Submitted by
24 hour dude
a Racer
from Gig Harbor WA USA Date Reviewed: August 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
e-bay
Strengths:
Stiff, light, looks good, SPV, 80MM travel
Weaknesses:
only 80M travel
Similar Products Used:
Sid sl, Sid team, Skareb Super, Black comp, etc.
Bike Setup:
NRS Pro - all xtr with Avid v brakes, NRS Air w/stock build and the Black Super SPV
Bottom Line:
This is the best fork I have ever ridden. It's way light, super stiff, plush and does not bob when climbing seated. No levers to forget to unlock at the top of the hill. SPV works as claimed - when seated. Bobs when standing but I'm OK with that. Suppose I could "dial that out" by increasing the SPV platform pressure but I like the fork plush. Makes my sid(s) feel like WET NOODLES. Made a noticable difference in my ability to decend fast. Worth the minor increase in weight. 80mm feels like 100mm compared with the sid. And the fact that it was $150 was a big bonus too. We will see how it holds up but I have had excellent luck with the various Manitous I have owned in the past. Just a touch more travel would be good but I'm 100% satisfied.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Maarten Essers
a Cross Country Rider
from South of the Netherlands Date Reviewed: April 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Roc d'Azur, Fréjus, France
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Just works great, no leackage, loss of pressure or whatsoever. When you look at the (massive) stiffness it astonishes me how light it is.
Weaknesses:
Decals indeed tend to come off easy.
Similar Products Used:
Pace RC34 Carbon
Bike Setup:
Full 2005 XTR including tubeless XTR wheel set. King headset.
Bottom Line:
At first I was a bit worried that I could not mount my PACE fork on my new bike (it doesn't have discbrake mount), so I looked for an alternative. A friend of mine recommended that I should try a Manitou, so I did. And as far as I'm concerned, it will be Manitou from now on. The two negative reviews over here are just stupid. The first one looks like it's just from a competetive manufacturer who wants to put it down, and the second, DÛH, this fork isn't meant for freeriding and big jumps!!! So don't complain that it brakes when you only do that. So XC riders who want a stiff, light and super performing fork should look no further. I've already done 2.500+ Kms on it without any problems!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Racer
from Germnany Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Stiff. Very stiff. Can be adjusted easily. Great damping!
Weaknesses:
Decals come off easily. No good on very slow (3mph) & steep descends with big chunks of rock. I prefer my rigid fork there.
Similar Products Used:
SID XC Tange steel fork
Bike Setup:
XC-race hardtail
Bottom Line:
This fork is great for difficult XC races. It will absorb big bumps like nothing. A bit rough on the small stuff if set up for racing. Has to be set up with a lot more pressure than rec. by Answer. The perfect XC racing fork and with the recommended pressure great for Marathons, too.
No Probs. with the valves. I use a very good SKS adapter. No leakages yet, I think.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
A J
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: June 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$575.00
Strengths:
Very stiff and good looks.
Weaknesses:
Nothing but problems with this fork from day one. SPV chamber was leaking air, still leaking air after new parts were installed. New fork sent to me, SPV valve failed on the new fork after 1 week of riding. Been waiting for 3 weeks now for new parts to arrive.
Similar Products Used:
SID Race
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel
Bottom Line:
I can't recommend this fork, the only thing worse than a fork that isnt reliable is a company that does not stand behind its product. The first Black SPV that I got was leaking air before I even put it on the bike - Answer refused to replace the fork but instead sent parts to me. After the parts were installed the fork was still leaking air. At this point Answer agreed to send me a new fork which worked for about 1 week before the SPV valve got stuck - been waiting 3 weeks for new parts to arrive. I wrote a letter to answer/manitou explaining the situation and my dissatisfaction; they never replied. I'll never purchase another product from answer/manitou again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Junior
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, Utah Date Reviewed: April 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pioson Spider
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Strengths:
Stiff, smooth, SPV rocks
Weaknesses:
Only 80mm
Similar Products Used:
RS Sid, Marz Marathon
Bike Setup:
Tracer, 5th air
Bottom Line:
This fork rules! Very confidence inspiring. Stiff, relatively light, only 80mm travel but won't bottom due to the SPV feature. Very tunable. You can stand up and hammer without having all of your energy sucked out by the fork. The fork is buttery smooth - something I did not expect because I had heard the SPV made it harsh - not true.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Sams
a Weekend Warrior
from Acworth, GA, USA Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Aska-Stanely Gap Blueridge GA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Stability through tight switchbacks, ablilty to absorb major and minor obstacles allowing for an incredible smooth ride
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Black Elite
Bike Setup:
Ventana, EL Fuego, XT cranks, shram drive train and shifters
Bottom Line:
I previously had problems with the Black Elite 80mm and found out through Answer's service department that the air champer was not holding air due to severe damage to the champer. I indicated to them the age of the shock which was out of the warranty period and Answer, without hestation provided a replacement shock under warranty. Not only did they provide a replacement, they provided me with a new 2004 Super Air SPV 80mm. This shock has greatly improved my riding by allowing me to improve my technical descents. Hats off to Answer Products for coming through. Service is what makes a good company and Answer has it all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Racer
from Germany Date Reviewed: March 13, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Stiff! Supple. Light. What more do you want? I have a SID XC on my full suspension bike and with the Black on my new hardtail, I'm waay faster on downhills now!
Weaknesses:
I hate the schrader valves. Too much air escapes every time I try to change the pressure.Could well be my pump, though. The tribals and the name looks pretty cheap and comes off easily.
Similar Products Used:
SID XC 2000
Bike Setup:
Hardtail with v-brakes
Bottom Line:
I like this fork very much because it is reasonably light and pretty stiff. The difference in stiffness between the Black and my SID XC is gigantic and you really feel it on the trail. SPV is highly overrated, though, and does nothing but compensate for the much better responsiveness of modern air-sprung forks. SPV is NO intelligent lockout-system!!! My good ol' SID bobs just as little as the Black, but then again, the Black has about twice as much travel.
Unless you're stupid enough to use a 3.4 lbs (updated official weight) fork to do dirt jumps (man!) you will heave great fun with this fork. No need to buy a Skareb at all. I really wonder why they are still building Skarebs with such a light Black on the market. The Black SPV 80 is the best fork for really aggressive XC-racing I know. The F80X might even be better, but it weighs and costs much more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jason loopy
a
from some place Date Reviewed: February 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
concrete
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
None at all except look nice
Weaknesses:
They snap i snaped mine befor 2004 for crying out loud. And thats not good when its a 2004 fork.
Similar Products Used:
2004 dirt jumper 1 and 2003 dirt jumper 2
Bottom Line:
They may be good for 4x but your going to be doing dirt jumps and stuff with them witch is what i used them for because my bike was really heavey they lightend it up but they snaped in that proces. If your using it for light dj's and a little xc it should be ok. but look for cracks every ride to be sure!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: December 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
SPV is awesome. 2004 Black 80 SPV is supposed to be 3.2 lbs vs. 3.4 lbs for 2004 Skareb Platinum 80 with SPV, plus Black has 30.0 mm diameter stanchions vs. 28.6 mm diameter stanchions on Skareb.
Weaknesses:
Watchout for nonparallel stanchions and misaligned lowers.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Skareb Super ('03).
Bottom Line:
Great 80 mm travel fork for for accomplished rides doing XC and All Mountain riding on hardtail bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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