[Aquaholic]

I'm trying to get a feel for how my Cockpit is going to change if I go with a Maverick Fork.

My current setup is a Thomson 5X90 flipped(negative rise) and Monkey lite bars 1.5 inch rise.

Running the stem in a conventional manner give me too high a bar height.

If I'm running a 90mm length now, is the 90 mm Maverick stem the place to start? I believe the Maverick stems are 6 degree rise.

Any feedback from those of you that are running this fork would be greatly appreciated.

When you went with this fork how did it effect your cockpit?

 

[EBasil]

After long rides the Maverick fork made my cockpit feel limp and numb. Definitely, negative rise...

 

[mtnbikerx]

15 degree rise

I'm 6'1" 200 and I had a 03 Z1FR on my large 5 Spot with a 15x100 Thompson stem and 1.5" rise monkeylites. My Maverick fork came with a 15x90 (my choice) and it works great.

 

[Aquaholic]

MTNBikerX....Did you happen to put a tape measure to the bar height, before and after?
Are you saying that you ended up with the same ride height?

If I flip my stem from -5 to +5 on the Thomson, then my bars end up being too tall. And, the 3/4" rise monkey lites don't have the width that I need.

I looked at this fork/stem today and I suspect it's gonna be too tall when I get it all bolted up. We eyeballed and measured, however......

.....we couldn't do a mockup measurement because my Spot's head tube is an XL. This requires a new Xtra tall crown(which they didn't have) from Maverick to fit. This is way too costly of an experiment to get it wrong, Ya know.

EBasil, one more wisecrack out of you mister, and your Noble Canyon access pass will be revoked!

 

[Badly Wired Dog]

Flat bar...

Have you considered running a wide, flat bar with the Maverick fork? To be honest, the rise on the stock Maverick stems means that running any sort of riser is going to produce a high-ish front end compared to a reversed stem anyway. Bontrager for one make such a bar and there must be some other options out there. The additional rise from the stem should compensate for the lack of rise in the bar.

 

[mtnbikerx]

MTNBikerX....Did you happen to put a tape measure to the bar height, before and after?
Are you saying that you ended up with the same ride height?

If I flip my stem from -5 to +5 on the Thomson, then my bars end up being too tall. And, the 3/4" rise monkey lites don't have the width that I need.

I looked at this fork/stem today and I suspect it's gonna be too tall when I get it all bolted up. We eyeballed and measured, however......

.....we couldn't do a mockup measurement because my Spot's head tube is an XL. This requires a new Xtra tall crown(which they didn't have) from Maverick to fit. This is way too costly of an experiment to get it wrong, Ya know.

EBasil, one more wisecrack out of you mister, and your Noble Canyon access pass will be revoked!

I think all current Maverick stems are 15 degrees. I like an upright posture so it suited me fine. The axle to crown dimension is not much different (you can check the specs) than the Z1 FR that I was running. I tried a Z150 FR on the Spot, yikes! Don't do that.

Actually, if the LBS was willing, you could do a mockup, as the bottom of the headset would set on the bottom triple clamp of the Mav and you could measure the distance above the top of the headset that the stem would set. A little "virtual" and probably a PITA but when you are spending this much the bike shop should be involved more than just taking your plastic.

 

[Aquaholic]

I think all current Maverick stems are 15 degrees. I like an upright posture so it suited me fine. The axle to crown dimension is not much different (you can check the specs) than the Z1 FR that I was running. I tried a Z150 FR on the Spot, yikes! Don't do that.

Actually, if the LBS was willing, you could do a mockup, as the bottom of the headset would set on the bottom triple clamp of the Mav and you could measure the distance above the top of the headset that the stem would set. A little "virtual" and probably a PITA but when you are spending this much the bike shop should be involved more than just taking your plastic.

I'm starting to think that if I do pull the trigger on this, that doing a mockup like you described is an awesome idea to see where the bar height will end up. I'm thinking that with the rise on the maverick stem (15 degrees) that I will need to run a flat bar. I wonder who makes a flat bar in the width I need (690+mm). Bontrager is like 580mm. I may have to approach a custom fabricator to get the width and bend I want.

