Rigid & Stiff
Built for competition at the highest level, the R8 was designed around a 34 mm chassis to ensure the highest degree of stiffness possible for XC application.  The larger diameter of the legs in addition to the Manitou signature “rear facing for better racing” arch design (which confers an added degree of stiffness thanks to its shorter pathway between the two lower legs) makes for perhaps the stiffest fork in its segment.  The geometry and layout of the machining of the rear side of the arch was done in a way to ensure maximum rigidity was maintained while eliminating excess material and thus weight.

Lightweight - Superfluous Material Eliminated - All of what you need, nothing that you don't
While the first request from athletes was for a stiff chassis for precise handling on technically demanding XC courses, reducing the weight of this very stiff platform was the secondary priority in the development of the new Manitou R8 Pro fork.  No area of the fork was left untouched to ensure that every single gram that could be removed was, while not affecting rigidity or reliability in the least.  The resulting 34 mm HYPERLITE chassis, with direct mount fender design, plays a major role in the fork’s featherlike weight. The featherweight crown benefits from deep hollow boring to remove excess material from the inside as external machining does the same outside in a manner that strikes the perfect balance between stiffness and weight.

The rear-facing arch and its shorter pathway from leg to leg requires less material and thus represents not only an increase in stiffness but a significant area of weight savings.  By using stress analysis software and countless hours in the testing lab, Manitou engineers were able to eliminate excess material from both the rear portion of the arch, the dropouts and other areas thus shaving additional grams from the overall casting weight.  The development of 7000 series straight thin wall legs adds yet another area of weight savings.

Further reductions in weight come from material optimization in the production of Manitou’s lightest axle ever produced, the Hexlock SL-R, a R8 specific axle weighing a mere 25 grams.  The weight savings even went as far as optimizing functional internal parts.  The incorporation of Manitou's lightest air spring, the XC tune Dorado Air, a light weight XC version of the IVA volume adjustment and application specific shaft lengths and materials ensure smooth performance at a lower weight.  The newly developed, XC-specific VTT Pro-X sealed damper further reduces weight.  Only through such thorough and complete actions could a rigid, reactive, and reliable fork with its performance characteristics tip the scales at an amazingly low 1480 grams.

Unparalleled Tunability - Unrivalled Performance, Custom To You
The structure of the fork itself was developed in a way to confer unrivaled performance via a stiff and reactive construction in a lightweight package.  However, in creating a fork to fall in love with, Manitou knew that it was what was inside that counts.

The XC tune Dorado Air was developed in World Cup competition to provide the ultimate compliance while maintaining support.  The Dorado Air spring system contains a unique balancing valve that equalizes the positive and negative air chambers during the air fill process.  This gives the spring rate a consistent feel without any flat or dead spots in the stroke, along with giving riders of different weights the same initial stroke feel.

While most dampers use a single piston or damping circuit, obligating the user to accept either firmer lockout with less compliance or vice-versa, the Manitou system eliminates the need for this compromise.  The R8 incorporates VTT PRO-X, a triple piston VTT arrangement that gives riders a firm lockout (position 3) that is controlled by a separate piston from those used in position 1 and 2 (adjusted by a single VTT knob).  An externally adjustable low speed compression (position 1) confers the most compliance for long and rough descents, where control and rider comfort must be balanced.  Position 2 adds both Low and High-Speed damping for improved support during aggressive riding.

In other words, this unique shim-based damper allows the fork to be pushed harder and control the rider better than anything in its class.  While typical XC dampers compromise on LSC or support (diving while pedaling, pumping, or braking) the VTT PRO–X includes a tooled LSC adjustment that is used to fine tune the Postion 1.  To avoid any compromise on HSC the VTT Position 2 activates yet another piston that adds both high and low speed compression to increase chassis stability as the fork will ride higher in its travel, leaving it ready for larger impacts that may present themselves.  In other words, the Manitou patented technology creates three separate circuits that allow for a mid-position that will not be harsh or spike like many other dampers that only adjust low speed compression.

The 18-click rebound adjustment, located on the bottom of the fork provides the possibility of even further custom performance to an extremely wide range of rider sizes, styles and preferences.  Amazing suspension performance, custom to each individual rider, through all portions of travel: Compromise, killed.

