|   Considering a Manitou X-Vert Air fork....please help | kaddylowrider
Apr 24, 2002 8:09 PM | | Hello all. I really need to replace my front fork as I am currently using a Manitou SX that is rather worn and nearly bottoms out due to my 215 lb. weight. Is the 2001 Manitou X-vert Air a good upgrade or is the regular 2001 X-vert a better option? Price Point seems to be running a good deal on both of these forks. My friend says air shocks stick alot which I'm not sure about. Any info or advice would be appreciated. Thx =)
kaddylowrider |
| DON'T BUY, READ THIS... | Mountain Cycle Shawn
Apr 24, 2002 9:32 PM | | This is from an earier post.
Manitou's irresponsible trail etiquette (please read)
I found out some disturbing news when doing some trail maintenance this weekend. Manitou, while out doing testing here in Phoenix a few months ago, was not only using our trails improperly (pissing off hikers, bikers, and equestrians alike) they were also riding and doing photo shoots in closed areas and actually building their own sections of trail in places to test their forks!
For those of you not familiar with Phoenix, South Mountain the area where these trails that were used are located is a Preserve. It is a very eco sensitive part of our landscape with all sorts of protected desert creatures, plants, and in some places rock paintings from the early Indians. The trail where most of the testing and building took place is called National Trail. This is a multi use trail that probably sees more traffic than any other multi use trail in the state.
Manitou was out here for about a week doing testing, and having employees, racers and magazine editors doing shuttle runs on primarily this same trail. The results of their irresponsible actions are just now starting to affect the locals. There is now talk of the possibility of closing these trails to bikes all together. The trail, which use to be 100% single track, is now starting to develop secondary lines, short cuts, and trail damage, which never existed before Manitou came to town. Tensions between hikers and bikers are now worse than ever. Bike company's that wish to hold Demo days are no longer allowed in the park, Manitou in specific has been banned from ever coming back.
How could a company based in California, a place were trails have already been closed, be so irresponsible? National Trail is perhaps the best bike trail in Phoenix, I personally ride it 2-3 times a week, as well as thousands of other riders, hikers, and the occasional equestrians. Some of these wrong doings were personally witness by many others and myself, some of them were even caught on the film of numerous editors who took pictures of riding in closed areas on these new forks.
I'm not sure what this will accomplish but I just wanted to let you all know that members of our industry our killing our sport." |
| You should change your name to... | kristian
Apr 25, 2002 10:59 AM | | Bandwagon Shawn!!! First it was the 1.5 standard and now you've gone around 180 degrees and are thrashing them for trail abuse that you've never even seen! (not that I'm saying they didn't do it because I don't know--I wasn't there). So what bandwagon will you be jumping on next?
I don't mean this as a flame or anything--I'm just pointing out that you might want to actually RIDE a 1.5" bike before you go preaching how great they are. Similarly, you might consider trying to find a little more information about the alleged Manitou trail damage and their reaction to it all before you continue your smear campaign. |
| FIRST OFF... | Mountain Cycle Shawn
Apr 25, 2002 5:36 PM | | The 1.5 standard and trail abuse are two different subjects. Just because I believe in 1.5 doesn't mean I think it is all right for them to abuse trails. And they will not be the only company to make 1.5 forks. So I have not "gone around 180 degrees." How do you know weather or not I have seen the trail abuse? And how do you know weather or not I have ridden a 1.5" bike? How do you know how much info I know about "the alleged Manitou trail damage and their reaction to it all." And last off, I sure as hell won't be jumping on your bandwagon! You sure seem to know a lot about me, but you have never met me. May be you should start thinking logically instead of emotionally. Oh I forgot your female, I guess that isn't an option for you! |
| If you have such intimate knowledge of the damage they caused... | kristian
Apr 26, 2002 5:31 AM | | ...why didn't you post your personal exerience of watching them instead of some stupid copied and pasted post that you found here?
And in regards to the 1.5 standard, you also haven't mentioned any first hand experience. Then again, your beating off while reading an article in MBA probably wouldn't win anyone here over to your way of thinking...
