Manitou Announces All New Mattoc Fork

May 24, 2023
by Hayes Bicycle  


PRESS RELEASE: Manitou

Introducing of the new Mattoc - the perfect fork of the future while also staying true to our roots. A big part of the Mattoc’s versatility stems from its wide range of travel as one single model can be adjusted in 10mm increments from 110 to 150mm with no need for additional components or parts. The new Mattoc represents the fork for the rest of us, from XC to trail to light enduro and everything in between.

It is the veritable jack of all trades, that excels in all it does, thanks to its “versatile specificity”. Better in every way and adaptable to all needs it really is "the people's fork," it is MANITOU MATTOC.

A big part of the Mattoc’s versatility stems from its extremely wide range of travel as one single model can be adjusted in 10mm increments from 110 to 150mm of travel with no need for additional components or parts. While adjustability has become yet another calling card for the entire Manitou line, the wider range of the Mattoc’s travel options allow it to span across several disciplines and adapt to many more styles of riding. The operation to change travel is simple enough that it can be done at home and the necessary parts are included with the fork.

What makes the Mattoc’s versatility even more amazing is that it comes without compromise. The “versatile specificity” of this fork means that it adapts perfectly to many disciplines and styles of riding and performs flawlessly in each and every one. The new Mattoc platform is 30% stiffer than the previous version and at 1750 grams for the Pro model it is both light and stiff enough for XC racing yet built not only to survive but thrive in situations all the way to light enduro.

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The Mattoc is the perfect example of "the people's fork" not only because it can be all things to all riders, convering an amazing span of disciplines and riding styles but also because it, and its other 34mm stanchion brethren, represents a more democratic and fair design philosophy. Not only will the purchase of one fork offer amazing flexibility of set up, functionality and travel but the internals are compatible and interchangeable both vertically from PRO, EXPERT to COMP levels of the Mattoc, but also between MATTOC, CIRCUS and MASTODON.

Such a construction means that there is no penalty for buying the entry level version as nearly all internals can be upgraded to PRO…allowing the fork to “grow” with the consumers' needs or wants. Having those same internals shared across the three Mattoc models as well as Circus Pro and Mastodon means easier procurement of spare parts for end users and a significantly easier job to stock what is needed for retailers and distributors alike. Easier to service, easier to maintain, easier to upgrade, easier to stock…

The Mattoc is available in 29” version with an offset of 44mm. However, in keeping with the “peoples fork” philosophy of serving the widest range of needs possible, it is also available in two versions of 27.5” (37mm and 44mm offset). This addresses both the needs of some adult riders but also, of equal importance, is the 27.5” versions completion of the size range, allowing young riders to grow with Manitou from their first pedal strokes all the way into adulthood.

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The Mattoc Pro features our fully sealed cartridge MC2 Damper technology that provides an independent HSC circuit providing an adjustable high-speed blow off point combined with a LSC circuit providing adjustment for chassis control and small bump sensitivity. This cartridge utilizes a bladder with a blow off valve to prevent rupture under high pressures and keep your damping controlled and consistent no matter the terrain.

Infinite Rate Tune (IRT) allows for advanced spring tuning by independently adjusting air pressures in the beginning and end stroke and is available as an aftermarket upgrade to both Expert and Comp forks. IRT technology creates a secondary positive air spring that effects only the middle to end stroke of the fork. This allows the main air spring to be set to lower pressures for improved small bump sensitivity while maintaining mid-stroke support and moderate to aggressive end-stroke ramp-up.

The new Mattoc is the fruit of one of the most profound development cycles in Manitou history but it is the physical embodiment of “great things take time”. It is not an offering that follows the crowd, designed around the latest trend or buzz of the market but rather a component that aims to add real value and benefit to the rider. It is an authentic fork, serving the real needs of the widest range of the mtb public and offering serious performance advantages to each individual one of them, no matter how they choose to ride.

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Author Info:
HayesPerformanceSystems avatar

Member since Jul 14, 2017
19 articles

202 Comments
  • 222 0
 Not sure why it isn't in this article, but:
Pro is $1050, Expert is $825, Comp is $600
  • 50 6
 Thanks for doing the Lord's work.
  • 4 27
flag BRADICAL32 (May 24, 2023 at 20:52) (Below Threshold)
 what?
  • 89 1
 @BRADICAL32: This means how many moneys you have to throw at them to get one.
  • 54 0
 @hirvi: That’s probably what got him confused, as those moneys are not in maple syrup…
  • 1 6
flag mikealive (May 25, 2023 at 15:27) (Below Threshold)
 My main question: if I buy the Expert, how much does it cost to turn it into the Pro? Is it merely the $225 difference? Is it $350 in parts? Talk about a company going out of their way to make it hard for them to take my money!
  • 10 1
 @mikealive: You'd need to drop in the damper and the IRT. Both available separately but I don't have prices to hand.

