With Metel, we’ve set out to prove that freeride and downhill components don’t have to be stripped of features or lacking durability to be affordable. Metels use the same oversized body and steel damper shaft as on our Swinger coil shocks. Building on that solid foundation of durability we’ve added the performance and adjustability of our new Platform Plus damping system.
not sure if it has any since it was designed for the bike
Similar Products Used:
Fox, Rockshok, xfusion
Bike Setup:
Came on the Black Diamond Single
Bottom Line:
The thing functions and has been very durable. It doesn't fail. It looks good and nice anodized control knobs. Manitou designed this just for OEM sales, so they did not have to spend $$$ marketing it. It is a quality product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bigpedaler
a Cross Country Rider
from NE Indiana Date Reviewed: April 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
the next one
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Chain Reaction onlin
Strengths:
Strong, simple, reliable
Weaknesses:
few adjustments make tuning problematic
Similar Products Used:
Swinger 3, generics
Bike Setup:
Dakar XLT, Nixon, Race Face, Avid, X.9, 819's
Bottom Line:
I'm a big guy, 235+, and I need something sturdy; also, since this is my "everybike" -- I don't own a car -- I need reliable. I get it with this shock! The Swinger 3 was good...while it lasted, which wasn't long, about 8 months. No factory support for a seal kit, so I threw that bi+ch away. Ran a cheap generic for a loooong time til I found this one. Works perfectly for me, with minimal preload and compression. It moves when I hit a bump, it stays put when pedaling. It LOOKS like it weighs about 20 pounds, but it's light for its size. This shock may even outlive the frame!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Messy
a Downhiller
from London Date Reviewed: March 25, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Really cheap. Seems solidly built. Simplicity.
Weaknesses:
Overdamped (seems to be way too much compression). Poor range of rebound adjustment (does not go fast enough)
Similar Products Used:
Fox DHX 3.0
Bike Setup:
2006 Iron horse 7point3. Rockshox domain 318 forks. Saints.. etc...
Bottom Line:
This shock seems pretty good as a budget product, which, after all, it is. You cant expect a shock that costs this little to work like a roco or fox dhx.
On the plus side, the shock is really simple. Only preload, rebound, and platform plus valve. This makes it pretty easy to set up, but once you get it there its never quite perfect. For a start, in compression the shock seems to have way too much damping. This makes the back of the bike feel really numb and dead. I think this is due to the cheap platform system installed on the shock. It resists pedalling really well, but at the sacrifice of small bump response. This is okay for big hits, where the shock copes admirably, but on rooty, technical sections, the back of the bike bounces everywhere. Its just nowhere near sensitive enough. Having tried a fox dhx 3.0, the fox does seem to be far more active. The back of the bike really feels like its working. Also, although there is rebound adjustment, even with this fully open it seems slow. This again adds to the 'dead' feel you get from this shock.
However, its harsh to complain about this shock considering the price. Its really strong (uses the same steel body as the swinger) and seems solidly built ( no leeks ). just try not to mess about with the shock pressure and it should be reliable.
Anyway I will soon be upgrading to the fox dhx, as it seems a shame to have a DW link 7 inch bike and for it to have such a cheap shock. But overall, as an entry level product, I think it ticks all the boxes required.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
e b roy
a Downhiller
from northeast Date Reviewed: August 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
green demon (i DH on it)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
none whatsoever
Weaknesses:
everything rebound is too slow even when its wide open
stp has so much of a platform the shock barely moves over bumps
Similar Products Used:
fox 3.0 progressive 5th
Bike Setup:
faith 3 with 888rc soon getting roco because it has no platform
Bottom Line:
its a giant doo doo. my 888 fork makes my wheel stick to the ground around corners while the metel makes my wheel slide out because of the outragous amounts of compression dampining and the slow rebound it makes my 8" travel bike feel like a hardtail because it buckes and skipps over rocks its a pile of S***
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nicholas poetker
a Weekend Warrior
from japan Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
fast flowy steep with drops and jumps
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
click bikes in japan
Strengths:
this is a great shock. the adjustments work great and its fully tuniable to you how you like it.
Weaknesses:
none so far. i only wish that the compression was high and low instead of just low,but it still works good.
Similar Products Used:
alot
Bike Setup:
transition double with a 55 ata and a roco air or this shock meta rp.
Bottom Line:
this thing is great because i took it apart and added a nice shim stack of about 15 all together.there were only three to begin with. so now its ok for big hits and my big butt. i also upped the oil rate to a 10w oil. and the best part is that i took an old 5th`s voulum adjuster because its the same size and screwed it on. now i can pump it up at high voulum about 200 psi and change the bottom out control. if you have a old 5th or swinger you too can do the same. and for the double it great for drops or trail riding because its a bit plusher than a air shock in the begining stroke.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Noah
a Cross Country Rider
from Salem, OR Date Reviewed: January 13, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Price, simplicity
Weaknesses:
loooooooong break in/ dial in time. Limited adjustment
Similar Products Used:
Roco, DHX 3.0, Cane Creek Double Barrel
Bike Setup:
Transition Dirt Bag, Totem Solo Air, Full Saint
Bottom Line:
Great Bargain, came on a bike I bought and for some reason I just couldn't get rid of it. It is a really nice shock once you get it all perfect it rides pretty sweet, low maintenance due to the pre-charged nitrogen. (To all the retards who gave it one star because it "bottoms out", shocks don't bottom out, springs do, read your manual!!, its a large valve shock, it needs AT LEAST a 650lb spring which a 20 bucks from manitou)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a Downhiller
from Fruita, Colorado Date Reviewed: October 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hazard County (in Moab)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
feels nice, I have yet to bottom it out
Weaknesses:
I ve heard bad things about this shock, like it blows easily, and it is very hard to adjust.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Vanilla R
Bike Setup:
Brodie Diablo
Bottom Line:
This shock feels good, but when i pop up a ledge, it makes a sound like air moving around or blowing or something. what does that mean????? is it blown, or is that normal? If you know, please e-mail me at fo-xo33@hotmail.com Thanks, I appreciate it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shariq Merchant
a Downhiller
from South Africa Date Reviewed: October 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
mamoth
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
bike Empire
Strengths:
BIG HITS !!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
ALMOST EVERYTHING no small bump absorbtion AT ALL lack of adjustments
Similar Products Used:
fOX 5 COIL,FOX 4.0 AIR,
Bike Setup:
2006 haro x7 stock
Bottom Line:
IF YOU RIDE DROPS IT IS O.K. do not ever buy Manitou shox, maybe just maybe a revox if desprite. i will recomend a FOX 5.0 air or coil.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gravity Assist
a Downhiller
from EL Centro CA Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
corral and nobal canyons, anderson truck trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
OEM stock on bike
Strengths:
It does what its designed for.
Weaknesses:
If you use the RPA setting, you stand a significant chance of blowing your shock.
Similar Products Used:
All of the swingers, DHX, and the REVOX ( man that shock is sick!)
Bike Setup:
Haro 357, fox 40, double tracks, minions, hayes, pretty sick bike.
Bottom Line:
Well, at first I thought this was just an OEM shock that was only available to bike companies and not available to the public.
fist off, I'm going to say that it does hold up just fine. I'm pretty impressed with it. However, I have multiple friends and aquentances that have all blown that shock! some after one ride, some after several, but they all make that nasty squeeking sound that, mind you laties and gentlemen, is NOT normal; it means you blew your shock, and your probably going to start leaking oil if not already so! I asked em how all their shocks where set up, and they said they had the RPA set up turned to MAX'd out, or close to MAX.that I have never even touched my RPA set up, only the rebound which is probably why I'm not in the same boat as the rest of these guys. SO to this day, I dare not touch it ever, and it works just fine. So that is my advice to the general public. And if it blows on you still, then...well... that really sucks... sorry, might as well upgrade to a better shock rather then send it in to get fixed because it will cost more to fix it then what the shock is worth.
I'm going to give it a fairly high rating because it works good for what it is, an entry level DH/ freeride shock thats apparently cost efficient. And we all know ( or should know) that cost efficient entry level stuff doesn't hold up all that great once you've reached a certain level of skill... Thank you for your time, take care.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd
a Downhiller
from West Linn, OR Date Reviewed: August 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dirt Merchant - Whsitler B.C.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
ibex bikes direct
Strengths:
plush, rebound adjust works great, propedal is perfect. Springs are easy to install. good controlled shock. great ramp up.
mine has 7" of travel, it just got back from its second year at whistler. I ride this shock harder than most of the people here. it DOES NOT bottom out, and if it is..then you dont know how to set up your shocks or are landing improperly. Get this shock, its well worth the money. I would suggest its use to FR and DH specific though, while the prodedal will make the shock not bob at all, when climbing the shock squeaks which is kind of annoying.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Kettles
a Downhiller
from NSW Australia Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anything Fast & Tight thats within riding distance
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Phantom Cycles
Strengths:
Rebound works great, The canister hanging off it works a treat, dose the job for the price
Weaknesses:
Alot more adjustments would be nice but you simply cannot compaire this shock to a Swinger or similer
Similar Products Used:
Fox Air, fith element & HV (standered AC Giant shock)
Bike Setup:
AC Giant, Sherman Slider Tripples, 8" SOLE Hydros, Blackspire chain device, Welgo Titanium Flats, ODI Grips, Shram Rear Gears,
Bottom Line:
I got sick of bobbing up & down with the stock AC Giant shock, It Absorbs bumps nicely, i weigh 60 kilo & have the 500Lb spring & it's handled everything i'm throwing at it, might go for a 450, but it's a basic upgrade from the stock pogo shock the bike came with, again dont try & compare this to a swinger or the likes, it is a great upgrade but lacking the fine tuning abillity of the dearer shocks, you get what you pay for & it's good for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Cannoc Date Reviewed: April 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
where theres no glass
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Looks good, best quality rear shock yet for me to own
Weaknesses:
seeing as this is my first full susser, no surprise that. Bobs around a lot, limited adjustments, poor for price of bike it came on
Similar Products Used:
low pressure tyres
Bike Setup:
scotty nitrous 05
Bottom Line:
don't touch one, getting a swinger, or 5th element, or fox dhx, or roco, or vanilla, or anything else i can because after riding a better shock it has shown as a poor piece of tat
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh Harmon
a Downhiller
from Concord CA USA Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
A-line in whistler
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came on bike
Strengths:
rebound adjust?
