Submitted by
Myles Collins
a Downhiller
from Richland Center WI, United States Date Reviewed: May 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
My secret ones
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
The wonderful world of EBAY
Strengths:
light and rigid as in strength.
Weaknesses:
During warm days it is ver plush, but during cold days its like riding a rigid.
Bike Setup:
I used this for street and DJ.
Bottom Line:
This fork is a great fork at first, but after about 3 years of hard riding it starts to have problems. Starts to creak and feel like crap even after changing the fluid.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Grande Cache, AB Date Reviewed: May 2, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish
Strengths:
Lockout useful Durable
Weaknesses:
Oversprung
Similar Products Used:
Marzo z3, Marzo Marathon S
Bottom Line:
This fork failed to impress me from the beginning. While I have used other Manitous with success in the past, this one was oversprung for my weight (165 lbs.). It truly beat me up on the rough trails. In the 80mm mode, there was so much preload that the fork was essentially locked out.
With the purchase of a Marathon S, this fork has been moved from my full sus trail bike to a hardtail, where its shortcomings will not be so evident.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Corona, California Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Great experience with customer support/warranty service.
Weaknesses:
Difficult to get a usable spring rate.
Similar Products Used:
None of any good quality. Cheap-O RST forks that really suck.
Bike Setup:
'03 Specialized Rockhopper FSR XC, Hayes hydraulic discs.
Bottom Line:
These forks are okay. I have the 100/120's. The 120 setting is a little too soft for my liking as it bottoms out frequently, and the 100 setting is a little too stiff. I usually keep it on 100mm with min. rebound adjust, that seems to handle most of the terrain I ride okay.
I bought my Specialized used on eBay. The previous owner had upgraded the forks to the Manitou's and upgraded to Hayes hydraulics. It seems he tightened the front caliper down too much and stripped out one of the mounting holes.
I emailed Manitou warranty service and after asking when the forks were purchased, promptly sent out new castings, oil and a sticker pack. I got the replacement parts in only a couple days. I'm very impressed with the warranty service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: December 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish
Strengths:
Closeout price. Fairly stiff.
Weaknesses:
Mediocre performance. Poor design. The travel is adjustable, but if you change the travel, the spring rate changes so much that the fork is useless in the other setting. I guess, you could just buy another spring and simply change springs when you want to change the travel. No, wait a minute. You don’t want to change the spring as you are likely to break the travel adjust wire that slides up through the spring. It’s very easy to break, as it is very very thin and you will not even know it is there until after you break it because Manitou failed to put it in their manual. Manitou's customer service is beyond poor.
Similar Products Used:
None!!! I also have a Manitou SPV rear shock. When the spacer that fits between the shock and the bike wore out, Manitou sent me a new one for the low price of $20 (for a 50 cent part). The bad news was that it took them almost three months to get me the correct item (they never returned one phone call or email I sent them and only sent the item to my bike shop after months of pestering).
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro
Bottom Line:
The fork's performance is almost adequate (as long as you don't change the travel). Even though I only paid $200 for the fork, I paid too much. Based purely on performance,there are better low cost choices out there (ie. Marzocchi MX comp). However, when you factor in Manitou’s abysmal customer service, this fork should be avoided if at all possible.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from SF, CA Date Reviewed: December 10, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
greenfish
Strengths:
Stiff
Weaknesses:
If you pull the fork up, there is a gap. Damping sucks.
Similar Products Used:
everything just about.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain ETSX - kick ass bike.
Bottom Line:
How anyone can give this fork 5 chilis is beyond me. The fox forks absolutely blow this away. The marzocchis are infinitely more superior. I walk away from every ride with beat up and bruised hands. It is maybe a 2 chili but I'll give it 1 to counteract all the fives. If you have the choice to spend twice as much, you will definitely get five times as much fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mikey
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarks Summit, PA, USA Date Reviewed: October 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Fell Mountain, Carbondale
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Main Bike World, Kingston (you guys rule!)
