The top-of-the-line Black gets a sweet new feature for '05 - Manitou's new IT (infinite travel) system. With IT, the rider can adjust the fork's travel via a handlebar mounted lever, so it's perfect for use on a variety of terrain. You get a proven and reliable Reverse Arch casting, Evil Genius seals, and TPC damping with a lockout lever for pure climbing performance.
Submitted by
Ian Hatton
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa FL
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2007
Strengths: Adjustable travel Lock Out V-brake mounts Decent feel, not insanely plush but at the same point, it isn't flimsy
Weaknesses: Had to send it in to have a line replaced, it had a slow leak. Nothing terribly bad, but it was consistant. It looks like they got it taken care of this time though.
Bottom Line:
It's a nice fork, nothing mind blowing. But never the less, nice. Got it for an awesome price. Way lighter then any of the other stuff that was at that price point when I got it.
Similar Products Used: An Rst pogo stick piece of crap
Bike Setup: 2000 Kona FireMountian with upgrades.
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Submitted by
Steven Salmons
a Cross Country Rider
from Rolla, MO
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2007
Strengths: Lightweight, reasonably stiff, smooth travel, easy adjustments, good looks
Weaknesses: post mounts?
Bottom Line:
This is one sweet fork for 250 bucks (mine is 120mm travel w/SPV). It is stiffer than SID with longer travel but 1/2 pound heavier. The adjustments are easy to make and you can feel a big difference. I do not have the IT mine has the SPV which is very cool too. The only complaint one might have is the post mounts because you need adapters for a lot of brakes, buy I actually prefer the post mount over IS.
Similar Products Used: Manitou Axel Comp (stock fork)
Bike Setup: GF Pirahna, black fork, xt drive, carbon bars/post, x lite pro seat, deore disks
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Submitted by
Dylan Sutton
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Strengths: Reasonably stiff, and lightweight for the travel. IT is fantastic feature for climbing, wish my '07 Float 140's on my new Giant Reign had something similar to make it easier to keep the front wheel down on steep climbs. Have had none of the IT problems others mention. Service from Greenfish was outstanding.
Weaknesses: Not as plush as some, but doesn't seem to affect real world performance. Can leak oil if bike stored upside down (so I don't!). Compression damping/lockout lever action is too light, have had the fork lockout accidentally after being flicked by branches on narrow singletrack. Have filed end off lever so it doesn't stick out past the fork leg to stop this happening again. Substandard paint finish and plastic rebound/compression levers feel cheap (but hey, this closeout OEM model WAS cheap!) but don't affect performance.
Bottom Line:
The Black Platinums with IT let me ride my XC hardtail down steeper, rockier trails than was practical with the original 80mm race forks, without sacrificing climbing performance. They offer a good level of stiffness, tuning and performance, and the closeout price was unbeatable value. I mostly use the IT either fully extended or dropped down to about 1" travel, perhaps because the trails around here are always up or down. Maybe the in-between travel settings would be more useful on flatter terrain, but having only 2 positions would suit me fine.
Similar Products Used: Manitou Mars Elite 80mm ('02 model), Fox Vanilla 125 RL, '07 Fox Float RL 140mm, old Marzocchi air forks with about 60mm travel.
Bike Setup: These forks replaced Manitou Mars Elite 80mm - a deliberate switch to slacken the geometry of my Iron Horse Vice XC/race hardtail. SRAM 9.0SL, Hayes Mag XC, XT cranks, Sun DS2XC wheels.
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Submitted by
Oswald
a Cross Country Rider
from Brakel
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006
Strengths: Versatile, light, lockout, IT
Weaknesses: IT switch, flexy
Bottom Line:
The fork is versatile. The IT works well: good for climbing and descending. But I don't like the way the IT switch works. Leaning back isn't sufficient to extend the fork to full travel, you actually have to pop a wheely. When you've been racing for 3 hours and have 2 more hours to go, popping a wheely after every long climb can cause cramps. Instead of an IT switch, a remote lock out would be better. The travel should be controlled by a U turn switch like RS has... The fork is also very flexy when cornering and under heavy braking. I can't figure out how to increase the compression. I have the red knob turned clockwise all the way, but it is still way too plush for me. The air valve seems to control the IT switch. Apart from that there is only the rebound and compression knob. Manual isn't clear on this, Belgian sales rep has no idea and Manitou won't answer my mails...
Bike Setup: 03 GT Idrive 0.0, full XT, Ritchey parts
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Submitted by
T Mayne
a Cross Country Rider
from waterville,ny
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2006
Strengths: vast amounts of tune-ability, IT remote, lockout, weight, intial setup. For as little as I have used it (a slow piece-by-piece buildup of a custom bike) the fork seems to perform well.
Weaknesses: A rebound assembly oil leak that is hopefully going to be factory fixed due to the fact that I have put about 4 miles on the thing.
Bottom Line:
I hope that after answer fixes it I can put it through it paces and write more good and less bad about it....we shall see!
