Fox Float X2 Factory rear shock

The Fox Float X2 Factory is a gravity-focused air shock aimed at riders looking for maximum adjustability, composure, and control on chunky terrain. The latest updates bring a much-welcomed improvement in reliability, along with excellent small-bump sensitivity and impressive support when things get fast and rough. That performance comes at a premium, though, as the extensive high and low-speed damping adjustments can make setup more involved, and it’s worth checking that the air valve clears the reservoir during installation.

Fox Float X2 Factory – Technical details

Fox has given the latest Float X2 a pretty substantial overhaul, moving away from the twin-tube layout traditionally associated with the shock and over to a new monotube construction. According to Fox, it’s the world’s first four-way adjustable monotube mountain bike shock, with the simpler architecture designed to improve durability without sacrificing the level of tuning the X2 has become known for. That means riders still get independent high and low-speed compression alongside high and low-speed rebound adjustment.

Much like the latest DHX2 coil shock, Fox has also introduced what it calls a pressure-balanced architecture. The brand says this increases the shock’s usable damping range while helping improve sensitivity and support, with the aim of keeping the X2 composed across repeated hits without giving up the suppleness expected from its flagship gravity air shock.

There’s also an independent two-position lever, giving riders an Open and Firm setting for situations where a more supportive pedalling platform is useful. Despite the revised internals, the Float X2 remains very much a full-fat gravity shock, aimed squarely at enduro and downhill riding rather than being pared back in the pursuit of simplicity.

The air spring has received plenty of attention too. Fox has paired an oversized air chamber with a reduced-friction air seal package, which is intended to give the shock a more linear and planted feel. In effect, Fox is chasing some of the suppleness and consistency normally associated with a coil shock.

Volume spacers remain part of the tuning equation, allowing riders to alter the progression of the air spring depending on bike, terrain, and preference. One detail worth noting is that Fox specifies a particular alignment between the air valve and XV sleeve when the shock is reassembled after spacer changes or servicing, with alignment decals provided as a reference.

Durability appears to have been another major focus. The new Float X2 uses a larger half-inch diameter damper shaft, with Fox saying the increased diameter boosts both strength and overall durability. Combined with the move to the monotube damper, it’s a clear response to the reliability concerns that have surrounded previous generations of X2.

The Float X2 is available in metric and metric-trunnion sizing with Performance Elite and Factory models. To aid bike compatibility, the option for a transverse or longitudinal reservoir is also available. With the two-position lever, the Factory spec retails at £849, whilst the Performance Elite comes in slightly cheaper at £809.

Fox Float X2 Factory – Performance

Getting the Fox X2 setup was a fairly simple affair. I added air until I reached 30% sag with a couple of cycles of the shock to balance out the negative chamber, and then I referred to Fox’s recommended damper settings as a good baseline.

One thing worth paying attention to during installation is the position of the air valve. You’ll want to make sure there’s enough clearance that it can’t contact the reservoir as the shock moves. That’s particularly important on bikes using a clevis-style mount, where the two shock eyes may not sit parallel to each other. Depending on the frame, that can mean clocking the air can by 90 degrees to get everything sitting where it needs to be. This was needed to fit the Float X2 to my Deviate Highlander.

Out on the trails, it was immediately noticeable that, off the top, or at the very start of its stroke, the Float X2 is seriously supple. It gets moving with very little persuasion, helping the rear wheel track smaller roots, rocks, and trail chatter rather than skipping across the top of them. That gives the bike plenty of grip when the trails get chattery or loose, while also taking a decent amount of sting out of repeated impacts.

But that sensitivity doesn’t mean it blows through its travel. Bottom-out support is excellent, and there’s a reassuring amount of control deeper into the stroke. Even on harder landings and bigger compressions, the shock does a good job of resisting that harsh, sudden clunk at the end of the travel. There’s still plenty of usable travel on offer, but it feels controlled rather than eager to push through it.

As I got myself in tune with the shock, I started messing with the dials to achieve a little more pop out of it. The independent high and low-speed rebound adjustment is great to have, however, it did take some figuring out to understand how best to use these adjustments. Along with the compression adjustments, they offer a large window of adjustment, which helps change the characteristics of the shock and dial in the ride you’re looking for. This tuning is enhanced further with the use of the air volume spacers, which offer tuning in 1cc volume increments.

The lockout lever does a good job of firming things up for the climbs, too. It’s not something every bike will necessarily benefit from, especially if the suspension already pedals efficiently, but on bikes that move around a bit more under power, it gives the rear end a noticeably more supportive feel.

And then there’s reliability, which is an area where this latest Float X2 has been massively improved. After a full year of riding, I’ve had no issues at all. That’s included everything from regular laps on local trails to longer backcountry missions, downhill bike parks, and plenty in between. It’s been subjected to a broad mix of terrain and riding conditions and has simply got on with the job without giving me anything to worry about.

Fox Float X2 Factory – Verdict

Retailing at £849, the Fox Float X2 Factory represents the top-of-the-line performance, but it’s certainly an investment. Arch-nemesis RockShox has an equivalent gravity-oriented shock, the Vivid Air. A high-volume air shock with high/low speed compression adjustment but only a single rebound adjustment; there is, however, a hydraulic bottom-out control which isn’t seen on the Float X2. At £749, RockShox’s top offering is £100 cheaper than Fox.

Ohlins is another big name in the game, and this corner of the market is covered by their TTX2 air shock. With the same adjustments as the Vivid air minus the hydraulic bottom out, it’s another tempting option and retails at £725.

The Fox Float X2 Factory feels like a genuine step forward, with improved reliability, beautifully supple small-bump sensitivity and excellent control when the trail gets fast and rough. The premium price and extensive high- and low-speed adjustments won’t suit everyone, though, and installation needs a little care to ensure the air valve clears the reservoir.