Another thing I was concerned about is the limited external damping adjustability. There is no compression adjustment, and the rebound screw didn't seem to do a thing from full open, to full closed. On my Fox RLC there is a huge difference in rebound speed from wide open to full closed.

So how long how you been running this fork? Do you have to add air often? Anything you don't care for?

 

[Jaybo]

Just pick up a Titec Flat Tracker bar....

I think all current Maverick stems are 15 degrees. I like an upright posture so it suited me fine. The axle to crown dimension is not much different (you can check the specs) than the Z1 FR that I was running. I tried a Z150 FR on the Spot, yikes! Don't do that.

Actually, if the LBS was willing, you could do a mockup, as the bottom of the headset would set on the bottom triple clamp of the Mav and you could measure the distance above the top of the headset that the stem would set. A little "virtual" and probably a PITA but when you are spending this much the bike shop should be involved more than just taking your plastic.

I just picked one up from Cambria for $16. Silver. They have all the sweep and width of a riser bar without the rise. A great bar! I use the bar on my Spot when I'm going to spend the day climbing and my riser when I'm going to be doing a lot of downhilling. For you, I be the Flat Tracer would work great for both.

Jaybo

 

[mtnbikerx]

I've got about 10 hours of rock/root riding and some limited (short duration, highspeed whoops) downhill. The compression is easily adjusted with a shock pump and the pressure, 110 psi in my case, stays from week to week pretty well. The lock down works great with the "knob" under the right hand bar being easy to reach and flip 1/4 turn. I find the rebound control works great. Not much range in the knob rotation but each click makes a difference. I leave it full open except in slow, technical stretches where the front wheel will "sproing" back off the ground at rebound if not controlled. Stiff? I guess it is, look at the knurled axle and clamp and you can imagine the clamping friction available. Of course this is doubly important with the upside down design of the fork. When the front wheel is removed each leg is free to move on it's own.

I've had a Psylo SL, 03 Z1 FR, 03 Firefly and 03 Z-150 and this is the most versatile, most easily fitted (crown to axle) and most user friendly of the bunch. Don't get me wrong, the other forks are great in their own way, I still own all but the Pyslo, it's just that the Maverrick suits my purpose best. Light, 6" travel, stiff, adjustable, mild axle to crown dist and great looks.

 

[Aquaholic]

I've got about 10 hours of rock/root riding and some limited (short duration, highspeed whoops) downhill. The compression is easily adjusted with a shock pump and the pressure, 110 psi in my case, stays from week to week pretty well. The lock down works great with the "knob" under the right hand bar being easy to reach and flip 1/4 turn. I find the rebound control works great. Not much range in the knob rotation but each click makes a difference. I leave it full open except in slow, technical stretches where the front wheel will "sproing" back off the ground at rebound if not controlled. Stiff? I guess it is, look at the knurled axle and clamp and you can imagine the clamping friction available. Of course this is doubly important with the upside down design of the fork. When the front wheel is removed each leg is free to move on it's own.

I've had a Psylo SL, 03 Z1 FR, 03 Firefly and 03 Z-150 and this is the most versatile, most easily fitted (crown to axle) and most user friendly of the bunch. Don't get me wrong, the other forks are great in their own way, I still own all but the Pyslo, it's just that the Maverrick suits my purpose best. Light, 6" travel, stiff, adjustable, mild axle to crown dist and great looks.

MBX...Thank for the 411. I guess I'm not understanding how the air pressure can effect the compression damping? Air pressure would seem to impact "spring" rate, not a function of damping.

Just bouncing on the fork, I can feel no difference in rebound speed from one extreme to the other(when turning the rebound knob).

Where do you ride/live? I'm in Socal. The rides we do include lots of high speed single track and slow speed, techno chunk. It would be unfeasable to have to stop and fiddle with the rebound for each slow speed rock garden that sneaks up.

