Strengths: light, inexpensive, floodgate works well
Weaknesses: flexy, poor tire clearance, durability of bushings, seals
Bottom Line:
Like most rockshox, performed well out of the box but developed bushing play within a few rides oil leaks in < 1yr. With marzocchi (at least old 30mm bombers), I'm willing to give up a little on the weight and features for a more durable fork.
Similar Products Used: rockshox from mag 20-psylo, 30mm marzocchi's, talas 36 (not really similar)
Bike Setup: intense spider fro med. Reba at 100mm travel. 150lb rider/gear weight. about 90psi positive air, maybe slightly less negative air
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Al Garcia
a Cross Country Rider
from ft. laud. florida - usa
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2010
Strengths: excellent suspension - light
Weaknesses: weak construction
Bottom Line:
the shock came stock with the bike. it work well for about a year and then problems developed. it lost its ability to hold any air in pos and neg chambers. sent for factory repair and shock worked well for about 6 months. i contacted rock shox and they replaced with new shock and upgraded to team model. sram customer support is excellent. i hope the new 2010 team model proves better then the 2008 race model.
Bike Setup: ellsworth - XO drive train - reba team - bonti rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
BokorSolo
a Cross Country Rider
from Prince William, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2009
Strengths: Stiff and excellent tracking. Very durable.
Weaknesses: Needed to be warrantied within the first month of usage.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent fork for the price I paid. The fact that it had a warranty issue within one month of usage is a concern but Rockshox took care of it within 3 weeks which I suppose is acceptable.
Bike Setup: Trek 8500, Crossride UB/Disc, LX & XT components
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
smokinjoe
a Racer
from mtn home ark usa
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2009
Strengths: none
Weaknesses: Sram, sram, sram
Bottom Line:
I thought id try Sram products one more time. Big mistake. This fork lasted less than a year before it blew. Lock out wont lock out, can't get a full 80mm of travel. I've read that these forks are notorius for this.
I swear, if i ever buy another crappin Sram product i'll be even a bigger fool than i am now. I'm 160lb xc, not a thrasher.
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Frederick, MD - USA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2009
Strengths: They're awesome. Not too heavy. Stiff. They take a beating and sponge up pretty much everything the trail throws at 'em. I ride very rocky trails and these things are phenomenal. The remote lock out feature is a plus. Not always necessary, but comes in handy sometimes. Nice to have the option.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.
Bottom Line:
They are worth the money for a fantastic ride quality. Now they just need to hold up.
Similar Products Used: Rock Shox sid race. (BTW- they pretty much stunk)
Bike Setup: Fisher sugar 1 (still a cool bike), race face deus crank, fox float, thompson post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
felixe
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2009
Strengths: Travel and plush ride.
Negative air spring
Damping
Weaknesses: Reliability
Bottom Line:
Great forks but I think I got a "dud" pair.
When they work, they work really well but in 6 months I have blown a rebound o-ring and a pin worked loose inside which carved into the stanchions, causing air to leak from the positive to negative chamber.
Distributor will not cover my warranty so I have to pay $350 for the new CSU assembly to have it replaced, this plus $75 for a new O-ring assembly makes them expensive.
Oh yeah - I should mention they came from Bicycle indyoutfitters and as well as the above problems that someone there had super-glued in the seals, deforming them and causing dirt to enter the forks - nice work cowboys!!
If it wasn't for the repairs I'd give 5 chillis, but these forks are costing me too much money to keep!!!
Bike Setup: Slingshot ripper, sram, rockshox, FSA.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
depp
a Cross Country Rider
from Methcondido
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2008
Strengths: Very Plush, lockout is uncanny, and the weight is very nice. The fork doesn't have the generic Taiwan appearance. It almost seems to be a solid fork. I have never rode a fox fork but I have heard they are quite similar just half the price.
Weaknesses: Well the fork has begun to leak in less than a month. Actually the fork is leaking where the flood gate is located. The most bothersome of this fork is the manual states travel adjustment. This fork does not have a travel adjustment, Rock Shox has lied stating the item has travel adjustment yet it does not.
Bottom Line:
The shop I purchased the fork at claims they will fix the fork for free. Well that is yet to be done. Bottom line is the Lock Out rocks, and for a fork this soft it's a great combo.
Bike Setup: Intense tracer, Chris King, Azonic. God Bless America
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
slyder327
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2008
Strengths: Adjustable like you would not believe. Strong...no flex, and what a ride !
Oh almost forgot....you will hear something from you Reba forks every time you ride..." Is That All You've Got "
Weaknesses: Very Adjustable ! Read elsewhere on this site as to how to set them up. It will be well worth your time. Factory fork PSI settings out to lunch.
