|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
hoobuba
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Palisades, WA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Mrazek Cycles | | Strengths: | anything you need from XC fork - stiff, smooth with adjustable response to any XC trail and condition | | Weaknesses: | none so far
the rebound adjustment on the bottom of the leg is in danger to be damaged if you set the bike on the ground without front wheel - keep that in mind ... :-) | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Skareb Super, RockShox SID Race, FOX Talas | | Bike Setup: | Mrazek BOH-FX, Shimano XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | I am riding/testing R7 for more than a month now as a replacement for retired Skareb Super. This fork is an excellent companion on Mrazek hard tail. It is quite stiff yet smooth and completes Mrazek's great hard tail design.
The absolute system actually works also in between the Lock/Open positions and allows to quickly adjust the compression for riding condition - three clicks and the fork will not slow you down on the climb even out of the saddle. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AndrwSwitch
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | St. Ed's | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | EBay | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, follows terrain well, platform thing works well, short axle-crown distance (I'm not that tall and earn all my descents.) | | Weaknesses: | The seals on the air spring side aren't that great. The air spring side seems a little funny in how it interfaces with my shock pump. Not much travel (I have the 80mm version.) The finish sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Dart from 2000, Suntour garbage, rigid forks | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock | | Bottom Line: | I have the Platinum model, with the SPV feature. I got this fork because I thought I'd be happier with something lighter and that traveled better than the Suntour thing that came on the bike. It made the bike much more fun to ride. I read about it a bunch on here, and ended up setting up the fork with 75 pounds in the SPV chamber (I weigh 145) which is a little more than Manitou's suggested 50% of rider weight and 65 pounds in the air spring chamber. The boards here suggest running 10psi less in the air spring.
With those settings, I don't notice any pedal bob when I'm sitting on the saddle and climbing. If I stand and I use the handlebars to counter my pedaling motion, it's still very solid. However, when it takes a hit it moves freely too.
The big surprise, for me, was how much stiffer than my previous forks it was. I find that it's much better at keeping my front wheel tracking straight when I hit something at an odd angle, so it's a lot easier for me to just roll over things. It also has a really nice, floaty feeling on rough terrain like water bars, ladder bridges, rooty sections of singletrack, etc. I've inflicted small drops and a little dirt jumping on it, and that may having something to do with the next paragraph.
I don't know how long the seals in an air fork should last or what the previous owner did to this one, but I did have to have it rebuilt once in the time I've owned it. That was a bummer. It started bottoming a lot and then dumped oil all over my brake disc. Also, for some reason, when I attach my shock pump to the air spring side it always reads as zero pressure. I know that's not accurate, but it's disconcerting. The SPV side doesn't do that.
Like a lot of reviewers have said, the stickers and the paint start looking pretty crappy pretty quickly.
Cross-country riders and racers will like this fork. If you want a fork that soaks up big hits for you, you're probably not reading this review anyway. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
met
a Racer
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | Local | | Strengths: | Good in all areas for XC. | | Weaknesses: | 80mm could use more travel. | | Bottom Line: | A great fork!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its worth getting, good for XC, good for the weekend warrior, good for racing, good for just messing around with friends, but its not so good for huge jumps or DH, it doesnt have enough travel, plus its a lightweight fork, it does what its meant for very very well.
5 stars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boonducks
a Racer
from South Africa
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | On my farm | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles Africa | | Strengths: | When it works it's very light, stiff and strong. I've only ever used Manitou forks and find the R7MRD probably the best of the bunch. I train and race the fork and the lightness it brings to the front end of my bike is really good on the climbs and for lifting over steps etc. | | Weaknesses: | I'm now on my 3rd fork, all of them have had the same problem - the oil becomes infused with air (cavitation?) and the fork becomes more and more hard, finally losing travel completely.The agents here have been fantastic, trying to fix it and then changing it with no quibbles but obviously it's disappointing. It must be a design fault. Any others out there that it's happening to? | | Similar Products Used: | All Manitou including SX, Mars and Minute2 | | Bike Setup: | GT I-drive team 2002 Kinesis frame, full XTR, Mavic SL rims, Magura H33 Frogs hydraulic rim brakes, Kends Kharma tyres run tubeless, Thompson stem and seatpost, Fizik Gobi XM, Monkeylite bars - under 25 lbs | | Bottom Line: | Great fork, love it -when it's working | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dropedz29
a Cross Country Rider
from Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Bagukbok | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | my BIKE PAL | | Strengths: | Sleek lines, Smooth travel, lightweight!! Super stiff ---it tracks very well, shock absorbtion suprising with medium rocks though not so with little stuff. | | Weaknesses: | haven't found yet | | Similar Products Used: | ROCK SHOX SID-SL with remote lockout. | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC 2006, M-R7, SHIMANO XT DEORE , KENDA TIRES, DaBOMB (RIM/STEM/HANDLE BAR/GRIP) | | Bottom Line: | great forks and great rides, and light. its great for those who wanting to shed weight and would recommend. ---if you want a light weight, stiff, preformance, stable fork, Manitou R7 won't disappoint you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Buttermilk | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | This is for the 100mm Elite model with no lockout. Fork is nice and strong, but plush at the same time. I've done some 3-4' drops and never bottomed out, and on the same trail rode hard single-track and not shaken my teeth out of my head. This fork is not even in the same category as my last fork, a Suntour. I know some people complain about it not having a lockout, but I can't see any reason to have a lockout in the 1st place. There is essentially no bob on the uphills, and fantastic bump/rut/rock absorption on the single-track. Price was incredible, as I got the last one on closeout at Performance for half price. | | Weaknesses: | Lame stickers are peeling off. No big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox float, Suntour junk. I'll NEVER own a Suntour again. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Giant Yukon hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | This is a really nice fork with no problems. Great bump absorbtion (single-track), great high impact resistance (3-4' drops) without having to change pressures or settings. Would buy again, and do often recommend to friends. Probably not a DH fork, but then it's not listed as such. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Few
