All new for 2004, the Axel family is designed to provide new levels of high performance and high value. Features include 28.6 mm stanchions, convertible travel, hydraulic damping and a Manitou RA casting for ultimate stiffness without extra weight.
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Edinburgh
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2006
Strengths: Came as stock on Jekyll 400 (2004)
Weaknesses: Where do I start....Flexy, leaky, leaky, leaky, did I say leaky, stuplidly soft, poor quality adjusters....feels cheap (they are. Threw them in bin after 2 rides and bought a NEW Lefty DLR off ebay at a FANTASTIC price from USA
Bottom Line:
Chuck em away and pay for a Lefty.....you won't be disappointed with the Lefty
Bike Setup: Jekyll 400 (RAW), Lefty DLR, Hayes HFX9 Carbon discs, WTB saddle, DMR V12's, Fox remote locklout,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Peter Farrell
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane Australia
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2005
Strengths: Range of adjustments and features for price
Weaknesses: Heavy, flexy chrome moly staunchions, standard spring to soft for my weight (90 kg), poor warranty.
Bottom Line:
On these original equipment forks the hard chrome on one staunchion has been partially removed by grinding during manufacture, exposing the bare steel beneath which started rusting soon after I started riding the bike. The lockout and compression damping adjustment ceased working shortly after.The best Manitou could offer was a small discount on the current model of the same fork. I told them i would rather put the money towards a better fork, one without the Manitou brand name on it. the performance of these entry level forks is quite satisfactory once a spring suitable for the riders weight is fitted is fitted. As it is an OE fork I would recommend upgrading it as soon as possible.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox judy,Manitou Mars,Manitou axel elite,Maveric.
Bike Setup: 2004, Specialized FSR XC, Fox Float RL shock, Dice hydro discs, Velocity VXC disk specific wheels, Truvative Hussafelt cranks, Zoom carbon fibre bars.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
evilwoodman
a Cross Country Rider
from bath united kingdom
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005
Strengths: Looks alright and hasn't bottomed out despite riding a 20foot double
Weaknesses: acts like a rigid fork so doesn't move up or down on uphills or downhills. leaks grease llke there is no tomorrow and is only plush when doused in loads of prep m greaes
Bottom Line:
only buy one if very cheap or you like the ride of a rigid fork but want to have a little extra insurance. Take the oil level down to inprove the performance or just get a better fork
Bike Setup: customised rockhopper with freeride components
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
wayne sherman
a Cross Country Rider
from all overthe world
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2005
Strengths: Has a lot of adjustable features. V and disc brake compatible.
Weaknesses: Bottoms easily, not stiff at all (for 185 lb rider), need special grease gun to lubricate properly. Not built for jumping.
Bottom Line:
This fork has a sticker on the leg that says NOT INTENDED FOR JUMPING. I have, however taken it over small jumps and drops without serious issues. Bottom line is that it is a decent fork for LIGHT xc or commuting use. Anything other than that you should get an upgraded fork. This fork is not very stable under heavy pedaling or cornering. It seems to "tweak" a lot.
Purchased At: came stock on c-dale jekyll from LBS
Similar Products Used: 80mm Headshok, 2005 Sherman flick, various rockshox forks
Bike Setup: Loaded DS XC/FR
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jekyll Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Loudwater, England
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2005
Strengths: It's so flexy that if you bent it your mum could probably straighten it with her bare hands!!
Weaknesses: Horribly flexy from the first ride, lasted less than 3 months before bottoming out (whilst I was sitting stationary on the bike!!!) & feeling like riding on a slinky thereafter!!
Bottom Line:
I weigh 215 lbs and this fork was so bad that it was dangerous. Only buy this fork if either you:
a. Weigh less than the bike you ride.
b. Won't drop off anything taller than the kerb/sidewalk
c. Have lost the will to live
Think I'm being harsh??........they won't sort the fork under warranty!!!
Honestlty.....if this fork is on your bike.....change it!!
Similar Products Used: Axel Elite 80 mm (just as awful, made from paper mache!!)
Bike Setup: Jekyll, Fox Float RL, Pace RC40
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Noxx
a Downhiller
from Broomfield, Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004
Strengths: easy lockout, nice rebound adjustment, great shock for the money
Weaknesses: It sure could use 20mm to 30mm more tavel. Switching between 80mm to 100mm of travel is a pain in the a#%.
Bottom Line:
I have not had any big problems with this shock but I recommend anyone wanting to get into any kind of dirt jumping or drops to consider getting a Black or a Sherman. I have been doing a lot of downhill and dirt jumping and have been consistently been bottoming out and I only weigh 150 pounds. All and all it is a great shock for the price.
Bike Setup: Jekyll 400 frame with a bunch of upgrades
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Geoffrey Seaborn
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2004
Strengths: Adjustable travel and easy lockout. Great value, has everything you could realistically want. Definetly a good buy. Mechanically sound, needs little maintenance and looking after. Came stock on my bike - I am considering a black.
Weaknesses: I would personally like another 20-30mm of travel. For this level of fork, it doesn't really make sense to have it go as low as 70mm especially since it's not fixed.
Bottom Line:
A solid buy. Does everything you could want, and works flawlessly.
Strengths: great fork if you arnet to serious a rider
Weaknesses: while riding to school broke and woke up in the er on a backboard for 8 hours luckily manitou replaced fork with black
Bottom Line:
crappy fork if you are serious i brke the reverse arch and they replaced the lowers wich also fixed the oil leak that i had since i bought if your are just a coummuter it will be great for you
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from Wynnewood
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004
Strengths: This is an awsome looking fork, and has already preformed really well even though i havn't had it for too long. I do only weigh 125 lbs, but this has still been pretty stiff. I do fairly aggressive xc riding, and this has worked great.
Weaknesses: i have heard that these forks bottom out easily, but i have not had this happen to me yet. I do only weigh 125 lbs, but this has still been pretty stiff. I do fairly aggressive xc riding, and this has worked great.
Bottom Line:
If you like a hot looking fork and at the same time a great preformer, this is great for you. I personally did not pay too much for this, so I am even happier. If you can get a great deal like I did, go for it right away.
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