One of the lightest weight cross-country race forks on the market, the 02 Manitou MARS Elite offers all the features you would want from a high-performance race fork.
Submitted by
artttoad
a Cross Country Rider
from coquitlam .c. canada Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
on the bike I purcha
Strengths:
no strengh dose not hold air
Weaknesses:
seals blow replaced and blow again. do not like this product
Similar Products Used:
rock shocks judy also no good
Bike Setup:
janis dakar 2003
Bottom Line:
I am not sure as I have only ridden mountian bike for 20 years I have bought 2 sets of shocks brand new rock shocks judy the first useless , manitou ? on my M2 not as bad but not very inpressive and these mars the worst yet > I do not know if there are any good shocks out there but would like to find some
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Submitted by
Ramjet
a Weekend Warrior
from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Light weight, decent adjustability
Weaknesses:
Bad seals, no replacements available anymore
Similar Products Used:
Maniou Spider R
Bike Setup:
Stock Rocky MTN Blizzard
Bottom Line:
After a few months of riding this fork would not hold air for more than a few days. I sent it in to my LBS for service but there was no difference. Now the fork will not hold air for more than a kilometer or so of trail riding. I have searched for replacement seals but cannot locate any.
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Submitted by
Annie C
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Québec, Canada Date Reviewed: November 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Cooaticook trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Strengths:
light, absorb everything
Weaknesses:
none so far, just the periodic maintenance has to be followed real close to keep it as new!
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Sugar 1 2002 upgraded with Sram 9,0 resin derailleur, resin levers sram 9,0, avid breaks, ceramic rear rim, tubeless rims and tubeless tires.
Bottom Line:
So far, I love that fork, it is smooth, and easy to take care of. Makes the bike feels really light, climb easily when lock is used (but never forget to un-lock it!!!)
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Submitted by
FcPhun
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, Colorado USA Date Reviewed: September 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Horsetooth/Lory
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$275.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light
Weaknesses:
Too much flex (I weigh 170lb) Not durable
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi, RockShox
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mtn. Element
Bottom Line:
I was unimpressed by the durability of the Manitou MARS fork. After about a year, the ride quality, which was never great, declined. Took it to LBS and they said that to repair it would be $150, since warranty was over. I bought the fork on LBS recommendation, that it was light and had a good ride.
I bought an '02 Marzocchi Atom Race and wonder why I ever left Marzocchi. Great ride, durable, low maintenance. Just right for me.
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Submitted by
Matt Dutcher
a Cross Country Rider
from Lenexa, KS Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Landahl Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Supergo.com
Strengths:
Light weight and plush feel.
Weaknesses:
Blew the air seals
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Sid XC
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Sugar 1 with some nice stuff bolted to it.
Bottom Line:
The fork performed well for me out of the box. It has a plush feel and absorbs the terrain quite well. I first tested the Mars Super on a bike that I demo'd and was sold on Manitou. I came from a Rock Shox Sid that still suffers from bushing play. So, in my mind...the Manitou was a big improvement. It is still light at only 3.1 lbs and performs as spec'd. However, recently I suffered from some blown seals in the fork. Took the fork to my LBS and had it serviced and upgraded the seals to Evil Genious. That allowed the boots to be taken off. The fork now performs like it first did out of the box. Does the blown seals mean that this fork is a bad fork or bad value...no! It is a great fork!
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Submitted by
KYLE R.
a Cross Country Rider
from OREGON Date Reviewed: December 19, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, smooth, and not as flexy as my previous fork
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Mars 1
Bike Setup:
Trek 7000
Bottom Line:
I've had it about a year with out any problems. Manitou sent it to me for free. My Mars 1 seized so I brought it to my LBS, they sent it to the factory with a warning that it may be expensive and Manitou sent me a new Manitou Mars Elite. Great costomer service.
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Submitted by
Curtis
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia Date Reviewed: November 22, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Weight, adjustability.
Weaknesses:
Weak ... ... no, CRAPPY air seals.
Bike Setup:
Ibis Ripley, Hugi/317, Avid disc, xt/xtr, ...
Bottom Line:
Air seals blew out after a couple months riding.
I had to pay shipping for factory service.
Air seals blew out again after a couple of months.
These forks made me miss weeks of great riding.
I am not jumping, jibbing, bonking, hucking, whatever - just a lot of real xc.
No matter how inexpensive you may get them, they still are CHEAP PIECES OF CRAP. I can't trade 'em or upgrade them. So Bye-bye Manitou. I will throw 'em in the trash.
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Submitted by
Alexander
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Dagmar, Hardwood Hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Sporting life, Toronto
Strengths:
Light weight air fork, cheaper than the SID 2002 and perform equally well.
Weaknesses:
It is light weight however, it is a little bit heavier than the SID.
