Tell me about Manitou Nikon Forks

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Tell me about Manitou Nikon Forks

13 posts & 10 voices | Started 2 years ago by slackman99 | Latest reply from Tracey

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slackman99 - Member

Morning all.

Killed my forks at the weekend (Rockshox Tora 318) and am looking for something to replace them with.

Seen a couple of pairs of Manitou Nixon forks for sale recently, and while I realise Manitou haven't been great recently, I am tempted.

Riding an 06 Trance frame so was running the Toras at 130mm.

Nixons are 145mm so that shouldn't be an issue.

I take it as the Nixons are 20mm bolt through they'll be stiffer than the Toras? Will that apply to increased stiffness under braking too (i.e. forward and aft stiffness).

Weight wise, think the Toras are 5lbs and the Nixons 4.5lbs, so i'd be saving 0.5lbs.

Now for the really big question, how are the 08 Nixons for reliability? Do the bushes wear well?

Basically, they are cheaper than Pikes, as light as the air Pikes or Revs, but are they a reasonable purchase (secondhand)? They've got to be better than my Toras haven't they?

Posted 2 years ago #
hora - Member

Personally I'd buy secondhand Pikes. Pay alittle more and enjoy.

Posted 2 years ago #
Tracey - Member

Kevin is running the 160 Nixons on his Enduro and he rates them,, we have also had a couple of pairs of Shermans which have been ace. Could have a set of Pike dual air for sale in the next few weeks

Tracey

Posted 2 years ago #
Scienceofficer - Member

I could tell you about mine, but you know about them already.

Posted 2 years ago #
lyons - Member

I beleive, the ones to go for are the ones with TPC damping... A friend has minutes with tpc, and they are great forks.

Posted 2 years ago #
james - Member

"Nixons are 145mm so that shouldn't be an issue"
Really? Trances came with 100mm forks. I know a lot of people ran them 130mm forks, but could 145mm be pushing it into horrible handling for eg an even higher BB height?
What about 130(-90)mm shermans with a 20mm axle? They should be a bit lighter than Nixons. Though just for the U-turn I'd be tempted to get s/h coil pikes? Or 130mm dual air Revelations given its a trance

"as light as the air Pikes or Revs,"
Dual-air ('06-'08 QR) Revs were sub 4lbs?

Posted 2 years ago #
slackman99 - Member

Thanks for the replies guys.

James, I've seen Trance frames with Pikes, so didn't think the 145mm travel would be a problem.

Nixon forks have an axle to crown of 518mm vs 509 on my Toras so I figure it won't feel any different (especially as i will end up running a touch more sag).

I thought the Shermans were more of a FR fork than AM, so figured they would be heavier.

I take your point about the Dual air QR Revs, but I was meaning the 20mm version of them weight 4.5lbs ish, and dual air Revs are still a lot more second hand than the Nixons seem to be going for!

Posted 2 years ago #
james - Member

Fair enough
There's a 130-90mm sherman (there are some 170mm versions too) that are I think sub 2kg. A friend of mine got some off of ebay recently for about £80 (okay so there were probably 3-4 years old) but seem pretty good

I didn't know 145mm nixons were as low as that, same as pikes at 140mm.

Posted 2 years ago #
Yetiman - Member

I run 20mm bolt through 145mm coil Nixon Elites on my DB Prince Albert with the rapid travel wind down system (115mm to 145mm) and adjustable rebound & compression. I've only had them since July (they're '05 versions I think) but they appear to be a decent, stiff and plush fork and I'm very happy with them.

Posted 2 years ago #
rkk01 - Member

I had an oem pair on a Giant Reign - if i'd kept the bike I would have changed them for Fox 36 Vans....

Suitability might depend on how heavy you are - I found the Nixons to be very "divey", quite unnerving on a bike like the Reign

Posted 2 years ago #
Lemurian - Member

I'm the owner of the Minutes lyons mentioned and they're a great set of forks, guessing the damping on them is similar to the Nixons. Really tuneable with the TPC system. I much prefer them to pikes for all-round xc stuff. Had a set of Pikes before the Manitous and found them to be just a bit too heavy (5lbs+), also not amazing on smaller bumps.

Posted 2 years ago #
BluePalomino - Member

Kevin is running the 160 Nixons on his Enduro and he rates them,, we have also had a couple of pairs of Shermans which have been ace. Could have a set of Pike dual air for sale in the next few weeks

I've got a pair Traceys old Shermans and I'm liking them.

Posted 2 years ago #
Tracey - Member

Glad you like them. Pikes will def be up for sale as Ive just ordered some 150 Revelations for Abigale. Just cant turn down a good deal

Posted 2 years ago #

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