Spotted: Manitou's Prototype Enduro Fork and Sun Ringle's Carbon Wheels - Crankworx Whistler 2018

Aug 16, 2018
by Mike Kazimer  
Manitou Ringle prototype

Over the years Crankworx Whistler has grown into a mini-trade show, a chance for companies to show off their goods to the throngs of fans that have gathered to watch their favorite mountain bikers flip, spin, and sprint their way through the various events. It's also the perfect opportunity to spot items that are in the testing phase, whether that's a prototype bike, dropper post, or in this case, a new fork from Manitou, and some carbon wheels from Sun Ringle.

The full details, including things like price, weight, and availability, are still being kept under wraps for now, but I was able to get a closer look and snap some photos that make the basic facts pretty clear.


Manitou Ringle prototype
A bolt-on fender...
Manitou Ringle prototype
...And a much better brake housing routing method.


The fork resembles an oversized Manitou Mattoc – it has the same signature reverse-arch design, but with what looks like 170 or 180mm of travel and wider diameter stanchions. The brake housing routing also appears to have been improved; a guide directs it towards the front of the bike, which should make for a much cleaner looking setup.

Manitou were quiet about exactly what's inside the fork, but the writing on the top caps helps to shed some light on the details. It's air sprung, and has Manitou's Infinite Rate Tune (IRT) installed, which is a secondary air chamber that allows riders to adjust the feel of the fork's mid-stroke without affecting the initial spring rate.

Manitou's Variable Terrain Tune (VTT) damper is housed inside the right leg, which offers three compression settings, including a full lock-out, along with the ability to fine-tune the amount of low-speed compression.


Manitou Ringle prototype
The Infinite Rate Tune allows for the amount of mid-stroke support to be adjusted.
Manitou Ringle prototype
Manitou's VTT damper is housed in the right leg.

Manitou Ringle prototype
New carbon rims from Ringle...
Manitou Ringle prototype
...And some shiny purple hubs to go with them.

The Trek Slash that the new fork was mounted on also had a set of un-released carbon wheels from Sun Ringle. Carbon rims have become increasingly common over the last few years, but purple anodized hubs? That's a throwback to the '90s, when Ringle's anodized goods were all the rage. I'm a sucker for purple or blue ano – hopefully that color makes it to production.

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144 Comments
  • 70 2
 Well ringle my dingle! Carbon fiber in wheels!?
  • 2 0
 And @whattheheel loves purple hubs!
  • 5 2
 look like we are ones.....
  • 2 1
 Probably the hardest I've laughed in like a year, thanks.
  • 2 0
 Damn straight!
  • 33 1
 Removed HSC and HBO adjust? No one needs terrain switching, CTD what ever you call it, lockouts on forks became irrelevant around the 66 degree mark.
Just make a long travel 29er mattoc with 35mm stantions, job done.
  • 14 0
 agreed. the Mattoc is a killer design. i don't know why they would change anything but the stanchions if they want a beefier fork
  • 9 0
 Agreed. I love my Matric, better than any other fork I've ridden.
  • 9 0
 @DC1988: err.. is that Mattoc uppers with Metric lowers? Pics or it didn't happen!!
  • 1 0
 @freeriderayward:
Maybe, or spellcheck messing with me
  • 7 0
 @DC1988: sun ringle carbon, Manitou Enduro,,, did I just time warp 5 years!?!!
  • 4 0
 yup. never use lock out on my fork
  • 5 0
 Best fork I ever owned and I’ve had a few! Also disappointed by the apparent dumbing down of the damper.
  • 7 0
 @iqbal-achieve: That's probably the Comp version, I'm guessing the Pro version still has MC2 and HBO.
  • 2 0
 @Rudolfo-Balofo: thanks man, I realised that after my edit window. I hope so!
  • 7 0
 Totally agree. Would be a massive shame to ditch the current adjustments which were one of the biggest selling points for me especially at that price point. My Mattoc is a great little fork and a huge improvement over the Yari it replaced.
  • 6 1
 @xeren: The axle? freeride forks with wimpy 15mm axles ?!?! I have broken two in slightly skewed landings, a lighter and stronger alternative exists, yet in the world of short-service-intervall-and-short-lived-mtb-gear only xfusion, suntour, and micro-producers get the message
  • 1 2
 Us single speeders would disagree with you on that one. That's the one fork feature I can't live without, but gimme the other goodies as well.
  • 2 0
 The IRT air spring makes it so you don't need HBO. End stroke ramp up is high enough I have my HBO off and haven't needed it. I also believe there is going to be an internal HBO to prevent harsh bottoms.
  • 5 0
 @gotohe11carolina: You're the only single speeder I know that runs a 180mm fork
  • 2 0
 @xeren: Remember, just because that is the dial that is on there doesn't mean that it is not A) a comp version, or B) a modified version that has the HBO in it. Prototype without decals could really be anything.
  • 4 0
 @gregnash: yeah, mullen confirmed that the VTT is the replacement for the ABS+ damper, so it sounds like it will go on the comp version.

