2006 tech: Manitou comes out fighting with new XC forks and shocks

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Clean lines and trimmed down(Image credit: Sterling Lorence)

Tech feature - March 18, 2005

Although the letters X and C often conjure up images of skinny NORBA types riding hyperfragile hardtails on some smoothish race course, today’s cross-country riders aren't just hardcore racers. Cross country riders are now pushing themselves and their equipment to new limits over more difficult terrain, but in many respects, suspension development has lagged somewhat behind the curve. Where once suspension forks that were just lightweight were often good enough, today’s cross country riders are increasing demanding equipment that is even lighter yet able to withstand more abuse, all while offering superior functionality, multiple levels of easy-to-understand adjustments, and of course, resistance to the dreaded bob.

With all the attention given lately to the freeride and “all-mountain” crowds, cross-country riders may have been feeling a little ignored lately in the suspension world with little to speak in the way of truly new stuff. Manitou has clearly picked up on this. After all, Manitou’s own Skareb line of cross-country forks is now almost five years old if you consider that it and the previous Mars forks are nearly identical platforms. To this end, Manitou’s people have clearly been quite busy in designing the new R-Seven line of forks and S-Type rear shocks for 2006. according to Manitou, diligent use of finite element analysis has added material exactly where it was needed while removing every bit that was not, resulting in a new fork platform that is stiffer, lighter, and works better, as well as a rear shock that delivers improved efficiency in a dramatically more svelte package.

Lower leg casting is now ovalized to increase fore-aft stiffness and uses a new, more upright, parabolically-shaped Reverse Arch to reduce both twisting and independent leg movement. The practical upshot should be no more pad rub for you V-brake users!
Deeper-bore hollow crown uses extra-long skirts to provide better stanchion support to resist bending
New steerer uses XC-optimized butting
New all-air spring system eliminates the need to swap the short coil spring of the previous generation air springs to accommodate gross variations in rider weights
New damper offers a firmer platform with a plusher ride

Although the new lighter and stiffer chassis is news enough, the real innovation comes with the new Snap Valve damper. In general, 'stable platform' dampers are supposed to be resistant to low-frequency inputs (such as pedaling) but react to high-frequency ones such as actual bumps and other trail features (this is not to be confused with low vs. high amplitude inputs - a perfect suspension system will react to both of those). In real life, however, many of us have found that this often means a firm platform has come at the expense of a supple ride, particularly on features such as washboard.

To address this issue, Manitou’s new Snap Valve damper uses a “dual ratio” design, meaning that the force required to open the valve is much greater than that required to close it. This produces a higher threshold for even more resistance to low-frequency stuff than SPV Evolve, but also more instantaneous response to bumps to eliminate the first-impact jolts that can often plague platform systems. Combined with the valve’s tendency to stay open longer to deliver a more active feel, the Snap Valve promises to eliminate the small-bump harshness that has haunted SPV.

R7 Comp: 1405g/3.1lb target weight; Fluid Flow, TPC, Platform Plus (think pseudo-SPV) or Snap Valve damper options; Optional IT travel adjust; External rebound damping and air preload adjustments
R7 Elite: 1360g/3.0lb target weight; Platform Plus or Snap Valve damper options; Optional IT travel adjust; External rebound damping, platform, and air preload adjustments
R7 Super: 1360g/3.0lb target weight; TPC damper with manual lockout and optional remote; Optional IT travel adjust; External rebound damping and air preload adjustments
R7 Platinum: 1315g/2.9lb target weight; Titanium negative coil spring; Snap Valve damper; Optional IT travel adjust; External rebound damping, platform, and air preload adjustments

Manitou’s new line of rear shocks has been likewise improved over previous offerings. A smaller and lighter air can reduces the volume of the air spring, resulting in more spring progression as you move through the travel. This increased progression also increases pressure on the platform valve and combines with a softer negative spring to provide a firmer threshold throughout the shock stroke, meaning less bob and more forward motion. The weight of the damper has decreased as well but retains the same oil volume to maintain current levels of damper reliability. In all, the S-Type reduces weight by 108g over a current SPV 3-Way while improving overall pedaling efficiency. The S-Type line will include two rear shocks:

Suspension development has been progressing in leaps and bounds as of late, and it’s nice to see that the XC crowd hasn’t been forgotten. Manitou’s new R-Seven is as stiff as the Minute and lighter than the Skareb, yet offers a firmer platform and more supple response than SPV Evolve, while the S-Type shocks should deliver outstanding pedaling efficiency in an ultralight package. Look for this stuff on the bikes of Manitou’s sponsored pros right now, with consumer offerings coming sometime around June.