If you want the pro. Buy the pro. Don't upgrade the expert and throw good parts away.
  • 3 5
 @Dougal-SC: The Pro has a polished crown that I would pass on. The Pro is $225US more expensive out of the gate.

For me? I'd buy the expert and (probably) be totally fine with it for the riding that I do. But for a flowery press release proclaiming the new Mattoc to be "the people's fork", and a fork that can 'grow with the rider', it sure is sparse on info, wouldn't you say?

And no worries mate, if I upgrade to the Pro I'll make sure the 'good parts' stay out of the bin and are put in the post straight to you. Use them as you see fit.
  • 6 0
 @mikealive: There's a great thread on MTBR where I've put all the useful info. Ignore the terrible marketing fluff.

My pick is actually the Comp. I've been test riding it for some time.
  • 6 0
 @Dougal-SC: Great thread, thanks for the heads up! I think the Mattoc may have just slid into 1st place for my new fork based on the info there. Much appreciated.
  • 198 2
 Wtf is "light enduro". Is that like spicy downcountry? Is it tougher than medium trail? Can I ride a light Enduro trail on my super Enduro bike?
  • 55 0
 Margarine fat free enduro
  • 36 0
 Enduro but not looking to place in the top 10?
  • 172 0
 It's kinda like All Mountain, but it's only Most of the Mountain.
  • 5 0
 Medium trail! The happy spot.
  • 18 0
 It's mid-duro
  • 37 0
 I can't believe is not enduro!
  • 11 0
 Light enduro,as opposed to parkduro.
  • 2 0
 aggressive XC
  • 9 0
 For enduro racing on Christina's favorite blue trails.
  • 20 0
 Wake up babe, new mtb marketing term just dropped
  • 3 0
 Opposite of hard.
  • 3 33
flag carlwheezer69 (May 24, 2023 at 12:41) (Below Threshold)
 @jrocksdh: Opposite of dark. Get a book and then read the book and then write the book and then burn the book. #staywokepal
  • 4 0
 Enduro-ing in the daylight or under artificial light.
  • 8 0
 It's quasi - enduro. It's semi - enduro. It's the margarine of enduro. It's the diet coke of enduro - just one calorie. Not enduro enough
  • 3 4
 @toast2266: hahahahahahahahahahahaaaa
  • 5 0
 It's basically Aggressive Trail, but when you don't try as hard on the uphill bits
  • 13 0
 y’all mountain
  • 19 0
 Its the bud light of enduro
  • 15 0
 Enduro without goggles
  • 13 0
 "I can't believe it's not Enduro" is also acceptable.
  • 2 0
 @MRwillP: Bummer, I only do the Goldilocks of eduro riding: twilight enduro. Would it break?
  • 2 0
 It's only Starturo
  • 11 0
 Light Enduro = “I ride around jumps”

No shade. Y’all are smarter than me LOL.
  • 3 0
 @Blownoutrides: haha that's me - keep finding steeper trails to push myself on but skip the moonbooters, doubles and step downs thanks, I gots kids and dancemoves to save myself for
  • 6 0
 @dontcoast: Blame it on the boogie.
  • 2 0
 Enlight, in short
  • 5 0
 Enduro is a race format, so is Downhill and Cross Country. Trail is not a race format and therefore trail riding is for the average Joe and weekend warrior who doesn't race... but the second you start timing your downhill runs, then you switch to an Enduro style of riding without the organised race venue, so strava or other semi-competitive riding with a focus on timed downhill segments would be considered 'Enduro-lite', otherwise formally known as Trail-race, which didn't catch on as its a confusing misnomer.
  • 2 0
 its a combination of downhillcountry, techy flow, medium-hard trail, and, dare i say it, all mountain.
  • 9 0
 never go full enduro
  • 2 0
 @ctd07: I do get enduro is a race format, with the timed sections and the untimed transfers and all that. You could ride the same stuff outside competition (hence without relevant timing etc) but that wouldn't make it enduro. I always thought this was what was called all-mountain. After all, we already had those bikes (and Specialized indeed called those their Enduro bikes) and they were just called all mountain. The kind of bikes the first EWS races were ridden on, like the the Lapierre Zesty etc (with Nicolas Vouilloz in the back of my mind). But if DH and XC are race formats, what would you call it (if you need to call it something) if you ride the same trails outside racing? Is that what we'd call freeride and trail? Obviously freeride has become more synonymous to throwing tricks but I don't think it necessarily started as such.

And now there is such a thing as "semi-competitive riding" with its own jargon. Is it ok to accept that most (if not all) of us are a bit lost by now?
  • 3 0
 @mattg95: they have lost me at downcountry.. now it is all jibberish
  • 1 0
 @ctd07: omg.. why so complicated... I just assumed, they would come up with new stuff, so I'd have to buy yet another bike...
  • 2 0
 Oh do I love the term Spicy Downcountry! Well done sir
  • 2 0
 Enducounty LOL
  • 1 0
 @toast2266: this is waaaaay underrated
  • 4 0
 I had some spicy downcountry after eating too much Taco Bell.
  • 1 0
 It's Enduro for BMI 25 riders
  • 1 0
 It's enduro done by people who aren't heavy or punish their bike. Not everyone needs a 37/38mm fork.
  • 6 1
 What happened to calling mtb mtb? More categories than genders…
  • 3 2
 What happened to calling animals animals? Kingdom, phylum, class blah blah blah...
  • 2 0
 Vegan enduro bro
  • 1 0
 It's like Enduro but with less sugar in it
  • 131 3
 Really excited for Pinkbike to give this a lukewarm review and then a legion of hardcore fans to have a meltdown that it wasn't called the greatest fork that has ever existed
  • 5 4
 I cannot upvote this comment enough...! Wink
  • 5 14
flag GTscoob (May 24, 2023 at 12:56) (Below Threshold)
 +1. There are a few super culty brands like this that have generally acceptable products paired with a rabid fanbase that turns off everyone else. Not a fan but it's great if you want to sell dozens of forks to the same dozens of riders each product generation.
  • 43 2
 @GTscoob: maybe try one before you knock it. The last pinkbike review was basically it's not a fox fork so can't be good and I didn't read the setup guide but it didn't work for me. For me they work really well and are pretty straight forward to service and rebuild
  • 19 0
 Pinkbike doesn't like them as the red rebound dial doesn't function as expected.
  • 31 0
 Rebound is red, damping is blue, unless it is a Manitou!
  • 6 1
 Considering every other review outlet had only positive things to say I think it is justified.
Disclaimer: I love my Mezzer but it is not the greatest fork that has ever existed. I do prefer the Zeb
  • 2 8
flag Whipperman (May 25, 2023 at 0:56) (Below Threshold)
 All this for Manitou to sell 3 of those
  • 3 0
 @JohSch: Doesn't matter if your colourblind
  • 3 2
 @Whipperman: And I will be one of them.
  • 7 1
 this. manitou is the knolly of forks
  • 2 4
 @briain: your comment and the downvotes on mine proves my point. It's such a turnoff for riders that might otherwise be interested in these products. I've ridden them, didn't like them as much as Fox/Rockshox/DVO or even Trust if we want to throw a weird option out in comparison. That being said, I love the IRT system and run DSD Runts in every fork I've used in the last 5-6 years because it's such a good air spring design. The downside of a cult following is that not everyone wants to be in a cult, especially when the cult is so militant to defend itself.
  • 4 3
 @bikefuturist: but with a worse fanbase. They're like the Phish of forks, technically proficient but man that fanbase sucks.
  • 9 0
 @bikefuturist: You picking on my Knolly and my Manitou now? At the same time?
  • 10 0
 @GTscoob: I hate being a Manitou fanboi.

Bike shop: Dude, check this out! It's called a "runt". You don't need volume spacers, just increase the air pressure!
Me: Dude like I've been telling you for two years, my Mezzer comes stock with that.
.....
Bike shop: Brotato, did you see those new carbon volume spacers? They'll make your air fork linear like a coil!
Me: Bro my Mezzer three chamber air spring is perfectly linear. Did you know it has HBO?
Bike shop: Whatever.

We've been having this conversation for years.
  • 2 0
 @JohanG: Didn't you buy your fork there then?
  • 2 0
 @GTscoob: Every brand has its fan base. They are ALL annoying.
  • 7 0
 @JohanG:
Me at the shop putting a Bontrager stem on my Giant
Customer: You aren't very brand loyal..
Me: Why? None of the brands we sell are loyal to me.. However, if they want my loyalty, I'm sure we can come to an agreement of sorts..
  • 3 0
 @lumpy873: Yeah, last I checked I was paying them for the parts. Not the other way around. Start giving me stuff for free and I will gladly develop some sort of loyalty.
  • 5 0
 @jmhills: people seem to think all of us shop peeps have endless free parts floating our way..
  • 1 0
 @GTscoob: I actually didn't down vote your last comment (well till now but was just making sure I hadn't). At no point have I criticised any of the other suspension brands, I did criticise a pinkbike journalist who's suspension reviews basically go it's not fox therefore it's not good. Fox and Rockshox in my opinion work really well if your within a certain weight range, if your above or below that not so much. As an aside I've had pretty bad luck with reliability of Fox products although from what I hear its not that uncommon.
  • 2 0
 @lumpy873: I usually can't care less as long as everything works. But back when I worked in a shop, I noticed road cyclist refused to get Shimano shoes when their drivetrain was Campagnolo, even when the Shimano shoes really were the best fit for their feet.
  • 108 1
 we need more polished crowns in the market
  • 12 0
 Amen to this, makes me want to strip the paint on my crown tbh but if I’m actually being honest I will never be bothered to do that
  • 57 2
 Prince Harry disagrees.
  • 5 2
 And knobs too.
  • 1 0
 @pingeligcretin: did it on a Lyrik while I was fixing up the frame. Pretty easy and looked nice.
  • 1 0
 @dirtyburger: may consider then!
  • 17 0
 Polish your own crown. You know just how you like it, plus it’s much faster.
  • 1 0
 @paulpimml: With everything.

