First Look: Manitou Mattoc Fork - Eurobike 2013

Aug 30, 2013
by Mike Kazimer  

Manitou's New All-Mountain Fork

Manitou hasn't had a top level 160mm fork in a number of years, but for 2014 the company is coming out swinging with the introduction of the Mattoc, their high end, air sprung all-mountain fork. In development for almost two years, the fork has 34mm stanchions and will be available with 140, 150 or 160mm of travel for 26” and 27.5” bikes, with an additional 170mm option available for 26ers. External adjustments include low and high speed compression damping, hydraulic bottom out, and low speed rebound.

Manitou Mattoc Details
• Intended use: all-mountain/enduro
• 26''/27.5" travel: 140, 150, or 160mm
• 170mm available for 26" only
• 34mm stanchion tubes
• Dorado air sprung
• HSC, LSC, rebound, and hydraulic bottom out adjustments
• Tapered steerer
• 15mm HexLock thru axle
• Weight: 1877g (Pro), 1990g (Expert)

What makes the Mattoc especially enticing is its use of technology borrowed from Manitou's Dorado downhill fork, a fork heralded for its plush feel and excellent adjustability. Like the Dorado, the Mattoc uses independent oil seals and dust wipers to reduce the chance of leakage or blow outs, and a hydraulic bottom out adjuster that controls the last 32mm of the fork's stoke separately from the other compression settings. The Mattoc also uses the Dorado's large volume, low pressure air spring, which is designed to be moderately progressive throughout its stroke for a controlled, bottomless feel.

A look at the fork's internals reveals a number of well thought out features in the Mattoc's new Multi Control Compression (MC²) damper, particularly the way that the high speed compression (HSC) damping is adjusted. When the external HSC dial is turned it adds more preload to an internal shim, accomplishing the same feat that adding a thicker shim would do, but without the need to pull apart the fork. Low speed compression (LSC) damping is changed via a tapered needle oil system – turning the external knob alters the volume of an orifice, changing the fork's damping characteristics. There is also the option to add on a handlebar mounted remote to change the LSC on the fly.

Manitou Mattoc damping assembly
A closer look at the Mattoc's MC² compression damper. The far left portion is the hydraulic bottom out control, and just to the right of it, above the o-ring and below the silver ports, is the high speed compression shim. Low speed compression is altered via a needle valve inside the damper.

The Mattoc's shim-based rebound damping is adjusted by turning the dial located on the bottom of the right leg. Turning the rebound dial controls a taper needle oil system, with different shim stacks available from Manitou for riders that want to fine tune the fork's rebound damping. This high level of tuneability should make the Mattoc especially appealing to garage tinkerers, a fact that Manitou took into consideration when designing the fork. They wanted a fork that the end user could rebuild at home, reducing the downtime that occurs when sending a fork away to be serviced.

2014 Manitou Mattoc
The Mattoc's compression and bottom out resistance control dials are at the top of the fork, and the air valve and rebound adjust are at the bottom. The Mattoc uses Manitou's signature reverse arch, and has separate oil seals and dust wipers.

The Mattoc Pro weighs in at a claimed 1877 grams, and the Expert is reportedly 1990 grams. The weight difference comes from the Pro's use of a cartridge based rebound damper. The Mattoc Pro will retail for $860, with the Expert's price still to be determined. There will also be an even lower priced Comp model that uses a different air spring. White and black color options will be offered as well.


www.manitoumtb.com

Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

188 Comments
  • 63 0
 PB Please do a new enduro/trail fork shootout! New RS Pike, Manitou Mattoc, Fox 34, DVO Diamond (or the yet to be seen single crown inverted), Magura TS8R, Marzocchi 55... did I leave anyone out? Lots of tech details, as well as ride reports. Teardowns on each. I want to know about:
1) Reliability
2) Performance
3) Cost
4) User serviceability/tunability.
It just looks like there are so many good choices these days, but what are the subtle distinguishing features that make them different? Deciding on the "best" fork is very subjective to user preference, so I want to know about differences, things that might make me prefer one over the other.
  • 18 0
 BOS deville
  • 13 0
 X-Fusion Slant
  • 19 1
 Never. That would reveal the TRUTH....and the truth is poison... mwahahahaha
  • 4 0
 I was running Fox talas rc2 fit than wanted a change so I've got Marzocchi 55CR 2013 170mm travel, air... and all I can say THEY R AWESOME, price only £420
  • 2 0
 Yeah, realized I left out X-Fusion, and SR Suntour. Never heard of BOS, but they look sweet too.
  • 2 0
 Formula have also made a fork in that range.
  • 3 0
 MRP are on the wagon too.
  • 1 0
 The Marz 55 is also being replaced by the 350NCR as far as I know
  • 12 0
 ^this^

