kevinmarni

I have a Manitou S type SRL rear shock that has a terrible design. The valve stem that allows you to load the shock with air sticks out perpendicular from the frame and exposes about a half an inch of stem. Due to my less than stellar riding skills I fell this weekend and when the bike hit the rock feature I was trying to clear the valve stem broke off the shock. The air was released and I had an 8 mile return with no rear shock. I took it to my LBS and they called Manitou to get a replacement valve stem and apparently the entire company is off this week. So I am looking at a week and a half before my bike is up and running. I am also afraid of the problem happening again. Has anybody had similar problems? What did you do? What about an upgrade? I have been happy with my bike setup, but I have not run any other shocks to know if an upgrade would be worth $300.

Thanks,
Frustrated in Bend, OR

bbgobie

Wow
sounds like my story exactly.

Took a few weeks to get a replacement stem in, Manitou wanted the LBS to make a minimum order which makes no sense since no LBS orders much Manitou anymore.

Had other riders give me their stems/forks/shocks in an effort to get me up and running before an 8hr race. Well, no go, and replacment stem doesn't work.

I've given up. I'm getting a new bike
Sorry. Hopefully a replacement stem works for you.