For years riders asked for a Fox fork with a 20mm through axle that wasn't a triple crown DH fork. A few years ago fox introduced the 36 line. 36mm lowers, same great Fox 40 feel and a 20mm through axle. The newest addition to the 36 lineup is the TALAS (Travel Adjust Linear Air Suspension) and Fox fired a 2008 model over in the early spring so that we could give it a thorough thrashing.
The Fork
The TALAS allows users to adjust travel on the fly. Riders can adjust the fork into 3 preset travel settings (100mm, 130mm, 160mm). For 2008, this fork also features Fox's new 20QR tool less axle system. 2 massive quick release levers and a built in axle crank allow a rider to quickly and easily remove their front wheel for loading into the car, changing flats or putting in the garage. The 2008 model also includes a new cable tie back system (less parts than before) and a post mount brake mount. The TALAS features a Fox FIT damper, the infinitely adjustable air spring and is disc brake only. Our RC2 model also has externally adjustable rebound and compression settings.
The real question of course, is how does it ride? We put the fork through it's paces on 2 different bikes (one 5" FS model and one hardtail). Long story short, Fox has outdone themselves with the TALAS.
The Ride
In the long travel setting, the 36 feels quite similiar to it's coil sprung big brother, the DH oriented 40. It is smooth, ramps up slightly towards the end of the travel and has none of the stiction we've come to expect in air sprung forks. The medium setting feels the same, but we did notice a slight stiffening of the spring rate in the short travel setting. The 4" mode worked quite well on the Orange MsIsle hardtail it was installed on for both trail duties as well as dirt jumping. This is the fork Fox is recommending for 4x and slalom bikes. It was designed with input from their World Cup athletes, and it shows.
The FS bike is where the 36 is really allowed to shine. When switched wide open to the long travel position, the TALAS feels like it can take whatever you can throw at it. It is buttery smooth and extremely adjustable to suit both rider and terrain. When matched to a 6" travel bike, it becomes the ultimate all mountain fork or bike park fork. The TALAS allows riders to throw around a light bike with impunity, but still get the performance of a full on downhill rig.
Stiffness and steering precision is something Fox has become known for in it's forks, and the 36 is no exception here. For all intents and purposes, this fork feels as stiff as a triple clamp 40. According to Fox, the new axle has increased the stiffness overall by 30%+ over the bolt on fork from last year. Not having ridden last year's fork I can't compare, but it certainly is one of the stiffest single crown forks out there, hands down.
Car Friendly
The biggest improvement in my eyes is the QR system. As someone who travels non stop, and has to stuff bikes into all manner of cars, trucks and airplanes, being able to pop the wheel off without any tools and in about 30 seconds is a huge deal. The system has no quirky mechanisms, only 2 big metal flip levers and a small metal crank that folds out of the axle itself. It is simply superb.
More info: http://www.foxracingshox.com
By far the Fox 36 talas is the best fork on the market for 6" freeride bikes or light dh. I have had mine for over a year now and love it. I have riden dh, dj, xc, etc on it on each of the travel levels with no real issues.
Not sure if I would put it on a 4x or dual bike.
Only issue that on the 6" setting it travel adjustment lever move to the 5" setting.
Best investment I have made for my bike.