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Submitted by
richard
a Downhiller
from bronx ,NY ,usa
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Some looks, stiff. | | Weaknesses: | Week ass fork, it's for posers, all show and no go, fork has too much stiction, the air spring is shi+, too heavy, the travel is overwhelmed by weight of fork CAN"T STAND UP TO FREERIDING(forget about downhilling or racing)warranty SUCK'S, company sevice SUCK'S, | | Similar Products Used: | jr-t's, manitous, rock shoxes | | Bottom Line: | The FR4 does not deserve FR in the name cause it can't take free riding without colapsing.
It's just a big disapoinment, it has the looks and no balls, NO BALLS!
It's meant for posers who just want to look tough, if you are real free rider don't buy this fork, it will be a waste of your money.
IT'S ALL SHOW AND NO GO! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Downhiller
from bronx ,NY ,usa
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks,excellent rebound control, stiff. | | Weaknesses: | Not strong enough for freeriding,week stantions , bad design, a lot of stiction, not enough travel to justify weight. | | Similar Products Used: | marzocchi's, x vert T, 01 jr T, headshocks, rock shoxes(3 or 4)and the first stratos made. | | Bottom Line: | Bad design, the fork's stantions keeps sliding up the crowns even with proper torqued bolts, so I titened the crown bolts little more and the week ass stantions colapsed like tin foil. Most triple clamps have thick stantion walls by the stantion clamps, this one doesn't so it can colapse easy if torqued a little past recommended tq. level.
Even though the fork is an open bath design, it's still very sticky.
More weight than travel, too litle travel to justify so much weight.
They added the weight at areas not needed and removed from the critical areas.
My conclusion is that stratos has not much experience in designing freeriding forks and it shows up in the FR4, i have friends who have the mx6 and s8 but they dont ride as hard as I do, I am 5'7" 145lbs and rarely ever wipe out
I now have a bent useless $500 fork that i haven't even gotten a month use out of, i dont think that i want any more stratos products because of thier week thought out designs and too expensive products.
This fork is for posers and not real freeriders, so don't even think of downhilling on this thing or you will be in some serious pain from bussing your ass.
Get the new x vert dc, super T, jr T or a boxxer.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
perry sasser
a Downhiller
from boston
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | lynn woods | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | stratos | | Strengths: | smooth, stiff, good free ride or entry level fork | | Weaknesses: | bolts cannot be tightend enough to prevent twisting w/o creating sticktion. | | Similar Products Used: | first triple used | | Bike Setup: | 2000, san andreas | | Bottom Line: | I ran this fork for a year free riding and It is great there, looks nice, pretty stiff, not to heavy and smooth action. I started to race it however and it is not really suited for monster hits. Two other guys on the curcuit where running the same fork and had their stancions twist. You cannot secure the fork brace enough to take the big hits without crushing the legs. Eventually my time came up and the fork twisted in the brace and blew a seal out during the race. Bottom line - good freeride - don't race it if you care about finishing. Oh yeah, web site is good, human contact there is almost impossible and they seem to not ship things that they are supposed to as standard practice. Nice for light free rider an entry level dh but but it won't get you past there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Downhiller
from Fernie, B.C.
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the short cut to your mom's house | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Guide's Hut | | Strengths: | Looks Badass, feels like alot of 6"ers I'v tried | | Weaknesses: | Guys at Stratos don't care if your not riding if they already have your money, Very Unhelpful, Rude.
Warranty Nightmare | | Similar Products Used: | Judy's, QR20, MX6 | | Bike Setup: | S.C. Heckler, FR4/5", Hayes, 321's, Raceface, Azonic, XT | | Bottom Line: | I was very happy with Stratos and this fork(i know I talked a couple people into buying Stratos)until I had a problem with it- While rebuilding my fork, my buddy noticed my sanctions were bent pretty bad, so they sent them to Outdoor Gear Canada-in Van. City, the Canadian distributor.
