Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from colonial heights va
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Strengths: lightweight,simple to maintain,looks cool,inexpensive,surprisingly strong for 200+rider
Weaknesses: no REAL preload
Bottom Line:
i was surprised at how well this shock did on the initial ride.after breaking in it still has yet to bottom out on me and i do some 3'+ jumps at 15mph or more when going over roots downhill.if anything it tops out when i bounce from those hits.it is on 2nd frame and still going strong.its got close to 2k miles on it it bobs more when on flat surface than climbs very little loss of power on climbs.if you dh or fr id stay stay with another fork.if you cross country long or short distance this is a good fork.good climber fork tooive never used a hi$ fork so i do not know how to compare for racing but ive broken 2 diamond back racing frames while racing and this fork was on the 2nd one when it broke so id say its ok for racing too.i have no problem with sluggish performance on big or little hits and no loss of control so again id say this is a good fork for roots,ruts,rocks,stumps and logs but not 8'drops
Similar Products Used: manitou spyder,rockshox quadra,rst 381
Bike Setup: mongoose xr 850 with MANY mods
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron McGraw
a Cross Country Rider
from Oil City, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003
Strengths: 74 mm of travel at a lower weight than the Judy TT (I own both, and the Manitou cleans its clock). Servicable and adjustable. Tough finish. Inexpensive and ideal for a heavier rider.
Weaknesses: Forks boots seem a little hokey (better than those wiper-thingies, though). Vague instructions.
Bottom Line:
Like the Judy TT, this fork is adjustable and won't bottom out on beefcake riders. It is noticeable lighter than the TT. Tough finish and smooth stroke. Won't break the bank, either. 74mm of travel isn't what you'd want for freeriding or DH-ing, but for XC and the occassional brave (or stupid) huck, it'll do just fine (so will the TT for that matter, but the Manitou is light enough that it won't leave your bike feeling like a lead sled). This fork outclasses low-end RST ("Mozo") offerings and the cheaper forks from SR Suntour.
Similar Products Used: Rockshox Judy TT, SR 7006 Duotrack, Mozo ML-10
Bike Setup: This great fork, Mongoose Xr-150 Alluminum frame with DMT shock, XT/ Deore derailleurs, Trauvativ cranks, Alivio V-Brakes w/ SRAM 9.0SL levers, SRAM MRX shifters, Mutanorap[tor tires, Weinmann rims with Formula hubs, Kore stem, Titec bars.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
delta-9
a Downhiller
from Mapleton, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2003
Strengths: indestructable
Weaknesses: had to change the spring to the stiffest
Bottom Line:
this fork has done its rounds it started on the bike where i started to abuse. its done 4 foot drops many downhill tracks and still not showing signs of slowing down. i wouldnt mind buying another manitou product, but when it comes to not being able to afford to spend that extra bit of cash there no point as my psylo and my boxxer are some sweet product. anyway this fork is not bad ill vote it high because its still alive.
Favorite Trail: mapleton north shore or ajusco, Mexico city
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: came on bike
Similar Products Used: enough
Bike Setup: been on my specialized A1FS rockhopper
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jack g
a Downhiller
from sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003
Strengths: its an ok fork you can pump them pretty well and they do suck up drops pretty nicely
Weaknesses: well they went ok for the first 4 months i was doing eight foot drops onto concrete but one day they just exploded and shot the spring into my face it missed my eye by less than a centimeter. really they need more travel and safer design
Bottom Line:
these forks exploded and shot a spring into my eye off a drop that wasn't even big i was almost blided and had to go to hospital but its ok for xc and its pretty cheap
Bike Setup: iron horse g-out (do not buy this bike ever it sucks my ball sack) rock shock deluxe rear magnum front hayez mechanical brakes deore shifters + derailer avid brake lever
Weaknesses: minimal travel, no rebound or compression, shock boots dont work like crap.
