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Average Rating
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4.33/5
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# of Reviews
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24
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MSRP
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$ 359.00
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Weight
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More Products from unknown
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Description:stanchions w/ co-deposited with PTFE
four inch travel fork w/ Hydra Air spring(coil negative springs) and a black crown
aluminum steerers
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Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | 100 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Easy setup, simple maintenance, doesn't leak, fairly stiff, disc brake compatible, durable finish, good weight for hard xc racing in desert, compliant on small hits. | | Weaknesses: | 32mm stanchions would make this fork stiffer. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox Duke Race and XC | | Bike Setup: | This particular fork 80mm on hardtail xc racer, similar 100mm version on full suspension trailbike. | | Bottom Line: | I've used all three versions of the Duke line-up and the SL is by far the most plush. The 100mm SL has given me two years of uninterupted service, still feels great on all terrain, and continues to please. Only my Manitou Black Super comes closest and comparing the price difference the Duke SL is a great value. The 80mm version clearly outperforms just about anything for the price, including all versions of the Mantou Mars. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Looks, price, light | | Weaknesses: | stiction, limited 80mm travel | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Indy | | Bike Setup: | Tricked out Fisher | | Bottom Line: | This fork has worked flawlessly for me. I've had none of the problems mentioned below. It's light weight compared to other suspension forks. It's also held up to all kinds of rough terain with no problems. Use with a carbon fiber handlebar to take care of small high frequency bumps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PJM
a Cross Country Rider
from PC, UT
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | $200.. | | Strengths: | See 1st review below... Air spring/simple/lightish/reasonble
mail order price, ets..
| | Weaknesses: | Open bath upper seals on both legs will not hold the oil in.
Rock Shox needs to go visit the Marzzochi facility and
spec seals that are made to actually keep fluid in and
dirt/water out. Reality testing of forks without protective
boots says that the MTB world needs fork seals that work.
I don't think RS takes this seriously, building forks
for people who ride once a week...Bummer...
Rebound adjuster. After replacing the damping oil with
a higher weight oil, the adjuster actually felt like it
worked. 1/4 turn of adjustment is a joke..Gotta have
heavy oil to make the adjuster actually have an effect.
Taking apart this fork and putting it back together is messy. Oil in the top of the legs, bottom of the legs...
Oil all over the place...What a messy pain. I cleaned
and rebuilt my fork with new seals and new oil, and it
still leaks out the top, then down onto the stantions
and it us ugly.... | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou.. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Bear. | | Bottom Line: | Cheap and relatively light, but seals are
not up to the keep-the-elements-out task,
and they leak oil like crazy. Maybe I have
an out of spec fork? Never can tell.
To be fair, the air chamber hasn't leaked,
the rebound adjust now works after putting a
higher weight oil in it, and it rides real nice
as expected. I would run Lizard Skin fork
boots on it folks....
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phil
a Weekend Warrior
from melbourne
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light. Takes big hits well. Doesn't bottom easily. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Not so responsive over small bumps. Lower arm broke at caliper mount. Rockshox charge a premium for replacement parts. Not happy. Travel more like 95mm. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Roast 02 | | Bottom Line: | My Duke SL100 broke. I did not abuse them. They cracked at the calpier mount sending oil spewing over my new brake calpier. They are only strong enough for XC but they don't take small bumps well so I dont know what they're good for.. If they did not break i would have been happy with them. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Fogel
a Cross Country Rider
from connecticut
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wilton Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | i got a great price off e-bay. strong. love the '100 mm' of travel, (i think its really like 97 :-p), GREAT UPGRADE FOR ANY TREK BIKE THAT COMES STOCK WITH PILOT FORKS (hated them) | | Weaknesses: | blew a seal, but that was completly my fault
cant handle drop offs more then 8 feet, i dont think
can handle abuse (4-6 foot drop offs every day) | | Similar Products Used: | pilot xc, pilot xl | | Bottom Line: | GREAT PRODUCT
The left seal blew on me, but i think its because i took it on a 8 foot drop off, then some abusive xc'ing. as long as u dont jump off stuff the size of your ceiling, then this is the best fork for its price. (espeically for me, 50 bux off ebay!!!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Burry
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis, CA, Yolo County
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Rockville | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Plush ride for an air shock. Paint doesn't chip or flake. Works well for a 175 pound rider. I like the almost 100 mm of travel. | | Weaknesses: | I have two (one for my hard tail and one for my fs). The first one I put on my fs rig and the left seal busted after my third ride. I had only used it for xc rides and hadn't by any means been abusing it. After being fixed I had had no problems so I figured it was just a fluke. So, I got a second for my hard tail and guess what? The left seal on that one busted as well (after 8 rides). Any more blow outs and I'm switching brands. I also would like to see boots on forks again. I know it reduces travel a little but it keeps the contaminants out of the seals and protects the upper tubes from dings. I don't like the placement of the rebound adjuster, too prone to be banged up by large rocks. | | Similar Products Used: | Whatever came stock on my 1999 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR. | | Bike Setup: | HT:Zero Flux, steel w/ avid disks, XT components.
