How to Choose the Right Fox Spring for Your Shock: A Practical Guide
When it comes to tuning your suspension with the right Fox spring, precision is everything. The right spring isn’t just about fitting—it’s about optimising performance and ensuring durability. But with all the numbers and jargon, it’s easy to feel like you’re deciphering a cryptic code. Don’t worry; it’s simpler than it seems.
Understanding Key Fox Spring Measurements
Fox springs have two main specs to focus on: stroke length and spring rate. Let’s break these down:
Stroke Length: This is the maximum distance the spring can compress before hitting coil bind. For example, a "2.8” x 500 lbs" spring means it has a free stroke of 2.8 inches.
Spring Rate: Measured in pounds per inch (lbs), this tells you how stiff the spring is. In the same example, the spring requires 500 lbs of force to compress one inch.
Then there’s the Total Length (TLG)—the uncompressed length of the spring. This measurement is crucial for ensuring the spring fits your shock properly.
How to Find the Perfect Fox Spring
Ready to match your spring to your shock? Here’s the process laid out in bite-sized steps:
Start with Your Shock’s Specs: Note the model, size, and its TLG range. This is your baseline.
Pick the Right Stroke Length: The spring’s stroke length should always exceed the shock’s stroke length. If it doesn’t, you risk catastrophic coil bind—a situation every rider wants to avoid.
Dial in the Spring Rate: Choose a rate that suits your riding style and weight. Be mindful that spring rates can vary depending on the TLG of the spring.
Short vs Long Springs: Both options work, but the choice depends on your preference. Shorter springs shave a bit of weight, while longer ones can be easier to install. Performance-wise? No difference.
Practical Tips for Riders
A shorter spring may look sleek and save a few grams, but it’s not going to transform your ride. On the flip side, a longer spring might make installation less fiddly. Whichever you choose, focus on the fit and function over minor details. After all, it’s not about splitting hairs; it’s about shredding trails.
Why Fitment Matters
The importance of proper fitment can’t be overstated. A mismatched spring isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a performance killer. With the right spring, your suspension will respond smoothly to every root, rock, and drop, letting you focus on the fun stuff: riding.
Below is a comprehensive spring guide to help you find the ideal spring for your Fox shock
Fox DHX Spring Fitment
Eye-to-eye | Stroke | Shortest TLG Spring That Fits | Longest TLG Spring That Fits |
250mm | 67.5-75mm | 5.128" / 130.3mm | 6.848" / 173.9mm |
230mm | 57.5-65mm | 4.735" / 120.3mm | 6.061" / 153.9mm |
225mm (T) | 67.5-75mm | 5.128" / 130.3mm | 6.848" / 173.9mm |
210mm | 47.5-55mm | 4.341" / 110.3mm | 5.273" / 133.9mm |
205mm (T) | 57.5-65mm | 4.735" / 120.3mm | 6.061" / 153.9mm |
190mm | 40-55mm | 3.947" / 100.2mm | 4.485" / 113.9mm |
165mm (T) | 40-55mm | 3.947" / 100.2mm | 4.485" / 113.9mm |
