What if one damper is too little for the aggressive riding style, but the other damper is too much? You take the middle way - like Fox with the new DPX2. This new shock absorber is designed for mountain bikers who have an active riding style on the trails and like to let it rip. To ensure that it not only withstands such loads but also supports the rider in every riding situation, Fox has simply put the best of two dampers into one.

This is what it looks like in the DPX2

The new damper design features the piston design and air suspension of the Float DPS. This gives it almost the same slim look. In addition, it comes with the new, lighter and larger Evol negative air chamber, which should significantly improve the response and responsiveness of the shock. The spring characteristic curve is more linear over the first 25 percent of the spring travel, which is intended to process small impacts better. Tuning the bottom-out progression should also be easier.

The Dual Piston System (DPS) works with two separate pistons for compression and rebound. This separates the oil circuits in open and medium mode (Open & Medium) from the lockout (Firm). As a result, the firmness of the firm mode has no influence on response, control and efficiency.

The DPX2 is combined with the damping system of the X2 downhill air shock. The "Recirculating Oil Damper Design" of the X2 does not allow the damping oil to be pushed back and forth, but circulates through the system with every movement. This has the advantage that the pressure in the system is lower, making it less susceptible to defects, but at the same time the damper responds better. This system then offers better damping properties in the mid-travel range, better bike control during load changes, for example on successive berms, as well as separate adjustment options for rebound and compression.

Superficial

Compared to the X2, the DPX2 offers more space around the eyelet and the reservoir is also smaller. This saves weight and provides more space for water bottles - if the frame is designed for this at all. Another plus is the easy access to the rebound and compression knobs. The latter can be used to select the Open, Medium and Firm damping options while riding. The adjustment knob also has an Allen screw for adjusting the high and low-speed compression. In contrast to the X2 shock, where both settings are made separately, the DPX2 allows you to change both at the same time with this one adjustment screw.

The stylish bumpers are available in inch and metric sizes. If you want to upgrade your trail bike with a DPX2 shock, you don't need to worry about whether it will work with the respective suspension system or not. The DPX2 for the aftermarket comes with a universal set-up that should suit a wide range of bikes very well. If that's not enough for you, you can also have your DPX2 tuned specifically to the rear suspension system of your own mountain bike - in Switzerland via the Fox importer Fuchs-Movesa.

The first impression

A comprehensive test result cannot yet be completed on the new DPX2 shock, as there hasn't been enough time yet. Nevertheless, it can be said that the first rides were already very promising. The test shock was built specifically for Devinci's "Spartan" enduro bike, and the basic set-up for body weight, rebound and high-lowspeed compression has not been changed. The rides so far have confirmed Fox's promises: the DPX2 responds very finely, is easy to swallow and offers enough counter-pressure when you push the bike out of berms or over obstacles. The end progression is also much more defined than the original Spartan shock, the Rock Shox Monarch Plus.

Uphill, the DPX2 is hardly susceptible to drive influences. It only bobs slightly at a high cadence. In medium mode, however, the system is already calm and if you switch the damping to "Firm", the damper rides really firm. Nevertheless, it absorbs harder bumps in this mode. In open mode, the support in the mid-travel range is also pleasant. As a result, the rear end remains higher in its travel and doesn't drain your physical energy unnecessarily when you try to ride up smaller steps or root passages.
A more comprehensive test report will follow in the course of the season, when the shock has had to take a good "beating" over a longer period of time.

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