Strengths: mucho simple, plush travel, bottomless feel, i can take it apart in 15 minutes, adjusters actually DO something (but they lower travel by 20 mm in the tightest setting.) and now, theyre a dime a dozen. not to raked out on my mountaineers backyard special 03 hardrock comp hardtail either.
Weaknesses: heavy (good thing if you have added some NYrs/christmas poundage), cant climb well because it bobs like crazy, the travel has some stiction for like 10mm at the very top, but once you break through the stiction, its really smooth, it doesnt require long hours of relaxing reading of the manual when work is needed, which means i dont have an excuse to sit inside of my cozy little mountain home infront of my christmas tree and relax!
Bottom Line:
awesome!!!! it really is a piece of cake to work on. i DJ, DH, AM, painfully XC, 4x, trail, and commute with this fork every day. (im 16, i mow lawns, fix mtbs and dirt bikes, and wash cars for money so i have plenty of spare time) my life is riding. i beat the holy hell out of this fork. this thing has no creaks, no nothing scary, it does flex if i dont check the crown for a few days (maintenance says to check it after every ride), it had slim to zip dapmening before i swapped the stock light oil with KTM racing heavy oil, now it feels really nice. follow up on youre maintenance and your fork will look as ugly as mine, and preform just a good as mine!!! its a really nice fork!!
Similar Products Used: marzocchi z2 superfly (blew that up in a month because i kill forks), modded manitou splice comp 130 which worked AWESOME after some mods and then it got stolen, manitou skareb elite, RS judy (split the crown right town the middle), rs mag 21 sl (i just HAD to take it apart......and never put it back together.....)rs jett race that was like the energizer bunny, rst capa t6 which sucked SO badly that..., suntour xct or something that the top cap blew off and...pow right in the kisser....end of story, fox fork of some kind that i blew up somehow.
Bike Setup: 2003 spec HR comp
2004 answer bars
brand new shim SLX rear hub
marzocchi z3 bomber qr20
2008 funn stem
early 2000s ahead set
2010 terramax rear hoop
2005 mavic something front hoop
2004 avid V brakes soon to be swapped with a 1995 pro stop 230mm hydro cable combo, and centerlock rear.
the rest of the stuff is stock
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Submitted by
Sylvain Cordier
a Downhiller
from Lille, France
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006
Strengths: Fourche tres résistante, plus de 5 ans d'utilisation, tres peu d'entretient. Encaisse parfaitement les gros chocs, super amortissement 130 de débattement pour une fourche de 2000, pas chere! QR20 pratique
Weaknesses: Pas de reglage externe de la détente. Pas la plus légere.
Bottom Line:
J'ai utilisé cette fourche depuis 2001 en randon descente, free ride légé.
Elle possede le kit 130 mm de débattement. Tres bon amortissement, solidité a toute épreuve Le fonttionnement est toujours si agréable apres 5 ans, je ne l'ai vidangée qu'un fois et tout va bien. Utilisée avec un disque en 200 m, elle se tord légerement mais tout va bien quand meme. Aussi efficace sur les petits que les gros chocs si elle est bien reglée en précontrainte. Le reglage de la détente s'effectue a l'aide d'une longue BTR a l'intérieur des fourreaux! J'aime cette fourche, que du bonheur
Submitted by
Don MEGA A Yayee Yayee
a Downhiller
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Strengths: Looks,durability,easy to adjust,smooth,stiff,bottoming resistance
Weaknesses: Are you Sh@ttin' me? STOP WHINING
Bottom Line:
This fork is awesome!! I bought my 2000 Norco VPS 3 for $850 and I am happier than a pig in sh@t! The bomber Z-3 QR20 fork feels like it is brand FOCKIN' new! Excellent bottoming resistance. Took the 'norc off a 5' drop to flat landing and had narry a problem. Didn't bottom out even with the slap landing. BUY THIS FORK
Bike Setup: Norco Torrent 03 frame, 2000 Z3 QR20, D521 on Formula 20mm hub, Hayes Comp 6 inch up front and an XT hydro in the rear, worn-out Alivio/Deore drivetrain.
