Submitted by
jake bob
a
from vermont Date Reviewed: March 22, 2007
Favorite Trail:
diablo freeride park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$122.50
Purchased At:
ebay.com
Strengths:
stiff.. smooth .. great rebound.. gold stantions
Weaknesses:
i blew the rebound cartridge and i broke the travel adjustment i had a simailar problem with my old sherman flick plus forks but i got the travel adjustment fixed on thoughs.. i had oil leek out of my fork since i got it
Similar Products Used:
sherman flick plus, splice comp
Bike Setup:
sinister ridge with hayes 9 with two inch rotors.. single track rims .. diety bars ( 2 inch rise) shimano siant crank set e-thirteen chain guide.. 42 tooth chainring.. 50/50crank bros. pedals
Bottom Line:
Good fork if you buy it brand new and make sure u know how much air to put in the spv air vavle ... be carful if you put to much in you will blow your rebound cartridge... manitou is great with replacing it for free although it is a pain to get it fixed .... if your lucky and send your fork to manitou they might send you travis's
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reilly
a Downhiller
from Palmer Lake, CO Date Reviewed: January 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Wild Thing or Paid in Full at Keystone
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came stock on bike
Strengths:
Super plush, dependable, low maintenance, NO FLEX what so ever, built like a tank, very ajustable, 20mm axel, looks burly
Weaknesses:
Mine makes this clicking sound when the fork goes about half way through its travel but it doesnt seem to affect its performance in anyway. maybe another inch or 2 of travel and I'd be estatic
Similar Products Used:
some suntour fork, not nearly as great as the firefly
Bike Setup:
Giant AC1 pretty much stock except for stomp platforms and hayes 8 inch cookie cutter rotors
Bottom Line:
Sick fork for freeriding. Performs better than some 6 or 7 inch travel forks. buy it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
daren
a Cross Country Rider
from st george, UT, USA Date Reviewed: January 2, 2006
Favorite Trail:
gooseberry
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
rigid, fluid, tough, easy to service
Weaknesses:
hmmm none yet
Similar Products Used:
most high end rock shox, fox, etc...
Bike Setup:
stock haro werx
Bottom Line:
These forks rock. No if's and's or but's. I've beat them, hammered them, ridden them in cold and hot and they still eat up little chop like butter and catch me on harsh landings with confidence. I don't know if I just got lucky with this pair, but looking at the other reviews I don't think so. Simply incredible forks! Dare I say it? yes I do "they're better than the fox rlc's I've ridden" you can't say more than that. Buy some if you can find 'em!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don Olson
a Weekend Warrior
from Irwin, Pa. USA Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Any rocky, dry ones!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$269.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish
Strengths:
Tough, stiff, plush, overall great fork!!
Weaknesses:
travel adjust broke, I don't care, I use 5" all the time anyway.
Similar Products Used:
RS Psylo XC Custom
Bike Setup:
Ventana El Chamuco, Race Face Chainrings, XT Der's ODI Grips, Hayes Hydro's, Thomson post, Easton riser, Mallets, XT hubs, 2.4 Motoraptors, CK headset, blah, blah, blah.
Bottom Line:
I have had this fork now for over a year and I am extremely pleased w/overall quality, durability adn user friendliness. Super easy to change oils and keep maintained. Fork has been through a tremendous amount of abuse under my 225 Lbs of rock riding self! I am now on a Ventana El Chamuco w/6" of travel and I have both ends of the bike set up stiff and the bike is super plush and responsive. I'd buy my next fork from Manitou for sure!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario,Canada Date Reviewed: June 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Hydro cut,waterloo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
mtbreview classifieds
Strengths:
Massive fork tubes,length of travel,urban camo paint
Weaknesses:
none so far.
Similar Products Used:
manitou black elite,super air.Manitou makes the best forks,shocks available period.
Manitou products rock period.This fork is far superior to anything ive ever seen or riden.Bye it and you wont regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JOHN LEE
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, Ca Date Reviewed: December 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
flameout
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
VISION
Strengths:
STIFFNESS, VERY RIDGID, BURLY LOOKS
Weaknesses:
NONE. JUST REGULAR MAINTANANCE. A LITTLE HEAVY BUT WORTH IT.
