Manitou's Minute line offers their new stable platform valve (SPV), one of the most sophisticated damping technologies ever developed. With SPV, your fork is extremely active, soaking up bumps, but highly resistant to pedal induced bob.
The rebound control knob broke after 3 weeks of light use while I was trying to adjust it. The quality of manitou products is so bad and the components so cheap that I feel like I've been robbed by buying one of their products. Customer support is a joke. Don't buy manitou products, read the reviews on any of their products and you'll see why.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD Date Reviewed: November 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Avalon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
This review pertains to the 2005 with SPVE damping. It has smooth, invisible performance in all normal trail situations. Bob is really only noticible when I'm out of the saddle hammering on the steepest climbs. In a non-race situation, that can be remedied somewhat by cranking travel down to 100mm. As I'm a hefty boy, the fork was a bit soft at first. I looked around for tips on the web and compensated by reducing the SPV chamber volume and pumping it up to max (150 psi) pressure. The result was a somewhat unforgiving ride over small stuff, but it did the job when the hits got bigger. Recently, I replaced the stock spring with the firm ride spring, and was able to open up the SPV chamber to give the fork a more linear feel. That means I can now bottom it out, and I did that recently when I endoed on a about a 3-foot drop to flat ground off a rock. Gotta remember to lift that wheel. Set up as it is now, however, I can't say I've ridden a fork that works any better in most situations, although I've ridden more expensive ones.
Weaknesses:
I detect a hint of flex at times... we're only talking 30mm stanchions here. But by far the biggest weakness was the whimsical use of plastic parts throughout. Stupid. It probably saved $1.00 per fork in manufacturing, and then Manitou/Answer paid many times that covering warranties when the plastic hex shaft the rebound adjust knob is connected to disintigrated. That happened to mine literally on my first ride. Luckily, it was in a usable spot about halfway between fully damped and not damped. The Manitou/Hayes service dept. was out of replacement rebound assemblies for the Minute 1, but shipped one from the SPVE Black fork which was equivalent, went in just fine, and works just fine. (I was is in a hurry and did the work myself using Enduro Fork Seals Nobel Prizeworthy online service manual.) Later, putting in the new spring assembly, I stripped and almost shredded the plastic cover/bolt that holds the spring in place... another idiotic use of plastic.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Pike, Fox TALAS, Marzocchi All Mountain 2
Bike Setup:
Stock fork on the clearance '05 Jamis XLT 1.0
Bottom Line:
I was close to ditching this fork when the rebound knob came off on the first ride. I'm glad I stuck with it, fixed the problem, and installed the heavier spring. Now it's a gem. I'm even thinking about picking up a spare, since they're available on closeout now for under $200 online. 4 & 4 chilis for good performance but sketchy design.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Isaac Silverman
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO, USA Date Reviewed: April 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Big Boulder, Moore Fun
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
adjustability. reasonably light. plush enough for me. spv platform. looks.
Weaknesses:
poor rebound damping. durability. tracking only average. availability of replacement parts.
Similar Products Used:
Fox TALAS
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Id set up for epic trail riding
Bottom Line:
Affordable fork that performs well till it breaks. Then you are SOL.
I happily used this fork for two seasons of trail riding. Once I got the SPV dialed in I was quite pleased with it's performance. The SPV platform works and while it's not a freeride fork by any stretch of the imagination, it happily soaked up high speed rock gardens and smaller (3'-4') drops you'll find on technical Colorado trails. I didn't find the ride as "harsh" on the small stuff as some have complained. I typically ran it around 115-120 mm travel but I definitely enjoyed the ability to adjust this before prolonged climbs or descents. It never leaked oil or required service of any kind.
My only performance gripes were that the rebound was always a touch sluggish (even with damping all the way down) for my riding style and that the tracking through the rough stuff was only good, not excellent. Aside from those minor weaknesses it just quietly did it's job.
Until now. I was adjusting my rebound damping in the middle of the ride when the knob came off in my hand. The metal knob is attached to a plastic shaft which in turn interfaces with the damping chamber. The plastic shaft broke.
Now the fork is stuck in the fully damped mode. Let's just say it is so damp it's wet. It packs up horribly on descents and dives (with nasty results) in slower rocky technical sections.
The only way to remedy the situation is to replace the entire rebound damping chamber. Manitou/Answer/HB suspension products tells me that there is a roughly 1.5 month wait for this $60 part. My experience with factory service (to be fair this is not specific to Manitou products) is that you should probably double the amount of wait time they tell you. Add shipping and labor at a bike shop and we're looking at over two months and close to $100 in the best case scenario.
If it were just the expense of the repair I would be perfectly satisfied with my minute. Yeah, it shouldn't have cheap plastic internals, but it did last two years of solid use before breaking, and I spent several hundred less for the minute than a similarly featured Fox TALAS. That said, even if the promised 1.5 month waiting period is correct, it is far too long.
Unless I can quickly find the needed part from another source, I will be buying a new fork. Let's just say that I am leaning towards a Rock Shox Revelation or Fox Talas this time around.
Buy this if you are tight on cash and want an excuse to try out the newest fork on the market in a year or two. Don't buy it if you want a fork to last the life of your bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Thom
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirkland WA USA Date Reviewed: April 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Parasite
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
rbikes as part of bike
Strengths:
Feels good for the ride or two before it breaks
Weaknesses:
POS for reliability
Similar Products Used:
Bunches of lower travel forks on previous bikes
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Epiphany
Bottom Line:
I bought the bike with this fork in November, just in time for the worst season of weather we have had. So several months later, after only maybe half a dozen short easy rides, I hang up my bike and notice the air shock side is soaked in oil. I weigh 195 but the biggest air I have done is about a foot off the ground and a bunch of log rollovers. This has got to be someones idea of a bad joke! Looking at the reviews, I am defnitely not alone. I had a Manitou fork before this one and it was surprisingly reliable. No more Manitous for ME! This works out to be a pretty high cost per ride for a "budget" fork that is now shot, if I read the other reviews correctly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Jim Thorpe, PA Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
on a Jamis XLT
Strengths:
looks, weight, SPV (so far), 'big' hit absorption
Weaknesses:
terrible rebound adjustment, no compression adjustment, difficult to adjust SPV pressure accurately.
