Submitted by
gnetiks
a Cross Country Rider
from corona California united states Date Reviewed: September 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
loop
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
craigslist
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
??
Similar Products Used:
dimondback
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
i just bough a diamondback respond. it has the RST Gila shocks. I think they suck and i was just wondering what i can replace them with?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
new to mtb
a Cross Country Rider
from Syndey Australia Date Reviewed: July 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Blue Mountains
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn Parramatta
Strengths:
None that I can find. (Price above is for the whole bike).
Weaknesses:
Everything. Poor manufacture, weak plastic parts, grease everywhere for the short time it did work, remote lockout of poor manufacture.
Bike Setup:
Optima FS400 Deore LX 27 speed, Avid Juicy three brakes
Bottom Line:
Do not waste your money. Even if they come with the bike pay for the upgrade. I have had bike for one week. It has been back to the shop twice with broken lockout. The first time it just went while riding on a road to the track, the second time I at least got to go over a bump, a speed bump. I guess I have brought an entry level bike for XC but I expect better from this company. My mate with a bike that cost half as much has suntour forks and has had no dramas.
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Submitted by
ben
a Downhiller
from kidby in england Date Reviewed: March 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
off my m8
Strengths:
i cannot seem to break these forks i have given these rok all for the past 3 months and have only managed to bottom out 2wice
Weaknesses:
scratch easy and the seals split easy
Similar Products Used:
rokshoks
Bike Setup:
ddg shooter with rst t7 gila plus forks front nd bak hope 4pot hydrolic wavy discs ddg step and bars shamano lx changer and deralier
Bottom Line:
good forks very strong but mine have been uprated they have better seals and springs and seals inside so they have about 180mm travel
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Submitted by
Jamie Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Texus Date Reviewed: February 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
xc
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Libra Snakes
Strengths:
Ermm... good for manufactureers to rip people off with no strength for ppl who buy em
Weaknesses:
I have the 2007 RST Gilla Plus T7 which are hopeless!!!They seize up all the time, the adjusters dont work, bottom out all the time cannot even do a single jump. These do not work in cold weather or even when its sunny, its like having two bricks on the front of your bike instead of forks. Waste of time even making these forks but they are made by RST so what did you expect
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi mx pro ETA Bomber, Marzocchi xc 500 Bomber, Fox Vanilla.
Bike Setup:
Came on my 2007 Specialized Hardrock
Bottom Line:
If you want to do jumping, XC, or just ride about. Do not buy these you will regret it. Spend the extra and get some real forks that actually work e.g Marzocchi Bombers
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Submitted by
Zsolt M
a Cross Country Rider
from Csikszereda, Romania Date Reviewed: August 18, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
it's better than without it the lockout works
Weaknesses:
the adjustment does nothing travels only ~40mm
Bike Setup:
kelly's quartz
Bottom Line:
It's better than some of the lower-end shocks and it's not a bad solution if you're just starting out and don't have a load of money to buy a bike with.
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Submitted by
N/A
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario Date Reviewed: July 22, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Kamakasi
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
East side
Strengths:
Well its realy good for getting crash videos
(this is a Gila plus T6 but same thing pretty much)
Weaknesses:
Umm...everything. If you don't grease it, your lucky to get 60mm out of the 100. And if you do grease it, it botoms out off a two foot drop. By 3-4 feet it kills your wrists. It leaves black grease and oil on the stantions and you have to wipe them after every ride. The ajuster knobs don't do anything and after a few big drops they jam anyway. Responds way to slow and causes your bike to buck. Dangerous and not fun.
Similar Products Used:
Well just on friends bikes. A marzocchi Z1 (nice fork) and a MZ comp (not so good, but beter than the RST)
Bike Setup:
06 Specialized Hardrock sport disk. bikes not bad, but get a beter fork.
Bottom Line:
If you are planning on putting one on your bike don't bother, unless your replacing a walmart fork you will be extremely disapointed. Even then save your money til you have enough for a beter fork cause you will just end up replacing it. Even a low end used Marzocchi, Fox or Manitou beat it by a mile.
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Submitted by
Chris M
a
from Ft Lauderdale, Florida, USA Date Reviewed: June 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
soaks up bumps
Weaknesses:
do not ever bottom this fork out hard, i was using it on small dirtjumps and i landed flat and the left fork spring assembly ejected itself with a lot of force into my face! i fixed it after finding all the parts scattered around and now i cant ride my bike hard.
