Manitou’s New R8 Fork & Updated Mara Shocks
Travel Options: 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 mm
Wheel Size Option: 29’’
Available Offset: 44 mm
Stanchion Diameter: 34 mm
Stated Weight: 1,450 g / 3.20 lbs
Stated Axle-to-Crown Height (100 mm travel): 510 mm
MSRP:
- Non-remote version: $1,000 / €1,210 (w/ VAT)
- Remote version: $1,100 / €1,320 (w/ VAT)
- New Mara IL and Mara PB shocks
- New self-equalizing “Balance Groove” positive and negative air chambers across all models
- Updated damper tunes and improved packaging
- New Ace / Deuce combo dropper and remote lockout lever
Intro
Manitou’s sponsored XC racers have been riding a camouflaged prototype fork for a while now, and now that fork, the R8, is available for the public. The new R8 looks a whole lot like the R7 that it replaces once you strip off those camo decals, but it’s changed a lot, including getting a new chassis that’s both stiffer and substantially lighter, a new damper, and more.
But Manitou wasn’t done there — they’ve also overhauled their entire rear shock lineup. Let’s see what they’ve cooked up.
R8 Pro
The R8 Pro shares a lot of visual similarities to the R7 Pro that it replaces, including Manitou’s signature reverse-arch lowers in black, with a polished silver crown and matching chrome graphics on the lowers. The R8 is also offered in the same 80 to 120 mm travel range, internally adjustable via spacers (though the 27.5’’ option is gone; the R8 is, unsurprisingly, offered for 29’’ wheels only).
One thing that has changed is the stanchion size — they’re now 34 mm in diameter on the R8, up from 32 mm on the R7. Despite that, the R8 weighs a claimed 1,450 grams, almost 200 grams lighter than the stated weight for the R7. Manitou has pared weight where they can, including a much lighter new axle and better-optimized lowers, and Manitou says that the R8 Pro is “perhaps” the stiffest XC fork on the market. The R8 Pro also gets “Trailside Relief” bleeder screws on the lower legs to vent built-up air pressure in the lowers — something of a rarity on dedicated XC forks.
VVT Pro-X Damper
Manitou has developed a new damper, dubbed the VVT Pro-X, for the R8 Pro. It uses a three-position compression adjuster, which can be configured for remote use or with a standard knob on the top of the crown. Low-speed compression is independently adjustable in the most open “Position 1” via a tooled adjuster on the crown; the second position increases both low- and high-speed compression, and the third is a lockout. The finer details of the damper architecture aren’t stated, but all three positions use separate circuits rather than simply adjusting the settings on the same set of valves. Rebound is, of course, also adjustable.
Dorado Air Spring
The R8 Pro uses a pared-down version of Manitou’s longstanding Dorado air spring with their IVA volume adjuster — essentially a clever way of accomplishing a similar result to more typical volume spacers, without the need to add or remove parts. Instead of changing the number of volume spacers installed, the IVA system moves a piston up or down to change the overall volume of the positive air chamber. Doing so still requires depressurizing the fork and removing the spring-side top cap, but there aren’t any separate parts to add or remove.
As with other implementations of the Dorado spring, the R8’s version automatically equalizes pressure between the positive and negative chambers when you attach a shock pump, which then allows for adjusting the R8’s travel via clip-in spacers rather than needing separate air shafts. Manitou has been using a similar setup in many of their forks for quite a while now, including the Mattoc, Mezzer, and Dorado, and we’ve found it to make for quick and easy travel changes.
Revised Mara Shocks
Manitou is also giving their rear shock lineup a big overhaul, with new versions of the Mara in both inline and piggyback configurations.
Mara Pro IL XC
Adjustments:
- Four-position compression knob
- Rebound
Sizes Offered:
- Trunnion: 165 x 40 / 42.5 / 45 mm
- Eyelet: 190 x 40 / 42.5 / 45 mm
Pricing (EU prices include VAT): $450 / €550
Starting at the most XC-oriented end of the spectrum is the Mara Pro IL XC. The Mara Pro IL XC gets a four-position compression adjuster and adjustable rebound. A remote lockout can be attached as well.