FS:1999 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, XT components. | | Bottom Line: | A good shock for XC bikers that like to hit some rough downhill sections once and a while and don't weigh more than 180 pounds, even if the seals have to be rebuilt. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Crescent Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, plush for air. Air spring allows easy spring rate adjustment. Simple adjustments. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmm... Nothing glaring... Simple adjustments. Seal stiction noticable, but remedied by pealing back seal and applying a little oil.
If air piston seal gets nicked during rebuild, will hold air just long enough to get to next riding destination 100 miles from home. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Mars 1, SX R, Marzocchi Atom 80 | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Expert '99' | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding his fork for 2 years now, and I am really impressed. Rockshox has not made many forks worth my consideration, but this one has proved an exception. Fairly light, plush and stiff... also reliable. Are we talking about Rockshox? So far the Duke SL has only let me down once, and it was my fault entirely. I changed the fork oil, and I nicked the air piston o-ring seal on reassembly. the fork held air long enough for me to drive to the trail head. When I returned from the trip, I bought two o-rings at the local hardware store for $0.48 each. I reassembled with lots of grease, and it has held air perfectly since! The fork also needs oil/grease under the stanchion seals, or those tight XXX seals will cause noticable stiction (once oiled they feel great, and they keep crap out!).
If you decide on a Duke Air, (unless you get a lemon - for some strange reason) I doubt you will regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Montrose co usa
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | over the edge | | Strengths: | stiff for weight | | Weaknesses: | oil seals gave out after 15 months | | Similar Products Used: | judy xc | | Bike Setup: | titus/edge fs | | Bottom Line: | my first 100mm fork and fs bike-my old fork lasted 4 years
without much maintance- this one is okay after new seals but I worry how long will these seals last?
Ride seems fine after the first compresion | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Barberton, Ohio
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stiff(I'm a big dude), adjustablitiy, price | | Weaknesses: | stiction on every first hit, best to hop a little first thing to get it out of the way | | Bike Setup: | full suspension w/rochshox sid in the rear. | | Bottom Line: | I have this model and a duke race on my hardtail and the only problem I notice is the stiction I mentioned above. They take big hits well(I'm 240lbs) and soak up small stuff as well. I'm told Manitou's tend to be more plush, but I honestly don't know. I've been very happy with both of my Duke models. Burly enough for big riders | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
deaner
a Cross Country Rider
from East Coast
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | price, sucks up small and large bumps well | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Judy C, SID XC | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper FSR, heavily upgraded | | Bottom Line: | Bought this because it was rated a full pound lighter than the Judy C and the price was right. I found it to be stiffer than the Judy and plusher to boot. I do find the rebound adjustment to work OK, not as much ride alteration as on the SID but enough to matter. Also found some stiction on the first compression, but smooth after. Overall a great fork for the money and it's saved my ass a few times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bendlight
a Weekend Warrior
from austin, tx, usa
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | light, stiff, smooth, tough | | Weaknesses: | the first compression always has a lot of striction (boots work super well), even with judy butter, but sweet afterwards | | Similar Products Used: | judy sl, marz z-1 | | Bike Setup: | schwinn s-20, duke sl, formula savage wrapped with fire xc's | | Bottom Line: | It's really rocky here with lots of drops, climbs and creek crossings. The shock handles everything you can throw at it with ease. For the price and performance you can't beat what this shock delivers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trautman Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Swain, NY