The guy there told me he was waiting on a parts order from Stratos that should have been there the week before. Next time I talked to him he said the order didn't come with any sanctions, so more waiting for Stratos. Then he told me I would have to talk to the guys at Stratos to get them to O.K. the Warranty claim cause the sanctions were so bent. Then Dave at Stratos said my dropouts was pulling out of the bottom of the fork and I would have to pay to fix that and the sanctions!!!
So after freaking out a lot(I've been hurt since before I got the bike, so I've still yet to drop it more than three feet and haven't had the chance to crash it yet) He said they would cover it and they would ship the parts to OGC that day. So.... while trying to find out what was going on two weeks later, I found out they still haven't even shipped the parts! So it's been over five weeks of sunny days they've been gone and no word on how long it's still going to be! (Stratos hasn't called me even once since the start, so I've also had to spend about $20 in long distance finding out they still haven't done jack about it.)
STRATOS SERVICE SUCKS
SO... If it wasn't for no customer service, I'd be happy with them, but now, whenever anyone asks about them, I'll have to say they're not worth the trouble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy Hoyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | See below | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | VICMTB Melbourne | | Strengths: | Everything you read here | | Weaknesses: | See below | | Similar Products Used: | Many double triple clamps and regular forks | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tazer | | Bottom Line: | 12 months on... things I've learned:
As others have said, see the website for info. Manual might be crap (I didn't even get one!) but the site answers many questions. And the Stratos guys are the best in the business for helping you with questions.
Be VERY careful not to overtighten the crown bolts - you can crush the stanchions easily, resulting in massively reduced stanchion strength.
Learn how to set the airspring - incredibly important for keeping the original 'bottomless travel' feel. And get the right coil springs for your weight.
Requires minimal maintence (good, because any oil-based fork is a bugger to work on in your lounge room). Get a shop to work on it as it requires quality, dedicated tools and vices to be done properly. Worth the money and peace of mind.
If only it weighed a pound less - the weight is noticeable up hills. If you're going down, just let it blow your mind with it's performance.
Overall, a superb performer, beautifully built, and perhaps the perfect fork. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy S
a Weekend Warrior
from Wakefield Ma
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | go-ride.com | | Strengths: | it looks the balls. 5 very plush and progressive inches of travel. go with the 20mm axle. uses atf for lube. | | Weaknesses: | no boots. no bumpers. stickers were but-ugly. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing similar, bunch o' judys and a couple of ridgid forks. I'll never go back. | | Bike Setup: | bullet w/ fr4/5, platform pedals, riser bar, low seat post, and a grin from ear to ear! | | Bottom Line: | A great fork! great craftmanship. It takes a little while to dial the fork in with the correct amount of atf, and I needed the heavier spring-set. Be sure not to over torque crown bolts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$429.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Looks better than any other fork, Build quality like no other, Plush ride, Black stantions, 5"travel upgrade included, Rebound that works | | Weaknesses: | Factory set up is way to soft for anyone over 12 stone, Manual is not worth having, No external preload, V-Brake set up is tricky. | | Similar Products Used: | Loads of other forks | | Bike Setup: | Orange Patriot with 5" of rear travel to keep everything balenced | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant fork out of the box and has really smooth action. Put the upgrade in straight away and its wicked. If your over 12 stone put more oil in or upgrade the springs. You cant get much better. Download the new manual from Stratos website | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AC
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$589.00 | | Purchased At: | Kalo | | Strengths: | Plush damping, steering precision, appearance, adjustable travel. | | Weaknesses: | Incomplete manual, confusing setup compared to my Z1 | | Similar Products Used: | Z1CR, Z1 Alloy, SXTi (ugh!) | | Bike Setup: | 4.5 inches rear travel by 5 inches front, Fat Tyrannoraptor tires, Hayes disks. | | Bottom Line: | This fork looks much better in person than it does on the Stratos webpage. BTW the webpage is the place to go to figure out setup and maintenance issues, and the factory guys are also a great resource.
