Submitted by
pwork
a Cross Country Rider
from Carbondale Date Reviewed: August 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Kinkaid
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
CBO
Strengths:
Stiff, Plush, easy to adjust
Weaknesses:
feels heavy on the bike but seemed lighter off the bike compared to the z.3.
Similar Products Used:
Judy xc, marz z.3, marz z.1
Bike Setup:
~2000 GT Zaskar, xt component set, bb7 front, bb5 back, fork set at 100mm for now.
Bottom Line:
This fork is a great value. I'm just getting back into the sport after a 4 year break. I ended up breaking a bolt in my z.3 when I was servicing it. Happened upon a good deal on the 318. It is as stiff as my past marz, as compliant as my Judy, w/ much better cmpression and rebound adjustments/performance than either. It is set at 100mm now, which slowed down the steering compared to the 63mm's due to the differnce in head angle, but I'm going to try it out for a while because I like the extra travel, don't do drops and only weigh 140 (not worried about the frame). It feels heavier than the other forks I've had but that may be due to the fact that I actually have some rebound now and not getting help from the spring to lift the front wheel. Also noticed that it take fast sweeping turns better, front wheel seems to stay glued to the ground.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sweeney921
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA, USA Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Pocahontas State Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
It does pretty much everything well except:
Weaknesses:
The manual doesn't provide enough info on adjustments and maintenance
Similar Products Used:
Crappy mozo fork came stock
Bike Setup:
KHS Alite 500, Tora 318 fork, Avid BB7's, Thomson stem, Crankbrothers Candy C's, Bontrager Jones XR tires
Bottom Line:
I'm really impressed by what you get for the money. 130mm travel doesn't usually come this cheap with such a high level of workmanship. Because it's an air shock, it can be very rigid or very plush, your choice. After setting the PSI correctly, this fork made me a faster, more confident rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
merline
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX Date Reviewed: June 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
trails with climbs!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike Sho
Strengths:
Disc brake mount, travel, damping, colors
Weaknesses:
Need to buy shock pump
Similar Products Used:
Answer Manitou Ti SX front suspension fork
Bike Setup:
Custom Ti Merlin I built in 1998!
Bottom Line:
I bought this at the last minute before a bike trip because my 10-year old Manitou fork finally seized up. The Tora 318 is about 2 pounds heavier than the Manitou Ti fork I had, but has much more travel and absorbs so much more! Keep in mind I went from a Ti spring & elastomer shock to an air adjustable shock. I definitely noticed the weight increase though, but my bike only weighs about 20 pounds to begin with. The Tora 318 is the only 'nice' suspension fork I've ridden with so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Rogers
a Weekend Warrior
from South Lyon, MI, USA Date Reviewed: May 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lake Shore
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$288.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Looks and the travel. This shock is stiffer than my old shock.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Bike Setup:
2005 Trek 4300 with disk brakes.
Bottom Line:
Just put it on and have not had a chance to take it out on the trails. So far I love it, my bike is blue and silver, the white shock really stands out. I will give another review after I have used it in the woods. Also, the price from price point included a new cane s3 head set.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA Date Reviewed: January 26, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$212.00
Purchased At:
EBAY
Strengths:
Looks Great, exceptional versitility, feels great, large steel stanchions, many adjustments (rebound, travel and lockout)
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Judy Race
Bike Setup:
Air Bomb Team frame 853 with full M952 XTR group, Chris king hubs laced to Mavic 517 rims, chris king headset and of course the Tora 318 on the front. Specialized HARD ROCKER tires.
Bottom Line:
This is a badass deal of a quality fork that looks and feels great. A must have upgrade for anyone using an older Judy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Snider
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Date Reviewed: November 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
don valley
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
my work
Strengths:
Although I have had it only a short while I know last year when I tried my friends bike I loved the feel of this fork. It has lasted everyone I know who has one. Also a great "budget fork" that will still give you the bettery feel of higher end fox or marzzochi.
Weaknesses:
Slightly heavier than other forks.
Similar Products Used:
All mountain forks by all companies. As an industry worker I get to try new products all the time.
Bike Setup:
Fuel EX8 2007 frame. Hayes sole brakes fox rear shock. LX front derailluer with a sram attack front shifter. Sram X7 rear shifter and derailluer. Truvativ XR seatpost and stem. Ritchey logic hardset. Rhyno lite rear wheel with deore hub. singletrack front wheel with deore hub. Bontrager race lite seat. Rock Shox Tora 318 front fork. 17 and a half frame and the bike weighs 31 and a half punds.
Bottom Line:
Bang for your buck you have a great fork for a low cost.
$
Overall Rating:
