Submitted by
riverman
a Cross Country Rider
from ontario Date Reviewed: July 18, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
cheap, post mount, semi functional lockout
Weaknesses:
springs are too stiff for me (I'm 140 pounds, can't get more than 50mm of travel, they flex like CRAZY! with mild-medium front brake, the forks curl back almost an inch. lockout only works if the you set the preload too high, rebound goes from molasses too spingboard with little room in between
Bike Setup:
09 trek 6000
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike knowing that I would be replacing these forks down the road, but I didn't realize it would be so soon. my biggest complaint is the amount of flex in the stanchions. if it comes on a bike and you can't afford to buy a better one, it will do the job for a while but you will want to upgrade asap. whatever you do, do not buy this fork unless it comes with your bike! save an extra $150 and buy a used reba!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Energetik
a Cross Country Rider
from Reading, PA, USA Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Blue Marsh Lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Take Off
Strengths:
The main strengths of this fork lie in the fact that it has both a rebound adjuster, and a blow off circuit for the lock out.
It also has a post mount style caliper mount for disc brakes.
Weaknesses:
This fork is definitely on the heavy side. The stanchions are skinny, and I can feel some play as well.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox J1, various RST, Spinner, and other generic entry level forks.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Caffeine with full 2008 M770 drive train, Dart 3 fork, Sun Ditch Witch wheels, Thomson stem, generic seat/post/saddle, Deore m535 disc brakes, and WTB Exiwolf 2.1 tires.
Bottom Line:
Well I got it for free as a take off from my wife's bike. It is better than what I had, but I wouldn't have bought this one if I were in the market. I would have saved my pennies for a Tora air with the motion control or better.
For an entry level weekender rider this fork will work just fine. I would never ride anything other than cross country with it.
It does the job, but there are far better forks out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
N
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: May 25, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came on bike
Strengths:
Cheap, Lockout, Rebound and Preload.
Weaknesses:
Somewhat heavy, Skinny (28mm) stanchions.
Similar Products Used:
Equivalent Suntour and RST products.
Bike Setup:
Deore / XT Hardtail.
Bottom Line:
With basic adjustment of preload and rebound, these forks will handle everything that can reasonably be expected of them. Big bumps and ditches can max them out, but there's no off-putting "clank" sound when this happens; you feel it, but have the impression that the forks can take it. Adjusting the preload avoids the bottoming out, but reduces "small bump compliance", so a compromise is necessary. The lockout has a threshold which "blows off" when encountering a large enough hit; a feature you only otherwise find on much more expensive forks. A bit too flexible with its 28mm stanchions (most other forks have 32mm stanchions), but could only really be improved with an air spring, which would increase the price and make a "Recon" a better option (which comes with better damping and is lighter). As far as I can tell, "Toras" have the same internal workings and are heavier, making Dart 3s better value. They've never leaked (although I've seen Toras that have). These should last me comfortably until they wear out and I'll replace/upgrade with an air fork. Mediocre compared to higher level forks, but outstanding compared to equivalent forks by other manufacturers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keith
a Weekend Warrior
from atl, ga Date Reviewed: May 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came on cannondale f
Strengths:
When taken off the bike, they make a good club.
Weaknesses:
Leaks oil. Took it to the local bike shop and they couldn't repair them because RockShok kept sending the wrong part. Eventually had to downgrade to the RockShok Dart 2 just to ride the bike (they didn't have Dart 3s in stock).
Bike Setup:
09 Cannondale F5
Bottom Line:
Try to avoid if you can. If they come on a bike your considering buying, pull them off and sell them on ebay and buy a quality shock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pedrotyler
a Weekend Warrior
from wilson Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
this fork has a nice lock out and is very adjustable, the rating on it says the largest disk break size is a 160mm, but i am running a 203mm disk and it works fine it a solid fork but could use more travel
Weaknesses:
the weight
Bottom Line:
good fork
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Natedogz
a Cross Country Rider
from NorCal Date Reviewed: March 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
singletrack
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Natomas Bike Shop
Strengths:
Uh, it's a suspension fork, so it absorbs at least some of the trail chatter. Came installed on both my bikes. It's definitely better than the RSTs that I rode, but insufficient for real trail riding when it gets technical, rocky, rooty, or stutter bump.
Weaknesses:
Can only take up to 160mm brake rotor. Flexy, heavy, un-plush (if that's a word), harsh riding over technical, rocky, rooty, or stutter bump terrain. The one on my 26" wheeled bike wore out in less than a year and leaked oil...but Rockshox took care of me and replaced it, so good customer service!
