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Submitted by
Matt Arrigo
a Weekend Warrior
from Grants Pass,OR, Good Ol' U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Good Looks, Black, easy to install, cheap, Don't have to lube my forks so often now. | | Weaknesses: | Just barely long enough. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Inverted fork model. For what it is it seems to work good. They say right on the package if immersed in water to remove and let fork dry, so they never claimed to be water-proof. They need to make them a bit longer though. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Dumb
a Cross Country Rider
from southern California
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all of em | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | saves expensive forks!! | | Weaknesses: | bunch up once in a while but not often | | Bottom Line: | I can't understand why manufacturers don't include boots on their bikes. Well actually i do its a vast conspiracy to wear out our forks faster so we buy new ones..
Unless your rich or don't care about cleaning the dirt outta the "stock dirt seals" after every ride these cheap things are gonna save you money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Keep your stuff clean | | Weaknesses: | I don't think you can use them with adjustable travel forks?? | | Bike Setup: | MArzocchi on Santa Cruz superlight | | Bottom Line: | Used them for 2 years with Marzocchi air shock. Never lost air, never needed to clean them. Simple to install and worth it to make an expensive shock last longer.
Of course I live where it is dry, but there are some water crossings and they will protect your fork legs.
They do NOT bunch up and expose the seals unless you install them wrong, and if you install them wrong you are a complete moron.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Crack'd Helmet, Tryon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | These boots look great and have kept mud out of my Judy 100's perfectly, even when I ride in the pouring rain through tons of mud. Don't have to take the fork apart to put these on!! Big plus there! | | Weaknesses: | A little confusing to put on the first time. I think the "Bunchhing" people refer to happens if you put them on wrong, because mine don't. | | Similar Products Used: | Rubber boots. | | Bike Setup: | GT i-Drive 5 2001 w/ Judy 100's (1999), XT, LX drivetrain, SRAM PC69 chain, Lizzard skins on both front and rear shocks as well as on the headset. | | Bottom Line: | I've used these for a year and have had no bunching problems. I read a lot of reviews saying that the Judy 100 would fail in pouring rain, and that hasn't happened to me although I ride in the rain a lot (welcome to Rochester). I put a lot of judy butter on the shock and then sealed it in using the Lizzard Skin boots. The red looks great w/ red grips and red/black nashbar 2x seat (works great w/ black frames, too...) I highly recommend this product...unless you're spacially (spatial) challenged and don't use sissors well, then let your bike shop install these for you 'cause you shouldn't be working on your bike! (The bottom of the boot wraps around *below* the brake/shock arch.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sprocketeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Narashino, Chiba, Japan (native of New York)
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | I like it rough an' dirty baby! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | Seo Cycle, LalaPort Tokyo Bay shopping mall, Minami-Funabashi, Chiba, Japan | | Strengths: | They clean up really easy--just rinse them under the tap.
They don't get stretched out, but they do break-in nicely.
The velcro is durable.
(weenie comment alert) I like the lizard graphic appearing on the side of my staunchions; I'm glad they don't have some crappy flame design or--worse--a big brand name display. Also, they come in good colors.
Like another rider posted, the fact that they keep out shale and lime dust--which are both about as fine as talcum powder--is highly appreciated.
They protect the forks from getting dented at least somewhat. | | Weaknesses: | Other people have mentioned a lot of problems with fit and wet stuff getting under the boots, but I haven't had any of the problems other people mentioned and I come home with both bike and rider caked in mud quite often. So weaknesses=zero | | Similar Products Used: | Other Lizard Skins products on other parts of my bike and just plain good maintainence. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 TREK 8000, Shimano 959 pedals, Shimano XT cranks (172.5mm) and bottom bracket, Bontrager-Selle San Marco Race Lite titanium rail saddle, Thompson Elite seatpost, Panacer Fire XC Pro tires, . . . . | | Bottom Line: | These things are indespensible and couldn't function better. Because of the complaints about mud getting under them, Lizard Skins actually prints on the label that they should be removed for wet conditions now, but I don't see why anyone would have actually more mud and caked on dirt while using these things unless they simply aren't in the habit of cleaning their bikes more than once in a while (I do a quick cleaning after every ride and a thorough one about every 250 miles or a month, whichever comes first).
