The Superhero of all DH suspension forks! If you want to ride invincibly and slay the competition, then you need the 2001 Monster T. Deep ruts, logs, vertical drops and small cars are now only minor irritants. You will go faster, jump further, brake later and win more races on this beast of a fork. Need a dose of reality, ride a Monster.T - Don't be afraid. // 175mm of buttery smooth Bomber travel // Open Bath Cartridges // BAM Forged CNC Machined Arch and Lower Clamp - CNC Upper Clamp // External Preload and Rebound Control // Dedicated 20mm thru-hole axle //
Machined brake arch // Forged International Standard disk brake adapter // 40mm stanchions //
Optional 3" tire kit available [includes arch and spacers]
Strengths: Super smooth, Easy to service, Strong, Looks really cool on my bike.
Weaknesses: A bit heavy but not as heavy as the newer ones, but is that really a weakness? hhhmmm....
Bottom Line:
I Bought these forks from a friend of mine. 200.00 Bones, but it had a small oil leak. Bought the rebuild kit and new springs, and it works great. They are super smooth and strong. I really could not pass up this deal.
Submitted by
Alex Rachner
a Downhiller
from Kilauea, HI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2005
Strengths: Solid, strong, plush, light (compared to newer monster T's)
Weaknesses: none. Some people say its too heavy, you cant peddle up hills, but if you are running one of these on your bike the last thing you care about is peddling.
Bottom Line:
This is the best fork ever for freeride downhill use. I wouldn't trade a brand new monster T for this one. The weight and travel are perfect, ive never bottomed it out, yet it so soooooooo plush on bumbs and drops alike. nugh said.
Similar Products Used: super T, later model monster T,
Bike Setup: Eliminator
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tony Casino
a Downhiller
from Aberystwyth
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003
Strengths: It is the strongest pair of forks ever made!
Weaknesses: A little heavy - if you have no upper body strength hit the gym!
Bottom Line:
My mate gave me these forks when he bought a pair of Rock-Shox Boxxers (the cheaper ones). What a bargain considering that his broke and mine are going strong. They literally took these forks straight of a moto-x bike and the abuse they can take is second to none. Although they are heavy, they still handle perfectly and provide such smooth travel, you wont even know they are working because they are so smooth and quiet, bit like the ride they give!
Bike Setup: dh8 wiv monsters, hope, azonic, hope, raceface, blackspire, mavic 321s etc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
brendan
a Downhiller
from dublin, ireland
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003
Strengths: the best fork ever is a pretty good strength! it is much much better than any fork i've ever tried. it never looses its line. it never hits a rock and goes off the other way. it never bottoms out. top out doesnt exist. and its damn simple to set up. also it gives me an excuse not to ride up the hill anymore
Weaknesses: i cant ride anything else. cause i've got 2.8 on the front i cant trust anything skinner on any other bike. also a real weakness is the fact that although its heavy when your stationary, when you pull up for a jump the thing just comes right up. whats with that?
Bottom Line:
i thought the first x vert i had was great. light, stiff and strong. i though it was plush too. then i got a super t. i thought that was stiff, plush and sexy. now i have a monster. the others dont count anymore. they are rubbish in comparision. this fork is the only component on my bike that just wont die. or even play-dead. i love this fork. i think it loves me. go out and get one, see what i mean for yourself!
Submitted by
Eder Savio
a Downhiller
from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2003
Strengths: This ask is a pleonasm. Monster is synonym of Strong. Your disc will stay stiff in the center of caliper. The curves will be perfect, even in high speeds. It will help you in that wrong jump.
Weaknesses: I realy don't know.
Bottom Line:
If you need to trust in the fork, you need Monster. Well, if you are worry about the weight of Monster, go ride XC. Monster is pure FR and DH. I'm a massive guy and did not notice the extra weight of Monster. I think this happens because the ride of Monster is really Sweet. I love Monster and I never more will buy another fork.
Submitted by
Efren Serrano
a Weekend Warrior
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2002
Strengths: Biiiiiig.... this is one of the few forks I can stick my hand between the stanchion and the headtube. What does this translate too? X-UPS! Remember kids! This fork isn't meant to suck up the little bumps in the road... it's the bomb holes that it was designed to deal with!
Weaknesses: You're kidding me, right? hehehehe... to be fair, maybe if you take your bike apart a lot in order to stuff it in your friend's car... (I'd rather spend it on the bike than on a rack.)
Bottom Line:
Diiiiis Biiiig Foooork! Meant for abuse! If Wade Simmons uses an unmodified Monster on his RM7... then it's gotta be good.
Similar Products Used: Marzocchi Jr. T, Z1, Z2. RST HI-5, Lefty...etc...
