Fox service vs. Push service?

[Jerry68]

You mean about not actually knowing a single thing about what PUSH actually does? Yeah, I agree.

25+ years of building and tuning motorcycle suspensions gives me a pretty good insight into how suspension systems work.

[dirt]

You mean about not actually knowing a single thing about what PUSH actually does? Yeah, I agree.

25+ years of building and tuning motorcycle suspensions gives me a pretty good insight into how suspension systems work.

So, since you admit that you can tune forks, are you saying that having more custom built parts to tune forks with wouldn't produce more ability to custom tune forks?

[300hp]

again, to be clear, the original owner is asking about whom provides the better rebuild service, not custom tuning, or he is possibly asking the difference.

For a rebuild, he is better off calling both fox and push, seeing who has a shorter wait time and cheaper price, and going about it that way. When it comes to "custom tuning" that is a different matter. What I will say is this. When it comes to rear air shocks, 90% of the tuning benefits can be realized with a fresh rebuild, so you have good oil and a full nitrogen charge, and playing with the air can volume to get either more ramp up at the end of the stroke by reducing the air can volume, or a more linear feel by increasing air can volume. If, generally, you want your bike more "plush" look into the fox hv or xv air can. If you feel that, at the appropriate sag, you are bottoming out the suspension too easily, or always blowing through the mid stroke (an endemic problem with fox air suspension) reducing the main air can volume adds progression and effectively increases the end "spring rate" at a given psi. Check out the "fox air volume spacer kit" for a super cheap, effective way to tune shock volume yourself. The super hyped push "big hit kit" is simply a bottom out bumper from a coil shock installed inside your air shock. It reduces volume, just like the above spacers do.

If your rear shock feels fine (no gurgling, slurping, or other air/oil noises) and doesn't have a dead spot in the travel (the first 5-10 mm you compress the bike has no resistance) then likely all you need is an air can service. This consists of new seals and wipers to keep things fresh and holding air. I strongly urge you to consider doing this yourself. The air can service kit is $14 from fox. Instructions are clearly posted online. Youtube fox float rebuild. Fox themselves posted a video. It is a 10 minute process that requires no special tools and only a basic mechinical inclination. Seriously, don't waste your money.

I'm not saying don't "tune" your suspension. I tune and tweak every suspension part on my bikes. I'm just saying, a push rebuild is different than a push tune, and with your parts (a basic air shock and an open bath damped air fork) the rebuild process can easily be accomplished by you. When it comes to your fork, if you want more rebound damping, run one heavier weight oil than stock. If you want less than stock, run one weight lighter. IF you want more ramp up at the end of the stroke without running more air pressure, decrease the air spring volume (put another 3ml of "float fluid" on top of the piston).

For things like overall valving, midstroke support, and hs/ls compression threshholds, then yeah, get a super piston from push or some such. But most of the benefits can be realized by you for a fraction of the cost.

[xcrdr]

again, to be clear, the original owner is asking about whom provides the better rebuild service, not custom tuning, or he is possibly asking the difference.

For a rebuild, he is better off calling both fox and push, seeing who has a shorter wait time and cheaper price, and going about it that way. When it comes to "custom tuning" that is a different matter. What I will say is this. When it comes to rear air shocks, 90% of the tuning benefits can be realized with a fresh rebuild, so you have good oil and a full nitrogen charge, and playing with the air can volume to get either more ramp up at the end of the stroke by reducing the air can volume, or a more linear feel by increasing air can volume. If, generally, you want your bike more "plush" look into the fox hv or xv air can. If you feel that, at the appropriate sag, you are bottoming out the suspension too easily, or always blowing through the mid stroke (an endemic problem with fox air suspension) reducing the main air can volume adds progression and effectively increases the end "spring rate" at a given psi. Check out the "fox air volume spacer kit" for a super cheap, effective way to tune shock volume yourself. The super hyped push "big hit kit" is simply a bottom out bumper from a coil shock installed inside your air shock. It reduces volume, just like the above spacers do.

If your rear shock feels fine (no gurgling, slurping, or other air/oil noises) and doesn't have a dead spot in the travel (the first 5-10 mm you compress the bike has no resistance) then likely all you need is an air can service. This consists of new seals and wipers to keep things fresh and holding air. I strongly urge you to consider doing this yourself. The air can service kit is $14 from fox. Instructions are clearly posted online. Youtube fox float rebuild. Fox themselves posted a video. It is a 10 minute process that requires no special tools and only a basic mechinical inclination. Seriously, don't waste your money.

I'm not saying don't "tune" your suspension. I tune and tweak every suspension part on my bikes. I'm just saying, a push rebuild is different than a push tune, and with your parts (a basic air shock and an open bath damped air fork) the rebuild process can easily be accomplished by you. When it comes to your fork, if you want more rebound damping, run one heavier weight oil than stock. If you want less than stock, run one weight lighter. IF you want more ramp up at the end of the stroke without running more air pressure, decrease the air spring volume (put another 3ml of "float fluid" on top of the piston).

For things like overall valving, midstroke support, and hs/ls compression threshholds, then yeah, get a super piston from push or some such. But most of the benefits can be realized by you for a fraction of the cost.

[the jekyll]

I have never had Fox do any service on my shock, I always did the seal changes my self to save money, but when it cam time for a "rebuild" I sent it to PUSH. When I got it back I was very pleased and surprised. I my opinion, the shock has never performed as well as it did after being PUSHed. So, send it to Fox and they will make it like new or send it to PUSH and they will make it better than new!

[Bcar]

if you just need seals/fluid you or a local shop can do it.
If you want a rebuild, for sure get it pushed. Ive ridden several push forks and all were better than stock. And I work on chassis/suspension systems as an engr for a living... Call em up, they can tune it to your liking and riding style. A rider in CO will want (usually) a different tune that someone in MI.