pb needs more (than zero) shootouts. you don't even have to declare a 'winner' if that seems too scary. just give us side-by-side performance, weight, etc. comparisons.
  • 1 0
 @RidePHX BOS deville is often said to be the best all-mountain fork on the market, if a little pricey. I've never ridden a bike with one and they're not common though.
  • 1 0
 the pike
  • 42 0
 WOW this looks and sounds amazing! I love the air spring and all the adjustments. Then the price seems very reasonable considering its detailed internals. When the time comes this will be an awesome toy to play with! RideOn!
  • 4 0
 Only three months to wait :'(
  • 18 0
 Patience padawan...
  • 3 0
 Sounds amazing, looks ok. For a second I thought I would have to tailor my bike to the "stand out" red color but thankfully they will be offering white and black color options for the rest of us boring folk. No flashy colors for me. Flat black is where its at.
  • 5 1
 Haha, why would you have to theoretically tailor your bike to match?
  • 3 14
flag naptime FL (Aug 30, 2013 at 13:13) (Below Threshold)
 sounds amazing? cick creak click creak click crreeaakkk
manitou need to seriously beef up thier crowns
  • 3 5
 All I am saying is that I don't like the fork in red. I think it was a poor color option. Just my opinion...
  • 5 4
 If you are at all worried about the look of your bike manitou is just a poor option in general
  • 2 0
 Once upon a time.. I used to dream about Manitou Sherman on my bike.
  • 2 0
 Once upon a time I used to dream about the elastomer sprung Manitou Magnum.... alas, now almost 20 years later I'll maybe get my first Manitou (Mattoc)?
  • 36 2
 mattoc in Hebrew means sweet
  • 10 0
 Let's hope it is. It be nice to see them come back with a good trail / AM offering.
  • 6 0
 yeah in my mid they have DH fork dialed, and now with this the AM line coming back, they could really bring there name back!!! i'm excited.
  • 3 1
 insane to think how a company that small can have designs that good to not only make good DH and XC forks but is brilliant enough to combine the plush and durability of the dorado with the weight and trail ability reflects that of its XC lineup
  • 27 5
 Are 34mm stanchions enough for 170mm of travel?
  • 34 12
 Add a 15mm axle to that... Sounds like a flex-fest!
  • 8 2
 according to scott with the 170mm fox 34 on the genius LT, yes? I doubt it in practise though... probably going to feel like a 32mm stanchion 150 travel fork (unless you like noodles?)
  • 21 1
 bos deville 170 on my mojo HD, more than enough.
  • 12 0
 my lyrik at 35mm feels stiff enough to me and what about the 15mm axle hate, I understand changing wheel is annoying and I would not buy it because of that too but is it proven that it's that much more flexible than 20 ?
  • 5 0
 Travis had 34mm stanchions and there was a 200mm single crown version of it. They had 20mm axle though.
  • 4 2
 hummmm...you forget about the domains?!?!
  • 5 2
 @adam102

I remember seeing quite a few stanchion/crown failures with regards to the Travis...
  • 7 7
 34mm not enough? Manitou Travis 180 was plenty stiff, it had a massive crown, big arch and proper clamp for the axle. If you clamp a 15mm axle with 4 bolts it is going to be stiffer than 20mm tool free, idiot-friendly (m)axles of today. The only single crown forks with proper clamps are Deville and Fox36.
  • 5 1
 Domains have steel upper stanchion s and a 20 mm axle.
  • 7 7
 Wait... 1700 mm of travel on 26" AND NO FREAKING 20 mm AXLE?!?! O.O

