Looks over Function

[Pilotman28]

Ok. Here's my delimna, I need a new fork for my bike. I can get a black 07 Manitou R7 which is slightly used and with v-brake bosses.

I can also get, for about $50 more a brand NEW R7 withOUT v-brake bosses which is however the new primer, grey, color.

My bike is a deep orange so of course the black would be ideal however Manitou isn't making black R7s this year. Only the grey and candy red. So the question is should I get the black one with the v-brake bosses (which I won't use and will look rather silly) or the new one but grey for the $50 more?

Here's my bike and since I'm asking a legit question keep the jeering of my old pasty color to yourself.

http://members.cox.net/mjb28/bikesmall.jpg

[ScottR]

I'd pay 50.00 for a shirt:D

I figured I'd start it off

[Pilotman28]

I'm surprised you beat Nate to it. He's not going to like you stealing his thunder.

Found out I can remove the bosses and just put some black blanking bolts in the holes. It now comes to, "Is saving about $50 on a used fork worth not buying a new one of a different color"

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/5/9/6/8/3/webimg/119625322_o.jpg

or

http://mybiketinley.com/images/library/catalogs/soc/prodl/FK5250.jpg

The primer color is brand new and an '08. The black is an '07 and used but in good condition. Thoughts?

[hammerstein]

the question would be did they make any changes in the 08 vs. 07 including weight or are they the same except paint?

[carl]

for me function wins out every time but the black would look nicer.

[Pilotman28]

07 they made black and green. this year is grey and red. I don't know WHY they do that but they do. The other specs are the same from what I can tell off of the website. $337 for the new one, $285 for the used one. The black one is an R7 Platinum, the grey one is the R7 Absolute Elite.

In 2008 the R7 Absolute Elite comes in grey only, with v-brake bosses only. Really odd how they're changing it's product line's options. As far as I can read the only difference between the two years are the paint schemes. All specs seem to be the same.

Still looking for what you guys think. Brand new fork, or a used one in black.

[ScottR]

I'm guessing that the used one wouldn't have a warranty; I'd pay an extra 50.00 for the new one. In addition, orange and gray match.

I had issues with cheaper Manitou fork on a left over Trek I bought and Manitou rebuilt it for me in about a week under warranty, no questions asked.

[road.amean]

I wouldn't be concerned with the color. You have yellow handlebars for crying out loud!

[Pilotman28]

Yeah I'm kinda leaning towards the new one just for the one year warranty too. And I'm gonna get new handlebars geez! Just waiting on Eric to not need a set he has :-D

*edit* I just bought a new set of BLACK Titec risers so NUH! I'll match now.

[Pilotman28]

We have another entry into the race. This option fills the color preference of being black, no bosses, and it's new. However it's an 05 fork so it's new old stock. It's a brand new Manitou Minute 2:00 for $300. It also has more travel, 130mm vs 100mm but weighs about the same within a couple tenths of a pound.

Go for the newer technology fork? Or go for the one which has the extra 30MM of travel and is the color I want? The nice thing about the 05 fork is it also has SPV valving so really it's going to be very close in performance with the R7 I was looking at.

Thoughts please. I won't really be saving any money by getting the NOS fork but rather gaining 30MM of travel and getting the color option I wanted.

[nrsed]

130mm on a hardtail?? you'll have wacked out geometry and the bike will ride lika a pig unless you are going downhill. You can go up 20mm from stock as in 80 to 100 but much more will be a problem. my .02

[road.amean]

The 130mm travel is way too much for that bike. Stick with something in the 80-100 range. Unless you like the American Chopper look.

[Pilotman28]

I've decided to transfer my drive train onto my current blue bike which has disc brakes and I can't do without them now. So my lefty will be going on this bike and the new fork will be going on a bike which did come stock with 100MM of travel but options for a larger fork on it.

I'm gonna call cannondale and ask them about the optimum geometry for the bike. My other option is to get a 100MM version of a Black Super Air for about $30 less. I didn't think of the geometry at first. Glad I posted.

Anyone on here have a Manitou fork with SPV on it? There's a Minute 1:00 fork which is adjustable travel from 90-130MM, which i like, and only a half a pound heavier than the other fork. Only thing is I've heard sometimes SPV can be more sensative on small bumps which we have a lot of around here. So I'm torn between an Air fork with TPC or a fork with SPV... I just don't know.

[nrsed]

I had a skarab platinum w/spv. magic. best fork ever. I do like a firm fork but it was firm and I still would get 100mm of travel. The rebound knob broke and could'nt be fixed so the fork was retired. just for ref. I've had
rigid; 96 judy; 2000 sid; 04 reba 29er; 06 fox tlc; 06 R7 (havn't ridden it yet)

Ed

[Pilotman28]

I bought the Minute 1:00 for $270. Brand new with warranty, black, no bosses, PERFECT. It only weighs 4.0lbs and when I travel I can dial up the suspension to meet the terrain. PERFECT