This fork easily equals my Z1CR in plushness, and far exceeds it in rigidity. I was not prepared for the huge increase in steering precision, especially at low speed, like when you're picking your way up a rocky trail without enough speed to blast over the rocks. While I do have to gear down about 1 cog, presumably because of the increased weight over the Z1, I find myself cleaning more previously unrideable sections due to the added travel and steering precision.
A no-brainer 5 stars for value given the current market price, and its perfect performance is marred only by the lack of a good manual. If you're not willing to spend some time on the phone or the net to get this fork set up to your satisfaction, it may not be for you. That said, I think it's a great deal for a DC fork. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Goleta, CCA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tunnel | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Bob's | | Strengths: | Function in all phases and manors...Stiff, Carves trails, Point-and-Shoot, Feel (plush) lightweight DH'ng | | Weaknesses: | Not fully externally adjustable. | | Similar Products Used: | Boxxer (99) DHO (97) Z1 (98) too many others to list here. | | Bike Setup: | DBR X-10 (99) with Grimeca, King hubs/Hs, XT elsewhere.... | | Bottom Line: | "H" below made the initial mistake of not finding out the fork uses ATF, the most highly tested lubrication on Earth - and yes, anybody can easily prove it - transmissions on cars are very expensive to replace and Ford/Chrylser/BMW/Saab and Mercedes Benz don't want to replace them under warranty (i.e: free to the consumer). ATF is cheap and available just about everywhere in the Western World (and I add the UK to that, even though the plumbing takes a little getting used to [but not as much as France or Italy])
I have the 20mm axle set up (modified the King Hub, but that's only because they used to be just up the street from me) and replaced the stainless steel bolt (8mm x 1.25mm x 10mm) with an aluminum one, then drilled and tapped the hole to allow the air spring adjust to be easier.
Manual was pretty terse, but the website helped and I talked to the guys (email and on the phone) and learned everything I needed in a short time.
My Z1? Almost as smooth and flexier. The QR20 is a giggle and some day I'll tell you why...
I notice the UK guys don't seem to get much help - phone calls to the US are too expensive, I guess, and the Time Zones are way off...
I thought they'd get decent help from Hotlines (my Scottish buddy bought them from the Hotlines dealer in Yorkshire)
If stupid-proof was the only way to build a fork, my guess is Yamaha and Honda would be out of business by now.
Oh well..
Better to live in the sunny side of the world...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
H
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere I don't have to go uphill (especially with a FR4) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Well I just thought I'd post an update of the fork review after riding it seriously for a while. The manual is still a joke, and I had to find out about the left leg air assist the hard way. (wrist slammer)
Getting into the fork, especially this left leg business (20mm axle), is a pain. The fact that you almost definitely need a vice to maintain this fork is also a pain. Finding 12wt oil is a pain (so I use 10wt and 15wt). That they don't ship stanchion protectors as standard is a pain.
But once you've come out of the workshop sweating and swearing, and actually go ride, it's (sort of) worth it - it really works superbly on the trail, with the coil and air springs working in prefect harmony to absorb everything in sight.
However that's no excuse. It shouldn't be this painful to tune the fork - and you can only get the best out of it when you do tune it - some more thought needs to be out into the design of the innards of the fork to make it easier to tweak.
So, after considered thought:
The good: superb function, excellent visuals, good manufacturing quality, excellent tuning possibilities
The bad: crap tuning accessibility, ocean liner anchor weight, and a manual that's so crap it really only deserves to be used as toilet paper - if it wasn't printed on so stiff paper.
All in all, definitely above average and to be considered if you're a real hardcore rider in the line for a good dual-crown, mid travel fork.
If you're anything less than a single crown fork twanger/snapper though, look to the single crowns like the Z1 CR/QR20. Easier to adjust, functionally just as good, lighter and cheaper.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FreakRider
a Weekend Warrior
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, Stiff, Stiff, makes my old Z-1 look like a Judy.
