Highly recommended. Best Bang for Buck and notably MTBR choice winner. Definately not the lightest dual crown forks on the market (bear in mind these are almost 5 seasons old) but undoubtably built to withstand the gnarliest rock garden sections and steepest stepdowns. Beefier than White Bros, DMN and even Shivers - S8's add another level of confidence in UpSideDown as the choice of vertically-challenged riders all over the globe. Older models should grab a set of superior supaseals direct from Stratos (www.stratashock.com) and give your forks protection for years to come. I needed fork guards for my S8's and was pleasantly surprised to get an email reply from Stratos who promptly shipped them - I knew the forks were good, but after reading the experiences of others when dealing with Stratos direct, I was not expecting great support. Bottom Line: At some time in your MTB life, get your hands on a set of these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Braraten
a Downhiller
from bowen island bc canada Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
The Flying Circus
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
from friend
Strengths:
everything this is the fork man you cant get a nicer fork for a better price
Weaknesses:
all of my riding buddies say that’s stratos suck what the f*** do they know, and I still kick their buts
Similar Products Used:
shiver, 888, jrT, monsterT duratos
Bike Setup:
2001 marin wild cat trail, race face sx cranks,bb. race face diablus 31.8 handle bars and stem, hayes hydro 8inch disk front and back. 24 double track rear rim and a mag 30 front 26 rim. maxxis mobster front and gozzalodie mud rear, with a titec seat and tioga dh peddes
Bottom Line:
you cant get a better fork for a better price. there strong and can hadle huge drops(20+) feet, also very plush travle
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
david rechtob
a Weekend Warrior
from redtown Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
every hell track
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$900.00
Strengths:
everything
Weaknesses:
???
Similar Products Used:
---
Bike Setup:
santa cruz super 8
Bottom Line:
the best dh-fork i have ever ridden
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
uwe böttcher
a Weekend Warrior
from memmingen germany Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
todtnau
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
hajos
Strengths:
butterweicher Freudenspender.da können sogar kleine kinder im weg liegen! die macht alles platt!!!
Weaknesses:
als die gabel neu war ist eigentlich von anfang an öl ausgelaufen!Jetzt habe ich neue sealnuts und seit dem gab es keine probleme mehr!
Similar Products Used:
superstar
Bike Setup:
orange "222",s8,magura gustav m,maxxis
Bottom Line:
wenn se ein ganz keines bisschen leichter wäreund nicht ganz so hoch bauen würde absolut spitze!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Hunt
a Downhiller
from Stow MA, USA Date Reviewed: May 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Lyn Woods, bow ridge trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Stratos
Strengths:
This shox is huge! It makes the shiver look silly....(realy it does!) If you would ever think of buying a shiver over a S8 you are a tool! The quality product that Stratos puts out is unreal. The way that the big clamps and the whole thing is machined is stunning. I havent had a problem with any thing with the fork .My seals never leaked or anything tike other peoples. It is so damn stiff! Looks just sick too!! 3.0 tyre is no problem. Very symple desing inside that works. All the up grades you can put on it-moto stem, compression/preload cartrage, + fork gards. Stratos naled the S8 ,but I havent heard the greatest reviews on their other forks.
Weaknesses:
Some people tend to diss stratos, but f*^k them, they don't know whats up do they?
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi monster T , 2002 Marzocchi jr. T + super T, Marzocchi shiver , Marzocchi Z3 , rock shox psylo , manitous-(they all suck, broke 3) ,
Bike Setup:
2002 Specialized Hit DH , hayes disc , 2002 S8, mrp slalom-36chainring, race face north shore cranks
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this shock is huge in diameter and height and looks sick with the jet black sliders. The shock is great for freeriding wich I mostly do. It takes huage impacts with no problem. It is so stiff, as stiff or more than the monster t. I can take 8-9 feet drops to flat landings with no problem. You can't imagin what this fork can do with a steep landing! And if you own a Specialized Big Hit DH this is the damn best fork you can put on it. It looks and works perfect. If you have any problem with your fork just call up mark at stratos, he is the man.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich Steelsy
a Downhiller
from England Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
DownHill
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
www.chainreactioncycles.com
Strengths:
They look the bollox, ooze qualitity and ride like no other.