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Mathews Winters to Hogback | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebau | | Strengths: | I have the R7 Platinum 100mm. It is light (about 3lbs) and strong. I weigh 205lbs and this fork works fine. I put about 100psi on both the damping side and the lockout side of the fork. Once you figure out your settings that you ride at, then everything is great. It took me a couple of short ride to set it up. | | Weaknesses: | The stickers should be nicer or just painted on. The list price for this fork is what you could get a Fox for. I haven't damaged my stickers yet, but I'm sure it's only a mater of time. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox SID, Manitou Mars, Manitou Black 80/100 comp, Rockshox Dart3 | | Bike Setup: | 2006 GT-iDrive 4, Manitou R7 platinum 100mm front and Fox Float rear, XT drivetrain, Thomson stem and Seatpost, Monkeylite bars, S-6 headset, Bontrager SuperStock wheelset, Avid SD7 brakes, around 26lbs | | Bottom Line: | Great buy, light and strong, quality where it counts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stewie
a Cross Country Rider
from exeter,nh,usa
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | fort rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | very plush, light, holds air | | Weaknesses: | lame stickers, no lockout (i have the comp) | | Similar Products Used: | manitou elite | | Bike Setup: | marin ht, r7, stylos, thomson stem & seatpost, mavic 717, xt | | Bottom Line: | this review is for the r7comp
i am very happy with this fork. it sucks up everything and still feels lively. it is suprisingly stiff for a fork this light and it goes wherever i point it and holds my line no matter what's in the way(i am 210 lbs). i can't imagine a better fork in this price range and would feel the same if it cost twice as much. i had the knocking/loose headset feeling for the first few rides but now is super smooth. also this thing hasn't leaked any air at all. if this model had a lockout i would have given it 5 chilis overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c'mon
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | przesieka | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | net | | Strengths: | very stiff | | Weaknesses: | not sensitive enough to small bumps | | Bike Setup: | hardtail/r7/xtr/wcs | | Bottom Line: | I bought this R7 Super cos I needed a relatively cheap fork to xc for a heavier rider and I'm not dissapointed.
In the first season I didn't have any problems with it,(just to mount, pump, and ride without even looking at this) apart from the problem with lockout which appeared during the first ride (it didn't want to switch off) but I send it to the service under guarantee and after two weeks I had it back.
In the secound season it started to leak air after a ride with too low air pressure, so it was my fault. Still great riding despite the leaking air.
Excellent fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Brand
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Sparrow HIll | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Price point. High Level of plushness, when setup properly these are a fantastic fork | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Tora 318 | | Bike Setup: | Scott FX-25, Mavic Crossride's, shimano groupset etc etc | | Bottom Line: | Got the fork from Ebay for a steal (about the same price as the closeout special price on jensonusa) Ordered the TPC lockout from Enduro Fork Seals and had the LBS set this up. This took some fiddling to get the oil levels right, but once done this works amazingly well.
The fork is light compared to the Tora that came with the bike (about 1kg lighter) and this made an instant difference to the feel of the bike. I ride everything from a few XC enduro races to all day trail and some light F/R.
I have yet to bottom this fork and once you get it dialed in, it just sucks the hits up and continues to track whatever line you are carving.
I have put a lot of tough kms on this fork and have had 0 problems. Bang for buck I dont see anything else coming close to the weight and performance of this fork, just make sure you get a lock out for those big climbs or when you are really out of the saddle and hammering hard.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Sta. Rosa, Philippines
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | plush | | Weaknesses: | Flexy | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla R, Manitou Black | | Bike Setup: | Use this on my Kona Hei Hei Ti | | Bottom Line: | Reviewing the Comp version. Nice and plush after being broken in. Wish I had one with a lockout! Flexes a bit on washboards and technical descents. Also felt like it bottomed out though I only measured 80mm on my marker. Is there a hidden inch on hard impacts.
Afer you've tuned the air pressure and rebound according to the trail, this fork actually performs quite well. Got it cheap so I won't complain. I just wish it tracked better and tighter. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Federal Way, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Banner Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Price, light weight & plushness. Does not leak air or oil. | | Weaknesses: | My first frozen lockout in 8 mo! | | Bike Setup: | Nashbar signature steel hardtail, xtr hydraulic brakes & shifter, x.9 & xt derailleurs. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for 2007 R7 Super. I weigh 165 lb and this fork works perfect for me. A large person (200+ lb) may need to go with beefier fork.
This fork is very plush, rigid, and responsive when functioning correctly. I had my first malfunction today (after 300 miles of hard riding) when my fork locked on me in uncompressed position after I reloaded some air.
I attempted to uncompress further (by gently pulling on the handlebar while holding down the fork) as I read this resolves the problem, but no luck. After fidgeting around some more, and no luck, I unscrewed the lockout switch to allow the switch to turn (counter-clock wise) further than it allowed, the lockout turned off and the problem was fixed.
