Submitted by
sam williams
a Cross Country Rider
from wales
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2006
Strengths: they are the best forks for beginners. NO QUESTION!! they are great for on and off road and i highly recomend them to any confident begginer or intimediate
Weaknesses: the adjustments a bit stiff
Bottom Line:
IF YOU SPARE MONEY AND NEED SOME DECENT FORKS, I GARENTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED WITH THESE BUTIES, NOT ONLY DO THEY LOOK GOOD BUT THEY ARE BY FAR THE BEST FORKS AROUND FOR THE PRICE
Strengths: -Durable -Preload adjustment(works somewhat) -Stiff enough -Can easily take 2ft drops or more if you land them right
Weaknesses: -Adjustment doesn't adjust very much at all -A little too stiff for the ruff stuff
Bottom Line:
I found these shox AWESOME for me as I was just starting out into mtn biking when I got this bike a year ago. Ready to upgrade forks now however for the downhill stuff. This shock can easily handle 2ft drops as I said above (that's all I have done so far but looking for more).
Overall an AWESOME beginner-intermediate shock but could use a little more adjustment and would not recommend if you are already an intermediate rider!
Submitted by
Jørn Almberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Trondheim, Norway
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2004
Strengths: Hard enough, looks good.
Weaknesses: Almost impossible to adjust (screw is almost stuck). Lacks feeling over small bumps. A bit heavy.
Bottom Line:
An ok allround shock for xc beginners. It is stiff enough for me to climb standing, and copes alright with the downhill slopes. It definitely has a positive effect on my downhill abilities compared to a stiff fork, and it iss stiffer than any other cheap front shock I've tried. But I've missed the opportunity to adjust during ride; the adjustment got too hard to manage with the fingers in just a few months. This is my first shock, and I soon found out that I desire something with more feeling over small bumps, that is lighter, and with the lockout option for climbing and roads. So now I'm looking forward to getting my new Fuji Miracle with an RS SID Team with remote lockout :-)
Favorite Trail: Innerdalen in Trollheimen ("The home of Trolls")
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: Cheap RSTs, SunTours and Manitous.
Bike Setup: Scott Expert Racing 2002, with Shimano LX clipless pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
brendan lee
a Weekend Warrior
from westport, ct
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004
Strengths: good for beginners, doesn't bottom out, good for 3-4 feet drops
Weaknesses: the preload adjuster is stiff, but all u have to do is take a monkey wrench and give it a turn. dont go too far... stiffs during winter dont give about weight
Bottom Line:
came on my trek 4500. good on handling 3-4 feet drops if u know how to land them. the only thing that gets messed up on the drops is the rear rim. i wudn't say these shocks r heavy. i can jump 1.5 feet with them. once u get experienced enuf, u can get better shocks.
Bike Setup: trek 4500, judy tt, shimano alivio front and rear derraileur, everything else stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jim Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, Mo. USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004
Strengths: Well made. Simple design. Smooths out the bumps.
Weaknesses: Grease lubricated, no oil. Requires taking fork apart to keep weel lubricated.
Bottom Line:
Fork works well. Stable and takes out the bumps. Needs to be well greased to work smoothly. Easy to disassemble. Use the spring to hold the shaft in the dummy leg from turning when unscrewing the bottom bolt. I made sure to get grease down on the lower bushing and bottom of the inner leg. There is a grease groove below the top seal but it will only lube the top bushing. Fork works well with sag set to specs, about 3 turns of preload on my fork. Competitors may need a high performance fork but this is a standard fork on recreational bikes and works well for that level of riding.
Strengths: It works... heavier weight ballances out my bike. My preload works. You can cut off the stupid plastic things. It's not that ugly. Other than oil and a rag not too much maintanence ever...
Weaknesses: Sometimes I get this loud thud sound if I jump off a ledge or something and the shock decompresses quickly
Bottom Line:
Maybe I just got a good fork, or everyone else is stupid... I'm guessing the latter... I'm 130lbs and it does bottom out if you land on the front tire over 2 feet, but its gradual and not jarring, so I don't mind. Pretty stable and a good value for the price. I agree with the last guy, its not as much the bike as it is the rider. You can have a bike that cost as much as a motorcycle, but if you suck, you suck. No need to blame the componants, and if you dont like them send the stuff my way :) Oh yeah.. never wear spandex... ewe
Similar Products Used: Friends Piolt, crappy walmart bike things...
Bike Setup: 1997 GT Timberline Way to go CroMo, LX & Deore, Easton bars (love those) Everything else stock ( I only replace stuff when it breaks)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Sean Nordseth
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocatello,Idaho,USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2004
Strengths: Excellent beginner to moderate fork. Some say this fork, due to the elastomer springs, has less travel in the winter but that isn't true. It is just a little stiffer, but I ride everday and I've noticed it still has just as much travel. I am an ex-bmxer and I think it's pretty safe to say I've put this fork through it's paces. It has passed with shining colors. Just keep it with in reason and this fork will impress you every time you use it. Remember, it isn't a downhill or big hit fork. It is a XC fork, and it does just fine for that.
Weaknesses: stiffens in the winter.
Bottom Line:
This fork is not a DH or Big Hit fork. It would have a hell of a lot more travel if it was intended for that. It is a XC Fork and it works perfectly for that. I've raced people with FOX Forks, Marzochhi Forks, Rock Shox Dukes, and just about every other high end XC fork you can imagine. I have no problem saying with them through the rough sections. The rider determines what the fork can do, not the skeptics.