Similar Products Used:
This review is for the Dart3 26" wheel and 29er wheel versions....same rating for both, except that I just replaced my 29er Dart3 with a 2009 Reba because I couldn't stand riding the Dart anymore, it just beats me on the really techy sections.
Bike Setup:
2008 Specialized Rockhopper Disc and Rockhopper Disc 29er (now with Reba! :) )
Bottom Line:
Came installed on both my bikes. Better fork than the RSTs that I rode, but insufficient for real trail riding when it gets technical, rocky, rooty, or stutter bump. If/when you get into the more serious trails and riding, replace this fork ASAP with something lighter weight and plusher feeling, your hands and arms will thank you!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ppfeifer
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia Date Reviewed: March 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Quantico
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Rebound and Preload Adjustment
Weaknesses:
Poor lockout design
Similar Products Used:
RockShox Recon and Reba, Fox F29 RL
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper Disc with Maxxis Ignitor & Michelin Mountain AT tires
Bottom Line:
Unfortunately, you get what you pay for with the Dart 3. This is a cheap fork that provides very little performance enhancement. Additionally, after three months the lock out mechanism completely failed. :( My recommendation to any prospective buyer is to save up the extra $100-200 and get a better fork. A buddy of mine at the LBS recommends that you buy the best frame, fork , and wheels that you can. After riding several other bikes, I believe him. Do not buy this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sstudbiker12
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos Date Reviewed: February 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Anything that is fast!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Looks cool, lockout, adjustments on the bottom.
Weaknesses:
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Similar Products Used:
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Bike Setup:
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Bottom Line:
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Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gkmeador
a Weekend Warrior
from nashville Date Reviewed: December 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
+Cheap
+Lockout
Weaknesses:
-Too Stiff
-Poor small bump compliance
-Do not get all of the travel
Bottom Line:
This fork came on my bike. Many people seem to be having difficulties with leaking oil, not me. This fork might as well always be in lockout mode because there is no small bump compliance. (Sag set at 20mm, rebound is in the middle) You might be better off riding rigid than buying this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cweslh
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashville, TN, USA Date Reviewed: December 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hamilton Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Strengths:
Lockout feature, Easy Maintenance, Good for Uphill
Weaknesses:
Not enough Travel
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi
Bike Setup:
Trek
Bottom Line:
Good value for the price you pay. There are a lot of good features including the lockout which is useful for flat trails or trail heads. If you are trying to use this for back flips, then I would not recommend this product. Good for single track.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
oakleymoneyman
a Weekend Warrior
from Redlands, CA Date Reviewed: December 6, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Depends on which one you have...If it is the OEM Dart 3, the warranty is the best part because you will use it. If it is a retail offering, they are better, come with remote lockout, and are decent.
Weaknesses:
OEM sux period. Leaks, lockout fails to work afterwards, you have to mess with the warranty which means you will be down for a week, and why any manufacturer would knowingly send a defective product out to companies to put on their bikes baffles me. They really missed the mark with this flop and customer service nightmare. Especially considering these don't come on your cheap models of bikes (usually on a $600-$900 bike)
Similar Products Used:
RST, Gila, Judy TT
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F5 CO2
Bottom Line:
If they came on your bike, switch them. If you have the retailer version (will have mounts for both pull and disc brakes & remote lockout) you are better off. Mine were crap that came on the bike, but thankfully my LBS is AWESOME and contacted Sram/Rockshox and they sent them a replacement, but they gave me the pair they had which included remote lockout and I am much happier. Going to consider the Tora real soon!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kymac
a Cross Country Rider
from Windsor Date Reviewed: September 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Maybury
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
great travel and response, like the fact that they have the lockout for street riding, durable
Weaknesses:
broke the seal in less than 2 weeks and leaked lube all over my driveway and garage :( - needed to send back to rockshox
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi comp
Bike Setup:
giant XtC
Bottom Line:
great product but i know rochshox have had problems with the DART 3's - great to have but be ready for a turn-in perhaps
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mtbike13
a Weekend Warrior
from Brampton, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: September 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Great fork for the money.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
RST Garagabe.
Bike Setup:
Gt frame to much to get into.
Bottom Line:
I put about 500 miles on this fork with no problems. It has never done anything like the others have camplained about. For the money it's been great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
markatshermanbranch
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: September 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Sherman Branch
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
REI.com
Strengths:
The only positive I can think of is that it still has a warranty.
Weaknesses:
Apparently a bad batch were made and sent out in early to mid 2008. I've had TWO now that have failed by leaking oil (causing the lockout to stop working, among other things).