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Swain Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, good price on Supergo | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | judy on old bike | | Bike Setup: | K2 Razorback SL, XT drivetrain, GEAX Blades (these are great!) | | Bottom Line: | Good complement for my Razorback, get the 100mm instead of the 80mm unless you are XC racing. I've had no problems with air leakage yet (5 weeks. I thought I would be disappointed with not having a lockout for climbing, but they're stiff enough that I don't really miss it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
free ride gimp 1 inch
a Racer
from new zealand
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | papamoa hills dh trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand | | Strengths: | stiff, strong, light weight, 100mm, smooth for an air fork | | Weaknesses: | rebound knob on the right leg is wasted (goes round and round when it should only turn half way) | | Similar Products Used: | ummmm rockshox magnesium 21 (old school pieces of **** with 4mm travel) manatou SX e (ok ride lacks any thing to do with stiffness and snapped the stearer tube off on a 2m drop off) manatou mars 1 (piece of **** air forks 63mm travel and locked out 10 minutes into a 60 km xc race because of water inside the seals) | | Bike Setup: | Avanti hammer (hard tail) lx/deore/raceface mavic D521 wheels (mavic 221's bend like cheese) | | Bottom Line: | these forks take a hammering i did a 8ft/2.5m drop to flat
and the only thing that bent was the old front wheel(mavic 221, cheese)the forks bottomed out i think but only a little as i was running 180psi at the time they show no sign of fatigue allthough have developed a small oil leak (im going to fully service them tomorrow) so that should solve it
also i havent found these forks to leak air which is a + these forks rock buy them or the new duke U turn while u still can | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kale
a Cross Country Rider
from Corvallis OR USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | alofdem | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson | | Strengths: | stiff, stout construction, inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | Very poor small bump compliance, stiff compression
lacks usable ajustability | | Similar Products Used: | RS Indy w and w/o air cartridge (crap either way)
Manitou SXR (old but it still works GREAT)
Marzo Z.1 (makes XC trails too easy) | | Bike Setup: | FS/XC, xt/xtr drive, avid mechanicals, speed disc whls | | Bottom Line: | This fork is just not at all plush over smaller bumps, even when running considerably less air than recomended for my weight. Old SXR offers a WAY more plush ride. can even compare the two.
Probably would be a good choice for a heaver or more agressive rider on a budget, more interested in big hits than over all suppleness.
If you want a plush smooth supple ride, dont waste your money on the Duke. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ace lee
a Cross Country Rider
from canada/korea
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | watershed | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light very stiff | | Weaknesses: | none... | | Bike Setup: | litespeed | | Bottom Line: | stronger than Sid...and 4inches of travel is much better than 3 inches...soaks up all the bumps...
general sross country now is very comfortable with this shock...
buy it and test is for yourself...it is the best shock out there.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Marth
a
from Park City, UT
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | colorado cyclist | | Strengths: | Reasonably priced open-bath, 100 mil air fork at a
reasonable weight. Stiff and smooth.. | | Weaknesses: | Rebound adjuster. May as well have just left the thing off
of the fork to begin with since it doesn't work worth a
damn in my opinion. Will have to put in 7.5 weight oil
to get it to slow down. A bit heavy. Measures only 3.75
max travel under a 200 pound person. All the travel claims
are lies..All lies!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou MARS1. This fork rocks. More below... | | Bike Setup: | na | | Bottom Line: | Great price for an open bath 100 mil travel air fork.
It does not really compare to my MARS1(2000/1) which
is even smoother, has MUCH more rebound AND compression(internal)adjustability, is lighter,
and has lockout(gotta admit I don't use it) This is my
first RockShox product, and will need to give it a
couple more months of hard riding. Also, does not
seem as stiff (DUKE) as my MARS with the skinny
28.6 stantions! .. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bones Bones
a Downhiller
from Chicago il us
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | groves | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | look cool strong with very very little flex. They stick into berms | | Weaknesses: | that very very little bit of flex | | Similar Products Used: | psylos | | Bike Setup: | titus fcr | | Bottom Line: | These were fifty times better than any thing that I have used | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve S.
