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Control Tech
Lawill Leader Shock
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Submitted by
Josh Greene
a Cross Country Rider
from Brockton
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Boarderland | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Dependable,Dependable,Dependable,Dependable | | Weaknesses: | Not enough travel | | Similar Products Used: | Amp | | Bike Setup: | Ted Wojcik Hard tail | | Bottom Line: | This is my second Lawwill Leader fork. The first one lasted nine years. I put near 10,000 mile on the bike and fork, the air valve finally failed. I found a Lawwill 3 online from a guy who just have all the pivot points replaced. What a steal at $75 bucks. To everyone out there who has one Risse(www.risseracing.com) will service the shock. Setup of this fork/shock is very tricky. You need to play around with air and oil but when you get it right its like butter. I am 6 foot and 200lbs. 55psi and 5 weight oil | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Torbjorn
a
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Need a service manual. How much air can I pump inn? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from Midlands, UK
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Ampleforth | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Recycle S/H | | Strengths: | A fork that doesn't lockout under (rim) braking! Why oh why is this fork not made any more? Safe, strong and predictable, no flex or wobble. | | Weaknesses: | Slighly heavy, shock has too much stiction, needs coil spring/oil damped I think. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shox, Manitou, RST | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS 1995 (Dave Hemmings ex-(stif)race bike) XT v-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | A weird looking fork that complements the LTS rear suspension (although my bike has a horrific number of pivot points!). After playing around with oil and air I've got it set up as best I can get it. I'd like to try a coil spring shock but it uses a custom mount.
I ride cross country with wide bars and shorty stem and prefer rocky technical terrain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I've been using the Leader 3 for five years now and it has endured thousands of kilometres of trail and touring abuse without needing repairs. It is stiff, strong, fairly light and handles tricky singletrack better than any telescoping fork that I've used. It is the ultimate xc fork! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from CA/NC
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | I've been a bike shop employee for the past six years, and about 3 years ago I got this from a guy that I worked with. It is probably the BEST steering suspension fork I've ever used. The linkage design and single shock allows the legs to be rigid, hence less flex than standard telescopic forks. | | Weaknesses: | Not a whole lot of travel, also I'm very lightweight, and I didn't really weigh enough to get the most out of the air shock. Since air shocks have to have tight seals to keep in the air, it takes a bigger initial hit to set the travel in motion and overcome the stiction than with coil shocks. Also, a bit hefty. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Q21R, Judy XC, Indy XC, Marzocchi Z2 | | Bike Setup: | Aluminum frame, XT parts, Chris King/Mavic wheels, Marzocchi Z2 | | Bottom Line: | This is a great fork for a rider looking for excellent steering and performace over comfort, and weights a bit more than 150lbs. Also, anyone who is into alternative suspension designs will love this fork. Any time I rode my bike in a public place, I was turning heads! If you are looking to buy one CHEAP, email me because I have it sitting around and I'm willing to let it go for VERY cheap because it's doing me no good sitting here, and I'm too lazy to actively sell it. It's not the best overall fork out there, but it's super trick, unique, and very ingenious. A good value if you can find it for below $200, but I think that's probably rare. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross-Country Rider
from columbia,mo
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
* great for heavy riders
* Sucks up punishment
* reliability | | Weaknesses: |
* none observed for the type of use I give the fork | | Similar Products Used: |
Amp F3
Superfly
Sid
etc | | Bike Setup: |
Ibis Cousin-it Mtb. tandem. Magura hydraulic brakes, additional hope disc on rear. | | Bottom Line: | Hey, this fork rocks for tandem use. I've had this fork for about four years now, and have had to do virtually nothing to keep it running smooth. I'm 6'4 and two hundred pounds, and I've had stokers that weigh almost that much, yet this fork handles the abuse. For a fork to work well on a tandem you have to get the pressure jacked up so high that it won't move at all under your own weight. This fork has handled pressure settings this high for years with no problems. After I ride, I can see that the fork has given me full travel. Offroad on a tandem there is very little finese...just ram into things hard enough to get the wheel up and over. I would give this fork a great review for a heavier rider, or anyone needing a tandem fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Lewis
a racer
from Lafayette, CO
