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Fox Racing Shox 34 Float 29 and TALAS 29 forks - Sea Otter 2011

by Richard Cunningham
Apr 22, 2011 at 10:01

Fox Racing Shox addressed three issues that high-impact 29er riders face with its 2012 34 Float and TALAS 29 fork platforms. With larger-diameter, 34-millimeter stanchion tubes, a tapered steerer and a 15QR through-axle, there should be no trouble with unwanted flex. New SKF seals and a Kashima surface coating dramatically reduce stiction, and a special head-seal in the FIT damping cartridge gives the fork instant small-bump response. The adjustable-travel (110/140-millimeter) 34 TALAS 29 Factory version reportedly weighs 4.54 lb / 2.06 kg and costs $1030. The 34 Float 29 Factory model is listed at 4.32 lb / 1.96 kg, features 140 millimeters of travel, and costs $970.

Fox's Jim Noonan takes Pinkbike through the details of the 2012 34 TALAS 29:

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The deep bronze color on the 34 TALAS stanchion tubes indicates the Kashima coating. Beefy construction and 34-millimeter uppers ensure that 29er pilots enjoy precise-feeling steering action in addition to a smoother ride.
The deep bronze color on the 34 TALAS stanchion tubes indicates the Kashima coating. Beefy construction and 34-millimeter uppers ensure that 29er pilots enjoy precise-feeling steering action in addition to a smoother ride.

Want more info on that Kashima coating and the low-stiction, developed-in-Italy SKF seals? Watch this second video:

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Even for a well-heeled 29er rider, $1030 is a large chunk of change, but the Fox "Factory" level suspension products are spare-no-expense items built on the same level as its racing-only forks and shocks. For instance: the stanchions are shipped to Japan where the patented Kashima coating is administered. Visit Fox Racing Shox and explore the possibilities.


Any Trail or AM 29er riders out there who want to weigh in on the Fox 34 TALAS or 34 Float 29 fork?
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58 Comments

  • + 32
flag beckhead (Apr 24, 2011 at 0:38)
 cmon 831 34!
  • + 9
flag carter-hill (Apr 24, 2011 at 1:51)
 they should hire this guy^ f*ckin epic idea
  • + 11
flag n3lson666x (Apr 24, 2011 at 4:50)
 that he wants the 831 to have a 34mm stanchion? -.-
  • + 21
flag mtb-rider (Apr 24, 2011 at 6:42)
 831 with 20 mm axle!!!
  • + 2
flag VTwintips (Apr 24, 2011 at 6:52)
 Another scheme to prevent people from mixing and matching. Definetely Just another way to change it up. However this should have been chosen a long time ago instead of 32. Oh, well. Its a good idea at least.
  • + 5
flag dbxrace (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:30)
 thinking they should do a 100mm 34 van with a 20mm axle for dj.
  • + 1
flag Drood (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:49)
 The deep bronze colour indicates kashima? Then what the f*ck do my 2011 40's have then? They certainly aren't bronze but rather gold..:S
  • + 11
flag Motomaster (Apr 24, 2011 at 8:18)
 The Kashima color is all over the place because it's just anodizing and not a true coating like what's provided on moto forks. What Fox is doing with Kashima is a scam, they should use a true Kashima coating like what on moto forks and stop ripping off mountain bikers.
  • - 1
flag dh-freeeride (Apr 24, 2011 at 8:28)
 gold stanchions do look awesome, however anodized? guy above nailed it in a nutshell ^^
  • + 1
flag K3ano (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:07)
 Erm... has nobody noticed that these are just for 29" forks?