You mean I'm a woman?!?! Damn, I wonder what my wife-to-be is gonna think about that one.
I'd tell you to grow up and stop acting like a 15 year old, but there's little chance of that happening. Good luck with your cluelessness--I hear that's a hard way to go through life... |
| I APOLOGIZE, I THOUGHT KRISTIAN WAS A WOMANS NAME | Mountain Cycle Shawn
Apr 26, 2002 8:50 PM | | And I am sorry if I don't post everything I experience. |
| Manitou X-Vert Air fork = excellent fork | just another dude
Apr 24, 2002 10:34 PM | | Last I read/heard, you could get some of these for a very good price. They offer more travel than your SX and with the air, adjustability is endless. |
| Yes, buy... | msylvan
Apr 25, 2002 12:23 PM | | Hi,
I don't know Mountain Cycle Guy, but his online campaign against Manitou makes his opinions pretty suspect. Disgruntled customer, or in-the-know insider? I don't know.
That said, I have been using an X-Vert Super for two years, and a buddy has been using an X-Vert Air for one year. We are both very happy. His fork is a little lighter, but not quite as plush as mine. On the other hand, you weigh almost 80 pounds more than he does, so stiction may not be as much of an issue for you, and having an air spring might be pretty cool too (with a Super you will have to buy heavier springs).
The ticket should you buy either fork is to replace the boots with boots from a 2002 Black fork. They have foam rings that are oiled, and are more plush than the original boots. They look cool too, and are only $13 from your dealer (they slip right on).
These forks are stiffer than your SX, as they have 30mm stanchions, and they also have over an inch more travel. They are also fully adjustable (unlike your SX), so make sure it is set up correctly or you probably won't like it. If you don't know how, get help at a good LBS.
Last advice-- you are really going to love it, but make sure you shoot some grease in every three or four rides, and take it apart and clean it yearly. |
| Thx for the excellent info....one more question | kaddylowrider
Apr 25, 2002 2:40 PM | | I went to the lbs today and they said that my bike is suited for a 80mm travel fork. They also added that it may be able to use a 100mm set-up but it might slow my steering. I noticed the X-vert air is 105mm but is the travel adjustable and could this be used with my bike? I have a '99 Specialized FSR Expert. Thx again for the wonderful info =) |
| Thx for the excellent info....one more question | msylvan
Apr 26, 2002 11:19 AM | | Yes, it will slow down your steering a little bit and that is something you should consider. My bike was also built for an 80mm fork, and it took me a bit to adjust to the steering change. The terrain on many of my rides is tight and technical, and at first I wasn't sure about the change.
However, with time I got used to it, and an added bonus was an increase in high speed stability.
One other caution though-- I had to readjust my seat quite a bit (moved it forward and angled it down), and go to a no-rise stem in order to be able to climb steeps once I made the change from an 80mm fork. The 108mm X-Vert moved me up and back so much I couldn't keep the front wheel on the ground. On the other hand, my buddy didn't have to adjust his Superlight at all. He was happy with it as is after the change (and he changed from a 75mm fork).
Lastly, as you can see from the other responses, a lot of people use these forums to grind axes or be jackasses, so all advice is worth the paper it is printed on. I have had a great experience with Manitou for over four years, and expecially with this fork, whereas another guy who respoded to you didn't, and prefers Marzocci (sp?) forks (which are reputed to be good forks for heavy people). However, the Marz. sure isn't under $200. BTW, I am 200 pounds. |
| re: Considering a Manitou X-Vert Air fork....please help | Mike_Jackson
Apr 25, 2002 2:40 PM | | I weigh around the same as you (220#) and have had nothing but trouble w/ my 2000 X-vert. I replaced the stock springs with the recommended heavier springs and the damn thing was still very harsh and it also bottomed out. I switched to a Marzocchi Z-1 and love it, it is super plush, never bottoms out and soaks up all the hits (big and small). The fork weighs about 0.5 lbs more than the X-vert, but the performance far out-weighs that difference. |
| |
