Submitted by
Mark
a
from Ottawa Canada Date Reviewed: July 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$478.00
Strengths:
Very strong fork. Short enough for urban and big enough for trails. Plush. Still feels great after tons of riding.
Weaknesses:
Close to impossible to find a replacement maxel. Compression adjuster stops to work over time.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Black market mob
Bottom Line:
It's a great all-round fork that's strong enough for urban riders. It's solid, and won't break easily. Some parts are hard to find (maxel) but other than that it works great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a
from Seattle Date Reviewed: September 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
7th secret (shhhh)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
Maxle is brilliant. Excellent range of tunability, especially for the price. Smooth operator right out of the box. Little deflection, even on very hard hits.
Weaknesses:
I'm not convinced mine actually gets 140 mm of travel, but its pretty close anyway. Disc mount on fork was heavily painted over which made it difficult to line up the caliper correctly.
Similar Products Used:
this is my first 20mm
Bike Setup:
Heckler with X9, juicys, profile hubs, 829d rims, fox float R (not impressed with this product!), king deep cup steel
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2005 Pike Race with coil springs (as opposed to what? uncoiled springs?) and a steel stearer. My Pike has taken some good hits and handled them with aplomb. It has a linear stroke which is good and bad. I have bottomed it really hard a few times on lowspeed drops to flat. For those situations I wish it had a more progressive feel. But for trail riding its killer. The U-Turn is nice for dialing the right head angle for the job, and the compression and rebound adjustments have a functional range. I have taken my Pike to Whistler, and North Van, and done plenty of rocky/rooty single track, and it hasn't let me down. This fork is perfect for technical and demanding trail riding. At 5.8 lbs, its no light weight, but light forks are for sissies anyway. 5 flaming ?¡çk$ for value! 4 flaming ?¡çk$ for difficulty with disc tabs....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dING bURP
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara CA USA, WORLD Date Reviewed: August 31, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The Shizznit
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
stiff, light, responsive, great progressive feel. very inexpensive alternative to the overpopular and inferior 36Talas. Maxle is great!
Weaknesses:
the red paint job sucks...might mars camo the thing..
Similar Products Used:
36Talas, Pace RC40
Bike Setup:
Tazer VP, works finish
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork for an unbeatable price...i got these just at the right time from Nashbar, hard to beat $270...but it's red which is lame but it saved me some green. funny how i could have three of these for 1 Fox 36Talas. I had the talas before but sold it as it had very poor small bump sensitivity and felt too linear(also having stiction which you can feel at the handlebars).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Benson
a Racer
from West Hawk Lake, Manitoba, Canada Date Reviewed: July 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$370.00
Purchased At:
ebay.ca
Strengths:
Super Plush, Highly Adjutable, Lookes Cool, Rides Sweet is Pretty Cheap.
Feels like it has 8" off travel.
Weaknesses:
Weighed more than listed ?(was trying to knock weight off my bike)
Hayes 8" disc adapter for Marzocchi Z.1 FR 2 was too thick. I had to beltsand it for 45 minutes to make it fit.
Cove Hustler - Maxxis Tires, Sram shifting, Mag Brakes, Evolve XC post, stem and bar.
Bottom Line:
This fork is more plush than a Fox Vanilla and 36!!!
Its the ultimate do-anything fork. Travel can be dropped to 95mm and locked for XC. And it can be rasied up to 140 for downhills.
Its the most adjutable fork I've used, plus its really cheap. It allows you to fine tune everyhting while on the trail. I've taken it off 4 foot drops and it handled it better than the Z.1 FR 2. If it uses too much travel all you have to do is close the floodgate slightly rather than going home and pumping it up like on the Z.1.
Its a great fork for those XC riders who like to go big or AM/FR who like to climb the hills instead of shuttling.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a
from Winkler,MB,Canada Date Reviewed: June 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Jump Farm
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$475.00
Purchased At:
Alter Ego
Strengths:
Very plush,Extremly adjustable for any type of rider.
Weaknesses:
The ARCH breaks EXTREMLY easily
Similar Products Used:
Dirtjumper 1 and 2
Bike Setup:
2004 Specialized P.3 with full truvativ hozfeller parts.Sun ringle Double tracks,Hayes 9 hydraulic disk brakes 6" Deore drive train. And PINK Rockshox pike.
Bottom Line:
I would NOT use the fork for DIRT JUMPING.Just wait for the new rock shox argile to come out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pete
a Cross Country Rider
from walnut creek, ca, usa Date Reviewed: May 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
mitchell canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Perfection Cyclery
Strengths:
Just changed the spring from medium to ex-firm for my 230+lb rider weight and the fork is FABULOUS!! Thank you Rock Shox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Knobs for 05 are disappointing so I have upgraded to the 06 aluminum dials.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Drop Off 150 w/ETA, Z1 FR SL(04) 130 w/ECC.
Bike Setup:
Weyless 67 with spv 4way coil, pike race, king headset, hope hubs with wtb rim and singletrack rim, avid 8" mech discs, thomson front and rear, sram x9 drivetrain etc.
