Submitted by
Metachemical
a Cross Country Rider
from Kingston, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Thunder RIdge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Take off the boots and it looks pretty good, cheap, pretty stiff (for some thats a good thing), did I mention cheap?
Weaknesses:
Heavy, rebound action isn't good, adjuster seems to do nothing, did I mention heavy?
Similar Products Used:
Many Rock Shox, Manitous and Marzocchi forks
Bike Setup:
2001 Kona Explosif/XT/Sram/Syncros
Bottom Line:
I love to read the reviews on things like this. Lets get a few things straight, in case they aren't clear (and by reading many of the previous reviews, they aren't): THIS IS NOT A FREERIDE FORK. THIS IS NOT A DH FORK. THIS IS A CHEAP FORK. Clear? Alright. Its a cheap fork, but it soaks up some nastiness, looks not too bad if you take the judy decals and boots off, and costs so little. You can't take massive drops with it, but why the hell would you? Does anyone understand the difference between freeride and cross country anymore?
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Submitted by
Anthony
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada Date Reviewed: July 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
wow nothing
Weaknesses:
well, everything, cracked it in two, broke rebound then cracked crown and bent steer tube
Similar Products Used:
anything (zoom is better)
Bike Setup:
nothing shimano or rock shox
Bottom Line:
At first i always herd about rock shox breaking but when i told people there no good no one believed me... one day i bought a hardtail for rather cheap and bought this fork for the bike... i know u might all think.. yeh its from ebay it was probably cracked one thing u dont know is aluminum gets micro cracks.. this depends on the grade of aluminum and its manufactured tecnickes i bought this fork and it had no cracks. then i took it for a lil spin.. im a dh rider that weighs 170 pounds and trust me dh is hard but riding on a sidewalk going to buy train tickets and poof there goes ur front shock... thats never normal... this is rock shox quality my friends trust it or trust me its the truth people i got pictures to proove it take a look http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b41/vdk_ice/Picture002.jpg IMG]
Submitted by
Nira
a Cross Country Rider
from Haifa ISRAEL Date Reviewed: January 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mount Carmel (kmikaza trail)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Single treck
Strengths:
cheap, Low maitenance. While crossing big bumps got no "snake bites".
Weaknesses:
I weieght 55Kg and adjustments of the knob to the end does nothing. The dumping is very stiff.
Similar Products Used:
rst,
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS 3
Bottom Line:
not for technical riders...does'nt feel good...
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Submitted by
A' Boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Date Reviewed: September 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bukit Kiara Taman Tun
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
stock with bike
Strengths:
Cheap, look good and maybe strong.
Weaknesses:
Does nothing on small bumps, bottom up few times, adjustment does nothing.
Similar Products Used:
Mozo, FoxFork Vanilla 125RL, SRSunTour Magnesium.
Bike Setup:
GT avalanche 1.0, Avid Speed dial 7 Lever, Hayes HMX-1 Disc Brake, Deore Crankset, Deore Fr Derailure, Sram x-9 Rr Derailure, Ritchey Handle Bar,Itm Stem,FSA Headset,Yeti Grip,Time Atac Padle,Shimano HG Chain,Sram powerglide II Cassette, Maxxis HardDrive2.1 tyre, Alexrims TA19 Wheelset,Selle Italia XO seat, cannondale expert seatpost and some other stuff...
Bottom Line:
Its good for beginers and light cross country ride. Last long over the years. Need to upgrade once you get faster. Good value for your money and also look good for a 80mm travel fork.
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Submitted by
jordan
a Downhiller
from trumbull ct usa Date Reviewed: August 15, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
good stiffness, so sign off weakness, good rebound, iv gone off 4 1/2 foot drops and performes flawlessly.
Weaknesses:
a tad stiff going on little bumps but its still fine
great fork for biggeners- intermediate mountain bikers , im trying to find the breakin point of this fork :) but havent found any damage done
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Submitted by
Walter Hart
a Downhiller
from victorville,california,usa Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
any in beaver creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
J&K Sports
Strengths:
strong does not even show signs of folding backwards yet. I have taken many nose dives with it and even turned my rims into tacos on it. bottomed it out and it is fine. I expected to blow a seal or something.
Weaknesses:
heavy and preload adjustment does nothing, you can hear it well, even througha full face helmet.
Similar Products Used:
manitou magnum
Bike Setup:
stock with replacement crankset and BB
Bottom Line:
best for the money and really strong. will upgrade soon enough to bomber forks, but it does its job and does it well.
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Submitted by
Sergey
a Weekend Warrior
from Tallahassee, FL Date Reviewed: May 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Higher Ground
Strengths:
Cheap, not rigid!
