Skareb Platinum is the new top-of-the-line cross-country fork from Manitou. It leverages stable platform valve (SPV), the latest in anti-bob technology to produce a fork that is stiff when you need it (climbing, sprinting) while being completely active over bumps and rocks.
Submitted by
alex t
a Cross Country Rider
from santa monica Date Reviewed: January 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
sm mountains
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Super light, paint job, ease of adjustments
Weaknesses:
so light b/c made of zinc, magnesium, plastic...be careful not to turn rebound knob too hard
Similar Products Used:
rock shox sid/ judy, manitou black, fox talas/ vanilla rc
Bike Setup:
currently trek 990 (tri--butt pretty high geometry for mtb) cyclo stylee with mavic adap for 700 ksyrium elites& gatorskinz (think up to a 700x28 will fit in the skareb) all xtr 8 sp, xtr v's
Bottom Line:
This is a GREAT FORK. Period. All forks have their benefits, but I don't like too many bells and whistles, and hate adjusting--like to set it and leave it. I go to work through the mountains, on fire roads and light trails, and this thing is a savior.
If you can't deal with a little bob, add more air or get a fork that has a lockout. I do plenty of XC/ commuting and the bob I get is minimal, I put about 75% of my bodyweight in the SPV side, and 50% in the other side (pretty sure--thats what Manitou told me) so I am with the other guy down there that was thrown off and confused by the "20-60 lbs" on the sticker). I throw all stickers away...dont know why they had that on there.
I also broke the rebound knob off (little fragile) but Manitou was super cool, helped explain the whole 75%--50% thing to me (which worked amazingly) and actually sent me a whole new inside piece to replace the rebound adjustment...BUT once I added the air the way they said, with the rebound maxed out on high?? I havent adjusted it/ fixed it b/c for commuting/ cyclo having the rebound maxed out is perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jesus Del Rio
a Racer
from Mexico Date Reviewed: July 28, 2005
I bought a OEM version of the super that came with SPV. Great fork, it is plush and very stable. Great for the rocky terrain that surrounds my city. The 100 mm are excelent for scary descents in rocks. The weight is slightly more than the previous SID Team that I owned, but the performance is much better. The only flaw is that it bobs when you are pedalling while standindg. You have to set the preassure on the SPV valve high to almost eliminate this, with a penalty in the confort of the ride. I normaly have to adjust the SPV to the trail conditions. Normally for a race I crank it all the way up to 85 lbs and for a long ride to 65 lbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lvm
a Cross Country Rider
from woodstock, md Date Reviewed: January 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
colorado cyclist
Strengths:
100mm of travel, SPV, weight is not bad, black crown/legs looks good. Al steerer.
Weaknesses:
not the lightest
Similar Products Used:
older Manitou SX-Ti, RockShox SID
Bike Setup:
GIANT NRS
Bottom Line:
I purchased the 100mm version. So far I like the fork, lots of travel. It's the first 100mm travel fork I've owned. It's a little bit squishy, but you just ride it out. I found the extra travel helps toward the end of races when you are fatigued.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, NZ Date Reviewed: January 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Craigieburn, NZ
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$379.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Smooth, light - compared to other 100mm forks, stiff - compared to SIDs.
Weaknesses:
Have to agree with others about the tech support at Answer/Manitou. The SPV instructions and sticker don't match each other and I can't find any additional tuning instructions on their site. The rebound adjustment knob was very stiff to start with but after a servive at the LBS it is much better.
Similar Products Used:
2000 SID XC
Bike Setup:
'05 S-Works Epic with a mix of XT and XTR with CrossMax running Stan's No-Tubes setup.
Bottom Line:
I rate these forks. The SPV was a little disappointing to start with but my LBS has a very good mechanic who re-valved them to have the newer SPV Evolve which has improved them a lot. There are plenty of adjustments to play with which makes setting up fun or hard depending on what you are into. I just took the small SPV volume adjuster tool with me on the first few rides and have ramped up both the SPV chamber and the main air spring so they get stiffer near the end of their travel. You can also get firmer or softer ride kits for them if you need which is nice. I am get 95mm + of travel often which is wicked compared to my old trusty SIDs with 80mm. If you want something that offers more travel than a SID without a massive weight penalty then go for these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnson City, TN, USA Date Reviewed: November 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Cherokee Mountain (not on any trail map)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Very comfortable going down. Lots of adjustments. The no-bob technology is very helpful as I often ride 20 minutes on the road to a trail.
