|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
martin smith
a Cross Country Rider
from nottingham, uk
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | wharncliffe, nr sheffield uk | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | hardisty's ('home of the moutain bike...' | | Strengths: | nice fork, stiff enough, never had any problems. does a good job | | Weaknesses: | disc mounts non standard, springs a bit soft. the oil from the lock out disappears somewhere... | | Similar Products Used: | tried several forks over the years | | Bike Setup: | klein attitude, xt/xtr, will be hayes discs after new forks | | Bottom Line: | good forks, do the job, not too heavy. i have never had to service them properly after 4 years of owning them apart from topping up the lock out oil. they once seized due to road salt but seemed to fix themselves after a time overall i would highly recommend them as long as you don't need international standard disc mounts. (beware theyt have 65mm mounts not the 74 normally found on manitous!)
i ahve seen them for less thena £100 in the uk, if you need cheap foeks these are adefinite yes as long as you don't want disc brakes! value rating is for 2003 under £100 pound rate | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sebastian
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet dealer | | Strengths: | Cheap, solid tech | | Weaknesses: | hits the tire when bottoming out | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Pro C, Rock Shox MAG21 | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab 3 | | Bottom Line: | The biggest flaw of the fork is that the travel is too much for the tire clearance. When bottoming out it would hit the tire. I found that inacceptable and I contacted Manitou Tech support. Unfortunately they wouldn't help me at all. I asked them how to reduce the travel and I made several proposes, but they would answer every time just something like: Don't modify the fork or you will void warranty.
However I disassembed the fork and added another second stage elastomere from my old Pro-C fork. Thus I lost about 20% of travel, but I'm now sure not to have a bad accident one day.
Nevertheless I like the fork so far. It's solid and firm, just the way I like it. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Eckardt
a Racer
from Markle, IN USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Winona Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles - sale | | Strengths: | -Light (for a '99 fork)
-Aluminum steerer
-Disc brake tabs | | Weaknesses: | -Internal compression damping adjustment
-Plastic top caps | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Zorbers - Rockshox Quadra 21R - RST 381R | | Bike Setup: | Giant alum hardtail - Manitou SX fork - SRAM 9.0 drivetrain - Avid brakes - RaceFace BB, headset, stem & bar - Truvativ crank - Ritchey pedals - Sun RPM lite wheels | | Bottom Line: | This review is a follow-up to one I submitted early this spring. I have now put one complete season on this fork. It has performed well through the first year.
As I mentioned in the first review, you have to take the time to set it up CORRECTLY. It is my personal experience that many riders do not do this; they just run it as it comes from the shop or make adjustments incorrectly. I personally know riders/racers who do this. The fork should be given a few rides to "break-in" and then adjustments made in small increments under controlled conditions (over the same trail at the same speeds & same time of day if possible). I was able to get the tire to rub the crown once, after purposely weighting the front end while riding through a steep "V"-shaped ravine. I have not experienced any tire rub under normal riding/racing conditions. Also, noteworthy is that I have the fork set up slightly softer than Manitou's tuning manual recommends for a Sport rider in my weight class. The fact that the previous reviewer is considering an X-vert tells me that he is not just doing standard XC stuff; which is all this fork is designed for.
Maintenance has not been an issue, either. No oil leaks or problems with the spring/elastomer stack.
I still run V-brakes so I'm not in a position to reply to the previous reviewer's comments concerning the disc tabs. However, I would think that Manitou or someone else would have an adapter for the tabs so that you wouldn't be locked into using only one disc brake system.
