Strengths: Light,precise steering,totally tunable,quality on finishings and materials.
Weaknesses: Not longer made,It requires more maintenance than usual forks,but it´s oK for me.
Bottom Line:
This is a vintage fork(2001 model)I got it used but in mint conditions,but it works and feels maybe better than the new ones.It requires,at first,to be set it up according to your weight and riding style.So once is done,it works perfect. I really like when I hammer on the pedals this fork don´t bob at all. This fork is race intended and focused on those guys who have fun giving maintenance,tuning and set up his or her bikes.
This was one of the best forks ever made and it worth to pay every penny,cent or euro.
Bike Setup: Salsa Moto rapido,full xt,dt swiss 240 wheels,easton here and there,maxis larsen tt,fizik seat,und so weiter.
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Submitted by
Ed Merkel
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2007
Strengths: High quality fork,looks awesome,very,very light(pretty close to SID),stiffness,beefy 32mm stanchions,twin air chambers,No Bob under standing stroke, just one set up and ride,very smooth over rough terrains,excellent handling on technical path.
Weaknesses: It needs some set up before riding,but is easy to do it.Some maintenance every 10 hours of riding(if need it).No longer made !!!
Bottom Line:
This is the first fork I bought used and may be is one of the best I had. When I received ,it looks some Retro style,but I like it and the guy who sold to me sent all the air sprung and some washers that were supplied when new. I really had no idea how this works,so I downloaded the XC-4 manual,available on the White brothers website,and I realize what the small parts are for. It will take some minutes to set it up,and put the right air sprung on both air chambers;This is made according to your weight and riding style.Once is set up,no more adjustments are need it.
The first testing day,I was very concerning about the fork travel (73mm), and I choose one rough trail to see how it will feel over rocky,rooty,mudy and dusty terrain and It was a very pleasant tour with no surprises,no doubt this was one of the best forks available.The fork travel was no a problem over technicals and rough terrain,and it really feels smooth and stiff where it needs. Most of the terrain where I live are mountains and the climbs are long and when I stand over the pedals this forks doesn't bob at all so one more reason to keep it for long,long time. This forks were made to last so if you have the chance to get one,be sure to get the air sprung. Remember,this are need it to set it up according your weight and riding style.
Very nice Fork. I have only had it a short time so far but it seems very nice. If it is as good as my 2005 White Brothers XC.8 I will be one happy camper. It took a little while to set up but it functions great. You cant feel it working it just works. Super adjustable set it as firm or soft as you like. I Really like my other WB fork it is a set it and forget it deal. Just keep up on service and you will be great for a long time.
Similar Products Used: White Borthers XC-4, Rock Shox Psylo Gold, Marzocchi Marathon S, Manitou Mars, Manitou SX, Marzocchi Z-5
Bike Setup: Independent Steel Deluxe, Full XTR ,White brothers XC-4
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Submitted by
Jason Dubin
a Weekend Warrior
from Potomac MD, USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2003
Strengths: This fork responds with a great aggressive attitude. It is wiiling to accept just about anything that you can throw at it,with finess. The look is great and the white brothers name is not to well known so you wont see to many of them around. So feel lucky to be an owner and rider of one of these xc4's.
Weaknesses: Have not really found anything major except for when it cry's if I dont ride her.
Bottom Line:
A great fork for an aggressive or cross country rider. It holds up extremely well(I have been ridding it hard in Colorado for the last year).
Bike Setup: Litespeed Pisgah, King headset, Avid mech discs, single speed w/white industries drive train
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Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002
Strengths: Undeniably well made forks using top notch materials.Extremely smooth action.
Weaknesses: Try mating a disc brake to it.
Bottom Line:
This was my replacement for my XC3 which also suffered from a serious design flaw. I`ve wanted a set of these forks for years having used all the usual Rock Shox,Manitou items.............well what can I say? Its not what I expected from White brothers.Are the disc mounts on the legs for show?The legs are that close on both sets(XC3/XC4) that the discs were actually rubbing on the lower legs. With a rim brake they`re ace but maybe that was only the 2001 models that are at fault.
Weaknesses: You may get lots of riders trying to stop you to ask about it.
Bottom Line:
I've been riding and racing on the XC-4 for a year and a half. After 10-12 hours of break-in, the fork became buttery smooth. They are easy to work on and stay clean and functional in even the worst conditions. The fork increased my technical riding abilities significantly. Riding over roots that run diagonally to the trail used to redirect me, now I can cross these roots straight down the trail and not worry about picking the "right line". The air cartridges are infinitely adjustable. You can set up the stiffness, the rebound and the dampening. The air cartridges have not leaked air yet. I check them every other month and have never found them low on pressure. If you want a fork that will tackle the trail and will go where you point it, you should check this puppy out. Avoid the usual rat pack with their generic forks. Lead the trail.
Weaknesses: no boots, play in bushings even when new
Bottom Line:
I'll be happy if these forks last. THey are stiffer than anything else out there and that alone is worth the extra money. Just take them on one ride and you will never want a racing fork from the other guys. I'll follow up on the bushing durability. Out of the box the fork has a little fore-aft play. I don't know whether to worry much about this. Ta ta.
Strengths: stiff! Steers precise, not like a crosscountry fork, excelent finish, trusty tuneable air cartridge
Weaknesses: making initial tuning adjustments is a bit laborious
Bottom Line:
I wanted to write something concerning White Bros. customer service.It's vastly improved. I 've had some of the same problems with them in the past as a few of the other reviews talk about, but I recently sent them my fork, damaged in a crash, they replaced the damaged parts, and sent it right off without charging me a thing, All in a timely manner. Of course the fork handles like no other cross country fork out there. I couldn't believe how the handling of my bike changed when I put this fork on. Don't waste your money on a fork that's half a pound lighter, it won't steer.
Submitted by
Dave Youngstarr
a Weekend Warrior
from Lafayette, LA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2000
Strengths: It feels very good, performs well, and White Brothers has excellent product service. I also like it because White Brothers is a different name that hardly anyone over here knew about.
Weaknesses: It doesn't perform well when i have been drinking.
Bottom Line:
Weight doesn't matter. It's the condition of the rider and part quality, and SoftTail rocks!
Bike Setup: 2001' Trek STP 200 frame, XT/XTR, Cook Brothers Cranks, RaceFace Chainrings, White Brothers XC4 fork, Spinergy Cyclone disk wheels, Chris King headset, Hutchinson Mosquito tires, Selle Italia Flite Seat, Kore Scandium seatpost, Easton Magnesium Stem, DEAN handlebars, Bontrager Ti pedals, Avid Disc Brake(Front), and one drunk guy riding it.
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Submitted by
t g
a Cross Country Rider
from boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000
Strengths: service
Weaknesses: price
Bottom Line:
I just got this shock for cheap and have not used it yet but thought that the white bros. service deserves mention. I need to have a new steerer tube installed since i wanted to put this shock on a new bike. i mailed the shock out on friday and received the repaired shock in the mail the following friday! I am very impressed with the turnaround. When i called them, they responded promptly and promised a quick turnaround, which they lived up to. a word on the weight: they advertise 3.0 lbs. it is 3lbs 3 oz.