Hope this doesn't happen again as my warranty expires soon... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from STRATFORD, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Rosevelt Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | I love this fork! It's really made a difference in the level of enjoyment I get from riding XC. It's a 100mm with the clickit lockout. I ride 4x a week on trails that vary from cinder fire roads to rocky exposed power line trails, to narrow rooty/rocky single track. I can't detect any flex the way my marz did before this one. No buzzing hands after riding anymore, and more confidence to go over the big stuff. I bought a 20mm spacer to make this a 80mm fork but it's so good at 100mm I'll wait till riding season ends to put in the spacer. | | Weaknesses: | The lockout would stick. This is the "clickit "version with the handlebar lockout. After unlocking I would have decompress (pull up the bar) slightly to release the lockout and make it plush again. A little annoying when racing but I will say it's gotten better with age. | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox judy, marz comp air | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Stratos 19.5" frame | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend this fork to anyone. If price is the scale of how good a fork is then I guess there are way better forks out there you can buy. For the amount I paid though and how I ride I'm satisfied with this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilroy
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | demo forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Very light weight at 3 lbs
Holds air very wello
easy adjustments | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | fox forks | | Bike Setup: | Salsa hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Great fork so far. Holds air pressure very well. no leakage. Stiff enough for my weight 155 lbs. Very smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Liviu
a Weekend Warrior
from Bucuresti, Romania
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Padina, Carpathian Mountains | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | www.greenfishsports.com | | Strengths: | R-Seven Super with lockout. I'm a 78 kg rider. Did't use it much, but it is a great improvement from my Manitou Splice fork. Wouldn't have changed the Splice but I felt my bike un-evened in weight in the front. The R7 removed that feeling being lighter with more than half a kilo. All in all this is a light weight, very responsive fork to small bumps and big stuff. It still flexes a bit, I can hear the brake discs rubbing against the pads when I'm out of the saddle, but definitely more stiffer than the Splice, but hey the price is double too. | | Weaknesses: | Would've wished it was more stiff, but can't really complain, it's doing a troumendous job. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Splice | | Bike Setup: | Kinesium frame, R7 fork, full XT, mavic rims, 11 kg | | Bottom Line: | Great fork for the money, no competition for this out there, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
omie
a Weekend Warrior
from Camarillo, CA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | Have the R7 elite, Light weight, 100mm for price.. Holds air doesn't leak, takes bumps, on fly adjustment | | Weaknesses: | Don't like the flex when I brake really hard. Wish had an external lockout | | Similar Products Used: | Judy, Rock Shock | | Bike Setup: | Weyless XP | | Bottom Line: | Sceptical about the air shock.. designed for XC, but I use it as all mountain/free riding. Holds up well, had a buddy of mine take a 4' jump off our loading dock.. held up well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Ocala, fla, usa
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | santos vortex | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Comes in black first(matches everything else). Sucks up the small stuff. Sucks up the big stuff. Vary adjustable. Works great overall. | | Weaknesses: | Cheesy stickers. Other than that none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | '99 Manitou sxr | | Bike Setup: | Kona muni mula frame. XT drivetrain, tectro v brakes, bontranger rims, panaracer tires, wtb saddle, xc racer | | Bottom Line: | This is for the '07 100mm super lockout. I've never used an air sprung fork, so I was a little skeptical of how well it would work for me. I'm used to slamming forks pretty good. We have some pretty good drops where I ride. Not DJ stuff but 3 or 4 foot drops. This fork is AWESOME. It eats up the big hits and just keeps me rolling. My old fork would have endoed me on some of the stuff this fork handled. Very stiff, also. The adjustability is great. Very sensitive rebound, and an actual range of compression dampening. The lockout was easier to lock than I thought, too.
I've heard of the Manitou demons but I think they have a great product here. And if it lasts half as long as my last Manitou fork, I'll be extatic.
If you want a fork that works, and works really well get this one. It's great for the xc rider or maybe even a little Freeride. I wouldn't go leaping off 30 footers on this though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vasi
a Cross Country Rider
from Reghin, Romania
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | A local bike store... | | Strengths: | This is for the Elite 100mm model: Very light, absorbs bumps very well, holds air pretty good (in 1 year I inflated it 3 times, in the first week of usage, when I was trying different setups, after that, no maintenance whatsoever...well except maybe cleaning it from mud and dirt), the model with white lowers and black stanchions fits perfectly with my b/w frame. And of course, cheap: 2/3 of the price of the cheapest SID, and who knows how much compared to a Fox. | | Weaknesses: | Lockout would be nice...but I suppose I should have purchased a model with lockout feature in that case. Other than that, none really. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 RockShox Judy - just as useful as a stiff...or thinkin about it, even worse, cause it's about twice as heavy as a stiff fork. | | Bike Setup: | Merida Matts Lite, with R7 of course, and some XT and LX on it, Mavic wheels etc. | | Bottom Line: | All in all, a very good fork for the money. Sometimes I wish I would have purchased one with lockout, for a some extra money, but I think that would be just for the sake of it, in one year since I'm using the fork, I have never felt the need for lockout, except maybe on asphalt or pavement, when sprinting. But then again for asphalt or pavement there are road bikes available... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack
a
from chester
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | coed arian | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | 100mm Super:
it tracks very well, supppose its stiff too. shock absorbtion suprising with medium rocks though not so with little stuff (bit weird) | | Weaknesses: | longevity- there great but weight comes at a cost, my seals and dampening went after maybe 300 miles off road. barely broken in and - pop. full service needed. i might expect this from there first years batch but mine were bought 3 years from after their initial release. | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox reba SL, marzzochi bombers. | | Bike Setup: | voodoo wanga custom. | | Bottom Line: | great forks, light and they behave themselves with suprising ease. there great if your wanting to shed weight (my frames steel). but mine havent been abused- they arent going to survive drop offs or big jumps- and they neededd servicing well before there time was due. manitou reliability phantoms reappear? that being said- im still riding them, and would recommend | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Archie Brown
a Racer
from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | They're all my favourite | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay! | | Strengths: | This for the 80mm Super with remote lockout.
Stiff, real lockout, great rebound when set right, tracks beautifully.
Light, not overwhelming.