(In this press release at least...)
  • + 1
flag Kitejumping (Apr 24, 2011 at 10:29)
 I might have considered one a while ago, but my WFO has a Dorado and a CCDB and I really like it that way.
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/6474978/
With that said though this Fox fork probably makes a lot more sense for most of the future 29er Prime / WFO / Lenz riders, would have been nice if it had a 20mm axle though.
  • + 2
flag RichardCunningham Mod (Apr 24, 2011 at 14:20)
 Motomaster might be a bit hasty. Fox ships its stanchions to Japan to have the Kashima coating done there. It's the same coating as Kashima moto and road racing forks get. Noonan says its a pricey way to make a better fork, but the difference is noticeable. The reason they spin the stanchion to demonstrate stiction is that regular folks can feel a more dramatic difference in starting friction. I checked it out, both up and down and rotating. The seals and coating are the real deal.
  • + 0
flag davidenrico (Apr 25, 2011 at 9:46)
 @dbxrace: Pike?
  • + 1
flag dbxrace (Apr 25, 2011 at 10:05)
 yea, definately a great alternative but the word "discontinued" is unfortunately synonymous with that fork Frown
  • + 2
flag Motomaster (Apr 25, 2011 at 17:04)
 In response to RC's post (a person I have much respect for) but the Kashima coating on my very pricey Pro Cicuit Kashima coated legs is profoundly different. Kashima is just a well noted company that provides surface coatings in Japan of which they offer many types. If you were to look at the surface substrates with a high powered microscope im sure you would see a huge difference between bike and moto coatings. I'm sure its similar to what Marzocchi is doing on their nickel coated stanchions and what Rock Shox has done in the past. You must admit FOX is stretching the whole "Kashima" coating name...it seems to me its a hard anodized PTFE coating. If you just add oil in the fork "us" hard working consumers would not have to pay for these pricey add ons.
[Reply]
  • + 11
flag josh-clifton (Apr 24, 2011 at 2:21)
 That stiction test is useless. One has a damper and one has a spring. Totally different internals that has different ammounts of drag.
  • + 2
flag tom-cuthbert (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:23)
 I must say, Fox has become exceedingly good at providing good marketing propaganda recently, with the Kashima, and the new seals, and the update Fit cartridge.

TBH, I still prefer marzocchi when I'm looking for that amazing buttery feel. Fox still feels way too over-dampened.
  • + 4
flag kampkrusty93 (Apr 24, 2011 at 12:02)
 yea they were talking about the friction when u spin the stanchion not up and down friction
  • + 1
flag tom-cuthbert (Apr 24, 2011 at 19:00)
 Apart from when he bounces them up and down to test their up and down friction.

And sorry, but how does friction when turning them translate to better riding on the trail?

It doesn't.
  • + 1
flag RavineRiders (Apr 24, 2011 at 21:51)
 marzocchi sucks dude there so unreliable
  • - 1
flag tom-cuthbert (Apr 24, 2011 at 22:06)
 LOL

troll harder
  • - 2
flag davidenrico (Apr 25, 2011 at 9:47)
 Also, I still haven't seen a Fox fork get all of it's travel..
  • + 3
flag tom-cuthbert (Apr 25, 2011 at 17:52)
 The only reason I have fox 36's is because they're so light and I got them at least lower than half price, if I could get some 55RC3 Evo Tis i'd swap them in an instant.

It seems like there's a group of people who never use anything other than fox just because it has the 'fox' logo on it, so it must be good.
[Reply]
  • + 12
flag siggi985 (Apr 24, 2011 at 3:11)
 with new fukushima coating on it.... hmmmm
  • + 8
flag liveless (Apr 24, 2011 at 4:17)
 You get your forks supplied with a free glow on dark feature!
[Reply]
  • + 9
flag seraph (Apr 24, 2011 at 2:09)
 I would definitely be interested in a 34mm 26" fork with a 20mm through axle. Still not sold on 15QR; I prefer the extra 20mm of hub width.
  • + 1
flag elethim (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:55)
 ...with 150mm travel, talas down to 110mm, in a 4.2lb package