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | drunken sailor | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | Super smooth. Sucks up the hits. Light. Stiff. Great fork. This fork is a consistent performer. I think my Duke likes to be out on the trail as much as I do. | | Weaknesses: | Definetly the rebound knob. There is a lack of tuning effectiveness. Oh, did I mention the rebound knob? | | Similar Products Used: | SIDs. x-vert air. bombers. | | Bike Setup: | Raceface Lp Isis, 536's, 317's,C.K.D.T's,Avid Mech. Discs,R.F. Sys. Stem and Air risers,S.D. 7's,XT fr&rr, Thomson post, max flite, K2 Razorback ht. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is great. The specs are listed in other reviews so no need to rehash, I will say this fork has a super smooth stroke, great rigidity and light weight. It rides so nice. I've put this fork through alot in 3 months and it is standing up to it in fine form. For the price I just don't know of a fork that can perform this well. This fork is great for someone who rides hard and alot, but doesn't need the on the fly adjustments like lock out or travel adjustment. Also great for riders with a budget who don't want to sacrifice performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilly
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush, light weight (for 4" stroke, and a GREAT price | | Weaknesses: | None really | | Similar Products Used: | SID XC | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer, XTR, Crossmax DISC UST | | Bottom Line: | This fork is immensely stiffer than the 2000 SID XC and offers a better quality ride. Better descending without weighting down the bike.
A little stiction out of the box but run it a few times and it will go away. Also, I feel that running the PSI lower than RS recommondation results in a ride quality.
Have fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allister
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bull Mountain, Bear Creek, Park city | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | 30mm Stanchions, 30mm slotted bushings top and bottom, Schrader Valve for air spring. Point and shoot steering. True 100mm of travel. | | Weaknesses: | Plastic rebound adjuster on bottom of right leg. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Psylo XC, SID 100, Judy XC, Marzocchi Z.1 BAM's & X-fly, Z.2 BAM, Manitous, etc..... | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, XT, F519's, SRAM Hubs, Avid Discs and levers, CT2 Riser, Fox Float RC, DUKE SL 100 in black. | | Bottom Line: | This is the 1st Rock Shox fork that I've liked since I bought a Judy back in the 90's. I've been a Bomber rider for a long time. Love Bombers just not the Bomber price. RS may have something here on the Italians.
I always thought RS had the right idea with the negative spring (Manitou and Marzocchi apparently agree with me). The SID 100 had the best stroke of any air fork at the time. I dumped it for it's lack of stiffness.
I've only had 2 good rides on the DUKE SL, but they were nice fast rough rolling rides (each at least 15 miles). Fork steered great. Small bump performance was good, and medium and big hit performance great, especially at speed (25-30 mph). I am very impressed initially with this fork. If the seals and damping hold up, then RS will have another winner.......especially at a MSRP of $359.00.
......now if the Psylo Race only came in another color besides that GOLD....... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Coker
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, US
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | hammerheadbikes.com | | Strengths: | It's plush, stiff and doesn't bottom out | | Weaknesses: | nada | | Similar Products Used: | Judy C (bad!!) and a '01 Sid XC | | Bike Setup: | GT i-drive | | Bottom Line: | This is a solid fork! It doesn't have nearly as much stiction as the Sids do, plus it's a lot stiffer. It's buttery smooth and I feel really confident riding it. It handles everything from big drop offs to light/bumpy trails. Great job rock shox! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | L & T Cycle Center(Singapore) | | Strengths: | Very sturdy suspension that can take my abuse. | | Weaknesses: | Have to agree that the raised lettering are very difficult to clean. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox SID XC | | Bike Setup: | Fastrax Msc Lite, XTR/XT, Easton, Shimano Wheels, Panaracer Trailblaster, Shimano DX Pedal | | Bottom Line: | So far, I have no complains about this fork. I am satisfied with it. Mine is white which goes well with my bike. Overall, this suspension is highly recomended by me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob R Jr
a Cross Country Rider
from Beacon, NY
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Thunder Mtn, Utah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Awesome ride, very plush, stiff, good looks | | Weaknesses: | No lockout, pump sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Judy Race, Judy SL | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz SL, Rolf Dolomite wheels, Shimano XT and XTR components, Easton riser bars, Conti tires. | | Bottom Line: | Best shock I've ever ridden, very stiff, full 4" of travel, SMOOTH, and fairly light (3.5 lbs.)I'm not a big drop-off rider, but I definitely feel confident descending with this shock. Bike tracks lile it's on rails, much better than with my previous Judy. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Houston
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | airbom | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush and very adjustable | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | everything | | Bike Setup: | Truth | | Bottom Line: | Can't be happier. Great weight/stiffness ratio. I used these on the test of M race (long climb) AND Whitler DH course. A super nice product from a much improved company.(RockShox) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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