Cheap! A Fox level fork that cost me less than half the price of RL80s. | | Weaknesses: | Slowly loses air - but name an air fork that doesn't.
Remote Cable is prone to fraying.
| | Similar Products Used: | Fox RL80s, Reba Team, Fox Vanilla, Marzocchi MXR Pro, a couple of others. | | Bike Setup: | Avanti Competitor hardtail, Hayes Mag, XT Cranks and Hubs, Mavic 717, Sram X9 gruppo and the R7s. | | Bottom Line: | They make me faster. And that rocks.
Im sure everyone has a section they use to tell how fast they are going or how good their ride is set up. The R7s allowed me to fly through sections I used to pick through.
One of the best things Ive ever done, wicked upgrade.
The only bad thing is that now I have no excuses for not finishing in the top end of the field. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bluerider1
a Cross Country Rider
from Oceanside, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Orange county trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | amazon bikes | | Strengths: | Light and stiff. Perfect for gram counters on mountain bikes ( Only if its working well as promised by the manufacturer ) | | Weaknesses: | I was riding on it for the last 45 days and the fork started acting finicky. The fork would lock itself on high speed bumps even though the lock out adjuster was totally unlocked. Going down a a fast downhill with lots of bumps and ridges felt like I was riding a rigid front fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox 100 rlc talas | | Bike Setup: | Giant Anthem1 '06 with xtr upgrades and top shelf Sram X0. | | Bottom Line: | Purchased the bike on Nov 21 '06. 45 days later and with only 250 miles on this brand new front shock, it would lose its shock absorbing compliance. The shock would stay locked on fast downhills or if I'm riding " babyhead " trails up in Rock It- Aliso Woods. My arms and the bike's frame took the beating because the shock stayed rigid and locked. To make a long story short, the shock would compress on slow hits or bumps... but over 5 mph...stand by for the beating. I was really frustrated. Took it to my LBS ( Kudos to Bicycle Warehouse of Oceanside CA. )last week and they spoke to a tech rep and warranty adviser from Answer Manitou and we were told that it could be the internal o-ring seal (per Answer Manitou rep ). It is still covered by the warranty and they are replacing the o-ring seal at no cost but I have to wait for awhile til it arrives here in our area. I was a little bit ticked off knowing that a high end fork like this would break down so poorly. Can't ride the bike until its fix or something else would break if I would push my luck riding the fork so rigid. I will give an update on a later date after Manitou rectifies this supposedly "isolated" problem. I'm keeping my hopes high because I have read good reviews with this fork. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tippy Canoe
a
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This review is for the 80mm Super R7.
The adjustments work as advertised. The fork is very stiff. The lockout is real - no travel at all with a click. Travel is smooth. | | Weaknesses: | I also experienced the 'loose headset' feeling, but only on smooth pavement - no big deal. There is no cable guide for the front brake. | | Bottom Line: | I love this fork!
The factory setup felt good for me, and I am 180 lbs. It took me about a day to dial in the rebound adjustment. Too much and the fork feels sluggish... not enough and it feels like a pogo stick - but when you find the sweet spot it's PERFECT. Steering is predictable even while braking. The fork is VERY stiff - you will notice this immediately with the fork locked out. When I first tested the (real)lock-out I felt a wave of nostalgia... it felt like riding my old steel rigid fork bike around the lake when I was a kid!!!
IMO, this fork is perfect for cross country riders. Take your time dialing in the rebound adjustment and you will be happy.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Pay
a Cross Country Rider
from Cal/vada
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | TOP SECRET | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | GreenFish | | Strengths: | R7-SUPER 100mm
It works..Really everything WORKs.. | | Weaknesses: | Only comes in BLACK.. | | Similar Products Used: | I've always ran coil forks (I'm a CLYDE>210) | | Bike Setup: | IBEX ALPINE Frame:Costom Build (21.54pounds 9,7kg)
More INFO can be found in the IBEX board of MTBR Forum.. | | Bottom Line: | This fork was a sweet surpries..Great controls that WORK..
GreenFish has them on-sale for $299 (NOV.27-06)..
Nice PRICE..Nice WEIGHT..Sweet LOOKs..AWESOME PERFORMANCE.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Chocolate Buddha | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | CRC | | Strengths: | For: R7 Comp, 100mm
- True Lockout
- Rebound Adjust
- Stiff
- Plush
- Soaks up little bumps
- EG Seals | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Axel Elite 80mm, Rock Shox Reba SL | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Trek 6500 stock with following mods: Amoeba Scud Carbon Bar, Pro XLT Race Stem, DT Swiss 4.1d Rims (XT hubs), FSA Carbon Pro Seatpost, Exustar PM25 Pedals, M760 XT Cassette | | Bottom Line: | Review is for the R7 Comp 100mm (Paid $432 AUD)
Great fork. Rebound adjust actually works, Lockout is a true lockout = No fork bob when climbing. A plush fork that is very stiff.
Eats up the little bumps with no problems making it a much more comfortable ride.
Also comes with the Evil Genius seals which do a good job of keeping out the crap.
Just give it a few rides (pathway riding is enough) to let the fork settle down and you'll be flying. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Renato Piereck
a Cross Country Rider
from Pyeongtaek, South Korea
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Brown Mountain, Songtan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$197.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, price, easy setup, smooth movements and honest 100mm travel. | | Weaknesses: | Stickrs are crap, Manitou puts better stickers on the Splice, and ven RST crap forks have better stickers! Drop outs are so thick I have to unscrew my skewers all the way out to install, Manitou shouls supply a skewer with this fork! No brake hose guide on disc only model. Rebound adjustment has only 1/4 turn of adjustement, hard to fine tune. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Skareb, Splice, and Nixon; RST forks, Marzocchi DH3 | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar XC Comp w/ Fox Float R, Shimano XTR/XT drivetrain and Avid Rollamajig, Deore hydraulic brakes, Thomson Elite seatpost, Easton EA50 cockpit, Selle Italia saddle, Sunrace Rhynolite rims w/ Shimano hubs. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the R7 Comp, the lowest priced model.