Weaknesses:
Lack of adjustment, price of after sale parts are expensive, bolt through design is tricky to remove with out the help of a mallet and low quality sealing results in frequent leaks.
Similar Products Used:
Stratos Superstar 6.0, Marzocchi Shivers, Risse Champs, Rock Shox Boxers and White Brothers UD's
Bike Setup:
Karpiel Armageddon, Profile SS cranks and 39t imperial Chain ring, MRP Chain Device, Azonic Chubby bar and Hammer Stem, Stratos Superstars 8.0 forks, Hope Enduro headset, 24 Bike toaster pedals, Atomlab trail pimp rims, Hope Big'un Hubs, Hope DH4 Disk F&R, XTR group-set, Intense Tyres and Thompson seat post.
Bottom Line:
The Stratos Superstars 8.0 are an excelant DH fork. "They do exactly what it says on the tin" They track well over anything you throw at them, from rocks to drops, roots to shoots they handle it all and they do it to the expectaions of the rider. I've been running my S8's since 2000 and until now I've had no problem with them. I encounted my first problem after I had my forks professionally tuned by Stendec Shock Works (www.stendec.com) over here in the UK. I was suffering a lot of diving problems with the fork when I rode whoopy sections so I decided to have the fork raced tuned for my riding style etc. Stendec tuned the fork, replaced the seals and changed oil to Rock Oil and increased the volume to 300cc. When I got the forks back they were spot on, even beter than before, but 2 months down the road they began to leak!!! Since then I've changed the seals several times, replaced the oil back to ATF and lowered the volume to the stock 270cc with no success. Because I live in the UK I can't get hold of the retro fitting upgraded seal nuts which offer a beter sealing unit as my importer (Hotlines) are crap when it comes to customer service. Also Stratos won't deal with me direct as I'm a jonny foreigner who has an importer!!! So if you live in the US ye sorted, put the S8's down on ye christmas List. If your a jonny foreiger like me, don't buy any S8 that is older than the 2001 models as like mine they don't come with the upgraded seal nuts and you could end up with the same problem as me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Quintin Roggenkamp
a Downhiller
from Springfield VA Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
???
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Strengths:
This fork is very plush, but as with many inverted forks, there is a tendency for leaks. "No problem" said Stratos when I called, "we will send you some new seal nuts for $30." After about a month, I began to wonder what was up and why I had not seen my new seals. So, I called again, this time, I got hold of a guy named Rubin. Nice guy and all, but... So anyway Rubin tells me that they will be at least $35-40, and that the guy I talked to the first time had quit that day. So he says that they are in the mail, $35. Cool, a week later, they arrive, C.O.D., for $71. Needless to say, I sent them back. I immediately called him and asked what was going on. He said that it was no problem and he would send them to me again. One week later, I had just left work (where I was having them sent), when I returned, one of my friends told me that they were more expensive than I had thought. My boss quickly told that I owed him $65. If I had been there, I would have sent them back. I called Rubin again, "oh, I am sorry, can you fax that invoice here?" I did so, and he called back saying that as soon as I got that cleared check, that I should fax that to him and he would get me the $30 refund. So, I called when the check cleared and explained the whole situation to Rubin, who obviously smokes to much mari to remember people from day to day. He tells me that he does not know why he said that to me, but that he did not think that he could refund the money. I reminded him that this is what he said he would do, he said he would talk to his boss and call me back immediately. That was three f#&king weeks ago.
