The '04 Minute was awarded Bicycling Magazine's 2004 "Editors' Choice" award for "Best all-purpose suspension fork", and we expect no less from the new '05. The Minute Two uses a lightweight air spring and comes in 100mm or 130mm travel versions. Due to the lighweight air spring design, hollow crown, and 30mm aluminum stanchions, this is the lightest fork in the Minute lineup.
This is a fantastic lightweight shock that performs as good as my Fox. It has more adjustability. It is harder to set-up.
The 30mm stanchions flex a little compared to 32mm stanchions but the shock weighs less and works great for a cross country shock. It is not a downhill or free ride shock.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from CoSprings Date Reviewed: September 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Captain Jacks
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Sucks up moderate rocks, roots, dips, ditchs, most of the stuff you were unexpecting like a champ.
Weaknesses:
BOB, is supposed without SPV it would be worse but i cant tell a difference.
Bike Setup:
Haro Escape 8.2 (hardtail) XT stuff and hayes nine
Bottom Line:
This is my second review of this fork. I do so only because it is a champ to ride with. I stop riding Xc and started doing heavy all mountain and my minute did not skip a beat with me. I took my hardtail down the face of Keystone and their blacks, and minus having a sore from the hardtail portion, the minute was totally sic. I am 185 pounds and the fork supports me plenty. If you are interested in a totally value-full fork, minute 2:00.
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Submitted by
kendall young
a Cross Country Rider
from Sicily, Italy Date Reviewed: May 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Any trail with dirt.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
The shock handles the bumps well and climbs very nice once you get it tuned to your liking. It's stiff and holds air well. This is the first Manitou I have ever owned. I have always had Marzocchi forks on my bikes but the price was right on the Minute.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
2005 Santa Cruz Chameleon. SRAM XO. Set up for XC.
Bottom Line:
I'd rather be riding a Marzocchi, but the minute is a great fork.
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Submitted by
Kris
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC Date Reviewed: May 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Gambrill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Bike Factory
Strengths:
Fork is easy to fine tune to your riding ability. It handles drops as well as it handles flat singletrack. Warranty response.
Weaknesses:
I've had the rebound adjust break twice internally, fortunately it was under warranty twice. The second time the seals blew out from the internal breakage.
Bike Setup:
Trek Liquid 55, Manitou Minute 2 fork, Manitou SPV 3 shock, WTBMoto Raptor Tires, WTB Speed V Laser saddle, Hayes HFX discs, Bontrager Race Lite Wheels, X9, Xt X9 triggers.
Bottom Line:
The fork has held up well to all kinds of trails. I'm 6'5" 215 lbs, it responds well to my body size and raging riding style. I've had two big wrecks with it and it's stood up to most of the abuse. It has handled three foot drops as well as fast singletrack. It responds well when adjusted. If you ride hard and expect your fork to respond to drops and slick dirt lines and need something to support your weight and aren't concerned about the weight of your fork...go get this one, if it's under warranty.
However, it has had it's fair share of internal problems, see above. If it goes again I'm switiching to the Fox Vanilla 130 RLC.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, Guess Date Reviewed: May 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
light climb with much DH
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Solid looks. Smooth travel when pounding over jumps, rocks, and anything else. Perfect travel distance for freeriders. Light as hell.
Weaknesses:
SPV likes to mess with me. Usually it is not an issue, pedaling only takes 20mm. Would avoid jumps over 4 feet.
Similar Products Used:
Mrz- Bomber 2004~
Bike Setup:
Run this haus on my Haro Escape Hardtail
Bottom Line:
TBL is that I would recommend the Minute TWO to anybody who asked. This has been my first fork that i really put money into and it has performed flawlessly.
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Submitted by
pavka
a
from Zamosc, Poland Date Reviewed: April 20, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
second hand
Strengths:
jak wczesniej
Weaknesses:
nie mam pojecia..
