Submitted by
Joseph Barbour
a Racer
from North Shore British Columbia
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2003
Strengths: This is a sick fork. probubly the stiffest and most expensive. The TPC+ helps alot and the new spv (2004) works really nice (although I dont need the spv)
Weaknesses: Price and non industry standard brake adapter.
Bottom Line:
All you idiots complaining about tire clearance should dile down your tire size. You shouldnt be riding anything fatter than a 2.5. anything else is over kill and you are strainig to keep yourself going especialy if you one of thoes guys that runs at the typical 20psi. your Dumb. If you ride anyhing fatter than a 2.5 your probubly getting alot of flats or you tire pressure is too high and you probubly think your getting more traction, you not. Take pedals for example, if you use too many pins you traction goes down. plus 3 inch tires look gay. look at every single racer out there they all ride 2.5s or 2.3s. about 95% of the racers out there ride 2.5s unless you racing dual or mountain cross. then you need a whole differant tire and pressure. You shouldent be straining to keep going or to keep your traction. I ride 25psi in the front and 28.5 psi in the back. I never rim out people struggle to keep up with me when I havent even taken one pedal stroke and my tires have never slipped. I only say this to help and to get the ugly 3 inch tires off the trails.
This is a really sweet for for racing. It is super smooth and will float over the worst rock gardens. Just have to check the carbon alot to make sure of no dent or stuff. Bottom line is buy it if you are into racing and want a lighter stiffer fork. Forget it if you do anything else. Cause for the price you better be a damn fast racer.
Submitted by
Ferrett
a
from Calgary, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002
Strengths: Great all around, i ve had dirt jumpers, boxxers, everything, nothing can come close. I love it! Takes anythign u can throw at it and come back strong.
Weaknesses: Seals broke on me, but i got that fixed under warenty, and i got 2003 guts for my 2002 =p
Bottom Line:
Best shock unless ur planning to drop 50 feet clifs
Strengths: Looks, smooth travel, vibration dampening, great tracking through chatter, integrated stem adjustability, Manitou customer service!!!
Weaknesses: Seems to have a higher maintenance rate than other forks( what do you expect for the Ferrari of forks though.)Mine came from the factory with a defect. I thought it was due to the break in period, but Manitou said it must be a manufacturer thing after looking at it themselves. After sending it back and them looking at it they sent me a brand new one in less than 2 days. I couldn't believe no hassles or arguments. NO fixing the old one, just here is a new one go out and ride.
Bottom Line:
The fork when working properly is definitly a smooth as butter fork. It inspires confidence( maybe it's a mental thing). The travel seems to feel endless thanks to TPC. Slight flex laterally, but not very noticeable during riding. Only if you put the tire between your legs and turn the wheel. Tracks incredible with the integrated stem. Again, hats off to Bobby at MANITOU's warranty for taking care of the customer with first class service. I will adjust this review accordingly after a few more months of riding it. So far so good.
Strengths: It looks awesome, the carbon is tougher than you would think. I've went down hard and hit things hard and no damage. CUSTOMER SERVICE IS 5*****
Weaknesses: Seems to have a higher maintenance rate than other forks( what do you expect for the Ferrari of forks though.)Mine came from the factory with a defect. I thought it was due to the break in period, but Manitou said it must be a manufacturer thing after looking at it themselves. After sending it back and them looking at it they sent me a brand new one in less than 2 days. I couldn't believe no hassles or arguments. NO fixing the old one, just here is a new one go out and ride.
Bottom Line:
The fork when working properly is definitly a smooth as butter fork. It inspires confidence( maybe it's a mental thing). The travel seems to feel endless thanks to TPC. Slight flex laterally, but not very noticeable during riding. Only if you put the tire between your legs and turn the wheel. Tracks incredible with the integrated stem. Again, hats off to Bobby at MANITOU's warranty for taking care of the customer with first class service. I will adjust this review accordingly after a few more months of riding it. So far so good.
Similar Products Used: 02 Super T, Boxxer, Monster T
Bike Setup: 02 Intense M1, XTR Drive, MRP, MAG 30's HAYES Purple's, MAXXIS, Azonic 454 cranks, Easton DH carbon bar, ODI lock ons
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Steven Kaufman
a Downhiller
from Tustin, CA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Strengths: Looks Great on an M1. Stiff. Although, I'm not sure that's a good point on this fork.
Weaknesses: It's a piece of Junk. This fork is more about marketing hype and retailer profit than plush downhill rides. I owned two new Dorados (I had to make sure I wasn't crazy, so I got a second one) and they both played the same. Stiction out the wazoo, beat the daylights out of everything from my hands to my teeth. No small bump performance, not plush, rides like a bent 2" travel fork. So sticky that when you depress it unloaded, it doesn't even return all the way back up. In all fairness, Manitou recommends that you break it in for 20 hours. So, let's see, at 6 Minutes per run, my wrists would be stumps before the ride was plush. I had no intention of wasting that many good rides, let alone my body.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy this fork unless you don't mind breaking your wrists in before you break the fork in. A ton of money for a hype-fork.
