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Submitted by
nick bayne
a Downhiller
from Newquay, Cornwall, UK
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed Y Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct with Dan | | Strengths: | The 'World Cup 7-10' is indestructable. The crown and overall manufacture is solid and it's really easy to strip and rebuild. If i can't be bothered an MX garage does it for me. Rode this all over Europe and UK (Including some big runs in The French Alps) and they have never let me down. Very smooth compression and return. | | Weaknesses: | Bushes have a tendency to slide (just hold them in palce with Blue Compound). I'm 5'10' and sometimes find them heavy but they are also huge so that's forgivable. Very tall. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzochhi, Rock Shox. | | Bike Setup: | If any of you seen Hanebrinks old website mine was the bike advertising the forks for years! Cortina DH, Hope, Race Face, Hand made Cortina Rims. Mint! | | Bottom Line: | I can't comment on the smaller Hanebrink forks. Don't buy these if you don't abuse what you currently have. These really do need treating hard to get the most out of them. Don't buy them if you are not strong enough to power a big rig with a little extra weight on the front. DO buy if you want a fork that won't break, if you're an agressive/strong rider and if you enjoy going fast downhill without worrying about 'that boulder' and bouncing off BIG drops trusting in Forks that will neither snap or bottom out, throwing you off (you're more likely to snap the headset from the frame) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesus Santiago
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx New York
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | vancortlant park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | some guy i met while riding | | Strengths: | god for my weight on the rebounds when landing | | Weaknesses: | lower crown i only rode the fork one day and the lower crown broke so im here to ask for some help and ask if anyone has any crowns to the fork i dont wanna buy a whole fork so if ya do email me jay4u2nv29@yahoo.com it would be great help thx | | Similar Products Used: | none i only rode my bike with it and my friends bike we had the same forks but after that i ahvent rode more downhill i been on just riding | | Bike Setup: | hanebrink 6"1/2 on a diamond back with 6" of rear travel | | Bottom Line: | im here trying to buy the piece and i recommend the fhe product eventhought mines broke the same day but maybe it had a crack or i made a mistake on teh set up but its good stuff lol | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesus Santiago
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx New York
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | vancortlant park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | some guy i met while riding | | Strengths: | god for my weight on the rebounds when landing | | Weaknesses: | lower crown i only rode the fork one day and the lower crown broke so im here to ask for some help and ask if anyone has any crowns to the fork i dont wanna buy a whole fork so if ya do email me jay4u2nv29@yahoo.com it would be great help thx | | Similar Products Used: | none i only rode my bike with it and my friends bike we had the same forks but after that i ahvent rode more downhill i been on just riding | | Bike Setup: | hanebrink 6"1/2 on a diamond back with 6" of rear travel | | Bottom Line: | im here trying to buy the piece and i recommend the fhe product eventhought mines broke the same day but maybe it had a crack or i made a mistake on teh set up but its good stuff lol | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesus Santiago
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx New York
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | vancortlant park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | some guy i met while riding | | Strengths: | god for my weight on the rebounds when landing | | Weaknesses: | lower crown i only rode the fork one day and the lower crown broke so im here to ask for some help and ask if anyone has any crowns to the fork i dont wanna buy a whole fork so if ya do email me jay4u2nv29@yahoo.com it would be great help thx | | Similar Products Used: | none i only rode my bike with it and my friends bike we had the same forks but after that i ahvent rode more downhill i been on just riding | | Bike Setup: | hanebrink 6"1/2 on a diamond back with 6" of rear travel | | Bottom Line: | im here trying to buy the piece and i recommend the fhe product eventhought mines broke the same day but maybe it had a crack or i made a mistake on teh set up but its good stuff lol | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesus Santiago
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx New York
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | vancortlant park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | some guy i met while riding | | Strengths: | god for my weight on the rebounds when landing | | Weaknesses: | lower crown i only rode the fork one day and the lower crown broke so im here to ask for some help and ask if anyone has any crowns to the fork i dont wanna buy a whole fork so if ya do email me jay4u2nv29@yahoo.com it would be great help thx | | Similar Products Used: | none i only rode my bike with it and my friends bike we had the same forks but after that i ahvent rode more downhill i been on just riding | | Bike Setup: | hanebrink 6"1/2 on a diamond back with 6" of rear travel | | Bottom Line: | im here trying to buy the piece and i recommend the fhe product eventhought mines broke the same day but maybe it had a crack or i made a mistake on teh set up but its good stuff lol | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesus Santiago
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx New York
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | vancortlant park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | some guy i met while riding | | Strengths: | god for my weight on the rebounds when landing | | Weaknesses: | lower crown i only rode the fork one day and the lower crown broke so im here to ask for some help and ask if anyone has any crowns to the fork i dont wanna buy a whole fork so if ya do email me jay4u2nv29@yahoo.com it would be great help thx | | Similar Products Used: | none i only rode my bike with it and my friends bike we had the same forks but after that i ahvent rode more downhill i been on just riding | | Bike Setup: | hanebrink 6"1/2 on a diamond back with 6" of rear travel | | Bottom Line: | im here trying to buy the piece and i recommend the fhe product eventhought mines broke the same day but maybe it had a crack or i made a mistake on teh set up but its good stuff lol | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlo montecillo
a Downhiller
from laspinas,philippines
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | joanne's trail tagaytay city | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | some guy | | Strengths: | loojks so good>>>.well if you guys take time to set the adjustment eventually you will be able to get the right setting for your riding.....25mm hub,stiff, plush and light. | | Weaknesses: | well the seals are kinda gay.... | | Similar Products Used: | marzoochi single crown forks..... | | Bike Setup: | black diamond hardtail...... | | Bottom Line: | if you are not happy with this fork go buy a boxxer,dorado,or a 888, but this fork only costs a fraction of these forks....thats the thing you should take note of. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg
a Downhiller
from uk
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | south downs, chilterns | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY RULES! | | Strengths: | looks, but thats not why i am here, can anyone help me, i need to know how to adjust these forks, i want to adjust the preload compression and rebound but without a manual have no clue how, any help would be great cheers
gregclarks@hotmail.com | | Bottom Line: | looks, but thats not why i am here, can anyone help me, i need to know how to adjust these forks, i want to adjust the preload compression and rebound but without a manual have no clue how, any help would be great cheers
gregclarks@hotmail.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Downhiller
from Stockton,UK
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Carlton Bank DH | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Very well built and sturdy fork, if it can handle me then its a good fork, im a big guy, and like to ride hard, i have done 6ft+ drops on these forks and they are fine, ridden them 3 times since i had them and had no problems at all. First thing i did when i got them is had some new seals made for them, by a friend. since fitting them the travel is buttery smooth and bottomless. | | Weaknesses: | The forks are Waaaayyyy long, thats the only problem with them, they make my sintesi feel like a hotrod! | | Similar Products Used: | Rckshox Boxxer Race's, 151's, Foes F1's, Marzocchi Monsters, Manitou Dorado's, 'Zocchi Shivers. | | Bike Setup: | Sintesi Bazooka 1998, Hanebrink LT-9, Magura Louise Discs, Alex DM24 rear wheel on deore disc, Mavic D521 on Hanebrink front wheel, Shimano 105 mech, Truvativ stylo SL cranks, Gigapipe SL b/b, DMR V12 magnesium pedals, Thomson Seatpost, 24/7 saddle, Tioga DH 2.3 Tyres, Amoeba DH bars, Will Longden MX grips, Suntour Shifter. | | Bottom Line: | These forks rock, once the seal problem was sorted, haven't leaked at all since, haven't blown the damper on mine and im 6'6" and weigh 195lbs, I ride hard, and make use of most of the travel, and my damper is fine, there is only one problem with hanebrink, and thats the customer service, so all you people moaning about broken dampers, get one made, its cheaper than buying one from hanebrink. Go to a local MX specialist and get them to service your forks, chances are they have all the bits to fit, that aren't hanebrink bits, trust me on that one. I would reccomend these forks to anybody, they are awesome, but need some weight behind them to power through the travel, thats why they are such good forks for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Butthead
a Downhiller
from Redding
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville DH | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Is Hanebrink still in business? I really don't know how since their products lack any strengths. Their forks look pretty nice until you ride one. I was stupid enough to buy a used bike with one of these forks. I thought it was the bomb cuz it had 9" of travel. WRONG!! I busted this fork so bad after less than a month of light riding. | | Weaknesses: | This fork really sucks because it doesn't eat up small bumps at all. In fact, mine was so stiff and unresponsive I forgot what a good fork feels like. Needless to say, after this fork broke, I bought a 2004 Marzocchi Jr. T and it is a world of difference- adjustable, sensitive to small bumps, no a gimmick design- truly a good product. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi,(I have owned 2 Marzocchi forks and I think they are awesome) Rock Shox. | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mt. RMX w/ 2004 Jr. T | | Bottom Line: | I thought about sending my fork to Hanebrink for repair after it busted but I was scared cuz there was no telling if it would break again a month later. These forks are poorly made- they appear to be tough and durable but it is soooooo basic and simply a gimmick.
