Submitted by
Ron Gieske
a Weekend Warrior
from Plainfield Il
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2010
Strengths: Price,Fork is laterally stiff.Great small bump compliance.The biggest drops i hit is 3-4ft and the fork handles it without any problems.I ride this fork with confidence.This is a great fork for those with a budget.
Strengths: Good trail holding for the price, has held up well to some fairly heavy riding, 5 - 6 foot airs on dirt jumps most times I ride the local trails. Showing no signs of failing although I am worried they won't hold up much longer, even though they are still in great condition. Would feel more confident riding a tougher fork for the type of riding I do.
Weaknesses: I'm not confident of the strength if I keep jumping these, although they are holding up well!
Bottom Line:
Can't fault them at the moment just I'm lacking confidence in their strength. Maybe unjustified though.
Weaknesses: hard to turn travel adjust, rebound knob held by o-ring and prone to dropping off, weight (4.6 lbs with steerer cut to 185 mm).
Bottom Line:
I called Jenson and was vacillating between this and the Marzocchi XC700 ATA (which also had bad reviews). When I spoke to the sales rep, he actually recommended the Zokes but in the end, I ended up opting for this fork for the following reasons:
1) it was pre-cut to the length that I actually wanted
2) the idea of coil versus air spring appealed to me more (although my rear shock is air)
3) silver versus white color (I have a silver bike)
4) $80 price differential
Last night, I finally got a chance to use the fork off-road (night riding on Lake Chabot). The fork's performance by far exceeded my expectations. First, it was supple enough to absorb the tiny little ripples when going over rolling terrain, yet had more than enough travel to soak up the harshest bumps without even being close to full travel (at 130 mm setting). Lateral stiffness also improved dramatically (to be expected when you jump from 28 mm to 32 mm stanchions). Brake chatter was gone, and I could pitch the bike without it feeling flexy. On the final uphill, my riding buddy suggested I go to the lowest setting (85 mm) and lock out the fork. Amazingly, it was like I was riding a totally different bike! Even with my weak sauce legs, I was able to muster the strength to climb and not only chase down another rider but leave him.
I LOVE this FORK!!! It's only been one ride, and I suspect that I may have to end up using Rock Shox's warranty based on peoples' personal experience from this fork year/vendor source. But that's the beauty of warranties, right?
Similar Products Used: 1993 Rock Shox Mag 30, 2002 Manitou MARS Comp Coil
Bike Setup: 2002 Marin Rift Zone
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
top_sniper_09
a Weekend Warrior
from Sarasota Fl, USA.
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2009
Strengths: Reboud, Lockout (When it worked!)32mm stanchions.
Weaknesses: Flexy, very flexy,8" rotors don't go good, lockout breaks easily, travel decreases after that
Bottom Line:
This fork was great til the lockout blew, the travel started to decline, dampening locked, JensonUSA stood behind it, but it cost me shipping it here and back, and almost four months of NO riding right into the season. Not quite worth the money. You're better off getting a used fox or Marz. I hope this saves you the trouble.
Bike Setup: Jamis Dakar Frame, Full LX group Avid juicy five brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
fisher_rider05
a Cross Country Rider
from welaka, florida, usa
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2009
Strengths: adjustable travel, lockout, blow off valve
Weaknesses: makes a squishy noise
Bottom Line:
This fork is a big upgrade from my previous fork. I bought it as OE and when I recieved it the compression assemply didn't work. Rockshox took care of it and now it works great. The adjustable travel is great for switching between single track and technical sections. The squishy sound does get annoying.
Submitted by
nice_camel_toe
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2009
Strengths: When it was working it was excellent. Very plush and easy to adjust. I took this fork to Rockville Park (where I mostly ride), Joaquin Miller Park, NorthStar, and Downieville and handled all of them well.
Weaknesses: After about the sixth month the travel was limited to 1". I called up Rock Shox/Sram and they covered it under warranty. Said that there was a "short production period" where a part was used that caused this failure. Fully rebuilt with upgraded part under warranty.
Bottom Line:
Great All Mountain AM fork. Only disappointment was that it broke down but was covered under 2-year warranty which is excellent. Kudos to Rock Shox/Sram warranty.
Bike Setup: 2008 Fuji Reveal 2.0 Rock Shox Recon fork came with it stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ecogeek
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2009
Strengths: None due to immediate failure. Unless you count looks - which I don't. It's PERFORMANCE/price that matters.
Weaknesses: Defective. Failed completely on first ride.
Bottom Line:
Well, I got this for my Mrs for her birthday. To help her climb (lighter than her stock Marzocchi and U-turn/lockout), and to make her sore wrist (broke it boarding) a bit more comfortable on descents thanks to more travel. I put it on the bike Fri night, set it up on Sat w medium rebound/travel. We planned some riding for Sunday/Monday. First ride, 5km in, fork at 115mm, intermediate trail, first descent (nothing major), 130lb female rider who does not ride hard at all - in fact downright slow on downhills - the fork lost all travel, spat oil and made a loud banging noise. Scared her half to death. She managed to stop safely thank god.
