New Forks! Manitou Travis - Massive!

[Uzzi]

Got some new forks and they are massive - still only 6 inches of travel but these are the new Manitou Travis forks, replacing the Sherman line..plus they are 20mm axle forks.

Setup - You NEVER know what you are getting into, so I was bummed to find out that it only accepts a 7 inch rotor and the brake direct mounts to the fork, no adapter needed. So after driving around town tracking down a 7 inch rotor (thanks MOAB!) Got that figured out, and got the fork on and was ready to go.

First Impression - even though it's 6 inches of travel, it doesn't ride as high as the Mazocchi AM 1 fork does. This fork is heavier for sure, and the nice thing about the Marzocchi is that you can fill it with air to make it as stiff as you want, this is a coil fork and does not seem as stiff as I would like. Problem with the Marzocchi is I would probably break it if I kept hucking it. It's not a freeride fork. On the Travis, there are 5 compression settings, but I did not see much difference between them. I can practically bottom out the fork by pushing on it. :mad:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h130/orastreet/img_2041.jpg

First ride - took 3 laps at Uzzi's Run and as I expected, I bottomed it out on small drops. It appears that like every other stupid coil fork, if you don't weigh 120 lbs, the spring needs to be upgraded. Looks like after buying this fork brand new, I'll have to buy a stiffer spring. :mad:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h130/orastreet/img_2042.jpg




Afterthought - I messed with the rebound a bit and that seems to have some affect on the bottom out. We'll see when I test ride it again.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h130/orastreet/img_2040.jpg

[Paddlechris]

Congrats Sukka

Welcome to get it set up time..

Still waiting on my warranty fork to come back

C

[Ron Mexico]

I ran into the same thing with my Pike, took it off a curb when I first got it....clunk...bottom. The proper spring will make all the difference in the world. :thumb:

Also, I only see one fork. You are starting to sound European. :big_grin:

[Reedly]

I've got no experience with that fork - so I've got no ideas on how to help with that - but I sure do love the black on the front of that big bike now!!

[Uzzi]

Rode it again and it's still bottoming on 4 foot drops. There is no way this thing is working correctly. There is no worse feeling than going over a bump and your fork just compress...endlessly...The forks sure does look cool, but it is too soft. I'll keep you all posted.

Tim

[Uzzi]

Also, I only see one fork. You are starting to sound European. :big_grin:

I am European and that means that I'm better than you. So excusez moi, je coupe la fromage.

Tim

[Ricky D]

Tim,
You're right, something has to be wrong. At one point (not too long ago), I weighed over 210 lbs and never noticeably bottomed out with my Minute 1:00. That's with the stock spring. I never got around to getting the recommended heavier spring and I don't really see the point in it now. I'm sure when working properly the Travis should be stiffer than the Minute.

[Uzzi]

You'd think! I checked MTBR reviews and one guy mention getting a stiffer spring but that doesn't seem to be the concensus and MTBR folks pull no punches.

Just bummed - thought Manitou would be a sure thing. It sure does look nice though..

Tim

[Uzzi]

I ran into the same thing with my Pike, took it off a curb when I first got it....clunk...bottom. The proper spring will make all the difference in the world. :thumb: :big_grin:

Weren't you ticked though? That is just crappy. I mean, not everyone weighs as much as PaddleChris. There are a lot of guys that weigh 200 and are not overweight. Now all those guys don't look as good as Curtis, but that's beside the point.

It's almost like selling you a printer with a "starter" cartridge in it. After 1 test print it's done and you have to go back to Office Depot. You can't sell someone a 500$ fork that won't support an average man's weight and not print ANYWHERE that certains weights might require a stiffer spring. I checked the website and the manual and it doesn't mention a thing. BOGUS!

[Ron Mexico]

Now all those guys don't look as good as Curtis, but that's beside the point.


:twitcy:

Can't speak for Manitou, but when doing all of my tedius research about what fork to get the consensus was that the Pike coil would most certainly have to have the correct spring for your weight. All of the guys that were complaining about the fork being noodly, had not replaced the spring. In the case of my Pike, it was as simple as calling Sun and Ski, waiting a couple days, being $30 less rich, unscrewing the top cap and switching out the coil. Problem solved for me at least.

I am with you about it being ridiculous. You should be able to select a spring to suit your needs when ordering the fork. Most shocks are that way these days, why not forks?

BTW, I do have a medium spring for a Pike I would sell you really cheap, nobody seems to want it. :crazy:

[Paddlechris]

My Fox Vanillia, I used the spring for a 250lb rider (and I am 150) to keep it from bottoming out..

