Submitted by
brett rivera
a Weekend Warrior
from California Date Reviewed: December 31, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Very Light, not over-priced
Weaknesses:
The adjusters dont work very well and I prefer air forks because you can adjust them more.
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
2002 Marin Rift Zone
Bottom Line:
If u like them keep them, but since I prefer air suspension, I am probably going to get a new fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg Stowhurst
a
from Boston Date Reviewed: August 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$340.00
Strengths:
Attractive and nicely finished fork. Very light. Smooth. Gives a good 80mm of travel and beds in fairly quickly. Usefull grease ports on each leg. I like the mini boots.
Weaknesses:
Reaches it's travel limit far too easily. Very flexy. Terrible at tracking over rough ground. Awfull tip flutter under braking and totally unsuitable for use with disc brakes brakes. Also quite expensive.
Similar Products Used:
manitou SX-R, Spyder, Black, Rockshox Judy, Pilot, Duke, Psyslo, Pace RC36 and 38, Ballistic 600and 800, Marzocchi MX Comp, MX Pro ETA, Marathon SL, Fox Talas, 100RLC.
These are a fairly awfull pair of forks. When I bought them they were a new product, expensive and marketed as a fairly top XC race fork. They perform far too much like an ordinary recreational fork, with the inclusion of good adjustment facilities. The adjustments are wasted if the basic fork fails to deliver an acceptable level of performance and this just does not. The flex in the legs is considerable. Under braking with disc brakes the tips of the forks flap something awfull, just look down and it beggars belief. Hard cornering gives a feeling of real panic on fast technical turns causing the front to drift. Others may find these forks good but I can't live with them and I've tried hard enough....you do when you have paid out the money. And to add to that, after 6 months I started to get some sort of oil "sweating" out of the mini boot on the left leg. I now have gone back to Marzocchi. Tried everything and for performance, value for money and longevity the big M is hard to beat. I've got a nice pair of 2004 Marathon SLs. They go where you point them, but not as light as the Mars. There is no substitute for metal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle
a Racer
from Chattanooga Date Reviewed: May 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
local bike shop
Strengths:
its very plush and isnt over priced.
Weaknesses:
its very plush, but also very easily bottomed out. I weigh about 180 lbs. and am able to bottom the fork out pushing down on it.
Similar Products Used:
rock shox judy
Bike Setup:
litespeed with xt
Bottom Line:
this fork would be great for a light rider and has a great feel, but if you are on the heavier side like me then its not for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nitish Nag
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Laguna seca race track
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Pretty light weight for the price, not too harsh, good for racing and light duty cross country use. SUPER plush
Weaknesses:
Doesn't have a lockout, easily broken, servicing is hard, Too muh flex for anything more than easy trail riding.
Similar Products Used:
FoxForx Float 100, Rockshox Sid, Manitou Black
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur, w 5th element, 03 XTR
Bottom Line:
This is a great enthusiast Sport level fork, Not bad for the price and its damping and ride qualities. Not the perfect fork for racing because it doesnt come equiped with a lockout. If your getting your first real mountain bike, spring for this one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bartidge
a
from Ballston Lake, NY Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Light, nice engineering for adjustment and rebuilding
Weaknesses:
made for light riders only
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Ti
Bike Setup:
Tomac Buckshot '02
Bottom Line:
Certainly a streamlined and light fork, but I concur with the review above regarding too much flex and the '... fork makes the bike feel like the headset is loose.' My Tomac buckshot is great on lines and meneuvers like a laser - but the fork takes away from it's strength - too much flex and side-to-side chatter when cutting crisp turns... Fork would probably be ok for a lighter rider but with my 200 lb. booty - this is a blow-out waiting to happen, I fear... I give it t-minus 28 days before fate will require I invest in something more durable for my size...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Racer
from Redwood City Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$170.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
Good fork for the money. Coil spring is plush. Decent weight. Very easy to overhaul. Takes 15 minutes.
Weaknesses:
Not for clydesdales.
Similar Products Used:
Rode a Fox Talas yesterday. Sweet! Manitou Mars, SX, 1, 3, 4. Sid. Trek DS1, DS2. Several Zokes...
Bike Setup:
Surly 1x1.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is Michael below has no idea what fork he has. There is no air spring in the Comp COIL. Mars Comp Coil has a coil spring so how you break something that is not in the fork is beyond me.
Rant over. The Comp Coil is a good fork for under $200. Don't expect it to be a DH or freeride fork. Keep it in tune and it will last.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Akron, OH Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
Price and WEight
Weaknesses:
Reliability, Build Quality, Manitou Customer Service
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox
Bike Setup:
Mixed LX and XT on an Access Frame, with easton stem and carbon everything. Alex / Rolf Paired Spoke Wheels.
Bottom Line:
I am a very light rider and I was able to blow out the seals on the air spring. I would hat to think what would happen if a serious rider got ahold of one of these. Manitou customer service leaves alot to be desired, and parts are herd to come by. They might be servicing mine for free, but I am jsut going to sell it when it comes back from them and I have allready bought an SID Team from Rock Shox.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nitish
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Laguna Seca XC Race Course
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Performance Bikes
Strengths:
Pretty Light weight, but not as light as a SID. It has plush damping, great looks and a good variety of adjustment. Good price.
