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34 TALAS 160 Series - 26, 27.5

(650b)
Installing Your Fork | Before You Ride | Setting Sag | Adjusting Rebound | Climb. Trail.
Descend. | Adjusting Trail Mode | Adjusting TALAS Travel | Service Intervals | Important Safety
Information
travel
6.3 in./160 mm
TALAS 2-position travel adjust
system, all models
model
features,
adjustments
Factory FIT CTD with Trail
Adjust; 160: Kashima coated or
hard anodized upper tubes, 1.5"
tapered steerer, lever actuated 3-
position Climb/Trail/Descend, 3-
position Trail Adjust, air spring
pressure, rebound
Factory FIT CTD Remote; 160:
Kashima coated or hard anodized
upper tubes, 1.5" tapered steerer,
remotely actuated 3-position
Climb/Trail/Descend, air spring
pressure, rebound
Performance FIT CTD; 160:
Hard anodized upper tubes, 1.5"
tapered steerer, lever actuated 3-
position Climb/Trail/Descend, air
spring pressure, rebound
Evolution O/C CTD Remote;
160: Hard anodized upper tubes,
1.5" tapered steerer, remotely
actuated 3-position
Climb/Trail/Descend, air spring
pressure, rebound
Evolution O/C CTD; 160: Hard
anodized upper tubes, 1.5"
tapered steerer, lever actuated 3-
position Climb/Trail/Descend, air
spring pressure, rebound
lower leg
options
15QR thru axle system, post style
disc brake mounting
spring
air
riding styles trail, AM
Installing Your Fork
Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. If your fork came pre-installed on your
bicycle, continue to the next section.
Before You Ride
1. Check that quick-release levers are properly adjusted and tightened.
2. Clean the outside of your fork with only mild soap and water, and wipe dry with a soft dry rag.
NOTE: Do not use any solvents or de-greasers, as these products can
cause serious damage to paint and anodized parts (upper tubes, knobs,
steerers).
Do not spray water directly on the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure
washer on your fork.
3. Inspect the entire exterior of your fork. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts
appear to be damaged. Contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and
repair.
4. Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust it accordingly to your bicycle manufacturer's
recommendations.
5. Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
6. Test the proper operation of your front and rear brakes on level ground.
Setting Sag
To get the best performance from your fork, it is necessary to set the proper air spring pressure by
adjusting sag. Generally, sag should be set to 1525% of total fork travel.
1. Unscrew the center blue aircap in the middle of the TALAS travel adjusting topcap on top of the
left fork leg (shown below), to expose the Schrader valve.
TIP: Hold the TALAS lever steady with one hand while unscrewing the
aircap with the other.
2. Set the TALAS lever to the long travel position, turn off lockout and cycle the fork a few times.
NOTE: For the best TALAS performance, always set sag in the long travel
position. Sag and spring rate will automatically readjust when you change
position. Sag and spring rate will automatically readjust when you change
to different travel settings.
3. Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.
4. Pump your fork to the appropriate setting from the Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings table
below, then remove the pump.
5. Unless your fork already has a sag setting o-ring on an upper tube, install a zip tie to an upper
tube. Slide the o-ring or the zip tie down against the scraper lip of the fork dust seal.
6. Make sure your fork lockout is not engaged.
7. Dressed to ride, position your bike next to a wall or table to support yourself. Without bouncing,
mount your bicycle. Assume a normal riding position for at least 30 seconds, allowing the
suspension to fully settle.
8. Dismount your bike without bouncing downward, without further moving the o-ring or zip tie.
Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This measurement is your sag value.
9. Compare your actual sag value to your target sag value in the Sag Setup table below.
If your sag value is less than the table value, screw on the pump tting, note the current
air pressure setting and depress the black bleed-valve to reduce the gauge pressure by 5 psi.
Measure sag again and repeat this adjustment, if necessary.
If your sag value is greater than the table value, screw on the pump tting, note the
current air pressure setting and pump to increase the gauge pressure by 5 psi. Measure sag
again and repeat this adjustment if necessary.
10. Screw the blue aircap back on, and go ride.
Rider
Weight
lbs.
Suggested Air Spring Pressure Settings
PSI
160 mm - 26" 160 mm - 27.5"
125 50 45
125 - 135 55 50
135 - 145 60 55
145 - 155 65 60
155 - 170 70 65
170 - 185 75 70
185 - 200 80 75
200 - 215 85 80
215 - 230 90 90
230 - 250 95 100
Sag Setup
Travel XC/Race FIRM All-Mountain PLUSH
160 mm (6.3") 24 mm (0.94") 60 mm (2.36")
Sag Troubleshooting
Symptom Remedy
Too much sag (+) air pressure in 5 psi increments
Too little sag (-) air pressure in 5 psi increments
Excessive bottoming (+) air pressure in 5 psi increments
Harsh ride; full travel not utilized (-) air pressure in 5 psi increments
Adjusting Rebound
The rebound adjuster knob is located at the bottom of the right fork leg.
Rebound controls the rate of speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob
clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counter-clockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting
point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counter-
clockwise (out) 12 clicks.
Knob
Setting
(clicks out
from full in)
Setting
Description
Tuning Tips Setup Tips
Full in
Slow Rebound
Too slow and your
fork will pack
down and ride
harsh.
If you increase your spring
rate or air pressure, you will
need to slow down your
rebound
12
(Factory
setting)
Average
Rebound