Similar Products Used:
MANITOU BLACK COMP
Bike Setup:
SC HECKLER,HAYES CARBON HD PLUS,RACEFACE TURBINE,THOMPSON STEM AND POST,EASTON DH BARS,SINGLETRACK WITH HADLEY HUBS,WTB LAZER V SADDLE, MAXXIS MINION 2.35,XTR DRIVETRAIN AND CHAIN,RP 3 FOX REAR SHOCK,SHERMAN FIREFLY.
Bottom Line:
I JUST WANT TO SAY, I HAVE PUT 2700 MILES ON THIS FORK AND IT IS STILL SMOOTH AS BUTTER. JUST HAD A OVERHAUL SEALS AND NEW OIL FOR THE 4TH TIME. JUST A LITTLE LOVE AND THIS FORK WILL BE THERE EVERY TIME YOU GET OUT OF SHAPE ON A TRAIL OR JUMP AND IT SAVES YOUR REAR.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Baines
a Racer
from Middlesbrough Date Reviewed: October 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
A-line
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
chainreactioncycles
Strengths:
The super stif fork reacts to every bump and the ramp up on them is mental wen adjusted to full rebound. You can set the forks to be a slow rebound wich it brilliant for downhill but not that good for jumps. As i do alot of trail i need a fork that can go long distance without bouncin wich it does when locked down but wen its not its like a downhill fork.
Weaknesses:
Have to fill the spv quite alot (every weekish)
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Super Monster and Manitou Skarab Platinum
Bike Setup:
Cove stiffee, Manitou Sherman firelfy, hope bulb and mavic EX729, bal air seat, monkey bar dh ec70, raceface diobolas stem + cranks.
Bottom Line:
These forks are the only 130 forks on the market!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Olivier Lacroix
a
from Quebec city, Canada Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
streets and fr trails
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
This fork can be beaten as hell. Sweet ride, great looks VERY LIGHT!
Weaknesses:
Get the QR20 version. Seems a little weak in torsion.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi DJ3
Bike Setup:
custom Specialized P.1, pro taper bars, Primo BMX grips, sherman
Bottom Line:
Great fork for the price I paid, very light and efficient compare to marzocchi. This fork is great for freeriding, but maybe a little too much travel for street use. The standard springs are a little bit too soft for a general rider (160lbs)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
HOFFMAN
a Downhiller
from coral gables, fl Date Reviewed: July 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
amelia earhart
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
Big, stiff, plush, strong, light. If anymore description is necessary, stick with your current fork.
Weaknesses:
none yet, will find out soon though, I'm not easy on my equipment.
99' Specialized enduro, upgraded rear, shermans, atomlab, titec, XT, avid barkes and levers, dk ironcross pedals sun bmf wheels, etc.
Bottom Line:
The best fork that I have ever owned, correction, the best fork I have ever ridden. It never bottoms, I've tried on many flat landings, no flex in the fork legs, and the break-in period was incredibly short. I know many people would never ride in the 4" setting, because they feel like that isn't tough enough??? I have done as much in the 4" setting as I have done in 5"s, and can barely tell a difference, in fact they are easier to ride in the 4" setting unless you are riding something huge, or are a crappy rider with no handling skills. Oh by the way, I don't have a job, I just ride all the time, and am an X-BMX'er and jumper if that gives me any credibility. Don't take my word for it though, find someone that has a pair, ride them, and then save your money, they aren't cheap, remember I don't have a job. Find them on sale like I did.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Venables
a Weekend Warrior
from Britain Date Reviewed: July 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
street
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Wades Cycles
Strengths:
every thing! very stiff with 20mm axel and 1.5steerer
these are a sweet set, cos they can handle almost everything from 4x to freeride. if u ride street u will tend to find there is to much travel, plus the dampening is smooth as a babys bum!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Enns Boy
a
from Manitoba Canada Date Reviewed: July 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
anywhere further west of saskatchewan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Super ridged, good damping. comes in sweet colours.
Weaknesses:
A bit soft... so i might have to go bigger.
Bike Setup:
Almost fully stock 2003 Giant AC1. Came stock with bike, so its a good combo with a Manitou Swinger 3 way.
