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Submitted by
Christopher Walder
a Cross Country Rider
from Girona
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Not tellin' U!! | | Strengths: | The bike is brill on flat terrain and uphill. I've never riden a better bike. If you like cross country races or just exploring, this bike is highly recomended. The suspension is particularly good too. On my bike, I've tuned it up for sharp corners at speed and for dificult terrain. The gears are great too. Well, with 28 speeds, who wouldn't be? | | Weaknesses: | The bikes greatest weakness is its weight. As it is made of steel, it weighs alot. Not good for races. A few days ago, I had a race with a friend. We were just in the street. It was a 1.5 mile race. My oponent bought a new bike and he wanted to try it out in a race. He beat me because of the bike. His is made of aluminium and the 3.3 is of steel. The bikes main weakness is downhill. However, now that i've said that, I have ridden a few amazing races downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | My last proper bike was a raleigh panther. No comparison though. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano mudguards and forks. Amazing! | | Bottom Line: | Overall, an excelent allrounder, weather cruising in the city, or exploring in the mountains, this bike gets you there safely and with style. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GRaham
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | That's a secret! | | Bottom Line: | I got hold of these forks to replacr the excellent '99 SX Ti's on my Mount Vision. Also managed to acquire titanium spring kit from a further set of SX Ti's (cut steerer too short for my bike)
This all cost about the same as getting the original SX Ti's fully overhauled!
Result? A superb, robust, fully adjustable and lightweight short travel fork that feels every bit as sweet as the one it has replaced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aris Galatis
a Cross Country Rider
from Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ALL I can get too...:) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | 550$ with bike (not retail) | | Strengths: | just a great Fork. Adjustability (preload, damping both ways in and out), Microlube, Color. Hasn't made me any troubles over the last two years. I ride it really hard and with a bit of maintanance(Microlube) I wasn't forced to take it appart. | | Weaknesses: | None I am aware of. | | Similar Products Used: | many many many things (since I'm working at a bikeshop) | | Bike Setup: | Kuwahara New Ed 9. LX components came with the bike and I didn't care to upgrade yet. Except of a new Ritchey steering wheel and Bar ends cause of an accident. | | Bottom Line: | Just gr8...... I heard that the lockout option is still for sale so if you find this fork buy it and if you like upgrade it with a lockout and, if it works, you got yourself a prime fork which hasn't anything to be jealous about(from the 2003 models).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Spencer Bissett
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington VA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Good smooth compression and rebound, TPC damping system is great, nice and light as coil/oil forks go. Microlube system is fantastic and easy. And the sticker says Manitou, not rock shox. | | Weaknesses: | ain't found a one. | | Bike Setup: | find my earlier review if you're actually that interested in my bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to my previous review of this fork. I bought it off ebay about a year ago, well-used but not abused, and it's done well the whole time. I never bottomed it out, but it never failed to take the hits either. It's taken a few bigguns-I like to ride down stairs and jump over some logs and rocks and such, and I've hit some deep ditches too. Any of those could have made it bottom or leak at some point, but no troubles at all to report. I never even did any maintenance besides occasional prep-M microlube (another great feature from Manitou that you won't get from the ultra-rich market dominators at rock shox). I'm replacing it soon with a '99 SX-Ti that isn't as used, isn't missing any knobs, and has just been overhauled. plus titanium is cool. if you're a cross-country rider on a budget that won't allow for brand new $500 air forks, and you give your equipment a good workout but not a beating, gitchoo this here fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Strafford, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson usa | | Strengths: | weight, very good compression and rebound dampning, very fast and plush ride. | | Weaknesses: | nothing for $65 | | Similar Products Used: | manitou magnum, Z 3 bomber | | Bike Setup: | Gary fisher hard tail | | Bottom Line: | For the money I paid I could not be any happier with this fork. totally sucks up rough washboard bumps on decents it seems the faster I go the more confindence this fork exhibits. Seems a little flimsy even compared to my previous magnum, but at speed this fork is calm and collected, there is no comparision between this fork and the magnum so I won't bother, there probaly is no fork under $300 that can compare to the sx-r. If your looking for a susp. fork and if you can still get this at $65 you are a fool if you don't. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ren Babcock
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, nc usa
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fallon Park... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Tuneability, plushness with a good amount of bottoming resistance, light, almost maint. free!! | | Weaknesses: | The crown creaks while under heavy front braking, and there is a small amount of flex (not too bad though) | | Similar Products Used: | Rox shox jett c, judy | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Specialized Comp FS (hardtail) | | Bottom Line: | Great bang for the buck. I've only bottomed this fork a few times that I actually felt it bottoming. (That was on the face of a small, steep high-speed jump face where I was preloading). The head creaks when I am under heavy front braking, and when I hit a sharp pothole, but the fork absorbs the impact nicely. I do some light downhill work every once and a while, and the fork reacts nicely. I would recommend this fork to anyone who dosent have alot of moo-lah, but still likes a nice fork!
