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Submitted by
#1downhill
a Downhiller
from Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ DOWNHILL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Really nice, looks cool, I really like this shock | | Weaknesses: | Bouncy and it cant be ajusted, no matter what, but is still fine, not to big of a deal | | Similar Products Used: | 5th Element, Fox Vanilla, Fox DHX 5.0 | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Giant AC Team, boXXer race, manitou spv coil 4 way, xt hubs and duraliurs, Hayes nine 8"in rotor brakes, deore shifter pods | | Bottom Line: | After about a year the shock gets really bouncy, BUT it doesn't really affect the performance, and in my mind it makes it better, it doesn't buck you over, but on rock gardens your rear wheel goes right back down to the ground. If you ride AM, FR, DH, XC, get this shock. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steveo-dh
a Downhiller
from
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Strengths: | nice and smooth on the dh track | | Weaknesses: | was working good then the rebound was real fast. can not slow it down then the rebound nob fell off | | Bottom Line: | works well if it is working | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cooch
a Downhiller
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Kenilworth | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks good with lots of adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Read below. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Intrinsic SX6 Air, Fox DHX Coils | | Bike Setup: | Came on my Banshee Scythe Frame | | Bottom Line: | One afternoon of serious downhilling to dial the bike in on its first hit out and I snapped the shaft where it meets the rebound adjust end. Failed bushings??? No! Everthing was still moving ok. I'm not what I would regard as a hard rider on gear and I only weigh 70kg, but it failed nonetheless. Maybe 10 runs of a 2k light downhill trail. Hmmmmmm... No after sale service in Australia and Manitou can't decide which distributor to stay with - no spare parts to fix. It's a write off. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vilneff33
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Wow, its wide range of adjustability is great and is so sensitive, it came on my bike which was raced downhill for many years and has all new internals(seals, etc..)
i havent had a problem with this shock, except that the frame i have, it is hard to access the adjusment knobs, | | Weaknesses: | absolutly nothing | | Similar Products Used: | nothing that measures up to this | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Cannondale Gemini DH, (Gracia Edition), Dorado DH up front. | | Bottom Line: | best shock i've ever riddin, love it soo much. ill never use anything but. exceptionaly well with a Floating rear brake | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lifesgod
a Downhiller
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Thredbo | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | I purchased an Intense M3 Frame new, which had sat on the shelf for a few years unused, big mistake as it came with a 6 way swinger. I have used the shock since November 2007 and it has failed 3 times ! Same issue SPV valve failure. | | Similar Products Used: | 5th Elelement,Fox DHX 5 | | Bike Setup: | Intense M3, World Cup Boxxers, XT's, E13, Hadley Hubs/Mag 30's | | Bottom Line: | Since I have owned this bike the shock has failed regularly every 3 months. The shock has been repaired by the bike shop, however this shock is the most unreliable product I have used. I have raced with a DHX 5 on an Orange 224 for two years with faultless performance, however this shock is a dud !!!!!!! Not Happy !!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Henderson Nv.
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything I can ride. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came on bike. | | Strengths: | Has taken a beating around Bootleg for two years and still works.
Doesn't leak down air from the SPV chamber.
Easy to adjust.
Easy to get springs for it.
Bushings have lasted for thousands of miles of riding.
| | Weaknesses: | None that I know of when set up properly and used for all mountain type riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Floats and Manitou Swinger Air. | | Bike Setup: | 06 Mountain Cycle San Andreas Classic, set up for all mountain. | | Bottom Line: | Mine is a Swinger 3-Way.
It's been a very reliable shock for me.
It has endured severe summer heat and sub freezing temperatures here in the Mojave.
The way my bike frame is set up, the shock sees lots of rock hits and has lots of gunk thrown up onto it while riding.
Despite this, it has made it two years without an overhaul.
The pedaling platform works as advertised and like all shocks with some kind of platform, it doesn't absorb small hits as well as those that are fully active.
My bike is a Six inch travel all mountain set up and I can really tell the difference between Platform and no platform.
The bike is much more fun with the SPV chamber aired up.
It makes my San Andreas feel a lot like my old 2000 Stumpjumper FSR xc, instead of a downhill bike.
I recommend the 3-Way to all mountain / trailbike users.
As a last comment; service from Manitou has been great for me, when I have needed new springs or tech advice.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Downhiller
from Orange
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on the bike | | Strengths: | Not quite sure. I suppose it has been OK. | | Weaknesses: | it rarely works. the third run after I bought my DH comp the O-rings on the compression adjust knobs blew. The distributor fixed it and 12 months later they have just blown again. Wondering if it will be covered under warranty. Also, no rebound adjust. If you like really slow rebound, then you would love my shock. | | Similar Products Used: | various Fox and Fifth Element | | Bike Setup: | DH comp stock standard | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy one unless you enjoy being frustrated by a dysfunctional bike. My family Xmas shindigs are generally more functional than this shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a Downhiller
from lancaster. Ca
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came with frame | | Strengths: | ERasy to setup, i come from a vaja racing bnackground and the shock is easy to setup and tough, great ramp up as it goes through travel | | Weaknesses: | hi speed compression knob leaks oil a tad but no biggy | | Similar Products Used: | fox dhx 5 | | Bike Setup: | raliegh ram 3500 marzocchi 888 avid codes sram x9 all over | | Bottom Line: | great shock. east to setup and handles hits. small bumps used all the travel almost and i was worries but on big drops like 12 feet it doesnt bottom out and feels great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley Ca
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Came on the raleigh xt 3500 frame that I bought. But Has great peadling efficiey and usually only bobs when you jump or push down on it. | | Weaknesses: | It is a heavy shock, and it is hard to tune. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Raliegh xt 3500 | | Bottom Line: | It is a strong shock thus far and worth the price I payed for the frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a
from Toronto,ontario canada
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | spv is good for pedaling.... rebound is somewhat effevtive... broad tuning range | | Weaknesses: | strength.... this is the most unreliable product on my bike.... after blowing it 3 times and breaking off the rebound knob once i would never ever buy a swinger again | | Similar Products Used: | DHX, VAN RC | | Bottom Line: | if you are a freerider this is a good shock, but only if your not going big
for dhers and guys who are more interested in reliability over pedaling efficency steer clear of this shock...
