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First Look! DT Swiss XMM 140 Twin Shot 15mm suspension fork

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DT Swiss? I didn’t know that they made forks…

Since absorbing Pace’s suspension division several years ago, DT Swiss haven’t been making a big deal of their entry into the suspension fork business. Last year, DT added magnesium-legged forks to the carbon-lewered models for which Pace had been famous and, in doing so, brought their offerings down (!) to the Fox (and high end RockShox) price level.

The XMM 140 is what DT call a “Cross Mountain” fork, which seems to be Swiss for ‘trail’ or ‘enduro’ riding. With 5.5in of air sprung travel, a 15mm screw-through axle, 32mm stanchions, and a 3.8lb (actual) weight, the XMM 140 steps right up against Fox’s 32 Float and RockShox’s Revelation trail forks. The $950 Twin Shot damped model provides external compression and rebound adjustment as well as a slick 2-stage lockout. Click through for more details and photos as well as some initial riding impressions.

At the top of the XMM 140’s right leg sits a nicely laid out set of machined adjustments. In accordance with convention, rebound damping is adjusted via the red knob, low speed compression damping via the blue one, and lockout via the lever at the front. While the first two are pretty standard, the lockout closes only the rebound circuit in its first position and both in the second. The first (“climb mode”) position is quickly proving useful on steep climbs, dropping the front end to keep weight over the front wheel. Not as versatile as a true travel adjust, but undoubtedly simpler and lighter. The second position locks the fork out completely, making for an extra rigid platform to hammer on.

Coming in at 3.8lb with a 9in steerer, star nut, and the RWS thru axle, the XMM 140 is one of the lighter forks in its category. DT’s 15mm thru axle will be familiar to anyone familiar with their RWS skewers, with what is essentially a single-armed, repositionable wingnut at the end of the axle. It’s a good thing that the composite wingnut is re-positionable, as it hits the leg on every rotation (something that DT addressed with an anti-scuff sticker on the leg but was easy to actually fix by shaving down the back of the arm with a Dremel). The 32mm black-anodized stanchions make for a unique look and run up to a forged aluminum crown that is designed to accept a remote lockout. The “Swiss Design” decal suggests… that the fork is not “Swiss Made.”  Sitting behind the legs, the Torsion Box arch makes for a stiff structure while protecting the seals from wheel-flung grime.  The blindingly polished cap seals off the hollow arch and matches the current generation of XTR brakes very nicely.

First impressions, beyond the fork being well made, are that it’s extremely smooth. There seems to be very little stiction from new- and it’s gotten better after 12 hours’ riding. The XMM’s air spring is also extremely linear- at least with the ~50psi that my 145lb call for in the chamber. A bit of added compression damping helps to keep brake dive at bay. Steering is as precise as anything else in the trail category. The self-adjusting negative spring (ABS) makes for a very plush feeling fork. As I’m still working with the fork’s settings and it’s still breaking in, I’ll withhold my judgement on the overall performance for the time being- but so far it’s very good. The only worry so far came on a rare grimy ride when grit got under the lockout lever, physically preventing it from being un-locked.  Thankfully, that was at the end of the ride and a quick blast from the air compressor cleaned freed things up.  Keep your eyes peeled for a full review next spring…

www.dtswiss.com

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Dan
Dan
12 years ago

Are they selling service parts like seals, or do you still have to send it to them(DT Swiss) or BTI for any and all service?

Shop Rat
Shop Rat
12 years ago

Never understood why they put the skewer on the wrong side..not pro style

David
12 years ago

Shop Rat, the QR lever being on the drive side is because it is on the opposite side of the rotor. The reasoning is that if you get a flat at the bottom of a big hill, you could burn your hand on the hot rotor opening the QR. This is even more valid on thru-axle forks where you only need to manipulate one side of the lever. There is just more space on the drive side.

Solo
Solo
12 years ago

I have the DT XMC120TS, my third DT fork so far since I discovered them in ’09.
Mine is a 120mm / carbon lowers version of the one being reviewed here (basically the same inners), and it is an amazing fork; a flawless performer in all areas, and the “lock down” mode is almost like cheating on steep long climbs.
This fork and a pair of The One brakes are THE two components I can say that actually helped me to improved my ridding skills.

CrazyOliv'
CrazyOliv'
10 years ago

I have myself the XMM 150 (1650g) from 2011 with twin shot technology.
While it works, it is beautiful. You climb technical singletrack very easily due to the twin shot cartridge. When it’s time to land, it is like riding a flying carpet. I love it so much.
However, my twin-shot lock is on the fork itself, and it looks like a cursor you move from *normall*, to a first position when only fork’s descending moves are allowed and a second position which forbid the fork to descend any-longer, bloking it.It is very helpful when climbing since it gets the center of gravity of your bike significantly lower, allowing much more stability when balance gets critical. While blocked, the forks is still smoothing the trail since it still accomplish a little pumping which actualy is very great and not power consuming.
My point is that while riding downhill, the cables of the bike do touch and move the cursor so that sometime it blocks the fork while a very technical descent – and it gets quickly ugly.
So well my twin-shot cartridge is now smashed beyond repair (after 2 month of very demanding service).
As some of you know, there is no technical nor repair-maintenance data about changing or checking the twin shot cartidge anywhere on the web. It is a policy from DTSwi$$ and it pisses me off. I am shit-loaded with cash, and will never spend a nickel on DT suspension anymore since self-reparing is critical.

Beyond that, DT-Factory-made reparing are not long lasting (my Equalizer3 rear suspension still need maintenance after 2 month of service and costed me 135Eur).

Andrew
9 years ago

So, Where is the long term review for this fork, that was due next spring? thanks

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