Submitted by
pipi cacA
a Downhiller
from FGHGFJ Date Reviewed: August 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
BROMONT
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
USED
Strengths:
GFHGAD
Weaknesses:
GASFRGFSAD
Similar Products Used:
GFSDAGSA
Bike Setup:
GSAGFDSA
Bottom Line:
FDSAFSAGDFSA
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
vilneff33
a Weekend Warrior
from canada Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came on bike. cannod
Strengths:
Wow, theres nothing more i can say, this fork is amazing, i see ppl saying it takes forever to break them in but i bought mine off a DH racer so they were already broke in. i cant bottom them out and if i do, i ahve 2 more hard couls to go in, but i have a soft coil and 2 medium coils in them right now. they are very light due to the CF casings, and there is NO flex in them. the most amazing fork i have ever used,
Weaknesses:
i blew the right seal very quickly and had to ship it out of Ontario because noone replaces manitou seals in ontario
Submitted by
Hunter Budd
a Downhiller
from madison ct us Date Reviewed: June 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
karpial
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
600
Strengths:
Its light easy to adjust and fast
Weaknesses:
i bottom it out a lot
Similar Products Used:
shiver
Bike Setup:
sgs frame, roco, deemax's, juicy sevens, dorado
Bottom Line:
It kicks a** and is amazingly fast, i love it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
james z
a Downhiller
from vancouver Date Reviewed: March 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
frieght train
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
bought on a bike
Strengths:
best feeling fork ive ridden excellent for going fast
Weaknesses:
high maintenance, drops and jumping
Similar Products Used:
anything inverted
Bike Setup:
2005 stock giant team dh
Bottom Line:
the best downhill fork out there but not very versitile
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken Barkley
a
from Baltimore Date Reviewed: December 30, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Urban Baltimore
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Super tough with bottomless travel. As light a a fork this tough can be.
Weaknesses:
A little flexy on really big drops and rock gardens.
Similar Products Used:
Risse Champ and Bigfoot, Hanebrink, Super Monster T
Bike Setup:
Mountain cycle Shockwave 9.5, 5th element, Magura brakes, all the good stuff!
Bottom Line:
This is one tough lifht fork. I like to do alot of crazy stuff with my bikes and lots of parts don't stand up. I regularly take this fork off of 250-300 foot buildings and it doesn't even bottom out! If you want a tough light free-ride fork look no more. Like I said, I huck 300 footers all the time, so if you are a normal rider and keep your drops under 50 feet you will never have any complaints with this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
iridebikes
a Downhiller
from Boise, ID Date Reviewed: September 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
one that i can ride bikes on
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Strengths:
super super plush. buttery smooth over fast washboard. nimble in rock gardens
Weaknesses:
not good for hucking. but if there was stiffer springs, it would work like a dream
if you race, ride it. If you huck, go for it. on this fork, you can really live fast, die fun.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Downhiller
from Whistler, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: December 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Can't pick just one
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Best 7" fork out there.(period)
Weaknesses:
Not a Marzocchi. Requires more maintenance than other fork designs. Pricey.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Super T Pro 02,03,04, Monster T 2003, briefly tried - boxxers, 888, shivers, Other Monsters, Stratos S8, and others
Bike Setup:
V10 med, maxis minions
Bottom Line:
Long break in period but soaks up the big hits right of the bat. It does not get supple for a very long time.
note: Take a plastic dental pick and carefully clean the grit from under the dust seal part of the seal every few runs and it will feel much better.
It tracks amazingly well = very fast. The progression is sooooo nice it feels bottomless. When you come through braking bumps at speed, cause you dont need to slow down there, it is incredible, where other good forks that are set up well will rebound harshly and your bike goes "brrrddaaapp," like when you pound through any rough section fast, this fork goes "bwooooshhhh..." It's really unbelievable. There is a reason so many fast racers ride this fork. Its very light to begin with, but because of the inverted design most of the weight is closer to the rider and the result is a front end that feels feather light. The carbon fiber uppers are probably easier to seriously damage than other materials but crashing is not good on the whole, and is not recomended for any product. You have to lube it up every once in a while which requires a bit of time when you could be riding. It's more work than a Marzocchi, it's more expensive than everything else, but it is the best DH fork out there. If your trails are slower and more technical and you like a torsionally stiffer fork, you will want a torsionally stiffer fork, buy a Marzocchi with a 20mm axel (not a shiver).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Downhiller
from Beverly Ma, USA Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Crater Trail, Sunday River
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
GREAT for racing...just if your at a course where you're proan to crashing, and/or hitting trees you might want to look at the avalanche DH8 Ti. The fork is awesome though for me.