I seem to have a history of good success with forks that sometimes get trashed by other reviewers. I think it goes back to the fact that you have to use common sense and good techniques when setting up a fork. Read the owners manual, download the company's tuning manual (if available) and make sure to understand how the fork works. I am a 170-175 pound Sport level racer who ususally has mid-pack finishes. I do put my equipment through a fair amount of punishment, but not anything more than what it is designed for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fire Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came stock on '99 Mantra | | Strengths: | -absorbs bumbs
-lockout
-semi plush
-light weight | | Weaknesses: | -disc tabs are junk because the only disc brake that will work on it is a Hayes Hydro (the spacing is 68mm instead of 74mm)
-bottoms very easily
-requires lots of maitenance
-broken preload adjuster
-rebound adjuster does nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Jett, ridged forks, Judy TT, others | | Bike Setup: | '99 Mantra Comp, LX/XT/XTR, Avid, Titec, Bontrager, Fox | | Bottom Line: | This fork is ok at best. It blows through its travel just going down stairs!!!! Adjuster knobs either broke or didn't do much. IT did have lockout though so I could climb without the bobbing b/s. Don't buy this fork cause it sux. I'm thinking of a '01 X-Vert or '02 Black Comp to replace it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Eckardt
a Racer
from Markle, IN USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Winona Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles Blowout web page | | Strengths: | Light (3.4 lbs) - Disk brake mounting tabs (good for a '99 fork) - Overall construction is good - External rebound damping adjustment | | Weaknesses: | Plastic knobs - internal compression damping adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Zorber fork (my first one) - Rock Shox Quadra 21R - RST 381R | | Bike Setup: | Giant alum hardtail - SRAM drivetrain - Sun RPM lite wheels - Manitou SX fork - Avid brakes - Misc Race Face stuff | | Bottom Line: | I bought this fork over the winter from a web retailer's blowout page. Overall the construction is good for a fork at this level. I would like to see aluminum adjuster knobs, but for this price I can live with plastic (my other forks have had plastic and they all survived). The same holds true for the internal compression damping adjustment. It's not a big deal to take the piston out and turn the set screw, but a top-cap adjustment would be nicer. The aluminum steerer is a nice touch, too.
So far I have had no trouble with the fork being too soft/flexy/damping not working. I downloaded Manitou's MRD fork tuning manual for '99 forks and that provided some good information. The big issue initially is making sure the MCU/coil combination is right for your weight. This is done by setting the correct amount of sag. I have now ridden this fork off-road several times and I am now dialing in the compression/rebound damping. Some trial-and-error my be in order here to find what is right for you. I am a 165-lb sport level racer and so far I have had no problems with this fork. It seems that if you take the time to set it up CORRECTLY it should work. I will post another review at the end of the season - we'll see if I'm still happy with it then. For now, it seems like a decent piece of hardware. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from T.O. Canada
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | -Was plush when new, that went ot the window...
-Cheap | | Weaknesses: | -Almost everything;
-Bottoms out on tire, poor ajustment, poor durability, feels like a wet noodle even under moderate braking, ect... | | Similar Products Used: | -Bombers
-Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Chameleon, Race Face, XT, King,
Manitou SX <- worst component on bike | | Bottom Line: | This is an update -- only 1.5 years later . . :
When this fork was brand new it was super nice. Plush, relatively stiff, and the rebound and preload knobs worked. After a year of use it was beginning to break down terribly. Don't get me wrong though, I overhauled it and took good care of it, (although I can be a hard rider) but it just went all downhill from then on. Today it's a good three years that I've had this fork and it sucks. It's not plush anymore, the stiction is driving me nuts, the preload knob is stripped, the rebound knob doesn't even turn, and it's so unbelievably flexy that It feels like it's going to break if I hit a stick.
But don't get me wrong, if you only want to buy and use this fork for under a year, be my guest. But be warned, for after the first year has rolled by, all hell shall break loose and that fork that was so good to you in that first year will be the center of all your problems, and witout a doubt is the root of all evil.