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Submitted by
Dalibor markovic
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003
Strengths: Very good shock. I used this shock for a year and a half now and only now started to get a really really small leak. Bretty damn good for hard riding in all conditions.
Weaknesses: I found none, some ppl say, that tried my bike, that they are flexy but I never noticed any.
Bottom Line:
Damn good shock. Quality built and you will have no problems with this fork. There is only one little problem with fork though and thats the price, even if you wanna get new seals for the shocks (which are 2 little round rubber pieces) will cost $65.00 Can.
Submitted by
Ken Shields
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002
Strengths: Brilliant performance from such a cheap fork. Soaks up anything I throw at it. No flex...this fork is sooooo stiff
Weaknesses: Only problem I've had is the bolt on disc mount......If you are running discs check it......I noticed mine was cracked today in both of the bolt mounting holes on to the fork leg...this has led to a very bad juddering from my front disc....I'll get another one but I will be changing them to something with a cast mount as this is a dangerous weakness....other than this these forks rock
Bottom Line:
A great performing fork that will absorb anything you can throw at it but check your disc mount for cracks. If it snaps you will be in serious trouble...trust me ...it wont break going across a car park
I'd give it 5 overall if it wasn't for the brake mount....if you're running v brakes dont worry it doesnt affect you
Weaknesses: The stickers peel easy(what a weekness!)
Bottom Line:
Stock on my Stinky!! This fork is my all time favorite! It is one of the cheapest (price) forks I've used, but once you get the springs right----LOOK OUT!! It isn't the easiest fork to adjust though! Rebound is done by changing oil. I am 225+ and I ride like a mad man! This is a big guy part! I love the fact that it isn't fancy, it looks entry level, and it is packed full of 135mm of bomber travel!!!
Similar Products Used: Manitou X-Vert R/Bomb shell Wicked Wendy
Bike Setup: Kona Stinky Dee Lux-Easton Monkey lights/hayes/X-MAX wheels/Titec stem/Race Face cranks
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Submitted by
Ross
a Cross Country Rider
from Mount Vernon, WA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2001
Strengths: Very Stiff Plush as a lazy-boy good price
Weaknesses: Ha!
Bottom Line:
this fork transformed my cross country bike into a legit freeride hardtail. coupled with my sick front tire (Love semi-tubeless), my bike doesn't stop rolling, even through nasty canadian roots. It is so plush it is not even funny. i fell off a skinny up at the shore, landed front tire first, and the fork sucked it up with out bottoming out. then it gave me a nice gentle rebound-assisted toss over the bars, saving my nuts. Finally, even though my bike is 3 pounds heavier, it actually climbs better because i don't have to worry about steering on climbs. Amazing Amazing product. bonus: fork comes set up for my weight out of the box, so all i did was adjust the rebound dampning a half turn to make it perfect!
Similar Products Used: Manitou SX-R, Rock Shock Q-21r (old school)
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Z-3, rhino lite wheels, avid arch rival brakes, spot bash guard on crappy tru vativ cranks, velociraptor tire on rear, love shagger semi-tubeless downhill tire on the front, xt/lx/deore parts, sdg grand prix saddle
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Submitted by
Al
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001
Strengths: Whoa baby!! These forks are ace! They are stiff, beefy looking and strong with replaceable everything.
Weaknesses: Rebound adjustment can be a bit of a faff for little wieners that cry over a little spilled oil, but isnt a problem for the mentally sound.
Bottom Line:
This fork is incredible. It eats anything you throw at it and then begs for more. I've crashed out countless times, and even when a cubic inch if material is missing, they perform faultlessly. They took a hell of a beating last weekend and they're still smoother than barry white sliding round in a teflon pan. If you demand strength and stiffness over weight, these little babies are for YOU! Z3 QR20, have a well deserved 5 !!!!