Similar Products Used:
brak
Bike Setup:
jak wczesniej
Bottom Line:
mialem napisac, jak juz nieco pojezdze i moge smialo powiedziec, ze rewelka...po odpowiednim ustawieniu jest naprawde miodnie...amor chodzi mieciutko, wybiera co popadnie no i przede wszystkim nie buja...jedyne co od czasu do czasu przestawiam to regulacje tlumienia - po prostu na malych nierownosciach przyjemnie jest kiedy szybciutko wraca, ale na wiekszych lepiej go nieco stlumic...w 100% godny polecenia!!!
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Submitted by
Chad
a Racer
from Fort Collins, CO Date Reviewed: April 5, 2006
weight, completely F*'d service manual (not the fault of the fork).
Similar Products Used:
Manitou bla
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper FSR with SRAM X9, avid flak jackets, hope discs, manitou minute 2, fox float r, Stans tubeless, ect.
Bottom Line:
Great fork. The price was definetly right for a fork that does all it promises. Hundreds less than fox, for instance. SPV works awesome with minimal setup. I forget that it's even working until I look down on a climbs and notice that my fork isn't bobbing. SPV is not a lock-out, and does not perform like one. It minimzes bob and keeps the fork from diving into its full travel. If you want to be constantly messing around with a lever and transforming your suspension into a 4 pound rigid fork then look elsewhere. If you want plush travel, ease of operation, reliability, and stable platform tech at a price that an actual sane person would pay, the minute2 is for you.
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Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from RSM, CA Date Reviewed: March 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Aliso Woods
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Rock n' Road
Strengths:
Adjustability, Travel, smooth fun ride.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy, Duke
Bike Setup:
2005 Kona Dawg, 2005 Manitou Minute 2 - 130mm
Bottom Line:
Sweet Ride. Great fork! Much better than the OEM fork that came with the bike (felt like a pogo stick).
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Submitted by
pavka
a Cross Country Rider
from Zamosc, Poland Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
second hand
Strengths:
Coz, moze kilka slow po polsku...Przede wszystkim SPV, sztywnosc, waga, mozliwe regulacje, nie wspominajac juz o wygladzie
Weaknesses:
poki co nie zauwazylem, choc trudno by w tak krotkim czasie cos wyskoczylo
Similar Products Used:
w zasadzie to mierwszy amor na ktorym jezdze, ale podobno rebe rock shoxa mozna do tego porownac...ale czy na pewno?
Bike Setup:
UUUUUU MongoosePRO DX 4.0 (2000 lub 2001 - nie pamietam) po tuningu...czyli ze starego zostala rama, siodlo, kierownica, mostek, sztyca, manetki i piasty, a z nowosci to przezutki shimano xt 2004, hamulce v-ki lx 2004, korva sugino vx700...no i manitou minute 2:00 100mm 2005
Bottom Line:
Coz moge powiedziec...na razie jestem zadowolony, a amor jeszcze nie jest w pe³ni ustawiony...do tej pory mialem sztywny widelec, no i z tym jest miodzio....wagowo - super, dzia³anie - super, mam nadzieje ze moja opinia sie nie zmieni...jak pojezdze dluzej - napisze cos wiecej....
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Submitted by
Steven
a
from Jay, ME Date Reviewed: February 13, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Richard's Bicycles
Strengths:
Weight, quality of travel, set it and forget it
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Reba Race w/poploc(another very good fork), Duke SL, Judy XC, Mag 20, Manitou EFC & SXr, AMP F2&F3....
Bike Setup:
Klein Palomino far from stock
Bottom Line:
I really like this fork. SPV delivers on its promise, and it provides a very balanced ride when matched with the Maverick designed suspension of the Klein. Stiffness feels on par with my Reba fork. In general, a great fork.
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Submitted by
Bernhardt
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, Ca Date Reviewed: January 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Anything that's not a road.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Cyclesport
Strengths:
Smooth, firm travel. Plenty of stiffness. No oil leaks. Holds air very well.
Weaknesses:
Manitou's pump doesn't work for me. I use a Supergo fire sale special. Takes some time to set it up.
Similar Products Used:
Who cares?
