The all-new Radium line of air shocks is designed with performance, durability, weight, and cost in mind. Based on the same overall structure as our high end Swinger air shocks, The Radium R introduce Platform Plus Damping, a more cost effective alternative to SPV that offers platform damping for improved efficiency and bump control.
Submitted by
Cory5129
a Cross Country Rider
from Logandale, Nevada, USA Date Reviewed: February 9, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Simple and durable. Holds air.
Weaknesses:
Stiff Ride. Rebound control doesn't seem to make any difference no matter where it's set. Not plush at all and travel isn't smooth.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float R
Bike Setup:
2008 Cannondale Prophet
Bottom Line:
I upped the size of my Prophet frame and this shock came with the new frame. My old frame came with a Fox Float R. I wasn't impressed with this shock compaired to the Float R. If It comes with the bike and you don't want to upgrade right away, I'd use the Radium R until it needs replacement, but wouldn't buy it aftermarket.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
specopsteam
a Weekend Warrior
from Vincennes IN Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came on my Cannondal
Strengths:
This product is very very simple. two inputs once for the air and the other for rebound control
Weaknesses:
Very stiff ride on all settings. Bottoms out very easy
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Prophet
Bottom Line:
This shock was a mix up and wasnt suppose to be on my bike but while im waiting for my new DHX 5.0 ive done some riding with this shock. This shock is very simple and would best suit someone whose doing XC. Very stiff ride bottoms out easy and is not plush at all. Ive messed with the one setting there is and am not able to get any better ride from it. If you will be doing anything more then riding well groomed trails stay away from this shock. It does not handle well in turns multi humps or large drops(not that i though it would but being the dumb a** i am i wanted to try anyways). There is no High or Low speed compression on this shock and the rebound tends to through you on full compression.
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Submitted by
Jimmy Khan
a Weekend Warrior
from Herndon, VA, USA Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Difficult Run/Fountainhead
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Gary Fisher Cake 3
Strengths:
Holds air 8 months and air was at the right pressure Easy to adjust
Weaknesses:
None
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Cake 3 with a F100 RL Fox fork and some Avid BB7s
Bottom Line:
It's simple - is that good or bad? In my book it's great. Im not a pro, I like to ride about 50-60 times for about a 2 hours every summer when the weather is good and the less maintenance I have to do the better!
It' dampening is great - and adjustable!
Just set it and forget it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from USA Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The Raduim R works very nicely on xc trails and it is very easy to adjust the pressure and rebound.
Weaknesses:
I wish it would have a quicker rebound setting
Similar Products Used:
none
Bottom Line:
The Radium R is a great value air shock. Is soaks up bumps nicely and would be great for a cross-country rider on a budget. With this shock, xc riders don't even need to stand on their pedals while riding over rocks, or descending down bumpy hills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, Texas, USA Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Sun & SKI
Strengths:
Product came on Haro Sonix VL120. Easy to tune and literally floats over roots, bumps on trails. No pedal bobbing at all combined with VLS system. Makes bike feel very snappy and crisp, more efficient like a Hardtail, feels great climbing, descending yet Handles rough terrain with a sense of plushness, excellent feel for the rider though the frame geometry has a lot to do with it's performance on the Sonix VL120.
Weaknesses:
Can't find any to mention
Similar Products Used:
none yet
Bike Setup:
2006 Haro Sonix VL120 stock Manitou Black comp forks, Manitou Radium R shock, SRAM X7 components wtb EXIWolf tires.
Bottom Line:
This is my first air shock, it is literally like a magic carpet ride compared to the FD coil and other coil shocks used on other bikes.Amazing but still maintains a sense of rigidity that is lost on coil shocks when set to a softer setting for more comfort. Only time will tell how long it holds up though, so far seems to hold air for several weeks after several 3 hour rides. 60-70% air to your body weight and it's close. I weigh 175 and 105 pounds of air pressure is about right for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bret Bernard
a Racer
from Las Cruces Date Reviewed: August 2, 2007
Favorite Trail:
I love mnt. biking
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came on bike
Strengths:
Simple, Light, Very good Damping for what it costs. Very reliable.
