Shave weight with the lightweight air-sprung Black Super Air. Available in fixed travel models with 80mm, 100mm, or 120mm so you can choose the fork that's just right for you. With a beefy crown, 30mm stanchions, and magnesium Reverse Arch casting, the Black is stiff and ready to perform on a variety of terrain.
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Strengths: Light, plush, adjustable, and durable (so far). Soaks up rocks, ruts and roots even my expensive Fox fork won't. I have yet to bottom out and I try just about everything.
Weaknesses: The decal stickers look tacky.
Bottom Line:
I love this fork. I found a good deal on an 01 Hollowpoint and this fork came with it. The specs were too good to pass up for the deal on the Hollowpoint but I seriously doubted the old Manitou fork. I thought for sure I would replace it immediately. Man, was I wrong! I have been riding for a while and I can honestly say this is one of the best forks I've ridden. I would take this Manitou over the Fox on my Stumpjumper anyday.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox Judy, Fox Talas, Fox F100, Lefty
Bike Setup: Iron Horse Hollowpoint, Fox shock, XTR, Easton
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Matthew
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2007
Strengths: This review is for the Manitou Black Super Air 100mm, damping and compression adjustability only. The fork is light. It might work well for lighter people. Finish is clean and it took a lot of punishment.
Weaknesses: If you weigh 190lbs or more you will kill this fork.
Bottom Line:
Starting with the day I purchased the bike the fork was not able to handle my weight. If I used the suggested pressure I was bottoming the fork out. I didn't like the feel of the fork when the air was jacked way up. I know cross country riders or racers like the light weight of fork. This might be okay if you weigh much less than 190lbs. I even tried changing fork oil weights but nothing improved its performance.
Submitted by
pimpbot
a Cross Country Rider
from oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2006
Strengths: Light, Plush, compression damping adjustment, lockout, Cheap on sale
Weaknesses: A bit flexy with rim brakes/ceramic rims, Damper is krapp, bobs like mad. Compression adjustment knob is too easy to bump and move.
Bottom Line:
This was bought for a budgetlight race hardtail build. It was basically the lightest decent fork I could get for the money. I'm too heavy for a SID.
It would have been the perfect fork if it didn't bob so dang much. I can't pedal out of the saddle at all unless it is completely locked out, no matter how the compression damping is set. I can feel the bob sucking my power like crazy. My front wheel is so noodely that it actually rubs against the v-brakes when the fork compresses.
I'd say it was worth the dough at $240, but would not be at full list price of $500.
Weaknesses: Too soft for me, crown lockout not easy to use.
Bottom Line:
I bought this fork on clearance for a great price. I thought it was going to be perfect, but alas, it has let me down. I really dislike having to spend another $20 for a spring kit so I can finally ride a new fork 2 weeks later, too. Granted, at 205 pounds, I could afford to drop some weight. But for some reason Answer specs their forks out for riders in the 145-165 pound range. Don't they know we have an obesity epidemic in this country?! Anyway, I bought the firmest ride kit they had, but it only goes up to 190-pound riders. That didn't work for me. The fork kept blowing through the travel on mild stuff. Technical Assistance suggested turning up the compression damping, but that just made it ride too harsh (like a semi-lockout mode). I've tried running the air pressure up, but that doesn't seem to compensate for the soft coil spring. I also find using the crown-mounted lockout dial to be tricky. Locking it out is easy - just turn it all the way in. Getting it back to your previous compression setting accurately while riding is where it gets tricky. I'm considering a switch to a Reba in the next month. All air and no coil makes it easier to adjust for my current weight and as the pounds melt away.
Similar Products Used: Manitou Mars, Axel, Magnum, SX-R
Bike Setup: Specialized Epic, XT all around, Avid BB discs, Easton bits here and there.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
CARTER MICK
a Weekend Warrior
from CITY OF LOVE
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006
Strengths: used this fork for a year now and still no complaints! love rlo. i owned a fox float after this one and nothin much more of a difference, except the price. plush, stiff, light, the price, nothin more to say....
Weaknesses: little oil seepin out from the seals once in a while
Bottom Line:
thought this will be just a "for the meantime fork" when i broke the float, but its been a year and still using it. love this fork.
