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Fox Racing Shox
Vanilla 125R
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Submitted by
Adam Turner
a Cross Country Rider
from Abergavenny, South Wales, UK
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Blorenge Keepers | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | Gateway Cycles, Abergavenny | | Strengths: | Extremely plush ride, low rebound, very forgiving fork, awesome matte black look | | Weaknesses: | I guess if I HAD to find a weakness, it would be a lack of a lockout feature, but as i'm an XC rider it doesn't make any difference to me really. | | Similar Products Used: | SR-Suntour MG91 | | Bike Setup: | Carrera Hellcat, Tioga carbon fibre handlebars / headset, Shimano Deore's, Magura Julie hydraulics, full sus. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome fork for the price, you need not buy or even consider any other fork for XC.
Fox has converted me from air to springs with this fork. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Greener
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwich/Norfolk/England
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringland hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand off a friend | | Strengths: | plush travel, takes big hits, ajustability | | Weaknesses: | none really | | Similar Products Used: | dukes, rlc, psyco | | Bike Setup: | gt ruckus frame/fox forks 125r/discs/ | | Bottom Line: | overall a good fork takes abuse and has a lot of ajustability.... enjoy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Napa
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Plush ride, Low rebound, Sleek black look, pure disc. | | Weaknesses: | None, except for the price for some. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Black Elite, Manitou Skareb Super, Fox Float 100R, RockShox Sid World Cup | | Bike Setup: | 00' S-Works FSR, XT drivetrain, RF Turbine, oversized Avid 203 discs, King headset, Easton bar and stem, Thompson post. | | Bottom Line: | What an unbelieveable fork! I've waited to do my review to see if anything has failed and no problems at all. I love the oversized stanchions and the pure disc look. After carefully considering the other forks, this one suits my needs perfectly. Of course in-town riding is severe overkill but trails is where the fork belongs. No slop or excessive rebound. All the seals are holding very well. Fox has made a believer out of me. The only downside is the price for those who can not afford the fork. If you can and are considering them, I'd highly recommend you take the Vanilla line for a spin. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ridding buddy James | | Strengths: | Plush 125mm of travel. Super Stiff fork with 32mm stanchions. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of Lockout feature. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Axel, Marzochhi EXR Air Pro. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Avanti Barracuda | | Bottom Line: | I was lucky enough to pay $300 AUD (also switching my OEM manitou Axel's 100mm) and buy these of my mate/riding buddy/bike mech James. It's made my bike and myself "all-mountain" rather than just plain XC (although I still love that). The preload and rebound are extrememly effective, in addition the 3 springs (soft, medium, hard) allow further adjustments w/o the cost. I run mine with the medium spring and a 10 weight oil. It's just a stiff yet beautifully plush ride. My only complaint is that it doesn't have Lockout (I know, there's the RL and RLC models)... but it still performs exceptionally well. It's survived 3" jumps/drops... and is just makes my bike so much more sweeter to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ridding buddy James | | Strengths: | Plush 125mm of travel. Super Stiff fork with 32mm stanchions. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of Lockout feature. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Axel, Marzochhi EXR Air Pro. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Avanti Barracuda | | Bottom Line: | I was lucky enough to pay $300 AUD (also switching my OEM manitou Axel's 100mm) and buy these of my mate/riding buddy/bike mech James. It's made my bike and myself "all-mountain" rather than just plain XC (although I still love that). The preload and rebound are extrememly effective, in addition the 3 springs (soft, medium, hard) allow further adjustments w/o the cost. I run mine with the medium spring and a 10 weight oil. It's just a stiff yet beautifully plush ride. My only complaint is that it doesn't have Lockout (I know, there's the RL and RLC models)... but it still performs exceptionally well. It's survived 3" jumps/drops... and is just makes my bike so much more sweeter to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Kelly
a Cross Country Rider
from Lawrence, Ks
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | amasa back | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | CBO | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Factory springs not stiff enough | | Bike Setup: | k2 funky monkey, RF turbine, xt drivetrain, wierwolf 2.1, avid sd7 | | Bottom Line: | Best fork ever, would totally recomend this to everyone except the extreme downhillers. without a doubt the most plush thing in the history of time, only takes about a week of riding to break it in, after that you'll realize why everyone likes them. The only downside of the fork is that the factory springs are a litte wimpy. i weigh about 160 and it bottoms out on a 5ft drop. other than that it is just about perfect. At just over 4 lbs it makes a pretty good cross country fork but if your gonna buy this it is your civil duty to take it off at least a couple of drops. one last note, the rebound is really adjustable, it goes from lightning fast rebound to...well...almost zero. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan Mishev