The marketing guys have completely lost it... I guess the day when the WC guys will race on 15 mm isn't far off. All in the name of 5 grams.
  • 14 2
 1700mm travel primoz?? I think that would need more than a 20 mm axle.
  • 17 1
 It is an ALL MOUNTAIN fork, not a freeride/DH fork. The market of bikes that these things are aimed at are generally not sold with 20mm axle wheelsets and fork companies always aim for the OEM purchaser market first and foremost. They make or break the profit margins with what brands order for production bikes, not the aftermarket retail sales.
  • 11 11
 Yes deeeight exactly what you say: it's about demand, not about performance. People here btch on actual performance, and even if nothing's gonna happen due to their btchn, if they find it amusing let them btch. What is a problem with super stiff 100mm fork with 20mm axle that Fox branded and as DH in some PR and you repeated it? Companies can do whatever they want, same day next year they can release 32" wheels and announce the end of 29ers, push the wheelsize just as they did with 650B, and market will be full of 32" bikes, no matter how many btch. Your argument will be true, and the arguments of haters will be true. I know it is pointless to say that 650b is stupid, beceause whether I like it or not, next year there are no 26ers to buy. Thanks to 650b histeria I bought a really nice 26er at half price. I won something. I still think it's stupid. There was a demand for 650B - how about not before gajillons of press releases, there was no bigger demand for 29ers 5 years ago. UNless you believe that God has programmed Adam and Eva and in 2012 suddenly all people wanted 650B due to lack of the end of the world. You create demand... and you can make people demand shit that not only they don't need, but that is worse than what they have.
  • 6 1
 Does 1mm really make that much difference? For example: The Lyrik is a 35mm chassis, and it's pretty popular among the enduro/AM crowd...
  • 6 0
 Stiffness of a structure increases with the cube of its cross sectional width (or diameter in the case of circles like tubes). For example with frame tubes, a 1" diameter versus a 2" diameter, the 2" is 8 times as stiff as the 1".. Thats why aluminium frames use massive tube diameters compared to what steel frames use. They make up for a lack of stiffness in the material (roughly one third as stiff as steel) by increasing the size of structure its used in. In this case, 35mm versus 34mm in the stanchions, we're talking a few percentage stiffer at most. But a few percent here, a few percent someplace else, eventually it adds up to something noteworthy.
  • 3 0
 Domains are bomb proof. Little heavy, but indestructible.
  • 1 0
 I'm still running a Manitou Nixon 145mm fork with 32mm stanchions and I have to say that it is plenty stiff. I have owned a Marz 66 with a 20mm QR axle and a crappy Marz XC fork with standard QR dropouts for comparison. I don't see why 34mm couldn't do the job for a long travel all mountain bike.

My fork does have a burly solid crown and the old style 20mm lever lock hex axle though. bikemarkt-images.mtb-news.net/2/6/1/0/4/5/_/large_ManitouMinuteSuperSPVAir140mm1810gvs_ManitouNixonPlatinumRC-ITAir145mm2250g.JPG.jpg
I have a riding buddy that runs a 160mm/32mm Nixon with 20mm axle and pinch bolt dropouts on a GT Sanction. He has owned lots of brands and types of forks and has no complaints about stiffness.

It will be interesting to see how stiff this fork is with the lighter crown and new Hexlock axle vimeo.com/42561711. Granted the axle is only 15mm, one can hope that Manitou's system is stiffer than other 15mm QR axles and maybe closer to 20mm QR axles. I would prefer the old lever lock though.