I still need to figure something out on the bar height issue. No manufacturer that I've found makes a flat bar that is over 580mm. I'm looking for at least another 100mm in width.

It's too bad Maverick doesn't offer a zero degree rise stem.

 

[Count Zero]

The damping adjustment does not affect the free-bleed port, and that's why you can't feel a difference in the parking lot.

However, it does affect preload on the high-speed rebound shim stack. Increase preload on the stack, and you raise the pressure threshold at which the circuit actuates. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tune this in the parking lot!

Try running your fork close to full-fast. I went riding with PT last month, and that's how he set his up. Personally, I run about 75-80 psi, 3 clicks in from full fast.

 

[ozlongboarder]

Brake dive?

The damping adjustment does not affect the free-bleed port, and that's why you can't feel a difference in the parking lot.

However, it does affect preload on the high-speed rebound shim stack. Increase preload on the stack, and you raise the pressure threshold at which the circuit actuates. Unfortunately, it's impossible to tune this in the parking lot!

Try running your fork close to full-fast. I went riding with PT last month, and that's how he set his up. Personally, I run about 75-80 psi, 3 clicks in from full fast.

How is the fork under braking. Does it dive through its travel at all? I am also looking at putting the Mav on a Xl spot but I am also looking at the new fox36.

 

[Count Zero]

How is the fork under braking. Does it dive through its travel at all? I am also looking at putting the Mav on a Xl spot but I am also looking at the new fox36.

You know, I'm not sure why this is, but the fork doesn't dive much at all.

When you grab the front brake, it immediately settles down to static point about midway through the travel. A little while ago, as an experiment, I rode my bike using the front brake (Hayes 8") only, and was surprised at how stable and predictable it remained.

YMMV.

 

[Aquaholic]

How is the fork under braking. Does it dive through its travel at all? I am also looking at putting the Mav on a Xl spot but I am also looking at the new fox36.

Ozlo:

I see you have an XL Spot as well. Why don't you hurry up and do this. You can be the guinea pig and let me know where the bar height ends up. BTW, Those top crown pieces(for XL head tubes), are now available from Maverick. However, they are rough cut, and unfinished(not polished).

 

[ozlongboarder]

Ozlo:

I see you have an XL Spot as well. Why don't you hurry up and do this. You can be the guinea pig and let me know where the bar height ends up. BTW, Those top crown pieces(for XL head tubes), are now available from Maverick. However, they are rough cut, and unfinished(not polished).

Sorry fella, you will have to wait about 6 weeks before I get a fork on there. Otherwise no problem. I just posted on the turner board asking spot/mav owners for any feedback. Its a tough call considering the Fox 36 is going to be out soon. The Mav sure is a lot sexier though.

 

[Nater]

Hey Aquaholic

I've got some info on wide flat bars.

Salsa Pro-Moto flat bar: Either 5 or 11 degree bend X 660mm width
QBP part # HB8003 for the 5 degree and HB8004 for the 11 degree bend.

Titec Flat Tracker is 640mm wide with a 9 degree sweep: $15 at Cambria Bike.

Bontrager bars come in 600mm widths but that might not be enough for you?

Nate

 

[mtnbikerx]

Gittin' the answers now Aqua

Oops on the compression damping, I thought you meant spring rate. Brake dive? Not even noticable compared to my Z150 or Z1, go figure.

Re: the fiddle w the rebound damping. It's only an issue when creeping, esp on uphills, higher speeds negate the bounced front end. The location of the knob and the short span of rotation makes it EZ to change on the fly - same w lock down. My Z1FR was a tree hug waiting to happen if I tried to snap an adjustment change while spinning. I read posts about how easy the settings were to access but I had to ride it to understand. BTW, in a previous post by Maverick American there was mention of someone gearing up to grind aftermarket stems in different configuarations for the Mav. Not Thompson though.

