Take the MX6™, give it two-and-a-half years from conception to retirement, shave off it's body hair, teach it to speak, give it some manners, and make it better - that's the S7™. (For you folks who don't get it - that's "Forced Evolution")
We took evolution to heart and fed the fork pure abuse and neglect for about 14 months - thank you North Shore and gracias UK!. [Socialized medicine seems to have helped with the over-the-top R&D.]
7" of travel in a 7.5 lb package with 35mm 7075-T6 superhard anodized stanchions, Compression and Rebound adjusters, and sculpted, taper-fit sliders that make other forks look limp.
Submitted by
Nick Dell'Orfano
a
from salem Date Reviewed: October 22, 2004
Favorite Trail:
the nigga trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
my gangsta friend
Strengths:
its a decent fork it hits hard on big drops, but looks pimp I got the 2002 model...
Weaknesses:
seals, seals, seals, they need to make like a warenty on the seals.... : / HEAVY tooo
Similar Products Used:
super t, manitou, etc
Bike Setup:
Big hit comp 04' its my baby
Bottom Line:
yeah i got a fat deal and there good forks so if u see a pair by them but id rather have super t of something newer modle...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dez mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from vegreville,AB Canada Date Reviewed: August 30, 2004
Favorite Trail:
knuckle duster
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
rvcns
Strengths:
LOOKS good can be soft or stiff up to u 7in of travel trannny oil AND CAN TAKE A HIT did a 35 foot gap beautifly
Weaknesses:
seals seals seals ive blown the seals twice in 6 mounths and no i didint do them my self i had them professionaly done other than that thats the only weakness
Similar Products Used:
drop offs (the new stinkys) mountanu sherman's,monsters there dual crown the list goes on ond on
Bike Setup:
kustom stinky nokian gazzo's 3.0 fox rl ect....
Bottom Line:
good fork,good price,good looks,BAD SEALS, if u want a big hit fork that wont set u back one of your hard tails this is the fork no major problems im going to get a hopped up seal kit and well we can go from there
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JeFF
a Downhiller
from T.O., Onterrible Date Reviewed: July 5, 2003
Well it has been six months with this badboy of a fork, and I havent' had one single issue with it! It is rock solid as ever, sucks up everything I dish out to it, and its still kicking.
There has been a little issue with it being sticky, but one can easily take some 2000+ grit sandpaper and fix that problem in no time. Any issues that the S7 had are truly rectified imo.
Still five flammers for this fork!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Benoit Giguère
a Downhiller
from Quebec Date Reviewed: March 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mont-Saint-Anne (MSA), Relais, Bromont
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
bicycle record
Strengths:
This fork is stiff!
Weaknesses:
Heavy and crack when you are hard with it!
Similar Products Used:
Monster T, Manitou carbon
Bike Setup:
Big hit pro 2001 with upgrade kit 8', disks Hayes, tire: front 3.0x26 rear 3.0x24 etc.
Bottom Line:
This is a interesting product for freeriders and downhillers that they pay attention to their fork! Good control! Maintenance is simple. Company service is not very good, no dealer in Canada for 2003. If you like big drop choose another product e.g. Monster-t, super t!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JeFF
a Downhiller
from T.O., Onterrible Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
secret
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$475.00
Purchased At:
Private Sale
Strengths:
-Stiff -Looks Hype (better than a monster IMO) -transmission fluid -true 20mm thru axle -Costomer service is GREAT! -Reb / Comp adjustments -DO NOT LEAK anymore -plush and smooth once broken-in
This fork has been outstanding. I was ver weary about buying a fork used, and an S7 at that, but it proved to be the best purchase for my bike yet. Worried about leakage? Not anymore with the 2002+ models. Stiff? You'd bet, 35mm stanctions get the job done. Not to mention that they look totally rad, and are ajustable like mad. Also, the transmission fluid idea is great. Lasts WAY longer than oil, and has way less cons.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JOE RODRIGUEZ
a Weekend Warrior
from BRONX Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
PLATTEKILL,BLU.MTN,VANNY PK
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
WESTCHESTER PRO SHOP
Strengths:
ITS TAKES THE DROPS VERY WELL ( 6 TO 7 FEET)VERTICAL RUN ITS GREAT EVEN WHEN I MESS UP A LINE JUST POINT AND PEDAL
Weaknesses:
WELL, IF I DON'T KEEP UP WITH IT ,IT WILL START TO STICK,BUT SO FAR NO BLOWN SEALS I GUESS WHAT WORKS FOR ME IS I CLEAN THEM WITH A SOFT BRUSH AND APPLY A VERY LIGHT TELON OIL AND REMOVW ANY DIRT I SEE BEFORE AND AFTER A RIDE
Similar Products Used:
JR.T, ROCKSHOK XL, Z1,STRATOS 8
Bike Setup:
2002 1000 GEMINI FREE/DH BIKE 2.6 NOKIAN,MRP FOR DH W/AC CRANKS RAZOR ROCK LEVERS,XY SEAT POST,TITEC DH,KMC 9200 CHAIN, XTR 3/RINGS FOR FREERIDE
Bottom Line:
I HAD THE BEST FORKS BEFORE AND THEY WERE GREAT FORKS,BUT SINCE I MADE MY SWITCH TO STRATOS IN 1998 (SUPER 6)I HAD NO REAL PROBLEMS. IN 1999, I ALSO HAD ON MY M1 THE S-8 AND AGAIN NO PROBLEMS,IN 2000 ITS WHEN I REBUILT MY S-6 BY ORDERING THE PARTS AND PUT IT TOGETHER MYSELF. I LATER MADE A TRADE WITH THE COMPANY THRU MY BIKE SHOP. ITS NOW AUGUST AND STILL NO PROBLEMS SO FAR.
SO I GUESS I'M LUCKY FOR THE PAST 4-YEARS
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron Dull
a Downhiller
from Fort Collins, CO 80524 Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
A trail(what is left of it)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$618.00
Purchased At:
from Stratos direct
Strengths:
Cheap
Weaknesses:
The seals constantly blow, the fork constantly twists, and the brake arch is easily bent. Also, they make it very difficult to have anything warrantied.
Similar Products Used:
Marzochi Z1, Boxxer, Monster T
Bike Setup:
Bullit set up for DH and freeride. Azonic bars,World cup gaurd, doublewides, Hayes brakes.
Bottom Line:
I started riding freestyle bikes when I was eleven and moved to mountain bikes in ~1992. This company has the worst service of any company I have ever dealt with. There products are some of the flimsiest too. I'm writing this in hopes of saving others from the bad experiences I've had with this company.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich Klassen
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria B.C. Date Reviewed: February 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Green Ribbon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$830.00
Purchased At:
Riders
Strengths:
Cheapness
Weaknesses:
Seals keep blowing, Fork is always twisting, and the seal caps often come loose on rides.
Similar Products Used:
Z1(no joke, this fork performed 20 times better)Super T, boxxer, Shiver
Bike Setup:
Rm7(2001) with usuall assortment of parts.
Bottom Line:
I have gone through two sets of seals in only 6 months.The fork twisted any time I had a crash invloving the front end and like the guy from Sandiego says the service is not that good. Also during rides for no apparent reason the seal caps loosen off. It is currently for sale if anyone thinks they will have a better time than I did with it.
This fork is for you if you are a lithe smooth rider. Burly weekend warriors should not buy this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul San Andres
a Downhiller
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: February 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Tunnel
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Factory direct
Strengths:
looks cool
Weaknesses:
Crowns are extremely weak as is the company behind the product
Similar Products Used:
Super T, Junior T
Bike Setup:
Turner RFX frame, New Super T, hayes hydros w/ 8 inch rotors front and rear, all sorts of overbuilt components to withstand sudden losses of altitude.
