Manitou Six Failures

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in rich text, apparently, in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

* I purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin recently which came with the Manitou Six front shock. Bike had
great reviews with the exception of the shock. Apparently, there is tendency for the cast aluminum
arch to break on the right side.

I'm wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a big guy and plan on riding trails where there are 2'-3'
drops. After reading about all these breaks, I now have confidence issues just commuting.

I'm going to back to the LBS where the bike was purchased and relay my concerns. I'm hoping they
will sympathize and offer to change out the shock for one of equal or greater worth. I don't mind
ponying up for the difference if it turns out to be an upgrade. *

**************************

You can ask, I guess, but the time to ask for a component swap/upgrade is BEFORE you buy the bike.
The shop can't sell your shock as new any more, because, well, it's not. (Cut steer-tube for one
thing.) They'll gladly sell you something better, though, and you could keep the Six for when you
break THAT!

If I were you I'd stop reading MTBR and just ride the bike. If you can get the shock set up for your
weight, then just go abuse the hell out of it and upgrade if/when it starts giving you problems.
(Hell, break it while it's still under warranty and THEN pay the difference to trade up.)

Bill "and please complain in plain text next time" S.

Bill, thanks for the mature response. In fact I HAVE been riding the bike (a couple hours today -
[censored] is way sore). Had planned on upgrading the shock later but sooner might be better. Figured I
would do some research first. Silly me. Apparently you're not big on informed consumption.

Shock works great. No complaints there. It's the bad track record that has be wondering. Thinking
confidence might be a GOOD thing during those white knuckle descents.

My post was as much a troll for positive testimonials on this bugga as it was a solicitation for
suggestions on a replacement. Goes to risk assessment. Perhaps others have something more
constructive to offer.

Hugh

"

Quoted message said:

**************************

You can ask, I guess, but the time to ask for a component swap/upgrade is BEFORE you buy the bike.
The shop can't sell your shock as new any more, because, well, it's not. (Cut steer-tube for one
thing.) They'll gladly sell you something better, though, and you could keep the Six for when you
break THAT!

If I were you I'd stop reading MTBR and just ride the bike. If you can

get

Quoted message said:

the shock set up for your weight, then just go abuse the hell out of it

and

Quoted message said:

upgrade if/when it starts giving you problems. (Hell, break it while it's still under warranty and
THEN pay the difference to trade up.)

Bill "and please complain in plain text next time" S.

JSNTG said:

Bill, thanks for the mature response. In fact I HAVE been riding the bike (a couple hours today -
[censored] is way sore). Had planned on upgrading the shock later but sooner might be better. Figured I
would do some research first. Silly me. Apparently you're not big on informed consumption.

Shock works great. No complaints there. It's the bad track record that has be wondering. Thinking
confidence might be a GOOD thing during those white knuckle descents.

My post was as much a troll for positive testimonials on this bugga as it was a solicitation for
suggestions on a replacement. Goes to risk assessment. Perhaps others have something more
constructive to offer.

Hugh

those mtbr reviews do suck. I thought Bill's reply was very nice and helpful, sorry you didn't get
what you wanted...

Penny

--
me and my bike: www.specialtyoutdoors.com/biking.htm

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bill, thanks for the mature response. In fact I HAVE been riding the bike

(a

Quoted message said:

couple hours today - [censored] is way sore). Had planned on upgrading the shock later but sooner might
be better. Figured I would do some research first. Silly me. Apparently you're not big on informed
consumption.

But you didn't say that. You said (it's gone now because you top-posted your reply to my reply AND
cut that to which I was replying) that you wanted the shop to take your shock back and get
something better.

Quoted message said:

Shock works great. No complaints there. It's the bad track record that has be wondering. Thinking
confidence might be a GOOD thing during those white knuckle descents.

That's what you get for readiing MTBR. (Seriously, it won't just "fail" on you without warning.)

