Skip to main content

MRP Stage fork

MRP Stage fork

The Stage is billed as MRP’s enduro fork, but the new platform offers a lot to trail riders as well. Our 130-millimeter-travel test fork felt right at home on a snappy 120-mil 29er. The Stage is not the lightest fork we’re highlighting, but it’s within 100 grams of our other favorites. Besides, the 34-millimeter stanchions and overbuilt magnesium lowers dare you to shred as though you’ve never counted a gram in your life.

The Stage allows you to choose how best to do that shredding. The externally adjustable ramp-up is more noticeable than other brands’ bottom-out limiters. It’s as crucial to set up as rebound damping or preload. The ‘Ramp Control’s’ frmer clicks may seem unnecessary, but with the right amount of bottom-out resistance, it’s possible to run low air preload and the fork will foat over small bumps while effectively softening big hits. A low-speed compression knob allows you to mitigate the mushiness and low ride height that comes with that low pressure. A magnetic blow-off valve helps prevent spiking when large, high-speed impacts hit the compression damper.

Riders concerned about high-speed, mid-sized chop can back off the ramp-up to zero, and the fork still keeps a frm feel that’s perfect for those who prefer a moderatetravel bike, but ride it fast and rough.

PRICE 970$

MRP Stage fork

Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.

Scott Scale 950

The Scale 950 uses the now traditional-for-cross-country 29er wheels to excellent effect, with a fast but fun character that's happy racing or railing.