Weaknesses:
Customer service
Similar Products Used:
Monster T
Bike Setup:
Karpiel Disco Volante, Stuff
Bottom Line:
If you have problems, especially warranty, you are screwed. Buy the Monster T.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BARRIS
a Downhiller
from Moscow, Russia Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
DH, freeride
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Omni Bike (Russia)
Strengths:
Strong fork, good work :-) Very stiff and strong, very plush
Weaknesses:
Heavy weight. But it is not weakness in DH.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi bomber Z1
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Dare DH
Bottom Line:
Best fork I ever used. People in Stratos are nice. Good price, thanks to russian dealers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dimitri
a Downhiller
from santa barbara Date Reviewed: January 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
cold springs
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
stratos
Strengths:
everything I hade a 99 X-vert carbon and this fork blows it out of the water
Weaknesses:
nobody makes fork guards, but I made my own and they work great and only way 12oz for both
Similar Products Used:
shiver
Bike Setup:
99 super8,raceface LP,tomac wheels,s8 fork,bottomed out chain guide, avid machanical front and rear discs
Bottom Line:
this forks are the best I have tried, better they the shiver,foes F1 wet one,white brothers,any hannbrink or zzyzx,and the X-vert carbon
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
carmen
a Downhiller
from Nelson, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
plush, fairly stiff, eats up anything in its way
Weaknesses:
slightly flexy, but stiffer than a shiver. not being able to adjust the compression externally
Similar Products Used:
shiver (friends)
Bike Setup:
2000 stab primo with 2000 superstars
Bottom Line:
this fork is amazingly plush and smooth. I went down to the local motorbike store and bought some dirt bike fork gaurds and they protect the stanchions. I've never owned a stratos, and I always thought marzocchi's were better, but they aren't, stratos' are better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anonymous __________
a Downhiller
from __________ Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
north shore
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
rickton cycles
Strengths:
they look great and feel good at the store
Weaknesses:
but they suck the sales rep convinced me that i could do anything with then so that made me confident too try this 13ft drop and then they bottomed out and i broke my wrist
Similar Products Used:
shivers
Bike Setup:
norco vps team downhill
Bottom Line:
is go buy a better fork like hanebrink lt14 or risse big foots
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brett Thorne
a Downhiller
from Orem, UT Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
State Course
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
N/A
Strengths:
Everything. This forks tears it up. 8" true inches of buttery smooth suspension. Strong, little flex, and cool as hell looking.
Weaknesses:
Ha Ha
Similar Products Used:
MX-6
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR DH, Hayes, Azonic goodies, etc...
Bottom Line:
The fork is without a doubt the smoothest fork that I've ever used. It's strong, it has very little torsional flex and the 20mm setup is top notch. The stanctions are super hard which in turn prevents them from getting scratched or showing wear. I've had zero problems with them. The seals are still in top notch condition. You litterally only have to change the oil and clean her up once a year. If you follow the torque specs and you wreck all is good. Just reset the forkup and your good to go. I've owned the MX-6 and plan on staying with Stratos through out my years of biking. Thanks guys!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garrett
a Downhiller
from New Hope, PA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
very smooth travel, eats up everything you put it through, corners well
Weaknesses:
the bolts on the crowns strip easily when overtightened, the rebound adjuster works well but the rod they use to fasten it to isn't strong enough, mine broke off
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi monster t, risse trixxy
Bike Setup:
stratos s8 ultra(has compression and rebound instead of just rebound), brooklyn machine works tmx, sun double wide rims, gazzi 3.0" tires, profile cranks&bb, azonic dw bars, azonic seat, brooklyn shifty midget stem, xtr der. & shifters
Bottom Line:
this fork is the plushest and pretty much the best one you can buy out there for the price. other than the minor problems of stripped bolts and a broken rebound adjust the fork has worked great. o yeah by the way stratos is pretty good about replacing parts on warranty, they replaced mine no questions asked. they do however have a problem getting the parts to you in a reasonable amount of time, its worth paying the shipping if you want your fork to be usable without having to wait a month or more. this fork kicks a$$ though and i wouldn't trade it for anything else out there except for maybe a risse bigfoot or an avalanche 10" fork,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garrett
a Downhiller
from New Hope, PA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
very smooth travel, eats up everything you put it through, corners well
Weaknesses:
the bolts on the crowns strip easily when overtightened, the rebound adjuster works well but the rod they use to fasten it to isn't strong enough, mine broke off
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi monster t, risse trixxy
Bike Setup:
stratos s8 ultra(has compression and rebound instead of just rebound), brooklyn machine works tmx, sun double wide rims, gazzi 3.0" tires, profile cranks&bb, azonic dw bars, azonic seat, brooklyn shifty midget stem, xtr der. & shifters
Bottom Line:
this fork is the plushest and pretty much the best one you can buy out there for the price. other than the minor problems of stripped bolts and a broken rebound adjust the fork has worked great. o yeah by the way stratos is pretty good about replacing parts on warranty, they replaced mine no questions asked. they do however have a problem getting the parts to you in a reasonable amount of time, its worth paying the shipping if you want your fork to be usable without having to wait a month or more. this fork kicks a$$ though and i wouldn't trade it for anything else out there except for maybe a risse bigfoot or an avalanche 10" fork,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jefferson Ramalho
a Downhiller
from São Paulo/Brazil Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Saracura
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Thomas Strakos-brazilian dealer
Strengths:
Low price,extremely plush and lots of travel
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy and when you crash needs a litlle adjust in crown bolts
Similar Products Used:
No similar. It's the best fork I ever used
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Super8/00 small,Shimano XT disc brakes, Maxxis tires Mobster(front) High Roller(rear)
Bottom Line:
S8 is like a big foot truck,nothing is indestructible if you ride this monster fork. You feel strong and splits sparks on rocky courses.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JT Nelson
a Downhiller
from Lewiston ID Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Any path doen the Lewiston Hill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$599.00
Purchased At:
Pro Deal through Stratos
Strengths:
Very Very Plush, Very stiff, Steers very true. Rebound damping works great. I really love this fork. You will too. Looks great. No side flex.
Weaknesses:
And only 10Lbs! Leaks like a stuck pig. Stratos customer service is, well "ok" These forks leak because they are shipped with springs suited to a 150lbs rider. Most of us are a bit bigger than that. You can only force oil through a valve so fast with springs that wont slow it down. Everyone I know who has sent their stratos fork back for heavier springs and new seals and seal nuts, has had no problem. While doing a large jump, upon landing my lower left crown bolt ripped out of the crown??? Stratos has replaced these at no cost. The 5 mm crown bolts need to be 6 mm and threaded a bit deeper. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN your crown bolts. They will strip. Read the manual for torqe settings. Run a lizard skin on the disk side to prevent oil for getting on your disk. Also this prevents your disk hose from rubbing the lower stancion which will be considered a non-warrenty issue if your seal starts leaking due to the rubbing. Dont sent your fork to Stratos if you have a race comming up in the next month. IT is a 3week process to get you fork back. But Dave at Stratos does care about fork concerns and will fix any problems if they are legitimate. Im sure Stratos will take measures to fix these problems. After all, look what we do to these forks!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
MR T/ Shiver / UD180
Bike Setup:
2001 Santa Cruz Super 8. Hayes Dh Purples/ Maxxis tires/ Tioga dh rims/ Mr Dirt/ azonic bar and stem, Stratos S8/
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is guys; If you own one of these forks, you like to do mini Bender drops. IT takes every thing we throw at it. We have all had girlfriends that had a few problems at first, but you worked it out, and in the end, everything was great. Take the time to get to know your fork. Once you do you'll love it forever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Downhiller
from Seattle Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Super plush, smooth, a sweet fork
Weaknesses:
the fork rules; as long as you don't have to send it back to Stratos
Similar Products Used:
super star 6
Bike Setup:
Karpiel
Bottom Line:
Stratos products are very good. I think they try to have good customer service; but they don't. Actually they have to worst customer service I have ever delt with. Some people have good experiences with them, but I have sent products to them 4 times. They have never fixed something the first time I sent it to them. Once again I love the products. I hate the customer service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BARRIS
a Downhiller
from Moscow, Russia Date Reviewed: April 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
DH
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Omno Bike
Strengths:
The BEST! Very plush, very long travel, good adjustment, easy maintainance. Looks as HiEnd made by hands.
Weaknesses:
Big weight - is it weakness for downhill? None!
Similar Products Used:
Similar - no, I did'nt use! Marzocchi Z1 BAM'98. 100mm travel against 204mm on SuperStar8?
Bike Setup:
LeeCougan XLerator F1'00, With Sun DoubleWide rims, Hope Big'Un hubs, Hope Enduro4 brakes, DNM rear shock, Chris King headset, Roox spinningmax crankset, AC HoleShot chainring, SRAM D.I.R.T plasma rear deraileur, etc.