i love that even the "cheap" versions of their forks have such adjustable damping. so much more choice than most of their competitors
  • 21 0
 As a spanish speaker, I don't know if the phrase "I'm a sucker for purple or blue ano" sounds funny or disgusting. Hahahaha
  • 14 0
 One would have to suck pretty hard for it to become purple or blue!
  • 5 0
 jajaja
  • 3 1
 @vladimir-e don’t go to Finland where Ano is girls name.
  • 5 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Never met anyone named Ano. But Anu is a common name for a girl.
  • 3 1
 @verskis: aaah ok, I just heard it phonetically from a girl presenting herself to me. And then the Spanish dudes giggling behind me...
  • 3 3
 @WAKIdesigns: in germany arno is a mens name..
  • 8 0
 @optimumnotmaximum: And in Kalifornia Arno was the governator!
  • 9 0
 Props to Hayes Bike company, they are coming out with some seriously nice looking bits of kit these days. Long may this continue.
  • 5 0
 Definitely some of the most underrated stuff with how little you see them out on the trails
  • 2 0
 Agreed, it's nice to see them upping their game as of late. It seems like they have been a step behind in the past few years. I am a little bummed to see them drop the Answer name though.
  • 11 3
 I'd like to know just how close that reversed bridge gets to the frame on the treks haha
  • 3 2
 The frameprotection is there for a reason i guess
  • 1 2
 @Zany2410: That guard is if the fork crown were to hit the frame. There is a Knock Block headset on that bike which would prevent the full rotation anyways.
  • 7 0
 I hope they stick with the tool theme and call this fork the Manitou Jackhammer..
  • 14 1
 www.manitoumtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Manitou_Reverse-Arch_revC.pdf

Feel free to PM me directly if you have any questions!

Cheers Eh
  • 1 0
 @eastsideride: yeah i was making fun out of it Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @Zsmith: Solid find!

@Zany2410: No worries! It does sort-of work in this case, haha
  • 8 0
 All this work into forks, makes you wonder of theyre going to update the swinger?
  • 2 0
 They will... But when?:-D
  • 6 0
 i have no doubt their shocks are great, but the designs looks like they're from 2006. like it or not, aesthetics is important to a lot of people. i bet they would sell tons more if they looked more modern
  • 1 3
 @xeren: your missing the point: bikes are for riding.

