How to change the travel on your fork (air shaft assembly swap)

How to change the travel on your fork (air shaft assembly swap) | Syd Fixes Bikes

Рет қаралды 73,755

Күн бұрын

Want to change the travel of your Fox fork? As long as you have the correct tools, it's pretty easy and MUCH cheaper than purchasing a new fork!
What you'll need:
Fork: bit.ly/3p54vJn
New air shaft (make sure it matches your fork and the travel you want): bit.ly/36LTExq
Flat socket (make sure you get the correct size for your fork): bit.ly/2YQYy8b
Lower leg removal tools (can use your sockets): bit.ly/36RyEp1
Fox 20wt Gold fluid: bit.ly/3rrGZrq
Fox 5wt suspension fluid: bit.ly/3rrGZrq
Slick honey:
Shock pump: bit.ly/3d1clRV
Socket wrench and sockets: amzn.to/2SHZLva
Syringe: bit.ly/3ru17Jl
Rubber mallet: bit.ly/3aJfxOX
Allen keys: bit.ly/3tCfOfe
Screwdriver: bit.ly/2O5xQ9s
Pokey thing: bit.ly/37ec6Pr
Shop towels: amzn.to/36tvFnd
Oil pan: amzn.to/2SIyitk
Vise: amzn.to/3dbzJKr
or Stand: bit.ly/3twZTil
Other things in the shed:
Our toolkit: bit.ly/337LfDf
Tool pegboard: amzn.to/3mTYlLY
Syd's apron: amzn.to/345MbHz
Paint pens: amzn.to/2TpCL4u
00:00 Intro
00:19 What you'll need
00:54 Why should you do this?
01:27 Remove the old air shaft
06:10 Install the new air shaft
10:41 How to change your fork's travel in one minute
These links are affiliate links which means we get a small percentage of the sale! The price stays the same for you, but you can support our channel by purchasing through one of these links :)
Want to help us keep making videos?
Patreon: / sydandmacky
Paypal: paypal.me/sydandmacky
Our vlogging channel: / sydandmacky
Our Instagram: / sydandmacky

Пікірлер: 112

@sydfixesbikes Жыл бұрын

If this video was helpful and saved you time and/or money, consider supporting the channel by hitting the "Thanks" button above to leave a tip.

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

One thing we forgot to mention: when you're adding pressure back into the fork, every 20 psi or so, leave the shock pump attached and slowly compress the fork a couple times to allow the positive and negative air chambers to equalize. It will also slightly decrease the pressure in the upper chamber (what the pump is reading), so do the same when you get to your desired pressure and then double check that the pressure is what you want it to be.

@janmaly1591 3 жыл бұрын

0:52 Syd's maniacal expression when wielding a rubber mallet. 👌Great vid! Didn't know one could actually increase the travel on my fork.

@mikecarter6758 3 жыл бұрын

This channel is becoming my go to reference for both service and smiles. Lucky to have a great shop, DirtLabs, here in NoCO. They just extend a Pike to 150 for me. Nice to know I can do this in the future. Thanks!

@Leo_Inclan 3 жыл бұрын

I run RockShox and have no interest in changing their travel. Stil watching this all the way through. I just really enjoy Syd and Macky's way of doing things.

@blvck______ 3 жыл бұрын

Me too

@ThunderStruckMTB 3 жыл бұрын

Really, really love the whole vibe on this channel from you guys! Super informative while being laid back and funny.

@tfraz99 3 жыл бұрын

Great content guys. Syd still surprises herself when she fixes things, which is great.

@jimr3179 2 жыл бұрын

She surprises ME! when she fixes things....

@WorldoftheWoods 2 жыл бұрын

I watched your video among many others when preparing to adjust the travel on my 36 Performance Elite, and it helped immensely! Thanks!!

@user-lr5et8rp6z 18 күн бұрын

Thanks for a great explanation and demonstration, just converted my wife’s NOS Fox 34 to a 150. Thanks so much DT

@martinschwartz7342 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Syd for another great video. Good timing, since this is the perfect time of the year to do this service/upgrade.

@markkligerman6861 3 жыл бұрын

Syd and Mackey, I followed your steps to change the travel in my 36. Really good step by step tutorial, thank you.

@barryray275 3 жыл бұрын

Great vid, I'm learning loads. Keep 'em coming.