Strengths:
I used Answer forks for a long time, so when this fork came with my bike, I had a good feeling. My first day on the new bike, I went to Plattekill, NY, for the first time ever (ow). This fork took a serious beating...and also lay a serious beating on me. Pluses: Microlube ports easy to use, adjustment controls easy to use, if a bit cheesy (plastic everything). Rebound damping works great. The fork is stiff and strong. I have to admit, I am picky...if you are not, this fork could be a great value, as it is now cheap, strong and works OK for most.
Weaknesses:
Minuses: Stock spring too soft, No compression damping whatsoever...despite changing the oil, changing the coil spring, and playing with the shim stack. Dives on braking, bottoms out on drops, stacks up over whoops. I did a huge face plant at Platte because of these problems and it hampers my riding to this day. Seals do not work very well at keeping water and dirt out. And, of course, the stickers fell off...LOL
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Expert, Manitou Spyder R, Answer Mach 5, 'Zokes Z-4 and Atom Race, AntiGravity (back in the early days)
Bike Setup:
Giant AC-Air, Rock Shox SID rear shock, Truvative, LX-XT, Mutantoraptors on Rhinolites, Avid Mech Disks
Bottom Line:
I hated this fork from day 1, and nothing I have found works really well to fix it. Right now, I got my cut-off saw out and I have 1/2 of the medium spring and 1/2 of the heavy spring in one side, and 10 wt. shock oil in the other, with a 12mm steel washer on top of the shim stack to squeeze some kind of compression damping out of it. I just ordered a Marzocchi Z-1 SL to get away from this thing and can't wait for it to arrive!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alex g
a Cross Country Rider
from houston Date Reviewed: October 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
walnut creek-austin
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
mtbr classifieds
Strengths:
simple straightforward design, reverse arch stiffness, easy to work on, available spring weights
Weaknesses:
bushing design, semi-bath lubrication,
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Z2 Air & Z2 BAM, Manitou SX & SXR
Bike Setup:
2003 Sugar 3+, Cane Creek Cloud Nine (yeah baby!)XT & XTR, Bontrager
Bottom Line:
I weigh 150 and switching to the Soft spring ($20 well spent) helped this forks handling alot. When I first got this baby, the fork stroke was smooth as butter but after 3-4 months of riding and babying (cleaning ,lubing microports etc...) the stiction was getting ridiculous to the point of locking up the initial stroke. I ordered new lowers (bushings etc) and its back to its original buttery feel but I'm somewhat wary at this point. The bushing and internal lubing design is inferior to Marzocchis in every way. My Z2 Air is 2 years old and all I've had to change out is the oil every 6 months and its smoother than the Black. STILL the coil design ramps up better than air and doesn't bottom out on jumps, just not quite as adjustable as the Z2. Cool fork as long as your bushings hold up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zevik
a Weekend Warrior
from Tel-Aviv, Israel Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Caesar Route
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$207.00
Purchased At:
greenfish
Strengths:
soaks up most of everything. Takes a little urban beating on an almost daily basis, and trail bashing on weekends - and it just gets better.
Weaknesses:
got the 100-120mm model, and the 100 setting is so stiff it's useless.
Similar Products Used:
bomber EXR, another black with stiffer springs, judy TT
Bike Setup:
Haro X2
Bottom Line:
major upgrade for relatively few bucks. great looks. Outperforms my expectations.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Graham
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, OH, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mine
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Awesome red color Lots of adjustments Rebound, Compression, Travel. Its really stiff, Disc and V, Cool design
Weaknesses:
Kinda Heavy for only 100mm My Psylo Race 2002 Is lighter.
Similar Products Used:
Other blacks, Other Psylos, Duke SL.
