Submitted by
chovens
a Downhiller
from Jackson, Wy, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008
Strengths: Well, I use to say great things about this fork, It is light. the seals are really good.
Weaknesses: It does dive, Manitou never has the correct spring rate for your 160-175 lb. rider available (which would be the heavy spring) the ti spring broke in 3 pieces on me. This is terribly unnormal inside a protected chamber. need more than just a gleek of oil damping
Bottom Line:
It does work o.k. if you can get the correct spring rate for your riding style. The seals are very bomber. Definitly can't complain about that. Fork does not feel stable like the boxxer, or shiver. Kinda scary in some situations.
Submitted by
Robert Bade
a Downhiller
from Esporles, Spain
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2006
Strengths: super plush, soaks up everything, doesn't dive, stiff, light (7 lbs)compared to 888 especially when mouting integrated stem, easy to adjust. Speed sensitive intrinsic damping is THE invention.
Weaknesses: damn its ugly.....rebound quite slow even on fastest setting (get new oil if you want it faster), bottoms out quite easily
Bottom Line:
Its biggest strength is the biggest weakness. It is super super plush and ideal for DH racing. However, it also soaks up jumps when you try freeriding (not something you want) and bottoms out quite easily on the landing. I would thus primarily recommend this as a DH fork because it is the closest you get to perfection. Boxxers get close but they flex more. However, if you are a freerider you should stick to Marzocchi 888's in my opinion. In short: Best fork out there with some drawbacks for freeriders, period.
Similar Products Used: Dorado, Boxxer, Shiver, 888, all
Bike Setup: Morewood Izimo DH, Revox... all the goodies to make it 39LB.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
eric T
a Weekend Warrior
from singapore
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2006
Strengths: stiff, easy in adjustment, come with stem, sensitive to small bumps. very good in the rough. come with ti spring and the latest tech for suspension!
Weaknesses: rebound is slow even on the fastest setting. a bit sticky. fork is abit on the narrow side, slightly wider would be even better for steerin. Tires clearance for the side is tight cos it narrow.
Bottom Line:
it took sometime for the fork to break in, after the break in, it very sensitive to small bumps, you don even feel much riding in the rough. Its the first time i'm tryin manitou fork. i'm very impressed with the performance. its very sensitive like the boxxer but with more control on rebound and no spikes. you could increase the bottoming resistance by turnin clockwise on the intristic knob. Ease in adjustment! and the best of all... it doesnt dive in corners, now i'm railing corners much faster and more confidence. By havin a travis, i think my front is not too high due to the extension of the lower legs at the axle, with 203mm in front. very well thought out design.
Similar Products Used: boxxer team 03, shiver 03, super t and jr t.
Bike Setup: cove peeler dh with shimano goodies.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
major alden
a Downhiller
from philippines
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2006
Strengths: very stiff and smooth. cushions well on landings. very lght and easy on adjustments
Weaknesses: none so far on performance. the dial knobs could use some sort of locks to prevent others from turning.
Bottom Line:
i retired my 888 to buy me a new fok. had to choose from a boxxer world cup and the intrinsic. The manitou was readilly available so i took it and man was i right in choosing it. as my best ride buddy arnel was grumbling with his oil bleeding boxxer i was all smiles on this ultra plush and super stiff Intrinsic. ill ride this fork on races for years to come and hope it withstands 'cause its not at all that cheap. highly recommended for racers.
Strengths: It is smooth sort of, however, it is sticky and no where close to marzocchi in the smoothness department. It looks like a ripoff marzocchi's Black stantions the rebound adjuster knob fell off after a few hours riding then I had to replace that under warrenty though. The stupid dropped down lowers also make the rebound knob vunerable, so it hit a rock and bent and broke the hex inside so few strengths there.
Weaknesses: Many...many...such as oil leaking out of the seals after having the fork for just over two weeks now, and, the stupid "quick relese" hex axel which wont grip properly on the hex axel unless you use an allen key anyway. Basically the people at Manitou are definatly NOT mechanically gifted and make really SH!!!@@#$#it forks not worth buying marzocchi are much much better or fox forx
Bottom Line:
Not worth the money...not reliable, not good looking, occasionaly work as you want, will break after a short period, will end up costing you more in time and money after they begin to go into decline after a few hours of riding...Please do yourself a favour, listen to me and do not buy these forks or any by Manitou please!
Favorite Trail: Most of the ones in Whistler and Fort William
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Purchased At: came on bike 2000
Similar Products Used: Marzocchi Drop off 3 fork...Marzocchi Shiver DC...Rock Shox Psylo SL...Marzocchi MX comp etc.
Bike Setup: Trek Session 77
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Submitted by
mike reiss
a Downhiller
from dove canyon, ca, us
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2006
Strengths: doesn't dive, very ajustable, pretty stiff, great for freeride and downhill.
Weaknesses: sticks a little, but they say it just needs to be broken in.
Bottom Line:
love it, it doesn't dive, stiff very ajustable. would definetly get one if in the market. personally i don't like marzocchi the travis feels way better! It is a great fork for free ride and downhill.
Strengths: stiff, predictable throughout travel, dosent't dive
Weaknesses: a little sticky at top of travel (limited break in time)
Bottom Line:
fork feels sweet with only about 10 hours of break in time so far and the word is they take a while. nice and stiff, they resist diving in turns. i love the dorado, when they were working and these feel better so far.