Bottom Line:
Great trail, backcountry, epic riding fork for some fun in the sun or rain. I told my brother about this fork now he too has a Rock Shox fork. Cheers!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jack A.
a Downhiller
from Dummas, CA. USA Date Reviewed: December 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Flyin High, Lake Tahoe, CA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$333.00
Purchased At:
Through a friend in the industry!
Strengths:
This fork can survive anything from 20ft drops to 70 mph downhill runs and also running into trees at 30 mph. Rebound and motion control is superb. That doofas who said the pike sucks probably had a judy instead.
Weaknesses:
Needs to be a little longer say around 160mm to compete with the Fox 36. I got one of those too.
Similar Products Used:
Fox 36RC, Marzocchi 66RC, Manitou Nixon Platinum and Maveric DUC.
Bike Setup:
Intense 6.6 with sram x.o kit, pike race fork, gxp crankset, thomson front and rear, dee max wheels etc.
Bottom Line:
Great product from Rock Shox! 10/10
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JB
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix Date Reviewed: November 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Nice linear stroke, just get the right spring for your weight. Very stiff. Very adjustable for a sping fork. The motion control and floodgate features are great... Quick release Maxle is great! Light for a 5.5 inch spring fork.
Weaknesses:
Don't know yet. Block letters maybe.....but looks great on my Yeti with block letters, haha.
Similar Products Used:
honestly, none. Been using air sprung forks...
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575
Bottom Line:
hey, this is a great fork. Just don't try to make it more then its supposed to be.....if you need big hucking ability then look for a beefier fork! If you are a big time urban rider then I don't know....all I know is I am an aggressive trail ride and this fork is great for that. 3ft drops at speed to flats or slight tranny its absolutely plush. The motion control damping is great. I like to run it at full damping with the floodgate nearly wide open so it reacts to any significant bumps. On d/h stuff I use almost no damping.
And that fool that said the knobs were cheesy b/c they are made of rubber....whatever...the knobs are metal but covered with a rubber overlay so you can grip them better, quick nitpicking stupid stuff.
This is a great fork for trail riding, moderate jumps and fast quick bumpy singletrack riding. Those who don't like it are in the market for a different type of fork, and thats ok just don't hate this one....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Downhiller
from Bratislava, Slovak rep., Slovak Date Reviewed: November 10, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Strengths:
Great weight, it works briliant on any travel, good stiffness, great progressive travel, excellent adjustment
Weaknesses:
haven't recognized any yet...
Similar Products Used:
all Z1, dorado, shiver, and many dh and 4x forks...
Bike Setup:
pike, saint, point, FSA, sh. deore, shaman, maxxis
Bottom Line:
I've been using this fork for 6 months. I'm doing downhill, dual slalom, a little bit dirt jump, freeride. For downhill and freeride i use 140mm of travel and for other riding 95mm. I can adjust harder travel for dual slalom and dirts and soft for dh and fr. The maxle quick release system works better than expected, easy to open, no tools needed. I thing this fork is a great work of rocksox...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pablo Hill
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City Date Reviewed: November 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
CabroRoca
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$320.00
Purchased At:
Wheel World
Strengths:
It's all mountain, all condition, all discipline, all all all all type of fork. Unless you are a weight watcher biker and keep your ride either anorexic or bulimic.
Weaknesses:
Had to change my front hub, spokes and disk brake. Takes too long to reset the fork once you get to the top of the hill, but man is it worth it.
Similar Products Used:
94' Quadra 5, 96' Juddy xc, 00' bomber, 02' duke
Bike Setup:
05 Kona Dawg, Fox RP3 rear Shock, Shimano XT/LX
Bottom Line:
Is it only 140mm? it feels like 1000mm. It loves drops, It loves roots, It loves rocks, its the fork that keeps on giving.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Middletown, CT, USA Date Reviewed: October 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
bow and arrow in m-town
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$420.00
Purchased At:
cutting edge, ct
Strengths:
not a whole lot, maxel was easy.
Weaknesses:
the fork feels horid, cracked maxel made it difficult to remove and use. this is the second one i have had over 6 months. it made me a worse rider. i believe i blew it airing out of a quarter pipe.
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi: z150, mx pro w/ eta, dirtjumper series, dirt jam, super monster. rock shox: judy tt, psylo xc, pike race, pike race, duke. manitou: axel, nixon.
Bike Setup:
i have a kona cowan frame with 26' wheels.
Bottom Line:
the pike was nice size for street but it just sucked, it feels like the worst fork i have ever ridden, it is way to soft even when locked out and with heavy coils. i am 150 lbs and it just doesnt cut it. so if you are 110 lbs and ride hiking trails i would recomend this fork for you, if you are anyone else do not go with it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rusty Nably
a Downhiller
from BC Date Reviewed: September 30, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Slinger
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$333.00
Purchased At:
...
Strengths:
Darn good fork. Best for the money.
Weaknesses:
Some people complain of a clicking noise from the spring side. This is from the spring binding in the tube.
All you have to do is move the black rubber tube up or down the spring and the clicking will stop.
People also complain of the crown creaking slightly. This is from the stanchion setting itself into the crown, it will eventually go away. Mine did.
