Submitted by
Joe Mangan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, Ca Date Reviewed: January 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Kamizazee/shock treatment
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Action Cyclery
Strengths:
its light.....
Weaknesses:
blows out very easily by the time i weighed 105 pounds it started to bottom out on me
Bike Setup:
marin east peak (01)
Bottom Line:
this is an ok fork for the money. but if you are an aggressive trail rider i would not recommend this fork to you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from colonial heights va Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
any that is open
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
lightweight,simple to maintain,looks cool,inexpensive,surprisingly strong for 200+rider
Weaknesses:
no REAL preload
Similar Products Used:
manitou spyder,rockshox quadra,rst 381
Bike Setup:
mongoose xr 850 with MANY mods
Bottom Line:
i was surprised at how well this shock did on the initial ride.after breaking in it still has yet to bottom out on me and i do some 3'+ jumps at 15mph or more when going over roots downhill.if anything it tops out when i bounce from those hits.it is on 2nd frame and still going strong.its got close to 2k miles on it it bobs more when on flat surface than climbs very little loss of power on climbs.if you dh or fr id stay stay with another fork.if you cross country long or short distance this is a good fork.good climber fork tooive never used a hi$ fork so i do not know how to compare for racing but ive broken 2 diamond back racing frames while racing and this fork was on the 2nd one when it broke so id say its ok for racing too.i have no problem with sluggish performance on big or little hits and no loss of control so again id say this is a good fork for roots,ruts,rocks,stumps and logs but not 8'drops
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron McGraw
a Cross Country Rider
from Oil City, PA, USA Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Oil Creek and Sugar Creek Trails, Venango County
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Bicycle Outfitters (these guys rule.)
Strengths:
74 mm of travel at a lower weight than the Judy TT (I own both, and the Manitou cleans its clock). Servicable and adjustable. Tough finish. Inexpensive and ideal for a heavier rider.
Weaknesses:
Forks boots seem a little hokey (better than those wiper-thingies, though). Vague instructions.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Judy TT, SR 7006 Duotrack, Mozo ML-10
Bike Setup:
This great fork, Mongoose Xr-150 Alluminum frame with DMT shock, XT/ Deore derailleurs, Trauvativ cranks, Alivio V-Brakes w/ SRAM 9.0SL levers, SRAM MRX shifters, Mutanorap[tor tires, Weinmann rims with Formula hubs, Kore stem, Titec bars.
Bottom Line:
Like the Judy TT, this fork is adjustable and won't bottom out on beefcake riders. It is noticeable lighter than the TT. Tough finish and smooth stroke. Won't break the bank, either. 74mm of travel isn't what you'd want for freeriding or DH-ing, but for XC and the occassional brave (or stupid) huck, it'll do just fine (so will the TT for that matter, but the Manitou is light enough that it won't leave your bike feeling like a lead sled). This fork outclasses low-end RST ("Mozo") offerings and the cheaper forks from SR Suntour.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
delta-9
a Downhiller
from Mapleton, Queensland, Australia Date Reviewed: October 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
mapleton north shore or ajusco, Mexico city
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
indestructable
Weaknesses:
had to change the spring to the stiffest
Similar Products Used:
enough
Bike Setup:
been on my specialized A1FS rockhopper
Bottom Line:
this fork has done its rounds it started on the bike where i started to abuse. its done 4 foot drops many downhill tracks and still not showing signs of slowing down. i wouldnt mind buying another manitou product, but when it comes to not being able to afford to spend that extra bit of cash there no point as my psylo and my boxxer are some sweet product. anyway this fork is not bad ill vote it high because its still alive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jack g
a Downhiller
from sydney, New South Wales, Australia Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
rebel sport
Strengths:
its an ok fork you can pump them pretty well and they do suck up drops pretty nicely
Weaknesses:
well they went ok for the first 4 months i was doing eight foot drops onto concrete but one day they just exploded and shot the spring into my face it missed my eye by less than a centimeter. really they need more travel and safer design
Similar Products Used:
RST GILA (P.O.S.) judy tt
Bike Setup:
iron horse g-out (do not buy this bike ever it sucks my ball sack) rock shock deluxe rear magnum front hayez mechanical brakes deore shifters + derailer avid brake lever
Bottom Line:
these forks exploded and shot a spring into my eye off a drop that wasn't even big i was almost blided and had to go to hospital but its ok for xc and its pretty cheap
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Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from Philly Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
american standard
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Pedal Pushers Ski and Sport
Strengths:
Very strong. I don't think you can break it. Plenty of travel. Lube ports. Very little maint. req.