I have NEVER seen any pros riding any of their junk and I think there is a reason for that. Get a real fork- Fox, Manitou, Marzocchi, Rock Shox- these companies will atleast stand behind their product.
Bottom line, Hanebrinks are sketchy- you will be worried about the fork breaking as you are riding- NOT GOOD. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Torquemada
a Downhiller
from Irvine. CA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Deaths Ugly Haed | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Test from Friend | | Strengths: | None Whatsoever | | Weaknesses: | No progressive qualities.
Completely blew both seals on 6' drop. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi. Manitou, Fox (you know...real forks). | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Norco DHR | | Bottom Line: | A true piece of shiite. No adjustment,no progression over small stuff, blew seals on a drop that my Marzocchi DJ II has done a hundred times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alvin Gratos
a
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct | | Strengths: | Looks tough, draws attention. That's about it. | | Weaknesses: | This fork has no sensitivity for small bumps. You basically have to be going full speed for it to compress. Even then the fork doesn't ride smoothly. It is very low tech, disappointing. Purchasing this fork was a mistake. | | Similar Products Used: | Boxxers, Dorado. | | Bike Setup: | Intense DH bike, all the goods except for fork. | | Bottom Line: | Here are my reasons NOT to buy this fork. I don't want anyone to make the same mistake I did.
1. Lack of adjustments
2. No one carries these forks- parts are impossible to come by.
3.Way over priced.
I am taking this thing off and selling it on ebay. Hanebrink makes garbage forks. I am race downhill and thought I would try this fork out cuz I heard some good things about it. However, the performance of this fork is horrible. It's very stiff and doesn't really eat bumps like a good fork. Kinda like riding a pogo stick on the front of your bike. DON'T BUY THESE FORKS. GET SOMETHING THAT WORKS GOOD, I.E. MARZOCCHI, MANITOU, ROCK SHOX- NOT A HOMEMADE POGO STICK AKA HANEBRINK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren G
a Downhiller
from Kings Beach
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | THIS IS AN UPDATE- AS YOU CAN SEE FROM MY REVIEW BELOW I HAD SOME POSITIVE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THIS FORK UNTIL I BLEW THE DAMPENING OUT LAST NIGHT RIDING SOME SINGLE TRACK. THIS FORK CAN'T HANDLE ANY ABUSE. I WAS RIDING ALONG AND HIT A ROCK AND THE DAMPENING BLEW UP. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THE SAD THING IS IF I CALL UP HANEBRINK, THEY WILL TRY AND CHARGE ME FOR PARTS WHEN ITS CLEARLY A PRODUCT FAILURE. | | Weaknesses: | EVERYTHING- FRONT WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO REMOVE AND PUT BACK ON, DAMPENING WILL BLOW BECAUSE THIS FORK IS DELICATE AND PRISSY. IT MAY LOOK TOUGH BUT I RODE MY OL' MARZOCCHI 4" TRAVEL FORK SO HARD- I WOULD BOTTOM IT OUT ALL THE TIME AND IT NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. | | Similar Products Used: | RIGID FORK, POGO STICK. THIS FORK IS ONE OF A KIND- THERE IS A REASON NO BIKE SHOPS WILL CARRY IT- IT WILL BREAK EASILY, UNRELIABLE- UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. | | Bike Setup: | BULLIT | | Bottom Line: | AT FIRST I TRIED TO GIVE THIS FORK A CHANCE. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE DISSED THIS FORK SO HARD AND THEN I FOUND OUT FOR MYSELF WHY MANY PEOPLE HATE THIS FORK. BOTTOM LINE: I WOULD RATHER HAVE A FORK WITH LESS TRAVEL THAT IS RELIABLE THAN A FORK THAT CLAIMS 9" OF TRAVEL YET IT BREAKS UNDER NORMAL USE. I GUESS I WILL CUT MY LOSSES- I AM NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER FIXING THIS FORK UNLESS I CAN DO IT MYSELF AND NOT SPEND ANY MONEY.
THESE FORKS SUCK. THEY WILL FEEL PLUSH FOR A WHILE BUT ITS SCARY HOW UNRELIABLE THEY ARE MADE.
DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT BUYING ONE- GET A MARZOCCHI OR ROCK SHOX- THERE IS A REASON NOT ONE TOP RIDER USES A HANEBRINK FORK- THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren Gee
a Downhiller
from Tahoe
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | TRT, Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | Pretty Plush, light, turns heads. | | Weaknesses: | Its a pain to take the tire off- one leg is longer than the other, you have to manually compress the leg with the spring to put the tire back on- basically you are screwed if you are in the middle of the woods with a flat. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi- MXR only 4" of travel but a nice fork. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit- set up for DH/Freeride | | Bottom Line: | Does anyone have any suggestions on this fork? I bought it with a used bike. It's plush, but I don't know how to adjust it. Also, it is stiff as hell! You really have to throw some weight on the fork or ram it into a huge rock to even get the fork to compress. I weigh 175, 5'10" and the fork just doesn't seem to have the plush feel with other forks in the same price range such as the Monster T or Triple 8 Marzocchi. Please email me if you know how to make this fork feel better.
tahoehouser@aol.com Thanks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren
a Downhiller
from Tahoe CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast w/ jumps, drops | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | This fork is stiff and light and has a ton of travel. I really haven't had a chance to abuse it yet but I just hope I don't experience any of the problems other reviewers have sighted. At first, the fork felt like it was sticking up and not working right. After lubing the legs a little it worked a lot better, super plush. | | Weaknesses: | A lot of work just to change a flat tire (8 screws). Not as many adjustments compared to other forks in this price range. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit, XTR Drivetrain, Hayes 8", Doublewide 24",LT-9 Hanebrink, Azonic stem & bars. | | Bottom Line: | Well, apparently a lot of people who reviewed this fork are just to extreme and badass for it. Maybe not my first choice, but it came on the bike I purchased. Don't believe the hype and negativity. This fork is lightweight, a ton of travel and good for both freeride and downhill.