Remember DON'T huck the TEAM version! It's not as strong as the SL and RACE (one I have).
Bottom Line:
Good for up to 10 foot drops to nice tranny if you weigh around 190 lbs. Wouldn't go any bigger than what 140mm will give you. It's a strong fork, but not a 200mm DC.
As stated before, the best settings for the damping system are as follows:
Dirt Jumping - Close compression and give slight amount of floodgate lock, open up rebound to faster. Best setting for max energy off jumps, also helps to lower fork.
XC- Close compression and give slight amount of floodgate, use slightly more rebound than DJ setting.
FR- Dry days, close compression and use full open floodgate. Wet days, use full open compression and floodgate. Use generous amount of rebound.
DH- Full open everything ALL the time for high speed traction. Faster rebound helps at fast speeds.
AM- Heavy floodgate going uphill with compression locked. Downhill, use DH settings.
Bottom line, keep this fork oiled nicely (oil seals every week, it's easy, no excuse for not doing it) and it will last a long time.
Service manual says I should be looking at a Bushing replacement by now (over 200 hours). I can see no sign at all of bushing play, actually holding up better than my last Zoke. I've been hucking the snot out of mine for nearly one year now, not a single issue.
These forks really are strong for their weight. I pile drived my front wheel into a ditch going 25mph and the head tube of my burly FR hardtail peeled right off. Any SC fork that can tear a head tube off a 5.5 lb hardtail is pretty darn solid.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Yomama
a Weekend Warrior
from Irvine, CA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$290.00
Purchased At:
The Path Bike Shop (They rule)
Strengths:
U-turn, Coil-spring, stiff, and the Maxle (stupid name aside) it's easy and it works. This fork is very stiff, and the price is right.
Weaknesses:
The Rock Shox stickers
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Z.1 FR, Marzocchi DJ1 ('02),
Bike Setup:
03' .243 Racing w/ E.13 SRS Urban, Diety Cranks and BB, and X.9 drivetrain (she's a purty girl)
Bottom Line:
This fork is perfect for this bike. The U-turn gives the bike unparalleled adjustment and allows me to easily switch the ride characteristics, from a long-travel FR hardtail with a slack headangle to a pimpin' street rig with only a minimal amount of effort (I usually change the tires). The Maxle system rules, 20mm stiffness without 20mm hassle. Also the GATE valve paired with the motion control adds another aspect to this fork which is hard to find on options that are twice the price. This is a serious trail and street fork, apparently SRAM's acquistion of Rockshox was a good thing. This is a quality piece of work and it comes highly recommended.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Saso Bogdanovski
a Downhiller
from Bitola Macedonia Date Reviewed: September 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
kopanki
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Bas
Strengths:
This is for Pike SL. Looks Cool And Works Great. Easy to adjust.
Weaknesses:
Loud Clicking Sound in the left leg where the U-Turn is. When it1s in lower position it stops.
Similar Products Used:
Psylo, Marzocchi z
Bike Setup:
Sram x7,holzfeler, Hayes 9 HD
Bottom Line:
Everything exept the clicking is for now OK. If I have any more problems I will lett you knoy. I`ve jumped it quite a lot since i`v got it and it stands up to the chalenge without much fleks. I can do 1.5m to flat without any fear now
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Ring
a
from Australia Date Reviewed: September 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Palmers, Cairns, QLD
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$325.00
Purchased At:
www.dropnzone.com
Strengths:
EVERYTHING THERE IS NOT ONE THING ONE THIS FORK THAT CAN BE BEAT THEY SAVED MY LIFE
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
FEELS LIKE A FOX 40 AND 36 JUDY TT'S THESE ALSO HELD TOGETHER ON THE KURANDA DROP.
Bike Setup:
KONA STUFF
Bottom Line:
WELL THESE ARE THE BEST FORK IN THE WORLD!!!
I WAS DOING THE KURANDA TRACK ON THE KURANDA RANGE STARTING ABOUT 5000 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.
I WAS CRUZING DOWN THE TRACK WHEN I NOTICED HALF A TRACK SO I FOLLOWED IT AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLEY IT CAME TO THE SIDE OF A CLIFF. I WAS LIKE OOOHH S**T. I COULDN'T STOP CAUSE MY BRAKES ARE S**T MECHANICALS AND I WENT OF THE CLIFF. I'D SAY IT WAS ABOUT A 150FT DROP. I WAS SH*TT*ING MY SELF THINKING I WAS DEAD BUT SUDDENLY I SET MY PIKES TO HARD USING ITS MOTION CONTROL DAMPING AND I HIT THE GROUND. MY WRISTS AND ANKLES BECAME SORE BUT I WAS ALRITE. THE FORKS HAD ABSORBED ALL OF THE FORCE AND DIDN'T EVEN BOTTOM OUT. I WAS ALIVE WITH SORE ANKLES BUT STILL LIVING. TOO BAD I DIDN'T GET IT ON CAMERA.
PIKES RULE.
I KNOW HIT 300FT DROPS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. I HIT ANY DROP I CAN FIND NOW NO MATTER HOW BIG IT IS.
