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Submitted by
Garcia Sepulveda
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Hood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Cheap | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Jett | | Bike Setup: | Ritchey hardtail | | Bottom Line: | In a word: junk. I bought these forks to replace my old RockShox which people told me were also junk. But the Manitou CompXC is worse. Travel is short and harsh and the fork flexes like crazy. Even on a mildly bumpy downhill the flex on these things makes the front end chatter and jump around like a chihuahua on crystal meth. I have zero confidence in these forks and hope to get rid of them before they kill me. Bad Manitou, bad dog! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Weekend Warrior
from Tg.Mures,MS,ROMANIA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Speed Metal, Budapest, Hungary | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6500 | | Bottom Line: | Yesterday when i was stepping down (sorry if i don't write grammaticaly correct ?!?) from my bike i fall down because i was intoxicated with CH3-CH2-OH and i break into pieces my Manitou Mach 5 Xc Comp fork. Today while i ride my bike with the Trek cr-mo fork....i remember that the Manitou was better...R.I.P. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a
from athens
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oconee heritage park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came stock on my Kelin mantra comp | | Strengths: | there aren't too many. It's a little better than a rigid fork, but not too much. | | Weaknesses: | To start off with, this fork is heavy. The main problem I had with mine was the rebound dampening. I would get ready to jump a log, and when I pulled up you heard a loud, PANG! This fork also cannot handle large dropoffs. I've bottomed it out quite a few times. | | Similar Products Used: | I ended up with a manitou mars C. It's treated me great. the fork flexes a little, but has no other setbacks. | | Bike Setup: | Kelin mantra aluminum frame, mars c, spinery rev x, race face turbine lp, syncros stem, xt derailleurs and shifters, avid sd mag brakes and levers | | Bottom Line: | Unless you are struggling for cash don't buy this fork. well, I guess If you like bouncing up and down it's ok, but as a shock, it's definitely not going to cut it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Boden
a Weekend Warrior
from Wigan, England
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes, Nr Southport, England | | Strengths: | Stiff fork, looks like its worth a lot more than it is | | Weaknesses: | Annoying servicing, iffy travel | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox of equivelant price | | Bike Setup: | '94 Timberline FS, alivio/lx Groupset | | Bottom Line: | I've got a few years use out of this fork, its not perfect but back when I got it it was a comparitively cheap fork. Its a lot stiffer than the old rock shox forks and feels nice to use.
At first I got barely any travel from it and this worried me. I put some soft Elastomers into it and that helped somewhat but I've still never had full travel from the fork.
Servicing is annoying and fiddly, I usually end up stabbing myself with a screwdriver trying to get the C-clips on in the seals.
I don't think anyone here mentioned that when the fork was first released there was a recall on the magnesium legs because of a high failure rate. I was given a pair of XC Pro legs in return which meant it looked like I'd spent another $100 on my fork. The internal differences where actually very minimal anyway.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richie Sanque
a cross-country rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
A Mach 5 Comp XC suspension fork came stock on my Mongoose Rockadile SX. Initially, it looked like a good piece of equipment: sturdy sliders like Manitou's pricier models, anodized stanchions w/no boots for the factory look, and beefy crown. However, performance and maintenance are an issue with this fork. Travel feels cheap, minimal--like a rigid fork with low tire pressure. Stiffness? What do I know about stiffness? Just that the fork went where I pointed it, a good thing. Now, maintenance on the Mach 5 is a bear primarily because of the tiny allen screws underneath the sliders. For security's sake, have a buddy fully compress the fork while you work the screws so they catch the plungers inside and you don't end up stripping anything. Loc-tite is a good idea. Aside from that, cleaning the fork should be a regular chore, but it is actually fun--just don't screw with the seals. The biggest gripe I have with this fork has to do with it's performance after I installed a set of Speed Springs. Sure, travel was increased, and I was finally bottoming out, which was a good thing; but rebound was hideously noisy. I suppose the springs were too much for the fork to handle because the bottom caps of both stanchion tubes litterally tore off, a real ugly sight. My LBS called Answer and they said that I shouldn't even have put the springs in there in the first place! Hey Answer, don't blame me. It's you guys and Mountain Speed who should have a serious talk about compatibility. Answer's best suggestion was to buy new stanchions. No thanks! Flat broke, I eventually used JB Weld to bond the caps back on (hey they use that stuff on engines and farm equipment!). After switching back to my elastomer stack, I had no further problems...up until my bike was stolen. Man, I miss that fork. At least it looked good, and you have to love your first suspension fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Graham
a cross-country rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I had one of these forks back on my old Mongoose Rockadile SX and i broke the magnesium fork brace. I barely got any travel in hot weather, and where i ride in 50F and below the elastomer ceased up. my advice is to not get one of these forks no matter how good the deal sounds... IT IS NOT WORTH THE SNOT OUT OF A DEAD DOG'S NOSE! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
abba
a weekend warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Had this shock for few months on my old mtn. bike. On the plus side, it was rigid and provided accurate steering. Only had it that long because I got rid off the POS fast. It had maybe 1 inch of travel and a very harsh rebound. Even with more lube on it than a couple of guys away for a weekend at P-town, the shock had miserable travel and rebound. Save money and avoid stess, don't buy it. Go w/o front suspension or upgrade, it's that simple. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a cross-country rider
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: October 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Since this my first fork i don't have much to compare with, but i can say that it was a very good by when i fitted speedsprings. Before it was quite stiff an had about 2 cm of travel. Now i hardly notice any of the bumps until the saddle hits my but. Compared to a indy c (tested on a friends bike) this is a real winner(the indy sucked, stiff and ugly).