PS-- I've replaced the preload knob many times, and it keeps on getting stripped. WHY?!?! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cam
a Weekend Warrior
from victoria BC
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | I guess its fairly light, only for light duty xc | | Weaknesses: | This thing is like a wet noodle, I dont even know how i put up with it. I guess i just didnt know better | | Similar Products Used: | most everything else | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000 set up for urban assult/ downhill. replced SX with Z1.... much better! | | Bottom Line: | I guess this fork would be good for a smaller rider but it was to flimzy for me. if you have aything more than a begginers skill, i reccomend a marzocchi product | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cathy
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Was plush when new. But even with regular maintenance it went downhill after 1 year. | | Weaknesses: | This fork's adjustments are weak at best. The rebound knob is completely frozen up, can't get it to move. Therefore, climbing anything remotely technical is like trying to ride a goat with ADD. Have taken it to LBS and was told to contact Marzocchi for a fix. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Indy XC | | Bike Setup: | Stock FSR Comp Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't have chosen this fork if it didn't come stock with the ride, but I got a screaming deal. I'm not a heavy rider, but on drop-offs it compresses so much it feels like I'm gonna go OTB. The rebound adjustment is a cheap piece of plastic that strips easily, as are the innerds. You can buy it pretty cheap now, but you get what you pay for. Wouldn't recommend this shock for heavy duty riding. Now I'm waiting for my SID XC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliott
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte NC
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Beech Springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$169.00 | | Purchased At: | Ultimate:( | | Strengths: | Very plush if u like that. I do. I weight about 160 and it is very very plush. Not for heavy riders. Cool color and graphics and o.k. adjusting. | | Weaknesses: | Bottoms out on tire occasionaly when bunny hopping off cliffs. | | Similar Products Used: | RST, Suntor:(, rock Shox, manitou | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock Sport, manitou fork, bontrager mustang race wheels, xt hubs, profile bars and ends, trek grips, assortment of tires, rock shox seat post | | Bottom Line: | This fork is good if u like to have a fun time riding. im in school now so i can only ride trails on the weekends and this fork serves its purpose. i like plush forks while some people dont. the only downfall is the botoming out on tire. it doesnt throw me out of control but it is annoying. people have complained the oil leaks. hasnt happened to me yet but if it does i will raise hell with manitou. and remember the #1 reason for a fork is to keep the wheel on and it does that, lol, NICE FORK :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt F
a Racer
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wont tell you | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | With Trek 8000 | | Strengths: | Very durable shock with an available lock out. Most often the shock will work best if you take the time to set it up properly and maintain it. The thing is you must take the time to really dial this shock in and tune it for your riding ability and weight. Once doing this the shock works very well in all capacities from xc use to light free riding. Take the initiative and look at the shock specs and make sure to upgrade your elastomers and springs to your weight class also be sure to use the microlube feature about every six rides or so to get the best performance out of the shock and it will work very well for you!!! | | Weaknesses: | The biggest weakness of this shock is that out of the box and bone dry stock the elastomers and springs are set up for very light riders. This shock works best for riders well under 150lbs. or lighter women riders that is straight out of the box wise. However if you take the time to tune this shock it will and can work very well for you in all conditions. The unfortunate thing is that more often than not a mechanic will charge you around $60.00 to order the upgrade kit and rebuild the shock. It however is not as difficult as it sounds and with the right tools and patience almost anyone can learn to rebuild this or any other shock just ask Manitou for a spec sheet and directions and they will be happy to help you out! Always support your local bike shop and chances are the mechanic will also clue you in to the knowledge. It is not that difficult trust me I have been doing it for 13 years and it is not as difficult as it sounds!! So smile and learn and have some fun!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | I have switched over to a Mars fork also with a lock out and have been very happy! However I have also ridden the judy series by rockshock and found that they are most agreeable too if upgraded with a Englund air kit!! | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 with many upgrades: Cross Links, Full XT package along with Kore front end and easton riser bars, USE seatpost and a easton carbon seatpost switched out intermitently with Flite saddles on top of them. | | Bottom Line: | Great beginner shock that can be tuned to you the rider if you take the time to learn about the equipment. Take the time and have fun! If you pay attention to knowing your equipment it will better your performance and make you a gar better rider! Have fun ride safe and respect the trails and nature or we will lose all rights to ride the trails we love! sorry for being a self righteous preachy rider! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Finger Lakes Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on FSR-unfortunately | | Strengths: | -it's still in one peice | | Weaknesses: | -Bottoms out on Tire
-compression to soft
-poor adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | old Indy XC | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper FSR XC Comp - a few upgrades | | Bottom Line: | Noticed it was bottoming out after the first few times riding it, that didn't last to long, soon it was bottoming out on the tire. Like a fool I rode like that for a few months. Took it apart and found the bottom-outs were in pieces. Got a firm bottom out kit from Downhill Dave. It works now but has less travel, and slams against the bottom outs all the time with the preload cranked up (which is also stripped). It's a hurting unit!