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt Jumping | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Solutions | | Strengths: | Super Plush and is lite. The Adjusts are great u can adjust for xc, hucks, dj and any thing else. Awsome desigh and graphics. Super stiff stantions and lowers witch make it super stiff even without the trough axle. Andjust the fact that its Fox | | Weaknesses: | None except the price but t dosnt really matter cause its just such a good fork that you ride it for 2 days and then u totaly forget | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shock Judy C. Dosnt compare at all | | Bike Setup: | Norco 4x4 | | Bottom Line: | AWSOME FORK PERIOD. Its amazing and i recomened it to any one who want to mountain bike with the plushest fork around. amazing performance for any type of riding. Really good for free ride dj xc and good for downhill but what do u excpect its not a dual crown. Really strong. I dont know what else to say its just such and anazingly awsome fork. All of my friend were thinking i was crazy to spend so much for a fork because it was like 2 times as expensive as there whole bike but they all took one ride around the street going of curds and bouncing around and just that made them relize y i spent so much. Dont get my wrong though its not all that expensive just that expensive for me cause im only 14 but for u older guys with jobs its not to much. Best and most plush fork around is all i can say. FOX RACING SHOX RULES | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere I can ride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitter | | Strengths: | 1, Beefy and burly legs which translates to a very stiff fork!
2, CNC precision quality manufactured knobs which are easy to turn.
3, Rebound control very well setup for a wide variety of terrain from stutter bumps to stair riding and occassional big hits.
4, Improves steering precision and handling without effecting frame geometry so much.
5, FULL advertised travel -- no 50% or even 30% of claimed advertised travel. | | Weaknesses: | Pricy if not bought on sale. You get what you paid for I suppose.. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox Quadra 21R, Marzocchi z3 lite (65mm travel), Judy 100 Hydracoil | | Bike Setup: | GT iDrive with Fox Forx 100R (100 mm travel; not 125) with a Cane Creek Cloud 9 at the rear. Stock cranks and Vbrakes only. | | Bottom Line: | I was never happy with my GT Idrive bike when I first got it.
It never lived up to its fame as being a point and shot bike. The downhill is great on the bike, but riding tight switch backs and negotiating rocky technical descents were another story. When I replaced the rear shock with the Cane Creek, it added 50% to the fun. Then when the front stock Judy went dead this year, I decided to replace it with something burly like my old Marzocchi Z3 lite that I had on my old hardtail. When on Cambria site to shop for a Marz Comp ETA when I hit the wrong button! It took me to their clearance site where they had this fork on sale for a bit cheaper! Bought it in a heart beat, came and installed it. Took it out for a spin on the same trails I do with the Judy and oh my GAWD, this is one BLOODY awesome fork. Not only it improves steering but 100%, fast tight switchbacks were no longer a noddly affair anymore. This is also one stiff fork where there is little to any detectable deflection from hitting rocks and roots. And the rebound control is so well designed, so much so that riding down stairs now made me more confident and more aggressive, that I am thinking of adding the front disc, which I would never do with my stock Judy.
Last but not least, I am ACTUALLY getting the travel that I paid for. Not so with the Rock S**T!
This is one awesome XC fork for the money and it is a great keeper! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | c/w bike | | Strengths: | Feels solid & well made*.
Reliable.
Good over a variety of trail obstacles.
Adjustments make a difference.
Reasonable price. Good looks. | | Weaknesses: | None really.... But its a bit of a pain having to remove the wiper seal(s) each month to lub the foam ring, particularly the LHS bushing (the seal flange steadily gets deformed/damaged & the paint begins to chip away with repeted prising).
Worth noting that on my set, the LHS top bushing has worn away the anodising in a localised patch. You can only see this when you strip it down. Its be well lubed & kept clean so I think there's been a manufacturing defect that's taken a long time manifesting itself.... Forks out of warranty now but I'll see what they say!
| | Similar Products Used: | RS Duke U-turn XC, Marz MX Comp ETA (If the warranty doesn't come up I'll be replacing the Fox with these). | | Bike Setup: | Orange Sub 5. Deore, XT, Hope. | | Bottom Line: | These have been very good forks, & I'm only disappointed that they have developed a major fault after 2 years (Re: Product Weakness).
On the trail they do everything you could want & than some. They’re easy to set up, and have totally reliable out on the trail.
Even though I've experienced a potentially costly problem. I really can't fault then technically.
