S-Type shocks were designed to pack huge performance in a small, clean package. Other features include a CNC machined air canister, minimized domed cap for optimized spring feel, and aluminum damper shaft.
Manitou has had some trouble over the years but I have noticed a huge improvement in there products and this shock is no exception. It is extremely efficient and plush. I would recommend this shock to anyone who likes to climb to the top and bomb downhill.
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Submitted by
joshwalee
a Racer
from Phoenix, AZ USA Date Reviewed: November 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
warranty upgrade
Strengths:
Virtually no pedal bob, light weight, smooth travel.
Weaknesses:
Slightly stiff when sag is set properly, but that's spv.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID, RS coils, SR Epicon.
Bike Setup:
K2 Lithium 3.0, S-type sr rear, Manitou Slate Super Air 100 Fork.
Bottom Line:
This shock helps my 5" travel bike climb like a hardtail, but performs comfortably over rough terrain. Slight hop occurs when climbing in a standing position. I weigh in at 155 lbs. Positive chamber set at 150psi and spv chamber set at 130. I suppose climbing could be enhanced by a higher spv pressure, but I like the shock to come off the platform pretty quick due to rough, rocky terrain in my area. I did not pay for my shock, but the retail seems to be pretty high for this item. However, it does help my four bar link perform it's best.
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Submitted by
NoMoreManitou
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: October 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came with the bike
Strengths:
It came with the bike.
Weaknesses:
It loses air before finally blowing...
Similar Products Used:
Fox
Bike Setup:
2006 Giant Anthem 1 - stock
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike used so I expected some gremlins. So when the shock gave up last summer, I wasn't too surprised. Then this year (2008) when the shock did the same thing after roughly the same number of km (only about 600) I realized how bad this thing really is. Manitou 'service' if it stays true to last year's benchmark should have the shock back to me in about 8 - 9 weeks - therefore season is over. Guess I'll try the RP23 now...
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Submitted by
Mario
a Cross Country Rider
from Italy Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007
Favorite Trail:
xc
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Weight
Weaknesses:
No possibility of deactivating SPV platform for free damping
If right tuned, the shock works in a fine way. It is very stable and comfortable in the same time. I only ask how would it be if I might deactivate SPV platform down from hills...
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Submitted by
the Cowboy
a Racer
from Fuzzy Duds Land Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Old School Coffee Road in Atlanta
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Answer/Manitou Factory
Strengths:
Killer ride and it knocked 2.35 pounds off my Ellsworth. The SPV is so sweet!!!
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Romic D
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Distance with all the Bling Nugs
Bottom Line:
"All In" is the best bet
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Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Boca Raton, FL Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006
I decided to try a stable platform shock to rid my Salsa of the large amount of bobbing that the stock SID shock had. I expected a 4 bar link design to bob less - my Gary Fisher Sugar didn't bob nearly as much.
This upgrade made a huge difference. I weigh 195 lbs., and ran 150 psi in the SPV chamber with 150 psi in the positive air chamber last Saturday at Oleta. Nothing short of an amazing difference. No bob on the quick uphills and out of the saddle cranking hard resulted in an imperceptible amount of bob. Bump absorption was awesome. My rear end was sore with the SID after 10 miles - even had some sit-bone bruising occasionally. With this shock, same seat and setup, no soreness, no brusining. Amazing. Even though it feels quite a bit stiffer in terms of initial ride quality. Cornering actually improved in the technical stuff as the bike rides higher in the stroke resulting in better steering precision. I was faster and more confident immediately.
I was skeptical about how much difference a new shock could make on this frame. The S -Type Manitou has made me a believer in SPV technology.
Very well worth the money. All shims needed I got via the web at Universal Cycles. Shock was bought new on eBay from someone who had ordered the wrong size. I'd recommend this shock for anyone who is a cross-country rider looking for great performance with low weight. Lockout isn't needed!
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Submitted by
Robert Mladek
a Cross Country Rider
from Prague Date Reviewed: June 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
zabita rokle
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Slovakia
Strengths:
Light, easy to set up, nice platform.
Weaknesses:
Platform can be overcome fairly easily out of the saddle.
Similar Products Used:
None, used to use a coil-over (had an old air shock without any platform).
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 Spot (with a Horst link), Fox RCL 125 fork, Mavic X-max. 130 pounds in the main chamber (about 30% sag), 150 in the SPV and the rebound four clicks to the fast side of middle.
Bottom Line:
I was afraid of an air shocks because I'm a heavy (220) aggressive trail rider (no big jumps but very hard hits on fast descents that I like to take seated) because I’ve head plenty of horror stories about limping home on a fully compressed shock.
After about six months of abuse (I don’t pamper my equipment, just replace the broken bits) the shock’s just fine. Better than fine, in fact. It’s way lighter than my old Romic coil over (I can run a higher cog on every accent) and the platform really works (except out of the saddle). Other than that, the action is plush, comparable to the coil (except for the weight).
And the price was right. Cheep at twice the price.
I’d highly recommend.
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Submitted by
carlos barcelo
a Cross Country Rider
from palmeto bay Date Reviewed: April 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
santos
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Light weight, solid construction, adjustment range , set and forget SPV, hot looks
Weaknesses:
New to the market,
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float RL , Romic Twin Tube
Bike Setup:
Turner XCE, Fox/Push RLT fork,XTR/SRAM components,Mavic CrossMax XL rims, Easton carbon bars and seat post,
Bottom Line:
Once I got the sag set up and figured out how to fine tune the SPV this shock has helped me go go go. My bike now accelarates like a hard tail but floats over roots and bumps...plush. No more lever to fool with. Solid handling. The shock never feels like it bottoms. Great upgrade. Forget about a new bike for now , my riding buddies think I'm on steroids. Totally F-1.
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Submitted by
Bret
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
George's Cycling & Fitness
Strengths:
Light, High volume oil flow when needed.
Weaknesses:
SPV not as stable as avertised.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou swinger 3 way, platform plus(came on bike I put this shock on). Many other rear shocks over the years.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Prophet spected to the max.
Bottom Line:
This was a definite upgrade from the cheaper platform plus that came on the Prophet. The main difference besides the small weight savings is the amount of oil that can flow with the SPV design. I can sit on the seat and hit bumps that I could not before. This is by far the biggest advantage over what came before it. Surprisingly though, the platform is not any better at all over the cheap platform plus shock. This could be somewhat cause by the fact that the Prophet's swingarm has a decreasing leverage as the shock goes through its travel. The reason this shock is lighter is because the shaft does not have a steel liner(as is with all the other light shocks such as Fox or Progressive). I do not recommend these type of shocks if it is not protected by a seattube or something as they are proned to stratching from grit. If your bike has an interupted seattube design, I would get the swinger 3way instead which is one of the few steel lined shocks made. It is also a great shock.
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