I plan on doing regular maintenance as I usually do for my entire bike on a weekly basis so I don't anticipate any problems. Bottom line, it's super plush, strong, light and looks pretty badass. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SINSTAR
a Downhiller
from Denver CO
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Big stantions, easy to do self maintenance, light and thats about it!! | | Weaknesses: | No oil bath!! Freakin lower stantions get loose after a few rides, bigtime flex, stiction out the A$$!! Customer service SUCKS!!! | | Bottom Line: | This fork sucks big time if I payed full price for this piece of crap Id freakin shoot myself!! Make sure u buy a year supply of slick honey because your gonna need it!! There is no oil bath and after every freakin ride I have to add more slick honey talk about stiction damn. The customer service sucked big time. I ordered a new rebuild kit (not included dampner) and an Ind Standard brake hanger and it cost me freakin 155 bucks and the worst part was the damn kit was used no sh@# not even bran new some of the bushings didnt even fit! Do yourself a favor and buy from a manufacture that stands by there product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Monica, CA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | PLUSH, deep travel. Rigid. LIght. Low-maintainence. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Parts are hard to come by. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cheeta Prowler built up light. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great fork. I know because I've now ridden two LT-9s. The fork itself is responsive and bottomless in its travel. This is having your cake and eating it too, in my opinion. I don't know what all the complainers are talking about. Get this fork, keep it serviced and you'll love it. Works great as a freeride fork because its so light. The only drawback is customer service. Dan Hanebrink is a well-intended, brilliant engineer, but he doesn't understand business and doesn't understand customers' needs. I took my LT-9 in for service to an LBS that is also one of the biggest Hanebrink dealers/distributors in the world. This was in mid-July, 4 months ago! I still don't have the fork back. Fortunately the LBS owner is a cool guy and gave me his LT-9 to ride till mine was serviced. I'm still riding his fork, which is how I've come to have experience with two LT-9s. They are both great forks. If Dan could run his customer service better, this fork would rule! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Big Bear Cal
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Your mamas white cottons | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop dude | | Strengths: | You can use this fork to wipe crap off your shoe. And stab yourself with the broken pieces after first ride. | | Weaknesses: | This fork is a piece of junk. If you ride it in the parking lot it will blow apart before you coast to your local Target. | | Similar Products Used: | Everything else is better! | | Bike Setup: | Downhill, Foes. | | Bottom Line: | Dan Hanbrink should be put down like a rabbid dog. He makes Osama Blowme look good.Worst thing every manufactured in the world. Give this fork to your worst enemy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Some Fool
a Racer
from Big Bear mountian
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | sucide death trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$666.00 | | Purchased At: | Same van in the dark alley everyone else gets theres from. | | Strengths: | I don't know what that Top dog guy is talking about. I tryed to kill an angery Elephant with my fork and the Elephant kick my ass and ate my fork.... | | Weaknesses: | Fill this bad boy up with cemet and all the animals will run. This is the best fork on the planet. I am always on first on race day. Get one for your dog she will love it. | | Similar Products Used: | all the old rusty forks you see at Value Village and the Good Will | | Bike Setup: | My mom won't let me ride a bike, so my pet rabbit"jack"plays with my fork.. | | Bottom Line: | This fork rules!!!!
and for the skinny girl, you better start eating and get fat.
Thanks for reading this. My bunny loves you | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Riley
a Downhiller
from Cali
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tunnel in Auburn | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | bought with the bike | | Strengths: | Ok as the only GIRL who has reviwed this fork the LT-9, I have to say I love this fork! Its light, It's stiff, and it works pretty well if your a lighter rider. Its plush and fairly responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Ok after so many people blow the damper, isnt the company supossed to do something to make the thing different and work right. Well I let my brother(6'3", 195 pounds) and he blew the damper. I've heard horrible things about there costumer service but maybe i'll be suprised. Im so light (108 pounds) I havent had any problems with bent legs or anything, that would really suck! | | Similar Products Used: | RS Boxxer, Mon T | | Bike Setup: | Santa S8, LT-9 | | Bottom Line: | Its a good fork if your a light rider. I so would have my friends ride on this fork as long as they dont live in oregon or northern california or the east caost like virgina or anything like that, or england. Yes it is a high mantinence fork but arnt all forks to some extent. I've ridden on boxxers and this fork perfoms a lot better than the boxxer I rode. These forks need a little TLC but if you take care of it its a nice fork! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Downhiller
from munich, germany
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | light, looks great | | Weaknesses: | poorest quality ever seen, spares | | Similar Products Used: | RS Boxxer, Votec USD, Marz. Shiver/MonsterT | | Bike Setup: | MC San Andreas (modified to 8" of Travel), DMR Cranks, Azonix Bar/ Stem, Sun 2wide 24",... | | Bottom Line: | When I got this fork, I was really surprised, how such a backyard- manufactured "thing" could ever be sold here in Europe. After the first Rideout the cartige blew out and could never be fixed since. The man on the lathe doing the seals must be blind!!!(What is quality control???) 2 Months later the left Leg cracked because of the bent brakeadapter.
After I got a new tube (this took about 4 Months because there is no service here in europe) the spring-rod inside the right Leg broke underneath the Top Cap because of a sharp egde from the Thread! Unbelievable!
As a Student I really don`t have enough money to buy a brandnew fork every season- but one thing`s for sure: I will never ever buy an american- manufactured fork again! Some people don`t seem to know what is ment by "tolerances"
Sorry but this fork is der allerletzte Scheißdreck!!!
This fork is good for posers- but thats it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew
a Downhiller
from arcata ca
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | tunnel trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | some guy | | Strengths: | very light and strong | | Weaknesses: | needs frequent maintence in wet conditions | | Bike Setup: | mountain cycle shockwave,hayes,xtr cranks sun doublewides etc.. | | Bottom Line: | i havent had these forks for long but if u clean em they work perfectly...ive taken some huge drops (15 ft +) and havent had anyproblem nice and sommoth as long as u keep them clean very easy to work on | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sean c
a Downhiller
from parklane fl usa
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | mag | | Strengths: | low price | | Weaknesses: | breaks way to easy, i live in FL and had to send it back twice. Will not warrenty bent leg(s). | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | 6' travel, profile cranks, mrp, azonic hammer, xt disc, thomson post, 321 mavic | | Bottom Line: | for a beginer it is a good inexpensive suspension fork. Someone who actullay races or freerides, not a good idea to ride, unless dan sponsers you and is replacing the fork after each ride | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Top Dog Racer
a
from Green lake, Seattle
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | strait down mount everest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Kmart blue light sale | | Strengths: | These forks are pretty strong. I've killed 5 squarels, 4 rabbits, and 1 jackass with them. They are still straight. They look beatiful hanging over my prize catch's. | | Weaknesses: | They work just fine as long as you use them on flat ground. | | Similar Products Used: | monster T, foes'F1, jurnor T, huffy T, and finally a head shock. | | Bike Setup: | Custom cast iron downhill bike, with 25 inche in rear, with 3 Avalances shocks, and soild iron cranks and petals. Soid hard rubber tires"never flat" and custom paint job "picture of Brittny Spears". Bike wieghs a cool 150;lbs, thats why I need a light shock like the Hanebrink. | | Bottom Line: | I had a volvol and I reck it and they gave me a new one. So what is the guy below me talking about. The only reason you guys break your forks is because you haven't welded them shut yet. Take out the dampner and springs and fill it with lead, then weld the sliders shut. The forks will be full proff and last you forever............
