Manitou R8 Pro 2024

Olympic years are generally good years for product launches that affect the XC sector. Manitou now entered the stage with a successor to the R7. Lighter, stiffer, and featuring a practical remote lever, the new R8 offers 80-120 mm of travel.

Looking at the World Cup tracks of recent years, it becomes clear: suspension forks have to endure quite a lot. And it's not just at the highest level of racing that many things have changed. Subcategories of Cross-Country have established themselves, the travel of light racers has generally increased, the bikes as a whole have become much more capable, also in conveying confidence on technically demanding trails.
The R8 aims to cover this entire spectrum and thus achieve a balance of low weight, high stiffness, and above all, versatility.
To achieve this, continuous feedback was sought from the fastest World Cup racers in the world. And indeed, the fork has already been rewarded with World Cup podium placements by the American Savilia Blunk (Decathlon Ford Racing Team).

Although there is a manual adjustment lever, Manitou assumes that most XC pilots would prefer to use a handlebar remote to adjust the VTT function. Accordingly, they have developed two combinable remotes to operate the fork, shock, and telescopic seat posts.
The Deuce lever can control the three positions of the VTT damping of the fork and at the same time also the shock. The Ace lever for operating telescopic posts can be added and can be stacked above the Deuce lever.

You don't have to roll around with the Manitou R8 for long to predict that the new platform could significantly shake up the cross-country market.
Our test model was delivered with 120 mm of travel and installed in a Merida One-Twenty with the same rear travel.

The development team has done an excellent job tuning the VTT system. The recommended air pressure seems to fit the respective rider's weight very well right from the start, and the corresponding rebound setting is also quickly found.

As is often known from Manitou, they have also managed with the R8 to combine stiffness with low weight. For an XC model, the R8 holds its line quite precisely and doesn't feel like a noodle in berms.

In position 1 of the VTT setting, the fork responds extremely sensitively to uneven surfaces, but also handles larger bumps really well and provides a comfortable setup.
It is astonishing how efficiently, controlled, and harmoniously the 120 mm travel works. The fork generally feels in most situations as if it has more travel to offer.

Position 2 of the VTT setting is not only suitable for climbing thanks to the increased low-speed compression. Due to the increased high-speed compression, it is especially advantageous for a more aggressive riding style in downhill.
This is not just marketing talk, but clearly noticeable on the trail when you really pick up speed – in a positive way, without feeling harsh.

The basic tuning of the fork is so well done that you quickly forget you only have 120 mm of travel available. This even encourages you to engage in maneuvers that can push the geometry, a moderately tuned rear suspension, or in the case of a hardtail, the non-existent rear suspension to the limit. A problem you gladly accept.
And when you look at the increasingly challenging international race tracks, it conveys that it's okay to venture onto trails with the R8 that you wouldn't explicitly attribute to the cross-country genre.

It's not impossible to bottom out the R8 in position 2 with harder gear and the occasional medium-sized drop. If this happens too often, the IVA Volume Adjuster allows for multi-stage adjustments to ensure more end progression of the air spring and thus increased bottom-out protection.

Position 3 with its lockout function seems to be really stiff. However, I didn't spend much time in this mode, because when climbing, the mix of sensitivity and efficiency of the VTT Position 2 is too well-tuned.
By the way, operating the different VTT functions using the Deuce lever works quickly and smoothly, allowing you to easily and frequently switch between the different modes depending on the trail conditions.

Overall, the new Manitou R8 leaves a very strong impression. It will have to prove its durability in the coming months and years. Whether on the most demanding World Cup tracks in the world or on the beloved evening ride at home, even if it turns out to be slightly more technical, this should hardly matter.