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Suntour Epicon vs Manitou Marvel

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Isabis

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,

I've been planning to get a new fork for some time now. I've narrowed my search to these two forks and I was hoping someone who used both forks could give me some good advice on which one is a better choice.
Edit: I wrote they are almost the same price, but it's actually 60$ difference which is not so small, but that doesn't change anything, I still want one of these two.
I ride XC mostly with some AM.

Suntour Epicon
Manitou Marvel

Please help people, for the life of me, I can't decide which one to get by myself.

Thank you!
 
#2 ·
Isabis said:
Hi,

I've been planning to get a new fork for some time now. I've narrowed my search to these two forks and I was hoping someone who used both forks could give me some good advice on which one is a better choice.
Edit: I wrote they are almost the same price, but it's actually 60$ difference which is not so small, but that doesn't change anything, I still want one of these two.
I ride XC mostly with some AM.

Suntour Epicon
Manitou Marvel

Please help people, for the life of me, I can't decide which one to get by myself.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Manitou. Excellent fork (I've got 2 tower pros, 29ers), 15mm thru bolt is great, and I guarantee you will not find a better fork for the money....look at reviews. I wouldn't even compare it to the suntour...maybe to a Reba,but that's twice the money and the manitou performs better imo....
 
#3 ·
I have the epicon (120mm travel, 9mm qr) and I can say that all the sr suntour bashing that goes on is unfounded in any facts. The fork is very awesome. It's stiff enough that I don't notice it flexing, even with 9mm qr. The fork encourages me to go faster on descents. I can't compare it to the manitou, since I've never ridden one. It looks like it's 100 gs heavier than the manitou, if both weights are correct. either way, you shouldn't let 100 grams be a deciding factor. is it worth $60 to save 100g?
 
#4 ·
I don't think those two are comparable. First of all, what type of bike frame do you currently own? That type of Marvel in that link required tapered headtube and new set of wheels, if you currently own a 9mm front wheel. I have Manitou R7 pro, but I swapped that with Suntour Epicon XC, hope this helps.
 
#5 ·
Performance wise, there is no contest. Nothing against the suntour, but it uses a very basic port orifice damper design. The Manitou uses a fully shimmed damper that is normally only found on top level forks. The suntour is a decent entry level fork, but the Manitou will blow it away performance wise. You have to go a couple steps up the suntour ladder to get something that starts to be a fair comparison.
 
#7 ·
Does your current fork have a tapered steering tube and a 15mm axle?

If it doesn't, here is another cheap Marvel with 9mm QR dropouts & 1 1/8" steering tube: 2014 Manitou Marvel LTD

* You should be aware that some people have recently bought Epicon forks off ebay that were different to the fork shown in the ads, the ads had photos of the Epicon XC fork and they received the Epicon fork which has lower specifications, the Epicon is either a OEM fork or one that was specifically made for the Chinese market.
 
#8 ·
@Cobba, I have seen different types of aftermarket Epicons in shops here in the Philippines such as the X1, X2 variants and newer ones with low speed compression adjustments (just like the ones on the SR Suntour website) so I don't think they are OEM or specifically made for the Chinese market only.
 
#9 ·
Mr. Brown said:
@Cobba, I have seen different types of aftermarket Epicons in shops here in the Philippines such as the X1, X2 variants and newer ones with low speed compression adjustments (just like the ones on the SR Suntour website) so I don't think they are OEM or specifically made for the Chinese market only.
Click to expand...
Epicon X1 & X2 forks would be 2013 models unless they're OEM or made for a specific market.

You might see Epicons for sale but are they supplied being by an official Suntour distributor?

There's lots of cheap 'grey market' forks that are being sold which are either OEM or made for a specific market place and they don't have the same specs as the forks shown on the Suntour website.

The forks on the Suntour website are Epixons not Epicons.

The 'aftermarket' Epixon forks on the Suntour website are either Epixon XC or Epixon TR and they only have 15mm axles, these forks are basically the same as the 'aftermarket' 2014 model Epicon XC & Epicon TR which also only had 15mm axles.

Aftermarket 2015 Epixons: https://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/bike/forks/?Model="Epixon TR","Epixon XC"

Aftermarket 2014 Epicon XC:

Epicon & Epicon XC being sold in China:

Image


Some ebay sellers were showing photos the 'Chinese' Epicon XC but people were recieving the Epicon which looks similar but has lower specs.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Yes I am aware the Manitou I linked has tapered steerer and 15mm axle, my bike is not compatible with either of those, but I'll easily find a compatible one with 9mm QR dropouts & 1 1/8" steering tube.
cobba already linked me one up there from ebay, thanks for that, I might as well go for that one

So Manitou is a clear winner here, thanks again everyone!
 
#11 ·
Marvel ltd is not at the same level as marvel pro tho (u need to do some research on this). Manitou fork rebound damper or abs+ produce a "squishy" sound as the fork compresses. Epixons is 2015 version that has nothing to do with fake or authentic. Epicon x2, then x1, then epicon xc, then epicon tr, then epixon xc, then epixon tr. Those are the same line. If you live in NA, then don't buy suntour. Not because the fork is bad (as i did swapped 2013 r7 with epicon xc from ebay and loving it), I get this bad vibe from them as a costumer. Luckily, I know to get around stuff and not dependent toward mechanic or dealership.
 