Awesome machine work! This thing is a work of art.
5" travel, open bath and killer looks
Stratos' customer service is second to none | | Weaknesses: | Wish it were a little lighter, mine is just under 6 pounds | | Similar Products Used: | Z-1 Bam(awesome), Boxxer(too much maintenence), Judy(cunt), Manitou(crap) | | Bike Setup: | K2 5000, FR5, Helix pro rear shock, 9.0sl rear/XTR front der, Grimeca Front disc, HS-33 rear brake, XTR/F519 rear wheel, Real disc/F519 front, '00 lx hollowtech cranks, Monkey bar, a FREERIDE MACHINE!! | | Bottom Line: | This fork is absolutely awesome! I have been searching for the best freeride setup and I think that I have found it. The Helix Pro in the rear gives me about 5.5 inches in the rear and it mates perfectly with this fork up front. After breaking in the FR5 is every bit as plush as my Z-1 Bam and tracks straight as an arrow. I am 215 pounds and on fast DH runs I would get bounced all over the place with the Z-1, now the front end goes everywhere I point it. It has made me faster than I ever thought I would go on an MTB. This fork is sssoooo plush and stiff, the sliders are almost bigger than my frame tubes. It is way overbuilt, the machined crowns and disc mount and fat stanctions tell you this thing means business. 180 degree offset gives you tight trail ability. Once you get it setup it is pretty much maintenance free, unlike true DH forks that need a lot attention. If you are looking for travel, stiffness, QR compatibility, and mega plushness along with the best looks around then this is your fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dinah Cancer
a Downhiller
from SF/CA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville & Northstar DH XXX | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Very solid, rigid and precise for it's relatively light weight.
This fork is perfect for what I do-every
DH race that comes along- Mammoth, Dville, Northstar,
and every other trail ride I do with friends, This fork will
go uphill great! This is my only bike, and 5" is the perfect compromise for me out here in the West where it's
fast and furious, but more jagged granite than slippery roots. I ride a short-travel FS beefed for all around FR/DH
AND THIS FORK IS THE BUSINESS.
The machining is great and you can see what they
did....not like some mass-produced multicast clone.
I came over from the Bomber Cult , and the truth is M
does NOT have a monopoly on sMooth plush travel!
This thing is very tuneable and will come factory-tuned to your style and weight. Stratos accepts trade-ins, too!
Bye-bye Z1, your seals left a bad taste on my disc pads!
| | Weaknesses: | I can't think of any, any FR, jr DH or slalom dog
will be happy with it. Not recommended for someone looking
to upgrade their dual-crown SID | | Similar Products Used: | (2)Z-1's...borrowed various Mr Dirts, Monster T's, Boxxers from DH peeps for short tests | | Bike Setup: | Heckler, FR/5 w/20mm thru axle, Fox TC shock, MRP/40T, front=Hope DH04/Mavic 321/Bulb
rear= Chris King hub Mavic 521 xtr V brakes (don't use em anyway) Hurricane 100 post/Azonic Hot Seat, Race Face
cranks, Atomic Labs Flatboy II pedals, 75mm Azonic Shorty
stem/2" Doublewide riser, various tires, right now a Maxxis High Roller DH 2.5 on front, Tioga 2.3DH (MODIFIED) on back.....I know, kinda burly for an XC(!)
frame, but that's the truth my friends. | | Bottom Line: | Incredible value as are all the Stratos forks,
Superb performance so far!