@ricksmith2127 3 жыл бұрын

I like learning about bikes from someone who is learning as well (and who has a great instructor like Maki to answer her questions and explain the technical aspects). Keep the videos coming. I hope your channel continues to grow.

@JustAGlitchFL 3 жыл бұрын

*Macky I think

@xylerkajiyama7544 3 жыл бұрын

Much needed! Thanks Syd you have a way with explaining stuff!

@mymorristribe 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent. I Learned more about Fox forks in this video than in any other I've watched. Love the diy, amateur, feel of the the leaning process coupled with the clearly knowledgeable MacMentoring. Haha.

@rainerwahnsinn9672 Жыл бұрын

You are a super enjoyable couple ! That was pretty chill watching. Cheers from germany.

@evilbanks 3 жыл бұрын

Well done, guys! Always fun to watch. =)

@tsiturbotsi 3 жыл бұрын

Love your videos! Thanks for all the great info and fun.

@williambiname2405 2 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful, thanks a lot for making these tech videos!

@calrc123 3 жыл бұрын

Love your channel very refreshing

@johnmason3506 3 жыл бұрын

As always good information for DIY bike maintenance that is entertaining as well!

@dadlife8289 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Mackey, I just performed this on a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 and it worked like a dream! Thanks for making this video!! They use the same air shaft as Fox 34.

@MrPyadster 2 жыл бұрын

same shaft as 34 rythm not float :)

@ANTheWhizkid 3 жыл бұрын

So either this is a coincidence or we both like watching gmbn tech^^ Thanks a lot for the episode, you two :P You´re great!

@superawesomefuntimego 3 жыл бұрын

I actually bought the 160mm air shaft to upgrade my 2020 RIP 9 RDO's 36 about a month ago. Been sitting on it waiting to have time to do it. Figure it would compliment my upgrade to the Fox DHX2 Coil for the rear (which I LOVE much, much more than the DPX2). Thanks for the vid!

@michellesmith8355 3 жыл бұрын

I channeled my inner Syd today and put on my new tires without too much hubby intervention. Thanks for your great tutorials!!

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Congrats!! 🎉

@89yjrj 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! I did the same thing on my Rockshox Reba and went from 130 to 140mm.

@1969Escobar 3 жыл бұрын

Great work!! cheers 🤘

@johnromain1885 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! I have the parts to do a 130 to 140 change on my 34. Just needed some motivation. As a FYI, search for a nylon veterinary syringe. They are easy to clean and work great for brake bleeds too. Works a lot better than the disposables.

@IvanGarcia-sj5bc 6 ай бұрын

Were you able yo do it?

@danielkaz6280 3 жыл бұрын

Love the vids

@DavidMaruca_ 3 жыл бұрын

Great timing. I’ve got 45/50 hours into my fork lol. Slickoleum and my fork oils coming in soon.

@mathewcampbell8479 3 жыл бұрын

Great vid as usual, informative and fun at the same time! As a matter of interest, what's the most you can extend the travel?

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Depends on the fork. I believe for most versions of the Fox 36, it's 180mm.

@davelloyd8454 3 жыл бұрын

Great to see you back. Did you work out why there wasn't oil in the other leg?

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Nope, but hopefully it'll be happier now 😁

@markperry7055 Жыл бұрын

I noticed you put the air spring in with a big gap in the negative chamber and then had alot of negative fork suck when pulling on the air spring. If you have yet to fix that problem, just pull it back out and slide it back in with the neg plate slid all the way against the piston so that there is no air in the negative chamber and the shaft is fully extended out of the bottom of the fork.

@irfanhaffianto324 Жыл бұрын

can we just add clip spacer between the rubber and top piston?

@ThomasTiotto 2 жыл бұрын

Is it absolutely necessary to remove the top cap or could I get away with not doing so as long as I put the necessary oil in the top chamber? My fork only has 100km so I don’t think I’d need to clean the inside of the stanchions or anything.

@user-qn7hn6xj5l Жыл бұрын

Nice Video, I highly recommend safety glasses and gloves when servicing suspension. Synthetic oils are caustic and not for human contact!

@jaydance405 2 жыл бұрын

Hey guys love the content! I have to 2021 niner rip rdo, of course niner would come out with the wfo as soon as I get this lol question how was the 160mm, I have been in contact with niner and they suggested not doing it, and sticking with 150mm? Just curious if it’s worth it? Keep up the great work guys!

