Fox are a big player in the suspension market, renowned for having stiff and supple suspension units, for every style of mountain biking you choose. After testing a Fox Float 29er earlier this year, I was interested to try the re-released FIT Terralogic equipped 26” QR15 version on my Scott Spark.
A couple of points about the bike it was going on. I have been racing a Scott Spark with a 100mm travel fork for five years, and only switched from an M975 XTR Groupset to a SRAM ensemble this year. For two years I used a Fox Float RLC, then on the next bike I changed from the stock Fox Float RL 120mm to a SID Race, mostly for the handlebar mounted lockout, and compression damping. Even with the Float RLC I had before, I always felt that the Fox forks were too plush in their initial stroke for how I wanted a race dual suspension bike to handle. Plenty of people liked this, but it just didn’t suit me. The switch to SID’s in 2009 allowed me to run a bar-mounted lock out lever (not available at the time after market for my Float RL) and have what I felt was a more adjustable fork. Overall, I really liked the SID. It was light, reliable, and with the lockout at my thumb, I used it more frequently. Yet after spending a few months on my 29er HT with a Fox F29 FIT QR15 front end, my thoughts on what was appropriate for front end precision changed. As I received a new Scott Spark 10 from Cranks Bikestore as my MarathonMTB.com Team bike, I also had the option of fitting a long term test fork: a 2011 Fox FIT Terralogic QR15, 120mm.
It is impressive when a company can remove a product from their range and redesign it, as opposed to persevering with the current model until a new one is available. After releasing the Terralogic platform in 2004, they pulled it in 2007. Although it was almost rigid under climbing and sprinting, the initial impact to initiate the stroke was a bit harsh – which wasn’t overly popular. Having ridden a Scott Genius with that model fork at the time, I wasn’t overly convinced. But their new FIT Terralogic was unveiled in 2010 as part of their 2011 line up. Although that model year is almost done, I’ve had about 6 months use on this fork now, in both the 120mm and 100mm variants. And I am impressed.
Back in April I put a brief report up on my thoughts so far on the FIT Terralogic in 120mm guise. I had used it at two Australian Marathons, and was partway into the ABSA Cape Epic. Overall, it was pretty much spot on for those events. But it did make my bike feel tall, even though the Spark came fitted with 120mm travel forks (the 2012 Scott Spark models will now be 120mm in the rear, as part of their overhaul). With less weight on the bars on steep and loose climbs (really steep ones, such as that found on Stage 2 at the 2011 Cape Epic), I felt that the inertia valve didn’t really get moving, and the front end felt vague. This was only apparent on steeper rocky terrain, otherwise the forks were completely predictable and reliable in their performance.
Before heading overseas in late May, I had the forks serviced by the Australian suppliers, and dropped to 100mm. The fork was in dire need of a service, as I had over shot the recommended service interval by quite a margin. I had tallied about 85 racing hours of use, across 19 races. With a 100mm unit back on my Spark, it felt ideal. I run the Terralogic setting quite firm. In part this is to allow the bike to maintain a similar ride height with minimal sag, but also a 2.25 tubeless tyre is pretty forgiving anyway. At this point I have logged about another 60hrs of racing on the fork, and countless hours riding in varied environments.
The change in my perception of the fork has been dramatic. This was apparent soon after refitting the fork in the 100mm setting. Overall, it felt like my Spark should feel. Fast and ready to race. We are all creatures of habit after all. Possibly the best sign is that I just don’t think about how the fork works. And that is exactly what I want for componentry for Marathon and Stage Racing. Faultless performance is obviously optimal, but you don’t want to think too much about locking out your fork for short spells. The QR15 and stout chassis are also a bonus. The stiffness is so great, that at a pinch you can use various trail obstacles to help get you back on line at speed. Even with a super-light front wheel.
There will no doubt be more changes for 2012, but the new FIT Terralogic cartridge is a solid performer. For my preferences and demands, it has provided a no fuss, strong, fantastically performing fork. Highly recommended.