Weaknesses:
to tight bottoms easily rebounds to slow
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi roco
Bike Setup:
Haro x7 arrow bak rim and dt swiss front howitzer cranks gold bars
Bottom Line:
good for the first month if it comes with your bike if it didnt dont get it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern, New Jersey, USA Date Reviewed: February 23, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
OEM
Strengths:
Durable and adjustable. Platform adjustment responds well and can be used a bit like compression adjust. Excellent fit and finish. Plenty of rebound adjust. Does not get stuck down, ever. Spring changes are cake on lower spring rates. Manitou spring exchange program. Big hits.
Weaknesses:
Could use a little bit faster rebound. A little tuff to change springs with higher spring rates. Spring price.
Similar Products Used:
Fox
Bottom Line:
Get the right spring, dial in the sag and go ride. It does what it's suppose to especially if you ride with finess. Usable for DH but there are better shocks for that.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Coffs Harbour Date Reviewed: November 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Water towers
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Its made of metal nothing sticks out so wont break any adjusmet knobs
Weaknesses:
ITS A MANITOU! the red rp knob wont move on the air canister if thats wat it is. had a factory standard qweer squeek like a dogs sqweeky toy and was really weird any way eventually got it looked at (typical of manitou) it should have had to any way had it back after a full service FREE so cant complain about the service any way its really sof and rebound adjust is cool if a littl backwards plus + slows down and - speed up aint it supposed to be the other Way?
Similar Products Used:
Fox DHX 5&3, Mozo sumthin and what ever comes on disposable bikes
Bike Setup:
Faith 3 YEEEEEEEEEEW
Bottom Line:
good shock if well maintained hard to set up but mines cool i just got a friendly bike shop to tune it for me and my style
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ben
a Racer
from england Date Reviewed: October 22, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Good rebound adjustment, smooth, reliable
Weaknesses:
none so far apart from bieng made by manitou
Similar Products Used:
progressive, fox
Bike Setup:
giant faith 3 road cassete, blackspire single ring chain guide, maxxis tyres
Bottom Line:
Works really well just follow the set up instructions in the manual and use the correct weight spring and its good to go. I turned the platform off completely and set up the rebound after. Never managed to bottom it out. The bottom bush went but its probably just wear and tear. I really hate manitou crap but this shock has been ok.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
clayton perron
a Downhiller
from edmonton Date Reviewed: September 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
b line wistler
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
bike cafe
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
it bottoms out way to easy went off 5 foot drop and it bottomed out and i am only 130 pounds i think it is not a good shock at all
Similar Products Used:
fox vanilla
Bike Setup:
devincie 8flat8 2005
Bottom Line:
i really do not like it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cameron
a
from Durham Ontario Date Reviewed: July 21, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Rebound, works well for entry level downhill. Have not bottomed it out yet and I took it off a 12 foot drop.
Weaknesses:
travel, very hard to find a good compression ratio with fork, might have to do with the fact that it is Manitou Stance Blunt Flow a piece.
Bike Setup:
Devinci Jalapeno, Manitou Stnace Blunt Flow
Bottom Line:
I good Shock not the best but a good one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ally burden
a Downhiller
from Glasgow Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
fort william or my secret trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
good for entry level downhill and comes long travel,also quite adjustable and comes with a platform option.
Weaknesses:
i bottemed it out but i had to try quite hard. mine made a strage noise when i worked the rebound hard
Bike Setup:
scott high octane, raceface evolve dh cranks, diabolus bb, manatou stance king pin forks, manitou metal rear shock hayes 9 rear, hope m4 front, scott stem, truvativ hozenfeller bars, deore gears
Bottom Line:
good entry level proformance with nice ajustablitity. made a funny noise occassionaly but nothing major
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamie
a Downhiller
from kitchener ontario canada Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
hydro cut
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
east side
Strengths:
grate shock love it for trial riding i use the platform adjustment and stiffin it up like a hard tail for cross county then losen it up for dj droping and kickers
Weaknesses:
none yet small travel due to leaverage ratio can buy longer versions.
Similar Products Used:
rst 280lb spring
Bike Setup:
devinci jalapeno
Bottom Line:
great suck that it's only an oem shock and you can't buy it for ur bike 4 chilis because its only oem
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scharney
a
from Menlo Park, CA, San Mateo County Date Reviewed: May 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Mammoth
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Performance Bikes
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
It bottoms out and it's either too stiff or way too soft
Bike Setup:
Giant Faith, Marzocchi 888 VF
Bottom Line:
This is a bad shock and unless it comes with your bike don't buy it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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