Weaknesses:
Pogo stick performance, adjustment knob does not do squat!
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Axel, Marzocchi MX
Bike Setup:
Stock '03 Hardrock Comp
Bottom Line:
THe fork came stock on my Hardrock Comp, and will be the first upgrade, besides the pedals. It is absolutely crappy for any kind of offroading. I weigh 150 lbs, and at lowest preload, there is 0 damping. The fork bounces around like a pogo stick. It is impossible to compress efficiently when bunnyhopping. But I have gotta give it props for being better than a rigid front fork. At least some bumps are eaten up. Next, I will probably aim for a MZ fork, or a Manitou.
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Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Manchester,UK Date Reviewed: January 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came With Bike
Strengths:
Great if moving from from rigid forks
Weaknesses:
Useless in cold weather,preload adjuster broke off when trying to adjust,not much use for small bumps or drop offs
Similar Products Used:
Awaiting Delivery of Marzocchi MX Comp Air 04
Bike Setup:
Specialized Hardrock Comp 03, XT Groupset,Hope Mono Mini Disks.
Bottom Line:
My advice is to negotiate an upgrade at the shop if possible as you will be doing it anyway within 6 months if you plan on doing anything more adventurous then a cycle around the local park.Mine worked ok for a couple of months but now I am nervous about going down into dips as I have noi idea what the fork is going to do !
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Submitted by
james
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulare California Date Reviewed: November 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came With Bike
Strengths:
Didn't brake
Weaknesses:
it is heavy there is no dampening whatsoever it rattles it is difficult to adjust it bobs on aceleration it is unpredictable in progresion through it's travel
Similar Products Used:
RS pilot, unsuspended forks (many)
Bike Setup:
Ralligh M80
Bottom Line:
It is not worth haveing Given the choice I would save money and weight by sticking to an unsupended fork untill I could afford a decent quality fork If I were to summarize this fork I would compare it to a pair of springs contained in tubes with nothing holding the mess together. when you put the front end down it compresses maby a half inch and rattles like an unsuported spring would if you droped it. Also it moves around significantly on flat ground useing up energy I would rather have propel me forward if you adjust it tight enough that it doesent do this it will compress quit a bit when you get on the bike but then almost none afterwards if you hit a bump.
So in short don't buy this thing
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Encino, Ca Date Reviewed: November 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Sullivan Canyon
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Cycology
Strengths:
Strong, reliable, nice color
Weaknesses:
Adjustments suck, too stiff, not good enough for my riding, incredibly heavy
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Axel(2003)
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, stock except for avid mechanical discs, Xt Front(instead of Deeore)
Bottom Line:
Its very basic, but once you start going down steps and stuff like that, its awful. Compared to my new bike that has the axel, its like riding on a pillow, and even the axel isn't considered that good of a fork. For minor cross country rides it will be satisfactory, but if you step it up, or you want more than satisfactory riding, I'd upgrade immediately.
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Submitted by
paige
a
from nashua NH Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
urban jungle
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
for someone my size(130lbs) it is indestructable I did a few 4ft drops on it without bottoming it out very impressed. I did how ever case a few jumps and bottom it out
Weaknesses:
the spring eventully wears out say, 2 years of use and then it is never as firm, very flexy heavy and kind of stupid looking
Similar Products Used:
Marzochi X-fly (replaced the judy)
Bike Setup:
trek 800 with zoke x-fly(100mm) tuvative hussiftelts ryno lyte rims syncros seat post sram 7.0 rderaillure etc. all good
Bottom Line:
this fork is good for a starting rider but when you can, drop it as fast as you can! It wil take a beating for a long time and neverbreak until one day the spring craps out on you which is bound to happen to anyfork with a coil
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a
from Vancouver,WA, USA Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
-good travel -hasn't broke yet -like the color
Weaknesses:
-heavy -makes a lot of noise
Similar Products Used:
mozo fork
Bike Setup:
mongoose
Bottom Line:
okay fork, better than my old one. good fork for beginner, okay value
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike tucjer
a Cross Country Rider
from wooster, ohio Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
vultures knob
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$56.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
good rebound and can take a beating
Weaknesses:
heavy! feels like over 5 lbs
Bike Setup:
trek 4900
Bottom Line:
great for a once in a while rider who doesnt want to blow their load on a great bike. I prolly put 2k miles on this and only the tube pretector broke.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Tallmadge, OH Date Reviewed: May 26, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
- takes the edge off - does it's job
Weaknesses:
-rough travel -rebound is slow -heavy -feels a little like molasses on the quick little divots, rocks, etc.