I didn't even cut mine. I just roll them back over on themselves at the tops and they stay in place--though when they were new they did bunch up just a bit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam di cara
a Downhiller
from uk
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with big jumps | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | halfords | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | dosnt fit my fork looks goofy and you better off just wipe your fork down | | Similar Products Used: | none others | | Bike Setup: | sarecen xile frame v-drive crank dmr satern chainring | | Bottom Line: | only by them if you really get muddy | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A.
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Ana river trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar.com | | Strengths: | Easy to install as long as you cut it to the right length. Keep dirt and dust out. | | Weaknesses: | Not good for wet conditions but as long as you live in sunny California you are ok. | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC SE1. | | Bottom Line: | I no longer had to clean my stachions after every ride. I recommand everyone to buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C
a Weekend Warrior
from C algary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | whatever I can ride | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedalhead ($22 canadian) | | Strengths: | keeps stuff out
looks | | Similar Products Used: | rubber factory boots | | Bike Setup: | Moab - XT everything, SID SL fork, Race Face Turbine LP cranks, Crossride wheels, Wildgrippr tires | | Bottom Line: | Keeps out dust, mud, etc. I just rode in the rain today and they stayed nice and dry. And clean. Easy to install and remove for seal lube and stanchion tube cleaning (not that it needs cleaning cause these things keep it all out). Most of all it keeps out red shale dust from Fish Creek. I hate that sh.. excuse me, stuff. A perfect add-on to forkless boots like the SID SL to reduce cleaning and regular maintenance. Without them I was cleaning the seals after every ride. Now I just have to keep up with the lube. Minimal cleaning. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bighare
a Cross Country Rider
from San Rafael, CA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | China Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | It works if you install it correctly | | Weaknesses: | Neoprene will hold water if you don't open it after a wet ride. | | Bike Setup: | MARS forks. | | Bottom Line: | If the product bunched up and ran up the fork leg on the first ride, YOU INSTALLED IT IMPROPERLY!! You didn't wrap it around the brake arch on the bottom. They work just fine and look much better than accordian style rubber boots. You do need to clean under them occasionally, but this is easy to do with the velcro attachments. Rubber boots require cleaning underneath also, albiet less frequently.
No fork boot will keep out 100% of dirt and water.
For the $$ and simplicity, they are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from St Helens, England
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Easy to fit and remove, allows the fork legs to be cleaned and lubed | | Weaknesses: | Price ($15 over here) | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Mars1 | | Bottom Line: | I bought some Mars1 w/o booots fitted. I've used Lizard skins and find that if fitted over the seal, they keep mud off the fork legs, while they are easily removed to allow the legs to be dryed thoroughly and lubed after each ride. Yes they bunch up a bit, but that allows them to conform to the movements of the leg. Fit them as tight as possible for the best seal. Ordinary boots trap mud, and are difficult to clean under. These boots don't. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville,TN
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock4 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | (former) LBS | | Strengths: | Will keep dust out...kinda | | Weaknesses: | Will not keep actual dirt, mud, crud, water,boulders, small passenger cars,etc. out of your fork. | | Similar Products Used: | WB wipers (just as bad), Mountainspeed speed seals (great) | | Bike Setup: | 99 Jamis Dragon. | | Bottom Line: | The fork "boots" only work in very dry and dusty conditions that a fork seal could handle anyways. When it gets wet, they do too and will hold moisture, dirt, mud etc against the fork wipers, effectively doing the opposite of what it is supposed to do.
Neoprene and cotton are porous. Rubber is not. It's that simple.
If you ride ONLY in dry conditions, then I guess they would be ok, as they are not any better than a rubber boot.