185mm (T) | 47.5-55mm | 4.341" / 110.3mm | 5.273" / 133.9mm |
Fox DHX2 Spring Fitment
Eye-to-eye | Stroke | Shortest TLG Spring That Fits | Longest TLG Spring That Fits |
250mm | 67.5-75mm | 5.28" / 134.1mm | 7.18" / 182.4mm |
225mm (T) | 67.5-75mm | 5.27" / 133.8mm | 6.88" / 174.7mm |
230mm | 57.5-65mm | 4.88" / 123.9mm | 6.39" / 162.3mm |
205mm (T) | 57.5-65mm | 4.88" / 123.9mm | 6.09" / 154.7mm |
210mm | 47.5-55mm | 4.49" / 114.0mm | 5.60" / 142.2mm |
185mm (T) | 47.5-55mm | 4.48" / 113.8mm | 5.30" / 134.6mm |
7.5 in | 2 in | 4.32" / 109.7mm | 4.83" / 122.7mm |
7.875 in | 2 in | 4.32" / 109.7mm | 5.21" / 132.3mm |
8.5 in | 2.5 in | 4.82" / 122.4mm | 5.83" / 148.1mm |
9.5 in | 3 in | 5.32" / 135.1mm | 6.84" / 173.7mm |
10.5 in | 3.5 in | 5.82" / 147.8mm | 7.83" / 198.9mm |
VAN/Bomber CR Spring Fitment
Eye-to-eye | Stroke | Shortest TLG Spring That Fits | Longest TLG Spring That Fits |
250mm | 67.5-75mm | 6.00" / 152.4mm | 7.50" / 190.5mm |
225mm (T) | 67.5-75mm | 5.78" / 146.8mm | 6.76" / 171.7mm |
230mm | 57.5-65mm | 5.22" / 132.6mm | 6.71" / 170.4mm |
205mm (T) | 57.5-65mm | 5.00" / 127.00mm | 5.97" / 151.6mm |
210mm | 47.5-55mm | 4.43" / 112.5mm | 5.92" / 150.4mm |
185mm (T) | 47.5-55mm | 4.21" / 106.9mm | 5.19" / 131.8mm |
10.5 in | 3.5 in | 5.55" / 141.0mm | 8.15" / 207.0mm |
9.5 in | 3 in | 5.05" / 128.3 | 7.15 in/181.6mm |
7.5 in | 2 in | 4.05" / 102.9mm | 5.15" / 130.8mm |
7.875 in | 2 in | 4.05" / 102.9mm | 5.53" / 140.5mm |
7.875 in | 2.5 in | 4.30" / 109.2mm | 5.53" / 140.5mm |
8.5 in | 2.5 in | 4.55" / 115.6mm | 6.1" / 156.2mm |
8.75 in | 2.75 in | 4.80" / 121.9mm | 6.40" /162.6mm |
SLS Springs
2.4"/61mm Travel (1.385in ID) Spring Table
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-177 | 2.4" x 300 lb - 4.28" TLG | 033-22-000 |
803-04-178 | 2.4" x 325 lb - 4.41" TLG | 033-22-001 |
803-04-179 | 2.4" x 350 lb - 4.38" TLG | 033-22-002 |
803-04-186 | 2.4" x 375 lb - 4.52" TLG | 033-22-003 |
803-04-187 | 2.4" x 400 lb - 4.6" TLG | 033-22-004 |
803-04-188 | 2.4" x 425 lb - 4.54" TLG | 033-22-005 |
803-04-189 | 2.4" x 450 lb - 4.74" TLG | 033-22-006 |
803-04-190 | 2.4" x 475 lb - 4.68" TLG | 033-22-007 |
803-04-191 | 2.4" x 500 lb - 4.67" TLG | 033-22-008 |
803-04-192 | 2.4" x 550 lb - 4.91" TLG | 033-22-009 |
803-04-193 | 2.4" x 600 lb - 4.97" TLG | 033-22-010 |
803-04-184 | 2.4" x 650 lb - 4.97" TLG | 033-22-011 |
803-04-185 | 2.4" x 700 lb - 4.97" TLG | 033-22-012 |
Commonly Used With:
7.875" x 2.25"
185mm(T) x 50mm
185mm(T) x 52.5mm
185mm(T) x 55mm
210mm x 50mm
210mm x 52.5mm
210mm x 55mm
230mm x 57.5mm
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
2.65"/67mm Travel (1.385in ID) Spring Table
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-194 | 2.65" x 250 lb - 4.69" TLG | 033-22-013 |
803-04-195 | 2.65" x 275 lb - 4.63" TLG | 033-22-014 |
803-04-196 | 2.65" x 300 lb - 4.74" TLG | 033-22-015 |
803-04-197 | 2.65" x 325 lb - 4.71" TLG | 033-22-016 |
803-04-198 | 2.65" x 350 lb - 4.85" TLG | 033-22-017 |
803-04-199 | 2.65" x 375 lb - 4.97" TLG | 033-22-018 |
803-04-200 | 2.65" x 400 lb - 5.14" TLG | 033-22-019 |