get the 5 inch cartridge!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B. Treglia
a Downhiller
from Lima, Ohio
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | bad trails around here | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very active and very rigid feeling fork. Lots of beautifully machined aluminum - no plastic. Uses readily available tranny fluid as fork oil. Can be maintenanced with regular tools. One of the few 4" travel forks w/ thru-axel availability. Arch can be adjusted to fit any size wheel/tire. Rebound dampening has wide range of adjustment. All the internals appear well constructed and not too complicated. Travel, compression dampening, preload can all be adjusted with additional parts. | | Weaknesses: | Preload not easily adjustable. Thru-axel design should be easier to work with. No fork boots. Kinda noisy. | | Similar Products Used: | Judys, Zzyzx, White Bros. UD 150 and 4" travel, Marzocchi Z2, Boxxer, Stratos SS8 | | Bike Setup: | Azonic DS1, shorty stem, sun rims ringle hubs, double wall bars, slalom mrp, profile cranks, ringle pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is the absolute best performing fork I've ever used. These tubes, in stock form, soak up the nasties very well at speed. Just watch a rider w/ one on his scoot and you'll see how active the fork actually is compared to others. The fork is very rigid and confidence inspiring. The stock springs may be a little on the light side for a 170 lb+ aggressive rider. It's definitely one of the kewlist looking forks made. Log on to Stratos if you need info about working on this fork. The guys at Stratos are very helpful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris J.
a Downhiller
from SLC, Utah
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Satan's Gullet | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush, working rebound, tunablility (despite what others have said), killer looks, bombproof, most bang for the buck | | Weaknesses: | Yeah, right. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou 3, Quadra 21R, Judy XL, Judy Race | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn 4-Banger w/Risse Jupiter-5 piggy-back (5.5" wheel travel), King Headset, dual Hayes hydros, XT Hollowtech cranks, Easton Risers, Azonic 50mm shorty stem, Titec Berserker DH on Thompson post, Tioga Factory DH 2.3s on Sun Rhyno Lite rims, DMR chainguide, Kooka Crankcase | | Bottom Line: | Awesome performance. Feels like the stroke is longer than 5". If you're bottoming this fork excessively like some of the reviewers, you don't have it tuned correctly. I will admit that tuning can be cumbersome if you don't know how to do it. But it really is quite easy. Instructions are now up on the Stratos web site and Randolph is always ready and willing to handle any questions you may have. Hell, call ME if you want to. Why complain about the lack of an external preload adjuster when it typically remains constant once set? And an external adjuster is available as an option, by the way.
The air assist feature is awesome.
If you can dish it out, this fork can take it. Awesome quality.
To all those who piss and moan about this and that: Quit complaining about "flaws" in design that can easily be detected BEFORE the purchase. Lift it. Is it too heavy? Then DON'T BUY IT! Look at it. Do you see any external compression and preload adjusters? Don't like that? then DON'T BUY IT!
Shut up and ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Austin
a Cross Country Rider
from Milford, MA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great performance, rigidity and quality of construction.
Turning radius is excellent. I do a lot of steep techinical
uphills, and I have not hit my knees once. Also a great
value for what you get. | | Weaknesses: | No boots (an I have been unsuccessful at finding any that
will fit yet - can anyone help here?)
Need to buy bumpers (these should come with the fork).
At a shade over five pounds, it may be too heavy for
smaller riders, weaker riders. It's just right for me,
though.
The finish, which looks really nice new, tarnishes when it
gets wet if you don't wipe it down immediately. Come on
guys!
| | Similar Products Used: | RS Mag 21 (best fork they ever made), Manitou Mach 5 (worst
fork they ever made), Marzocchi Z1 (seals suck crap) | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS2000, Stratos helix rear, Crosslink, Magura Tomac | | Bottom Line: | Great fork! Awesome performance. Worried about the
lack of boots after my Marzocchi woes, but I'm still
searching to find ones that will fit. Lizard Skin makes
good fork bumpers to protect the frame - I highly
recommend them. If they didn't work so well I'd take a
point off for the tarnishing issue, but the fork's just
too solid to give less than a 5, unless durability/
maintenance issues arise. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
H
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere non strenuous | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks, Strength, Steering, Rebound adjustment actually works (wow), love the sliding brace.
