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Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Chandler, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | GC - North Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | K2 Lithium Package | | Strengths: | Comfortable ride and all the necessary adjustments to tune it in. | | Weaknesses: | Forks separated after ~10 rides. Top section blew (literally) apart while riding. SRAM honored the warranty via the retailer and rebuilt the shocks. Looks like the only reused section was the lowers. The upper, stem and guts were replaced. Good thing as I was nervous about them rebuilding such an unusual failure. Purchased the bike from REI and they did a GREAT job handling the warranty and the installation. | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi | | Bike Setup: | Lithium 4.0 - From REI | | Bottom Line: | I can't find any other history or incidents of this fork failing like it did. I fact I couldn't find any failures noted on MTBR or through friends & shops. I'm sure there are better forks out there but this seems to get a lot of cudo's. This failure seems to be a fluke. I'll follow up if I have any more issues. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip Dial
a Racer
from B'Ville, WV
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | B'Ville Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | John's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Stiff, soaks up just about anything once you get it tuned to your liking, which doesn't take but a few rides. Excellent price for a quality air fork with lots of adjustability. Dampening works great. | | Weaknesses: | DO NOT SPRAY with water hose. It washes any lube off and you will blow a seal. I would say that all these people with this problem have done so. Although, Rockshox will fix it at no cost. I don't guess that's a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Comparable to any mid grade Fox fork. | | Bike Setup: | Fuji, Mt. Fuji SL, BB7 brakes, Deore XT wheelset | | Bottom Line: | This is a great for if you know how to take care of a fork. Do you powerspray your other forks? You shouldn't. Don't do that to this one. Keep it lubed and it will treat you wonderfully. I love it. I have no complaints at all. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach Whitmore
a Weekend Warrior
from Lutz, Fl, Hillsborough
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Olivers cycle Sports | | Strengths: | This fork is sweet, I have banged on it in every kinda way and it keeps riding like brand new. It is stiff, Plush, and smooth. All functions work as new despite the miles and abuse it has taken. | | Weaknesses: | cant find any | | Similar Products Used: | Bomber, many other rock shox, cannondale headshox, lefty | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale hardtail | | Bottom Line: | This fork is great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Riley
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Nobel Canyon Loop Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | California Bicycles | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | I had same exact experience as posted by the rider in his October 2007 comments.....no dampening even when adjustment knob was set all the way to tortoise=rebound like a trampoline. Did not hold air very well. I just ride this to my middle schooll each day and do jumps off of curbs and that is it. After 11-months on my G/Fisher HKEK, I hopped a 6" bump on a downhill section of an asphalt bike path and the whole lower part of the fork BLEW OUT of the upper part--the fork was in 2 pieces. I was going fairly fast and "supermanned" the asphalt pretty hard leaving deep gashes & blood on both wrists, both elbows, both knees, shoulder and my stomach. I should not have to even worry that these could EVEN come apart. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Gary Fisher HooKooEeeKoo | | Bottom Line: | I should not have to even worry that these could EVEN come apart. My bike store took care of everything without question and RockShox replaced it with an upgraded shock. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fantasy Island | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay (Bob's Bikes) | | Strengths: | Affordable, big stanchions, classy looks, strength & durability, lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Flat black finish sure to look terrible in a few weeks, solo air | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Judy J1, Manitou Answer | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Iron Horse Maverick Team | | Bottom Line: | The Tora 318 is a solid upgrade for a weekend rider. If you rider recreationally or just some light XC, the Tora 318 is a smart choice.
It is relatively light but still beefy, meaning you won't tire yourself from a bulky fork. It has up to 130mm of travel, so if you are out on a punishing trail it can take it.
The fork looks nice too, but I'm fairly certain the flat-black finish will scuff up quickly.
