Submitted by
TODD133
a Weekend Warrior
from USA Date Reviewed: September 2, 2007
Favorite Trail:
???
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Bikes Etc.
Strengths:
TPC works great when set up properly. Strong fork!
Weaknesses:
Takes some time to learn how to set TPC forks up. Read and learn otherwise your fork will suck
Similar Products Used:
Most out there
Bike Setup:
02 Bullit set up with complete 05 Saint build kit from a Haro werks fs bike. hvy springs
Bottom Line:
good product, has held up to my weight 240+ for two years. I ride anything I can find. It has done tons of stair gaps and urban drops. I don't see why people are slaming the fork. If you take the time to set it up right it will last and it will give you a great ride. It allows me to ride the bullit like a xc bike until things get rough then it lets me bomb around like a dh rig.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matija lelas
a Downhiller
from Slovenia Date Reviewed: October 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Leogang
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Good working
Weaknesses:
Too much adjustments and after a while none of theese are working.
Similar Products Used:
sherman firefly
Bike Setup:
cannondale gemini 900
Bottom Line:
This fork is certanly a bad fork.I destroy it after 1month of riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ben
a Weekend Warrior
from holliston Date Reviewed: June 25, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
on my gemini 900
Strengths:
strong, light, good looking ;)
Weaknesses:
compression not working
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi 66 r
Bike Setup:
gemini w/ gazz jrs and fsa dh stem
Bottom Line:
great fork for someone who wants dual crown strength without dual crown weight. not quite as stiff as 66, but drops a few pounds, and still they only flex a tiny bit
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ED M
a Weekend Warrior
from swampscott Date Reviewed: November 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
MR toads
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
www.bikemedics.com
Strengths:
Light wieght Stiff SPV VAlving 04 Breakout + Almonst 7" of travel with no bob.
Weaknesses:
travel adjust pre-loads the spring so much that the fork becomes very stiff
Similar Products Used:
03 Sherman Breakout
Bike Setup:
Yeti ASX 04
Bottom Line:
I had the 03 Sherman Breakout on my Titus Quasi Moto and liked the whole 1.5 thing so much that I eliminamted any bike without it for my replacement. I ending getting the 04 Yeti ASX with 7.5 " travel in back so I matched it up with the 04 Sherman Breakout + 170 mm Travel with SPV compression adjust. Basicly the same technology used in the best rear shock I have ever tried ,the 5th element . This fork is a big improvment over the 03 no bob on climbs still light 5.6lbs compression and rebound more than ample for big drops and DH as well as XC ridiing. I have only used it for 6 rides but unless it fails me I see no weakness. My 03 damper siezed up after 10 months of heavy free riding. Warrentee covered it no problem ,talked to them monday had the part no chage by the weekend. I am selling my 03 Sherman if interested email me emondello@bikemedics.com
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Methuen,Ma. Date Reviewed: November 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
still stiff and light with a smooth stroke
Weaknesses:
i would think that a little too much oil should not bend the damp. shaft.
Similar Products Used:
this is my first freeride fork
Bike Setup:
cdale 900 mostly stock
Bottom Line:
this is a follow up to my 10-16-03 review. when my shop called manitou and told them what had bent they knew right away that it had too much oil.Because they were the ones to service it last they sent out a new damp. assem. I brought my fork to the shop on tuesday and had it back on my bike friday.The turn around time was great.I would like to know if that can happen to any fork. So for now it will stay on my bike and i will enjoy.
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Submitted by
Evan
a Downhiller
from Malvern Pa USA Date Reviewed: October 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Boone Trail FC
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Beans
Strengths:
Excellent overall haven't had to many big faults with it yet it does its job and does it well
Weaknesses:
The adjust between like 6.5 and 5.5 inches of travel seems a lil' useless. And the Springs inside seem to soft for me a rider who is 180 and 6 ft 3. but at any rate this is the perfect fork for a freerider who doesn't want a dual crown but wants nearly the same amount of travel that they have
Similar Products Used:
RS Physlo Race
Bike Setup:
Gemini 03' with Mods
Bottom Line:
Excellent long travel fork the springs seem under sprung but these can always be replaced for slightly stiffer ones if the need be, for drops its seems to little and for rocky downhills and such it seems perfect whatever the case ride it for a while and you get use to its cushy feel maybe a little to used to it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
david
a Weekend Warrior
from methuen,ma. Date Reviewed: October 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
lots of travel for the weight
Weaknesses:
had it a few weeks and had to send it back. they had to replace the spring and damp. assembly. then they had to replace the travel adjust. five months later i bent the damp.rod on a two foot drop. back to the shop again. my sid can take much more abuse than this so called free ride fork. everyone calls them manitou breakalots.