Bottom Line:
good fork if you keep you wheels on the gound all the time
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Submitted by
Wil
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide, South Australia Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
The Overlocker
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came on bike
Strengths:
The front fork plays a most important role in the performance of the front wheel.
Weaknesses:
Having said that, the bike would ALMOST perform better without it.
Similar Products Used:
Human face (when the forks fail!)
Bike Setup:
Felt 880 frame, deore f&r derail. deore disk.
Bottom Line:
Depends on the level of riding, and as I'm progressing to the more downhill side of XC then, all things being equal, it is not the right tool for the job.
Not only can you not change the travel (only the rebound, and even that is rather arbitrary and inneffective) but there are some serious quality issues. For example, the seals on the stanchons came loose after the first mile of riding and dirt and water can easily get into the coils. They WILL bottom out going over or off of anything higher than half a foot! They really buck and rebound lke crazy, especially going around banked corners at high speed. More than a little hairy at times. They just throw you off the bike.
If it comes with the bike you should DEFINITELY ask the shop if they can upgrade for you. It would be nice of me to say that they are a nice beginners fork, but even that would be a lie!!! Just dangerous in the hands of anyone but the most balanced and expert of riders (and even then!)
Get a 06 recon or tora. You can find them for $300-400 somethimes less and the difference will blow you away!!! Quality and price are very close together in forks these days so beware.
IF IT'S CHEAP, IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH QUALITY!!!
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Submitted by
Jacob Brendel
a Downhiller
from Wisconsin Date Reviewed: April 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
skids
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
Williamson Bicycle
Strengths:
It is cheap
Weaknesses:
This thing doesnt work in cold weather. It just locks up and it doesnt travel at all. So if you like riding in snow like me, dont by this fork.
Similar Products Used:
nothin compares to this crap
Bike Setup:
Specialized hardrock, truvative cranks, the good stuff
Bottom Line:
this fork is horrable. RST is horrable. Don't buy this fork. For the money, just go out and buy a Manitou nixon, not this thing.
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Winston Salem Date Reviewed: April 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hobby Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
They are not mead of lead or cast iron, I guess that is a plus
Weaknesses:
Not really 80mm of travel. I can bottom them out like it is my job, completely worthless
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Axel Black, Rockshox Judy
Bike Setup:
Trek 4300 Frame with XT/LX parts, BB5s.
Bottom Line:
They come stock with some bikes. If you want to ride singletrack, swap them out; they could make a good paperweight. If you want to commute to school, keep them.
I bought a Tora 318 from pricepoint to replace these, although it has not arrived yet
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Bunbury, WA Date Reviewed: February 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Pile Road
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came with a bike
Strengths:
This is for the gila plus sl.
Doesn't have many strengths. When its locked out it becomes 100% rigid, 0 travel.
Weaknesses:
It is next to useless for racing. It flexes and is unresponsive. At times downright scary.
Similar Products Used:
rigid singlespeed fork, RS Reba
Bike Setup:
Giant XtC1 07 (with Oury grips =) (these were on a GT avalanche 2)
Bottom Line:
Coming from these to the rebas is a relief. The RST forks are horrible for any bumps over 3 inches tall. They can't respond quickly enough and they compress after the bump so the whole bike bucks. On descents this is a problem, also because they dive a bit under brakes so if you do any technical descending, at all, and want to live, get a better pair of forks. They aren't too bad for the street, because their lockout function is useless for the trail. Oh yeah, the lockout button frequently jams, doesn't work.
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Submitted by
tom
a
from england Date Reviewed: December 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
wisley
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
evans cycles
Strengths:
its only alright if u use some sus grease it loosens the sus up a bit OK on 2-3 drops. its ajustable
Weaknesses:
it bottoms out on about 5 foot if u over hit a jump it hurts like hell on ur wrists
Similar Products Used:
dj3,2,1. dirt jam comps.
Bike Setup:
hardrock sport frame, dmr wingbar, slim jim peadals, race face gearing.
