cycles before returning to more travel | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. S.
a Cross Country Rider
from Foster City, CA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Skegg's Point | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Speegoat | | Strengths: | Good stiffness; easy, very precise travel adjustability (1 click = 3mm); all metal parts; very smooth travel | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't work well for lighter riders, since optimum air pressure is harder to dial in if the rider is under 150lbs. Also, no travel limiters to deal with frame warranty issues (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Manitou XVert-R; 2001 Marz Atom-Race | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Ellsworth Truth; XTR/RaceFace Drivetrain, Avid Ultimate brakes | | Bottom Line: | The fork worked well for the short time that I had it. Travel was very smooth and supple once dialed in. I had it optimized for my weight specification and riding style, so I didn't bottom it much at all.
Due to the 4" maximum travel recommendation of Ellsworth frames, I had to give up the 5" talas despite running it at only 4". Ellsworth pretty much threatened to void the warranty unless I removed the fork. Fortunately, Speedgoat took care of me and exchanged the TALAS for a Float RLC and refunded me the difference. Speedgoat will see me again as a future customer... Ellsworth probably won't (I had previously purchased an Isis from them as well -- silly me).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Davide
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$290.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Travel micro-adjust and rigidity. | | Weaknesses: | Not as responsive as a coil fork. Blows through its travel on bit hits. Changes characteristics at different travel settings. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z1s, Z2, Marathon, RS, Manitu Black | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur Medium with 5-th element. Talas finally set at 105mm. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is hard to figure out. It is almost as heavy as a coil fork of similar built (mine is 4.1 pounds) but does not perform as well as a coil. It has a very linear travel rate which is bad for a long travle fork since it means that it goes through its travel very quickly. The micro-adjustability is fun for a couple of days and then becomes rather useless. It is more of a bike geometry/set-up tool than a travel reduction system because the adjustment knob is hard to activate on the trail and takes too many turns. What fox need is a fixed travel 120mm version with inertia-valve, and it will probably be in production next year. Probably they have not introduced a 120mm/inerti-valve it this year to be able to get another year production out of the Talas.
I do not know who should get this fork, Fox has a better trail fork in the Vanilla, and this air fork is, or will be in a few months, obsolete in the Fox line up. I am tempted to give 2 Chilis, but it works ok so it gets 3. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Toads - Tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Livermore Cyclery | | Strengths: | An airfork that feels like a coil unit without the extra bulk . Very plush , great steering precision , very adjustable . | | Weaknesses: | Compression dampining has no affect whatsoever . | | Similar Products Used: | Sid Carbon , Marathon , Psylo , Z-1 Bomber , and Mars . | | Bike Setup: | 04 Blur , 5th Element, XTR drivetrain and discs , King headset , Monkey bars and seat post , 317 Mavics , Raceface cranks and bottom bracket . | | Bottom Line: | This is the best fork I have ridden to date . Can be free ridden or locked out on long climbs and is fairly light for beefy consruction . My only complaint is that the compression dampning does nothing so I could have gotten the Talas RL and saved a few bucks . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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