Similar Products Used:
this was my first freeride fork.
Bike Setup:
03 gemini 900
Bottom Line:
after spending 2,200.00 on my bike i will be spending another 650.00 for a marzocchi. i think canondale should pay at least half for putting the breakalot on my bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
King Louie
a
from Philly Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Weaknesses:
Read my 3 other reviews. THIS THING BROKE AGAIN!!!! I can not honestly say I will EVER spend my money again on a Manitou fork. I had this thing back from Manitou for 1 month after they "fixed" it, and it broke again. Arrrgh!!!
Bottom Line:
Spend your money on Marzocchi and spend your time on the trail and in the air, not in the shop or on the phone!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tom
a
from philly Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
the one under my tires
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
keswick cycle
Strengths:
stiff as a dual crown, but light enough for epic rides. 6" of travel eats up everything.
Weaknesses:
uhhh...ive read other reveiws sayin the travel adjust didnt work, but ive never used it so i cant say.
Similar Products Used:
psylo, junior t
Bike Setup:
gemini 900, i changed the stem to diabolus, race face xy seatpost,ea70 bars,tioga 2.3 dh, droped the outer ring for a bashring
Bottom Line:
i love this fork. havin a bad day, pickin bad lines? dont sweat it, this fork will bail you out. it can take alot of abuse for a single crown fork. built like a tank. im 190lbs and ride very fast and hard, but i also like to climb xc style, so this fork is perfect for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
King Louie
a
from Philly Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Manitou serviced this for free, which is nice, but it took about a month.
Weaknesses:
They told my shop mechanic that the seal had been leaking oil slowly down into the tube below where it should be and slowly I was losing travel, until the bottom area filled with oil and the fork would not compress. I guess I need to service it like every 3 months.
Bottom Line:
I am happy again. Just don't take my bike from me and I will be happy!!! I love this fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George that guy
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
RatPack
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Center Cycle, Renton
Strengths:
Very Stiff, adjustability helps - the lockout works well, very plush and smooth, all the travel of a triple crown and the maneuverability of a single. Ideal for twisty single track trails that spring drops on you where travel is necessary. Climbs very well in lockout.
Weaknesses:
None, off hand.
Similar Products Used:
Boxxer 03, Marzzochi freeride. Boxxer is less plush than the Sherman. The freeride is decent, but too vanilla.
Bike Setup:
'03 Gemini 900, stock everything
Bottom Line:
The best of both the single and triple crown worlds, plush and deep, adjustable, stiff, the best long travel fork for riders who encounter turns occasionally and drops.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
npeter
a Downhiller
from lake tahoe Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
tpc+ speed sensitive damping, very stiff and precise steering, reliable (but see notes below...), lighter than marzocchi Z150 but stiffer fr/back and torsionally.
Weaknesses:
manitou tech support--some guys there are knowledgeable, some guys are not. also, i'm not the only one who rec'd a manitou that wasn't assembled correctly.
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi mostly. i've bought marzocchi forks exclusively for years, until this came along.
Bike Setup:
gemini / romic / deore XT
Bottom Line:
the best all-around FR/XC fork on the market. the massive crown and the hex thru axle gives super precise steering in rocky downhills--better than some triple clamp forks. however the travel adjust feature on mine only worked right after i talked to manitou and figured out how to tighten the upper and lower nuts simultaneously (you'll need a long socket extension to do this, and a deep socket to go over the little wire). also the oil level in the damping chamber was not correct. make sure the fork is horizontal when you syringe in the fresh lube oil after you've drained it. i'm using 5W30 motor oil, works well.
actual weight is around 5 lb 10 oz--there are no forks on the market that light with this much performance and strength and stiffness. and the new manitou seal design appears to have finally caught up w/ marzocchi.
this fork performs well and has been extremely reliable once i got it set up correctly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
King Louie
a
from Philly Date Reviewed: June 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came w/ Cannondale Gemini 900
Weaknesses:
This is a follow up to my previous review. The fork just seized up half way through the stroke. It would go down half the tube and just stop?!?!!? My shop sent it back and it has been 3 WEEKS! and no response from Answer/Manitou. I am very dissapointed so far. Check back to see how it works out...
