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Submitted by
ADAM P.
a Racer
from Belleville, MI USADate Reviewed: November 5, 2005
Strengths: Light, strong, upgradeable, soft springsWeaknesses: leaks oil SOMETIMES!Bottom Line: THIS FORK IS THE BOMB!!Nothing is beter than hitting the trail, and feeling it suck up all the bumps, and bruises. I LOVE THIS FORK!! The people who say it "sucks"have the lowest end make of the fork. Buy the good one and you are good!
Favorite Trail: Olson Park, Ann Arbor
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Purchased At: Was Given To Me
Similar Products Used: NONE
Bike Setup: Trek 830, Shimano Acrea Front and Rear Derailer, Manitou SX-Ti, SRAM gripshifters
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matthias
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Clara, CA, USADate Reviewed: August 4, 2002
Strengths: - Pretty reliable low maintenace fork
- lightWeaknesses: - Adjustment knobs out of plastic. Once dirty they don't turn anymore
- Bushings wear outBottom Line: The fork came with my bike. I set this fork up for Cross Country riding and easily found a setting that worked quite well for most terrains. But once the fork was used a bit it was almost impossible to readjust it due to dirt getting into and below the sensitive plastic adjustment knobs. Lots of forks from other brands at that time already featured alloy knobs that provided better grip and worked even after years.
I rode the fork hard and never got disappointed until it I started to hear a kracking sound from where the legs connect to the bridge between th two legs. Turns out that that connection went bad after 4 years of average usage and I needed to buy a new fork. That's sad, but until that point I really liked that fork.
Favorite Trail: El Corte De Madera
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: Trail Head Cyclery
Bike Setup: Spezialized Stump Jumper M2, 1998
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Fletch
a Cross Country Rider
from MansfieldDate Reviewed: January 25, 2002
Strengths: low maintenance
fairly light
it works!Weaknesses: None so far!Bottom Line: I ride year-round in rocky, muddy, and not-very-nice terrain. I ride hard. I race. This fork has absolutely no weaknesses. Not only have I never done more than used the microlube ports (blue chainsaw grease in a nifty little injector from Wally World -- $3.00), but I have not even thought about a rebuild. It is silent and performs as its supposed to. There is absolutely no play or stiction. What more can I say? I recommend manitou products to anyone who wants quality and longevity. Just make sure that you set this fork correctly and ride it appropriately. This fork is designed to work well for aggressive x-country riding, not ten foot drops, so use your head instead of bashing a fork because it blows up on you. A majority of forks blow for either of these two reasons not because they suck.
Favorite Trail: Anywhere in PA
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$249.00
Purchased At: Colorado Cyclist
Similar Products Used: '95 Judy XC
Bike Setup: Had it on a Stumpy first, next an S-Works, now it's going on a custom steel Oswald (oswaldcycleworks.com).
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
mike b
a Cross Country Rider
from Sodom in the NorthDate Reviewed: December 11, 2001
Strengths:
light weight
adjustability
stiffness
small bump capabilityWeaknesses:
long term durabilityBottom Line: the sx ti is a Schlarvy Fork of Love. rock shox are exacly what their name implies compared to any manitou--shocks filled with rocks. my sx ti has raced for me many times and has given me miles and miles of faithful service since i got it in july of 98.
now one of the bushings on the right side has broken--and the stanchion tube is scored as well. here's manitou's chance to score points with me again--and i'm a customer service rep's nightmare. they fixed my sx r to my satisfaction and claim that they'll fix my ailing sx ti for cheap. let's see what they can do to keep me smiling.
i really like this fork and don't intend to get another one until this sx ti has been declared DOA by manitou.
i'll give this fork five stars--everything breaks, eventually, if you ride it hard enough and long enough. stuff just wears out.
Favorite Trail: boggs
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$275.00
Purchased At: park cyclery sf
Similar Products Used:
98 sx r
judy sl
judy xc
marzocchi xc400
Bike Setup: sc superlight with all the goodies, 25.5 lbs
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Eryk Mantorski
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MADate Reviewed: December 3, 2001
Strengths: Relatively light, smooth, great damping, stiff, good quality travel even though its only 73mm.Weaknesses: The oil leaked out of the TPC constantly from the time I opened the box, until the time when I put in "my own" fix with o rings. The lowers cracked despite my light weight (155lb) and mild terrain. The knobs on the top never worked properly, and finally they just seized. Horrible customer service - one thing Manitou guys need to learn is how to be helpful or else they will keep loosing customers.Bottom Line: I always liked Manitou fork line, due to their stiffness, and relative plushness. The thing that really dissapointed me was how uncooperative the guys at Manitou are. Obviously there are quality control issues at the company, but these guys do not stand behind their product. Overall, if you luck out you can get a great working fork. I think that any cross country rider would enjoy riding with this fork.