#12 · (Edited)
@cobba, I didn't know that the epicon is now the epixon as per the Suntour website (says "former model"). Weird that they would change the name. Regarding the official distributor, as far as I know the aftermarket forks being sold in shops in my country come from an official distributor.
 
#13 ·
Epicon, Epixon, Taiwan, Chinese, NA.....Its a good budget XC FORK

I just received my 2015 SR Suntour Epicon XC, from the following Brinvo
Apart from it shipping in a plain box, the packaging prepartion (Printed CD and Owner's Manual) was very professional.
I Haven't fitted it to my bike yet as I am waiting on a shorter stem and shock pump. However from my research and feedback from others on forums.mtbr.com, the above fork performs very well and is great for the price.
Having come from a stock bike with an Suntour XCT fork, this fork is so much lighter and seemingly built sturdier for the money I paid. I think its well work saving the exta $60 for ugrading something else on your bike.

Having said all of that, I am curious as to what are the main differences from a performnace stand point besides things like 9mm vs 15 mm QR, tapered vs straight steerer and granular weight differences?

Hope to have the fork fitted in the next week or so to test and post results.
 
#15 ·
lol @askjasonbowen, you and I are on the same boat! AFAIK, 26'ers version will have the XC and TR, oth, 29'ers only have Epicon version. Here is the thing, since you bought from the same company as I bought mine, the performance with the aforementioned Marvels, is about equal. I saw from your headline that you knew this is a budget XC fork, expectation shouldn't be high anyways. Trail wise, I don't see any difference. On the bike path, Manitou have slight edge. If you are a trial rider, then both shouldn't be your choice of fork anyways. Here is the difference between the Asian Model and N.A model. The Suntour folks are so adamant (borderline arrogant) that N.A model is far superior yadda yadda yadda (reading between the line: Money). N.A model will not have the QR version, period. I think...(presumption here), due to preventing any type of conflicts between costumers and Suntour, they decided to change the name from Epicon to Epixon. With the "Epixons", Suntour added a feature called low compression adjust. In truth, all N.A models, since Epicon X1, I think, they have the "RC" version. This Asian Model is more like the X2 version. Maybe they just changed the lower leg? I'm not sure.
 
#16 ·
theslays said:
lol @askjasonbowen, you and I are on the same boat! AFAIK, 26'ers version will have the XC and TR, oth, 29'ers only have Epicon version.
Click to expand...
There's 26", 27.5" & 29" versions of Epicons, Epicon XC's & Epicon TR's, if it doesn't have XC on the fork it's not a XC model.

Epicons & Epicon XC's have different internals, different adjuster knobs and different lower legs.

theslays said:
Marvel ltd is not at the same level as marvel pro
Click to expand...
The Marvel LTD is basically the same as a 2011/2012/2013 Minute Expert, the only difference I can see between the two is the Minute Experts had 'Trail' tuned ABS+, the Marvel LTD has 'XC' tuned ABS+.

Minute Experts get plenty of good reviews.
 
#17 ·
cobba said:
There's 26", 27.5" & 29" versions of Epicons, Epicon XC's & Epicon TR's, if it doesn't have XC on the fork it's not a XC model.

Epicons & Epicon XC's have different internals, different adjuster knobs and different lower legs.
Click to expand...
I understood all of that, the thing is since he and I bought it from the same company (via ebay?) I was just trying to stay on topic. The difference is, he bought the 29er version, while I bought the 26 version. They are not comparable to the NA Suntour website (26,27.5,29). I do have the "XC" logo in the lower leg (his 29 version doesn't have it), but it is still not the same (similar crown and changed graphics only). I think if you do read the description, they kinda bait and switch it. Performance wise, that's what I wrote before. Longevity wise, I don't know, lol. For myself, I rather throw the fork away once its expired, and buy new fork with newer technologies.
 
#18 ·
Where I live, I have to worry about serious import duties and taxs. So a $300 fork for me will like equate a $360 after paying shipping and Duties (probably more than that too). Coming from the XCT which I can hardly get off the ground and has some noticable flex while braking and cornering, I am happy to get a fairly better fork upgarde with out overspending. As I am a weekend warrior type of rider on mostly 20 mile cross country and gravel road style rides with may a few steps in to rush some blood to the heardt. My expectations are low but would be pleasantly surprised with good performance and longevity over a year.
PS. I ride a $600 bike and aint in any competitions.
 
#19 ·
That's the perfect scenario of what this fork is intended for then. You should enjoy the new fork and trust me if you rode an XCT before, this fork is miles better in performance, lol. What bugged me with your fork is the fact that the rebound side is similar to Suntour Raidon? I'm not sure if there is any difference in performance tho.
 
#20 ·
Fianlly Have my Epicon Installed

Finished installing my Epicon yesterday and boy am I pleased. From a weight reduction standpoint alone, I am happier. The bike feels very different in a positive way. I can now lift the bike over obstacles easier. I set the fork pressure to 100psi for now.
Having only taking it for a short ride so far, the shock absorption is also by far better going over things like sidewalks and small bumps. Can't wait to get it on the trails this weekend.
Thanks for all the help and I will keep everyone posted on its performance as I progress.









 
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