It takes 4 foot drop offs with ease, and is all around sawwwweet! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike b
a Cross Country Rider
from Sodom in the North
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | boggs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | park cyclery sf | | Strengths: | it does what it is supposed to do
it is black | | Weaknesses: | bottoms out
lockout is worthless | | Similar Products Used: | sx ti
judy sl
judy xc
marzocchi xc 400 | | Bike Setup: | ibis alibi with basic xt level parts | | Bottom Line: | the name of the game this fork plays is bottoming out. to keep this fork from bottoming out, i have to crank up the preload way high. since my sx ti has been sent to manitou to repair the broken bushings, i have put this fork on my new superlight. the combination of a three inch fork that bottoms and a four inch travel rear end is not the best.
this fork came to me from the factory with its bushings installed incorrectly, causing an unnatural amount of stiction. fortunately, manitou repaired the problem at no cost to me, but the fork still bottoms out on medium-big hits. my dealer tells me that maybe if he adds some more oil to the dang thing it will not bottom out so much, but i doubt whether anyone can duplicate the silky smooth stroke of the sx ti.
there is a world of difference ebtween these two forks.
the lockout feature is worthless, i never use it and it just adds weight. lockouts are just a crutch for those who refuse to learn new techniques to compensate for suspension bobbing. in addition, i have forgotten unlock the lockout once on a ride and ended up blowing something all to hell inside the fork on the descent.
this fork has worked very well, however, since i got it back from manitou except for the consistent botomming out.
five stars for value, which includes manitou's very reasonable turnaround time but only three stars for the value--once again, the fork has bottomed out since i got it and so have those sx r's of friends i know who own them.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Excellent response over full range of travel. Reasonably light. Inexpensive. Ease of maintainence. Mango Orange!! Strip the decals off and looks pretty trick! | | Weaknesses: | No lockout (can get the 2001 w/ lockout at Supergo for $120 now, or 99's w/out for ~$100 at Univeralcycles.com) | | Similar Products Used: | Judy XC, Sids and Mars' | | Bike Setup: | DNA Ti Frame (superb frame), Sun RPM Lites, Mix of drivetrain... XT shifters and ders, Stylo cranks... | | Bottom Line: | Just got back from a ride and felt compelled to commend this fork. Fork was a steal at $120, now you can get newer models for that price at supergo, assume still same great performance. The fork is strong and hassle free. Only 70mm of travel, but it fully utilizes every mm (response is very linear, and haven't bottomed it. I'm a 167 lb'er and have the medium weight elasti's, work great for me. It's also pretty light, claim 3.4 more like 3.5 lbs, who cares still good for an affordable, non air XC fork, and allows my bike to come in at 23 and change w/out having to sell an organ to do so. My old Judy XC wieghs 4+. I love this fork, rode very sloppy today (too much road riding) and this fork soaked up almost certain catastrophic endos while rock picking my way along. One of the best forks I've ridden and it's almost 3yr old tech. For value wish I could rate it higher than 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sergio
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulare
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I pave my own... just follow the drops of blood and sweat | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike Store | | Strengths: | smooth ride with plenty of knobs on it for adjustment. The weight for it is awesome. something like a wee bit over 3 lbs. Easy to adjust. | | Weaknesses: | None so far that I can whine about... | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shock Judy T2 as in "totally 2 squishy" | | Bike Setup: | specialized hardtail, full xt. Sun rhyno lites. Sram attack grip shifters... | | Bottom Line: | For what I paid, me like, me like!!! I just switched from the T2 which was only a spring system. this has the oil dampening cartridge. Noticed the difference on my first ride. Unless you are gonna mount airbags on your bike then it don't get no smoother than this! On climbs it doesn't get all squishy, you know What I'm talking about. Anyways they are pretty cheap out there, well under $150. So if it's time to upgrade then takes some time to hunt this one down.. You won't be dissapointed... well gotta run, got more trails to make... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Spencer Bissett
