Strengths: The bike is brill on flat terrain and uphill. I've never riden a better bike. If you like cross country races or just exploring, this bike is highly recomended. The suspension is particularly good too. On my bike, I've tuned it up for sharp corners at speed and for dificult terrain. The gears are great too. Well, with 28 speeds, who wouldn't be?
Weaknesses: The bikes greatest weakness is its weight. As it is made of steel, it weighs alot. Not good for races. A few days ago, I had a race with a friend. We were just in the street. It was a 1.5 mile race. My oponent bought a new bike and he wanted to try it out in a race. He beat me because of the bike. His is made of aluminium and the 3.3 is of steel. The bikes main weakness is downhill. However, now that i've said that, I have ridden a few amazing races downhill.
Bottom Line:
Overall, an excelent allrounder, weather cruising in the city, or exploring in the mountains, this bike gets you there safely and with style.
Similar Products Used: My last proper bike was a raleigh panther. No comparison though.
Bike Setup: Shimano mudguards and forks. Amazing!
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Submitted by
GRaham
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002
Bottom Line:
I got hold of these forks to replacr the excellent '99 SX Ti's on my Mount Vision. Also managed to acquire titanium spring kit from a further set of SX Ti's (cut steerer too short for my bike) This all cost about the same as getting the original SX Ti's fully overhauled! Result? A superb, robust, fully adjustable and lightweight short travel fork that feels every bit as sweet as the one it has replaced.
Submitted by
Aris Galatis
a Cross Country Rider
from Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002
Strengths: just a great Fork. Adjustability (preload, damping both ways in and out), Microlube, Color. Hasn't made me any troubles over the last two years. I ride it really hard and with a bit of maintanance(Microlube) I wasn't forced to take it appart.
Weaknesses: None I am aware of.
Bottom Line:
Just gr8...... I heard that the lockout option is still for sale so if you find this fork buy it and if you like upgrade it with a lockout and, if it works, you got yourself a prime fork which hasn't anything to be jealous about(from the 2003 models).
Similar Products Used: many many many things (since I'm working at a bikeshop)
Bike Setup: Kuwahara New Ed 9. LX components came with the bike and I didn't care to upgrade yet. Except of a new Ritchey steering wheel and Bar ends cause of an accident.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Spencer Bissett
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington VA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2002
Strengths: Good smooth compression and rebound, TPC damping system is great, nice and light as coil/oil forks go. Microlube system is fantastic and easy. And the sticker says Manitou, not rock shox.
Weaknesses: ain't found a one.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up to my previous review of this fork. I bought it off ebay about a year ago, well-used but not abused, and it's done well the whole time. I never bottomed it out, but it never failed to take the hits either. It's taken a few bigguns-I like to ride down stairs and jump over some logs and rocks and such, and I've hit some deep ditches too. Any of those could have made it bottom or leak at some point, but no troubles at all to report. I never even did any maintenance besides occasional prep-M microlube (another great feature from Manitou that you won't get from the ultra-rich market dominators at rock shox). I'm replacing it soon with a '99 SX-Ti that isn't as used, isn't missing any knobs, and has just been overhauled. plus titanium is cool. if you're a cross-country rider on a budget that won't allow for brand new $500 air forks, and you give your equipment a good workout but not a beating, gitchoo this here fork.
Bike Setup: find my earlier review if you're actually that interested in my bike.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Strafford, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002
Strengths: weight, very good compression and rebound dampning, very fast and plush ride.
Weaknesses: nothing for $65
Bottom Line:
For the money I paid I could not be any happier with this fork. totally sucks up rough washboard bumps on decents it seems the faster I go the more confindence this fork exhibits. Seems a little flimsy even compared to my previous magnum, but at speed this fork is calm and collected, there is no comparision between this fork and the magnum so I won't bother, there probaly is no fork under $300 that can compare to the sx-r. If your looking for a susp. fork and if you can still get this at $65 you are a fool if you don't.
Submitted by
Ren Babcock
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, nc usa
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002
Strengths: Tuneability, plushness with a good amount of bottoming resistance, light, almost maint. free!!
Weaknesses: The crown creaks while under heavy front braking, and there is a small amount of flex (not too bad though)
Bottom Line:
Great bang for the buck. I've only bottomed this fork a few times that I actually felt it bottoming. (That was on the face of a small, steep high-speed jump face where I was preloading). The head creaks when I am under heavy front braking, and when I hit a sharp pothole, but the fork absorbs the impact nicely. I do some light downhill work every once and a while, and the fork reacts nicely. I would recommend this fork to anyone who dosent have alot of moo-lah, but still likes a nice fork!
It takes 4 foot drop offs with ease, and is all around sawwwweet!
