Kayle

Okay, I have a Manitou Axel Comp and lately it's been acting weird. I adjusted the setting to the stiffest it would go and it's still waaaay loose compared to when I first got it.

Is my fork leaking? I'm pretty new to bikes and bike parts so I don't know much about fixing up bikes...I'm pretty sure the seal's not blown but there is definitely something going on with this thing.

Thanks.

bentrim

I hate to say this but the Manitou Axel is nothing but a pain in the axel! Use the warranty as often as you can.

I have read a lot of negative reviews at Epinions and MTBreview and wouldn't have believed it until I experienced it myself.

My Super Axel has already given me the following probs:

- Damping adjuster doesn't work most of the time (have to do silly things to get it to work at all: put on lockout, pump the fork, slowly let out lockout, pump the fork some more...throw in a cartwheel, and a prayer while you're at it...).

- There was no oil (oil leak?) in the fork when I took it in after two months for a basic maintenance check.

- I'm careful when I wash my bike but found traces of rust on the coil spring when I inspected it.

- The plastic knobs are weak, and I stripped the retaining screw off the preload side even though I was careful in aligning the screw back up.

- It's never quite been the same.

I have only done trail riding with maybe the odd small jump or drop. Nothing that a serious fork shouldn't be able to withstand.

Apparently, Imprezaman has had his share of problems with the Super Axel on his brand new Cannondale F300.

On the contrary, however, the Manitou Shermans (for freeriding) are well built but I'll avoid Manitou's lower end forks like the plague for now on. Plan on eventually buying a Marzocchi MX Comp as a replacement for the Manitou Axel. Axel? I'd like to call it something else!

Jim311

That's your problem right there.







I'd take it to a shop to get checked out, especially if it's a fairly new fork and warranteed. Probably something minor, but I personally dont fool around with forks and their internals. Too complicated for me

math2p14

If your fork softened up after some time...it is because everything bedded in.... it happened to me as well with an Axel Elite....solution? Marzocchi Z1 ...serious strike potential.

montlake_mtbkr

I've heard someone here in the past refer to the Axel as the "Flexel." I think that sums it up well.

bentrim

Close. But I had "P.O.S." in mind! R U listening Manitou?

Performance wise, it wouldn't be that bad of a budget fork if it weren't so faulty. But as it is, it might as well be carved out of butter and ridden in Arizona in the middle of July!

imprezaman

Yes, I am really getting mad to!!!!!I buy a bike with money I earned working my axel off for Ecology Youth Core, and look what happens! The preload doesn't do anything, there is no difference, actually to night I wrecked in my driveway, cuase the shock was to loose, and I had to much cusion and I went right over my handle bars! I don't understand! I really need to get it tighter...I think I had better get this thing back to Portland..

bentrim

If you are having that many problems with the Axel, I think you should politely ask the LBS to honor the warranty and have the shock totally replaced. Just tell them you have reason to believe they are defective and find them unfit and unsafe for riding.

It they are a good LBS, they won't play games with you.

Kayle

Okay, thanks. Yeah, I went to MTBReview.com and people don't seem to like the Axel too much. I'll see if the LBS will fix it or replace it.

Darn...and it wasn't bad on the trails, too...