Bottom Line:
Product sucks. Ordered this fork from Stratos after living in SB and hearing from all the local riders how good the MX6 was and how cool Stratos is. Well, maybe the MX6 was good but the S7 has dangerously underbuilt crowns and the customer service is a joke if you can't go into the Santa Barbara warehouse and get stuff taken care of right away while you're watching them. I broke a bolt on my first ride, sent in in and got another lower crown that quickly blew to shreds on a 10 foot drop. The guy I talked to told me that they originally underdesigned the S7's crowns and that they had failed to test them properly. After months of playing games with these guys trying to get crowns that weren't crap I gave up, sold the fork and bought a new Super T that has been the best fork I've ever seen. This thing laughs at 10 footer something the S7 messes it's knickers over. Maybe I've had a uniquely bad experience with Stratos but I've also seen one of their S4's stanchions snap in two. As they told me during one of many conversations, go with Marzocchi because they have their stuff together and if you have problems Marzocchi has the resources Stratos obviously lacks to take care of you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Morley
a Downhiller
from Kingskerswell, Devon. uk Date Reviewed: January 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
kerswell downs
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
onabike, newton abbot
Strengths:
look mean, £600 pound, 7 inch, compresstion and rebound adjustable, go nice with my remec frame
Weaknesses:
they twist when i don't fall of. very sticky. continuosly leaking left seal, real hard to take of wheel because they are permanently twisted, cracked crown and finaly the brace slips down taking you comp 16 with it.
Similar Products Used:
rst hi-5, boxxer 151, mates 7 inch boxxer, mates monsters
Bike Setup:
remec dh pro frame. hope 4-pots +hubs, 3 peice crank. home made parts. parts that work no matter what
Bottom Line:
they where good until i fell off the first time. now a constant source of hassle, don't work, twist so easy it is unreal brace slips down, top crown is cracked and most annoying is that i paid full price as they where from the first batch in the uk. they have been sent back 3 times and they aint improved. they put me off riding my bike as the slightess fall will result in about 1 hour of down time strighting the forks so i can go ride again. avoid unless you like taking things apart.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Stead
a Downhiller
from Basingstoke, England Date Reviewed: January 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Morzine, France
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
In-tension, Crowthorne
Strengths:
BIG, shiny, good range of adjustment.
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent, twists in minor front-end impacts.
Similar Products Used:
Boxxers, Junior T, MX6
Bike Setup:
Turner rfx, hopes, race face, azonic etc.
Bottom Line:
I don't want to launch into a major gripe here because everyone else appears to be happy with these forks. Sometimes mine work really well, but very rarely. I blew the original seals pretty quick. As someone mentioned earlier, Stratos are aware that there was a problem with the original (blue) seals and I was sent the revised white seals. I blue these even quicker in less demanding conditions! My fork is also prone to stiction. Originally I thought this was because of the large diameter stancions used, causing similar problems to those Hanebrink had a while ago, but I seem to be the only one with this problem. Also, because the brace is bolted, rather than bonded to the lower legs, in a front end impact the upper legs twist in the clamps. It is very difficult to reallign the fork after this and any missallignment leads to excessive wear on the bushings, seals etc. Marzocchi and Rock Shox realised that bonding was the way forward ages ago, so why can't Stratos? I don't want to slag off what may well be a good product. These are just the experiences I've had with my fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren Leary
a Downhiller
from Victoria BC Date Reviewed: January 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Planet of the Apes
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Forbidden Cycles.
Strengths:
Plush, simple to work on, changeable dropouts.
Weaknesses:
Early run of seals (now fixed)
Similar Products Used:
Monster T, Boxxer...
Bike Setup:
Super8, Hayes, 26/24 wheels...
Bottom Line:
Great fork. Had seal problems earlier on, but Stratos took care of the problem and stood by their product. They admitted that there were bad seals which I like in a company. Sent em back, they did a rebuild and its all good now. No leak for 6 months. I reccomend changing the ATF to some synthetic though, it feels nicer and is easier on the seals.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
zombie
a Downhiller
from webster, ny, usa Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
tryon park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$740.00
Purchased At:
1800bikepro
Strengths:
very plush and rigid. looks great, very well made.
Weaknesses:
bushings slid up when bottomed out. caused alot of leaking and stiction
Similar Products Used:
I've tried a bombshell marylin, a resse champ, a mr dirt and a white dh3. All very nice forks. I think that the stratos is the most adjustable and smoothest of them all.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain, RM9, S7, hussefelt's, d321's on hayes elite hubs, Hayes 8" hyd.
Bottom Line:
Stratos was really cool to deal with. When I called they wanted me to send it back. I didn't want to during the riding season so they shipped the parts I needed no charge. They said to send it back when the season was over for a rebuild. that's cool. The fork soaks up everything when working properly and I'm sure will be better when I send it in.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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