Bottom Line:
I never used any long travel forks before, but 100mm Marzocchi. SuperStar 8 is THE BEST! Smooth, plush travel, no luft, no strokes or sounds. And looks well!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Gildea
a Downhiller
from Marblehead,Ma. Date Reviewed: April 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bow ridge, lynn woods
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
silkly smooth travel, and alot of it!
Weaknesses:
I'm a east coast boy, our cal. bros tend to prefer a looser set-up! This fork needs the heavy springs(red) anything less (even full of oil) and you bottom it out on small stuff 3-4 feet drops!) I glad to report w/ heavy springs and full of oil IT ROCKS. (11& and all was fine !!!!!!!)
Similar Products Used:
Mr. T
Bike Setup:
Tuner DH
Bottom Line:
Did I say IT ROCKS!!!
I weight in @ 200&
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G
a
from BC Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
What else could you ask for in a fork in this travel range?
Weaknesses:
None i can tell.
Similar Products Used:
A whole, whole lot.
Bottom Line:
What is the guy below, retarded? Too heavy huh...an XC rider reviewing a serious DH fork? Similar products tried - an Indy C fork?? Listen guy, f*ck off back to your Huffy and quit spoiling a perfectly good DH forks reputation. People use this site to check out serious reviews, not that kind of crap. Hope to see you on the trail, so I can ride over both you and your P.O.S. bike - shouldn't be a problem with my S8, you speedbump.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kil1 you
a Cross Country Rider
from america Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
the folk was realy plush and soft and looked great
Weaknesses:
this folk weighs about 10 lbs and that is one of the heavyest folks around
Similar Products Used:
indy c
Bike Setup:
giant atx 840 with LX components
Bottom Line:
its a great folk but its just to heavy
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Wray
a Weekend Warrior
from Elloughton UK Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Spook wood jump spot
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$940.00
Purchased At:
chainreactioncycles.com
Strengths:
Build quality, price, performance, and weight.
Weaknesses:
I have only had mine a month and have noticed none except there are no frame bumpers and no lower leg guards plus surely the moto x style handle bars mount should be out by now (lets face it don't design a ferrari and fit a steering wheel in it off a crap american car he he only joke)
Similar Products Used:
Stratos superstar 6, x-lite wompa, pace monster, stratos mx 6, rock sh1te boxxers, marzochi monster and Hanabroke.
Bike Setup:
2000 Marin DH 10 inches travel , er Superstar 8 forks,chris king headset,Hope 4 pot disk brakes (the best brakes period), hope bulb wheels on mavic d521 disc rims, middleburn DH cranks, goldtech DH ring piece, cat and dog chain device, dmr v12 pedals, syncros seat post, fizik seat, x-lite fly stem, xtr shifter and rear mech, panaracer dh tyres, fresh english country air in the inner tubes, spokes and nipples and last but not least me.
Bottom Line:
A few years ago white bros started the ud war off, but stratos waited and made some that work properly and were strong enough with seals that don't leak (err that last bit only applies if u get some new seals)
I would recommend these forks 2 n e 1 that is considering ud forks if they have a minimum of 6 inches travel at the rear.
If you want one of the best ud forks in the world buy stratos, i was waiting for the marzochi shiver forks but they were supposed 2 b out 6 months ago and i cannot wait that long, they are out this week reportively, my bro is getting some so i will tell u if i should of waited or not later
don't wanna spoil the 100% rating so
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
PROJECT X
a Downhiller
from NH Date Reviewed: January 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
BTI, distributor
Strengths:
Beacutiful machining, 8 inches of buttery smooth travel, very helpful people at the company, no seal problems. I am not going to worry about this fork. Price is another strength.
Weaknesses:
yea, it's over 10 pounds... and the rebounding doesnt adjust to quite as fast as I like it, but i guess some damping is required on a fork this plush. the top crown was an EXTREMELY tight fit, and required a few fellow shop employees to get everything together when installing it. even if all the bolts stripped, i dont think the crowns would move !!!
Similar Products Used:
boxxer, Monster T, UD 150
Bike Setup:
2000 Spooky Project X, Risse 3"stroke Jupiter 5 rear shock (9+ inches, baby!), King HS, Profile cranks, Snafu pedals, XTR 9speed, Mr Dirt guide, ProTaper bars, Hayes 8" purple discs on hayes hubs and 321 disc rims, 2.65 Kujo tires...
Bottom Line:
This fork rocks. Period. I am glad I stumbled upon this fork before I made any foolish decisions to ride this fork above all others.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Agent Z
a Downhiller
from Norcal Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Karpiel - Northstar
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$780.00
Purchased At:
Go-ride.com
Strengths:
Plushness Rebound control Sucks up everything, from small stutter bumps to big hits Looks great - good machining & good color Massive crowns Lots of clearance Very good turning radius No maintenance PRICE - Go-ride.com sells for $899, and I traded in an old judy and got about $120 or so back.
Weaknesses:
Weight - not a big deal. I can manual just fine People drool on it and it gets nasty
Similar Products Used:
Boxxer MX-6 Manitou X-vert R/Carbon Risse Champ
Bike Setup:
Karpiel Armageddon - 24" wheels
Bottom Line:
This is a great fork. I can ride up 6 foot flights of stairs easily and catch air off of em. (8" steps) The fork is extremely confidence inspiring. I go through rocks without even looking at them. I can do big drops and not have to worry about screwing up, because the fork will save my ass.
I think matt's fork got run over by a tank or something.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Canada Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
toothless
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Plush, looks, feel, damping, travel, what isn't amazing on this fork! Warranty stratos offers is great
Weaknesses:
Defective seal on disc side (quickly warrantied without hassle). Bent right upper leg 4 degrees back, left leg 2 degrees forward in a crash (not products fault)
Similar Products Used:
everything
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Super 8 2000, the goods
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review for one of my earlier ones. Dont worry im not going to break this forks perfect record. My boss talked with a stratos guy at the vegas show and apparantly im the first guy to break/bend the upper legs on a superstar! pretty cool, anyway it leaves tomorrow to be warrantied and examined by the guys down south. Amazing, 125lb guy like me broke a superstar, guess im just a hack. Aside from that, this is STILL the best fork i've ever ridden!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JUGGERNAUT205
a Downhiller
from BROOKLYN,N.Y.,USA Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
PLATTEKILL,N.Y.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
DOWN CYCLES (NY)
Strengths:
180 DEGREE TURNING RADIUS,TRUE EXTERNAL REBOUND & COMPRESSION!!!.SLAP ON A 24"RIM W/3" TIRE OR A 26"/3" OR ANYTHING IN BETWEEN AND GO!!!.THIS FORK EATS SMALL CARS FOR LUNCH!!!.THE PEOPLE AT STRATOS ARE FRIENDLY AND KNOW THEIR STUFF...
Weaknesses:
...HAD DEFECTIVE SEAL ISSUES.SWAPPED THEM OUT TWICE....AND STILL HAD LEAKAGE ON NON-DISK SIDE,THEN IT HAPPENED ON THE DISK SIDE ALSO.CALLED STRATOS AND THE REP. TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD SET OF SEALS THAT THEY GOT....THEY CHANGED SUPPLIERS,SO I SENT THE FORK LEGS OUT TO HAVE THE SEALS SWAPPED OUT.EVEN WITH THE SEALS LEAKING IT STILL TOOK EVERY HIT,BIG OR SMALL!!!.ANY OTHER FORK,I WOULDA PANICKED,BUT NOT W/THIS ONE!!!!.CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT BACK ON THIS WEEK!!!!
Similar Products Used:
ZZYZX DH(6"),HANEBRINK LT (9"),THEY BOTH SUCKED!!MARZ MONSTER T,MR.DIRT(8"),R/S BOXXER(8")
....THIS FORK IS A BEAST AND KICKS MAJOR ASS!!!!!!.NO NEED TO BE AFRAID OF ANY TRAIL IF YOU HAVE THIS FORK ON YOUR BIKE.. THIS IS A PRO-QUALITY FORK,SOLD AT A VERY AFFORDABLE PRICE!!!.IF YOU HAVE THE LOOT TO SPEND,GET IT!!!.I'M 6FT/6" TALL AND 205LBS, AND I'VE ONLY BOTTOMED ONCE,AND THAT WAS A 9FT.DROP-OFF,AND THE FORK TOOK THAT AND WAS READY FOR MORE!!!!!!.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Downhiller
from Wenatchee, WA, USA Date Reviewed: September 3, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
PLUSH, PLUSH, PLUSH, and good tracking
Weaknesses:
Don't come w/guards. Weight I guess, but who really cares.