This fork is suitable for any XC rider as long as it is set up to the precise pressure according to the rider weight. The fork will last as long as you take care of it. It is as plush as the SID. Although it is slightly heavier than the SID but it has stronger body and is not flexy as the SID. It is significantly lighter than DUKE forks, FOX R fork or the Marzzochi X-Fly. It does not leak air or lube like the SID. I seen users who bought the new SID and it started leaking lube within 6 months of XC riding. I paid 600.00 CDN dollars in Toronto, Canada. It is expensive but a worthy investment in my bike. It will last a long time. I always take of my equipments and I clean it digilently following every ride. I give only 4 chilli because it is expensive.
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Submitted by
Derek Lewis
a Cross Country Rider
from Ambler, Pa, USA Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
If I told you I'd have to kill you
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike shop
Strengths:
Not to flexy, very plush, very light!
Weaknesses:
NONE!
Similar Products Used:
MArzocchi EXR air
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakota XC- XT, Avid, Easton,Tubeless tires and wheels
Bottom Line:
This fork freakin' rocks! It's plush and not to flexy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Dutcher
a Cross Country Rider
from Lenexa, KS, USA Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Clinton Lake in Lawrence, KS
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Supergo.com
Strengths:
TPC Damping, weight, and if feels very "plush"
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Sid and Mars Super
Bike Setup:
Fisher Sugar2, XTR/XT components, Thomson Stem, Yeti Carbon Handlebar, Racelight Tubeless Wheelset, and Mars Elite.
Bottom Line:
When the Gary Fisher rep came out to Kansas and let us test ride the new Sugars with the Mars Super, I was hooked. The fork just responded very well to anything that we rode on/over. I wanted that same feel within my fork. The SID was not performing for me anymore. So, I bought the Manitou's Mars Elite. The only difference between this and the Super is the lockout feature. It still performed the same. I haven't had any problems with my fork leaking or anything. It has performed just like I thought it would. What a great fork. Manitou is on to something here.
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Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002
They weren't too bad when new, but instead of loosening up and becoming plusher they have become stiffer and harsher (~200km XC racing). Compared to the Fox Forx (yes I know they are much heavier), they might as well be fully rigid. I bought them because they are cheaper than SIDs and previous Manitou forks (1999 Mars) were OK, but I would not recommend these.
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Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Pierce County, WA Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Noble Nob Bluff
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Stock on Marin Mount Vision
Strengths:
As everyone is saying, Smooth. I have hit some bumps that I should not have hit and stayed on the bike. That is what suspension is about. This is on my first bike with any suspension so I can't compair it to anything, but I could not have asked for anything more even in my dreams of a sus-fork as I was riding Cro-Mo.
Weaknesses:
This is what I wanted to mention. Though the fork works great. I have been getting some oil leaking out of the rebound adjuster during wild rides. It does not leak when the bike is resting, but after 20 miles of hard XC, I reach down to take the wheel off and there is oil on the bottom of the fork and on the skewer. I have not had a chance to take things appart yet, and imagine it is only a loose seal, but I'll make a follow up if there is anything serious to report.
Similar Products Used:
NOTHING!
Bike Setup:
2002 Marin Mount Vision stock set up.
Bottom Line:
The fork works great. I have not had the problems with bottoming out that others mention, but then again my bike and myself together only weigh 175lbs. But I ride hard and have loved the performance. Just look for oil and check the level regularly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Gold Coast Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light weight
Weaknesses:
Big hits
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy XC
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakota steel hardtail
Bottom Line:
After six months worth of use these forks are still amazing me with their performance. That said, they suffer in a couple of areas that won't worry cross country racers (their target market) but need to be considered.
One, don't be mislead by their performance into thinking they can take a big hit. Hitting rocks any larger than grapefruit size finds their limit very quickly.
Two, they're kind of mushy for street riding. They shine on the trail but elsewhere will not act like the kind of fork you want.
In summary, if you're a weight conscious racer you'll want these. If you're not, they'll still impress you, but maybe aren't perfect.
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Submitted by
JC Stage
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque,NM,USA Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:
South Boundary/Cedro Peak
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light, clean design. Solid manufacturer. When everything is working this is a really nice fork.
Weaknesses:
This fork came stock on my Sugar 2 from my LBS. This fork leaked oil from the rebound dampner after my first 15 mile ride. Cheap and weak compression and rebound adjustment knobs. Owners manual is poorly put together-Yes, I actually read every word! The spring kit is very soft and I suspect most riders who would get this fork, would need the stiffer spring kit.
Similar Products Used:
Other Manitou forks
Bike Setup:
2002, Sugar 2/XT/XTR
Bottom Line:
I have no choice but to give this shock poor ratings since it leaked oil after my first ride. I will post a follow-up on the shock performance after I get some more miles on it.