Bike Setup:
XTR, Avid Ti, FSA, Mythos XC, 24lbs of decent equipment. Fork came on other bike and I switched it over to this one
Bottom Line:
This is the fork you need If you do the following. Number one Ride bikes, thats about all. Its good for all XC and a little FR jumping, It weighs about 4pounds (kinda heavy) it comes in several colors coolest being red, Its cheap about two hundred, its cool looking It comes in either 80-100 or 100-120. So if money is a little tight get one of these. You wont regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Fehman
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft.Wayne In. USA Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
trail of tears
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
supergo
Strengths:
80-100mm of adjustable travel(and mine is on the top of the leg)Strong but not to heavy, good all around fork
This fork retailed for $449 and supergo had the 80-100mm 2003 model for $199. At that price I should have got two.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester UK Date Reviewed: June 9, 2004
Favorite Trail:
GlenTress
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Leisure Lakes
Strengths:
Plush and progressive - dosn't bottom out easily, easy set up.
Weaknesses:
'02 model, Crap seals - poor design of boots and lubrication rings Not built to handle British weather - don't last long
Similar Products Used:
Various Marzocchi and Fox forks
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro
Bottom Line:
Fantastic when new .... but knackered after 15 months of riding. Bushes gone for the 2nd time. They need a complete stip down every month or so and are always filthy, poor seals causes heavy scratching. I appear to be performing heavy maintenance 4 or 5 times more frequently than friends but their Marzocchi's last and last while these have had it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spinner
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: May 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
the next one
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
a chain not deserving mention
Strengths:
Coil spring is responsive once you get the right spring for your weigh, damping adjustment. Great damping at high speeds, gotta hammer it to see what i mean it soaks up hits and baby heads like butter. Compression lockout.
Weaknesses:
No compression damping at lower speeds, feels mushy. Useless 80/100 rapid travel adjust. In 80mm mode it feels like a fork from 10 years ago. Very tight springy feeling.
Similar Products Used:
forks
Bike Setup:
two wheels a frame and handlebars, does it matter...
Bottom Line:
Manitous customer service is hostile.. My Rapid travel adjust blew out after a couple of weeks of riding. Called manitou for help and i had some prick on the line just being an unhelpful dick. Took to the shop i purchased it at and they had no clue what it might be.. I took it apart myself. The some junky plastic cone thing punched thru the rapid travel adjust thingamajig. Took it to the shop to show em, they said no problem we'll warranty order the part.. Still havn't seen the part and it has been quite a while.. Get the same story every week, check back on monday, manitou doesn't have it in stock
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from San Clemente, CA Date Reviewed: May 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Smooth, adjustable 80 - 100mm travel is awesome, no flex, my stickers haven't peeled at all
Weaknesses:
Travel adjustment on bottom of fork leg is a huge pain, no lockout, adjusting compression and rebound using the knobs on the fork doesn't seem to make much difference, a little heavy
Similar Products Used:
Duke, Axel
Bike Setup:
Came stock on Tomac 98 Special
Bottom Line:
I very pleased with this fork. Haven't ridden any high-end forks but seems to work great at this price point. I reduce travel to 80mm for climbing and it lowers the front-end and stiffens up the compression alot and it climbs better. Then hop off bike to adjust travel (at bottom of fork leg! grar) for 100mm of smooth travel on the way down. Now that they've moved the travel adjust. to the top of fork leg, I can completely recommend it especially if on sale.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Cross Country Rider
from la Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Strengths:
Smooth long travel, rebound adjustment, great dampening, lockout, light weight
Weaknesses:
none so far
Bottom Line:
This is the smoothest coil fork I've ever experienced, it is just as sweet as the air. Its like a pillow for the front of my bike. If you want a great shock at a good price, this is it. Absolutely the best on the market.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Owosso, MI USA Date Reviewed: April 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish
Strengths:
Super plush and smooth. Lockout, rebound and travel adjustments work great. Easy to service. Keeps front wheel super stiff.
Weaknesses:
In 80mm mode, there was a ratcheting noise that worried me but after about 30 miles it went away.
This fork has performed well above my expectations. It has done everything I've asked of it without complaint and it looks killer at the same time. For the money, I don't think there is a better coil-sprung fork on the market. I know this model is used for mountain cross racing but anyone looking for a good cross country or all mountain fork shoud check this one out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steven foley
a Weekend Warrior
from Tujunga, CA. USA Date Reviewed: April 17, 2004
This fork is very plush, responsive and it corners great.
