Lighter than the X-Vert Super because of our new air/coil spring system, but packed with the same set of performance features (TPC+, HyperLite hollow crown, beefy all-Magnesium casting, 105 millimeter of travel), the Air is the most technically advanced fork ever brought to market.
Submitted by
Jason PAMBA
a Cross Country Rider
from PAMBA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2005
Strengths: Reliable, Light(3.7lbs.), Versatile
Weaknesses: No pedaling platform
Bottom Line:
Considering I got this thing from Supergo for $180 4 years ago and it is still on my main bike says something. Its been awesome on everything from trails here in Central Illinois to Mountain Goat in Winter Park, CO. Seals are original and hold air flawlessly. Plush but efficient, light but durable. Considering the investment, it has been one of the best purchases for my bike. I wish $200 always went this far!
Submitted by
Rockers M
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2005
Strengths: Found fork very reliable
Weaknesses: lost bottom adjustment knob. Haven't found a replacement
Bottom Line:
Great shock. Manitou returned my email and old me to put 20w50 engine oil in the air side. Never had an air leak for the whole year. Very impressed with this fork. Little heavy. Very easy to maintain.
Submitted by
Paragon
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003
Strengths: Plenty of travel, very plush ride. Soaks up little vibrations and huge hits very well, very adjustable setup. Good weight for a 4 inch travel fork.
Weaknesses: The left top fork seal popped out and rode up the stanchion, but when i put it back in it's place and relubed the fork, it stayed. The thing leaked air like mad until I changed the valve core, then it stopped leaking completly.
Bottom Line:
An Awesome fork for a great price. Technical problems were easily overcome, gives a sweet ride. A good fork for agressive riders.
Strengths: strong, mud clearance (not as much as Black, but better than Sid and Mars), mine holds air and was easily fixxed after a nut came loose and lost some oil. Good damping.
Weaknesses: a bit heavy for racing
Bottom Line:
Jenson now has it for $189, which is a steal. I'm going to put this fork on a tandem, with the firmer yellow spring. It'll be perfect for that. It's perfect for the freeriders who want a bit lighter than a Marzocchi. I've been using Hayes discs with it and it's nice not to need an adapter...saves a few grams and one less thing to go wrong.
Strengths: smooth, good travel, rigid, reasonable weight for 4"
Weaknesses: it sprung an oil leak from TPC damper
Bottom Line:
Would have been a winner...and was for the first 4months, didn't leak air, but then, the oil seal/ near the damping adjuster knob broke. I live in Italy, so I'll see how much of a hastle it'll be to have fixxed. Probably not a problem except the wait.
Submitted by
TechniKal
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin TX
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2001
Strengths: Stiff, good feel (when it holds air), pretty light for a 4" fork.
Weaknesses: Reliability. Manitou's lack of customer service.
Bottom Line:
The fork is great when it holds air. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold air for very long. I've replaced the o-rings, checked the oil height and did everything else recommended, all to no avail. The fork seemingly randomly decides to drop from the 120psi that I set it at to 40psi - leaving me with a 2" travel fork. I'm 175lbs and not an abusive rider - the fork shouldn't have a problem at all with me.
To make matter worse, Manitou won't help me solve the problem directly. They've removed the telephone number and email address from their website. When I finally managed to contact them, they told me to take the fork to a bike shop. Nice. Manitou used to be very responsive to emails - I don't like the new "dealer only" support policy.
I took it to the place that I purchased it and they took a look and made some changes - but the fork still leaked.
As of now, I'm looking for a new fork. This one's going back to Manitou and will be sold or stuck on a beater bike. It's a shame - it's a great fork that only warrants a "2" rating due to the horrible reliability and inability of Manitou to offer customer support.
Submitted by
Clint Parsons
a Downhiller
from Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001
Strengths: Strong, stiff fork, awesome adjustablity, bearly any flex, very very plush and very good for jumping and dual slalom, very hard to bottom out.
Weaknesses: I`d prefer no boots, but thats just looks, who cares!
Bottom Line:
A absolutely wicked fork for value, beautifully made, nice fast, stiff fork which loves fast rough terrain as well as some fullon bashing drops and jumps. Easy to maintain with the microlube. website is great for help if you lost the manual.!
Similar Products Used: z1 mcr, phylso xc/sl, judy race
Bike Setup: Planet X (bommer), MANITOU X-VERT AIR, hayes hydraulic, MRP, truvadiv hussefelts, 24"rear wheel, etc,etc!!!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Schieve
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2001
Strengths: Broke almost immediately, therefore, no strengths that I can see.
Weaknesses: Left top fork seal does not stay seated and constantly rides up the stanchion tube. Half way through a race this weekend, lost air pressure in left fork leg and rode remainder of race on 1-2" travel - screwed from there on.