only drawback: the fork is a bit noisy because of the compression of air inside. And a bit of damping wouldn't be in the way ( englunds ???). a bit livly going downhill at Very high speed. but fast and acruate. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a cross-country rider
from Grand Rapids Minn
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The day after one of my friends bought his 97 Trek Y-5, he fell and busted the shock. The brace snapped on the left side snapped and when we took off the wheel the legs could spin independently. Just thought I'd let you know. It's a great testament to it's durability!? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevan Yalowitz
a
from Issaquah, WA
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have some 97 speed springs with little use that will fit the following forks:Manitou:
3
4
Mach 5 SX
EFC 2.5,
Mach 5 Comp/MagnumRock Shox:
Quadra 5
Quadra 10
Quadra 21The retail is $65 to $70 but you pick the price you want them for.
These will improve your fork ALOT!E-mail me at wbqf@juno.com ASAP with your price! | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevan Yalowitz
a cross-country rider
from Issaquah, WA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have this shock and the travel sucked. Quit dreaming because speed springs suck if you dont have damping. Get englunds and your shock will be ALOT lighter than a Judy SL and you will have all air damping! My fork is plush and uses all of its travel(75-80mm)! You can buy them for about 100 bucks this up grade will be well worth it. All indys suck so get englunds and let your shock preform! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jesse
a racer
from
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
they suck don't get them. get a bomber Z2 or even better a Z1. who cares about weight get stonger and lose some of your fat | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Ryan
a cross-country rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've ridden the Manitou Comp for 6 months. It's a cheap fork and feels like it. Standard, I could only get 20mm travel from it, I fitted speed springs and got 45mm but found they rebound very quickly. They also flex a lot. I'm looking to upgrade soon, they're better than no suspension but not by much. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clint matthews
a weekend warrior
from atlanta, ga
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great fork and FREE! I owned an REI bike that came with a TANGE fork which sucked and was recalled so REI sent my a comp as a replacement. Cool ugh? Anyway, I put the comp on my FSR dual and really like it. Much better than the RS Q5 that came on it. It really cured the front end on this bike. Now when riding I can pick, point and go. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Diego
a racer
from Mexico City
Date Reviewed: June 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a pretty good fork(mach 5 comp xc), my only advice is to be careful when servicing it:
there´s a strange way in which the bottom screws have to be tighten that isn't
specified in the owner's manual. I make the error of tightening them the
orinary way n' I spoiled it! Now I have the screws glued with some king of
always glued/waterproof/super effective glue. However there's no big problem
'cause the fork doesn't need frequently maintenance. (can anybody tell me where
can I get the spoiled part?) Anyways it's a great fork. It deserves 6 peppers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Melanie
a cross-country rider
from thunder bay, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got these things with the speed springs and I LOVE THEM! Without the springs, they kind of sucked (im about 120lbs)...but with them, they really kick some butt!! I DEFINTELY RECCOMEND SPEED SPRINGS :) I would also recommend perhaps purchasing some lizard skins or something to cover the shocks...
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damon McCarter
a racer
from Australia
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
My Mach 5 comp XC suck so bad, on the downhill i got about half an inch of shit travel, i have never ever got anywhere near bottoming, when i do endos or jumps they flex like a two day old turd. i have managed to get enough money to get some judys. dont waste your money.