Similar Products Used:
Marzochi Bomber, others
Bottom Line:
A decent fork. Will get the job done if you can't afford any better, like me. Evantually I plan on buying a Duke SL with U-turn. For now,the Judy will do.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from edmonton alberta Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Good kicker in Bonnie Doon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came with Bike
Strengths:
Seems to hold up well on drop offs of about 3 or 4 feet. Hasn't bottomed out on me yet but as i get more and more air i know im gonne need to upgrade.
Weaknesses:
HAven't discovered any so far. But i know i will run into problems eventually.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Magnum R
Bike Setup:
K2 attack 2.0 with raceface grips and hanle bars
Bottom Line:
great value for beginner and intermediate fork. I recommend it to anyone who is starting to get into small jumps and drops
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
K
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Cheap i guese. good for beginners and inters. good for light XC and road, doesn't absorb everything, gives u a firm feel, havn't bottomed out yet.
Weaknesses:
None really
Similar Products Used:
Manitou SX. --- Tested other taiwan forks. --- and more judy from 02, and 00.
Bike Setup:
GT avalanche, Avid single digit V brakes, Shimano deores. Syncros rim, tigoa tires ..................
Bottom Line:
Well this is a fork wif gd value. Its like 89 USD and its rockshox. Those ppl who said they bottom out and can't do jumps over 4 ft. well ofcourse this fork its not designed for it. This fork is onli for like XC. Those who wanna do crazy jumps don't use this cas it will just fall apart. For is price, this fork is the best i've every used.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Niagara Falls, Ont Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$119.00
Purchased At:
Pedlars Bike Shop
Strengths:
Hm...black is in this season? The price, I guess, and it was a pretty good improvement on the Peugeot Hudson i bought it for, but still not too great
Weaknesses:
this fork is really nothing special, for the price, I really shouldn't complain, really nothing to get excited over, preload was much MUCH too hard to set, and it flexes a lot more than can be good
Similar Products Used:
Liquid USA, Judy TT, 'Zocchi EXR, and DJ2
Bike Setup:
Specialized P.2, DJ2, Hayes mechs, Hussefelt, Sun rims
Bottom Line:
Buy it if your not a serious rider, or a beginner looking to step up their gear a bit
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Sudbruy, MA Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
wheelworks Belmont MA
Strengths:
still thinking about this one . . . worked for a few months
Weaknesses:
everything. too heavy, preload adjuster breaks, doesnt go more than 40mm into its travel, 80 mm travel, works better with the boots off
Similar Products Used:
x verts
Bike Setup:
2001 Hardrock A1 FS Sun Ringle ZuZu Pedals IRC Mythos XC 2.1 Tires Kool Stop Break Pads LX Hubs Sun Rhyno Lite Rims Yeti Grips
Bottom Line:
Don't buy them! Theyre terrendous for any kind of freeride or dirt jumping and they can hold up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josser Muntjewerf
a Cross Country Rider
from Beemster Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
i only want to know the colorcode because it has the exact same color as my `98´ proflex 400... plz help me out here, Thnx
Josser
Weaknesses:
...
Similar Products Used:
...
Bike Setup:
proflex 4000, judy tt, full xt, ritchey tires, zac200 weels, etc. etc.
Bottom Line:
...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Coulombe
a Cross Country Rider
from Québec, CANADA Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
Hard to snap...(just kidding), nice black paint.
Weaknesses:
Plastic cap snapped then cut my fingertip when i tried to turn it (in the bike shop showroom!), sticking when compressed-depressed, heavy,noisy, easily bottomed out, too flexible (don't use hydro discs with these).
Similar Products Used:
RST, Rock Shox Jett.
Bike Setup:
'02 Specialized Hard Rock, stock except for Hayes hydro discs and Sunn Singletrack wheels.
Bottom Line:
Not the best fork to buy, even for a beginner. Mine stucked in compressed position then came out with a loud pop when raised my front wheel, serviced it 3 times in 6 weeks of light riding. My bike dealer said that maybe i got the "one in a million" that wasn't working properly...Ha! My old RST was working much better. I can't understand people saying "That's a very good fork...never bottomed out blablabla..." Am i dreaming or what?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phuong Pham
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR, USA Date Reviewed: January 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Color matches my bike. Looks good.
Weaknesses:
Annoying squeek during compression. A little bit of lubing with some oil helped.