Weaknesses:
Technical support from Manitou is non existent. The manual instructions on inflating the right tube (for the SPV) say 50-100 lbs but do not match the sticker on the shock saying inflate 20-60 lbs. Repeated emails to Manitou tech support through their website or directly to confirm which is right go unanswered. I'm going by the sticker. It will still bounce when you sprint. If that is not something you can accept then you need a lockout. I prefer the convenience of SPV over a lockout, though a lockout may be a little more efficient.
Similar Products Used:
Scarab elite
Bike Setup:
This is on a Giant NRS2 which has the no-bob rear tail design, so this is now an overall no-bob bike. One of my rides involves a 45 minute climb, and this really climbs like a hardtail. Very efficient.
Bottom Line:
This is a very nice fork. Wait for a model year-end close out and it is worth the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a
from Minnesota Date Reviewed: October 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Headquarters, WY
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$440.00
Strengths:
Smooth, supple, light. It can handle the biggest hit and still not throw you off your line. It took a couple rides to dial in the settings, but once you have it... You can take lines and speed that you only dreamed about before.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Judy Race
Bike Setup:
Marin Mt Vision, XT, Race Face, Avid, Cloud 9.
Bottom Line:
This fork brings your control and speed up to a new level. I've ridden it on the Tsali trails in NC (smooth and fast), many local trails here in SE MN (blufflands, tight singletrack, lots of roots, water slickened rocks), and trails in Wyoming (fast descents, killer climbs, boulder fields). No bob on the uphill, except when you stand and grunt (so sit and spin- its technique that counts). It absorbs whatever you throw it at, smooths it out, and hands it back to you with a smile.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neels F
a Racer
from Eatern Cape South Africa Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Manitou SA
Strengths:
Its stiff enough, but still sensitive to bumps.Much better than Rockshox Sid team. Excellent went seated, but do not attemp to stand up.
Weaknesses:
It needs a lockout if you stand up, as I get about 3cm travel grinding up a hill. Its difficult to setup correctly. Manitou should give better setup instructions and guidelines tables such as weight vs pressure etc
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox sid team
Bike Setup:
Raleigh RM 9 hardtail with full XTR
Bottom Line:
Its a fantastic fork, but I miss a lockout feature, as I cant handle the bobbing when not seated. Overall, I will recommend buying it, unless if you prefer standing, when pedalling up hills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anamous Anamous
a Racer
from Idaho Idaho U.s Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
550$
Strengths:
Stiff, the spv really works as it said. very ajustsable.
Weaknesses:
nothing so far
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Sid world cup Fox F80X older fox's
Bike Setup:
Trek fuel 98 and does it matter that much?
Bottom Line:
I like more than the world cup but the f80X beats it i didn't like having to lock the fork out on the sid so i tried this. I like the F80X better allthough it more pricy This is a racer fork! not for beginners it is a great fork!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Andover, MA Date Reviewed: August 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Vietnam
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Silky smooth, light, stiff, and the SPV works as advertised!
Weaknesses:
Expensive if you get it at retail ($500+)! Is it reliabe? It is bomb-proof?
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Atom Bomb, Marzocchi MX Pro, Rock Shox Judy, Rock Shox SID SL
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Pisgah, RaceFace low-riser bar and stem, XTR drivetrain w/ SRAM Rocket Shifters, XTR V-brakes, CrossMax Tubeless, Panaracer FireXC Pro
Bottom Line:
I've been looking to upgrade to a new front shock for a while now. My trusty 1998 'Zoke Atom Bomb still worked fine but I thought it was getting tired. I wanted to replace it with something just as reliable and bomb-proof the Atom Bomb. Weight was a non-issue, but I'd take a light fork if I thought it wouldn't let me down.
Rock Shox was out of the running right away. I have a SID SL on my Giant NRS Air and its like a wet noodle. I use it for racing, but I won't use it for training or normal trail riding because I think its too fragile. I purchased a 'Zoke MX Pro w/ETA for my Blur last year and I like it a lot, however I was holding out for a clearance sale on the FOX F80x.
Then Jenson had the Skareb Platinum on sale for $300. I couldn't pass it up even though I never had any experience with Manitou forks. I've heard about how smooth their TPC forks were, but I couldn't believe how smooth the Skareb was on the very first ride! The fork doesn't bob when pedaling or climbing while seated! I'm still tweaking the SPV, but I don't know how it can get better than this!