This fok is impressive for less than $200, no better XC fork at this price range! I'll be peeling them soon. The R7 feels stiff under braking, turning and solid under stress, the air spring makes lots of sucking noises under stress, but that's normal. The FFD system does a good job of controlling damping but the rebound adjustment has so little trave (1/4 turn) that making adjustments is a pain in the butt. FFD ss no SPV dut does a good job at $200. No lockout on this $200 fork makes it a bit too bouncy for the uphills.
I have ordered a TPC lockout mechanism (found on the R7 Super) from Enduro Seals for $69. I also ordered their $20 seals while at it. Soon I will install the lockout and the seals, and I will have a cheap R7 Super for less than $270. The cheapest I've found Supers for sale is $479 at Sage Cycles, so the Comp+TPC sounds like a good idea. I'll review that after trying it out.
5 chillis for the excellent value under $200, 4 overall for the crappy sticker, super thick dropouts and narrow adjustment on rebound. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Torrance
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light weight, no problems what so ever | | Weaknesses: | stickers come off both the lowers and the remote lock-out. remote lock-out isn't the best design. could be stiffer. | | Similar Products Used: | sid world cup, skareb, marathon | | Bike Setup: | r-7 elite, trek top fuel 100, full xtr, r-type spv shock | | Bottom Line: | this fork is a much better choice than the SID. I rode a SID world cup last year and had to have it serviced three times. I ride my mountain bike almost everyday and I haven't had any problems with this fork. It's noticable stiffer than my SID was last year. although, it would be nice if it was even stiffer. I'm running the r-7 elite 80mm. the only other complaint that i have for this for is that the remote lockout lever design isn't the greatest. the rockshox design works much better. I spoke with Manitou at on the the NCS races and suposedly they have a new design for 2007. I probably have over 2000 miles on this fork and it hasn't been opened up once. I may have put air in it twice this year. I would definitely recommend this fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
melibokus
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$265.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Platform Action, Tracking, Full 100mm Travel, Light | | Weaknesses: | stickers poor.. remove and replace. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox, Englund Air | | Bike Setup: | Manitou R7 and a Fox RP23 | | Bottom Line: | This is for the 2006 Platinum R7: The right setup is important, now setting the SPV at 50% rider weight and Air Spring at SPV less 10PSI (e.g 80PSI/70PSI) with rebound at 2/3 full. This gives the full 100mm travel with platform action on the climbs and great tracking and control everywhere. Both the Spring and SPV affect SAG and the platform action (plus the stiffness of a new fork) make adjusting SAG tricky at first.
Running V brakes can flex the lowers with enough pressure but it's not realistic on the trail (apply that much pressure and you've already stopped or endo'd)
Fork keeps getting plusher (200miles now?) and switching to Mobil-1 Synthetic 10w30 for the bath and overhauling with Enduro Fork Seals/Slick Grease made a big difference. The overhaul was quick and easy. If running stock seals don't forget to invert the fork before riding to lube the lower seals. Expecting this fork to keep getting better with more miles and a full overhaul and will switch to a slightly heavier weight oil for rebound.
Was unsure about Platinum vs Super but really pleased with the SPV. Can't see a better 100mm fork but haven't tried the FOX 100's either. Plenty of deals on this fork - several on eBay for under $300. Great value for a premium $600+ retail fork and can't (yet) see how the performance can be beat.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bernard Escandor
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light; plush | | Weaknesses: | Flex | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Black Elite Air '02; Fox X100 (earlier model) | | Bike Setup: | Homegrown; Access XCL frame; Chris King headset; Mavic CrossRides; Mavic BB7 mechanical brakes; Shimano XT drivetrain; Fizik Arione Wing Flex saddle; carbon fiber seatpost (Giant) | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Manitou 100mm R7 Elite. I just built a cross-country marathon/race hardtail and I picked the R7 as fork of choice. My cross-country rig runs on Avid BB7 mechanical brakes and I was very much caught by surprise is to how much the R7 flexes under brake loads. This concerned me very much because I wanted a stiff fork which the R7 is advertised to be. Since I just built my bike, today was the first day of breaking it in.
I was very pleased by how the R7 soaked in the bumps. It's very smooth and very plush. It performs well in corners and smooths out the rough stuff coming downhill. On future rides, I will push the fork harder on really hard stuff on how well it handles, so far handling is up to par. The R7 is simple and easy to set up, for the Elite has two adjustments; air and rebound. With a little more money, you can get one with a lockout. The R7 is very light at about over 3lbs. on my scale.