Brittny Spears rocks..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Strengths: | Looks good, works well after being set up and sorted out... Hanebrink provided good customer service for me, at least. | | Weaknesses: | A little flexy, needs more maintainence than some (but less than others) | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z-1, Boxxer | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullitt, Hayes, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I blew out the damper on the second ride. I took the fork apart and fixed it myself, and haven't had any trouble since. I really don't understand some of the complaints that I'm hearing here: "I crashed and bent mine, and Dan won't give me a new one", stuff like that. Why should he?!! Would the same logic apply to an automotive product? If I go crash my Volvo, do they owe me a new one, because mine got bent?
Back on course. These take some patience to set up properly, but once they are they provide a great ride. I've had mine for about 8 months, and have had only minor trouble with it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GS
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Weighs only 4.75 pounds !! Simple design. Over size legs give bike a very aggressive look. Simple and easy adjustment of rebound and compression on top of right leg. Replacement springs are inexpensive. About 7 inches of travel. Affordable. | | Weaknesses: | This fork has taken me 3 months to get dialed . Requires
TLC ( cleaning ) but you should do that any fork you buy. Needs a threaded axle to put side-load on the hub. Hannebrink should pay more attention to detail. | | Similar Products Used: | Shiver, Boxxer, Jr T | | Bike Setup: | Brodie Diablo | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 2001 G7 fork
It has taken me 3 months to get this fork working to an acceptable level of performance.
The fork came with a stiff spring(black) and red elastomer bumpers in the spring side. ?? As a result, the fork had no rebound and would pack up under braking and rapid bumps....not good! Constantly bottomed it out ! This lack of rebound was a serious problem.
Worked with a black and a blue spring combo less the elastomer and things got allot better. Used the elastomer for preload spacers and they actually work well. I weigh 180lbs and this combo works for me for general free riding.
Heavier rider or big huck riders should use two black springs.
Discovered that the fork was trapping air during compress. It would blow lube out the seals as it tried to get the air out of the legs and would create a vacuum on rebound. To compensate for this I drilled out the spanner holes on the legs top caps allowing air to be released and drawn-in during opperation. This fixed the problem and made the fork very plush with no stickiness. I could not believe how much it changed the performance of this fork.
The thru axle is secured only by two-pinch bolt on the bottom of the dropouts. I discover that the legs would spread and create play in the front hub, due to side loads on the wheel, cured this by threading the axle and using bolts to put side load on the hub. It works great, no more play in the front hub.
I would hate to be the customer who buys the fork expecting to ride it problem free , out of the box. These flaws should be addressed at the factory and not put on the consumer to figure out and repair. (Sorry Dan, just being honest.) Especially in a market where there are very good forks in the $700 category with the same amount of travel... i.e. 2002 Jr T.
In closing, I would say I'm pleased with the performance of the fork only after the mods I had to do. It's a very simple fork to maintain and doesn't require extensive rebuilds, like other expensive forks on the market. Very plush , lots of fun. Good fork.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a Downhiller
from Modesto, CA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Huge Legs, look sooooooooo sweet. Really stiff, really light, lots of plush travel | | Weaknesses: | Lack of adjustabilty. There are compression and rebound the top of the left leg, which is good, but it's no stratos or monster T when it comes to adjustability | | Similar Products Used: | Monster T, 99 Boxxer, 00 Carbon X-Vert | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Super 8, 8" hayes, Mavic D321, kooka cranks, the works | | Bottom Line: | It is a good fork. I would recomend it to my friends. To the guy below ho complained about the leg being hollow, well hello dumbass, why do you think it weigh less than 6 pounds. The PHD damper is a high quality unit, I have heard that is is built by white bros., but not for sure. Anyway, good stiff, light fork with lots of travel. Really sucks up the big hits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAVID FRANCIOSY
a Downhiller
from NORFOLK ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ASTON HILL DH 3 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$690.00 | | Purchased At: | MOUNTAINCYCLE UK | | Strengths: | LIGHT AND STRONG AND YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE SO STRONG TO LIFT THE FRONT END UP(UNLIKE SOME OTHER U.S.D FORKS) | | Weaknesses: | DO NOT LIKE THE UK WEATHER,NOT VERY EASY TO SET TO YOUR WEIGHT,LEG GUARDS DID NOT FIT THE | | Similar Products Used: | Z1 MCR UD 150 | | Bike Setup: | TURNER RFX 6 "TRAVEL HOPE HUBS&BRAKES RACEFACE,MR DRIT GIZMO.AZONIC SEAT,DX PEDALS,XTR R/MECH FOX REAR SHOCK | | Bottom Line: | I HAD TO SEND THE FORKS BACK TO DAN SO THAT HE COULD HAVE A LOOK AT THEM AND SORT ANY PROBLEMS OUT .HE ALSO SAID THAT HE WILL SORT OUT THE LEG GUARDS FOR ME AND MY FRIENDS WHICH TO ME IS VERY GOOD SERVICE FROM THEM WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE THIS IN THE BIKING WORLD??? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Downhiller
from LasVegas Nevada
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | well it is Light if that is a strength? When you have a small crash the legs twist up? | | Weaknesses: | The brake mount for the Hayes breaks flexes so much when the fork is compressed and you are on the breaks it grabs the plastic bushing out of the upper leg. It also causes so much leverage that it ends up bending the lower leg at the end of the threads. Can you say flex. Try to do a nose wheeley and it feels like it will break in half. | | Similar Products Used: | Monster T, Shiver, Avalanche, Boxer, just about every fork in the world. | | Bike Setup: | I had a Disco Volante but because my HANEBRINK LT 9 Exploded on me and they would not warrenty it I sold the frame and am moving to a TMX. | | Bottom Line: | Here is the low down on this fork. IT SUCKS!!!!!! Ok dont get me wrong it dose feel good sometimes. It is easy to clean and lube, and it is light. But the bad stuff outweighs the good. First off the damper blows up so easy. The first time I sent it back and they fixed it. As soon as I rode it the next time it blew again. I ended up getting used to riding it with a blowen dampner. (kind of like a pogo stick boing, boing, boing). Next If you crash hard once, you might as well throw it away or make a two chamber bong out of it because the legs will bend. I had a not so bad crash at plattekill got up and the legs were bent to hell I sent it back to them and tell me I have to pay for it. Needless to say I will not pay for that sh_t I would rather put money towards a new fork. So today I received my broken ass fork back and it reall pissed me off. Personaly I dont think they should marketing this for to downhill riders it is just not safe and can not take the abuse a rider puts on it. You could get seriously hurt by having this fork fail on you. I am very disappointed in this fork (LT 9) as well as the company for lack of everything. They need to take some pointers from companys like Avalanche and Marzocchi. This fork SUCKS and so does the COMPANY. If I could give a negative rating it would be -100000000 HANEBRINK SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (so bad) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cuzzin Dave ~
a Downhiller
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | On line | | Strengths: | LT-8.......
Nukes itself well..... | | Weaknesses: | WHAT is all the hype about? JUNK!!
I bought these used (LT-8) from a seller on the net. I took them out of the box and thought, "hmmmmmm,....light, just like I heard about". Well, OPEN The fork legs up and peer inside! Hellooooooo-o-o-o,....NOTHING in there! You have GOT to be joking!! These are the most PRIMATIVE pieces of doo-doo I have ever seen. NO internals,.....just some LAME PHD dampener cartridge in one leg that doesn't feel like its doing anything - and that's when it isn't BLOWN. Springs are held down by the screw on caps....LAUGHABLE!