Overall, the Tora 318 is an affordable fork for light riding. I certainly wouldn't use this for any sort of crazy downhill stuff, but it is a good blend of durability, light weight, and performance. They're on eBay for about $250 brand new. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott costello
a
from esussex england
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | friston forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | merlin cycles | | Strengths: | great budget all round mtb fork | | Weaknesses: | none so far! | | Similar Products Used: | suntour, marzorchhi mz com, rockshox J1, cheap unbranded halfords fork (this was crap) | | Bike Setup: | 07 GIANT rincon upgraded the J1 to the tora 318 u-turn | | Bottom Line: | cheap, I have had no problems using it for: downhilling, XC, allmountain, dirt jumps, and drops
the fork does not bounce around when you ride but is so nice on drops(especially!!) and rooty sections.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neville Cragg
a Downhiller
from Cape Town
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | neville.cragg@telkomsa.net | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came on new Bike | | Strengths: | Fairly plush, Poploc, Adjusters work well. Holds air. | | Weaknesses: | None for the use it was meant for... | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi 66VF, Rock Shox Judy, Rock Shox Reba. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Reign,Stock. | | Bottom Line: | This fork was worked well from day one, it didn't really handle drops and jumps the way I needed it to, I kept bottoming it out, and for that I've upgraded to the 66 when I DH,But this fork wasn't meant to be jumped. I mostly ride single track with loads of rocks and roots, and the Tora coped better than expected, Holds air, I can set and forget. I've since put is on my wife's bike and run it really low pressure. It's really helped her riding and tracks well over the singletrack, giving her way more confidence. I haven't had a days trouble with this fork in a year's riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell
a Cross Country Rider
from Walton on Thames, UK
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Looks nice and appears to have lots of adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | Mine failed after only 9 months and 90% light trail/road riding 10% singletrack/mild downhill. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Giant XTC Lx | | Bottom Line: | Look good, but I have serious doubts about reliability having the forks blow a seal recently for no apparent reason.
If I was a proper weekend warrior and giving the forks a hammering every weekend for the last 9 months, I'd expect to need to service them. However, I dont' ride that regularly, and when I do it's not usually hardcore stuff - occasionally do the odd biking weekend with some friends, but that's about it.
Not all that cheap at £189 - there are plenty of other options available from other manufacturers such as Marzocchi & Manitou.......which I am seriously considering if the new set I'll hopefully get under warranty go the same way.
Think you are paying for the name to be honest.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Canton, GA US and A
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bear Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | OutSpokin Bikes | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Everything else | | Similar Products Used: | Fox | | Bottom Line: | Used the shock two months and the dampening blows out, nothing but a spring. I finish the ride and the lockout, which does not really lock out, breaks inside.
May be good for first timers, but I would never specifically purchase this shock. It came on my Specialized. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastern WA, US
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | stiff, reasonably plush, handles a heavy rider fine | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, relatively limited adjustability | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Cobia | | Bottom Line: | This is a much better fork than I expected to find on a $900 bike. It tracks as accurately as a rigid fork and soaks up big (by my standards) and small hits well. Contrary to what others have said, my lockout works fine. Either these forks really do need break-in, or the quality is inconsistent.
Buy this fork if you want a good cheapish 29er fork and don't care too much about weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Diogo Magalhães
a Cross Country Rider
from Lisboa