IF U CANT AFFORD SOME PIKES GET SOME JUDYS
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ANDREW
a Weekend Warrior
from BATON ROUGE, LA. USA Date Reviewed: August 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
COMITE RIVER AND HOOPER
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
PLUSH, STABLE WITH 20MM AXLE, NICE ADJUSTMENTS, LIGHT FOR SPRING SHOCK, DURABLE SO FAR
Weaknesses:
REBOUND ADJUSTMENT KNOB PRECARIOUS, INSTRUCTIONS
Similar Products Used:
MANITOU SL
Bike Setup:
STOCK FORK ON 2005 IRON HORSE HOLOWPOINT EXPERT
Bottom Line:
VERY SMOOOOTH FORK, BOTTOMLESS TRAVEL, NICE PLATFORM, TRAVEL ADJUSTMENT WITH HEIGHT MARKINGS. A VERY LIGHT FORK FOR A 6" SPRING. SHOULD BE LOW MAINTENANCE
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Valdis Urban
a Weekend Warrior
from Riga, Latvia Date Reviewed: August 23, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
U-turn
Weaknesses:
Creaky crown, crapy ach.
Similar Products Used:
Rigid XC fork - much stronger.
Bottom Line:
Crown started to creak after 4 or 5 rides - WARRANTY REJECTED.
Arch snaped afted 1/2 season - WARRANTY REJECTED.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joe orenstein
a Weekend Warrior
from jerusalim,Israel Date Reviewed: August 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
dont have any yet
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$580.00
Purchased At:
my store
Strengths:
Great feeling, light weight,cool looking(in black),easy travel adjusment and comression and very good price!
Weaknesses:
a little lack of stiffnes in the innerlegs area, travel knob is made of rubber and the reabound knob at the bottom tends to fall of .
Similar Products Used:
it reminds a fox vanilla and a sherman fork .
Bike Setup:
banshee morphine,halo rim,hope mono m4 brakes, blackspire crank, nokian tires and holzefeller pedals .
Bottom Line:
i got a pike race it's very good and does it's job well. The fork is great for climbing with the gate controll and is a fantastic urban-street fork that can take pretty big hucks. I would give a 5 peppers but the knobs on the fork are kind of cheep and breakable. I have to mention that the maxle qr is great and easy to use and also this fork is not bad for light freeride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a
from Middletown, CT, USA Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$420.00
Strengths:
it was lighter than my z150 and allowed me to crang down the travel for street riding, maxel made it easy to quickly put in car.
Weaknesses:
feels horriable, dust cap would kept popping off, sent it into rockshox and they took it in to do "research" since they never had a problem like this.
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi z150, rockshox psylo, marzocchi mx pro w/ eta, manitou axel.
Bike Setup:
kona cowan
Bottom Line:
its light fork but not as good as marzocchi, bad feeling. i weigh 150 and seem to always bottom it out no matter how i set it up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
goRz
a
from Lodz, Poland Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
³agiesy
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Dynamo
Strengths:
stiff, plush, tough, adjustable, not heavy for this type of fork.
A very versatile fork, I use it for trail riding, all mountain, some jumps, etc...
I am very satisfied with the strength of the fork. Did crash heavily on the front, bending the wheel so that it did not turn, but the fork made it withot a scratch.
Is responsive and does not bottom out.
If you ride street, 'enduro', 4x, want to have a very versatile bike that is a fork for you!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mana Man
a Downhiller
from Denver Date Reviewed: July 30, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Dertedly
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Pretty strong fork for its weight. Stiff, duh! Smooth if setup right. Very good bottom out resistance from the damping unit. I use full travel but never once felt it hit bottom. Why don't other forks have the same awesome range in travel adjust? Incredible. More reliable than the Nixon and Fox 36 competition.
Weaknesses:
Stanchions are now different colors, no biggy. Rubber on control knobs peels off. Wish it had more travel and beef so I could do bigger drops.
Similar Products Used:
tons of crappy forks
Bike Setup:
dd
Bottom Line:
First off, there just isn't a single fork on the market that can even come close to competing to the class of the Pike. Even forks over twice the price are still behind in many ways.
Just read the reviews. Not many problems. This sucker is dead on reliable. I will take a Uturn travel adjust over Fox's TALAS any day.
DO NOT PUT GREASE INTO YOUR PIKE! I know it comes stock with grease, but it actually makes it ride worse. Drain the 15cc of lube oil from each lower leg and then pull the lowers off. Next wipe all of the grease off of the fork seals and bushing and then squirt oil all over the foam rings and bushings. Next put the fork back together and put 20cc of oil back in instead of 15cc.
The grease blocks the oil from reaching parts of the fork. Oil is better at lubing, so getting more around in there is better.
Just keep it oiled in the seals and it will always feel nice and smooth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bananas inpajamas
a Downhiller
from calgary Date Reviewed: July 27, 2005
Favorite Trail:
lantern-canada lolympic park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$620.00
Purchased At:
cyclepath
Strengths:
extreamly easy to ajust with uturn LIGHT 4.75 lbs the look plush prety much everything about this fork is perfect
Weaknesses:
price, i no its cheap in america but even when you factor in the exchange rate it still costs more in canada
this is a great fork for all riding ive done 10 ft or more drops, lots of urban and dj and when you lower the travel with a turn of a nob you can do trials with it!. i recomend this fork fo an intermediate to advanced rider who wants to go big and live to bragg about it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sid
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, Oregon Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
jucy lucy
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
direct from Rock Shox
Strengths:
Very adjustable in all catagories-super fork!!
