:confused: I know this may be a bit of a worn topic, but I am picking up a Heckler and want to get a Maverick DUC with it. This is not a fork that you see on the trails every day -- which is the reason that I am interested as well as nervous about dropping so much money on a fork that I cannot really give a try or ask someone about. Would Maverick owners let me know what they think -- goods and bads. I am an agressive rider, but not into big drops and the like (though sometimes drops happen). Anyway -- let me know what you think of your fork (or your buddy's for for that matter).

Nice, sweet fork. Great for most riding situations. Never really locks out so it may affect climbing. Hecklers don't climb well anyway. Butter soft on 6" setting, rough but active on the 4". Gets a lot of looks and questions. Pain in the as proprietary hub (24mm) which means racking the bike may become an issue. Few stem length options, where sizing may be an issue. Takes drops well, but rebound may not have enough adjustment for really hardcore stuff. The finish is much more durable than my Heckler's.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more details. Do a search, as there are many posts on this piece of MTB art...

I heard they break, and I saw a broken one actually. And I also heard they don't work as nicely (I don't know what you call that in english), they are a bit harsh probably. And why go with a double crown? That's only good for real freeride or downhilling, but it sucks in the tight stuff you happen to get on trails. And then you have to have a special hub....and probably your wheel is gonna break somewhere on holiday when you really should be riding and of course nobody stocks such funny hubs...

I don't like having something that looks the same as everyone elses'. When I got mine, it was the only one like it around here at the time. There are a couple more in the area now from what I hear. I felt the same way you did in the beginning. But once you ride one, it feels like any other XC fork but with more flexibilty to get nasty. I've never heard of one getting broken. Take a good look at one and you'll see how solid they are. I've gotten downright sick w/ mine (sometime on purpose and at times by mistake) and never did a thing besides scratch the decal. I have to agree with you one the hub issue though. But that is my only complaint though.Try one for a few days, letting yourself get used to the geometry and you'll probably be sold.

The owner of the shop that I go to has tried even to talk me out of it (though he has not had one). He believes the fork to be very flexy as Maverick did not go out and licence Manitou's hex axle. He has only ridden the single crown Maverick and only at a dirt demo. Have any of you noticed much flex in the fork -- I can imagine it has a bit if you hold the fork in your legs an twist with how much sag is recomended, but what about in real trail situations? The hub I am not too concerned about as I am going to pick up a new front hub anyway -- I understand the "out of town", but my real concern would be if the park 20mm adaptors would allow you to mount the wheel on a truing stand.

Problem is I saw a broken one: right above the drop-outs and the shop guy told me it was not the first one, but to be fair, other parts do break as well occasionally...

I heard they break, and I saw a broken one actually. And I also heard they don't work as nicely (I don't know what you call that in english), they are a bit harsh probably. And why go with a double crown? That's only good for real freeride or downhilling, but it sucks in the tight stuff you happen to get on trails. And then you have to have a special hub....and probably your wheel is gonna break somewhere on holiday when you really should be riding and of course nobody stocks such funny hubs...
I've seen Boxxers snapped clean in two, shite happens! ;) The double crown makes a lot of sense, increased siffness front to back, increased air volume, probably a few others. The turning radius on the DUC32 is huge, way better than Boxxers (my other bike has Boxxers...) and I really can't think I would ever need to turn the bars more, not even when track standing - you ever hit the bumpers when upright stefT?

As for the hub, well, true, in some far flung place you ain't gonna get spares - but nor are you for a 5th shock or Heckler pivot bearings ;) If you trash a wheel, buy a rim and spokes and spend 15minutes lacing a new one. You always take spare bearings on long trips, don't you?

As you may tell, I really like my Maverick DUC32. I needed to add a little more oil to make the fork more progressive (simple to do, as per the manual). The rebound adjustment isn't huge but you can alwats use slightly heavier oil if you feel the need (and I mean an on the trail need, not just from a bounce in the car park). Mind you, my previous XC fork was a '01 RS Psylo, so DUCs were always gonna be better ;)

Um, the Heckler climbs pretty damn well for a 5" heavy duty trailbike IMO. I have managed to clean a few knarly uphills on one.

Problem is I saw a broken one: right above the drop-outs and the shop guy told me it was not the first one, but to be fair, other parts do break as well occasionally...

The Maverick is in the mid 3lb range-also King now makes adapters for the 24mm hub so you can add a top notch hubset to the mix. The Maverick is a good choice-l live in Colorado and see a ton of them-and there's a reason for it-they are relatively stiff, superlight-and work well. BTW-the Heckler is an awesome climber outside of your trusty hardtail. If you've ever had to sit in the saddle for an hour of uphill-you'd be glad you were on top of a Heckler and had the 5" progressive working under you. Of course-that's my opinion. PattD

On the hub choice front, Hope should have a 24mm hub out very shortly too.

:confused: I know this may be a bit of a worn topic, but I am picking up a Heckler and want to get a Maverick DUC with it. This is not a fork that you see on the trails every day -- which is the reason that I am interested as well as nervous about dropping so much money on a fork that I cannot really give a try or ask someone about. Would Maverick owners let me know what they think -- goods and bads. I am an agressive rider, but not into big drops and the like (though sometimes drops happen). Anyway -- let me know what you think of your fork (or your buddy's for for that matter).

I recently put the DUC on my Blur (replacing a TALAS), and it is an unbelievable fork, especially considering the weight. Sexiest looking fork available, too.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=486850#poststop

The front wheel is a non-issue, lace up a Mavic 317 or 717, and you can get a replacement rim from most any shop.

I'm still getting used to the dropout quick-releases. I rigged a fork mount for $2, but will probably get a rack that allows me to leave the front wheel on.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=486877#poststop

My fork has two issues: significant oil leakage (need to wipe the dropouts off after every ride), and air leakage. The oil isn't a big problem, and keeps the stanchions nice and clean. The air is a big problem (loses up to 20 psi in an hour ride), and will have to be resolved.

I'm considering replacing the Blur frame with a Heckler, to get more travel, but I definitely would keep the DUC32.

-David