Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from longmont, CO
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003
Strengths: Plush, bombproof (for now). Hey, a Black fork without those cheap stick-on vinyl lettering!
Weaknesses: a little heavy for a high end fork
Bottom Line:
One word about the Super Air? Plush, baby!(ok two words) Smooth travel throughout its range (100 or 120mm), a rebound adjustment that actually gives me a noticeable different between soft and full stiff. Bolted it on before heading out to Moab, what a difference from the stock MCU shock on the Schwinn. In fact I had to upgrade the rear shock just to balance the plush ride up front. Kinda strange to hear the air hissing on compression at first. I got mine at the VeloSwap for less than retail... a nice bonus.
Weaknesses: Needs to be lubed after about every 7-9 rides. Not a big deal but you'd think a high end fork like this wouldn't need babying. Changing the travel is a job-too bad its not as easy to change as the Psylo.
Bottom Line:
I really like this fork and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. It seems to be the unsung hero where forks are concerned. It's stiff where it needs to be and soaks up the chatter bumps easily. Helps feel like the downhills are like riding on a magic carpet!
It is really plush and the lockout works perfectly, if and when needed.I guess the only real complaint I have is trying to change the travel. Too bad its not on the fly.
The bottom line is that I would buy it again. I wonder if people who say that other forks are smooth as butter have ridden this one b/c it really is perfect for smoothing out roots, rocks and whatnot. Its well worth its retail value so if you can get it on sale somewhere, snatch it up. You won't be disappointed.
Similar Products Used: RockShox Psylo (too harsh in comparison)
Bike Setup: 02.5 IH Hollowpoint
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Submitted by
Dave S.
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002
Strengths: Stiff, plenty of travel, plush, rebound and compression adjustments really work. RA looks good. Evil Genius Seals.
Weaknesses: Stickers, I had to glue them. 120 to 100 travel and compression adjustments are messy. 3.67 lbs after steerer was cut is still a little on the heavy side.
Bottom Line:
Not as stiff as my Headshok but much stiffer than the SID and Duke. Lockout works like a charm. The rebound adjustment makes a huge difference with just slight adjustments. 100mm w/lockout is perfect for epic rides and cross country/adventure racing. I would recommend this fork to any Headshok owner. This is the best fork I have ridden, barnone. And, at $299 it beats the hell out of forking out the dough for a Lefty.
Bike Setup: Cannondale F400 frame, Raceface cranks, XTR and LX mix, EA50 stem, Selle Italia XO seat, Black Super Air w/ C'dale adapter. 25.2lbs...
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Submitted by
The Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Eau Claire, WI
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002
Strengths: Lock out and travel
Weaknesses: it would crap out EVERY 2 months
Bottom Line:
When it worked it was very nice. But every 2 months the inner seal would break and lose all compression. The company was nice enough to repair it for me a total of 4 times. Just this afternoon I got rid of it for good and went back to Rock Shok. I'll let you know how it works out. The lockout was fantastic but once compression was lost even that didn't work. The style with the reverse crown is nice, but who cares about looks if its not working. I weigh 160 lbs. and don't beat on my bike. Its possible there was a design flaw, but Manitou isn't changing the design for next year. If you get this product get it from a shop that doesn't mind sending it in for repairs.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shok Judy C, and Manitou SX-R
Bike Setup: Homegrown w/XTR
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Submitted by
jeb
a Cross Country Rider
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002
Strengths: Stiff, very stiff, super steering, handles everything you throw at it.
Weaknesses: Seals could be better, the rebound setting is some how limited
Bottom Line:
Ahhh at last the right fork for me, i ride longer trips, 3-5 hours, some xc, and so much trail, technical, singletrack i can find, it just hammers everything i run into. it saved me a few times going full speed ahead into large stones and ruts. the lockout also works okay, but the fox was better. so for epic rides where you can encounter a lot of things, and a bit of xc it is the best at the moment. going dh fast is also a blast, a german mag, measured it stiffer than the fox. but i think they still need to work on the seals, but is not a big deal, maybe i just shall learn to lube them right.
Similar Products Used: manitou sx 99(quite bad)sid 100(just bad)fox vanilla rl, to heavy, and to slow steering, to overbuild for me. otherwise a super fork
Bike Setup: Santans cruise superlight 2002, hayes, hugi 240 disk, xtr around, thomson stem, time atac, wtb sst 98, team spec. tires
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Submitted by
Ryan Gallagher
a Cross Country Rider
from Somerset, England
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002
Strengths: Plush, smooth, superb lockout, lightweight for 100-120mm travel, looks the biz, steerings great, well everything really
Weaknesses: The disc mounts, no seal problems or anything
Bottom Line:
This is THE best fork i've used and as you can see i've used some of the choice picks of the year, i would rate this better than SID or FOX anyday and i will be sad to see it go and hope manitou bring out another one next year. I would highly recommend this fork as its been 100% reliable and i bought it off Mark Horacek who also reviewed this fork, so his remarks aren't that true.
Similar Products Used: SID RACE 2002, FOX FLOAT RL, SID SL 2002, MARZOCCHI X-FLY 80's 2001.
Bike Setup: Rocky mountain element team sc, hope/mavic tubeless, hope m4's, XTR throughout except RF next lp isis, King headset, SYStem, X-LITE seatpost & carbo risers, Time atac titans.