Bike Setup: 99 Bullit, XT Discs, Hussefelt Cranks.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
HELLBELLY
a Weekend Warrior
from Hotlanta, GA US of A
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002
Strengths: The Monster lives up to its name. Huge, burly, and scary. Everything else seems puny. I really cannot fathom what would screw this fork up. I would likely die too! Once it was dialed in, the travel seems bottomless. All of the obstacles I have ever faced on any of the local trails seem like nothing now. This fork probably tracks even better than a rigid fork; it's that stiff. It can get you into alot of trouble, but will also get you out of it. Typical kickass Bomber function and quality.
Weaknesses: There is no good simple way to put your bike with this fork onto any current roof racks. I went with a Hurricane Fork-Up. This is ok, but takes more time. Maybe the new Yakima Cobra will work out. Oh well, if you gonna run with the big dogs, you gotta suck it up. Same goes for anyone who complains about the weight.
Bottom Line:
This fork is the biggest and baddest of all the readily available brands. Its strange to think about what drove the folks at Marzocchi to create such as a beast when there really still is not much else like it. I remember reading a review of a RM9 in MB where the reviewer complained that fork was just too much for him and that it belonged on the front of a MX not a bike. Boo Hoo. It may be the big time freeride fork of choice and for good reason. If you can handle it, this fork is the shiznit for getting kooky. Go out a scare small children!
Similar Products Used: Jr T, Z1, Boxxer, Shiver, but the Monster T is in a class by itself.
Bike Setup: '02 Bullit with extra-heavy everything
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Drew Whitehead
a Downhiller
from Cedar City UT
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002
Strengths: Everything. Soaks up anything you put in front of it. Plus gets lots of looks.
Weaknesses: Nuttin
Bottom Line:
I like the feel of this better than the Shiver. It also kicks the other fork companies feel and strength. My friend got hit by a car and his bike was mangled but the monster t was perfectly fine. IF you think its too heavy get some muscles. Its not even noticable.
Similar Products Used: Shiver DC, Boxxer, White Brothers, Jr T
Bike Setup: Super 8, DH KIT from SC, Mobster 2.7 f high roller 2.7 r, azonic equipped
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kail Marks
a Downhiller
from Bozeman, MT
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2002
Strengths: This is just my initial judgement on the fork. I haven't even DH'd it yet. Huge Stanchions, arch, clamps, everything is HUGE - and therefore, indestructable. It has less flex than a motocross fork, do I make myself clear? Zero stiction, smooth, smooth, smooth, buttery travel. In reality, it has about 6 3/4" of travel, 1/4" negative. However, it is more progressive fork than most others, so you don't use all of the travel unless you're jumping off your house. Rebound damping allows you to slow the fork way down if you want to. One more thing, the stickers are about 1 pound each and 1/8" thick so you don't need to worry about over-zealous lifties scratching up your new fork. Marzocchi set out to make an indestructable fork, and that's what it is.
Weaknesses: Ha Ha; funny. The word weakness does not belong in the same sentence as the word Monster T. Some people say weight, but I disagree. I just switched out my old fork for this one, and the old one weighed 2 pounds less. I havn't even noticed the extra weight; what I have noticed is that this one is MUCH stiffer and more confidence inspiring. Anyone who says it's hard to lift the front end with this fork simply doesn't know how to ride. One of my friends also uses this fork on HER bike and she weighs about 140. She can do wheelies no problem.
Bottom Line:
What intrigued me about this fork was that I have had awesome results with my 97 Z-1, so I really trusted the Marzocchi name. After trying several Monster T's, I could see that it is really just a giant, beefed-up Z-1 on steroids. Excellent quality, and value. If you want a bomb-proof, confidence inspiring fork, that works all the time with no complaint, and you like the idea of having better performance than any othe fork, this fork is for you. I'll post another review after this riding season. For now, I'll have to be satisfied launching this sucker off tall stuff in town. Get this fork, you won't be disapointed.
Similar Products Used: Well, there really are no "similar" products but here goes: Stratos MX6 (my "ex"-fork, also a very nice fork), Shiver, White Bros. DH2, UD 150, Boxxer, 02 Super T.
Bike Setup: 01 Santa Cruz Bullit, 01 Monster, Mavic D521 rims, Intense 2.7"'s for DH, WTB 2.4"'s for freeriding, Hayes, Azonic bars, blah, blah, blah....
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Loki
a Downhiller
from The Holy MTB Shrine of Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002
Strengths: This is the most confidence-inspiring fork I've ever used. I weigh 255 and every other downhill fork I've ridden on feels flexy, but not this one. I have landed 13 foot drops to flat, drops that have snapped a Boxxer and Hanebrink LT-9 without harming this fork in the least. Great damping, it's super active over every hit, yet it has never bottomed hard. The steering precision is phenomenal with the 40 mm stanchions and 20 mm thruaxle.
Weaknesses: Some would say weight, but the byproduct of added strength is added confidence. Which equals higher speeds. You do the math.