Quoted message said:

My post was as much a troll for positive testimonials on this bugga as it was a solicitation for
suggestions on a replacement. Goes to risk assessment. Perhaps others have something more
constructive to offer.

Try saying what you mean, then, and you might get the answers you seek.

Quoted message said:

Hugh

Jass.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You can ask, I guess, but the time to ask for a component swap/upgrade

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

BEFORE you buy the bike. The shop can't sell your shock as new any

more,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

because, well, it's not. (Cut steer-tube for one thing.) They'll

gladly

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

sell you something better, though, and you could keep the Six for when

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

break THAT!

If I were you I'd stop reading MTBR and just ride the bike. If you can

get

Quoted message said:

the shock set up for your weight, then just go abuse the hell out of it

and

Quoted message said:

upgrade if/when it starts giving you problems. (Hell, break it while

it's

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

still under warranty and THEN pay the difference to trade up.)

Bill "and please complain in plain text next time" S.

Well, you did THAT, at least.

Bill "stands by my recommendation to just ride the thing" S.

Penny, understand any review is to be taken with a few grains of salt, but are you suggesting one
throw out the baby with the bath water?

Consumer reviews have traditionally worked very well for me. In fact I would go so far as to say
that my experience of items purchased over the years ($10K+ in windsurfing equipment, $3k+ in
snowboards, skateboards and other sporting equipment, $5k+ in electronics, etc.) correlates directly
with consumer reviews of these items. If survey said: 'It doesn't suck', it didn't.

On the contrary, I have made purchases based on the shop's 'expert' recommendation and been less
than satisfied. The purchase of the Martin is not one however. Its a great bang for the bean. Frame
geometry fits like it grew on me. Components with the exception of the shock are worthy of a more
expensive bike.

It's not that difficult to discern the puff or vent reviews from the legitimate ones. Throwing out
the ends of the bell curve and paying attention to the mean, gives one direction among the myriad
choices. Throwing out the review forum altogether, as a basis for decision making would violate
Franklin's maxim that experience is the dearest school. alt.mountain-bike is evidence that
Franklin's maxim is alive and spinnin'.

Is there something about mtbr reviews I don't know? Is there a shadowy figure lurking on the
rocky knoll?

Hugh

"Penny S" <[email hidden]> wrote >

Quoted message said:

those mtbr reviews do suck. I thought Bill's reply was very nice and helpful, sorry you didn't get
what you wanted...

Penny

--
me and my bike: www.specialtyoutdoors.com/biking.htm

Bill, sorry if I wasn't more explicit or violated any posting protocol. As for MTBR and review
forums in general, see my response to Penny above.

What's up with your reader btw? Mine, outlook express, displays things just fine.

Jass? Please elaborate.

Hugh

"Sorni" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bill, thanks for the mature response. In fact I HAVE been riding the

bike

Quoted message said:

(a

Quoted message said:

couple hours today - [censored] is way sore). Had planned on upgrading the

shock

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

later but sooner might be better. Figured I would do some research

first.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Silly me. Apparently you're not big on informed consumption.

But you didn't say that. You said (it's gone now because you top-posted your reply to my reply AND
cut that to which I was replying) that you

wanted

Quoted message said:

the shop to take your shock back and get something better.

Quoted message said:

Shock works great. No complaints there. It's the bad track record that

has

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be wondering. Thinking confidence might be a GOOD thing during those

white

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

knuckle descents.

That's what you get for readiing MTBR. (Seriously, it won't just "fail"

on

Quoted message said:

you without warning.)

Quoted message said:

My post was as much a troll for positive testimonials on this bugga as

it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

was a solicitation for suggestions on a replacement. Goes to risk assessment. Perhaps others
have something more constructive to offer.

Try saying what you mean, then, and you might get the answers you seek.

