how much weight do you save with floats?

[ruffryder]

I sold my float 2 shocks without ever riding on them for a set of used arctic cat zero pro shocks. I was curious how much the weight difference would be and was surprised by the results.

Single weights
Fox Float 2 shock 3 lbs 1 oz
Fox Zero pro and spring 4 lbs 9 oz
difference 1 lb 8 oz

Total weights
Fox Float 2 shock 6 lbs 2 oz
Fox Zero pro and spring 9 lbs 2 oz
total weight difference 3 lbs.

Not much for the price increase and performance decrease for the float shocks. M series shocks a 17.5" center to center. A bushing kit for around 35 bucks gets them to work on the Nytro...

Just thought I would share my results...

 

[beeze455]

 

[Nikolai]

Floats aren't worth the weight savings. I'm so over them it's not even funny. I have brand new set of Ohlins front shocks on the way that should be installed next week and I can't wait to ride with them. When I have the extra money I'll get Ti. springs and the weight difference will be negligible. I'll eventually be ditching the Float in my cat skid and replacing it with another Ohlins.

 

[lund]

100% agree, Floats aren't worth their weight.
I had originaly installed floats on my Doo a few years back and after half a season pulled them off and sold them. The OEM gas combined with tie springs were far better.
My Nytro has the FloatsII all around and still i'm not impressed, though they are better.
X-EVOLS are the Floats to have if your choosing to use floats from what i have heard. I have no experience with them.

 

[ruffryder]

Floats aren't worth the weight savings. I'm so over them it's not even funny. I have brand new set of Ohlins front shocks on the way that should be installed next week and I can't wait to ride with them. When I have the extra money I'll get Ti. springs and the weight difference will be negligible. I'll eventually be ditching the Float in my cat skid and replacing it with another Ohlins.

why not zbroz for the skid? You can find used sets pretty cheap at snowest, like almost 500 for both skid shocks..

and where did you find Ohlins?

 

[Nikolai]

Ohlins are close to the same price, and after seeing the inside of both shocks, Ohlins are higher quality. There's a very reputable shock builder up here(does the Irondog sleds and a bunch of lower48 stuff) who mainly deals with Ohlins and he found me a set in the lower 48. $1,000 for both front shocks(have resi's & adj compression). Same price as Exists and he's 30 minutes away if I need a re-valve or different spring rate. He has a more basic Ohlins to replace the Cat Float shock for $350.

 

[ruffryder]

cool.

So what made you guys want to get rid of the floats? I was getting tired of the poor ride quality. While they do keep the sled from bottoming, they don't seem to do much else.

Also, when I lowered the shock pressure to get them to feel better, the sled would dive and roll a lot more as well. I was going to try float 2's, but figured I would just go to regular fox zero pros.

I thought about shocks and tuning, and figured I don't need anything special. Remote rezzies, big shafts, and what not are wasted on me.

 

[Nikolai]

Shock fade, different ride quality in different temperatures, terrible big hit absorption, ect. I think the Float II's would be fine for someone who didn't jump, but when the airtime starts getting longer, nothing beats a good coilover. It was a big chunk of change, but I'm keeping the sled again for 2012/13 so it'll be worth it.

 

[BordnBill]

Great, I just installed some floats with Fett Canisters.

 

[Nikolai]

Lots of people run Floats without any problems so don't get discouraged. 75% of the time they are great, my biggest complaint was harsh impacts from big jumps. I've been running Floats since 2006 and just felt I owed it to myself to have some really good shocks.

 

[BordnBill]

I am going to run the Floats this season and maybe cough up some coin to have them converted to the EVOL's.

 

[akvector]

This will be my third year with timbersled skid and floats and 2nd year with floats up front. I how ever did only purchase floats based on the recommendation from Ty members. I will say that I love them but only had stock crap to compare to and they have been doing extremely well for me in the bumps etc... I however am not a big air guy so in that sense I could see harsh landings.

So for now and as long as I have this sled I will be keeping the floats and keep on riding.

 

[ruffryder]

floats aren't bad. Compared to the stock yamaha junk they were awesome. I had mine for almost 4 years and they worked great for that time. I am just looking for something that can handle the stutters much better and hopefully do the jumps.

The main reason why I went with the zero pros was cost. I sold my floats for around 500, bought the zeros with springs for 100, and I have 400 to pay bills... lol.

 

[Super Sled]

I love my Floats. Awesome shocks IMHO! But to each there own personal preferences. Ohlins are also awesome IMHO and prob the best quality shock made. You can see mine in my sig pic.

But I will confess I'm not much for jumping any of my sled's. ;-)

 

[Confused?]

If not floats what do u recommend for ditch banging and trails I still wanna lose weight tho