Bottom Line:
Great fork while it is working (see my other review) but it broke after 6 months and I'm riding my old bike!!! I had several Bombers and NEVER had a problem...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
HeavyD
a Weekend Warrior
from Midway UT, USA Date Reviewed: June 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Hex lock through axle, plush, stiff, looks pretty swank
Weaknesses:
Well the travel adjust quit working on the first ride. I got a tech manual off the internet and got the travel adjust working again so I decided to adjust the compression and it doesn't do anything. Zero effect. The rebound dampening works but no compression. I called Manitou and was put on hold for a half hour so I called back and was put hold for another half hour so I finally emailed them. So I just have to wait and see what they are going to do about but so far not so good. I'll try and write a follow up after I hear from manitou.
Similar Products Used:
manitou sxr, psylo xc
Bike Setup:
stock Cannondale Gemini 900
Bottom Line:
Bottom line? 1 out of three things work on the fork, that is the bottom line.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
King Louie
a Weekend Warrior
from Philly Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
That's like asking favorite piece of pie
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Stock on Cannondale Gemini 900
Strengths:
feel, look, response, everything!!
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Nothing like it! It made my Z1 Freeride look like a toy...
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Gemini 900 with King hubs, Raceface cranks and Diablous stem...
Bottom Line:
I ride motocross and this thing is as plush as the forks on my YZ-125. I was die hard Bomber fan until Manitou stepped it up and went big. I still ride XC with my crew and it is a pain in the ass waiting for them at the boytom of every hill. HA! Well they hate waiting for me at the top, only sometimes!! They hate it worse when I beat them to the top! The whole weight savings BS baffles them! Anyway, well worth it!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jyri Laitinen
a Weekend Warrior
from Kauniainen, Finland Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
is where ever I can jump & drop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came with the bike
Strengths:
OnePointFive, plush, rigid, solid as rock
Weaknesses:
Stickers - they don't stay - wich is ok 'cause they don't look too cool. Travel adjustment (i don't need it, but I guess it's ok for some). Rebound & compression adjustments doesn't make too big difference. Stock springs are way too soft.
I like it a lot, I think it's a great fork, it just could be more progressive.
- plush - rigid - solid - great -
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cody
a Weekend Warrior
from san rafael Date Reviewed: May 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
great fork with 6 inches of travel.it is a little heavy at 5.5 pounds but it is totally worth it when your bombing downhill.it is super plush downhill but pretty stiff going up
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
fork came stock on my cannondale gemini 900
Bottom Line:
this is a great super plush free ride fork. if you want to able to do big drops and dont want to sacrafice weight with a dual crown fork then buy this fork. i think it is pretty pricy, i was really lucky to get it stock on my bike. so if you can afford it then buy you wont regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a
from puyallup Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$699.00
Bottom Line:
Great SC fork that handles anything you can throw at it! I'm selling mine though cuz I need an 8 inch Dual Crown on my ride for Big DH Racing. It came stock on my bike and I've upgraded my coil to the extra firm kit. If your intrested make me an offer at joshinu@comcast.net
It's been ridden 3 times.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Downhiller
from British Columbia Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Too Hard to choose
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$699.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Weaknesses:
None that I can find so far!
Bottom Line:
Sweet fork that can handle just about anything. This tank rips through stuff I never thought a SC could do! Highly reccomend it if you want something light that stacks up to bighit capabilities. It's nice to finally have a light weight beefy SC that I can use on my gnarly DH trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Dunn
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Forest, CA, USA Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Strengths:
Everything! It's super plush! Stiff too! Cool looks!
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
nothing like it
Bike Setup:
2003 Uzzi SLX
Bottom Line:
One heck of a fork! Very plush and stiff! Soaks everything up! Built like a tank! It's super beefy! Bit pricey!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: April 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
BEEFY,adjustable.
Weaknesses:
Sticky pad brake hose attachment.Travel adjuster don't make that big a difference,but who cares.
Similar Products Used:
Boxxer,Jr T,Z1
Bike Setup:
03 Iron Horse SGS Expert
Bottom Line:
Unlike my 01 Boxxer, the compression and rebound adjustments can be felt.Nice touches include, steel inserts for the thru-axle pinch bolts(are you listening Rock Shox?),hex lock thru-axle(only one wrench needed to take out axle.Super stiff(more flex on my Boxxer and Jr T)overall a much better fork!!!Beer csn headtube looks cool too.This is my first Manitou fork and I'm very pleased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy
a Weekend Warrior
from Denton, TX Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Troy Bilt, Fruita, CO
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Mad Duck Adventure Sports
Strengths:
Very, Very stiff, but super plush. A solid peice of equipment, soaks up small bumps, and takes large drops with ease. The Travel, rebound, and compression adjustments work as advertised.