Submitted by
mike b
a Cross Country Rider
from Sodom in the North
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001
Strengths: it does what it is supposed to do it is black
Weaknesses: bottoms out lockout is worthless
Bottom Line:
the name of the game this fork plays is bottoming out. to keep this fork from bottoming out, i have to crank up the preload way high. since my sx ti has been sent to manitou to repair the broken bushings, i have put this fork on my new superlight. the combination of a three inch fork that bottoms and a four inch travel rear end is not the best.
this fork came to me from the factory with its bushings installed incorrectly, causing an unnatural amount of stiction. fortunately, manitou repaired the problem at no cost to me, but the fork still bottoms out on medium-big hits. my dealer tells me that maybe if he adds some more oil to the dang thing it will not bottom out so much, but i doubt whether anyone can duplicate the silky smooth stroke of the sx ti.
there is a world of difference ebtween these two forks.
the lockout feature is worthless, i never use it and it just adds weight. lockouts are just a crutch for those who refuse to learn new techniques to compensate for suspension bobbing. in addition, i have forgotten unlock the lockout once on a ride and ended up blowing something all to hell inside the fork on the descent.
this fork has worked very well, however, since i got it back from manitou except for the consistent botomming out.
five stars for value, which includes manitou's very reasonable turnaround time but only three stars for the value--once again, the fork has bottomed out since i got it and so have those sx r's of friends i know who own them.
Similar Products Used: sx ti judy sl judy xc marzocchi xc 400
Bike Setup: ibis alibi with basic xt level parts
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001
Strengths: Excellent response over full range of travel. Reasonably light. Inexpensive. Ease of maintainence. Mango Orange!! Strip the decals off and looks pretty trick!
Weaknesses: No lockout (can get the 2001 w/ lockout at Supergo for $120 now, or 99's w/out for ~$100 at Univeralcycles.com)
Bottom Line:
Just got back from a ride and felt compelled to commend this fork. Fork was a steal at $120, now you can get newer models for that price at supergo, assume still same great performance. The fork is strong and hassle free. Only 70mm of travel, but it fully utilizes every mm (response is very linear, and haven't bottomed it. I'm a 167 lb'er and have the medium weight elasti's, work great for me. It's also pretty light, claim 3.4 more like 3.5 lbs, who cares still good for an affordable, non air XC fork, and allows my bike to come in at 23 and change w/out having to sell an organ to do so. My old Judy XC wieghs 4+. I love this fork, rode very sloppy today (too much road riding) and this fork soaked up almost certain catastrophic endos while rock picking my way along. One of the best forks I've ridden and it's almost 3yr old tech. For value wish I could rate it higher than 5.
Bike Setup: DNA Ti Frame (superb frame), Sun RPM Lites, Mix of drivetrain... XT shifters and ders, Stylo cranks...
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Sergio
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulare
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2001
Strengths: smooth ride with plenty of knobs on it for adjustment. The weight for it is awesome. something like a wee bit over 3 lbs. Easy to adjust.
Weaknesses: None so far that I can whine about...
Bottom Line:
For what I paid, me like, me like!!! I just switched from the T2 which was only a spring system. this has the oil dampening cartridge. Noticed the difference on my first ride. Unless you are gonna mount airbags on your bike then it don't get no smoother than this! On climbs it doesn't get all squishy, you know What I'm talking about. Anyways they are pretty cheap out there, well under $150. So if it's time to upgrade then takes some time to hunt this one down.. You won't be dissapointed... well gotta run, got more trails to make...
Bike Setup: Newly built myself-aluminum frame, XT/XTR, Avid SD Mag brake levers, SX-R, Specialized StrongArm Pro crankset, Pulstar straight-pull front hub with Mavic 231, White Industries rear with Bontrager Mustang rim, 24-speed, SPD-515 pedals.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Richie Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001
Strengths: Tracks well,has plenty of adjustment,is plush,and has grease zerks for easy lubing.Not much to improve upon here.
Weaknesses: Mine is the Klein Airheadset version w/an oversized steel steerer.The steel steerer definitely adds weight(about .4 lb).I wish Manitou made an Klein aftermarket version that addressed the weight issue.Not a big deal,but it irks me.As far as the fork itself,I don't like MCUs,but they seem to be doing their job and don't seem to be very temperature-sensitive,so I'll leave them be.The plastic adjustment knobs are a sign of cheapness.All forks should get metal adjuster knobs(a la Marzocchi).
Bottom Line:
Not as light as the old Judy,doesn't track as well as the AMP,isn't as plush as the Z2...
But overall it does everything very well,with few compromises considering it's not the most expensive fork out there.After dialing in all the adjustments,it hasn't needed any work since(aside from a yearly teardown and an occasional lubrication).I thought about taking out the MCUs and running Speed Springs(had great luck with them on the old Judy),but seeing as the MCUs perform without fault I won't bother.The only major niggle is the added weight,but since my Z2 Atom 80 really weighs about the same,it's not such a big deal.4 chilies for a great overall product.
Strengths: Great adjustability!!! Very light for how much it costs. Smooth, good for XC and anything else you can throw at it. And I don't know what you other guys are talking about ....I LOVE MANGO!!!!!!
