Narrow Path Biking

How To Adjust Manitou Forks?

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A man in yellow jersey on an MTB - How To Adjust Manitou Forks?

Manitou Forks are some of the highest quality parts in the Mountain bike industry; they come with a hefty thousand-dollar-plus price tag and will, in effect, give a rider the professional standard equipment needed to compete at the top level of the sport.

Additionally, adjusting these bike forks is relatively easy when considering the construction and disassembly process.

A person will need to know what model of the fork is being used, whether it is an XCR, Juicy, or Yari, and how to adjust each style. This is because each model has a different procedure when it comes to manual adjustments.

Is it Adjusted Externally?

For Manitou forks, the XCR fork has two separate legs with four adjustments each. They are the preloaded settings that can be adjusted with the turn of the knobs labeled ‘Fork Spring Preload Adjuster’ and “Fork Spring Preload Adjuster #2.’

Otherwise, other adjustments will require getting into the inner settings but adjusting the pressures, and potentially replacing the suspension systems.

Again, this will best be left to the professionals, but some guides can help a DIY-savvy rider; having a knowledgeable person handy is recommended.

What Controls Manitou Forks?

The system’s design, in a nutshell, is a long-path twin tube frame allowing the brake fluids to move about freely and help seal out air from the damping system.

These elements and a spring-based suspension system will round out the components that make up a Manitou Mountain bike fork.

There usually are two sets of settings controls, as well. The XCR, as mentioned above, will have external settings controls. Still, as with most of the Manitou products will have to use internal adjustment controls to get the desired feel and travel rate.

What Does the Adjustment Process Look Like?

A few adjustment processes can be taken to make the changes desired when changing the settings of the Manitou Mountain bike fork. The first is an external knob that generally has two presets for simplified adjusting.

The more complex process will include disassembling the fork frame and opening up the vacuum-sealed inner workings of the Manitou product. Getting to this step should only be taken if the external controls need to set up the desired setting.

Again, it is recommended that a knowledgeable person be present when this type of work is done.

How Long Does it Take?

Depending on the expertise of the individual doing the work, this process can take an indefinite period to complete. However, the experts that can do the fix, and adjustment, in a relatively fast time will be able to complete the work in an hour or two.

These professionals have done the process more than a few dozen or a hundred times and know what needs to be done and how to do so without damaging the frame or wasting time.

Then again, an individual looking for the perfect setting might take weeks of trial and error scientific study to get the exact specifications desired.

Can Beginners Do it?

This, more times than not, would be an emphatic no; this is a highly complex adjustment when it includes the disassembly of the fork to get inside and change the inner settings and setup.

In scientific terms, beginners will want to stick with generic settings to get a feel for the standard control-like ride.

After that, finding the proper adjustments to create the best riding experience possible becomes easier, especially with a base feeling/understanding of a standard ride.

However, even after years of riding, it is still recommended that a beginner or amateur consult an expert before doing anything drastic.

Final Thoughts on How to Adjust Manitou Forks

Before leaving the bike store, consult the experts on the settings of the fork; you might save yourself the time and trouble of opening up a Manitou fork only to find out that another product would have been easier to use.

For instance, there might be a fork out there with the exact specifications that a rider would desire, and there was no need to disrupt the inner workings of the fork in question.

Of course, the best policy is to do some personal digging and investigation into the topic; a little research can go a long way when empowering an individual to make an informed decision or purchase.

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Manitou R7 EXPERT Service Manual

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Table of Contents

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  • 1 Table of Contents
  • 2 Tools and Materials
  • 3 Casting Removal & Service
  • 4 Air Spring Service
  • 5 Damper Service
  • 6 Casting Install
  • 7 Compression Damper Install
  • 8 Recommended Starting Pressure
  • 9 Travel Change
  • 10 Exploded Views
  • Download this manual

Related Manuals for Manitou R7 EXPERT

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Summary of Contents for Manitou R7 EXPERT

  • Page 1 R7 EXPERT / PRO | SERVICE & TRAVEL GUIDE...
  • Page 2 MANITOU 5800 W Donges Bay Rd Mequon, WI 53092 manitoumtb.com 888.686.3472 Support: manitoumtb.com/support Warranty: For full warranty information please visit hayesbicycle.com/warranty Revised June 12, 2020...
  • Page 3 INTRODUCTION This manual is intended to provide the information necessary to service the Manitou R7 Expert and Pro Suspension fork. We highly recommend any service or installation be performed by a qualified mechanic. These instructions can be downloaded from the Hayes Bicycle Group website at www.hayesbicycle.com...

