Submitted by
amysue135
a Cross Country Rider
from Plains, PA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2008
Strengths: I love the U-Turn feature, as well as the lock out.
Weaknesses: I don't have the pop-lock :0(
Bottom Line:
I love this for for single track riding. WIth the ability to move from 85mm - 115mm of travel with the turn of a dial, it makes climbs and decents a little more manageable. (not that I couldn't manage without it) But having it is nice.
I feel for the price I paid, I reveived a lot af value for my purchase. I love this fork, it is plush and it can even handle smaller drop offs.
Submitted by
slyder327
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2008
Strengths: Ease of set up and great ride. Floats over anything if set up according to what has been mentioned elsewhere on this site.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Best front fork I have ever ridden...hands down. I am about 207lbs and I found that 115+ and 110- , Lock out at half, and dampening at 3/4 worked best with me. I hit 2-2.5' drops without so much as a wiggle ! I ran over roots a few logs and you would be hard pressed to point out when the fork was working. So smooth you don't even know it's there. Total control every trail I was on and best of all..... I was running at full speed ...in control! What a change from my Marzochi ! I would recomend this fork to anyone who reads this....don't waist your hard earned bucks on a Fox......Just as compliant and just think what else you can upgrade with the savings.
Strengths: it was on my bike, nice handling when itès not in the shop
Weaknesses: always in the shop, takes for ever to deal with Rock Shox out of Canada
Bottom Line:
The fork works well but is spends half it's time in the shop. I took a drop, internals went all funny and creaky. I took it to my LBS and they could not do anything for me because Rock Shox wont deal with them(little indy shop). So I had to take it to the mega bike store (I hate those places) and it took over a month just for the part to get here. I guess because it was a newer fork it was hard to get the part. Finaly got it back and the bushings busted less than a month later, another month in the shop because you have to get the brand name parts directly from the manufacturer and they would not cover it so it cost me about a bill. I'll just put it on my 15 year olds bike before I do any more damage. So this fork is not worth it, in my opinion Zokes are the way to go, never had any problems with them. My buddy broke his 2 year old z3 droping off some crazy stuff and they just replaced it in 2 weeks no questions asked, thats service!
Submitted by
M. DeMicco
a Cross Country Rider
from Antioch
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2006
Strengths: Reliable, good performing fork.
Weaknesses: Not as plush nor as stiff as I would like.
Bottom Line:
I only have one shock to compare this to, but I've run lower pressures (90 pos., 70 neg.) and for a 4" travel fork, I don't think it's as plush as the Cannondale Headshok I used before. It certainly isn't as stiff. I weigh 180 lbs. so don't want to go lower pressure. Other than that, it has been super reliable and holds air without much leakage over time. I'm due for an oil change, which I'm going to do myself; hopefully this will go without a hitch.
Submitted by
Jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2006
Strengths: fat 32mm stanchion for stiffness, U-turn, neg and pos air chamber, plush, lightweight, Cheap No Brake boss for people using disc brake(me)
Weaknesses: Unreliable, Paint work comes out easilly, Aftersales Service is really bad No Brake boss for people using V brake
Bottom Line:
I was never a fans of fox, and decided to go for the reba after seeing some good reviews and good features on the reba.
Straight after i installed the fork on my bike, the fork gives out a loud clicking sound everytime i compress the fork. I've no choice but to sent the fork back for repair. My local distributor is a nightmare, a simple repair took them a long time. This got well after the repair, but within 2 months of usage, the air spring began to give me problem, the fork suddenly become very rigid with the same amount of air pump in.
Many people had been saying that rockshox is a unrealiable, i never believed until i used this reba...very disappointed
Weaknesses: Not a full 120mm fork to match up better with 5" travel bikes, no v-brake mounts (all addressed with the '06 models) and small bump compliance.
Bottom Line:
It packs in a lot of features for the money and weight. Was looking for something stiffer than my flexy Psylo and found it. But i crave small bump compliance and this fork is not as plush as a Fox Float 100 in the small stuff. The floodgate works great and is easy to adjust when compared to all the other stable platform options out there.
Submitted by
Phil Zazou
a Weekend Warrior
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006
Strengths: Fully adjustable. RS Europe NL gives perfect advice and service. Very smooth fork. Didn't make lots of jumps so not sure about that behaviour.
Weaknesses: Too many stickers but they removed them in the 2006 version. Don't peal of the serial no as RS needs that for servicing. Thought I lost air but I did not. Very important: when you attach your air pressure measure device or inflator you lose air. You might think that the fork has a problem but it has not. It is just the moment you attach something to the valve that you lose some PSI.
Bottom Line:
Was thinking about buying a FOX but this Rock shock rocks for far less bucks. Pop lock superior to the auto lock out on FOX. I will never ever own a fork without pop lock remote.
Submitted by
ChrisTexan
a
from The Colony, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2006
Strengths: Bought the 115mm Race model with Travel Adjust (spacers), and PopLoc remote. So far after just over one year, has been trouble free. Adjustments are a cinch, and stated values work well for my weight (#220). Great replacement for a Marz MX Comp. Features and adjustability are the best strengths. No flex front-end and a very stable ride with no noticeable brake or impact dive even when not locked out (compared to my Marzocchi MX Comp, that's a godsend).
Weaknesses: PopLoc remote cable entry - coming straight down from the bars, it snags on everything, and the housing often gets bent as a result. After first usage (of a few months)the left positive schrader valve leaked under the cap (which held the pressure equalized with the fork, making it nearly impossible to unscrew, but keeping it fully functional till I checked it ). Put a drop of ProLink into the valve and refilled, hasn't leaked since (any of the chambers), the valve probably just didn't seat right the first time. No other problems in over a year of hard use.