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, VA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The good one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Great fork-good travel, smooth compression and rebound, easy adjustment, everything else. | | Weaknesses: | Not a one. | | Similar Products Used: | First Suspension fork | | Bike Setup: | Newly built myself-aluminum frame, XT/XTR, Avid SD Mag brake levers, SX-R, Specialized StrongArm Pro crankset, Pulstar straight-pull front hub with Mavic 231, White Industries rear with Bontrager Mustang rim, 24-speed, SPD-515 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great fork-no problems at all to report. I love it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richie Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with my Klein | | Strengths: | Tracks well,has plenty of adjustment,is plush,and has grease zerks for easy lubing.Not much to improve upon here. | | Weaknesses: | Mine is the Klein Airheadset version w/an oversized steel steerer.The steel steerer definitely adds weight(about .4 lb).I wish Manitou made an Klein aftermarket version that addressed the weight issue.Not a big deal,but it irks me.As far as the fork itself,I don't like MCUs,but they seem to be doing their job and don't seem to be very temperature-sensitive,so I'll leave them be.The plastic adjustment knobs are a sign of cheapness.All forks should get metal adjuster knobs(a la Marzocchi). | | Similar Products Used: | '97 Judy,Z2 Atom 80,AMP F4 | | Bike Setup: | '99 Klein Adroit Race,mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | Not as light as the old Judy,doesn't track as well as the AMP,isn't as plush as the Z2...
But overall it does everything very well,with few compromises considering it's not the most expensive fork out there.After dialing in all the adjustments,it hasn't needed any work since(aside from a yearly teardown and an occasional lubrication).I thought about taking out the MCUs and running Speed Springs(had great luck with them on the old Judy),but seeing as the MCUs perform without fault I won't bother.The only major niggle is the added weight,but since my Z2 Atom 80 really weighs about the same,it's not such a big deal.4 chilies for a great overall product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Racer
from St. Paul, MN
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | A nice secluded trail up by Eagle River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point.com | | Strengths: | Great adjustability!!! Very light for how much it costs. Smooth, good for XC and anything else you can throw at it. And I don't know what you other guys are talking about ....I LOVE MANGO!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Rebound adjusted is stuck. | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Supercaliber with XT/XTR, next lp,spinergy spox wheels. She's a Beuty!!!1 | | Bottom Line: | Im on a quest for a light bike and this is the cheapest lightest and best performing thing i could find!!! BUY IT, you can pick these up realy cheap online. This is what you would call an all purpose fork and I know there is not a person alive who will not like this fork(maybe the color?). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt N.
a Cross Country Rider
from Flemington, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tequepis, Santa Barbara | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | thebikeco.com | | Strengths: | Price, stiffness, grease guard! | | Weaknesses: | Weight, color (an ugly orange that kind of grows on you though). | | Similar Products Used: | Most Manitou & Rock Shox, White Bros., etc. | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Supercaliber, SXR with Englund kit, King HS, Syncros stem, Bontrager Ti bar & barends, XTR drivetrain/levers/V-brake, White Industries/Syncros/DT Revolution/Rigida carbide rims, Mythos XC, Salsa Flip-Offs, Race Face cranks, World Class Ti BB, Easton CT2 post, Avocet 02r Kevlar, King cage. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this fork for the super-rocky singletrack descents and steep technical climbs of western New Jersey & eastern PA. Since I don't race any more, I've overcome my previously acute case of bike-orexia. Since I also actually ride up the hills I bomb down, I didn't want to strap a hunk of pig iron to the front of my rig either.
Considering I got this fork in '99 it was a steal. At 3.3 lbs with alum. steerer it wasn't too light, sensitivity wasn't too great, and I didn't feel like I was getting 80 mm of travel out of it, so I installed Englund air cartridges.