Overall, despite the surprisingly flex, the R7 is "ok" for my needs as a cross-country race fork. On climbs it does tend to "bob" and a lockout would be nice. The R7 Elite is decent and a budget alternative (half the price) for a Fox F series. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Westfield, Mass. USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | single track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Greenfish | | Strengths: | Light, Adjustablity, price | | Weaknesses: | Having to buy extra pump for air | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Axel | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper with Norkian tires, lite tubes,Mavic crossride rims. | | Bottom Line: | Big weight reduction for the money and lots of adjustably I
like the lock out for flat riding and up hills. Trying to buy a bike just the way you want is impossible and improving a little at a time altho more expensive is the way I want to go. Next is upgrage drive train or lighter
bars, seat stem etc. Bike now below 27 lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manitou R7
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Great shops | | Strengths: | Good looks, stiff, & Light | | Weaknesses: | Unable to tell the difference of rebond adjustments but being a racer fork I guess its ok, co's its a race fork | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox (Pilot/Judi/REBA & SID), Manitou Minute's & Marzhocci etc.. | | Bike Setup: | Good setup | | Bottom Line: | I dont really understand others bad reply. Perhaps you need to ask the expert setting up your bike and go out there & test...test ...test to your liking. This a racing fork and can be use as a trail bike and Enduro setup. Only buy this fork if you like stiffer, lighter forks. If you like softy setup and like to jump or two, then dont buy this fork. This fork is great and save me lots of times in the mud & dry conditions. Mine's the Platinum SPV 80mm. I give it 5 Chilis co's it makes me FLY. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan m
a Racer
from yorktown VA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | its stiff | | Weaknesses: | its way to stiff to do anything
and when you actually get so travel on either the rebound is unbelevebly slow and choppy of its like a slingshot and it makes you manuel
if i rode it just a little longer it would have snapped in half
suckie fork
way to unstable | | Similar Products Used: | fox float and f80 marzocchi z1 and 66 | | Bike Setup: | x7x9 | | Bottom Line: | it sucks i recomend to NOT use this fork at all for anything
if you want a good all xc for go for the rock shox reba or sid of the f100 (fox) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Superbman
a Cross Country Rider
from Deerfield, MA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hannah Swarton's Remove | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | OEM-Apache 6.0 | | Strengths: | The R7 Super is Light, surprisingly stiff, very precise steering, easy to adjust-Lockout is best in the business | | Weaknesses: | A little flexy, doesn't deliver a super-plush feel | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Float RLC, REba Team, Various Headshok Forks, SID | | Bike Setup: | K2 Apache 6.0-4 inch travel dually w/ Cane Creek C9 in the Back | | Bottom Line: | I was leery of this fork-never a fan of lightweight racing oriented forks-but wow, has this fork surprised and impressed me. It delivers an efficient and honest 100mm of travels, steers like a rigid fork (reminiscent of the old head shocks-which is a compliment!). It's in no way plush--but I've come to not want that comfy-couch feel in my xc bike riding. The lock-out is wonderful, and the R7 holds air for weeks on end. Simple and straight forward--two qualities we need more of in mountain biking componentry these days. All in all-considering the very economical aftermarket price-I'd say this fork is a winner and the best 100mm travel xc fork presently on the market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Light-weight, stiff, great dampening, smooth travel, lockout works well, easy to self-install, quality and durable feel | | Weaknesses: | Lockout takes time to adjust | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Magnum R | | Bike Setup: | Avanti Hammer XC hardtail, Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Finally decided to upgrade the fork and after researching, decided on the R7 Super with remote lockout. Instantly noticed a huge improvement from previous old Manitou Magnum fork. Better dampening and greater travel was very evident. Felt very stiff and strong on the rough stuff. Installed the fork myself and realised that the 100mm travel fork made steering more sluggish and slow. Maybe should have chosen the 80mm travel instead as 100mm was more than enough for my style of riding and the fork never seemed to bottom out anyway. The longer fork also made the braided brake cable and calipers a tight fit. The remote lockout mechanism worked really well but can take a bit of time to adjust the cable. Be patient and experiement with the cable adjuster until you get it right (a bit of trial and error is needed). When in lockout mode, the fork virtual felt like a stiff fork. Very noticable improvement in uphill climbs, very fast and no bob at all! Overall, I'm very happy with the fork and would not hesistate to recommend it to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Racer
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Johns | | Strengths: | solid pedaling platform, plush travel (once SPV is off), laterally rigid, lots of adjustability, linear air-spring rate, no need to fool around with lockout levers | | Weaknesses: | narrow rebound adjustment (but fine for my weight/settings), wish i didnt get 'Hermida green' color from my sponsor | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX-R, SID Team, Lefty, Reba | | Bike Setup: | '06 Turner Nitrous, R7 Platinum, SRAM XO, Am Classic, egg beater 4ti, Kenda Rubber - 23lbs | | Bottom Line: | for a purpose-built 80mm race fork, this is the way to go. stiff as all get-out on the descents, pedals really well, spring rate is pretty linear (doesnt ramp up like a SID or Marazochi) so it feels like a long 80mm.
