greeek32
Active Member
Ok, so I've had my Manitou Mattoc Pro for about 100 miles or so now and I feel I can write a decent, objective review.
The price: I got it from Town Cycle as I am a member of Team Town Cycle and Mike cut me a great deal. I won't say exactly what I paid because I don't feel that is a good look. The fact is this though, at retail it is substantially cheaper than both the Fox 36 and and Rockshox Pike.
The Good:
The Bad:
I'll keep this updated periodically if anything else comes of this.
The price: I got it from Town Cycle as I am a member of Team Town Cycle and Mike cut me a great deal. I won't say exactly what I paid because I don't feel that is a good look. The fact is this though, at retail it is substantially cheaper than both the Fox 36 and and Rockshox Pike.
The Good:
- When this fork is pointed down it performs amazingly. I like it's downhill prowess more than my friend's RS Pike. I haven't ridden a 36 so I can't compare. It obviously beats my old Fox 32 all day.
- The high speed dampening is spot on and easy to adjust.
- The huge air chamber makes the fork feel really linear; almost like a coil sprung fork. It's dope.
- It has the best bottom-out protection from any fork I have ever ridden...I would dare say it is probably the best bottom out protection available.
The Bad:
- Over 100 miles I have rebuilt the thing 4 times. In my opinion, that is 3 too many. I am not rebuilding it because it is just time for service. I am rebuilding it because the travel draws down. At one point it had drawn down over an inch. I called Manitou and they informed me that the amount of oil in one of the chambers which was specified in the service manual was incorrect (they acknowledged that they specified the wrong amount). So I rebuilt it with that amount of oil. It still draws down. From what I have been able to tell, the problem lies in the poppet valve for the positive and negative air chambers. I have been able to come up with a trail-side quick-fix but in my opinion, I shouldn't have to - this is a top-tier fork.
- The low-speed compression dampening is completely useless. It literally does not function. Manitou told me "oh, you gotta turn up the high speed to make the low speed work." Bullshit. My response of "then the fork will ride like shit with the high speed dampening jacked up" was met with no response. So if you want a fork that locks out or climbs really well, look elsewhere.
- To rebuild the fork you need a "Thin-walled 8mm socket." I tried to buy one from Manitou. They told me to grind one. I did. The point at which you need to grind so it works basically makes the socket fall apart. I get around having to use it, but it's a pain in the ass.
I'll keep this updated periodically if anything else comes of this.