Bike Setup: M1, XTR, HOPE EM4 205MM, EASTON EC-70, King, HADLEY Hubs, MRP WORLD CUP, MICHELIN COMP, Mavic D321 DH, and a SHIVER!!!
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
David
a Downhiller
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002
Strengths: STRONG, plush, steers great through all the ruff stuff, great warranty program.
Weaknesses: Flexy? well it is when you twist the front wheel at a standstill, but it doesnt flex at all when I'm racing or screwing around. A tad on the heavy side... It's actually 7.75 pounds... not 7.
Bottom Line:
OK, I dropped 12 feet and crashed. Long story short, I buckled my Stab Primo on a drop, but the dorado didn't break. The fork was twisted a bit, but I realigned it today. What can I say, I thought the expensive plastic would break WAAAY before my primo did. Buy the fork... its the best race fork out there (boxxer being very close) and you can beat it up and it will still function correctly.
Similar Products Used: Boxxer (great fork too), super T (not as great)
Bike Setup: Well, I used to have a 2002 stab primo... but i buckled the frame on Saturday. It was full XTR, dorado fork, hadley hubs laced to mavic 521 rims, azonic bars.. blah blah.. basic race setup.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Craig Bromley
a Downhiller
from England
Weaknesses: MRD stem too long, got BETD to CNC a bit off for me.
Bottom Line:
I went for the M1 factory look and these forks were a must, the set up is so good looking you'll never need to talk to your wife again, or maybe I should get out more. I had problems fitting HOPE brakes to the brackets but that was a misunderstanding with HOPE (SEE PREVIOUS REVIEW), now I have the right caliper they work superb. I have opted for a soft spring into a hard spring, this gives me a very progressive ramp up that's super active over small bumps. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the performance, oh and as for those who worry about carbon...don't, I have had many accidents including hitting a tree at 20mph and they were sound. (not recommended though!) I sent the top crown off to be CNC'd down as it was a bit on the long side, so now it looks even cooler if that's posible. I regularly do jumps/DH/drop off to about 6' and so far the seals have not complained and I'm on the bike most days. The plastic guards are strong enough although they should design a slider (like on some motorbike forks) which will make them a bit more laterally strong for those journeys in the truck on the way back up the course. Huge amount of bread to buy but if you can afford it you wont be dissapointed. All I need to buy now is some talent and I'll be sorted.
Bike Setup: Intense M1 2002 (5th element), MRP, Easton Monkeylite etc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Downhiller
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002
Strengths: Plush, stiff, looks cool
Weaknesses: Main weakness is the play in the bushings. I have only ridden this fork for about 4 rides and I am getting TONS of play in the bushings! With the frequent races here, I dont have time to send it in and get it fixed. Also, it seems much heavier than Manitou claims - Way heavier than my boxxer!
Bottom Line:
Fork feels great! Very plush and has a great progressive feel! Main problem is in the bushing play. Feels like my headset is REALLY loose, but it is definitely the bushings! I dont know if mine is a fluke, but for $1400, there shouldn't be the possibility of getting a fluke?? If you are not overly concerned with weight, and assuming you dont mind bushing play, this is a great fork for you!
Similar Products Used: Boxxer, Shiver, Stratos super 8
Bike Setup: 2002 bullit with 5th element shock. 7" rear, 7" front - good match!
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Kim Lykke
a Weekend Warrior
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Strengths: It´s a really good looking fork with a nice finish.
Weaknesses: hmmm, it´s a bit of a mess when you want to change oil. After 3 months of riding, you´ll need to give it more oil, otherwise it will become unplecent to ride with.
Bottom Line:
Im amazed how well this fork rides.. Ivé done big road gabs and jumps, and the fork still feels like new.. Was a bit nervers about the carbon, but don´t worry... They wount snaP...
Similar Products Used: Boxxer, Jr. T, Stratos S7, White Borthers, Foes Wet One, Hanebrink
Bike Setup: 2001 Foes DHS Tube, 2002 Manitou Dorado, Hayes 8", XTR der, Azonic Cranks and Handle Bar
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Blair Hislop
a Downhiller
from Albany,Auckland,New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002
Strengths: Looks!! Intergrated stem,I don't know what everyone is moaning aboot.The stearing is awesome! Plush Plush Plush
Weaknesses: Had two little time to find any weakness. Although its pretty hard to get your wheel on and off in a hurry. But I guess practice makes perfect.
Bottom Line:
This is one hell of a fork.Expensive but well worth every penny.Very stiff resulting in plush travel.Probably the best looking fork on the market.I had to choose between a Boxxer,Shiver or these Dorado's and I'm glad i went for the stiffest and best performing downhill fork on the market. Cheers Manitou
Similar Products Used: I did use an X-Vert carbon for 2 days and they were wicked.You can't compare my last 2 forks a Rock Shox DHO and a Judy XL before that.
Bike Setup: Big Hit Comp with 8 inch travel kit,02 Dorado's with MRD stem,Azonic bars,SDG Big Boy seat,Kujo Tyres