Similar Products Used:
Bombers
Bike Setup:
Jamis XLT with Mavic Crossmax Enduro, SPV front and rear
Bottom Line:
Decent fork. I like the performance this fork offers, and you can fid them brand new for 200 bucks on eBay. The biggest hits I throw at this fork are 2-3 foot drops. All mtn stuff, not freeride. For this type of riding it works great. I weigh 185... if you weigh more you might want a stiffer compression coil. I've heard that the SPV may fail in the future... so far so good. Rebound knob snapped after 2 rides..... replaced under warranty but took 4 weeks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
robert jones
a Weekend Warrior
from lacey,wa Date Reviewed: November 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
light weight
Weaknesses:
air leaks, crappy adjustment knob, poor rebound adjustmont
Similar Products Used:
rockshox
Bottom Line:
these shocks are a falure and there is a good reason that they dont sell the minute ine anymore. from day 2 i have had problems with air leaking and oil leaking. they were factory rebuilt ad after 2 rides they started leaking air again. the travel adjustment know broke after ony a few uses. over all a piss poor product.i should have known when ever major retailer has a product on sell at the same time there must be a reason.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
whit
a Cross Country Rider
from New Haven Date Reviewed: May 16, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Good rebound damenping adjustment, climbs well, SVP
Weaknesses:
Doesn't work!!! not plush at all
Similar Products Used:
Munitou X-vert super
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575
Bottom Line:
I think that the first SPV forks just don’t work. I first noticed problems with this fork about 5 months into ridding it became very still and didn’t respond well to high speed bumps I called Manitou and they said that it sounded like the SPV had sprung a leak. A very common problem for these forks I understand and they sent me a new SPV unit desinded to address this problem and it did at least for a while. After riding the bike for a couple of months the fork became unresponsive again and now the thing is almost totally seized up and is leaking oil from the spring side. Now I should say that I am a light ridder 130 lbs and even after installing a soft-spring (should have gotten an X-soft) I had to run the SPV valve with the minimum air pressure. The bottom line is that while I loved the X-vert super I had I think Manitou had many problems with this fork and I am switching to a fox vanilla.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alan Kim
a Cross Country Rider
from Cerritos, CA Date Reviewed: October 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Bottom Line:
Manitou's reliability is terrible. The fork leaked at the rebound knob like everyone is saying. The fork has serious flex problems. If you have this kind of dough, do not hesitate and get a FOX, you will thank me later. It will last longer, has better tunability, more plush, less flex, and way more confidence. Forget MANIPOO, their customer service and product is horrible!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan R
a
from Long Island N.Y. Date Reviewed: July 30, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Dirt Ones
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
I know a few months back I put a review here and said the fork was still running well. Lets just say I've had a bumpy ride through the month of July 05. Started with needing a new headset my Cane Creek one lasted me close to three years and I decided on a new King for my XC Bike. Got it installed and noticed a knocking through my bars I thought was my old headset. Hey it was shot anyway but knocking after a installing a new King NO WAY ! So I brought my bike back to my LBS and check the headset, it's as tight as can be! So I ride the next day more knocking and it's getting worse! Back I go and only to find out guess what it's my fork. After a full year and two months of ownership and a winter of non riding it's DEAD! Here's what is shot on my fork; A bushings and shims are either worn or now shifted, My rebound Cartridge that is also my SPV is stuck in slow and the adjustment knob does nothing now. My travel adjustment is broken the fork needs to be held down to reduce the travel. Not to mention it never stops turning so you never know when it is reduced to 100 mm or maxed at 130 mm. With the rebound shot and the bushings shifted the fork knocks and skips all the way down the trail, especailly downhill. I changed the oil at the beginning of the season and all was fine. In one month of XC Trailriding my fork deteriorated into a pile of junk, no jumping or stunts, it's attached to a Stumpjumper the frame would break before the fork did if I did that. When I called Manitou to see about repairs,(Manitou makes all repairs on their forks to at the factory in California) It was going to cost me 35 bucks to drop ship it and a 120 buck bench fee to open it up. That is not counting parts to repair it, plus a three week turn around time to repair it and ship it back! With a bill of 155 for just looking at it and knew it needed parts I got a new fork to replace it instead of fixing it. Manitou still has the same bad Customer service thay always had and their products still don't last I should have never trusted Manitou again. I've used their forks before and it always ended this way broken fork out of the blue, too expensive and not worth it to repair it. Should have learned the first time. Forget SPV it's overrated, works great when it's new, sucks after a year. Thought I embrace the new suspention technology got burned instead. If your gonna get a fork with Stable Platform Valving get a FOX Terra-logic. If you want something that will last a long time get a Marzocchi! I went back to what always worked in the past, welcome back to my XC bike Marzocchi and I'll never stray again. You want tough get a BOMBER you can't go wrong, you want perfectionist design get a Fox. Forget Rockshox and forget Manitou, they can't ever get it right, PEACE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Western Australia Date Reviewed: July 23, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Reasonably light and adjustable,looks good.
Weaknesses:
Way too much flex, poor quality control, oil leaks and recurring problems with SPV valve. Manitou Australia service (or lack thereof).
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy & Phsylo, Fox 36R, Fox Talas, RST.
Bike Setup:
Giant VT2.
Bottom Line:
These forks came with my bike and were a major selling point based on reviews from this website and the adjustability. I was in heaven for two weeks, never having riden anything so plush and smooth. Then oil started to leak from arond the rebound knob, the forks had to be sent to Melbourne for repair. I was without them for two weeks and the LBS wouldn't even lend me something to keep me going. They lasted OK with minor oil seepage for another nine months when they lost their nice feel. I took them to the local "expert" who "serviced" them for me. After two rides they started leaking then started making a "hammering" noise over rocks and then seemed to lock up and just bounce off anything I hit. On the way home they leaked oil out all over my brake pads with predictable results! The LBS sent them back to Melbourne for warranty, they were gone for nearly three weeks and when they came back they started leaking again after a month or so. I rebuilt them myself this time and they were fantastic with no oil leaks for two months when they started hammering again. I have rebuilt them again and they are fine once more: until the SPV valve gets sticky and they start to hammer AGAIN! Compared to the Fox forks I've ridden they flex very badly and don't hold a nice line over rough ground and I'm always wondering when they are going to F*** up again. Bottom line (finally) is: Nice concept, poorly executed lacking quality control and reliability. I know there are people out there who have had a good run with these forks and will be offended by my review but it is honest and objective.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island N.Y. Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Pandora
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC with way too many goodies to list! The FSR series has to be one of the best full suspention bikes ever built! This fork works so well with it!