I have been racing motorcycles (Motocross, road, name it) for 15 years and have taken apart just about every fork made....I have never seen anything like this. It looks like late 60's Czechoslovakian technolgy - real iron curtain chit - perhaps worse! | | Similar Products Used: | 1981 Cagiva WMX pre-inverted fork (Spring in one leg - dampener in the other).......Penton,...1971. | | Bike Setup: | Everything MINUS this fork.......
Shockwave, 2001 BOXXER, Deemax wheels, Race face ISIS, KORE platforms, HAYES, Thompson, etc etc....... | | Bottom Line: | Want a BIGGER laugh?? (The following is TRUE and really happened)........
Just CALL Hanebrink ('ol Dan) then you will really and truly understand whom and WHAT you are dealing with....I phoned Hanebrink to order another dampener (blown) and to ask about the LINEAR rate of the travel and STICTION I was experiencing. I wanted to rebuild them to see if I could get them to run better and do you know what he recommended? He gave me this "secret formula" (Buckle up, you may fall off your chair) - he told me to mix Vaseline Petroleum Jelly with Motor oil, "..in a 2-3 ratio" (Like "ratio" would make a difference!!) IN TEARS!! yeah, all the "Big" manufacturers really missed the obvious....forget that anti-foaming, high tech nonsense, just fill your fork legs with motor oil and Vaseline (!!).....I meant to ask if KY jelly would make it even more stiction free.
It was this unbelievable level of "back yard engineering" that had me reselling these forks in less than 3 weeks. It is not a product I would ever consider messing with. BOXXER and Marzocchi are seen used on the major bike brands and teams for a reason. It is not just about "Corporate image", it is a better product | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WOLFMAN
a Downhiller
from British Columbia
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | your mom | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | mb racing | | Strengths: | One thing you can count on with these forks is that you will survive IF and only IF you have the fork setup for your style and wieght. This may take a few rides and a dismantle to get your fork down, but hey thats the fun of suspension. It was a big help when i set the fork up just under my wieght with spacers, then played with the preload bolt on the top of the leg. This alowed me more room to fine tune to my style, rather than to how much squish the fork had by just pushing on it in the shop.I dont know about that chester at the top that said these forks were flexy. Im sorry bud but do a comparison against other forks. I race downhill in B.C. and up against all other inverted forks they are the stiffest. Sure they aint no Monster T but there close. | | Weaknesses: | Yes, Yes I know they take a lot to maintain. Go read the reviews on the Boxxer Pros or any other downhill fork. Even a freeride fork. The serious riders that want serious results take there fork apart constantly and are always cleaning and lubing after every ride. The Hanebrink fork is no exeption on the list of things to do(though after a long ride or a week of riding who wants to take apart their fork). One nice thing with the Hanebrink is the ease of maintance. I see many people complaing about the quality and the technology with these forks. I have to say that Hanebrink is top quality with what they build, but the low tech approach compared with the price can be alot to swollow. This is probably due to the small operation of Hanebrink. I think they do a world class job with such a small footprint compared to the big guys. | | Similar Products Used: | Monster T(my arms were huge with that fork: ),Boxxer,Super T
Z 1, Shiver, Superstar 8, White Bros invert
| | Bike Setup: | Hanebrink World Cup 10',Lenz Sport Pro Descender, 26 frnt, 24 rear, Down Hill setup | | Bottom Line: | Okay this is were every body gets really pumped about their fork, or the rude boys bash everything till you dont want to hear them whine anymore. I think we should get MR. T(dude from the A-team) to be the mediator for the Reviews. We have him a the top of the page and if the products getting a $hitty review, he'll be up there all...I PITTY THE FU THAT BUYS THIS...hehe yaa well i thought it would be funny dammit. Anyways guys and gals if your looking for a fork that can huck, race, and be light and stiff at the same time this is your fork. Me im gonna say that im not really impressed with the price but in the end everybodys gotta pay or you get a sponsor(and what a life that would be). I warn you though, this is not a fork for the faint or hart. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ace ae
a Downhiller
from olumbia falls, montana, usa
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything rideable, and some not. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Easy | | Strengths: | can handle anything in its path, takes drops without a problem, easy to work on. 12' to flat on concrete, no problem. light(for 7") | | Weaknesses: | needs a lot of maintinance, squeeks every once in a while, stops when you lube the bushings. | | Similar Products Used: | rst, boxxer, z1 | | Bike Setup: | '99 mx3 frameset, 2001 swingarm. xt, redline profile cr-mo cranks. | | Bottom Line: | worth every penny, and the little bit of maintinance it takes to keep it working smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blind Speed Racer
a Racer
from Green lake, Seattle, Earth
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The alley behind the police station. The supermarket parking lot. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | From a dark Van in the alley | | Strengths: | Nice and nosy, flexes alot, breaks easy, wheel not centered | | Weaknesses: | Has known that I know of. | | Similar Products Used: | White brothers, Marrzoic, K-Mart specials | | Bike Setup: | Value Village frame, rusty rims, with bald tires, no brakes, and a little white basket in front. | | Bottom Line: | These are the badest forks around. There good for making bongs out of them, street fighting weapons, crack pipe, or even golf clubs. They are light. They work well, when they do work. Any baffon can take then apart and fix them. They were hot at Big Bear mountain a few years ago, now they are hasbeens. You will still see them in Southern Californa. You guys take shi_ behind Dan Hanbrinks back, but I bet you can't bet him in a race.
Top Dog Racer | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew lane
a Downhiller
from humboldt county
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hsr,bigfoot | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | cal bikes | | Strengths: | HUGE BOULDERS, NO PROB. BIG DROPS, NO PROBLEM. MY FORK FEELS SILKY SMOOTH NO STICTION BUT OF COURSE I KNOW HOW TO WORK ON MY OWN BIKE | | Weaknesses: | FEELS FLEXY FOR AN INVERTED TRIPLE CLAMP.HANEBRINK THE COMPANY.MAINTANANCE(IF YOUR A WHINY LITTLE BTCH WITH NO MECHANICAL SKILLS).THE PRICE. | | Similar Products Used: | BOXXER, MARZOCHI | | Bike Setup: | 00' LOBO HAYES RACE FACE MRP MAVIC | | Bottom Line: | THIS FORK PERFORMS VERY WELL IF YOU TAKE CARE OF IT. LEVELS ANYTHING IN ITS PATH.I HAVE RACED IT ON JUST ABOUT ALL TERAIN IN CAL WITH NO PROBLEMS ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT PERFORM AS WELL IN THE WETNESS OF HUMBOLDT.I GOT MINE NEW FOR 400 BUCKS AND THINK 1200 IS WAY TOO MUCH FOR THESE FOKS.NOT AS PLUSH AS AS OPEN BATH FORK BUT AS LONG AS YOU GO FAST THIS FORK CAN MOB OVER ANYTHING | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont: Worldcup | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | some other dude here | | Strengths: | Well...it's inverted, the hub is strong...it has external damping (but every other fork has that too!...I can't think of anything else | | Weaknesses: | Here goes:
- Weak crowns! (the fork twists like crazy and they don't cover enough area on teh tubes)
- Weak tubes! (when you're really pi$$ed off the fork twists, you end up tightening the crowns a lot and I ended up compressing the tubes so that I couldn't get full travel)
- Old technology (that damper was made 4 years ago)..the whole internal mechanism in both legs are very very old.