Similar Products Used:
Superstar 6
Bike Setup:
Ionic DH
Bottom Line:
This fork kicks ass. 8in of Plush travel, did I mention how plush it is. I made some stanction guards out of pvc pipe, they work sweet. It is bombproof.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shaun
a Downhiller
from CA Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
VERY plush, very stiff, very strong, awesome tuning options!
Weaknesses:
The only thing I can think of is, since i'm such a light rider, I had to put softer springs in it, then I couldn't get my rebound as fast as I like it, After calling Stratos they told me to loose some oil out of the rebound side, tried that still not enough.So I called again and they told me I could drill the hole in the bottom of the cartridge housing bigger, if I felt comfortable doing it. I drilled it to an 11/64ths and it is now PERFECT!! I have never felt a better fork! Most shouldn't have to modify like this but since i'm so light I did. It's very easy and takes only a few minutes to do
Similar Products Used:
Boxxer, Marazocchi, Risse, Mr. Dirt, Hane(sh*t)brink
Bike Setup:
Karpiel
Bottom Line:
KICKS!!! ASS, You won't find a better fork at any price!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
PitchShifter
a Downhiller
from Seattle, Wa Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Plushest fork on the market, hands down. Very effective and adjustable rebound damping. Offset crowns so it never interferes with your steering, even in the tightest sections of trail. Solidly build with a simple yet very effective design and a fair price. Options include travel reduction kits, compression damping, and externally adjustable preload.
Weaknesses:
Heavy. Externally adjustable preload is an OPTION, it doesn’t come stock that way. Also, single bolt through axel clamps may allow for more flex then other designs.
Similar Products Used:
Boxxers, shorter travel bombers (I haven't tried a Monster yet), Risse Champ, other Stratos forks.
Bike Setup:
Mountain Cycle San Andreas with Stratos Helix Pro rear shock for 6” of travel. SuperStar 8 fork has been reduced to 6” of travel. Hope DH 4 brakes. 24” doublewide rims with 3” front tire and 2.75” rear tire.
Bottom Line:
After playing with oil levels and rebound damping I’ve dialed in this fork perfectly. I had to have mine reduced to 6” of travel so that it would match the rear of the bike, but the fork still has a “bottomless” feel to it. Once the oil level is right, the fork will never bottom out. This is DEFINITLY NOT A FREERIDE FORK. It’s heavy at around 10 pounds, but I’m a big guy, and pushing it around through tight descents is not a problem. One thing I can’t get over is how plush it is. It’s the very definition of plush, with absolutely no sticktion. I like knowing that I have the option of adding compression damping and external preload at a later time. This is nice. Instead of having to sell one fork to get a better one, I can just take my perfect fork and make it even better. It’s also one of the least expensive pro-level DH forks on the market. $1000 may not be cheep, but you can find it for less if you hunt around, and that’s a good bit less then the competition. STRATOS ROCKS!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DWNhiller
a Downhiller
from Portland, Oregon, USA Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
any DH trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
looks, travel, open bath plushness, etc, etc, etc.
Weaknesses:
the brown clamps are a little silly looking, but not too terrible. A tad heavy, but hey, I ride a brooklyn, WHO CARES!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Jr. T, Monster T, MX6, boxxer, DH3, blah blah blah
Bike Setup:
Y2K brooklyn TMX, 8" gustavs, 24 x 3 format, total motocross... hence the name... TMX
Bottom Line:
This fork rocks. price is nice, quality is unparalleled, plus they look like they're straight off a frickin YZ 250! If you're planning on going down and down only, these are the forks for you. The plushness blows my mind every time I ride em! I can ride straight into a curb without picking up the front end and barely feel the bump at all... the faster the better. These forks are so stable at high speeds, I feel like I can go a hundred and be totally stable. Anyways, they are SO cool for downhill!! Just get em!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Downhiller
from Colorado Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Awesome fork!! plenty of tuning options, super soft, stiff, gold looks pretty!! the company has always been helpful.
