Submitted by
amysue135
a Cross Country Rider
from Plains, PA Date Reviewed: October 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Sprague Brook Park, NY
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
I love the U-Turn feature, as well as the lock out.
Weaknesses:
I don't have the pop-lock :0(
Similar Products Used:
Judy, Duke
Bike Setup:
Trek Hardtail
Bottom Line:
I love this for for single track riding. WIth the ability to move from 85mm - 115mm of travel with the turn of a dial, it makes climbs and decents a little more manageable. (not that I couldn't manage without it) But having it is nice.
I feel for the price I paid, I reveived a lot af value for my purchase. I love this fork, it is plush and it can even handle smaller drop offs.
I recommend it highly!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
slyder327
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: August 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Albion Hills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Path
Strengths:
Ease of set up and great ride. Floats over anything if set up according to what has been mentioned elsewhere on this site.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Marzochi, Fox
Bike Setup:
08 Trance 2, stock with shimano peddles and beautiful new RS Reba Race Fork
Bottom Line:
Best front fork I have ever ridden...hands down. I am about 207lbs and I found that 115+ and 110- , Lock out at half, and dampening at 3/4 worked best with me. I hit 2-2.5' drops without so much as a wiggle ! I ran over roots a few logs and you would be hard pressed to point out when the fork was working. So smooth you don't even know it's there. Total control every trail I was on and best of all..... I was running at full speed ...in control! What a change from my Marzochi ! I would recomend this fork to anyone who reads this....don't waist your hard earned bucks on a Fox......Just as compliant and just think what else you can upgrade with the savings.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robby Lawson
a Downhiller
from Bay Area CA Date Reviewed: September 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
stanford campus
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
Super stiff, very light, good for urban
Weaknesses:
it flexs a little bit
Bike Setup:
03 mountain ycles rumble,single speed with avid BB7s and Loco rims
Bottom Line:
The best forks ive run for urban, dirt jumping and easy trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: May 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
#12
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
it was on my bike, nice handling when itès not in the shop
Weaknesses:
always in the shop, takes for ever to deal with Rock Shox out of Canada
Similar Products Used:
lots of high end xc forks
Bottom Line:
The fork works well but is spends half it's time in the shop. I took a drop, internals went all funny and creaky. I took it to my LBS and they could not do anything for me because Rock Shox wont deal with them(little indy shop). So I had to take it to the mega bike store (I hate those places) and it took over a month just for the part to get here. I guess because it was a newer fork it was hard to get the part. Finaly got it back and the bushings busted less than a month later, another month in the shop because you have to get the brand name parts directly from the manufacturer and they would not cover it so it cost me about a bill. I'll just put it on my 15 year olds bike before I do any more damage. So this fork is not worth it, in my opinion Zokes are the way to go, never had any problems with them. My buddy broke his 2 year old z3 droping off some crazy stuff and they just replaced it in 2 weeks no questions asked, thats service!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
M. DeMicco
a Cross Country Rider
from Antioch Date Reviewed: May 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Ridge Tr.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
On new Fisher 292
Strengths:
Reliable, good performing fork.
Weaknesses:
Not as plush nor as stiff as I would like.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale headshok DD70
Bike Setup:
Fisher 292 29er w/100 mm travel.
Bottom Line:
I only have one shock to compare this to, but I've run lower pressures (90 pos., 70 neg.) and for a 4" travel fork, I don't think it's as plush as the Cannondale Headshok I used before. It certainly isn't as stiff. I weigh 180 lbs. so don't want to go lower pressure. Other than that, it has been super reliable and holds air without much leakage over time. I'm due for an oil change, which I'm going to do myself; hopefully this will go without a hitch.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore Date Reviewed: May 20, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$375.00
Strengths:
fat 32mm stanchion for stiffness, U-turn, neg and pos air chamber, plush, lightweight, Cheap No Brake boss for people using disc brake(me)
Weaknesses:
Unreliable, Paint work comes out easilly, Aftersales Service is really bad No Brake boss for people using V brake
Similar Products Used:
Judy, Duke, Marz Exr Pro, Fox vanilla, Float, F80
Bike Setup:
GT avalanche
Bottom Line:
I was never a fans of fox, and decided to go for the reba after seeing some good reviews and good features on the reba.