- Disc brake adapter is flexy (look closely at yours!)
- Seals suck (wait, there are no seals, just a couple of plastic bushings), luckily the neoprene boots kept the junk out.
- Can't fit 3.0 tires (3" tires are pretty much mainstream but with this fork, the tire comes dangerously close to the lower crown...enough that it might launch you.
- No external rebound adjustment and no preload adjustment.
| | Similar Products Used: | SS8, Boxxer | | Bike Setup: | It WAS a K2 Animal DH but I'm getting something bigger. | | Bottom Line: | If you're just playing around and not doing crazy heavy stuff, these might work for you. Oh, one thing to keep in mind is that these forks shouldn't be used by heavier people (175 pounds and up). With that kind of weight and heavy riding, the fork will fall apart underneathe you. What really annoys me is that constant use of old technology and they're still selling these forks at prices comparable to Monster T's and Super Star 8's. Hanebrink charges a crap load of money for flimsy replacement parts (like upper tubes- $40 each!!). I mean, compare the LT-8 fork crowns to other forks...these are cheap and thin. No wonder the fork twists around. Ask around and you'll hear a lot more negative than positive things about these forks. If you can get the LT-8 at around $300 with hub from someone and it's not too beat up, that's not too bad but anything higher than that, forget it. At that point I'm sure you can find an extra $100 and get a used 99 Monster T or something. Overall, I had problems with this stupid thing but it's still 'worked' half the time so 2 flamin' horses for my overall rating and 1 flamin' horse because it's cheaply made and I'm sure Hanebrink knows that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from calgary
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | some dude on here | | Strengths: | Seemingly endless travel absorbs almost every thing keeping you on the bike more and in control | | Weaknesses: | well i just got seals and bushings from hanebrink for free yes for free i dont know what the other crack heads were talking about but sounds like a sweet deal to me | | Similar Products Used: | rockshox judy xl, boxer, jr T and a Z1 | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher with homade bracket giving it 8 inches of travel
hanebrink LT8, gazz and kujo, hayes, and other goodies | | Bottom Line: | i dont see why the stupid bumdarts below are constantly bashing this fork i agreee if you hit something hard it makes a kinda chong if you dont land quite right but thats just the spring inside bumping the side of the tube. other than that this fork rocks it takes drops with ease soaks up every thing i cant be happier
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Downhiller
from Salt Lake City,UT
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$635.00 | | Strengths: | This is a great general fork for downhill, freeride, and even cross country. You can even up grade it from 5 to 7 inches of travel. | | Weaknesses: | the crown is too weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Hanebrink XC fork | | Bike Setup: | downhill | | Bottom Line: | this is a great fork for a beginner to an expert rider and up. If you really like it you can upgrade it to 7 inches of travel so it is a downhill race fork. It is butter smooth and rides tremendously. It is a very low maintenance fork and is inverted so you can only use disc brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from NY
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Death drop | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR | | Strengths: | Big, Bad fork. Looks great. 8" travel | | Weaknesses: | You need to clean it more than some other forks. | | Similar Products Used: | Monster T, Psylo xc, X-vert R, Boxxer. | | Bike Setup: | Gt Lts with hope disks and all tx. | | Bottom Line: | I like this fork. I have used the Monster T and it is nice but the 10 lbs was a killer. I use this as a free ride bike and this fork is sweet. It dose need to be lubed often but it is no problem to do it. If you are pure DH go for the Monster but if you like to free ride and DH this fork rules! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hans
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR marketplace | | Strengths: | Stiff, good travel, stictionless | | Weaknesses: | Maintenance and Rebuildability, must clean often, can't rebuild cartridge on your own, not easily tuned (ie no rebound knob) | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z1, Jr T | | Bike Setup: | Mountain Cycle San Andreas DHS, Triple ring, all the regular goodies, Hayes discs | | Bottom Line: | Decent fork, seems to work well, I don't think it deserves the bashing every poser here does, else they would have the balls to give their real email address. I am using it more for freeriding, and it weighs way less than the Z1 bam with disk that I took off to replace it. Granted, I am still tuning it, but for the cash I spent, it was a worthwhile upgrade (others may not think so). It just laughs at football sized rocks, which, for where I ride, there are plenty. I am still working on getting the rebound dialed in, just can't seem to get it right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Some Sucker
a Downhiller
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Inside of the mall | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | The forks came with the bike, bought bike form some punk who needed crack | | Strengths: | Good for jummping over dead rats, caution your dampner might blow. Has the illusion of narly forks. Good for a weapon | | Weaknesses: | Too many to list..take your forks off the bike and hang them on the wall. | | Similar Products Used: | White brothers UD150, Junour T's, RST's, Head shocks, Fred Myer specials | | Bike Setup: | Old K-Mark bike with no rear shock and plenty of rust. I will sell you this bike for $5,000. | | Bottom Line: | It took me 3 weeks to get parts for this fork and they were the wrong stuff. If I was in Californa, I would go to Big Bear mountain or the local races and kick somones ass. Everyone in southern Cali love this fork, so what's the problem. Just by a dozen of them, and you'll be set. You guys think that this fork is a flaw, and yet you buy it anyway, and then complain about it. Maybe you should kick your own asses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Prophet has spoken...666...scared are you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Downhiller
from calgary alberta canada
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | bones | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | guy from california | | Strengths: | super plush travel dont seem to be having any damper problems at all supper smooth no sticktion | | Weaknesses: | kinda sucks theres no seals or wipers of any kind oh well neopreme bootys will have to doo | | Similar Products Used: | boxer(good but dampers too soft) jr T suck a$$ | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher level betty FH2, LT8, gazzoladdi, hayes brakes, fox vinilla rc rear, sun rynolite and mamoth rims and all that good stuff | | Bottom Line: | i think this fork has got a sweet spot dan hanebrink is a bit | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ex owner
a Downhiller
from Grants Pass
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | roadtrip | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | shop | | Strengths: | fet tubes | | Weaknesses: | no stiffness, travel quality, quality, adjustment, | | Similar Products Used: | monster, shiver, stratos, foes | | Bike Setup: | super-8 & whole stuff | | Bottom Line: | don´t buy that fork, look at the techtalk, thats the same i think about that fork. i don´t know how they can sell these forks. i thought the 01 one would be better, but they aren´t better, its the same fork for 5 years now, only the look has changed. i crashed my damper 5 times, good that i get parts at my local shop, because hanebrink takes 4 times more than that shop....... i try to sell that fork for month now, if i don´t find s.o who buys it i will kick it in da trashcan, but i definitely will not take it back toward finland......... sorry about my english, but i think everybody knows what i´m meaning. to all who gave 4 or more flmaes: ever tried a good fork =??????????????????????????? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Downhiller
from LasVegas, NV