| | Weaknesses: | Manual, axle, preload / compression (idiot design), upper crown design (pain to fit/remove), a few other things | | Similar Products Used: | (4" travel, or adjustable to 4" forks) Z1, Z3 FL100, Z1 QR20, Judy XL, Foes F-1, ZZYZX, X-Vert. | | Bike Setup: | R-1 prototype jump frame, FR4, 20mm hub, Mavic 519's. Brake systems tried: Magura rim, Hope 2-pot disc. | | Bottom Line: | Well, I'll reflect most other opinions here, in that these forks are ultra-plush (perhaps a little too much for me, bottms out quite frequently despite setting the oil levels as recommended), ultra-rigid, steer very well (my hoses and cables would have to snap before this thing hits the frame) and don't involve a massive weight penalty.
However, I'll give 3 chillies (3.5 if I could, but I'll be harsh) because I think that the problems the other people have also mentioned should have been sorted out before the sale of this product, the most glaring ones being:
* the manual (a 24-carat joke)
* Axle (cromoly please, and the whole point of pinch bolts is to do the pinching - you don't need the dropouts to do that) results in loose hub installation if care is not taken - even 'freeriders' have punctures you know and there aren't any rubber mallets on the trail.
* External preload setting - Jeez. None. Is silly.
What could have been a perfect fork is let down by some wierd design decisions. Hopefully the feedback here will cause Stratos to upgrade their design, and make that available to existing owners.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn Austin
a Weekend Warrior
from Milford, MA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam/Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Quality of construction
Customer Support | | Weaknesses: | Manual could be better, but you can always just call and
ask | | Similar Products Used: | Mag 21, Manitou Mach 5, Marzocchi Z1 | | Bike Setup: | LTS 2000 w/stratos read shock, Magura Tomac Brakes | | Bottom Line: | Fork seems awesome, but I haven't had a chance to do a
real ride since I bought it. I placing this review now
just to say that I talked to Stratos and they said that
large DH rotor disk brakes are not required for the fork
as stated in PitchShifter's review. They said that the
disk mount is standard European, and that any brake with
6.3 inch rotors that would fit the Z1 will fit the FR4
I'll give a real review after the summer's over, but for
now I'll give it a 5 just so as not to ruin the average.
The value is incredible for the quality, though, $475
dollars w/a leaky Z1 trade in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joew
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura Ca
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Rigid, Plush, Predictable, Dialled to Suit! | | Weaknesses: | I had to pay money for it. | | Similar Products Used: | All Judys, Bullet, White Bros Etc. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Los Dos Tandem with Magura HS-22's and Spinergy rims. | | Bottom Line: | Stratos custom built this fork for my tandem. They asked me what was my weight and the probable weights of the stoker or stokers. Then they asked me what kind of roads or trails i was riding and what my maximum projected speed was going to be. They also asked what the bottom bracket clearance was on the front with my existing fork (yick - zyzzyx) and what my crank length was. They warned me about crank clearance issues with putting suspension on some tandems that didn't come with a tandem fork. Etc. Etc.
Turns out not only did they have their own tandems, the built these forks for Tony Ellsworth's personal tandem. They don't just make a fork called "Tandem" - they build it custom for different riders on different tandems.
The fork is so smooth that there is no way to tell when we run over train track crossings until the stoker goes over them! The rigidity makes this the only fork I would take the tandem off road with and expect a safe turn on rough fire roads!
The 'M' guy below that gave the fork 4/5 probably never had any first hand experience with the fork, just some flamer with an axe to grind. Notice the lack of actual review!
