Opinion on Fox Podium 1.5 front shocks

[BajaRon]

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.

If you have a 2013-2016 RS, RSS, ST then these shocks work great! I've recommended them to many skeptics. I don't blame people for being leery when the item isn't listed for your application. Usually, this is not a good sign. But in this case, the fact that people selling these have no idea that they work just fine on these Spyder models won't hurt you at all. Buy them, ride them and enjoy! You will be impressed!

 

[troop]

Looks like you have the shocks cranked up a bit.

Yup ...

 

[RideOn]

Am asking a question in what I think will be a future need. I didn't ask this question before I bought my Elkas and regret that.
I think that in the not to distant future my Elkas will fail again and am I looking at replacing the fronts with the Fox shocks. This model has been suggested to me by a very trustworthy source but I am wondering if I can get any "reports from the field" of anyone who may have them on an RT or ST.

Thanks in advance.

I had a 2014 ST with the Fox Podium shocks from the factory. Never had any complaints, nor any failures. Given it was my first Spyder, and very different from my current RTL, I can say that it cornered better than the RT, but the ST is also over 200 pounds lighter and lower to the ground, so I can't say definitely how much the shocks affected the handling.

The RT is somewhat smoother but it feels a bit roly-poly in corners compared to the ST. The Fox shocks had adjustable preload, and the RT does not, so you may consider that an advantage.

Bob

 

[PMK]

Here is a picture of my OEM 2019 Fox Podium shock. Only identifier on the spring is likely its part # 706001771

My opinion as a suspension tuner AND Spyder owner / rider, you have base Fox Shox on there. Unless you are planning to compete, the dampers themselves, they are likely adequate for your machine. It does appear you have a bit of preload added. Did you wind the preload collars down to increase preload and if so do you know about how much you added?

As I mentioned previously, Fox dampers from BRP or as oem Spyder shocks come with springs identified by a BRP part number. There is no identification / conversion chart to show dimensions and spring rates. Saying all that, and since you have suspension shop you work with, measure and note the preloaded spring length with the shock fully extended. Next, while supported in the vehicle, loosen the spring preload collars fully, this will require supporting the vehicle on the chassis not on the suspension arms. Remove the shocks, then remove the springs. Measure and note the springs free length, the springs inside diameter and outside diameter.

Hopefully your suspension tuner has a an Intercomp or equivalent spring tester and can give you the springs rate after negating any end conditioning effects. With that info in hand, message me back and I can see what options for springs may be out there for you.

I know, you are going to get concerned that with a firmer spring the damping will be inadequate. Possibly, but unlikely. Compression damping, being primarily impact related requires an extreme variation in rider weight or worse, rider ability and terrain. Rebound damping is purely spring control force. It takes a lot of increased spring rate to require a damping change in rebound, provided as is was close.

That said, Fox typically does a very good job at setting up out of the box internal valving. Again, I am not a Fox Fanboy at all, just have plenty of experience with their products.

If I were in you situation, I would first spend the couple hundred and respring the vehicle correctly, set ride height to optimum, not focus on sag since the travel is so little measuring those percentages are difficult and unknown for Spyders.

Entirely your choice, realize the springs support, the damping controls. Plus the best dampers with incorrect springs suffer badly.

All the best with it.

 

[troop]

"My opinion as a suspension tuner AND Spyder owner / rider, you have base Fox Shox on there. Unless you are planning to compete, the dampers themselves, they are likely adequate for your machine. It does appear you have a bit of preload added. Did you wind the preload collars down to increase preload and if so do you know about how much you added?"

I did ramp up the preload. OEM setting was basically in the middle. Wanted to increase ride height a touch to avoid scraping..

 

[troop]

Well ... Today I pulled the trigger on a pair of Fox Factory Series 1.5 Podium R shocks from a dealership in PA. They were able to confirm that these shocks, do indeed, have firmer spring rates and valving compared to the F3S standard Podium. They are running a demo F3S with the shocks on. It made it an easier decision with a shipped cost of $395. Although they're being shipped tomorrow, being in WI, I won't be using them for a couple months. The next week looks NASTY !!
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/madison/53715/daily-weather-forecast/331530

 

[troop]

My opinion as a suspension tuner AND Spyder owner / rider, you have base Fox Shox on there. Unless you are planning to compete, the dampers themselves, they are likely adequate for your machine. It does appear you have a bit of preload added. Did you wind the preload collars down to increase preload and if so do you know about how much you added?