I still don't know about reliability. I'll update this next year or before that if I break it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lance Stephenson
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town /RSA Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Grabouw
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
Cyclelab (where i work)
Strengths:
The fork is too good. It rides every bump likes it a downhill fork. It suffers from the same disease Jack-russel terriors, they think they are great Danes. This is great, i've raced xc for 4years now and have gone through the ranks of manitou's stable of xc forx, i thought my '03 skareb super was good (it is) but this fork just shames it. it is stiffer than the older fork( maybe psycological) but the travel is so accurate and "true". the SPV is legendary, i am fortunate to work in a shop and have good relations with Rob Cunnington (Manitou race Mechanic) and have the low down on how each setting/adjustment effects the fork(5 adjustments rebound, air, air volume,SPV-air, SPV volume) and within 2 rides i've dialled in the fork so sweetly, i have tinkered further since then but only minor tweaks for detail!
Weaknesses:
i would say for those not super technically minded and fortunate like me to know Rob, the SPV setup could be troublesome, but it is so good even setup badly that those coming off cheaper forks will think it's the bomb.
Similar Products Used:
Rock shox Judy race, Manitou SX Ti, Manitou Skareb Super
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Pro '04(like the blue more than s-works) skareb platinum fork-obviously-thompson elite stem-5', scud carbon flat- 3'Xtr STI, Avid SD Titanium,Mavic x717 ceramic rims, XTR hubs, XT Cranks, with the 22t removed, FCM760series(external bb, XT front der, XTR rear NORMAL SPRING, XT cassette 11/32t, Easton ec70 carbon post, selle san marco aspide carbon/ti saddle,time atac carbon pedals, odi lock-on grips
Bottom Line:
buy it if you want an xc fork to ride stiff to help you pedal better, and you want to be plush like your neibours 5 inch trail fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig Vernon
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Royal
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
The Off Ramp, Santa Clara
Strengths:
Light weight, stiffness and quality
Weaknesses:
No lockout! Yes, even with SPV a lockout would be handy.
Similar Products Used:
Mozo Pro, Manitou Spyder, Axel Elite
Bike Setup:
2003 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Disc
Bottom Line:
I have had zero problems with this fork and it was well worth the upgrade and shaved nearly a pound off the bike. I have ridden it hard for about 4 months now. I bought it in January on assignment to Silicon Valley and rode around Santa Cruz trails a lot with the MBOSC crew and had a flamin' good time. Some of them even said they liked me because of the forks!!! (Yeah I'm lying on that score) these forks will give your bike personality.
The SPV works well when seated but they move a bit when out of the saddle, not too bad, but when you are on the road getting to the trail, I have though a lockout would be handy. You can ramp up the SPV to max but then it gives a less supple ride so there is a trade off. That said, I have mine dialled up pretty high and the ride quality is great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Bautista
a Racer
from Arcadia Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Napa Valley Dirt Classic Course
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
Incycle
Strengths:
Stiff and light with great seals
Weaknesses:
Takes time to dial in
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Sid SL
Bike Setup:
Epic,Notubes wheelset,XTR cranks,Triple Ti pedals
Bottom Line:
Coming from using the Sid fork for 3 years, this fork is a wonder. It is much stiffer which has improved the bike handling immensely and has given me more confidence in technical sections. The SPV technology does take some time to dial in, but is actually quite fun to do it. The fork remains relatively rigid on climbs in the saddle and thus does not sap any energy from your legs, but it does move a little when standing and stomping on the pedals. I guess if you want total lockout capability one should look into the Fox inertia valve fork. I am very happy with the sensitivity to small bumps as well as the large ones. It is very supple compared to my Sid. A great upgrade for any bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Howard Roy
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: December 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All over Hong Kong
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$320.00
Purchased At:
Local bike shop
Strengths:
Light, cool looking, stiff, SPV damping
Weaknesses:
SPV takes some time to adjust
Similar Products Used:
Manitou X-Vert Air
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic, Full XTR, Mavic Crossmax, Thomson seatpost/stem, Easton EA 70 stem
Bottom Line:
If you mainly do cross country, then the Skareb SPV is the perfect choice, pick 100mm model for aggressive XC and 80mm model for regular XC. The Minute line is too heavy for normal XC, and the Black line only have a 80mm model with SPV.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 549.95
Overall Rating:
