The fork that team Gary Fisher's Ryder Hesjedal won a NORBA National on, the Black Elite air offers 80mm of travel and incredible stiffness at a reasonable weight.
Submitted by
Carlton Lahmann
a Cross Country Rider
from Tally, Florida Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Still Looking
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Easy to adjust, reasonably priced
Weaknesses:
stickers fall off
Similar Products Used:
black comp, marzocchi marathon
Bike Setup:
Full xt, trek fuel
Bottom Line:
Before I buy a product I read reviews first. Ratings hold alot of weight in my decission making process. So because of that, It is only fair that i submit my own. I weigh 210 lbs and ride extremely aggressive. I have recked that fork numerous times and it still functions as smooth as butter. It holds air extremely well, and is easy to adjust. I would say if you were going really fast down a technical rooty section that it does pack up a little, but it is only an 80mm fork. What people don't understand sometimes is that certain forks are made for a specific style of riding. The 80mm black elite is made for xc racing. So sacrifices have to be made. It is not a free ride fork.Because of my weight I did not have to order a spring kit right off the bat. And when I switch to a 100mm in the front I can turn around and put it on my girlfriends bike and once again no spring adjustment. And if your in the market for buying a used fork. Air forks are also the way to go. I have been riding a year on it and it works better now than when I got it. Its broke in. I can not say anything negative about this fork, It has been there for me when i needed it the most. I give it an A rating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pedalAZ
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ USA Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
National, Six Shooter
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Slippery Pig Bike Shop
Strengths:
Stiff for its weight, reasonable performance, ease of service
Weaknesses:
Lower stanchions bent in a crash; not as smooth as the replacement fork that followed
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float R
Bike Setup:
Large Titus RacerX trimmed out to 23.0 lbs
Bottom Line:
I reviewed this fork on 3/27/02 below when I had less than 4 months experience with it. It died in a crash in January this year. The dropouts ended up way out of alignment, so I could not mount the wheel straight. I am trying to rebuild the fork with new lowers, for use on another frame.
The replacement was a Fox Float 100R which I now much prefer to the Black, despite gaining some weight (about .3-.4 lbs). The Fox is smoother, especially in rough, technical terrain, allowing me to ride faster.
The Black is still an OK race fork, but I wanted to tone down the enthusiasm from my first review now that I have more perspective.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Winston-Salem, NC Date Reviewed: December 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Slickrock (UT); Spicewood (local)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
smooth progressive damping; never bottoms
Weaknesses:
must add air at least every other day
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Magnum
Bike Setup:
2001 Fisher Tassajara (stock except for suspension seatpost)
Bottom Line:
The Black Elite Air is a big improvement over the previous Magnum, and has yet to bottom out like the old fork did on hard hits. The damping has made the handling noticeably better in fast rough sections, and I get less bobbing when climbing. It seems to handle drops well, and I don't have to pull up as much over logs and rocks as before. The steering is stiff, very predictable. My only complaint is having to pump air in it nearly every ride, but maybe that is the norm for air-sprung forks. Overall, I'm glad I made the upgrade and this was a great deal on the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MikeG
a Cross Country Rider
from Taunton, Mass, USA Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Franklin State Forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Stiff,adjustability,looks,Reverse Arch,color
Weaknesses:
None yet, I have heard the stickers fall off but not yet
Similar Products Used:
Psylo U-turn
Bike Setup:
Avid Arch rival, Rockshox SID XC w/lockout, XT,Mavic 517 on a Raleigh M7000
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork for the money. i am a big rider (250#) and this fork NEVER bottoms out. I ride a lot of tech singletrack with switchbacks and this fork rails the berms. This version is candy red with a lockout. I dont see much of a change LO on Vs. LO off, but Idont use it that much. This is a big improvment over My old Manitou. Buy it if you are a XC rider who loves those switchbacks
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Calabasas, CA Date Reviewed: November 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Stiff, Plush, just the right amount of travel, complements the Vanilla R rear shock, good value.
Weaknesses:
Not reall a weakness, but the lock out still allows the shock to travel about one inch.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SZ, Zooch Z1
Bike Setup:
Titus Racer X, XTR drive Train, King Hubs, Mavic 517's.
