Submitted by
mynameiskyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great on hardpack, paved or consistently predictable terrain.
Weaknesses:
Stiff, stiff, stiff. I'm 160lbs and this thing may sag 1mm when I sit on the bike (and I'm just giving the benefit of the doubt, b/c I can't see any sag). Also, the preload knob is very cheaply made plastic, and sheared off internally during a mere hand adjustment.
Similar Products Used:
I've never used anything this stiff other than a rigid.
Bike Setup:
Iguana, Deore, Club Roost, etc
Bottom Line:
If you're a commuter, paved trail, hardpack (with few small bump) or a heavy rider (I would think at least 180lbs) this might be a good fork, but for the lighter rider attacking any terrain with roots, stumps, loose rocks, short drops, stair drops, etc expect a somewhat jarring trip.
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Submitted by
Mathieu
a
from Laarne, Belguim Date Reviewed: October 24, 2006
Favorite Trail:
downhill, bmx jumps, some mud
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
sport bikes, wetteren, Belguim
Strengths:
very stiff strong light fork, never got problems
Weaknesses:
The preload adjuster does almost nothing.
Bike Setup:
Trek 4900 alpha , xtr derailleur and the rest is lx
Bottom Line:
-
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Submitted by
matt
a Racer
from hansville wa Date Reviewed: February 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
where ever
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
kingston classic cycle
Strengths:
ummm it's okay at climbing because it doesn't bob alot
Weaknesses:
the preload broke, after a couple jumps on a 3 foot jump the legs went out of place now every time i do any thing it bends my rims against the fork, it doesn't do it's full travel and it isn't plush worth crap it flexes too much not stiff enough, it's just a piece of crap.it doesn't keep your tire on the ground enough it doesn't absorb small bumps
Similar Products Used:
fox vanilla much better
Bike Setup:
trek 4900
Bottom Line:
it's crap i do not recommend to anyone unless it comes with your bike or if you just ride to people houses but if you take biking seriously it's terrible and it will get some kind of problem after a while. on my other review i gave it a 4 out of 5 but thats before i started biking alot more now it's just falling apart
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Submitted by
matt
a Racer
from hansville wa usa Date Reviewed: January 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
pope and talbot land trails
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
came with trek 4900
Strengths:
doesn't waste all of your energy because it is pretty stiff it does alright on jumps.
Weaknesses:
my preload broke, takes alot of energy to make it go down all the way at most i probably only use 60 millimeters of it's travel, doesn't absorb small bumps well
Similar Products Used:
stiff forks
Bike Setup:
trek 4900 with michelin tires and bullet proof pedals
Bottom Line:
it's a good beginner fork especially if you don't want something too expensive or you don't want something as bad as a rst or insync suspension
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Submitted by
Olivier
a
from Quebec city,Quebec,Canada Date Reviewed: October 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
It come with 03 Giant Iguana
Strengths:
This is a very cheap fork for the person how want to begin in the freeriding and for me is very strong ( 120lb rider) and i can do 7 feet gap with it
Bike Setup:
The stock setup for a Iguana 03 v-brake but i change the BB and the crank for a Hussefelt crank and Truvativ DH giga pipe
Bottom Line:
This fork is good for the biginner of any type of riding but don't try is un DH is horrible but is a very big challenge to ride it. This fork came with the bike and it why i got one but is the the fork you have to buy when you need one take something better that will be a better choice
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Submitted by
Adrian
a
from Corner Brook, NL, CAN Date Reviewed: August 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Marble Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
TNT Pro Bicycles
Strengths:
Pretty stiff fork for the price. It will take bigger hits pretty easily without bottoming out (150 lb rider). The fork also looks half decent with the chrome colored stanchions.
Weaknesses:
Does not take little hits such as rocks and other small things at all. I find the forks to have a tacky feel to them and a cheapness about them. Preload is very hard to turn at a stiffer adjustment, you need pliers to turn them. The preload does almost nothing at a stiff setting compared to the softer setting regards to bottoming them out.
