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MSRP on the Magura Durin Marathon is $899 bucks....so drool over these deals and grab em while you they are there!

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2009 MAGURA DURIN MARATHON 120MM WITH REMOTE DLO    US $439.00

Magura Durin Marathon Fork    US $799.00

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Amazon Deals

Maybe you prefer Amazon to Ebay.... MSRP on the Magura Durin Marathon is $899  bucks....so drool over these deals and grab em while you they are there!

Magura Durin Marathon Review

Magura Durin Marathon Fork Review

High Quality controls are standard on the Magura Fork lineup!

Magura does not enjoy the name recognition of many of the other fork brands like RockShox or Fox but that doesn't mean they aren't a very wise selection when it comes to finding the right fork for you. The Magura fork lineup has been weighted pretty heavily to the mid range travel shocks up to their heavy hitter the Magura Wotan. The Magura Durin lineup contains a few choices, the Race (80 or 100mm), SL and the Magura Durin Marathon that we are reviewing here.   We have tested or are testing most of the Magura lineup and we have to say, so far we're impressed. This review is going to be on the adjustable version of the Magura Durin Marathon but I would expect that much of it would apply to the straight 120mm version as well.

Magura Durin Construction

Standard 45 deg wheel retention dropouts keep the wheel in place should a failure occur.

The construction of the Magura Durin Marathon is of the high quality that German engineering is known for but the overall design isn't really anything you haven't see before. It's air sprung and utilizes the Magura Dual Arch technology on the lowers. Basically these arches are designed to strengthen and stiffen the chassis of the fork and we'll tell you how it does in a minute. The 6082 T-6 crown is connected to the lower legs via a pair of 32mm stanchions. As we continue down the fork leg, the dropouts are paced at a 45° forward angle, which is pretty much the current standard for wheel retention in case of failure. The brake calipers are post mounted and a standard PM caliper will mount properly if you are using a 6 inch rotor but the forks are built to handle up to an 8 inch rotor if you should desire.

Fork adjustment and setup is pretty straightforward as we have one air valve, a rebound dial and the compression damping adjustment. Magura includes a table of recommended air pressures for various rider weights but you will have to adjust to your personal tastes. Our experience was that we needed more air pressure than the recommended starting point from Magura Durin Marathon. This was the same way with the Magura Thor that we reviewed as well. Not sure why, just did.

Magura Flight Control System allows on the fly adjustment of fork travel. Way Cool!

The upper end Magura forks utilize a system they call the Flight Control Remote lock down to adjust the travel on the fork. This system, while straightforward, complicates matters a bit, nothing serious but you need to tweak it to get it right. It works quite simply, depress the lever, compress the fork and release the lever. The Magura Durin Marathon can be adjusted down as low as an 80mm travel fork and tops out at the 120mm mark by simply pushing the lever, unloading the front wheel, and releasing the lever. Pretty slick system to give you a range of suspension travel, without having to change out the fork.

The control knobs and adjusters on the Magura forks are all excellent quality and made out of aluminum. No cheap plastic knobs here. Nothing major, but a nice touch in our opinion.  Some might say that appearance shouldn't be a factor, but in our opinion, we want gear that works AND that looks high end, high tech, high dollar and just plain cool.  We're vain,  so sue us.

Magura Durin Marathon Ride Quality

Honesty...Magura makes a drop dead sexy fork in our opinion. Definitely a factor.

As we stated above, Magura is not one of the most widely known forks but they have really been making an impact the last few years. We've had the good fortune to test the Magura Thor and we are currently testing the Magura Wotan as well and have been nothing short of impressed with all of them. The Magura Durin Marathon is equally impressive.

Once we got the air shock adjusted to our liking the fork started smoothing right out and we quickly hit a few of our favorite trails. Until we added a considerable amount more pressure that Magura recommends, the fork would bottom out very easily and wasn't a very good ride. Once proper pressure was added though, it changed quickly.

The Dual Arch system works great and the Durin Marathon chassis is rock solid and stiff enough to keep the wheel planted in the most technical of terrain. The fork action is smooth and controlled and the fork handled everything we put to it with ease. You have to remember that it is still a 120mm fork, so don't expect to hang with a purpose built downhill machine but for an all purpose XC mixed terrain fork, this Magura is a beauty.

The Marathon even surprised us as to how capably it handled the more technical terrain. A fork in the 3.5lb fork category rarely feels as solid and rugged as the Magura Durin does and while we took it a bit easy on the fork at first, we were soon just beating the heck out of it to see what it would take, and it took it all. Now don't let us mislead you, this thing isn't bomb proof but it as up to whatever we threw at it. We know the trend in the XC category as of late has been getting heavier, but after putting the Magura Durin Marathon through it's paces, we're actually pleased to see it. It will make them more durable.

