Submitted by
justjoshnya
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Ozark, Missouri Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Four Winns
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Oz Cycles
Strengths:
This Review is for Revelation Dual Air (no U-Turn). Stiff. Plush. Sexy. Highly Customable with positive and negative air chambers, rebound, motion control, poplock
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Reba, Fox Float RL130. Rock Shox Judy Race.
Bike Setup:
08 Trek FUel EX 8
Bottom Line:
I am a professional bike mechanic and have worked on and ridden lots of bikes and forks. Believe me when I say this is the best 5" travel FOrk I've ridden. WIth so many settings it takes a while to dial in, so be patient. Once the seals break in you have to change them a little again. ITs all worth it, this fork is bad to the bone. I had a Reba before this fork on my other 4" bike and it was bad to the bone too. I love the poplock remote lockout and motion control knob. It allows you to take the pedal bob out of the fork but yet keep it super plush. I recommend a lower shock pressure than recommended by Rock Shox. They say for me to run 130PSI for my body weight(180), but really the fork has to be set at 100 PSI to use all travel without bottoming out. FUrthermore I set the negative chamber at 5psi higher tham positive (105) to add a slight more bit of plushness. Then I turn the motion control knob on poplock lever about 1 turn to take out pedal bob. RIdes sweet. Love ROck Shox forks. MY last Rock Shox Judy lasted 8 years and was still working great when i sold it. My secret: Put a couple drops of try flow on stansion seals every other ride. Wipe stansions clean.
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Submitted by
slowandlow
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: September 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Buffalo Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
evil bay
Strengths:
Price reliability tuning
Weaknesses:
Need indents for ebound adjustment
Similar Products Used:
Morzocchi bam
Bike Setup:
voodoo canzo
Bottom Line:
Super plush, never have worry about air seals with coil spring. Hard to beat for the price. I'm clyde at 225 and run it at the 120 setting and it's perfect.
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Submitted by
Geovanni
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: September 22, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$383.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Everything.
Weaknesses:
None so far. Except the damper adjuster knob on the bottom should have a length lower than the axel tab. Also need to include a star nut for the price and better documentation. Otherwise a 5 chilli.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Axel 100
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse Warrior Comp. - inexpensive XC bike, Easton AM wheelset upgrade, Armadillo FastTrack Elite
Bottom Line:
Well I upgraded the fork and wheels at the same on my cheaper XC bike. Holy smokes all I can say is night and day! I never knew that I could float so fast across all those rocks and bumps. Was a little nervous about the price and the Easton AM wheels were pricy too. I'm a crazy XC rider doing some AM stuff and these shocks make all the difference.
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Submitted by
pinarlusu
a Cross Country Rider
from Date Reviewed: September 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Chain Reaction Cycle
Strengths:
Nice fork with light weight n runs smooth. Lock out is easy to reach and useful. Cross Country down hill is excellent, it gives you 100% control and shock absorb! single trail is the best!! tuning is pretty easy too. they are cheap and reliable as well
Weaknesses:
u need to pump twice (dual air, but i'm not saying dual air is bad .. they are GOOD!)
Similar Products Used:
other fox and rock shock air fork
Bike Setup:
07 mongoose otero elite - mavic crossride, easton monkey lite bar, rc monarch 2.1 rear shock, kenda nevegal 2.35, selle italia seat ...
Bottom Line:
Well, I love this fork because its my first AIR fork and they provide brilliant control and performance. The 08 model looks better than the new 09 and cheaper as well (but 09 has 140mm travel). Its quality can compare to Fox! Recommend to xc riders who like a bit more than xc
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Submitted by
M4D
a Weekend Warrior
from Zagreb, Croatia Date Reviewed: August 15, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
DSG
Strengths:
very compact, nice working of air u-turn, very useful poplock, light weight
Weaknesses:
on longest output of u-turn (130 mm) little bit "nervous behavior"
Similar Products Used:
RS Reba race
Bike Setup:
XT full, Magura Louise bat, Mavice XM 719, P.O.G hubs, Geax Saguaro, truativ...
Bottom Line:
For that money you can't buy better fork in that class.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daveooo
a Weekend Warrior
from Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK Date Reviewed: July 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ashton Court, Bristol
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$590.00
Purchased At:
TF Tuned
Strengths:
Light, Stiff, Responsive, Easily adjustible, Good value for money (although slightly pricyer were i bought them)
Weaknesses:
As someone else mentioned the brake cable route/fixing is a bit funny. The stock spring would have been to light (but buying them from TF ment the change of spring {to a hard one} was free {and the 1st service will be half price}, warenting the extra cash at the point of sale
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi '99 Z1 BAM's (I snapped them and needed a replaicment!)Fox 36's (on my full sus)
Bike Setup:
Curtis Super X, Hopes f&r, Mavic 521 on Hope Pro f&r, Azonic double wall bar and shorty stem, DMR cranks with single (42t) ring, 8speed Shimano XT rear end.