Straight after i installed the fork on my bike, the fork gives out a loud clicking sound everytime i compress the fork. I've no choice but to sent the fork back for repair. My local distributor is a nightmare, a simple repair took them a long time. This got well after the repair, but within 2 months of usage, the air spring began to give me problem, the fork suddenly become very rigid with the same amount of air pump in.
Many people had been saying that rockshox is a unrealiable, i never believed until i used this reba...very disappointed
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ratt
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal Date Reviewed: April 29, 2006
Not a full 120mm fork to match up better with 5" travel bikes, no v-brake mounts (all addressed with the '06 models) and small bump compliance.
Bike Setup:
lite fs xc disc
Bottom Line:
It packs in a lot of features for the money and weight. Was looking for something stiffer than my flexy Psylo and found it. But i crave small bump compliance and this fork is not as plush as a Fox Float 100 in the small stuff. The floodgate works great and is easy to adjust when compared to all the other stable platform options out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil Zazou
a Weekend Warrior
from Belgium Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Fully adjustable. RS Europe NL gives perfect advice and service. Very smooth fork. Didn't make lots of jumps so not sure about that behaviour.
Weaknesses:
Too many stickers but they removed them in the 2006 version. Don't peal of the serial no as RS needs that for servicing. Thought I lost air but I did not. Very important: when you attach your air pressure measure device or inflator you lose air. You might think that the fork has a problem but it has not. It is just the moment you attach something to the valve that you lose some PSI.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper Comp
Bottom Line:
Was thinking about buying a FOX but this Rock shock rocks for far less bucks. Pop lock superior to the auto lock out on FOX. I will never ever own a fork without pop lock remote.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ChrisTexan
a
from The Colony, TX, USA Date Reviewed: March 10, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat.com
Strengths:
Bought the 115mm Race model with Travel Adjust (spacers), and PopLoc remote. So far after just over one year, has been trouble free. Adjustments are a cinch, and stated values work well for my weight (#220). Great replacement for a Marz MX Comp. Features and adjustability are the best strengths. No flex front-end and a very stable ride with no noticeable brake or impact dive even when not locked out (compared to my Marzocchi MX Comp, that's a godsend).
Weaknesses:
PopLoc remote cable entry - coming straight down from the bars, it snags on everything, and the housing often gets bent as a result. After first usage (of a few months)the left positive schrader valve leaked under the cap (which held the pressure equalized with the fork, making it nearly impossible to unscrew, but keeping it fully functional till I checked it ). Put a drop of ProLink into the valve and refilled, hasn't leaked since (any of the chambers), the valve probably just didn't seat right the first time. No other problems in over a year of hard use.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi MX Comp - heavy, plush, bad braking perfomance (no platform)
Bike Setup:
2003 Specialized Enduro, PUSHed Fox Float R shock, Rock Shox Reba Race fork, Easton carbon bars with Easton EA90 stem, Hayes HFX-9 brakes, Hope Bulb hubs lacesd to Mavic XC717 rims, CK headset, Thomson Elite laid-back post, Koobi Enduro seat, all 2004 Shimano XT non-rapid-rise drivetrain/shifting, tire choice based on mood.
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork, and a tremendous upgrade from any entry/modest level fork. Every adjustment you could want, the next step would be a true SPV model fork at a $200-$300 premium, and the PopLoc with remote and blowoff really makes that unnecessary. No notiecable bob even when not locked out, and so adjustable you can catabilize or plush the ride to your heart's desire. Best $500 fork on the market, not "smooth" like a Lincoln Town Car, but handles flawlessly, befitting the "Race" monikor. Glides well over rough terrain but keeps you connected to what is going on. Has handled everything I've thrown at it (and some pretty rough impacts), without fail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
simon chetwynd
a Cross Country Rider
from Newbury, Berkshire, UK Date Reviewed: December 22, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
AW Cycles, Reading
Strengths:
Light weight (0.6 kg lighter than my old Suntour forks), performance, pop lock, service manual. The performance of this fork is awesome, and I haven't even started playing tunes with the settings yet. The front end just stays totally planted. Downhill you can just let the bike go and leave the fork to sort everything out. No need to lift the front wheel on kerbs, it just glides up them. The service manual is extremely detailed with photographs of every stage, anyone can do their own servicing.