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Arrábida | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Very good overall, its maintence its really easy and takes a hell of a punch every once in a while whithout ending up with jiggly pieces inside the tubes hehe. | | Weaknesses: | The only 2 defects i could find were both located at the spring, first of all on the middle of the spring there is this cheap ugly piece of plastic used to prevent the spring from bouncing against the tube but that plastic thing keeps sliding down whenever you make a more intensive bumpie ride, second,the pressure you have to put on the spring through the preload "buton" (dont know what to call it)must be applyed very offen, may be even in the middle of the ride, wich may come as an ugly surprise while coming down a roots full downhill path. | | Bottom Line: | I love the Shocks great price for this, the problems i refered can be solved easly but its a bit anoying. If you want some exelent shocks for some heavy rides for a low cost, take it.If you are just starting out you may find it expensive but believe me it will be a solid investment cause you wont find as better for as low price. If you only take a few bumpie roads and get a bit of mud this is a bit 2 much since you will pass just fine with a J2. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark pent
a Cross Country Rider
from bonita, CA usa
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt. Laguna | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | On 2006 K2 Lithium | | Strengths: | nada | | Weaknesses: | air seals blow out with any pressure over 90 lbs. SRAM is impossible to contact for warranty. Sure they give you a 2 year warranty...try to use it!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Marzzocchi | | Bike Setup: | Replaced hydrologies with BB7s. Replaced whatever shifters that came with XTR | | Bottom Line: | OK, I ride easy, often and long. RocK shock rear shock losing air prevented me from using bike for two months. Got that fixed at REI. Good thing I held onto my Bianchi. So I've used the bike maybe five times. No falls. No jumps. No bumps over 3 inches. Now the worthless Tora front shocks won't keep the air in. Why does everything that SRAM touches turn to crapola? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Reading, UK
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | (price in gbp) | | Strengths: | Near enough everything | | Weaknesses: | nothing major | | Similar Products Used: | Really old marzocchi bombers
| | Bike Setup: | Solo Air, Remote Lockout | | Bottom Line: | Excellent forks, i tried a few others in the shop that were around my price range where i was instantly drawn to this particular fork, and walked home with a rockshox box about half an hour later. i would definately recommend them to anyone looking to upgrade their bike around this price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Irwan -
a Cross Country Rider
from Jakarta, Indonesia
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | West Java, Indonesia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Indonesia | | Strengths: | It looks good and very comfort for your elbow | | Weaknesses: | Heavier? | | Similar Products Used: | RST Gila | | Bike Setup: | Amoeba Hussar | | Bottom Line: | It is a great shock for XC Rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ton
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | it looks good and is great value for an all air fork. You'll probably need the guarantee. | | Weaknesses: | it's seems fragile. During an average xc-ride the left air chamber exploded! No one got hurt but the fork needed to be fixed. | | Bike Setup: | Cube LTD team (check out www.bike2build.com) | | Bottom Line: | if you don't mind being careful (meaning using your breaks more than necessary) or going to the repair shop this is an excellent fork! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew
a
from auburn Me/plymouth NH
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | rainbow bicycle | | Strengths: | warrantee | | Weaknesses: | no dampening even when adjustment knob was set all the way to tortoise=rebound like a trampoline. on 3rd ride i blew out most of the air on a ~1 foot drop. after i put more air in no new issues came up, but it still felt crappy and didn't perform consistantly.
on maybe my 8th ride on the hoo koo e koo, i got up on the back wheel to hop a water bar while descending an easy section of trail, and the whole lower part of the fork BLEW OUT of the upper part--the fork was in 2 pieces. i was going fairly fast and ate it pretty hard ( stretched ligaments in left thumb & sprained wrist, did something bad to shoulder) a frind helped me bash the lower part of the fork back into the upper so that i could roll the bike back to the trailhead. | | Bike Setup: | came stock on an 06 hoo koo e koo | | Bottom Line: | this fork tried to kill me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin Dever
a Racer
from Melbourne Australia
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Plush, relatively light, can be changed from 100 to 130mm travel, motion control, price | | Weaknesses: | None really | | Bike Setup: | banshee scirocco | | Bottom Line: | We you really have to compare this product to other products in the same price range. If you do that you will realise that it is the best, no questions asked. I have used this fork in xc races at 100mm and have done a few downhill runs with it at 130mm. It is fantastic! The feel is great giving you a great range of travel without bottoming out. Very plush for an air fork. The motion control is also great but i dont really use it. But on the road it is a great help and is basically locked out. I dont know how much abuse it could take, but it has taken 3 months from me! I am now upgrading to a lighter and stronger fork, fox vanilla, however they are nearly double the price, probably not twice as goo though! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Man Rom