My friends SX-R is a sweet fork though, can't beleive they are made by the same company. I like how it doesn't bob like a RS. If you like to feel the trail under you the Manitou's are the way to go. If super-plush is you style don't go with the SX family. It is much stiffer then a '95 Indy XC which I had to switch back to for a few weeks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cad
a Cross Country Rider
from g
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$159.00 | | Strengths: | Microlube stiff | | Weaknesses: | the preload caps busted got a new one the rebound adjuster dosent work think i blew the valving | | Similar Products Used: | judy xc | | Bike Setup: | coston frontier | | Bottom Line: | good fork for money get a bomber or rs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Elkridge,Md,Usa
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon,urban riding | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$239.00 | | Purchased At: | Princeton sports | | Strengths: | -stiff
-microlube
-plush | | Weaknesses: | the rebound is very slow | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox judy xc '99
marzocchi z2 atom bomb | | Bottom Line: | This fork is vary nice. I use it for trials as well as trail riding.It holds up very well, stiff, and plush enough for me. If you can buy this fork for less than $200 than I sugest that you buy it.The fork that I got had reboung that was very slow. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from T.O. Canada
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Seaton / Whitevale | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Boyd's | | Strengths: | -Durable
-Microlube
-Smooth | | Weaknesses: | -Bottoms-out by hitting tire
-steel steer tube | | Similar Products Used: | -Rock Shox
-Marzocchi | | Bike Setup: | '99 Trek 8000, Full Race Face, Full XT | | Bottom Line: | This is a nice fork if you don't ride to crazily. Believe me I've tried it, and flew over my handlebars because this fork bottoms-out by landing righ on your tire! Either you stop, or really slow down. But other than that, smooth performance, still works like a charm, and the MicroLube is a god send! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Nah
a Racer
from Balitmore
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Greenbrier's trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | smooth
fairly stiff
| | Weaknesses: | I'm too heavy for the setup
Bottoms out hitting the tire!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX-E '99, '96 quadra 5 | | Bike Setup: | '99 Giant XTC Se-2 with almost nothing stock | | Bottom Line: | Good fork for easy going cross country but don't take any big hits or you will be stopping extremely fast. The fork bottoms out hitting my panaracers and stopping or slowing the tire. I found this one out the hard way. Maybe if i slow the compression it will fix the problem.
I'll go back to my SX-E for now | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Rochester, NY USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Finger Lakes Trial or HHSP | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Microlube is nice, durability has been good, tracks pretty well. | | Weaknesses: | Compacts easily, sags way too much, fine tuning is poor and has always bottomed easily and the Tire Brake Arch thing, need I say more | | Similar Products Used: | RS Judy XC and Judy SL | | Bike Setup: | Was a stock Stump Comp. Mavic 517 Ceramic with XTR, Coda Suspension Seatpost, RaceFace Cranks, Contol Tech stem and SBC Riser bars. Marzocchi on the way. | | Bottom Line: | Perhaps I was asking for to much performance out of this fork. The trails and terrain here are very technical, rocks and roots. While the fork performed admirably at first is has progressively gotten worse. It stacks up really bad, especially under breaking. I do have to admit I ride it hard and I have had no major failures(175lbs). Weight has never been a factor, I am not a gram counter even though a sport class competitor. I have ordered my Marzocchi Z.4 Flylight. I am sure this will be an improvement. For a lighter weight recreational trail rider not a bad fork, but the more you ride will probably be the first upgrade. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Gentry
a Weekend Warrior
from Adrian, MI