The first one failed in under two weeks, and the second one in about 5 rides.
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
2008 Marin Alpine Trail 29er.
Bottom Line:
I would not consider buying another fork in this series until the manufacturing problems are taken care of.
I've been without my bike for 3 weeks now, waiting for REI to perform a simple warranty repair or replacement. Nobody at all is making any effort to keep me updated about what is taking so long. And hopefully I'll get a brand new fork back, rather than some used refurb job.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
db(UK)
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheffield (UK) Date Reviewed: August 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dark Peaks
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Leaking oil after 4 weeks :(
Bike Setup:
Pinnacle Peak 4(UK)
Bottom Line:
Try Others, the Shop say this is a Manufacturers Fault& no time frame on when they get the seals, total bobbins
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Rancheria Rd.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
I work in a bike shop and cant stand this fork. I have three very popular bikes with them on it and to say the least, I could rebuild them blind folded Ive done it so many times. What pisses me off the most is rockshox and the bike companies wont send out a recall action notice and to top it off, rockshox wont send me the new kits until after we have a problem so even though I have four more forks with the bad serial #'s, I gotta wait until I get a pissed off customer in the store before I can have them. Im one smartass comment away from cutting the bike frames in half and defecting them all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Katz
a Weekend Warrior
from Nipomo, California Date Reviewed: August 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Cheap, Works well, Lockout, External rebound adjustment, Preload adjustment.
Weaknesses:
Leaks oil, A little heavy, The left fork leg developed a crack, it had never been rashed and only had street riding on it
Bike Setup:
08 Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Bottom Line:
A ok economy fork. if you want a good trail fork, buy it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dajake22
a Downhiller
from Temecula Date Reviewed: August 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
SuperMan
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Strengths:
I didn't like anything about these forks except the price
Weaknesses:
I went through 4 pairs of these forks in under one month. If you go off a drop off bigger than 2 feet these forks will break and leak everywhere. It is worth the extra 100 bucks to buy the rockshox toras i haven't had any prob. witht the toras
Bike Setup:
2000 specialized stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
Do Not Buy
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fuzzypoodle
a Weekend Warrior
from oregon Date Reviewed: July 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
with bike
Strengths:
takes a beating, adjustments
Weaknesses:
have to swap spring to change stiffness
Similar Products Used:
suntour
Bike Setup:
giant xtc 2
Bottom Line:
Great fork thats light for the price range and takes a beating. between rebound lockout and preload you got tons of set up options. The one thing i have found is that with the stock spring it still bottoms out easy. i'm about 135 and i bottom it out regularly. i do thrash on it. doing 3 or 4 foot drops i'm sure isnt what this fork is deisgned for. but i'm about to retire the thing. just waiting for my reba race to arive in the mail. works great on trails. As for leaky darts people complain about. take it to your bike shop and they will put all the new 2009 internals in your dart.
bottom line is: you want a cheap light fork that lasts than go ahead and buy one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DmitriX
a Weekend Warrior
from Pembroke Pines Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Marcham
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Bike Tech
Strengths:
I like the stiffness of this fork, but thats all
Weaknesses:
constantly liking, preload doesn't seem to work, and the only feature that worked ok the "lockout" just broke last week, have not had a chance to take the bike back to the shop, i will soon
Bike Setup:
specialized rockhopper
Bottom Line:
if this fork comes with the bike, i guess there is no way around it, but avoid if possible, i've ridden cheaper forks that had less features and worked well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AWG1111
a Cross Country Rider
from La Verne CA USA Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Marshall Cyn Webb Cyn
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
Roys Cyclery
Strengths:
It seems lightweight and more adjustable as far as rebound lockout, and pre load as other similar priced shocks.
Weaknesses:
I found a pool of oil that had leaked from the rebound adjust one morning. Very disapointing to say the least. I took my bike to the shop where I purchased it and they called SRAM. Apparently SRAM is aware of the problem and sent out a repair kit immeidiately. It still took around 7 business days to get here by ground.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC2, SRAM X-7 componants(upgraded from X-5) Hayes Disc Brakes.
Bottom Line:
My bike has been in the shop for 11 days and it is finally going to be ready at 6pm tonight. I ride around 60 mi a week so not having my bike really sux. I would be weary in purchasing this fork unless you know for a fact the repair kit has already been installed. I will post another review once I have tested my shox after the install of the kit.
Happy Trails
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Yield
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Date Reviewed: June 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Seemed to handle light trails fine... while it worked
Weaknesses:
As the last review said, the shock blew on me already. I came to unlock it the other day and found a nice big puddle of oil. Leaking out where the bottom rebound adjustment is. So far I've ridden this about 5% of the time on some light trails and 95% to commute. Pretty weak!