Can't wait to see rider reviews. It's great to have another choice of higher end suspension at a reasonable price. To bad about only having a tapered steerer.
  • 2 1
 Yep, i have fox 32 talas 150 factory (2012), and when i first bought the bike I thought: "Ok, it can't be that bad, the guys at fox must know what they're doing...". Result: I think that if you added the lateral flex to the travel of the fork you'd end up with a FR/DH fork... So no, I don't trust companies when they say that "it is enough"....
  • 3 0
 Old 'Classic' Boxxer had 32mm stanchions with 200mm of travel. 34mm should be just fine.
  • 2 0
 the old 1.5 single crown travis had 34mm, came with 150mm, 180mm, 203mm
  • 1 0
 i still have a 203mm one.. works great.. under 3kg...only thing is the Travis adjust knob.. doesnt really do anything ? ?
  • 1 0
 If you mean the TPC+ version, then the adjusting knob turned all the way clockwise prevents bottom-out. You get hydraulic bottom out, which I think is worse than the bumper variant) ( not sure what it does in the middle) I learned this when I went down pretty steep hill and my front wheel got in big hole, which almost threw me over the bars, Fork didn't compress even half of it's travel. I have it all the way counter-clockwise all the time since then Big Grin
  • 1 0
 hmm i had it open and fully closed while doing drops.. didnt really notice anything.. but will keep an eye out on the used travel .. thanks !
  • 2 0
 deeeight the addedd stiffness and with a bigger tube diameter you can also have a thinner walled tube without losing stiffness (comapred to a thicker, smaller diameter tube), which in the end still lowers the weight. That's also the reason steel bikes are mainly bombproof while aluminium bikes are basicly tin cans.
  • 3 0
 Yes I left that out of my previous explanation because of the target audience... give them too many facts at once and they negative prop your post out of view...
  • 2 0
 could be any fact for that matter lol
  • 11 2
 Waaaah 15mm axle... wahhhhh only 'flexy' 34mm stanchions.... what a bunch of crybabys... don't like it? Don't buy it... simple as that. There are other choices out there.
  • 4 4
 Please direct me to an air 150mm travel 20mm axle 35mm+ stantion fork.
  • 2 1
 much obliged turtle, I looked at the 55 range, didn't realise it could drop to 150mm with a spacer swap.
  • 2 0
 Fox 36 with travel spacer swap is another option.
  • 1 1
 What if you want to (or are basicly forced to) go 650B?

BTW, for 26", you also have the Lyrik (which could also prolly be spaced down to 150 mm). Or get a Revelation and get an old set of Sektor 20 mm lowers.
  • 11 1
 如果大陆零售价格不超过4000的话
  • 23 2
 Go home, you're drunk! Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin
  • 6 0
 First off, I completely sympathize with people who have 20mm front hubs that they would like to keep/build into future wheel sets. My condolences.

If this does not describe you then please admit to yourself a few things: 34-35 mm stanchions + the alloys/forging techniques available today + 15mm thru-axles are the best performing suspension bits for anyone who weighs in at less than 220 lbs. and isn't averaging World Cup downhill race speeds on their trail/enduro rides. A fork with enough compliance will actually add traction

If Curtis Keene, Jared Graves, Steve Smith, Dan Atherton, Steve Peat, etc. are all tickled with Fox 34 or Pike forks for their machines (including Air DH races), then we must accept that this standard is not only stiff enough, but probably too stiff for any mere mortal.

Sidenote: regarding this wheelsize debate - shut up. Just shut up. Arguing that there shouldn't be options in wheelsize is about as arbitrary as arguing that skis/snowboards should come in once length, flex or width. As an avid skier who owns 4 pairs of skis (park, all mountain, powder, big mountain) I can tell you that they all have a time and a place. Are 26" wheels more agile/"fun"? Yes....unless your definition of "fun" is "going faster" in which case an Enduro 29 is probably your best bet.
  • 1 0
 honestly 15mm axles are probably great, just to lazy to get new hubs haha
  • 1 0
 With 650B you're more or less getting new wheels anyway. The thing is, 20 mm adds a couple of grams to the table compared to 15 mm, but gives you a lot more stiffness. Longer forks for bigger wheels will make that even more obvious.

About Graves & co.? Barel bitched quite loudly, that 15 mm is not enough. He had a 36 on the old 26" bike just because of the 20 mm axle.

Yes, they are pros, yes they push the bike to the extremes. But they also get new gear almost every week. I like to keep the same gear on my bike for quite a while. A 20 mm axle will mean the fork flexes less so the bushings will last longer. The bearings are also much bigger, so they too will last longer.
  • 8 3
 MSRP $860 That is a fricking screaming deal...! And if it's anything like the Nixon 160 tpc+, it'll blow away any of that Fox garbage...