if your microanalizing bikes apperanes instead of riding them so fast apperance doesnt matter, your mesing up bigtime
  • 2 0
 @getsomesy: uh, i didn't say i cared about aesthetics
  • 3 5
 @getsomesy: Bikes are toys for adults.
I like my toys to look good.
The mattock is great.
If you like ugly forks.
Looks are a very important selling feature.
  • 2 1
 @getsomesy: maybe learn how to spell before you claim other are 'messing up'
  • 8 0
 Kinda sad that there is so few Mattocs around.
  • 6 0
 How about a full picture of the products nexts time...oh wait I’ll put it together like a 3piece puzzle..wtf
  • 3 0
 Is lockout even that beneficial?? I mean if you're riding on a full suspension bicycle, then climbing with the rear shock 'locked' out is great an all. However is it as beneficial on a HT? I know you're not locking out any rear suspension, but if you have large enough stanchions, then you wouldn't need to lockout if you're on a killer climb??? I ride a Manitou Markhor on a HT MTB and I rarely use lockout except gnarly climb sections
  • 2 0
 Purple shiny hubs are nice and all, but I hope they actually work and last well. I like the concept of the bolt on fender over the zip-tied option on the fork though. I enjoyed their 29+ fork, the Magnum Pro, so I would expect this one to perform as well!
  • 3 2
 you must have be blessed and live in area without the mud. this fender would last 15 min (if) in ours in winter Smile
  • 4 2
 @maddiver: It stays pretty dry in the summers here as the trails have good drainage. I also try not to ride when it is muddy so I don't damage the hard work done by the trail builders!
  • 1 12
flag sevensixtwo (Aug 16, 2018 at 17:10) (Below Threshold)
 @eastsideride: Easy on the exclaimation points
  • 12 0
 @sevensixtwo: one is too much excitement for you?
  • 2 1
 @maddiver: i ve always been a fenderbender guess i have to live with getting dirty
  • 5 0
 More companies should have bikes available with these kind of forks. It would be nice to have more options
  • 2 0
 I love my aluminum Sun Ringle Charger Lites. Cheapish, stay true, came with sealant & tubeless valves, all the adapters for the front wheel, rear wheel adapters were cheap. I had to settle for red anno hubs though. Smile I'd check out the carbons.
  • 2 0
 Nice that a working rct3 version of manitou actually is the comp or basic model. And for sure it will have a fixed hydraulic bottom out as a mattoc comp. Besides the 3 position surely will be more usable when charging hard. Rather a 3 step hsc i suppose
  • 3 0
 Hope the manitou fork is good. There so many heavy hitters in the squish worlds now a days so you really gotta set the bar high
  • 23 2
 Did you miss the Mattoc? It's at least as good as the rest of the heavy hitters. I can tell you I'd prefer it over both Pike and Diamond forks I've been on recently.
  • 2 0
 Nope I just don't have one to try. My diamond is better than the new lyrik and fox 36 and way better than the helm in my personal opinion. @FLATLlNE:
  • 8 0
 @freeridejerk888: Then you might like the Mattoc a lot.
  • 5 0
 Manitou have the best DJ fork and the Mattoc kicks ass. Sram just keeps brainwashing and FOX keeps overcharging. Manitou FTW! Smile
  • 1 3
 @FrEeZa: lets hope these forks dont eat themselves after one season of riding.
  • 2 0
 @zyoungson: you mind elaborating?
  • 2 0
 @zyoungson: Rode my Circus for 3 years and I then decided to do some maintenance, wiped it clean, lubed it up, worked like a charm. I do not care for clicks and doodads, I simply go out and ride. The lockout was simply a gem to work with, the rebound was responsive, so simple and so good! Changed my Circus for a FOX 36 and the 36 broke while the bike was sitting... Pretty soon I'll be going back to Manitou, as they still have a 20mm fork. Smile
  • 1 0
 @FrEeZa: what do you mean broke while sitting?
  • 3 0
 I have a Manitou Minute Pro on my Norco Sight. It is a great value compared to other forks in the price range and is smooth and buttery on the trails. Manitou is definitely underrated.
  • 4 0
 As it is vtt and not mc2 with more adjustable hsc, I hope they kept a non adjustable HBO at least.
  • 6 0
 are there other VTT forks out there? maybe i just don't have enough info, but VTT sounds like a step backward from MC2
  • 9 0
 @xeren: VTT is the future ABS+ replacement. The MC2 damper will still be available
  • 2 0
 @mullen119: ah, good to know. so it sounds like it's a step up from ABS+ which only offered LSC adjustment (and HSC if you are fine messing with shims), but this offers LSC plus a little bit of HSC adjustment too?
  • 3 0
 @xeren:

I cant get into details, but think of the abs+ damper with the suppleness and usability of a linear shim stack, but with the lock out of the XC stack.
  • 1 0
 @mullen119: very cool.
  • 1 1
 @mullen119: ABS as in anti lock braking system or something else
  • 5 0
 @Chingus-Dude: in this case, ABS+ is just shorthand for Absolute Plus
  • 6 1
 Manitou, hayes, Sun rims? Its like 2004 all over again.
  • 3 0
 Ha, nice info on the carbon wheels. They are, apparently, carbon. Very impressive effort!
  • 4 0
 It's weird that there's no one image that shows the whole fork.
  • 3 0
 Come on manitou... All I wanted was that exact fork with a coil spring Frown
  • 2 1
 Air Spring, coil spring, I'm not so bothered as long as there's a new Travis coming, even it's not called Travis.
  • 2 4
 @Fix-the-Spade: I remember a few people being lyrical about Travises with Intrinsic dampers, saying they were better than 66 of the sunset of Marzocchi’s reign, around 2006. Also Sherman was good fork at the time, the TPC+ one, not the terrible SPV. Then Mattocs had great reviews in recent years. I still have Black Comp at the attic...
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I have two Travis forks, three Blacks, a Nixon, a Mattoc on my bike... Pike is gathering dust under a test bench.
I think I just have a fetish for 1,1/8th forks too.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: agreed on SPV Sherman. With SPV removes and a nice shim job that fork could get the job done really well, just lost travel adjust iirc.
  • 5 0
 until 2 months i was on the same trip, then I bought a mattoc for my trailhardtail -was cheap and looked fine for the hardtail. now i am not so sure anymore if i need a coilfork for my fs. the mattoc is all i wished for while struggling with my 2014 pike -and more. its well made, very good on small bumps,the damping in general is very good and with the irt you can give the fork totally different characteristics. at first i tried to make the progressioncurve look (almost) like coil -i figuered out i dont even like it that way. if your willing to tinker with your fork this one beats the pike by miles- should be on sale soon too.
  • 1 5
flag WAKIdesigns (Aug 17, 2018 at 0:00) (Below Threshold)
 @optimumnotmaximum: considering how good fork the Pike was from the get go, that it is better in latest iteration, then no matter how good Mattoc or (insert whatever you just bought and have to feel good about it) are, there’s no way the difference is big. There’s literally nothing you can do on Mattoc that you wouldn’t be able to do on Pike just as well. We are all happy you like your fork though.

I too would wish for 36 instead of Lyrik but I leave it for first world problem section.
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Uhmmm, can you tinker with the Pike's HSC on the fly like in the Mattoc? Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin
If they've put the new Charger 2 in it lately, i guess you could, but if not...
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: i was never happy with my pike, maybe i got a bad one, but i was utterly diappointed when i got it. my previous lyrik (old) was way better. i swapped the damping and even changed the airchamber to something similar to irt -still a very inconsistent feel. tuningwise you can do more with the mattoc, irt is just better then tokens, ridingwise similar equipment usually makes very little difference how and what you ride. Sorry could be the unexpected honeymoon i never had with the pike.
  • 1 5
flag WAKIdesigns (Aug 17, 2018 at 0:19) (Below Threshold)
 @hitarpotar: I don’t need to tinker HSC in Lyrik nor Pike. They’re good as they are. Never for a moment felt the desire to have a possibility to change anything in there. Ironically the only thing I don’t like on it is LSC since it isn’t as speed sensitive as in Fox or Cane Creek meaning it doesn’t open on square edges as the other ones.