Weaknesses:
My disk brakes ripped out of the mounts on the fork on a ride. I think it is a poor design. They should spray a layer of clear coat over the fork after they put the stickers on it to prevent the stickers from peeling
Similar Products Used:
01 judy, 02 judy, 02 psylo, 03 marathon sl
Bike Setup:
weyless frame, full xt, thompson seatpost/stem race face cranks, avid mechs
Bottom Line:
This fork is awsome. Answers customer service is great. When I called them about my fork they said that Avid did not spec their brakes correctly. Avids bolts are to short. They are going to replace the lowers no questions asked. This company really backs their product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tom la
a Weekend Warrior
from oakland, CA Date Reviewed: April 9, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all of them!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$229.00
Purchased At:
greenfish/ebay
Strengths:
What an upgrade from a old 63mm superfly...It's made it evident how much energy I was wasting being tense on the superfly...the extra pound be damned, I'm saving so much energy just relaxing and riding over everything! PLUSH.
Weaknesses:
spring has lots of preload on it...then again, that's the poor man's SPV...
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi z2 superfly, 70mm
Bike Setup:
santa cruz heckler, 1998, ad-10 on the rear...the 80/100 manitou works perfectly on the old stove.
Bottom Line:
solid, plush fork. compression lockout is great, rebound control has a very wide range of adjustment...80/100 travel adjust works great...at 185 lbs. I'm thinking of either cutting a coil off the stock spring to stiffen the rate and cut the preload (At the expense of a few mm travel) or putting in the firm spring at minimum preload...may also switch to 7.5wt oil. Awesome fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jay
a Weekend Warrior
from victoria Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$290.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
multiple settings are easy to change, 100 is enough travel for 165 lb rider with mild drops
Weaknesses:
when i slipped off a skinny the dropout chipped pretty bad. It could have been the rebound switch which would be worse, but the dropouts seemed pretty weak
Similar Products Used:
rs duke
Bike Setup:
02 giant xtc
Bottom Line:
the fork feels and rides great, but its not exactly what you want to ride stunts, curbs or anything that can catch the bottom due to the way its manufactured
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from UK Date Reviewed: March 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Strong. Plush travel, especially in the 120 mm setting. Adjustable rebound and compression. Easy to service.
Weaknesses:
In the 100 mm setting, the fork is really stiff, and not as responsive.
Bike Setup:
Haro extreme X1
Bottom Line:
Good fork for the money. Actually suits me well because while climbing or riding to the trail,I use the stiff 100mm setting. But when the going gets tough the 120mm setting provides plush travel. Im 190lbs and Ive never bottomed it out with the stock springs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Dempler
a Downhiller
from Gilroy, CA Date Reviewed: February 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$169.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Super plush, great adjustment, great on chatter bumps
Weaknesses:
Afects the steering performance
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Six Deluxe, Marzocchi Shiver SC, Rockshox Pyslo XC
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakar, XT drivetrain, Hayes disc, Fox Vanilla R with propedal, M454 pedals, Titec Hellbent, WTB Weirwolf
Bottom Line:
This fork is a great fork for someone who is very lightweight (Soft springs and i'm 85lbs, 13 years old). It takes drops nicely and also can withstand urban hits along with jumps (dirt). They are easy to find, especially on ebay, and have killer looks to them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alex g.
a Cross Country Rider
from houston Date Reviewed: January 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
walnut creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
mtbr classifieds
Strengths:
Reverse arch stiffness, simple maintenance free design, boot-wiper seals,coil design, great feel and response...
Fisher Suger 3+, XT, XTR, Bontager, Tru Vativ, King etc...