Bottom Line:
I used to ride mostly jumping/DH but have moved more towards extreme XC; ie. playing riding everywere and putting most effort in to the downhills and making the most of the jumps/drops on any route!
Snapping my Z1's (so old I couldn't get replacement parts!) ment I need a new set of forks, the were the most apealing due to the adjustability and uturn giving me the option of riding at the 100mm travel I'm used to (most 100mm travel forks are now aimed at xc rather than jumping/dh). Also it was one of a few that heavier duty forks that still runs quick release (upto 08 modle - I was told 09 will be maxle!). and a plus point for me is even with 130mm travel setting it has not advesley effected the handeling of the bike (designed for a 100mm fork), and if anything brought the bike alive.... so much fun on technical single track, it tracked and performed so well (but that said I was used to a 9year old set of Z1's)
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Submitted by
coolhandluke11
a Downhiller
from UK Date Reviewed: July 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Innerliethen
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Local bike shop (Win
Strengths:
PLUSH, smooth, predictable
Weaknesses:
? really can't think of any.
Similar Products Used:
Reba's, MX Comps,
Bike Setup:
S-Works Enduro 06 DTSwiss 5.1 rims on XT hubs, XT cogs, DHX 5 air rear shock, Maxxis High Rollers, Planet X bars, Race face stem
Bottom Line:
Super reliable and taake considerable punishment with my (17 stone) piling down the hills.
I love the coil set up as its so plush
I can't recommend them highly enough but sadly they are a bit short for my Enduro so I'm selling them.
Hope the Lyrics are as good.
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Submitted by
Duder
a Cross Country Rider
from DC Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Stiff, plush
Bike Setup:
2007 Kona The King Avid bb7, SRAM 9.0, Fox Float, RockShox Revelation
Bottom Line:
I swore id never go back to RockShox after having my old Marzocchi, but this fork really impressed me. Im 6'4" 220, and it doesnt flex at all. im very happy with it and highly recommend it to others. I typically run it at 100-115mm. Running it at 130 slows my handling down too much.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from mn Date Reviewed: May 26, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$459.00
Strengths:
Great fork all around except for the tire clearance. If you run a 2.3 tire you may rub the cross brace on bumpy turns or jumps. My tire started wearing into the brace. So now I must run smaller then my stock size tire or buy a new fork. Think I'm going with a fox vanilla RLC . Other wise great fork for cross country but if your running all mountain 2.3 tires look to fox for more tire clearance.
Weaknesses:
tire clearance
Similar Products Used:
fox, Marzocchi 55
Bike Setup:
06 specialized enduro
Bottom Line:
Cross country guys buy it!!! All moutain riders get smaller tires or buy a fox comparable
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ywain Ap Rhys
a Weekend Warrior
from Lymington, England Date Reviewed: February 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Cwm Carn
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Yellow Cycles
Strengths:
Does exactly what it says on the tin
Weaknesses:
ummmm....
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Recon, RST Aerosa TL
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance 3, Fox Float Shock, Juicy 7s, Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35 and now Revelations!!!!
Bottom Line:
I got this bike originally cos the Trance is a great frame but a little bit on the heavy side for a thoroughbred XC. I prefer riding more technical downhilly stuff and always knew that the geometry would nver be quite right for this so it was an easy chice to go for the longer fork. More travel is great and now the geometry is much more favourable.
I run the coil version and it is pluuuuuuush. It's very important to get the setup just right, but that's easy to so with the well written manual.
Rock shox market this as an all mountain fork, and it definately is that. Being able to lock out, and wind the fork down by 45mm completley changes the geometry and perfect for those long climbs to the top of your favourite downhill section.
Buy one. It's a revelation.
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Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbell River B.C. Canada Date Reviewed: January 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Technical XC, Cumberland,Snowden,Forbidden etc.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Strengths:
Works the way it should, very smooth feeling, nice linear progression, the U-Turn etc. is gravey. The "lockout" feature is sweet, it creates a sort of "plateu" in the travel wich allows some sag, yet limits bob, but it will still absorb bigger hits. This is very adjustable and lets me run a spring wich might be a little on the weak side, giving a very nice ride over roots/freestone etc. when not "locked out". The adjustable travel just makes the bike more versatile, more stablity going downhill, and it will climb (and turn on a dime) with the setting lowwer than my bikes 100mm. I run it at 108mm most of the time, this allows more sag and lets run a slightly softer spring without changeing the geometry. I`m 188lbs. right now (winter fat) and run the "blue" spring in this fork rated for 180lbs., this set up suits my riding style fine, it does bottom out "dropping in" more than 2 feet r so, but even then its not too harsh.