Over the long term I'd like to recommend them, unfortunately I can’t.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eli Hopper
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord NH USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | hell trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Plush ride, 32mm stanchions, quality manufacturing, decent manual, relatively inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shock Pilot, older manitou's | | Bike Setup: | Chromo hardtail, vanilla r, sram x.9 drivetrain, avid brakes, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I love this fork. Yesterday I went riding of a buddy of mine and we traded bikes for a while, I was blown away how much nicer the Vanilla was compared to his pilot. It was like night and day! He didn't want to give me my bike back :)
He's off to buy one as well. It may not be fair to compare the pilot to the vanilla I realize but that doesn't stop the fact that this an amazing fork for a great price.
Changing the spring and travel was easy and I like that fact that I can still use the same fork when I get a new FS frame.
I can't attest for the durability of this fork since I haven't had it long enough, but I will say it's taken some pretty hard hits already and hasn't flinched.
I'd give it more flaming chili's if I could =D | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G Bramling
a Cross Country Rider
from La Honda
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Smooth through entire range, and it *uses* the entire range of motion. | | Weaknesses: | A little seepage at top seal on left side. | | Similar Products Used: | shorter throw forks, and no suspension forks | | Bike Setup: | Heckler, 5th coil, 200lbs rider. | | Bottom Line: | Maybe it's normal now to have a fork that uses its entire range of motion, but it's new to me. Y'know: a 3" fork that moves maybe 1.5", or a 5" fork that uses maybe 3". But this fork can use the full range of motion (and doesn't hurt much when it bottoms).
Oh yeah, it's way smooth and useful, too. The damping works. The adjustments make useful differences.
I'm posting cuz I wanted to see if anyone had been having problems with blown seals. I'm thinking the seepage I'm seeing is just that (seepage), and not the sign of impending disaster. Hoping.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DB Coupe
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fruend, Galbraith | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | cambriabikes.com | | Strengths: | Super plush, stiffness even at 5" travel, no stiction | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Mostly Rockshock but never again! | | Bike Setup: | '03 Spec. Enduro, Fox Vanilla 5" | | Bottom Line: | This is a sweet upgrade for any all mountain type of riding. It's not the lightest but neither is my bike. I've already tried things I've never tried before. The travel is so smooth. The fork tracks straighter than any other 5" for I've tried. It has less stiction than the stock Marz. MX Comp that came oem on the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wyatt Waro
a Weekend Warrior
from Kailua, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Aiea Loop, St. Louis Hgts. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$309.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesmart | | Strengths: | Very stiff, Quality travel, excellent bump sensitivity and big hit capability, all precision machined aluminum construction, Rebound and preload settings work very well, Beautiful finish. | | Weaknesses: | Small leak at the bottom nut on the rebound side of the fork. Can't stop it for some reason. Extremely difficult to fill oil on the rebound side of the fork -probably have to take the rebound damper knob off in order to make it easier -too much hassle. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Jet, Manitou SXR, Manitou X-Vert, Marzocchi Z1, Z3, Z5 | | Bike Setup: | Trek Bruiser 1 w/ Fox 125 w/ heaviest spring (yellow), Avid Mechs 8 & 7 in., FSA DH Pig & BB, RF Prodigys, Alex rims, WTB 2.5 Weirwolf, IRC Kujo 2.25 | | Bottom Line: | Awesome fork! I really would recommend it to anyone especially if you can get a good deal on it. I've been on this thing for almost 2yrs. and I'm still impressed w/ it. The travel is just amazing you get excellent small bump sensitivity when going fast or slow. Big hits and drops feel great w/ this fork. Just make sure you get the right spring for your weight. Do not change the oil wt. in this fork. It has to have 7wt. oil to work correctly. Just get the right spring and everything will be perfect. There's some minor annoyances but they are really overshadowed by its top-notch performance. If you get a deal on this fork (and they're out there) I must give this product 5 chillis all around! This fork inspires FREERIDE confidence! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brow_teeth