Bottom Line:
worked good first month i had it. then lost travel after sitting on it after the break in period. i went to new york camping and riding and riding last day up there i wrecked blow up shock and pretzelled the front wheel... messed up my shoulder big time had it rapped up for a month. i was going to race that summer in about 6 weeks. blew that idea. but the riding i did on it was good for it. just a lot of hard xc riding. no jumps or that crap. i ride 15-30 every day. and one thing the shock has the shock boots on it! for what i got so much gunck in the shock!!! i had to re-build it in september.
but i bought a new cannondale f700. its great!!!! ill have a review this spring when i get more time to know her. but i promice you it wont be bad at all. ive always had great luck with them... hey catch ya all lata
Submitted by
Howard
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Strengths: little maintenance due to grease ports, no need to do oil changes, relatively light wieght, matches color of bike
Weaknesses: doesn't look as nice as bombers, has boots that make it look ugly, no rebound or compression or damping
Bottom Line:
Even though it lacks some of the adjustments found on other high end forks, it still does its job of smoothing the bumps. You really don't need no damping or compression or whatever high tech gizmos that come on forks--as long as the bumps are absorbed, its cool. The Microlube ports make keeping the bushings fresh w/ grease. It does tend to flex a bit but you just have to learn to modulate the front brakes. Looks wise, it doesn't look stiff or have that in-your-face-look like the Zocch Bombers or Manitou Blacks, but oh well, it does its job. This fork isn't for freeriding or hucking but use it for cross country, fireroads or trails and you won't be dissapointed. All in all, i give it 9 flamin' dog poo outta 10!!
Bike Setup: Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS--Deore 9 speed shifters and front derailleur, LX Hollowtech crank and rear der
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Acosta
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Strengths: Price and Performance contrary to some of the negative reviews this fork is all it's meant to be a basic affordable suspension fork.
Weaknesses: So far I haven't any to report
Bottom Line:
I'm 185 and took the bike up to Vermont on some pretty rough terrain that was very technical at times. There weren't any three foot falls but plenty of rocks, tree roots, gravel, steep downhils and uphills, mud, streams, etc but never once did this fork complain. If you want to do 3 foot drops or serious stump jumping and I mean serious you'll have to cough up the $300 + for the fork meant for the job but if you're doing intermediate terrain get one of these for the money you won't go wrong.
Bike Setup: Old Giant Iguana steel frame workhorse with Shimano parts
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Strafford, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2002
Strengths: price, strength, weight and disc brake mount
Weaknesses: Really none for this price
Bottom Line:
You would be hard pressed to find a better entry level fork. Does not have much flex, doesn't bottom out all that easy(I am only 150 lbs) if you are looking for a replacement for a rigid fork on a older bike you cant go wrong with the magnum does everything I hoped for and more.
Bike Setup: Gary fisher Hard tail, Kore lite 3 stem and Bar, shimano STX v-brakes, Panaracer smoke and dart tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmont. Co
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002
Strengths: Plush
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
Just got back from Moab where I took this shock over ledges and rocky climbs and slickrock bowls. At it's lightest setting this shock rides super plush on the climbs, soaking up bumps and ruts. On the downhill at higher settings I could take 3-4' drops without bottoming out (but I'm light at 145lbs). Rock solid on descents without any bounciness. So far so good, though I think for long term freeriding or DH it would be a bit on the lightweight side... 80mm travel isn't enough.
Bike Setup: '01 Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage-4, stock so far.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Crystal Lake, Illinois, USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002
Strengths: great price, nice looks, strength, weight, availability
Weaknesses: goes through the first half amount of its travelvery quickly, seems a bit too plush, climbs pretty bad
Bottom Line:
incredible value, packs a lot of punch for the price. outperforms any other entry level recreational fork i've ridden on. id recommend it to anyone who rides where it is uncommon to get more than a foot of air.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox Jett XC, Rock Shox Judy TT, Rock Shox Judy C
Bike Setup: Access Frame, Truvativ crankset, all 8 speed Shimano components, Ritchey rizer bars, ritchey seatpost, wellgo clipless pedals, selle italia XO saddle, Kore stem
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Vince Radiment
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Strengths: Price Plush Withstands abuse
Weaknesses: None yet...no leaks, no sounds. Wish it had more travel though
Bottom Line:
I do a lot of Cross Country and Downhill rides and with my full suspension set-up, it surprisingly handles a great amount of abuse and It kept me on the trail with virtually no loss of control. A great suspension for the money. I jump ramps (which I built) over 2 feet and it has not bottomed out and i weigh 165 lbs...I ride mostly downhill and it feels pretty smooth and small or medium hits...Handles great in rocky, muddy, situations...So I do not know what owners are whining about. I will upgrade later on.
So, as I have never once serviced the fork on my '02 Rockhopper myself and it's been 6 years since I've had it looked at (and probably longer since it's been apart fully), I though Read More »