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Submitted by
alex
a Racer
from Chambly, Quebec, Canada Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002
Favorite Trail:
bromont- bing bang
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
OGC
Strengths:
Great weight, not to expensive compared to the sid's. Mans best friend in XC racing.
Weaknesses:
NO LOCK-OUT
Similar Products Used:
none to good, beats every other forks on the market.
Bike Setup:
Gary fisher, Paragon 2002
Bottom Line:
This is really the best fork that I have ever used. It doesn't bob all over the place like RST'S or marzocchi's. If you are a poser and want others to look at your bike and drool then buy this fork or if you are a hardcore racing cyclist GET THIS FORK. It will make you win seconds on a race course and feel less tired at the end of hard downhill parts of a race. IT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY AND YOU MIGHT WIN. cause nothin beats manitou. NOT even rock shox sid's.
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Submitted by
Whareagle
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX, USA Date Reviewed: March 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Emerald Lake, Bozeman, MT
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$425.00
Purchased At:
Richardson Bike Mart - South
Strengths:
Light weight, simplicity of setup, simplicity of maintenance, adjustability and relative stiffness (you point it where you want it to go, the wheel responds. Could it be any simpler?)
Weaknesses:
Color is boring. The little foam donut thingy under the fork boot tends to get caught on the boot itself. I did choose to replace the spring with a stiffer one.
Similar Products Used:
'99 Mani Answer SX Carbon, wife has an '01 Mars Elite.
Bike Setup:
'99 Litespeed Unicoi, full XTR, easton carbon bars, X-max tubeless with Hutchinson's...
Bottom Line:
For some reason, I still think that the overall best fork I ever owned was a '97 Judy SL with Dirtworks dual-rate springs. The thing just soaked up stutters like nothing else I can remember. Maybe it was that particular trail, though, because this Mars is something else. I truly love it for it's simplicity and performance. I think it's the perfect budget race fork for anyone out there, and it's probably better than the Super simply because most folk never need the lockout (one more part to break). The SX Carbon that I had previously was kind of a maintenance headache, and I was perpetually fiddling with oil viscosity and levels, etc. Not here. This fork does its' job perfectly; you never know it's there... Thank you, Answer! Now, any chance I can get one in last year's yellow (it matches the Litespeed decals)?
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Submitted by
James Pollock
a Weekend Warrior
from Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Daisy Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Light weight Easy to adjust Smooth action
Weaknesses:
No lock-out on mine yet
Similar Products Used:
Judy XC
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakota XC with tubeless tyres and Avid V-brakes
Bottom Line:
These forks are seriously light weight. At about half the weight of the Judy XCs that have double the performance.
I could never get much travel out of my XCs - they never really loosened up like I'd hoped. The Manitous were great from day one. They soak up bumps I would have previously avoiding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Sears
a
from Dallas, TX Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Cleburne State Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At:
Sun and SKi
Strengths:
The weight, the fact it doesn't bob when climbing, the easy adjustability, and the look.
Weaknesses:
The stickers on the fork are crappy!
Similar Products Used:
Judy XC
Bike Setup:
Big Sur, Easton CT2 low rise, Ritchey Pro stem, Arch Rivals with SD7 levers, XT groupo, Red 517 rims, and a smooth fork
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that this a great fork. I can dial it to what i want and when i want. If i am hitting a rocky trail then i make it more responsive but if i am on a smooth trail i make it nice and stiff. The fact that this is not only a light weight fork but also race and ride worthy makes it an even better product. Hat's off to Manitou for this fork. Now if they can only make the Black Fork just as light.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Price
a Cross Country Rider
from Truro, NS, Canada Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Wentwoth Hostle
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Hub Cycle
Strengths:
Looks, smooth, easy to service
Weaknesses:
I had it for about two rides, and then had to call and get all new insides.