My new Zoch took some time but it is OK now.. Remember that first ride Tim when it would bottom when I sat on the seat..

I am sure the fork will be fine just will need some "fine tuning"

C

[Uzzi]

I remember the Zoke being so stiff it was like riding a rigid bike - that weighs 30+ lbs - and the Fox was just retardedly soft. I don't know what the deal is but I'm not happy about it.

I feel like I did my research and still got slammed!

Tim

[Ron Mexico]

Dood, this is what you NEED!!!! Adjustable travel, perfect for any sitchiation.

http://www.blueskycycling.com/product2948_39_-2007-Marzocchi-66-SL-1-ATA-Fork-w--Free-Cane-Creek-S8-Headset.htm

[Uzzi]

I'm starting to see that maybe Marzocchi would've been the way to go. However, that fork is 8 bills and next year it will be $200.

[TryFour]

I have a friend who has an older, (and dual crown version), Manitou Travis on his downhill bike and loves it. I am positive that it is just a problem with the adjustment of that particular fork. Have you had a bike shop look at it? I would have to assume somebody has seen a problem like this before, especially if they carry Manitou.

Now, where are you guys finding multiple drops that are over 4 ft? Is there someplace that I don't know about? I have a 6" travel bike that doesn't get used for its intended purposes very often and I would like to change that, (if I can actually make myself ride off of bigger drops, which has come into question in the past). Nevertheless, if I am too much of a pansy to do a particular drop on that bike, I do have a backup 9" travel bike! One can never be too prepared!

[Paddlechris]

Now, where are you guys finding multiple drops that are over 4 ft? !

Well, they do not really exist on the trail systems, many of the 4 - 6 foot drops are on private property..

RMB Mike has a 5 and a larger 6 footer out on his private trail
Uzzi has a 5 footer and a few smaller ones on his private trail
Possum (whom I have not seen in a while has multiple 4 + foot drops on a private trail)

I guess if you want to hit them best to meet up with these guys and introduce yourself and see if you get an invite. I have ridden at then all and have always been accepted to give them a shot..

C

[TryFour]

Thanks Chris. I will work on that. When do these guys usually ride?

[RMB_mike]

Tim,

How would your AM1 fork compare with the Bomber DJ 2 on my Edge? I'm thinking that the Bomber was more designed for FR than the AM1?

[Paddlechris]

Thanks Chris. I will work on that. When do these guys usually ride?

We ride all the time.. Tim and I will be at Higher Ground on Friday night doing some trail maintenance, RMB Mike just posted (above me)

Just have to watch the boards and get out at the same time..

C

[Uzzi]

Now, where are you guys finding multiple drops that are over 4 ft? Is there someplace that I don't know about? I have a 6" travel bike that doesn't get used for its intended purposes very often and I would like to change that, (if I can actually make myself ride off of bigger drops, which has come into question in the past). Nevertheless, if I am too much of a pansy to do a particular drop on that bike, I do have a backup 9" travel bike! One can never be too prepared!

Dude - I need to have you out to my secret/private trail. I have a 5 to a 2 1/2 to a 4 foot drops in sequence. Reedly rocked them and loved it! Shoot me an PM you are welcome to come out anytime.

[Uzzi]

Tim,

How would your AM1 fork compare with the Bomber DJ 2 on my Edge? I'm thinking that the Bomber was more designed for FR than the AM1?

AM 1 has so many config options - 5 compression settings (that you can actually tell the difference in) a lock out and a on the fly travel adjust for climbing which I never used. Your DJ is a solid simple coil fork. Air forks are nice but you have to check the air all the time and you can blow them. Hard to blow up a coil sprung fork. THe AM 1 is NOT for freeride or jumping and would "churp" when I hit a big bump. That is a real bummer because that is basically the fork "blowing" off instead of blowing up, not good. Wanted to go back to a tough coil sprung fork..now I'm crying..boo hoo.

Tim

[lotsabikes]

Sorry your having issues, I love the Fox 36 stuff, pricy but solid... through axle and whatever else you want all the way to the big TALAS. Let me know if I can help with your research and/or problem resolution.

Bob

[Uzzi]

Hey Bob - thanks for the offer. I'm going to try to shame Manitou into sending me another spring. I'm also wondering if maybe the cartridge in there is not working. I'm not seenig a lot of change when I adjust the bottom out dial on the right top fork leg. However this would not be the first time that I have turned an adjustment on a fork and not seen much difference! I may be in touch.