This fork came stock on my bike, and it done me fine for the 3 months i had them until i sold them. I wanted a better AXC fork. Great fork for the price. They never gave me any trouble for the while i had them. Buy these forks if you are not too picky about the feel of your forks and you are more into mild xc. Dont buy these forks if you want a cusion feel to your fork that will take whatever you throw at it....in that case, upgrade to an MX Comp
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Submitted by
Clive Norton
a Cross Country Rider
from Yorkshire, UK Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Ladybower Reservoir & area
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Halfords
Strengths:
I had two pairs of 80mm Pilot C's (two bike family). Light. Reasonably good looking. Large range of adjustment from almost soft enough to very hard. Good damping
Weaknesses:
Poor progression - they don't move for quite a lot of force, then with not much more they're at the bottom of the travel. I'm 75kg and have a laid forwards riding position. I ran them on minimum preload off road to get any shock absorption, but occasionally bottomed them out. My 55kg wife has an upright riding position and never really got them to move.
Travel is about 20mm less than claimed. I only ever got 60mm travel.
Preload adjuster jams after a couple of days everytime it gets turned up high for road use. Needs pliers or removing to free it off again for the weekend.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi MX Comp. Far better in every sense except weight, which is the same. Get these instead.
Bike Setup:
Aluminium hardtail, full Deore groupset (inc wheels). Maxxis HighRoller 2.1" for XC, Panaracer 1.25" for road use.
Bottom Line:
Very good for the price. But save up for a better one (probably the Marzocchi MX).
The reload adjuster that kept sticking and needing stripping drove me mad. Would be less of an issue if you only ride on-road or only ride off-road.
I experimented with air-valve fork caps, which gave more adjustment and more progression on the compression. They work just fine on the right hand tube, but need spacers on the left hand tube to take up the slack to the spring. It is only necessary to install on one side. Or both. If you install on the left you lose the spring preload dial. Which will have jammed by now anyway. Valve caps are a worthwhile upgrade if you can imagine what difference they make and know that's what you want. Can get them from ChainReactionCycles or special order at most bike shops. You might get told that they don't work because you dont have an oil bath in the fork legs. They work just fine. Partly because you do have an oil bath (open it up and have a look!), and partly because they don't need an oil bath to work anyway (there is no bath in the left side, but they do work - trust me) Max 40psi on the right and 70psi on the left. Can go higher on the left 'cos the volume doesn't decrease as harshly under compression (so the pressure doesn't increase). They're road pressures. You need much less for the trail.
Lose 1.5 Mr. Hankys for the crappy jamming adjuster and another 0.5 Mr. Hankys for poor progression. Only redeemed by value, otherwise I would've been harsher.
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Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Paradise Date Reviewed: February 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
cyclesport
Strengths:
A good, stiff shock that is fairly light.
Weaknesses:
The preload adjuster does almost nothing.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou
Bike Setup:
Stock Trek 4900
Bottom Line:
I like this shock alot because under hard pedaling it doesn't bobble much so your energy goes to the ground. It also soaks up the big hits well.
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Submitted by
Travis West
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN - USA Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Chickasaw Trace
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Champion Cycling - Jax Bch, FL
Strengths:
Chromed Stantions - Slippery, dollar savy, strong - for an entry level bike, this IS what you would want!
Weaknesses:
4.1 lbs - if that's it - About the same as any other except Skerab or SID...
Similar Products Used:
None - I've always had Headshox
Bike Setup:
2003 4900 - Bontrager select flat bar, Thompson 100mm X 5', coolstop pads, Sella Flite Gel Ti, Python Air lights, Continental Gravity 2.3, Specialized Most Extreme,
Bottom Line:
Ok Ok Ok - Here You go - Factory default settings Are lousy - I hated this fork - I have done some things to it, and now I love it - enough to put off buying something a little lighter until the '05's come out with more SPV tech...
First - Go to your dealer and get the 100mm conversion collar for the Pilot SL or XC.
Second - Tear the thing apart, put Judy Butter(LOTS) down BELOW both bearings, in both legs.
Third - Take the bottom out spring(about20mm tall - that's why you only feel 60mm - it's that stiff) and head up to hard ware store and find one about half that size but, KEEP IT STIF !!!
Forth - On the top of the compression spring, lock the collar into the preload knob and insert the SMALLER end into the spring - it will click..!
