Submitted by
mike jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar Park,Tx
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2006
Strengths: not to bad on the weight 4.oo lbs. for a duel crown is a good thing, handels well, love the old school look,no flex so far. responsive, other good qualities
Weaknesses: The elastomer internals can be unpredictable,stantions are week for free riding(with bad technique)no upgrade kits available
Bottom Line:
I recieved this fork from a coworker who got rid of his riding stuff and had this fork laying around collecting dust. I installed this fork and have had good results with it being an older fork.Come to think of it a duel crown that weighs 4.00 lbs isn't too bad for these days. This fork gives little flex and works well for a cross country fork. Yes there is a lot of plastic in these forks but, the fork was designed for aggresive riders at the time. These forks are a rare at this time and I'm glad one came along. This fork does well for what it is and it's intended use. And tracks well and has a positive feel, my opinion this fork is worth induction to the fork hall of fame for cross country forks and aggressive riding. ( I've always wanted one)
Bike Setup: Haro Dual-Slalom Frame, Grimeca System 8 hydraulic disk brakes, XT derailleurs, Jumbo tires, Truvativ chaindog
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Lustata
a Downhiller
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Strengths: 125mm travel Killer Graphics
Weaknesses: Thin Stantions
Bottom Line:
This Fork mkicks freckin ASS!! I love it you can do almost anything on it!! You can go for a 12 ft drop without 4 1 second doubting your forks strengths and weaknesses!! YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!!
Weaknesses: - Not enough travel - stanchions are too thin. Wish it were at least 32mm - a little sticky - not to be used for free-ride or racing... does not have enough adjustability for major events.
Bottom Line:
An over-all good suspension fork for the average weekend warrior like me. If you do not abuse it and perform basic maintenance, it will last. I guess people who have owned this fork have abused it and turn around and say it was supposed to handle MOTOCROSS! Look, if you have the money, buy an expensive fork!
Weaknesses: This frok realy sux!! It's not by far stiff enough for DH riding, and it's sticky travel is not suitable for XC either..!? There are no negative travel on it. The adjustment is crappy, and no rebound control onboard. Thin stanctions (28mm). Bottoms easily (I'm 180lb. and have standard setup), nasty sound on bottoming. Crown way too weak, can't hold stanctions in place.
Weaknesses: Too week for free riding, internal are not strong enough, the caps pop up, break off, twists too easy in crowns, bushing wears out too easy, travel gets sloppy after a while. Not enough travel, too progressive, sticky travel, cheap internals just to keep down weight, TOO MUCH PLASTIC inside. Not really meant for any serios freeriding.
Bottom Line:
I am 5'7" 145lbs freerider, I ride a little hard(like guys the guys in superheroes vid.)but i hardly ever wipe out so i do know how to handle my bike without breaking parts all the time, this fork on the other hand breaks too easy, the internals are way too weak, they are made out of plastic. The crowns cannot hold the stantions tight enough to stop twisting, after each landing the lower half of fork would twist up in the crowns causing front wheel to streer right or left. My conclusion is that this fork cannot step up to the plate of freeriding, it's got a way to go before it can really wear two crowns.
Favorite Trail: Houffalize, Belgium (there are 6 trails btw)
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At: Hilversum
Similar Products Used: WP Rond suspension
Bike Setup: VRX 400 - Hayes Hydraulic - Shimano Deore LX
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
brendan
a Downhiller
from dubin, ireland
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2001
Strengths: great fork, strong, light, plush, cool looking paint job, grease ports, disc and v mounts, very long fork = very strong
Weaknesses: lack of turning cirlce
Bottom Line:
this is a brilliant fork. its light, plush and so far has stood up to loads of abuse without a whimper. when i bought the bike i did think of changing the fork within the year but now i'll keep it til it dies. i way over 12 stone, use stock set and still dont bottom out this babies. and i am not a smooth rider. if u are looking for a fork that is not a z1, or are looking for a great all round fork for free ride or dh, this is the one for u. by now it is much cheaper so pick up a 99 x-vert if u can. this is the best fork i have ever ridden.