The Magura Durin Marathon is a pretty straight forward and simply designed mountain bike fork. It took a little extra time to get it set up just right as we had to play with the air pressure to get it right as the settings in the manual were not right. You also have an extra step on the Marathon to set up the FCR setup and make sure that you have the negative air pressure set correctly as well. It sounds complicated, but it isn't. It's just another step though so read the manual before you go charging down the side of a mountain.

Magura Marathon Review Summary

What really attracts us to a brand like Magura, is that it's different. I like having something different than every other bike on the trail and I don't want to see my bike coming and going every time I turn around. Magura is gaining market share in the states but you will still likely be one of the precious few that are riding a German engineered Magura fork if you choose to go this route. For us, that's an attractive point, not to mention that the Madura Durin Marathon is just straight out a great mountain bike fork.

Video Review

Check out this cool video review from Competitive Cyclist of the Magura Durin Mountain Bike Fork. This review is of the 2008 version of the Durin which came in either 80 or 100mm versions. So the technical aspects of the video are not quite the same, it does give you an idea of the level of quality and engineering that you get from Magura.

Buy On Ebay

MSRP on the FSA K-Force XC bar is approximately $260 dollars so you will LOVE the deals we have found on this bar below. The money you save on the bar could buy you the stem, which is shown at the bottom. Enjoy and come back and let us know what you think.

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NEW 09 FSA K Force XC FLAT Carbon Handlebar Bra 318mm    US $88.00

FSA K FORCE XC Carbon MTB Bicycle Riser Handlebars    US $89.99

FSA K Force XC low rise carbon mtb bars handlebars 630    US $.99

FSA K FORCE XC FLAT CARBON MOUNTAIN BIKE MTB HANDLEBAR    US $49.99

NEW 09 FSA K Force XC Carbon MTB Riser Handlebars 318m    US $88.00

FSA K FORCE XC RISER 318MM MOUNTAIN BIKE HANDLEBAR    US $97.93

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2009 NEW FSA OS 150 OS150 WHITE STEM 90mm 316mm ±6°    US $32.99

NEW FSA OS150 Alloy Road Bike Stem 1 1 8 120 318    US $39.99

FSA OS150 White stem 90 mm    US $30.00

FSA OS 150 STEM OS150 318MM 318 BLACK 120MM BIKE STEM    US $9.80

2009 NEW FSA OS 150 OS150 WHITE STEM 100mm 316mm ±6°    US $32.99

NEW FSA OS150 Alloy Road Bike Stem 1 1 8 110 318    US $39.99

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Buy On Amazon

Some people prefer Amazon to Ebay, so never fear we found some killer deals there too. MSRP on the FSA K-Force XC bar is approximately $260 dollars so check out the money you can save below. Enjoy and come back and let us know what you think.

FSA K-Force Review

FSA K-Force Stem and Bars

FSA K-Force XC Bar

When it comes to performance, it's hard to make a case for how much improved performance you are going to realize from a simple stem and bar change. Sure, you can save some weight and get a smidge more aerodynamic maybe but as far as real performance, it's a hard case to make.

As far as I am concerned it's a pure sex appeal issue but if you want to think that a new stem and bar is going to turn you into Lance, then go right ahead. Me, I just dig the way the FSA K-Force carbon bar looks. It's HOT! I am not ashamed to admit that I am vain and want my equipment to look as good as it performs. FSA K-Force has a reputation for producing quality bicycle components and there is simply no question the carbon K-Force is drop dead sexy so let's take a closer look and see if it's for you.

K-Force is the marketing name used by FSA (Full Speed Ahead) for it's top of the line carbon components. The K-Force riser bar that we are reviewing weighs in at a spritely 170g so it's definitely attractive to the weight weenies. It's constructed from a mix of carbon and Kevlar to ensure that it can handle the strength and loads you are going to put on it. It's reinforced around the stem clamp area and offers a textured finished that is designed to prevent slippage. The K-Force is available in your choice of 24.8, 25.4 or 31.8 inch widths, perfect for XC mountain bikers.

FSA OS-150 stem is a perfect match!

We paired up our FSA K-Force XC bar with a matching FSA OS-150 riser. As you would expect, the FSA OS-150 riser comes in a variety of sizes to accomodate just about any rider's geometry including 90, 100, 110, 120 to 130mm increments. It currently is only offered with a 31.8mm clamp and a 6° rise though. These are pretty standard geometries so they should work well for the majority of riders out there. The OS-150 is CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminium and weighs in at 160g thanks to the design and a carbon front plate.

FSA K-Force First Impressions

Once we had both items installed our first impression was hot. These components look great and we were upgrading a stock bar and riser on a Trek Fuel so out goes the not so sexy aluminum Bontrager and in goes the dead sexy FSA K-Force carbon bar. We performed some very scientific grunt and groan tests on the bar and riser and of course we detected no out of the ordinary flex or movement.

