Submitted by
Michael Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Turner, Or
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003
Strengths: Well all i can say is that its light.
Weaknesses: For one this thing is so sticky. I'm not sure if the person before me took good care of it, but also the Rebound and compression knobs don't seem to make that big of a difference.
Bottom Line:
You see here i have a problem. I bought the fork used so i don't know if it was taken care of. I've checked the oil level (next is to take the whole thing apart and clean) And still it is sticky. To put it strait forward this fork was a real dissapointment. My Spyder was a much better fork. Heavier, but much better.
Strengths: Light, looks cool, plush, easy to adjust.
Weaknesses: Leaks around the bottom rebound adjuster. I had to take plastic adjuster cap off and noticed that the oil was leaking from the threads, so I simple applied some thread prep and I havn't had another leak since.
Bottom Line:
I had a small problem when I first purchased this thing, but I stayed calm and found the problem and now I have a sweet fork that has given me many great rides. Almost sounds like I'm talking about sex. It's pretty close! There are better forks out there but for the price it pretty sweet!
Strengths: Light, Nice looks. Good performance considering weight.On sale price. I didn't have the reliability problems alot of reviewers mentioned.
Weaknesses: No lockout, a little flexy, not as plush as Zokes or Sid Race. Not as much adjustability with +/- air like the sid.
Bottom Line:
This was on another bike. At the time, I couldnt believe the performance I could get from so light a fork. It was 100% reliable but I thought it was a little flexy in fast turns and lacked the adjustability of other forks. Coming from Zokes, I didn't think they were as smooth but they were 1.2 lbs lighter so I thought it was a good trade off. However, the Sid Race is just as light, smoother and has more adjustability, set-up, and lock out options. I'll give it a good value rating for what I paid for it. Yes, Iknow I'm comparing a 3 year old fork to a new Sid Race. Anyway, I was happy with this purchase.
Strengths: smooth, plush performance on all terain. The damping works really well for high and low speeds.
Weaknesses: Mine got clogged up with mud and i had to get new internals after six months use! It happened again now asswell. They`ve lost they`re smoothness.
Bottom Line:
Really good performance (when they work). Getting new internals for mine took 3 weeks and was in the middle of the racing seoson. The seals are not as good say, rock shox, marzocchi. Good damping and very adjustable. not much flex. Might be more suitable for a dry climate, and for xc racers. downhillers avoid this fork.
Similar Products Used: marzocchi Z2 superfly, some other random.
Bike Setup: 2000 Klein adroit race, bonty race modified wheels.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2002
Strengths: LIGHT weight!
Weaknesses: Um ... too narrow?
Bottom Line:
I must admit ... I am confused about all the difficulties with this fork experienced in the previous posts. I have run mine now for more than 15 months (2600 miles) with no difficulties whatsoever. I have even run mine without the boots during that same time! I release the air from the fork once per month and then re-fill it. I have never lost more than 2 psi in any given month. I do follow a routine maintenance schedule (complete overhaul) every 4 months. I have never had a problem with the FLEX issue. Maybe it's because I remember what it was like to ride a Rock Shox Quadra 21! But seriously, I have an extremely strong front wheel and have never noticed the fork twisting in even the harshest conditions. The only real drawback I see in this fork is the fact that it is too narrow. It takes some persuasion to remove a Hutchison Python 2.0 from the wicked grasp of this fork. I'm no Physics professor but, I am going to assume that a narrower fork means less material used, resulting in lower weight. I would recommend this fork to the serious cross-country rider (not free-rider, downhiller or 190+ pound person). Use the "Grease-ports" and if you have problems call Manitou. 5 Chili's for Value ($199.00 for a sub-3 pound fork!) 4 Chili's for Overall (I can see the need for it to be wider)
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Superlight, SRAM 9.0 SL drivetrain and brakes, Truvativ Stylo Team crankset, Thomson post and stem, King wheelset (Dave's SpeedDream) and headset.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Grothoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirksville or St Louis MO
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002
Strengths: lightweight
Weaknesses: FLEXY, crappy paint and stickers, flimsy rebound knob, leaks oil, not much tire/brake pad clearance, overall flimsyness which leads me to be afraid of snapping it
Bottom Line:
I sure wish i had known more about the basics of what i should be looking for in a fork when i bought this thing. It was a "great deal" online. I haven'thad this thing a year and the rebound knob popped off long ago, it leaks oil like a british roadster, and is probably the most flexy fork i've ridden. the paint doesn't just scratch, it comes off in patches. I want to get a stiffer, beefier, plusher fork, but i think i might be too used to the low weight of this thing, and i won't want anything much heavier. i guess that is the lesson, anything this light is gonna be flex-master. it is normal for a fork to become less plush in cold weather? whatever the case is, this fork does it. it also makes two distinct noises: a rather unsettling crackling sound, and the sound of air getting squeezed in and out ever since the rebound knob broke off. geez. Oh, i have already posted a review on this earlier, but my opinion of it has declined heavily since i posted it last time. unless you are racing on a budget and are very lightweight, then stay away from this fork. better yet, just stay away from this fork all together. i think i have my mind made up on Manitou's Mars line for a long time.
Bike Setup: 99 Trek 7000 with lots o' stuff (8 speed rules!)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kelly Holland
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, N.C.
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001
Strengths: Light,cool-looking.
Weaknesses: Everything except for the light,cool-looking part...
Bottom Line:
Well, All I can say is, aside from the fact that there's practically no rebound damping, doesn't track at all, has more flex than a rhythmic gymnast,(& I'm only 150 lbs.) makes it impossible to take my skinny little 1.9 front tire off without letting all the air out or ripping the brake pads off, it's a fine fork if someone gives it to you so you can sell it for $100.00, & put the money towards something decent. This is, without a doubt,the biggest piece o' crap I've ever had on the front of my bike.I'd rather have my old 97 Manitou sx on there. Shoot, the 96 judy didn't give me this much grief...I'm gonna put the sx back on my stumjumper,put the mars on the Santa Cruz,sell the mars-c to some poor fool,& get a Fox fork or a Manitou Black when one or both go on sale.
Similar Products Used: '96 Judy xc,'97 manitou sx,'00 Manitou Mars.
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Superlight grey anodized,XT everything,RPM wheels,Sun-Ringle hubs,Easton carbon seat post,Specialized stem,Scott Hot-Rod Flat bar,Bontrager Race-lite bar ends,Ritchey pedals,Performance Titanio saddle,Maxxis Mofo 1.9s,Fox float rc rear shock.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Green Iggy
a Cross Country Rider
from Pinole, CA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
Strengths: It's light, looks cool, and has just about every lightweight material used on bikes in it. Cheap.
Weaknesses: Delicate, leaks oil, rebound nob won't stay on anymore, can't get my tire out of it without rubbing on the brakes, bushings need replacement after just over 6 months of moderate XC riding
Bottom Line:
I upgraded this from my RS Judy TT so it is a definate improvement, but this fork just doesn't seem to be built very well. It leaks oil, eats its bushings, and the liberal use of plastic threads means stipping them is super easy. Also the rebound nob is simply held on by friction and if you get any oil in there (say from a leak) it will not stay on. The fork is also way to narrow and I have a hard time getting a 2.1 inch IRC Mythos tire through the open V-brakes. The fork is cheap to buy and looks really cool, but you pay for it later with poor reliability.
Submitted by
Ryan Mccrary
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001
Strengths: It's light, looks cool, better than lower end manitous
Weaknesses: too much flex.
Bottom Line:
It's an ok shock for riding cross country. It soaks up most of the bumps and holds it's own with dropoffs. The only problem I've had is that when I jump, I feel like I don't have too much control landing with all that flex. I guess you have to give up something if you want a really lightweight shock. I'd buy another one for my cross country bike, but if you're gonna thrash, get a marzocchi.
Similar Products Used: Rockshock Judy XC, Manitou Magnum
Bike Setup: Came as part of new Jamis Dakota Al(nice)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001
Strengths: Light weight, fully adjustable ride, good black color.
Weaknesses: Agree with other owners: FLEXY. Only ridden 100 miles, leaks air! I am in the proccess of retuning it for warranty repair. SuperGo was cool about the return.
Bottom Line:
Very disapointed. This is the first bike I've built. I was thrilled to complete the bike, and was just getting it dialed in when the shock blew. I am now riding my old bike until the MARS C is returned to me. I bought two MARS C shocks. The other is on my wife's bike. So far so good. I would not buy this fork again.
Submitted by
Andy Paice
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2001
Strengths: Very plush when bedded in, light, adjustable & easy to service. Origional equipment on a bike, and impressed me a lot.
Weaknesses: 3 inch travel a little short for Peak District trails, 4 inchs would be better!! Tyre catchs on brakes and pulls out cartridge brake pads- v annoying. Annodising on legs rubbed off after 6 months [in very bad winter conditions], damping cartrige locked out after 3 months hung on a wall.
Bottom Line:
Nice fork but over-priced for aftermarket purchase, could do with more travel. Works well on small & medium bumps but struggles on big stuff. Good fork for a trail rider in fairly smooth country, or for an XC racer/rider looking for light bouncy fork.
Similar Products Used: Marzocchi Bomber Z1, Cannonndale Headshock
Bike Setup: Marin Mount Vision (2000) UK spec.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt G
a Cross Country Rider
from St Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2001
Strengths: adjustability, liteweight,
Weaknesses: i would like to stress FLEXY, i feel like i am going to break this thing, rebound not ajdustable enough, questionable quality
Bottom Line:
It works better than and has more travel than and is lighter than the Judy which came on my trek, but this thing just isn't beefy enough. or stiff enough. i like the weight thing, but damn, i can almost tie this thing in a knot. but then i am 200lbs. also, some oil seems to be showing up on the bottom of each legs. next fork i will be looking for will be a lot plusher and a lot stiffer. it isn't worth paying anymore than the cheapest you can find it on the internet. i think that should do it. kinda wish i had bought something else.
Bike Setup: 99 Trek 7000 with Rolf Satellites and some other stuff
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jason
a Cross Country Rider
from newton new jersey USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001
Strengths: looks great . fine adjustability
Weaknesses: flexy,minor leakage at seals,recall notice at answer website
Bottom Line:
Like the ride however is a bit too flexy for my 195lb. chasis . great adjustability and light weight . WAS AT FIRST A litle choppy on the compression , but broke in nicely . Was a little dissapointed to find out about the recall only because I know the new replacement will take some time to receive and install.
hey guys,
last year i sanded down the orange paint on my '00 manitou mars C. At the time, everyone told me it was a dumb idea, because its made of some sort of Mg alloy, b Read More »
hey guys,
i got caught in a random storm out in so cal, and it killed my fork. the mud got everywhere, (in the seals, it was really gross, the kind where it adds like 30 p Read More »