Full out
Fast Rebound
Too fast and you
will experience
poor traction and
wheel hop.
If you decrease your spring
rate or air pressure, you will
need to speed up your
rebound setting.
Climb. Trail. Descend.
The blue CTD lever lets you to switch between the Climb, Trail, and Descend ride modes. Each mode
is most suitable for each specific type of terrain, providing best performance and riding enjoyment
with your fork. With some experience, you can experiment with using Trail mode when descending, or
Descend mode for flat or undulating trails.
NOTE: With full CTD suspension, front to rear suspension balance is best
achieved by running the fork in the same ride mode as the rear shock (Climb
with Climb, Trail with Trail, Descend with Descend).
Climb Mode
Rotate the CTD lever fully clockwise to set the fork in Climb mode, which is most useful for climbing
and sprinting. In Climb mode, the fork will "blow off" in the event that a big hit is encountered. This
setting was formerly known as lockout.
Climb Tune Factory Settings
There are two pre-set Climb Tune mode settings offered for Factory and Performance model forks:
medium and firm.
Refer to the Climb Tune decal located on the crown next to the CTD lever, to determine which factory
pre-set climb tune your fork has:
Medium factory settings will be found on longer travel forks (130 mm travel and above
for 26" and 27.5" forks, and 120 mm travel and above, for 29" forks)
Firm factory settings will be found on shorter travel XC-type forks
Climb Tune factory settings can only be altered through complete disassembly and re-bleeding of the
CTD damper system. Contact your local dealer or FOX at 1-800-FOX-SHOX for more information.
Additional service information can be viewed at http://service.ridefox.com.
NOTE: The fork may cycle a couple of times after you engage Climb mode.
Once complete Climb mode is achieved, the fork may continue to move 3 - 5
mm. This is normal, and does not affect performance.
Trail Mode
Rotate the lever to the middle setting of the blue CTD lever to engage Trail mode. Trail mode offers
significantly less compression damping than climb mode, which is good for a light pedaling platform
when pumping undulating terrain, and for preventing excessive travel in technical riding situations
(such as low-speed drops).
Descend Mode
Rotate the lever fully counter-clockwise to set the fork in Descend mode, which is similar to Trail mode
but with significantly less low-speed compression damping, for the softest ride when descending.
but with significantly less low-speed compression damping, for the softest ride when descending.
Adjusting Trail Mode (FIT CTD Trail Adjust Only)
Factory FIT CTD Trail Adjust model forks feature a three-position Trail Adjust control that regulates
low-speed compression damping only while you are in Trail mode.
NOTE: While it is possible to readjust FIT CTD Trail Adjust when you are in
either Climb or Descend mode, Trail Adjust changes will only be felt in Trail
mode.
For a firmer low-speed compression setting in Trail mode, turn the black Trail Adjust dial clockwise. For
a lighter setting, turn the Trail Adjust dial counter-clockwise.
TIP: This setting is designed to work in conjunction with the rear shock, keeping
in mind that front to rear suspension balance works best when the fork is in the
same ride mode as the rear shock.
Knob
Setting
(clicks IN
from full
OUT)
Setting
Description
Tuning Tips Setup Tips
3
Firm
Compression
Too firm and you
will experience
poor traction
and wheel hop.
Resists brake dive and keeps the
fork up in the travel. Too firm and
you may have poor traction in
loose conditions.
3
(factory
setting)

1
Soft
Compression
Too soft and
your fork will
pack down and
ride harsh.
Maximum wheel traction and
bump compliance. Too soft and
you may have excessive brake
dive and a wallowy feel.
Adjusting TALAS Travel
160 mm:
6.3" (160 mm)
4.7" (120 mm)

The 34 TALAS 160 fork features two externally adjustable travel choices. These travel settings are
easily selected with the TALAS travel adjusting topcap located on top of the left fork leg. Travel
options and direction settings are printed directly on the topcap.
NOTE: When changing travel, the TALAS system automatically adjusts to
provide you with the appropriate linear air spring rate for each travel setting.
There is no need to change the air pressure in the TALAS air chamber after
adjusting travel.
CAUTION: For safety reasons, adjust TALAS travel only when you're not riding
the bike.

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Inspection | Torque Values | Unit Conversion | Suspension Tuning Tips | Using the Pump | Important Safety
Information | Service Intervals | Contact FOX Service | Warranty Information | FOXHelp Service Web Site
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FOX Factory Inc.