Submitted by
Roger
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Strengths: Durable, well balanced ride, nice craftmanship, design
Weaknesses: no replaceable bearings, non standard damper mounting
Bottom Line:
I used this bike for over 4 years now and I am very happy with the performance. It´s still as good as any of the other top cross country FS bikes. It´s not a freeride thing, but mor a very good allround enduro type bike. If I compare it to the latest Specialized Enduro bikes I see absolutly no reason why I should buy something new. I upgraded to a top air suspension (Votec fork/DT damper) and this bike works perfect and is now much lighter versus the stock manitou coil suspension. This upgrade requires a special CNC part available in Germany through a company called RESET.
Weaknesses: No Horst Link. Enough travel for XC but not enough for DH. Stock Manitou X-vert that came with the frame needed a spring upgrade to bring it up to the quality of the rear. Pivots squeak on occasion, usually after a couple hours riding.
Bottom Line:
This is a Gorgeous bike. Built with the love and the quality of the One-Off frame makers. I’ve been riding it for about four years, and it has held up beautify. That’s saying a lot since I weigh 250lbs. I do find myself wishing it had more rear wheel travel. 3 ½ inches doesn’t seam enough in this day and age of five and six inch travel XC bikes. The stock crappy elastomers where garbage in the fork. I replaced it with a couple of Ti coil springs from an old Manitou FS-Ti, and can honostly say it the best, smoothest fork I have ever ridden. From a pure design point of view, I wish the bike also had a Horst link, but that’s just nit picking. I would definitely recommend this bike if you can still find one around, even used. I built it up with some great but conservative parts. Totaling 28 lbs. With some lighter wheels and components it could be easily be built up to about 25 lbs. FIVE CHILLIES!!!
Similar Products Used: Friends FS Bike....Marins, Cannondales, ETC.
Bike Setup: Manitou X-Vert fork, XTR/XT, Chris King, Etc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Drake Wohlgemuth
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico, CA
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2001
Strengths: It is a big improvement to the old stock shock. It's way smoother. You get a custom valving from Risse, tuned for your weight and riding style. It is the only available aftermarket shock for this bike. They also make a bearing upgrade kit which replaces the old bushings. Definitly helps the shock to work more smoothly.
Weaknesses: none. it is probably not better than comparable fox shocks, but it is the only one for the Manitou FS! In order to get the bearing upgrade, you have to send your frame to Risse.
Bottom Line:
Get your Frames out of your cellars, sell your Rocky Elements and Upgrade your Manitou! One of the nicest FS bikes around now works. Sealed ball bearings, up to date shock, a very good frame design. Plus, Risse Astro 5 weighs only 260 grams.
Similar Products Used: old crappy stock shock in the Manitou. some other Fox or Rock Shoxes on other bikes.
Bike Setup: XTR, Manitou Black, WTB, King
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Cole Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Irwin, CA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000
Strengths: Sexy; light but strong frame; comfortable
Weaknesses: Decals get trashed easily, funky tube sizes
Bottom Line:
Built this one myself and ride it everyday. It's gorgeous and to date has been bombproof, including several several endos on the trail and pavement. This was my first FS bike and made climbing and descending the desert hills a breeze compared to my hard tail! The rear Bazooka damper has been flawless and I've had zero bushing problems. Spend some time setting the front end up correctly - it's worth it. My bike didn't really click until I put the KORE stem on. It's been a slice of heaven since! The head tube is 1.25, seat tube is 31.6, so be prepared! Don't expect much (any) help from Answer - they're only into forks and BMX these days. Of note, I wouldn't recommend buying closeout frames from Supergo - they gave me the wrong headset, no manual, the wrong fork and some poor recommendations for component sizes. My impression was that they just wanted to get the frame out the door. Should have bought from Cambria, but I didn't know any better at the time. Overall, this is a great bike for everything from an urban commute to modest downhilling. It's a little heavier than my AMP, but feels more solid and is more reliable. 4 chilis for value (though you can probably get one cheap at this point) because you're going to have to dole out some ducats to build it up to it's potential and you can forget about customer support, and 5 overall for it's reliability, great looks and utility.
Bike Setup: XT/XTR, Spins, X-Vert, Race Face LP cranks, LP composite post, riser and barends, KORE stem
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Fitzgerald
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000
Strengths: Great overall ride, doesn't pogo all over the place, great craftsmanship, beautiful to look at
Weaknesses: Ummm... The pivots need to be maintained properly Early shocks weren't that great. Suspension didn't work as well when braking over bumps and ruts
Bottom Line:
I rode this frame for two-to three years. In the beginning I bought it for downhill racing and some trail riding. Even though not built for DH (not to mention 3.5" of travel), this bike took me to many victories against the likes of Foes and Intense and everyone else. As travel got longer, I retired it for trail use only. To my surprise, I learned to like it even more. Its an awesome technical XC bike. It doesn't compromise me on steep hills, rocky or rooty descents, or anywhere in between.
and one day I walked into my parking garage to go ride and it was gone. Stolen. So after about six months, I've picked up a slightly used one to start all over again. I guess that speaks for it as much as anything. With all the newer designs running around, I'd still buy it again.
Strengths: Plush suspension action. Very stiff laterally. Beautiful bike. Craftsmanship is incredible!
Weaknesses: Seems to dent a bit too easily. Bushings must be replaced at the factory. Rear dropout is not replaceable.