Weaknesses:
Twists ALL the time...carbon fiber.
Similar Products Used:
Avalanche Dh8 Ti
Bike Setup:
2003 Intense M1 w/ 5th element shock(Might have to switch due to azonic sponsorship)
Bottom Line:
Awesome fork. Very expensive. Twists a little bit. End of story.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben M
a Downhiller
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: August 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
bottomless soaks up anything and everything nice weight very stiff
Weaknesses:
on my 1st ride on my new bike i had quite a large crash and the legs twisted between the crowns, but it was easy enough to fix. Long break in period needs regular lubing
Similar Products Used:
boxer, bombers
Bike Setup:
Gt Ruckus i-Drive 1.0
Bottom Line:
F#(king awesome fork when its running smoothly - need to fully break them in. Ive none a number of huge drops and jumps and still havnt managed to bottom out the fork. Price is a bit steep, but its worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cibil jones
a Downhiller
from perth wa aussie Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
best shock i have ever used i do alot of big stuff and it handles anything easy as
Weaknesses:
hmmmmm every one wants them , the price is a b1tch and u cant ride anywhere without people staring and whispering
Similar Products Used:
evrything
Bike Setup:
intense 2003 with 5th element
Bottom Line:
awesome if u can afford it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Flip H.
a Downhiller
from Tempe, AZ. Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
National to 24th St.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
It came on My Iron Horse SGS TEAM
Strengths:
A quick follow up review on my post over two months ago.
"I'm still VERY HAPPY WITH THIS FORK and how well it rides! It performs awsome out on the local DH trails and drops!"
Weaknesses:
The 20mm Axle is a real B!TCH to get off when it's 110 degrees and your out on the trail in the ARIZONA HEAT!
Similar Products Used:
blha, blha, BLHA!
Bike Setup:
STOCK IRON HORSE SGS TEAM! A great bike for the price... TRUST ME!
Bottom Line:
Yea it cost a lot... It's still worth it! FREEridings only a lame slogan. $1.000 dollar "+" forks aren't FREE to ride on inless your a SPONSORED RIDER! DEAL WITH IT!
QUICK TIP, If the fork stiffens up when your breaking it in put about 20cc's of fork oil in each of the top caps and it's SUPER PLUSH again. "WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ALL OF THE FORK COPANY'S SHIPPING OUT NEW FORKS THAT ARE LOW ON FORK OIL?" The Dorado fork flat out rocks on the trail and on drops. I thought I really liked my old Marzocchi's till I got the Iron Horse TEAM with the MANITOU DORADO DH fork on it! SO PLUSH yet it's really SAVED MY A$$ on every BURLY trail hit OR HARD LANDINGS so far! "See you at the NORBA NATIONAL DH race @ Durango in August?"
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin W
a Downhiller
from Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
DH Youth Park, DH Mt. Erskin
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Very Plush, stiff, Great damping, not too heavy. It's Cool Like Heaven, upside down and plush, Adjustable & Awesome TPC+
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Manitou X-vert DC, X-vert Carbon, Dorado DH, Sherman Slider, other
Bike Setup:
Norco Shore
Bottom Line:
This is awesome fork for real DH Rider. But a little Expensive in Malaysia other country I don't know!
I try to drop, Jump, nothing problem with this fork. Because It have long 180mm travel. It worth for DH Rider.
Don't worry about the parts. Answer Products have a very good International services. I have been rating 5 out 5 Best Services.
I was tested this shox from my friend. Because it's a little expensive, I can afford to buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Karl
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, QC ,Canada Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Mail order
Strengths:
Very plush and responsive to small bumbs and soaks up all the large obstacles as well. No problems worked graet right out of the box.
Weaknesses:
None so far, maybe a little expensive at full retail but quality and workmanship are first rate
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Black Super and RS Boxxer
Bike Setup:
DirtWorks Piranha , Hayes 8", Michelin DH tires
Bottom Line:
Great fork for downhill and freeriding , inspires cofidence , lets you rip through sections at speed instead having to pick your way down. Great flexibilty in adjustments to suit any rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Flip H.
a Downhiller
from Tempe, AZ. Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Durango's DH "ski lifts"
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Suprego
Strengths:
A really good looking DH fork. My fork came stock on my new Iorn Horse "SGS TEAM." I set it up and it felt and road GREAT right out of the BOX. I only have three rides on the fork so far... but by the third ride I was more then HAPPY with the forks performance out on the tral.
Weaknesses:
If I find "any?" I'll post another follow up review?
