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Opinion on Fox Podium 1.5 front shocks
- Thread starter fulltimer
- Start date
PMK
Active member
Likely a 1.5” bore, meaning a 1.5 setup.
One big difference, but semi useless if setup correctly is having adjustable rebound.
As for the weight difference, kind of irrelevant in many ways. A firmer spring will weigh by a bunch.
Before Fox started coating with Kashima, they used a pretty good hard coat, most times gray in color. Since Fox sells so much oem bicycle suspension, and one way to degrade your competition is to by and your contracted companies. Word is Fox bought the Kashima deal a few years ago, and controls it.
Similar to these Spyder shocks, Fox sells various tiers of oem suspension. They, in some markets, sell the Mack Daddy top shelf stuff on their own.
Regarding shocks for Spyders, I still wish Ohlins would come to the party. Every conversation with them I ask. Seems Sweden has no interest in Spyders, and does not offer the option to Ohlins USA.
PMK
Active member
Oh boy, a comedian. You are taking your Race Tech shock and comparing it to a Fox shock.
FWIW, Fox has some of the best ability to design individual parts and machine them. Their stuff never needs a Jenny Craig diet.
I am seeing the Race Tech shock weighing in at over 6 pounds, the Fox is about 3 1/2 pounds. If you notice the spring pitch, Fox used a coarser pitch, or BRP did. Saves weight, but can also make the spring more lively. Downside is if compressed beyond a certain point repeatedly, they tend to fail easier. Simply a trade off. Fine pitch springs last longer, but are kind of tame in feel.
Whatever though, Fox vs Race Tech...Bob Fox vs Paul Thede, interesting comparison.
Hmmmmm. Appears that BRP uses Fox. No news here. But are we all talking about the same thing????? I'm talking about the after market Fox Podium 1.5. I doubt that is what BRP is using as an OEM shock. Have any of you purchased this shock beside ABQSpyder, and if yes, what did you think of them.
PMK
Active member
True 1.5 have improvements over oem stuff, typically more advanced coatings they use on race bikes, likely a firmer spring, and a tweak to the shim stack as needed.
The real question to learn an answer to is to find out what shop is revalving oem Fox shox and bumping the spring rate a bit. Done correctly, it will cost less and outperform the aftermarket 1.5 stuff.
bikerchris1270
Member
I just bought a pair of Fox Can Am Accessory front shocks from a Can Am Dealer on ebay for $400 pair/new. Unfortunately, I will not be able to install them for a few months. They are slick looking, eye candy....I hope they perform like they look.
Someone on a prior post mentioned that they swapped out their oem shocks with Fox shocks giving it a slightly firmer ride quality.......
bikerchris1270
Member
Still available on EBay for F3L. $400 new. Can Am Accessories number 219400733
.:yes:
troop
Well-known member
Yup .. I see that, but their HAS to be differences between that shock and the Podium 1.5 SKU 219400515 ? Valving, spring rate ?? I am working with Trackside Suspension in Darien. They have done great work on my prior FZ09 and 800 Tiger. They're digging into suspension options for me.
I got those on my 2015 RS per recommendation from bajaron and they fit and work fine. Quite few other RS ryders have used them and probably work on ST too.
I paid $259 from eBay but that was 2 years ago.
I got those on my 2015 RS per recommendation from bajaron and they fit and work fine. Quite few other RS ryders have used them and probably work on ST too.
I paid $259 from eBay but that was 2 years ago.
Cool, thank you for the information.
troop
Well-known member
Did you have Race Tech shocks on your F3 prior to installing the M2's ? If so, thoughts or comparisons ?
PMK
Active member
What shocks and specifically what version is on your Spyder currently? If your setup has either hard coated or Kashima bodies, that is a respectable upgrade from non coated bodies.
You mention that you are working with a suspension tuner, he should have an Intercomp or similar spring tester. Have the oem spring tested then decide if upgrade springs are needed.
If you setup has Kashima coated bodies, you are close already, work with your suspension tuner and have him respring if needed and then revalve the shim stacks. I have said it before, I am no Fox fan boy, but they certainly build a very good product to work with. There are only a few top tier suspension companies, typically Kayaba, Showa, Ohlins, WP, and Fox. The smaller companies such as Wilburs, Elka, Penske, Race Tech, M2 and others can build good stuff, but not always. Being smaller they do have an ability to try and focus on a specific model others may not. Case in point was when I wanted Ohlins on the Spyder. Apparently Ohlins in Sweden has no interest in Spyders or did not at the time.
If your suspension shop is a full line Ohlins dealer, it is possible they could mix and match bodies and shafts to build Ohlins. This is what Ohlins NA suggested. Assuming your shop has a shock dyno, they can easily mimic, then optimize the shim stacks.
I have not been inside our BRP Fox shox, out of the box they worked very well, and at under $400 was a great value.
All the best in your quest.
troop
Well-known member
I have a 2019 F3S, so standard with the Fox Podiums. The suspension shop did mention that they might be able to rebuild my shocks. Like you, they have never had a Fox shock apart. Since we're talking (2) shocks, the cost to disassemble/clean-polish/revalve/re-spring/re-charge/etc , would likely make it cost prohibitive versus getting new shocks. Plus, they'd still be a basic preload adjustment only. I'd go aftermarket route just to have a spare pair. They checked in to building a pair, but again, would be cost prohibitive using Penske/Ohlins parts. Wilbers is more $ and taking longer times with Covid/shutdowns. They are 'technically" a Elka dealer, but are not recommending them. I'll keep the reasoning private. They deal quite a bit with R-T, as they can still get components, and many R-T components can be used with good results with other shock products. They deal direct with R-T, and since I'm a prior customer, they will work with me a bit. Race Tech has specs/dimensions on F3 LTD and F3 shocks. Since they're being custom built for my specs, they have no concerns about building me a set of custom shocks for my F3S. They said I could send them one of my OEM shocks if I had a concern, but they thought not necessary. Finding info on the Fox Podium 1.5's is tough. My request to BRP was "escalated", and that response was "contact your local dealer for the best information". I used to sell PT at my local dealer, and know the parts mgr very well. When I posed him that question, he laughed and said they don't have any technical info on the accessory shocks. He put in a technical request to Can-am but that could take awhile. Not many Race Tech Spyder shock owners. One on Facebook really likes his. We shall see....
PMK
Active member
Many thoughts to consider. As for Fox shox, Podiums are a type or series, they can have all sorts of levels or variations and this makes it very confusing. To clarify, I never took our Spyder shocks apart yet. I have rebuilt, revalved and modified a lot of Fox shox from the mid 1970s to current stuff. These Fox shocks are pretty typical with body type IFP. I can not comment on the pricing your suspension tuner charges and the items he requires to be replaced. Regarding Race Tech, I have used many of their products also, just not complete shocks. Paul Thede and his crew are not known for the shocks they offer, but more for spares and hop up items plus tools. Regarding info on the Fox Podiums, you can suspect the springs might be from BRP and I do not know their vendor. Our Spyder Fox shox came with BRP springs which was a not expected but not a concern. Regarding the need for clickers on a Spyder, the truth is very few people ever even adjust them, AND, the need to adjust after finding a sweet spot is seldom done. My opinion on clickers in regards to Spyders is that it is a great profit maker for the shock companies, looks cool and costs more. Well set up valving seldom needs clickers to be very good on road machines. Race bikes yes, off road without doubt. Well all the best with your decision, maybe post a photo of the Fox dampers you currently have, guessing they are the same but likely smaller bore and no Kashima coatings.
JP58
New member
Looks like you have the shocks cranked up a bit.
