Bike Setup: speciaized hardrock comp disc with marzocchi baby
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Submitted by
Nikolas Clarke
a Weekend Warrior
from Redmond,Washington
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007
Strengths: Light weight and soaks up everything
Weaknesses: I really don't like the oil slushing noise.
Bottom Line:
This is an awsome fork for the price. It soaks up everything!!! I needed to put air in the fork. Im 120 pounds and im running 45 pounds of air. Still need to add more oil.=) Buy It!!
Submitted by
Travis Hardy
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hampshire, USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007
Strengths: stiff, plush, predictable, great price/value!
Weaknesses: loud oil sound? little heavier than others?
Bottom Line:
I'm about 175 and I live near MTN Agamenticus in York Maine where there is A LOT of rocks and roots. I punish this fork on a weekly basis and it's been solid. Love the feel and response from it. Great fork.. guess i could have paid a lot more for other lighter forks.. but it seems the only to top it is a FOX and I would only be shaving weight at that point for much more money.
Tis fork i gues is okay for xc, but i absolutely hate it for djs. The rebound is soooo springy and it looks horrible. If i could, i would buy a new fork, but i have no money at the moment, but dont buy this fork if you do anything besides xc or am.
Bike Setup: planet x pitbull pro, mx comp w/ eta, deore hydro
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Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Hayden, ID
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2006
Strengths: Progressive compression and predictable handling. A great upgrade for an old bike.
Weaknesses: Rebound adjustment, ETA lockout, "wooshing" sounds.
Bottom Line:
I bought this fork to replace the old worn out 60mm Judy XC fork on my Stumpjumper. The 100mm travel changed the geometry slightly, but the bike handles more predictably now. Performance over rough terrain is excellent, and rarely bottoms out. I weigh 170 lbs and set the air pressure to around 40 PSI with good results. On the downside, there is no way to easily adjust the rebound of the fork. I dropped the little stick into the stanchion when I missed the adjuster slot, which was a big headache to fish out. The ETA lockout lowers height of bike and changes handling, making the front wheel light on climbs. I find that the 20mm lockout it isn't really necessary anyway. The MX Comp is somewhat heavier than comparable Fox forks, and it makes a weird "wooshing" sound with sudden compression. Overall, though, it works great on my Stumpjumper and was a great deal. I'm giving it a 3 rating instead of a 4 only because of my lost evening fishing out the rebound adjuster stick.
Bike Setup: 06 Trek 4300 w/SRAM and Race Face components
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Submitted by
Feri Tivadar
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenija, Lendava
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2006
Strengths: it's "imortal"! ;-)
Weaknesses: a litle bit heavy (cca. 1,8 kg) for a XC rider, but for this price no problemo.
Bottom Line:
I bought a 2005 model for a good price. When I tried it, I was suprised how good it works, before MX I had only cheap forks (Suntour). MX is "imortal", you can do all kind of things with them, and they survive everything. The ETA works good, I use it by climbing and on a road. I like the "noise of oil" when the suspension works.
Similar Products Used: Suntour Axon - no good! ;-(
Bike Setup: Focus Black Forrest, XT/LX, Julie,...
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Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2006
Strengths: CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! Sure, there are better forks, but paying like 3 times more for a fox fork, is exaggerated to me. You get the best of both worlds (air and coil)in this fork. It is very plush and very progressive at the same time.
Weaknesses: Although the rebound is "set and forget", it is really a pain in the a$$ to change it if you want to experiment. You have to fiddle with a long metal stick in the right leg. If the stick happens to fall, its really difficult to take it out without spilling the oil. However, this is a minor weakness, considering the overall quality of the fork and its price.
Bottom Line:
The trails where are ride include looong climbs as well as dh trails (with shuttle and all). There are many drops and jumps, most of which Ive hit with this fork. Its true that Im pretty light (100lbs), but this fork has recieved tons of abuse and is still working like new. I know this fork was not meant for light freeride and downhill, but ive been using it until I get a real FR bike. The downside of this is that I have to pump more air than normal, so it isnt as responsive in small impacts. However, ive used it it XC trails with the recommended air pressure and sag, and let me tell you: IT ROCKS! It is very plush and stiff. I REALLY recommend this fork if you want very good performance for a excellent price. You honestly can not go wrong with this fork.