Weaknesses:
Like the reviewer below, the rebound does not dial in to be quick enough. Too slow.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Swinger & S-Type SPV, Many Fox Shox
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Prophet
Bottom Line:
Until Manitou came out with this shock, all I ever used was Fox. Fox Shox Sux!!! They make great forks, but Manitou damping is far superior. Even this, their cheapest shock, is better that Fox's best. Read the other reviews. Except for the 1st guy who gave up because he didn't have enough brains to check the schrader valve insert.
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Submitted by
Chet
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern CA USA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
OEM
Strengths:
Smooth travel, set it and forget it.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Fox Floats etc... Swinger 3way...
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Prophet full XT, XTR crank.
Bottom Line:
I have chosen this shock over the Swinger-3-Way due to its simplicity. This shock does not have all the bells and whistles of some of the higher end models, but that simply means there is less to fail, less mechanical parts to wear out/break ect. Once you set the PSI right, and set the rebound for your style, you will never have to touch it again! I refer the shock to the old Chevy Powerglide transmissions, only 2 gears, but they are bullet-proof. Which is why the manufacturer stopped making them. Now they are popular among stock car racers, because they can take such a beating. The same is true here, I enjoy riding my bike rather than working on it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Misissauga, Onatrio, Canada Date Reviewed: October 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
-Absorbs bumps well. -It's able to handle alot of drops. -There's no pedal bob at the right settings. -Makes funny noises. :)
Weaknesses:
-Bottoms out fairly easy -Doesn't hold air?(my bro might have tampered with it..he's an idiot)
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stinky, Specialized Hardrock Sport, Norco Sasquatch
Bike Setup:
Raleigh ram 3.0 frame with Avid bb5's, Marzocchi Dirt Jam Comps, mx22 Alexrims, yada yada yada...Custom.
Bottom Line:
The shock came with the frame on ebay, which came to like $280usd or so, and and with the first test ride i was pleased. No problems. Handled drops well as well as bumps and didn't need to be fiddled around with. Before the next ride i went to the bike shop to get more air in it because it bottomed out fairly easy. Turns out it was holding the right amount of air pressure. After the ride, I put it in my room and let it take it's daily nap. The next day i go to ride it and the shock is underfilled. Either my bro did something (likely) or it just can't hold air. BUT considering it got shipped from florida to ontario, was held for 14 days, and was tested another 14 days later...I might reconsider.
OVERALL: -This shock has been great so far and seems to have tricked me about holding it's air. I'm sure it does...just had a bad day:) -I'd recomend it to people who do trails and nothing too harsh, otherwise look into a swinger. -For the price, its a fairly good deal, but keep looking around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Yannick .
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto ontario Canada Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
upper oilcan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
dukes on queen
Strengths:
Plush, great rebound adjustment, good platform
Weaknesses:
just a nitpick but the platform release is a bit harsh
Similar Products Used:
fox air, fuxion
Bike Setup:
Stock Cannondale Prophet with CB Mallets
Bottom Line:
This shock came stock on my "entry level All mountain" prophet and I thought it would be the first thing that needed to be tossed. Not so. I set the thing up with about 25% sag and 110 psi and havn't looked back since. I'm sure there is lots out there with better high speed compression and all that but this damn thing wont die. I only weigh 165 but Im droppin this thing 4+ feet regular, climging and stunting.It just keeps on going and In my humble opinion a bit less bells and whistles is a fair tradeoff for not having to walk your broke ass shock home. Value take this one up to 5 flamers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeremy roy
a
from canada Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
i forgot how much i paid for it but i bought it from my friend =)
Strengths:
its a super smooth shock, i like it sooo much it works really good (even to hold up the air), super light ,etc...
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
????
Bike Setup:
2003/2004 specialized big hit spec with foes inverted f1 shock in front single track rear supra d up front...
Bottom Line:
this shock is da best one i ever had . i had a fox dhx 3 and i busted it so didnt want to send it to montreal to rebuild it s o i bought this manitou and i like it worth every penni!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland Date Reviewed: July 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Doesn't hold air. Came as oem on Haro VL120, finally got bike ready to go, added air to set sag, removed shock pump and it doesn't hold any air. Never even got to ride it. this shock is 100% pure unadulterated crap. If you see it spec'd on a bike, don't buy it.
Bottom Line:
Said it in weaknesses, completely useless crap. My first, (and last), Manitou experience. going back to fox and rockshox.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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