id recomend either a roco or dhx (dhx more so then the roco) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin
a Downhiller
from CA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Awesome looking shock, lots of adjustability. Very smooth/plush over stock manitou mentel. | | Weaknesses: | Takes some time to set up | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou mentel, which came on my bike | | Bike Setup: | iron horse 7point | | Bottom Line: | offers all the adjustability of many other high end shocks out there | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
VIktor
a Weekend Warrior
from Bratislava
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Podkonice | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Kaktus bike | | Strengths: | This is for the 3way. Solid build, no worry about bottoming unlike the Fox Vanilla RC. Will fit any frame cause nothing sticks out. | | Weaknesses: | Not nearly as plush as Fox, even at 50 psi. Actually I think its stuck from the start maybe mine was poorly manufactured and the stiction can be removed, because the 4way I had before was slightly better. Good enough for XC and Freeride anyway. | | Similar Products Used: | Swinger 4-way - a little plusher
FOX Vanilla RC - plushest shock ever
5th Element - manitou has still got a lot to learn | | Bike Setup: | Norco A-line w/Shivers, DH specs | | Bottom Line: | Go with the FOX or Romic, their products are better. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john holmes
a Downhiller
from kansas
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | axe mark | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | halfords | | Strengths: | adjustability, radical visuals, reliability | | Weaknesses: | heavyish but that's known from the start anyways | | Similar Products Used: | stratos, dh5, romic twintube | | Bike Setup: | halfords hellcat, rockshox judy c, rigida rims/grimeca shimano cable disks and other trick bits | | Bottom Line: | this shock cranks compared to the others I've used. Super adjustable to get my Hellcat beating the sh*t out of all the trails me and me wife ride. Totally wasted if put on a sh*t bike though needs to be mated on a quality rig to fully apprieciate how good that badboy is. Buy it and rip up the axe mark.! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cole
a Downhiller
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | CBC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | came with frame | | Strengths: | Very smooth, plush, adjustments actually work good ramp out near end of travel | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | DHX 3.0 'nilla R | | Bike Setup: | kona stinky, juicy 5s, mavic 321s, easton bars | | Bottom Line: | This is a great shock, it beats the pants off of the vanilla R and feels smoother than the DHX 3.0, pretty easy to set up, good adjustments too, this thing can take literaly anything you throw at it. Great product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Regina, sk, canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very good pedalling efficiency, even for a freeride bike. The spv works well. Takes drops and jumps well and even handles my urban riding. | | Weaknesses: | Just a personal thing but, I like a little less rebound damping than this shock allows. I like a little more bounce. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox vanilla r, Fox vanilla rc, 5th element,
Manitou swinger 6-way | | Bike Setup: | Trek session 7 - stock for now | | Bottom Line: | Great shock. I have the 4-way and the 6-way, and I like how they feel. In most situations, you really don't need the extra adjustments of the 6-way. If you set the 4-way in a similar way, it feels almost exactly the same. Save your money when considering a swinger - go for the 4-way. It's just as good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rowan Robinson
a
from melbourne
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | feels great when it works | | Weaknesses: | you feel s**t when it doesn't, which is most of the time | | Bike Setup: | 06 DH comp, m4, xtr, xt... | | Bottom Line: | The shock feels great and works great when it feels like working. i purchased a DH comp NEW at the end of 2005, and within a week my shock was being sent back to manitou because it was leaking oil, and i was assured it would only be a couple of weeks to get it back. well, a few weeks went by and, alas, no shock. lucky for me manitou sent the shop a 4 way for me to use (which they told me to kill) during my time without a 6 way. WELL, 6 months flies past and i get a call from the bike shop- my 6 way is ready! i then get a call from the shop a couple of days later with the audacity to tell me to hurry up and return the 4 way... manitou want to charge them for it. needless to say a few days later i went to pick up my 'rebuilt' 6 way. i put it on my desk and went about my business, and had a look at it the next day and guess what... there's oil all over my desk. not a thing had changed with the shock, and i had wasted 6 months. well, goodbye manitou and you absolutely dismal customer service nd quality. what is wrong with simply replacing the part, since it was brand new in the first place. unfortunately after 6+ months of owning a swinger 6 way i can't say i've actually used it much. the 4 way worked ok, i guess... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Dudley
a Downhiller
from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | t-bar | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | FTR | | Strengths: | Feels fine when it chooses to work. | | Weaknesses: | Blow's far too easily. Leaks. No service manuals are provided to local bike shops, so when (not if, when) you have a problem, it needs to be sent off to manitou themselves. Leaving you bikeless and penyless for an extended period of time. | | Similar Products Used: | 5th, DHX and 4way. | | Bike Setup: | Demo9, Swinger 6way(regretful), 888's, XT, hozfeller,729's ect. | | Bottom Line: | This shock is simmilar to a balloon. Astheticly pleasing when it's functional, but will pop (or blow as the case may be) with the greatest of ease.