Bottom Line:
A dramatic improvment over the SID SL. Steering is now precise and predicatable at all speeds and under all situations. Very plush with a full 80mm of travel. The rebond adjustment works well and really helps you dial in the shock. I gave up 3/4 of a pound on weight but I didn't even notice it. I will have to follow up on my review after a year to report on reliability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sebastian
a Cross Country Rider
from Witten, Germany Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At:
Performance-Bike
Strengths:
Steifigkeit, Aussehen, Verarbeitung, Performance ist traumhaft
Weaknesses:
Aufkleber, aber das Problem ist ja anscheinend bekannt...
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy C 2001
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc 2001, Manitou Black Elite Air mit Lockout, Ritchey WCS Vorbau und Lenker, Michelin Wildgripper Sprint
Bottom Line:
Diese Federgabel ist ein Genuss, nachdem sie nun eingefahren ist fährt sie sich traumhaft. Sie ist leicht, spricht genial an und ist super für den Einsatz mit Scheibenbremsen geeignet. Der Lockout ist an Anstiegen und auf langen Straßenfahrten unsersetzlich.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Lincoln, NE USA Date Reviewed: September 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Wilderness
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Super Plush! Eats up the singletrack like nothing I've ever tried. Lockout works like a dream. Forks looks Super-Sick!
Weaknesses:
Can't find any...
Similar Products Used:
Duke SL
Bike Setup:
Univega Alpina 700, Hayes Mechanical Discs, Black Elite Air, WTB Nanoraptors, EggBeater Pedals, XT Components...
Bottom Line:
For $199.99, this fork was a STEAL! Soaks up small and big hits alike, and never bottoms out. I got the black version with the lockout. Too bad Colorado Cyclist doesn't have them any more, or I'd order a second one! If you find this fork for a reasonable price, BUY IT!!!! Soaks up small hits much better than the RockShox Duke, and still takes the big hits. This really is more like a 100mm fork with 1 inch of sag...
Super-Sick Fork.
5 Flamin' Chilis!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jake
a Cross Country Rider
from East Greenwich, RI, USA Date Reviewed: September 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Big River
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
awsume performance, stiff as hell, MicroLube port, not to heavy, SWEET LOOKING!!!
Weaknesses:
high maintainance, long breakin period, takes getting used to, to soft and heavy for serious XC racing
Similar Products Used:
01' judy sl with total air cartrages
Bike Setup:
Schiwinn Moab 2 tricked out
Bottom Line:
This fork feels like no other 80mm fork. it feels like it has a lot more travel. the beuty of it is that its damping lets it go through as much travel as needed on smaller hits and the same amount of travel on big hits. what i mean is that the fork knows how hard it needs to be, the harder the hit the stiffer the damping. i can sit on the bike and push it through 80% of its travel and drop 4 feet and have it go through the same amount. what this means is that it smooths out anything withought bottoming on hits. it is really hard to bottom this fork, even at low pressure!!! the down side of this is that it is to soft for a serious XC racer but if you trail ride and race on the side than this will be the best thing that ever happend to you. This fork does need a lot of maintainance and be well adjusted to work right. the unique feel takes a little getting used to. this for also comes with complimentry braging rights as well, even my LBS loves it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Farthing
a Racer
from Edmonton Alberta Canada Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
3 Mountain pass in Kananaskis
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$320.00
Purchased At:
Pedalhead Bicycle Works
Strengths:
light and stiff, almost no maintnance required, very plush and smooth at high speed/rough terrain. Travel feels more like 4" than 3.
Weaknesses:
bobs under hard pedaling/climbing (initial travel too soft), with lockout this would be solved. Stickers come off but I reglued with weather strip adheasive (purchase at any automotive body shop). Haven't come off since.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Sid XC, Marzocci x-fly
Bike Setup:
used on Peyto XC hardtail and on Santa Cruz heckler.
Bottom Line:
Amazing trail riding fork for heavier riders or those who appreciate stiffness. Fork of choice for enduro XC rides, but too much bob for racing. With a stiffer initial travel setting, this would be the perfect XC/enduro fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eelpie
a Cross Country Rider
from virginia Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002
Uh, none so far, but the stickers probably won't last.