Similar Products Used: z1 4" and drop off 5", 5" jnr t, 7" monster t (crap),boxxer(crap) mx6, 98 x-vert 5", z3, z2, rst mozo, indy c/xc, kona p2(brilliant fork) sync(tee hee hee), rond quake s.
Bike Setup: 99 b17 with hope discs, planet x bits, d521's.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike S
a Downhiller
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000
Strengths: it was a good DC fork..on my 99 B-17
Weaknesses: had to upgrade internals with Firm -ride kit[firmer elastomers] was all that was.. stripped top crown threads."don't overtighten"
Bottom Line:
i am thinking about geting another X vert-T because it's a DC vs. a not as stiff single crown--> i think stiffness is better than an extra 1" on a single crown...4" is a good travel..I liked that fork pretty good!! & just don't want a long travel sng. cr. ....it worked great on my B-17 at Sugar & Beech mtn ...NC at DH races...but i pounded the crap outta it & it held up & actually a leg went through both crowns i G out so hard!! then i stripped it trying to overtighten it & had to get a new upper crown plate.. it will impress you if U get it tuned right....oh ..it didn't leak either!!
Similar Products Used: Monster-T after that..99 X-vert sng crown"good,but leaked & it bothered me alot so i sold it! Marz. z-4/4" that was a good fork!
Submitted by
Dan Staley
a Weekend Warrior
from upstate,new york
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000
Strengths: Light, sturdy and smooth
Weaknesses: the post that suck up into the arms to provide 4" of travel broke off and sent my front wheel and bottom crown off the bike and into the woods.It hurt
Bottom Line:
I like the fork but wish the company was a little more understanding and stood by its product instead of bushing the blame.
Strengths: Fairly strong, stiffer that the single crown x-verts, easily adjusted, good all round fork
Weaknesses: spring elastomer combination, short turning circle
Bottom Line:
It is a good value for money suspension fork that is strong but has a limited amount of travel. As it has limited travel the fork should not really be used for downhill. The turning circle is to short and I sometimes hit my knees of the damn top caps.
Submitted by
Elvis
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000
Strengths: Simple to adjust and customise due to spring-elastomer combination. Relatively light.
Weaknesses: Temperature dependence due to spring-elestomer combination. Same dampening in compression and rebound with an oil change being the only way to adjust them.
Bottom Line:
I'm just getting into this fork, and as a 205 lb rider it needs a bit of customisation. I think I'll toss the elastomers and play with various spring rate die-spring combinations. Put in a heavier oil (15 wt) to compensate for the loss of the built-in elastomeric dampening and take it from there. I think it'll do just fine, but it'll take trial and error and a bit of patience.
Submitted by
brendan power
a Downhiller
from ireland
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000
Strengths: this is a very plush fork, and nice and stiff. the short turning circle has saved my bacon a few times, as the bars don't whip around on really dodgy landings.
Weaknesses: could do with some more travel in there, after all it is a triple clamp. also a major whine is the turning circle. do they not have trees where this products are tested? it sure makes things a little more fun but can be dangerous. also the adjuster seized up on the right leg a couple of weeks after i got it, but i have it perfectly set up so its no bother. and it hurts when i smash my knees of the adjuster tops!
Bottom Line:
if you want a good jumpy/Dh fork but can't afford the stratos 6 or 4, this is for you. it is surprisingly lightweight and i have not had any seals/oil leakage trouble what so ever. I'm using stock internals and i weigh about 180lbs and by know means am i a light rider, but these forks suuit me fine. just a last word, they are much better than Z1's
Weaknesses: Slow compression, only preload adjustment and even this doesn't work properly, too little travel
Bottom Line:
Good value but you would be better off buying a long travel single clamp for the same money. They stick all the time however mush grease you put in them and although they say that the legs are one piece and really stong I managed to bend them after completely buckling my wheel in a stack. They are no were near as plush as any of the Manitou forks and Rockshox alternatives and they weigh more than any single crown and there is only a minor difference in the amount of stiffness.