@optimumnotmaximum did you service it out of the box as one unfortunately should?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: kind of, i swapped the airshaft from 140mm to 130mm after 2 rides. lateron i thought maybe i managed to trap air while doing it, but even on my first 2 rides it was bad. after another service at a shop (i wanted to make sure it was not my fault) the problem remained. the modern lyriks of my friends feel good though. still hoping for another pricedrop on the 2018 commencal supreme sx -that would be the well deserved end for my pike
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I had the complete opposite experience of my 2014 Pike RC. Too harsh, great for DH and shuttle days but I could never use all the travel trail riding (75-80kg) 160mm fork. Had the shim stacked halved by Shockcraft, still wouldn't work nicely. I still have it but bought a Mattoc instead.
  • 1 0
 We all ride differently and expect different things from our equipment. I personally couldn’t feel much difference. I run 15-18% sag and compression half way so that may explain a bit
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: the old Travis TPC+ forks were great. I was never keen in the Intrinsic damper. SPV was the original mrp ramp-control! Great ideas with the air spring, not so hot in the damper side as I remember.
  • 1 0
 @FLATLlNE: aaaah yeah, there was this Travis 150 that had TPC+ right? Also wasn't Intrinsic essentially what current Fox Grip 2 is?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: correct. The 150 worked nicely.

I don't remember quite how the Intrinsic worked internally?
  • 1 0
 @FLATLlNE: instead of air backed floating piston of SPV, the Intrinsic damper had coil spring preloaded piston to put pressure on the oil inside the damper and get rid of mixing air and oil. Fox used bladders between 2006 and 2017 if I am correct, RS uses bladders since 2014. The Mission Control DH from Lyriks, Totems and Boxxers was decent, but it took them 8 fkng years to eliminate air from the system, releasing Pikes and Boxxers for 2014. As much as I am more than fine with my Lyrik, they still have not reached the mix of suppleness and stability of Fox 36 VAN Rc2 from 2011 that I had prior to Lyrik. I have a really hard time listening to people praising Marzocchi, I mean... have you fkng tried 36 Van mate? That thing was almost as reliable and in terms of performance it was light years ahead of anything Marzocchi has ever, I mean EVER produced and as we know now, EVER will. It was just as supple, it would satisfy any parking lot testing loser who runs too soft springs and brags about "suppleness". Unlike Marzocchis, which may have been best at the time until 2006, with Manitou being the only contender, the 2007-2008ish Fox 36VAN could be still used today with some good degree of success. If someone riding a modern Mattoc, 36, Lyrik just picked up Z1 or 66 from 2006, they wouldn't believe how world has changed.

anyhoo, here's the bollocks of Travis with Intrinsic damper:
images.ridemonkey.com/index.php?size=full&src=http%3A%2F%2Fp1.pinkbike.com%2Fphoto%2F3085%2Fpbpic3085836.jpg
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I'm not sure RS eliminated getting air in their system yet Razz

The last gen Pike certainly sucked it in good after a bit of riding.

My solution was to drop in an Avalanche open-bath cartridge (sounds like an oxymoron if there ever was one?) And my pike finally works reliably.

