Fox Fork & Shock Remote Compatibility

2022:

For 2022, Fox has gone back to its roots in a way, by re-introducing the 3-position 'Push to Lock' standard that was widely recognised during the early era of remote forks between 2009 and 2017. Whilst Fox moved to the 2-position PTU system across the board in 2018-2021, Scott Bicycles, and a few other brands stuck by the 3-pos PTL system, leaving a trail of confusion in the market with what works with what. 

There's hope for 2022, we're back at where it started, with a 3-position PTL system now being re-introduced across the remote options in both forks and shocks. This will hopefully be the last time we see a direction change for the cable actuated lockout system, and it will also mean some greater cross compatibility with OEM shock and fork models from Scott, and others who stood by the 3 position PTL system. 

2018-2021:  

The aftermarket 'remote specific' forks and shocks from Fox are now configured in a 'Push to Unlock' configuration, aka - PTU. They are 2-position PTU. This means that the days of easy backward compatibility at least for now are numbered. The traditional CTD (Climb Trail Descend), or more recently known as 'Open Medium Firm' forks are all a 3 position 'Push to Lock' aka PTL. From the early days of 2013 with the first CTD models, through to the 2017 range of FIT4 Performance and Factory level forks and shocks, the 3 positions have been universally understood and were configured as a 3position PTL for remote. 

Levers: 

• For setup of any 3-position 'push to lock' system, the Scott Twinloc lever below works best.
• For setup of any current 2-position 'Push to Unlock' system, use the Fox 2-pos lever. 
• Note - Either levers work fine for just fork, or just shock. Ie, they do not require both to be connected. They both feature dual cable entry. 

Remote Compatibility:

• For 2013-2017 Fox forks with FIT dampers, the conversion to (or from) remote was (and still is) relatively simple, involving just a remote specific top cap assembly that can easily be installed by the home mechanic. Grab a remote lever, topcap (and clocking tool) and away you would go! The remote compatibility of these models allowed for users to interchange between remote and 'crown adjust' as required, but also made it simpler for distributors and resellers. 

• For user's with a 2013-2017 model fork or shock who are looking to upgrade to the 2018+ internals , there are often some compatibility issues to overcome. There's always a way of overcoming these challenges, however, it can often require extensive service work and parts. In order to convert an older remote fork or shock to match up to a newer 3position PTL or 2 Position PTU setup, it may mean a new upper compression damper section and rebuild for a fork, and or a full rebuild with a different adjuster cam for a shock. All thanks to a small change in the cable pull distance, direction and ratios. The last thing you want is a fork that locks when the shock unlocks! (we've seen it done, and it ain't pretty!) 

• For user's with a 2018-2021 model fork or shock who are looking to upgrade to remote adjustment, both the fork and shock require major changes. The fork requires a remote specific damper (not just top-cap). The shock requires several internal parts, not just those visible at the adjuster eyelet area! 

• For user's with a 2018-2021 model fork or shock who are looking to remove the remote adjustment (ie, convert to 'crown adjust'), both the fork and shock would require major changes. The fork requires a non-remote specific damper (not just top-cap). The shock requires several internal parts, not just those visible at the adjuster eyelet area! 

• For user's with a 2022 model fork or shock who are looking to upgrade to remote adjustment, both the fork and shock require major changes. The fork requires a remote specific damper (not just top-cap). The shock requires several internal parts, not just those visible at the adjuster eyelet area! 

• For user's with a 2022 model fork or shock who are looking to remove the remote adjustment (ie, convert to 'crown adjust'), both the fork and shock would require major changes. The fork requires a non-remote specific damper (not just top-cap). The shock requires several internal parts, not just those visible at the adjuster eyelet area! 

• For user's with a 2013-2017 model fork or shock which is currently remote 3 position PTL, you will be able to partner this system with a 2022 remote fork shock. 

The timeline below shows the year models, and how they were configured. (PTL or PTU) Only Factory models listed (not GRIP)

• 2013 - 3-Position Crown Adjust CTD OR 3 Position Remote PTL.
• 2014 - 3-Position Crown Adjust CTD OR 3 Position Remote PTL.
• 2015 - 3-Position Crown Adjust CTD OR 3 Position Remote PTL.

(Factory models 2013-2015 loose the 'Trail Adjust' function when converting to remote) 

OMA - Open Mode Adjust (Low-speed compression adjustment) Found in 'Performance Elite' or 'Factory' level forks and shocks.

Topcaps:

• Push to Lock or Push to Unlock Topcap

• Tool for clocking remote  (pictured below) 

Whilst a lot of this may look confusing, to put it simply, Fox has moved from a 3-position PTL, to a 2-position PTU for remotes. Everything else stays relatively the same. At Cyclinic, we can modify any 2013-2021 fork or shock to operate as 3P PTL or 2P PTU in most cases, but the purpose of this blog is to outline that the ease of interchangeability like we used to know it, is not there anymore.