Weaknesses: Rebound adjusted is stuck.
Bottom Line:
Im on a quest for a light bike and this is the cheapest lightest and best performing thing i could find!!! BUY IT, you can pick these up realy cheap online. This is what you would call an all purpose fork and I know there is not a person alive who will not like this fork(maybe the color?).
Favorite Trail: A nice secluded trail up by Eagle River
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At: Price Point.com
Bike Setup: Fisher Supercaliber with XT/XTR, next lp,spinergy spox wheels. She's a Beuty!!!1
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Matt N.
a Cross Country Rider
from Flemington, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Strengths: Price, stiffness, grease guard!
Weaknesses: Weight, color (an ugly orange that kind of grows on you though).
Bottom Line:
I bought this fork for the super-rocky singletrack descents and steep technical climbs of western New Jersey & eastern PA. Since I don't race any more, I've overcome my previously acute case of bike-orexia. Since I also actually ride up the hills I bomb down, I didn't want to strap a hunk of pig iron to the front of my rig either. Considering I got this fork in '99 it was a steal. At 3.3 lbs with alum. steerer it wasn't too light, sensitivity wasn't too great, and I didn't feel like I was getting 80 mm of travel out of it, so I installed Englund air cartridges. Although these didn't take off as much weight as I had hoped (less than 100g), after the initial break-in period they totally transformed the fork. At lower pressures I get a full, plush 80mm of travel. For a more progressive feel and less bob, add 5 psi. The grease guard feature is also definitely the bomb - limits my regular maintenance to a quick lube and wiping down the stanchions. I'd slap the Manitou legal staff silly though if I got the chance: maybe this would save me from having to file the damn retaining tabs off the dropouts every time I buy a new fork... Suppose I might have saved a buck or two if I'd been patient and gotten one of the newer Mars air forks on closeout, but you know what they say about hindsight ... To sum it up: good, reliable, sturdy fork, can become an excellent fork if you want to tweak it.
Similar Products Used: Most Manitou & Rock Shox, White Bros., etc.
Bike Setup: Fisher Supercaliber, SXR with Englund kit, King HS, Syncros stem, Bontrager Ti bar & barends, XTR drivetrain/levers/V-brake, White Industries/Syncros/DT Revolution/Rigida carbide rims, Mythos XC, Salsa Flip-Offs, Race Face cranks, World Class Ti BB, Easton CT2 post, Avocet 02r Kevlar, King cage.
Strengths: Price! How can you go wrong with a Manitou for $109?!!! Fairly easy to setup.
Weaknesses: Finish is cheezy looking. Had to ride a while to get best reactive ride.
Bottom Line:
I wanted to upgrade my rigid fork after getting into weekend XC. Didn't want to spend too much, but had to have a shock to handle my dancing 220# bod. This fork, after upgrading to the firm springs, has opened new trails and riding tactics to me. Was fairly easy to set up, but took a day of riding to fine tune. Doesn't bottom, reacts quickly, and it is CHEAP! Can't complain for the price and ruggedness.
Weaknesses: CHEESY PRELOAD ADJUSTER. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMOUNG MY OTHER SXS. TIP; REPLACE PROMPTLY 2000 ALUMINUM STYLE ADJUSTER. PROBLEM SOLVED FOR NOW.
Bottom Line:
MY ORIGINAL FORK WAS A 98 SPYDER R THAT CAME WITH THE BIKE. IT WORKED OK AT BEST WHEN IT WAS CLEAN. WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR AN UPGRADE I LOOKED LONG AND HARD BETWEEN THE Z2 AND THE SXR. THE Z2 IS A BEAUTIFUL FORK BUT I COULD NOT JUSTIFY THE CONSIDERABLE PRICE GAP AS FAR AS PERFORMANCE TO $ IS CONCERNED. I DO NOT REGRET THE DESCISION WHATSOEVER. THIS FORK COMPLETELY OUT CLASSES THE OLD SPYDER IN EVERY RESPECT. ITS PLUSH AND RESPONSIVE IN EVERY CONDITION ITS BEEN PUT TO. I WILL WARN THAT TUNING THE FORK IS PARAMOUNT TO SUSPENSION BLISS. I INSTALLED A FIRMER SPRING KIT (I AM 185LBS) AND FOLLOWED ANSWERS TECH MANUAL (AVAILABLE FROM THE WEBSITE)TO THE LETTER AND PRESTO ALL PROBLEMS WERE REMEDIED. ALL MY PREVIOUS HANDLING PROBLEMS ARE GONE AND MY BIKE HAS TRANSFORMED INTO A REAL EXTENSION OF MY RIDING. GREAT PRODUCT MANITOU. LOYAL FOR LIFE.
I have '98 Trek 930 with a RockShox Indy fork, and its time to replace it (actually, it was probably time to replace when it was brand new, but that's another story ;-)
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