803-04-201 | 2.65" x 425 lb - 5.08" TLG | 033-22-020 |
803-04-202 | 2.65" x 450 lb - 5.11" TLG | 033-22-021 |
803-04-203 | 2.65" x 475 lb - 5.23" TLG | 033-22-022 |
803-04-204 | 2.65" x 500 lb - 5.32" TLG | 033-22-023 |
803-04-205 | 2.65" x 550 lb - 5.38" TLG | 033-22-024 |
803-04-206 | 2.65" x 600 lb - 5.47" TLG | 033-22-025 |
803-04-207 | 2.65" x 650 lb - 5.60" TLG | 033-22-026 |
803-04-208 | 2.65" x 700 lb - 5.61" TLG | 033-22-027 |
Commonly Used With:
8.50" x 2.50"
205mm(T) x 60mm
205mm(T) x 62.5mm
205mm(T) x 65mm
230mm x 60mm
230mm x 62.5mm
230mm x 65mm
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
2.90"/74mm Travel (1.385in ID) Spring Table
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-210 | 2.9" x 300 lb - 5.36" TLG | 033-22-028 |
803-04-211 | 2.9" x 325 lb - 5.24" TLG | 033-22-029 |
803-04-212 | 2.9" x 350 lb - 5.33" TLG | 033-22-030 |
803-04-213 | 2.9" x 350 lb - 5.54" TLG | 033-22-031 |
803-04-214 | 2.9" x 400 lb - 5.54" TLG | 033-22-032 |
803-04-215 | 2.9" x 425 lb - 5.64" TLG | 033-22-033 |
803-04-216 | 2.9" x 450 lb - 5.80" TLG | 033-22-034 |
803-04-217 | 2.9" x 475 lb - 5.85" TLG | 033-22-035 |
803-04-218 | 2.9" x 500 lb - 5.83" TLG | 033-22-036 |
803-04-219 | 2.9" x 550 lb - 5.85" TLG | 033-22-037 |
803-04-220 | 2.9" x 600 lb - 5.85" TLG | 033-22-038 |
Commonly Used With:
8.75" x 2.75"
225mm(T) x 70mm
250mm x 70mm
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
3.15"/80mm Travel (1.385in ID) Spring Table
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-221 | 3.15" x 225 lb - 5.39" TLG | 033-22-040 |
803-04-222 | 3.15" x 250 lb - 5.54" TLG | 033-22-041 |
803-04-223 | 3.15" x 275 lb - 5.46" TLG | 033-22-042 |
803-04-224 | 3.15" x 300 lb - 5.61" TLG | 033-22-043 |
803-04-225 | 3.15" x 325 lb - 5.70" TLG | 033-22-044 |
803-04-226 | 3.15" x 350 lb - 5.94" TLG | 033-22-045 |
803-04-227 | 3.15" x 375 lb - 5.92" TLG | 033-22-046 |
803-04-228 | 3.15" x 400 lb - 6.04" TLG | 033-22-047 |
803-04-229 | 3.15" x 425 lb - 6.16" TLG | 033-22-048 |
803-04-230 | 3.15" x 450 lb - 6.28" TLG | 033-22-049 |
803-04-231 | 3.15" x 475 lb - 6.41" TLG | 033-22-050 |
803-04-232 | 3.15" x 500 lb - 6.33" TLG | 033-22-051 |
803-04-233 | 3.15" x 525 lb - 6.60" TLG | 033-22-063 |
803-04-234 | 3.15" x 550 lb - 6.52" TLG | 033-22-052 |
803-04-235 | 3.15" x 575 lb - 6.60" TLG | 033-22-064 |
Commonly Used With:
9.5" x 3.00"
225mm(T) x 72.5mm
225mm(T) x 75mm
250mm x 72.5mm
250mm x 75mm
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
3.65"/93mm Travel (1.385in ID) Spring Table
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-236 | 3.65" x 225 lb - 6.26" TLG | 033-22-053 |
803-04-237 | 3.65" x 250 lb - 6.42" TLG | 033-22-054 |
803-04-238 | 3.65" x 275 lb - 6.49" TLG | 033-22-055 |
803-04-239 | 3.65" x 300 lb - 6.75" TLG | 033-22-056 |
803-04-240 | 3.65" x 325 lb - 6.72" TLG | 033-22-057 |
803-04-241 | 3.65" x 350 lb - 6.83" TLG | 033-22-058 |
803-04-242 | 3.65" x 375 lb - 6.93" TLG | 033-22-059 |
803-04-243 | 3.65" x 400 lb - 7.08" TLG | 033-22-060 |
803-04-244 | 3.65" x 425 lb - 7.22" TLG | 033-22-061 |