Versatile - Dedicated Elite XC Performance, Easily Adaptable to Wide Range of Travel
While it might seem that the travel of XC forks is headed in a certain direction, yet another benefit that the R8 brings to the table is that it represents 5 forks in one with no additional components to purchase.  Excelling in so many areas would leave most to think that the versatility of one fork to cover 80 to 120 mm of travel, yet the R8 stays true to Manitou’s philosophy of adding flexibility for the rider and an overlap of travel between platforms.  Dorado Air allows for internal travel adjustments with no added parts.  New travel spacers account for negative air volume change, so the 80 mm fork has the same initial stroke feel as the 120 mm.  Easily adjustable at home in 10 mm increments, every component needed to modify the travel of the fork is included in the box with the product.  Welcome news for both shops and riders alike, they both have a product that can adapt to the needs of the moment easily and without additional cost.

Reliability - Ride After Ride, Season After Season - Peformance You Can Count On
Creating a fork as advanced and competitive as the R8 was to be an arduous task.  But ensuring that the final product was not only one that performed but did so continuously over time, just like the first ride, was perhaps the biggest accomplishment of the Manitou engineering staff.  Firstly, making only improvements for weight and stiffness that could be done without affecting the structural integrity or reliability of the overall product, was paramount in creating such a dependable product.  Internally, incorporating longer lasting materials and components where possible in addition to finding technical solutions that ensure increased longevity of the product make this fork more of an investment in your time in the saddle than an expense for your hobby.  The sealed damper with a bladder system and TSR (Trail Side Relief) casting bleed screws (generally seen more commonly on higher travel solutions) make for a fork with not only better performance but a longer service life than what most are accustomed to in addition to guaranteeing a better overall fork feel and small bump compliance.

If compromise is the death of innovation, then R8 represents the opposite as it comes as close to best in class for every measurable category that is important to the modern XC athlete. The lightest, stiffest, most versatile fork with the highest degree of tunability to ever bear the Manitou name excels in all areas and compromises in none.

Ace/Deuce - Complete Control Smoothness
Creating the next level in reliable, lightweight and extremely performance oriented front suspension required the development of a fork that performed in all situations and could adapt easily to varied terrain and circumstances.  The R8 fork is far from a static unit and the Manitou Engineers worked diligently to produce a premium level remote system to ensure the rider’s complete control of the suspension.  While there is a manual knob option available with the R8 it is most probable that the majority of XC riders will prefer the remote solution.  The ACE and DEUCE combo is a Manitou made underbar remote lockout that controls fork, shock and dropper posts.  The Ace lever controls the dropper post while the Deuce lever controls both the fork and shock. The two levers are stackable and can be built into the configuration that makes the most sense for each individual rider.  In other words, the Ace can be built above or below the Deuce and either can be built as a stand-alone lever as well.  In an effort to minimize weight the lever uses 3 mm housing and 0.9 mm cable.  However it is also compatible with standard 4 mm housing and 1.2 mm cable.

Specifications
•   Wheel Size - 29"
•   Weight - 1480 g
•   Travel - 80 to 120 mm, internally adjustable, travel spacers included in box
•   Offset - 44 mm
•   Spring - Dorado Air with IVA XC
•   Compression Damping - VTT Pro X Sealed Cartridge with tooled Open Mode Low Speed Adjust.  Remote lockout.
•   Rebound Damping - Sealed Cartridge TPC
•   Adjustments - Air, Air Volume, Rebound, 3 Position Compression, Open Mode Compression
•   Lockout - Deuce Remote
•   Steerer - 1.5" Tapered
•   Crown - Forged Aluminium, Hollow Bore, External Machining, Polished - Hyperlite Chassis
•   Leg Diameter - 34 mm
•   Leg Material - 7000 Series
•   Brake - Post Mount 160 mm (203 mm maximum)
•   Axle - 15 x 110 mm Hexlock SLR axle
•   Max Tyre Size - 62 mm
•   Options - Fender Kit, Trail Side Relief (TSR), Non-remote knobs
•   ASTM - 3
•   GVWR - 136 kg