If you ride where it even gets humid, then forget about these things as they are a waste of money and can only do more damage than good. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy
a Cross Country Rider
from West Newton, MA USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | If you can get one that matches the color of your bike, they look better than regular boots. | | Weaknesses: | Does it need to be this hard to put these things on? | | Similar Products Used: | stock rubber boots | | Bike Setup: | 1999 SID | | Bottom Line: | Performance-wise, these things are no better than rubber boots. The reason why I have a pair is because I found red ones which compliment my red SID very nicely. However, I have never experienced the bunching up like some of the others. Value-wise, 1 flaming poop if you get the black ones. 2 flaming poops for the colored ones. Overall? 2 flaming poops because they're evolutionary, not revolutionary. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Huey
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Bull run, Coed y Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | These Lizards fit excellently around my Pace RC-35s. They let nothing in, don't wander or bunch as they're wrapped under teh canti boss, and remove easily for cleaning of the forks and boots. | | Weaknesses: | There's a technique to getting the velcro done up evenly all the way, but I'm used to that the past 5 years.
A little pricey for the materials and technology involved. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing, which led to strip-downs each ride :-( | | Bike Setup: | Kona Explosif '94, Distance XC, UK Winters. | | Bottom Line: | Good for my forks and a few others. Try a friends set for fit before you buy. These are designed for older forks, so bear that in mind. Pace don't recommend their use for their newer forks, which have improved seals anyhow. They last - I'm on my second pair in 5 years!!
They do the job I want them to do on the forks I use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nb
a
from CT
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Could be cut up and used to protect chainstays | | Weaknesses: | Hmmm....now let me see........... | | Bottom Line: | Bad. Do not even waste the time looking at them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | They keep riding up the fork legs | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Marin Wildcat Trail,Boxxer forks, Hope O2 disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | these just don't work. As soon as the fork compresses they ride up the leg and leave the seals uncovered. seems like the bottom of the boot needs a better way of attatching it to the fork. Save your money and don't bother with these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tommy
a Weekend Warrior
from woodside, nyc
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | b*tch to install, boots clumps up | | Bike Setup: | Judy 100 | | Bottom Line: | Since my Judy 100 didnt come with fork boots, i tried getting these to protect the seals. I was luckly to find a long version of the boot for my fork. The boots were a hassale to install and after only an hour or so of riding (streets & sidewalk only!!!) the boots become clumped up leaving the seals exposed. Guess I gotta use white bros now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | tyler st pk | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | cheap looks cool can put on without removing fork crowns | | Weaknesses: | doesn't fit some forks properly, bunches up and rubs tires on man mach5s buy a good wiper seal set | | Similar Products Used: | cheap sucky boots that came OE | | Bike Setup: | xc carbon hardtail | | Bottom Line: | buy good wiper seals! the ones that really lock around the top section of where the fork boots would go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Biker
a Racer
from NJ
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Does not allow anything in | | Weaknesses: |
Does not allow fork to be lubed too easily | | Similar Products Used: |
regular boots | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn Mesa LX/STX-RC/ Jett C | | Bottom Line: | good deal if you want clean internals | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
will chan
a Racer
from waterloo, ontario
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
the one in my back yard! | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
can be removed for washing | | Weaknesses: |
cloth material absorbs moisture
attracts dust
bunches up over time
weakest protection is at the seal | | Similar Products Used: |
original boots | | Bike Setup: |
answer spyder R | | Bottom Line: | awful design. makes you wonder how it ever becomes marketable...
on either side of the neoprene, there is a cloth layer that, when on wet rides or washing, will absorb water. i could only understand that it could be a good idea for riders in realy dry places and owners of non-one-piece suspension lowers because of effective fit(old rock shox is what this product was made for). also sucks that you cant easily lube your fork seals regularly.i only got them because my fork boots wouldnt stay fit around the dust seal and would let crap accumulate inside the boot | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
BT trail | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
- looks cool | | Weaknesses: |
- adds stiction
- does not prevent gunk from entering the sliders
- a pain to install | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Mozo Pro | | Bottom Line: | Its just sucks ...... adds stiction , traps dirt .
Works exactly the opposite on how a shock shld work . | | Overall Rating: |
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