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork, and a tremendous upgrade from any entry/modest level fork. Every adjustment you could want, the next step would be a true SPV model fork at a $200-$300 premium, and the PopLoc with remote and blowoff really makes that unnecessary. No notiecable bob even when not locked out, and so adjustable you can catabilize or plush the ride to your heart's desire. Best $500 fork on the market, not "smooth" like a Lincoln Town Car, but handles flawlessly, befitting the "Race" monikor. Glides well over rough terrain but keeps you connected to what is going on. Has handled everything I've thrown at it (and some pretty rough impacts), without fail.
Similar Products Used: Marzocchi MX Comp - heavy, plush, bad braking perfomance (no platform)
Bike Setup: 2003 Specialized Enduro, PUSHed Fox Float R shock, Rock Shox Reba Race fork, Easton carbon bars with Easton EA90 stem, Hayes HFX-9 brakes, Hope Bulb hubs lacesd to Mavic XC717 rims, CK headset, Thomson Elite laid-back post, Koobi Enduro seat, all 2004 Shimano XT non-rapid-rise drivetrain/shifting, tire choice based on mood.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
simon chetwynd
a Cross Country Rider
from Newbury, Berkshire, UK
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2005
Strengths: Light weight (0.6 kg lighter than my old Suntour forks), performance, pop lock, service manual. The performance of this fork is awesome, and I haven't even started playing tunes with the settings yet. The front end just stays totally planted. Downhill you can just let the bike go and leave the fork to sort everything out. No need to lift the front wheel on kerbs, it just glides up them. The service manual is extremely detailed with photographs of every stage, anyone can do their own servicing.
Weaknesses: Had to max out the blow off pressure to stop the fork bobbing on steep climbs and I'm only 68 kg. You have to strip the fork down and insert spacers (provided) to alter the travel - 85/100/115 mm travel depending on how many spacers you fit. That said the next model up (Reba Team) has on the fly travel adjustment for more cash. Only other weakness is the closeness of the brace to the tyre (about 1" clearance), if its really muddy then mud jams up between the tyre and the brace.
Bottom Line:
This fork rocks. Just replaced the stock Suntour fork on my NRS3, the performance improvement is just totally amazing. The front end sticks in corners now like glue, previously it tended to slide and then tuck in a bit. On one particular downhill stretch I ride regularly, rather than coast with dabs on the brakes I'm now pedalling flat out, with the extra momentum I'm carrying at the bottom, the uphill climb on the other side is also much quicker. There's still more to come as I was only using up 70mm out of 115 mm travel. Haven't had the fork long enough to comment on its reliability. First time out on this fork and I was grinning from ear to ear.
Similar Products Used: Suntour XCP 75 Went for this fork rather than the Marzochi as it is quite a bit lighter.
Bike Setup: Giant NRS3, XT cranks, Bontranger wheels, King headset. Despite running with 115 mm travel it doesn't appear to have upset the geometry.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bret
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2005
Strengths: very adjustable, very stiff XC fork even at lower PSI, lockout w/ gate works well when needed
Weaknesses: air loss during use, very stiff (if you like plush)
Bottom Line:
Great fork, but I'd really expect this shock to hold air for a longer period of time. In general, I lose about 20 PSI in the positive valve and about 10 in the negative valve after 1 to 2 hours of riding. Keep in mind these are brand new forks...
I'll keep them until they're worn out and then replace with a better fork (think Talas), but for now they do the job.
Plan on taking your shock pump w/ you where ever you ride while you have 'em.
Strengths: Adjustable, reliable, everything. Fantastic all round fork.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This fork is great. Most of the time I don't have to lift the front wheel to get over rocks or obstacles, I just roll up or over them. Never has the fork made me feel like I was going to go over the handlebars like other ones. Going down I now just let the bike go. Rocks are no problem, lean back and let the fork do the work. Where my fox equiped buddies are going around rocks and bumps, or slowing down because the trail is getting too rough, I just plough straight through or over. These forks have made me a much better rider. They do everything well. Whether your going up or down, the trail becomes easier and a lot more fun. I ride trails now that I could not have ridden with a inferior fork. When I make a mistake or don't see an obstacle, the fork gets me through. Do yourself a favour and consider these forks. In my experience they have been excellent. I would buy them again.
Bike Setup: Stumpjumper FSR Elite, stock except for the Reba.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Przemyslav
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005
Strengths: very good adjustable, stiffy (very), more (!!) than Manitou Mars,
Weaknesses: the true weight is a little higher than declared, Pop Loc could be difficult to mount, price in Poland is crazy!
Bottom Line:
I had a big problems with monting a PopLoc, because i have a Sram 9.0 Trigger and Formula B4 brakes, and construction of PopLoc After a few rides with a Reba, I have still problems with right set of rebound and commpresion, Reba gives you a width possibilites, but you need a lot of time to use it. It is better with set of air spring. It need a little less presurre than writen in instruction to comfort riding. If you set it according to fabric sets, it need a big bits to work.
Similar Products Used: Manitou Six E, Manitou Mars Super, RS Judy XC Air
Bike Setup: Giant Xtc NRS Team, Mavic Crossrock, Michelin Jet s Tubeless, Formula B4 Team breakes, SRAM 9.0, WRA crankarms
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ross
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2005
Strengths: Light weight, stiffness and poplock. The price too, all the features for so little.
Weaknesses: Not really a weakness, has Intl Standard mounts, no good for shimano brakes with post mounts!
Bottom Line:
This fork is so good. The poplock is so dam handy for locking out for the climbs. The travel is very smooth and the fork handles everything ive darred throw at it yet. If you want a light xc fork definetly get it, ive seen people use it for 4x4. If youre looking at a fox dont bother these are just as good and half the price!