Although these didn't take off as much weight as I had hoped (less than 100g), after the initial break-in period they totally transformed the fork. At lower pressures I get a full, plush 80mm of travel. For a more progressive feel and less bob, add 5 psi.
The grease guard feature is also definitely the bomb - limits my regular maintenance to a quick lube and wiping down the stanchions. I'd slap the Manitou legal staff silly though if I got the chance: maybe this would save me from having to file the damn retaining tabs off the dropouts every time I buy a new fork...
Suppose I might have saved a buck or two if I'd been patient and gotten one of the newer Mars air forks on closeout, but you know what they say about hindsight ...
To sum it up: good, reliable, sturdy fork, can become an excellent fork if you want to tweak it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Stanczak
a Weekend Warrior
from NE Ohio
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vulture's Knob | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$109.00 | | Purchased At: | www.universalcycles.com | | Strengths: | Price! How can you go wrong with a Manitou for $109?!!!
Fairly easy to setup. | | Weaknesses: | Finish is cheezy looking. Had to ride a while to get best reactive ride. | | Similar Products Used: | First suspension fork. | | Bike Setup: | '95 Trek 850 w/Avid SD-7 brakes, STX shifters, XT RD, Alivio FD. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to upgrade my rigid fork after getting into weekend XC. Didn't want to spend too much, but had to have a shock to handle my dancing 220# bod. This fork, after upgrading to the firm springs, has opened new trails and riding tactics to me.
Was fairly easy to set up, but took a day of riding to fine tune. Doesn't bottom, reacts quickly, and it is CHEAP! Can't complain for the price and ruggedness. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IAN
a Cross Country Rider
from TORONTO ONTARIO
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | WHATEVER I CANT THE FIRST TIME | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | CYCLEPATH WOODBRIDGE | | Strengths: | TUNEABILITY, MODERATE WEIGHT, STIFFNESS, PRICE | | Weaknesses: | CHEESY PRELOAD ADJUSTER. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMOUNG MY OTHER SXS. TIP; REPLACE PROMPTLY 2000 ALUMINUM STYLE ADJUSTER. PROBLEM SOLVED FOR NOW. | | Similar Products Used: | SPYDER R | | Bike Setup: | A1 ROCKHOPPER BLAHHH BLAHHH MORE EXPENSIVE THIS MORE EXPENSIVE THAT. | | Bottom Line: | MY ORIGINAL FORK WAS A 98 SPYDER R THAT CAME WITH THE BIKE.
IT WORKED OK AT BEST WHEN IT WAS CLEAN. WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR AN UPGRADE I LOOKED LONG AND HARD BETWEEN THE Z2 AND THE SXR. THE Z2 IS A BEAUTIFUL FORK BUT I COULD NOT JUSTIFY THE CONSIDERABLE PRICE GAP AS FAR AS PERFORMANCE TO $ IS CONCERNED. I DO NOT REGRET THE DESCISION WHATSOEVER. THIS FORK COMPLETELY OUT CLASSES THE OLD SPYDER IN EVERY RESPECT.
ITS PLUSH AND RESPONSIVE IN EVERY CONDITION ITS BEEN PUT TO.
I WILL WARN THAT TUNING THE FORK IS PARAMOUNT TO SUSPENSION BLISS. I INSTALLED A FIRMER SPRING KIT (I AM 185LBS) AND FOLLOWED ANSWERS TECH MANUAL (AVAILABLE FROM THE WEBSITE)TO THE LETTER AND PRESTO ALL PROBLEMS WERE REMEDIED. ALL MY PREVIOUS HANDLING PROBLEMS ARE GONE AND MY BIKE HAS TRANSFORMED INTO A REAL EXTENSION OF MY RIDING. GREAT PRODUCT MANITOU. LOYAL FOR LIFE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Westy
a Racer
from Peterborough, Ontario
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills, Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Peterborough | | Strengths: | Very light for a coil spring shock. Excellent damping adjustability. Very stiff for a lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | None that shout out at you! | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Judy XC, Indy XC. | | Bike Setup: | Aluminum Wheeler with XTR and Race Face | | Bottom Line: | I love my SX-R. My tips the scale at about 3 lbs. and is a really supple coil spring. The TPC damping is awsome, indepentant rebound/compression beats the pants of the old system. Not to mention that everything is adjustable externally. Maintenece is a snap, just slide the legs off, wipe out the gunk and regrease everything. At first I was unsure about the microlube ports but they kick ass, even when I do rip the fork apart the insides are clean.