Bottom Line:
Well I've been using this fork for about a year now and it's still as good as the day I bought it! I'm still very satisfied with the fork since the day I bought it. I've had one issue with the Travel Adjustment but it still works well. Since it is attached to a Specialized Stumpjumer I usually keep it around 110 mm of travel anymore effect the bikes handling too much. For extremly rocky or rooty sections I will open the travel up to the full 130 mm but on a normal riding setting it is about 100 mm to 110 mm at all times. The weight is right on trget since I use my Stumpy to bacily trail ride since I'm not a weight weeine her it woks great. Still very Stiff and very reliable compared to the stock Rock Shox Duke XC 80 mm travel fork that was orginally on my bike. A little to heavy and not enough travel for me. I still to this day love the SPV (Stable Platform Valve) Works extremly well and I definately feel a huge difference in the fork whil just riding. My other bike is a Kona Stinky with a Marzocchi Jr.T on her! That thing mushes like nobodies business but it also not ment to be a trail bike either! I like Fox's Terralogic forks I really do but the price tag equals OUCH! So the next best for is the Minute. I love this fork and I don't see myself getting rid of it anytime soon! Not to metion the look of it is drop dead SEXY since it has no stickers on it the intergrated graphic lokk SWEET. Happy trails and enjoy your rides! PEACE!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jake
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, Texas Date Reviewed: April 27, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Spinal Tap
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Strong, lightweight, good travel, adjustable travel.
Weaknesses:
Bad rebound adjust knob.
Bike Setup:
Another Giant VT 1 done right
Bottom Line:
This fork is great. Strong, light, and the SPV rules! It soaks up anything you ride over. I've used it for a little over six months, and the only trouble I had was with the rebound adjust knob. It fell off, or maybe I broke it off. But whatever the case, I called up Manitou, and they hooked me up, no BS, and I had my fork back and in perfect condtion in about a week. Good product support I think. If you are looking for good travel and good quality but dont want to go overboard with a dual-crown, this fork is for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Olof
a Weekend Warrior
from Sweden Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$650.00
Strengths:
Stiffness, big hit abilities, predictable stroke, no bobbing, durability and set up possibilities
Weaknesses:
Small stuff, expensive, plastic adjuster knobs
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Millenium, Marzocchi, Rock Shox Judy, FOX Float
Bottom Line:
Great allround fork. It handles anything from freeride to all day trail riding. For me it´s not important with small stuff damping, however if it would be possible to combine it´s superb big hit capabilities with a bit more suppleness over the small stuff - it would be the perfect fork. Climbing suffers a bit due to this - I feel climbing is when you need a sensitive fork. This is a minor problem though. The confidence automatically follows as the damping is so much more than 100-130 mm travel. I feel 100 mm Minute travel is so much more effective than most other forks. Working in a bike shop i´ve had opportunity to verify this. The build quality is almost equal to Fox forks, leaving a stiff but light fork that excels in almost any terrain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul McKenzie
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, CA Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Sycamore Canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$540.00
Purchased At:
supergo santa monica
Strengths:
no flexing, can be very stiff, awesome fork for lots of things
Weaknesses:
heavier than all of the other Minutes, but only .1 lbs heavier than the Minute Three
And all around great fork. Perfect for and All Mountain/ Trail Enduro. Hasn't bottomed out yet and very stiff for drops.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: April 9, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
SPV - works well, practically no bob whatsoever. (unless standing, but that should be expected) plush on the small bumps, yet still tracks very well on fast, rough decents.
Weaknesses:
none, it works great for its intended purpose
Bike Setup:
Giant VT2 stock
Bottom Line:
This is a great fork for all around aggressive trail riding. I've had it for 1 yr. and 3 months, and ride often on very rough trails, and have had no problems.
It feels very plush on the slow moving bumps, but also works great cruising at high speeds over rough terrain. I don't really go seeking out drops, but I have hit quite a few 5' drops with rock landings, and it takes it just fine. This is definitely more of an agressive cross country fork than a freeride, so any drops much larger would probably not work out too well.
Bottom line - I love this fork. It just plain works. Highly recommended.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dugo
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque Date Reviewed: January 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Otero until they closed it!!!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light weight for a coil fork, pretty stable at high speed in the rough stuff, great absorption, good steering control and I actually do get close to 5" of travel.
Weaknesses:
Flexy but it seems to work.
Similar Products Used:
Zoch Z1 & Z150, Maverick
Bike Setup:
Titus Switchblade with a 5th Element rear shock & Mavic XM819's with Conti Vertical UST's
Bottom Line:
I've only ridden the fork over a weekend so I may not have a depth of experience with this fork, but so far this is where I'm at. I swapped out a Maverick fork for the Manitou. You can read my write up of the Maverick there. Basically, I found it had too much compression dampening and was way too firm for an effective "rough terrain" trail bike. To also put this into perspective, my other ride is a Titus Super-moto FR with a Zoch Z150. So I understand the limitations.
The Minute One was instantly a much friendlier ride than the Maverick. It doesn't have the sharpness of control or the rigidity of the Maverick, but it's hard to compete with a 23mm axel and dual crowns. Basically however, I found the steering response to be relatively good. I've ridden a QR20 Z1 and it isn't quite as rigid as that even, but it weighs a lot less and that may actual help the controlled feeling of it.
The SPV seems to work pretty well, except out of the saddle. I had my pressure set at about 60psi. I guess if I increased it some I could get it to be a little firmer out of saddle, but I like bump compliance over stiffness of response.