Don't forget, they have a new shock too!!! www.mtb-news.de/forum/showthread.php?p=10900229
  • 3 0
 And generally Manitou products are always way under MSRP. Usually with Fox and RS, you'll have to wait til the end of the year to get that discount. I wouldn't be surprised to see this for about 600. This is super good for all of us!!!!
  • 4 0
 ^agreed. this is the first fork review that has gotten me excited and thinking about buying
  • 4 1
 It's a great looking fork and should really be a contender to the Pike.

People asking; 'why 15mm thru axle no 20mm?' 'why only taper? This is because industry have decided for you that for trail/AM is taper/15mm axle 140-160mm travel. If you don't like it tough, if you want a 20mm axle 160mm travel fork you need to buy a free-ride over 2kg fork. Also similar thing happening with 27.5 wheels. Mountain biking is becoming industry lead, not consumer lead. Throw away perfectly OK frames, wheels and forks if you want to join the modern bike party. Those days of reusing old parts on new builds are under attack from an industry keen for your ca$h.
  • 6 0
 i need these just cos its my surname backwards.
  • 1 0
 Well done mate! Smile
  • 2 0
 What I really like about Maintou single crown forks is that the arch support is behind the stanchions, thus blocking the dirt and mud that gets thrown up from the tire and keeps it from hitting the stanchions and collecting on the seals. In can't believe that no other fork maker have adopted this design yet.
  • 2 0
 Dt swiss, maguira?
  • 2 0
 One of the best (if not the best) forks that I have ever ride was a Minute Elite TPC 120 with steel steerer bought cheap from Jenson's. By that time I had a new Pike 454 as well. Manitou in my view was superior in stiffness and performance. It was so nicely progressive yet compliant that offered me tons of trust and safety. Manitou won my preference but they didn't offer 160mm the past few years. I am looking forward for the Mattoc.
  • 1 0
 Can anybody comment on how good the Manitou HexLock 15mm axle is? The Fox/Shimano 15mm design squeezes my front hub bearings, whether my hub design likes that or not, and still flexes/twists more than I would like. The RockShox Maxle-type expands on one side and squeezes my front hub bearings less enthusiastically and seems to twist a bit less. Neither seems as good as my Fox36 or Marzocchi DJ1's that clamp the axle both ends. (Both are 10mm wider too, being 110mm for 20mm axles too). Any comments appreciated.
34mm stanchions for a 150mm travel fork sounds good to me and the weight is OK.
  • 2 1
 110mm hubs aren't actually any different than 100mm spaced hubs as far as the spokes are concerned. The extra length is in the end caps only. A shorter end cap would actually have less opportunity to leverage against the axle and lead to flex so it'd be nice had the 20mm hubs kept to the 100mm spacing when they were originally adopted by Rockshox for the Boxxer forks 16 years ago (and then copied by practically everyone else).
  • 1 0
 This looks like a solid performer. My only beef is with the 15mm axle. Granted, the standard itsself is great, but like anyone else, I don't like it being pretty much forced upon me. And with 20mm axle this baby would look extra tasty.