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer, or Pottowatamie Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Its not too heavy. It has plenty of adjustability. More than any Judy. | | Weaknesses: | It uses MCUs rather than a coil which makes for an inconsistent feel. | | Similar Products Used: | Indy c, Indy XC, Mantiou MachV SX, 97 Judy SL, 98 Judy SL, Judy XC, Judy Race, '98 Marzocchi Z3 Light | | Bike Setup: | '99 Trek 8000. Nearly Stock. | | Bottom Line: | I put a firm ride kit in the fork, and I tuned everything various ways to try and get this fork feeling good. I think the bottom line is that if you are a chub@$$ like myself (215 lbs) this fork will never feel good to you. I just dont think it is possible to get this thing feeling good for me. Now here is my theory, if you eliminated the MCUs and slapped in some coils instead, it might feel good. I dont know though. Just dont get this fork if you are hefty. 5 flamin chilis for cheapness, weight, and adjustability for the price. Over 3 flamin chilis because it feels like sheet if you are a fatbody. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Lam
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | TPC damping is the best damping system in the industry, tremendous adjustability, stiff fork yet maintains light weight, nice progressive compression, low maintenance, MicroLube is a nice idea, nice "refined" ad controlled feeling ride. | | Weaknesses: | Damping adjustment and preload knobs are difficult on fingers and don't seem too durable, range of damping adjustments not too wide, rebound adjustment knob has tendency to fall out, decals are easily damaged, MCU usage in compression stack. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Manitou, Marzocchi, and RockShox XC forks. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | This is a very nice 80mm XC fork. TPC damping is awesome, very very reliable and does what exactly it's supposed to do. Compression and rebound damping are isolated. This gives the fork a very, what I call "refined" and controlled ride, meaning it's not as supple and plush as say a Hydracoil Judy or Marzocchi Bomber, but has a stiffer sort of ride, I guess similar to a car's sport-tuned suspension compared to a Cadillac soak-up-everything ride, so therefore small bump sensitivity will not be as nice as those other forks, mainly due to the usage of MCU in the compression stack. The fork also has a nice progressive compression, so I rarely bottom out and you get a nice compression followed by a nice controlled rebound on bigger hits. Furthermore, the fork is stiff and have not had a problem with any flex. The big bonus is that the Manitou SX (approximately 3.4 lbs) forks are lighter than a comparable Marzocchi or RockShox, therefore no weight penalty.
Maintenance is simple. The one-piece Mag lowers slide off after removing two screws. TPC in one leg and compression stack (coil + MCUs) in the other side. MicroLube greatly enhances the maintenance routine, few squirts and the inside is lubed up, stiction-free, and ready-to-ride.
Sounds all good? Well there are some flaws to the SX fork. First there are some stupid design flaws. The adjuster knobs for damping and preload are the worst in the industry, difficult to adjust and not that durable. Luckily, Manitou will be happy to replace any adjustment knob problems for you according to their web site. The new adjuster knobs starting on the 2000 forks are sweet, aluminum, and comfortable. Secondly, the rebound damping adjuster knob on the bottom of the left leg has a tendency to easily fall out on the trail. Many people have encountered this problem, again Manitou can replace the knob or rebound damping can be easily adjusted by using a hex screwdriver instead of the knob.
I felt that the damping adjustments were not that wide, meaning the minimum and maximum range is not very wide, so changes in the adjustments are not very sensitive. However, I could also argue that I don't need to go that far to either extreme -- but of course it would be nice!
The fork is otherwise very durable and reliable, the only exception aside from the adjuster knobs is the decals which seem to be peeling and ripping. Nothing big, just an aesthetic issue.
Lastly, the MCU usage is both love and hate. The MCU adds a nice progression to the compression for big hits. On the downside, it does reduce the sensitivity of the fork to the little stuff making the ride of Manitou forks a little harsher than Marzocchi or RockShox Hydracoils. Also, in the cold temperatures, the MCUs will harden and make the ride even harsher. There are many ways to go about this problem though. One option is aftermarket DirtWorks Dual-rate springs, which replace the entire coil+MCU stack with a dual-rate progressive spring. Or, another viable option is to get an Xvert 5.5" coil spring and replace the 3.5" SX spring and one of the 2" MCU to get a greater percentage of coil compression. This should help the above mentioned problems.