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Amazing. After racing on Rock shox for the first year, I got tired not being able to steer through technical sections, or even at all. When I switched (to a Leader 2), I had to relearn how to ride because I was using so much body english to flex the Rock Shox through turns. These are the stiffest forks I have ever riden except rigid. Also, nothing takes big, high-speed hits like the Leader. They are great if you are a big rider (+180 lb.). I have been on a Leader 3 for the last two seasons and haven't had one problem. You do have to grease them regularly or they will develop creaks in the pivots though.As an engineer, I understand why motorcycles went to telescopic forks when they needed more than 4 inches of travel. But as an XC mtb racer, I don't need 4 inches of travel.Unfortunately, they are out of production now. The Control Tech guys I have talked to said that they just weren't prepared to spend the marketing money it would require to educate the marketplace. In about a year, you won't even be able to get parts for them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Um Jim
a cross-country rider
from Tacoma WA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I give CT credit for trying out a different way (technology wise), but
I just can't warm up to the feel of this fork. It is easy to adjust, so
you can tune it at will to your liking. The problem is that at its best (tuned for me) it still pales in comparision to an open bath/spring fork. I like the fact that others enjoy the ride because I think variety of technology only breads better stuff for the future, but as soon as I get the cash,
I'm gonna switch it out. (Just don't like the feel of bushings in a fork) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Chesnut
a cross-country rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great fork!!! The other reviewers are right in that you have to fiddle with it to set it up for you but it is so easy to fiddle with that this is not a problem. The only drawback is a wee bit of stiction. This is far outweighed by the absolute rigidity of the system. You can blast along steep sidehill or stick your front wheel in a rut at speed and twist it out without any loss of exacting control. I didn't realize how spoiled I was until I recently spent some time demo-ing other bikes and found that NONE of the competing forks could match the LL. After many hard miles, the replaceable bushings wear out but they are easy to replace. Five chilis for the frame and 5 more for the folks at Control Tech.
PS My next plan is to mount this thing on a Yeti Lawill frame........ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Sanders
a weekend warrior
from Seattle WA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the Lawill Leader for 3 years now. The most versitle fork money can buy. Once dialed in to my tastes the only maintenance performed has been to replace the linkage bushings. Super strong, no lateral deflection until the bushings are shot. Weight is not a problem as I'd rather have it be durable (6'7 and 265lbs). When I drove across town to pick up the new bushing kit I happen to bring the fork with me. The guys at Control Tech asked how I liked it. I gave them some input, they said wait here and took off around the corner with my fork. When they returned they told me they changed the oil weight, replaced the seal and tweaked the air pressure for my weight No charge. I went home and installed the bushing kit and the fork is as good as new and performs better than ever. 5 chilis to the Lawill Leader and 5 for Control Tech's customer service. Outstanding. Anyone know where to get a mountung bracket for the Hope disc brakes? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Guajardo
a cross-country rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This fork is all about high set it up and forget it performance. The fork demands that you punish it with lots of rocks and downhill. You wont hear any wimper from but a slight hydraulic hiss that indicates it is ready for more of the same. I have had mine for three years and considering the passing fads of the other manufacturers, Control Tech is an evolution of superb technology. I swear by this fork. All those that are considering a new fork, I urge you strongly to investigate this rare piece technological brilliance. you will not be disappointed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andres cook
a downhiller
from england
Date Reviewed: March 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
strongest,most reliable fork i have ever had .no seal problems and they are nearly 2 years old . starting to get dated for downhill use but probably the best cheap all round fork about. my old judy s were big problems and broke at crown.most useage in mud and free ride and crosscountry .just wish hope discs would fit.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew Campbell
a weekend warrior
from The Great Northwest
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great fork for downhill. The extra couple of inches added to the wheel base can make the bike less responsive than it once was, but the bumps that can be absorbed are enormous. The ease of adjustability and servicablity is a wonderful feature of the Leader III. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher J. Roberts
a racer
from Macomb, IL. 61455
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am a newbe to the brillance of Mr. Lawill, but I must say the my Leader3, is outstanding. While it has a couple misses, it's hits far outpace trivial it minor stiction and HIGH price. I love the adjustablity and rebuildibility of the shock. The owner of a bikeshop Changing Gears in Macomb, IL. has chided me on my decision to use the Leader3, but then again he is a freerider and a true XC/DS/DH freak. Granted it has only 2 1/2 worth of travel, but it beats the shi* out of my SID (Stupid Inpulse Decision). For those worrying unnecessarily about weight. There is stupid lite and then there is performance. Long after the lite weight wars are over, The oil/air, infinite adjustable, unconventional, rebuildible, race winning (novice,sport,expert), Lawill Leader3 will still be around.