Quoted message said:

Hugh

Jass.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

You can ask, I guess, but the time to ask for a component swap/upgrade

is

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

BEFORE you buy the bike. The shop can't sell your shock as new any

more,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

because, well, it's not. (Cut steer-tube for one thing.) They'll

gladly

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

sell you something better, though, and you could keep the Six for when

you

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

break THAT!

If I were you I'd stop reading MTBR and just ride the bike. If you

can

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

get

Quoted message said:

the shock set up for your weight, then just go abuse the hell out of

it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and

Quoted message said:

upgrade if/when it starts giving you problems. (Hell, break it while

it's

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

still under warranty and THEN pay the difference to trade up.)

Bill "and please complain in plain text next time" S.

Well, you did THAT, at least.

Bill "stands by my recommendation to just ride the thing" S.

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_001C_01C374D6.263A3C80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

For what it is worth,

I too purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin this summer and have put approx 400 = miles on the bike.
Probably 1/2 on the road and the other 1/2 on the = trails. I have ridden some pretty touch terrain
and have had no = problems whatsoever. I couldn't be happier with my bike purchase at = this point.
In fact, I plan to go out tomorrow morning and get 10 to 15 = miles of trail riding in before the
football games start.

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message = "]news:[email hidden]... I purchased a
Gary Fisher Marlin recently which came with the Manitou = Six front shock. Bike had great reviews
with the exception of the shock. = Apparently, there is tendency for the cast aluminum arch to
break on the = right side.

Reports of a dozen or so breaks here:
=
mtbreview.comproduct 121936.shtmlOpen ↗ This shock has a history of
problems: answerproducts.comsafetynotice.htmOpen ↗
cpsc.gov02236.htmlOpen ↗

I'm wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a big guy and plan on riding = trails where there are
2'-3' drops. After reading about all these = breaks, I now have confidence issues just
commuting.=20

I'm going to back to the LBS where the bike was purchased and relay my = concerns. I'm hoping they
will sympathize and offer to change out the = shock for one of equal or greater worth. I don't
mind ponying up for the = difference if it turns out to be an upgrade. Which begs the question: =
What's a good entry level shock I can use with confidence?=20

The Marzocchi MX Comp ETA has gotten stellar reviews=20
=
mountainbikereview.comproduct 122114.sh=Open ↗ tml and seems to be a
great bang for the bean. But it's hard to find = (possibly due to all those giddy testimonials).
Their Dirt Jumper III = and MX Comp also come highly rated. Do users of these springs concur?

Hugh in Tallahappy

Just Say NO! To Gravity

. ------=_NextPart_000_001C_01C374D6.263A3C80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META
http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; = charset=3Diso-8859-1"> <META content=3D"MSHTML
6.00.2800.1226" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff background=3D"">
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>For what it is worth,</FONT></DIV>
<DV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DVI><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I too purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin = this summer=20 and have
put approx 400 miles on the bike. Probably 1/2 on the = road and=20 the other 1/2 on
the trails. I have ridden some pretty touch = terrain and=20 have had no problems
whatsoever. I couldn't be happier with my = bike=20 purchase at this point. In
fact, I plan to go out tomorrow morning = and get=20 10 to 15 miles of trail riding in before
the football games = start.</FONT></DIV>
<DVII><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DVIII> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE=20 style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px;
= BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIX>"JSNTG" <<A = href=3D""][email hidden]">[email hidden]</A>>=20 wrote in
message <A=20
=
href=3D""]news:[email hidden]">="]news:[email hidden]=
a.com</A>...</DIV><FONT=20 face=3DArial size=3D2><FONT size=3D3>I purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin =
recently which=20 came with the Manitou Six front shock. Bike had great reviews with the =