So let's get into a religious question. Is SPV better than ETA (Extension Travel Adjust that Zoch and the Maverick have.)??? Basically ETA has a different damping circuit that restricts the movement, but still allowing some movement. I guess I would actually opt for the ETA setup. That to me works better. Yes you have to manually engage it. However, it seems to really dampen "out of the saddle" pedal input. Granted, you have to switch it off to get full travel, but for climbing I feel ETA works better.
On to the travel adjust...I don't think I'll ever use the 100-130mm travel adjust. Seems like a waste to me. I mean 30mm change in geometry won't really change the performance of the bike so why bother. Now if it went from 80-150, I could see it. You could adjust the geometry to fit the rig, but 30mm isn't that much of a difference. I've just kept mine at 130mm.
Now maybe I could use it to change the travel for climbing and increase the dampening. However, Manitou says you can't switch it on the fly. I may try it though on a smooth section before a climb and see if it can be done and if so, how it feels.
The thing I was looking for from the Minute was big hit absorption during decents. This is where this fork excelled compared to the Maverick and it even stepped into the same class as my Z1. The fork flexes, no doubt about it, but the flex seems to work with the design of the fork. It really is pretty smooth in the rough stuff. To give you an idea. I tend to hold my hands real loose on the bars during really rough decents to allow the front end to float a bit and not send the vibrations through my arms.
This fork tracks super straight in these situations. It will not be thrown off line. You can see the front end flex, but it seems to help the fork steer straight. Thats what I call control. The Maverick was stiff as all get out, but it's impact absorption characteristics made it very "twitchy" in the rough stuff. So it had smooth low speed control, but not rough high speed control, if that makes sense.
The Manitou has decent smooth slow speed control, again, not as stellar in that department as the Maverick. It has real good rough high speed control. Again, much better than the Maverick and on par with my Zoch Z1, maybe not as rigid, but still acceptable.
So bottom line, this is a great "rough terrain" trail fork. It is NOT a Free Ride or full on Bomber fork like the Z1 or Z150. However, the characteristics of a coil combined with the SPV and light weight make it a good choice for any 5" travel trail bike.
I gave it 4 Value Chili's because it is a bit on the expensive side and 4 Chili's for an overall rating just because it isn't as rigid as it could be.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nobody
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: January 16, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Universal
Strengths:
Pretty light, fairly plush
Weaknesses:
Not super stiff. Plastic parts. Manitous math on oil level is poor...they say 3.9" or 75mm...which aren't the same. I was told the correct oil level is 75mm, which works for me.
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi Z1, Fox vanilla RLC.
Bike Setup:
Turner 5-spot
Bottom Line:
Chose the Manitou due to Fox's lack of travel adjust and the excessive height of the Z1 FR. Its not a bad fork, but won't last if you abuse it. Its got some flex, but not horrible.
Some people say its rough on the small stuff but good on the bigger hits, but I found the opposite to be true. For me it seems to be pretty plush over small bumps but not great on larger hits. I run it at the lowest SPV pressures allowed though.
Overall, good fork for XC and trail riding. If you are hard on forks, you would probably be better off with something a bit stronger.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gonzostrike
a Downhiller
from Missoula, MT Date Reviewed: December 25, 2004
amazing fork, strengths as stated above are very impressive and I'm not overstating any of it. I kept my Marzocchi forks around to swap back in case this Minute disappointed. Instead, I went back to eBay and bought two more Minute forks. That's how impressed I was.
This fork steers better through rough choppy terrain than Marzocchi's 30mm chassis forks, and almost as well as Marzocchi's 32mm chassis forks. The travel adjust is a nice feature for me as a framebuilder, to get ideas on handling with a given head angle and front geometry, etc. The SPV is very impressive too, as it's completely changed my climbing efficiency on the SS. Absolutely NO power lost to fork compression.
The SPV pressure and volume are VERY finicky and must be tested at various psi and chamber volumes to get the balance of SPV platform damping combined with small bump compliance. The first several rides I was disappointed with the SPV feature, but then I took some time to get the right psi setting and then play with the chamber volume, which makes the SPV feature more progressive. A smaller chamber volume and a higher psi were the cause of the "too firm" feel and loss of small bump compliance.
When adjusted carefully, this is the best trail bike fork available for those who aren't running 20mm front axles. I plan on buiding myself a geared hardtail designed around a Minute 1:00.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spongedog
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia, USA Date Reviewed: December 11, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
* None when the fork is BROKEN!! * Performance Bike did everything possible to help me resove the issue. Thanks to Performance Bike in Gaitherburg, MD!!
Weaknesses:
*Shotty quality. I have ridden the fork for about a year and the internals in both fork legs broke badly. I don't abuse the bike and I am not a clydesdale by any means. *Manitou Tech Support - While they did the right thing and sent Performance a rebuild kit for the bike, they never shipped the part. They claimed they lost the paperwork, and even after they promised to overnight the part after the paperwork disaster, it still took 4 more days. It has been about 3 weeks. Once Performance received the part, we discovered that the assembly in both legs was shot, and to make matters worse, the fork had developed very bad friction in its movement. Performance took good care of me and all is well now. No thanks to Manitou.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID
Bike Setup:
Giant VT 1 done right.
Bottom Line:
Stay away from Manitou at all costs! Anything can break, but when the company takes a lazy attitude towards supporting their broken products, then all is lost. Manitou had a great opportunity to turn a bad situation into a good one, yet they made things worse. The manager indicated that they were having "personnel issues". Frankly, I think that personnel issues start at the top.