If someone gave him a crown, though…
  • 1 3
 Polished looks similar to chrome, which is tacky.
  • 47 0
 Manitou's current forks are a great example of "precisely what's needed" engineering
Stiffer than the competition for the weight / lighter than the competition for the stiffness
Excellent customer support from Hayes
Excellent tunability, easy to service, travel adjustments require no additional parts. (Ohlins is the quickest swap, but require a complete air cartridge per travel setting).
Parking lot plushness is behind Fox/Rockshox, but that doesn't always translate into better trail performance.

I love my Mezzer, but two steerers have creaked so far. That has relegated the remaining one to "on the spare bike" status behind the RXF36.
  • 25 0
 See to me I have found the Manitou products to be more sensitive off the top and more supportive into travel as well then either of the big two. At this point Manitou is on the front of both my bikes.
  • 7 0
 Exactly my experience. Hayes custom support was awesome. Just wish I didn’t have to use it so often. My mezzers creaked like crazy and I couldn’t stand it. The rxf36 m.2 is about 95% the feeling of the mezzer, with none of the issues I had.
  • 3 0
 @cougar797: that's interesting -- while I've found them really supple right after an oil change, a week or two in they stick just a bit initially, even after oil rings are coated from riding, more than recent 36's and Pikes I've ridden. (My local trails are almost always dusty/dry). Ohlins has been similar. Maybe I'll up the bath oil a tad and see.
Active on-trail feel though, damping is excellent - on par with any high-end fork I've ridden.
  • 3 0
 Not sure any of you guys were chiming in a few weeks ago w/ the big manitou discussion there but - just since then my Mezzer expert crown started creaking...shop thought it was crown but also bushing play. Emailed Manitou, mailed it out and by Mon of the next week I had a brand new fork - set at 180mm as I'd sent it - back from Manitou. Seven days. However, given that I only used it for 4-5 total months and mostly on park / rough stuff - and reading @chrod's comment - now I'm worried its just gonna happen again. Creaking crown may seem to be a thing (?) - dunno but the creaking was about to drive me nuts, just can't think straight w/ that sound.
  • 1 0
 So did you dump or sell the latest Mezzer or still using?
  • 1 0
 @cougar797: So have you gotten no creaking at all (and if not how long have you had your fork?) I've loved mine (posted a wind-bagger prob post below) & just got it replaced but sensing the creaking crown may be a major problem, does seem like lots of people are noting this.
  • 6 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: hopefully not. I’ve put my mezzer through 15-30 consecutive days of park riding during some periods and do not have any creaking after two seasons of ownership
  • 1 0
 @Mntneer: Good to know -and is this just 2022? I've got similar ride #'s June-Oct 2022 to that (plus a bunch of local pedal up western NC) stuff, Windrock / Snowshoe / and 2 weeks Crested Butte - but to get creaking this fast was surprising. I would take the fork off & use a 160 Lyrik sometimes, just to mix it up (Lyrik was original on the bike) so it wasn't constant. The Lyrik has never creaked & I've beaten the living shit out of it.

Guessing you ride Massanutten area or maybe some PA area stuff? Seems a lot rockier there than wNC from what I recall.
  • 2 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: Not super long honestly but its has had several miles. Enough that's its through a lower service already and about halfway to the next one. Its on my trail bike however and I have a dorado on my Dh bike for the very abusive riding days. Hopefully this saves long term catastrophic wear.
  • 3 0
 re: creaks, I've heard anecdotally that creak issues were mostly limited to early-run forks.
Though I would love to hear from Hayes if they agree and it they've fixed issues after some date.

My 27.5 V1 Mezzer CSU was warrantied with a new set of uppers, creak never recurred before I sold it.
My 29" V2 (with arch bleed screws) 2nd-hand Mezzer creaked and I've not bothered to replace the CSU.

Incidentally, comparing the Ohlins forks, their crown is much thicker diameter at the steerer interface and hopefully is much more resilient to wearing and creaking.
  • 2 0
 it sucks to have to dump more money on top of your already pricey fork, but if you guys really like it as much as I liked my old Mattoc, there's shops out there that remove the creaky stanchion/s or steerer and fit it again with something to stop the creaking (loctite or grease, depwnds on the shop). I got a 36 done and so far so good. The guy seemed really confident it would never ceeak again.
  • 8 0
 @iiman: good to know!

found a couple places that do steerer/stanchion refitting:
- UK: www.rsfsus.co.uk £89+
- Germany: www.lemonshox.com (w/ Intend Stiffler) 129€+, add installation
- USA (New Mexico): blueliquidlabs.com/suspension-department $109+
(prices vary widely depending on parts re-use and service prices)

This would be highly safety-impacting if not done correctly so be sure to choose a refitter who uses a proven method and parts.

Pinkbike's article on the subject: www.pinkbike.com/news/burning-question-whats-causing-some-fork-crowns-to-creak.html
  • 1 0
 @cougar797: Word - I guess I'll find out. A bud of mine has a Dorada & loves it, year 3 maybe (?) - seems solid.
  • 2 0
 @Mntneer: Word and may it stay creakless for ya my man..
  • 2 0
 Interestingly enough, more than a few folks in forums over the years have a story like:
"my fork creaked and I put penetrating oil / blue loctite / Prep-sol on it and left it overnight upside down, and the creak stopped and didn't come back"
  • 1 2
 Speak for yourself - they're dismally supported here in the UK by the so called distributor. Can't even get a seal kit!
  • 1 0
 @chrod: One other solution to CSU creaks is Loctite penetrating threadlock.
  • 3 0
 @stephenthesquirrel: Ive ordered from the French Distributor a few times. Pretty solid for parts. www.axoreo.com
  • 2 0
 @chrod: I used RSF. theres's also ND Tuned in Portugal, for those in the Iberian peninsula.
  • 1 0
 @iiman: @chrod alsuspensionltd.co.uk is another great UK suspension service centre in North England that does steerer/stanchion refitting
  • 4 0
 @cougar797: Have a Mattoc on one bike and Mezzer on another. Love their products and their customer service. I messed up something on my Mezzer, sent it in under warranty and they tuned the fork while they had it. Turn around was very quick. I have not had any creaking issues with either fork.
  • 2 1
 i can fix your creak. i fixed mine and the noise has not come back. remove clean and repress stanchions. 150 usd if you send a stripped naked crown
  • 1 0
 @stephenthesquirrel: found out yesterday from my LBS that hotlines (which has absolutely awful customer service)are no longer the UK distributors for Hayes/Manitou which may be a reason why as there stock was awful,
Get yourself some SKF seals from James at J-Tech suspension in Shrewsbury , not sure which ones you need
But he has the SKF mezzer seal kits in stock
  • 41 3
 Man - this marketing jargon filled release is so ridiculously written it became humorous. SO MANY WORDS to say that you've released a 34mm stanchion fork to cover less competitive XC/downcountry/light-trail riding - in a package that is slightly heavier than the industry standard for this fork type.

But when you utter phrases like "light enduro", "comes without compromise", and "versatile specificity" I literally laughed out loud. Firstly, what the hell is "light enduro"? Somehow you have a fork that jumps past more common definitions like Trail/All Mountain (for which most would agree that a 35 or 36mm platform is ideal) and instead have "light enduro" covered? Second, these are engineering products - none of them "comes without compromise". Unless your fork is as stiff as a 36 and weighs 1500 grams while offering unimpeachable performance, it is absolutely a product with selected and designed compromises in performance.

But man - "versatile specificity". That is a treasure. Tonight if my daughter says she is afraid of the dark, I'll just reminder her that it is a "brightly dark" room. Smile
  • 6 4
 But it’s democratic and fair! Equity in forks!
  • 3 0
 Exactly, as a competitor to the Fox 34, it's not really anything new and fresh, perhaps it's stiffer than the original, but at max 150mm travel for a 29er, it's not really anything grander than a trail fork.

