Submitted by
Josh
a Downhiller
from Kelowna, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004
Strengths: This fork is fairly strong, thick all around, can handle the big hits, strong axel, nice setup.
Weaknesses: BIG, this thing is like 8 or 9 pounds, seals tend to go pretty easily, getting the rebound set right is tricky, 20 mm thru axel is tedious when constantly changing wheels.
Bottom Line:
This fork is big and heavy, but it makes up for it in strength. It's nice and sturdy, plush 6 or more inches of travel. You can lock in the axel nicely, but it takes a few minutes to get it on and off. I really like this fork, it got me around in one piece, it's saved me from many would-be face plants, and it'll take what you give it. Just make sure you keep the oil good, and the stantions clean, and the seals will last longer.
Submitted by
Glyn Morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from Woonsocket RI
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003
Strengths: Good build quality, plush after getting over initial stiction.
Weaknesses: I installed the fork on a San Andreas with a Ringle Slamma-Jamma headset only to find there is insufficient clearance between the tire and the lower crown/steerer clamp by almost 3/4 inch - crazy or what??
Bottom Line:
Check head tube length and headset height before buying!
Bike Setup: 02 San Andreas, stratos helix pro, Sun single track front, double track rear, Race face cranks, 2 ring setup with Blackspire Dewlie and XTR dr. SRAM rear dr, XTR 9sp shifters, hayes hydro's, easton seat post, Brooklyn machine works saddle, kooka stem, syncros bar. Replacement fork TBD :-(
Weaknesses: You can strip the bolts really easily and I had to send the forks back in to get new stanchions because the old ones snapped the fork is ok if you get it for free but save your money and buy a marzochi or rockshox there alot better investment that will last you for awhile, unlike bombshel who is to cheap to even greese up there fork for you when they send it back.
Bottom Line:
This fork is not one i could recoomend unless you get it for free these forks are not a very worthy investment if you must have a bombshell try some of there newer ones (i haven't tried them but people say there ok) but other wise go for a marzocchi or rock shox.
Similar Products Used: Rockshox Boxer Marzocchi Jr.T and Super T
Bike Setup: Specialized s-works
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Evan laudon
a Downhiller
from Weston, FL USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2001
Strengths: where to start? very big and rigid. the travel is plush for the entire 6 inches and never wants to bottom out. the rebound adjustability is the best i have ever used, even marzocchi. the 20mm clamp uses 4 bolts on each leg for maximum clamping preasure. the cnc work on the crowns, arch, and adjuster nobs are awesome. the fork can also fit the bigest tire on the market. i have absolutely no sticktion on my fork, i have no idea what the other guys are talking about.
Weaknesses: i blew the damper cardridge on my second ride. i took about a 7 foot drop and landed very badly. but precision billet, the company that makes bombshell, has the absolute top service department of any company i have ever dealt with. i shiped the fork to them and they had it fixed the day it arrived then shiped it the same day, free of charge. but other than the damper, i had to play around with my fender mount to make it fit over hte bottom crown( SOOO BIIGGGG)
Bottom Line:
i jsut wrote a really long message and hit the clear button by accident. i dont feel like writing hte whole thing over so. awsome fork, awsome tuneability, awesome service department. the botome line is you should have one
Similar Products Used: judy xl, SID XL, JR T, SUPER T, Shiver(which looks tiny compared to the bad betty), hanebrink G7, and others
Bike Setup: Cove G-spot bad betty 6 with 20mm purple hayes PX BMF rims 38.4mm wide dimesion front, PX goliath rear hubs IRC kujo DH tires azonic shorty/ pdw bars kooka razor dh crank titec bezerkr seat
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Huhman
a Downhiller
from Columbia
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001
Strengths: this fork kicks!!! it is soo ridged, and the stroke is so smooth. the stantions are huge! runs like a warm tub-o-butter. flame graphics make you go faster. turninig is phenominal.
Weaknesses: this word is not in bombshells dictonary.
Bottom Line:
this fork is soo cool if you buy one you wont regret it, it is worth every penney. the turning radius is a full 180 degreese. so buttery smooth and ridged. this thing is a dream to ride and jump. will take the harshness and can jump anything. BUY THIS FORK!!!!!
Weaknesses: weak damper problems bending and cracking sent back 3 times
Bottom Line:
it is a good fork for a less agressive and abusive rider but cannot handel what i through at it but for the price i paid you cant beat it. but i give props to pression billit for puting up with me and the rest of our team cause as they said were the only shop that sends them in constently and another one is on its way
Submitted by
luke remiasz
a Weekend Warrior
from chicago Il
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2000
Strengths: takes huge hits, is lighter than many others, the service is great,looks awesome and is availible with a crown mount stem.