First bike I've bought with a suspension fork. Been riding a rigid bike for 5 years. Amazing experience!! I can go a lot faster on my old trails and with less hand fatigue. Good fork for beginners. I'm fairly light (120 lbs), haven't bottomed out yet. Feels a little heavy. I will ride with these until it dies, then will upgrade to something more lighter.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a
from Northport, Al USA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Sokal park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Cycle Path
Strengths:
Hasn't broken even after many jumps staircases and other abuse
Weaknesses:
very flexible
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Jamis Eureka cheap shimano driveline sun rhino lite rims
Bottom Line:
Most everyone says they suck but they also use them for something they are not meant for. Judy TT's are strictly beginner XC forks and if you buy them knowing that you wont regret it dont try to jump them and they wont bottom out they are soft for a reason they are meant to take the abuse of small roots and rocks not to go flying on a downhill run jumping logs and other large obstacles on the way. the bottom line is buy them if you want a good cheap XC fork strictly for XC trails but when they start to bottom on jumps and drops realize It isn't the fault of the forks
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike b.
a Weekend Warrior
from Van Nuys, Ca Date Reviewed: December 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Balboa lake/LA River ( The Mother of all Gutters)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
Cambria
Strengths:
good price; easy to install; works well for its intended purpose; provides good steering feel; smooth, with no "sticktion"
Weaknesses:
not the strongest forks out there; not very resiliant over small bumps; cheesy graphics ( easily removable )
Similar Products Used:
SR 7700; Sun Tour hydraulic road forks ( very good ); Judy SL
Bike Setup:
Raleigh M50 with various upgrades
Bottom Line:
This fork isn't nearly as bad as some of the guys make it out. I sometimes hear a little rattling from the spring, but it certainly isn't distracting. This is strictly a first upgrade from the entry-level stuff. However, in that light, it works very well. Mine was a recall fix, and it has indeed been retrofitted. The difference over my one-year-old, 63mm fork was immense. I can now go much faster and roll over large obstacles that I wouldn't have even looked at before. The fork is well designed and made, and I will only be expecting a year's use out of it. Even so, for only $59, what have I got to lose? Actually, this new fork cost much less than my Rock Shox seatpost, and these two items really do work together to give me a surprisingly even ride, front to back. It seems to be a balanced suspension system now, and the little m50 is a transformed machine, and will take me where I want to go with confidence. I can't comment on the longevity of this item yet, but my RS seatpost has been going almost a year with absolutely NO maintenance, or even inspection, and it still works perfectly.
Great Stuff !
Five Flaming Magpies ! ! !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff D.
a Weekend Warrior
from Delta Date Reviewed: October 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any Trail Wit Drops
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Kelowna Cycle with bike
Strengths:
dist brake tabs, v-brake slots, nice colour, thats about it! not a very good fork
Weaknesses:
bottoms out easily, too heavy, loud noises (its a good fork for beginner)
Similar Products Used:
RST CAPA CL
Bike Setup:
Norco Fury gettin 2000 marzocchi bomber jr. t (5inch travel) fork to replace the judy tt (everythin on the fury is still stock)
Bottom Line:
This fork is only 3.5 inches travel (80mm)... good for beginners.. ive bottomed them out many times off of drops as small as 2 feet. i recomend this fork for people who just want to ride some light easy trails and some roads... not for bikers who are doing 10 foot drops! have a nice day!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Carapezza
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$87.00
Purchased At:
towners
Strengths:
lots of travel, looks nice
Weaknesses:
everything, broke the plastic cap off the 2 day i had it, i got it fixed and striped the inside a week later, not a good stiff fork cause it will bust
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Specialized
Bottom Line:
if you just want to get around with out doing anything and want to look cool get it, but if not don't, its not good for 6 feet or higher drops or having a stiff fork, at the moment it is broke, and i am trying to upgrade, but roxshox doesn't have a upgrade prgram for this fork, bummer
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
will
a Weekend Warrior
from lincolnshire Date Reviewed: October 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
nottigham
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
nice looks,fair amount of travel,good when worn in
Weaknesses:
plastic ajusters,fast topout,
Similar Products Used:
rst bombers
Bike Setup:
muddy fox rock'n'roll
Bottom Line:
good beginers fork good price expect to upgrade as you progress
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeff
a
from stl Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
it is a good proudct but does not work well until broken in
Weaknesses:
They do not use the whole 80 mm of travel
Similar Products Used:
Bomber
Bottom Line:
good shock but by as better one if you can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeff
a
from stl Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
it is a good proudct but does not work well until broken in
Weaknesses:
They do not use the whole 80 mm of travel
Similar Products Used:
Bomber
Bottom Line:
good shock but by as better one if you can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from tallahasee,fl,usa Date Reviewed: September 23, 2002
$
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