LightWeigth + coil spring + low maintence = Kick Ass Fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bottom Bracket
a Cross Country Rider
from glencoe
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ??? | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | 3 different adjustments, stiff, plush | | Weaknesses: | non intrnl. standard disk brake mounts | | Similar Products Used: | judy, marzocchi, sx, | | Bike Setup: | stmpjumper pro, full xtr, thompson, mavic tubeless, titec hellbent, kore stem, tooth fairy b. guard, mich. hot s, | | Bottom Line: | this fork is an amazing deal. A $400 fork you can now get for around 130 on price point! this thing holds up really well, amazing plushness, oh and MANGO! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver CO USA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | apex or colorado trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | wheat ridge cyclery | | Strengths: | stiffness, plush, adjustments, color | | Weaknesses: | um, none | | Similar Products Used: | rock sux crap | | Bike Setup: | trek hardtail | | Bottom Line: | for me this shock is the bomb. it is instant confidence. i can remember at least 4 occasions where i may have done a superman over the bars with a lesser fork. it does not bob too much even if you stand when climbing and it absorbs good sized hits with aplomb. for xc riding, if there a better shock for the money, i would love to know about it. i humbly give this merchandise double five pissed off spliffs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alan
a Downhiller
from Athens, OH
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | nice feel, light | | Weaknesses: | the crown is a p.o.s. i've bent two really bad within a year. the crown assembly creaks non-stop (the only it stopped was when i first got it. and that only lasted a couple of days). | | Similar Products Used: | everything | | Bike Setup: | slalom | | Bottom Line: | don't buy it. save your money and buy a psylo or supernova, or IF you have to a x-vert super | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Great Falls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$239.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | -Relatively light
-A ton of adjustments
-Value
-Great feel | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Answer EFC Cartridge '96, RockShox Judy, Var. other Answer forks | | Bike Setup: | Spicer Alumnum frame, XT all around, Bontrager Crowbar Comp Bars, SunRims Rhyno lites/Ringle hubs, mostly mid/high end stuff otherwise. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is available at Supergo for $239!!!
It's a 99 1/2 model, but who cares? Altogether, it is light, laterally stiff, and has 3 different adjustments than can be made to rebound, stiffness/plushness, and pressure dampening.
Also has external grease ports so you don't have to take it apart to grease it. It looks great and the price is right. And the ride....nothing short of excellent. Much better than my twice-rebuilt EFCs which I paid $480 for several years ago. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | tzeuhalem | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Plushness, stiff, microlube, adjustable everything, weight | | Weaknesses: | maybe the mango? | | Similar Products Used: | rockshox judy xc, 100 | | Bike Setup: | Rockymountain altitude with xt mega9 drivetrain & magura hs33's | | Bottom Line: | This fork kicks rockshox ass. More controlled, stiffer and a whole lot lighter. I have only used it a few times but it definitely gives me more confidence over rock gardens because it doesn't bounce around like a pogo(rockshox judy 100). A screamin deal from pricepoint ($150 US or $275 cdn no duty or gst) try to get that deal from a local shop? I can't wait to head back out and thrash some more and watch all you people bouncing around on piece of crap rockshox. This fork is definately for those who don't want to shell out for a bomber(not worth it) and those who got sucked in by rockshox monopoly(on the way out). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BOB
a Cross Country Rider