Bottom Line:
It's definatly an awsome shock, if you're thinking of upgrading to a Double-Crown fork from something like a XC fork.. there's no need. The Sherman Firelfy is super awsome, and it's got a MTBR top choice rating.. so you GOTTA like it! I wish it was a little more adjustable, but if I ever bottom it out, it holds up real well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny O
a
from Jersey Date Reviewed: July 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mountain Creek/ Plattekill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish adventure sports
Strengths:
Plush, stiff, strong
Weaknesses:
Lower casting are thin walled. Travel adjuster needs to be re-set from time to time.
Its going on three months now. Had to return the fork to Manitou. Developed a hairline crack in the sidewall of the lower casting.Leaked oil with every compression. Manitou Replaced it within a week.(Manitou thinks it was a bad batch of welds.Awsome customer support).
I've been Freeriding at Mountain Creek Diablo park (NJ) and Plattekill (NY) seven times so far. The Fire fly has performed as expected. Smooths out the eastcoast rock gardens. Plush on the jumps and bottomed out only after a bad landing off a 6' drop-to-flat.(I should have been in the hospital). Instead I increased the firmness and rode on.(I weigh 178' with downhill gear on).
I also sheard off the quick release axle one one side of the hub.(See Ryan Waters posting below). I replaced the QR axle on the shimano XT hub with a solid 10mm through bolt. (Like the BMX Bikes) 155mm in length. WOW I thought it was stiff before. now its awsome.
As I said I freeride at these Lift assisted Parks. So I occasionally expect to climb to get to a sweet spot. Being able to adjust the travel gets me there much easier than my Marzocci Shiver friends. BUY THIS FORK if you like to cross that line between agressive XC and Freeriding.Go with a smaller travel lightweight fork if you like to XC race. Get a dual crown fork if you only DH.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Waters
a Downhiller
from Bozeman, MT, USA Date Reviewed: June 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Urban
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$319.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish
Strengths:
Super smooth, stiff considering that I have the standard axle, light, urban camo looks awesome
Weaknesses:
Travel adjustment doesn't work anymore, not as stiff as 20mm axle (obviously), not much compression damping
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Indy c, Manitou mars, Marzocchi z4 and Jr T, White Brothers DH 2
Bike Setup:
15" Kona Shred, FSA Pig headset, 50mm stem and super narrow handlebars, Deore hydro front disk and Avid mech rear, Odyssey gyro system for barspins (Front brake hose is run through the fork), Hussefelts, Deore hubs on Ryno lites, Single speed setup
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best fork I have ever ridden. Of all the forks that I have owned and demoed none have ever been as smooth as the Sherman. My only regret in purchasing this fork is that I didn't get the 20mm axle. I'm not sure how, but I sheared the axle on either side of the hub. So to get the best performance I recomend that you get the through axle. After three months of abuse I have yet to take it apart for a tune, but it still runs just as smooth as the day I bought it. Other than the axle, the only problem I've had is with the travel adjustment. I spent a couple of days dirtjumping in the 4" position because it's stiffer. but I think that I broke something because the knob is now useless. Anyway, this is hands down one of the best forks on the market for freeriding, and they're light enough for crosscountry if that's what you're into. Get any of the Sherman forks with a 20mm axle and you will never regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from R.B. Ca. Date Reviewed: May 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
SuperGo
Strengths:
No flex from this fork and the TPC+ Damping is very smooth.
Weaknesses:
Possible that the Semi-bath lubrication may require more maintance than other forks.
Similar Products Used:
03 Pshylo Sl,03 Z1 FRSL
Bike Setup:
FSR
Bottom Line:
This fork is the best out of the others that I have tried. Better Damping than the Sl and less Flex. The Z1 is just as smooth at speeds over 15mph and very stiff and adjustable,it just doesn't have the smoothness at lower speeds. I also find the 20mm travel reduction useful for eliminating the fork from bobbing too much while climbing. Bottom line this is a good fork for me I like to ride fast downhill trails with it but no real freeride just 2 or 3 foot drops and small jumps.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim G
a Weekend Warrior
from Olympia Date Reviewed: May 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Capitol Forest, WA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish
Strengths:
Plush and solid
Weaknesses:
As far as rowdy trail riding goes none. After the first 12 hours it started rding real choppy and ramped up to fast. Took it apart and their was no fluid in the semi bath chambers. I sent it back to Manitou and they were VERY helpful and they rebuilt it for free within a week.