Weaknesses:
Very Flexy. DONT ever try to jump with this fork. Not a good fork for 180+ riders. Th freakin Rebound Adjuster blew off!! only 65 mm of real travel
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy, Head Shock Fatty DL,
Bike Setup:
Jamis Hardtail
Bottom Line:
This Fork has a great feel to it. so far I have not gotten the experience of the fork loking up as the other riders claim it to be. Also the springs are great for riders up to 135 lbs, no more because they seem to be very soft. The TPC damping system is great both performance wise and ease of use. I had much trouble servicing this shock as well. (had LBS do it). Buy it if you like to shred single track or climb mountains, but nothing else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Corson
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockport, Maine , USA Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
wavy gravy
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
www.jensonusa.com
Strengths:
hmm lemme think... weight.. yea weight and damper system are ok in warm weather.
Weaknesses:
everything else... hmm VERY flexy, brake flutter with my hays discs, In cold weather (below 50 degrees) the fork hardtailwould freeze up or become mushy, did i mention flexy? weakest part of my bike as i run crossmax wheels that really show the fork flex.
Similar Products Used:
01 Rockshox Judy SL loved it but too heavy for my hardtailwould freeze up or become mushy, did i mention flexy? weakest part of my bike as i run crossmax wheels that really show the fork flex.
Bike Setup:
01 Trek 8000 disc, ^graded everything but shifter pods and brakes (hayes)
Bottom Line:
the sacrifice in performance while using this fork is not worth it. i will soon switch it out for a better one. it flexes so much that it feels like the headset is loose, as it gives me brake flutter, but that isnt the problem. the damping is great at temps above 50 degrees, but below that it frezes. i race on a highschool team, and cannot reccomend this fork to another racer. BUT on super sale, its not that bad for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Leeds Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Skiddaw
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Very Lite.
Weaknesses:
Flexy, doesn't give 80mm, tip flutter and torsional twist with hard braking, poor tracking when turning.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi, Rockshox, RST, Fox, Pace.
Bike Setup:
Marin Rift Zone with Hope Mini Discs.
Bottom Line:
This fork comes stock on the 2002 Marin Rift Zone. Frankly for a full susser with 105mm on the back this 80mm fork is a disappointment. I am riding to the limitations of the fork rather than the superb frame. I have just fitted Marzocchi MX Comp with ETA (105mm) WOW what a difference. The Manitou is not rigid enough, the cost of liteness is flexyness. It is a poor tracker on fast technical sections with noticeable independant leg movement. It also suffers from tip flutter under hard braking and recieves considerable torsional stresses translated into tip movement when used with disc brakes. I am surprised that Manitou decided to taper the legs at the point where a disc mount is placed, surely this has to be an area where structural integrity has to be at an optimum. Sharp turns at speed will show up a lack of ability to track well. But on top of this, and even after a protracted bedding-in period I cannot get 80mm of travel out of the thing. I get 55mm and that's about it. My buddy has the same bike. He has the same problems and lack of travel. I suggest that this fork is best suited to fast x-country hard tails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from London Date Reviewed: February 23, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Strengths:
Adjusatbilty
Weaknesses:
Just about to find out......
Similar Products Used:
sids
Bike Setup:
gary fisher
Bottom Line:
Can any one please advise me, how to take the forks apart, as they have completely gone solid, and really not very progressive. But apart from this little problem, they are wicked forks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Danny
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Came on bike
Strengths:
V.Good adjustability, and also very plush. I weigh 8 stone and have the preload on about half and soak up everything in there way.
Weaknesses:
CAN'T STOP LOOKING AT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Physlo's
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC 880- XT groupset, race face crank, some carbon fibre stuff, hydraulics disc's.....
Bottom Line:
I bought these forks on a specific bike, so they were all ready worn in for me so i didn't go through with all of the braking in period. These forks really do rule though, and i personnally think you should buy them now, if you don't ur loss! The 3 adjusters are also very handy for the setting up the riding for different trails. I love the weight of them also, 3lbs is outstanding and can't even feel the front of my bike. considering the weight they keep the front wheel planted on the ground like a gooden.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver , CO Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Wheat Ridge Cyclery
Strengths:
Fork has work great in all condition,at 190 lbs I install a firm spring and 7 wt oil ,the spring help reduce the sage and the oil slowed up the compression a little !
Weaknesses:
Broken rebound damper assembly
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox judy ,other manitous
Bike Setup:
Marin Indian Fire Trial ,XTR,Kings w/ mavic 517 ,Thompson Blah, Blah !
Bottom Line:
cuctomer support was great(Bobby) set out a new Rebound assembly ASAP to LBS also in am installing the lock out from the super on my comp coil! I can keep my reliablity of the coil and still have a lock for climbimg!This fork is a keeper ! Can't justify $700 plus for a new rock shox to save .25 to .5 lbs!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Kepnes
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Altos, CA Date Reviewed: December 5, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Braile Trail, Santa Cruz
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Light and quick handling.