Bottom Line:
After swapping my Z2 Atom for the Black I noticed an immediate increase in performance and riding predictability. Coil shocks ramp up through the shocks stroke so much sweeter. I'm actually flying through rock sections that were sketchy with the air fork. COILS RULE! The 80-100 adjustment is way cool and simple. Even in the 100 mm setting the fork is so much more responsive than the 80mm Z2 air. With time and use, the coil spring relaxes a bit and provides exceptional initial bump responsiveness. Performs like a Marzocchi Z2 coil that is stiffer with fewer moving parts. Best fork I've owned yet! Has completely transformed my Sugars handling! SWEEEETNESS...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a
from Oregon Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stiff, nice to look at. Damping is excellent, works over a very wide range of trail conditions without needing adjustment. Travel adjust is cool but I almost never take it out of the 100 setting for geometry reasons. My fork has been absolutely rock-solid reliable--like every other Manitou I've had.
Weaknesses:
Preload adjustment is limited, but it obviously has to be because of the adjustable travel. I've never had a problem with it, but the threaded disc mounts are not the best idea.
Similar Products Used:
Let's see. Several x-verts (DC, 80, 100, air, ti), an SX Ti, and a basic SX, a black comp and a black elite, a Sherman Flick and now a Sherman Slider. I've also owned a '99 Marz. z1, a Stratos MX6, an '01 Z3, and a 2002 Marz. MXR (great fork!).
Bike Setup:
My Black elite is on a custom steel hardtail.
Bottom Line:
It's cheap, reliable, relatively light, and has great damping--plus it's super easy to maintain. It's a very simple forkm it takes only minutes to disassemble and clean the fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Hutton
a Cross Country Rider
from Paradise, NF, Canada Date Reviewed: December 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
downtube
Strengths:
- Stiff,Great cosmetics,These stickers do not come off, 80mm is like lock out and 100mm is smooth and plush, yet maintains its directional stability.
Weaknesses:
- If you remove the Rebound cap, make sure you put it back on in the exact spot it came off. If not, its hard to find max rebound and min rebound settings.
Similar Products Used:
Psylo xc/03, Manitou six elite,
Bike Setup:
Moab Frame built up with Complete XT drive train, Thomson elite post/stem, hayes mag plus disc brakes, mavic x3.1 rim laced to revolution spokes on xt hubs. Stans tubeless used with panaracer fire xc pro. selle italia turbo matic saddle
Bottom Line:
If you want a fork that makes you a more agressive rider, buy one. The black elite is the BMW of forks. Its Stiff like Newfoundland Screech (thats rum) in 80mm. 100mm provides smooth stroke while still providing necessary stiffness. A must if you want a complete stable bike. Also make sure you use the proper spring for your weight. the spring that comes with it is perfect for a 150 pounder. Thats Me!! A properly tuned fork will make your ride so much more enjoyable. Ride hard Ride often!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Giordano
a Racer
from Philadelphia, PA U.S Date Reviewed: October 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Wissahickon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
I like the lateral stiffness and lockout, smooth rebound. this is probably one of the better middle of the road forks I have ridden.
Weaknesses:
I have had my new bike (Jamis Dakar XC Comp) for less than three months and the fork crapped out, no compression, took it to local bike store and they said it has to be rebuilt. Manitou better cover this under warranty. Other than that I have had no issues with it, no it wont compress at all.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SX, Manitou Mars, RockShox Duke XC 63-100mm (crapola)
Bike Setup:
Front Manitou Black Elite 80-100, Rear Fox Float R XT, LX mix.
Bottom Line:
Things just are not made they way they used to be. Although the first few months on this fork were excellent, I am upset that I have to take my bike in to have my vbrand new shock fixed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brent Parker
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensburg PA Date Reviewed: October 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
laurel highlands hiking trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$315.00
Purchased At:
Supergo.com
Strengths:
-Fairly light weight. -Low price (only $330 with shipping/tax) -Fast and easy travel adjust & lockout. Very simple to use. -Feels great, soaks up bumps quite well and doesnt have much flex.
Weaknesses:
-could have a stiffer preload (stiffer springs can be purchased)
Similar Products Used:
Rock shox judy, older manitou and an even older marzochi Of the 4-5 forks ive previously had this is the best so far.