Similar Products Used:
MARS C (also sucks), Judy XC (it may be 4.5lbs but it works)
Bike Setup:
Klein Attatude Race, Sram 9.0SL Hubs, Shifters, R Derailler, Thomson Post, Easton Monkey Lite Bar and Easton EA60 Stem, Avid Mag levers, XTR Brakes, and Race Face Real Seal Head Set
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that Manitou has some issues. 4 mounths ago I bought a Mars C (the nice looking one with the Carbon Arch), but that had some major probles, so I sent it back to California and a month later They sent me back a new 2002 Mars Elite. At the time I was happier then Michiael Jackson at a boy scouts meeting. But once I got it on my bike.... The fork came with a tag telling me to run it at 70% to 80% of my body weight, which should be around 140lbs. I had to put 220lbs in just so that it wouldn't bottom out when I sit on my bike. But it would still bottom when I rode off of a side walk or hit a pot hole. I called them up and they said that they would take care of it and send me new parts. To my surprise it only took 3 days for the parts to show up, but also to my surprise there was a bill for $25. My next fork or bike purchese will not have a manitou!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Riley
a Racer
from Naperville, Illinois, US Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$345.00
Purchased At:
Spokes Bike Shop
Strengths:
great feel... looks (the chrome one)... adjustability... plushness(for an air fork)
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Mars Cl... Manitou SX
Bike Setup:
fisher big sur frame...xtr/xt groupo...wcs stem...ct2 flatbar...thomson seatpost...wtb trilight saddle...avid mag brakes...bontrager racelight tubeless... jet s tudeless tires
Bottom Line:
my number one choice for xcountry racers... no need for lock-out, this fork doesn't bob much on climes...I will use this fork til it busts'... this is the best!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hampshire Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Exeter Cycles
Strengths:
Very smooth still, very adjustable, plenty stiff, astethically nice & sound overall performance.
Weaknesses:
None really. Just need to top off the air every few weeks before I ride. My Zoke was much more often that this replaced.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi X-Fly 80mm, Rock Shock Judy SL 80mm
Bike Setup:
Same as before
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my last posting. I have about a dozen rides on this fork now and I'm getting to know it better. With the proper preload spring (firm), I find that I acutally can run about 5-10 psi less than what is recommended without bottoming out, but the bike can'ping-pong' a little when you're suffering up a quick steep climb. The lockout, which I really don't use that much, maybe once every other ride, works fine. Easy to reach and engage, very quick to turn off again, and has a little travel play to keep the front end from bouncing too much when climbing bumpy stuff. The handling of the bike is noticably better as time has past and the fork has settled in. Good on off cambre, good on descents, good climbing, good through the root and rock fields...what more could you ask from a 3# fork and a 190# rider? I've not had a problem yet that's worth mentioning and that was not caused by my own stupidity.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster Pa Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light, Smoooooth
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy SL 01 Rock SHox Judy Race 99
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakota
Bottom Line:
This fork is super duper smooth I love it so far, havnt gotten too much use out of it yet, but hope to as soon as spring comes I'll update and tell ya all what i really think, but so far it seems to be better then my judys the whole way around!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from NH Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, smooth, very linear, relatively stiff for a 3 pounder, looks and ample adjustment.
Similar Products Used:
Zocci X-fly 80 & 100, Rock shox long travel judy (80mm)
Bike Setup:
Seven ti hardtail, xtr, race face, chris king, mavic, etc.
Bottom Line:
I rode the zocci x-fly for 2 seasons and never really liked it. I kept telling myself that I did, but, well, I knew deep down inside that I could find something better. I couldn't get more than 2 1/4" of travel if set up with proper sag, and with more sag the fork seemed to get even less total and active travel. The fork was a little noodly and pi$$ed oil out the schraders when you would try to adjust the air. My new Mars Elite fork, however, is a total different story. I got full travel right out of the box (and what a nice box it is!). I then added the stiffer preload spring, added more than the prescribed air pressure for my weight (155 psi), measured the sag (which was 13mm, which is what is recommended) and still managed to get the FULL travel when I really reefed it off my stone wall. I get NO brake pad rub like the zocci had, I get NO ramp-up at the end of the travel like the zocci had, and because of the full, smooth, linear 80mm of travel the bike goes over and through things that used to send me over the bars. It's really a great fork and it didn't cost a mint...well, actually, I don't know what it cost yet because my LBS owner has been away on holiday. I'll get the bill in about a week, but it can't possibly cost as much as that funny all blue sid! Also, I put the aftermarket lockout on it. Haven't use it much, but it's there incase I want it. I didn't get the one that came standard with it because I hated the red color, and buying the stealth grey elite and adding the lockout only costs an extra $10...money well spent because, Hey...it's all about how you look when you wreck, right? Also, the mini boot/wipers are wicked, wicked cool looking. Better than the std. fork wipers, but not as muff as the whole enchalada! I think both racers and XC buffs will enjoy this fork. So far it's solid and smooth! If it craps out, I'll let you know.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Bend, OR Date Reviewed: November 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
manitou direct
Strengths:
Similar weight and half the price of rock shox sid sl. Feels great and takes big hits well. Easy to forget it's even there. Climbs good and doesn't bob much even without a lockout.
Weaknesses:
Bushing play. Cheap-o rebound knob.
Similar Products Used:
Mars 1, Judy XC, Marzocchi Z-2, SID SL
Bike Setup:
Trek STP frame with XTR, Mavic and Race Face. Cross Country racing.
Bottom Line:
This is the best fork if you want a lightweight cross country fork for racing or just trail riding. If there were any benifits by getting the SID SL it would still be impossible to justify the $200 price difference.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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