Once my newly repaired fork cracks up (which I am sure it will), I plan to replace it with a Fox.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wannabeRacer
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia Date Reviewed: December 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Strong, and looks cool
Weaknesses:
slightly heavy but you get more adjustments than others
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shock Pilot SL and others
Bike Setup:
mod to the max
Bottom Line:
Very nice, strong and plenty of adjustments, get it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gaston
a
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: November 6, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Cheap, Fairly stiff, SPV
Weaknesses:
Adjustability
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Duke, Psylo, Fox
Bike Setup:
Giant VT-1
Bottom Line:
I swapped the stock Psylo off the VT-1 for this fork and thus far I don't have many problems with it. It has a coil spring with no preload adjustment, so I can't fine tune it to my riding style as much as I'd like, but it does fairly well. The spring rate is a bit soft and though the SPV chamber can be adjusted a bit. It doesn't bottom if the SPV is inflated but then it isn't as supple over smaller bumps. For the price I paid I can't really complain. It's sure alot better than the Psylo the bike came with. I think it's good for all around use, though probably more toward the XC end of the spectrum. The SPV cuts down on the bob but it won't stand up to big hits if that's your thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Henderson Nv. Date Reviewed: August 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bootleg Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came on a Jamis Dakar XLT
Strengths:
Lite Weight, looks good and I had great customer support from Manitou. Works extreemly well when freshly greased ( see text ). I don't believe the add hype that the reverse arch makes the Manitou forks stiffer, but I have found through experience, that the reverse arch helps to deflect many of the rocks thrown by my front tire at the staunchons, so I still like the concept.
Weaknesses:
The fork doesn't seem to keep grease around the seals in hot weather. Has a weak shaft for the rebound knob, but Manitou gets credit for sending me a new one ( damper assembly ) in three working days so I could fix it. Part of the problem is that the knob is so hard to turn on some of the Minute forks that you can't tell for sure, when your at the limit of the knobs turnig range, or if its slightly stuck again. Also; where the hex shaft broke on mine, is where the hole that runs up the middle ( for the knob's mounting screw ), was off center. I think its a manufacturing problem.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing with SPV, but I've had a Marzocchi, 2000 SXR and a old 97 Judy, which was when Rock Shox still made a competitive product.
Bike Setup:
Stock 2004 Jamis Dakar XLT except for the tires.
Bottom Line:
The fork works good except for the fact, that I have to regrease the dust seals every two to three weeks in the 100+ summer temps here in Southern Nevada. Unfortunetly this requires disassembly of the fork. It kind of reminds me of fork servicing requirements from about 7 years ago. I really miss the microlube feature of the older Manitou forks, it made touch-up greasing in hot weather easier. I also miss fork boots. I've been bringing up the fork boot issue to older and more experienced riders that come from all over the country to Bootleg Canyon and the general feeling is that the damage from mud, rocks and dust is excessive on the newer generation of forks. No boots makes the forks more prone to stiction on long rides as well. I haven't brought the subject up much to younger riders, because the answer is almost always, an inexperianced "They don't look cool". This is a subject that applies to all fork makers, not just Manitou. What I would like to see is; grooves put on the tops of the sliders like the old forks had and silicone rubber boots offered at least as an option from the manufacturers ( boots like the 2000 SXR's, Manitou ! ). We simply have too much grit and rocks in the Nevada desert to have unprotected staunchons. Before anyone suggests Lizard Skins, you should know, I think they suck. I'm giving an average rating for value, as the Minute forks are at the expensive end of the price range. I'm giving a "great" overall rating, because it works well. I would have given a five star rating overall if it had fork boots, but I've had to many problems with excessive maintenance needs, with non booted forks, one Marzocchi and now the Manitou Minute. To put my boot complaint into perspective, I moved to Nevada with a bike with a 2000 Manitou SXR on it and never had to keep taking it apart and regreasing it. I just put a few squirts of Prep M lube in it once a week and cleaned the very small amount of dust under the boots once a month. Other than that, I only had to clean out the grease build-up once a year ( every 1500 - 2000 miles ). I have the fork in a box, because it would still be good for another bike even though it has about 4000 miles on it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Cary, NC Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Excellent damping, platform helps with dive and wallow, infinitely adjustable travel
Weaknesses:
Too much SPV oil from the factory, nonstandard post mount for disc, poor documentation details
Similar Products Used:
White Bros SC92UL, X-Vert Super, Noleen MegaAir, RS Psylo SL, Fox Float R, Fox Vanilla R
Bike Setup:
Hammerhead 100X with Push AVA, 8 speed XTR, King, etc
Bottom Line:
When I first got the fork, I though it was a bit harsh on the smaller stuff but very nice when the bumps picked up. After changing the oil in the fork, it is MUCH better. It's plush all the time now and the SPV has a much better range. SPV oil level was too high out of the box and the Service Manual online has a typo for the Minute 1:00 oil level (says 3.9in, 76mm, 120cc none of which are correct). It should be 3.3in (84mm) with the fork dialed out to 130mm (just like the other 130mm Minute forks). The 120cc is too much though for any of the Minute forks. This is probably why they are shipping with too much oil. Anyway, this is measured from the top of the crown down to the oil in the chamber. This measurement is critical to the function of the SPV because the oil level sets the volume of air that is pressurized. The semi-bath lube was low on my fork as well.
While we're on the subject of the Minute manual, do not under any circumstances use the 90-110 in-lbs torque spec listed for the brake posts. It's too high and can strip out leaving you with no brakes. Most bolts that come with brakes (Hayes, Avid, Magura) are not long enough either. Try to find longer bolts and use 80 in-lbs and locktite if needed. I really think Manitou should include some longer bolts with the fork especially with aftermarket bossless disc-only lowers. The post mount is easier to setup than the IS mounts but being nonstandard means you might need a new front caliper.
Okay, now the good part...the ride. Now that the oil issue is taken care of, the fork rides extremely well. I didn't notice any loss of stiffness coming off the Vanilla. I'm only 165lbs but ride agressively and can be hard on equipment. The stock spring works fine for me, I'm getting full travel and about an inch of sag. Out on the trail, the Minute damping is much smoother than Fox and the SPV keeps the fork from diving and wallowing as much under heavy braking, g-outs and such.