Favorite Trail: Anything fast and twisty
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At: Bike manufacturer
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox Q5, Manitou Mach 5 SX, Manitou X-vert Air.
Bike Setup: '99 Schwinn Homegrown Factory Team, Kooka cranks + stem, Titec seatpost, XTR front derailleur, Sram ESP 9.0, Chris King Hubs + Headset.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bosco
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashville, TNDate Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Strengths: Adjustabilty. After you're done adjusting preload, compression damping, and rebound damping, use elastomer kits, then adjust the oil weight.Weaknesses: DurabilityBottom Line: This fork worked great until it died. I took it apart to overhaul it after it developed some stiction. The teflon coating from one of the bushings was in little pieces in the bottom of one of the lower legs. The teflon liner from another bushing was still in perfect condition, although it was no longer attached to the bushing and fell off when I removed the lower leg. The spot on the inner leg where the bushing had disentegrated was rubbed up pretty bad. None of the gold anodizing was left, but it still felt fairly smooth. Instead of replacing the bushings and the inner leg, crown, steerer assembly, I just bought a new fork. I think if the teflon had been better attached to the bushings, this would be an awesome fork
Favorite Trail: Lock 4 - Gallatin, TN
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox Quadra 10, Rigid Fork
Bike Setup: 98 S-Works Hardtail
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Amarillo, TX USADate Reviewed: March 29, 2001
Strengths: Light Weight. Takes the hitsWeaknesses: LeaksBottom Line: This shock has leaked progressivley worse. The second & 3rd cartridge replacements actually squirted oil on my glasses! Manitou has been fair in servicing the fork. The fourth rebuild (by Manitou) leaked after the first ride. I'll try the fifth and see. If this doesnt cure the problem It's new fork time. Funny the SR on my 99 Stumpjumper does'nt leak.Buy the SX-Ti if you want a functional light fork and don't mind constant rebuilds. Stay away if you have no mechanical ability or are from the EPA.
Favorite Trail: cedro area NM
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At: with bike
Similar Products Used: Judy XC, Manitou SR
Bike Setup: M-2 "98 model S-Works
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dennis Donald
a Weekend Warrior
from ColumbiaDate Reviewed: March 15, 2001
Strengths: It's plush enought for my taste. It has a stiff crown and is easy to grease. Fairly adjustable.Weaknesses: It is a little hefty for it's performence.Bottom Line: I suits my needs well. I have had no trouble, I maintain it on a regular schedule and it does exactly what I expect it to do, provide a controled comfortable ride. If you ride typical cross country trails, and don't wan't to spend $500, this is a very good option.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At: online
Similar Products Used: Judy XC
Bike Setup: Rocky Mountain Altitude TO, XTR, Syncros
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Craig M.
a Racer
from Abington, MADate Reviewed: March 11, 2001
Strengths: Weight (weighs even less now because it's not on ny bike).Weaknesses: Hmmm where to start, I don't like bashing products but this needs to be done (like mom said if you have nothing nice to say...). The adjuster knobs never worked from day one. It constantly leaked. I brought it to the Manitou booth at Mt Snow last year and kind of got the cold shoulder (because I don'e look like a racer 230 lbs). They looked at it but I think my mom could have done a better job and put more effort in. I raced it the next day, by the first down hill section the fork was bottomed out and all done, trying to get in touch with anyone at Manitou was like looking for Loch Ness. I gave it to one of my friends who gutted it and gave it to another freind as a beginner fork. I don't think he liked it either, the fork that comes stock on a Huffy worked better (sorry Huffy did not want to group you in with this company).Bottom Line: Is it okay to say it sucks! I didn't realize how bad it was untill I bought a frame with an OEM Rock Shox Jett LT on it. I changed the springs (which for the SX Ti would have cost more than the fork) and oil and it works like a champ and it probably costs under $100 brand new. The SX Ti never worked, Manitou is impossible to get in touch with so an overall bad experience. If you weigh over 200lbs I would not recommend any of their products, I would recommend any Rock Shox product because of it's ease to upgrade the springs and get parts and help. It's getting one chili becasue I have to.
Favorite Trail: All
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At: Supergo
Similar Products Used: Roch Shox Jett LT, Judy SL (GFF, great f@#$% fork) Noleen Chubby LT, Manitou March V.