if you want a fork that goes fast - this is it! it doesnt feel really supple over little stuff, but hey, its an XC race fork. worth any small weight penalty over riding a SID world cup (save $300, too). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Bauer
a Racer
from NZ
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | naseby forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | looks trick, light, plush, 100mm | | Weaknesses: | clickit remote lockout will not unlock even when disengaged and unweighted. you have to get off the bike for about 2 minutes before it seems to come loose inside the fork leg and click out. can anybody help me? - it seems most people have the platinum model! | | Similar Products Used: | skareb super, duke race | | Bike Setup: | bianchi oetzi | | Bottom Line: | fork feels awesome when locked out for climbing and feels awesome and plush when you need the travel. but when it won't unlock and i need to go downhill it gets really annoying! once you start to hit bumps and the fork is still locked out this seems to make it jam even worse, only way to fix is to loosen the 2mm allen key bolt on the remote to slacken off the cable which you then have to force down inside the leg. only then does it pop back into place, unlocking the fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter
a Cross Country Rider
from carlsbad, ca, US of A
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | relatively light weight, stiff, good steering response, adjustable, nice /smooth/controlable damping. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | crappy old Judy SL | | Bike Setup: | Superlight w/ various | | Bottom Line: | a very good, set it and forget it XC fork. I have the 100mm Elite, not top of the line, but a great every day/ nothing fancy fork. A good match to my Superlights stable/quick/solid handling. I am defintely a better rider with this fork. 5 chilis for the perfect everyday working joes fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Papa Ganoosh
a Downhiller
from far far away
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | very good hook-up | | Strengths: | Stiff, smooth, light. | | Weaknesses: | Nit-picking, but the graphics. I would rather have paint than the decals. Not a big deal. I also have to fully remove the front axle, the dropouts don't let you just pull the front wheel out like normal. | | Bike Setup: | S-Works Epic, Next LP cranks, King headset, R7 Platinum | | Bottom Line: | Wow. This is possibly the best fork I have ever mounted on a short-travel bike. Very light, which is always a plus, but the best reason to buy this fork is the ride. The lowers and crown account for a surprisingly stiff fork, which helps to rail corners and hold a line in tech sections. When climbing and sprinting it feels completely rigid, when combined with the Brain on my Epic, I have a bike that accellerates insanely fast, and hammers on an XC trail...very fast and easy to keep speed. With 100mm of travel, it is also robust enough to handle all but the most technical of trails. On a recent trip to Moab, it shined even on the gnarliest of fast, rough sections. It felt bottomless and ate everything up just like a good fork should. Easy to set up, I experienced none of the clanking noise that others have complained of when the SPV is activated. Giving it a 5 on value because I got such a good deal, and 5 overall because it really is a superb fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Racer
from Macon, GA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Arrowhead Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech | | Strengths: | Stiffness, tracking, SPV | | Weaknesses: | Mysterioso out of the box. Takes some time to break in. You must be patient with the noise like a clunky headset, it will go away. | | Similar Products Used: | Skareb, Fatty | | Bike Setup: | HT | | Bottom Line: | Seems silly to review this thing twice, but things changed a little since the first review, things that I'd want to know before plunking down the cash.
Most notably, the clunky headset feeling and noise have disappeared. I guess it was just a break in thing, because now the fork is quiet and smooth in transition from the platform. Seems like everyone has experienced this trait, but for me at least, after two marathon-esque type races, one XC race and lots of riding, the clunk is gone. It has to be a break in thing.
Oh, after racing my singlespeed with the old Skareb on it the other week, I can say with renewed vigor that the R7 is an icredibly good steering and tracking fork. So-lid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
craig
a Racer
from visalia,ca.U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | extremely stiff, light and the best plattform i have ever pedaled. easy set up and very staight forward. | | Weaknesses: | the terrible clunking is driving me nuts. it works though, so i deal with it. | | Similar Products Used: | you name it, i own a bicycle shop and spend some serious amounts of time on a bicycle, working on and trying new products. | | Bike Setup: | santa cruz superlight. new s-type rear shock from manitou on the rear(best shock on the market for a race bike, period). | | Bottom Line: | i work on, sale and test, just about everything on the market. our shop specializes in custom bike builds(road and mountain). i have now installed and tested 4 of these forks. the first being on my own bike wich is my race bike. at first i thought it had a problem, fork has been sent in three times to address the clunking issue. i now am aware they all do this. i must say other than this issue, this is for sure the best race fork on the market. i am not saying i know it all but i feel with the technology now days this should not be an issue. i hope manitou address this, if they do they will have a great product. until then i will have to use another fork or use ear plugs. if you wanna save weight and go fast with no lockout(wich is way outdated) buy it. if you want a plush fork with smooth opperation, don't | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurgan
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very light, keeps your bike really steady, nice stylish decals | | Weaknesses: | Little bit of play in the legs, and it could use a bigger rebound adjustment range. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi MX comp air | | Bike Setup: | Viper Fatboy frame, R7 super lockout fork, Swinger 3-way shock | | Bottom Line: | It took me a while to get used to the play in the legs so the "loose head set" syndrome DOES happen with this fork while my Marzocchi didn't. It doesn't matter though, it's only noticeable on the road and that's not where this fork belongs.
The factory settings were almost perfect for me, slightly less pressure to soften up the ride a bit and the R7 ate all the bumps I could throw at it. They might as well have left away the lockout, I haven't seen the need to use it yet. The R7 handles heavy braking better than the Marzocchi which would compress quite a bit when slamming on the front brake.
So if you're like me (meaning that you're not technical enough to flow around many of the bumps) and you want a fork that'll smooth out your ride without costing you any power, this is the one. I can't give it 5 chilis because ther still is room for improvement, but the R7 is excellent value for money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Shenefield
a Racer
from Salinas, CA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | CCCX Course & top of the Goat | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Roaring Mouse Cycles | | Strengths: | I agree with the folks here. This is a killer fork. I had a SID World Cup for a few weeks and replaced it with this. I point this fork into the corner and it totally holds the line - no flex. It holds on the uphills and asphalt sprints and smooths out the rough stuff when you need it to. | | Weaknesses: | I agree that the initial set up is myterious but trial and error has revealed excellence. First do the sag and then adjust the right side SPV. That should do it. The tech guys were helpful. The "loose head set" syndrome I know happens on other forks (FOX 80 and 100X), and it really isn't a problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z3, SID World Cup. | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer X, mostly XT level components from an old Fisher (got rid of that too...). Chris King hubs and No Tubes rims. | | Bottom Line: | Get one if you want performance without worry and want to get in and out of the corners as fast as possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a
from Macon, GA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Arrowhead Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech | | Strengths: | Really good in the corners, can carve a really nice line. The SPV works in such a way as to let you forget about the fork almost entirely. I've yet to feel like I've bottomed it out. Seemingly solid build quality. | | Weaknesses: | Tuning is a bit mysterious, even with the provided literature. I still haven't quite found the golden mean between the platform and small bump eating. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Hardtail with the Cane Creek Double XC short headset. | | Bottom Line: | I went with the R7 instead of the Fox 100 RLT because after about a year or so of research into forks and a heartfelt desire for modern suspension, my made up, but impatient, mind was changed by a six week wait for the Fox. I know, ridiculous. Anyway, all the hype about the R7 over the course of '05 led me to think that the SPV version for a little less than the RLT might be the ticket.