I have a Mattoc Pro 27.5+ 160 and a Mezzer Pro, the Mattoc Pro rides better than the Mezzer. This is my second Mezzer, it's never been a great fork for me.
  • 4 0
 The press release is a bit weird overall. Aside from the language, I see no picture of the complete fork. It is almost like they're unwilling to show the reverse arch even though I actually like that. And the riding in the video shows a lot of scenic shots but very few sections of 150mm suspension travel worthy riding. They want to present their new fork and they want to show what riding it is capable of, isn't it? It is almost like this press release is created by an engineer who spent too much time in front of the dyno and CAD software, had a few inspiring images on the wall to remind what the world outside the lab is like but sadly never found time to actually ride bikes. I get it. Next time hire Olly Wilkins to do the presentation for you. He'd do great.
www.pinkbike.com/news/video-olly-wilkins-joins-the-goodyear-wingfoot-alliance.html
  • 26 1
 I hope it’s a good fork. It’s a terrible press release.
  • 7 0
 Their r&d department must be facepalming so hard Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @kanioni: just marketing department things
  • 17 0
 I have the very first Manitou fork hanging in my garage. I bought it back in 1991, I think? I remember bragging how much better my bike handled with those little urethane bumpers. LOL! Man, we've come a long way in MTB.
  • 5 0
 I had the Manitou Three's... man those things were lookers (not performers, but that's 99% a mental game anyway)
  • 1 0
 @bishopsmike: Was it the threes where the dropouts would snap off and you tore your face apart? Man they were fun.
  • 4 0
 I started with the '2'. It was an expensive upgrade, for a 15 year old.
  • 3 0
 @Murder-One: only if you hit bumps with it man, treat it like the work of art it is!
  • 3 1
 Ah, the frozen rock hard elastomers in winter...
  • 2 0
 I had the EFC. Thought I was a badass with that fork.
  • 16 0
 I bought my mezzer pro a year ago from CRC £460 new and absolutely love it , best fork I’ve ever had period.
Have had lyrik ultimate , lyrik ultimate fitted with a b1 air spring , ohlins 36 coil …
The Mezzer is lighter, stiffer , easy to work on , quiet, has bleed ports , integrated mudguard , and is hands down so much nicer to ride.
Would never buy another fork ……
  • 18 0
 The “peoples fork”….I just threw up
  • 13 0
 $600 Comp has IVA air and the ABS+ shim stack compression damper. That tunable shim stack makes the Comp the best fork at that price range by a long shot. Put that oem on a lot of bikes instead of a Z2 or The Motion Control damped 35 Gold RL with no upgrade damper possibility.
  • 1 0
 The comp is my favourite. Does 160mm.
  • 13 1
 Worse pics ever for an advertisement.
  • 10 6
 They choose to spend their money on engineering not marketing
  • 18 1
 @LaXcarp: Huh?? They could've spent the SAME amount on marketing, and just taken better pics.
  • 1 1
 @fredro: you choose to buy your Mtb equipment based on how good the pics are of it?
  • 2 0
 @LaXcarp: No, but better pics would help selling it. Marketing/advertising is a huge, crucial part of sales in the retail industry. Retail 101. Crappy products will sell because of good marketing, same as great products not being sold because of crappy marketing. Close up pics are fine, but only when accompanied with full product shots as well. Retail 101.
  • 1 1
 @fredro: you better educate the Hayes group so they can hope to have a successful business
  • 1 0
 @LaXcarp: I just did.
  • 11 0
 Not to suggest the fork is inauthentic, but that last paragraph could have been written by a committee of bots
  • 8 0
 I don’t know about the rest of you wusses but I need at least 38 mil stanchions or I’ll flex that fork in half on every small bump on the trail. And never go “light enduro” only go Full Enduro. Cake eaters…
  • 1 0
 But you only need 35mm Boxxers to win a World Cup DH race :p
  • 9 0
 Don’t let chatGPT write your adverts!!!! So many words so little information! “ the perfect fork of the future while also staying true to our roots” - seriously???
  • 1 0
 First thing that crossed my mind!
  • 1 0
 A bot wouldn't have put those first four words together.
  • 9 0
 "and its other 34mm stanchion brethren, represents a more democratic..."
Say it with me--WTF?
  • 5 0
 Stanchion equity. Why should some folks have 40mm stanchions while others have only 32?
  • 7 1
 Read the NSMB review again recently of the R7 because I was loving my mezzer and older mattoc so much and was wishing for this. So happy. I was about to buy an r7 because I thought any 34mm fork them made would be 120-160 but this is exactly what i need for my older XC bike to go to 110mm and it is very light too.
  • 7 0
 Previous Mattoc Pro was a great performer. A little flexy for true enduro smashing, but otherwise fantastic.
  • 6 1
 We've got a Mezzer Pro, Circus Expert, and two JUnit Experts (with some custom work I did to them). Simply incredible, each one of them. I'm running the Mezzer Pro over the 36 easy. plus it looks dope.
  • 9 2
 That fork scream downcountry
  • 14 0
 It's pronounced "light enduro" now.
  • 4 0
 AllCrossDownDuro
  • 2 0
 Trailduro?
  • 2 0
 Crosstrailduro sounds like a good compromise
  • 2 0
 "You fellers got any of those alldownscountry bikes my daughters been talking about non-stop?"
Got a nice ring to it
  • 2 0
 Spicy down country
  • 6 0
 This new fork is sweet but Hayes needs to stick with specs, pics, and graphs. Let the fork technology sell itself.
  • 4 0
 Having spent a lot of time on a Mastodon Pro, which shares the same internals, I’m really looking forward to trying once of these out.
  • 2 0
 I wonder if the Mattoc travel change also increases the stack height like it does with the Mastodon. I went from 100 to 120 on my Pro EXT but more than 140 of stanchion length is showing. From what I understand it is designed this way, and the 20mm bottom out spacers increase the stack / A2C height.
  • 3 0
 @Staktup:

No no no- amount of stanchion showing has no direct correlation to overall / axle-to-crown height. Yeah usually the manitous have more exposed stanchion, but a 120mm fork from them is going to be very close in height to a 120mm fork from somebody else.
  • 3 0
 @Staktup: the Mastodon EXT at 120mm travel has the same axle-to-crown as a standard Mastodon at 140mm travel. The external appearance will be almost the same for both configurations since they use the same crown, stanchions, and casting/lowers. Only the internal configuration of bottom-out and travel spacers is different between the standard Mastodon and Mastodon EXT; basically, 20mm worth of travel spacers are removed and 20mm worth of bottom-out spacers are added to "create" an EXT so that's why you're seeing 140mm of exposed stanchion for a 120mm travel configuration. You're correct that it's designed this way deliberately.

Ultimately, Mastodon is a unique case. For other Manitou forks (Mezzer, Mattoc, etc.), changing travel makes an equivalent change in axle-to-crown and, like @Stumpclumper said, a 120mm Manitou will have similar axle-to-crown to other 120mm forks.
  • 3 0
 @Staktup: That's because your fork is an EXT which means "extended". It's got spacers to increase the length and tyre clearance.

Fit smaller tyres you can reduce those spacers and reduce the fork height back to STD "standard" spec.
  • 2 0
 @Staktup: You can leave it at the max travel and just adjust the travel when the air pump is attached. Both my Mezzers are 180 internally but I run them 150mm and 170mm.
  • 4 1
 Why would anyone want the added weight of 150mm of travel on a 100mm travel fork?