Weaknesses:
Had to max out the blow off pressure to stop the fork bobbing on steep climbs and I'm only 68 kg. You have to strip the fork down and insert spacers (provided) to alter the travel - 85/100/115 mm travel depending on how many spacers you fit. That said the next model up (Reba Team) has on the fly travel adjustment for more cash. Only other weakness is the closeness of the brace to the tyre (about 1" clearance), if its really muddy then mud jams up between the tyre and the brace.
Similar Products Used:
Suntour XCP 75 Went for this fork rather than the Marzochi as it is quite a bit lighter.
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS3, XT cranks, Bontranger wheels, King headset. Despite running with 115 mm travel it doesn't appear to have upset the geometry.
Bottom Line:
This fork rocks. Just replaced the stock Suntour fork on my NRS3, the performance improvement is just totally amazing. The front end sticks in corners now like glue, previously it tended to slide and then tuck in a bit. On one particular downhill stretch I ride regularly, rather than coast with dabs on the brakes I'm now pedalling flat out, with the extra momentum I'm carrying at the bottom, the uphill climb on the other side is also much quicker. There's still more to come as I was only using up 70mm out of 115 mm travel. Haven't had the fork long enough to comment on its reliability. First time out on this fork and I was grinning from ear to ear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bret
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: November 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came w/ MKIII from Supergo
Strengths:
very adjustable, very stiff XC fork even at lower PSI, lockout w/ gate works well when needed
Weaknesses:
air loss during use, very stiff (if you like plush)
Similar Products Used:
RST, Judy
Bike Setup:
IH MKIII Comp, SRAM, Hayes, all stock
Bottom Line:
Great fork, but I'd really expect this shock to hold air for a longer period of time. In general, I lose about 20 PSI in the positive valve and about 10 in the negative valve after 1 to 2 hours of riding. Keep in mind these are brand new forks...
I'll keep them until they're worn out and then replace with a better fork (think Talas), but for now they do the job.
Plan on taking your shock pump w/ you where ever you ride while you have 'em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pepe Piercarlo
a Cross Country Rider
from LECCO Date Reviewed: November 4, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
Bono, bono
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stan
a
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Adjustable, reliable, everything. Fantastic all round fork.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Pilot C
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper FSR Elite, stock except for the Reba.
Bottom Line:
This fork is great. Most of the time I don't have to lift the front wheel to get over rocks or obstacles, I just roll up or over them. Never has the fork made me feel like I was going to go over the handlebars like other ones. Going down I now just let the bike go. Rocks are no problem, lean back and let the fork do the work. Where my fox equiped buddies are going around rocks and bumps, or slowing down because the trail is getting too rough, I just plough straight through or over. These forks have made me a much better rider. They do everything well. Whether your going up or down, the trail becomes easier and a lot more fun. I ride trails now that I could not have ridden with a inferior fork. When I make a mistake or don't see an obstacle, the fork gets me through. Do yourself a favour and consider these forks. In my experience they have been excellent. I would buy them again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Przemyslav
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$560.00
Purchased At:
Twomark in Chorzow, POL
Strengths:
very good adjustable, stiffy (very), more (!!) than Manitou Mars,
Weaknesses:
the true weight is a little higher than declared, Pop Loc could be difficult to mount, price in Poland is crazy!
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Six E, Manitou Mars Super, RS Judy XC Air
Bike Setup:
Giant Xtc NRS Team, Mavic Crossrock, Michelin Jet s Tubeless, Formula B4 Team breakes, SRAM 9.0, WRA crankarms
Bottom Line:
I had a big problems with monting a PopLoc, because i have a Sram 9.0 Trigger and Formula B4 brakes, and construction of PopLoc After a few rides with a Reba, I have still problems with right set of rebound and commpresion, Reba gives you a width possibilites, but you need a lot of time to use it. It is better with set of air spring. It need a little less presurre than writen in instruction to comfort riding. If you set it according to fabric sets, it need a big bits to work.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ross
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland Date Reviewed: July 17, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
chainreactioncycles.com
Strengths:
Light weight, stiffness and poplock. The price too, all the features for so little.
