Manitou has unveiled the Mattoc Pro Limited Edition (LE), borrowing its look from 1992 yet utilising technology from 2024.
Out of the box, the Mattoc Pro LE is configured to 140mm of travel. With the travel spacers included in the box, along with the service instructions found on Manitoumtb.com, the travel can be internally adjusted from 110-150mm.
Weighing in at a claimed 1750g, the 34mm chassis owes its stiffness to key Manitou technologies, most notably the reverse arch.
Placing the arch on the backside of the fork allows less material to be used for a shorter arch, which yields a reported 13% increased stiffness compared to a forward arch fork of the equivalent weight.
Integrated into the arch are three threaded bosses to attach the included fender.
Myles Kama racing a Manitou fork in the early 90s.
The polished crown is machined both internally and externally, removing any excess weight while optimising the chassis stiffness.
A Hexlock design of the axle increases the contact area of the axle while limiting rotation at the hub interface, further increasing the chassis stiffness of the Mattoc. The Hexlock SL2 is the newest iteration to the Hexlock axle family that features additional machining and an aluminium bolt to further reduce weight.
The Dorado Air system debuted in downhill and is now available in all of Manitou’s Pro level suspension.
Manitou’s air spring technology is tuned for trail in the Mattoc.
The system automatically equalises the positive and negative air chambers to create a consistent feeling fork with initial feel and tunable mid and end stroke support with the Infinite Rate Tune (IRT) air spring adjustment.
IRT technology creates a secondary positive air spring that affects only the middle to end stroke of the fork, allowing the main air spring to be set to lower pressures for improved small bump sensitivity.
It maintains mid stroke support and also moderate to aggressive end-stroke ramp-up. This technology smooths out the trail for the small bumps without sacrificing support for the big hits.
Multi–Compression Control (MC) sealed damper offers external high and low–speed compression adjustment, allowing the rider to fine–tune the feel of the fork from rider inputs and trail features across various riding styles.
The largest hits are controlled with a Hydraulic Bottom-Out (HBO), a separate hydraulic circuit activated during the final 30mm of the compression stroke.
HBO is velocity dependent, the harder the hit, the more bottom-out resistance the system provides.
The MC sealed cartridge uses a bladder as a lightweight solution to eliminate cavitation during riding.
To handle fluid expansion, the cartridge features a blow off valve to ensure a long service life and consistent performance.
To keep the initial break away force low and performance consistent, Trail Side Relief (TSR) bleeder screws are located on the backside of the legs.
A spokesperson for the brand said: “While much has changed since Manitou’s inception, the desire to explore and experience adventure atop two wheels remains constant. Manitou’s passion to render that adventure as smooth as possible has also not wavered.
“This special edition Mattoc Pro serves as a testament to that core mission. Celebrate a smoother ride and the origins of MTB with Manitou’s latest fork, available in very limited quantities.”
The Manitou Mattoc Pro Limited Edition has an RRP of $1,099 and is distributed worldwide by Hayes Bicycle.