Fifth - Install the shorter bottom out spring were you found it.
Sixth - Put the lowers back on - check for smoothness...
SEVENTH - Put 120cc of "5" (FIVE) weight shock oil into the leg, 20cc of 10 (TEN) weight into the bottom. This speeds up the rebound - The Pilot C comes with 10 top and bottom
This will liven up the fork dramatically, and give you almost "HUCK" worthy travel..!!!
I work at Nashville's Largest Trek Shop! Now you have been schooled!!!
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Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Devon UK Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Chain Reaction Cycles
Strengths:
Simple, stiff, does exactly what it says on the tin.
Weaknesses:
Little heavy, takes a lot of winding on the preload adjuster before it has any effect.
Similar Products Used:
First generation RockShox, way back...
Bike Setup:
Fairly stock Scott YZ1
Bottom Line:
Simple no messing about forks. Only reacts to the medium and big bumps, but if you can't deal with a little trail buzz you shouldn't be riding. Great tracking, very sharp reactions to steering. Set it up to your weight and it won't bob on climbing. Does exactly what a sus fork should do, takes out the big hits without affecting any other aspect of your ride. Fantastic.
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Submitted by
Marc
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Cranks North Sydney
Strengths:
Good handling, responsive
Weaknesses:
Very stiff . . . doesn't ever go to it's full 80mm
I got this fork on my Giant Iguana. It's done it's job very well over the time I've used it. On and off road it handles predictably and soaks up some of the bumps well. It is however very stiff and getting it to use it's full advertised 80mm travel would require some kind of heinous dropoff.
As a stiff, good handling XC fork, it's great and does exactly everything it should.
I should also point out that I weigh less than 60kg so even with the preload on its minimum, I'm very light for this fork. That could mean that my complaints about it being too stiff aren't relevant to a heavier rider.
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Submitted by
Russell Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, Colorardo, USA Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
upper ledges
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$519.00
Purchased At:
Cycle loft
Strengths:
durable
Weaknesses:
It does not do anything for small bumps i only get 50mm of travel for the advertised 80mm
Similar Products Used:
2002 duke c, Post moderne sls
Bike Setup:
trek 4900
Bottom Line:
I way 100 pounds. My dad tried, hes 170 lbs, my bike on the weakest setting and couldnt bottom it out now that says alot. after a ride my arms hurt becuase of the lack absortion of small bumps. This shock Sucks!!! Not to mention its a 200 dolloar shock the 150$ duke c's i tried are 100% better.
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Submitted by
eric klatt
a Cross Country Rider
from morden mb canada Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
tinker creek cycle
Strengths:
Stiff, (i have never bottomed it out yet. Even on a 5 foot drop.) yet it is sensitive enough to absorb some of the tiny bumps.
Weaknesses:
The rebound adjuster has been stuck for awhile now, but it doesnt matter since the adjustment does barly anything. false advertisment there is no way taht that the shock uses the whole 100 mm. About 80mm max.
Similar Products Used:
A piece of crap shock didnt even have a name (walmart)
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Trailhead
Bottom Line:
This is a very good shock if you are just sarting but once you get more daring and more agressive you might want to swith to a shock which will handle the bumps a bit better than a pilot c mabey a duke u turn or something. the price was descent. cdn
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Submitted by
mark
a Weekend Warrior
from mass Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
clean lines, no bells and whistles to worry about. fork appears to be well built and has not failed me in 3 months of riding.
Weaknesses:
make sure if you have the option to order the 100mm. my bike came stock w/the 80mm and there is no way that fork is giving up 80mm of travel. maybe 60mmm. and the pilot "C" CAN NOT BE CONVERTED TO 100MM. I DO FEEL LIKE I WAS MISLEAD BY ROCK SHOK AND REI. IF I KNEW AT THE TIME I WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE PURCHASE A SECOND THOUGHT. AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THE PEOPLE AT ROCK SHOK SEND ME E-MAIL EXPLAINING HOW TO "CONVERT" THE PILOT 'C' . PRETTY GOOD TRICK SEEING HOW IT CANT BE DONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
SPECIALIZED F.S., 2 OTHER 2003 PILOT MODELS,MAN.. AXEL
Bike Setup:
STOCK 2003 NOVARA F.S.