Glad to have a shock. I've only ridden it once so far but so far so good. Feels more supple and lively than my Marzocci, but I'm curious to see if it holds up as well over time. Appears to be a good value. Seems well suited to my aggressive XC riding style. I have the 80mm travel version, which will obviously not be of much use to free riders.
Similar Products Used: 2003 Marzocci MX Comp w/ETA
Bike Setup: 1996 Stump Jumper w/2003-2005 full XT components, SRAM Rocket Shifters.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Guy Buckingham
a Cross Country Rider
from Orleans, MI US
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2005
Strengths: A relatively beefy, strong shock. Built for endurance and some aggressive XC riding. I like its non-quantifiable feel.
As a pleasant surprise, it really aids in my climbs up steep hills with large roots. The adjustable damping is useful.
Weaknesses: Manitou support. I needed an answer to a set-up question. I left two e-mails a week apart with the tech support address. Then another one a week later with the website's main address thinking maybe there was some site problem. A month later I have not received any response, not even automated. Beware of non-existent support.
Bottom Line:
I would recommend a look, if you are sure you can recieve support. Note: the Chili ratings are lower because of the lack of support.
Similar Products Used: Various. Direct comparison on same day with Cannondale's "lefty". Liked Cannondale's better, but it is proprietary. I liked the Cake's geometry and SPV on rear suspension, at this price point, better.
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Cake 2. Stock at this time.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Reco michel
a Cross Country Rider
from SAN JOSE
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2005
Strengths: I LOVE THE CABLE LOCKOUT SET UP. STURDY AND LIGHT.
Weaknesses: I AM 180LBS AND A LITTLE STRESSED ON THE REBOUND (100MM). I DID BOTTOM THESE OUT WITH A 180PSI IN THE ONE SIDE OF THE FORK AND THERE NOW SEEMS TO BE SEAPAGE FROM BOTH SEALS. TAKE TO THE GUYS AT P.P AND TOLD ME THEY COULD SEND THEM BACK AND WERE PROBABLY ONE OF THE DEFFECTIVE ONES (WOW!) SO WILL SEE AS TO WHAT THE OUT COME IS AND SEE HOW LONG THEY LAST ONCE I GET THEM BACK AGAIN.
Bottom Line:
WISH I COULD BE RIDING AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT THIS ISSUE; AND IF I'M DROPPING 5 BILLS MAKE THE FIRM SPRING AN OPTION FOR THE RIDER ("GOOD P.R., MONITOU"). THE SPRING IS A 20 DOLLAR ITEM AND IT'S EMBARRESSING THAT YOU STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS AFTER YOU PURCHASE THE FRONT END (2ND TIME). OH YEA, AND THE SPRINGS ARE USUALLY A BACK ORDER ITEM(which they didn't have)? WHAT'S UP WITH THAT! P.S. MONITOU, BE PREPARED WHEN SUMMER COMES AROUND (PEOPLE TEND TO RIDE MORE? AHH, YEA!)THAT MEANS HAVE THE PRODUCTS YOU ADVERTISE ON HAND.
Similar Products Used: AS OF TODAY I STILL USE THE 2001 BALCK FORK (20'BMX) WITH THE FIRM SPRING I INSTALLED THAT YEAR. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE FORKS AND HAVE AT LEAST 1500 OF MILES OF MODERATE RIDING. WHAT'S WITH THAT MANITOU!
Bike Setup: MONGOOSE PRO FULL SUSPN- MAVIC CROSSMAX/THOMSON POST & STEM/XTR PODS & DERAILERS/HAYS HYDRO DISC BRAKES/ CARBON EC70 MONKEY LITE BARS
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John M.
a Cross Country Rider
from San Luis Obispo
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2005
Strengths: Good compression and rebound, I like the pop lock, it gets me out of the saddle more. the black has allowed me to go faster than some of my friends on their FS, with more control.
Weaknesses: the pop-loc is a little fidgity, and requires constant attention with the adjuster.
Bottom Line:
I'm liking this fork. Granted I had a rockshox Duke before and never really loved that one, but these forks have really transformed my bike. I also thought the pop lock was going to be one of those gimics that I would never use, but now I'm addicted. Its not quite as plush as the '04 black platinum that I'm familiar with, but doesn't seem to pack-up as much with multiple hits either.
four chilis on value cause all forks are so damn expensive. five on overall, but I haven't had a problem or had to deal with answers customer service yet...