#anythingbutrockshox
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: low speed compression doesn't open, they are orifice/needle based and not speed sensitive in any damper. Hsc shim stacks open and are speed sensitive. You say you never had the need to adjust a pikes hsc, but that is what you are complaining about.
  • 1 0
 @mullen119: what? There must be some magic happening in my cane creek rear shock then because it “opens” at square edge hits even with LSC screwed next to the max
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: yeah, that's what hsc does. Hsc is a secondary oil path for when flow is too high to go through the lsc circuit. Where you have the lsc set doesn't matter on square edge hits, they are a high shaft speed event and most oil flow will be flowing through the high speed circuit. If the high speed circuit is too stiff (like in a stock pike), the hsc circuit won't flow enough oil and it will spike.
  • 2 0
 @mullen119: ok, I learned something.
  • 3 0
 It’s cool to see that these old legendary brands haven’t disappeared
  • 2 0
 They need to come up with a new dh fork not inverted and with that sexy ass arch
  • 3 0
 Why? USD are way more interesting. Smile
  • 2 1
 @hitarpotar: interesting, sure. Also have the torsional rigidity of a strawberry.
  • 3 0
 @spaceofades: Can you elaborate as to the torsional rigidity of a strawberry? How ripe a berry are we basing this on as well?
  • 2 0
 @drunknride: 15 days from the flower. Trust me, I've done the research on this.
  • 2 0
 @spaceofades: yeah? Well, guess different people - different expirience. I’m a slow rider, but i compensate this with bad technique and some heavy ass (being 90kg without equipment), so i did put my Dorado (while i had it) under a lot of stress. Never had any bad expirience with the front end, as a matter of fact its flex even helped go by hard hits and square edge easier and faster. I’m in the market either for a newer Dorado, or for this baby above, in the article.
  • 2 0
 @hitarpotar: just so we're 9n the same page, are you talking about head-on flex or twisting? There is an argument to be made for slightly flexible forks, but the early models of Dorado were catastrophically twisty.
  • 2 0
 Noone’s talking about the early Dorados with the 30/32mm stantions, mate. Smile I’m talking about everything from the MRD 2009 and on - nevermind head-on flex or twisting, i’m telling you the fork just works wonderfully and gets my ass out of shits regularly. Smile @spaceofades:
  • 1 1
 @hitarpotar: I've never ridden a dorado so I can't comment. But I will anyways; when you're over 200lbs ready to ride and like to smash, that sometimes-saving-grace flex isn't so nice
  • 4 0
 @drunknride: You know what the problem is? That negative comments about the Dorado are always made by people who haven’t ridden or owned one. And in the same time the owners have nothing but praise for their forks... Wink
  • 2 0
 I think this one might be a new Sherman :-)
  • 2 0
 still got my NIB sherman tpc+, waiting for some new project Smile
  • 2 0
 Man I love that classic arch
  • 3 0
 That arch so sexy
  • 2 0
 Purple ano! Yeah!!!!!!!
  • 2 1
 I will forever love manitou. I don’t know if I would buy one tho
  • 2 0
 I eneded up riding them on all 3 bikes, minute on hardtail, mattoc on trail bike and dorado on dh, great decision considering p/p ratio
  • 1 0
 They need to come up with a new dog shock. Or 2 (:
  • 1 0
 The mudflap looks backwards...
  • 1 0
 So happy to see Sun Ringle still doing their thing. Riding MTX 39 on my DJ
  • 1 0
 I only buy Trail forks for my Mt.Bike, is cheaper than an Enduro fork!
  • 1 1
 Probably just the photos, but those look like 32mm stanchions lol.
  • 3 0
 Well, the Mattoc has 34mm stantions so I seriously doubt they’d do that. nsmb.com/articles/manitou-mattoc-pro-fork Is a solid review that claims that chassis stiffness is on par with the Fox 36 and Lyric.
I personally haven’t ridden one, though.
  • 4 0
 Stanchions are fine, what bothers you is the illusion created by very slick seal mount and thin legs (both are beefier on pike or 36 so the whole fork looks sturdier)
  • 4 7
 I had a mattoc with IRT... really a great fork. However, nobody can get over how stupid it looks with the reverse arch. Move the arch and sell more forks.. easy as that
  • 4 7
 They can sell extra forks if they switch the arch around.
  • 6 1
 Bullshit! Why? So that they do look like Lyriks and 36s? Like what is happening to Formula, Ohlins, DVO and X-fusion??? 1 of the best aspects of the Manitou brand is the reverse arch!
  • 1 7
flag thesharkman (Aug 17, 2018 at 2:02) (Below Threshold)
 @hitarpotar: yeah for a hipster maybe
  • 6 0
 @thesharkman: most hipsters I know we're either very young or born after they started doing that. Pretty iconic. You know immediately what brand it is without trying to read the decals at high speed. Like the Dorado it's just obvious.

I like the aftermarket shim and tuning kits you can get for some of the too.

To each there own of course.
  • 1 0
 @hitarpotar: plus it keeps the seals cleaner.
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