Bottom Line:
Looks like a motocross fork, and that's exactly what it feels like when you ride on it. The Monster T is by far the most overbuilt fork I've ever ridden on, which contributes to a feel of total solidity. It may be hard for lighter/weaker riders to muscle around, but this fork steers incredibly well. Point it at a boulder and watch your bike go over it without deflecting at all thanks to the huge stanchions and beefy lowers.
Other pluses: Great seals, great tire clearance (can fit a 3.0 with room to spare), superb damping, external adjustability (something that the Boxxer and the Hanebrink most notably lack). If you have the means I highly reccommend the Monster-T.
Similar Products Used: Rockshox Boxxer (broke the lower crown and axle) Hanebrink LT-9 (twisted clamps, blown damper, dented lower staunchion, all on one four hour ride) Stratos MX6 (on my Minuteman) Marzocchi Z1 QR20 (snapped the crown in half)
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Super-8
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dumpster Brown
a Downhiller
from Taunton MA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2002
Strengths: BORN FOR ABUSE. strong, adjustable, no flex
Weaknesses: NONE...this fork is NOT too heavy. Its a Big-Hit/DH product that you can easily ride on the trails
Bottom Line:
Most people in this market are torn between the MONSTER-T and the BOXXER. Whats more important to you, weight, or strength. Its that simple. If youre interested in BIG drops,DH and hard freeriding than the Monster-T is for you. The biggest thing Ive done so far is a 16ft drop off a stickbridge to a DH landing and my forks laughed at it, didnt even make a sound ( and I weigh 225 ) I would recomend the Monster-T to anyone into hard riding. Who cares if their heavier than the boxxers. If an extra four pounds are gonna break you than youre out of shape. The Monster-Ts are strong, they take a beating and the average working stiff can afford them.
Bike Setup: GT dh-i... all stock DH components with a sping upgrade for the r.shock, 50mm cube stem, 2.6 Gaz.up front and Profile cro-mo h/bars
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Oscar
a Downhiller
from North Shore,British Columbia in Canada
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002
Strengths: Extremely Strong...NO FLEX...Dampening system works great.
Weaknesses: Nada...Zip...Zilch...Nothing and a whole lot of Diddly Squat
Bottom Line:
A Excellant fork that is capable of taking ALOT of hard use without complaining. BUT before you go running out to buy the "Monster T", load up your wallet.It's not cheap in any way.Also this is NOT a fork for those who are weak little weight weenies.This is a World class Downhill/Freeride triple crown fork so it is NOT light.For those who complain about the weight of this fork,I recommend a good free-weight program.
The Dampening system on this fork is amazing to put it mildly. It seems very squishy on the road or mild trails but when the trail turns to hell thats when the speed valving kicks in and smooths out the ride to the point where you will hardly notice it.
I've read alot of reviews from ppl who are comparing a Boxxer to a Monster T..Unlike the Boxxer(a good fork too) the "Monster T" has 40mm stantion tubes which means good luck bending OR flexing those puppys,but the trade-off is the added weight.But lets be realistic...ANYONE who can honestly compare a Boxxer to a Monster T has NOT been riding long enough to honestly differentiate between the two....You might as well be comparing a Toyota to a Hum-vee.
Without taking anything away from the other forks on the market.For the price and the customer service you can't go wrong with a Monster T.
Similar Products Used: Boxxer...Manitou...White Bros
Bike Setup: 2001 Rocky Mountain RM-9...Raceface...Hayes...Azonic..Sram ...Panaracer...Atomic Lab Wheels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
BRIAN DRINKARD
a
from SEATTLE,WA UNITED STATES
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002
Strengths: indestructable,bombproof you cant brake this fork ive landed at a 45 degree angle nosefirst on this fork and it didnt falter.
Weaknesses: extremely heavy
Bottom Line:
awesome fork, strongest fork made,the ultimae bigdrop fork, ill never buy another brand of fork,the damping is amazing,it is made for those who need a bombproof fork. however it is not made for a weight conscious person,ive had it three months and my upper body aches from throwing the frontend around,but i need it so i deal with it,ihope you get a chance to try it out.
Similar Products Used: 01'marzocchi super T,99' rockshox boxxer
Bike Setup: santacruz super8, mavic 317/hope wheels,hope disc brakes nokian 3" gozaloddi front tire,maxxis mobster rear tire,profile cranks/chainguide,xtr shifter/derailer,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dennis Lo
a Weekend Warrior
from Hsinchu, Taiwan
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2002
Strengths: buttery smooth, endless travel, great for all sorts of downhill/freeride type riding.
Weaknesses: a little teensy bit on the heavy side, too expensive (but worth the money!)
Bottom Line:
This fork is unbelievable! The fork is soooo smooth that riding technical trails seems to be riding on paved road. Great for big hits, drops, and all sorts of downhill riding. I recommend this to any hardcore rider who isn't afraid of spending some big bucks.