Strengths: Quite Stiff ( compared to Manipoo Blacks ) don't feel much different to the Fox's Once bedded in reasonibly plush ETA, is just fantastic can climb steep and harder stuff thanks to this, this makes the fork ACE.
Weaknesses: Only getting 91mm's of travel, some fault in the ETA side, can't get in the top drained oil outta the bottom, went upto 103mm then locked down to 91mm's again, arrseeee Rebound internal is a pain Stickers are shite bubble up and fall off in no time.
Overall: Perfectly acceptable fork, mainly made by the ETA function to be honest.
Had the choice again, I'd go for the cheaper and plusher / better tracking RS Recon's though, although I'd miss the ETA.
Strengths: Cheap Look okay ETA is fantastic for climbing. Stiff
Weaknesses: Never get full travel, 91mm's, checked the oil height and removed abit from ETA Side. Not as Plush as RS Recon's for instance. internal rebound adjuster a pain. ETA creeps back out, errr
Overall:
It's a good fork for the money, does it all fine, 10x's better than Manipoo blacks.
Just could have better damping for a better ground hugging feel, like the new RS's
Strengths: Pretty much hides most rear hits, atleast upto medium sized objects. Takes the Sting outta bigger hits, when you miss them and don't get off the seat Looks, really well built, and as plush as anything unlike telescopic posts Can't feel the saddle moving, just don't notice hits :)
Weaknesses: Abit heavy @450grams ( I don't care ) Like more tuning ability, looked like it had some kinda preload, but nothing.
Overall: Really like it, not riding without it, do wonder how comfortable the LT would be, hmmmmm, wish I'd of bought this rather than cheapy ones ( 2 of them ), then a Carbon post ( Carbon performed better than cheap )
Flew along the canal without caring about the bumps, at speed, and my canal in bits is rough, no excuse to get on my 30mile+ night time canal traing rides :(
'NICE ENOUGH FORKS, SUSPECT MARZ QUALITY IS LOSING IT THOUGH'
Strengths: Nice looking, all black bits no crome Retro crap and decent not black stanchions. Reasonible weight for the money ETA is excellent Fairly Plush performance, no Vannila but hey By playing with oil height in the fork, easy to customise the spring curve if you really must LOL Very Stiff, not felt any flex as yet
Weaknesses: Not getting 105mm's of travel, infact 91mm's ( have removed oil on the ETA side, went upto 103mm's, then dropped to 91mm's shortly after, so I give up ) When the ETA is on and locked down, the Forks started slowly creeping up. Lack of Ext Rebound, thats a Pain
Overall: For the price, there excellent still despite these minor niggles, really do ride well, not thinking got to bin them like he Blacks previously.
Shame they don't get full travel mainly.
I think stick to 05's while you can though, until they get there faults worked out sadly :(
Strengths: I like it, with a mate near using my HID's they seems crap, could only see the spot area but on my own I was getting around the forest easily with 2watt mode (4hours ) and slow climbs 1watt (8hours) mode without any real problems.
I've dropped it twice aswell already and it's still working, seems to be built to last and last.
Weaknesses: Not HID's, not enough of a spread of light, helmet mounted it'd be perfect but I fear to heavy.
No side visibility at all!!
Overall:
If you want a reliable small compact light that will be completely trust worthy, then this is the one I think.
Mainly be using as additional light to HID's but mainly for road sections and backup purposes and extend run time even more if really needed.
'DON'T BOTHER ( BLACK ELITE 100MM COIL VERSION REBOUND ONLY)'
Strengths: They do look quite pretty Fairly plush ( Had Grease in my Left fork, removed put 5wt in and there fine, with the Grease no use at all )
Weaknesses: Flexy Flexy and yes more Flexy the Damping system Barely works very basic and old fashioned compared to Fox's Had them from E-bay but I'm 220lb's and only get @70mm's of travel outta them, so ???
Overall:
Don't bother, just bought the 2006 MX Comp ETA comparing the stiffness with the wheel removed by pulling stanchions apart is a joke, MX Comp's don't move at all, I reckon on 10mm's of bend in the Blacks.
Weaknesses: Stiction Stiction and more Stiction the MCU is Crap, barely get 5mm's of travel hitting stuff after the Sag. Impossible to put the MCU + 2 spacers in to get the 100kg weight range, well even 1. Side Play and any attempt to dial it out ='s yet more stiction.
Overall:
Don't buy one, save your money get one with a old fashioned Coil in, just got one for £17 with light and firmer spring from halfords a ZOOM it's 10x's better and easier to adjust side play.