Bike Setup: Sette Shadow DS (sweet frame), XT 6 bolt front hub, XT front and rear derails, XT rear V-brake (for now), sram rocket shifts, avid levers, avid BB7 disc front brake, ringle rhynolite front rim, ringle fully sealed headset(an older unit but still as sweet as the day I brought it home, and this is the second bike that it has been on) sette seat post and stumpy stem, specialized seat, clubroost go-fast DH bars(older but I can't part with them), LX front rings and arms w/ xtr btm bracket, ringle cr17a rear rim w/ older shimano hub (this winter's upgrade project)
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Strengths: IT remote, takes a beating
Weaknesses: Leaked a little oil once, but no problems at all.
Bottom Line:
Love it. I'm a 215lb beginner, and this fork saved my ass at least a few times. The IT remote helps a TON on climbs. You can drop the travel down to almost nothing, giving you better positioning for really steep climbs, then pop it back out to full travel, or any point in between. It works like a pneumatic office chair. It handled stuff I never thought it would, especially with my weight behind it. It gave me more confidence, and I tried bigger and better descents and drops. It handled EVERYTHING I threw at it beautifully. Highly recommended. Don't know much about the price, but all chili's are due.
Strengths: Lightweight, very plush, extremely tunable, and versitile.
Weaknesses: Plastic knobs (Aluminum would not be too expensive of an upgrade) No real apparent weakness has reared it ugly head as of YET!
Bottom Line:
Good Fork! I am not sure why others have state that it does not handle small bumps well, mine is as plush as can be! (One thing I experience initially, was a leaky rebound damper. Which once the oil has leaked to a certain amount, your small bump compliance severly diminishes - After obtaining a warranty replacement damper there has been no such issues) ** Manitou did admit that it was faily common that these dampers are prone to leaking. So if your small hit compliance has gone south check in to this matter. Never know! Ride On!
Similar Products Used: Anything that rides like crap
Bike Setup: Right now I own a Stumpjumper FSR carbon with Fox Talas RLC, xtr front and rear, getting ready to buy a X-0, and XTR disc. and of course i use the panaracer fire xc, why..because they are the best tires out there!
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Submitted by
Fred
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlo, N.B., Canada
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2006
Strengths: i am not a pro the only thing is that the travel settings and the lock out are great and
Weaknesses: i find it like the switches are going to break caus they are made of plastic
Similar Products Used: none i hade a judy xc befor
Bike Setup: 2000 gt avalanche rl modifyde
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Submitted by
Chain Buster
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2006
Strengths: Light, stiff, great damping, tons of features. Love the IT that allows you to adjust from 80 to 120 mm travel at a flip of switch. Great value.
Weaknesses: Plastic knob that controls the compression and lockout worries me, though has worked well so far and is easy to reach and adjust with a flic of a finger
Bottom Line:
I am an lightweight (140lb) cross country and trail rider. I love the climb as much as bombing downhill. This fork gives me the range of travel to fullfill my needs with confidence. I would drop the travel to 80 and lockout if it is not too rocky and pull up to 100-120 when I need to make big clearance (to protect the crank) or when I start my downhill. It takes a little practice to work the IT switch when you want to remain seated. Cornering with this fork is great compared to rockshox. Because I am light, I do not need such a beefy fork. Wear and tear on this fork cannot be assessed yet, but confident in its construction.
Bike Setup: Scott FS, LX/XT, WTB velociraptor tires. About 27lb setup.
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Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlottesville, VA USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2005
Strengths: This fork is pretty sweet. The travel adjust is great for changing your preformance over different terrean. If im on a long rocky downhill i can crank it up, if im on a fast flat i can crank it down. And with the lock out it helps out alot on long climbs.
Weaknesses: lockout switch is on the top of the fork instead of on the handle bars. if the IT switch (that changes the travel) was instead a lockout switch it would pretty sweet.
Bottom Line:
This fork is awsome for XC. Its nice, light, plush and versitile. O-hill is REALLY rocky and walnut creek isnt so i can change the fork depending on where i am. I just it had a switch lockout instead of it on the fork, but i think i just need some practice. BOTTOM LINE: Really good fork if you dont want to spend another $100 on a muinite
Similar Products Used: Manitou splice elite. Manitou 3:00. rock shox judy.
Bike Setup: Souped up iron horse maverick.
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Submitted by
BJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2005
Strengths: easy rebound and firmness ajustment
Weaknesses: full compression while climbing seems to add resistance, as if the tire is rubbing against the frame. it's not, just feels that way. also after climbing and trying to extend to full 120, I'm able to get about 80%......operator error?
Bottom Line:
glad I got what I consider a good deal for a 120, but I'm disappointed in the IT. I'll keep using for awhile to make sure it's not operator error conerning unloading for full extension. Anybody have one and notice the resistance when compressed and climbing?
A friend of mine bought an 04 Specialized Enduro Comp off ebay. The Bike arrived yesterday and everything is good except the fork, its really soft. Can you add air to this fork or Read More »