Similar Products Used: rockshox Psylo xc, manitou x-vert
Bike Setup: Kona roast, xs, middleburn, dmr, sun ditch witch, avid, LX. Nice, beefy steed!
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Submitted by
Free Ryder
a Downhiller
from Sunshine Coast
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001
Strengths: Marzocchi quality awsome!!QR20 really stiff dropout. 4 or 5 inch of travel. External ajustments are user friendly. The last year marzocchi put the replacable arch. Get one now!!Very cheap for the quality!!
Weaknesses: None at all. You all that think it breaks go to hell!!!!1
Bottom Line:
Not that heavy for a downhill fork. Will never die if mine does im gettin another for sure. Very stiff, made by italians and not chinese slave labour. The dopest fork on the face of this earth. Go buy one you won't be dissapoited.I'd give it 6 flamin dog doos but i can't.
Bike Setup: Kona Muni mula but gettin a Cove stiffee soon, Sun mammoth all xt, Z3 QR20 DUH
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Submitted by
SNOOP
a Downhiller
from St.louis,mo.
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001
Strengths: Strong and plush! If you are a big boy(or girl)200+ this is your fork.
Weaknesses: Marzochi turn around time for extra parts!!!
Bottom Line:
After an upgraded spring(for 220+lbs) this fork rocked!! I did have trouble out of the box, But that was on KONA! Customer service is AWESOME, BUT...turn around time was hell!! This is a FAT BOY fork all the way ! No problems- simple to tune and super plush!!
Similar Products Used: X-Vert R X-Vert and RS Judy XL
Bike Setup: KONA Stinky-Five XT-Race face cranks-Azonic hb-
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Submitted by
pete
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000
Strengths: kicks sick ass!
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This fork is great! all u peeps who say it breaks.... one word. ****MAINTENANCE**** just keep the bolts tight, dust wipers cleans and all that and not need to b i t c h about anything with this fork!
Similar Products Used: z1 z5 could not compare jr t
Bike Setup: zaskar le, xt drive, dh stem, hell bent riser, shi 858 pedals, 2.45 tires, rhyno lites
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Submitted by
Weelie Drop Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000
Strengths: Very Strong,Plush,Active,All Round Great Fork very nice for rocks,stumps and big ass weelie drops
Weaknesses: some sag when broken in, otherwise nothing for me yet
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome fork the only thing i can compare it to is the 99 Z1 Drop Off. Very Excellent fork when set to 5 inches. You can leave it at 4 but for 6-12 ft weelie drops id set it for 5 inches. I would definatly buy another one when mine breaks this is like the best fork ever!! People lookin for big weelie drops and cross country trail riding should make this fork a must.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox Judy C 99 (suckage),Z1 Atom 80,Judy Race
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Submitted by
Fox
a Weekend Warrior
from Chico
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2000
Strengths: Great fork for a great price. This is a SIMPLE fork w/ little to get broken(on a free ride fork that is important!!). Excellent compression adjustment, fortunately my fork came from then factory w/ the rebound adjusted perfect for a 190lb rider. I will never ride a fork w/ a 9mm ft axle agi8n on a suspension fork, 20mnm thru axle is the only way to go!!
Weaknesses: THe added weight from the canti bosses for those who have not made the jump to disk brakes. And a Steel steerer tube. For this level of perfomance it should be aluminum.
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork,simple set-up for myself,could be a little lighter but who counts grams on a freeride bike!! works great in all conditionsand this fork was one of the deciding factors in chosing this bike.QR 20 is the way of the future for all suspension technology!!!!
Favorite Trail: Anything in Downieville or bloody pen
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At: Pullins cyclery
Similar Products Used: 98'Z2 BAM (70mm travel) ,Z1 QR20 Dropoff(demobike), A Custom Boxxer(belongs to a friend of mine)
Bike Setup: 2000 Special Edition Kona Stinky 5, Retro-graded to a 8spd XT drive train. WTB Speed Disc hubs W/ Rynolites.Hayes Disc Brakes(standard equipment on the stinky5)