The shock is made by manitou, this means that if ever you have a problem, expect alot of down time. If you can avoid it, stay away from manitou as customer service is an oxymoron to them.
For the money that's involved in one of these shocks, you're alot better off investing your money into something like a fox. Something that will take a beating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Weekend Warrior
from santa rosa
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Stable. No pedal-induced bobbing on the climbs. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | 5th Element Air | | Bike Setup: | '06 Heckler, Marz. Z.1 Light, XT Cranks, SRAM x.9....etc. | | Bottom Line: | When I climb in granny-gear, the rear shock is stable and doesn't bob like my 5th Element Air did on my SC Blur. I'm pretty impressed with the Swinger 4-way coil shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe hoe
a Downhiller
from new jersey
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | skyline drive | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | pedal sports | | Strengths: | works for the first month | | Weaknesses: | does not work right after really rocky runs | | Similar Products Used: | dhx sid metel r vanilla | | Bike Setup: | kona with downhill parts | | Bottom Line: | Definatley do not get this if you are a downhiller. Espeacially if you are a racer. A lot of guys say they almost got hurt because it blew out during a race. When I go riding it works for the first part of the run. But then later it starts to get a little stiff later. GReat for begginers. And beginner freeriders. dont get manitou forks with air assist. Only get double coil. Their air technology blows. DEFINATLY GET DHX IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO. WAY BETTER THAN THIS CRAP ON A STICK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe hoe
a Downhiller
from new jersey
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | skyline drive | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | pedal sports | | Strengths: | works for the first month | | Weaknesses: | does not work right after really rocky runs | | Similar Products Used: | dhx sid metel r vanilla | | Bike Setup: | kona with downhill parts | | Bottom Line: | Definatley do not get this if you are a downhiller. Espeacially if you are a racer. A lot of guys say they almost got hurt because it blew out during a race. When I go riding it works for the first part of the run. But then later it starts to get a little stiff later. GReat for begginers. And beginner freeriders. dont get manitou forks with air assist. Only get double coil. Their air technology blows. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pierre-Alexandre Blanche
a Downhiller
from Liège, Belgium
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | every | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Works well when it works | | Weaknesses: | Oh my gosh, does this shock has ever work a single race | | Similar Products Used: | none, till now | | Bike Setup: | Demo 9, 1995. So it comes with this usless shock | | Bottom Line: | Save your money, do NOT buy this thing.
My concern is the rebound which came out of control after a few moments. First it performs well, but quickly, it do not work any more on the fist few millimeters then centimeters then at all!
This shock goes back for inspection under warranty 4 times! it came back working properly under "garage inspection" but after a single downhill, the rebound fail each times, becoming dangerous and slaming loudly.
They try to change de piggy bag 3 times but it fails. Changing valves and oil fails too.
I heard this problem occure on several 6 ways SPV's and the 4 ways is safe.
Please if you fix this type of problem write me the trick! My only option now is to uy a DHX!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Bull Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | SPV damping, strong 12mm shaft! vs. 9mm on the Vanilla R | | Weaknesses: | 3-way : none for a non-reservoir shock!
6-way : none! | | Similar Products Used: | Vanilla R. | | Bike Setup: | '04 Spec. BigHit w/6-way on the back and Jr.T up front. | | Bottom Line: | Manitou shocks have worked great for me (I can't say the same about their forks). My bike originally came with a 3-way shock on it. That shock was a trooper! I have hit many 10-12footers to flat and I haven't had the first problem from my 3-way - and that's in a 2 year period. I have since upgraded to the 6-way shock and that shock is awesome. I've only ridden the 6-way for about a week now, but it's like I have a whole new bike. High/low speed compression helps me trail ride/downhill sooooo much smoother and the bottom out control helps me go bigger with more confidence. The 3-way is still a great shock. I am going to keep it around just in case I have an issue with the 6-way, because as we all know....nothing's perfect.
I read in a previous review that one guy had a bad experience dealing with Maniou's cust. service. Ever try dealing with Fox?..........it's a true nightmare! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LoRdDeSt
a Weekend Warrior
from NYCITY
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | SPV. great shock can handle anything u jump off of | | Weaknesses: | none... | | Bike Setup: | cannondale prophet swaped out reg air shock and put in the swinger | | Bottom Line: | great shock if ur into freeriding can handle anything. worth every penny | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Williams
a Downhiller
from Wales
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Cwm Carn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Alf Jones Cycles | | Strengths: | Handles big hits easily and can take a real beating. | | Weaknesses: | Wears easily | | Similar Products Used: | Club Roost shock | | Bike Setup: | Club Roost DH8, manitou 4-way, Marzocchi Monster-T, mavic deemax on bulb hubs, easton stuff and maxxis tyres | | Bottom Line: | Awesome Shock if you are looking for a shock that can hold up for extremely big hits and shoot downhill tracks on sight! I highly reccomend it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | given up | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Wooly's Wheels | | Strengths: | anti-bobbing was good while it lasted | | Weaknesses: | Regardless of usage, it seems that this product is destined for the rubbish bin in roughly a year's time (i.e. after warranty lapses).