a Cross Country Rider
from Morro Bay CA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | cambriabike.com | | Strengths: | Drives great very stiff and rebound works on every click | | Weaknesses: | None really unless the drop off don't last, what I see so far looks like this fork is a deal! Started off a bit sticky but really smoothed out after a few hard rides | | Similar Products Used: | Manatou, zokes | | Bike Setup: | Marin Trail pro, xt/xtr 6 in the rear fox 5 on the front | | Bottom Line: | Takes a while to break in like 120 hard miles but then its so smooth and wow so easy to service, hard to fault anything that outperforms and its light for a oil over coil. Running a solid front axle on a super wide 36 hole 3x rim and this fork is like having power stearing mated with a king! At 210 pounds my life is reborn and I didn't have to give up beer! Best bang for $ I spent in the last year. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a
from truckee
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Plush like none other. Seriously though, it's really, really plush. | | Weaknesses: | Not burly enough for real big drops and too heavy for competitive xc racing. This isn't really true though, because the fork can take much more abuse than most can give and is only too light for guys who are too big of sissies to pedal uphill with an extra half pound on their bike. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing compares. My roommate has a Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1 that could take more abuse, but feels like garbage compared to my vanilla | | Bottom Line: | I haven't had this fork for too long, but it is better than anything I've ever tried before.The action is sooo smooth...I get excited just thinking about riding it. For what it's worth, this is probably the best single crown fork on the market, unless you race world cup xc. Buy a dual crown if your into real nuts downhill and big drops. Don't get me wrong though, this is a SOLID fork. I read one review where a pro rider had it on his hard tail freeride bike for six months with absolutely no problems after SERIOUS abuse, much more than I could dish out. Don't get me wrong though, I still love doing things with my bike that normal people would find questionable. It's just that I limit my drops at around seven or eight feet and take a more surgical approach to abusive technical sections. That will all change once I get my new frame (either a new heckler or chaparral, 5 or 6 inches of travel, respectively), because with this new Vanilla I can tell that only my 3.5 " travel rocky mountain is holding me back. I'll post another review if anything goes wrong, otherwise it's basically perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a
from modesto, ca
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Bottom Line: | i have this on my bullit. i ride it XC, aggressive trail riding, freeriding, dirt jumping, and even DH at whistler. i'm 225 lbs. so i have the stiffest springs possible. it's a durable fork...very stiff. i didn't need the compression adjustment or lockout. it's smooth. did experience some creaking, but sent in in for service after 1+ years and fox took care of it...and didn't even charge me for it even though the warranty was up. i anticipate riding it for a long time. if you're going to buy a 5" travel fork buy this one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Downhiller
from Kansas
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Nice and Plush, Looks Awesome with the oversized sanctions, taken everything thrown at it! Get full 125mm travel. Great Fork! | | Weaknesses: | nothing major | | Similar Products Used: | marz. exr | | Bike Setup: | Used with Specialized P1 and Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bottom Line: | Awesome fork! Havn't had anything major go wrong with it, It looks very sleek with its oversized sanctions. Hit dirt jumps and 6ft drops with this fork no problem, also works great for riding down your favorite trail, highly recommended! This is a great fork for heavy xc riding or light downhill riding! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from The East Coast
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything w/rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | $350 | | Strengths: | Noticably stiffer than any suspension fork I've tried, very precise steering. | | Weaknesses: | Annoying clunk at start of travel, not as smooth as a Zoke. | | Similar Products Used: | Zoke Z1, Atom 100, Atom 80, RS Psylo. | | Bike Setup: | Steel single speed. Fork is run at 100mm mode. | | Bottom Line: | This is an OK fork: well made, reliable, and bare-bones. Considering the quality of the construction I would say it's a good value.
Stiffer than zokes I've tried (02s), but if plushness and quality suspension action is what you're after look elsewhere (marzocchi coil/oil forks.)