Weaknesses:
A little flex when fully extended, but about 1"-1.5" into travel it's as stiff as a board. So I guess that doesen't really matter since sag goes down further than that. So it's not a weakness.
Similar Products Used:
BOXXER, Hanebrink (piece of sh*t!!), Risse, Manitou, Marazocchi
Bike Setup:
Karpiel Armageddon
Bottom Line:
This fork kicks ASS!!! And it's cheaper than most. But it's better than all. Even things that are twice it's price. I just wish I could give it more than 1 flamin chili!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Titheridge
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: July 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Toothless
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
color, damping, plushness, feel, looks
Weaknesses:
weight (but who really cares), my left legs leaking oil, sent with a bad seal which ruined a pair of hayes pads...
Similar Products Used:
boxxer, monster T
Bike Setup:
KHS dominatrax, the goods
Bottom Line:
Great fork... none other compares... we'll see how the shiver stacks up against it but i'll keep on riding the stratos... i bottom out every ride, but have YET to actually feel it... amazing! I love this fork!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rylar
a Downhiller
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Knapps, Tunnel, any SB trail really
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Excellent lateral and torsional stiffness, unreal plushness, great damping adjustment, bombproof, low maintenance, clean design.
Weaknesses:
Rootbeer colored crowns.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou 1 and 2; Rock Shox Mag21, Judy DH, Judy XL, Marzocchi Jr-T, Mr-T, Monster-T; Stratos SS-6; Hanebrink; White UD-150; Risse Trixxxy.
Bike Setup:
'99 Foes DH Slammer Mono
Bottom Line:
Get a pair if you can afford them and dont want to ride uphill. There arent ANY other forks that compare in quality OR performance. If you get anything else in the 8" range youll be REALLY sorry. Hanebrink, White, Marzocchi, Manitou, Risse and Rock Shox all pale in comparison.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Garrity
a Downhiller
from Hampton, NH, USA Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Stiff, Plush, Raced at Plattekill and didn't bottom out. Cost less than Boxxer and a much better fork. Lean back and let it guide you down the trail
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy for lighter riders. Mfr says it weighs 8lbs. my shop weighed it around 10lbs. Stock springs are real stiff(I weigh 165lbs)
Similar Products Used:
Boxxer, Hannebrink, Mr. Dirt
Bike Setup:
Intense M1
Bottom Line:
This fork is the best I have ever riden. The people at Stratos are very knowledgeable and helpful. WHo cares about the weight, this fork gets you to the bottom without any fuss.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Palmer
a Downhiller
from hong kong Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tai Mo Shan
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
It is one beefy shock. Not too heavy, and steering is nice and sharp unlike Monser T's. THe only upside down FULL oil bath. Sweet plush 8" of travel.
Weaknesses:
NONE.
Similar Products Used:
RS BOXXERS Z1 Drop off 2000
Bike Setup:
Intense Uzzi DH, SS8, Stratos DH PRO rear shock. Hayes discs, 321 mavic rims, Pro Taper handelbar. DT Hugi hubs. Thompson seat post
Bottom Line:
These forks kick serious ass. The sweet 8" of inches takes up anything u throw at them. They are better than any other forks out now and for the weight, control is still good especially with a full 180 degree turn. PLUS i only paid $800 US dollars for it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G MAN
a Downhiller
from SB Date Reviewed: February 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Naps,tunnel
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
my review was supost so say 5 chil's i would have put 10 all around if i could its the best fork EVER
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
crap
Bike Setup:
20000 team dh specialized
Bottom Line:
TH BEST FORK EVER!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G MAN
a Downhiller
from S.B. Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
naps,tunel
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
lots of travel super plush super reliable just aim and shoot. U need this fork to go big
Weaknesses:
i needed to make fork guards to protect lower legs use 2" pvc pipe and cut to fit
Similar Products Used:
super star 6.0
Bike Setup:
2000 FSR TEAM DOWNHILL way trick
Bottom Line:
just get it u will love it. unless you like crap.at about $1000.00 you cant beat it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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