Describe one good use case of knocking the fork travel down to 100mm on a 150mm travel trail bike.
  • 10 0
 I bought a frame that is a 120/120 and bought a Mattoc. Oops, sold that frame and bought a frame that is 130/150, I can still use the same Mattoc. If you swap frames every year or want to mess with extending travel past recommended travel length it is incredibly useful.
  • 15 0
 Dirt jumpers used to always lower Fox36 to 100mm so I guess thats a use case
  • 6 0
 Well they still have the R7 for weight weenies and true xc. This is more like the fox 34 and weighs in comparably. This allows clydesdale riders like me to build up xc and short travel bikes without resorting to using a noodle like a fox 32 on the front.
  • 8 0
 Can def tell ya - a buddy w/ a Honzo who switches out 110 for mellower XC and 150 for rowdier (western NC / USA) terrain. Its what he does and its just bikes - experiment some. I put a rear 27 on my YT Capra all the time (not supposed to they say) - continue to get faster times going down; put max spacers under my 50mm rise bar (not supposed to - I go faster this way) and try all kinds of stuff. Its just bicycles. Sure dedicated bikes are great, doesn't mean ya can't experiment.
  • 1 0
 Dirt Jumping. There's a 100mm 36 and pike
  • 1 0
 It is just that this makes it a suitable fork for more people, isn't it? Options are slim if you want a strong 100mm travel fork. My fork also came as 150mm travel and I lowered it to 120mm travel as that's what my frame is designed for. Only excess weight is the bit of stanchion that always remains below the lower bushing so doesn't do anything sensible. Doesn't seem like a lot of added (sprung) weight and I don't see this as an issue. Not sure whether dirtjumpers are the target. Manitou already makes the Circus fork for them. Seems to me like it is just that if you like this fork and you need somewhere between 100 and 150mm travel, you could use this one.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: The other probably more useful case for 100mm upwards is for a Kid to grow into. As an aside Ohlins DH fork goes down to something like 120mm for this reason. The circus is a 26" only fork and bigger wheels are creeping towards dirt jumpers mostly as parts bin specials
  • 3 0
 If you weigh over 225 lbs and value stiffness and extra safety margin more than low weight
  • 1 0
 @chrod: I weigh 250. Zero issues with stiffness.
  • 3 0
 @briain: That means you don't shred.
  • 1 0
 @JohanG: Haha, I don't shred, but you need the 1mm extra diameter to make all the difference
  • 2 0
 @briain: Big 8" travel forks like the Boxxer had 32mm stanchions without issues. Apparently you don't shred as hard as Sam Hill, Peaty and those hucking the first few Rampage editions. Those stanchion diameters only grew well after a few seasons of SC Syndicate and even those riders were initially worried that the forks would become too stiff (causing it to track worse). You'll always have flex. It is only an issue if it doesn't work for your purposes and riding. But it more a matter of preference than that it isn't up to it.
  • 4 0
 @vinay: Stanchion diameters had to get bigger to fit the more complex dampers inside them. Stanchions themselves are very stiff with total fork stiffness mostly impacted by crown, brace, bushing and axle design.
  • 4 0
 @Dougal-SC: @vinay I know, I made a comment further up about the current boxxer working well with 35mm stanchions. Most of the weight saved on Manitou forks versus other brands is the reverse arch is stiffer and therefore requires less material. Getting hung up on a forks capabilities based on its stanchion diameter is marketing BS. The design of bushings in the fork has a much greater impact on stiffness and friction in the system. I remember listening to a podcast with Chris Porter and his opinion was that most brands haven't increased the bushing overlap on the products since they were much shorter travel designs and now that we have 180+mm single crown this is causing huge issues with reliability
  • 4 0
 @briain: Actually, I'm surprised to see how little brands try to maximize bushing overlap. My forks (Magura) have the lowers extending below the axle but this is rare in all but the longest travel forks now. Fox even makes step-cast forks so apparently the stanchions don't go that low when the fork is compressed, hence the bushings are apparently really close together in order for the lower part of the stanchion to still meet the lower bushing. You always need a little bit of bushing play for the fork to work across different temperatures and I recall Chris Porter (when he was servicing Fox suspension with his Mojo business) used to cut the bushings exactly to size. But yeah, you'll always have play and the smaller the distance between them, the more the lowers get to wiggle. That's fore-aft play. The torsional stiffness comes from the stiffness of the lowers. I get that the rear facing arch forks are probably stiffer. Not sure why DT Swiss abandoned it though. Didn't they just get the design through the acquisition of Pace forks which had already been doing that or did they still have to pay license fees to Hayes/Manitou? My forks have both arches (Magura) which simply have the stiffest lowers torsionally. They quit the suspension business (because they were fed up by the changing axle standards) but I'm not sure how long it takes before the dual arch design is free for everyone to use. They first put it on their 2004 Thor fork (which did end up in their catalog but I don't think they ever actually brought that design to production) so if a patent expires in 20 years, we might soon see more of those again. I also think the DVO design was clever. An USD fork with a lot of fore-aft stiffness but with little torsional stiffness. Install dual arched stanchion guards and you've got the torsion thing sorted. I don't know how well it worked, but it seemed clever.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: Didn't actually know Magura had a dual arch. Manitou get crap for the reverse arch so maybe that's why dt swiss dropped it although they don't exactly make mass-market forks. I do think USD forks will make a comeback in the next few years, which solve some of the problems around packaging the internals, also look at the internals of a lefty ocho fork for genius bushing design. Realistically if you are over 160mm travel you are probably better off on a dual crown, no creaky CSU's for one. I also think through the covid boom quality took a bit of a nosedive so hopefully, now that things have calmed down we get better-made products
  • 4 0
 So mountain biking grows you into adulthood. Seems like that's not true for everyone.
  • 4 0
 Welcome to Lake Garda region.
  • 4 0
 At least it ain't orange.
  • 3 0
 More democratic and fair design philosophy? Idiotic
  • 2 0
 Ride 29 = you're an adult, Ride 27.5 = you're an adolescent, Ride 26= you're a fetus...
  • 3 0
 Riva del Garda is always the perfect place for mtb videos !
  • 2 0
 Silly advertising, I really like the Mara I have now. I hope this is as good!
  • 3 1
 Downcountry for the people all (mountain) day long!
  • 3 0
 Brodurocore.
  • 1 0
 This why some of their forks have been on sale lately? Wonder if a new Mezzer is on the near horizon.
  • 3 0
 Might be an update. The new Dorado is on 37mm stanchions so I don't think they'll update the chassis. The mezzer is already significantly lighter than a 38 or a Zeb by about 300g, it definitely targets a different segment to the big OEM guys in the market so probably targeting people who would buy cane creek, Ohlins or DVO products. My guess is it'll appear with a polished crown, other than that everyone is discounting their products
  • 2 0
 I got to say one of the best forks out there
  • 2 0
 The new upside down fork is upside down
  • 1 0
 ok only children have 27.5 front wheels got it. hope all is well on squamish tech trails/ the entire mtb world, PB
  • 1 0
 That classic silver uhm... crown? Is it called a crown? The top thingy with the pokeys innit!
  • 2 0
 Nice
  • 3 1
 20mm axles back plez
  • 3 1
 @Swangarten: don't people want stronger forks? Maybe you like twisted lowers....?
  • 3 1
 @naptime: Neither of those things are serious issues with forks today
  • 4 0
 Not until it gets a snappy new name. Like "Ultraboost 20".
  • 1 1
 @therealmancub: says you, I've twisted a 34, one friend has twisted a 36. Another friend twisted a Marz 380 an that was with a 20mm axle........
  • 1 0
 I hope they come out with a lock out version and call it the Matloc(k)
  • 1 1
 So Aldults must ride 29ers & 27.5 is the gateway
To adulthood. Gotcha
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