Similar Products Used:
RS SID ('99), Marzocchi BAM 80, Marzocchi Z4 100
Bike Setup:
Aeon Isis, Thomson stem and post, Avid disc front and SD7 rear and levers, King (what else?) headset, Azonic WF bar, RF Turbine cranks and rings, XT derailleurs, Mavic 317 front w/ XT hub, Bonty Mustang rear with XTR hub, Selle Italia Max Flite saddle, Eggbeater pedals, WTB Mutanoraptor 2.4 front, Conti Vertical Pro rear
Bottom Line:
Fantastic fork! Rode it only 4 miles before taking the plunge on the Seven Springs 24 hour race in PA last weekend (8/31-9/1) for an acid test. I know I broke it in on the rocky downhills. The fork performed flawlessly, eating up everything the trail could throw at it. Can't speak to the tuneability...I must have just dialed it in perfectly by accident. Hit a dip at speed that I didn't know was there and this baby just swallowed it whole, preventing a major wipe out. I'll post back if things change, but so far, a great product. For $200, I'll give it 5 steamers on value even if it explodes tomorrow.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Karl Raupp
a Cross Country Rider
from London, Ontario Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
All of 'em!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
PLUSH! Stiff, looks good, blue colour matched the blue on my Trek good enough that I kid people that I custom painted the fork to match.
Weaknesses:
Gotta buy an air pump and the tool plus grease for routine servicing.
Similar Products Used:
2001 RS Judy SL
Bottom Line:
Man, this is ever a nice fork for cross country riding. I feel the sign of a good fork is to absorb the trail and not give any signs that it's working - and this fork does that! It's so plush, smooth and stiff it's hard to believe that it costs so little. It flat out stomps on the fork it replaced (still using it on a second bike). Put me down for 5 flamin' hotties cause this fork rocks!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry
a Racer
from Vancouver, Washington Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Whoop-de do Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Vancouver Cyclery
Strengths:
Stiffness, Plushness, and all around good suspension
Weaknesses:
Are there any?
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Judy SL 2001, Manitou Spyder R
Bike Setup:
2001 Specialized M4, Black Elite, Avid brakes, XT hubs laced to Mavic 519 rims, Easton EC70 handlebar and seatpost, Selle Italia Flite seat, IRC Mythos, XT shifter and derailleurs
Bottom Line:
This fork is awesome out of the box and on the trail, it's stiff, increases brake strength and flattens out the roughest trail without being a beast. At only 3.5lbs this fork is reasonable for racing but a little on the heavy side. The lockout is like a dream and the tpc quickrange stuff makes adjusting the fork a whole lot easier. Possibly the only problem with the whole fork is stickers which keep wanting to come off, this in the scope of things is a minor problems any true biker won't care. 4 flamin chilis for the value because it's expensive for a trail fork but worth it and 5 chilis for overall due to the awesome performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Basking Ridge NJ Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Chimney Rock
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Liberty Cycle, Basking Ridge
Strengths:
Stiff, great looks. Very smooth fork. For such a stif smooth fork, it's amazing that it only weights 3.2lbs It's even better now that Manitou put lockout on it
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Judy, Sid, Marathon, Black Super Air 120, Psylo,X vert, Mars
Bike Setup:
Giant Team Frame with liberty cycle badging, XTR shifting, Avid TI brakes, Thompson stem/seatpost, Crossmax with explorer pro's, egg beater pedals(best pedal ever)
Bottom Line:
This fork is great. I work and ride for Librty Cycle in Basking Ridge, NJ, so I get to try out a lot of new components. A while back I put two of the Black Supers on some bikes, and i knew that this was a great fork. After calling Manitou and finding out that in 2002, it will come wth lockout(a must for XC riding), I was totally sold on it. For general XC riding, I doubt that you could find a better fork to use. If you are considering new suspension, spend a lot of time looking at this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Myron F Baker Jr
a Racer
from Accord NY USA Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Jockey Hill NY
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Table Rock Tours and Bikes
Strengths:
Stiff and plush after breakin. The lockout is a good thing for fire road climbs.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox SID XC, Marzochi XFly 100,
Bike Setup:
IF steel deluxe, XT,XTR components Mavic 517 wheels Thomson stem and seat post, Selle Italia Flite Ti seat.