Weaknesses:
None so far!
Similar Products Used:
Pilot SL 100mm, Judy SL 100mm, Fox Talas R and Marzocchi Z1 FR 130 with ETA.
Bike Setup:
Weyless XP Pro(04) good kit but the fork was too flexy so now this bike rocks.
Bottom Line:
Good fork have had it for a mere 6 months and it has held up so far..................will keep my fingers crossed for longivity.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Smitty
a
from Massachussetts Date Reviewed: June 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
JRA Cycles ... came on bike
Strengths:
Maxle is awesome. Other forks without a thru-axle feel weak after riding this fork. 95-140 mm travel. Compression, rebound adjustments. Price.
Weaknesses:
Weight.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Talas RLC, Marz X-Fly, Marz All Mountain 3, and Manitou Black Elite.
Bike Setup:
2005 Ironhorse MK3 Expert
Bottom Line:
Fork is Great, especially at $415. Plush, very adjustable and able to do a wide range of riding: XC, all mountain, freeride, and I've used it for downhill too, which wasn't that bad at all. Weight may slow you down a bit on a steep uphill, but overall it climbs well and is a great descender.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pete
a
from my mind Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
inner self
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
Inperfection Cyclery
Strengths:
A very, very, very affordable 5.5inch fork with a stiff front end. The Maxel is so easy peasy one would have to be an absolute twit not figuring it out. Compression, lockout, uturn adjustment and rebound is spot on. Good product so far!!
Weaknesses:
Have to grease the stantions on a regular basis and a little bit of flex on 15ft drops. Oh what a shame!!
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Z150 drop off(single crown).
Bike Setup:
Pike Race(red), king headset, Weyless 67 with spv 4way coil shock(7" of rear travel), Thomson front and rear, Wtb power v saddle, Answer pro taper 2" riser bar, XT drive train, Holzfeller crankset with giga pimp DH BB, Hope Biggin hub with Singletrack rim(rear) and WTB DH dual duty 20mm front wheel, Avid mechanical 8" front and rear, Kenda kinetics 2.35 tires and Azonic flats.
Bottom Line:
Good fork with easy adjustments but I use this bike for a lite freeride trail bike since I am around 230lbs and 6ft 6in tall. The frame is 20" tall and top tube around 24.5 so the Pike fork is a decent product for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from North Augusta, SC Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$324.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Amount of useable and tuneable adjustability.
Weaknesses:
Really wish it weighed closer to what a Vanilla does.
Similar Products Used:
'05 Vanilla, '03 Duke XC
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575 nicely decked out.
Bottom Line:
I bought the Pike and at the same time ordered an Xtra Firm spring kit. Open the box and aiimediately swapped out the stock spring. Very easy swap-out.
The amount of adjustability and the differences between adjustments is unreal. This is a very tuneable fork, and it can easily be set up for different types of riding while on the trail.
The ride height is very easily adjusted.
For the price, which I consider very reasonable, this fork rocks. It pushed my bike over the 30 pound mark, but the ride is worth it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Severina
a Downhiller
from Croatia Date Reviewed: June 2, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Some nameless shop
Strengths:
Realy plush, feels good. I was suprised how good everything was for such a small price. Rebound and travel setup is perfect. So far no problems. Had doubts about this rock shock becouse I never tried it before but now I can recommend it to everybody who wants all in one. Drops ,freeride ,xc it takes it all. Best buy!!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
z1, junior t, sherman
Bike Setup:
Dabomb Molotov, sun rims, hayes, sram 7.0 ,dabomb chain guide...
Bottom Line:
Best buy. Lots of goods and way beter than any other fork in this price range. Thumbs up
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerome
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheney WA USA Date Reviewed: May 21, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$325.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA.com
Strengths:
Maxel feature is cool.. sucks if you have to upgrade from standard though (which i did). This fork floats over tons of stuff.. with the rebound adjustment, you can set it up for the type of trail your on. I like the lockout feature best for when those hills come up.
Weaknesses:
Only available in 20mm maxle version.
Similar Products Used:
Ive only used one other fork (Judy TT) which came on my bike. Its a totally different fork, if you even want to call it a mtb fork!