Similar Products Used:
Marathon SL, Psylo SL
Bike Setup:
Trek Liquid, full custom...easton, hayes mag plus, thomson, azonic etc.
Bottom Line:
Very solid fork for trail riding. Feels like it has twice the travel of my Psylo. The best trait I think is how it remains plush over small stuff, but ramps up enough to resist bottoming out when hauling **s. I weigh 190 lb and it is perfect. I wish it had high speed rebound dampening adjustment though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Downhiller
from Salt Lake City UT USA Date Reviewed: May 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
out the garage and into the foothills/city
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Guthrie cycle
Strengths:
Very plush,smooth travel great for light riding
Weaknesses:
needs to be stiffer, crap for hard riding
Similar Products Used:
rock shox psylo xc
Bike Setup:
for sale Brodie zig zag, mavic 219 rims, avid disk brakes, FSA power pro crank, tooth fairy bash ring
Bottom Line:
Rode this shock for 3 months bent and blew them out bent front rim cause they are too soft great shock for light riding not for heavy abuse
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don Olson
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh, Pa. USA Date Reviewed: April 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Roaring Run in Apollo, Pa.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish Adventure Sports
Strengths:
Super stiff, super plush, superb workmanship and quality. Love the machined damper adjusters!
Weaknesses:
??? Have not had long enough yet to say. Haven't seen any so far?
2003 Ferrari red S-Works Enduro w/a Fox Vanilla RC coil over for almost 6" of love in the back! RaceFace Turbine cranks, Ho made Lexan bash guard, Mallets, XT drivetrain, Hayes, Thomson post, Bonty 60 MM stem, Monkeylite riser, ODI lock ons, Weirwolf 2.5 front, MotoRaptor 2.4 rear.
Bottom Line:
This was my 1st Manitou product and had to check out all the reviews when I saw it on sale for $299.95 at Greenfish (great, friendly service!) and with my PORC (Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists) club discount I got it down to $269.00! Stock spring was a bit too plush for my tank butt so I got an extra firm spring and now it is really bottomless and super smooth. The manual says to allow for 20 Hrs of break in to achieve full smoothness. It's really plush now, can't wait to feel 20 Hrs later!! Because of the rigidity of this fork I was running it downhill last night faster than my light would allow my eyes/brain to process! Much faster than I would have gone on my Psylo. Overall I am looking forward to along relationship w/this fork! I am very pleased so far and can't wait for Laurel Mountain to dry out to try it out in the rock gardens!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny O
a
from Jersey Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hartshorne
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Greenfish adventure sports
Strengths:
Plush, Stiff, Strong
Similar Products Used:
Psylo xc
Bike Setup:
2001 Santa Cruz Bullit,xt components,thompson stem & seatpost, Race Face prodigy DH crank, Old fox vanilla RC shock, Avid 185mm mechanical disc breaks, Mavic 219 rims, Maxxis Mobster tires.
Bottom Line:
I've only had this fork for a month, but what an improvement over the Psylo.The adjustable travel (110-130) helps when climbibg to my favorite gravity trail. This fork glides over the root sections and soaks 3-4' drops-to-flat without bottoming out. The compression and rebound are easy to adjust thanks to the large dials. My Bike setup is for freeride, the 2001 Bullit is only 5" travel. But the Sherman Firefly is a big confidence booster. I am waiting for Plattekill and Mountain Creek to open for the season. I will post another review if my opinion changes under these conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Warren
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ Date Reviewed: March 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Fantasy Island
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Greenfishsports.com
Strengths:
Solid, light-weight, easy controls, great company support.
Weaknesses:
needs heavier springs if you are a 200+lbs rider like me.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi EXR Pro
Bike Setup:
Giant VT-1 Frame. Avid Discs, Manitou Swinger 4 way Spring rear shock, Truvativ Crank ISIS BB, Shimano XT all around. Panaracer Fire 2.1,
Bottom Line:
Sweet fork. After taking it on my first ride my stock rear shock (manitou swinger 4-way air) had a manufacturer defect. I took the rear shock to my LBS and they sent it to manitou. Manitou said that they did not have any Swinger Air shocks to replace mine until April 2004(2 months)so I asked if they could send me a swinger spring. They did and at no additional charge. Manitou is awesome.