Perfect

From Fox, I'd be 2050$ MSRP lol
  • + 0
flag sngltrkmnd (Apr 24, 2011 at 19:02)
 purt sure that 20mm hubs are still 110mm wide, not 120mm
  • + 0
flag seraph (Apr 24, 2011 at 19:57)
 Whatevs.
[Reply]
  • + 7
flag markiie (Apr 24, 2011 at 1:59)
 and now all they need is a fox 38 (fox 180mm travel 38mm stanchions)
and a fox 40 air
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag wickrider (Apr 24, 2011 at 8:15)
 it's pretty well known that the Fox forks and shox are very good. They also provide on of the best line-up out there. Their prices are ok too.
but to sell a DH fork on the argument that it's easy to turn the stanchion in the lower is a poor attemp.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag Motomaster (Apr 24, 2011 at 8:11)
 $1000 bucks for a 29" fork! Are you serious? Italian seals to reduce stiction and Japanese Kashima coating to reduce stiction is expensive, why don't they just put oil in the fork and sell it for less? If they made their forks right in the first place they wouldnt have to add on alll these other parts to reduce stiction at a huge cost to the consumer.
  • - 1
flag Motomaster (Apr 24, 2011 at 8:12)
 Plus it's heavy!!! That thing is a pig.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag btlbikes (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:42)
 make the new 831 with new 34 platform, 20mm axle and half price, then it will be the best jump fork ever made in human history.
[Reply]
  • + 5
flag props-guy (Apr 24, 2011 at 0:23)
 the 34 talus' steertube is a chode
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag notenufbikes (Apr 24, 2011 at 5:11)
 yeah i like the sound of 34mm on a 26" fork. stronger and lighter in either 15 0r 20mm axles! i'd be up for some of that action! Big Grin
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag ahlmanj2011 (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:15)
 Yeaaaaa.... good thing one of those legs has a damper in it??? I'm sorry but that was just pathetic coming from fox.

Good Ideas though... 34 831 would be great and less friction seals is always good!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Perse (Apr 24, 2011 at 9:59)
 I'm not convinced about it. Expensive? Yes! And coil spring damping is absolutely amazing for shocks and forks... this is my choice for next bought...
  • + 1
flag Motomaster (Apr 25, 2011 at 17:07)
 I agree!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag carmarvalde (May 17, 2011 at 10:03)
 Hey FOX!. I want to see a Fox 34 831 20mm 26 internally adjustable from 80mm 90mm 100mm 110mm and 120mm! COME ON!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Client9 (Apr 24, 2011 at 14:52)
 Does anybody know when these new SKF seals will be available in the 36 size?
  • + 1
flag Client9 (Apr 24, 2011 at 14:59)
 (Fox hasn't returned my emails)
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag skawt-1 (Apr 24, 2011 at 3:41)
 Fox remind me so much of Audi... in a bad way.
  • + 1
flag FetusOven (Apr 24, 2011 at 5:50)
 what makes you say that?
  • + 0
flag skawt-1 (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:20)
 Everything is virtually the exact same with very slight changes throughout and they both keep adding more and more to their line ups.

Plus whats the deal with the names? Factory, Performance and Evolution was it? Can't remember which one is which and I just watched the thing 4hrs ago. Although that said the seal demonstration looked pretty interesting!
  • + 1
flag FetusOven (Apr 24, 2011 at 7:50)
 haha fair enough.
  • + 2
flag Motomaster (Apr 24, 2011 at 8:15)
 I thought FOX said the Kashima dramatically reduced stiction? What's with these guys? All they do is jack the price up for the consumer, put oil in it, it will work better.
  • + 1
flag sngltrkmnd (Apr 24, 2011 at 19:03)
 Yikes, I hope bikes don't go the way of Audis - get a flat on one tire, and you have to replace ALL of the rubber! Damn Quattro! Wink
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag jaketinnelly (Apr 24, 2011 at 0:14)
 Those 34 TALAS forks sure look pretty
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag crazy-d (Apr 24, 2011 at 3:31)
 I'm a big fan of fox stuff but i'm sure in that second video he was turning the right hand stanchion harder than the left, no wonder it span more!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag BrotherBen723 (Apr 24, 2011 at 0:02)
 wouldn't mind smaller stanchions on a 160mm fox
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Worm-Burner (Apr 24, 2011 at 0:42)
 I'm up for both of those!....
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag oliviachen (Apr 24, 2011 at 6:41)
 agree with jake, 34 TALAS forks so pretty
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag jaybird951 (Apr 29, 2011 at 4:05)
 got no idea...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag foghorn1 (Apr 24, 2011 at 11:29)
 Video won't play for me
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag jaybird951 (Apr 24, 2011 at 3:17)
 ripoff alert....courtesy of Fox...
  • + 1
flag Motomaster (Apr 25, 2011 at 17:08)
 I agree with that too, buyer be aware!
  • + 1
flag JernejSmole (Apr 29, 2011 at 0:12)
 can i put the skf seals into my 2010 fox?
[Reply]

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