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | 9" of plush travel. Very light. Easy to rebuild and maintain. | | Weaknesses: | The 8 little bolts you have to take out to get your front wheel off. The adapter for the Hayes brakes flexes when you are on the brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | x-vert, monster t ,and just about every other fork you can think of. | | Bike Setup: | Karpiel Disco, LT-9,Sunn double wides,MR Dirt Gismo chain guide, Hayes disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this fork performs very good. You can take on huge boulders head on and just roll right over them. If your feelin a little crazy like "Josh Bender" and feel like launching off a 50 foot cliff this would be a good fork to use. So what if it is a little noisy and you have to maintain it. I can lube mine up in about 2 seconds and rebuild it in about 10 seconds. This fork is great for some one who likes to work on thier bike. If you are to lazy to work on your bike I would not buy this fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan
a Downhiller
from RA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Going down my house | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | much but bad travel, fat tubes | | Weaknesses: | where should i begin, damper bloes aut very fast, 25mm axle poor quality, price for spare parts, STIFNESS not known by hanebrink, THERE ARE NO SEALS, hanebrink thinks the neoprenes make that work, they say you can change the travel, but you can put in elastos on every other fork, but the damening don´t change.....so...............bumb.....bumb
very bad firm, only one word -> garage with computer, phone and maybe fax. they said 8", my fork has about 6,5 till i changed that...... | | Similar Products Used: | Monster, Shiver, Boxxer, Avalanche | | Bike Setup: | Super-8, Hayes, Double Wide...... | | Bottom Line: | dont buy that fork, other forks provide more and better travel, buy a marz. and you don´t have to clean it after every ride, if you dont land perfect, that forks makes *knack* and the front wheel has a 45` circle until you flex it back. they say their forks are stiff, say what ? i phoned more than 5 times but they stand to their products, don´t know, but i cannot understand how they can afford their garage. that are no forks!! Sorry guys, I´m trying top sell the fork since about 4 weeks, but theres nobody who wants that fork (and i don´t understand why...) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Momma
a Cross Country Rider
from who know's
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | around Green Lake bike path | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | from a blind downhiller | | Strengths: | These are the badest forks around. I jumped off a six inch crub the other day and didn't wipe out like I normaly due. I took out my spring and dampner to make it lighter. Now I only can jump 3 inch crubs. | | Weaknesses: | For riding around K-Mart and Sears parking lots, none. For riding down the Black forest at snow summit you better bring along lots of pain killers and booze. Take them first then go riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy Lt10 and JC Penny Lt9. | | Bike Setup: | Hayes brakes, azonic shorty, Gazzzal"what ever", speed freek rims, race face pedels, and some cheap beat up down hill frame. | | Bottom Line: | If your into big drops like 2-3 stairs then you should get the Lt-10. As long as you keep super glue in the fork it will never let you down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Shadow Same as above
a Downhiller
from Hell(that's a hot place)
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Devils run(steep, narly with 1000 foot drops everywere and flams all over the place) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Unknown source(some alley) | | Strengths: | Good for a weapon(we need lot's of weapons in Hell you know) | | Weaknesses: | Melts too fast. | | Similar Products Used: | All forks known to humans | | Bike Setup: | A sick hard core bike with 50inchs of rear travel and all the badest componets you guys don't have. | | Bottom Line: | You guys need to buy four or five shocks at a time, then when they break you have a spare. If you want to buy some forks meet me in the parking lot at Big Bear moutain this next summer and I'll sell you some fake Hanebrinks. There guarantee to break after one ride along with your arms and legs.
The shadow | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Moffitt
a Downhiller
from Tahoe
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Karpiel / Sticks and Stones, NorthStar | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Hanebrink, Big Bear CA | | Strengths: | The dampners blow as reliable as Old Faithful... | | Weaknesses: | The Integrity of the Product, the customer service, the time I spend not riding and taking my fork apart to send back to Hanebrink. The time it takes Hanebrink to call you and tell you that they won't replace it until you hand over $150 bucks even though you blew it on your first ride! | | Similar Products Used: | I would prefer to ride the recalled RST, at least I would be Guaranteed two rides.... | | Bike Setup: | Was running it on my Super 8, blew it on one ride. Rebuilt it, blew it on second ride. Purchased a new PHD dampener and tried it on my Kona Primo, blew on my first practice run before my race. Now I only run my Monster T. | | Bottom Line: | See my previous review. It took me three weeks to get a purchased replacement dampener, it blew on the first ride!Hanebrink will NOT warranty their dampener. They will charge you $50 bucks for parts and additional charges for labor to rebuild... BUYER BEWARE!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY. BUY A MONSTER T or a SHIVER!!!! GO for a BoXXEr or XVERT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig B
a Downhiller
from RSM, Ca.
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | woods canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Looks,tire clearance,light weight | | Weaknesses: | Have to take apart every several rides(worst if it is moist out),too much play in fork(Hanebrink told me to put scotch tape around bushings sounds like a nice bandage for a poorly designed fork)you must run boots,flexy,extremely noisy,poor offset front rim,poor quality of travel,adjustments do nothing,for the 1 year I had them they where sent back 6 times for repairs | | Similar Products Used: | Monster T,White Bros,Boxxers | | Bike Setup: | M1,Monster T,24" rims | | Bottom Line: | Hanebrink forks are the worst forks I've ever used,you should be riding your bike. Not consantly taking apart your forks(I have a Monster T no maintinance yet 1 year fork). The noises are scarey, too flexy, bottoms to easily,they break down too often. Donot buy these forks YOU will be sorry!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
luchokastle
a Racer
from Stgo
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr´s used marketplace | | Strengths: | Can´t find one. | | Weaknesses: | Poor stiffness, very high maintenece, can´t be used without boots, the steering tube is anodized hence the upper crown and the head set slides up, the compression & rebound adjustments don´t work very good, poor quality travel, linear instead of progressive travel. | | Similar Products Used: | Almost all downhill forks. | | Bike Setup: | Cheeta proline & 00´Boxxer | | Bottom Line: | This fork is the worse I have ever tryied. In the first place the bushings Dan hanebrink use on this fork are NYLON´S instead teflon´s. When I got the fork i supouse that all the stiction problem the fork had would be solved by replacing the bushings. Turns out I called Dan Hanebrink and he said there were nothing wring with the bushings, so I made Teflon ones myself (I´m a mechanic engineer). After installing the new ones the fork started to work much better, but still needing maintenance after every ride.
The only way this fork will work decently is with boots.
The travel of this fork is very poor, can´t be compared with any fork at similar prices.
I don´t understand how they still selling this forks without improoving them.
Pleas don´t make a mistake by buying one of this forks.
If you alredy have one contact me & I can give U tips on making your fork smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete stiller
a Downhiller
from CA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | the same truck | | Strengths: | looks fat, big fork, wheel clearense | | Weaknesses: | stiffness, travel quality, hubs, stiffness (again!!), travel between bushings and lower leg in every, again: every fork, up to 1/4 inch !!!!
| | Similar Products Used: | shiver, white brothers, all dh-forks | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Super-8 2000 | | Bottom Line: | this is the 5th time i write a command exactly in this review. well i sold the hanebrink-forks, it was a deasater, well, the forks could work good, within some probs, but the service and the firm, can´t believe they still exist....