As I mentioned previously, Fox dampers from BRP or as oem Spyder shocks come with springs identified by a BRP part number. There is no identification / conversion chart to show dimensions and spring rates. Saying all that, and since you have suspension shop you work with, measure and note the preloaded spring length with the shock fully extended. Next, while supported in the vehicle, loosen the spring preload collars fully, this will require supporting the vehicle on the chassis not on the suspension arms. Remove the shocks, then remove the springs. Measure and note the springs free length, the springs inside diameter and outside diameter.

Hopefully your suspension tuner has a an Intercomp or equivalent spring tester and can give you the springs rate after negating any end conditioning effects. With that info in hand, message me back and I can see what options for springs may be out there for you.

I know, you are going to get concerned that with a firmer spring the damping will be inadequate. Possibly, but unlikely. Compression damping, being primarily impact related requires an extreme variation in rider weight or worse, rider ability and terrain. Rebound damping is purely spring control force. It takes a lot of increased spring rate to require a damping change in rebound, provided as is was close.

That said, Fox typically does a very good job at setting up out of the box internal valving. Again, I am not a Fox Fanboy at all, just have plenty of experience with their products.

If I were in you situation, I would first spend the couple hundred and respring the vehicle correctly, set ride height to optimum, not focus on sag since the travel is so little measuring those percentages are difficult and unknown for Spyders.

Entirely your choice, realize the springs support, the damping controls. Plus the best dampers with incorrect springs suffer badly.

All the best with it.

I contacted the suspension shop to arrange to bring in one of my OEM Podium shocks, along with the new Factory R 1.5's. They'll measure/take spring rates and dyno them. Won't be for at least another 10 days, as it will be too damn cold in my unheated garage. High temps next week only expected to get up to, at most, 10*s

 

[troop]

Got my answer today from BRP re: spring rates. Not a lot of difference between stock Podium's on F3-S versus the spring rate on the accessory 1.5's..

The springs that came stock on unit: Part number 706001771

Spring Rate N/MM + / - 0.88 --- 32.5
Spring Rate LB/Inch + / - 5 --- 185.6

The ''Fox Factory Series 1.5 Podium'' spring : Part Number 706002254

Spring Rate N/MM + / - 0.88 --- 34.0
Spring Rate LB/Inch + / - 5 --- 194.2

 

[Tango]

Well ... Today I pulled the trigger on a pair of Fox Factory Series 1.5 Podium R shocks from a dealership in PA. They were able to confirm that these shocks, do indeed, have firmer spring rates and valving compared to the F3S standard Podium. They are running a demo F3S with the shocks on. It made it an easier decision with a shipped cost of $395. Although they're being shipped tomorrow, being in WI, I won't be using them for a couple months. The next week looks NASTY !!
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/madison/53715/daily-weather-forecast/331530

What dealer in PA.? And did you contact them direct? $400 sounds very inexpensive vs. $700 or more. But I'm on an 2020 RT. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[PMK]

Got my answer today from BRP re: spring rates. Not a lot of difference between stock Podium's on F3-S versus the spring rate on the accessory 1.5's..

The springs that came stock on unit: Part number 706001771

Spring Rate N/MM + / - 0.88 --- 32.5
Spring Rate LB/Inch + / - 5 --- 185.6

The ''Fox Factory Series 1.5 Podium'' spring : Part Number 706002254

Spring Rate N/MM + / - 0.88 --- 34.0
Spring Rate LB/Inch + / - 5 --- 194.2

Times 2 since you have each side, and you are starting with firmer rate from ride height to full travel. Plus each inch of shock travel is 10 lbs more per side.

While the springs are off, measure extended free length, and inside diameter. Note this for reference later if needed.

An important consideration, I do not recall seeing posted is the weight of the rider.

 

[troop]

Times 2 since you have each side, and you are starting with firmer rate from ride height to full travel. Plus each inch of shock travel is 10 lbs more per side.

While the springs are off, measure extended free length, and inside diameter. Note this for reference later if needed.

An important consideration, I do not recall seeing posted is the weight of the rider.

Yup .. I'll be taking them to the suspension shop likely Friday or next Monday.
My riding weight? 225# ungeared

 

[troop]

New Podium 1.5's were dropped off at the suspension shop. They're going to dyno the shocks and check actual spring rates early next week. They'll go from there regarding new springs.

 

[troop]

Shocks have been dyno'd. The suspension tuner feels that the OEM valving will still play well with heavier springs. They decided to go with some Ohlin 45n/m springs as a safe choice. These equate to about 255lb/in. Bummer is, only (one) spring was stateside. The other is on its way from Sweden. Took awhile as they had been prepping for Daytona, where their team rider won the 200..

 

[mjamesk]

Do you have the m2 shocks on your bike

 

[troop]

I have the Fox Podium 1.5 front shocks, along with Ohlins 235# springs. Much better.