Weaknesses:
Its bit heavy compared to an air shock. ( probly smoother feeling tho..and with better rebound control too most likely) Might not be the best solution for a racer. It will "plow" a bit easier when dialed out to 130mm, this not the shocks fault tho, just the way my bike is desigined.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox dart 3
Bike Setup:
18 " Giant Trance 3 (07), Giants proprietary airshock on the rear, Rockshox Revalation 426 on the front, hayes nines, 6" rotars, Rinolite rimes,Panaracer Rampage tires. I`m 188lbs, running the "blue" spring in the front fork, its rated for 180lbs.
Bottom Line:
If you only own one bike and use it as a sort of do anything/everything XC/Trail/Freeride and ocasional comuter then this fork offers great versatility, and does it without sacrificeing anything but perhaps a bit of wieght.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbell River B.C. Canada Date Reviewed: December 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
spacenuggetz
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
Plush and predictable, they are very linear in feel. U-turn works great easier too reach than expected while riding. My bike is so much better going downhill, and feels much more stable even at stock setting of 100mm. I mostly run them at about 115mm, or 105-100mm with the sag. With the wet,snow,mud etc we have right now they work great as long as I land with my wieght a bit too the rear (stock spring is a bit soft for me, made for 160lbs max I`m 185lbs). Push makes an upgrade kit for this shock as well.
Weaknesses:
The stock springs are too light for me,(I`m 185lbs) but with the snow n muck I mostly can`t go fast yet anyway. Over slow single track with lots of roots, mud, and small logpiles/drops they work fine. I can also run them full length and they don`t bottom so easy then, and work great over loose freestone fire roads and slow, sloppy downhill, they will "plow" a bit on tight corners though if set too long. I hope stiffer springs will help a bit with that. I might find I like the soft ones better for slower technical riding yet. The only real weakness is the long wait for the replacement springs here, but where I live everything is like that.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox dart 3
Bike Setup:
07 Giant trance 3, stock Giant "maestro" rear shock (air with rebound works great and is light), Rockshox Revelation 426 U-Turn (spring 85-130mm, Hayes 9 brakes, Rynolite rims with 2.35 Panaracer Rampage tires.
Bottom Line:
I am not a racer, just a fun rider. My Trance is on the heavy side and the fat tires slow me down as well, but I have fun and still ride up where most walk... or shuttle. I would say I ride mostly all mountain, I like to climb then go downhill on fast trails and I enjoy a bit of technical XC as well, all on the same ride if possible. If you enjoy epic rides over differing terrain this shock is worth looking at, it really shines on an All Mountain or Enduro set up, just adds so much versatility and tuneability.
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Blue Mountains Australia Date Reviewed: November 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Gross Head/Bluegum Swamp
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$349.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Versatility, ease of setup, solid construction, look damn nice, U turn feature outstanding.
Weaknesses:
None so far but only just put them on the bike.
Similar Products Used:
The original suntour forks that came on the bike that only lasted a year.
Bike Setup:
Norco hardtail, RS Revelation 426 coil U turn, Shimano Hone FC M600 cranks, Shimano lx drivetrain, WTB wheels and tyres.
Bottom Line:
Just got these and threw them on, set them up real easy and rode them while playing with the U turn and lockout. If you don't know by now how good these are you must be living under a rock, they are outstanding. So versatile and easy to use, well made, well finished and cover such a wide range of riding styles you can't go wrong, they're not even that heavy really, even straight out of the box they're plush and linear. I went straight from POS low end forks that came on the bike to these babies and i'll use them for all sorts of trail riding and xc racing, just drop them down to 85mm and my bike comes alive, wind them out to 130mm and my bike rips long down hill sections, I can't stop smiling.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Southampton, England Date Reviewed: November 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Whytes Level
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$530.00
Purchased At:
cyclesurgery
Strengths:
Stiff, strong, light, uses all its travel(!!!), looks cool, easy to adjust, durable finish, very nice workmanship inside and out!
Weaknesses:
(Really nit picking) The little plastic widget to hold the brake cable down, although a great idea, is designed to hold the cable at some angle, rather than vertically, as I wanted it. But no big deal at all. It still works!
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi MZIII, demoed various fox forx, and manitous. Too expensive are flexy
Bike Setup:
06 Kona Kikapu Deluxe, stock except Hayes nines (7"/6"), Schwalbe space 2.35 front tyre, revelation dual air fork.
Bottom Line:
Review for 426 dual air(no u-turn) fork. This thing is lighter, stiffer, stronger, plusher, and better looking than anything else I've seen or tried under £500 (~$900 presently) It really is that good. If you see one, give it a go for a few rides. It does take about 2-3hrs riding to bed in properly, but after that its just perfect! Downhillers will probably start reaching its limits, and weight weenies may find 130mm overkill, but I've raced plenty on it and it certainly hasn't held me up, XC or downhill! Its pretty short for a fork of this travel, it only added 1 degree to the angles on my bike from a fork with 100mm travel!
$
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