Result: 2/5
Better than before, but still heavy and expensive.
The 100-140mm of travel adjustment is easily controlled through the FCR (Flight Control Remote) which is mounted on top of the left fork leg, and in the middle of the FCR is the air valve. You have two ways of using feature; firstly by using the RCL (Remote Control Lever) that is fixed to your handlebars. A simple push and hold of the lever whilst pushing down on the fork will lower the travel from 140mm to 100mm with ease. The second option is the simple minimalist option; manual adjustment. Simply lean over and twist the FCR whilst pushing down on the fork.
"... and to be honest I have little trouble climbing the trickiest of climbs even with the fork set on 140mm travel thanks to the fork's good platform damping and the fact that they're not overly long in the first place."
The platform damper, named the 'Albert Select Plus' or AS+, allows you to easily switsch the platform compression damping on and off, and it sits on top of the right fork leg. The AS+ has micro adjustment knob (the golden knob) which allows finer tuning of the platform from firm to supple. Basically, when the AS+ is engaged you have a semi locked fork, and you can adjust the amount of lock from stiff to a tad more plush.
"Overall I've been impressed with the fork's performance and reliability, and I'd recommend them as a good all round fork."
2010 tweaks make the Thor a reasonably controlled and highly adjustable trail fork.
Overall: 3/5
MBUK verdict:
Value: 3/5
Tight-feeling, highly adjustable trail fork gets more predictable.
Last year's Thor was a frustratingly 'nearly there' fork. We liked its stiffness, aesthetics, weight, Maxle 360 QR axle and big-rotor approval but we thought it was a bit too linear in its suspension action. This linearity was actually OK for most general trail riding but on steeper, over-the-front , on-the-brakes technical stuff their tendency to plunge through their travel was a tad unnerving.
We're pleased to report that the 2010 Thor has all the good aspects of the previous fork but none of the plungey-ness. It's still a 140mm travel fork (it can be switched to 100mm for climbs via a bar mounted lever) with 32mm upper legs and weighs in around the 4lb mark. It's available in a tapered steerer option this year (as well as regular 1 1/8th) and it's the tapered steerer version that I've been testing.
The Thor still feels different to other 'all mountain' forks out there and is a welcome alternative to the Big Two and as such deserves its place in the market. The suspension guts have been tweaked with a new shim system and different damper oil, the guts have been dubbed 'Albert Select +' and they offer compression and rebound adjustment (and lockout). Suspension damping can be hard to describe but if I say that the first 1/3 of the travel feels like Rock Shox and the last 2/3 feels like Fox then some of you out there will hopefully know what I mean! Basically the first 50mm of travel is very quick and floaty and then, form 50-140mm, the action feels a bit firmer compression-wise and slower rebound-wise. Via the Albert Select+ dials it's possible to tweak the feel of the compression as well.
Out on the trail the 'quick'n' floatey the fime 'n' slow' setup feels great. It's a setup that works very well. the fork is nicely cushy for gentler riding (especially when in the saddle) but when the riding requires a bit more 'oomph' the fork isn't a soggy, divey mess. And when the trail starts to get nasty, the fork takes big, hard hits very well with no spiking, deflection or 'powerball' style rebound.
Overall: The Thor is finally the fork it should be. The 'Third Way' of MAGURA is well worth considering if you're after a 140mm travel fork.
The stroke is also very linear, with no traces of spikeor irregularity however fast you go. The vocal rebound circuit is equally controlled and easy to set up for a very floated and composed ride over big stuff or ripples. There's also a handlebar mounted remote control for the adjustable low speed compression so you can stiffen the suspension up or lock it out on the fly. The deep-crowled dropouts and "Double Arch" front and rear brace create a very stiff structure for impressive steering response and line holding across ruts or on off-camber trails.
There are no signs that this new-found smoothness has compromised MAGURA's enviable reliability reputation either - we did not experience any leaks, wobbles or clunks. Stainless steel inserts on the dropouts and disc mounts also reduce the risk of long-term corrosion. MAGURA HS 33 rim brake users get direct mounts as standard and disc brake hose guides are also built in.
85 and 100mm travel versions plus a range of custom colour options are also available.
The 1,82 (4lb) weight of the 130mm version is slightly higher than some competing forks , but the price is fair for the performance and likely lifespan.
MBUK verdict:Impressively smooth and long-term tough trail fork at a decent price. 8/10
For a start, the first push out of the box is a revelation. Previous Ronin forks would break your wrists if you jumped on them hard until after a few months running, but the Laurin immediately compresses smoothly with even a light touch. A big slurp of damping oil and the return stroke is impressively controlled, too. Bolt the brake onto stainless stell IS mounts , install the neat "Poploc" style remote lockout lever, set the air pressure, add a bit more rebound and we're off.
It picks you up ripples smooth over the small stuff, doesn't pack down on steps, but sucks up the big stuff right up to the crown without any spiking or stammering. The adjustable compression remote is super simple to use and teh steering precision is impressive, even when we're deliberately trying to cross thread ruts.
In other words, we're seriously impressed so far. So watch this one closely when our monster forks grouptest comes out in spring.