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek STP400(frameset) & rolling collection of parts
Bottom Line:
This is one nice fork. It sucks up bumps, holds a line, and accepts a 2.4 tire. Just don't ask it to suck up the small bumps while climbing(as well as the ancient Amp forks did/do), the big ones going downhill, and eliminate pedal bob with the same setup. At least I haven't found it, but then I'm more setup for the big hit/no bob/no bottoming out scenario(I have the SPV volume cranked about 3/4 of the way in - results in a more of a rising rate as the fork compresses.) than for a super plush Cadillac ride - if you want that, get a $70 fully suspended bike at Wal Mart & ride it on the road. LOL
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Submitted by
Agnelo
a Weekend Warrior
from Portugal Date Reviewed: January 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Online Shop Maiacycles
Strengths:
Very good structure (no torsions), looks very well. Good for the downhill and very light in weight (around 1550 Kg).
Weaknesses:
Too much dificult to tune the SPV Evolve. Very stiff on technical trails with rocks and.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SX TI. Rock Shox SID.
Bottom Line:
SPV Tunning, stiffness and low sensivity. This may be the main booton line of this fork. If you love to make calculations and pass some of your time tunnig it could be a good choyce for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony
a Cross Country Rider
from North Lake Tahoe, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 9, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Rose-to-Spooner and back
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Minimal pedal bob, light weight, adjustability, good looks (and the finish matches Santa Cruz black ano perfectly).
Weaknesses:
Stiff, harsh ride.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Vanilla RL's and TALUS RL's, Manitou X-Vert Supers, Rock Shox SID.
Bike Setup:
Blur, XT, Avid Juicy 7's, RaceFace.
Bottom Line:
Manitou Minutes do what they do: they control pedal bob at the expense of suspension plushness and response. It's a stiff-riding fork that's nowhere near as plush (at ANY setting) as a typical Fox, but it's also a much better SPV system than Fox (by the way, do Rock Shox or Marzocchi matter? Does anything they make not suck?). Pick your poison: do you want a plush fork that pedals like crap and is laughably overpriced (FOX), or a fork that pedals great but beats the hell out of you on anything other than pavement-smooth fireroads (Minute)? Right now I have both, and when I get tired of the drawbacks of one fork I switch to the other. Hopefully they'll figure out that most riders want something in between (like a TALUS with Manitou's SPV, or maybe a coil Minute that doesn't weigh 5 pounds...).
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Submitted by
Patrick
a Racer
from Atlanta, Ga, USA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
direct from Manitou
Strengths:
Lightweight, very firm, great looks. this fork's air suspension SPV Evolve is lightweight and extreemely effective, eliminates bobbing and absorbs terrain magnificently.
I acquired this fork via warranty exchange. Manitou upgraded me from a splice super to the Minute for free, only had to pay shipping. But if i had 600 bucks id definitely spend it on this fork its outstanding!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Stanwicks
a Cross Country Rider
from Coventry, CT. Date Reviewed: August 23, 2005
Leaked oil from rebound knob the first day on trail. Same problem from a 2005 Black Super Air (see review 5/30/05)
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SX-R, Noleen Mega-air, Manitou Black Super Air
Bike Setup:
2001 k2 Razorback Team w/XT,XTR -Drivetrain, Avid Brakes & levers, Fox(rear)shock upgrade. Easton post $ bars etc...
Bottom Line:
It's great that Manitou upgraded me to this fork after dinking around with a leaky 2005 Super air for 2 months. The Minute 2 is highly adjustable making it a sweet ride. Takes the hits and the bike goes were its pointed. The SPV system is far superior to a manual lock-out Almost never use rear shock lockout because of it. BUT the rebound knob leak from inception is AGRAVATING ! I question the forks longevity.
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Submitted by
Kris Klus
a Weekend Warrior
from Gillette, WY, USA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
It's a Secret!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
All-Pro Cyclery
Strengths:
Light for it's travel. Durable finish. SPV Damping is invaluable on long travel. Handles My heavy butt so must be okay.
Weaknesses:
I guess I wish it had 32mm stanchions instead of 30mm, but it is very stiff anyway. Only complaint I could think of.
