I just got my Foes fxr together and had a blast on a ride . Lots of climbing and downhill. I would however like to get the weight down and am looking into getting a stable platform shock . I was wondering if the fox float will work ? Does anyone have any suggestions ? I am trying to go with an air shock and keep the weight down . The curnutt is an option but I am checking on the compatibillity of air shocks since I have been told the frame is not a rising rate but more linear . Shouldnt this make it air shock freindly ?

I have an FXR and had a Curnutt on it initially. The Curnutt is a great shock, it climbs incredibly well. I just wanted something a bit more plush on the small stuff, so I went with a Fox DHX and couldn't be happier with it. Not sure how an air shock would work, I personally prefer the feel of a coil shock. If you are interested in a Curnutt w/ a titanium spring let me know, mine is for sale ;) BTW, I don't know exact weights...but a Curnutt with a ti spring isn't exactly a boat anchor.

An air should *should* work pretty well, you wouldn't want an AVA as that may make it too linear, the FXR needs a lot of progression to make up for the fact that it's an extreme falling rate design.

Here's what I'd consider on it in order from least favorable to most favorable, although keep in mind that the "least favorable" would still give you a pretty good ride, just nothing fancy of course;

Fox Float R (and send it to PUSH when you have a little extra $$)

Fox RP3 (3 propedal settings will allow for easy on-the-spot tuning to change the performance of it).

Fox DHX 5.0 (this thing feels better than anything else I've ever tried, although it's been too long since I rode an avalanche to really compare with that well).


Given how well the newer fox shocks perform, like the DHX and RP3, I wouldn't waste any time with the swinger or 5th element air shocks. Their adjustable progressivness and platform is a benefit, but the DHX and RP3 blow them out of the water performance wise. Romics also came stock on some FXRs, but I blew 3x in a row and each time for completely different reasons. I don't know if they've gotten any better, but great customer service did not make up for the fact that it was a POS product.

If I had to put the Curnutt somewhere in there, I'd put it below the DHX for sure, the DHX easily outpeforms the curnutt, and all of a sudden you are seeing Curnutts in new to great condition for sale. They are not horrible, and I felt it was better than a 5th element, but I prefer the fox-type feel as compared to the CV/T/SPV type feel. To be fair, you can tune a Curnutt to pedal better than the DHX. The DHX will pedal very well, and you can tune out the pedal bob, but the Curnutt can take it to the extreme, if that's what you prefer.

I see the Manituo swinger is pretty popular . But it comes in a 7.87 ? I am pretty sure My fxr needs a 8" . I dont think though I would even see or feel the difference of a tenth of an inch. I would in theory lose a third of an inch in bottom bracket height . I just would like to lose some weight of the fox vanilla coil ..... I will have to look into the rp3.

The FXR uses a 7.875 i2i x 2" stroke with the Fox shock. If you use a Curnutt you take off the adaptor plate under the seat tube since the Curnutt is much longer.

I see the Manituo swinger is pretty popular .

Those of us on FXRs are not recommending it.

i would keep the curnutt on your foes. in my opinion, this is the best shock on the market, especially considering what the fxr is designed for (climbing a lot, and descending a lot). not to mention the fact that the entire bike was designed around the shock, and they are all hand built by foes. the tuning range of the curnutt is HUGE- talk to foes about how to make it ride more plush... you can set it up to be kind of harsh, but it definitely doesn't have to be. just drop the air pressure to around 65 and keep the air volume knob at about half (two complete turns out) and you should be fine. three turns out will get you a really plush bike- so much so that anything more active would defeat the purpose of buying a trail bike in the first place. i've tried the dhx on other bikes and agree it's a great shock, but ditching a curnutt for a half-taiwanese generic suspension component (like a fox) just seems like you're going in the wrong direction.

i've tried the dhx on other bikes and agree it's a great shock, but ditching a curnutt for a half-taiwanese generic suspension component (like a fox) just seems like you're going in the wrong direction.

I'll agree with you that the Curnutt is a great shock, however the range of adjustment is based pretty much on air pressure settings. If you put in enough air to make it pedal well, you'll loose the small bump sensitivity. Not enough air then it bobs too much. I tried everything on my Curnutt including going up from a 350# to a 400# spring to get less preload hoping that it would get more plush on the small stuff. No matter what I did it never felt plush enough for my taste. That is just me, I like a very active plush suspension. With the DHX, I can have the best of both worlds with the pro pedal. Just twist the knob for climbs and it will climb as well if not better than the Curnutt. Then for the downhill another twist and the rear is nice and plush and active. I don't get that harsh feeling over studder bumps like I did with the Curnutt. A LOT of people are happy with their Curnutt, but I wanted something with more adjustability.....something I could adjust without a shock pump on the trail. The DHX has made my FXR feel so much better and the bike just feels much more balanced with my Pike in the front....I couldn't be happier with it. I wouldn't say the DHX is a step in the wrong direction unless you've tried both on the same bike.

I'll agree with you that the Curnutt is a great shock, however the range of adjustment is based pretty much on air pressure settings. If you put in enough air to make it pedal well, you'll loose the small bump sensitivity. Not enough air then it bobs too much. I tried everything on my Curnutt including going up from a 350# to a 400# spring to get less preload hoping that it would get more plush on the small stuff. No matter what I did it never felt plush enough for my taste. That is just me, I like a very active plush suspension. With the DHX, I can have the best of both worlds with the pro pedal. Just twist the knob for climbs and it will climb as well if not better than the Curnutt. Then for the downhill another twist and the rear is nice and plush and active. I don't get that harsh feeling over studder bumps like I did with the Curnutt. A LOT of people are happy with their Curnutt, but I wanted something with more adjustability.....something I could adjust without a shock pump on the trail. The DHX has made my FXR feel so much better and the bike just feels much more balanced with my Pike in the front....I couldn't be happier with it. I wouldn't say the DHX is a step in the wrong direction unless you've tried both on the same bike.


Iam trying right now to find a ti spring for the Dhx . I am that same guy that asked you about the curnutt shock before . Everytime I check somone is saying something better about the Dhx . Iam going to go that route after all . I will try to order mine on wednesday and get a ti spring also . I am very happy with the bike . I only have around 50 miles on it so far , after 4years off of a bike it is a big deal to put 50 miles on in 3 rides . I must be getting old (29) haha. I have been riding with some group riders (62) is the oldest and there out of the saddle making me look like a fool . Iam still confused about how to setup the travel on the bike .... There are a bunch of different mounting holes and I know the info is on the foes sight but I dont have the newest player so I cant watch it . Anyone know which set of holes I need to go to to get the full 5.75 ....

There are a bunch of different mounting holes and I know the info is on the foes sight but I dont have the newest player so I cant watch it . Anyone know which set of holes I need to go to to get the full 5.75 ....

Here ya go, if the air shock only has a 2" stroke you won't get the full travel, you need a 2.25" stroke shock


http://www.foesracing.com/assets/techdocs/FXR%20%20Manual.pdf