exception of the shock. Apparently, there is tendency for the cast = aluminum=20 arch to break on
the right side.<BR><BR>Reports of a dozen or so = breaks=20
=
here:<BR>mtbreview.comproduct 12193=Open ↗
6.shtml<BR>This=20 shock has a history of=20
=
problems:<BR>answerproducts.comsafetynotice.htmOpen ↗<BR>www=www=Open ↗
.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02236.html<BR><BR>I'm=20 wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a
big guy and plan on riding = trails=20 where there are 2'-3' drops. After reading about all these
breaks, I = now have=20 confidence issues just commuting. <BR><BR>I'm going to back to the LBS =
where=20 the bike was purchased and relay my concerns. I'm hoping they will = sympathize=20 and
offer to change out the shock for one of equal or greater worth. I = don't=20 mind ponying up for
the difference if it turns out to be an upgrade. = Which=20 begs the question: What's a good entry
level shock I can use with = confidence?=20 <BR><BR>The Marzocchi MX Comp ETA has gotten stellar
reviews=20
=
<BR>mountainbikereview.comproduct 12211=Open ↗
7.shtml<BR>and=20 seems to be a great bang for the bean. But it's hard to find (possibly = due to=20
all those giddy testimonials). Their Dirt Jumper III and MX Comp also = come=20 highly rated. Do
users of these springs concur?<BR><BR>Hugh in=20 Tallahappy<BR><BR>Just Say NO! To
Gravity</FONT><BR><BR>.</FONT>=20 </BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

------=_NextPart_000_001C_01C374D6.263A3C80--

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Bill, sorry if I wasn't more explicit or violated any posting protocol. As for MTBR and review
forums in general, see my response to Penny above.

What's up with your reader btw? Mine, outlook express, displays things

just

Quoted message said:

fine.

Jass? Please elaborate.

Hugh

Sigh. Someone wanna step in here? I hate long explanations...

OK, Hugh, first of all I was trying to give you honest advice about your situation; namely, that
it's unlikely the shop will take your front shock back at this point, and that if I were you I'd
just ride it until there's a problem. (And yes, I still say the time to read MTBR for "trends" like
breakage is BEFORE you buy, not after.)

Then, after not liking my reply, you said you really meant you were just looking for upgrade advice
and/or reassurance that the Six is OK

As for "posting protocol", it's generally expected that newsgroup posts be made in "plain text";
your initial one was in "rich text", which made quoting you difficult (but no big deal). What's
worse is "top-posting", where you place your reply at the top of a message (and also delete key
text, by the way), which makes the thread VERY difficult to follow (especially for others who may
not see all the messages).

Maybe someone can explain all this better (and I believe top-posting is covered in the FAQ, wherever
that is 🙂

Finally, I'll just have to keep jass to myself (it was merely a little funny -- very little.)

Bill "Hugh Jass* Memorial Snippage Below" S.

*used it long before you came along, so don't get panties in a(nother) bunch
🙂

JSNTG said...

Quoted message said:

Bill, sorry if I wasn't more explicit or violated any posting protocol. As for MTBR and review
forums in general, see my response to Penny above.

What's up with your reader btw? Mine, outlook express, displays things just fine.

Jass? Please elaborate.

Hugh

I don't think Sorni's response warranted an angry comeback. I have been reading all the posts here
for months and I don't remember any posts about this fork, but maybe someone will de-lurk and give
you some advice. IMO, you sort of answered your own question. If someone posted that theirs was
fine, would that nullify all the warnings you read on MTBR? I don't own one, but it is a low end
fork with skinny stanchion tubes and you are a big guy. Sounds like bad medicine to me. It isn't
worth much as a trade-in, so I would keep it as a spare and buy a coil Fox or Marzocchi ASAP. Even
if you never break the Six, the performance difference will be very noticeable.

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]... I purchased a Gary
Fisher Marlin recently which came with the Manitou Six front shock. Bike had great reviews with the
exception of the shock. Apparently, there is tendency for the cast aluminum arch to break on the
right side.

*snip* I'm wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a big guy and plan on riding trails where there are
2'-3' drops. After reading about all these breaks, I now have confidence issues just commuting.