Weaknesses:
Bottomed out easily (195 wt) Upgraded spring no problems sense
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Mesa GSX LX 9 speed
Bottom Line:
Great shock but you may want to get stiffer springs if you weigh more than 180. Handles everything I can throw at it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shane Gouldthread
a Racer
from Weedville Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
indian trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
PricePoint
Strengths:
weight and grease ports
Weaknesses:
minimal travel, no rebound or compression, shock boots dont work like crap.
Similar Products Used:
judy, ect......
Bike Setup:
its on my older trek 830...
Bottom Line:
worked good first month i had it. then lost travel after sitting on it after the break in period. i went to new york camping and riding and riding last day up there i wrecked blow up shock and pretzelled the front wheel... messed up my shoulder big time had it rapped up for a month. i was going to race that summer in about 6 weeks. blew that idea. but the riding i did on it was good for it. just a lot of hard xc riding. no jumps or that crap. i ride 15-30 every day. and one thing the shock has the shock boots on it! for what i got so much gunck in the shock!!! i had to re-build it in september.
but i bought a new cannondale f700. its great!!!! ill have a review this spring when i get more time to know her. but i promice you it wont be bad at all. ive always had great luck with them... hey catch ya all lata
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Martin
a Downhiller
from Santa Rosa Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
All around Annadel
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Absorbs bumps very well
Weaknesses:
When purchased leaked lots of oil
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Indy S
Bike Setup:
Marin East Peak
Bottom Line:
Good shock that absorbs bumps well and doesn't cost a lot
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mack
a Cross Country Rider
from MA Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Nam
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
good begginer fork if your under 160 lbs.
Weaknesses:
Mine came with medium springs and i'm 160 lbs which cause the fork to bottom out on the small stuff.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Tassajara
Bottom Line:
Ok fork for light weight begginer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Howard
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
little maintenance due to grease ports, no need to do oil changes, relatively light wieght, matches color of bike
Weaknesses:
doesn't look as nice as bombers, has boots that make it look ugly, no rebound or compression or damping
Similar Products Used:
came stock on bike
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS--Deore 9 speed shifters and front derailleur, LX Hollowtech crank and rear der
Bottom Line:
Even though it lacks some of the adjustments found on other high end forks, it still does its job of smoothing the bumps. You really don't need no damping or compression or whatever high tech gizmos that come on forks--as long as the bumps are absorbed, its cool. The Microlube ports make keeping the bushings fresh w/ grease. It does tend to flex a bit but you just have to learn to modulate the front brakes. Looks wise, it doesn't look stiff or have that in-your-face-look like the Zocch Bombers or Manitou Blacks, but oh well, it does its job. This fork isn't for freeriding or hucking but use it for cross country, fireroads or trails and you won't be dissapointed. All in all, i give it 9 flamin' dog poo outta 10!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Acosta
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NY Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$68.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Price and Performance contrary to some of the negative reviews this fork is all it's meant to be a basic affordable suspension fork.
Weaknesses:
So far I haven't any to report
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Judy TT
Bike Setup:
Old Giant Iguana steel frame workhorse with Shimano parts
Bottom Line:
I'm 185 and took the bike up to Vermont on some pretty rough terrain that was very technical at times. There weren't any three foot falls but plenty of rocks, tree roots, gravel, steep downhils and uphills, mud, streams, etc but never once did this fork complain. If you want to do 3 foot drops or serious stump jumping and I mean serious you'll have to cough up the $300 + for the fork meant for the job but if you're doing intermediate terrain get one of these for the money you won't go wrong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Strafford, New Hampshire Date Reviewed: May 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anywhere
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
price point
Strengths:
price, strength, weight and disc brake mount
Weaknesses:
Really none for this price
Similar Products Used:
judy tt, bomber z3, RST
Bike Setup:
Gary fisher Hard tail, Kore lite 3 stem and Bar, shimano STX v-brakes, Panaracer smoke and dart tires
Bottom Line:
You would be hard pressed to find a better entry level fork. Does not have much flex, doesn't bottom out all that easy(I am only 150 lbs) if you are looking for a replacement for a rigid fork on a older bike you cant go wrong with the magnum does everything I hoped for and more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmont. Co Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Plush
Weaknesses:
none so far
Bike Setup:
'01 Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage-4, stock so far.