The Minute 1:00 is an excellent for someone that wants a the versatility of a 4"-5" externally adjustable fork. It's no weight weenie racer fork but I think about 4lbs is very reasonable for the travel range. All in all, an excellent product. 2004 is the first model year for the Minute so hopefully Manitou will get their QA and documentation straight for 2005.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a
from NC Date Reviewed: June 5, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$449.00
Strengths:
SPV works well - no lockout needed on a 130 mm fork, plush, easy to adjust travel, looks awesome
Weaknesses:
SPV rebound dampening assembly was defective and had to be replaced
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Skareb Comp, Manitou Six Deluxe
Bike Setup:
NRS-2
Bottom Line:
The Minute One is outstanding. However, when I first bought it I didn't feel that way. Inorder to keep the fork from "clunking" on rebound and to feel right, I needed to keep the SPV setting around 90 psi. That resulted in a pretty harsh ride. I told the Manitou service folks and they said the SPV rebound dampening assembly needed to be replaced. They promply sent the replacement to my LBS (great service from Manitou!). They were right, the SPV value was stuck - what a difference replacing this assembly made! I'm now VERY happy with the Minute One. I've got SPV set at 60 psi (I'm 150 lb) and the ride is such an improvement - I just glide over things that used to feel jarring. I'm sold on the whole SPV concept. It's so nice riding on this "platform" with miniumum bob and yet still be able to sock up whatever comes my way. Manitou has a winner with this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan R
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island N.Y. Date Reviewed: May 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pandora
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$440.00
Purchased At:
Jenson.com
Strengths:
Stiff fork, really stiff there is no flex at all even when riding at 130mm the reverse arc is way better than standard forks! Adjustable travel, being able to go from 100 to 130 is a really big plus for me. Intergrated graphics, no cheesey stickers to fall off during a wet ride, Evil Genuis seals work great at keeping the fork stantions clean and replacing just the right amount of lube. Rebound adjustment work awesome it it sensitive but easy to tune. Finally SPV, It really works! It's no gimmick, and not technolgy that works sometimes. It works ALL THE TIME. See more about it in the "bottom line" section.
Weaknesses:
Damn Post Mounts For disc brakes, I know Manitou says they are better and have more adjustments but they are a severe pain! Especially when you need an adapter for your current brake or a whole new Caliper!! No intergrated hose guides for the fork, a fork of this caliber and price should have something not just a stick on guide. Price but hey, technolgy ain't cheap people!! Other than that, there is no performance problems!
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Duke XC and SL ( they just seem to be getting worse) Older manitou's and Marzz's
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR With allot of Mods! Highlights are Manitou Minute fork, Sram X.O Drive train, WTD Weirwolf tires, and Crankbros. Eggbeaters, too many more small ones to list!!
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome fork, Manitou has really come of age here!! Compared to my two Rockshox Duke's this fork is amazing! Besides Fox (which I have yet to try) who else is pushing the Stable platform market here? This is a great trailbike/enduro fork, if your looking for a Hucking fork look to the Shermann line, Minute-WRONG FORK. If your looking for and XC racing fork Look to the Skarb super with SPV, Minute-WRONG FORK! The stiffness of this fork is great and the reverse arc makes it that stiff, not to mention the clean looks your bike has with the reverse arc. The intergrated graphics give this fork a touch of class that makes it look stunning. Black on sliver, who knew what great color scheme, Rockshox Please take notes here! Adjustable travel is a great thing, nothing like being able to lower and raise your fork when you need more travel for techy section and less travel for climbing! Rebound adjustment is VERY sensitive do not twist with abandon here! Post mounts for disc brakes, Not too happy here but if that's the worse I'll take it. I think Manitou wants to just be different here and they do this to be different and ISO and post mount makes no difference in braking stiffness. SPV has to be one of the greatest innovations in Mountain Biking yet. Forget Lockouts people lockouts are done!! Time to try out SPV it really works! There is nothing like just being able to RIDE ones bike instead of fumbling around trying to lockout the fork on a steep climb. Let the fork do it for you! Yes, it takes a little time to dial her in, so do what I did to ease the transition. Take along your shockpump, put a ziptie on one of the stantions and bring along a pen and paper. Write down what you don't like when you get to a rest spot, Have your shockpump with you to fine tune those setting on the trail, bring along the adapter for the SPV 16 mm adjuster. Sooner or later you will dial her in and then it's set and forget!! 100 mm of travel feels like 80 mm or less when she's locked out and climbing and then when you get to the top crank her up to 130 and bomb that downhill with confidence and not worring about "did I forget to unlock the fork?!?!" SPV also resists brake diving from hard braking and when you lean your bike hard to carve those turns, no fork dive, but knows when to unlock the fork when the trail gets rough. Unseated climbing can overcome the SPV valve but he if you ride dualie your not suppose to stand while climbing! Nothing like pedaling a 100 mm to 130mm fork with no Mushing around! Just nice smooth pedaling all the time and a supple fork when it needs to be! Thanks Manitou! Nice fork and nice job with SPV, totally worth the money!! PEACE!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland NZ Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Planet Cycles
Strengths:
Travel adjustment, Volume adjustment & SPV
Weaknesses:
See below
Similar Products Used:
Nil
Bike Setup:
2004 Giant VT2, SRAM gears
Bottom Line:
As with several others I've had my fair share of problems with this fork. The boys at Planet Cycles however have seen me right every time. But still it requires a drive across town o fix it every time.
The fork came as OEM fittment with the VT. It was labelled a a Minute 1, travel adjustablilty 90 - 120mm & SPV pressure 30 - 60psi.
1st problem, as has been previously reported, oil has leaked from the rebound knob more than once. The bike shop fixed this problem. At first the SPV was set to the max of 60psi as specified on the shock leg of the fork. I didn't think that the SPV had any real noticeable effect. Coming off a s@#te 80mm Marzocchi attached to a hard tail I loved the extra travel.
Then, after going off a mid size (2 foot?)drop off the steering tube snapped clean off at the level of the stem. Hats off to Planet Cycles and Sports Pro (the NZ importer for Manitou) as the fork was replaced within a week or so. It came labelled on the side as a Minute 2. It was still a coil spring with wind down travel 100 - 130mm which happens to be the spec for the Minute 1. I don't know what's going on there. Anyway, 2nd ride on the new shock and all the oil spewed out all over the wheel, brake, brake pads and any thing else I've forgotten that's in that area. Back to the shop and a whole new shock cartridge. Apparently all that had fallen of was an O ring.