Page 4: Table Of Contents

Page 5: tools and materials, page 6: casting removal & service.

  • Page 7 Allow oil in casting to drain out before continuing to next step. Using a downhill tire lever or similar tool, gently pry the dust seals out of the casting. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 8 Apply semi-bath fluid to the new foam wiper rings and install into fork casting. Remove springs from lip of dust seals. Using the Manitou 32mm Seal Press or large socket, press in the dust seals. Reinstall springs onto seals. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...

Page 9: Air Spring Service

  • Page 10 Slickoleum™ grease. Also add 3cc’s of Slickoleum™ grease to the top of the air piston. Add Slickoleum™ grease to the stanchion threads before inserting the air spring assembly. Spread grease across entire thread surface. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 11 80-100 in lb [9.0-11.3 N m]. Install air spring top cap into stanchion. Torque to 60-80 in lbs [6.8-9.0 N m]. NOTICE Make sure to apply top down force on the tool to prevent slipping. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...

Page 12: Damper Service

  • Page 13 NOTICE Non-standard spanners may damage the damper’s splined interface. Only use a standard cassette lockring tool and apply a top-down force while loosening to prevent slipping. Remove compression damper assembly from the stanchion. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 14 NOTICE For Expert, skip to step 7B *EXPERT MODEL* Using a 22mm wrench, rotate the damper end cap counter-clockwise until threads completely disengage from the stanchion. NOTICE For Pro, skip to step 8 R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 15 Manitou slotted cassette tool, and torque wrench to tighten to 60-80 in lbs [6.8-9.0 N m]. *EXPERT MODEL* Use a 22mm crow’s foot and torque wrench to tighten to 80-100 in lbs [9.0-11.3 N m]. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...

Page 16: Casting Install

  • Page 17 Using an 8mm Hex wrench and torque wrench, tighten the rebound damper rod to 30–40 in lb [3.4–4.5 N m] by turning them counter- clockwise. Do not overtighten, as doing so can damage the end of the rods. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 18 Using the Manitou 8mm Thin Wall Socket and torque wrench, turn the compression rod counter- clockwise. Torque to 30-40 in lbs [3,4-4,5 N m]. Do not overtighten, as doing so can damage the end of the rods. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...

Page 19: Compression Damper Install

  • Page 20 Holding the knob steady, use an 11mm socket and torque wrench to assemble the knob lock nut (rotating clockwise) and tighten to 0.5-0.7 in lbs [4-6 N NOTICE For Expert, skip to step 7 R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 21 Remove the shock pump and clean the fork with isopropyl alcohol. NOTICE Lightly pulling the casting away from the CSA during air fill ensures full extension of the fork and proper air spring performance. R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...

Page 22: Recommended Starting Pressure

Page 23: travel change, page 24: exploded views.

  • Page 25 12B KIT, FENDER, MY20 MEZZER & KIDS FORK (INCL. 12A) 141-36103-K001 KIT, ASSY, MILO AL W/CABLE & HOUSING 193-24931-C017 KIT, ASSY, MILO REMOTE LOCKOUT, LEVER & CABLE 141-31975-K003 KIT, DECAL, MY21 R7 141-38117-K021 KIT, REBUILD 32MM 141-28528-K010 R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 26 R7 expert 27.5+/29" exploded view R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 27 12B KIT, FENDER, MY20 MEZZER & KIDS FORK (INCL. 12A) 141-36103-K001 KIT, ASSY, MILO AL W/CABLE & HOUSING 193-24931-C017 KIT, ASSY, MILO REMOTE LOCKOUT, LEVER & CABLE 141-31975-K003 KIT, DECAL, MY21 R7 141-38117-K021 KIT, REBUILD 32MM 141-28528-K010 R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 28 R7 PRO 27.5" exploded view R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 29 12B KIT, FENDER, MY20 MEZZER & KIDS FORK (INCL. 12A) 141-36103-K001 KIT, ASSY, MILO AL W/CABLE & HOUSING 193-24931-C017 KIT, ASSY, MILO REMOTE LOCKOUT, LEVER & CABLE 141-31975-K003 KIT, DECAL, MY21 R7 141-38117-K021 KIT, REBUILD 32MM 141-28528-K010 R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 30 R7 PRO 27.5+/29" exploded view R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 31 193-24931-C017 KIT, ASSY, MILO REMOTE LOCKOUT, LEVER & CABLE 141-31975-K003 KIT, DECAL, MY21 R7 141-38117-K021 KIT, REBUILD 32MM 141-28528-K010 KIT, MATTOC SERVICE TOOL (8MM THIN-WALL SOCKET, 24MM FLAT SOCKET, & END 172-31133 CAP SOCKET) R7 EXPERT / PRO SERVICE GUIDE...
  • Page 32 GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS & HAYES BICYCLE GROUP USA 5800 W. Donges Bay Rd. Mequon, WI 53092 HAYES BICYCLE GROUP EU Dirnismaning 20 a 85748 Garching (b. Munich) Germany HAYES BICYCLE GROUP ASIA 16F, No. 37, Sec. 3 16F, No. 37, Sec. 3 Mincyuan E.