I started out taking my bike on some rough rides then used it locally as a cross-country/street bike. So overall, very limited heavy use of the shocks. After about a year of intermittent use, i noticed the shock pressure was down to 0 before going for a ride. My bike had been sitting there through the winter without any use and over that time the shock just collapsed.
I have Sherman Firefly SPV forks and they are fine. | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC2 cross country setting | | Bottom Line: | When buying any SPV shocks DON'T expect them to last for years, even if you don't put them to heavy use - their design isn't sturdy enough!!! You WILL need to replace them probably each 1/2 years (just in time for the new product range...) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse McCollum
a Downhiller
from Kansas City, MO
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Paid'n Full | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Came on bike stock | | Strengths: | supports the swing arm of my bike, making it rideable | | Weaknesses: | it blows up | | Similar Products Used: | too broke to buy anything else | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Gemini (2005 Gemi 3000) | | Bottom Line: | this shock blew out on me during race and d@mn near got me hurt. Upon landing a SMOOTH 30 ft. gap at a race, the shock came apart, loosing all rebound control, when I landed the bike pogo'ed like a bucking bronco sending me flying through the air...... save your money and buy a DHX5.0..... by the way, manitou's customer service sucks balls..... working in a shop I deal with them a lot, and dealing with any companies customer service a lot, is never a good thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jammin Bakar
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbouren, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Death Canyon Toolangie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | I found it on eBay! | | Strengths: | Does what it's supposed to when set up correctly.
Positive clicks on rebound adj.
Looks and feels like a quality item.
Makes a nice audible Psss on the rebound stroke. So I know it's working. | | Weaknesses: | Trade off slow bump for better pedalling.
Rebound seems to be progressive, however the top end 12 clicks in, it's so slow I thought I'd busted it!
Dont like the idea that if I ride the shock with less than 50psi I could kill it. Means I'm taking another pump out on the trail with me.
| | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vannila. | | Bike Setup: | Stinky, Sherman's, 321's, Gizmo.
Shocks a '05 4way 7.875" / 2" | | Bottom Line: | Dont know about the early units but the '05 rebound works great. At 220+ Lbs, I needed to up the std spring rate to 550lbs to get my prefered sag without having to resort to any preload or fudging it with the spv.
I think this is important. Also opted to fit a longer travel Spring, 2" 450lb to a 2.5" 550lbs to prevent any coil bind.
Comming from a Vanilla, I found initially the back end would skip around a little more than I prefered but overcame this by running the spv at (50%)100-110psi. This seems to be a nice trade off.
Pretty happy for now. Will wait and see how it lasts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rudi Gale
a
from Logatec
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Adjustabilty (Rebound, preload, piggy back - SPV volume, pedal bob - SPV), works great if you tune it right | | Weaknesses: | None yet, maybe weight | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Gaint Faith 2 | | Bottom Line: | So far I had no problems with this shock. It makes a funny noise when it bottoms out. It's not that easy to set it up... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Downhiller
from Seoul, Korea
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Spring only | | Weaknesses: | Everything from oil leaking to topping out really bad and I mean really bad. thu-kunk, thu-kunk.. squeeze squirt.. soggy mess. | | Similar Products Used: | DHX 5.0, Progressive 5th | | Bike Setup: | bullit | | Bottom Line: | 3 shocks pumping full of oil with "thunk." Should I say more? Piece of turd. Buy one and you'll be sorry. With this shock, it's like playing mindfield. You never know when and which one will blow. The sorriest shock I've ever used. Get DHX5.0 No scam just a great shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Latta
a Downhiller
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Long Gully, Maidstone | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Pack and Pedal | | Strengths: | Plush, strong, spv is pretty good | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | fox rc, vanilla r | | Bike Setup: | 04 bighit comp | | Bottom Line: | All in all a good shock, just be wary when taking pump off, air escapes fairly quickly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DH bomber
a Racer
from The PNW
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Fast&flowy | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | It fits on my bike!?*& | | Weaknesses: | The shock only has weaknesses. Great object to tie a note on and throw through a window. | | Similar Products Used: | 5th element, Rockshox Deluxe, Fox flaot Air. | | Bike Setup: | DH race bike- 888, saint, bla, bla | | Bottom Line: | I've had 4 of these shock in the last year all pieces of S*$t. Rebound is too slow the first 3/4 of stroke then tops out the last 1/2" of stroke and clunks back and forth, or sometimes even gets stuck halfway shut. Everyone should have gotten a clue when there were 1000's of 6-ways' with oil pouring out the compression knobs. Manitou set-up reccomendation..."back your SPV chamber and compression adjustments all the way out and put less air in the chamber than you think you should". I.E. tune you $400 shock back to technology from 10 years ago. DO NOT BUY OR RECCOMEND TO ANYBODY!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james
a Weekend Warrior
from United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Set up functions, adjustability. Plushness. | | Weaknesses: | Needs frequent servicing. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Float, Fox Vanilla RC, Romic Twintube. | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC Team. Psylo Races, XT HTII cranks. Hope finishing kit and brakes with a bit of Race Face in there. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this shock as it was mean't to be the best SPV shock out there. Which it was, until the rebound damping gave up the ghost, then the compression then the SPV chamber blew all in about 10minutes of each other (I should have stopped riding), costing me over £100 to put right.