For the money you cant beat it in my opinion (so long as you dont mind buying at the end of the 03 season). I cant vouch for its long term durability yet, but right now it seems great.
I would give it 5 chilis in a second if it came with stiffer springs (who on earth only weighs 140 pounds anyways?), it could be a "hair" lighter as well, but thats not really an issue i guess its light enough.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Otto
a Cross Country Rider
from Frisco, CO Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came w/ bike
Strengths:
smooth 100mm of travel, stiff 80mm of travel for climbing, works super smooth!
Weaknesses:
the travel adjust is on the bottom, rebound cap fell off, preload does nothing.
Similar Products Used:
Rock shox(SH!T)
Bike Setup:
Trek fuel 90 custom
Bottom Line:
i have a 2002 fork that has the rapid travel on the bottom and that make me angry because i have to get off of the bike to switch it. The travel is super smooth and i like the fact that the 80mm is stiff for climbing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
peter
a Weekend Warrior
from western australia Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
bike shop/factory deal
Strengths:
this fork is great, its stiff, plush, progessive (TPC+), and 100mm travel.
Weaknesses:
um got the stiffer springs put, and now the travel adjust doesnt work. not bothered though
Similar Products Used:
skareb comp (absolute crap), crappy suntour fork (better then skareb)
Bike Setup:
stock 03 giant xtc 2 except fork and mammoth rim
Bottom Line:
this fork is infinitly better then the skareb (read my reviews for that fork to find out what happened) it replaces. its bascially everything you need in a fork, read strengths. I got as a upgrade from manitou for an extra 50 bucks as they realised the skareb i had was a hunk of junk (ie for 13 weeks i was without my fork due to probs with it). MOre then happy with this fork so far. The TPC+ damping is awesome you must ride one to realise how good it is. Does not have preload so why does the specs always say it does. with the TPC+ it doesnt need it. any way, top fork, works great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alec
a Cross Country Rider
from Laramie, WY, USA Date Reviewed: August 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Long ones
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Fine Edge Ski and Cycle
Strengths:
Soaks up most of what I throw at it in the 100 setting; steers really well in the 80 setting. Quick and easy to adjust between 80/100. Looks very cool.
Weaknesses:
Steering seems a bit loose at the 100 setting - but not that bad.
Similar Products Used:
This is an upgrade to a Rock Shox Judy TT.
Bike Setup:
GT Aggressor 1.0 (before GT was bought out) with XT drivetrain upgrades, Mavic X517 rims, custom paint.
Bottom Line:
The Black Elite was a massive upgrade from my old Judy TT. The only problem is that it makes me ride so much harder that the rest of my bike needs to be upgraded to match the fork's performance. Time to get a dualie I guess!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Lopez
a Cross Country Rider
from concord,N.C.,USA Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
the one I'm on
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
easy travel adjustment,plush and stiff,goes from plush to firm in just a twist great for xc and trials riding, light freeriding. I like the fact that my favorite brakes (hayes) bolt right on.
Weaknesses:
shock has dead space about 2-3mm.feels like the hub or headset is loose. you can pull on the Hbars and feel the wheel drop. shock has been taken apart and it is small spring inside that is not serviceable. i checked some of the other bikes in the shop and they have this small space aswell. shock is still pretty much new. this does not hamper performance but drives my crazy
never had a problem with any of the answer products that I've used before but this shock I've taken apart twice and I can't get that slop out shock performs great if you can overlook the the dead space. I've called answer and talked to one guy in tech support and he sounded like he didn't understand the problem. but just take any elite 80/100 and grab the lowers and pull the Hbars and you will feel the dead space. I'm little disappointed thats all.