Bottom Line:
Best fork I have ever ridden ! Do your self a favor, and BUY THEM !
The ride is amazing...equal to or better than Fox, and the money you'll save over the Fox will allow for more upgrades. I have yet to bottom these forks and I have taken some really fast and un expected logs and drop offs. Nothing but a smooth landing, without any flex.
I am 207lbs...I know ...I know loose some weight, but I have mine set at 115+/110-, Lock Out at half, and dampening at 3/4 turn, and what a smooth ride. Nice progressive build up at the end of the stroke and no bottom out.
So stop reading and get out there and buy your self a set.
Bike Setup: 08 Giant Trance 2, mostly stock except for these babies.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
cyril
a Cross Country Rider
from Prague, Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2008
Strengths: Very flexible in adjusting (I recommend to study MNL before adjusting). From very hard (sportive) to very sensitive and fine (touristic) fork response. Firm and lightweight. I weight 75kg.
Weaknesses: Didn't find so far.
Bottom Line:
I bought this fork as upgrade from RoxShock Pilot C - BTW terrible fork. The first chnage I noticed was lightweight front, the second - I didn't notice the potholes at the street I usualy start my trip. And I just adjusted the preasure in the main chamber and in the chamber of the senstivity bias. The last change was the speed of the dumping. The experience is excelent - I have new bike - fast and sitting on the road. My hands are not tired. The fork lock works fine a fast. I am happy with this fork.
I can recommend this fork to very sportive XC riders who are riding Marathons or simillar races.
Similar Products Used: RoxSchock Pilot C - but uncomparable - heavy, hard, fixed response configuration (disaster)
Bike Setup: Merida Mission Comp 2003 - full suspension bike weight about 13kg. Changed rear suspension by one from manitu with "inteligent" response - resistent to the paedal force. Equiped by Shimano LX/XT, Mavic complete rims.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jez
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne VIC Australia
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2008
Strengths: Light, adjustable, smooth, look great
Weaknesses: Little bit flexy for heavier riders
Bottom Line:
I have the fork set up for 115mm (I get 112mm on full compression!) but I'm 92kg (203lbs) and I find the fork just a little flexy in this setting. In the 100mm, setting it wasn't so bad (to be expected, and I did just come off a Pike...) That being said, this is one smooth, tunable fork that keeps the wheel tracking the ground really well, takes bigger hits in its stride and has good small bump sensitivity. Between the Dual Air (positive and negative air pressure adjustment), and a good damping range, it's very easy to set up the fork to your liking. The lock out is great and the Floodgate allows for a wide range of adjustment to the blow-off setting, so it can be set up for full lockout, or just to cut some bobbing when pedalling out of the saddle. The Pushloc is a better lever system than the Poploc, but costs extra. Matches SRAM X) very nicely, though, and fits on a Matchmaker clamp. Neat! The Reba Race is hard to fault for general XC riding. If you're a bit heavier or bomb a bit more, a Pike is a very good and very underrated alternative. Otherwise, the Reba Race will keep you very happy.
Strengths: This is a great product. I raced this shock for the first time this past weekend, and it was sweet ridin'. Appreciate the adjustability on the fly. Great through all kinds of bumps/terrain. Lock out feature is new to me and well worth it's weight.
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
Great fork, performed well under some tough conditions. easy to clean up; ability to tune to rider weight and riding style is a strong point. solid on the road. I would recommend this product...
Similar Products Used: About 6 yr old Rock shoks, don't recall the model
Bike Setup: Felt Nine Pro stock, shimano XT components, Cross maxx tire
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Lexington, Ky
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2008
Strengths: Stiff adjustable and plush
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
This fork is a upgrade for me I've been pounding a IndyXC for about 10 years on my old fisher and finally decided a new ride was in order I feel like I am riding a caddy now. This fork feels awesome and I appreciate the adjustability.
Hi,
I need a little help deciding on a fork. I know very little about RockShox as I have been on a Lefty for a few years now and my last RockShox fork was purchased in 1995.
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Just bought a Rock Shox Reba Race from a friend and he included a brake adaptor with it. My stock BB5 brakes wont fit with this adaptor. Any ideas? Another other products? Read More »
So I bought a Reba cuz I thought I'd be building up something and found a good deal on it. But then I also found a good deal on a Salsa Mamasita equipped with the Tora Race fork. N Read More »
Need your help !
We are rebuilding for he first time my Reba Fork, oh man what a venue.
Bought all seals etc.
We just took fork apart and there was a broken plastic piece (black) Read More »
I just bought a 04 Santa Cruz Blur and it came with this fork. I am trying to stiff up the fork, but Im not having any luck with finding how to set the compression. When I turn the Read More »