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

We've actually only run them at 160 so can't compare, but it's pretty fun at 160 😁

@DiegoPerezOrtega 2 жыл бұрын

question.... I have a 34 rhythm 2017 of 100mm and I want to change it to how it was before (150mm) I want to buy the air shaft but I want to know if it would fit the air shaft of 2019 34 float of 150mm

@toven89 3 жыл бұрын

When putting pressure back in shouldn't you go through the travel a bit from time to time? To have equal pressure in negative and positive chamber?

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, we forgot to show that, but that is recommended.

@halfgeek1394 3 жыл бұрын

I wanted to drop the travel in my Fox 36 from 160 to 140mm but I let my local bike shop deal with the mess. This video was informative, to know what exactly they did to my fork.

@russellh22a 2 жыл бұрын

How much did they charge you?

@halfgeek1394 2 жыл бұрын

@@russellh22a I don't remember, tbh. it was bundled in with some other items I bought, but it depends on your local shop's labor rate. I think it was less than $100, plus parts, but it's essentially a fork service with an extra step.

@brgstrm 3 жыл бұрын

Chamferless socket is the tool you ask for if you have to buy one at an auto parts store.

@LuisManuelHdez Жыл бұрын

Bout to change mine from 160-150.. go figure.😁for better climbing.

@johnnyballgame463 6 ай бұрын

Does this travel change impact geometry? Head angle, reach, stack, etc. Thanks!

@sydfixesbikes 6 ай бұрын

Head angle for sure

@unforgivenx8 4 ай бұрын

Does this work on rythm 36 for 180?

@Justkeepshredding 5 ай бұрын

I get that you were replacing the air shaft but, if you are servicing the forks getting the circlip out with a flat head and pick is game over after you scratched it to death.

@harryls1283 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Cid, I am thinking of getting an XC bike with 130 mm front and back travel, can I buy newer suspension with more travel?

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

You can put a bigger fork (front suspension) on, but many bikes have a maximum fork travel that you shouldn't exceed (you'll need to look it up for your bike). You can change the shock (rear suspension) too but it doesn't change the amount of travel as that is determined by the linkage of the bicycle.

@wadsworthred Жыл бұрын

Prior to removing the lowers, does anything need to be done with the high speed and low speed compression settings? i.e. should everything be in full open prior to letting all the air out etc? Thanks!

@sydfixesbikes Жыл бұрын

Nope, the damper is a closed system (looks kinda like the air shaft but is on other side of the fork) so you can leave it alone.

@wadsworthred Жыл бұрын

@@sydfixesbikes Thanks!!

@Happy_Biker 3 жыл бұрын

Can you do the same video for coil forks? 🤔 Is it possible? Asking for a friend.

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

I think it should be the same but you might have to replace the coil too?

@dimitrifayolle896 2 жыл бұрын

What are these numbers around the threaded hole that receives the axle?

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

You can rotate that piece so your thru axle tightens in different spots (to adjust the axle lever position). The numbers are just there for reference so you know how much you have moved it while adjusting.

@nicholkid 3 жыл бұрын

I'm a noob but aren't there spacers that can do this more quickly? Or is this the only way to do this on an air fork? I was planning on getting a 150mm air fork and changing it to 140 most of the time and then swapping to 150 on more intense stuff

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Nope, volume spacers serve a different purpose (check our previous video) and, at least with Fox forks, this is the only way to adjust the travel. Side note: they used to make the Talas fork that allowed you to adjust the travel by spinning a knob, but no longer make it.

@brianmbremer 2 жыл бұрын

I have a Fox Float 32 100mm from a 2021 Niner Air 9 RDO 3 Star. I'm reading conflicting information online. Is the stock 100mm fork able to be bumped up to 120mm?

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think so, but not completely sure. Probably worth reaching out to Fox to see if they can give you a firm answer.

@sneakyray9160 2 жыл бұрын

Which grease is best? Slick Honey 🍯 or Muc-Off bio-grease?

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

We've never used the Muc-off grease and Fox specifically recommends Slick Honey, so that's what we'd recommend

@mudkayak6305 2 жыл бұрын

Is there a limit to the bump up... like 140 to 160 is that allowable?

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

As long as they make an air shaft for that fork, then yes, you can bump it up. Also make sure to check the max fork size for your bicycle.

@karlosxzy 22 күн бұрын

Doing this job in half an hour!

@mariopeguerop 3 жыл бұрын

Only one more step, after you pump the air at least 50psi, push the fork on the floor to equalize the positive and negative air chambers.

