View Full Version : Thoughts on dorados?
dan wask
06-24-2007, 10:24 PM
It's new fork time and one of my options is the manipoo dorado. Anyone have any advice on durability, how they ride etc etc ?
I'm also considering Boxxers and 888's in my price range up to about 400$, so used is my only option.
rosenamedpoop
06-24-2007, 10:36 PM
It's new fork time and one of my options is the manipoo dorado. Anyone have any advice on durability
Not durable. Highly finicky. Requires an ungodly amount of maintainence.
hungryleprican
06-24-2007, 10:48 PM
id say try to find a used 06 team
Get the nacho cheese flavored one, the cool ranch is nasty.
pinkshirtphotos
06-24-2007, 10:53 PM
mmm doritos
dan wask
06-24-2007, 11:14 PM
Not durable. Highly finicky. Requires an ungodly amount of maintainence.
Thats the polar opposite of what I need. Would something more like a boxxer work for me? I'm probably doing dh only, theres not much freeride that I'm interested in around here, so racing is my only focus for the big bike. It will be going on a session 7 by the way...
BMXman
06-24-2007, 11:21 PM
Thats the polar opposite of what I need. Would something more like a boxxer work for me? I'm probably doing dh only, theres not much freeride that I'm interested in around here, so racing is my only focus for the big bike. It will be going on a session 7 by the way...
well an 888 will have the least amount of maintainence of the 3....D
Bicyclist
06-24-2007, 11:23 PM
You want a 888 or 66.
dan wask
06-24-2007, 11:28 PM
It's not that I mind maintaining my stuff, I just don't want to have to say, chang the oil after every ride or something rediculous.
Comparing the two, which boxxer and which 888 are closest to eachother in weight and performance ? I'm slowly narrowing down my sights I guess...
Demomonkey
06-25-2007, 05:07 AM
If you are putting a fork on the Session 7, I'd say a 66 RC2X 170mm would be they way to go.
Alternatively see if you can get some 170mm 888s from an OEM sale or something. I'd imagine 200mm on your bike would be too much.
ChrisKring
06-25-2007, 07:51 AM
can you even get a dorado? I think they closed up shop in CA and are in the process of moving to WI.
Personally, I think the new Boxxers are awesome. The damping is far better than the previous generations.
Get the nacho cheese flavored one, the cool ranch is nasty.
Hey! I like Cool Ranch!
Threepointtwo
06-25-2007, 09:48 AM
I believe 2005 was the last year for the Dorado and they weren't that great. The previous version (2003 vintage?) was fantastic. Probably the best fork I have owned IMHO. I seriously doubt that you could find one of those around any more.
dan wask
06-25-2007, 11:56 AM
If you are putting a fork on the Session 7, I'd say a 66 RC2X 170mm would be they way to go.
Alternatively see if you can get some 170mm 888s from an OEM sale or something. I'd imagine 200mm on your bike would be too much.
Thats why I was more interested in something like a boxxer.
rosenamedpoop
06-25-2007, 11:58 AM
Thats the polar opposite of what I need. Would something more like a boxxer work for me? I'm probably doing dh only, theres not much freeride that I'm interested in around here, so racing is my only focus for the big bike. It will be going on a session 7 by the way...
If functional durability is key, buy a 888. Hands down most durable DH fork available. Any year.
Not durable. Highly finicky. Requires an ungodly amount of maintainence.
I had an 03 from Orven (Dorado God, btw) that I beat on for a season that needed nothing all year long...I don't get this "finicky" reputation. God knows they're easier to work on than a 888 (sealed damper FTL!), just different than most forks. It's a super low fork...On my SGS DH it dumped my BB to about 13.5 and the HA was pretty steep for a race bike. The faster you went, the happier the fork was, and they look fvcking awesome.
On the downside, they're heavy, old, and getting harder to find parts for. If the fork has been used the crowns will crack at some point, in which case you may be SOL. I'd definitely recommend tracking down an 06 or newer Boxxer Team. You might be able to score one for that price. Durable functional damper, proven chassis, easy to work on. If you're attracted to the TPC+ damping system, look into a Travis. They can be had new in your price range and will offer up the same performance as a Dorado with available parts and a warranty...
If you are putting a fork on the Session 7, I'd say a 66 RC2X 170mm would be they way to go.
Alternatively see if you can get some 170mm 888s from an OEM sale or something. I'd imagine 200mm on your bike would be too much.
A 170mm 66 has about the same A/C as a 200mm 888...it's all about what "looks" right on the bike. A 180mm dual crown fork will likely be lower than a 66.
rosenamedpoop
06-25-2007, 04:22 PM
I had an 03 from Orven (Dorado God, btw) that I beat on for a season that needed nothing all year long...I don't get this "finicky" reputation. God knows they're easier to work on than a 888 (sealed damper FTL!), just different than most forks.
Sounds like you got lucky.
Dorado's have this finicky reputation mainly due to the fact that their non-open bath design typically required a tear down and regrease so often. Like once a month if you were tolerant, more often if not. If left ungreased for long they would degrade into increasingly horrid stiction.
stiksandstones
06-25-2007, 04:47 PM
There was a time I had to say Manitous were great-that time has well passed, they have always been a poor option for suspension.
Find something else.
dan wask
06-25-2007, 04:53 PM
I'm probably going boxxer route. Just gotta find one that fits the bill. I want a longer fork to slacken the headtube angle a lil bitty, as of right now the bb sits fairly high, and it has a steep ht.
Patan-DH
06-25-2007, 05:01 PM
A 2006 boxxer ride is what you need, matches better the session 77
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