Unlike the prior-generation Mara family, the new shocks use a self-equalizing negative spring design, similar to what most other air shocks currently on the market. Manitou calls the design “Balance Groove,” and it should make it easier to balance small-bump sensitivity and midstroke support — something I struggled with on the original Mara Pro when I reviewed it a few years back.
The Mara Pro IL XC is available in 165 mm trunnion / 190 mm eyelet mount lengths only; the stroke can be adjusted between 40 and 45 mm in 2.5 mm increments with internal spacers.
Mara Pro IL
Adjustments:
- Four-position compression knob
- Rebound
- Positive and negative chamber volume via spacers
Sizes Offered:
- Trunnion:
- 165 x 40 / 42.5 / 45 mm
- 185 x 50 / 52.5 / 55 mm
- 205 x 60 / 62.5 / 65 mm
- Eyelet:
- 190 x 40 / 42.5 / 45 mm
- 210 x 50 / 52.5 / 55 mm
- 230 x 60 / 62.5 / 65 mm
Pricing (EU prices include VAT): $450 / €550
Mara Comp IL
The more affordable Mara Comp IL uses a similar design to that of the Mara Pro IL but with simplified damper architecture and less exotic materials to bring the price down. Compression and rebound are still externally adjustable, but the Mara Comp IL’s rebound adjuster lacks detents. The details of how the Mara Comp IL’s damper differs from the Pro version aren’t stated, but it uses the same King Can with Balance Groove on the spring side. It’s offered in the same sizes as the Mara Pro IL for
Mara Pro PB
Adjustments:
- High- and low-speed compression
- Rebound
- “Work / Party” Climb Switch
- Positive and negative chamber volume via spacers
Sizes Offered:
- Trunnion:
- 165 x 40 / 42.5 / 45 mm
- 185 x 50 / 52.5 / 55 mm
- 205 x 60 / 62.5 / 65 mm
- Eyelet:
- 190 x 40 / 42.5 / 45 mm
- 210 x 50 / 52.5 / 55 mm
- 230 x 60 / 62.5 / 65 mm
Pricing (EU prices include VAT): $600 / €735
The Mara Pro PB is, predictably, the piggyback version, and its design closely mirrors that of the original Mara Pro. The Mara Pro PB still features independently adjustable high- and low-speed compression and a rebound adjuster; the piston geometry and shim stack arrangement have been tweaked compared to the original version, but the overall layout is similar. Manitou has also shrunk the reservoir and made the climb mode switch (amusingly labeled “Work / Party”) lower profile for easier fitment on more frames.
The Mara Pro PB gets the same King Can air spring with the Balance Groove self-equalizing negative spring as the Mara Pro and Comp IL. On paper, that sounds like the biggest change to the new shock — and the update I called for when I reviewed the prior-gen version a few years back. The original Mara Pro seemed very promising otherwise, but I struggled with the spring setup, so we’re excited to see how the new one performs.
Mara Pro DH
Ace / Deuce Dropper & Lockout Controls
Bottom Line (For Now)
We’ve long been very big fans of a variety of Manitou’s forks, from the Trail-oriented Mattoc through the Dorado DH fork, but had more mixed results with the prior-generation Mara Pro shock. The new Mara family looks to address our biggest gripe with the old one, and the new R8 fork looks like a promising addition to the XC race market, too. We’re looking forward to getting on some of the new Manitou suspension and will report back when we’re able to make that happen. Stay tuned.
Flash Review: Our Initial On-Trail Impressions
BLISTER+ members and those who purchase our Digital Access Pass can check out the Flash Review below to read our initial on-trail impressions. Get our Digital Access Pass to view all our Flash Reviews and Deep Dives, or become a BLISTER+ member today to get access to that and a LOT more, including the best worldwide Outdoor Injury Insurance, exclusive deals and discounts on skis, personalized gear recommendations from us, and much more.
Flash Review — Manitou Mara Pro PB
We’ve started spending time on the recently updated Manitou Mara Pro PB — and our initial impressions are promising. Learn more in our Flash Review.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
If you’re already a member, please log in.
(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)
Looking forward to ride reviews on the R8. Early reports indicate that the damper is very loud. Me, I love a quiet bike.