The best upgrade ive bought for my bike. This fork can do XC, street, AND downhill with its adjustability features. I dont think there is another fork with 95-140mm travel that can compete in this price range.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fred routhier
a Weekend Warrior
from rouyn-noranda, qc, canada Date Reviewed: April 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
bike shop
Strengths:
weight, its strong, the adjustement, everything finally
i think its the best single crown ever and its very cheap for wath you get from this fork
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
adam joanisse
a Weekend Warrior
from oromocto Date Reviewed: April 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
radical edge
Strengths:
plush, no flex, sram made, you can feel the fact rock shox nolong makes these things i had em all and these r rich in quality
Weaknesses:
none so far ill keep ya posted tho im sure some rock shox will come out of them
Similar Products Used:
duke 100mm 2004 and judys, jr ts
Bike Setup:
every thing lol
Bottom Line:
they r worth the dollar even if they suck later at least they didnt take me to the bank i love the look and how they feel you can really hear the dampening working which im shocked cuz from a company that knew nothin about dampening the hit the target this time
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Larry Sanderson
a Downhiller
from Portland OR Date Reviewed: March 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Heelotop
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$324.00
Purchased At:
aebike.com
Strengths:
Adjustable travel Feels plush in 95mm mode as well as 140mm unlike other systems that leave the fork super stiff when lowered tripple thick steel steerer tube, never going to break Motion control give you ultimate control over damping SPV type feature Smoooooooooooth rebound with full adjustments Easy to change oil Simple Reliable - no one has had any problems yet Can take some decent sized drops as long as compression is turned up, haven't bottomed mine out yet strongest aluminum stanchions you can find, made with easton EA70 tubing Maxel is strong and super easy to use Doesn't require any air Stiffer than any other 20mm axel- 32mm stanchion single crown out there. even the Z1 Fr.
This thing is going to get a choie award no problem
It should cost $700 considering how mch performance and strength you get out of it.
Weaknesses:
Looks kinda goofy
Similar Products Used:
lots. marzocchi, fox, manitou, you name it...
Just about everyone who's used a Fox or Zoke or Manitou says the Pike feels better in just about every way.
Bike Setup:
DS bike
Bottom Line:
This is without a doubt the best $324 fork ever made. It's easily just as good as the Marzocchi AM-1, but for less than half the price.
If you're looking for a cheap fork that can do everything from XC to Freeride, then this is your only choice. everything else in its price range is totaly crap in comparison.
Just remember to get the right spring for your weight.
Soft (yellow) 140lbs and below Medium stock (red) 140-160lbs Firm (blue) 160-180lbs Xfirm (black) 180+
Also remember to turn up floodgate all the way tight and compression half way for doing drops and jumping, this will help prevent bottoming. Open up compression and floodgate all the way for DH trail riding for maximum plushness.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spencer
a Downhiller
from Huntington Beach Date Reviewed: March 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Flying Monkey, Virgin UT
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$411.00
Purchased At:
Sea Schwinn
Strengths:
All adjustments are external, with compression and rebound damping w/ lockout and U-turn tha adjusts between 95-140mm of travel. The fork is responsive it pedals great and is very torsionally stiff. Plus the maxxle makes removal super easy without tools. In my opinion its the most innovative fork this year. Buy this if you want a fork that has the travel for descents the stiffness for rock gardens and the supple feel that inspires confidence on the trail. Dont buy this fork if you count grams it weighs 4.95 lbs, or if you dont wis to run a 20mm axle. It can be tuned and positioned for almost any style of riding.
Weaknesses:
the rebound knob at the bottom of the right fork leg is in a vulnerable position.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi z1, Manitou sherman firefly.
Bike Setup:
Kona Cowan, Pike, Profile Cranks, Mavic wheelset on Hadley hubs, XTR drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
Buy this fork! For the price it is head and shoulders above the compwtition in features and function.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Allen
a Weekend Warrior
from Clayton, N.C. Date Reviewed: February 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Legend Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Maxle is incredible. Just getting used to the floodgate control, but like so far.
Weaknesses:
none other than not having a full 150mm of travel.
The best fork for the $ period. Forget about it's category because it kills all the other forks there too. The Maxel is too easy and the Motion control/Floodgate works great and it's all under 5 lbs. Hopefully it will hold up for the long haul.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keith Williams
a
from Dresden Date Reviewed: February 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Wind Berg
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
www.mountainbikes.net
Strengths:
Adjustability options, the poplock, cro-mo steerer tube, solid crown, and the Maxle system.
Weaknesses:
Could be 2 or 3 centimeters longer.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi '02 exr pro, '04 drop-off 1.
Bike Setup:
'04 Banshee morphine, Sun Double Track rims, Hayes HFX9 8" brakes, Saint 2 ring crank, Race Face bashguard, Easton bar, Black Spire stem, Black Spire chain guide, XT 8 speed shifter, Derore LX front + rear, XT 8 speed chain, XTR 8 speed cassette, DT Swiss Hugi Free Ride front hub, Deore rear hub, DT Swiss Alpine butted spokes, NG Sports headset, NG sports pedales, Axiom free ride saddle, Praxxis seat poast, Nokion HBX 2.5 rear tire, Maxxis Minion ST 2.5 front tire, and Lizard Skins lock-on grips.
Bottom Line:
I had the Drop-Off 1 on this frame since I bought it. I thought the fork was pretty good, except for the standard axle set-up, untill I bought the Pike. Now I see how poorly performing the Drop-Off was. The Pike performs better than anything I've ridden before. Doing drops in the woods or to flat urban terrain feels more like riding into a hole than landing. I can't feel the intial impanct at all! The poplock system is a definite plus for climbing and getting up to speed on the flat. The Maxle system is excellent as well. It feels like the handle bars are conected directly to the axle, feels like you own any terrain. Some say the springs are week, I thought this at first as well, but after doing some hard riding I've realised the full potential of this fork's set-up. The progression in compression of this fork is unnoticable but ramps up very quickly. It looks as if bottoming-out isn't a concern when riding this fork.