Similar Products Used: '04 black platinum, '02 Duke SL, many older POS's
Bike Setup: Mrazek hardtail with 100mm superair out front.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
phoeneous
a Cross Country Rider
from Vegas
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005
Strengths: This fork is extremely light but very durable. It has a great damping adjustment that lets you adjust your travel compression. The lockout feature is nice when climbing. Evil Genius seals keep dirt out very well. A nice feature is the rebound compression dial which allows you to control the rebound depending on the terrain.
Weaknesses: Stickered decals suck granted I scratched the fork big time on a rock. Green uppers but thats a personal preference. Wouldve been nice if it was all black consideribg the name of the fork. Didnt come with the handlebar mounted lockout but I think it was a closeout fork and at the price I paid, I didnt care.
Bottom Line:
This is a great fork and the price I paid makes it even better. I think it retails at $499 and I paid $260! All the features it has lets the rider fine tune it to adapt to different trails. I weigh 160lbs and have yet to bottom it out with the air pressure set at 90psi. Good fork for XC and Agressive XC.
Bike Setup: 03 HardRock with a crapload of upgrades.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Stanwicks
a Cross Country Rider
from Coventry, CT. USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2005
Strengths: Plush feel,lots of travel, stiffness and the handlebar mounted lock-out that works, weight
Weaknesses: Oil leak from rebound adjuster knob, after 2 rides. Decals peeling off
Bottom Line:
Like the forks action. Point it and hit what you want. Real smooth. Feels as stiff as Mega-Air that came w/bike but 100 times more adjustable. The lock-out is probably a bit of overkill for my purposes but its a useable feature to have. Disappointed that its developed a problem so soon after purchase.
Similar Products Used: 1999 Manitou SX-R, Noleen Mega-Air
Bike Setup: K2 2001 Razorback Team w/Fox RC upgrade, XTR/XT derail/crank, Avid 7 brakes, Wtb rims, Panaracer Trailblaster tires, locking grips. EA70 bar & seatpost. Total weight 27lbs.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Scott Duncan
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2005
Strengths: This 05 Black Super Air 80mm fixed travel Has a Remote TPC Lockout and is beefier than my old 80mm Skareb Comp.
Weaknesses: Not installed and back from shop yet, No one has reviewed, let's hear some feedback on it. Hopefully better than my old 80mm skareb comp as in lower bob, more adjustability and strength. The Black's 04 reviews (red housing?) said spring real stiff and some seal complaints, I weigh 165lbs....so hopefully not too stiff for me and will last long.
Bottom Line:
Reviews are needed on this shock. It was hard for me to decide on this fork as LBF (local bike franchise) said they don't know anything about them, just install them. Last year's model seemed to get a 50/50 rating but mainly from aggressive terrain riders. I wonder if 05's are the same construction (have remote now).
Similar Products Used: On hardtail: Skareb Comp / Rockshox Judy. I considered getting a Black 80mm SPV - Evolve or this. Shop said there was an order backlog and was able to get this in after a couple weeks.
Bike Setup: 04 Marin Eldridge Grade Steel Hardtail. Avid Discs, Shimano LX - Deore , TruVative Fire-X crank, SRAM PG-950 - Power Glide ll - 9 speed Cassette. I may want to upgrade this Black to a 100mm, I heard that was possible.
Hey i have the 2003 manitou black super air forks. It says like 50% for the 100mm one and 75% of your body weight for 100/120 super air forks. I weigh about 115 pounds and 50% of Read More »
Manitou, (Hayes), does not have the part I need to get my fork back in use.
The valve stem for the air leg broke off while trying to adjust the air pressure, I removed the cap t Read More »
Cross posted in the shock and suspension forum.
Manitou, (Hayes), does not have any of the part I need to get my fork back in use.
The valve stem for the air leg broke off wh Read More »
I was wandering through a local auctionsite, and noticed a cheap secondhand Manitou Black Super Air from 2003, and I was wondering... what is the difference between this fork, and Read More »
Hello all,
I'm new to this forum, so forgive me if I make stupid questions.
I'm 40, I was into MTB in the past (90s), and then, when my daugther was born, left the sport ([URL= Read More »