803-04-245 | 3.65" x 450 lb - 7.51" TLG | 033-22-062 |
Commonly Used With:
10.5" x 3.5"
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
Standard Steel Springs
2.3"/58mm - 2.5"/65mm Travel (1.385in ID)
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-130 | 2.5" x 250 lb - 4.285" TLG | 039-03-011 |
803-04-131 | 2.5" x 300 lb - 4.344" TLG | 039-03-012 |
803--04-132 | 2.45" x 350 lb - 4.990" TLG | 039-12-011 |
803-04-133 | 2.45" x 400 lb - 4.675" TLG | 039-03-014 |
803-04-134 | 2.37" x 450 lb - 4.723" TLG | 039-03-015 |
803-04-135 | 2.35" x 500 lb - 4.733" TLG | 039-03-016 |
803-04-136 | 2.35" x 550 lb - 4.776" TLG | 039-03-017 |
803-04-137 | 2.35" x 600 lb - 4.830" TLG | 039-03-018 |
803-04-138 | 2.30" x 650 lb - 4.954" TLG | 039-03-019 |
803-04-139 | 2.30" x 700 lb - 5.200" TLG | 039-03-100 |
803-04-140 | 2.55" x 700 lb - 5.701" TLG | 039-03-009 |
803-04-141 | 2.30" x 800 lb - 5.280" TLG | 039-03-101 |
Commonly Used With:
7.875" x 2.25"
185mm(T) x 50mm
185mm(T) x 52.5mm
185mm(T) x 55mm
210mm x 50mm
210mm x 52.5mm
210mm x 55mm
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
2.8"/71mm Travel (1.385in ID)
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-142 | 2.8" x 250 lb - 4.924" TLG | 039-03-022 |
803-04-143 | 2.8" x 350 lb - 5.799" TLG | 039-03-001 |
803-04-144 | 2.8" x 400 lb - 5.459" TLG | 039-03-002 |
803-04-145 | 2.8" x 450 lb - 5.409" TLG | 039-03-003 |
803-04-146 | 2.8" x 500 lb - 5.728" TLG | 039-03-004 |
803-04-147 | 2.8" x 550 lb - 5.949" TLG | 039-03-005 |
803-04-148 | 2.8" x 550 lb - 5.750" TLG | 039-00-600 |
803-04-149 | 2.8" x 600 lb - 6.382" TLG | 039-03-007 |
803-04-150 | 2.8" x 600 lb - 5.750" TLG | 039-00-601 |
803-04-151 | 2.8" x 650 lb - 6.150" TLG | 039-03-008 |
803-04-152 | 2.8" x 700 lb - 6.402" TLG | 039-03-010 |
Commonly Used With:
8.5" x 2.5"
205mm(T) x 60mm
205mm(T) x 62.5mm
205mm(T) x 65mm
230mm x 57.5mm
230mm x 60mm
230mm x 62.5mm
230mm x 65mm
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
3.19"/81mm - 3.25"/83mm Travel (1.385in ID)
Part # | Description | Old Part # |
803-04-153 | 3.25" x 250 lb - 6.468" TLG | 039-09-010 |
803-04-154 | 3.24" x 300 lb - 6.126" TLG | 039-03-000 |
803-04-155 | 3.25" x 300 lb - 6.476" TLG | 039-09-000 |
803-04-156 | 3.25" x 350 lb - 6.689" TLG | 039-09-001 |
803-04-157 | 3.25" x 400 lb - 6.634" TLG | 039-09-002 |
803-04-158 | 3.25" x 450 lb - 6.760" TLG | 03909-003 |
803-04-159 | 3.15" x 500 lb - 6.600" TLG | 039-00-603 |
803-04-160 | 3.25" x 500 lb - 6.909" TLG | 039-09-004 |
803-04-161 | 3.15" x 550 lb - 6.400" TLG | 039-00-604 |
803-04-162 | 3.25" x 550 lb - 6.929" TLG | 039-09-005 |
803-04-163 | 3.25" x 600 lb - 7.114" TLG | 039-09-006 |
803-04-164 | 3.19" x 650 lb - 6.815" TLG | 039-09-007 |
803-04-165 | 3.19" x 700 lb - 7.130" TLG | 039-09-008 |
Commonly Used With:
8.75" x 2.75"
9.5" x 3.0"
225mm(T) x 70mm
225mm(T) x 72.5mm
225mm(T) x 75mm
250mm x 70mm
250mm x 72.5mm
250mm x 75mm
⚠ Note: Always double-check that the spring fits your shock size, even if it is listed here!
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