Fox Shocks are off to see the Wizard!

I have decided to pull the trigger and get my 2007 Fox 100 X serviced at Push Industries. I really though long and hard about if I wanted to void my warrant by having another company touch it. So I’m outside of the UPS store and ready to send just my Fox 100 X, and I’m on the phone with the one of the service guys to confirm the address.

But then, I start asking questions. He convinced me to service the 2005 Fox rp3 that came on my Titus Racer-X. Fox does a general tune on the Fork and Shock when they are built. Which mean they don’t service the fork or shock based on specific frame, and that is what PUSH specializes in. Push takes into account my frame, riding style, and type of terrain I ride on. He also said that the Racer X is a high end race bike (HELL YEAH) and having them service the fork would make it perform better. I was practically sold at this point as I need all I can get to keep up with the skinny experts.

Then, I asked him if I should just buy the new 2007 rp23 shock to replace my old rp3? He stated that he could service the rp3 and have it work just as good as or better than the new rp23. He then said that it really does not matter to have the propedal setting unless you really need to do on the fly adjustments while you are riding or racing. I never do any changes to the setting during a race, so that does not matter to me. I let him know my concerns about voiding the warranty on my fork and shock by having Push work on them, and taking off the Fox labels and putting on PUSH labels. But he gave me a deal that I just could not pass up. I could ship them out to have them arrive at Push on Monday August 13th. They would have them expedite serviced for the same day, and shipped back out next day air to me on the same day. To make it sweeter, they are only charging me only 1 additional $45.00 expedite fee, which means they are doing the rp3 expedite service for free. So I’m just paying for the shock and fork service, 1 additional expedite fee. This guy does not want my money; he really wants to help me ride better. That means I would have them back on my Titus on Tuesday and on my first mtn bike training ride since I have been married on Wednesday. Sweet! Top that Fox!! I’m on my way back home, and then off to Active Cycles to have the shock removed my Titus.

You need a local shop like Active Cycles because these guys are really about racing hard, and having fun.

Yes, my boy Fabian does have 2 different color eyes naturally. I'm sure that is a great way to start a conversation with a chick.

My boy Dave has created the term, "You Brian Pace'd it", which means I destroyed something that needs to be replaced. He is a kick ass mechanic, has a bunch of knowledge, has ridden practically everywhere, and rides a 33lb downhill bike and can kick ass on the XC trails.

The guys normally collectively cringe when I walk in, because I only show up when I’ve broken something or the bike is degredated to the point of not being able to train on it. So I walked in and Nick says, “What did you do?” Before he says anything another mechanic says, “He Brian Pace’d it”. I say, “Guys, calm down, I just want you to take off my rp3, because I’m going to have it sent back to get serviced". Nick asked, “Did you bust it?” No, I didn’t it, I said. You not sending it back to Fox are you, he asked? If so, you won’t be racing for more than a month, Nick says. They take forever man! Yeah, get in line with the rest of the suckers that think they are going to get it back in the normal Fox turnaround. I said, I’m sending it to Push, and I tell them they are going to expedite it to front of the list, and ship it back out the same day for only 1 fee, and they both are relieved. They both had nothing but good things to say about PUSH also, and that gives me even more comfort in my decision. Nick quickly takes the shock off, and I ask him to keep my bike until I bring the forks back on Tuesday. I say goodbye to the boys and I’m back off to the UPS store.

This is my boy Nick, and he is the mechanic that has his hands on my bike the most because he practically lives at the shop. He has made it a really good year for me on the mountain and road bike. He is taking off the rp3 to get that super upgrade. By the way, I always tip my mechanics.


Here is the Titus without a shock

Here is the shock without a Titus


Here is an Active Cycles painting of Cipo crossing the line like he did back in the day

Here is the 2007 Team Active Cycles LG Helmet


This is my old road bike that has been sitting in Active Cycles since March of this year when I upgraded to the Felt. The boys put it on ebay for me, as I just want to get some return on it.


On the way to the UPS store I decided to stop by Wholefoods and get some food for the wife. I get her normal Swedish meatballs with white rice, and chicken noodle soup so she can decide which type of mood she is in. I get some organic cranberry juice and some organic yellow chips, distilled water and I’m out. I frequent this place at least 5 days a week. They have the best produce on the market, and I would not be at 179lbs, that's right, 179lbs without them.

All I do is organic, but the prices are outrageous. Hey, that's the price we pay to slow down aging and prolong life.

Back at the UPS store and the shocks are going out!

But I change my shipping plans and decide to do Next-day Air. He puts in the address and, waits for a second. “That will be $81.72”. SH#T, that is way too much and I ask him if they are any other options. He does some more punching on the keyboard, and he says $48.00 for 2 day air that will arrive on Friday, and $31.40 if I want it to arrive on Monday August 13th. OK, great, I’m on that original program. When he is measuring the fork for a box I ask him why is it so expensive? He stated that the dimension of the fork makes the rate go up because it does not ship well. I hear that and buy additional insurance on it.
Bye, Fox products. I can't wait to see the "Upgraded" you!

I haven’t touched my Racer X since June, and my first day back on the bike I will have the new Bontrager Race X Lite wheels, 2 newly serviced suspensions that are dialed in for me and my frame, and the new Rotor Crank Agilis System that upgrades me from 23-33-45 rings, to 24-34-44. No singletrack is safe once I'm upgraded!

Pacer Out!