One of the seals at the top of the lower on the U-turn leg had popped open and was sitting a couple of cm up the stansion. No idea why this translated instantly to ZERO travel. Ride over. Long walk back to the car. Long weekend wasted cleaning shock oil off the brakes and putting the old fork back on. I look like a real dick for getting her something that nearly killed her and ruined the weekend. This was her first RockShox product and obviously she has totally lost confidence.
If a light female rider can destroy this fork on the first ride, it's not strong enough. Not sure whether to try an exchange and hope the next one lasts more than 5km, or to just get her something else. Sorry, RS, can't give more than the lowest rating based on what happened. The fork was a DISASTER! Hopefully it'll get exchanged without trouble and if the new one works, she can post another review.
Similar Products Used: Reba Team. Various Marzocchi.
Bike Setup: This was on a customised Marin (for literally one day).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
freshtracks
a Cross Country Rider
from Montana
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2009
Strengths: Simple
Weaknesses: Like most air shocks, that last inch of travel is hard to reach.
Bottom Line:
Simple and durable. Set it and forget it. I like the solo air - it simplifies the setup. Sure, it's not as tunable as the dual-air, but more adjustments=more complications=more brokenness. I got the pressure set on day 1 and I haven't had to touch it since.
If the Fox that came with your bike just broke and you want a new 5" fork, but can't afford another Fox, go ahead and buy this. I'm 190 lbs. and ride hard 3 days a week, and this thing has never had an issue in two seasons. Oh yeah, it's plush too. Not sure how good the more adjustable versions are, but I'd bet they're good too.
Strengths: The RockShox Recon came with my son's Specialized FSR XC bike.
Weaknesses: Durability, strength. My son blew through his the RockShox Recons in a bike that is about 9 months old. He's going into 8th grade and weighs just over 100 lbs.
Bottom Line:
My son blew through his the RockShox Recons in a bike that is about 9 months old. He's going into 8th grade and weighs just over 100 lbs.
That's not big.
He torched the fork on Trestle / Boulevard at Winter Park, CO.
Granted- that might be hitting it hard, but I would not recommend the Recons for anything other than light recreational riding.
Similar Products Used: RockShox Revelation; RockShox Reba
Bike Setup: 2008 Specialized FSR XC Expert
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
csparks66
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2009
Strengths: Nice feel, like the color
Weaknesses: Weakness is the key word. I had it for about 6 rides then it started popping, then stopped locking out, now it has to be rebuilt! May just be defective
Bottom Line:
This fork perform well, just didnt hold up to any kind of conditions. Be weary buying used with no warranty! Luckily mine has warranty.
Submitted by
jeffkill
a Downhiller
from Concord, NC USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2009
Strengths: Plush, U turn is nice, very easy to service.
Weaknesses: Stock rockshox seals suck. Put some Enduro Seals on the fork and you'll be set.
Bottom Line:
Put this bike on my budget hardtail for local XC riding. I dont think I would use this fork for much more than XC/ trail riding. For the price I paid, I have no complaints.
Submitted by
Moodrid
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft Worth
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2009
Strengths: Only thing I can think of is looks good
Weaknesses: Looses travel and rebound.Out of a 130 travel I get about a inch.
Bottom Line:
After getting burned on a set of Toras I took a chance on Rock Shox again and got burned again.Best Rock Shox I have had is the Dart 3.I am done with RS.
Submitted by
meehow8
a Cross Country Rider
from louisville, ky
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2008
Strengths: smooth, small bump performance, travel adjust, adj. rebound, easy to rebuild
Weaknesses: lost rebound knob, had to swap spring for siffer right out of the box.
Bottom Line:
good job sram. super fork for the trails. the performance is worth it. buy one and get the right weight spring with it. but keep an eye on the rebound knob bc it'll just slide off and get lost in the dirt.
Bike Setup: exile reynolds 631 ht, shimano 1x7, avid mech discs, wtb wheels, thomson/ raceface dues cockpit
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
daxiet
a Cross Country Rider
from South Africa
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008
Strengths: Good performer, good travel avg. weight ~2.1Kgs-2.2kgs
Weaknesses: Seem to have weak seals, I have a little too much oil around the 1 seal. Very little adjustments available. U-turn - more of a gimic, Lock out and rebound adjustment. The shock gives a feel of play on the front wheel when going over rough terrain.
Bottom Line:
A good value for money shock, but I can't wait for the day I can get a Fox to replace it. Don't get me wrong it does most of the work well, but it just has a cheap feel to it. My shock has plastic lock out and U-turn knobs.
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