Our Trek is set up as an all purpose XC bike so we were happy with the narrow geometry and the grip was very comfortable. The width of the FSA K-Force is just right in our opinion but if you prefer a wider bar than what they offer then you will have to stay with aluminum in the K-Force lineup.

The fit and finish is great, they look good, fit good and are priced right so if you are spec'ing out a new bike or just want to add a little bit of sexy to your existing ride then the FSA K-Force and OS-150 stem would be a perfect way to do that in our opinion.

Related Videos

No Review of the FSA K-Force XC bar is available at this time.

Ebay Deals

MSRP on the Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels are $440 dollars......so drool over these deals and grab em while you they are there!

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New Bontrager Rhythm Dual Lock Grips    US $16.99

Bontrager Rhythm Elite TLR Disc Rear Wheel 26 NEW    US $99.99

NEW BONTRAGER Rhythm Elite DISC TUBELESS Wheelset lite    US $270.00

New Bontrager Rhythm Comp 26 disc 15mm wheelset    US $400.00

BONTRAGER RHYTHM ELITE TLR 29 WHEEL SET NEW    US $200.00

Bontrager Rhythm Mountain Bike Disc Wheelset    US $250.00

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Bontrager Rhythm Elite Review

We are not usually big fans of factory wheels as they tend to be built more towards economy of scale than performance but we have grown to be big fans of Trek bicycles. (Bike Snobs be damned) Bontrager is standard fare on the Trek lineup and we must admit, we've grown quite fond of much of the Bontrager lineup. Yep, we were surprised too.

These Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels are targeted at the "all-mountain" crowd and they are designed for riders who like to ride varied terrain and needs equipment that can handle some tough terrain. These wheels do a lot to minimize fatigue by offering a very rider friendly weight coming in at about 1,780g for the pair. A low spoke count (28) contributes to that and Bontrager employs a lightweight pair of hubs that are built by DT equipped with 14/15g butted spokes and alloy nipples.

Bontrager Rhythm Elite Strength

A couple of features contribute to the durability of the Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels with the first one being the front wheel employs a 20mm through-axle that will mate up to whatever big burly fork you choose to equip your bike with. The only downside is that you can't convert the hub to a quick release style so you will need a through-axle fork. Big deal to some, not a big deal to others. The second contributing factor is the girth. These Bontrager Rhythm wheels check in at a manly 28mm width which allows you to run a big set of healthy tires.

These Bontrager Rhythm wheels are also what Bontrager bills as TR or "Tubeless Ready" wheels. Similar to the well known UST system, these TR wheels utilize a locking tire bead/rim surface but also relies on a special rim strip and liquid sealant in the tire to seal it. You can still run a standard tire/tube combo if you choose but be aware that a common issue with this style of rim is that you need to make sure you have them properly seated all the way around the circumference of the wheel, otherwise you may end up with some wobble.

A few other hidden little features that strengthen these wheels are the use of offset rear spoke holes. They are offset slightly to the non-drive side which enhances the strength of the rear wheel by evening out the spoke tension.

Bontrager Rhythm Wheels on the Trail

Ok, with all that aside...how do they ride? Well once we got them out on the trail we certainly had no complaints about these rims. They felt plenty stiff and very stable even in the technical stuff but we would still prefer a 32 spoke wheel. I am a Clydesdale so I don't mind hefting around a little more weight in exchange or being able to bash the equipment. If you are a lighter rider then this probably isn't a big deal for you and quite honestly, we didn't actually experience any issues. It's just that 28 spoke wheels make me nervous, call me Sally.

If you are in the market for a decent set of factory style wheels and don't want to cough up the dough for full on customs, then these Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels might be the perfect choice for you.

Video Reviews

No video review is available at this time for the Bontrager Rhythm Elite wheels.

Ebay Deals

MSRP on the Magura Thor is $899 bucks....so drool over these deals and grab em while you they are there!

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NEW 09 MAGURA THOR FORK BLACK 140 100mm MAXLE w REMOTE    US $499.00

Magura Thor AM140 Suspension Fork    US $869.00

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Magura Thor Fork Review

Magura Thor is a great looking fork!

Magura forks might not be a name many of us are familiar with as they don't have the name recognition of something like RockShox or Marzocchi but that doesn't mean they aren't a quality mountain bike fork.  If you are one of those who prefer to have something unique and different than the 1200 other guys that ride your trail, then this might be the perfect fork for you.  Let's take a closer look at it.