Weaknesses: none that really affects you
Bottom Line:
I bought this fork because I liked their other products. It was awesome out of the box but I used it in cold weather so I needed to use huge tires but my brace didn't clear them(serfas 3 inch it clears others but serfas are actually 3.25) but I called them and sent it in they got it back out and now it kicks ass. It sounds really empty so occasional thunks from hits are normal. It has a better turning radius than any other fork an actual 180 not like marzocchi. The only complaint is sometimes there is stiction because you need to unscrew the caps and occasionally pour oil into the bushings to keep it buttery smooth otherwise it uses the old stuff up and slides up and down dry. Not a problem but something to know. So far its great if you buy one that is messed up some had a bad run of washers call bombshell and they will fix it. peace and ride hard
Bike Setup: balfa minuteman,truvativ cranks, doublewide rims on bobmshell hubs,xtr derailler,gustav m brakes,roox chainguide and bar,kenda kolossal tires,sharp pedals
Strengths: Very plush, excellent rebound, high tech cnc crowns.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.
Bottom Line:
Sweet, stiff fork that glides over the most horrendous terrain with out skipping a beat. I've hammered this fork since I took it out of the box and have been very impressed. The "beefy" look and cool flame grafix are an added bonus. If an excellent performer that's not main stream price is what your looking for, than this is an investment you won't regret. Buy it.
Strengths: Incredible machining/quality, super plush, super stiff
Weaknesses: little bit of play between legs
Bottom Line:
I DARE YOU TO TRY AND FIND ANOTHER FORK OF THIS LEVEL OF QUALITY, SUPER SWEET. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THOSE GUYS AT THE BOTTOM HAD OLDER MODELS, BUT MINE HAS VERY LITTLE OR NO STICTION. IT FEELS SUPER PLUSH, WITH ADJUSTMENTS THAT REALLY WORK. PLUS THE LEVEL OF STEERING QUALITY IS UNREAL. THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE LITTLE BIT OF PLAY IN THE LEGS. ADRENALINE BIKES HAS THEM FOR $399.00
Strengths: THE BETTY IS SUPER STIFF,VERY LOW MAINTENCE,SIMPLE AND STRAIGHT FOWARD ADJUSTMENTS THAT WORK!VERY PLUSH AND BOTTOMLESS FEEL. THE QUALITY OF THIS FORK IS SECOND TO NONE.
Weaknesses: BEEN ON IT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN!
Bottom Line:
I HAVE NEVER RACED A BETTER FORK! THE BETTY IS A VERY SERIUOS AND SOLID PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.THE FORK IS QUALITY,THE PEOPLE AT BOMBSHELL ARE QUALITY.IF YOUR LOOKIN' FOR A FORK THAT WORKS KILLER, STAYS TOGETHER, DOESNT'LEAK CRAP EVERY TIME YOU ABUSE IT OR THAT YOU DONT' HAVE TO TEAR DOWN ANY TIME IT GETS NEAR WATER, SNOW OR DUSTY CONDT.BUY THIS FORK!
Strengths: VERY plush, smooth, great tuning/adjustment options, low maintainence, looks WAY cool!
Weaknesses: not a #$%*&^ one; this fork is the bomb!
Bottom Line:
You want a rockin' fork? This is the one! I've been racing on this fork for about the past year and have been on the podium about every time out. Unlike other forks, the Betty truly has 6" of very plush travel with awesome tuning options. Besides, it also looks SO cool...I'm convinced that the red flames on the legs make you go FAST! Let's face it, Rock Shox and Manitous are like a**holes...everybody has one! We all want these handbuilt, boutique, non-mass produced disco sleds and then people ruin the whole thing by putting a mass-produced fork on the front? Go figure. Bottom line: Betty rocks. I'm giving her 5 red-hot flamers.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox Judys, Manitou X-vert
Bike Setup: Screaming red Intense M1 w/Hayes discs, Pro-Shift shifter, Race Face cranks, Maxxis High Rollers
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Fujioka
a Cross-Country Rider
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999
Strengths: Extremely stiff laterally. The steering precision that you gain with this fork blows away any Bomber or freeride single crown. The quality fabrication is second to none! The quality bumpers are appreciated especially when you crash while the tuning radius is not limited when you turn to the extremes. Overall the Bad Betty XC/DS is perfect for cranking hard turns while usable for XC if you are not too particular about weight.
Weaknesses: There is a large amount of sticion when the fork is new. The problem has gotten better but there is still some. I am using Mobil1 but I think I am going to try disassembling the fork like a previous reviewer and lubing it up with Slick Honey.
Bottom Line:
This fork has only one slight drawback and that is the stiction. If that one problem can be eliminated, I cannot imagine a fork I would rather ride while on a hardtail or short travel suspension bike.
Similar Products Used: WB DC118&SC90, Z1's, Judy 100's
Bike Setup: Mountain Cycle San Andreas w/ Hayes disk brakes, ESP 9.0SL, Race Face here and there.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John M
a Downhiller
from Littleton Colorado
Date Reviewed: October 6, 1999
Strengths: Looks
Weaknesses: cartridge dampening system
Bottom Line:
They look cool, but I blew the dampening cartridge in the second week I had them. They also have a lot of play in them. There is also a lot of stiction in them. At least they look good.