*and snip again*

If you're a big guy planning on doing 2-3' drops, your problems will extend beyond the shock soon
enough. Marlins aren't for that...but I suspect you'll find that out.

Mr. Sorni's reply had you coming back about "informed consumption." If you're a Clyde dropping three
feet on a Marlin, you need to do more research next time.

Chris

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Patrick, thanks for the report. Confidence boosted already. Reported = breaks are prolly more the
exception than the rule but suppose some = vigilance may be warranted.
=20
Have a good ride!

Hugh=20

"Patrick L. Parks" <TryThis@wont_work.com> wrote in message =
"]news:[email hidden]... For what it is worth,
=20
I too purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin this summer and have put approx = 400 miles on the bike.
Probably 1/2 on the road and the other 1/2 on = the trails. I have ridden some pretty touch
terrain and have had no = problems whatsoever. I couldn't be happier with my bike purchase at =
this point. In fact, I plan to go out tomorrow morning and get 10 to 15 = miles of trail riding in
before the football games start.
=20

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message = "]news:[email hidden]... I purchased a
Gary Fisher Marlin recently which came with the = Manitou Six front shock. Bike had great
reviews with the exception of = the shock. Apparently, there is tendency for the cast aluminum
arch to = break on the right side.

Reports of a dozen or so breaks here:
=
mtbreview.comproduct 121936.shtmlOpen ↗ This shock has a history of
problems: answerproducts.comsafetynotice.htmOpen ↗
cpsc.gov02236.htmlOpen ↗

I'm wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a big guy and plan on = riding trails where there are
2'-3' drops. After reading about all these = breaks, I now have confidence issues just
commuting.=20

I'm going to back to the LBS where the bike was purchased and relay = my concerns. I'm hoping
they will sympathize and offer to change out the = shock for one of equal or greater worth. I
don't mind ponying up for the = difference if it turns out to be an upgrade. Which begs the
question: = What's a good entry level shock I can use with confidence?=20

The Marzocchi MX Comp ETA has gotten stellar reviews=20
=
mountainbikereview.comproduct 122114.sh=Open ↗ tml and seems to be a
great bang for the bean. But it's hard to find = (possibly due to all those giddy testimonials).
Their Dirt Jumper III = and MX Comp also come highly rated. Do users of these springs concur?