Bottom Line:
A GOOD FORK FOR THE MONEY. NOT A GOOD FORK IF YOU ARE PAYING FULL PRICE (MSRP COMPLETE BIKE $1000.00) RETAILERS AND MANF. NEED TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE. THERE IS NOTHING MORE ANNOYING THAN RETAILERS NOT KNOWING THE PRODUCT THEY SELL AND EVEN WORSE THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT NOT KNOWING. IF YOU CAN LIVE WITH LESS THAN ADVERTISED TRAVEL IT'S A GOOD ABOVE AVERAGE FORK.
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Submitted by
Menachem Begin
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Freedom Machine
Strengths:
This is a really good fork, 100mm travel and fully adjustable and soaks up everything I've encountered so far
Weaknesses:
none so far
Bike Setup:
came stock on Avanti Barracuda
Bottom Line:
Great fork for a low price, if this hadn't come stock on my bike and i was looking for a good fork without spending a fortune, this would be it.
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Submitted by
Allen Coulonge, Jr.
a Weekend Warrior
from New Orleans, LA Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
CNO Cyclery in New Orleans
Strengths:
Great shock for the price. Came stock on my Trek 4900.
Weaknesses:
Rebound doesn't do much. It is a bit on the heavy side. Needs stiffer springs if you way over 200lbs but none available.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Mag 21, Judy TT & Suntour crap.
Bike Setup:
Trek 4900 w. Xt/Xtr group, Cane Creek wheels, eggbeaters, etc.
Bottom Line:
For the price this fork is highly recommended. I've enjoyed it but have moved higher up the food chain with a Duke XC. If you are used to the junk that Wal-Mart and K-mart pedal off on the public as being a suspension fork, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. I will rate the fork according to it's price level, not against the obviously superior high $ forks.
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Submitted by
Gordon
a Cross Country Rider
from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mount Macedon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Ted's Cycles, Footscray
Strengths:
Shiney, cheap, claim of 100mm travel
Weaknesses:
Doesn't really have more than 70mm travel for anyone that I've had try to squash. Preload adjuster only makes it go from bad to worse. Supple? Please...
Similar Products Used:
Judy XC, Judy SL, Manitou etc.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose Wing Super, stock except for a Stiffy, stronger handlebars & XTR derailleur,
Bottom Line:
Shame on Rockshox for releasing such a dodgey product. I had confidence in them from previous experience so didn't really test ride but at least expected to get a 100mm fork that worked properly, if not all that well, considering the overall (low) price of the bike. What I got was something more at home on a $150 Kmart special. I'm not usually a whinger but am a little shocked by the positivity of some of the other reviews here... Sad to say, after several fork purchases, "Goodbye Rockshox, I'm going to see Signor Marzocchi". I know that Rockshox have better products that will fit the bill, but there's a principle involved here. My advice is don't buy this fork, spend more money with (with Rockshox of you like) and get a real one.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, TX Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
bikeworld
Strengths:
seems to be a pretty well rounded shock, good on the big bumps and pretty good on the small ones.
Weaknesses:
see below
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
This shock came on my Trek 2003 4900. The shock seemed to work pretty good for the first few months I had the bike, then I noticed a "settling" of the shock when I would lift the front end off the ground. Took it to Bikeworld, where I bought it from and talked to George and told him what the problem was. Told him I was 6'2" and 195 lb. He said the spring in the fork was not really made for that kind of weight. So he called rockshox and asked them if they had a heavier spring. They said no. So George took the shock apart and overhauled it for me. Now it seems to work like new, all though it still "settles" just a bit. Like the other reviews, the tension adjustment doesnt seem to do to much, so I quiet foolin with it. I'm happy with the shock and for what I use it for, it works great.George at Bikeworld went beyond what he had to do and didnt charge me anything. Just goes to show that there are some good people out there at the local bike shops.
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Submitted by
Ady Griffiths
a Weekend Warrior
from Douglas, Isle of Man, UK Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Slieau Whallian
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1015.00
Purchased At:
Eurocyles
Strengths:
Don't worry about the price - it includes the rest of my bike, at Trek 4900, and in the UK we pay 50% more...anyway, these forks rule! Nice and stiff so they don't bob around just because you've touched the brakes or leant forward, but still supple enough to soak up the big bumps. Plenty of clearance for chunky tires.
