Preview: 2009 Manitou Dorado
2009 Manitou Dorado
2009 marks the return of the Manitou Dorado. On the surface it looks similar to previous Dorado’s but its essentially new inside and out. The Hayes Bicycle Group bought Manitou in 2006 and have carefully addressed the design and functionality of the new Dorado. The Dorado is assembled in the USA.
See all the details and a video inside detailing the new Dorado.
One of the biggest hurdles Manitou feels on this new Dorado is setting it up correctly. Even if you look around on the internet, you’ll see incorrect information on the 2009 Dorado. It is incorrect to think of the TPC+ as “low speed”, and what they consider high speed is not the same as what FOX / RockShox.
The TPC is more for the bigger square edge impacts (although it does affect small bump sensitivity to a degree) and their “high speed” adjuster is more in line with what FOX / RockShox call “low speed”.
(click to enlarge)
Make sure to watch the video below and learn about what the settings really do as well as a lot of the internal functions / improvements of the Dorado.
There’s a lot of incorrect information out there so you can hear it directly from Manitou in the video. You might need to get a drink / snack because it’s 20 minutes. You can also download the same video (.mov 500mb) if you prefer.
Contents:
- Manitou Dorado fork
(click to enlarge)
- Short and Tall crown
(click to enlarge)
- 8″ IS and Post mount disc brake adapter
(click to enlarge)
- Documentation
Specifications:
- Inverted construction
(click to enlarge)
- Dual-layer, custom modulus carbon legs
(click to enlarge)
- 36mm hard-anodized aluminum stanchions
- Internally convertible between 180mm and 203mm of travel
- Self-equilibrating air spring
- TPC+ compression damping with adjustable velocity, pressure, and energy-dependent circuits
TPC+ and high speed adjustments (click to enlarge)
rebound (click to enlarge)
- Open-bath, double-tube rebound damper
- Hydraulic bottom-out and top-out
bottom-out circuit (click to enlarge)
- HexLock 20mm thru-axle
(click to enlarge)
Weights:
| Manufacturer | Model | Year | Real(g) | Pic. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitou | Dorado with short crown and full steerer tube |
2009
|
2908g / 6.41lbs |
 |
| Manitou | Dorado 8″ Post Mount adapter |
2009
|
30 |
|
| Manitou | Dorado 8″ IS adapter |
2009
|
26 |
|
| Manitou | Dorado Tall crown |
2009
|
187 |
|
| Manitou | Dorado Short crown |
2009
|
178 |
|
| . |
Cost:
The MSRP is $2775 USD for the 2009 Manitou Dorado. In the US, orders will be taken by dealers and fulfilled directly from their Milwaukee, WI facility. In the rest of the world, they’ll be carried by distributors and sold through shops. The Dorado is assembled in the USA.
Factory Support:
The Dorado is a bit unique and the Hayes Bicycle Group wants to make sure the people who buy it get the most out of it. They’re offering a support package for every person who purchases a Dorado that includes a good bit that is outlined below.
Customers who purchase a new Dorado in 2009 will receive two free overhauls of their fork within the first two years of ownership.
This service will be performed either directly by HBG’s service center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or by an authorized Manitou Service Center.
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.
Additionally, routine maintenance will be provided at no-cost at all events attended by the Hayes Bicycle Group race support crew.
Initial Analysis:
The 2009 Dorado rides quite well and we’ll be posting up a full review of it after we get more time on it. So far it rides amazingly well and is one of the best (if not the best) fork available. The price tag is steep but if you want the features and benefits of the Dorado it’s a hard fork to beat when it comes to performance on the downhill.
(click to enlarge)
The TPC+ and high speed adjustment work in harmony together to provide a supple initial feel and maintain good ride height. Often it’s hard to set up a fork to be plush initially, not dive in the corners (or under heavy braking), and take big hits without harshly bottoming but the 2009 Dorado does just that. The bottom out circuit is very impressive to say the least and works with you to maintain control on big hits without blowing your hands off the bars.
(click to enlarge)
If you’re looking for a high quality race fork for 2009 and want the best, it’s arguable that the Dorado is the answer for 2009.