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
Marin 29er
Bottom Line:
This came on a new Marin I just bought. Thought it would be an ok fork as it had a fair amount of adjustment and came with lockout. Obviously it's another case of get what you pay for. Unless they do a redesign to fix the problem I would stay away from this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Adelaide, SA, Australia Date Reviewed: June 3, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
None so far. I haven't even had a chance to ride on the fork and it is already broken!
Weaknesses:
Massive oil leak below rebound adjust. Rebound adjust pops off when fork is compressed (probably because of all the oil leaking through it).
Similar Products Used:
Suntour
Bike Setup:
Converted Mongoose Otero, with SRAM X.7.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy these forks until this problem is fixed as there is no product support from sram. They have also not issued a product recall. The first 4 digits of my serial # are 50T7... I have read similar reviews about this problem on other forums. The affected forks seem to be dart and tora. The lower oil washer on the rebound adjust side is dodgy and leaks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tenorclef
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: May 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Eston Hills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Local Cycle outlet
Strengths:
Lots of flex
Weaknesses:
have'nt seen any so far
Bike Setup:
Proflex 455
Bottom Line:
Considerably better than my previous suspesion folks, these ones work. Appear very lively and if i'm on flat roads i can switch off the suspension to solid folk settings. Thats a handy little device to have on the folks. For the price i would expect them to last quite some time. I'll post another review if they don't.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil Cash
a Weekend Warrior
from Christmas Island Australia Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Taiwan - on Giant MCM D LTD frame
Strengths:
They work as advertised at first, but for how long...
Weaknesses:
The chrome plated (definitely not stainless steel) tubes are very poor quality. Serious rust and pitting has set in after only six months, compromising the shocky seals.
Bottom Line:
While I live in a tropical environment, I would still expect better than 6 months before such poor quality becomes apparent. Warranty support in Australia was neither surprised nor interested in the problem; advising me that Dart3 are the bottom of the range, you get what you pay for, and that their all-alloy forks are $600-700 if I want to order them (as if, after my current experience. Very unimpressive for a fork supplied on a brand name carbon fibre frame MTB.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mythologio
a Cross Country Rider
from Philippines Date Reviewed: November 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light, all options and adjustments are working. good looks and less expensive
Weaknesses:
none so far, i will make another review after a year of use
Similar Products Used:
Dart2 and Dart1
Bike Setup:
BIXS Hardtail for this fork with XT Group '06
Bottom Line:
Perhaps Rock Shox's answer to economic problems here in PI for those who want to have a good quality fork at reasonable price, here's the answer. Install it now on your XC ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bernie
a
from Laguna, Philippines Date Reviewed: October 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bolinao Trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light for its category considering it has stainless steel stanchions, works and functions well.
Weaknesses:
none so far, i will make a review again if ever there will be a cons later.
Similar Products Used:
Reba
Bike Setup:
Haro Flightline Expert '08 see Haro website for the specs
Bottom Line:
For those whose not so in dropping off-bikes, this is one of the best choice on buying fork. Best for race and commuting, a fork that works like a fork not fancy forks. If you're planing to assemble a commuter, or mild ATB bike this is a good choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel A
a Weekend Warrior
from Kissimmee, FL, USA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Santos
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
OEM - On the bike
Strengths:
Great shocks, good adjustments, cool features.
Weaknesses:
It's not a high-end shock but it works just great
Bike Setup:
2008 Rockhopper
Bottom Line:
The Dart 3 is much, much better than the Dart 1 which comes on a lot of "cheaper" bikes. You have vital adjustments that cheaper shox lack. It is nice and soft, yet firm enough that you don't bottom out. If you want it stiffer, just turn a knob; you want less rebound, turn a knob. You cannot compare it to a 4 times as expensive FOX suspensions, but for what it is I must say it's the best one out there in it's price class. A lot of people just don't fine tune the springs and may get a less desirable ride. I bought a different firmness spring after i bought the bike to match my weight. The spring kits can be had anywhere for $20-$30 and you can swap it out in a matter of minutes yourself. Once it is set up, me and my friends couldn't tell they were riding a $200 shock and thought it was much more expensive. I would highly recommend, if you have the chance, to go with the Dart 3 vs. the Dart 1. These are also available in 80mm, 100mm (which I have) and 120mm. Overall, i gotta give it the best value rating, however because I know there is better stuff out there (not however in its price range), I gotta go with an Overal Rating of 4.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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