That said, the Sherman Firefly is the best fork I Have used in its class. Light, takes all the big hits and bumps with ease. I now fly around corners and go through rock-gravel and loose sand with ease. I honestly feel like I have greater stearing control with this fork. I love taking big drops also, doesn't bottom out and is rock solid.
I will only buy Manitou from now on because of they stand behind the products they make. I love this fork, and love my VT-1. Anyone looking at upgrading their VT-1 stock fork, should look into the Sherman Firefly, it is perfect for the VT-1.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keith
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: February 5, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Wherever I'm riding.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
MTBR.COM Classifieds
Strengths:
Stiff, plush.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
RockShox Psylo
Bike Setup:
2003 Giant AC-1
Bottom Line:
I've been on an upward spiraling upgrade path for going on 5 years now. Went from a Chromo Hard Tail (Voodoo Hoodoo), to a Giant NRS-1 to a Giant AC Air Lite and now the 2003 Giant AC-1 (Due to breaking the Air Lite frame). I rode the Psylo that came on the Air Lite for over a year. Had it in to Rockshox twice for leaking seals, I also never felt that it was a very solid fork. It would feel "noodly", especially on technical descents - and under hard breaking. The Sherman Firefly is rock SOLID! Fairly light, easy to maintain...did I mention that it's solid as a Sherman Tank? I went with the QR20 model and upgraded to 8" rotors at the same time. Laterally it feels like a concrete bridge pier - I can slam on the brakes, descend the rough techno and all I feel is the butter smooth suspension action instead of the wobbly gobbly noodly feel I used to experience with the Psylo. I think the retail price is a bit high (as are most parts). I picked mine up virtually brand spanking NEW on the MTBR.com classifieds for $310 shipped including THREE springs, original box, warranty paperwork and an 8" rotor adapter. So the value for me is fantastic.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
michael clyne
a Racer
from rosyth, fife, scotland Date Reviewed: December 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
falkland hill (DH) pitmedden (xc)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
direct from uk importers
Strengths:
looks burly, very stiff, simple internals, smmooooth travel enough travel for 15ft tranny drops
Weaknesses:
paint work scratches easily, simple internals, crap travel adjuster problems with leaky cartridge
Similar Products Used:
manitou blacks, shiver sc, MZ'wedges
Bike Setup:
cove stiffee, saint cranks & flat pedals, 321 rims mated to 2.65 kujo dhs/dh tubes....ugly heavy!!!!
Bottom Line:
after my blacks i never wanted to see another manitou again coz they were godawful...in warranty every month for a year, until i refused to use them again... was told i could get the shermans for cost price...350 squid... not too bad considering they were only 1 week new. I was impressed with how plush they were... and thought i would need a stiffer spring... (me - 13 stone)... but the TPC+ works wonders thank goodness as the springs cost a bomb. had problems with oil leaking out the right leg (top and bottom)... dissapointed to find internals fairly simple and exactly like the blacks... but at least its metal and not plastic. travel adjuster also fukked leaving me with 10 mm of travel????? costing me one timed run at Fort william scottish champs, and nearly costing me the world firfeighters xc champs in italy (not the win but the ride)... nobodies able to tell me what caused it.. I think its a compression lock when the oil is leaking into the fork?? i race xc on it and do fine... 5th in scottish champs first in nat' firefighter champs... and i race dh on it too... biggest drop i done is 15 ft tranny... fork copes fine...come up short on one or 2 doubles too...but still ok faith in manitou restored :-) definately buy it. dunno about the spv opne though as it'll be less plush. log onto pinkbike. com and go to photos and type into the 'submitted by'...."mike clyne"... to see the stuff it can cope with have come up short on that one...fork were fine (shemae about he headtube though
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hora Horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK Date Reviewed: November 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Gnarly singletrack
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
Plush and very strong.
