Description:All new for 2004, the Axel family is designed to provide new levels of high performance and high value. Features include 28.6 mm stanchions, convertible travel, hydraulic damping and a Manitou RA casting for ultimate stiffness without extra weight.
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Edinburgh Date Reviewed: February 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Glentress
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Evans Cycles
Strengths:
Came as stock on Jekyll 400 (2004)
Weaknesses:
Where do I start....Flexy, leaky, leaky, leaky, did I say leaky, stuplidly soft, poor quality adjusters....feels cheap (they are. Threw them in bin after 2 rides and bought a NEW Lefty DLR off ebay at a FANTASTIC price from USA
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox, Pace, Lefty DLR
Bike Setup:
Jekyll 400 (RAW), Lefty DLR, Hayes HFX9 Carbon discs, WTB saddle, DMR V12's, Fox remote locklout,
Bottom Line:
Chuck em away and pay for a Lefty.....you won't be disappointed with the Lefty
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter Farrell
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane Australia Date Reviewed: November 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Daisy Hill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
NRG Ipswich
Strengths:
Range of adjustments and features for price
Weaknesses:
Heavy, flexy chrome moly staunchions, standard spring to soft for my weight (90 kg), poor warranty.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox judy,Manitou Mars,Manitou axel elite,Maveric.
Bike Setup:
2004, Specialized FSR XC, Fox Float RL shock, Dice hydro discs, Velocity VXC disk specific wheels, Truvative Hussafelt cranks, Zoom carbon fibre bars.
Bottom Line:
On these original equipment forks the hard chrome on one staunchion has been partially removed by grinding during manufacture, exposing the bare steel beneath which started rusting soon after I started riding the bike. The lockout and compression damping adjustment ceased working shortly after.The best Manitou could offer was a small discount on the current model of the same fork. I told them i would rather put the money towards a better fork, one without the Manitou brand name on it. the performance of these entry level forks is quite satisfactory once a spring suitable for the riders weight is fitted is fitted. As it is an OE fork I would recommend upgrading it as soon as possible.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
evilwoodman
a Cross Country Rider
from bath united kingdom Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
evrything singletrack
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Looks alright and hasn't bottomed out despite riding a 20foot double
Weaknesses:
acts like a rigid fork so doesn't move up or down on uphills or downhills. leaks grease llke there is no tomorrow and is only plush when doused in loads of prep m greaes
Similar Products Used:
marzocchi drop off
Bike Setup:
customised rockhopper with freeride components
Bottom Line:
only buy one if very cheap or you like the ride of a rigid fork but want to have a little extra insurance. Take the oil level down to inprove the performance or just get a better fork
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wayne sherman
a Cross Country Rider
from all overthe world Date Reviewed: March 27, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anything pisgah
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came stock on c-dale jekyll from LBS
Strengths:
Has a lot of adjustable features. V and disc brake compatible.
Weaknesses:
Bottoms easily, not stiff at all (for 185 lb rider), need special grease gun to lubricate properly. Not built for jumping.
Similar Products Used:
80mm Headshok, 2005 Sherman flick, various rockshox forks
Bike Setup:
Loaded DS XC/FR
Bottom Line:
This fork has a sticker on the leg that says NOT INTENDED FOR JUMPING. I have, however taken it over small jumps and drops without serious issues. Bottom line is that it is a decent fork for LIGHT xc or commuting use. Anything other than that you should get an upgraded fork. This fork is not very stable under heavy pedaling or cornering. It seems to "tweak" a lot.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jekyll Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Loudwater, England Date Reviewed: February 11, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Cycle Care
Strengths:
It's so flexy that if you bent it your mum could probably straighten it with her bare hands!!
Weaknesses:
Horribly flexy from the first ride, lasted less than 3 months before bottoming out (whilst I was sitting stationary on the bike!!!) & feeling like riding on a slinky thereafter!!
Similar Products Used:
Axel Elite 80 mm (just as awful, made from paper mache!!)
Bike Setup:
Jekyll, Fox Float RL, Pace RC40
Bottom Line:
I weigh 215 lbs and this fork was so bad that it was dangerous. Only buy this fork if either you:
a. Weigh less than the bike you ride.
b. Won't drop off anything taller than the kerb/sidewalk
c. Have lost the will to live
Think I'm being harsh??........they won't sort the fork under warranty!!!
Honestlty.....if this fork is on your bike.....change it!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Noxx
a Downhiller
from Broomfield, Colorado Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
easy lockout, nice rebound adjustment, great shock for the money
Weaknesses:
It sure could use 20mm to 30mm more tavel. Switching between 80mm to 100mm of travel is a pain in the a#%.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou Black
Bike Setup:
Jekyll 400 frame with a bunch of upgrades
Bottom Line:
I have not had any big problems with this shock but I recommend anyone wanting to get into any kind of dirt jumping or drops to consider getting a Black or a Sherman. I have been doing a lot of downhill and dirt jumping and have been consistently been bottoming out and I only weigh 150 pounds. All and all it is a great shock for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoffrey Seaborn
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: June 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Gatineau Loop
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Pecco's
Strengths:
Adjustable travel and easy lockout. Great value, has everything you could realistically want. Definetly a good buy. Mechanically sound, needs little maintenance and looking after. Came stock on my bike - I am considering a black.
Weaknesses:
I would personally like another 20-30mm of travel. For this level of fork, it doesn't really make sense to have it go as low as 70mm especially since it's not fixed.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Bombers
Bike Setup:
Rockhopper pro, EC70, Chris King, EA70, Race Face, Avid Ti's, Semi-Slicks etc.
Bottom Line:
A solid buy. Does everything you could want, and works flawlessly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bill
a Weekend Warrior
from arkansa Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
every trail you can go fast on
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
bike shop
Strengths:
great fork if you arnet to serious a rider
Weaknesses:
while riding to school broke and woke up in the er on a backboard for 8 hours luckily manitou replaced fork with black
Similar Products Used:
mantiou six and rst crap
Bike Setup:
giant xtc
Bottom Line:
crappy fork if you are serious i brke the reverse arch and they replaced the lowers wich also fixed the oil leak that i had since i bought if your are just a coummuter it will be great for you
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from Wynnewood Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Wyssihikon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
This is an awsome looking fork, and has already preformed really well even though i havn't had it for too long. I do only weigh 125 lbs, but this has still been pretty stiff. I do fairly aggressive xc riding, and this has worked great.
Weaknesses:
i have heard that these forks bottom out easily, but i have not had this happen to me yet. I do only weigh 125 lbs, but this has still been pretty stiff. I do fairly aggressive xc riding, and this has worked great.
Similar Products Used:
RST Capa TL (Came stock on bike, not a good fork at all) Judy TT2 (on my friends bike, he loves it)
Bike Setup:
Giant Boulder SE with a lot of upgrades (seat, seatpost, handlebar, stem, ect.) and this fork.
Bottom Line:
If you like a hot looking fork and at the same time a great preformer, this is great for you. I personally did not pay too much for this, so I am even happier. If you can get a great deal like I did, go for it right away.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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