Hugh in Tallahappy

Just Say NO! To Gravity

.=20

------=_NextPart_000_0247_01C374D8.7B43E170 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META
content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" = http-equiv=3DContent-Type> <META content=3D"MSHTML
5.00.3700.6699" name=3DGENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY background=3D"" bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Patrick, thanks for the report. = Confidence boosted=20 already.
Reported breaks are prolly more the exception than the rule but = suppose=20 some vigilance
may be warranted.</FONT></DIV>
<DVI><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DVII><FONT size=3D2>Have a good ride!</FONT></DIV>
<DVIII> </DIV>
<DIX><FONT size=3D2>Hugh</FONT> </DIV>
<DX> </DIV>
<DXI></FONT>"Patrick L. Parks" <<A=20
href=3D"mailto:TryThis@wont_work.com">TryThis@wont_work.com</A>> = wrote in=20 message
<A=20 href=3D""]news:[email hidden]">news:hgqdnR6HEKILL8eiU-K=
[email hidden]</A>...</DIV></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE=20 style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid;
MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: = px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
<DXII><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>For what it is worth,</FONT></DIV>
<DXIII><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DXIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I too purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin = this summer=20 and have
put approx 400 miles on the bike. Probably 1/2 on the = road and=20 the other 1/2 on
the trails. I have ridden some pretty touch = terrain and=20 have had no problems
whatsoever. I couldn't be happier with my = bike=20 purchase at this point. In
fact, I plan to go out tomorrow = morning and=20 get 10 to 15 miles of trail riding in
before the football games=20 start.</FONT></DIV>
<DXV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DXVI> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE=20 style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px">
<DXVII>"JSNTG" <<A = href=3D""][email hidden]">[email hidden]</A>>=20 wrote in
message <A=20
=
href=3D""]news:[email hidden]">="]news:[email hidden]=
a.com</A>...</DIV><FONT=20 face=3DArial size=3D2><FONT size=3D3>I purchased a Gary Fisher = Marlin
recently=20 which came with the Manitou Six front shock. Bike had great reviews = with the=20
exception of the shock. Apparently, there is tendency for the cast = aluminum=20 arch to break on
the right side.<BR><BR>Reports of a dozen or so = breaks=20
=
here:<BR>mtbreview.comproduct 12193=Open ↗
6.shtml<BR>This=20 shock has a history of=20
=
problems:<BR>answerproducts.comsafetynotice.htmOpen ↗<BR>www=www=Open ↗
.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02236.html<BR><BR>I'm=20 wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a
big guy and plan on riding = trails=20 where there are 2'-3' drops. After reading about all these
breaks, I = now=20 have confidence issues just commuting. <BR><BR>I'm going to back to = the LBS=20
where the bike was purchased and relay my concerns. I'm hoping they = will=20 sympathize and offer
to change out the shock for one of equal or = greater=20 worth. I don't mind ponying up for the
difference if it turns out to = be an=20 upgrade. Which begs the question: What's a good entry level
shock I = can use=20 with confidence? <BR><BR>The Marzocchi MX Comp ETA has gotten = stellar=20
reviews=20
=
<BR>mountainbikereview.comproduct 12211=Open ↗
7.shtml<BR>and=20 seems to be a great bang for the bean. But it's hard to find = (possibly due=20 to
all those giddy testimonials). Their Dirt Jumper III and MX Comp = also=20 come highly rated. Do
users of these springs concur?<BR><BR>Hugh in=20 Tallahappy<BR><BR>Just Say NO! To
Gravity</FONT><BR><BR>.</FONT>=20 </BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

------=_NextPart_000_0247_01C374D8.7B43E170--

"Sorni" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in rich text, apparently, in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

* I purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin recently which came with the Manitou

Six

Quoted message said:

front shock. Bike had great reviews with the exception of the shock. Apparently, there is tendency
for the cast aluminum arch to break on the right side.

I'm wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a big guy and plan on riding trails where there are
2'-3' drops. After reading about all these breaks,

I

Quoted message said:

now have confidence issues just commuting.

I'm going to back to the LBS where the bike was purchased and relay my concerns. I'm hoping they
will sympathize and offer to change out the

shock

Quoted message said:

for one of equal or greater worth. I don't mind ponying up for the difference if it turns out to
be an upgrade. *

<snip> I musta missed this post originally because I'm getting a lot 're:''s in the subject line.

I've been having a problem with the Manitou Skareb Comp arch breaking on me - twice. Unfortunately
I'm doing what I would consider pretty ordinary riding. You won't catch me doing three foot drops on
a Giant NRS, thank you very much! If I was I would not be surprised with things breaking. Likewise,
the LBS says that they're surprised. They reckon that they sold about 40 bikes with that fork and
I'm the only one that's broken it even once. They have offered me Bombers Free of Charge (!) if I
break it again. Can't complain about that.

I finished my ride today and checked for cracks then so this is interesting to hear about another
Manitou fork breaking - even though it's a big guy doing big stuff on it.
--
Westie

Chris, not a clyde but 6'3" and traditionally hard on gear. Will no doubt beta test the Marlin
beyond its engineering factor of safety but that's part of the reason I opted for a low to mid
priced bike v. one that required a mortgage. When I find what I like and don't like about this
puppy, future consumption will be even more informed!

Some observations/questions after some xc riding this morning: Bike climbs ggggggood! Middle chain
ring + low gear + grunt = steady progress on the 1:2 stuff. That was a bit of a trick on my mid-80's
Jamis Dakar. Think the softer tires and longer head tube make the biggest difference here/now.