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MANITOU MEZZER EXPERT FORK REVIEW

Review by Dario DiGiulio

Manitou was once a household name in the suspension game, but the recent dominance of the two big suspension houses have taken nearly all the limelight from the smaller players. With their most recent lineup of forks and shocks, Manitou aims to take back some of the room in the suspension aftermarket, but have they hit their mark?

Manitou has taken a novel approach to a lot of the standard procedures in the suspension world, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the Mezzer Expert. On face value, the only standout feature is their classic Reverse Arch, which is sure to attract comments on the trail, usually along the lines of “your fork is backwards, dude.” Snark aside, it’s what’s inside the fork that counts, and that’s where the Mezzer gets interesting.

The VTT semi-bath damper features a 6-position compression adjustment, which sweeps smoothly from a plush full-open to a rock-hard lockout. On the bottom is a simple rebound dial to control the speed of return. This damper can be re-shimmed internally to adjust the compression tune to suit the needs of each individual rider, and Manitou offers a tuning guide for those inclined to dive into the tech. The Expert air spring features their IVA Incremental volume adjustment system, which allows the arrangement of the self-contained volume spacers to be modified internally without risk of losing or adding too many spacers. The Mezzer has a strong look to it, sizing up the competition with some beefy 37mm stanchions and a clean graphics set. Around back, you’ll find two small bolts in the lowers that can be removed to bleed off built up casting pressure and add small volumes of oil between service intervals.

Weighing in at 2030 grams, the Mezzer Expert is an impressively light fork in the enduro market, one that is only bested by its pricier brother, the Mezzer Pro. Weight isn’t the only differentiating factor between these two models, as the Pro also gets the more tunable MC2 damper and full Dorado air spring, which features one of Manitou’s signature pieces of tech, the IRT. The IRT is a 3rd air chamber that replaces the IVA system found in the Expert air spring, allowing for finer control of the progression without opening up the fork, and can be purchased separately for $55 for riders looking to add some tunability to their Mezzer Expert.

The 29” variant of the Mezzer is available in a 44mm offset as tested, or in a more traditional 51mm offset, and a 27.5” option is available in 37mm or 44mm offset options. All options have easily adjustable travel numbers from 140mm to 180mm, with only the removal of the lowers and air spring needed to access the travel spacers. That process only takes around 15 minutes, and can be done without losing any oil or consumable parts – something which cannot be said for many other forks on the market.

Other unique features include Manitou’s Hexlock SL2 bolted axle, another novel design, and the Mezzer-specific bolt on fender, which uses 3 small bolts on the back of the fork to secure in place. You can fit a 3” tire with no fuss, and can work on your stoppies with anything from a 180mm to a 223 mm rotor with the appropriate adapter on the 180 post mount.

At $849, the Mezzer Expert sits firmly in the “budget performance” category, undercutting the price of the top tier offerings by a considerable margin. But how does the performance stack up? We were stoked to get one mounted up and hit the trails.

Testing took place on a Transition Sentinel, a Pole Taival, and a Forbidden Druid, mostly in San Luis Obispo, CA – known for it’s chundery rocky trails – and in Bellingham, WA – home of some of the steepest and deepest riding there is.

Out of the box, Manitou’s Mezzer Expert is a satisfyingly simple fork, with nothing but a single pressure setting and a sweeping compression dial. The Hexlock SL2 axle is not the easiest system to mount on the market but works well once you figure out how to line it up. In the stock configuration, the fork feels nice and composed on most terrain, with few standouts aside from the chassis stiffness and quiet operation. I left things in this stock configuration for only a couple rides, because it’s the IRT cartridge that can really make this fork shine. As stated above, the IRT is only stock on the Pro model, but is available aftermarket to level up the Expert. Installation is as easy as adding tokens to a traditional fork, but setup is then a little trickier.