Anyhow - I hope red is available aftermarket. I am bored of white/black dichtomy.
  • 2 0
 Everyone the manitou travis is a great fork. 34 mm stachons work great. I have been riding one for 7 years without a single problem. the boxxer is a pile of poop tho. need to remake the 203 travis dual crown
  • 2 0
 Looks like a great fork, but that air valve handing down at the bottom of the fork leg is just begging to get knocked off or damaged. I hope they move it or protect it better before production.
  • 13 8
 That air valve at the bottom of the fork is just waiting for a rock.
  • 2 0
 I agree. I get paranoid thinking about my rebound adjuster held on by a o-ring on my 888. Would suck if a rock takes it out and you lose all air pressure while ripping a trail.
  • 3 1
 Valve position is no different to the older Rockshox Lyriks... mine haven't had an issue yet
  • 10 2
 Your brake rotors would die all the time if that was the case.
  • 2 0
 Not true cougar797, I have scraped the bottom of my fork leg without hitting my rotor before. It usually happens in tight rock gardens with tall rocks on either side of you.
  • 2 0
 Not saying its impossible. Just unlikely.
  • 5 0
 I will most likely buy this fork
  • 6 4
 Is trully annoying the fact that in few years time if i want to buy a new AM, Enduro frame and fork, i will only have the 27.5 and 15mm axle option. Maybe i am wrong, but it seems to me that is the trend
  • 17 5
 I can't find any new high end components with v-brake mounts either. The effing manufacturers are forcing me to upgrade my non disc wheels too- just to screw me out of my money!!! Smile What I had 10 years ago is good enough!!! Smile
  • 5 1
 Yeah, and how about offering it with a 1" threaded steerer so I can keep my quill stem! (:
  • 1 0
 I had a 180mm Travis way back. It was a brilliant fork. Stiff as hell and worked brilliantly. It wasn't that impressive on the parking lot but while riding it took out even the smallest bumps. Come to think about it, I also had Sherman Slider and a Sherman 130mm single crown. None of them had any issues and worked like a charm. Good to see Manitou putting out new stuff.
  • 4 0
 I would be so happy Manitou to -really- come back... Hope this time is the right one...
  • 2 0
 As someone who runs a small bike team that's been sponsored by Hayes Corp (owners of Manitou) for the last 9 years, I'm really glad to see a solid looking single crown option from them.
  • 1 0
 All 26" options should come in 20mm axle configuration, leave the popular kids and marketing latest to 15mm weight weenies, good job Manitou on everything but that, I like the fork if it holds up performs you nailed it 90% but but like most others only hearing part of what the market is screaming to all you manafactures and you're not listening, monies going where a 20mm option is, pity could have been tempted!
  • 1 0
 Mike, great article and I loved how in depth you went with the forks internals. What do you mean by "independent oil seals and dust wipers to reduce the chance of leakage or blow outs," and how does that differ from the independent oil seals and dust wipers on a dual air or a float? Are companies experimenting with spiral groove seals to displace pressure?
  • 2 0
 leakage and blow out... sounds like my undershorts...
  • 1 0
 "When the external HSC dial is turned it adds more preload to an internal shim, accomplishing the same feat that adding a thicker shim would do, but without the need to pull apart the fork".

Wow! Poor users of other than Manitou forks. They have to pull apart the whole fork, to change the HSC...
  • 3 1
 Failing to see where the mass and a universal physical constant squared can be related to suspension dampening. Is this suspension approved by Einstein?
  • 34 0
 e=mc²
Enduro =mtb by squared cost.
  • 2 0
 Best comment ever. Definitely.
  • 1 0
 Haha brilliant Faul!
  • 5 1
 2014 is shaping up to be an epic year for mtb suspension
  • 1 0
 The suspension is a long drawn out dramatic story?
  • 1 0
 indeed
  • 1 0
 Still has that giant air valve/target sticking out of the bottom of the leg though.
  • 2 0
 Is there an advantage to using the reverse arch? Or is it just to be different? I'm not trying to be cheeky... I honestly don't know.
  • 8 0
 it's supposedly a bit stiffer since the arch can be lower and shorter on the reverse side. bonus points for causing idiots to install the forks reversed
  • 2 0
 By putting the arch on the opposite side of the axle it gives a rigid structure on each side of the fork legs. It works.
  • 3 0
 I dont know about stiffness, but on one of my marz 55s I rode a muddy trail and the mud built up inbetween the arch and the stanchions. There must have been a few rocks in there as well, because at the end of the ride my stanchions were scratched up. This is much harder to happen on a reverse arch.
  • 2 0
 I just bought a marz 55 cr, and its an awesome fork, but I'm a little jealous of these new forks that are nearly a pound lighter. Oh well, the price was right at $600.
  • 1 0
 and I was minutes away from buying a 2013 Marz 55CR!!! Holding my horses now - can't wait to see what this is like. The Pro is pretty competitively priced too...Suspension is getting interesting this year Smile
  • 2 1
 I loved all my old manitou travis and gold label II. Want to try this one. Before this fork apeared - there was no manitous with travel 160-170+tapered
  • 2 0
 Manitou Mattoc Introduction video. here's a link, its pretty informative. vimeo.com/73396966
  • 3 0
 I am pretty happy with my minute and i will definitely go for manitou agan
  • 5 4
 Wow, freeride market is being given the big F-You by the major fork providers. Why no 36mm Tubes? Why no 20mm Axle? So much for hopes of this being the next Sherman
  • 20 3
 The fashion is "enduro" now, not "free ride". Free ride is "has been". You need 27.5, 15mm axles, 11cogs (12 ,next year) because that is MTB now.