Similar Products Used:
"I was a HUGE MARZOCCHI BOMBER FAN like most everyone else!" Rock SHOX, Blha, Blha, Blha...
Bike Setup:
Bone stock Iron Horse SGS TEAM. A smoking bike for the price! "Read My review on it too."
Bottom Line:
First off, "EVERYONE TOLD ME NOT TO KEEP THIS FORK ON MY NEW IRON HORSE SGS TEAM!" A friend that races on a Dorado DH convinced me not to trade this fork out for "the more tried and true, Supper T?" We set it up (A very easy thing to do!) when I got my new bike and We both liked the way the new fork felt and road right out of the box. After some urban fine tuneing tweaks and two lighter DH trail test rides... "The fork was working better then I could of ever hoped it could!" By the thired DH run My friend's, that "all ride Bombers" were looking at the fork and riding it around with new fork envy. On the trird DH run I let it unwind somemore and DAMN I LOVE THIS FORK! Running up on my friend's and pushing them to ride even faster on a new bike is a lot of fun. With the whole bike being brand new the only thing I haven't had to touch again yet... is the MANITOU DORADO DH. I had no break in issues at all? no strange noises, no leaking seals? You pick it I was told "it" was going to start "SUCKING?" right out of the box. Look at the last RED BULL CHALLENGE "photo's," more of those HUCK MONKEYS are rideing DORADO'S! At any NORBBA or World Cup DH Race it's everywhere on every kind of frame? If it was snapping left and right it whould of been more then reported! The seals and service might cost more? Most shops don't even know how to work on them yet? Many people can't afford a custom built bike and the DORADO on top of that too. Don't let the Manitou drinking HATE-OR-ADE's get to you. "The fork is so PLUSH!." The best rideing DH fork out there. It cost more then almost all of the BOMBER's... But I'm glad that I got one! If I have a challenge with the DORADO fork? I'll post it up here in a follow up review! I gave it only 4 chilis for the value rating just to keep it real. "Get out and go ride something... already!" Flip
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mc
a Downhiller
from denver, co Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Great looks.
Weaknesses:
Loong break-in time and labor intensive after break-in.
Similar Products Used:
Shiver, 01 and 02, White Bros, Rock Schwag.
Bike Setup:
2002 M1 with 5thE.
Bottom Line:
This fork is a bit of a let-down for me. People always raved about how nice the Dorado was, but I am not super impressed with it's performance. My Shivers worked flawlessly always, no labor required, except for an occasional oil change. The Dorado took forever to break-in and I now have to pull it apart after each race to re-lube the bushings. It is torsionally stiffer the the Shiver, but I'm not convinced that makes it better overall. Very pricey too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Downhiller
from Bambridge Island Date Reviewed: March 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1499.00
Strengths:
fantastic looks, superb damping when it works.
Weaknesses:
Fork broke after a few jumps. Dangerous.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Shiver DC, Marzocchi SUper T, Manitou X-Vert R '99
Bike Setup:
Curtis Escape CC
Bottom Line:
Used this fork on heavy DH rides, and after a few rides it broke. My dealer replaced it with a Marzocchi Shiver DC, which is an upside down fork. I was glad, as he told me, that he had few forks braking. He told me, that Manitou tries to keep it sercret, but I find this bad. Its too dangerous!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rufus Preiss
a Downhiller
from Norway Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Tortionally stiff ie. better braking/handeling. Plush yet solid for sprinting! Haven't managed to bottom it yet!
Weaknesses:
Long break in. Expensive, but what else would I have use my dosh on? Anyway it came with the bike!
Similar Products Used:
Shiver, Pace monster, Manitou X-vert Carbon
Bike Setup:
Downhill (Giant DH Team w/Swinger coil)
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork, as plush as my ol' Shiver, lighter and torsionally stiffer! But why no grease ports?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hunter
a
from Billings, MT Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Carbon no flex ultra stiff super smooth bottomless TPC+ Dampening is outstounding looks pimp on my bike
Weaknesses:
The price for this thing is crazy but i got it at wholesale so it wasn't pricy for me. The amount of maintinence is kind of a ton. The seals are really expensive
Similar Products Used:
White Bros DH2 ( best customer service out there to non sponsered riders)
Bike Setup:
2003 Dorado & 2003 Foes DHS Mono with all the works.
Bottom Line:
The 2003 is way smoother than the 2002 and best yet it is sweet looking. The dorado matches my romic rear shock perfectly. i love mine but the breakin is long. i think that it is a great downhill fork. this fork is so bottomless yet super plush at the same time. the TPC+ dampening rocks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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