Opinions?

[Seat Sniffer]

First ride today on the new bike. Rear suspension is awesome once you setup the pressure right. Fork's a little sticky. It is medium sprung and with preload backed off all the way, I still can't get enough sag. I weigh 185lbs. Maybe it needs to break in still. Or maybe manitou blacks just suck.

Settled on it after looking at bikes 2-4 times the price. Main differences are the pretend 130mm travel fork, cable discs, and mid level driveline. Price was right at $999 OTD. Frame has 5" travel DWLink rear setup. Sealed bearing pivots all around, and reinforcing gussets in all the right places. Welds are great. BB lug is cast. I know these have a bad rap for weight (31lbs), But I'd rather trade some weight savings for longevity on the frame.


Maybe I should change this but I normally buy for the frame over anything else. I was also looking at Trek, Giant, and Gary Fisher. I'm a firm believer in bang for the buck but it seems that more expensive bikes don't give you better frames. They seem lighter, but more prone to breakage. I know there's alot of lifetime warranties out there but a 5 week turnaround for another crappy frame? Anyone ever break one of these or know of any common issues?

[el_d00der1n0]

What's the seat smelling like?

[Seat Sniffer]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

What's the seat smelling like?

ok, ok you got me. I tried making a legitimate post but you read right through it. This one had the best aroma. plus this was the only shop that let me sniff the bike.

[LBmtb]

I bet the seat smells like Dino butt.

A pike dual air on that thing would rock. DW-Link is pretty kick ass if I do say so myself. I haven't had any extended seat time but have pedaled around some of those bikes and they pedal surprisingly well. Congrats.

[allison]

I don't think there are a lot of breakages with any frame. Sometimes accidents happen.

The fork is coil? Maybe you just need to get the spring switched out? I'd think for 185 that a medium would be okay, but perhaps not.

[bighit8]

Where is dinno when you need him?He's ridin the horse of course!!!

Another rhyme, I'm on a roll!

[Seat Sniffer]

Originally Posted by allison

I don't think there are a lot of breakages with any frame. Sometimes accidents happen.

The fork is coil? Maybe you just need to get the spring switched out? I'd think for 185 that a medium would be okay, but perhaps not.

That's what I said about frames too, until I met people who cracked their Ellsworths and Treks, and it wasnt like they were running them over with trucks or anything. Kinda made me nervous about dropping alot of cash on a bike. I dunno, This one seemed like a good bang for the buck, and I don't feel like I wanna baby it because of what I paid. I guess this was a good budget for me.

The fork makes sounds like a coiler. The only adjustment is a preload knob on the left side of the crown, plus the manual I downloaded said it is, although I think blacks came in different versions. I agree, you would think I'd be in range for the med spring. Maybe it just needs to break in. Manual says to allow 20 hrs.

[Red Hot Sloth]

Wierd, I thought all the manitou blacks were air. Shows what I know.
Is that "Drop Dead Fred"?

[katonk]

I never heard of a Giant frame breaking. Just saying...

[PacMan]

My friend has broken his AC frame twice. I know of a few other AC's that broke. I also know of a Reign that broke.

I cracked a weld on my Yeti 575 and I ride like a girl. Breaks happen. That's what warranties are for.

[Seat Sniffer]

Originally Posted by Red Hot Sloth

Wierd, I thought all the manitou blacks were air. Shows what I know.
Is that "Drop Dead Fred"?

I dunno maybe it is. I haven't taken it apart yet, and the sales guy didn't know. Last fork I bought was a 2000 judy race

yes it is drop dead fred. It was either that or the guy from kung pow enter the fist.

[Seat Sniffer]

Originally Posted by PacMan

My friend has broken his AC frame twice. I know of a few other AC's that broke. I also know of a Reign that broke.

I cracked a weld on my Yeti 575 and I ride like a girl. Breaks happen. That's what warranties are for.

yknow, maybe I'm just old skool but my 98 klein hardtail has been to hell and back without a peep. Maybe more moving parts equals more stuff/reasons to break?

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Seat Sniffer

yknow, maybe I'm just old skool but my 98 klein hardtail has been to hell and back without a peep. Maybe more moving parts equals more stuff/reasons to break?

Maybe. I have an '02 Trek 4500 HT that has been to Moab (Porcupine Rim, Amasa Back, etc) and has gone down Noble Canyon and it is still going strong.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by Seat Sniffer

Fork's a little sticky. It is medium sprung and with preload backed off all the way, I still can't get enough sag. I weigh 185lbs. Maybe it needs to break in still. Or maybe manitou blacks just suck.

i have a similar issue with the tora. the shop says it's because it's coil sprung and not air. i've backed the preload all the way out too. i can't get an inch out of it. but, after kinda geting the rebound around where i like it, the forks work fine and probably drop a bit while pedalling. i'm near 200 el bees.

Originally Posted by Seat Sniffer

ok, ok you got me. I tried making a legitimate post but you read right through it. This one had the best aroma. plus this was the only shop that let me sniff the bike.

sorry, your name is seat sniffer--i couldn't resist. thanks for playing along.

[ghixon]

Any frame can break no matter who made it. It's just a part of the life of the frame. The fatigue life of a frame is in the range of millions of cycles, no pun intended. The more time you spend thinking about breaking something, the more likely you will. It's kinda like - look where you want to go, not where you are. As I understand, IH is relatively good at the warranty game.

The fox fork on my Trek was stiff when I first started on it. I set my pressures in the 70-75 pound range and rode it on some easy trails. After a week or so, I reset the pressures and it seems to be fully broken in and feels great

Hope this helps.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by mechmann

i know several people who have broken more than one Turner, they still buy Turner bikes.

all frames break eventually. it is part of life. just like death. for a frame.

i think i need to sleep.

all frames break...ALL FRAMES.

How the bike co takes care of their customers ifthe frame break is the importaint thang

[Pain Freak]

Aluminum has a short lifetime compared to most other materials used in the frame building business. I know a guy who has been riding a Trek V bike now for over 10 years. (he's big guy over 280) and with the flex he sends into the frame everytime he pedals, it's just a matter of time.He's had 4 replacements, but TREK, just keeps sending him new frames. I don't believe they'll have a V frame to send him any longer though.

I was once told by Dave Turner that with just moderate riding an aluminum frame can expect to last between 7 to 10 years. Aluminum will degrade with flexing, where steel will not. Everytime aluminum flexs it becomes weaker whereas with steel, it won't.

[northshore]

Glad to see you on an I.H.

[Tedroy]

... he must be at the dentist or on jury duty.

[JoeTruth]

I think you got a lot of bang for the buck. Where else can you score an alum. F/S with 5", DW Link rear setup, sealed bearing pivots, disc brakes and ok parts? That being said, you did spend $999.00 and the fork included with the bike is probably not the most suitable for what you're looking for in plushness. Considering what a great deal you got, I'd upgrade a part or two and still be way ahead of the game. I'd bet it would make all the difference in the world and put a big smile on your face.

Good luck!