1month later, rebound has gone again, sent back to manitou, got replacment shock as some internal seal was buggered (even though TF tuned had replaced it when serviced), now got new 6way shock (had 4way before) which seems to be behaving itself, although I'm having to run it two clicks from maximum on rebound damping to avoid getting jacked off (shock needs set up for this frame).
Its performance when not somewhere getting sorted has been awesome. The SPV valve does the job of making this frame pedal well (RS Deluxe shock was on there before) and bottom out resistance is great, lets me go big, as well as being able to turn it back out and ride home again, whilst still having small bump response.
BUY if you want the most adjustable shock about.
DON'T buy if you like paying £100 per service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryce
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, Ohio
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay....From a bike shop in CA | | Strengths: | Just awesome. Go read about it on Manitou web site.
Plush. Set up is fairly easy. Just have to mess with it a little on the trail depending on how you like your shock. Easily done though. Well worth the money. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Jamis XLT 2.0, XT components, Hayes Hyd. Brakes, Marzocci Z1 FR. Swinger 4 way coil. Egg beaters. | | Bottom Line: | This shock soaks up everything the trail had to offer. I would definitely recommend this shock to anyone. I felt great after riding. It took jumps and drop offs just fine. Very impressed with my bike set up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Cross Country Rider
from walnut creek, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | cat walk, ashland oregon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Super plush, spv is awesome, great climber highly adjustable and fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | None!! | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti ASX!! Good bike but the 5th Element Coil shock sucked butt! | | Bike Setup: | Weyless 67 with 6-7 inches of rear travel, pike race fork, xt drivetrain, king headset, hope hubs on singletrack rims, kenda tires 2.4, thomson front and rear and avid 8in mech discs. | | Bottom Line: | Just had the Pike Race U-turn put on the bike along with avid 8in mech brakes. Had the Marzocchi Z150 drop off with 20mm axle and Hayes 9 8" brakes. Still a Marz fan with other forks on different bikes but needed a trail fork with adjustabilty. If it were in my budget I would get the Fox 36 but for now we will give the pike a try. Hope things go well since I am a clydesdale rider weighing around 230lbs and stand around 6ft 5in. Huge dude!! Single pivots rule!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hunter
a
from MT
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop, Billings, MT | | Strengths: | adjustable
smooth
lively
reliable
| | Weaknesses: | set-up properly
| | Similar Products Used: | Curnutt, 5th element | | Bike Setup: | 05 Giant DH Team | | Bottom Line: | Great rear shock, compliments my dorado that is up front. Makes the bike pedal great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
boyer
a Downhiller
from bethlehem,pa,usa
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | sweet. if set up properly i can fit any riding style and the spv will work | | Weaknesses: | you probably should check your pressure everytime you ride hard no matter what shock you use. the hardware does not fit my bike and had to have it custom, thats the bike co.'s fault | | Similar Products Used: | big hit | | Bike Setup: | ironhorse dh pro | | Bottom Line: | sweet. i can dig it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
REEK
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore MD
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Clementine loop in CA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | stable platform, cool looking shock | | Weaknesses: | At this point spring options only go up to 550 lbs | | Similar Products Used: | Fox RC, Rock Shox Deluxe | | Bike Setup: | AC1, Marzocchi DJII, XT/race face | | Bottom Line: | This came on my Giant AC1. I have a Swinger air on my other bike. Both shocks do not disappoint. Behaves similarly but the coil version seems smoother than the air, as I would expect. A bit under sprung but waiting for Manitou to send a stiffer spring. That's probably one of the generic things I don't like about coil shocks. But once you're set up, they're great.
I have the spv chamber set at 150 psi - until I get a new spring then the settings will change. Even with this pressure, there's no initial harshness possibly due to the high leverage of the suspension design on my AC. There is just enough to damp out the bobbing when I pedal and climb. The shock holds air perfectly. I know some have had problems with "leaks" form the SPV chamber. I think this is really a user error. The chamber is tiny so re-measuring pressure by reattaching the pump will drop your readings by 50% or so. And you also lose air when you disconnect the shock pump. I bought a Performance brand pump that you can back out the center pin on the pump to seal off the schrader valve on the shock, then uncouple the pump from the shock. Definitely makes a difference. Also on my coil SPV chamber it seems the center "nipple" on the Schrader is extra long for some reason even compared to my Swinger air.