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Submitted by
johnny boczar
a Cross Country Rider
from galati, gl, romania Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very nice fork, smooth, quick, the rapid travel adjusment is a very great gadget, very easy to adjust, overall a great fork
Weaknesses:
Weight
Similar Products Used:
Marzzochi marathon
Bike Setup:
come from the factory
Bottom Line:
I have tried this fork on a XC cross country trail and the answer was that the fork is great, I was very impressed of those quick adjusments.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Montclair New Jersey Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came with my bike
Strengths:
smooth stroke, solid, doesn't do anything unexpected
Weaknesses:
hmmm....i haven't found any yet if u care about your stickers peeling then write a review about stickers, not forks, the FORK works great, i only ride manitou
Similar Products Used:
pyslo xc ('03 version on a testride)
Bike Setup:
Giant AC AIR 02 STOCK
Bottom Line:
This fork has the best stroke, you don't even need travel adjustment (even though it has it), it works for XC, light freeriding everything, it tracks well, and soaks up everything from small root to a 3 foot drop
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a
from Raleigh, NC Date Reviewed: May 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Versatility, sooo plush
Weaknesses:
I just can't sleep knowing the stickers are falling off. WHO CARES?
Similar Products Used:
Old Manny five
Bike Setup:
Fuel 90
Bottom Line:
Yeah, the stickers fall off. I used two pieces of clear packing tape over the whole fork tube and they stay on. So you who worry about this can a) Feel good about yourselves and b) sleep and therefore dream of growing up into a mountainbiker. I read that the Xtra firm spring was needed if you are over 180- I'm a gorilla at 230 so ordered the spring from Manny- got it in five days. The tech support responds in a few hours. I'm very pleased. The LBS installed the spring- you lose the preload adjustment because a heavy duty cap must be installed so you don't poke your eye out on heavy compression- but the adjustment didn't make a damn bit of difference anyway. The travel adjustment is great- when you are climbing over pyramids you should do it at the 120 setting- gives loads more chainring clearance. With this bike I really can't say that there is a benefit to riding in the 100 mm setting while blasting through the trails. Very soft, no problems, I'm going riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel W
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Good all around trail fork with good small bump absorption without bottoming on the bigger stuff.
Weaknesses:
Can be a little squishy in the 100mm setting when you stand up to crank
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Headshok Super fatty
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Jekyll with Cane Creek Double Xc headset adapter/reducer.
Bottom Line:
Much happier with my Jekyll now that I have a real shock on the front. It is night a day different than the Headshok. This shock does a really good job being versatile.
I like the travel reducing feature when I get out on the roads and when racing. This helps keep it from being squishy when you stand up to pedal. The shock still does pretty well in the 80mm setting, but the small stuff is a little more rigid.
I'm super happy with this fork especially for the price and compared to the Headshok.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Preston
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Pro Deal
Strengths:
Good weight to travel ratio, stiff, easy on the fly travel adjustment, DOES NOT use the splash lube of other 2003 Manitou forks, great dampening
Weaknesses:
Though I use Hayes, it still makes me nervous to thread bolts strait into the fork leg. The think it is time for all forks to use the IS mounts.
Similar Products Used:
2002 Fox Vanilla RLC
Bike Setup:
2003 Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team frame, various components
Bottom Line:
This fork has been very reliable for me. I like how the travel adjustment stiffens the fork when in the 100mm position. Makes long climbs easier with less fork bob. The TPC dampening is the best and most reliable system out there. Hopefully I will not have the problems that others have encountered, but if I do, Answer has always stood behind their products (unlike FOX and Rock Shox!) and have fix any problems I have had in the past.
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Submitted by
s r
a Weekend Warrior
from canada Date Reviewed: March 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Is relatively lightweight, really plush and smooth, stiff and looks great, adjustability is good(wish it had lock out)
Weaknesses:
stickers, lack of lockout
Similar Products Used:
any marzocchi, psylos
Bike Setup:
specialized enduro pro
Bottom Line:
This fork is great for hard trail riders and light freeride, it has a respectable weight, good looks and nice adjustability, the stickers suck(oh well) Buy this if you extreme trails dont buy if you are strictly into xc racing or are a hard freerider
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter Gelme
a Cross Country Rider
from NSW Australia Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$528.00
Purchased At:
Phantom Cycles
Strengths:
Robust good looking fork, with fluid motion and easy travel adjust
Weaknesses:
From very start a rattling noise was noted from within fork, travel adjust has become loose, and loud clicking noises when shock is working hard. Damping adjust does not seem to change performance of shock. Plastic adjustment knobs do not encourage confidence in their resistance to breakage.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Forx Float R, Fox Forx Vanilla R, Rock Shox Duke Race Air 03
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse that I have rebuilt using Shimano XT and LX parts.