Now the fork feels awesome. SPV very noticeable set at 75 psi, no bottoming out but still getting full travel. Volume adjustment set at 2 1/4 turns. After all that trouble I'm now a happy man although I might not be if I didn't have the support from the suppliers.
I like to consider myself an aggressive XC / trail rider and as the VT has so much travel I also love the down hills. This fork seems to suit the former very well but may be a compromise with harder hitting riders as it's still a reasonable weight and there has to be a trade of somewhere.
Having paid NZ$3500 for the whole bike including the fork the value is very good. Might have had something to do with the NZ - US exchange rate at the time?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
turtle
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester Date Reviewed: May 15, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Strengths:
Every Manitou I've ever tried has blown RS away for stiffness. This fork tracks like a Headshock (yes they are stiff too). The damping is very good and getting better. I'm still playing with all the adjustments. SPV pressure and Volume! Not since I had a Zokes XC 700 and DH 3 have I had a fork that I could play with chamber volume, hence spring rate (not to be confussed with spring preload). Of course rebound and travel. I'm glad I waited until Manitou built in "wind down" travel adjustment instead of the either-or switch. I use it almost every ride to fine tune my bikes steering quickness and downhill prowess.
Weaknesses:
Set up time. But that's very nit picky. I actually like playing with all adjustments. Until they make a fork with voice recognition I'll be fiddling with the adjustments. The fork came with a sticker that specificaly states that this is not a "JUMPING" fork. So be warned drop off demons, go for a Shiver if that's what you want to do. Manitou makes one with the about same travel and weighs a pound more, and can take more punishment. This is a long travel XC! got it XC! fork. Don't whine of you break on our freids table top.
Similar Products Used:
Lets just say I've tried everything but Fox. Not that Foxes are bad, just haven't tried 'em.
Bike Setup:
Stock Giant VT2. I just put the MRSP down for price paid. Really the fork was spec'd with the bike and I'm glad it was too. I set the SPV pressure a little low and it bobs somewhat out of the saddle, but this isn't my racing bike so I let it bob a little. That's the way, that's the way I like it uh huh. I have the SPV volume turned 1 1/4 turns in, rebound set at 1/2 way (I want the fork to rebound somewhat faster that the rear so I don't go *ss over tea kettle when a catch a bit of air) and SPV pressure at 75 psi; it should be 95 for my 190 lbs. but I haven't bottomed it out yet. I also run it at 90 mm but I'm an XC rider who loves single track so I like a quick steering bike. I stop and max out the travel when I hit the down hill stuff.
Bottom Line:
This fork is a worthy upgrade and definately a reason to consider a bike with one OEM. It's light for a 5" travel fork and stiff.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joshua Lesser
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Monica Date Reviewed: April 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Cheeseboro canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Camarillo Bike Co
Strengths:
Adjustable ride height, holds air without any lose of pressure since the day I bought it.
Weaknesses:
the first time I went to adjust the rate of rebound the knob fell off in to my hand. I call Answer the manufacture and they were blaming me. The guy said I broke it. Well yeah I technically did, because it was a piece of S@#t to begin with. The level of customer service from this company I got sucked so bad that I'm really sorry I bought anything from them.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Sid
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur, Disc brakes, King Head set, monkey lite cabron riser, easton stem aluminum, and easton seat post carbon, all xt componets and Mavix Crossmax SL wheel set. Fox rear shock.
Bottom Line:
This is an amazing bike but the review is not on the bike but on the fork. I really liked the fork up until last night and then I thought it was still good but after my call to the company today I hate them. I really hate bad customer service. There are so many other great products and companies out there I don't have to put up with this kind of S@#t. I'm going to rate the product low because it broke the first time I tried to adjust it and because they don't offer any sort of help. I hope somebody from the company reads this so they can make any internal fixes to the staff that need to happen.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy Cleary
a
from MV, CA USA Date Reviewed: April 4, 2004
Favorite Trail:
USA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
What a surprise. All that travel and no bob. I don't like fiddling and fine tuning stuff - I just want to get out and RIDE - but the adjustments on this are so easy to work with.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
my regular ride is a Scalpel w/head shock
Bike Setup:
'04 Weyless XP
Bottom Line:
Coming from the Scalpel - with it's minimal travel and lockouts front and rear which I use every ride - I was shocked (yeah, ha, ha) to find a plush 5" ride I could hammer on and not experience bob - and with no lockouts! Another reviewer states he does get some bob when standing and I believe him but he weighs 270 lbs. At 200 lbs. I can even stand up and not lose power to the dreaded bob - so I imagine for the average rider at 150 to 180 this thing's a dream. Paired with the swinger 3 way rear shock that also has the SPV tech - I've got a bike that is a totally different experience from the Scalpel without giving up too much in terms of quickness. I really dislike techy mumbo jumbo that just seems an excuse to call this years model 'better than ever' - but this stable platform valve really works and is easy to fine tune to suit your riding - not just once, but fine tuning it to whatever type of riding you may be doing that day - easy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andrew smith
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney Date Reviewed: March 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
peno park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
I like the adjustable travel, rebound, air and SPV!!
Weaknesses:
bottom seals
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
VT2- stoke(for the moment)
Bottom Line:
I could not be happier. However, it didn't start that way. After my first ride, all this oil came out from behind of the blue rebound knob. It got my brake disk and made a hell of a noise. I took them to the bike shop and 2 weeks latter I get them back with them saying “it was ok”, like fork are meant to leak oil. Between leaving the store and getting home, the bolt on the other side of the fork fell off and there was a puddle of oil in the car. I drove back and left it with them and told them what happen. They sent them to Melbourne. 2 weeks latter the bike shop calls me. The bike shop said that Manitou rebuild the entire shock and found nothing wrong with them, they said that they had been tempted with (insinuating me). I was told I had to pay a $50 shipping cost. After a mouth of waiting (only ridden my new bike once) I just payed them off and never went back. I discovered that the rebound started to leak again (not as bad) the other day, but I don’t care anymore.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clint
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Great all round fork. Nice fresh, smooth ride. 100-130 travel is easy to use and works well. Nice finish overall with alloy moving parts. Strong but light.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Psylo, Manitou Blacks, SID's
Bike Setup:
2004 Giant VT2 standard
Bottom Line:
Got to say Manitou are getting better. Very Nice shocks this year including the minute. If you want a xc fork with more travel. look at this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spongedog
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia, USA Date Reviewed: January 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all of 'em!