Bottom Line:
Can you say disappointed? With a few bucks already in the bike, very sad to have this failure. I'm 6'5", 230lbs. This was a cross country race, not dh and was hardly stressing the fork for this to happen. I'm confident Charles will help me straighten this mess out. Is this a chronic issue with Manitou or just my bad luck? Maybe the Z1 Xfly's in my future.
Bike Setup: Titus Quasi Moto, SRAM 9.0SL, Avid Mech, etc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Coker
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001
Strengths: light for a plush 4" fork, stiff, tuneable
Weaknesses: none really
Bottom Line:
I think this may be the best 4" fork on the market 3lbs 11 oz on my scale stiff plush, very tuneable I like that I can have it supple for the 1st 1/2 of the travel and with the compression adjustment knob on the top I can fine tune just how far the fork compresses/nose dives off of steep ledge drops freaking awesome I am a longtime bomber fan and so it's REALLY hard to admit I like something else :)
Bike Setup: rotates, Titus Racerx, Swithcblade, loco moto, Truth
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mohamed Azmi Zainudin
a Weekend Warrior
from Georgetown,Penang,Malaysia
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001
Strengths: Quality build,sturdy fork with 4" of smooth travel minus the weight penalty. Wide range & ease of adjustibility. Have yet to notice any flex even in harsh terrain. Good after sales/customer support...if you ever need it.
Weaknesses: If only Manitou could've come up with the shorter rubber boots(the 2002 forks have them)for the '01 Air or a better seal to do away with the rubber boots. Looks nicer without it! This is nit picking of course.
Bottom Line:
Magazine reviews aside, fix the X-Vert Air on your bike & go hammer...then you would understand why everyone's raving about this fork. It is a good 4" fork.Good build quality & value for the money. Another fine product from Manitou! Keep up the good work folks!
Bike Setup: Ellsworth Truth.Sram Attack Shifters 8 spd with XTR front/rear derailleur,cogset & cranks.Hayes brakes. Sun Disc-o-tek Wheelset with Hutchinson Air Light tyres.Thomson 110mm stem & seat post.Easton Monkey Rise Bar.San Marco Era Seat.
Strengths: It happens that this fork is good.. but only because it is metal not plastic, it is an awsome downhiller begginer fork but only because it is made by Answer Manitou, which is a shox company from illinois dfg
Weaknesses: If you put it in water it will explode onto your couch but other than that its a strong fork to begin going down the hill. but then you sould switch it
Bottom Line:
Mime doesn't have a bottom line on it? Maybe mine was special?
Similar Products Used: Rst 160, Huffy stiffy fork, apple juice ajuster front suspension fork
Bike Setup: SUPER DUPER extreme raccer bike with wheels and wheelsets ad maybe a frame with a shimano xtcr crank set with the ajusters on it... the black knobs. i have a Azonic "Hot seat" with Ritchie V-2 comp pedals, A wTB vilociraptor tire and Hayes disk brakes with Avid levers. I also have a cane creek head set with FSA grips on the handel bars.
Strengths: Light for a 4-inch travel fork. Adjustable. Plush. Stiff.
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
This fork is awesome. I have been riding Manitou forks forever and the X-VERT Air is the best yet. The plushest fork that I have ridden yet incredibly stiff. Five chilis for performance and definitely for the price.
Strengths: STIFF Fairly light at 3.8lbs Super adjustibility, Boots It loves the rough,little rough spots to big hits it does it all 105 travel
Weaknesses: Almost to adjustable,Can be a little frustrating to set up,But hey when ya do its Great.Havent had the rebound knob fall out on this fork but Manitous are known to do that Thats all the weekness I can say about it and there really not weeknesses
Bottom Line:
THis is th fork to get if you want to do a little more than race around on a XC course.Dont get me wrong I do race the thing but 80 % of my riding is freeriding and fastly moving into the world of jumps and drops and a little DH comming my way. The First thing I noticed about this fork was the stiffness.Comming down South Mountion National trail my judy would allways be going one way other than the way I wanted it to go, every little rock would twist it. Not with the Manitou X Vert Air.It stays in line, wich is comforting and inspiring when you need it the most. If your looking for a 4 in fork This is the one to get. Have a blast, Ride hard. I'll give it 5 chillies becouse it does Everything its supposed to do, and the price I paid was the same as I paid for my Judy and I got alot more fork Great value
Strengths: The forks are really plush 105mm is a great amount. Easy to adjust
Weaknesses: none really just that the rlittle rebound adjuster at the bottom fell out
Bottom Line:
NICE FARKS A MATE OF MINE HAS EM AND HIS ARE NICE TOO I GOTATHEM FOR ARE BARGAIN 195 QUID. THEY ARE GREAT FOR JUMPING STREET AND BRITISH DOWNHILL DONT BUY IF U DO 60 FOOT DROPS THEY MIGHT SNAP! IF U DO X-COUNTRY DONT BOTHER U DONT NEED THIS MUCH TRAVEL