Bottom Line:
I read the reviews on this shock before purchasing and was hoping that quality review problems were isolated incidents. They are not, if you purchase these shocks, do it at your local bike store so you can keep dragging it back for warranty work. The Black Elite shock is a good and innovative shock but answer products need to lift their game with quality control. I am not saying don't buy them, I like them, but I will like them even more when they are working right. Just be cautious. When you spend this amount of money, you want quality.
Best for XC use, 80mm travel adjust great for single track stuff. 100mm when you want to see how fast you can go down a steep dirt track.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Made
a Weekend Warrior
from IN USA Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$430.00
Purchased At:
Local LBS
Strengths:
Wish I could find out, I haven't used it yet and already things have gone wrong!
Weaknesses:
The travel adjustment (80/100) was not working straight off the box. 2003 Manuals not up yet in Answer's website, LBS had no idea how it worked. After phone lessons from Answer LBS finally replaced a small spring for the travel adjust a week later.
Went home to put on disc brakes, and bottom mount threads are stripped. Not only that, but a flashlight on the mounting hole showed a chunk of metal gouged out of the post where the threads are, suggesting a bad casting.
Returned to LBS, still waiting for fork to return. For $430 I expect something to be perfect coming out of the box.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SX-R
Bottom Line:
Answer's quality control needs to be checked. Even if this is a new product, checks should be good enough to spot dud forks off the assembly line.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron stuck in Texas
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO, USA Date Reviewed: January 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
CO: Ceran St. Vrain, Hogback Ridge, Green Mtn; TX: Bluff Creek and Huntsville
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
colorado cyclist
Strengths:
da ride, adjustability, bottomless, TPC+, used to 2" of travel so 4-3/4" feels great, looks cool
Weaknesses:
medium springs too soft for my big @ss (200lb), compression damping adjustment doesn't seem to do much, can't get black with silver decals aftermarket (grey with black instead), microlube gun sucks (threaded reverse/opposite from grease tube), plastic knobs (if Fox can go to metal why can't the others)
Similar Products Used:
rock shox, scott (both elastomer cheapies - you can tell I've been out of the game for awhile)
Bike Setup:
2002 Kona Bear - bought frame and parts and put together
Bottom Line:
this is a great fork - I've heard about a lot of reliability problems with Rock Shox so I went Manitou - now that the Super Air comes with 100/120 adjustable travel and can be found on sale for $300 bucks I'm having a little buyers remorse, but then I read the reviews on it here at MTBR and I'm glad I stuck with the slightly less adjustable Elite
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cross SanRide
a Downhiller
from busan Date Reviewed: January 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Street,Trial,DH
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$460.00
Purchased At:
KOREA MTB shop At Busan
Strengths:
Good looking shape buttery feeling, chrome color good nice painting.
Weaknesses:
120 to 100 lever turn too painful!! oh my god disk mount only hayes ... i like RS mount, XT DISK mount
Similar Products Used:
manitou SX 80mm , z1-xfly , pyslo 02 80~125mm(very nice fork but KOREA dealer A/S fool)
Bike Setup:
GT zaskar Race 01, deore, lx, hayes disk, xt disk rear, F219 Rim F/R, formula 32 hol F/R, shimano DX pedal)
Bottom Line:
my second manitou fork. it's good fork.
but 120mm too short. i need 125~130mm oh~ more 5mm~10mm hahaha...^.^ my weight only 55kg spring change x-soft...soon
i use three day. manitou TPC+ very good. it's like small supernoba - DC dorado - SC dorado etc
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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