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! We forgot to mention this.

@garradmiller5025 2 жыл бұрын

Does the top of the air side need to come off or can it stay on and remove the air shaft?

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

It can stay on, but you need to either remove the valve core or depress the core while removing the air shaft or the vacuum will make it stick.

@garradmiller5025 2 жыл бұрын

@@sydfixesbikes that's what i figured thanks. Have a really sticky airshaft that was causing me suck down

@illgazillion 3 жыл бұрын

That’s a lot of things

@j.s.1967 2 жыл бұрын

I only can get fox 38 180, can i change to 160 travel?

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

I think so, but you need to make sure the 160 air shaft kit is available.

@scmtbnomad Жыл бұрын

Just increased my 2022 36 Rhythm from 140mm to 150mm and now have a knocking sound each time the fork expands again. Not loud, not metallic, but audible. Also there is more noise from the fork just compressing. Like a swooshing sound I did. compress the fork multiple times when putting pressure back in to level the negative spring Any ideas?

@sydfixesbikes Жыл бұрын

Weird. The swooshing could just be that the oil in the damper is traveling faster through the shims since it has farther to do not that there's more travel. You could try readjusting the compression, rebound, etc. In terms of the knock, might be worth confirming everything is tight, especially on the air side where you were changing things. Besides that though, I don't know...

@scmtbnomad Жыл бұрын

@@sydfixesbikes thnx. I actually disassembled the fork again today. When moving the damper side shaft I get the noise. It is not the air shaft It actually sounds as if there was too little oil in the damper cartridge and some air 🤷‍♂️ This causes the swooshing sound I didn’t do anything to the damper side though…. Reassembled again, rode a few meters including a short trail. Rides fine but when bunny hopping the swoosh is audible..

@vicvic19841 11 ай бұрын

I’m trying to change my steel front wheel but the front fork is too tight. Pls. Help me

@vicvic19841 11 ай бұрын

By the way I have a ridgid fork

@Cfass1 2 жыл бұрын

We know Syd. We know Macky. Who’s Mr. Cackles in the background? Here’s my other question. Did you need to remove the top cap with the special socket. Could you have pulled the air spring out while depressing the air valve to relieve the suction or was there another component in the stanchion? Also something I’ve learned while working on cars is you can put a latex glove over the socket before you place it in the nut. This creates an extra snug fit and helps prevent marring on nice shiny expensive parts like this. Cheerio

@sydfixesbikes 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, removing the top cap isn't necessary, but it sure makes it easier!

@Cfass1 2 жыл бұрын

@@sydfixesbikes thanks. I’m learning myself and trying to put this all together. I love the channel with combo you two.

@paulmaul Жыл бұрын

You didn’t say how much suspension oil went into each leg lower…. And what weight did you use?? The Fox Gold 20w??? More info would be helpful

@sydfixesbikes Жыл бұрын

It depends on the fork so you should check Fox's recommendations for your fork (link in description)

@AnotherMrLizard 7 ай бұрын

Generally 40cc damper side and 10cc spring side for a 36. Fox have charts that will tell you the volume of your year and travel. 20wt both sides for rc2 and fit4 dampers 20wt in the spring side and 5wt in the damper side for grip and grip2 dampers.

@ManuelMartinez09 3 жыл бұрын

The best part of your shop guys is no Park Tools at all

@Dopeassbikevids 3 жыл бұрын

Lol. Wah-hoooooooo

@tomahoks 3 жыл бұрын

My shed is below freezing right now, no desire to go in there.

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, ours is too 🥶

@philfortner1805 Жыл бұрын

You need to put 3cc of oil evenly applied to the rotors then coat with fine sand for higher performance.

@efwewfwef1549 Жыл бұрын

did she just fail opening an oil bottle?????

@odinsejf6533 2 жыл бұрын

Nej Girl

@frakafrocka 3 жыл бұрын

Syd rules. Thank you for this educational video. The guy talks too much 🤦🏿‍♂️. Let the woman do her job.

@sydfixesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

You should watch our channel trailer (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r8-qq9t3vJ2RgZs.html), it explains that the idea behind this channel is that Macky is teaching me to work on bikes. He has a lot more experience working on bikes and until recently did all the bike work for both of us. That's why he's providing advice, suggestions, and teaching me while I actually do the work so I can learn.

@tl2913 3 жыл бұрын

Go Girl!!