contact me for further informations, don´t buy a hanebrink if you are someone who likes a perfect fork without much to dos | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HellRaiser
a Downhiller
from Seattle, Washington
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | K-Mart parking lot | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | The same van the other guy bought his forks from. In the parking lot at Big Bear mountain. | | Strengths: | Good to make crack pipe out of tubes. Scare little girls away. Makes enough noise to scare away stray alley cats with bad attidues. Looks pretty cool too. | | Weaknesses: | Not loud enough. The tube that holds the damper(PH)should be skinner. The white brothers were beefer. | | Similar Products Used: | Target specials with .05in, and Royce Union from Fred Myers, with no suspenion. | | Bike Setup: | a Ventena El Madador, with 50mm maching gun straped on the front for shooting cross country riders on site. | | Bottom Line: | They told me at Hanebrink that nobodys complained about breaking there damper. So I belive them that dampers never break except mine. Maybe that little dog I hit was fatter than I thought. Other than that I never have problems with it and I never oil, lube or even clean the thing out. No wonder I'm always crashing. Come down to snowquinie park in Washington state or Big Bear mountion at the lower Faline run and I will gladly run you down and steal your Hanebrinks. Hell Raiser, formaly Death Rider. Next month I'll be Urban Assult. Were's my GHB at? I need to get my mind right. People that complain about this fork probaly complain about everything in life. That's why we have drugs.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Happy Soldier
a Downhiller
from Prescott, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Incredibly well machined. Good design. Appears to be really stiff and very adjustable. When the dampner blows out, it is kind of easy to rebuild, or only costs $50 or so for Hanebrink to fix for you, not including labor. The best thing is that you even get charged when the fork is only a month or two old. Sweet! Product warranties only make you soft anyway. | | Weaknesses: | Dan Hannebrink changing his mind. The company itself. The dampner. This may be one of the most cost effective forks on the market, but heaven help you if you ever, and i mean ever, have to deal with these guys with any type of warranty or maintence type situation. The best thing is, once they finally agree to help you out, they may change their mind and tell you that this is just the way it is. It is truly fantastic, a company based on a philosophy that ones word means not a thing. Enjoy the fork, be forewarned about the attitude. | | Similar Products Used: | Boxxer, Manitou, Marzocchi, RST | | Bottom Line: | For the love of God, do not buy this fork unless you are willing to eat every bit of maintenance for the rest of your life. I was even told by Hanebrink directly that the dampners are a "luck of the draw" type assembly. Meaning that if you get a good one, your set. If you get a bad one, your screwed and out of pocket. Don't worry though, only $200 or so for a new dampner. I understand that these forks, downhill variety, are ridden very hard and that a certain amount of repair and or destruction should be expected. However, when a company won't even cover their product for more than five minutes, this is were I draw the line. If you think I am just some Mt Dew swallowing MTV generation extreme pilot then you are wrong. I have been in the cycling business for eleven years now and I want to make sure that if someone wants to run their company like this, you know about it. This company is insane. Dan is insane. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Montoya
a Downhiller
from Mariposa, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kneeland | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000000.00 | | Purchased At: | Back of a suspicious-looking person's van | | Strengths: | No one can overstate this fork's PLUSH travel. Not possible.
Really light weight.
Just so damn smooth.... | | Weaknesses: | Price, maintenece (not a problem if you aren't an idiot, or a muffin who likes to whine)
Crash durability.(I was jumping a stairset-ate concrete, and my fork is twisted. No problem-loosen the triple clamps, fork self aligns, tighten) | | Similar Products Used: | Bomber (pronounced "Lazy fat-ass"
Boxxer (Couldn't get it to rebound slow enough for big hits)
Risse Trixxxy (are these guys smoking cracK?) | | Bike Setup: | K-mart huffy, sun ringle spin doctor, hope dh-4 f/r, rhino lites, irc kujos, hope big'un hubs, tioga seat and post, icon diesel bar, xtr rear,pod, and a great big bag of mescaline.... | | Bottom Line: | Love this fork. If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it. Sell one of your kids, donate a kidney, knock over a liquor store, have a friend steal your bike, collect a check and use your old components like I did....like a friend of mine....whatever. It's truly amazing how light this fork is, which really frees up the front end for wheelie drops and the like. Chicks dig this fork. Trust me. And anyone who says you can't run 3" Gazzalodis' without buzzing the lowr clamp, must be running a 29 inch cruiser wheel, or stealing from my stash.
Good fork. REALLY easy to service (motor oil and vaseline on the sliders-I kid you not)
This fork is the definition of sickness,and don't listen to the previous bad review because they are all done by the same poser.
-Ben | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Downhiller
from California
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | very lightweight, travel quality, adjustment | | Weaknesses: | need more work than an open bath fork | | Similar Products Used: | Monster, White, Boxxer | | Bike Setup: | LT-9", 00´ Super-8, Double wide, Hayes 8".... | | Bottom Line: | I really like that fork, I tuned it up to 9" travel and it works perfect. Very soft and ohh, soo good. Well, its such a lightweight that you can make the biggest death jumps you´ve ever made.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jun remodo
a Downhiller
from Port Hardy, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything big and nasty and fast | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | on top bikes | | Strengths: | this fork is huge and turns alot of heads. 8 inches of travel and fairly lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | i've only had the fork for three months and the damper is already leaking. if you get a chance to ride one you'll notice that this thing is really loud and creaky and it always feels like your headset is loose and i'm positive that it's not my headset. i spoke to Dan Hanebrink about his fork and he says that he stands 100% behind his product, however, he has yet to prove to me that his product is as good as he says! | | Similar Products Used: | marzochii z1, girvin cross link | | Bike Setup: | Marin Wildcat Trail, hanebrink LT-8, sun double wide, intense 2.7 fr, arrow 2.7 x 24" rear, hayes hydrolic 8.5" front rotor | | Bottom Line: | if you want attention this fork rocks. the LT-8 doesn't match up with other open baths systems but it works. DO NOT buy the forks for it's looks. it just does what it's supose to do nothing more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Moffitt
a Downhiller
from Tahoe, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Karpiel, Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Hanebrink Big Bear, CA | | Strengths: | It blows well... | | Weaknesses: | It ain't Marzocchi or Answer or Rockshock. | | Similar Products Used: | Walmart Mongoose 1" tripple clamp is the closest similar product | | Bike Setup: | '00 Super 8 super moto with dual 8" hayes, Sun, and now I am devoted to the Monster T! | | Bottom Line: |
The first day I rode this fork at Northstar I blew the dampener and broke the upper leg. I had the dampener rebuilt and blew it again on its second ride! Hanebrink wouldn't give me a warranty replacement. Hanebrink claims they give you a homey price for a replacment dampener at $125.00. The fork probably cost less to build in total. Don't believe me, take one apart for yourself and you'll wonder why you blew a grand on one! Buyer beware this fork blows! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Death Rider
a Downhiller
from Seattle, Washington
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Green Lake bike path | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Bear Californa | | Strengths: | Light weight. Looks like a killing weapon, or take off the tubes and make a crack pipe out of it. Nice and plush. Nice creakety sounds come out of it, like it's going to fall apart and you will break your ball's, or steroid syring. | | Weaknesses: | The dampner is a piece of ----you have to fill in the plank. and cost too much and it takes 3 weeks to get it, and they will charge you big bucks for shipping. Unless you like in Southern Cal. Not nosy enough. | | Similar Products Used: | Canadale 40mm headshock, huffy special with one inch travel, K-Mart DH with .05 inch of trave and Sears ridged fork. | | Bike Setup: | Ventana El Madador with a pink basket on it and a green dinasour on the handle bar. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best fork on the planet. So what if it's a little noisy, and the wheel is not in the center "not in the center? these guy's were on drugs when they made it" and the damper breaks on you, and the thing wears out. Don't worry about it. Paper Champians. DEATH RIDER | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ocarina | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Sweet Fork with really nice travel. Also very plush | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Boxxer, Boxxer Pro and Monster T | | Bike Setup: | Brodie 8-Ball with f/r hayes hydraulic with the best, t.h.e fender. | | Bottom Line: | Really nice fork, I think worth the moola! Please dont buy any other then this fork cuz it is the very best (in my mind) the best fork ever made. And for once it isn't Marzocchi or Rock Shox. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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