Whoever came up with the concept of a front shock, full point!

Are your lats supposed to hurt after a hard ride?!?

Have front brake levers always been on the left side? Seems like it was switched on my old bike. [Or
maybe mind is getting fuzzy after 40+ trips around the sun and NOT ENOUGH alcohol in college.]

Notice a lot of sand accumulation around the front derailleur. Thinking sand
+ machine = bad. Any way to mitigate the accumulation? Have wiped away the

steel. [Note to self: million dollar idea - design ion generator to reverse bikes polarity so
nothing sticks - batteries maybe included.]

Another point to the inventor of index shifting.

Since the hand to handlebar connection is primarily a compression (push) connection, why aren't
grips bigger or elliptical in shape? Seems a bigger grip would disperse the load more and would
impart less jolt to the palms. [Another fit-tee dollar idea?]

Speaking of elliptical, whatever happened to the elliptical chainring? Too eccentric?

And speaking of whatever happened, whatever happened to the automatic transmission? They were
experimenting with this back in the 80's and prolly before. Seemed like it had promise - a totally
concealed, hydraulic drive train. The trick I think was working out the proper mechanical advantage
and of course weight.

Feels good to be back on a bike after a dozen+ year hiatus. As a former college athlete though, I'm
wondering how long I can stave off the urge to compete. And I question my wisdom of adding this
sport to an already adrenalin saturated repertoire. But hey, only got a finite number of good
summers left. Until the wind starts blowing again around here, this is a cheap (by comparison to
windsurfing) fix.

Hugh

"Chris" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]... I purchased a
Gary Fisher Marlin recently which came with the Manitou Six front shock. Bike had great reviews
with the exception of the shock. Apparently, there is tendency for the cast aluminum arch to break
on the right side.

*snip* I'm wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a big guy and plan on riding trails where there
are 2'-3' drops. After reading about all these breaks,

I

Quoted message said:

now have confidence issues just commuting.

*and snip again*

If you're a big guy planning on doing 2-3' drops, your problems will

extend

Quoted message said:

beyond the shock soon enough. Marlins aren't for that...but I suspect you'll find that out.

Mr. Sorni's reply had you coming back about "informed consumption." If you're a Clyde dropping
three feet on a Marlin, you need to do more

research

Quoted message said:

next time.

Chris

Westie, Free, wow? Sounds like an invitation. For the record, haven't broken mine yet (that I
can see). Was trolling for general feedback to ease the confidence after the mtbr discovery
post purchase.

Hugh

"Westie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Sorni" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in rich text, apparently, in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

* I purchased a Gary Fisher Marlin recently which came with the Manitou

Six

Quoted message said:

front shock. Bike had great reviews with the exception of the shock. Apparently, there is
tendency for the cast aluminum arch to break on the right side.

I'm wondering, should I be concerned? I'm a big guy and plan on riding trails where there are
2'-3' drops. After reading about all these

breaks,

Quoted message said:

I

Quoted message said:

now have confidence issues just commuting.

I'm going to back to the LBS where the bike was purchased and relay my concerns. I'm hoping they
will sympathize and offer to change out the

shock

Quoted message said:

for one of equal or greater worth. I don't mind ponying up for the difference if it turns out to
be an upgrade. *

<snip> I musta missed this post originally because I'm getting a lot 're:''s in the subject line.

I've been having a problem with the Manitou Skareb Comp arch breaking on me - twice. Unfortunately
I'm doing what I would consider pretty ordinary riding. You won't catch me doing three foot drops
on a Giant NRS, thank

you

Quoted message said:

very much! If I was I would not be surprised with things breaking. Likewise, the LBS says that
they're surprised. They reckon that they sold about 40 bikes with that fork and I'm the only one
that's broken it even once. They have offered me Bombers Free of Charge (!) if I break it

again.