Bike Setup: Didn't matter what bike, I used it on four different bikes.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NYDate Reviewed: October 25, 2000
Strengths: Shock worked OK on mild terrainWeaknesses: This was my first shock so I thought Wow!!!. It began leaking oil as soon as I started riding a lot. It then began making a metal on metal sound after I took a medium sized drop. I approached several bike shops to get the fork rebuilt and no one seemed to want to touch it. I then called Answer and asked if I could send it to them for a rebuild they instructed me to go through a LBS, I then asked if I could buy a rebuild kit - again told to go through LBS. My question is what does there customer service dept do for it's customers ? I have since bought a RockShock Sid SL and absolutely love it. It did take me several tweaks before it felt dialed in but it feels great. I will never-ever buy an Answer product again.Bottom Line: Maybe the newer Manitou's are more durable but there customer service @#$%$##'s
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Bike Setup: Specialized M-2, Full XTR, King hubs 517 rims.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
RJ Aderson
a Weekend Warrior
from NYDate Reviewed: July 16, 2000
Strengths: Its red in color.Weaknesses: OH wow where to start. Leaks oil at left leg rebound piston needle weak in cartdridge. STICKY FORK. Terrible warranty process in mail. Rubber on top dials dont add grip just move around without actualy turning dial. Never will I buy anything by Awnser Products..There customer service blows.Bottom Line: Never buy another manitu......Wouldnt take a free one...
Favorite Trail: mirkwood
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: SID 80 mm, Marzochi Z2
Bike Setup: 99 ellsworth truth FS.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from London, Ontario, CanadaDate Reviewed: March 27, 2000
Strengths: Smooth, light, priceWeaknesses: questionable durability & customer serviceBottom Line: I loved the feel of these forks until they started squeaking and developed a good case of stiction. I opened-up the Ti spring & elastomer stack side, and noticed rubber particles scattered everywhere inside. The “Rebound Elastomer” had simply broken up into pieces which got stuck everywhere. I contacted their customer service department in USA and since I’m from Canada, they couldn’t help me, but gave me another number to call. I called that number, and they can’t help me either since they only deal with bike shops. How hard could it have been to ship a simple little rubber ring?? Now I have to start looking around to find a shop that could handle this…
I also lost the "Damper Adjuster Knob" while riding. And since then I often get trickles of fork oil at the bottom of the compression & rebound side.
Until I can get that little Rebound Elastomer, I can’t ride. These forks work great, they have very good compression & rebound range. Unfortunately, quality is in question, and customer service is not acceptable.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Similar Products Used: Judy CX, Judy SID, Z2-Bombers.
Bike Setup: Custom aluminium frameset, full XTR with Mavic 517 Ceramic rims, Easton CT-2, etc.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Looman
a Weekend Warrior
from LansingDate Reviewed: January 28, 2000
Strengths: Weight LooksWeaknesses: DurabilityBottom Line: I too cracked the fork it two pieces. Worked great until it broke. I'm a clydesdale and I ride hard so I figured it was just me... but seems like I am not alone. LBS worked with me to get fork back togather, I was not able to get the correct replacement parts and ended up with an ugly mango colored legs. 1 month later it started leaking oil. I was overjoyed to replace the fork this winter...
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Bike Setup: Kona Ti
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Racer
from AustinDate Reviewed: December 23, 1999
Strengths:
Weight,Weaknesses:
Very littleBottom Line: Have 2000 miles. Went to Winter Park and blew the oil out on the downhill course. But when I returned to Austin to have it serviced all the could find wrong was it was low on oil.
I had it cranked for the downhill which is probably why it had the blow buy.
I've raced with it 6 times and frequently do some pretty knarly trails(lots of baby heads) and still the fork rides well. I guess I'll go chech the brake arch but untill it goes 5 chilis
Favorite Trail:
Flat creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Similar Products Used:
Mag 20. MAg 21 Judy XC
Bike Setup:
98 S-works
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Meinecke
a Cross-Country Rider
from Petoskey, MIDate Reviewed: December 16, 1999
Strengths:
NoneWeaknesses:
Poor brake arch design
Little external adjustability
Can't handle the big stuffBottom Line: This fork came with my 98 S-works and after using the fork for a year + the brake arch cracked. Since Manitou only has a one year warranty policy they basically told me to take a hike when I demanded that they replace it. To spent that kind of money on a fork and have them blow me off for an obvious flaw in their design is something that will forever make me loyal to Rock Shox and their terrific customer service.
Favorite Trail:
North Country
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Similar Products Used:
Bomber
Quadra 21 R
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