Similar Products Used:
2001 Rock Shox Sid, (Is that similar?)
Bike Setup:
Banshee Scirocco, Hayes Mag+'s, Sun SOS Rims, King Hubs, XT/XTR Drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
This fork has been flawless. Holds air in both air spring and SPV valve. No oil leaks, no nothing. I'm a big guy so I had to install the stiff ride kit. Yes, The Minute 2:00 has a small coil spring in it to assist the air spring in it's initial inches of travel. I changed this so I could get the ride height into the 26mm range and drop the air pressure to 140 psi. This fork tracks well, does not deflect near like the SID, and offers huge travel(130mm) compaired to a SID (80mm). I can't complain at all. It has worked flawlessly from the start. I can just get on the bike and go(assuming my brakes haven't copped an attitude overnight). Best single crown I have had, and doesn't feel squishy like the marzocchi's I've ridden. If you want 5" of travel with little to no weight penalty, buy these forks. The only difference between these and the Minute 3:00's is the 3's have the IT feature which drops the fork for climbing. I opted out on that one.
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Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from So cal Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Strawberry Peak
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Strengths:
Light Weight, SPV allows for effienct pedaling and eliminates most bobing.
Weaknesses:
Won't hold air, Leak Oil.
Similar Products Used:
C Dale Fatty and Lefty. Rock shox R1 and Manitou Magnum.
Bike Setup:
Dean TI Hardtail, XTR Cranks and Sram XO shifters and Derailers. Mavic Crossmax SL Wheels.
Bottom Line:
O.K Here we go! I guess they call it the Minute Two fork because that's about how long it lasts. Returned two forks in the first month. First one was defective from the start. Leaked oil from the get go and wouldn't hold air pressure above 110 PSI (They reccommend 75% of body weight)in non-SPV leg. Second fork worked great for the first two rides. On third ride, the fork lost all travel and became a fully rigid fork; thought I was back in 1987 riding my old Rockhopper. Tried to ride home like this until the seal blew out leaking oil all over the frame and me. Trying and hoping that the third fork works as advertised. Let's hope. But as Red said in the Shawshank's Redemption, "Hope is bad thing. It will drive a man insane."
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J D
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: April 3, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
It's light(3.6 lbs I think),5 inches of travel, spv seems to work well(but kinda hard to get it set up),looks realy cool with silver
Weaknesses:
A bit pricy, some shock pumps dont work on it,
Similar Products Used:
nixon, minute 3:00, some fox stuff,
Bike Setup:
Santa cruz heckler
Bottom Line:
It has some weeknesses but it's still an all around good fork and is worth a look.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carlos
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida Date Reviewed: March 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Razorback, Alafia State River, Santos
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Little flex, Great looking, SPV works great, really plush.
Weaknesses:
Takes time to dial in, not all shock pumps work.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID, Fox Terralogic Forks
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek Fuel 100, 2005 Fox Float RP3
Bottom Line:
Had to go away from Rock Shox as their fork flexed too much. Decided to buy a Fox Terralogic fork, but their lockout system has a tiny delay that translates to your arms absorbing some of the shock. Sold the Fox the next day and bought the Minute Two.
The SPV takes a little while to dial in. The shock really responds to all bumps. I don't have mine too stiff, so it absorbs small bumps and still does not bottoms out. A trully great shock. No real maintenance requirements. None of that crap like Fox that the bike has to be stored upside down. No leaks, great finish. No decals to peal. I am very impressed and it was money well spent ... for me.
Why did I buy this shock and why did I pay the price? I have seen cheap shocks and I do some agressive XC riding. I like to have something I can count on, so I do not get hurt. My bike has to work or is going to spoil my day, so I pay for good parts and ride my as* off. This shock was the best performer I found.
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Submitted by
Daniel
a
from Cornelia,Ga. U.S.A. Date Reviewed: November 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Tanasi, Frady branch,Chicopee
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Strengths:
SPV functions perfectly, Stiff. If you set it up with the recommended pressures then adjust to preference. Very adjustable platform!! SWEET RIDE!! I had to buy a seperate pressure gauge, the one on the fork pump was highly inaccurate..Once I bought the gauge everything was fine.
Weaknesses:
NONE yet ,I will post again once I have had proper time to punish it!... Heehee.
$ 599.95
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