from BEALE AFB CA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | HOLE IN THE GROUND | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | VERY DURABLE . DOES NOT HAVE ALOT OF FLEX. MICRO LUBE POINTS. | | Weaknesses: | I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY. | | Similar Products Used: | MANITOU SPYDER ROCK SHOCK JUDY(JUNK) | | Bike Setup: | 98 SPECIALIZED STUMPJUMPER XT BRAKES ,XT DRIVETRAIN WITH RACE FACE CRANKS , 517 RIMS WITH WHITE INDUSTRIES HUBS . MANITOU SXR | | Bottom Line: | THE BEST FORK I HAVE EVER OWNED . I GOT MY FORK FOR 180$ WHICH ONLY MAKES IT BETTER. IT TAKES A BEATING AND HANDLES EVERYTHING I DISHOUT. I RIDE HARD FOUR TO FIVE TIMES A WEEK AND I CERTAINLY BEAT IT . THE DAMPING WORKS AWESOME. IT SOAKS UP BIG HITS REALLY WELL FOR 80MM. IT IS AN AWESOME FORK FOR TRAIL RIDING . THE WEIGHT IS REALLY GOOD . I LOVE THE MICRO LUBE PORTS . I AM IMPRESSED WITH THIS FORK MORE AND MORE. BUY IT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FORK WITH LOW WEIGHT AND LOW MAINTENACE. IDEAL FOR HARD TRAIL RIDING NOT RECCOMENDED FOR BIG AIR AND BIG DROP OFFS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Racer
from Lubbock Tx USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | great ride and very very strong, I am hard on bikes and this fork will take everything I got. | | Weaknesses: | It bobs a little, I need to get the antibob kit. Also its not the lightest fork I have ever owned. | | Similar Products Used: | SID | | Bike Setup: | XT | | Bottom Line: | Bad *^^**^* fork I would not trade it for anything. Great for some one who rides a lot and gives their bike Hell. If you break or blow shocks alot get this shock trust me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hamilton
a Cross Country Rider
from Bloomington, IN
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any and all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very adjustable, plush, tracks well, stiff, responsive, very cheap | | Weaknesses: | Non-international standard disc brake mount, flimsy plastic adjuster knobs | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z1 BAM, Superfly, Z2 X-Fly; Manitou 4; Rock Shox Quadra 10, Judy | | Bike Setup: | IF Singlespeed duluxe; SX-R fork; Race Face stem, bottom bracket, cranks, handlebar; Spot rear wheel, chain ring; Syncros seat post; Bontrager Jones tires. | | Bottom Line: | When I got this fork, I thought it was going to be a stop-gap until I could afford to replace it with a better fork (Atom 80). However, having ridden it (admittedly, only a few times so far), I think I'm going to keep it. This fork has been the nicest surprise on a new singlespeed I have just built. The 80mm of travel is all used and works very well. I have yet to finish fine-tuning the adjustments, but the Answer manual (downloadable PDF file) is very helpful.
All in all, I am very happy with this fork. They are available on sale for about $180, which is a bargain. The only two gripes I have are 1. Answer's refusal to join the rest of the front fork maunfacturers and standardize their disc mounts, 2. the flimsy plastic adjuster knobs (one of which is already broken). I would however, highly recommend this fork as a solid upgrade over a cheaper fork or an excellent (and cheap) alternative to a Judy, etc. I'm both very picky when it comes to components and a bit of a Marzocchi snob, but I would not hesitate to recommend this fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EmountainMan
a Racer
from Bellingham, WA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lower one piece slides are bomb-proof, the paint also bomb-proof, everything is great, save for the adjuster caps. | | Weaknesses: | The plastic adjuster caps froze, but answer will send you new ones if you call them :) | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocci Z-2 atom 80, and X-fly | | Bike Setup: | Spooky JuneBug, '99 SX-R, 1x9 SRAM/XT, Cook Bros F-cranks, Avid Supremes, Rhyno-lites, etc... | | Bottom Line: | I have beat the crap outta this fork and I just took it apart for the first time last week and it still looked new inside, the oil wasn't even discolored. Never gave me any problems, I took it apart just to see what the insides looked like and to clean it (which it didn't even need). This fork has out lasted 2 frames and a headset. It feels better than the Marzocci and is just as strong, at half the price! I will be moving this fork to my Trek 8500 XC bike and putting a new X-Vert Super on my Spooky, which gets beat on more, cause they are hella tough! The 80mm of travel the SX-R delivers is great for XC, but I do more FreeRide now and bottom it out on the big hits. But hey, still no problems with this fork!!! | | Value Rating:Ov |
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$ 399.95