Weaknesses:
Please be careful that you are actually getting a Ti spring inside your Fireflys and not steel. The Flick model has the steel spring but like some fellow riders I have since learned that Fireflys that come on bike builds 'may' not be Ti to keep costs down and some shops selling the firefly at 'great prices' might not be Ti inside.
Similar Products Used:
Everything
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Id and Specialist
Bottom Line:
Im giving 5 flaming chillis for value and performance for 2 reasons- one so this thread wont be auto-flashed up and pulled but also becuase the fork is darn good. It beats my old Fox Vanilla hands down. Ok, this fork is more agricultural than the Fox but it doesnt flex and is super-strong
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: November 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
Plush! Stiff! very adjustable, very light for a 5 inch fork, virtually stiction free
Weaknesses:
hmmm... can't find any right now
Similar Products Used:
dirt jumper 3
Bottom Line:
This might be the best 5 inch travel fork ever built! Manitou has put so much thought into building this fork. It's extremely plush, you'll feel more confident while freeriding. yet, it is light enough to do a little XC. The Hex Lock 20mm axle is very well thought out and makes the fork incredibly stiff. The travel adjust is a nice touch. Highly recommend to any freeriders who like to go big!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Preston
a Weekend Warrior
from Mid Wales, UK Date Reviewed: October 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
These forks are very plush, look amazing, beefy, good adjustments, quite light, TITANIUM springs! excellent for all types of riding.
Weaknesses:
Uuuuum, none! (Although some people may find it annoying ahving to buy a disk adaptor for the Hayes/Manitou mount), but that's life.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Psylo C, Rock Shox Psylo XC, Rock Shox Psylo SL, Marzocchi Z1 Wedge, Marzocchi Z1 Drop Off, MArzocchi Jnr T.
Bike Setup:
2002 Patriot, Firefly fork, Rock Shox Deluxe R shock, deore hyd disks, lx mech, deore fr derailleur, deore disk hubs, Alex DM24 rims, V8 pedals, Deore Cranks, Deore Chainset, High Roller tyres, WTB Speed V saddle, Answer Pro Taper Bars, Tioga Cube stem, club roost lock on grips, gold hope hed doctor, gold hope spacer, Orange seatpost, Orange seat clamp, Shimano QR skewers, and not sure bout the BB!! That's about it!
Bottom Line:
These forks were a straight improvement to the performance of my bike. They made it feel much more plush and stif, and gave me more confidence to do things I would have thought about with my Psylo's. I have got the QR forks and they feel very stif anyway, so the QR20 axle must be amazingly stiff. I recommend these forks to everyone, the TPC+ damping is incredible and evil genius seals work a treat. GET THESE FORKS!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alan J
a Downhiller
from West Yorkshire, England Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
online "Merlincycles.co.uk"
Strengths:
everything
Weaknesses:
nothing
Bike Setup:
Kona Stuff 03, Sherman Firefly-20mm axle, Tioga 2.3 DH tyres, RaceFace seat post and Good n Evil grips
Bottom Line:
These forks are amazing, so smooth you think you are floating down drops and when landing jumps, easily adjusted on the fly so if you need to go up hill just flick the lever and reduce the travel to 110mm. Got these forks for £299.00 reduced from £599.00, I would have bought them anyway but to get them for half price just makes them even better. They look cool on my Stuff as well!! :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nicky Boy
a
from San Jose Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
tractor
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strong, Light, Plush. Great on every size hit.
Weaknesses:
My rapid travel went out like Cool Breeze below, but I contacted Manitou and they sent me the directions how to reset, and it was a piece of cake. LBS wanted $50, sorry.
This fork is a perfect match for the heckler and the 5th element. Real plush, it balanced out my whole suspension perfectly. Light for such a bomber fork also. The rapid travel II is a great feature for those long uphills. Even when my RTII went out, climbing fully extended was no problem. The fork looks cool also, tough and clean. I personally like the feel of a coil shock to an air shock and I believe I made the right choice with the Sherman.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cool Breeze
a Weekend Warrior
from RSM Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any Singletrack
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
The Path
Strengths:
Stiff front to back. Very plush. Light for a coil 5" travel fork. Travel Adjust comes in handy on long extended climbs.
Weaknesses:
Travel Adjust stopped working at one point and required a trip to the LBS. Tire clearence.