I ride in Maine, 97% of the time it's flat singletrack with 6 to 10 inch transitions over rocks and roots, usually slimy. A few one foot drops and some short very steep ledge climbs. I have an 1/8 mile downhill through the trees that I judge suspension on. Babyheads, roots and whoops. The Maverick feels like my Z150 on this only 2 lbs lighter. When I get out on fireroad type trails the Mav is just a smidge less compliant over small stuff than the zokes but not really an issue. Did I mention it's light?

 

[ozlongboarder]

Oops on the compression damping, I thought you meant spring rate. Brake dive? Not even noticable compared to my Z150 or Z1, go figure.

Re: the fiddle w the rebound damping. It's only an issue when creeping, esp on uphills, higher speeds negate the bounced front end. The location of the knob and the short span of rotation makes it EZ to change on the fly - same w lock down. My Z1FR was a tree hug waiting to happen if I tried to snap an adjustment change while spinning. I read posts about how easy the settings were to access but I had to ride it to understand. BTW, in a previous post by Maverick American there was mention of someone gearing up to grind aftermarket stems in different configuarations for the Mav. Not Thompson though.

I ride in Maine, 97% of the time it's flat singletrack with 6 to 10 inch transitions over rocks and roots, usually slimy. A few one foot drops and some short very steep ledge climbs. I have an 1/8 mile downhill through the trees that I judge suspension on. Babyheads, roots and whoops. The Maverick feels like my Z150 on this only 2 lbs lighter. When I get out on fireroad type trails the Mav is just a smidge less compliant over small stuff than the zokes but not really an issue. Did I mention it's light?

Would you buy another one?

 

[Aquaholic]

I've got some info on wide flat bars.

Salsa Pro-Moto flat bar: Either 5 or 11 degree bend X 660mm width
QBP part # HB8003 for the 5 degree and HB8004 for the 11 degree bend.

Titec Flat Tracker is 640mm wide with a 9 degree sweep: $15 at Cambria Bike.

Bontrager bars come in 600mm widths but that might not be enough for you?

Nate

Thanks Nater! If push comes to shove, I guess I could try the Salsa Pro-Moto bar. It's a tad short on the width and it's not exactly the bend I use. But this would be better than having my front end look like those ape hangar bars that the Harley goons ride with.

 

[angryasian]

Are you you?

Just happened upon this posting.... this is James from TWT. If you're who I think you are (I'm pretty certain), shoot me an email in a few weeks. I have a DUC 32 on the way, but it will likely be a little while before I actually get everything required to install the thing.

Regardless, though, in reference to that stem... the actual angle measurement on the upper surface of that stem may be the same as a conventional 15 degree stem, but it's not really a fair comparison since the Maverick stem starts immediately on top of the upper crown. If you were to extrapolate the bar position relative to where a conventional threadless stem and steerer tube would put it, the Maverick stem is really more like a 6 degree (hence why Maverick refers to it as such). In any event, it's still a 6" travel fork, regardless of the relatively low crown-to-axle, so you MIGHT need to go with a flat bar, but I would wait until you actually have the fork to decide for sure. If you do need a flat bar, Syntace makes a fantastic carbon bar (the Duraflite Carbon) that's easily as wide as your current Monkeylite with similar sweep if not more (available in 9 and 12 degree if memory serves). It's superlight considering its dimensions (roughly the same as your Monkeylite, maybe even lighter unless you have the SL), and the ends and center section are reinforced to protect against clamping (carbon stuff is actually pretty crappy in terms of resistance to clamping forces). Anyway, if you're you, good running into you, but otherwise, hope this was useful.

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I'm trying to get a feel for how my Cockpit is going to change if I go with a Maverick Fork.

My current setup is a Thomson 5X90 flipped(negative rise) and Monkey lite bars 1.5 inch rise.

Running the stem in a conventional manner give me too high a bar height.

If I'm running a 90mm length now, is the 90 mm Maverick stem the place to start? I believe the Maverick stems are 6 degree rise.

Any feedback from those of you that are running this fork would be greatly appreciated.

When you went with this fork how did it effect your cockpit?