Submitted by
Krankensteine
a Cross Country Rider
from Missouri Date Reviewed: October 28, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Syllamo
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very plush, absolute valving, stiff, Price
Weaknesses:
May need some upgrades to get performance you want. IE: oil weight change and absolute valve fix from Manitou
Similar Products Used:
Fox F29, White Brothers Magic, Rockshox Reba
Bike Setup:
Turner Sultan, Dekerf Steel SS
Bottom Line:
I have had 3 of these forks both QR and 20mm axles. Besides having to install the "click fix" I have been very satisfied. I want a fork with some sort of motion control with out having to reach down to lock it out or have an extra lever on the bars. Have tried several different fork oils to get the performance I wanted, which I have had to do with other forks also. White Brothers IMV works better than the Absolute valve but its not as stiff as the Manitou. I don't know why people bag on this fork so much in the forums I feel it has the best overall features and performance for the price. Manitou customer service has been very helpful and responsive to my questions. I don't see where you can go wrong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: October 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Desert Classis
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Slippery Pig
Strengths:
Good performance for the price. Stiff - I have 20mm thru axle. Plush after break in.
Weaknesses:
Not a weakness - but this is the first fork I have owned that actually had a noticeable break in period. I weigh 200lbs and have the absolute dampening at the lowest setting and fairly low air pressure. I am not sure at this point how necessary the platform is other than a lockout
Similar Products Used:
2008 Minute 29 with 9mm QR, 29 Reba (demo only); lots of Rock Shock & Manitou 26 forks
Bike Setup:
Vewntana El Capitan
Bottom Line:
Great fork. Steers better than any fork I have owned. I was tempted to go with a Fox, White Brothers or new Marz 140mm, but this forked worked with the 20mm thu axle wheels I wanted. No regrets!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gasp4Air
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester CT Date Reviewed: September 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
The ones I ride well
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$480.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Price, xc performance
Weaknesses:
Not best for aggressive riding?
Similar Products Used:
None 29
Bike Setup:
08 Rip9, Manitou Minute 120
Bottom Line:
It was either this or a Fox fork for about 200 more. I read reviews saying it went through its travel quickly, and that seems true - though I haven't bottomed it out yet. I'm 190 lb no-air xc rider in rocky rooty CT. I like a fork that's smooth and plush, which this fork does very well. If you're like me, you may like this fork. If you're a jumper and big hitter, maybe not.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pynis McDermott
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: June 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Elden
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
Big Kahuna
Strengths:
Biggest Strength, Value. Next to that the Through Axle (TA) option is a must for anyone looking to increase stiffness, confidence, and control in a downhill run. The hose routing and brake mounting are easy to install and are aesthetically pleasing. Rebound adjustment on this price of a fork is a huge bonus.
Weaknesses:
This fork does take more psi to dial in correctly compared to other similar products. Upon landing this fork off of a drop, you will notice the dreaded "popping/clicking/buzzing" noise. DISCLAIMER: This has been identified and responded to by Manitou - it is not a product failure or anything that affects the performance, it simply requires a replacement shim that can be sent to you free of charge with instructions.
Otherwise, the dampening control can take a while to get used to, but that is because you have to get used to adding more air pressure.
Similar Products Used:
Fox 32 100mm Fork (29er) on my HT, Rock Shox Reba 29er
After hours of component review, and questioning whether or not this fork is worth anything or "To Good to be True", I decided to give it a chance.
Upon initial outing, I was not sure about the fork quality. I had played with the dampening, and everything worked well, but it took me a while to realize I needed to add more air pressure to really get it dialed in. User error aside, this fork works exactly as it is supposed to.
Now, I ride with one or two clicks and 10-15psi more than the recommended amount. I did encounter the "clicking" noise, and did receive the fix from Manitou, but I have not installed it because I am having too much fun riding it. The lockout works excellent when you want to cruise a flat, the dampening control adds control in the downhill or tech sections, the travel is perfect for my "Aggressive XC" build, and the rake is perfect for climbing.
The best part about this fork is the T/A setup. The added rigidity and control really bump my confidence and have helped me become a faster XC rider by pushing the DH skills. This detail, when combined with more aggressive wheels (FLOWS) makes me feel like I have an awesome AM 29er, a highly sought after item these days.
Bottom Line - no way can the value be beat on a fork like this. It looks great, performs just as well as forks 3 times its price, and is built tough (5 chilis). The overall performance really can't be beat, sure there was one component that caused a noise, but no harm or flaw, and it was fixed. As far as performance, it is unbelievable quality at the price I paid, so I can't complain (5 chilis)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ekuehnen
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: April 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Allaire
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$340.00
Purchased At:
eBay - NEW
Strengths:
STIFF. SMOOTH. LIGHT. light weight of an air fork but it feels like a coil sprung fork. Very plush. I was very skeptical of Manitou forks, because I thought FOX was the BEST, hands down. I weigh @ 200 pounds. I tend to be fairly abusive to my gear and this thing takes it no problemo. I have the 100mm QR version. I was a HUGE fan of FOX forks before this, but boy am I glad I didnt shell out 6 or 7 hundo on an F29. This feels a lot like my old Fox Vanilla RLC, which I LOVED. Only thing I dont like is the noise the Platform damping makes when you increase the damping... maybe it will go away eventually? not a big deal. The platform damping is very functional. small clicks make a huge differnece and it is easy to access on the fly.
Weaknesses:
sticky oinking noise when you tighten up the platform damping. Oil level was a little off from the factory.