a Weekend Warrior
from UKR
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Strengths: | Äóæå ì³öíà âèëêà ÿê äëÿ òàêî¿ ö³íè, òîìó ïîòð³áíî üðàòè ³ íå çàäóìóâàòèñü! | | Similar Products Used: | Marz MZ, Suntour EXR-Lo | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock COMP | | Bottom Line: | Its great for extreme XS and light freeride ( äóæå êëàñíî ï³äõîäèòü äëÿ åêñòðåìàëüíîãî êàòàííÿ ïî ë³ñó, ãîðàì ³ò.ï.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dorian ruiz
a Cross Country Rider
from las vegas
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | timberline, brianhead | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike shop, nv | | Strengths: | very dependable, took a great beatin, never bottomed out and the remote lockout works great, now I'm spoiled | | Weaknesses: | none so far, the only prob I've had was it takes about 3 miles of riding before the remote lockout works | | Similar Products Used: | manitou, judy, | | Bike Setup: | trek fuel 70 , with toura 318, and pearl 3.1 rear shock | | Bottom Line: | The front fork handles everything I've thrown at it so far, from big boulders to nasty roots, the lockout is awesome when I need to climb and pedal , for the price it is so worth it , I would recommend this front fork to anyone who does hard riding or just goes out for a cruise, it's also stiff enough so It handles real well around those technical rides, definitely a good buy.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whaka forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | on line auction | | Strengths: | sturdy, well made, lockout, adjstable. Easy to work on. | | Weaknesses: | Rebound adjustor nob fell off.Lucky to find it.Now ride with it in a bag. Need care setting up poploc. | | Similar Products Used: | Just older shocks. Judy TT, manitou magnum. No fair comparison | | Bike Setup: | Old 99 FSR comp. Pretty stock. just hydro disks added and decent rims. | | Bottom Line: | Nice shock. Very adjustable. As a basic XC rider and some jumps (small) and lots of technical up/downhill its a perfect compromise. Probably a bit heavy for purist but with lockout it climbs well. Only issue is the incorporated rebound adjustor tool (which is a nob with attached allen key fitting into the actual adjustor) falls out. Suggest taking if off and store separately. ALso, the poploc at first wasnt great. Reason was the remote does not have enough pull to fully lockout so you need to advance the blue nob a bit while tightening the cable into it. A bit tricky but once set up the remote will fully advance the compression adjuster and the lockout works really well. Value rating is for $140 US 2 rides old so not really relevant for buying new | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mervs
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Banos, Laguna, RP
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | los banos and bataan trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$202.00 | | Purchased At: | king's bike shop | | Strengths: | This is for the Tora 318 U-Turn. Product strength lies mainly on the fork's chockful of features including adjustable travel,compression, rebound plus remote lockout (poplock)which comes in handy for extended climbs and flat land riding. Versatile, robust, plush and sturdy. The Motion Control thingy seems to actually work. Truly an excellent trail worthy fork that comes at a bargain price. | | Weaknesses: | The definition of all mountain nowadays (more on moderate drops and other aggressive antics) will limit the capabilities of this fork.It is mainly an all around trail fork but may not be suited for big hit stuff (leave it to the Pike?)or racing (you got the Reba for that)
One glaring weakness is the rebound adjustment design which consist of a removable knob which falls off easily (twas a good thing i was able to haggle for a replacement)
No travel gradients unlike the higher end Recons/Revelations etc. but not too big a deal since i rarely find reasons to use the U-turn.
Too soft for small/moderate drops ( i feel i might bottom out the thing; but then it's not designed for this) | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Drop-Off, MZ-Comp, | | Bike Setup: | Giant Warp all mountain/aggressive trail bike set-up | | Bottom Line: | As tired and cliched as it sounds i'd have to say that this fork fully illustrates and actualizes the "best bang for the buck" pitch. The Tora 318 is perhaps the best fork in its class and price range. Its closest competitors from Fox, Zokes and Manitou are much more expensive, not to mention less features/adjustability to offer.
It is a true trail fork though it may not measure up to the rigors of the "all-mountain" forks brandished nowadays which are bordering on the extreme end of the spectrum.
Riding technical trails have never been this sweet and on climbs i have truly experienced the benefits of the remote lock out. i found little need to use the adjustable travel.