Weaknesses:
The only thing I can come up with, and this is very minor, is that it looks like the "Sherman" nametags may be susceptable to falling off over time.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shock, Marzocchi
Bike Setup:
'03 Yeti AS-X, Mavic Dee Max wheelset, Hayes 8" brakes, XT shift, der., and cassette.
Bottom Line:
I have always shyed away from Manitou due to their reputation; however, I must admit, this is the best darn fork I have ever ridden!
This fork is so plush and responsive, it lets you concentrate on the trails. No more do I look for the best line through a technical section; now I look for the most challenging.
Adjutability. The rebound can be set molasses slow, or lightning fast, the compression knob turns easily, but you can actually feel the difference. The travel is just a quick turn of the top mounted knob away, easily reached on the fly.
20mm through axle. The through axle on the Breakout is fantastic; very securely mounted, no rattling loose or movement of any kind.
Overall I would buy another one right now if I had to replace this one. I will be the first to tell you I was a skeptic, but now I am a believer. Why listen to a review posted by someone who rode around a shop parking lot for a few minutes? Obviously a person cannot get a true feel for any product like that. If you have a 1.5" headtube, give it a try, you won't be dissapointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
El Rosso
a Downhiller
from Manchester Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
nanerch scousers track, wharncliffe
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$5.00
Purchased At:
Demoed
Strengths:
They are one of the only 6" travel single crowns on the market...but wait until marzocchi bring out their 150mm single crown, due out today ish... the game will be up for manitou
Weaknesses:
I have to stresss that I only demoed these forks and they were horrible, they may not have been bedded in but they were not plush and were already a lttle oily around the seals. They just don't look like a quality product....not like you get from Rockshox, Marz or Avalanche for example...I just didn't like them but when I get the chance I will give them another go...
Similar Products Used:
As I say...one of the only single crown 6" forks on the market
Bike Setup:
It was a Patriot 7+, as they come....raceface etc.
Bottom Line:
If you have these forks specced on youir Patriot 7+ then you will not have paid full whack for them so you are ahead.... as I have said these may not have been bedded in or set up properly and other people seem to like them. If I was to get a choice of aftermarket single crowns I would have gone for the Marz 150mm Z1. The Manitou's didn't look too well made but I may be wrong, this is just a personal opinion, I trust Marz shocks more as I have owned several pairs and have never been disappointed with their quality or performance.... have a look at both and Make up your own mind
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy
a Downhiller
from Morristown, NY Date Reviewed: March 20, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Doyles Cycle
Strengths:
Good looking, very stiff fore and aft, awesome damping, and shear plushness, 20mm hexagonal thru-axle
Weaknesses:
I see it alittle expensive if you buy 1 outright, but with a frame set you cant lose!
Similar Products Used:
z.1 mcr Psylo Xc
Bike Setup:
IronHorse SGS Expert-stock
Bottom Line:
What a fork, I had my doubts about a 6" single crown but they have vanished! It is as stiff as a Boxxer, the TPC+ valving is awesome and the shear looks of it is astonishing. I am very impressed, I do have to say it is better than any Zoke I have ever ridden. Buy it if you want an awesome freeride/play dh fork! You cant lose
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
FREERIDER WARRIOR
a Weekend Warrior
from WALES Date Reviewed: January 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
SUNSET
Strengths:
Totally stiff and super super plush
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
Z1, Fox 125R's
Bike Setup:
Orange 7+, Manitou Sherman Breakouts, Diabolus Stem, Race Face DH Cranks, Race Face Bash Guard
Bottom Line:
1.5 is the way to go for a single crown fork. Super stiff steering, super plush.
This fork just eats up everything in it's sight!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don
a Downhiller
from unknown Date Reviewed: December 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
A shop
Strengths:
They are as stiff or even stiffer then my Champs i used to ride on my old bike...they are ment to be the best but these single clamps are stiffer!!!
Weaknesses:
none...dont expect any!
Similar Products Used:
Rissie Champs...Z1 Dropoffs...Boxxer
Bottom Line:
These are the only single crown forls that i have been turely happy with...they are as plush...as strong in all conditions...and basically they are i think the best fork on the market...dh profermance for half the weight
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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