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Gear Shots #35 RockShox Domain 318 IS U-Turn fork, Mace Gear T-II arm and leg armour, Syncros Bulk 7075 handlebar and AM stem We're on it... |
RockShox Domain 318 IS U-Turn fork
Words and photo by Dan Austin
Just about everyone has heard of the RockShox Totem, one of the leading long-travel single crown forks on the market. It's a nice fork, but it's a bit pricey for some riders. Wouldn’t it be nice if RockShox made a high performing single crown (SC) fork that a lot more people could afford? RockShox hopes to answer that question with a big yes with the introduction of the Domain line of forks.
The Domain is one of RockShox's new entries into the high-performance, long-travel SC freeride market, combining the advantages of the freeride-specific Totem and the all-mountain Lyrik forks and offering them at a lower price point.
There are two Domain models: the 318 and the 302. Each model comes in a couple of variations: both are coil sprung and come in either the 115 - 160mm U-Turn travel adjust or 180mm coil versions. You can choose from either 1 1/8” and OnePointFive steerers for both the 318 and 302. I'm testing the 318 IS U-Turn model of the Domain.
The Domain 318 weighs in between 6.3 and 6.5 lbs., with the U-Turn version being .2lb. heavier; that weight includes a 265mm steer tube and the Maxle thru axle. The stanchions are 35mm taper wall steel and are connected to an aluminum alloy hollow forged crown. Using the same magnesium lowers as the Lyrik forks, the Domain is able to accommodate post-style 8”disc mounts and tires up to 2.7" wide. It also sports the Maxle 360, a 20mm thru axle quick release system that allows you tighten the axle and close the lever anywhere you want, without the use of tools.
The 2007 RockShox Domain 318 IS U-Turn, mounted on a 160mm single pivot AM bike
All the spring and travel adjustment workings are housed in the left leg of the Domain, while the performance tuning and adjustments are in the right leg. The right leg of the Domain 318 IS contains the Motion Control (MC) system, which provides the full range of functionality that most riders are looking for. MC allows for the external adjustment of rebound and low speed compression, as well as high speed compression adjustment via an internal shim stack, or Integrated SpeedStack as RockShox calls it.
Looking at the crown of the Domain, from the front - compression on the left and U-Turn travel adjustment on the right
This is the IS component of the fork's name, and is technology that's been used in Boxxer forks for a while now. It's also available on some OEM forks, including a Totem version that shipped with some Specialized Demo 7s. Through these adjustments, MC controls your fork’s performance to make it more efficient or more supple while still maintaining bit hit performance.
Low speed compression is adjusted using the blue aluminum dial on the top of the right leg. Turn it completely to the right and the fork becomes very stiff, giving it an almost locked out feel. When the dial is turned completely to the left, the fork is soft and forgiving. Set it anywhere in between for your preferred level of plushness. I've been riding for more than a decade, and I have never experienced such a palpable change in compression damping in any fork as I felt with the MC system. That's pretty impressive, considering this isn't billed as a high-end fork. |
 A little turn of the compression makes for a big difference in feel on the trail |
The other external adjustment, rebound damping, is located at the base of the right leg. Again, a very noticeable change in performance can be felt through the range of adjustment. The red knob pulls out of the leg to expose a 2.5mm hex key. On some models, that hex key is used in the actual tuning of the fork, but in this case, it is useful only to remove the knobs on the top of the fork legs.
The Domain 318 IS U-Turn comes with the U-Turn variable travel system, which resides in the left leg of the fork and allows the rider to adjust the travel to any length between 115 - 160mm by turning a knob on the top of the leg. Riders get full full functionality of the fork at any travel setting. There are several springs weights available from X-soft to X-firm, but as an average sized rider, the stock spring has been fine for me so far.
I have the Domain mounted on my Cycles Xprezo Raah all-mountain test bike and the U-Turn function has already paid off on my more XC-style rides. I have also already been up to no good, bombing down the trails at Silver Star ski resort and the Domain definitely seems up to the challenge. Stay tuned for the full review of the 318 IS after a long summer of beating on this fork.
The Domain is available in Black, Diffusion Black, Diffusion Silver, and Punish-Mint (302 Coil) colors. MSRP for the 318 IS U-Turn is CDN$840, and CDN$810 for the 180mm coil version in both the 1 1/8" and OnePointFive steerer sizes. In the States the 318 IS U-Turn is USD$595 and the 180mm Coil is USD$565 - again both in 1 1//8 and 1.5" steerer sizes.