The Magura Thor fork is going to be the fork that we look at in this article and the Thor is a welcome and needed addition to the Magura lineup.  It fills a gap between the Magura 130mm Menja and the massive Magura 160mm Wotan.  Coming in at 140mm of travel and utlizing the much vaunted Maxle axle system the Thor is a fork to look at right out of the gate, but no add the fact that it comes in right under the 4lb (or 2kg for you metric system weirdos) and suddenly you are looking at the Magura Thor as a direct competitor for a fork you may be very familiar with and that's the RockShox Revelation.

The last fork we had on our trusty test mule was the RockShox Pike and we have to say the Thor took an entire lb off the front end compared to the Pike.  It might not be a fair comparison, because those two forks are in different classes and the RockShox Pike utilizes a coil spring but still, the bike felt much lighter to us already and we liked it.

Magura Thor Construction

Nothing ground breaking but a rock solid choice!

Let's run down the basic construction of the Magura Thor fork.  If we work our way down from the top, we start with forged aluminum crown attached to a standard pair of 32mm stanchions.  From there the Magura Thor deviates a bit from the norm and you notice what they call the Magura Dual Arch Design.  These are exactly what they say, a pair of arches front and rear that are designed to improve the stiffness and rigidity of the fork.  We will share our opinion on whether they work or not later on but they sure look cool.  As you can see in the picture, this fork looks like it means business.

As we continue to the lower end of the Thor, we find the SRAM Maxle quick release axle setup.  Magura includes the Maxle 360 axle setup with the Thor, which is slightly easier to use.  They also include a hard core option for you weight weenies.  Magura includes a single pinch bolt at the bottom of the right fork leg.  This allows you to ditch the Maxle if you choose and use a standard Magura thru-axle and lock it down with the pinch bolt.  This takes away the quick change feature but it will save you 60 grams if you so choose.  Not for everyone, but some will appreciate this feature.

The left fork contains the mount for the brake and it's set up to take a 180 mm rotor but you could use up to a 210mm if you are a brake junkie.  Upgradeability....nice.

Magura Thor Internal Construction

Magura Thor 20mm Thru Axle

The Magura Thor doesn't break any new ground on the internals, you will find the standard air spring in the left fork and the the right leg contains the oil damping setup.  The Magura Thor includes a feature they call "Flight Control Remote travel" adjust system.  It works quite simply, depress the lever, compress the fork and release the lever.  The Magura Thor is now a 100mm travel fork, perfect for uphill climbs but not so short that it will bounce you out of the saddle.  To go back to 140mm, you simple do the reverse, push the lever and unload the front wheel, then release the lever again.  140mm of travel again, just like that.

The rebound damping controls are on the right-hand leg at the bottom and the compression damping dial is located at the top, again a standard setup for many forks on the market these days.  The Magura is a bit different though and here is how it works, the blue outer knob turns the damping circuit on or off and the inner gold knob determines how firm the ride is.  It varies from pretty squishy to almost locked out.  Technical terms like squishy might be hard to follow, but you get the idea.  Like many forks, you also can utlize a remote lever drive mounted on the handlebars to control this as well.

Fork adjustment and setup is pretty straightforward as we have one air valve, a rebound dial and the compression damping.  Magura includes a table of recommended air pressures for various rider weights but you will have to adjust to your personal tastes.    Our experience was that we needed more air pressure than the recommended starting point from Magura.  Their settings were too light for our taste but your experience may vary.

Magura flight Control Lever

The Flight Control Remote lockdown also complicates matters a bit, nothing serious but you need to make sure the fork's negative air chamber has enough pressure as well.  This is what allows the fork to operate in 100mm or 140mm mode.  It's simple to do, just occasionally depress the FCR lever while charging the fork or on the flip side if you need to release some pressure you simple depress the lever but do not compress the fork, this will remove pressure from the negative side of the air chamber.  It sounds more complicated than it is but it's really pretty simple and the fork comes with directions on proper setup.

Magura Thor Ride Quality

The good news is that once you do finally get the Magura setup, it's a killer fork.  This fork gives the same stiffness and sure handling that heavier forks do but without the weight penalty.  I am sure it's due to the Magura Dual Arch system as we put this puppy through it's paces on some tight singletrack and found it to be very stable and solid.   The fork action is very smooth and fluid and works well once we sorted out the adjustments.  This is a required step with any fork so while the Magura might be a bit more complicated than some, it wasn't a big deal.    For overall performance we'd easily rank the Magura Thor with any of the better known forks.

We had heard of earlier versions of the Magura Thor having a knocking sound when the fork topped out but I think Magura has fixed the production versions now as ours was fine.   To summarize our thoughts on the Magura Thor, it's a great fork from a well respected German company.  It looks waaay cool and performs just as good as any fork in this category that we've tested.  If you want something different than the rest of the herd, then the Magura Thor Fork could be the perfect choice for you.

Video Reviews

Check out this cool video review from Competitive Cyclist of the Magura Thor 140mm Fork.