WE WERE LUCKY to get a European exclusive first test of Manitou’s new, downhill influenced Mattoc. If its initial performance lasts, it looks like it should be a cost effective, high control winner.
The 35mm legged, reverse arch chassis is slightly
heavy and its narrow stance means it’s adequately rather than dramatically
stiff. The push in, quarter turn, cam close Hexlock 15mm axle is potentially
the fastest around, but there’s a real knack to working it.
The dual-chamber air spring technology comes straight
from Manitou’s Dorado DH fork and offers a great mix of supple start and
supportive mid stroke that gives great traction without obvious dive. The end
stroke gets separate hydraulic bottom-out adjustment and a rubber bumper to control
the final few millimetres.
Advanced fork fettlers will love the separate high-
and low-speed compression damping adjustment, though the subtle changes make
tuning patience a virtue. The low-speed adjustment stops short of full lockout but
that means you don’t sacrifice any small bump traction. As the Mattoc is new,
reliability is unproven, but Dorados have a good reputation and so far it’s an outstanding
fork for the money.
Travel 160mm
Weight 1,930g
Length 555mm
Wheel sizes 26in, 650b (tested)
PRICE: 1016$
