Which Manitou -- SX-ti or FS-ti

[Anthony P. Whitehouse]

Pricepoint has some very attractive looking prices on both of these '97
forks. Anyone have any feedback as to which is better? The SX is $199.98,
and the FS is $209.98.

(They also have Marzocchi 97 Z-2 for $269.98. Is it worth the difference?)

Thanks,
Anthony

--
Anthony Whitehouse The views expressed herein do not necessarily
Hewlett-Packard represent the views of the Hewlett-Packard Company
Fort Collins, CO
USA

[Dave whittle]

In article <iobaf5s...@hpfcapw.fc.hp.com>, A.Whit...@computer.org (Anthony P. Whitehouse) writes:
>
>Pricepoint has some very attractive looking prices on both of these '97
>forks. Anyone have any feedback as to which is better? The SX is $199.98,
>and the FS is $209.98.
>
>(They also have Marzocchi 97 Z-2 for $269.98. Is it worth the difference?)
>
>Thanks,
>Anthony
>

Depends on bike and riding style. I recently had a similar choice, and got the
SX-Ti for my hardtail, as i was concerned about the extra fork length
slowing down the steering on my litespeed (not ultra fast steering as it is).

If you ride a full sus bike, or dont mind running the front of the bike
higher, or have the fork set with LOTS of sag, then go for the FS. Also the
FS-TI Palmer from nashbar/supergo for $198. Its got more travel than the
regular FS, and is a, ahem, "distinctive" green :-}.

I decided against the 97 Z2 due to the extra weight- the SX-Ti weighs around 3.2lbs, the Z2 is what, 4.5lbs?

Either way, check out ww.mtbr.coms' techtalk section-the shock page has LOADS
of tips about tuning and maintaining manitous (read thru the archives, therell
be answers to all your questions there). Im really happy with the SX-TI,
only problem was a creaking/cracking which turned out to be dirt in the
crown/stanchion interface. Cleaned it and its been fine since (solved on mtbr
and also www.answerproducts.com technical FAQ page).

Regards

dave

[Anthony P. Whitehouse]

Thanks for the advise. I couldn't find a good source for info on the shocks,
and I did not know the FS was Full Suspension. I initially wanted to get the
FS-TI Palmer, but at least nashbar only had them with 1-1/8 steerer, and my
bike (Jamis (hardtail)) needs 1".

Anthony

da...@Lehigh.EDU (Dave whittle) writes:

--

[jbra...@ucla.edu]

Anthony- The FS has more travel and a bit of a burlier crown, so it should be slightly heavier, about as stiff,
and change your bike's geometry a tad more. I found a SX-ti at my LBS for $150 (Helen's Santa Monica, CA,
but they are out, it was a one-time deal) so you might shop around a bit more. I ruled out the Z-2 for weight.
Not because I am all that concerned about weight, just because I KNEW that as Marz came out with lighter
forks I would be tempted to get a new one just to drop the weight because the ditching"old" Marz. would
actually be the cheapest way to get some weight off the bike and I don't like replacing things until they are
worn out or trashed. Anyway, the manitou is pretty damn smooth and plush five months down the trail after I
put on some slick honey. They start out a little stiff from the factory.

Anyway- I'd be interested in where you find a one-inch fork for you Jamis. I bought my sxti for a Trek in 1
1/8, but am thinking about suspending an old wicked fat chance I have that has a one-inch. John

>

> Pricepoint has some very attractive looking prices on both of these '97
> forks. Anyone have any feedback as to which is better? The SX is $199.98,
> and the FS is $209.98.
>
> (They also have Marzocchi 97 Z-2 for $269.98. Is it worth the difference?)
>
> Thanks,
> Anthony
>
>