He's what i call a 'spoiler' - someone who's only job is to crash into the leader. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Frucci
a Downhiller
from Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | granny's garden, anything @ plattekill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Top notch construction, plush yet progressive, classy looks, A+ service, Can you say "options"?, most bang for the buck-(that I have ever seen), and beefy as hell to boot! | | Weaknesses: | Wish the thru axle came out easier ... but I never take my wheel off anyway, so scratch that. | | Similar Products Used: | Z1, Mr. T, Judy XLC, Boxxer | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Ellsworth Truth, Stratos Expert Rear, Hayes, XTR/Race Face drivetrain, Mavic 521's on Hayes (20mm front), Azonic cockpit. | | Bottom Line: | I built this bike for DS and wanted a fork that would work well. After a little research and some phone calls, I ended up with a fork that looks great and works even better. Stratos has been a joy to deal with and they've had no problem answering my questions and helping me out. So far, the fork has performed flawlessly - taking the big hits (6ft+ drops) and still impresses me with its adjustability. The options available make it posible for this fork to be configured for anything from CC to tandem applications. I just might ride it in a few cross country races this year and show everybody that a 5 pound fork can get it done all the way around! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave C
a Downhiller
from Southampton, England
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Very plush, looks kick ass, damping works perfectly.
Loads of upgrade options. Very strong...look at all that metal...the internals look like something out of a moto fork.
Doesn't cost as much as others too. | | Weaknesses: | Takes about a week to bed in, though this isn't really a weakness. Also pretty heavy, but who cares, no weight freak XC rider's gonna be using these. | | Similar Products Used: | Bombers, Rockshox, Manitou, RST ....... | | Bike Setup: | Kona Manomano set up for DH | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding this fork loads for the last 6 months, including DH races and they still work perfectly. I had to had a little oil to get them a bit more progessive to fit my weight, but other than that no problems.
I've also added the 5" travel upgrade and the fork still does exactly what you want it to do and does it very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Studley Park | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Stiff. Very plush. Excellent damping, especially high-speed. Looks amazing.
Turning radius unsurpassed. Modular construction allows many upgrade options (check the website). 24-26 3.0 tyres fit easliy. 20mm axle option. Free 5 travel upgrade in the box. Optional external preload cap. | | Weaknesses: |
Well, nothing really worth mentioning... just the lack of external preload (upgrade option, however). Stiction at first - breaks in after about a week, so take into account if testing a brand new fork. 5.2lbs is a bit weighty, but it rides so well you don't notice. | | Similar Products Used: |
Z.1 BAM, Jr T, Boxxer, DNM, Manitou, etc. | | Bike Setup: |
Intense Tazer (2000) with Vanilla R, Hope Pro discs/Bulb hubs, RaceFace cranks/post, XTR drivetrain, shifter/mech, Azonic bar/stem, King headset, MRP chainguide, SDG saddle, DMR pedals, Mavic 521 rims, Tioga DH 2.1s, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Really satisfying fork. Works very well, inspires confidence. Great for anyone who wants strength and supple action. Bad for weight watchers and people not used to Marzocchi-like plushness. Steers brilliantly (180 degree capable crown offset). Impressive! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DaleRider1
a Cross-Country Rider
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
plush, responsive, adjustments work! Bike jewelry that works..beautiful machining on the crowns. | | Weaknesses: |
changing preload is not a quick operation. Must add oil (ATF fluid) | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy XL, Manitou XVertR | | Bike Setup: |
San Andreas with Helix Pro rear. | | Bottom Line: | The FR4 performs taking big hits with aplomb while remaining sensitive to the stutters. You get an honest 4 of travel out of it. Solid build and superb customer service out of Stratos for questions/tech help. Probably the best performing fork I've owned. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joew
a Downhiller
from Goleta
Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tunnel | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Rigid, Tight in Turns, Open Oil Bath, Plush, Carves its own path... | | Weaknesses: |
Preload is like a Boxxer - Open it up! | | Similar Products Used: |
All Judys, Most Manitous, Zyzzyx, Lawill | | Bike Setup: |
Diamondback X10 LT | | Bottom Line: | It was a toss up between the 100mm Marzocchi Z1's and these - I've had both. The Marzocchis don't have any internal anodizing so the parts oxidize and make the oil go black. When the Oil gets too much of the oxides, the viscosity breaks down and the damping becomes unreliable. Lubrication goes to hell, too. You have to overhaul the Z1 about once a month to keep it clean. FR4's just keep on going. Pretty much point-and-shoot. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PitchShifter
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: August 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
* Weighs a TRUE 5 pounds.