Overall, the fork is very good. There are some weaknesses, it's not a perfect XC fork. If you are a rider that has a tendency to prefer a stiffer more controlled ride, than the Manitou SX forks would be a good choice. If you want something that will soak up everything, it might be better for you to consider one of the competitor's forks. Otherwise, the SX does what it says it will, has its own characteristic ride quality, is easy to maintain, reliable, and very user-friendly.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ali
a Cross Country Rider
from Vienna, Virginia, USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | difficult run (VA) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | soaks up the bumps, tight controll (stiff), maintanence is easy (grease port) | | Weaknesses: | none.. weight? naw..this fork is great! | | Similar Products Used: | Judy T2(crap), manitou spyder r (cool for $), rockshox jett'00 . | | Bike Setup: | '99 Specialized Stumpy comp
stock except for:
- sram 9.0sl shifter/derailer
- bontrager mustang rims/xt hubs
-IRC Mythos xc 2.1 tires
- barends. | | Bottom Line: | cool fork.. it is solid handling, plush, love to bomb down rocky/rooty eastcoast trails, easy to maintain (i.e. squirt,squirt and go... smooth)... no complaints... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, Pa
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Edge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Adjustable rebound and compression | | Weaknesses: | Claimed 80 mm of travel was reduced to 70 mm | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Judy XC | | Bike Setup: | 1994 Trek 7000 | | Bottom Line: | Got this fork on close out for my girl friend. I thought it would be a good way to upgrade the bike for her. While I was riding it I noticed something wrong. Everytime I launched off something the crown bottomed out on the tire. The tire was rather bald so I knew something was up. Called up Answer and told them, they said take it to my LBS. $10 later it was fixed. Turns out they made the fork 70 mm by reducing the bottom out elastomers. The fix was to replace them with the thicker one found in (guess what model?) the 1998. I was very bummed about the loss of travel as well as the danger that answer put my girl friend and I in. This is not a mistake or even a quality control problem - this is just a problem with the companies ethics. Now that it is repaired it works very well and is very adjustable. By the way after it was fixed the rebound adjustment knob never stays in, so much for adjustment on the trail, unless you carry it with you or an allen wrench. The other thing that bothers me is that when the front brakes are on and the bike is rocked back and forth the shock has play in it. In my experience both the answer and rock shox forks do this. Best forks on the market that has none of these problems is, you got it the bombers. I don't have one yet but as soon as I can I will be changing to one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan "Mt Bike King" Dow
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Snow Mt Ranch- Ymca of the Rockies | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | See my earlier review!
| | Weaknesses: | Cheap Plastic Adjustment knobs. | | Similar Products Used: | Other shocks!
| | Bike Setup: | Mesa Gs
| | Bottom Line: | I have now had this shock for a few months.
It's still pretty good, except for a few things.
The rebund knob fell off somewhere, littering a trail. Luckily you can use an allen wrench instead.
I screwed up the preload knob.
After a month, the cheap PLASTIC knob got stripped out on the inside.
When I ride, the forks start to sag after a mile or so, even on pavement.
It was my fault, partially. I should have gotten stiffer elastomers, but I bought the bike "as is".
I hope next years knob is metal!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Racer
from Cape Town, RSA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Harkerville Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Plush on medium to big hits
Stiff
contributes to accurate steering of DB projectile on downhill | | Weaknesses: | weight | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Spyder
Rock Shocks Judy 100
| | Bike Setup: | DB Vectra Comp with STX-RC and LX, Rolf Dolomite Wheels | | Bottom Line: | This fork is excellent for the money. Stiff, reliable (never blown a seal), cold weather performance not a problem here in Cape Town. Not as plush as Judy 100 or maybe Marzocchi but who really needs plush.what is "plush" anyway? Are we riding MTB's or driving Caddies here. Feel the trail people. Thats why we ride.
This fork bombs on the trail and on highly technical single track of XC races. The relatively firmer set up gives better grip in the corners than Judy or Marzocchi and it weighs slightly less.
