themuffinman149

Hey I've got a question. My friend is selling his manitou black elite, right now I have a duke xc fork. The duke xc can't really take anything over 2-3 feet without bottoming out, it's just so plush. Plus the black elite offers lockout and a little bit more travel. It's a 2004 model.

Whats the biggest drop off you would comfortably take a manitou black elite off of? I was thinking around 5 feet.

Raiyn

5 inches. I don't trust Manipoo's If you want a new fork get a Marzocchi

DjRider04

Wow, dont listen to that tool above that has no idea what hes talking about. Youd be surprised at the amount of messed up Marz. ive seen, but of course Raiyn is so hardcore hed have no idea what I was talking about. I had a 02' Black comp, and took if off 7 footers just fine, its still running strong on my friends bike. That was also only a 100mm, good forks...smooth as **** too.

Maelstrom 

Traditionally though marz has less breakages and leakage problems. I don't know many shops who would disagree. Even with the incredibly bad year 2002 was for marzocchi (dj's and z1's breaking constantly)

That said I run a slider, and love it. I would buy one again in a heart beat. I think manitou pulled up their socks in the last few years.

Maelstrom 

Oh I dont have anything to directly contribute. I dont know diddly about blacks or for that matter xc forks.

Snuffleupagus

Performancebike is selling the new Black Elite 100-120 for less than half.

I too am running a Duke XC, although I have not had the bottoming out issues as badly as you're describing. I'm 210ish lbs, and I just took my bike off a 4 footer yesterday, without totally bottoming out...although it came close. How much pressure are you running in the fork?

Although, with the price on performance for the Black Elite, I gotta say I'm tempted (209 down from 499) by the greater travel, and lockout. One of my riding buddies has an 03 black, and he seems to like it, and although he's lighter than I am, I've seen him drop 6 footers with no drama.

DjRider04

I never said manitous track record was better than marz....just pointing out both companies have faults.

Maelstrom 

My mistake.

Raiyn

You're what a 140 lbs? You could drop 7 footers on a RST and it would be fine. Need I remind you that personal attacks are a no-no?

DjRider04

I was 170ish, kept varying....and of course! I forgot you were an admin too! I wish there was a block on this board, it would come in handy.

Raiyn

I don't know what crawled up your ass and died, but there's no reason for you to start slinging insults.

Joe Gardner

There is: https://www.bikeforums.net/profile.ph...=ignore&u=3276

Speedub.Nate

SWEEEET!

phantomcow2

Its sticky times like this when its a good idea to switzerland a situation.

DjRider04

Score, im used to it just being a pop up option under the alias.

themuffinman149

in theory you could take most forks off anything 5 feetish once, i did it weith a crappy n'sync fork once, but it does not feel too good. Anyways I've made my decision, and have really just decided to get a new bike. One for XC one for a little heavier stuff.

Raiyn

Excellent choice