Bottom Line:
This fork is one of the easiest forks to set up out of the box. Add air and go ride . There is a 100 mile or so break in period. After that the stickieness goes away. Mine took about 50 miles of good hard single track. steers like a dream. and the lock out is great for climbing. The new 2002 black has better stickers that stay on. and its got lockout standard for same price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stamd
a Racer
from Golden, Colorado Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002
Great Fork! I am 175lbs and this fork is plush but provides precise steering. No flex. Stiffer than the Marathon. Travel feels better than a Duke Race.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Valincia Ca Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
valley bicycles
Strengths:
This fork is stiff and is very reliable I have the new stickers so mying havent fallen of. I also have the new piston so I havent blown had problems with air lecking out.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
rockshock judy race
Bike Setup:
Gt Avalanche frame, xtr shifter and deraleurs,xt casset, hope mini brakes, chris king headset
Bottom Line:
very good performance I noticed a big difference in stiffness and it just hanndels better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pedalAZ
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: March 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Mormon & National Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Trade @ LBS
Strengths:
Smooth on stutter bumps and typical XC trail hits, no flex, predictable on technical descents, easy to grease using Microlube grease ports, reasonable weight.
Weaknesses:
"Black" stickers are a joke; they slide around before you even take your first ride, so I peeled them all off, and have a much better looking fork from the change. A lockout feature would be nice.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
Titus Racer X (large), FSA carbon crankset, SRAM 9.0SL rer der, Shim XT front der, XT cassette, Easton carbon flat bar, Kore Ahead Lite stem, Avid ST Ti V-brakes, Avid SD Mag levers, SRAM shorty gripshift, Syncros carbon post, AX-Lightness carbon seat, Speedplay Frog Ti pedals, Titec pork rind grips, SRAM PC99 chain, Mavic 517 ceramic rims, DT Revolution spokes, alloy nipples, Hugi 240 hubs, Kore Ti skewers, Stan's Tubeless system in Contintental Vertical/Survival Pro tires. 22 lbs.
Bottom Line:
IMHO, this fork has the best blend of smooth ride, low weight (3.4 lbs), stiffness (no flex), and serviceability on the market. I built up a pretty high end bike, and picked this fork over everything else for how the Elite Air addresses all of the above needs for XC riding. Can't speak to long term reliability yet.
The adjustability of both compression and rebound damping is nice to have, but I haven't explored the range of behaviour at exteme settings. The manual is not as clear as it could be on selecting an air pressure level for rider weight and preferences, but telephone customer service answered those questions. You should have a shock pump.
Now, if it just had a lockout . . .
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cobbs
a Weekend Warrior
from Pacific NW Date Reviewed: March 16, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Butter smooth, strong, responsive.
Weaknesses:
Those freakin' stickers, but big deal.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou x-vert, Rock Shox SID, PSYLO
Bike Setup:
2000 Klein Mantra comp, Truvativ Stylo Team cranks, Truvativ SL BB, King DiscoTec hub laced to Rhyno Lite Rims, XTR shifters and derailleurs, thomson stem and seatpost.
Bottom Line:
Very, very nice fork for the money.... Even at retail. This fork performs as good as it looks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle Rhodes
a Racer
from Brighton, MI Date Reviewed: January 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Potowatomi
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Traded Bontrager Race wheelset for the fork and $80
Strengths:
This fork is incredibly stiff laterally. It is the most plush fork I have ever ridden. With this fork it is point and shoot. This also happens to be one of the sweetest looking forks I've ever seen.
Weaknesses:
The weight. For some, 3.50 lbs is not a problem, but for racers such as my self, it is a bit heavy. With a steel frame though, a SID is just too noodily.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi X-Fly 80mm
Bike Setup:
Ibis Mojo Steel, full XTR, Crossmax UST, CT2, Flite TT, Ritchey WCS, etc.
Bottom Line:
I would definitely recommend this fork to anyone who rides a steel frame, but if you ride an aluminum frame there is no point. If you are a freerider looking for a beefy fork, the Manitou Black line is a great line, but this particular fork lacks in travel for a true freeride bike. This fork has changed my mind about Manitou from bad to good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Apex, NC, USA Date Reviewed: December 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
New Light
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
All Star Bikes, Cary, NC
Strengths:
Lateral stiffness, rock solid performance, reverse arch is cool looking, FORK BOOTS!
Weaknesses:
No place to route disc brake cable - need to zip-tie it to the fork tube, BLACK stickers fall off, paint peeling around dropouts.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi X-Fly 80
Bike Setup:
2001 Kona King Kikapu, Fox Vanilla Float R, Cross Max UST Disks, Kenda Karismas, Avid Mechanicals, Tompson stem & post, Raceface cranks and rings, XTR everywhere
Bottom Line:
So far so good. The sticker thing wasn't an issue for me since they fell off before I bought the fork. But I was more interested in performance than the looks anyway. I had a lot of problems with the Zoch until I finally replaced the seals (SpeedGoat has some nice aftermarket seals). Since I was not too interested in doing that all over again, I went with the Black.