Mace Gear T-II arm and leg armour
Words by Trevor Hansen, photos by Jerry Willows
I was describing my cracked Troy Lee leg pads to Cam McRae when he passed me these Mace Gear pads to test. It was perfect timing because the next day I smashed my knee hard on the wooden berm known as the Gutter Box on GMG, an old school gnarly trail on Mt.Fromme. If I had been wearing my cracked knee pads, I would have been in for a lot more pain than I got.
The Mace T-IIs feature breathing holes, comfortable and easy-to-do-up straps, solid molded plastic on the outside and good foam padding for the knee cap and elbow inside. The legs have CoolMax to keep the temperature down a bit.
Mace's T-II leg pads offer good protection, but Trevor would have liked more coverage above the knee
I've got a bunch of rides on the leg pads so far, and am liking them. They stay in place, are comfortable and saved my knee in the crash I mentioned above. I've got one complaint, however - I don't like the way the top of your knee is exposed to the elements when it's bent. A couple more inches of padding in the armour would provide protection for this vulnerable area.
As for the arm pads, I brought them up to GMG but ended up putting them away because they were too long and bulky for me. I like elbow pads that cover the elbow and a few inches of the forearm, whereas the T-IIs go all the way to the wrist. That's overkill and uncomfortable in my books.
Riders looking for complete coverage will like the T-IIs, but
they may be a bit too much pad if you prefer minimalist arm protection.
Mace unveiled an updated version of these pads at Crankworx 2007, so we'll try to get our hands on the new T-IIs and see how they compare to the previous versions.
The T-II elbows retail for CDN$60 and the legs are $100. Head to macegear.com to find a dealer in your zone.
Syncros Bulk 7075 bar and AM stem
Words and photo by Stuart Kernaghan
Component maker Syncros is back with a vengeance after taking a few years off during the GT / Pacific Cycles restructuring process, and is turning out a wide range of high-end mountain bike parts. The nsmb freeride team has been having good luck with their Syncros big-bike components, but Syncros isn't just focusing on parts that can survive big hits. There's also a good selection of all mountain and XC components to choose from if you're looking to set up a shorter travel bike. Two such components are the Bulk 7075 handlebar and an all-mountain stem.
The Bulk 7075 bar is actually marketed as a heavy-duty freeride / DH bar, but because I'm a big guy and tend to be hard on components, I chose to run it on my AM bike. The fact that the double-butted 7075 aluminum bar only weighs 265g for the 690mm wide low-rise model means that the weight is competitve with almost every other AM and even freeride bar on the market, so there's no real downside to running it. In fact, it's only 25g heavier than Syncros' Gain AM bar, which is only available in 630mm or 660mm widths.
The Bulk bar is intended for DH use, but it's almost as light as an AM bar and is 30mm wider
Clamping diameter for the Bulk is the unofficial big-bike standard of 31.8mm. In addition to the 20mm low-rise version, there's a 40mm mid-rise version. Sweep on both bars is 9°, and you can choose from either a black or matte white finish. Pricing for the white bar is US$85 / CDN$100.
The AM stem is geared towards the emerging crop of bikes that offers more travel with less of a weight penalty - the amorphous all-mountain bike. Syncros says the stem is designed to be used for all-mountain / super downhill / long-travel trail bike applications. You can figure out if that applies to you and your ride. I mated this particular stem to a Santa Cruz Nomad with a RockShox Lyrik fork, and it was a good match.
The AM stem matches nicely with the Bulk bar, and provides a stiff interface for the rider cockpit.
Oversized bolts ensure that everything stays in place.
Starting life as a chunk of 6061 aluminum alloy, the AM stem is 3D net forged and then CNC machined into the final shape. It gets two pinch bolts on the steerer clamp, and four on the handlebar clamp.
The 12° rise stem is available in both 1 1/8" and OnePointFive steerer diameters, in 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 / 110mm and 60 / 70 / 80mm lengths, respectively. Syncros has spec'd this particular stem with 12.9 grade chrome bolts to increase strength and corrosion resistance without a weight penalty. Total weight for the AM stem is only 175g for the 100mm version.
Riders have the choice of a black or matte white finish with the AM stem; both come with a black face plate. Pricing for the white stem is US$70 / CDN$75.
