Pete from Hotlines just beamned me over the news that the Manitou Dorado is now available in the UK.
Are you sitting down? No? Well sit down because I’m going to tell you the price.
If you want to buy these forks they will cost you £2399.99. Yes that’s right, nearly two and a half thousand of your hard earned pounds.
Are they worth it? Are they the best fork in the world? Well, for that amount of money you would hope so… we’ve got a pair on test at the moment so stay tuned for a review in the magazine soon.
Here’s the official lowdown:
The Dorado has landed!
The wait is finally over, the legendary Dorado fork is back in the UK and it looks awesome! We just received the first sets into our warehouse and from the moment you open their travel case you know that you are looking at something special.
The 2009 Manitou Dorado MRD is a limited-production, hand-assembled, competition-level downhill fork. It is a technology centerpiece for Manitou and demonstrates their design, manufacturing, and performance capabilities. The product development cycle lasted approximately three years and incorporated ride testing with some of the top professional athletes in the world. Julien Camellini (UCI #10 ranking), Chris Kovarik (UCI #11 ranking), and Melissa Buhl (UCI #15 ranking) were the primary contributors in the athlete testing program. Production will be limited, and began in January of 2009.
The fork weighs 2902g (6.4lbs) and utilizes a 36mm inverted design with outer legs constructed from a custom modulus carbon fiber. Maximum travel is 203mm, and the fork can also be converted for use at 180mm. A self-equilibrating air spring is used in conjunction with low-speed compression, TPC+ (high-speed compression), and rebound damping adjustments to provide a wide range of tuning capabilities. Each Dorado is carefully hand-assembled by expert technicians in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, where a database is maintained with information on each fork and its owner’s setup preferences.
Customers who purchase a new Dorado will receive two no-cost overhauls of their fork within the first two years of ownership. This service will be performed by qualified Manitou distributors. Each overhaul will include a complete tear-down and inspection, replacement of damper fluid, and replacement of all worn or damaged o-rings, dust wipers, and oil seals. The Dorado will be delivered in a sturdy, re-usable plastic case designed to protect the fork during transit.
Manitou Dorado Key Features
-Dual layer carbon outer legs
-36mm hard anodized stanchions
-Internally adjustable travel between 180mm and 203mm
-Self regulating positive and negative air springs
-Advanced TPC+ damping
-Hydraulic Bottom out and top out
-20mm HexLock Thru-axle
-International Standard integrated stem mounting
-6.4 lbs (2902g)
External Adjustments
-Self regulating positive and negative air spring
-Rebound adj.
-Low-speed damping
-High-speed damping
Included with the fork
– Both tall and short crowns
– 2 free services within the first two years of ownership
– Deluxe carry case
– Shock pump
– Detailed instructions on DVD for fork setup and tuning tips
For more information on the Dorado and your nearest retailer contact Hotlines:
the Manitou Dorado downhill mountain bike fork arrives in the UK