I forgot fukushima coating and plastic frames.
  • 5 0
 Hahahaha, fukushima coating.... My god, that made my day!
On the serious side, they could provide us with a new Travis, let's say with 36mm stantions, 180mm, and a choice of a coil or air. Smile
  • 4 1
 LOL, does that Fukushima coating come with the new depleted Uranium steerers
  • 4 0
 Not worried about 15mm axles and 34mm stanchions. It just means that perfectly good and servicable 20mm axle and 35/36mm stanchion forks will be showing up on ebay and the buy/sell forums for fair prices. The dude who must have the new light hotness will be quicky to sell off his old and heavy shit to us stone age mtb riders. Same goes for 26 inch wheels/frames. Gonna be like christmas!
  • 2 0
 20mm ain't stone age! Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin Nor are 35/36mm stantions. ENDURO's the business now, ENDURO and DOWNHILL. but freeride ain't exactly dead! Smile
Come to think of it, i already got 2 perfect forks for years to come - a Dorado and a Nixon 160. Smile Win-win situation!!!
  • 2 0
 Agreed PRCVT, just bought a domain for around 60$. I bought a new open bath cartridge from Crconception (like avalanche but french), so it's one of the best and most reliable freeride fork for 300$... I think it's a good deal.
  • 3 0
 What is this freeride you speak of...?
  • 2 0
 Exactly faul! That is what i am talking about. Your Domain sounds like a killer and a GREAT deal! Not to mention it can handle anything you could possibly throw at it. Not light enough? Carry a little less water on your back or leave some gadgets out of your pack.
  • 3 0
 I want it I want it I want it