Tim

[Uzzi]

I called Bobby at Manitou and shamed them into sending me a stiffer spring. This a valuable lesson learned - many fork manufacturers are putting in springs that feel good in the showroom thinking that this will boost sales. I am not an expert, but I can get a pretty good idea from a fork in how it's going to perform by pushing on it. I'm feeling the ramp-up as the fork progresses through the travel, for how it feels in the 1st inch of travel, etc. but perhaps not everyone can tell this, so they are putting softer springs in forks so when people push on them it will appear to be ultra-plush. Well that doesn't do crap for the customer who buys it! (Is what I told him) and he offered a stiffer spring at no charge. I told him that's all I wanted. So my faith is restored in Manitou once again.

I'll keep you posted as to how the "firm" spring feels.

Tim

[Ricky D]

Good deal! Hope that does the trick for you. I don't have a great knowledge of forks but I've been happy with both my Manitous (Minute and R7) so far.

[Uzzi]

I love my Firely also - it was stout. I also have had positive experiences with Manitou in the past. They guy lost me when he told me how they were developing springs for showroom feel. I knew I had him then...my response was...so basically you are selling forks that feel good in the showroom and bottom out on a 2 foot drop? And call them "freeride?" My next questions was about to be: Where it is written that the spring is designed for someone who weighs 145-185 lbs? Though I know it's true, they don't tell you that, so my next argument was going to be...where have you informed me as a customer that I would have to buy a stiffer spring if I weight outside of this range? This range, by the way, that is not in the manual, the box or on your website? However, he gave in before that. I should've been a lawyer and not a network engineer.

He also referred to my fork as a "little guy" which I thought was funny. Little to who? West Coast guys who run downhill? Around here this fork is as big as you would see on any bike that you can pedal on our local trails.

Tim

[meanjoe]

way to go Tim!!! I hope this solves your problems. Nothing worse than having high end high dollar stuff that doesn't work as advertised.

Adam

[BigRingTravis]

Customer Service issues are what HB Suspension/Manitou seems to be about these days... The one guy was blaming it on the phones, then I said, "well, you didn't answer my emails either - or Tim's." Then they played the "OH, well, we're fixin' to move to Wisconsin" card. Just get me my parts, and don't take a week to answer the phone.

Oddly enough, it was a sales extension where I got a human EVERY TIME. I finally just asked him to relay a message to CS/Warranty and call me on my mobile 'cause I was going HOME.

Looks like they are VERY WILLING to SELL their stuff, just not fix it!

Don't come into CT expecting to buy a Manitou product PLEASE!

[BigRingTravis]

P.S. Tim, that red knob is the "bottom out" threshold... but, if the spring is too weak, then you won't feel it! Keep it one click from far right.

That fork is the coil version of my Nixon Super.

[DirtDiver]

the tragic part is that it's my bike they won't send you parts for travis! their quality product and fine customer service has left me without a ride this weekend. :cry2:

[Uzzi]

Doesn't it all come down to management? And does Manitou think they are the only suspension company on the planet? I have loved my previous forks by them but I don't think I'd be getting this treatment from other companies...except maybe Fox. Maybe PUSH will start doing Manitou?

[BigRingTravis]

True - I've got Manitou all over my Remedy66 as well...

They did 2 day air the stuff - but still, I only have so many hours a day I can call out - Speaker Phone hold music for 30~45 minutes doesn't cut it in a busy shop like ours...

Maybe after the move it'll be better, and nobody will have any problems 'til after then!

Look to see those parts in tomorrow :r2d2: - Thursday, and a phone call shortly after - usually everything is in by 1:00pm...

I'm going riding for now - It's my early day!

[Uzzi]

Okay - got the parts in and Travis hooked me up and got the spring in, the oil level correct and everything put back together. He is very thorough.

Ride report? The fork is FINALLY right. Nice and stiff, no bottom out and good adjustability. See? I'm not too hard to please. I did finally get an email back from Manitou (like to the one I sent a week ago) which is irrelevant now since I talked to them and they sent me the heavier spring. They told me that they put firm springs in the Firefly fork I used to have and put medium ones in the new Travis fork. ??? what ?? how the heck would I or could I know that when I'm trying to be an informed buyer? And WHY would you start putting softer springs in a freeride fork anyway? They don't tell you that. Lame.

I'm rocking a firm spring now and ready to go BIG!!

[Chewieez]

Maybe PUSH will start doing Manitou?

I think PUSH's next big thing they will mod is the Rocco shock.

They have done some Rockshox products in the past, but not for the open public...they are still in the 'testing' phase.



Glad to hear you got your spring and the fork is working for you!! I wanna see some 20 ft road gaps now!! :thumb:

[Uzzi]

Crimestopper -

20 foot road gaps NO Problem now that I have my fork dialed in. As long as you don't bust me for being so rad.

[BigRingTravis]

SWEET!!!