The IRT-equipped air spring’s 3-chambered design (positive, negative, and IRT), mean that subtle tuning shifts make a remarkable difference. Essentially, you are using the ratio between positive air pressure and IRT air pressure to tweak the feel and support of the fork. When done correctly, I am convinced that this is the most supportive fork on the market, with excellent midstroke feel and consistency no matter the terrain. Manitou suggests a roughly 1:1.5 ratio (pos:IRT), but you will certainly have to tweak your settings to get the desired result. Luckily, the Mezzer owner community is about as nerdy as it gets, and one helpful user made a handy calculator that gets you to a pretty good starting point.

This triple chamber approach is slowly gaining traction amongst a variety of suspension manufacturers, with similar solutions being used by Ohlins with their newest enduro fork offerings, as well as by EXT in their new Era. Smaller tuning houses like Diaz Suspension Designs have come up with drop-in products that mimic this design in Fox and RockShox products.

Support is critical to a fork’s overall performance, but it has to work in concert with a few other factors. One area where the Mezzer Expert is slightly lacking is in small bump sensitivity, or the first 20mm or so of travel that lets you track over the chattery trail noise. As soon as speed and bump frequency starts to pick up, the fork transmits a lot of feedback to the hands, and it can be a hard sensation to push through when you’re really charging. In slow, picky, technical sections, the fork feels incredible, but the rebound circuit and damping characteristics don’t translate well to higher speed situations. Ultimately this just results in a bit more hesitance when hammering through fast bits of rough trail. On big, heavy compressions, the Mezzer stays composed and quickly returns to a high riding position, which is great for successive hits in gnarly terrain. Unlike some other offerings in the fork market, it’s hard to get the Mezzer to pack into its travel, which is helped considerably by the IRT upgrade.

Servicing is satisfyingly easy on this fork, and only requires a couple semi-proprietary tools that can easily be purchased from Manitou or assembled from your existing toolkit. Thanks to the very large oil volume in the semi-bath damper, performance was consistent well beyond the service hours of many other forks, and could be quickly refreshed with new fluids and seals. After about a year of use, however, significant bushing play started to show up, but Manitou was quick to alleviate the issue with a fresh set of lowers and a factory service. Compared to similar products from Fox and RockShox, the fit and finish of smaller components within the fork are lacking, which is by no means a dealbreaker, but can be frustrating if you find yourself tinkering with the internals often. That being said, whenever an issue did arise, the Hayes Group (Manitou’s parent company) gave excellent customer service and was able to help me through whatever needed to be done.

As a final small complaint, I have to call out the fender that comes with the fork. It is made of a strangely flexible plastic that is so gummy, it came in contact with my tire while riding and tore completely off the fork. Luckily this didn’t throw me off my line, but needless to say that was the last time I ran Manitou’s stock fender. It’s easy enough to modify a standard zip tie fender to fit the Reverse Arch, so my suggestion is to do so from the get go!

The Wolf’s Last Word

Price:  $849 (+$55 IRT upgrade) Weight:  2,030 g Website: Hayesbicycle.com

Chassis composure Good value IRT upgrade! Supportive ride Servicing ease

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manitou fork travel adjustment

Tested: Manitou Mezzer Pro Fork

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Manitou’s Mezzer Pro delivers an excellent combination of tunability and performance that makes it a strong contender for a wide variety of bikes and riders.

In a Nutshell

  • Travel: 140-180 mm internally adjustable
  • Configuration tested: 29” 44 mm offset, 160, 170, and 180 mm travel
  • Weight: 2008 g (Uncut steerer tube)
  • Available now for $660

Manitou’s Mezzer Pro is not a new fork. It’s been around for a while, and it’s developed a bit of a cult following online, with dedicated acolytes singing its praises to anyone who will listen. But when it debuted, the Mezzer Pro was on the cutting edge of the “bigger forks for bigger bikes” wave that included the RockShox Zeb and Fox 38. And while I’ve spent a bunch of time on both of those forks, and really enjoyed them in appropriate applications, I hadn’t ever gotten time on the Mezzer. So when the opportunity came, I jumped on it.

While I really enjoyed my time on the Mattoc (and am headed out to ride my Mattoc-equipped hardtail as soon as I finish this review), I was a little tentative before I started riding the Mezzer. Front suspension options can often feel like a duopoly: choose the correct diameter Fox or RockShox option, slap it on your bike, and party on. Why challenge that status quo? And I’m more picky with longer travel forks. Weaknesses in a fork’s spring or damper can often display themselves more aggressively when the fork is doing more, when there’s more travel to screw up or get right.

So I pulled the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate off my personal REEB STEEZL and bolted on the Mezzer, fully ready to spend enough time riding and experimenting to build some thoughtful impressions and write a review, before swapping it back off again. Instead I find myself, months later, with no real desire to switch back. So let’s get into why I got along with the Mezzer so well, and what kind of riders I think will benefit from this fork.