Weaknesses:
Not really a weakness, has Intl Standard mounts, no good for shimano brakes with post mounts!
Similar Products Used:
Manitou six, Manitou black elite
Bike Setup:
Gary fisher hardtail, xt throughout, FSA components, mavic rims.
Bottom Line:
This fork is so good. The poplock is so dam handy for locking out for the climbs. The travel is very smooth and the fork handles everything ive darred throw at it yet. If you want a light xc fork definetly get it, ive seen people use it for 4x4. If youre looking at a fox dont bother these are just as good and half the price!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, Oregon Date Reviewed: July 16, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$379.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Stiff... Did i say stiff? Mass adjustability, this thing rocks. I have not had any of the "air mixing" problems, but i have only had it for 3 weeks.
Weaknesses:
The "REBA" stickers lasted about 3 rides...
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox... SID race, and Duke race.
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher... Big Sur,full XT,King headset,Raceface carbon bars, FSA carbon seat post w/Selle Italla Prolink saddle. Hayes Nine carbon disc. 717 Mavic disc rims laced to XT hubs and Hutchinson Python tubeless front and rear.(with Stans NOTUBES)...Sweet little hardtail
Bottom Line:
If they perform as good as they have been. They will be on my next bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Williams
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, CT Date Reviewed: July 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Twilight Zone
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$345.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Adjustable, Poploc helps when riding, looks amazing.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rokc Shox
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Instinct with Rock Shox Reba Race PLA fork, Fox Float RL rear, Chris King NoThredSet, Easton bar and stem, top of the line SRAM gearing all around.
Bottom Line:
Great fork with adjustability and looks amazing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kevan brown
a Racer
from nottingham Date Reviewed: June 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
clipstone forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
freewheels
Strengths:
strong stantions and all round build quality - far better than most previous rockshox
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
manitou dj3 fox 80r
Bike Setup:
giant xtc frame - with full shimano xt and hope setup f519 rims on hope xc race face crank & bb azonic bars and stem sockshox reba race forks canecreek intergarted headset.
Bottom Line:
i have bottomed out some forks but with the easy use of the adjustable travel i havent managed yet to come close! they are very stiff and responceive and have good wieght etc, i love to go out all hell for leather and have pure addrenaline fun and as of yet these have done me proud. i dont bother with the poplock but if ya keep the psi for your weight accurate then these forks are good for any rider
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don Titka
a Racer
from Raleigh Date Reviewed: May 30, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Beaver Dam
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$275.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Stiff fork, soaks up all the bumps, very tunable, gives tons of confidence.
This fork inspires tons of confidence because of its for, aft and lateral stiffness. Love all it's tunability. Very plush fork...soaks up all the bumps big and small. Can't beat the price on this fork. This fork in my opinion is a viable competitor of the fox talas.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Cantrell
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
zippedy do da
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
stout, sturdy fork holds up to situations i didn't think it would. pop lock is surprisingly usefull, and the multitudes of adjustments are great. biggest plus is the big stanchions.
Weaknesses:
this fork rides great. the only weakness i have witnessed is the lack of forethought put into the compatibility of mounting the pop lock remote, it mounts more compactly with some set ups than others.
Similar Products Used:
all
Bike Setup:
homegrown with an amalgamation of current parts
Bottom Line:
this fork has made me faster on the descents. i had requested a fork without all the extras (poplock, uturn, etc) but got one with all that stuff and find that i use it frequently. mine has not been overhauled yet so the i cannot speak on the mechanical assembly and parts quality of the mechanism. great fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marco righetti
a Cross Country Rider
from hamilton scotland UK Date Reviewed: April 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
glentress red route
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
alpinebikes glasgow scotland
Strengths:
this is a follow up review (see below) reasonably light with no flexing,love the pop loc on handlebars, 100 mm
Weaknesses:
before i went on a ride i checked the 125 psi in the pos chamber and 135 psi in the neg chamber,i went for a 4 hour ride and when i came back i rechecked the psi as the fork felt not so sensitive to small rocks ie vibration was coming up through the forks and felt as if it was locked out when it wasnt. i know that when you put the fork pump into the pos chamber air comes from the fork into the pump hose section which is usually about 3-4 psi and about 10 psi in the neg,the guage was showing 115 psi in the pos and 145 in the neg which meant that air was leaking again from pos to neg chambers....aaaggghhh! this is so frustrating as its the second time that its happened....so its away to get fixed by rockshox...and it better get fixed properly!!!or else fox hear i come!
