[Konakid]

Yo people,

I've just ordered a brand new '05 Iron Horse Yakuza Kumicho (what a name). I've been reading up on it in this forum and have come across some startling issues regarding the stock parts on it...

1) Some people say the floating brake is rad (I agree) but others say it's just a hazard. Is there any way of protecting the caliper like, buying a mini-bashguard or something?

2) The cranks. Is it worth upgrading them immediately or will they last a couple of years of dh punishment?

3) Sizing. I'm roughly 5'10" and I've ordered a 17" frame (because that's all they had). Will I be ok with this?

4) And the most surprising problem many have brought up - the forks. What is so devastatingly awful about Manitou Stance Kingpins? I've got Splices on my old bike and I was amazed by them! If I must change them, would I be correct in buying the white 888s (I don't know the full name, but hell) and how much would the Kingpins be worth if I was to sell them?

I know that's a lot to ask, but it's my first dh bike and I really want to get it right! Any feedback would be much appreciated

Oh and one more thing, I got the bike from Performance Bicycles for $1,399 (or £807.38 exactly for any brits reding) - that's a bloody bargain I reckon!

 

[KevinM[Freerider]]

Yo people,

I've just ordered a brand new '05 Iron Horse Yakuza Kumicho (what a name). I've been reading up on it in this forum and have come across some startling issues regarding the stock parts on it...

1) Some people say the floating brake is rad (I agree) but others say it's just a hazard. Is there any way of protecting the caliper like, buying a mini-bashguard or something?

2) The cranks. Is it worth upgrading them immediately or will they last a couple of years of dh punishment?

3) Sizing. I'm roughly 5'10" and I've ordered a 17" frame (because that's all they had). Will I be ok with this?

4) And the most surprising problem many have brought up - the forks. What is so devastatingly awful about Manitou Stance Kingpins? I've got Splices on my old bike and I was amazed by them! If I must change them, would I be correct in buying the white 888s (I don't know the full name, but hell) and how much would the Kingpins be worth if I was to sell them?

I know that's a lot to ask, but it's my first dh bike and I really want to get it right! Any feedback would be much appreciated

Oh and one more thing, I got the bike from Performance Bicycles for $1,399 (or £807.38 exactly for any brits reding) - that's a bloody bargain I reckon!

3. 17" will do, im 510 also and like a little bit smaller bike, but youll be fine once you get used to it.

4. the stance kingpins use grease for dampening - yes, this is bad. they really feel like crap, and the rebound doesnt work too good. once you get it try taking out the grease and getting some fork oil in it. you wouldnt get much for the fork, as there selling on http://www.jensonusa.com for 100 bucks new. go with the 888 if u have the cash.

enjoy your bike and most importantly have fun!

 

[skin6061]

I have to agree with kevin here, the manitou stance kingpin is not a great fork at all. Alot of people have had major issues with that fork and manitou knows this. Since manitou knows this they been really great with servicing/replacing the fork. I bought a manitou stance flow, busted the rebound assembly which made the fork lock up, sent it to maintou and 1 month later they sent me a new fork. You could sell the fork but you won't get much since there on sale at jeson for $100US. Me personally i would ride the bike and replace parts as they brake. Just start saving money now to replace that fork in the future.

 

[Konakid]

Thanks!

But I believe the bike has a 1.5 headtube...would this limit the choice of forks I can put on the bike?

 

[skin6061]

Thanks!

But I believe the bike has a 1.5 headtube...would this limit the choice of forks I can put on the bike?

No if anything it gives you more freedom of what fork you can run. You can buy reducer cups for your headset that will allow you to run a 1 1/8 fork.

 

[Tracerboy]

i dont think he will have to by reducer cups because i think the bike already has them, i believe the stance line of forks has 1 1/8 inch steerers

 

[WATTO]

I have to agree with kevin here, the manitou stance kingpin is not a great fork at all. Alot of people have had major issues with that fork and manitou knows this. Since manitou knows this they been really great with servicing/replacing the fork. I bought a manitou stance flow, busted the rebound assembly which made the fork lock up, sent it to maintou and 1 month later they sent me a new fork. You could sell the fork but you won't get much since there on sale at jeson for $100US. Me personally i would ride the bike and replace parts as they brake. Just start saving money now to replace that fork in the future.

not to hijack the thread or anything but i think manitous customer service is the worst i have ever had to deal with. i did the same thing you did. i busted the rebound assembly and sent if off the warrenty. i took those bastards 5 months to get my fork back to me. yeah that is some good customer service. so to the guy that started the thread throw those forks in the garbage and get an 888 fork sure.

 

[standard235]

Correct, the Yakuza Kumicho indeed comes with reducer cups.


Get the 888 man. If you want single crown, those 66's are looking mighty fine.

 

[skin6061]

not to hijack the thread or anything but i think manitous customer service is the worst i have ever had to deal with. i did the same thing you did. i busted the rebound assembly and sent if off the warrenty. i took those bastards 5 months to get my fork back to me. yeah that is some good customer service. so to the guy that started the thread throw those forks in the garbage and get an 888 fork sure.

Good for some bad for others. So far ive delt with them twice over 2 different issues and each time they bent over backwards to accomadate me.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

Yo

1) Some people say the floating brake is rad (I agree) but others say it's just a hazard. Is there any way of protecting the caliper like, buying a mini-bashguard or something?

D

you will be fine with the floating brake....don't worrry the caliper is in the same spot

 

[KevinM[Freerider]]

when i was at attitash some guys kumichos flating brake locked up or something and he was crying and smashing it with a hammer... i didnt think he liked it. big hammer too.

 

[standard235]

Crying? Haha, I bet not then.

 

[Konakid]

Hey, just going back to the forks again; are the new 2006 Manitou Stance Kingpins any better or will they have the same problems? They are pretty cheap too.

 

[WATTO]

Hey, just going back to the forks again; are the new 2006 Manitou Stance Kingpins any better or will they have the same problems? They are pretty cheap too.

i was wonder how they are this year too. they have built and do right sh1tty repuatation but this year the went to all coil with semi bath also has TPC+. so wont they be like the older sherman sliders that had TPC but with 1 inch more travel