Lessons learned Fox 120mm 34 SC Lockout

[Murrob]

The things you learn 

I bought a new FOX 120mm SC remote lockout - as one of the final pieces for my MTB build a few months ago, when assembling it, I soon realised that it was push to lock and my rear shock was push to unlock.I had asked the salesman at the time and was assured it was standard lockout, on further reading I found that FOX had indeed changed it up for the 2022-3 forks. This resulted in me setting up two lockout levers, which looked terrible and crowded up the handlebars of course. I then started making enquires at a number of shops, some had no suggestions and others had very costly ones, the one that stuck out was to replace the entire damper setup at a cost of R4,500, this seemed excessive. 

Come service time and with me now being based in the Cape, I eventually found myself at Knipe Racing, Louis saw the two lockout lever setup, offered a solution for R950 and hey presto, sorted. So now you know... you can in fact rather cost effectively change the fork from PTL to PTU. 

Also, as an aside Fox does recommend 125h service intervals on the newer forks and shocks. It would seem our SA conditions require more regular servicing though. So good to get your servicing guys to check suspension and forks at the "normal" intervals. 

Edited November 1, 2022 by Murrob
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[madmarc]

Had the same problem with my TREK frame warranty replacement, came with a new rear shock FOX Float Evol - couldn't get it to work - tried for hours - phone Fox agents - Its push to open they said - thank you I said.

Its actually an pain in the ass as i want an over bar lever so i could use my wolf underbar dropper lever i spent 100's of ronds on - can find an over bar PTL lever so the Wolf sits in the cupboard 

[droo]

Yeah, it's just a remote spool assembly.

Actually it's just the little plastic cable stop that's different, but the spool assembly is the smallest assembly you can get for some reason.

Still better than Rockshox, which is a new damper every time.

[droo]

1 minute ago, madmarc said:

Had the same problem with my TREK frame warranty replacement, came with a new rear shock FOX Float Evol - couldn't get it to work - tried for hours - phone Fox agents - Its push to open they said - thank you I said.

Its actually an pain in the ass as i want an over bar lever so i could use my wolf underbar dropper lever i spent 100's of ronds on - can find an over bar PTL lever so the Wolf sits in the cupboard 

If you're running remote front and rear and you've got a Fox fork, just swap out the spool on the fork and you're good to go. Changing the shock from one to the other is a bit of a hack.

[madmarc]

16 hours ago, droo said:

If you're running remote front and rear and you've got a Fox fork, just swap out the spool on the fork and you're good to go. Changing the shock from one to the other is a bit of a hack.

I'm only running the rear shock on remote it does have a port for the fork though but its an old Fox Float 29 so i just use the lever on the fork to lock it out - In fact i just had it rebuilt by RBC with new bushings and stanchions, I suppose i should have told them to put a remote spool in it

[droo]

42 minutes ago, madmarc said:

I'm only running the rear shock on remote it does have a port for the fork though but its an old Fox Float 29 so i just use the lever on the fork to lock it out - In fact i just had it rebuilt by RBC with new bushings and stanchions, I suppose i should have told them to put a remote spool in it

IMO if you're going to run a remote, the rear is the one. 

Also - there's no difference between a PTL and a PTU lever, they just lock in different positions.

[Murrob]

17 hours ago, madmarc said:

Had the same problem with my TREK frame warranty replacement, came with a new rear shock FOX Float Evol - couldn't get it to work - tried for hours - phone Fox agents - Its push to open they said - thank you I said.

Its actually an pain in the ass as i want an over bar lever so i could use my wolf underbar dropper lever i spent 100's of ronds on - can find an over bar PTL lever so the Wolf sits in the cupboard 

Yup, also keen to try running a dropper, but am not convinced of the benefits, they seem super heavy as well. Not keen on crowding up the cockpit again. I see you can also run the Fox remote inverted on the right side to free up space on the left side.  

[Steady Spin]

2 hours ago, Murrob said:

Yup, also keen to try running a dropper, but am not convinced of the benefits, they seem super heavy as well. Not keen on crowding up the cockpit again. I see you can also run the Fox remote inverted on the right side to free up space on the left side.  

I have the same lockout lever on the OIZ and I used an over the bar dropper post lever. IT SUCKED. 

Ended up moving the lockout inwards on the bar and running a normal under bar lever. Looks... less than stellar but works well. 

[117]

3 hours ago, Murrob said:

Yup, also keen to try running a dropper, but am not convinced of the benefits, they seem super heavy as well. Not keen on crowding up the cockpit again. I see you can also run the Fox remote inverted on the right side to free up space on the left side.  

The benefits of a dropper far outweigh (excuse the pun) minimal weight gain. I prefer a manual lock out for the suspensions (keeping the cockpit clear of clutter), this leaves plenty space for a dropper remote - which you'll use 20 times a ride on single tracks. Remote lock outs... maybe 3 times. 

Bikes become a new animal with a dropper. I'm old (sic) school and wasn't convince either until I installed one

Besides, the weight gain is easily compensated by a beer or three less

Sorry for the drift OP

[madmarc]

4 hours ago, Murrob said:

Yup, also keen to try running a dropper, but am not convinced of the benefits, they seem super heavy as well. Not keen on crowding up the cockpit again. I see you can also run the Fox remote inverted on the right side to free up space on the left side.  

I was gonna do that but want my suspension and dropper control on the left with gears on the right - it is like that at the moment but my KS Lev lever really isn't the best - the Wolf under bar is far better.

A dropper post is one of the best upgrades you can do, once you experience it you will ask why you didn't do it years ago. I've had to remove mine because it developed some sag and sadly KS Lev don't have a local agent anymore so you can't get new cartridges locally - But now riding with a normal seat post i really missy the dropper  

[gerriemtb]

1 hour ago, 117 said:

a beer or three less

 

[Murrob]

On 11/2/2022 at 3:35 PM, madmarc said:

I was gonna do that but want my suspension and dropper control on the left with gears on the right - it is like that at the moment but my KS Lev lever really isn't the best - the Wolf under bar is far better.

A dropper post is one of the best upgrades you can do, once you experience it you will ask why you didn't do it years ago. I've had to remove mine because it developed some sag and sadly KS Lev don't have a local agent anymore so you can't get new cartridges locally - But now riding with a normal seat post i really missy the dropper  

Right, sourced a dropper for a good price and have been testing for the last 4-5 rides. Now that I am getting used to where and when to use it, it is absolutely turning out to be a game changer, like you said, not sure why I took so long to try it. I changed to 2.4 tyres and the combo of getting weight lower on the bike with ease of moving the bike around and better grip is super confidence inspiring. Really enjoying the setup. So thanks for the nudge!