Without a doubt, I recommend this shock to anyone who needs a new shock or an upgrade.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Menzel
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything steep | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclerama | | Strengths: | SOAKS UP THE BUMPS AND DROPS OF ANY TRAIL, ALLOWS YOU TO PEDAL UP HILL {GREAT FOR FREE RIDE BIKES} WITHOUT BOBBING, NEVER BOTTOMS OUT, VERY SMOOTH, WORKS GREAT AT ANY SPEED {NO COMPRESSION SPIKES OR LOSS OF DAMPING}, HAS ADJUSTMENTS FOR PRESSURE, BOTTOMING RESISTANCE, REBOUND,PRELOAD, AND LOW AND HIGH SPEED COMPRESSION DAMPING {ON 6-WAY MODEL}. ALLWAYS WORKS LIKE NEW!! | | Weaknesses: | TAKES A WHILE TO LEARN EXACTLY HOW IT SHOULD BE SET UP FOR DIFF STYLES OF RIDING | | Similar Products Used: | ALLMOST ALL OF 'EM | | Bike Setup: | GIANT AC2 | | Bottom Line: | THIS SHOCK IS BETTER THAN ALL OTHER SHOCKS ON FREE RIDE OR DOWN HILL BIKES {EXCEPT FOR A 5TH ELEMENT}, IF YOU DONT HAVE ONE BUY ONE, YOU WON'T BE DISSAPOINTED. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Lo
a Downhiller
from Seward, AK, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Aleyeska resort | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | It has a few... maybe. oh it has a lot of travel :). | | Weaknesses: | (4-way Coil) Let's see. On the first day i got it, i hit a three foot drop and snapped where the rod meets the pivot point. the stock spring is too soft. you cant change the position of the spring on my bike (not enough clearence i guess). and you have to check pressure every time you ride. | | Similar Products Used: | rockshox, fox | | Bike Setup: | '04 BigHit Expert stock. | | Bottom Line: | if you buy this then you should at least get a larger spring for it. it takes forever to order another one. ive been without my bike for about a month. its got quite a bit of travel though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marty kasteler
a Weekend Warrior
from salt lake
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | the one under me | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Strengths: | yep,it's that good. Climb better than your friends, sprint harder, descend faster, and all without training more! | | Weaknesses: | I need to check the spv pressure every 2 days. Big deal | | Similar Products Used: | everything fox, rock shocks deluxe :-( | | Bike Setup: | specialized enduro pro with frame and link modifications to allow 5.75" w/2" stroke swinger 3-way and a 69deg head angle. | | Bottom Line: | I was so sold on how effective this shock is that I voided any frame warranty and reloacated my shock mount to accomodate one without messing up my head angle. Have had it a month, but have rode it to death! Man, I have 5.75" now, yet it pedals stiffer than the original 3.8" setting. But that's not the best part- it climbs like no other! You can put the power down without bob, but it still crawls over roots and rocks. And the downhill.. so much better. Just waiting for the nixon fork. This shock makes my psylo feel super mushy out of the saddle. I never used my fork compression lockout until this shock The world gets better and better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
igor kazakov
a Weekend Warrior
from lynn, ma
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | online as a take off | | Strengths: | None, maybe it's good when it works, maybe spv works, maybe... | | Weaknesses: | The shock (6Way)lasted one ride. It started to leak from compression adjuster. I sent it back to manitou, they fixed it. It comes back, I put it on my bike, ride to my house and discover that it's not leaking; it's pooring oil from compression again! I sent it back again.... | | Similar Products Used: | Vanilla RC, Vanilla R, Avalanche (demo), Romic | | Bike Setup: | Bighit with Monster, 8" link, all kustom built | | Bottom Line: | If you don't want to ride, buy this shock. I'm without my bike for 2 months already and manitou says that they will send me a new shock sometime in june. SPV doesn't work once you stand up. I'm ordering an Avalanche! Screw Manipoo, I gave them plenty of chances to prove me that they are good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from philippines
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | off road and urban jungle | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | extreme bike shop | | Strengths: | plush travel, bottomless feel... | | Weaknesses: | a little bit weighty (not much of a weakness)... not recommended for weight freaks... | | Similar Products Used: | rockshox sid, 5th element, fox vanilla rear... | | Bike Setup: | AC team w/ marzocchi Z1 dropoff | | Bottom Line: | no power loss when pedalling... great SPV... no bobbing when climbing up-hill (that is when you're seated hehehe)... highly recommended for those who wanted a replacement shocks that works for all around riding style... :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Francois Allaire
a Weekend Warrior
from Jonquiere
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | amazone | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The 4way is rebound, preload, svp pressure, and bottomming ajustable. you can dial this shock to any type of terrain you want | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Bike Setup: | giant AC1 | | Bottom Line: | I bought a Giant AC1 frame and built it a little more trail than DH/FR, i was thinking that maybe the shock would be too heavy.
I was wrong, the ajustability of the manitou 4way let's you plenty of possibilitys, so the weight doesn't mater so much since it has SPV too.