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
*Enables rider to take the nastiest lines with ease! *Plenty of Travel *SPV works! *Great climber, even at 130mm
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Sid SL
Bike Setup:
2003 VT 1 with Swinger 4 shock, Hayes Disks
Bottom Line:
I wanted to match the Swinger 4 with a like-minded fork. I tried the Minute 1 and it won me over. It allows me to rocket down any hill, and easily climb back to the top, regardless of roots and rocks. I came from a SID SL and initially thought I would not be able to climb the really steep stuff at 130mm, but that is not the case. I tried the fork at 100mm a couple of times, but have not wound it down from 130mm since the first week I had the fork. In addition to the dirt, I enjoy riding urban in Washington DC. The SPV technology works very well when grinding out the miles on the street, and then just as easily lets me drop a few feet or take a big staircase. It is equally adept at allow you to pedal right back up the stairs.
If you have the funds, go for it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Super Clyde
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal Date Reviewed: January 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$549.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
A coil fork that works for me at 270lbs (with firm ride spring for additional $19), lightweight @ 4lbs, rapid wind down adjustable travel 100mm to 130mm and anywhere in between, SPV w/volume adjuster, rebound adjustable, BBQ black paint job is durable and matches my frame.
The terms "all-mountain", "enduro", "trailbike" and "aggressive XC" all can be used to catagorize the applications for this fork. This is also a coil spring fork that most Clydes can be happy with for it's intended uses.
The adjustments all can be felt and do make a difference in how the fork works. Be sure to fine tune it to suit you. The volume adjuster and the SPV air setting make especially big differences.
This is a great fork for a 4" to 6" FS trailbike
Weaknesses:
Visibly "flexy" compared to the Headshock it replaced, but no more so than any other 4lb s/c fork with 30mm stanchions. I would not put this fork on a true Freeride bike. I would look at the Sherman Firefly for a Freeride fork that will be used and abused on a regular basis.
Similar Products Used:
RS Judy XC, RS Jett, RS Pilot, Headshock (80mm SL), Manitou Black Comp, Fox Vanilla RLC
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Super V frame w/120mm rear travel Fox Vanilla shock, Hayes disc brakes, RF Turbine cranks, Mavic 223 rims, Easton bar, RF Deus stem, Cane Creek Headshock adaptor/headset and my fork was ordered without brake bosses for asthetic reasons
Bottom Line:
I first rode the Minute One on a test ride for a week on a 2004 Giant VT1 that was a 90mm to 120mm model. I originally wanted to test the bike to compare the Swinger rear shock to my stock Vanilla coil shock. What surprised me was that the rear shock was not the major difference between the Giant Vt1 and my 99 Super V. It was the fork!
I rode it on trails that I was very familiar with and I was considerably faster going down than I ever had been. I found myself pedaling for speed in spots where I was usually feathering the brakes to scrub off speed with the old 80mm Headshock.
The crown to axle distance on the 80mm Headshock is about the same as the Minute One is at the 100mm setting. I was also considering the Vanilla 125, but wanted to be able to adjust the travel easily on the trail in case the fork was too tall to climb comfortably at the longest setting.
Another surprising thing about the Minute One was that it was a coil spring that could be adjusted to work for a heavy rider like myself (270lbs) with the stock spring. I have installed the Firm Ride spring ($19) recently so that I could back off on the volume adjuster and make the spring rate more linear. I could have lived with the stock spring if I had to. That's something I never thought I would say about a coil spring fork. The Firm spring works great now that I have backed off on the volume adjuster to 2 turns out instead of 4 like it was with the stock spring. If you get the Firm spring and are installing it yourself, make sure you take the smaller inner spring out of the stock spring and install it into the new spring. Just pop it past the end of the bigger spring and the reverse thread it out of the old one and into the new one. It's not hard to do yourself. I used a 28mm socket to carefully remove the cap.
The SPV works well to prevent "bob" while seated, but will not stop it if I'm out of the saddle hammering (which is rare for me anyway, so it is not an issue). The fork is pretty plush on the small stuff compared to my old air spring Headshock and although it can't possibly track as surely as the Headshock did in rough terrain, it is not problematic because the Minute just sucks up everything in it's path.
I used to need to pick my through some rough sections carefully in order to stay in control, but now I can look for the roughest path down on those same rough sections and just smile as I go whizzing down faster than I ever did before.
I can still climb well with the travel set at 130mm, but don't it's noticeably better at 100mm and it doesn't seem to affect the ride quality like the Black Comp does when the travel is adjusted on it.
The true bottom line: I was considering getting a new frame or new bike. I liked my Super V in stock form, but knew there were plusher setups out there. After testing the VT1, I felt a fork upgrade (along with a new 4-Way Swinger on order) would make my old rig new again and just the addition of the fork has put a big smile back on my mug. My old frame will now last me at least a few more years. It is truly like riding a new bike, it's that different and that much improved.
A few years ago, I would have given a Manitou a second glance. I was not impressed with their forks at all, but that seems to have changed. The Black Comp on my daughters Jekyll gave me a reason to consider Manitou, especially with the outstanding CS experience I received when I had an issue with the Black Comp. If the Minute One did not exist, I probably would have gone with a Fox Vanilla 125RLC or TALAS, possibly a Marzocchi (Marathon SL or MX w/ETA) or maybe something at the top of the Manitou Black series, but the Minute One seemed to suit my overall needs the best.
I am giving it 5/5 because it delivers what it says it will deliver (although for $549 it should stand the test of time as well and we'll have to see about that): Four pounds and 130 "all mountain travel adjustable" millimeters of well mannered front suspension. Well done.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 549.95
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
