copey

hey i have the possibility of purchasing a Manitou FS bike. but from what i can find online trying to research it, the frame is at least 8 years old, as they stopped making it around 98. i'm just curious if anyone has any experience with this bike/frame and how it is, and whether or not its worth it to buy this older bike and purchase a new bike...

i'm mainly interesting in riding trails/technical stuff, XC freeride... i'm a total newb so i'm still trying to figure out what everything means...
thanks for any help.

scott

GV27

Well, does it look like this?



or like this?



The former I know nothing about. Looks good though I guess.

The latter is an absolute classic. Being a classic is not necessarily, however, the best thing for FS since the technology was brand new. It essentially has a Manitou 4 elastomer fork for a rear end (or was it a 3? I think 4......). I would guess one of the lighter FS frames ever produced. Beautiful CNC hollowed-out aluminum billet pieces. I've been thinking of picking one of these up - they come up on Ebay occasionally. But only because I really like old-school bikes, cars, etc. I wish I had a better picture. They're an absolute work of art. Oohh....how I lusted over that bike in 1993!

Chris

DMN

If you want to do lite-freeride/agressive XC then your best bet would be a solid hard tail bike. Something along the lines of the following:

https://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...s_ser_axc.html

or:

https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2005bik...php?bike=crush

copey

thanks for the reply.

unfortunately though, it looks like the first picture.

squeegy200

Those bikes are classics. I think the Manitou frames used 1 1/4" headtubes. So beware. If that's true, then you'll have to find a fork/headsets to match.

copey

thanks for the replies. my question is it worth getting? (looks to be in decent shape and quality components) or should i spend my money on a newer bike?

if i were to go for a newer one, id probably go with a Hardrock.

again this is the frame of the bike:

Dannihilator

I'd get a newer one.

copey

you think like a 2003 hardrock pro (im a beginner) would be better than getting this?

robo

While older bikes in general are usually fine, i think dual suspension is one area where so many improvements have been made in the last decade that probably not worth it to go with an old model, unless you are collecting it for its historical value...

I think the type you are talking about is newer than the 'Manitou 3 seat stays' type (i'm pretty sure it's a Manitou 3), so it might actually perform better, but i'll bet it leaves a lot to be desired compared to recent rear suspension designs.

robo

It coudn't have been 1993 - in 1993, the latest Manitou fork was the Manitou 2, which was purple. 1994 was the year of the Manitou 3, which was blue. I think the Manitou 4 came out in 1995, and was also blue. It was (IMO) also the last pretty looking fork Manitou made. After that they started hitting their forks with the ugly stick.. dropping the beautiful CNC machined aluminum for big cast magnesium legs etc.. I'm sure they were functional, but they sure looked like crap

copey

i'm not positive, but im pretty sure this one is from around 1998.

i see what youre saying about how newer dual suspensions bikes have had huge improvements over the past couple years. but if i dont get this dual Susp. i am most likely going to get get a hardtail, most likely a hardrock, and between those 2, i should go for the newer, specialized hardrock?

sorry for the lack of info regarding the manitou. maybe ill take a few pictuires of the actual bike tonight so you can see exactly what im lookign at and evualte it from ther.e tomorrow i'm going to take to my lbs to see what they think about it.

robo

It's hard to say from the information given. An older full susp frame may or may not have wear in the pivots, shock etc. It may or may not be hard to find a replacement shock (many early full susp. designs were 100% custom, down to the shock).

The rear suspension might work well, or might bob a lot when you climb. It may have very limited travel, making it less worth the trouble.

A recent Specialized Hardrock is definitely a solid bike. You _might_ end up with a sweet if somewhat retro ride with the answer frame, or you might end up with a series of frustrating problems... It's much more of a gamble, while the Hardrock will be a reliable if not so exciting choice.

Dirtbike

Ditto.

Dont waste your time. The bushings and bearings probably need replacing, as well as the shock, which may be some wacky mount. Elastomers also suck.

copey

thanks for the help.
i have a different question now. i'm thinking of going with a Hardrock, but just saw a GF Marlin for sale. I'm curious which you think is a better bike or what are the pros and cons of each.

thanks

Dirtbike

Test ride both of them, decide on the one that fits best. When the cheap parts break, replace with better ones.