Have you used any of these products? Shoot your own Gear Shot here.
| Previous Gear Shots | |
| Gear Shots #34 | Magura Louise carbon brakes, Norco Fluid One 2007 and Mace Assault gloves... |
| Gear Shots #33 | Xprezo Raah frame, Devinci Frantik 2 and the FSA Gravity single-ring chainguide |
| Gear Shots #32 | The 2007 Brodie Zealot, Harlot Houlihan shorts and Scarlet X-Knickers for the ladies, Beastgear XXX Unitux long sleeve upper body armour |
| Gear Shots #31 | The 2007 Lapierre X160 Ultimate, Spectrum Techwear, and the Cane Creek Double Barrel rear shock |
| Gear Shots #30 | The 2007 Norco Team DH bike, a Magura Wotan fork, and a Santa Cruz Nomad frame |
| Gear Shots #29 | The Straitline Collection |
| Gear Shots #28 | Hayes El Camino Trail Brakes, Topeak Moonshine 3H lights |
| Gear Shots #27 | Rock Shox Totem Solo Air Fork, Fox Flux Helmet, Avid Matchmaker brake/shifter clamp |
| Gear Shots #26 | Avid Code disc brakes, Fox 36 Talas RC2 fork, Dakine Defender gloves |
| Gear Shots #25 | The FSA Edition - Gravity Stem, Carbon and Aluminum handlebars, and Gap crankset and MegaExo bottom bracket |
| Gear Shots #24 | RockShox Argyle 409, Mace Women’s Shackle Glove, MRP Long Range Patrol chainguide |
| Gear Shots #23 | Rally DH shorts, arm and leg pads, and Cross Fade jersey... |
| Gear Shots #22 | eNVy Double E dual , Blackspire Dewlie dual, Blackspire Stinger dual, and Race Face Diabolus single-ring chainguides .... |
| Gear Shots #21 | 2006 Norco Fluid One, Marzocchi 66 RC2X fork, Mojo 999R suspension kit |
| Gear Shots #20 |
'06 Norco Team DH, Bonty Big Earl wheels, Truvativ Howitzer BB and Holzfeller cranks |
| Gear Shots #19 | Devinci Ollie, 661 Pro Pressure Suit, 661 Kyle Straight Knee Guards |
| Gear Shots #18 | Axiom H-Spec Freeride Saddle and Hydrapak Borracho pack |
| Gear Shots #17 | howies Skomer Jean/Merino Base Layer, Dakine Windblocker Hoodie, and Bontrager Big Earl Tires |
| Gear Shots #16 | Sombrio Roam pants, Race Face Downhill pants and the Turner RF 6 |
| Gear Shots #15 | Race Face Shuttle jacket, Cateye Double and Triple Shot lights, Sombrio Vapor jacket |
| Gear Shots #14 | 2006 Rocky Mountain Switch, Specialized Buzzsaw shoes, and BLT Dual Radium Lights |
| Gear Shots #13 | Race Face Diabolous post, Hutchinson Bulldog tubeless tires, Syntace bar and stem combo |
| Gear Shots #12 | Five Ten Impact Shoe, Large Components Bullmoose clamp stem, and Hayes El Camino disc brakes |
| Gear Shots #11 | Rocky Mountain Switch S3, Marzocchi 66RC fork, Marzocchi tires |
| Gear Shots #10 | Norco Six, Iron Horse 7Point7, and Norco Team DH |
| Gear Shots #9 | RockShox Boxxer Ride, Camelbak Havoc, and Race Face Impact carbon gloves |
| Gear Shots #8 | e.thirteen DRS replacement roller and Ridge Sports carbon gloves |
| Gear Shots #7 | Roach's TV Hydration pack and Rally DH arm / leg armour |
| Gear Shots #6 | Light & Motion ARC Li-ion Light, Mace Swat Jacket, Cannondale Nebula shorts |
| Gear Shots #5 | Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR tires, Gravity Racing Components Shorty replacement levers, SixSixOne Racebrace Pro ankle brace |
| Gear Shots #4 | Dangerboy CNC Replacement Brake Levers, e.thirteen DRS Chainguide, Trek Energy Cell EXP 350 Dual |
| Gear Shots #3 | SRAM X-7 Triggers, Chris King SteelSet, Shimano XT discs |
| Gear Shots #2 | Roach Rally Shorts, NYC Freeride Stem, Pryme AL Full-face Helmet |
| Gear Shots #1 | Yakima RimRoc, SixSixOne Wrist Wraps, Evil Bikes SRS Chainguide |