Bottom Line:
Just got back from Moab where I took this shock over ledges and rocky climbs and slickrock bowls. At it's lightest setting this shock rides super plush on the climbs, soaking up bumps and ruts. On the downhill at higher settings I could take 3-4' drops without bottoming out (but I'm light at 145lbs). Rock solid on descents without any bounciness. So far so good, though I think for long term freeriding or DH it would be a bit on the lightweight side... 80mm travel isn't enough.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Crystal Lake, Illinois, USA Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Kettle Morraie
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
great price, nice looks, strength, weight, availability
Weaknesses:
goes through the first half amount of its travelvery quickly, seems a bit too plush, climbs pretty bad
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Jett XC, Rock Shox Judy TT, Rock Shox Judy C
Bike Setup:
Access Frame, Truvativ crankset, all 8 speed Shimano components, Ritchey rizer bars, ritchey seatpost, wellgo clipless pedals, selle italia XO saddle, Kore stem
Bottom Line:
incredible value, packs a lot of punch for the price. outperforms any other entry level recreational fork i've ridden on. id recommend it to anyone who rides where it is uncommon to get more than a foot of air.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vince Radiment
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Milky Way
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
Cycle City
Strengths:
Price Plush Withstands abuse
Weaknesses:
None yet...no leaks, no sounds. Wish it had more travel though
I do a lot of Cross Country and Downhill rides and with my full suspension set-up, it surprisingly handles a great amount of abuse and It kept me on the trail with virtually no loss of control. A great suspension for the money. I jump ramps (which I built) over 2 feet and it has not bottomed out and i weigh 165 lbs...I ride mostly downhill and it feels pretty smooth and small or medium hits...Handles great in rocky, muddy, situations...So I do not know what owners are whining about. I will upgrade later on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairbanks Alaska USA Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
its alaska.....
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came with bike.
Strengths:
VERY good for for such a cheap price.
Weaknesses:
NOT for racers or downhillers. You will find your self on the other side of your handelbars if you use this. I wouldn't recommend this shock for big people. I weigh 160lbs. and being a "Weekend Warroior" havent bottomed it out yet.
Similar Products Used:
Tried a Judy TT and it out performs it by alot.
Bottom Line:
Nice fork if your starting out. Amazing how well the fork performs for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Colin
a
from Ottawa, Canada Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
pretty good if u are just beginning to ride MTB; alright for XC, cheap
Weaknesses:
i bottom these things out and i weigh only 120 lbs! springs way too soft; no damping.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Z5, Psylo XC, Judy TT (god i HATE those), Jett
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse Marauder Stock except for a inner tube chainstay protector. (im gonna upgrade the forks very soon)
Bottom Line:
the Magnums were pretty good for me untill i started to get into the whole freeriding thing. now i bottom it out on tiny 3 footers! (gonna upgrade to either Psylo XC or Marzocchi very soon)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Oh
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
waterdog
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
from other sites I can say it is priced well. Much better than the TT's
Weaknesses:
Bottoms out if you go over anything larger than 1 foot. I haven't ridden it long enough to find any other defect.
Similar Products Used:
TT's, Blacks, X-fly, Many others.
Bike Setup:
Stock Rocket 88 stage 4 (for now)
Bottom Line:
For me they bottom out with stiff springs and the stiffest setting and I weigh 200lbs on the nail. That's off a 1ft. or less drop.
If you really want some reliable nice riding shock get some marzocchi on sale, they are THE best.
You should really get some marzocchi's and leave these in the dust like I will soon.
I give these 2 flamers cause of price and the fact that they do deffinately beat tt's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seth
a Cross Country Rider
from Lawrence, KS, USA Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Levee Trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Price Weight Color (sexy yellow matches my bike) Performance (does pretty well even w/ a big guy like me at the helm)
Weaknesses:
Adjustability (you can't tell much difference from tweaking its knob)
Similar Products Used:
RST 381 CL
Bike Setup:
2000 GT Outpost Kalloy Riser Bar LX Components
Bottom Line:
This fork rocks for the price. It really eats up the bumps, both big and small. I found myself beating my old stock RST fork to death on the smallest of bumps and drop-offs. OTOH, the Magnum is performing well for such a big rider as me (6'3", 190lbs). I'd reccomend it to anyone who wants a cheap and worthwhile upgrade.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Askeland
a Cross Country Rider
from USA IL Machesney Pk. Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001
Favorite Trail:
bears run
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
shosie's on windsor rd
Strengths:
light weight, long travel, its pretty good shox for agressive riding, i think you would be suprized at what it can do i like it
Weaknesses:
i don't really see a weakness but i am sure this shox wouldn't be good racing or agressive downhilling but if you like to ride trails pretty hard this is a good shox
Similar Products Used:
judy tt, sr suntour m8040(suck) magnum are better than these shoxs
Bike Setup:
magnum shoxs, schwinn mesa gsx, deore front and back derailers,doubled walled rims,awesome tires
Bottom Line:
i am really impressed with this shox
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Racer
from Reston VA USA Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Fountain Head
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Very Good Construction
Weaknesses:
Need to oil every year or the shock will lock itself out
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy
Bike Setup:
Dore
Bottom Line:
Its for you if you are a weekend rider NOT FOR RACERS
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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