Weaknesses:
Preloader doesn't make much difference, probably because they're pretty stiff as it is.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Indy C - proved to be good value and lasted well.
Bike Setup:
Shimano disk brakes, aluminium frame, Deore LX derailleur, bogranger tyres, bars, stem and saddle.
Bottom Line:
A great fork at a nice price. Does what a suspension fork really should do - nothing when braking or moving about the bike, and everything when hitting boulders.
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Submitted by
Nobloodybody
a Weekend Warrior
from Belgium Date Reviewed: April 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$151.00
Strengths:
Good stiff fork.
Weaknesses:
Adjustment effects are rather small.
Similar Products Used:
RS judy c
Bottom Line:
I like it; it's not too expensive and more than good enough for me.
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Submitted by
Kris
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Date Reviewed: February 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Maribrynong 4WD track
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Clifton Hill Cycles
Strengths:
Stiff, which makes it good for commuting, but takes the big hits quite smoothly.
Weaknesses:
The stiffness means the little hits are felt. You need a bit more control and care.
Similar Products Used:
Early low-level Rockshox cheap forks, Psylo XC, Marzocchi ZRs (I think)
Bike Setup:
Alite mongrel. 19" 7001 frame, Kore headset, Truvatic Five-D cranks, V8s. Deore XT shifters and derailleurs, Tektro Gemini hydro discs.
Bottom Line:
For the bottom line of the Pilots, I was still impressed, but these forks are better (more expensive) than my previous bike. The preload adjustment isn't a big thing, but I use the bike on the road a lot and was a bit sick of bouncing, so I have it quite stiff. Even dialled up like that, it will eat up big knocks and hard landings quite well. Haven't bottomed them out yet. Quite smooth.
I guess the advantage of the preload is that when I do get out on the trails (this weekend, finally), I can ease up on the stiffness a bit. Good for XC I'd say, really don't know whether I'd trust them for DH or jumping, that sort of stuff.
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: February 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Lane Cove NP
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Looks great, very stiff, absorbs the bigger hits effectively
Weaknesses:
Not highly sensitive on small bumps (before anyone cares to mention preload adjustment, I've used it, and my opinion is unchanged)
Similar Products Used:
RS Pilot XC, Manitou Six Super
Bike Setup:
Stock 2003 Trek 4900
Bottom Line:
As this fork was supplied on a relatively inexpensive bike, I have to say it's great value. It absorbs the high-speed thumps with ease, and its stiffness gives accurate steering, though I have some questions about its sensitivity. If you're comparing bikes in the 4900's price range, the Pilot has to be a plus, because it's better than most other equivalent forks.
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Submitted by
EDDIE NIGHTHAWK
a Weekend Warrior
from LAKELAND, FLA. USA Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
ANY AND ALL
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
TEMPLE TERR. SCHWINN
Strengths:
GREAT QUALITY, LIGHT AND STRONG.
Weaknesses:
NONE REALLY
Similar Products Used:
ROCK SHOXX
Bike Setup:
STOCK 2003 GIANT IGUANA HARDTAIL.
Bottom Line:
FOR THE PRICE RANGE THESE ARE VERY GOOD FORKS. REBOUND ADJUSTMENT IS MIMIMAL BUT EFFECTIVE. HAVE PUT A LOT OF STRESS AND STRAIN (AND APPROX. 350 MILES SO FAR) ON THESE FORKS AND THEY ARE WORKING FINE W/ NO PROBLEMS. REASONABLY STIFF AND STRONG PROVIDING ACCURATE STEERING RESPONSE, AND REDUCES THE BRUTALITY OF ROOTS, ROCKS, AND BUMPS. SMOOTH OPERATION AT SPEEDS. (I ALSO RUN THE 2003 ROCK SHOXX BOXXER "RACE" ON MY 2003 BANSHEE SCREAM) FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE ROCK SHOXX SPECTRUM BOTH ARE FINE PRODUCTS !!!!.
$ 190.00
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