Similar Products Used:
Fox, RS, Marz., etc.
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth ID and Yeti ARC Ti.
Bottom Line:
Its been a great fork with no problems other than the Travel Adjust. IMHO forks and like tires, they are very subjective. This fork really suits my riding style so not much complaint here except for the tire clearance issue. But living in SoCal. I've only riden in mud once and the forked packed up at the arch.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from San Fransisco Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Flameout
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Vision Cyclery
Strengths:
5" travel, really stiff, soft and supple on slow hits and stiff and plush on hard hits at high speeds, skewers are nice also.
Weaknesses:
I have 350 miles on this fork and I can't find any weaknesses yet. Believe me I did not baby this fork. I beat the snot out of this thing and still performs like a champ.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Black Comp. Fox 125 RLC
Bike Setup:
SC Heckler,Sherman Firefly,Sun Singletrack,Hadley race hubs,Mobsters with slow reezay on the front,Race face turbine cranks,Hayes 8" with carbon levers,Easton carbon bars,XTR shifters,XTR front and rear derailleurs,Thompson stem and post,WTB lazer V saddle,
Bottom Line:
Get this fork if you want high performance action. This is a great product.Perfect for freeride ball busting drops and still light enough for XC singletrack trial rousting. This fork rocks for a single crown and still stiff enough to take a thrashing. So it's a little heavy but it makes you a better rider on the way down by far.
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Submitted by
mike
a
from lahabra ca usa Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
sart
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
fullerton bike shop
Strengths:
very rigid, plush travel, quality materials
Weaknesses:
travel switch is stiff
Similar Products Used:
marzzochi z1, rockshox psylo, fox vanilla 125
Bike Setup:
2002 enduro pro, sherman with 20mm thru axle. mavic d-521 wheels, hope bulb hubs, hope mini calipers, thompson stem and seatpost. xtr shifters/derailers
Bottom Line:
The z1 freeride was a noodle compared to sherman. I had heard good things about the z1 but was unhappy with it. the fox fork had a slop in the first inch of travel that was a major distraction over washboard and roots. the rockshox was pretty good but the sherman really brings this bike alive. the 20mm thru axle gives you the confidence to ride through anything. go fast and it will handle anything!!!!!! great freeride fork but still light enough for long rides
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Submitted by
Mayflower Fitzgerald
a Downhiller
from Oregon Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Strengths:
Stregths is right! This puppy is strong! Massive, burly, stiff, huge and strong! Damping is absolutely the best I have used. TPC+ just inhales drops. I'm 185lbs and the stock springs work fine. Hex lock thru axle is genius, this thing is easily more stiff steering than any single crown out there that I have been on. It's even on par with some Ddual crown forks. Fork just feels rock solid. Runs a 2.6" Gazz. Jr. with no problem. Ti spring is cool. Camo paint is cool.
Weaknesses:
Fork is about .8lb (20%!!!) heavier than advertised. If I cared about weight I would be pretty worked up about that. Oh well, nothing ever weighs what it's supposed to.
Similar Products Used:
Stratos MX6, Old Marz. Z1, Marz. Z1 qr20+, Marz. Z3 qr20+, Jr T, WB UD 150, Manitou X-Verts, Black and SX ti.
Bike Setup:
Bullit.
Bottom Line:
Don't hesitate to pick up this fork if you need something for freeride/urban and occasional DH shuttles. It's solid and doesn't flinch at 6 foot to flat drops with a 185lb rider. I feel good using it for urban because the lowers are so thick and stout a gouge here or there isn't going to worry me.
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Submitted by
ThaBigDroppah
a Cross Country Rider
from miggity mizaine Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At:
Cape-Able Bike Shop!!!!!!!!!!!!
Strengths:
Decent weight for it's purpose, mucho stiff compared to a shiver SC, price is reasonable to average consumer, rapid travel really works!!!
Weaknesses:
weight is not superlight xc worthy!, rebound is not as adjustable as I would like. Cannot fit a 3 inch tire in it.