In spite of its minor weaknesses (poor rebound adjustment design, a bit heavy, no frills looks) i would dare say that the Tora is one of the best mountain bike forks on the market today (regardless of its price and lower class pedigree)
I love this fork! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | This fork is good. This fork is great. This fork is a good deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BLOPA
a Weekend Warrior
from BUENOS AIRES
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | local store | | Strengths: | robust. poploc remote works.works well at any condition | | Weaknesses: | heavier? | | Similar Products Used: | suntour, spiner talon | | Bottom Line: | very very good fork. quality, design and very easy to set. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick clayton
a Weekend Warrior
from london, united kingdom
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | merlin cycles | | Strengths: | travel adjustability (internal though)
remote poploc
general adjustability/tuning capabilities | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | psylo xc u-turn, magura vidar, zocchi zi drop off | | Bike Setup: | custom specc'd rock lobster hardtail | | Bottom Line: | very good so far, general tune-ability great, smooth once worn in, travel easily adjusted, poploc superb for climbing and road/street use. these are a definate improvement on my first experience of rockshox (psylo u-turns), and excellent for price range | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Marin Trail, Snowdonia | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Excellent value for money | | Weaknesses: | I felt RockShox were slightly dishonest in their Service Guide as there is a small plastic sleeve which fails easily and is unreplacable but they don't warn you of this! | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Six (2004) | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS 3 (2004) | | Bottom Line: | This was my first modification to my bike and made massive amounts of difference. The forks are simply excellent value for money and work extremely well. They are an inexpensive way to get up to 130mm of plush travel on any bike. Whilst riding I accidently left the pop lock on and hit a big bump, breaking the locking mechanism. I took them apart and they broke further, despite me following the service guide to the letter! This I felt was dishonest on the part of Rock Shox but the lesson learnt is that if they ever go wrong then GET A DEALER TO SERVICE THEM!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | I have this fork broken in and I really know the limits. The fork never seems to disappoint me. Never jams up and has a good feel for it. I tend to put more air in it then needed, but I like the feel better. This fork is good, but might want a full lock out and more travel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter tan
a Cross Country Rider
from phillipines
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | mt.maraat trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | my supplier | | Strengths: | its a very robust fork but its light enough for all around use unlike the marzocchis(heavy)very good adjustability,good for the budget doesnt rob the bank
| | Weaknesses: | none for now, i think the plastic u-turn knob would be its weakness in the future | | Similar Products Used: | suntour xcr,rs revelation,rs j2, marz dirt jam. | | Bike Setup: | 05 moongoose fireball, custom all-mountain setup | | Bottom Line: | buy this fork if ur budgeted and doesnt care about weight, there are better forks out there but there none better in its category and price range, its a very versatile fork, buy it, you wont regret it, its very plush and hardly any trace of brake dive | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat Tofani
a Cross Country Rider
from Kingston, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fort Henry | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Path | | Strengths: | adjustable travel and damping, lock out (when u turn of the damping setting) | | Weaknesses: | none so far, price is not that cheap, weight factor if u are shaving grams | | Similar Products Used: | Insync Grind 323, Rockshox Jett | | Bike Setup: | For fun XC, see my other review please | | Bottom Line: | well...a notch better than the J series which is baasically the Judy series. I think this repalce the pilot series. everything is nice and plush (ofcourse, it's new) :P I pick this one since for a little more money I have a way much better fork than J series. I don't pick the solo air one since it's more expensive and air forks requires more maintenance and more complicated. pretty light compare to J series but it'll be heavy compare to race forks. It's not comparable to any fork that is over $500. I think I'll got a good value out of this one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Silver Spring, Md
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$219.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Looks great, sturdily built, lots of adjustability for the price (compression & rebound damping, U-Turn travel adjustment) | | Weaknesses: | 318 U-Turn version has sticker graphics. Solo Air, which my buddy has on his new GF, are integrated. Travel adjust knob stuck the first time I tried it, but it was an easy fix with a screwdriver. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Trek 4500 with some upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great sturdy fork. They mechanics at the LBS definetly said it was a great fork for the price when I had them put it on. I've used this on light trails and street riding mostly. Definetly more plush than the Judy TT that came stock on the bike, but rigid when it needs to be. I definetly see a difference in my climbing performance. Has already taken some rough urban terrain, and my endless bunny hop attempts like a champ. For less than $250, you're not going to find a better fork with these features for the money. A few places on the 'net have it at the ebay price I paid, and the Solo Air version will cost you about $70 more. Go get this fork! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benny
a
from California
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | Great fork, works fantastic! Lockout and motion control are amazing. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. It takes a while to wear in. | | Similar Products Used: | Judy | | Bottom Line: | This fork is great and is worth the money!
Re post below:
The lockout does work, it just needs a wear in period. You will need to ride the fork for about 1 - 2hours offroad. Everything will loosen up and start working.
I had that 'lockout not working' problem aswell. I had to 'warm' the fork up a bit , then i set it on 5min later and its working and its been working ever since. Keep in mind that the lockout still has up to 20mm travel when lockouted out, that is the design it is not supposed to lockout fully.
Great fork, never had a problem at all with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a
from Oakland, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Bay Area Bikes, Oakland, CA | | Weaknesses: | Lock-out not working so far (first ride). | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Cobia 29" | | Bottom Line: | This is my first experience owning a bike with a front shock. I was excited at the prospect of owning one with a "lock-out" option, so that I may have the freedom to ride it like a rigid, as I have for so many years. Only problem is that it |
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