Similar Products Used:
RS 2000 modified to 80 mm travel sid race (never let me down in 4 years!)
Bike Setup:
trek fuel 100
Bottom Line:
i would love to be able to say that these forks are excellent but i cant because of this air leak situation,because of the no hassle sid race i will run with these forks but if it fails a third time then i'm quitting!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marco righetti
a Cross Country Rider
from hamilton scotland UK Date Reviewed: April 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
glentress ed route
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
alpinebikes glasgow scotland
Strengths:
this is a follow up review (see below) reasonably light with no flexing,love the pop loc on handlebars, 100 mm
Weaknesses:
before i went on a ride i checked the 125 psi in the pos chamber and 135 psi in the neg chamber,i went for a 4 hour ride and when i came back i rechecked the psi as the fork felt not so sensitive to small rocks ie vibration was coming up through the forks and felt as if it was locked out when it wasnt. i know that when you put the fork pump into the pos chamber air comes from the fork into the pump hose section which is usually about 3-4 psi and about 10 psi in the neg,the guage was showing 115 psi in the pos and 145 in the neg which meant that air was leaking again from pos to neg chambers....aaaggghhh! this is so frustrating as its the second time that its happened....so its away to get fixed by rockshox...and it better get fixed properly!!!or else fox hear i come!
Similar Products Used:
RS 2000 modified to 80 mm travel sid race (never let me down in 4 years!)
Bike Setup:
trek fuel 100
Bottom Line:
i would love to be able to say that these forks are excellent but i cant because of this air leak situation,because of the no hassle sid race i will run with these forks but if it fails a third time then i'm quitting!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gee
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange ,NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: March 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
MTC
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The rest of the NRS1 they came with!!
Weaknesses:
bought bike 2 days before mont 24hr reba's great on 1 practice lap. failed 1/2 way through first lap of race. sat in fully compressed position ,rock shox guys had them up and running for next lap (guys from rock shox couldn't believe it, I was the first person that they had seen with problems with reba's .over night they had another 5 reba's in with same problem), 8 rides later same problem ,compress totally and stay that way until i hung the bike on back of car overnight and was back to normal in the morning. In 12 rides have failed twice .not a great ratio
Similar Products Used:
Many
Bike Setup:
nrs 1
Bottom Line:
Rock shox Reba are meant to be reliable , I know other guys have had no problems with them, that have done way more riding then me , yet there is definately a problem with some of them. Bought a bike to do more races and has turned out major pain in arse and not reliable enough to race on . scary that so many failed in mont 24hr will be contacting rock shox to see if they stand behind there faulty products
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
slug
a Cross Country Rider
from newcastle,nsw, australia Date Reviewed: January 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
glenrock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
stiff; steers acurately, plush and responsive, effective adjustable damping. poploc is nice
Weaknesses:
seals in dual air chamber have failed twice in about 200km meaning fork had to be sent away to be fixed under warranty. 1st time new seals only, second time replaced dual air chamber in left fork leg with complete new unit.
Similar Products Used:
Fox 100RL, headshock ultra fatty.