Similar Products Used: Fox Vanilla, Zoke Z1 Freeride, Zoke Marathon
Bike Setup: Giant Rincon with Mx comp eta, etc etc
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Submitted by
Darius
from Manila, Phils
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2006
Strengths: Plush, light compared to my other bombers, lock down, not flexy
Weaknesses: None found yet
Bottom Line:
I picked this up from an ebay retailer for $200 clams, new in the box. I weigh 250+ and was a bit nervous to try an air fork. I had one of the original x-fly forks which sucked big time and might as well have been rigid. Then spent 4 years on Z1s and DJs, with 20 mm through axles, and loved them. But this much lighter fork is a perfect match for my hardtail. It is responsive on the small stuff, and ramps up smoothly on the big stuff so that I never bottom out. I have not had to add any air in six months of abuse. I liked it so much that I got one for my wife's new Superlight, and the beauty is that I can swap these things from bike to bike and rider to rider without having to change springs and oil height. If the bushings and seal hold up for more than a year, despite my size and aggressive riding style, then I will be really really impressed. So far the thing is flawless. They say Fox air shocks do this all very well too, but at $600 a pop I doubt I'll ever experience one.
I nearly forgot, the ETA works even better than on my Z1 - which gradually opens back up to its full extension over the course of a long hill climb. Once you lock the MX down, it stays down.
Submitted by
fumanchuchu
a Weekend Warrior
from bellingham wa
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2006
Strengths: cheap, smooth, plush, quiet, stiff, eta, looks
Weaknesses: I suppose if you spend $800 on a shock it MIGHT be better, maybe.
too small for my bullit frame
Bottom Line:
If you want a real fork and don't count grams BUY THIS.
ETA is awesome, flick a switch and turn your bike into a climbing machine. Flick it back and it soaks up all the roots and 2 footers you can throw at it.
Threw a few pounds of air in it out of the box and it has performed great.(now that I'm more familiar with I might reread the manual and adjust)
They're cheap these days(under 200) and you'll never regret the purchase.
The others reviews make this obvious but I read these all the time and thought I should contribute.
Similar Products Used: manitou splice and oem crap
Bike Setup: (dont't laugh) motobecane 500ds--stripped of all stock parts and rebuilt with sram and marzocchi
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Submitted by
Rick Pfeister
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006
Strengths: Incredibly stiff and super smooth. Soaks up all the small stuff. ETA is great for climbing; really appreciate the lowered angle on the fork on steep climbs. Holds air quite well also!
Weaknesses: Weight, but for under $200 (including s/h) can't beat it for the price! ETA is great, but getting to it can be tricky at times.
Bottom Line:
Really great fork; heck, it's a Rider's Choice winner! If you can still buy a '05 model, get it! I am a price conscious shopper and this fork far exceeded my expectations! I am considering transferring this fork on to a future bike...it's that good! Soaks up the small stuff and keeps you on the bike, even after the biggest drops! (my old fork sent me flying over the handlebars) ETA is an excellent feature for this fork and really helps keep the bike XC-friendly on climbs. 4 Chilis for Overall b/c of the weight.
Similar Products Used: '98 Rock Shox Indy S (yes, I know it's compairing apples to oranges) complete POS
Bike Setup: '98 Kona Lava Dome, Marz MX comp w/ETA 120mm, easton EA50 riser, STX/LX components, Mavic 221 rims on XT hubs
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Submitted by
Glenn Siegrist
a Weekend Warrior
from Giebelstadt Germany
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006
Strengths: stiff, smooth and sexy Italian finish. I got these to replace the Judy on my Sworks M2. I used them for over a year at 5000 ft in Afghanitan and had no issues with them. I did not even have to air them up once that whole time. These forks are combat tough!!
Weaknesses: A little on the heavy side,
Bottom Line:
Good fork for the money I would buy another set if I had to. The lock out for the climb is a great plus. It brings you fwd over the top tube as you climb helps keep the front tire down and no bobing. \ You cant go wrong with these!!!
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2006
Strengths: rigid! works perfect !!! eats everything what gets under my wheel! ETA !!
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
The marzchocchi works great!! It`s incredebily stiff! What I like the most is ETA lock out! It`s very usefull going up-hills and also at the road! Unfortunatelly I have got model with steel steering tube and that makes my marzocchi f%^$`en heavy (over 2kg). Anyway this fork is far cry better than any other at that price!