The Mezzer Pro’s spring and damper are very similar to the Mattoc I already reviewed , so I won’t rehash too much of that here. The Mezzer uses the same Dorado IRT air spring system, with its two separately tunable positive air chambers. I still think this YouTube video is helpful in visualizing how this works, and I highly recommend watching it before you start messing around with a shock pump.

Just like on the Mattoc, this air spring setup means that you can go to greater lengths adjusting the combination of support and suppleness that the Mezzer delivers, without resorting to pulling volume spacers. That makes on-trail bracketing a simple affair, but does also add a step to initial setup.

Finally, just like the Mattoc, the Mezzer’s air spring is travel-adjustable without buying a new spring. I’ve run it at 160, 170, and 180 mm, and each swap takes about 15 minutes with the right tools (you’ll need an open backed cassette tool like the Abbey Crombie, or Manitou’s own tool). You can also run it down as low as 140 mm, which bigger riders on smaller bikes might appreciate.

The Mezzer’s sealed MC² damper is the same story: it’s shared across their “Pro” fork models. It has adjustable high and low speed compression, a single rebound adjustment, and internal hydraulic bottom out support. I’ve found it pretty easy to get into a good ballpark setup with this damper in the driveway and then dial things in from there.

Chassis details

The Mezzer, with its 37 mm stanchions, was the first modern mainstream single crown fork to enter the 36 mm+ girth club. The lowers are aligned with Manitou’s signature reverse arch, and tied together at the bottom with their hexagonal axle.

The Mezzer’s bolt-on fender provides great coverage, but is a little soft and floppy. That’s a double-edged sword–some folks find it too floppy, but I appreciate that you can still tighten wheel-clamping racks over it. You’ve got two options for routing the brake line, and it comes set up for a 180 mm rotor, although I adapted that up to 200 mm.

Setup and performance

While there was a little bit of a learning curve to setting up the Mattoc Pro, my takeaways from that experience set me up for a quicker experience with the Mezzer. The air pressure chart printed on the fork is a great starting place, and I’ve found that I prefer just a touch more pressure in both the IRT and main chamber, and a couple more PSI in the IRT than the base ratio. That’s because I like a supportive mid-stroke, and the trails I’m most often riding the Mezzer on reward a more firm, supportive, pumpable fork. But when I’ve traveled to ride other trail systems, it’s easy to skew that ratio of pressures to use a little more of the fork’s travel, create a little more traction, and generally make things more forgiving for blind riding.

I really, really appreciate the ability to play with those pressures independently. It’s not a make-or-break feature for me, but it sure is nice to have. And that’s even more obvious on a longer travel fork like the Mezzer than on the Mattoc. I think that’s because much of my desire for more mid-stroke support comes from the changes to geometry that happen as the fork goes deeper into its travel.

Those changes are much more apparent on a 170 mm fork than a 130 mm one. Back in 2021 I was running the original Zeb Ultimate with the Charger 2.1 Damper and DebonAir spring. I struggled to find a good balance of mid stroke support and off-the-top compliance with that fork, and in retrospect I wish I’d been on Mezzer instead.

The current RockShox options deliver, in my opinion, a level of small bump, off the top suppleness that’s hard to beat. The Mezzer doesn’t have that same “move through its travel for every pebble in the parking lot” feeling, but on the trail I’ve gotten along with it well.

Beyond the air spring, the chassis performance of the Mezzer positions it in a pretty interesting way. At its full 180 mm extension, I think the RockShox Zeb feels a little stiffer, a little more planted, a little more burly (and also has slightly better small bump compliance and feel). But the Mezzer is noticeably stiffer than a Lyrik, and feels more confident, easier to drive through chunder under my hands. I’ve been running the 180 mm Zeb as a “no excuses” fork on a bike that ultimately, I’d like to run a dual crown fork on, and the Mezzer doesn’t have quite the same “the wheel will point the direction you want it to, no matter what is happening” feeling. But it’s way closer than I expected it to be. And it manages to do that at a weight much closer to a Lyrik than a Zeb. That’s really cool.

What sort of bikes (and riders) does the Mattoc make the most sense for?

The REEB STEEZL is a perfect bike for my 200 lbs of barely-coordinated man meat to experience that option-splitting stiffness. The 180 mm Zeb felt like overkill on the STEEZL. It was more fork, more stiffness than the bike needed. And, while I get along really well with the 160 mm Lyrik on that bike, I was surprised at how much more chargey the STEEZL felt with the Mezzer set to 160 or 170 mm. Especially in the long-shocked mullet configuration, the STEEZL and the 170 Mezzer feel like a perfect match.