Quoted message said:

Can't complain about that.

I finished my ride today and checked for cracks then so this is

interesting

Quoted message said:

to hear about another Manitou fork breaking - even though it's a big guy doing big stuff on it.
--
Westie

Wasn't angry, just I didn't think the paternal, condescending, arrogant response was the best one. I
have just started posting here and your group seems informed and generally polite. The archives have
been very useful to bringing me up to date on the nomenclature and the neo-mechanics of the sport.
Look forward to hearing and sharing experiences here.

Positive testimonials on the Six wouldn't nullify the warnings but they would decrease (slightly)
the pucker coefficient when I'm attacking the ugly stuff.

Looking hard at Marzocchi. Will see what the guys at the LBS carry and what I can demo. Amazing how
expensive these puppies are. Even the best ones look like they have less than a bean in material
costs. If as Bill suggests, they all break, where are all the beans going? R&D? Middle man? Palermo?
And is there a Timex equivalent - will last forever but is not going to win any performance awards?

Hugh

"Super Slinky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

JSNTG said...

Quoted message said:

Bill, sorry if I wasn't more explicit or violated any posting protocol.

As

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for MTBR and review forums in general, see my response to Penny above.

What's up with your reader btw? Mine, outlook express, displays things

just

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

fine.

Jass? Please elaborate.

Hugh

I don't think Sorni's response warranted an angry comeback. I have been reading all the posts here
for months and I don't remember any posts about this fork, but maybe someone will de-lurk and give
you some advice. IMO, you sort of answered your own question. If someone posted that theirs was
fine, would that nullify all the warnings you read on MTBR? I don't own one, but it is a low end
fork with skinny stanchion tubes and you are a big guy. Sounds like bad medicine to me. It isn't
worth much as a trade-in, so I would keep it as a spare and buy a coil Fox or Marzocchi ASAP. Even
if you never break the Six, the performance difference will be very noticeable.

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Super Slinky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I don't think Sorni's response warranted an angry comeback.

Quoted message said:

Wasn't angry, just I didn't think the paternal, condescending, arrogant response was the best one.

Try asking the question you mean next time. (What would be a good upgrade
vs.. asking shop to take back.) You keep ignoring this.

Quoted message said:

If as Bill suggests, they all break,

I never said that. In fact, I said it WON'T just "suddenly fail", despite what the dweebs
on MTBR say.

Bill "and yes, I cut 'n pasted your reply so it at least makes a little sense" S.

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Are your lats supposed to hurt after a hard ride?!?

This is the 'death grip' phenom. Relax when you ride.

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Penny, understand any review is to be taken with a few grains of salt, but are you suggesting one
throw out the baby with the bath water?

In my opinion, any number of reviews that suggest a low-priced XC bike with an aluminum frame will
work well for a big rider on a trail with 2-3 foot drops are not even worth reading.

KLydesdale" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JSNTG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Penny, understand any review is to be taken with a few grains of salt,

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

are you suggesting one throw out the baby with the bath water?

In my opinion, any number of reviews that suggest a low-priced XC bike

with

Quoted message said:

an aluminum frame will work well for a big rider on a trail with 2-3 foot drops are not even worth
reading.

Point taken. And there is always the problem with measure. A 2' wave in Maui
= a 6' wave in Florida.

And this is what this bike is about. Figured I'd chuck 5 beans into testing. See what breaks, when,
where, how and why. Cannibalize what's left at the end and move it over to a commuter bike.

It's really amazing though how much bike can be had for 5 bucks these days. This same kit 18 years
ago would have been top of the line and cost a fortune. Today's its only a step above the Wally-mart
toy-got-big. I paid the same amount for this bike that I paid for my first mountain bike back in the
mid-eighties. But even adjusting for inflation, this is 3 times the bike - like waves in Maui!

Hugh

[Penny, you have shamed me forever against top posting. How's this?]