[shmrcksean]

I recently purchased this fork. When I asked Answer what it was they told me it was a prototype for the Dorado that was raced for a season at selected events. After taking a closer look at it there are rebound adjustments on the bottom of the legs and the springs are accessed through the top caps. I'm going to put it on my older Mt. Cycles San Andreas and I am looking for any other info on it (has anyone seen it, have any pics of it at races, etc.)

I'll wondering how it's going to ride. I'll see soon enough!

 

[Jm.]

I recently purchased this fork. When I asked Answer what it was they told me it was a prototype for the Dorado that was raced for a season at selected events. After taking a closer look at it there are rebound adjustments on the bottom of the legs and the springs are accessed through the top caps. I'm going to put it on my older Mt. Cycles San Andreas and I am looking for any other info on it (has anyone seen it, have any pics of it at races, etc.)

I'll wondering how it's going to ride. I'll see soon enough!

Probably a prototype for the X-vert Ti, in fact I am nearly sure of it. Notice no disc brake tabs and the canti-brake tabs on there. Also notice the "20mm" hub, no disc mounts. Definitely NOT a prototype for the dorado. That's circa 1997 or so. I think the lower crown is not set right either-it should be sitting on the "bulges", it probably has 5 or 6" of travel. For damping though..who knows, TPC like the 1998 Xvert Ti? the 6" EFC cartridge? Who knows...

 

[Jm.]

prototype for this is my guess;

 

[Dougal]

I recently purchased this fork. When I asked Answer what it was they told me it was a prototype for the Dorado that was raced for a season at selected events. After taking a closer look at it there are rebound adjustments on the bottom of the legs and the springs are accessed through the top caps. I'm going to put it on my older Mt. Cycles San Andreas and I am looking for any other info on it (has anyone seen it, have any pics of it at races, etc.)

I'll wondering how it's going to ride. I'll see soon enough!

That my friend is a 97 Manitou DH King.

And that is the first pic I've seen of one in about 7 years.

 

[mm78]

I have one here,been using it quite a while,great fork and stiff as hell,i have the 97 manitou catalogue and the fork features in it but was team only for 97 and never put into production,it has twin closed cartridges like in the efc,one each side though !

 

[Dougal]

I have one here,been using it quite a while,great fork and stiff as hell,i have the 97 manitou catalogue and the fork features in it but was team only for 97 and never put into production,it has twin closed cartridges like in the efc,one each side though ! View attachment 807415

Great picture you've got there. That has the EFC damper based rear shock on it too.

Unfortunately disc tabs weren't remotely standardised until 2000. The 98 Xvert R was the first manitou I know of with disc tabs, luckily they used the 51mm holes that became one of the standards.
99 They went to post mount, but 69mm spacing, 74mm post mounts arrived in 2000.

 

[mm78]

The ringle prototype hub on these forks is the same width as the rear hub,135mm,not too worried about discs to be honest,quite happy with maguras,
the rear damper i have just rebuilt with parts from an sx ti fork,and new seals and had to have an ally collar made for the junction betwixt spring and elastomer,

 

[Dougal]

So it's your own? Lucky guy, what's the history of it and where did you find it?

 

[mm78]

I bought it about a year ago,,maybe less,it was built with hideous zzyzx forks and hope wheels etc,i restore these manitous and have quite a few,searching for these forks to make this a team build took ages,luckily i found the forks and a pair of araya wheels advertised on another forum,they didnt know what the forks were so i got them quite cheap;-)

 

[mattsavage]

Is that a spring attached to the derailleur cage to prevent chain slap? Kind of an early "clutch drive"? I see these old Manitou frames around alot, I'd love to pick one up to restore. That would be an awesome project!!! Nice work!

 

[mm78]

Thats a bullet brothers chain tensioner,makes shifting a bit snappier too !

I doubt you would see to many of these around now,and certainly not the team issue downhill frame but the fs ones are a little more common,but they are generally cracked and dented,they were designed for two or three seasons use then the bin really....