And to the Cross Country Rider from Regina, Canada - The compression damping is adjustable. Remove the TPC knob on the crown and the whole compression damping assembly comes out. Then turn the little black grub (Set) screw at the bottom in to slow the damping or out to speed it up. Read your manual! I find the factory setting 100% and only play around with the Rebound and Preload. I give this product 5 jalapanos!!! Pity Answer took away these features on this years SX. Next year I'll buy a MARS.......... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from San Rafael, Ca.
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tam Rancho | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | TPC, light weight, minimal flex, reliable, grease ports | | Weaknesses: | cold wheather preformance | | Similar Products Used: | rs mag21, manitou pro c, 96 judy | | Bottom Line: | This thing came stock on my stumpy comp. been using almost a
year. I'm a little lighter (130)than the stock set up so
a little unresponsive over studder bumps and small frequency chatter. Got the shop to change the oil to a
lighter viscocity, pump a shot o grease in the ports when
it get sticky, every thing is damn fine. Still not as plush
as a marzocchi but better medium to large hit performance.
Durable, low maintainence, easy to adjust rebound and dampening, supposedly works better than the Mars. Buy it
if you are a preformance xc rider on a budget!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAN DOW
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Snow Mt Ranch, YMCA-Grandby, Colorado | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This fork has lot's of adjustability, and works pretty good. Good value for the dollr, because it is last years stuff.
I got this for $230 brand new!
| | Weaknesses: | The weakness is that it is not very fast on rebound. I am not exactly a lightweight 200# +, and I have to turn the reboud all the way up to make it work. I would rec. this to someone uder 170# | | Similar Products Used: | I have tried all dif. brands of forks | | Bike Setup: | I have ine on an old Schwinn Mesa GS, and am putting it on a Performance frame I just bought. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is, if you area lard butt, don't buy this fork!
Spend a little more and get a stiffer set-up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack
a Cross Country Rider
from minnesota
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I wish I could think of one. | | Weaknesses: | NOT PLUSH AT ALL!!!
The fork only works in hot weather because of crapy elastemers.
| | Similar Products Used: | 96' Rock Shox Judy XC | | Bike Setup: | Stock Stumpy | | Bottom Line: | This is the worse fork I've tried.
Get a real fork either Rock Shox or Marzocchi! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A biker
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | hardy road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | TPC Dampening, Fairly Light, Microlube, Looks, Price! | | Weaknesses: | None so far!
| | Bottom Line: | this is the best shock i have ever owned ive thed lots and so far this is my favourite! the rebound is fine for me some peep say its to slow but i only wiehgt 110 lbs so its great ! i had a little problem with the dampening cap fyling off but insidet there is a 6 mm allen key spot i like it better with it off n e wayz i recommend this product to anyone! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Regina, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Claybank | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Good bang for the buck, reasonable weight, nice dampening, looks good, Microlube... | | Weaknesses: | SLOW rebound, non-adjustable compression dampening, cold-weather performance | | Similar Products Used: | '98, '99 Bomber Z2, Z4 Light, Rock Shox Judy XC, '98 Maintou SX-Ti, '94-95 Halson, '97 Rock Shox Quadra 5 (yeck!) | | Bike Setup: | Came on '99 Stumpjumper Comp (my new bike :) ), swapped elastomer part for Bomber coil spring | | Bottom Line: | Good stuff, not a pig like Bombers, and it works good out of the box. I'm not sure the Bomber coil swap was a good idea, however, as there's a slight creaking sound inside the fork when it compresses hard. Also, adjustable compression-dampening would be nice, and I'd love to speed up that rebound a bit. Still, it's good stuff, and I'd take one over a Judy or Z3 or Z4 any day of the week... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a cross-country rider
from TN
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This fork, so far, has been a great asset to my Trek Y-Bike. It's as light as the new model Judy SL's, with possibly more tunability. I'm new to the sport, but this fork seems to be reasonably plush, yet firm enough to get the job done. I'd recommend it to anyone. | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