By the way, This 2 1/2 travel fork eats small and big bumps alike, don't be fooled by Bike Shops trying to cash in on the Long Travel Craze. Call Dave at (309)676-4678, he is an suspension expert and no he is not connected with the company, just a Damn Territic Wrench. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Smith
a cross-country rider
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my Leader III for a year and a half and I love it! It's unique linkage design and geometry yield a well balanced, responsive ride. The ability to change many different aspects of the shocks performance through air pressure, oil volume, oil viscosity and stanction height in the crown means that anyone should be able to tune it to their riding style.
I was forced to switch to the big R to use a disk brake but as soon as my custom mount is finished I'll be back on the Leader. Happy Trails! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Burkhardt
a downhiller
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I love this fork, most people just shrug it off because it's air oil and the design hasn't changed much in years. Well they are wrong, the fork is very plush once you get it set up right, correct oil weight and oil volume and air pressure. Try this fork. I had a problem with the nickel coating on the shock piston scratchig off. I drove down to control tech to fix it. (They are about a 30minute drive south of here.) This fix only required a new part. but instead they gave me new seals, oil, air valve, bushings and front link. Great deal!! The guy in charge of the fork division personally installed all of it, and took me on a full tour of all the machining equipment and parts storage. I even got a peek at their new FS bike. Now that is service. I even got the fork back the next day.
I weigh around 200 pounds and I have my fork set up with a very light rising rate, I let it sag about a half inch, when I stand over the front of the bike, That way the small amount of stiction isn't as obvious and get some negative travel With this set up I only bottom out the fork on really, really, really, really, big hits. I added a 3 travel kit from Suspension Tech in california. Tis fork weighs a little less than a Judy DH's claimed weight, it is probably closer to the XC weight. It is a GREAT fork!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Pollett
a cross-country rider
from Cambridge, ON
Date Reviewed: November 11, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great fork for those who like to HAMMER. They suck up all the bumps including your little sister. The only problem is the coating
on the piston started to come off. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Sinanan
a cross-country rider
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding this fork for a full season and i must admit that it's grown on me. Its extra heft really pays off when the speed picks up. I'm 6'6, 200lbs. and this fork is stiff. I find that to get the most out of this fork in all applications, you must be moving at a fairly high speed. The air shock is very plush, but for bump force to be able to overcome the initial stiction, velocity must be fairly high. I can sometimes squeeze some side-to-side flex out of the four parallel linkages. Overall, i find this fork to be excellent. It rides well right out of the box and performs even better once it's broken in. This fork is excellent if you're a heavy crasher. This fork gets my rating as the strongest linkage fork available. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Pud
a cross-country rider
from Gloucester, VA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Have been riding on my Lawwell fork for over 2 years now. If you can dial it
in for your weight and riding style it is one SWEET fork. Heres some tips:
1) Change to a 5 wt. fork oil for quicker action- my stock fork came with 7 wt.
which seemed sluggish - especially on high frequency bumps. If you have the old
needle valve style shock you can remove/add oil by inserting a needle (with the
end cut off to provide a single orifice) connected to plastic tubing thats attached
to a reservoir that's filled with the appropriate volume of oil (I use a plastic
specimen jar- it has metric volume increments on the side!!). Work the shock
stanchion to accept the oil and bleed off air.
2) As mentioned in the other review, make sure the fork will fit your frame
without interfering with the downtube-I have a Cannondale and the fork would
strike the cable guides and not allow the fork to rotate. I had to have my frame
modified to top tube cable routing.
3) The new forks have schrader valves for adjusting air pressure. I wish I had
this on my forks as trying to get an accurate air pressure with the needle valve
is a major pain!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince Bishop
a cross-country rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the Leader for over a year now and I really like it. It
has *no* side-to-side flex and tracks great. It is really hard to
tell when it is working, because you can't feel it when it
moving starts moving, but it works. It's a little slow to actuate, but I'm 210
pounds and it takes the big bumps just fine. It doesn't
do the little bumps as well as some shocks, so I compensate
with a big front tire. The combo works good.
It is a heavy shock (3.5 pounds) to start off with, but you do
not need a fork brace or suspension hub to make it ride stiffer.
When it was about 4 months old. the plating on the piston started to peel, so I sent it back. They
said it was a problem with that one batch and they fixed it. My
only complaint was the one month turn-around after being promised
one week.
One thing to watch out for. It will not fit on some bike racks
that angle the fork to mount the bike. The rack gets in the way
of the trailing part of the fork.
| | Overall Rating: |
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