Do a 1 1/8 and I will pay today
  • 3 0
 Reverse arch, well at least someone's got some sense.
  • 3 0
 all forks will come in 15 thru axle and tapered steerer?!?!?!?!
  • 3 0
 Jewish fork? Will it ride well on Saturdays?
  • 1 0
 Someone stated here that it means Sweet. Good to know
  • 3 0
 manitou, i'm in love with you.
  • 1 0
 The article said b&w as well. So red should be available.
Just got a mint Travis on the weekend. Hmm upgrade?
  • 2 0
 Underrated, but good fork...
  • 1 0
 ANOTHER 15MM! WHY!?!?
this fork look so sexy on the 2013 deity red streetsweeper
  • 1 0
 I dunno what's wrong with me but I just can't quite get along with manitou. My oversized star seems to snap them...
  • 6 5
 tapered steertube only, 15mm, only thing they have going for them is the price... sorry ill go x fusion slant
  • 2 0
 Yep x fusion slant are brill forks I love mine £400 to so says it all really
  • 1 0
 I went X Fusion Slant but this fork has LSC, HSC, and bottom out control. You can adjust these on the X Fusion (and I have) but it requires internal adjustments.
  • 1 0
 Mine are the RL2 bottomed out once but did not feel it . Could do with a little compression tho but other than that I like how simple and plush they are the don't suffer from much brake dive and don't dive when in the saddle . Sweet forks
  • 1 0
 the x-fusion slant is a great fork and for the price you cant go wrong.
  • 2 2
 Looks decent. With all the cheap decent forks on the used market if you want me to buy a new fork it better be somthing special. And red is just ugly.
  • 1 0
 Looks like a nice option at a good price. Lets hope this is the start of something good.
  • 2 2
 Shit I lost interest at tapered steerer. Too bad fork looks promising. How many parts will be plastic on the production models. This is a prototype.
  • 6 0
 Manitou has been known during the recent years for absolutely no plastic parts whatsoever inside. If you want plastic, go visit Rock Shox! Razz
  • 1 0
 Im pretty happy with my Minute so far. last time i overhauled entire fork and except caps on bottom of stanchion and push rod on the spring side, all the other parts were made of metal, even air chamber pistons. this is my first Manitou fork and definately better then Reba in every ways on my XC bike.
  • 1 0
 Loooks ugly and like something rst would produce. Wich is sad because of the amzing technology it has inside!
  • 1 0
 Bring back the Manitou Supernova! Carbon DH lowers w/ machined 20mm dropouts. Pure hotness.
  • 1 0
 I want to see a picture of it on the bike! Looks good, I just saw the vid for it! Whats the price"
  • 1 0
 Even the internals look great!
  • 1 0
 It's like there bringing the Travis back.
  • 1 0
 XFusion, SR SunTour....... so many
  • 1 0
 this will be a good fork!
  • 1 0
 Just in the knick of time, I had no viable options....
  • 1 0
 I want its babies!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 straight steerer PLEASE too so i can buy one.
  • 1 0
 Oh damn it Taper Only Again!
  • 1 4
 Kill the Hex-lock through axle! Kill it, burn it, destroy the blueprints, execute the designer, and smash the castings. It is an abomination that should be erased from the planet. Try using it just once, just once I tell you, and your life will descend into a downwards spiral of frustration, rage, and sorrow. Is it locked? Is it not locked? Is it in the slot? Do I need to twist it more? OH DEAR GOD, is the freaking thing locked or not! OH GOD NO! I think I'm going crazy! Please help me!
  • 1 0
 I have not used one but l was under the impression that it worked well and really stiffened things up. Is that not true?
  • 2 0
 the hex-lock is SUPER easy to use!!! I have dealt with a lot of their forks with this and find it to be the easiest and quickest way for a through axle. Also, the hex interface makes the fork way stiffer, which makes this 15mm thru stiffer than a conventional 20mm thru Razz
  • 1 1
 Try using it on the trail, or heaven forbid in a race situation. Fahgetaboutit. So finicky.
  • 1 0
 Any word on internally adjustable travel?
  • 1 0
 Where's the rest of the caliper mount ??
  • 1 0
 Maaan...I want this fork SO BAD!
  • 2 1
 It comes in red! Yes!
  • 1 1
 No, it's not. B&W ONLY.
  • 2 0
 I read the article as Red, White, and Black...
  • 1 1
 Looks great, does it come in any other color than red?
  • 2 0
 Yes, read the last sentence in the article.
  • 1 2
 Actually I looked it up on the website, go suck it, and thanks for your help!
  • 1 0
 Read the article, then ask questions.
  • 1 1
 FU!
  • 1 0
 No 20mm axle?
  • 3 5
 Lets hope unlike a dorado they can actually keep the oil inside the fork not gushing out of the seals
  • 9 0
 Dorado has by far been the most reliable new DH fork I have owned and ridden. I imagine this will be about the same...
  • 2 3
 Hahaaaa really? 3 sets in 3 months for me. No end of trouble. Just like every other set of manitous i've ever had the mispleasure of owning.
when they worked tho they worked great.
but i'll never buy another manitou and their customer service was beyond terrible.
  • 6 0
 3 years on my Dorado, no problems whatsoever. You need a different mechanic. They screwed something up if you were blowing seals like that.
  • 1 0
 Nothing to do with my mechanic the first 2 were brand new straight from the factory. Third set arrived on warranty and got sold.
  • 1 0
 Are these new style or old school dorados ?
  • 1 0
 I know they had seal issues when they went from being hand assembled here in the USA over to Asia sounds like someone installing the seals did so upside down that is fixed now. I never got one that leaked so....I may have been lucky. I have had 5 now I think. Yeah we ran one for 2 solid years of heavy riding never a service done to it.
  • 1 0
 Euan brand new 2013 dorado experts. its not even like we have long tracks around here. back on marzocchi and now able to pull the bike out for a ride without having to worry if my forks would be up to the job.
  • 1 0
 And I guess it was the damper side that always leaked? I had the same thing happening but managed to sort it out. Strangely enough I came from 2012 888 rc3 evo ti forks and had nothing but problems.
  • 1 2
 ALLAH!
  • 2 4
 The term flex springs to mind. I think it looks very 2005!!
  • 6 0
 was a good year
  • 1 2
 Red fork? No thanks
  • 6 9
 Expensive and 15mm thru axle,Why?
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