DNM USD-180 (Volcano)

[lloyd_joy]

Hi everyone, I am new to the board and also new to the sport (downhill)... Is there anyone here experienced to use DNM's USD-180 fork. Can you give your comments (both pros and cons) on this fork? I am planning to buy one since this is the only DH fork that fits my budget as of the moment.

Also, i'll just keep this Mosso Slalom HT frame for my downhill rig.

Thank you...

regards,
Lloyd

[Siento]

hey! welcome to the board, umm well the fork isnt the best i can tell a friend of mine has it....how much can u or do u want to spend maybe we can find a better one on the same budget for u

the dnm isnt really absorbing shocks and hardly working....

[lloyd_joy]

Ok, thanks... we'll my other choices are the following: Manitou Stance Kingpin, Manitou Stance Flow and Marzocchi Jr. T. My budget is only on these forks.

If you can also comment on my other choices pls do so... I don't have any experience on downhill forks... all your suggestion and comments are very much welcome...

[Siento]

i would take the junior t, its a great fork working really good, manitou is ok too but i really prefer the marzocchis, the stance models came out pretty new so i dont really know if they already got the level of the junior t which has been working for a kinda long time now!

[Old Anonym]

Ok... thanks... had also read reviews on the Jr. T and it seems that the fork is good. Had another question, is it okay to install the Jr T. on a HT frame? To be specific, my frame is a Mosso but it is designed as a free ride frame. Had read unpleasant feeback that some HT frames get cracked at or near the head tube portion and it is due to the heavy fork - a DH frame for that matter. What is you personal opinion on this issue?

[lloyd_joy]

Ok... thanks... had also read reviews on the Jr. T and it seems that the fork is good. Had another question, is it okay to install the Jr T. on a HT frame? To be specific, my frame is a Mosso but it is designed as a free ride frame. Had read unpleasant feeback that some HT frames get cracked at or near the head tube portion and it is due to the heavy fork - a DH frame for that matter. What is you personal opinion on this issue?

[Siento]

its posssible to install it on a hardtail frame, but the company who built ur frame has to be ok with otherwise u will loose the gurantee and it can might as well crack as u said, so u have to e-mail them first and see if its ok to put a double crown in the frame, do u plan on gettin a fully frame in future or do u wanna keep the hardtail?

[lloyd_joy]

Thanks again, I'm planning to buy a new full suspension DH frame in the near future. But for the mean time, I'll jsut use this HT frame of mine. Anyway, i'm just a beginner on the sport (downhill in particular)... on this present rig of mine I had only manage a 5+ foot drop...

Also, regarding the pedal, what is the most preferred by you guys, clipless (cleat) or a flatform type?

[Siento]

umm pedal i would prefer platform! u might get problems with click pedals if ur still kinda a beginner! so i would take platform, like i got i tried both but i think platform is better.

if u wanna buy a dh frame later on then the junior t is great, very nice fork

[TIH GIB]

Well, the Jr.T ist definately worth it. Nice, cheap fork and it last for a relatively long time.

btw: I would prefer Platformpedals, too

[lloyd_joy]

Ok, I'm not a beginner in cycling though - I mean on on the use of a clipless pedal ( I can say i'm a novice)... currently I ride both Xc and road. As of my currently application, I prefer clipless pedals but for DH I don't know exactly. Had tried a 5+ foot drop on my currently rig and so far the clipless is okay... except I don't do any fancy moves in the air.. just a basic jump and landing. Had read reviews on Shimano's DX clipless pedals... but as you've said guys that platform are better (specially for DH) I do also think that its it. Regarding the front suspension I'll change my first choice to Jr. T.

Thanks...

[Old Anonym]

Jounior T's I didnt like at all. I sold mine and pick up some second hand super T's for $900 there completly differnt and feel fantastic!!

[Old Anonym]

If you like 5ft drops or higher and your budget is low the dnm usd-180 is better than the jr.t's in terms of durability and performance. jr. t's r just good for small bumps fast downhill. Better get the super T or the triple 888 marzoochis.