I am 200lb and fairly aggressive. I have to run more pressure than the mfr indicates, about 175psi, Answer advises 150. Even so, I get complete travel out of the fork without worrying about bottoming out. At speed the fork performs very nicely, just forget the brakes and go.
Overall this is a huge improvement over the x-fly and it is just getting broken in. Answer indicates that it takes a bit of riding to get the fork worn in, so I expect the performance to improve as I use it over the winter.
The only real problems that I have encountered is that I ordered a stronger spring over a month and a half ago and they seem to be back ordered forever. The spring is used in conjunction with the air, so it will help with the small bumps. It may also allow me to reduce the air pressure a bit as well. The paint seems to be peeling around the dropouts. If it continues I will have to have my LBS look at it.
All in all, this is probably the best cross country racing fork available. If it weren't for the paint and cable routing issues, it would get 5 chillis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
evan
a Racer
from chi-town Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$449.00
Purchased At:
Rock and Road N. store
Strengths:
Pretty, stiff, differant looks, plush, the adjustment knobs ACKTUALLY DO SOMETHING (rock shox, cough, cough). TPC works flawlessly now
Weaknesses:
stickers come off easily, but thats a good thing. If you buy a superlightweigh race fork, DONT KEEP THE EXTRA WEIGHT ON IT. also no lockout. (notice both of these are conditional weaknesses)
Similar Products Used:
Rock shox indy C (long ways back) ridged tange manitou x-vert air
Bike Setup:
GT Zaskar LE, xt drivetrain W/ xtr cranks, 545 pedals (egg beaters here I come...) crossride wheels set, cane creek integrated headset, thomson post, titec flat bar, ritchy comp bar ends
Bottom Line:
rides like a coil fork, but weighs like the air fork that it is. microlube ports is a life saver for mechanical knuckle heads like me. cool color choices. very little progresive feel even with rebound, compression and psi set up high.
Stay away from sid unless you have someone doing your wrenching for you. go with a 'zooch or a manitou black or mars for racing, freeridin', esp. endurance racing (marathon.... mmmmmmmm) everything, lower maintanance and better longevity than RS.
If you have the time / money to burn, Sid's are worth it, their just higher maintanence without much less weight. IF you trust CF for mountain bike crowns so be it... I like my carbon fibre road fork, but I don't jump anything bigger than RR tracks on it.
I get 20% off because I ride for Colorado State U. If you can get a discount on the fork (i.e. buying a bike and upgrading) go for it. If your more of a rec rider rather than a racer type go for an adjustable travel version.
my only complaint is that its not 63/80 switchable. oh, and one last thing RS, "U-turn" is stupid, everybody either runs all the way streached out or all the way in. seriously who was ever so anal retentive to demand 117.325792 mm of travel, heh?
4 for 450 price, 5 if you can cut a deal (dont buy online though, support your local shop) 5 for overall ride, it is an evolution, not a revolution in air cartridge's and the "reverse arch" feels like any other fork with a brake booster attached.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom vacas
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, Ca Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Strengths:
Stiff, looks cool
Weaknesses:
The rest of it!!! broke on 1st ride. Leaks air out the wazoo. No lockout, compression flat out stop working on me. stickers fall off! not cool looking anymore
Similar Products Used:
psylos, marathon, x-verts
Bottom Line:
This thing is sorry!
It broke on my first ride. i thought it was a fluke so i sent it to manitou and when i got it back it did the same this.
doesnt look good without stickers. VEERRRRYYY cheap construction. compression stopped working when i got it bad.
even when it was working the dampning feels weird(in a bad way) so it flat out sucks!
My new 02 Psylo Sl on my enduro fsr and my old x-vert super on my bullit feel 10 times better!!
Get a rockshox or Marz this year! u wont regret it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chip S
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver Date Reviewed: November 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
St. Mary's Loop -- Fruita
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
The shock is stiff and handles well. Pretty good with the small suff, absorbed the big stuff nicely, until it wouldn't hold air anymore.
Weaknesses:
This shock is already dead, I have yet to hear the verdict on what it will take to fix it. I had to ride it out with it completely bottomed out. Stickers? Come on, at over $400, I shouldn't have to worry about athestics. Anyone else had problems with the air leaking out during the ride? I weigh 180, and don't do any big air. Suggestions?