They are for sale now, is anyone dumb enough to buy them? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blake
a weekend warrior
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Very good shocks if you are looking for something that is rigid and accurate. Has some problems soaking up the small stuff, but works beautifully for the big bumps. I would recommend upgrading to some Speed Springs if you are a serious biker. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Aptowitz
a cross-country rider
from NY,NY USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
A great fork on any bike that costs under $900 USA dollars. It does have problems soaking up the small stuff but that's okay beacuse the fork is very stiff. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Hawes
a weekend warrior
from missoula, MT USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my Mach 5 Comp XC a month ago, I weigh 235 and this thing hardly
moves when I hit bumps. Like many I plan on getting Speed Springs. I paid $175.
for it and would like feedback on that price, good or bad?? Also if you bought
Speed Springs. Do you like them? I wish I would have got the new Pro C!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Kerkove
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: January 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This shock is pretty good! It works well as it comes, but it is still alittle stiff. I am planning on putting Speed Springs in it to give it alittle more bounce. I race and ride every day with a Manitou Mach 5 and must say it performs quite well. Overall not a bad buy!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Kaplansky
a weekend warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: December 8, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Nice with an Egland conversion. Used on a MB zip was a road bike. Suspension seatpost used too. Its an everyday ride after work bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rene Brink
a weekend warrior
from The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I bougth the Manitou Mach 5 about a half year ago and I'm really satisfied with it, it's very stiff and it works very well.
The first three months I didn't grease it and from the thirth month I greased it after every big ride, and I have to amit that the forks works a whole lot better when you grease the thing every now and then. (Pedro's is the best)I weigth around 85 kilo and haven't changed a thing about the standard setup
and it really works well for me.I'm looking for a new bike and I'm sure that I'll will do every thing to keep my Manitou.The '97 series will probably be a bit better because they use springs.
A final thing were I woory about is how the fork will respond in the wintertime.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Toal
a cross-country rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
My wife has a pair of forks - reviewing on her behalf as I've had a bit of a ride. The forks do seem nice and stiff (compared to my Judy XC's) but my winge is the elastomers - she is fairly lightwight (110lb) and gets hardly any travel out of the forks despite the soft elastomers. Local shop have been unwilling to do anything, and email to Answer didn't help. We are looking for an aftermarket insert (any suggestions?) but at the moment she is using an MCU stack from my Judy XC's (I've got Speed Springs) with much more travel. We've also added boots. I'd suggest shelling out the extra money for the Pro which includes both these features. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Robinson
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the first suspension fork that I have purchased. I looked at many forks and my primary concern was no flex. I was questioning purchasing a suspension fork entirely because I loved the accuracy of a rigid fork (rough, steep singletrack with many swithcbacks in my area requires quick and accurate steering). This fork is very torsionally rigid and goes where you point it. The elastometers are okay, but because I was riding a 7005 series Aluminum Mongoose with no suspension, it does not bother me. I was looking for just enough to take of the edge and to increase my speed and confidence. I would highly recommed this fork if rigidness is your primary concern. The elastometers are liveable. Cudos to Manitou. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a cross-country rider
from ME, USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This shock came on my bike and it works good, but not for someone who is
a rough and fast rider. This is because it uses solid elastomers instead
of mcu's. It would e a lot better if it had coil springs and more tavel
instead of its limited 2. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
These forks are quite good value for money. It seems strange that they arent very
common because IMO they are just as good as Rock Shox Q21R's. I like the dust caps
better than the normal boots. One down point is the one-piece elastomers but they
can be replaced by the elastomers from the mach 5 pro xc for a small price. Travel is
good, and the forks absorb all the bumps, big and small. The posi-link bonded brake arch
stops almost all of the flex. Definitely a good fork for the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Charron
a weekend warrior
from Gatineau, Quebec
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
A rigid fork, which in one way is good, in another it's not so good. But there is
an easy cure for the latter problem!
Feels solid and precise in fast and slow rides through rocks, ruts, roots and dips.
Point it where you want to go and it will take you there with the accuracy of a
rigid fork.
I had the plastic sliders removed and had some rubber boots installed instead.
Keeps the friction lower & keeps the insides of the shocks cleaner. They tend to
rug a bit against the crown but so far that's a very minor nuisance.
The elastomer suggestions in the manual are a bit off base. I'd suggest that most
people (uinder 200 lbs.) should ask for the soft-ride elastomer instead of the
regular elastomer. I'd be suprise to hear about people bottoming out even on the
soft-ride kit (unless you are riding in 90+ degree weather).
With the right elastomer, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this for your first set
of suspension forks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
louis bergeron
a cross-country rider
from quebec canada
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is just my second mountain bike. I upgrade to a Paragon from a
cheaper Gary Fisher model. The thing I hate the most about that
good bike is the front fork. It does not soak the small bumps,
either on the road or on the trail. I am looking for replacement
for the elastomers, something like White Brothers springs or
Speed Spring. Other then that bike is OK. Fork is still solid,
no noise at all, no cracks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark lang
a weekend warrior
from Ma
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a real good shock. It has plenty of travel for the weekend biker. I ride eastern terrain w/plenty of rocks and roots, and this absorbs the big and small. | | Overall Rating: |
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