Bike Setup:
2005 Giant NRS 1
Bottom Line:
A damn nice cross country fork when it is working, but absolutely abysmal when the seals fail - completely stuffs the bike handling, travel reduces to about 25mm. You can restore travel by releasing excess air pressure from air negative chamber and replace lost pressure from air positive chamber but this will only buy you about half an hour before the fork sinks again and stuffs the bike's handling. Very frustrating. Apparently Rockshox now recognise the problem and are replacing the air chambers in affected units like mine. When working well, compared to the Fox 80RL, this is a very good unit. My feeling is that the damping is not quite as good but is not far behind the Fox, and perhaps the Reba suffers a little because it is designed to run at higher air pressure than the fox. The Fox has certainly proved to be more reliable so far and probably slightly better in performance. Still the Reba is a fork with great potential, with a significant question mark in regard to reliability. I therefore assign 4 chilis overall because the Fox is a bit better, 5 for value because the Reba is about 20% cheaper and is nevertheless an impressive performer when it is working properly. Of course, these reatings will change if the new dual air chamber also fails. TTFN.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: December 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Epics
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$465.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Light weight, very rigid, cost, quality alloy knobs and adjusters (not cheapo plastic), wide range of tunning.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
02 Rockshox SID & 03 Psylo, 03 Fox Float RLC, Marzocchi Marathon SL.
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS and 03 Specialized Enduro.
Bottom Line:
Bought this for my all mountian ride and was very surprised. Rockshox makes excellent xc race and downhill forks but there all mountian forks were junk Duke etc. The Reba uses quality alloy knobs and adjusters. The overall fit-n-finish is nice. Looking at the beefy 32mm stanctions gives the fork a nice appearance although I wish they had better paint color options.
The adjustment range is really nice. The setup is really simple to get a base to adjust from. There is a label on the shock giving positive and negative air pressure settings based on rider weight. I was able to get my ride preference within +/- 10 psi range of there recommended.
My compression setting is about 1/4 turn from full open without Pop-Loc activated. With Pop-Loc its fully closed compression which allows for out of the saddle bob-free pedaling!
The floodgate control for setting blowoff or the setpoint to where fork reacts to small bumps is very adjustable. At first I left it wide open and ONLY adjusted the compression through the Pop-Loc. Once I was comfortable with the compression adjusted did I attempt the floodgate adjust.
The floodgate really adds another tunable option. I only adjusted mine in about 1-1/2 to 2 turns from full open.
I weigh about 186 lbs. and run my negative at 135 psi and positive at 130 psi. This setting gave the fork a firm ride but still cush reaction to small bumps until I hit the Pop-Loc and the fork firms up. After riding this way for almost 2 months did I adjust floodgate. I could still sense the fork was a little too soft but I didn't want to completely give up the cush small bump reaction. I adjusted the floodgate in 1 turn increments and settled at about 1 1/2 turns.
I'm very impressed with the range and fine tuning option you have with this fork. I set the fork travel adjustment to 3.9" on my Trek and full 4.5" on my Enduro.
If I do more big hit downhill I add about 5 psi to the positive air chamber. The fork really reacts to the adjustments. I do not lose any air and adjustments seem to last without shifting or changing. I did some downhill with the fork adjusted with more PSI and it can take a hit. I really hit some rocks and could hear my rim spokes ping and buckle but I did not feel the fork flex or give in the slightest. It soaked big hits very well and kept going.
Although many riders opt for a SID or Skarab for XC race, I would consider using the Reba Air if your a bigger rider. Its still realitively light weight 3.57 lbs and can handle big hits and bigger riders better. Travel can be set to fit just about any frame with the spacers. If your on a budget this is the Fork because it can do it all. A great fork for the price with ride quality that rivals the more costly Fox Talas.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marco righetti
a Cross Country Rider
from scotland UK Date Reviewed: December 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
glentress forest red route
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
alpinebikes glasgow
Strengths:
3.5 lbs (this is the non u-turn version)stiff (non flexy), lots of adjustments,pop loc,good price
Weaknesses:
o-ring twisted in pos chamber which made the forks compress totally and stay that way until i hung the bike up overnight and was back to normal in the morning! the fork was very (2 days!) quickly sorted with no problems.
Similar Products Used:
2000 RS sid race (modified 80 mm ),manitou
Bike Setup:
2002 trek fuel 100 totally recomponented 23.4 lbs with discs
Bottom Line:
i would have no hesitation recommending these forks providing there are no more o-ring surprises
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven
a Racer
from Jay, ME Date Reviewed: November 10, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$410.00
Purchased At:
unversalcycles.com
Strengths:
stiffness, relatively light weight, adjustability/tuning, poploc, motion control
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Fox TALAS, RS Duke sl, RS SID
Bike Setup:
Titus HCR, Reba, SRAM X.0, and all kinds of Ti and carbon fiber = 21.5 lb. bike. Not bad for a 20" frame with disk brakes.
