Dorado is the fork you see on the bikes of the world's fastest riders, and for good reason. They were designed from the ground up to be the best forks available anywhere for downhill racing applications. Dorado uses wild carbon fiber and aluminum construction to save weight and a proven coil spring design.
Strengths: Looks INSANE, very plush, rigid, light, easy adjustment, unique stem adjustment with the right stem (2 peice works well), well made, perfect, and they look INSANE!
theyr also upside down
Weaknesses: the 20mm axle is a pain when fitting wheel
Bottom Line:
these forks are the shiz and feel dam sexy, but dont use them if you are doing 70ft drops, these are for beasting the races coz theyr very adjustable. and theyr worth 7GGGs not 1.5 new. STOKE!!!!
Strengths: lots of travel, can take big hits, looks awesome, easy turning
Weaknesses: Had to buy a new wheel for the 20mm thru axle. i wish it was quick release it takes way too long. doesnt react very well to small bumps even after breaking in. you need to change the oil every 3-6 months which is a pain.
Bottom Line:
if you love going insanely fast and doing drops and jumps, this is the fork for you. however, DONT USE THIS FORK FOR FREERIDE, it is made for racing, not 40 foot drops
Strengths: feels great, nice and light, perfect for racing, looks sick (people stare at it when you ride past), stiff...
Weaknesses: a little too stiff but it depends on your personal preference... not the strongest fork out there (cracked the uppers on the right leg) not a huge range of adjustments.
Bottom Line:
best fork ive ever ridden. get it if you can cuz they dont make em anymore. picked mine up on price point for 600 bucks! cracked the carbon uppers on the right leg in a nasty crash so sending it to manitou. (ahem, if they'll ever get back to me), but never the less, the fork is sick. better than my marzocchi for dh but marzocchi is better for freeride. too bad they replaced it with the travis... givin it 4 flamin' chilis cuz im still waiting on manitou for replacement leg. 5 out of 5 otherwise.
Similar Products Used: marzocchi drop-off triple, 888rc, jr. T, super T....
Bike Setup: 05 giant faith 3, juicy 7s, dorado, 5th element, team boxguide, xt... rest is stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
gotta ride
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver island
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2007
Strengths: looks great with all the carbon fibre and very light
Weaknesses: very flexy on the bottom forks cause of invert.
Bottom Line:
I was told that there was a 20 hour break in time on this fork. I did more than that and the fork is still really stiff with no small bump feel at all. I have sent it away for a refit hoping to get some feel out of it if not it's gone. You can't use the word plush with this fork it does not happen.
Weaknesses: Compression damping as only half a turn compared to the 2003 that ad more compression adjustment.
Bottom Line:
This is way beter then the SPV from last year, still needs to be ridden to get past the breaking period. The 2003 are still the best i've tried so far.
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