Higher value rating, good performance/overall rating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Bremerton, WA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali (North Carolina) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | adrenaline bikes | | Strengths: | Stiffer than hell, great cornering no annoying noodly feel. Smoooooooth, from little stutter bumps to big drops, easy to service, high quality construction. Basically everything about the fork. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy for cross country riding but manageable, hell I should loose the weight before I start buying light fricken products. See below for knocking noise. | | Similar Products Used: | Marz. atom 80 race, rock shox sid xc and sl, duke, and manitou blacks (various models), Lefty, other headshocks... | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500 (yes a hardtail), drivetrain XTR and XT mix, avid front disc, avid arch rival rear, mavic 517 w/ xt disc hubs, intense CC tire rear, panaracer fire xc pro front (rolling in the opposite direction as recommended, they suck if used as suggested), and fox 125R fork (set to 100 mm of travel) | | Bottom Line: | I am a 195 pound rider that loves to ride hard, and this fork just keeps begging for more, I have never had a fork, other than the headshocks, that could take the load and track through a hard turn like the fox. And smooth, this thing just eats the terrain for breakfast, no slop, no stiction, just pure buttery smoothness all day long. When I purchased the fork and started to ride the knocking noise heard by many of the 125 RLC owners was present. I, however, actually put miles on my bike and like fox said after a hundred miles or so the knock went away as the internals seated. Dont be scared of the noise, I wasn't and now I am enjoying the best riding fork I have ever owned. The bottom line is I dont go off huge drops or anything like that I am a rider that likes to move fast and is most likely found on singletrack with obstacles (small drops (1-3 feet), log rides, teeter totters etc...) nothing too insane, this fork has done it all and then some, it is even better than I had hoped for and at a good price... BUY IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Denton
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | northshore Grapevine Its so close | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Jensenusa | | Strengths: | It rocks the knobs are all machined there is no plastic on the forx. (less decals) The controls knobs are smooth as butter and very easy with a loud audible click at each detent. Very stiff goes where it is ppointed | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Black, RockShox Psylo, both wish hey were Fox Shox and so do those who own them. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC, XT all around. mavic wheelset. Avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This is how I got My Vanilla 125R! I had trouble with the stock Manitou SXe (after over 1500 miles) shok that was on the bike and bought the Manatou Black it worked real good much better than the OEM Manitou SX. the Black worked real good until it died that is. I got the first fork and rode it for about 15 to 20 miles and bam the rebound damping went out and it started topping out real bad when you come off the ground. I sent it back to Supergo for a fix and it got lost after it arrived there at Supergo. They replaced the fork with another brand new one :). In the mean time I had bought a R.S. Psylo to ride while the warranty stuff was going on. I liked the Black better so when the new Black came in I went back to riding the Manitou. The second black died as well same problem but it waited several months until I sold the psylo. I sent the black in and waited again for a month +. Then I get the fork back with shipping damage and SuperGo took care of me again and refunded my $$ minus a 20% restocking fee. (They saved a customer as I was sick of messing with this fork :)) In the mean time I bought the Fox Vanilla 125R and DAMN I am glad I sold the Psylo before the 2nd Black died. This Rox Shox Vanilla is the Sweetest fork I have ever ridden (for under $500.00). I am super happy with this fork it is smooth on the small bumps and the damping is incredible on the heavy hits. I am about 165 lbs and the fork is set up about perfect. I think I am going to reduce it to 100MM travel but I want to ride it this way a few more miles just to get used to it so I can feel the change.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Keizer, OR
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | McKenzie River | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal.com | | Strengths: | Smooth, reliable, solid control knobs, spring selection comes with fork | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SXR | | Bike Setup: | Sc Blur w/ Vanilla 100R and AVA RL rear shock. Mostly XT setup throughout | | Bottom Line: | This fork is sweet. It mates very well with the AVA air fork on the rear of the Blur. It delivers smooth travel throughout and is stiff. This fork is very plush and eliminates both small stutters and large hits alike. It may be a bit pricey at 399, but well worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Tokyo, Japan
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | fast Ones | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 400 | | Strengths: | SUPER PLUSH...SUPER STIFF
Quality Control at its finest. | | Weaknesses: | None Yet...well, maybe included spring choice? | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Atom Race 80, Manitou SX4 | | Bike Setup: | Klein Adept Race, XTR (derailures), Race Face (cranks, stem), Syncros (bars, post, wheels), Avid Mechanical Discs, Chris King | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely Awesome Forx.
Everyone told me the Atoms were a great fork, but the Fox makes them feel like a K-mart brand. Klein suggests not having more than 100mm of travel, so I guess I better change it from 125? I hope they feel just as good.
As for the Springs, I'm a big white guy living in Japan. They came from the distributer with lighter than US spec springs. Fortunately my LBS had the full selection.
I was going to wait for the RLC's but decided I wouldn't use the lockout anyways.
Definetely get this fork. Its expensive, but worth the $$$ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Buckley, Wa usa
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Below Her navel. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | Speed Goat | | Strengths: | No stiction, tracks so good, quality build, chews the fat off the trail. Never bottomed mine out. Smooth as butter. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | 100 RL Vanilla fork. | | Bike Setup: | Weyless 67 free ride | | Bottom Line: | I have been using a Fox Vanilla for 18 months and have had no problems. I just got the 125 R to throw on my new free ride Weyless 67. I've had it less than a month but already knew what to expect since having the 100 RL. These are just hard working forks that do the job day in and day out. I haven't done any hucking yet but I have thrashed them on long down hills and rough terrain. So now I have 2 Vanillas keeping me out on the trails. So smooth throughout its travel. Don't hesitate if you consider one and have the moola! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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