Similar Products Used: RST Omni, Manitou Six Sport
Bike Setup: Trek 4500w/bontrager corvair rims,Deore rear derailleur,Bontrager Jones AC tires,80mm Judy TT(03 Model), need to know more?
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Billy Royal
a Weekend Warrior
from Athens
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003
Strengths: 100mm of travel, disc brake compatable
Weaknesses: Adjuster very stiff, no rebound adjustment, cannot use all 100mm of travel
Bottom Line:
Not at all happy with these forks, they are very stiff and the preload adjuster as nearly impossible to adjust. Good for around town and some cross country. Also rather heavy.
Bike Setup: 03'Specialized Hardrock Pro, Mechanical discs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Peter None
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003
Strengths: pretty cheap/when purchased separetely/,good colouring and desighn,easily maintaneced.great preformance for the class.
Weaknesses: only one spring,requres good lube for good performance,has a little more play than there should be.tops out when is set for a softer ride/which i really hate/so it has to be on the stiffer side most of the time.could have been a little lighter,but i don't really mind.
Bottom Line:
pretty good fork,although it took a while to break in.needs alot of lube,but once its in the system,it runs good.i like it,and have no intension on changing it until it breaks.good for mild drops/no more than 5 feet!/and cross country.
Similar Products Used: other earlier rock shox,rst,manitoe...
Bike Setup: Full XT upgrade on a 4500,with some mech disk brakes/avid bb/
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Tallahassee, Florida
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003
Strengths: price, looks, durability
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
This fork came stock on my Marlin. Maybe I'm a light rider (160lbs)or its because of bike handling skills, but I haven't experienced any problems with this fork. The only downside so far is the weight. I've raced two Norba races on this fork in Sport class, and ride rooty singletrack usually three times per week, and so far it is doing fine. The preload adjustment does work somewhat. I prefer a more rigid fork anyway for climbing. Obvoiusly not the type of fork that you want to do big bomb drops on, but for an inexpensive cross country fork, go for it. Plan to upgrade it later, but not until it dies.
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Marlin w/ some upgrades. Shimano clipless pedals, XT bottom bracket, LX deraileurs, topo comp saddle , and Yeti grips.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
jason robertson
a Racer
from melbourne, australia
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2003
Strengths: Price effective I guess, does not bottom out very easily.
Weaknesses: After 1 year of punishment the fork does not rebound and compress very well, so just "sticks", starting to leak around seals. The fork comes with adjustment via a dial, this never worked from purchase date, a complete gimick.
Bottom Line:
Its time to upgraded after some serious punishment.
Submitted by
Jacob O'Neall
a Downhiller
from Eubank, Ky, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003
Strengths: low cost, low maitinence, plush
Weaknesses: heavy for a three inch fork, has some flex
Bottom Line:
A good all-around beginner fork, or a good fork for a rider who doesn't have to much money for a fork, or someone who doesn't want to work on their bike much.(personally, I love to work on my bikes)
Submitted by
Brian Hansen
a Cross Country Rider
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2003
Strengths: Wow! Amazing! A $60 fork with lockout! And there's not buttons or anything needed to make it this way! It's just always rigid! Great for climbing! Gives hands a great workout on the downhill!
Weaknesses: hahahaha....this fork, for the most part, blows. AFter a while it doesn't compress anymore except for the bigger drops. then again, i'm pretty light but still, it's most unnacceptable.
Bottom Line:
WEll, what can you expect from a shock with only one spring, and virtually no adjustment capabilities.(well, there is this little "preload" knob on the side, which doesn't seem to do anything and stopped moving after a few months) I bought this bike with the fork stock when i wasn't sure if i was going to be into moutain biking. I thought it was great at first because i'd only rode rigid. So i guess it's a decent fork for beginner folks, and if it gets you into one of the greatest sports out there, then it's done it's job!
Submitted by
Eric Teater
a Weekend Warrior
from Tulsa
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2003
Strengths: Price, Rock Shox, better than Capa.
Weaknesses: Bottoms out pretty easily, but still maintains a good ride. Always topped out when pulling up even the smallest wheelies or jumps.
Bottom Line:
An update on review a year ago. Followed Andrew's example and modified my dummy leg. Couldn't get the screw off the bottom of the dummy no matter what I tried, so I went in through the top. Took off cap, and dropped in an old RST 63mm spring, then cut a piece of Specialized Body Geometry hand grip (the thick side) and used it to take up the space above spring. Screwed top back on. Now hardly ever bottoms out, only once on a very bad front wheel landing. Doesn't top out. Lands like a completely different bike. Different than Andrew's style, but works. Thanks man!
Bike Setup: Trek Y26, new cassette, chain, Specialized alloy low rise bars, new seat, Continental Explorer 2.1 tires, new brakes and shoes, sorry stock RST 20B coil about to bust.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX
Weaknesses: Preload Weight [I am not a weight freak, but it's heavy]
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade a fork, and you don't want a fork where you are doing 5 foot drop-offs this is the fork for you. It's a very simple design, and it will do you good justice. If you do a large jump/drop-off you might bottom out. After you do this, the spring inside will spring you back, but that is to be expected of any spring coil fork. Good fork for the money.
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anyone ever work with this product?? i'm looking at a set of judy tt's with judy xl springs and bottom bumpers in it. dude wants $50 bucks. go for it? i have a set of half broken Read More »
Im new to the sport, so I need a little help. I found a pair of Rock Shox Judy TT for $25.00.
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