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Submitted by
tim
a Weekend Warrior
from athens, oh, usa
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Strengths: looks damn cool, manitou is sending me a free replacement for the blown cartridge
Weaknesses: blew the air cartridge in 2 rides, of course the stickers suck at being sticky, a little on the heavy side
Bottom Line:
We'll see how long this new cartridge lasts and then I'll post again
Strengths: Stiffness, easy lock out, very linear response
Weaknesses: off course the stickers but looks better without anyway
Bottom Line:
Expensive and heavier than the SID Race but defenitly worth the money. Not only amazing lateral stiffness but gives a lot of confidence when using the Martas' full stopping power as well. In combination with discs preferable over the SIDs. Lock out works perfect. Has to anyway, as the unlocked fork eats up a lot of energy when going out of the saddle.
Bike Setup: Giant XtC Team, Magura Marta, Crossmax, Michelin Wildgripper
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Submitted by
Bill Jolley
a Weekend Warrior
from Worcester, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002
Strengths: Looks, Air Adjustable, Very Stiff, Light, The Most responsive fork I have ridden,
Weaknesses: I can tell that the decals are going to come off like just by looking at them, I think they must have used some cheap rubber cement to put them on. Lock out is tempermental, it worked great in the garage and then on the trail, but when I got back to the truck, it stopped working. THen worked again back at the garage. WHat is going on?
Bottom Line:
Despite the lockout tempermental behavior the fork is awesome, I really think it's the cat's for the rock gardens I love so much. Really responsive, Adjustable (really), WHo cares about decals! The fork is great, definant upgrade over my Manitou SXR. Glad I know someone at answer though otherwise I might not have paided the $500 retail without trying it first. Now that I know how it performs I'd pay retail, great fork! Going to give 4 chilis for price because it's pretty steep, even though I didn't pay retail. 5 chilis for the performance.
Strengths: -plush -lateral stiffness -great looking -3.5 lb with a cut steerer -very adjustable spring rate/spring progression
Weaknesses: -no tpc+ damper -less tire clearance than my x-vert super
Bottom Line:
i've been flogging my black super air for about 3 months now, and have no major complaints. i guess i wish it had a tpc+ damper, but know that's on the way (in '03), so i guess i'll wait for that. i've firmed up the last 1/3 of the fork's travel by adding 25wt. oil on top of the piston in the air chamber, which was effective.
overall i think this is a great fork, especially for a weight-conscious rider who wants a stiff 4-5" travel fork.
Similar Products Used: x-vert super, various sids, various sx-family forks (from manitou), bomber z2,
Bike Setup: set up with 100mm of travel on a klein hardtail frame
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Submitted by
Mark Horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from London.UK
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002
Strengths: Very light, looks really cool and plush travel
Weaknesses: Can not adjust travel on the move- unlike the Psylo. The lettering scares me that one day instead of saying "BLACK" it'll say "BL CK". I'm not overally impressed with the travel and I'm a bit worried about the long term durability of the Super Air. I traded up from a pair of Judy SL's which inspired confidence in his solidity.
Bottom Line:
I think I'm the wrong kind of rider for these forks- I'm 200LB and need something that wil ltake a real beating- these forks are beauts but I feel like I've borrowed someones Merc SL without insurance!
At the time of this entry I have them listed on Ebay (mint condition/no scratches)- wanna buy?
Strengths: Extremely plush, linear travel. Adjusters actually make a difference in feel. Awesome lateral rigidity. Very speed-sensitive damper. Reasonably lightweight.
Weaknesses: None so far. They changed from the 3D "Black" letters to a sticker (like last year). This should be more durable than the originals that everyone complained about falling off almost immediately.
Bottom Line:
So far, this fork is really nice. My no-boss fork with a cut 240mm steerer was 3.5lb on the digital postal scale at my office. I'll take that for a 100mm travel fork that steers with this sort of precision! I didn't think it'd feel much different from the X-Verts I've been used to riding, but it feels much more linear, like it ramps up less at the end of the stroke. It seems as if the fork relies more heavily on the speed sensitivity of the damper to keep it from bottoming on big hits. I can't believe how much torsionally stiffer the Black is than the X-Vert. It isn't like the X-Vert is a noodle either. Pretty cool.
My only complaint is the extreme messiness of changing the travel from the stock 120mm to 100mm. There's a lot of grease on the spring and damper shaft, and it gets all over if you're not careful. Everything installs quickly and smoothly though, and I appreciate the lack of extra weight that accompanies the rapid travel adjust on the Comp and Elite series'.
I'll post more after I've put more miles on this great performing fork.
Similar Products Used: Other forks currently owned: '00 and '01 Manitou X-Vert Supers, '00 Manitou SX-R, Z2 Bomber
Bike Setup: Klein Attitude Custom frame, size XL, No-boss Black Super Air set at 100mm travel, XTR components, Avid front disc brake, King disc/Mavic 317 front wheel.
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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002
Strengths: Stiff, Plush, Looks
Weaknesses: None yet!
Bottom Line:
I only have had this shock for about six weeks but so far this is a SWEET front shock! It is very stiff and it is plush. The ride is awesome. A huge upgrade from my stock SX.
Strengths: Stiff, still breaking it in though, whole thing only weighs 3 lbs with the 100mm travel, smooth fork, takes bit hits very well
Weaknesses: For a product that costs this much, the Lock Out system should'nt have given out so soon with only 1 month of use. Called Answer and they're sending my LBS some kind of rubber O ring to fix it. We'll see if it works.
Bottom Line:
It's kind of upsetting that the Lock Out gave out so soon and I'm only 170lbs and don't do any hard core riding. It's still about 60 miles away from breaking in and I have problems with it already. I'd go buy the Fox Vanillas instead if I were you despite it's weight because it's been getting pretty good reviews. Anyone want to buy mine so that I could get the Fox instead or trade maybe?