Bottom Line:
This bike is an excellent all-around tail-bike. Even though the frame was stamped '96 and sold as a '98 model by Super-Go, it's still as good as any of the 2000 products. I am very happy with the performance of the Bazooka rear shock and suspension linkage. You just can't get this kind of smoothness from an air shock. Manitou has been great so far. They swapped out my rear spring to suit my 200lb weight. Big bonus: this bike stops traffic both on and off the trail! My only two concerns are that the rear dropout is not replaceable and the bushings must be replaced by Manitou when that time comes (hope they still have some left as this bike is no longer made). If you have a chance to buy this bike, jump on it. It is a super do-it-all bike for anyone short of a downhill bomber.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn S-20, Schwinn Rocket-88, Schwinn 4-Banger, Gary Fisher Sugar, Klein Mantra, Trek STP, Trek VRX, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z-2 Atom 80, Bontrager Race wheelset, WTB Enduroraptor tires, Race Face, XT drivetrain, Bazooka shock (came with frame)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Guy Whaley
a Cross Country Rider
from Isle of Man
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Strengths: light weight, excellent climber, looks the tops. Is the lightest full susser on the Isle of Man!! I just love it
Weaknesses: dents easily, and the aftersales service is dreadful. I have to call long distance (british isles) and end up on hold. Also the afterburner shock is a nightmare to service - but only becuase I can't get the parts
Bottom Line:
Still one of the best mountain bikes around and mine is 4 yrs old!!, if maybe a little expensive
Similar Products Used: pro-flex, marin, muddy fox, presently a santa cruz superlight
Bike Setup: xtr, pace evo2 forks with hope disc brake. Pace chain rings (last forever).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999
Strengths: Beautiful Welds Big Stiff Tubes Great Looks Customer service is top-notch
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I Bought this bike used for my fiance' The workmanship is fantastic. The bike is relatively light, about 25# for a 16. This bike is to small for me but I test rode it for a little (about 15 - 20 miles) It's fast, responsive & very stiff, climbs great & descends even better. My fiance' has only ridden it once, she was totally impressed but the rear shock doesn't work with her in the saddle. It's the elastomer type off the '96 model with a medium hardness elastomer & she's to lightweight for it. I called Manitou & The customer service was better than I could have ever imagined. I bought a '98 model for myself in my size (19) & will let you know how it goes after I get it built up & put a few miles into it.
Submitted by
jack tors
a Weekend Warrior
from New york,NY
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1999
Bottom Line:
I picked up a 19 Manitou FS from SuperGo for $699 a few weeks ago. Built it up with some expensive lightweight parts, (i.e. Chris king, XTR, Avid, Bontrager,White Industries, etc.) First thing is this bike is heavy, after assembly it feals like its 30 pounds with very expensive lightweight parts. For the price you get the frame, a 98 Manitou X-vert fork, XTR front derailler, bontrager seatpost, and a headset reducer. Good deal!!! First ride was unremarkable. The rear end felt stiff and smooth. The fork was very stiff though. I'll be swaping out the springs in the fork for a plusher ride. Adjusting the rebound damper's on the Bazooka shock seemed inaffectual. Couldn't even rotate the compression knob. Over all the frame is gorgeous. Use it with standard chainrings or the all ready too high pivot location will result in a non-active ride. Stil cant figger out wgere the weight is comming from.Well see how the durability is in the long term. Its seems like an old frame. It says manufactured in 96 in the bottom bracket shell even though it comes with a brand new bazooka rear shock and a 98 X-Vert fork. Go figure
Th 97 FS rides well but brakes more than electric boogaloo. In the year that I have owned it I have gone through 5 rear shocks, 2 front shocks, and had the pivots replaced. Warranty thus far has been helpfull, but extremely slow. Interusted to see what the knew rear shock will look like but still thinking that I'm going to sell the bike and be done with manitou all togeather. If anyone wants to buy a 20 inch it's almost completely reconditioned!
Submitted by
Jeff Fialkowski
a cross-country rider
from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1998
Bottom Line:
These frames SUCK... I know this from experience. Anyone thinking about purchasing on of these overpriced pop cans, can forget it! I've broke one in half and wonder when the second frame is going to bust. I continue to wonder why ANSWER charged me over $300 to replace the front triangle. What a JOKE!! Any other frame builder would stand behind what they build, these guys BLOW!
Tell your friends that MANITOU rips people off!!!!!!!!!!
I own the dual suspension frame. This bike is beautiful! The lightweight Easton Aluminum makes it easy for riders my size (210 lbs.) to climb steep hills. The frame only has about 2 inches of travel in the back fork, but thats all I need. Answer also has a great website and great customer service!!
Submitted by
peter malecki
a cross-country rider
from jupiter, fl
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1998
Bottom Line:
got the new afterburner shock on the bike last week. Big improvement over the elastomer version that came on the bike. Infinitly adjustable for compresssion and rebound damping and you can really feel the difference between adjustment clicks. A lot plusher on the softer setting, firm but plush on the higher compression settings. the shock itself is a fine piece of work, well built and looks good. Good upgrade for our rooty, log ridden trails.
I was able to get a hold of a 19" frame and so I am looking to move the 18" frame.
I can also include (for free) a MAG-20 that can be painted to match as well.
[url=http://cl Read More »
Hey All,
I'm in the market for a new frame and am looking to stick with a FS 29er. I'm a large Clyde at 6'6" 280ish and am throwing the idea around of investing into either a T Read More »
I got a 2007 Specialized Enduro S-Works frame (includes rear shock) and I'm looking for the rest of the components to complete a bike... Does anyone have anything to offer? Anyone Read More »
Hey everyone. I ride a wide range of trails and though I currently love my ride for the more gnarly spectrum of riding, I also use my sled for more XC duties as well. I might not Read More »
Here is my ad and pictures in the classified section. Thanks.
[url=http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=72117&cat=]Niner Rip 9 Frame, Ano Milk Dud with 2012 Fox Read More »
