My bike has a Dart 2. As a beginner mountain biker I don't have any basis for comparison, but for the light XC trails and road riding I do it certainly seems to get the job done. If you're just getting into mountain biking (as suggested by the OP) it seems like a decent fork to start with that can be upgraded as experience and interest grow. It may be that it "sux" because it's an entry-level fork, but it's a cheap way to get started and see if you like the sport.