Similar Products Used:
Fox F29, Fox Float RLC, Fox Vanilla RLC, Fox Talas RLC... I have had them all.
Bike Setup:
2008 Titus Racer X w/ X9 kit and DT Swiss wheelset.
Bottom Line:
Well worth it for 350. Hell, if i had to spend 650 on either a Fox F29 or the Manitou Minute 29, I'd go with the Manitou. Very happy with it's stiffness, tracking, progressive coil-like feel, and toughness.
5 Flamin' turds for value- it cant be beat.
4 Flamin' turds for the noise when the platform is engaged.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dblboc
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft Worth Date Reviewed: November 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
TX
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$430.00
Purchased At:
online bike shop
Strengths:
Stiff.. Supple ride. Quick and responsive. It's just a nice riding fork. Light compared to the 100 mm Fox. Price Price Price
Weaknesses:
I had some issues with loosing air.. Initially there was no oil. Fixed that and the issue went away for a few months... Then mysteriously started loosing air again.... Turns out the air valve was loose.. Go figure.. If you are having issues loosing air you might check thee items
Similar Products Used:
Fox, Rock Shox
Bike Setup:
Spot 29er, Manitou Minute 29er 100 mm, Hayes Trail Hydro Brakes, Belt Drive Single speed
Bottom Line:
Other than the issue of loosing air, this is a great fork. I guess I got the one that made it through QC.. I have ridden both the FOx and Manitou.. I feel the Manitou preforms equally if not better than the fox... PLus it's actually AFFORDABLE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville NC Date Reviewed: November 25, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very stiff. Great progression through the spring rate.
Weaknesses:
Platform damping is more of a "on/off" switch (as noted by others. Very difficult brake set-up for me (could not take a 160 mm rotor, which is just plain dumb).
Similar Products Used:
Reba, lots of 26er forks
Bike Setup:
IF hardtail, 100mm fork, QR
Bottom Line:
Love(d) the Reba. Only reason trying this fork is bought from a friend who won it in an event raffle. He did not need, I got from him pretty cheap. Great for me, great for him.
Anyhoo, this fork descends fantastic! I was blown away by how much stiffer this fork was than the Reba. Seriously- tracks better in all situations. Also, the spring rate progression is very supple, good small and big compliance. Niiiiice.
Big gripe with no 160 mm rotor option. Pain in the arse and a needless expense for me to get a new rotor and brake adaptor.
But, otherwise, great fork- I'd snatch one up at the current clearance pricing if I was looking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tallandy
a Cross Country Rider
from Queens NY Date Reviewed: November 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
stillwell
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Light for a big 29er fork, stiff, excellent platform adjustment
Weaknesses:
loses a little air after a few hour ride
Similar Products Used:
fox float,RS reba,magura laurin
Bike Setup:
08 Stumpy 29er
Bottom Line:
bought this fork on clearance from Jensons and took a chance not knowing too much about Manitou products. To say the least I am very impressed with the performance the platform control seems very progressive, doesn't nose dive on braking or bottom out on small drops I got the 20mm and will never go back to QR. I am a big guy at 6'4" 270# and have had problems with other forks bottoming out on small 1-2 ft drops and had to compensate by cranking up the air pressure but getting a harsher ride on the small stuff,not with this fork. Fork looks very well made and if it holds up well it is a steal for the price I paid
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Colorado Date Reviewed: October 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dakota Ridge Morrison
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Uno bicycles
Strengths:
Strong and giving at the right times (we know when those are!), great adjustment options, stiff design for a 29er.
Weaknesses:
I personally don't like the white
Makes some "oinking" noises when adjusted stiff.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox (on 26er)
Bike Setup:
Salsa mamasita, truvativ single crank up front, x-9 nine speed, WTB laserdisc 29er wheels, thompson, Cane creek headset, kenda nevegar on front, kenda small block eight on back etc...
Bottom Line:
I have rode the hell out of this bike (32 trails in two and half months) and not a peep of a problem from these forks. The adjustment options work well and I have never worried about bad design weaknesses even when I probably should have. Spend the money!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jayno67
a Cross Country Rider
from australia Date Reviewed: September 10, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
here
Strengths:
Noice n plush pretty light
Weaknesses:
The seals get dirty and sticky - you must CLEAN them often or the fork performance will degenerate badly !
Similar Products Used:
Heap of 26er gear
Bike Setup:
niner mcr with all the good gear
Bottom Line:
Yep, the 80mm is great on a steel 29er - but you must keep the seals clean or the things just about seize up on you. If they are clean, then they work real nice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilmington NC Date Reviewed: March 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Blue Clay / Lynn Woods
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
www.ninerbikes.com
Strengths:
Durable light easy to setup no maintenance
Weaknesses:
damper has 5 positions but only full open click once almost lockout and the next 3 lock out
Similar Products Used:
Reba and Tora 29er
Bike Setup:
Rip 9
Bottom Line:
Great light fork stiffer and light than the Reba
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy merren
a
from MI Date Reviewed: January 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Edwards Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
niner
Strengths:
Lighter than a 100 mm Reba,plusher than a Fox,5 position Stable Platform is amazing. Position 2 eliminates brake dive but hardly effects the ride.
Weaknesses:
It is so plush that it makes the rear susp on my Rip nine feel harsh
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi,Fox,Rockshox,Manitou
Bike Setup:
Rip Nine
Bottom Line:
I would say that this is by far the best 29" susp fork available today. Buy it if you want a plush ride with the choice of adjustable stable platform.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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