Weaknesses:
Doed not work. Internals are deffective; preventing shock to compress.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox, Manitou
Bike Setup:
Ibis Mojo, Shimano, Ritchey, Race Face.
Bottom Line:
Seemed like a good idea to get this fork since it was last year's model on sale. It seemed to be very stiff to begin with, however it never loosend up. When I discovered that the preload nob on the top of the left fork leg was frozen, I knew something was amiss. So called performance and they offered to either replace/refund or repair the fork. I am getting the refund and using the $$$ towards a new Scareb Comp Coil (similar price and new reverse arch). Decided that trying to fix the fork would only frustrate me more. Especially if I could not figure out the problem. Will let you all know how the new fork turns out.
Wish I could give a better review, but the customer service at Performance turned out to be better than the product I purchased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockport,maine Date Reviewed: October 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
wavy gravy
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
www.jensonusa.com
Strengths:
good compression and rebound adjustment, plush ride(sometimes) weight
Weaknesses:
after about 1 hr of riding the fork becomes mushy and almost stiff. seems to be in the damper, mabe cavitation? barely works in cold weather.
Similar Products Used:
judy sl 2001
Bike Setup:
2001 trek 8000 disc w/ hayes hfx mag, rolf dolomite disc wheels, kore seatpost and bar, mostly stock
Bottom Line:
this fork worked ok for a week, then when it started to get cold and i rode with the team it got super stiff and mushy. i am trying to return it now. compared to my judy, this thing is crap.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Oshkosh, WI, USA Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Wiouwash
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
Great rebound and compression control. Super smooth, super stiff. Easy setup and adjustment. This is the ANSWER.
Weaknesses:
Stock spring is a little soft.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Magnum R
Bike Setup:
Rock Hopper Comp, stock besides tires and seat and this fine shock.
Bottom Line:
If you are sick of a cheap stock shock wait for something like the MARS to go on closeout an you will never regret it. I enyoy the ride much more since I felt the difference in this quality fork. Takes huge blows and never bottoms out baby!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Racer
from Ontario Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$750.00
Strengths:
Very plush, one of the lightest coil forks you can buy, looks great, good dampening
Weaknesses:
not enough travel, sometimes too soft
Similar Products Used:
rock shox duke sl, marzocchi mxr
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
Great fork for a xc rider who likes a lightweight fork, dont try any jumps, they'll blow. overall a great fork
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ti
a Racer
from Fremont Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Pretty Light, Smooth action,Nice color,Easy Break in and tuning
Weaknesses:
Boots, Stiffness, and decals
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Duke SL, Mars Elite, Judy SL, Fatty DL, Jett
Bike Setup:
Jamis Hardtail
Bottom Line:
This is a really nice coil fork. It is also one of the lightest coil forks too. It has a smooth stoke and the Rebound damping works well. Maintenance is not a problem at all. But the stiffness is not at all there, NOT a hucknig fork only for somr good XC
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron Braden
a Racer
from Vail, CO Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any trail that is technical and punishing
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Off the Internet
Strengths:
Stiff, traks well, adjustability, suppleness you only get from a coil shock. Microlube ports.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Mars Carbon
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS Air, XTR V-Brakes, SRAM 9.0, Easton carbon bar, Mavic Crossmax UST, Race Face stem, post, BB, ISIS cranks.
Bottom Line:
This is a very good shock. It tracks well, is plush, and can still take the big hits due to the TPC damping. I also have a '99 Mars Carbon w/ lockout on another bike. This shock is much stiffer and I can really feel the difference in my arms between the air and coil when I finish a long technical downhill. The coil takes the edge off a little better. It's worth the extra weight. I do miss the lock out on the long climbs, so I am going to add one when I change the oil.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: December 15, 2001
Favorite Trail:
east and west of twingates
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
warranty
Strengths:
Disc Brake Mounts, 80mm of smooth travel, great adjustability, lower flex than sx carbon.
Weaknesses:
leaked a little oil during break in period ,this is normal I think.
Similar Products Used:
1999 SX carbon
Bike Setup:
2000 GT Backwoods, Manotou Mars Comp Coil (80mm), Lx crank, Xt disc hubs on WTB laserdisc DH 36mm rims, Xt Derailers and shifters, Avid CPS mech. disc brakes, Panaracer Fire xc pro 2.1
Bottom Line:
I retunred my SX carbon to manitou because the arch cracked and they sent me these. I only paid $200.00 for the sx carbons so I didnt loose any money on the deal. I love it because I wanted to upgrade to disc's but the sx carbons didnt have disc mounts, When they sent me these I ordered the disc parts (rims,hubs,avid cps's) The same day.If you are a hardcore xc/ua rider get these shocks the retail price is about $329.00
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cory Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Winfield, Kansas Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Horizon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great damping. Fast break in period. Coil suppleness. Adjustability.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy.
Similar Products Used:
SX Ti, SX Carbon, 99 SID
Bike Setup:
Litespeed with XTR
Bottom Line:
I like the ride, but mine weighed 3.3 lbs, not the advetised 3.0. You won't notice the extra bit, but you will like the adjustability and the smooth ride. 1 ding on overall because Manitou uses a very optomistic scale.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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