Contact Info:
If you have any questions, feel free to contact David Lee
1.888.686.3472 extension 4243
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nice, but if they took the chance to renew the dorado, they should remake the old brake mounting and the axel mount…
even if it’s carbon, should be lighter
2010 boxxers are promising more
Over $1000 more than a Boxxer or Fox 40. It’s too expensive no matter how good it is. That’s just simple economics.
man, the hydraulic bottom out & top out is promising, but id still have to give it to rockshox for making if not the first 4 way downhill fork.
Weak… Overpriced, overrated, and not worth half the price they try to sell it at. I would take a Boxxer Race, Fox 40R, or Marzocchi 888 RC3 over these on performance alone… and they’re all half the cost of these weak little showpieces.
High price = low production = low margin = questionable long term support. At these trying economic times, price IS a factor and the new boxxer does look more and more appealing.
high price, low production volume, normally means high margins per unit. They will sell enough with a product this flashy. The price will fall soon enough
How much for a first rev fork?
trippin
Honestly, damn the price… They just arent any better than what’s already available. Even if they were half the cost of Boxxers, 888’s or 40’s I sitll wouldnt want these on my bike.
A birdy told me it’s all the same tech as the CCDB, even has some parts in it from Ohlins. Still overpriced regardless if this is true or not.
there will be enough pinkbiker who buy this fork, economy doesn’t matter if the cool-factor is high
No, no no… Lancewood is right, RJ. High price = low production = low margin.
When you have big productions you can spread your costs on more final products.
If you buy a machine to make a 2009 Dorado, pay it making 10 forks is mores expensive than when producing 1.000 forks.
If they can sell lots of forks the price may fall.
When you launcha product on the beginning the price is high.
Well I’ll have to say that weak is not a term that would come to mind after seeing Jason plow multiple rock gardens on this thing last weekend. The fork held up to multiple runs down a very rocky course. I’m sure they will post some shots of the fork in action- usually I’m not a fan of Manitou, but they seem to have hit a home run on this one- except for the price. Just my 2 cents.
It looks like they put most of that extra $1000 into hideous decals and ugly detailing.
Wow, people seem to really not like this fork without even trying it, mind you at the cost most people won’t try it. Seems to me that they should really find a way to sell these for cheaper as people seem generally disgusted by the price, and because of high price, aren’t willing to give them a chance. Price aside I personally have never been happy with the manitou forks or hayes brakes that I’ve had. Never tried a Dorado though
[...] See all the details and a video inside detailing the new Dorado. [...]
The Price is way too much, no one is gonna get them cause everyone is working there asses of to afford to even put together a season!
Coolest fork in the world.
Why the hell do they still stick to the totally outdated and useless hex-axles? That system is so useless. RS maxle / maxle WC is much better.
Did you watch the video tricknology?
It’s explained in there.
man, all the negativity without trying is so 14 year old pinkbiker…… how many people said they would NEVER buy another rockshox product after the 03/04 model years. then after a revamp the boxxer was THE fork to have and still is. Without actually trying the fork you have no idea of the quality. im not going to stand up for manitou, i have never had an issue with any of there forks ive owned, but know many who have. they earned the rep they have now, but sitting there and calling it weak and crap without even holding one is juvenile, grow up.
also the maxel is great, however if you knew anything from playing with blocks when you were 5 you’d know the maxel is a round peg in a round hole, there for it can twist no matter how tight. try twisting a hexagon peg in a hexagonal hole. guess what cupcake, it doesnt twist. there for its not outdated, just different. im going to enjoy the video now
muy caro!!!! demasiada plata!!
Damm price..hope to say it’s more like…crazy.
Bet there are some guys who wanna buy dis but aint gonna be sold tht much i guess..
Now marzocchi has to resurrect their shiver line
Any sensible person knows it’s not really going to retail for $2700. I bet by the time it’s available, it’ll probably be around $2000-2100. Besides, what’s the big deal when people are spending way more than that on just a DH race frame alone? Why spend thousands on a frame, but skimp on a fork?
As far as weight, 6.41# is a pretty good target weight for a DH fork. You get less than that and your skimping on critical material. ….The fastest bikes aren’t necessarily the lightest.
are those 24k gold inserts?, I dont see diamonds, why should I pay that much?