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The ubiquitous Fox Float X and Fox DHX are redesigned for 2027! They’ve got all new internals, some fresh stickers, and a very similar silhouette to the previous models. While these new shocks may look about the same on the outside, the internals have been revised for increased sensitivity and overall better traction. Their Live Valve Neo counterparts are also getting the same internal updates, so all of the ‘X’ shocks are stepping up their game for 2027. Fox claims these X shocks have X2 like sensitivity, so let’s dive into all of the new tech packed into these shocks.
The Float X and DHX platforms have gone under the knife and been redesigned for 2027. Well, you wouldn’t really know it from just looking at the outside, as they pretty much have the same silhouette as the previous generation. The stickers are brand new, and they’re updated to match the style of the stickers on the X2 shocks, but the Float X and DHX have the same overall shape and all the same external adjusters in the same locations. That’s not a bad thing, as they fit on pretty much every bike out there, and they’re both clean, good looking shocks that work well on a wide range of bikes.
We’ve got our hands on the Factory level shocks that have low speed compression, rebound, and a climb switch, but it’s what’s on the inside that’s different. Their dampers have an updated, higher-flow main piston that’s said to make the shocks more sensitive and ultimately give you more grip compared to the previous models. There’s also an updated bottom out bumper that’s more durable, and will do an overall better job of controlling big bottom out events. Finally, there’s also a new top out bumper to quiet down the shock. The 2027 Float X uses the exact same air can, volume spacers, and service kit, and the DHX has no updates to spring fitment this year. Again, these aren’t a complete departure from the previous generation, and more of a refinement that upgrades these already very popular shocks.
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All of these X shocks are offered in a very wide range of metric only sizes, with standard and trunnion mount options available for stroke lengths between 37.5 and 75 mil. The classic Fox tiers haven’t changed, and there are Factory, Performance Elite, and Performance levels for all the Float X and DHX shocks. Live Valve Neo shocks only come in Factory Series aftermarket, but there are Performance Elite Live Valve Neo shocks offered on complete builds. You can still upgrade your Performance Series Float X or DHX to the Performance Elite level with the low speed compression knob kit, which continues to be one of the best bang for your buck upgrades in all of mountain biking. Make sure to pick one of those up if you’ve got a Performance level Float X or DHX! Fox is actually slightly revising this LSC knob on the 2027 shocks for easier serviceability, but the previous gen upgrade kit is still compatible with the new shocks, and the new gen upgrade kit is compatible with the previous gen shocks.
Both the 2027 Float X Live Valve Neo and the 2027 DHX Live Valve Neo have gotten the same internal revisions as the standard battery free shocks with the same updated stickers on the outside. 2027 Live Valve Neo shocks use the same batteries, same sensors, and the same Live Valve Neo app to tune how the robots control your damper. The charger still uses a USB C cable, and there’s still no handlebar switch to manually over ride which mode your shock uses. Fox promised that the handlebar switch would come out shortly after the Neo shocks launched a couple years ago, but there’s still no word on when it will arrive. The Live Valve Neo Kits that have all of the sensors to get these shocks to work still have a little cutout for that handlebar switch to sit in, but it’s been empty for as long as Neo has been around. For the suspension tinkerers out there, the Live Valve Neo shocks have more tuning capabilities than any other shock I’ve tried through the Live Valve Neo app. You get tons of control over exactly when the shock enters firm mode for a more efficient pedaling platform, which is perfect for long fire road climbs or gaining a little extra efficiency while racing.
But those Live Valve Shocks are undeniably expensive, costing over a thousand dollars for just the shock, plus another over four hundred dollars for all the sensors, adding up to a very big number. The vast majority of riders are going to be on the standard X shocks that cost about half as much, and most Float X riders have their Float X because it came stock on their bike. It's one of the most common shocks on everything from 130 mil trail bikes to enduro bikes, and even some full on downhill bikes like my old TR11. Well, the Float X is pretty uncommon on downhill bikes, but I think that old Float X was actually sick on that bike.
We've got our hands on both a 2027 Float X and DHX, and I've been putting them through the paces in the last few weeks. I've spent most of my time on the Float X, and we just made a video directly comparing it to the recently updated Float X2, so check that out if you're on the fence between those two shocks. But the gist of it is that the Float X does have very similar off the top sensitivity to the Float X2, just like Fox claims. There feels like there's a similar amount of inherent internal friction that either shock has to overcome, which is quite low for an air shock. It's so impressive how much better air shocks have gotten in the last decade, but they still can't quite match the sensitivity of a coil shock. Both the Float X and Float X2 can hug the ground as well as any air shock, but the DHX and DHX2 still offer more all out traction.
The Float X is still an overall progressive air shock, and builds support quite quickly through the stroke. I found that I could get away with running slightly less sag than I run on the Float X2 without getting too many intense bottom outs. I ended up at exactly 30% sag on the 2027 Float X with the .2 volume spacer installed in the air can to get the performance I was after on my Transition Sentinel, compared to the 28% sag I ran on the more linear Float X2 on the same bike. With that setup, the Float X2 and Float X offered incredibly similar small bump sensitivity, but the more progressive smaller volume air can of the Float X resulted in a much more playful and active bike than the Float X2, which would prefer to smash straight through and stick to the ground. You can still jump around and play on the Float X2, but the Float X really encourages you to play on the bike more than race it.
The biggest performance difference between the Float X and the Float X2 is the high speed compression circuit. Winding that 6mm adjuster in adds so much composure to the bike in big compressions and g-outs that I would strongly recommend going with the Float X2 over the Float X if you’re serious about downhill performance. Adding low speed compression to the Float X is great for gaining support while pumping or jumping, but you’ll still blow through travel on the bigger impacts you’ll find on high speed black or double black trails. For riders that aren’t pushing the limits of their descending, then the updated Float X shock is a perfect option, with a slightly lower weight, lower price, and nearly equal sensitivity to the Float X2 on the majority of terrain out there.
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I’ve got very limited experience on the 2027 DHX for now, but keep an eye out for a DHX vs DHX2 comparison down the road. If the Float X vs Float X2 comparison holds true with Fox’s coil shocks, I expect that we’ll get some pretty impressive performance out of the more affordable DHX.
Overall, these updates modernize the Float X and DHX to keep up with the other trail shocks out on the market. The off the top sensitivity is what stands out to me, with Fox making some big improvements over the previous generation, and narrowing the performance gap between the X and X2 shocks. While the X shocks still lack the adjustability of the X2 shocks, that’s not necessarily a con for everyone, and these updated trail oriented shocks are a great choice for riders looking for straightforward performance without counting clicks. But for incredibly gravity focused riders, the X2 shocks still offer more composure through fast and rough terrain thanks to their increased adjustability.