Similar Products Used:
All Manitou so far on my bikes. SID's are like riding limp spaghetti and the others, well they just didn't work with my needs.
Bike Setup:
Titus RX.
Bottom Line:
I liked the shock when it worked. Thought you should know the good with the bad.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonds, WA Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Manitou (work at a shop)
Strengths:
Solid and stiff as hell = great steering and confident braking. While I had been riding a SID I had forgotten how good TPC dampening is. Looks pretty cool. Adjustments actually adjust. Smoother before it was broken in than my SID ever was.
Weaknesses:
Stickers peel off, but no biggie....they're ugly anyway and Manitou will send you some for free. No lockout, but it's coming in March supposedly. Seems a little heavy for an 80mm air fork, but when you consider the stiffness it's worth it. Perhaps a little feature-less for $449 list price (no lockout, no travel adjust like all other Blacks, no TPC+).
Similar Products Used:
'01 SID XC, '00 SX-R
Bike Setup:
'01 Stumpjumper Pro HT, 22.6 lbs with full knobbies and this burly fork.
Bottom Line:
Couldn't believe the guy complaining that it was half a pound heavier than a SID Ti....that's a race fork. This is a trail riding fork, and is heavier because it works a hell of a lot better than a SID. Sure, I'd like a lockout (it's coming), and the stickers are ugly while they aren't peeling off, and the crazy blue doesn't match anything on my bike (I have blue Panaracers in an attempt to be at least a little fashionably correct). But hey, while I'm on the trail, it's exactly what I want: really stiff, great damping and spring progression, smooth action, it's not really light but at least it's not heavy either. And did I mention stiff??
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jd
a Cross Country Rider
from bay area Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Reed's
Strengths:
So far pretty sweet ride. Works well with my Superlight and has saved my ass on numerous occassions. Took a three foot vert drop way wrong and thought i was going to lose a few teeth but this baby soaked it up perfectly and people thought I was a stunt rider. Feels really good on big jumps, heavy pot holes and big rocks but I didn't feel to much action on the fast little stuff (I might have had my rebound too plush though). You won't feel much difference in the adjustments because I am told they designed for the big hits. Once you are dialed in-it is sweet.
Weaknesses:
Could be better with a lock out and that is on the way. I took my stickers off cause they were a bit cheesy anyways.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocci (various models), rock shox (Various models)
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight with the lightest and best swag around.
Bottom Line:
So far so good-I like this shock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Woodland Hills CA USA Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
Very plush. This fork eats up stutter bumps and has great lateral stiffness.It's a combination that gives great control on all kinds of trails.
Weaknesses:
It's a little heavy.
Similar Products Used:
This fork replaced a 2001 SID which I broke.
Bike Setup:
2001 Sugar 1
Bottom Line:
This may be the best x-country fork yet. Much better feel and control than from any Rock Shox product I've tried. The "Black" stickers come off quickly but I'm told that once the problem is solved replacements will be available for free (we'll see). You can't see the stickers while riding so you should buy this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JC Desforges
a Cross Country Rider
from St-jerome/Qc/Canada Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mont Habitant/
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
OGC
Strengths:
Steering precision, very plush, best dampening on the market... , Sexy ! ! !
Weaknesses:
Stickers peeling off ... Can`t run a Toby fender ( really muddy out here ...) No lokout available as of yet
Similar Products Used:
Mars Super / Xvert Super / White Bros XC3 / White bros XC4 Sid XC
Bike Setup:
XMAX UST disc / Sram 9.0 SL drivetrain / Hayes Full Hydro Carbon post,bar / Race Face Next LP, H/S, ISIS H/S ... you get the point !
Bottom Line:
Very satisfed with it beside the stickers ... Felt very stiff in the steering depart.
Ideal fork for an aggressive or heavy XC rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Grange
a Racer
from Huntington Beach, CA Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Works great! Cool new blue color!
Weaknesses:
Weight (1/2 lb. heavier than Rockshox SID Race Titanium). No lockout available until 3/02. Cool "BLACK" stickers started peeling of before first ride.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox SID Race Titanium
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek Fuel 100- Stock besides this fork.
Bottom Line:
This is a great fork! The only real drawback is lack of a lockout if you ever use it. Once the lockout is available, it will be a perfect fork for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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