I'd give this fork 10 chillies in each catahgory if I could. Outstanding preformance. Good job SRAM!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lite
a Racer
from Earth Date Reviewed: February 17, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$415.00
Strengths:
Stiffness, great plush work, adjustment is just great
Weaknesses:
Reliability - read bottom
Similar Products Used:
Marz MX Pro, RS Pilot, RS Judy, stiff forks
Bottom Line:
After about 3 months of use a have noticed some squeaking noise from the front of the bike. After riding i found out that the crown of the fork kreeks a little under load. My local dealer examined the fork and promised me to replace upper legs for free. I give it high rating because everythig else in this fork is just great and it is the best fork of all i've used on my bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Larry Lorant
a Downhiller
from Spocompton WA (spokane) Date Reviewed: February 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Devil's gultch
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$324.00
Purchased At:
AEBIKE.COM
Strengths:
Price is dirt cheap for such a great fork. Everything is awesome! High Speed damping Low speed damping SPV type lockout on the fly, yet can be turned off Travel adjust makes it so one bike does it all between XC and Freeride. Super slow rebound control, or no rebound, your choice Maxel system is genius
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Bike Setup:
two wheels
Bottom Line:
Check it out. Worth way more than what they are selling for! This thing needs 10 chilies just for the the value alone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alex
a Downhiller
from chichester, uk Date Reviewed: February 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mine!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
citycycles, chichester
Strengths:
Great, easy to use travel adjust. M-axle blot through system works wonders for the stiffness of the fork, no flex at all. Quite light in comparison to most long travel freeride forks e.g z1 freerides. great damping, makes a cool whoosh sound when you land, look bloody awesome, lockout is good for jumping. also the lockout, travel adjust, m-axle, and rebound are all easy to use features which make life a hell of a lot easier. great for downhill as they track the trail very well, keeping your front wheel firmly glued to the track. very comfy too, on longer rides
Weaknesses:
a bit soft for street and jumping, but you can change the springs. and you can also use the lockout.
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi z1 freeride 1's, dirt jumper 3's, 2's and 1's. Pikes are better than all of them.
Bike Setup:
customised gt aggressor jump bike; halo sas rims, pikes, tvuvativ drivetrain, truvativ bars and stem and all that.
Bottom Line:
if you are on a budget of £400, buy this fork. this is the most adjustable, best damped, most solid fork you will ever use at this price. it takes 8 foot drops to flat, and it doesnt even bottom out. buy this fork if you are a freerider, jumper, street rider, 4x racer, dual slalom racer. it even takes some light downhill, but is admittedly a bit heavy for xc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete Harrison
a Weekend Warrior
from Uk Date Reviewed: January 29, 2005
It's hard to fault, especially at half the price of its main competitors. The U-Turn travel adjust is quick and easy. Damping is almost infinitely adjustable. Maxle is very stiff and easy to use. Only question mark now is long term reliability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: January 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Severe
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
very stiff, rebound adj has wide variety of settings, motion control is awsome!
Weaknesses:
wish it could have been a little lighter, but thats about it
I wanted a shock that had adjustable travel, rebound damping, and lockout, and this shock had it all. The 20mm Maxle design makes the front end very stiff. I don't feel the flex I did with my other shocks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Klevli Drosniica
a Downhiller
from Morgaria Date Reviewed: January 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
De Hamstoung
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$324.00
Purchased At:
American dealer of goods
Strengths:
I have SL model. It is like RACE model. Steer tube very thickly. Strong steel. MAXEL easy to administer. Damping is good. Slow rebound option. Cheap like little chicken sound.
Weaknesses:
Made by Rockshox Steel tube no fun to cut with bald saw.
Bottom Line:
Good fork. Good for price. Makes me many happy. Strong like OX plow. Damping good. Set up were easy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ilan Carmel
a
from Hasharon, Israel Date Reviewed: January 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Waren Land
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Kobi's - ANAK HaOfanaim
Strengths:
very stiff, easy setup of travel, compression, and Lock Motion Control Works! 20mm Maxle ROCKS! looks like a BadMoFO...
6 feet drops... NOT a problem...
Weaknesses:
keep getting questions about it from anybody who sees it...
Similar Products Used:
Psylo SL (great), Marz. Marathon S(good - but needed too much service), Manitou elite (air crap... only coil for me, thank you)
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5, RockShox PIKE, Swinger 4way COIL, Sram X.9 gears, Avid Juicy 5, Chris King HS, Thomson Elite post, Easton EA70 Bar...
Bottom Line:
Best aggressive XC/light FR/Trail fork for the money.