Great shock for the rider who don't want to always take a look at his shock to see if everything's OK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came stock | | Bike Setup: | stock 2002 giant ac 1, now with swinger 4 way shock | | Bottom Line: | I ride a 2002 giant ac 1. everyone said it was a do it all bike that could climb up as well as it goes down... what a load of crap. that thing was such a pig for uphills and it bobbed alot! Anyway, the rockshox pro deluxe shock died on me and i purchased a swinger replacement. what a difference it made. the bob is really gone and now i'm riding two to three gears higher. the bike is still heavy and all but i can truly take on all mountain rides without constantly fighting the loss of momentum. and that's with the exact same bike, just a different shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ty Weiss
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando,FL
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos/Alafia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Whew! Finally a shock that performs the way its stated. It is really smooth. It handles small to large impacts! Talk about railing corners or just flat our rolling through twisting singletrack - it does it all! You hardly know it is there, SMOOTH. 1.Adjustability 2.Adjustability 3.Adjustability!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | I have not found any as of yet... | | Similar Products Used: | Swinger 3 way air (experienced loss of air problems - though cust serv was OUTSTANDING in replacing the 3way for the 4way - because it was my sencond time retuning the 3way) | | Bike Setup: | Giant VT - Zoke Drop off II - xt drivetrain - swinger 4way - wtb weirwolf 2.5's - Mavic XM321 - Avid Mech disc - easton assessories... | | Bottom Line: | Great shock! If you ride like me, A little XC, lots of rocky technical area frequented with an assortment of drops, and you dibble and dabble in the freeride arena - THIS SHOCK IS FOR YOU. Perfect shoch for my perfect BABY>>>>
YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTTED IN YOUR PURCHASE!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Fernee
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Poo shooter | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Nerang MTB centre | | Strengths: | It works well | | Weaknesses: | long spring (not really a weakness) | | Similar Products Used: | Fox RX | | Bike Setup: | swinger 4-way on a 04 Big Hit expert with shiver DCs | | Bottom Line: | Jeezus this thing really works. It's a swinger 4-way, 8.75" eye-eye, 2.75" stroke in 8.1" travel mode. I run a 400lb spring and weigh about 160 lbs. I run with about 60-80psi in the reservoir. When I was experimenting with it, I tried up to 120psi and the ride was very harsh and I wasn't too happy. But when you dial it in....WoW!!!! The bike is plush as, rides low with about 3" sag, rails corners, works brilliantly on breaking bumps and handles jumps and drops with ease. It has it all, small bump and large bump compliance. And of course, it doesn't bob when I decide to ride the bike to the trail or up a hill.... like magic. This shock would be brilliant on a lighter free-ride bike like a Bullit. I'd probably only have one bike then. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Rock N Road Cyclery | | Strengths: | Stable Platform performs as advertised. It's built like a tank. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmmm... not a huge selection of different weight springs but I'm not complaining as mine works fine. Doesn't seem to be user serviceable - it will be interesting to see what happens when its time for a rebuild. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox SID (air), Rock Shox Deluxe (coil), Fox Vanilla (coil), Fox Float (air).... and one of the first suspension seat posts made... | | Bike Setup: | This replaced a SID that came stock on a Giant AC Air Lite frame - four bar linkage with adjustable travel settings by changing the leverage on the shock by moving it at different points on the swingarm. I'm 6'2, 210 lbs on a 550 lb spring. | | Bottom Line: | Hi, my name is Andy and I am now a long travel addict.
Glad that's out of the way.
In my opinion, the stable platform thing is one of the greatest things that ever happened to mountain biking. While fork lengths were getting longer and bikes were getting heavier, it was getting harder and harder to consider going on rides that involved climbing for two or three miles at a stretch - which is about half of the local rides in my neck of the woods. IN fact, I gave up on one of our classics, Old Flowers Road, for a couple of years because I just didn't want to grind it out for that long. It just wasn't that fun to bounce up a steep grade for an hour on a 6 inch travel buckin' bronc.
Even thought the adjustable travel option on the AC was nice, I could climb in 4 inch mode and then, at the top, I could switch it to 6 inch mode. But, even in 4 inch mode, by the time I got to the top I was almost too tired to fully enjoy the descent. Bob was sapping my energy. Then came SPV technology.
At 210 pounds and approaching the big 4-0, I realized that I could benefit greatly from what this promised. I ordered it immediately. I wanted to initially go with the air version but Giant had cornered the market and put all of the air production on their first, 2003, VT models. I took the coil.
My bike now lives permanently in 6 inch mode. It climbs great, no bob unless I flail away or spin too low of a gear. This shock has greatly increased the predictability of the rear end in the most demanding situations. The rear tire stays planted and the travel has an almost endless feel to it. Eventually, you develop such a smooth stroke that you can even stand and hammer and the effect on the shock is minimal. It's just awesome.
If this shock were lost or stolen, I would DEFINITELY, without hesitation, buy it again. As a matter of fact, I will never purchase another full suspension bike that does not have this kind of technology. To me, it's absolutely essential.
As an individual component, the Swinger SPV is first rate. It delivers on its promise, it has real, tangible adjustments that you can feel on the trail and the construction seems to be top notch. It has held up with out complaint for over a year with lots of epic rides, a Moab trip and even a 24 hour race.
If you're considering this as an upgrade, I couldn't endorse it more. Money well spent.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jewkes
a
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very adjustable. Durable coil spring. | | Weaknesses: | Very adjustable. Heavy coil spring. | | Bottom Line: | Very nice shock. It made my 32lb bike ride like a 32.75lb bike. This may be resultant from the fact that his shock weighs ¾ of a pound more than the air shock it replaced.
I’d heard so much hype about this shock, that when the Fox shock on my Specialized Enduro started to leak like a sieve, I decided to fork over the dough and see how cool this shock really was. This 4-way shock is very adjustable. The six-way must be for mechanical engineers (or very bored people) only. On my first ride I took the pump with me and played around with different settings. After riding over (while remaining seated) every obstacle and climbing every rocky assent near my home, I’m still not sure I have it dialed in correctly. I did, however, manage to bend my Ritchey seat post.