I used a marzocchi shiver SC last season and my only complaints were that it is a noodle both laterally and longitudally. Though it did have bottomless travel for my 150 lb azz. I've used the sherman for 6 or so rides now and I can say it's MUCH stiffer than the shiver....the suspension is very smooth and seems more progressive than the shiver also. Though I have flipped it to 130mm travel and bottomed it off a 5 footer which I didn't with the shiver. One thing I didn't like was that the rebound damping isn't very adjustable...I have it maxed out slow and it's basically "just right" with the shiver I could adjust the rebound so slow it would take a few seconds to top out after compressing it. I guess if I had to choose a long travel single crown fork I would definately pick this one. (from my experience with it so far). It tracks very nicely since it's stiff...and the suspension is very smooth. Lotsa companies (such as cannondale) are licensing the TPC 2+ for a reason....it works!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a a
a Downhiller
from a Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
big stairs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
shop
Strengths:
don't brake
Weaknesses:
need to fit 3 inch tire and need another 5 inch's of travel
Similar Products Used:
psylo there crap
Bike Setup:
3 inch 24 on the rear 2.7 inch 26 front dabomb cr8 hardtail with splined cromo cranks gack 37 tooth chain ring if you've got $6000 and don't mind if the bike is 40pounds get this set up
Bottom Line:
extremly plush best fork but not enough travel or clearnce
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
paulo santos
a
from lisboa Date Reviewed: January 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
mega aventura
Strengths:
incredibly rigid,torsionally and back to front,first time on Manitou and already a fan of TPC+
Weaknesses:
the travel adjuster left you with the fork with a faster rebound
Similar Products Used:
Z1 fr(from all the years)a Fox125R
Bike Setup:
GiantAC2 with Fox rc,Hayes(front8",rear6"),hutchinson Octopus,thomson(stem and seatpost)
Bottom Line:
it´s ben my first time on a Manitou(sherman Firefly 20 mm)and i loved it,i´ve been on Marzocchis since de first Z2 and they work very well,are really reliable,and although a bit heavier they are strong.The Manitous with the Microlube and mini boots or whatever they called it never work like a Marz so i decided to give it a go,and for now(remenber i´ts the first ride)the sherman really shines on roch gardens off camber turns.on really big drops i didnt do any this weakend but i think they should be fine .Ilove the low speed compression and the rebound adjuster,altough have a little range it´s spot on,So Marzocchi and Fox beware with Manitou because finnaly they made it
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Submitted by
russell
a
from washington DC usa Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
theyre all strengths, super stiff, super thick, not heavy at all thanks to Ti coils and such
Weaknesses:
reverse arch doesnt allow for much tire clearance, not bad at all for urban though
Similar Products Used:
zoke z1, z3air, z5, dj1 and 2, jrT, noleen chubby
Bike Setup:
24 le toy III SS, profile drivetrain, deore disks, rhynolite/mavic, irc kujo tires
Bottom Line:
damn good fork, more than enough beef for hardly any weight, super stiff and super strong, couldnt wish for anything better for urban or other freeriding/jumping/trails
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: December 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Suicide
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Helen's Cycles
Strengths:
Super stiff, smooth travel, easy to take off a wheel, looks good
Weaknesses:
none with the fork, would love more travel without going to dual crown
Similar Products Used:
z1 freeride
Bike Setup:
Bullit with Raceface and XTR
Bottom Line:
Great Freeride fork without all the downhill weight. on long decents is stiffer than my shiver
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA. USA Date Reviewed: November 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
San Juan
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
The Path Bike Shop
Strengths:
20 mm axle, super plush ! Double crown stiffness ! Rapid travel II and new TPC + plus it is under 5 lbs.
Weaknesses:
Leaking rebound cartridge, but was replaced right away!!
Similar Products Used:
All but Fox
Bike Setup:
Norco Fluid with tons of upgrades
Bottom Line:
This is the best fork I have ever ridden, I got it as a trade, when my zoke was sent back for warranty, and was stuck there for two months! You can describe the this fork as buttery smooth and as stiff as a dual crown fork! It is to good to be true. Rapid travel is easy to use and nicely located at the top for you, un like the black. If you are over 190lbs., you may want to get the firm ride kit, it makes all the difference in the world for 200lbs + riders. The bottom line, if you are looking for a new for, give this a try, you will not be disapointed!! Manitou, has rasied the bar for 5" inch forks !!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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