And there's a bonus, the importer here in Israel is the most honest, hard-working, perfectionist LBS guy I ever met. reliability... Not an issue!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gabi
a Weekend Warrior
from Tel Aviv, Israel Date Reviewed: December 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mt Carmel Singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
140mm, stiff, tuning options - , gives a lot of confidence in the trail - you feel there is nothing it can not go through
Weaknesses:
Relatively heavy (but weighting 190lb who cares about one pound here/there)
As someone who started with a Rock Shox Judy (piece of c...) in my old Giant NRS, changed it for the RS Duke SL (nice fork), go for RS Psylo XC with my Intense 5.5 (ok, I agree, I do stupid things sometimes) get ride from the Psylo as soon as possible and changed for the Pike - I can say the Pike is NOT another Rock Shox fork (thanks SRAM!!). It feels differently, it behaves too. Put it in 110mm, close the compression and go uphill. Down in a singletrack? middleway in the compression, full 140mm and down we go. Bumpy trail? open compression and have full suspension. Motion Control rocks!! And the 20mm Maxle is really stiff. This is a fork that gives you the feeling you can do everything. I fly with it up and down the trail, almost not touch the brakes. I considered the more expensive forks - Manitou Nixon's, Fox TALAS/Vanilla. I do not see the reason to expend more to have the same. Oh yeah, you save a little weight. But I do not suppose you are going to use this fork to race XC... And about reliability - no complaints for the moment, will update after one year
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
acjim
a Weekend Warrior
from bristol - uk Date Reviewed: December 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
wales - like most of it?
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
CRC
Strengths:
20mm Maxle, Floodgate Compression thingy, u-turn, all the gizmos! Really stiff and not tooo heavy
Weaknesses:
Nervous of reliability....
Similar Products Used:
Marz Z4, Fox FLoat, Manitou Balck Elite
Bike Setup:
Giant AC team with swunger 4way, gears and brakes. More free-ride than xc
Bottom Line:
These seem excellent. They look pretty fly, the reflective "PIKE" sticker lighting up well on post-work street sessions! I've only used them on the trail twice now, but I've been so impressed - the stiffness compared to my manitou (prev fork on the giant) is just amazing, and with the floodgate compression thing dialled in right you can have plush travel through rocky sections but then get great slow speed control (no diving!) in trialsier slow corners. U-turn works well for climbing and also jumps when you need a tighter head angle - it's very easy to use. All in all the damping, travel and stiffness side of things are awesome - I'm concerned about the reliability - but only because of RS's chequered history...time will tell! Don't listen to the doubters, the PIKE is a top fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
urban guy
a Weekend Warrior
from somewhere Date Reviewed: November 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$12345678.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
the thrumaxel system is great.just like useing a standard quick release but you get the stiffness.motion control dampening is better than the spv!!!! and no freaken airing it up either. much better small bump compliance.
Weaknesses:
the fact that they havent had this fork out until now.
this fork is so much stiffer than my sherman. it just i9s so much better in every way. the stock springs are very soft. but i got the newones and have gottten a fiew more rides on it since then.5ft drops dont faze this thing to flat.it has almost no flex at all and it picks lines better than my sherman does. im a big guy so i think if it were going to feal flimsy it would be with me and it just has impressed the heck out of me.and the fact that i have to take the front wheel off everytime i go ride to get it on the rack. the maxel system just savesso much frustrationin undoing lower bolts all the time. the travel adjust is sweet and the dampening on this fork is a+++++. very supple. when you lock it out,it still uses about a inch of travel to eats the small stuff in the way. and when you hit something big it just blows through the travel with no harshness like it wasent even locked out and then its ffirm again till you hit something again. you can adjust this fork to any type of rideing you want and it works perfect. i have never rode a fork as well as this one to date!! if this thing holds up i would buy it for all of my bikes. it's just that good. go get one now if you are a fork freak like i am you will love it. thank god sram is runnen things now this is not the normal rock shox fork.we have all been used to. its much (butter)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joe kalis
a Racer
from riga, latvia Date Reviewed: October 17, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
xxx
Strengths:
dont know jet
Weaknesses:
in second day off riding I broke rebound and onle 2' was working I rebuilt the for and every thing is okey now
Similar Products Used:
sherman , z150
Bike Setup:
bike man gral frame truvatiw,xtr sram triger shifter tioga platforms, easton bar, fsa light stem, sram disc bakes
Bottom Line:
wery good fork the best I have roud. I give fourr chilis because off the problem with rebaound, and you need harder springs for wieght over 80Kg,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Woodie
a
from where fattys roam Date Reviewed: September 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
prudential
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Adjustability in a thru axle fork. Sweet "maxle"-easy to get wheel off. Lock out with flood gate that comes in handy on climbs. Adjustable lock out is it.
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Marz z1 dropoff
Bike Setup:
stinky primo- sram x.o- hope wheels- hayes
Bottom Line:
This fork is good fun its easily adjusted and you can feel the difference when you turn the damper. Not like other forks. Getting a flat is no trouble with the Maxle front wheel comes off quickly and easily. Still at the 5minute flat change mark which is nice when your getting eaten by skeeters or if your night riding- its not such a chore to fix your flat. Rock Shox new lock out is sweet with lock out adjustment you can completely turn your ride. On bumps its good on big and small hits- its threshold for small hits is great-nice and smooth. Rock Shox I mean SRAM did a great job with their new forks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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