I am, ostensibly at least, trying to keep the STEEZL biased towards the trail end of the spectrum. I have a tendency to bulk up whatever bike I happen to be riding, pushing the weight, and capability as far toward the descending end of the spectrum as I can. But the Mezzer lets me have my cake and eat it too. It feels like “more” fork than the Lyrik, in a good way, but doesn’t make me suffer the weight penalty that jumping up to a Zeb would.

The Mezzer is a reminder that the current perceived RockShox/Fox duopoly and nearly identical travel and capability lineups has its holes. The Mezzer gives heavier riders the option to get more support and performance on their shorter travel bikes. If you’re a big person looking for a big-feeling 140 mm fork, you’re squarely in Pike/34 territory, absent the Mezzer, which fits the bill nicely. And similarly, if you’re a smaller person looking for a long travel fork that doesn’t shift the bike/body weight bias as significantly as a Zeb or 38, the Mezzer could be the fork for you.

Mountain bike suspension is absurdly good right now, especially if your body and your riding falls within the bell curve of “average.” But products like the Mezzer are cool because they open up the realm of possibility a little to use cases that fall on the edges of that spectrum.

In Conclusion

While the Mezzer might not be the hottest new fork on the market, it’s still a great option for folks looking for something in that “more than trail” category. And given the deals that can be had on one right now, it’s a compelling choice for a whole swath of bikes and riders.

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Mastodon Adjustable Travel (100-150 / 80-140) on 2019+ Models

el gaberino

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manitou fork travel adjustment

so you know that document is about overall travel it is not a way to adjust the amount of stanchion showing. If your 140mm Mastodon has 140mm of stanchion showing you can adjust to have 140, 130 etc... mm of travel but your geometry will be based on a 140mm fork. My nephew has a Mastadon 120 that is restricted to 100mm of travel because of the frame, but the fork is physically setup as a 120mm fork. To change the amount of stanchion showing and thus change your geometry is a bit more involved and that requires disassembling the fork and making changes.  

Go take a look at the Mastodon Pro Service Guide for details about how to take the fork apart and put it back together. You have the spacers details above. You do need some special tools you can get from Manitou. Mastodon I have helped someone change their 140mm from 120mm to the full 140mm of travel, it was bought at 120mm. It's not hard but it is a PITA.  

I had noticed that a while ago and had contacted Manitou because all the threads here relate to the old models where that isn't possible. They confirmed that the "current models" can be adjusted from 80-140mm. I never found out why they still sell them as 100mm and 120mm version. I assume this is just how they are pre-set and vendors never really got the notice that this is possible now. I would hope with the COVID sales, they don't have old new stock laying around and you don't accidentally buy a pre-2019 model.  

KenPsz said: Go take a look at the Mastodon Pro Service Guide for details about how to take the fork apart and put it back together. You have the spacers details above. You do need some special tools you can get from Manitou. Mastodon I have helped someone change their 140mm from 120mm to the full 140mm of travel, it was bought at 120mm. It's not hard but it is a PITA. Click to expand...
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Manitou's new Mattoc MTB fork offers adjustable travel from 110mm to 150mm and comes in three different builds

Manitou claims their cross-discipline fork is 'the people's fork', excelling in everything from XC racing to light enduro

Manitou Mattoc fork

Manitou has updated its Mattoc fork, which now offers a massive range of travel options spanning 110mm to 150mm.

With such a broad range of travel, Manitou aims to offer a single fork that can tackle a wide range of riding from XC racing to light enduro. The fork features a 34mm stanchion which puts it up against some stiff competition from Fox's 34 and Ohlins RFX34 m.2 , both of which are some of the most versatile mountain bike forks on the market.

Not only is the new Mattoc fork able to be adjusted in 10mm increments from 110mm to 150mm, but Manitou also says that the process to change travel is simple enough that it can be done at home and all the necessary parts are included with the fork. 

That could be a massive bonus for riders who either want to experiment with different travel or give the option to invest in a fork that will be compatible with future frame upgrades.

Manitou says that the Mattoc's 34mm chassis is now 30 percent stiffer than the previous version whilst still keeping the weight competitive. Manitou will offer three versions (Comp, Expert, and Pro) with the top of the range Pro model weighing in at a claimed 1,750g.