* Fork construction is of the HIGHEST standards, inside and out. The oil cartridge is anodized, so it should never produce that “metal flake soup” that comes out of a Marzocchi during the first few oil changes.
* Available and convertible between slandered or 20mm axels, and between 3, 4, or 5 inches of travel.
* Cost, even with 5” travel upgrade, is CHEEPER then the other forks in this class.
* Offset crown won’t limit your turning radius like a Manitou, Rock shox, or Marzocchi will, so you will ALWAYS be able to steer, even through the tightest singletrack
* Fork arch has clearance for 3.0 tires, both the 24” and 26” type, so when it comes time to hit the ski slopes, you can run the fattest tires around.
* Design is of true DH origin, not XC like the other forks on the market, so it’s always stiff, strait, and stable, even if you’re a Downhilling Clydesdale.
* The Travel is plush and progressive. Kind of soft like a Marzocchi feel, but it doesn’t wallow in it’s travel. It feels like much more travel then a 5” Marzocchi.
* Two separate springs of different weight offer a progressive stroke, as well as the ability to change springs separately to change progressiveness.
* External rebound knob is very effective and easy to use, even while riding, with a gloved hand.
* Cartridge and spring only in one leg, cutting parts that could need servicing in half. | | Weaknesses: |
* Owner’s manual is a 4-page joke. Not very useful if you have to do any SERIOUS work or adjustments on the fork
* The disk brake mount is only for larger downhill rotors, forcing you to use larger, heavier versions of disks, even for XC or freeride use.
* If the fork is turned on it’s side or upside down, it will loose all damping until it’s been stroked 10-15 times. This is caused by the oil draining out of the cartridge.
* The fork is loud like a DH fork. You can hear the oil gushing and the springs slapping. Not too bad, but it’s noticeable.
* You must use internal spacers to adjust Preload. Though this isn’t too hard, this is UNCALLEDFOR considering every other fork in this class used normal preload knobs.
* Adjusting compression dampening requires you to take apart the fork’s cartridge. | | Similar Products Used: |
Marzocchi `99 Z-1 BAM
Marzocchi `99 Mr-T
Manitou `98 Xvert (the double-triple clamp version)
Rock Shox Judy XLC
Rock Shox Boxxer | | Bike Setup: |
Mountain Cycle San Andreas with Stratos Helix Pro Rear shock, Stratos FR-4 fork, and Hayes disks. Convertible between Dh and freeride by changing pedals, stem, and seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is just plain wicked, especially when you check its price. It is light and plush, making it the perfect companion on the trail. But if you decide to do some more serious downhill riding, you WON’T be let down. This fork is based on Stratos’s 6.5” travel Superstar, and it feels like it. Where as everyone else has upscaled their XC forks for Freeride use, Stratos has slimmed down their DH fork instead. It’s happy doing slow and technical stuff as will as slamming jumps and water bars at speed. This is the BEST-engineered, BEST-constructed, most FLEXIBLE 5” travel fork around. Actually, calling it a “freeride” fork almost doesn’t do it justice. It’s more of a short travel, lightweight DH fork. Even for Y2K, it doesn’t look like Marzocchi, Manitou, or Rock Shoxs has anything that will compete. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave C
a Downhiller
from Southampton, England
Date Reviewed: July 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Stiff, solid, plush, work pretty damn well | | Weaknesses: |
non yet (touch wood) | | Similar Products Used: |
Stratos Mx6
Marzocchi Bombers | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Manomano set up for duel/dual | | Bottom Line: | I just got these forks and first rides feel damn nice. Have to see how they hold up. | | Overall Rating: |
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