After only a few rides, what I’ve learned that may be of use to others out there is:
1. This shock is heavier than an air shock, but has a smoother feel and should hold up much better.
2. The SPV feature is nice, but it does not make a 32lb bike feel like a 20 something pound bike. Bummer!!! In fact, because I changed from an air shock with more stiction to a plush steel spring shock, the bike feels (and is) heavier than it was before.
3. This shock does fit 2002 or newer Enduros as long as you put it on backwards.
4. Not only do Ritchey seat posts slide down the seat tube, make noise, and let the seat move around when you ride, but they also bend.
5. If every time something on your bike breaks, you replace the broken part with stronger heavier part, your bike will become heavy. Although this is exceedingly obvious, my bike is now very heavy.
If I ever get the shock dialed in to the point that this bike feels like a 20 something pound bike or if it makes me feel like a 20 something year old rider, I’ll be sure to let it be known.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
1000-Oaks
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Works great! Just installed one on my AC1, works just as good as the Romic on my Fly. | | Weaknesses: | Just put a 4-Way Swinger on my AC and had a heck of a time getting the SPV to hold air (leaks out when you detach the pump) when setting the SPV pressure. I understand this is VERY common and is truly a PIA. So I pulled out the valve core and filed off about 2/3 of the plunger head (just a few thousandths of an inch), cleaned the core, and put it back in. Bingo, now the valve closes before the o-ring breaks the seal when you remove the pump hose.
Takes just a few minutes - no more fighting with the valve. Just push the plunger all the way in before you hit it with the file, so you don't bend the plunger shaft.
| | Similar Products Used: | Romic | | Bike Setup: | 2002 AC1 with Shorty stem | | Bottom Line: | Highly recommend, made a HUGE pedalling improvement compared to the stock Rock Shox Deluxe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lauren Locke
a Downhiller
from Seattle, Washington, US
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything at whisler | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Adjustability. SPV kicks ass/butt/anyotherkickablepart. | | Weaknesses: | HUGE spring size, doesn't fit in the nooks and crannys. | | Similar Products Used: | fox rc, 5th, fox r. | | Bike Setup: | 04 big hit expert. stock. | | Bottom Line: | a very good product in all. I wish the people at Manitou gave it some really distinctive spring color (kinda like romic) and make the spring size more compatable. Anyway- get the shock. If you ride trails, downhill and the local dirt jumps in one weekend, it's meant for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chase
a
from Greensboro
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | SPV! SPV! SPV! Great adjustability, burly damper, works as advertised | | Weaknesses: | None So Far | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Sucks Pro Deluxe, Swinger 4-Way Air, Progressive 5th Element Coil, Progressive 5th Element Air, | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Gemini 2000 | | Bottom Line: | Bottomless feel, more lively than the 5th Element, can make 38-pound bike feel like a 28-pound trail bike! Bottom line the Singer 4-Way kicks ass and is a worthy upgrade for ANY full-suspension bike. Worth EVERY PENNY | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt g
a Downhiller
from savanah
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | quality bike | | Strengths: | jeez... i dont know where 2 begin....durable as all get-out! Quality construction, takes 5 foot drops like butter from my 190 lb arse! | | Weaknesses: | none so far...maybe weight? nah... oh yea, its stiff! but this is what u want, right? | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | ac air. stiffer spring in black elite fork. swinger rear | | Bottom Line: | this is my second shock.....first was a rockshox xc and it bottomed on 3 foot drops and then blew out after 3 months...I bolted this baby on yesterday, it soaks up every hit no problems and i weigh in at 190. If u have the means, i highly recommend u pick one up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dusty
a Weekend Warrior
from red deer
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Canada Cup DH | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | PB | | Strengths: | this is a all around strong fork, Its STIFF!! good seals and BEAFy | | Weaknesses: | mine is leakin some oil out of bottom adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant Ac, Sherman flick,Hayes Comp,swinger | | Bottom Line: | this fork will take anything its just if you will take it, i have done a 20 foot clif drop and it bottomed but still felt pretty good. i am now lookin for a monster T ot a Shiver DC i am willing to trade after i get it rebuilt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mouse J
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Moore Fun | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Manitou | | Strengths: | Solid SPV technology. The Platform performs as advertised. Great Adjustability | | Similar Products Used: | FOX RLC, 5th element | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC, Sherman Firefly, Azonic Shorty Stem, Answer Protaper Bar, Avid Mechanical 8 inch rotors, WTB Weirwolf Tires | | Bottom Line: | Plush on small stuff and stupid sick on jumps and drops. Pedal uphill and take a look at the coil when you have a smooth cadence; no movement, except for the bumps in the trail. Jumping at Big Bear feels like I am rolling off curbs. I weigh 160 lbs with a 450 spring and 100 psi in the air chamber, progressive platform is dialed in 1/2 way for a semi-progressive feel. If you are dropping big drops dial it in more. 5 flaming poops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rufus
a Downhiller
from Norway
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Din Sykkel A/S Norway | | Strengths: | Plush, but at the same time gives a solid pedaling platform.
Lots of adjusting possibilities.
Easy to follow instructions.
Makes my bike easier to sprint on! | | Weaknesses: | Having to check the air pressure before each ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox RC, Rock Shox De Luxe | | Bike Setup: | Giant DH Team, set up for dh fast (Manitou Dorado up front). | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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