While the construction of the fork is the same across all three models, there are several differences internally. The $1,049.99 / €1,260 Pro model features the Dorado air cartridge which allows for internal travel adjustments with no added parts. It also has Infinite Rate Tune (IRT) allows for advanced spring tuning, using a second positive air chamber that should give independent control between the start of the stroke and the middle and end of the stroke.

The Pro model also features Manitou's MC2 sealed damper and a relief valve which is said to offer more consistent damping and lighter breakaway force due to its ability to handle heat build-up. There is also a Hydraulic Bottom Out system that should stop any harsh impacts when you use all the travel.

The Expert fork features three-position compression (Open, Trail, Lock) with an open mode and low-speed compression adjustment, and the Comp version has simple rebound and compression adjustments.

The good news is the internals of all the Mattoc models are compatible and interchangeable between the Pro, Expert and Comp levels, as well as between the older Mattoc, Circus, and Mastodon forks. This not only makes sourcing spares easier but also allows new and intermediate riders to upgrade their fork as their riding improves, rather than having to buy an entirely new fork to get more performance.

The Mattoc is available in a 29in version with an offset of 44mm, it will also be available in two versions of 27.5in with 37mm and 44mm offsets.

Manitou Mattoc Pricing

  • Pro: $1,049.99 / €1,260
  • Expert: $799.99 / €990
  • Comp: $549.99 / €720

Graham Cottingham

Graham is all about riding bikes off-road. Based in Edinburgh he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK right on his doorstep. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for  Bike Perfec t.

Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller

Height: 177cm

Weight: 71kg

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manitou fork travel adjustment

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manitou fork travel adjustment

191-36235-A001

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Description

Featuring 37mm stanchions and our Reverse Arch design the Mezzer Pro is the stiffest Enduro fork on the market… it’s also the lightest. How did we manage to accomplish this you ask? Well, it’s not hollow if that’s what your wondering. In fact, this fork is loaded with technologies such as a fully sealed MC² damper, our proven Dorado air spring, and the life-changing IRT volume adjuster. What does all this mean? It means you no longer need to pick two, you can have the lightest, stiffest, and incredibly adjustable fork all at once.

•37mm stanchions, Reverse Arch design, and Hexlock SL2 axle combined together result in ultimate stiffness •Originally developed for the Dorado down-hill fork, the Dorado Air Spring offers ultimate sensitivity featuring a self-equalizing negative air spring. When inflating the fork both the positive and negative air chambers are filled simultaneously equalizing the pressures to create an incredibly supple feel •IRT (Infinite Rate Tune) volume adjuster allows control over the mid-stroke support and bottom-out progressivity independent from initial spring rate to independently tune small bump sensitivity and big-hit performance •Sealed MC² damper provides a range of blow-off thresholds to satisfy any requirement with separate high-speed and low-speed adjustments. Utilizing a bladder, our new sealed cartridge maintains damping consistency in the most severe riding conditions. •140mm to 180mm internally adjustable travel in 10mm increments (travel spacers included) •27.5” and 29” wheels •Integrated flexible fender can be installed/removed by three small screws threaded into the arch of the fork

•Wheel Size: 27.5" 29" •Weight: 2000g (27.5") 2032g (29") •Offset: 37/44OS (27.5") 44/51OS (29") •Ride Height: 534-574mm (27.5") 554-594mm (29") •Travel: 140-180mm Internally adjustable in 10mm increments •Spring: Dorado Air w/ IRT •Compression Damping: MC2 Sealed Cartridge •Rebound Damping: Sealed Cartridge TPC •Adjustments: Air, IRT Pressure, Rebound, HS and LS Compression •Steerer: 1.5" Tapered •Crown: Forged Aluminum, Hollow Bore •Leg Diameter: 37mm •Leg Material: 7000- Series Butted Wall Aluminum •Brake Post Mount: 180mm (223mm Max) •Axle: 15mm x 110mm Hexlock •Max Tire Size: 69mm w/ Fender 74mm Without •Options: Fender Kit •E-pac: Yes 44OS 140-180 (27.5") 51OS 140-160mm (29")

Please view our documentation at our support site.

Mezzer in the News

“On trails with many bumps, steps, and down features, the fork's performance is superb, filtering out a lot of hits (impacts) and bringing tons of comfort and softness to the cockpit allowing a restful ride.” IÑAKI GAVIN, MTB PRO MAGAZINE Spain
“In short, this fork is not only surprisingly light and wicked stiff, it’s also at the top of the suspension tune ability chart.” BRIAN GEROW, SINGLETRACKS MAGAZINE USA
“The Mezzer’s a surprise performer, offering an excellent balance between small bump sensitivity and bottom-out resistance. It’s particularly capable no matter how deep into its travel or how hard you’re pushing it. The fork’s performance really impressed me." ALEX EVANS, BIKERADAR UK
“Superiorly the Mezzer Pro works away impacts and provides a lot of confidence to the rider.” CHRIS SPATH, MTB-NEWS.DE Germany

The Manitou Dorado Air spring system contains a unique balancing valve that equalizes the positive and negative air chambers during the air fill process. This gives the spring rate a consistent feel without any flat or dead spots in the stroke, along with giving riders of different weights the same initial stroke feel.