Bottom Line:
if it comes with ur bike its ok but dont go out of ur way to swap it swap it after bout 6 months
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Submitted by
reuben
a Weekend Warrior
from nz Date Reviewed: December 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
hi-roller
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
lockout works
Weaknesses:
too stiff, not enough travel adjusters do nothing
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
mongoose tyax super 2005
Bottom Line:
the are not very good so don't buy them they suck and don't waste your money on them
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Da cyclist
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: November 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Four Marks-Alton
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Evans cycles (stock on 05 hardrock)
Strengths:
none really They came on a good bike
Weaknesses:
can only use about 10mm of travel-CRAP!! Weighs a ton Looks awful
Similar Products Used:
RockShox tora 302 solo air(excellent)
Bike Setup:
Specialized Hardrock disk 05
Bottom Line:
Do not get this fork!!!! Get Rockshox tora's Get a Specialized Hardrock
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terrence
a Weekend Warrior
from b.c., canada Date Reviewed: October 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
bicycle sports pacific
Strengths:
(i am doing a reveiw for the gila plus)cant really think of any...wait i dont think it is possible to bottom out this fork unless you do a huge drop cause this fork sucks so much
Weaknesses:
freezes up when its cold outside and only moves about 10mm when frozen...heavy, looks, ajustment knobs do absolutely nothin
Similar Products Used:
different rst fork with 45mm travel (came stock on this old wal-mart bike) but now im using a 05 DJ3
Bike Setup:
gary fisher mullet
Bottom Line:
dont buy this fork its ok if your just using it for commuting and you have some bumps on your way there but DO NOT BUY THIS FORK even though it says 100mm of travel ive front cased jumps and it still hasnt moved 100mm maybe 80mm at the most so the bottom line is **DON'T BUY THIS FORK**
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Submitted by
John Birnie
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Date Reviewed: October 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Don Valley and The circuit
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
stock with bike
Strengths:
NONE CEPT FOR THE FACT THAT ITS LIGHT. THERES A REASON ITS LIGHT. THERES NOTHING GOOD AND THATS A LOT OF WIEGHT
Weaknesses:
EVERYTHING
Similar Products Used:
zocchi drop offs, and dirt jam pros and comps.
Bike Setup:
05 specialized hardrock sport, with axiom double jump pedals and hopefully a rock shox ike soon. THATS THE BEST FORK EVER. PIKE 4 LIFE
Bottom Line:
dont buy it and if it comes with your bike buy a new fork. thats what im doin
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Downhiller
from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Cyclepath
Strengths:
None. It's slightly adjustable?
Weaknesses:
Takes a while to brake in. It bounces alot, even on small roots...its like riding a pogo stick. It is only a little bit adjustable but is still very stiff.
Similar Products Used:
Marzzochi drop off 4, Dirt jumper comps.
Bike Setup:
Raliegh 3.0 frame, dirt jumper comps, avid bb5's, other junk.
Bottom Line:
This fork sucks. It came stock with my old bike, and it really really....really doesn't do what it's supposed to do..which is to be good. Then again...wtf is RST? buy another fork. 1 FLAMMING CHILLI!
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Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas Date Reviewed: July 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Does what its suppose to do. Survived on 2-3 foot drops.
Weaknesses:
Not super smooth, but that doesnt bother me. :-)
Similar Products Used:
Stance flow, RS Tora
Bottom Line:
Yeah it's a cheap POS, but it has been riding with me for 3+ years and hasn't had any problems.
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Submitted by
tyler
a Downhiller
from sparks,nevada Date Reviewed: July 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Keystone canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
rcf
Strengths:
only strenght is the cool stickers. this came stock on my bike.
Weaknesses:
it rusted up and is super stiff. the adjusters don't even adjust the fork!
Similar Products Used:
i hope i never have to use a fork like this again!
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
don't by this fork it's a piece of poop and if it happens to come stock get a new fork.
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Submitted by
nick whites
a Weekend Warrior
from paris Date Reviewed: June 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
spoke
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
cyclepath brantford came with chucker
Strengths:
what strengths
Weaknesses:
heavyish caps get locked easy they suck i h8 them not soft enuf
Similar Products Used:
hopfuly nothing
Bike Setup:
gt chucker2.0 (i named her hucker)upgraded bars hussefelt dh rise geting new 06 manitou stance new fsa pig head set and geting hussefelt stem
Bottom Line:
they suck get something differnt. fox manitou marzocchi even sr suntour
$
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