So, I like it so far. I don't feel like I'm missing anything in the corners over my Fatty, which is saying a lot. The SPV works well, keeping the fork more or less locked on climbs, and as a result I've found myself climbing more aggressively. Descending is a pleasure as the fork moves smoothly through it's travel well.
It's the stuff between locked out climbing and the hard hits of downhill that are sort of elusive. I don't fault the fork, really. There have been days when the pressures I tried yielded a nicely supple ride, but the noise described by the review below, an initially offputting sucking click, made me think that I was doing something wrong. Well, apparently that's just the sound of the SPV valve doing it's thing, so I'll back track in my experimentation, drop the pressure, and learn to be lulled into a sense of security by the noise.
All in all, I think the fork is a winner. I mean, I am far from getting it broken in and not quite on the mountaintop in terms of tuning wisdom, but the level of efficiency climbing plus the control descending and cornering are remarkable. I am so very, very close to getting the thing sorted in the little stuff, and when I do, oh man.
This will make a killer fork on race day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Canyon Country, CA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike - $599 (current market Price) | | Strengths: | 1. Light - the fork weights 3.2 lbs for 80mm.
2. Snap valve SPV works like Fox Terralogic - automatic bob free pedaling.
3. Air spring
4. Independent air spring and SPV valves (2 valves)
5. Good build - hardware seems light but the quaily is good. | | Weaknesses: | 1. Moment the SPV activates, it feels like a loose headset and makes a small jerky noise which feels and sounds cheap but it is normal.
2. The dampening knob on the bottom of the right fork is short and flat unlike Fox which is hard to get a good grip and turn. Short turning range - less than 1 turn (revlolution) goes from min to max.
3. The fork manual did not come with the bike since it was so new.
4. No fork pump included with fork - additional purchase. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox F100X | | Bike Setup: | Trek OCLV 9.8 hardtail '06 also Trek OCLV 9800 hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | Since the fork was so new, Manitou did not probive a printed manual nor PDF from company web site. Initial ride was disappointing and extreme bob. After contacting for techsupport, the fork was set-up for the first time. To my surprise, no bob while pedaling so no lockout needed similar to Fox X forks.
The fork is one of the lightest XC forks and SPV valve eliminates induced bob. The fork has good build quality. I did not like the slight SPV activation clicking noise and feels like a loose headset but that is a normal activation fuction. That is the only negative aspect at this point. Will report a follow-up on personal performance experience at a later time.
As far as value goes at $599 at current pricing, it feels expensive but will depend on performance and reliability. No manual and fork pump will reflect the rating especially considering the price of the fork. However, the tech support was friendly and got the info I needed to get going. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M. Roach
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Sleek lines, Smooth travel, lightweight!! Super stiff | | Weaknesses: | None so far! | | Similar Products Used: | SID World Cup | | Bike Setup: | Salsa El-santo, XTR parts w/ FSA Carbon Cranks, FSA K-force carbon bars & posts, Hutchinson Pythons | | Bottom Line: | This is the best fork ever for cross country!! Pull off your rockshox SIDS and replace it with the R7 (still dont know what it stands for..but could care less) as its the best kick ass forks you could find. Without the wimpy sized forks (like the SIDs) and super stiff, stiff, stiff!! Simple setup, no fuss, no hassle, and above all ZERO FLEX!!! enough said. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne Harrison
a Cross Country Rider
from Napier New Zealand
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | HBMBC Eskdale | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Excellent quality feel. Very light but stiff enough to provide accurate tracking and cornering. On the fly compression adjustment with lockout works well. The fork feels plush over small bumps/roots and soaks up the big hits with ease. The adjusable rebound helps dial in the bike for optimal performance. Looks good in metalic silver. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | SID World Cup | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Avanti Competitor | | Bottom Line: | A big improvemnt over my 63mm SID's and they are damn good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carrie
a Cross Country Rider
from Pac NW
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | skinny dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | HGB | | Strengths: | Very light and stiff with Lockout. Smooth and great small bump with TPC. Tracks much better than other stupid light forks in tight switch-backs. | | Weaknesses: | Sticky from factory, fixed with quick replacement of open bath fluid to 2.5wt fork fluid. | | Similar Products Used: | Skareb, SID
| | Bike Setup: | 06 Epic Marathon, Stans Olympic/WTB wheels, Sram XO, Candy pedals, Truvativ cranks, Answer bar/stem, 24.4 lbs - blackout | | Bottom Line: | Very nice. Very light. Bottomless even on hard hits. Lockout. What else do you need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stanley Watson
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A. United states
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | North Shores | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$490.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light weight, stiff lower legs, new SPV platform, very stable at corner and steering, plush on small bumps | | Weaknesses: | Haven't got any yet! | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox SID race and team
Manitou Skareb Plantium
Fox F80X and F100RLT | | Bike Setup: | 05 Specialized S works Epic, fullset XTR, Crossmax wheelset, Kings headset, Fizik Gobi saddle | | Bottom Line: | F100RLT is my previous fork on the Epic, however it's a bit heavy for Xc racing, so once the R7 Plantium be availiable on the market, I go for a try. As I used Skareb Plantium before, it gave me excellent preformance and confident. And now the R7 just the same weight as the SID team, then why not go for a try? SID's weight! Skareb's preformance! It doesn't disappoint me, the new SPV snap is much better than the old SPV version. Small bumps reaction is back! If you want a light weight, stiff, preformance, stable fork, Manitou R7 won't disappoint you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