Infinite Rate Tune (IRT) allows for advanced spring tuning by independently adjusting air pressures in the beginning and end stroke. IRT technology creates a secondary positive air spring that effects only the middle to end stroke of the fork. This allows the main air spring to be set to lower pressures for improved small bump sensitivity while maintaining mid-stroke support and moderate to aggressive end-stroke ramp-up.

manitou fork travel adjustment

The Mezzer features our fully sealed cartridge MC2 Damper technology that provides an independent HSC circuit providing an adjustable high-speed blow off point combined with a LSC circuit providing adjustment for chassis control and small bump sensitivity. This cartridge utilizes a bladder with a blow off valve to prevent rupture under high pressures and keep your damping controlled and consistent no matter the terrain.

Travel Change Made Easy

The Mezzer is internally travel adjustable from 180mm down to 140mm. This is done quite easily by adding or removing the supplied travel spacers included in every box. For full details and step by step instructions visit the service manual found here

Mezzer Parts And Accessories

Manitou | 5/40 Wt Semi-Bath Fork Oil - 5/40 Wt Oil Bikesemi-Bath 3.5 Oz 100ml

Customer Reviews

The Mezzer Pro I bought for my long travel enduro bike was so good, I bought a second one for my shorter travel trail bike. One of, if not THE best, enduro/trail forks on the market. This is especially true if you value more mid-stroke support. The three chamber air spring, coupled with a firm damper setting (that doesn't result in spiking), provides mid-stroke control that cannot be replicated on an OE fork (e.g. Fox, Rockshox). Would recommend with a few caveats.

1. Some people like the less supportive beginning and mid-stroke portions of the OE springs. They seem to like the off the top suppleness provided by less pressure and more tokens (which almost always results in very little mid-stroke support, followed by a steep ramp up in end-stroke support). If that is your preferred set up, you may not find the Mezzer Pro to be so much of an upgrade.

2. You can expect that it will take some extra time/effort to develop knowledge of how the three chambers interact to get an optimal set up. The three chamber air spring does not operate like OE forks using standard springs and volume tokens. It is incorrect to see the IRT chamber as either an add-on to what the standard OE offerings have, or as a replacement for the volume token system of standard OE systems. The Mezzer Pro operates in a different way.

3. The rebound tune can run a little slow. It might be too slow for light weight/low air pressure riders. If you fall in that camp, you many need a service re-tune to find an optimal set up.

When I first got the fork and set it up, it didn't ride too well. Then I ended up watching a video on how to set it up and saw I was doing it wrong! After following the right steps in order, these forks (I have 2) came alive! I've been riding Manitou since the '90's and STILL have my EFC! Thanks for the great products from over the years!

Still dialing it in but so far it feels much better than my lyrik, especially the way it resists bottoming out yet stays smooth deep into the travel.

I run this fork with 170mm travel on my enduro bike and 130mm travel on my trail bike. I love that it can provide an immense amount of midstroke support while still being very supple off the top. My only gripe is that the fender is quite flimsy - if Hayes came out with better 2.0 fender I'd buy it immediately. There are a lot more settings to play with than most forks, but Manitou's recommendations seem to do a pretty good job getting the setup in the right ballpark and it's fairly easy to tweak things to your liking from there.

And would a third time if I get another bike in need of an AM/Enduro fork. I got the first to replace the OEM RS 35 fork on my Salsa Rustler and the second replaced the RS Zeb on my Salsa Cassidy. The Mezzer makes the front end of both bikes come alive - the travel, whether at 150 or 180mm, feels bottomless; I know I've hit the limit based on the o-ring being fully seated against the crown, but I can't say I've ever felt it. I switch between 160 and 180mm, based on the rear shock & link I'm running on the Cassidy, changing fork travel takes all of 30 minutes start to finish, and it offers a perfect opportunity to perform a fork service. I leave the Rustler fork at 150mm, but service is so easy, I usually do both at the same time and save myself a little effort. If there was one thing I could change about this fork, I'd offer a classic blue/black/silver colorway.

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COMMENTS

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