Bottom Line:
I was in the market for a new race fork and was not too keen on the prospect of paying over $700 for a Fox F80x. The Reba looked promising with its 32mm stanchions, dual air dampening, motion control, and multitude of tuning/travel adjustments. So far the fork has fulfilled it's promise of providing the stiffness and quality travel I was looking for at almost half the price of the Fox. I like the poploc feature and find myself using it more than I thought I would. The stiffness of the fork has proved more than adequate for a rider my size (6'2" 188 lbs.). Would I buy another? Sure. I'm thinking of getting another one for my '03 Palomino.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hans
a Cross Country Rider
from Eindhoven Netherlands Date Reviewed: November 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very strong fork whit 32mm innertubes.
Weaknesses:
I haven't fount weak points jet
Bike Setup:
I have a Bianchi Mutt 7000 Shimano XT goup, XT disc brakes, FSA components
Bottom Line:
A very strong fork whith lost of adjusment posibilitie. And a low waith for such a strong fork. The popp lock adjustment is great for comfort ride in ruff conditions and a almost lock out for the fast road use. The buttom line. Top Fork
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara Date Reviewed: October 8, 2004
I can't complain but maybe lackof Cant bosses. I use disk only and I'm happy.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Duke Sl U (Piece O Cra*!) Had to modify it and finally got it to work great.
Bike Setup:
Superlight custom.
Bottom Line:
I was not going to give Rockshox another dime or minute of my time. But after working with techsupport to fix my Duke I gained a little confidence. Not only that but the competition is still WAY pricey.
So, I waited to test the fork at mammoth. Wow, very nice and as advertised it was adjustable and progressive ramp. Still I waited until I met a guy at a race. I saw him again 6 months later and he told me the fork was holding up fine. Nothing like my Duke which took a new black spring, new oil and a 25 cent washer at the end of the oil dampner to keep it tight so it wouldn't blowout. Enough...anyways I always look for a bargian and gained more confidence. I bought it on eBay for a steal $435 which included shipping. Love the pop-loc and motion control. Fork is completely tunable out of the box...no modify no nottin...just the way it should be!
Comparing to my friends Fox Talas and another friends Float RLC...the Reba holds its own and I believe has an edge with the pop-loc on the fly tuning.
My friends are all impressed so far...again I have only owned it 3 months...but I'm pretty sure this is a different Rockshox (SRAM). I heard SRAM bought Truvativ and believe the company is listening to us!!! Love the new Truvativ hollowtech design.
Anyways, great bargain and performance for the dollar...lighter and stiffer than hell too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bigracerguy
a
from Illinois Date Reviewed: September 29, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
sturdy, stiff and light. pop-loc lock-out is adjustable with motion control
Weaknesses:
nothing
Similar Products Used:
psylo manitou six
Bike Setup:
Hoss Deeelux crossmax xl
Bottom Line:
I didn't think an Air Fork could be so good. I am 6'4" and 250 And have rode this fork at least 1000 miles-24 hr races and other races and no problems. No leaky air chamber no anything. Just an awesome fork- pure and simple. I love it. The pop loc is so cool-here in the midwest we race at ski areas and I probably used the lock out 150 times in one race.-What a difference for quick climbs. It becomes routine and the ease of the remote lock out will make you never go back to the old reach down and turn lock outs. Infinite adjustablity is the way to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nigel
a Cross Country Rider
from rotorua new zealand Date Reviewed: September 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
whaka forest trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
cycle zone
Strengths:
stifness,adjustability,adjustable motion control,handlebar mounted compression control & lockout via pop loc.light only 3.5lbs
these forks are awesome!very plush easy to set up with -/+ air neg for small bumps pos for big hits.motion control damping can be adjusted for ride or rider whatever u want.stiff as fox100 steerslike on rails.this would have to be best valued & featured fork for your $.cost NZ$850.Fox equivalent NZ$1,500+.This fork is excellant for xc/enduro.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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