With the new Mezzer, Manitou is introducing a comprehensively redesigned suspension fork designed for use in aggressive trail biking, enduro, and gravity-oriented riding. Externally, the fork remains true to the familiar Manitou line, but internally, it has been fundamentally redesigned. The goal of the development was to create a fork that responds more sensitively, offers more support in the mid-travel range, and at the same time allows for a high degree of customization. Manitou is placing less emphasis on electronic gimmicks or trendy details, instead highlighting a technical solution based on mechanics, stiffness, and minimal friction.

The Mezzer is now available in two chassis variants. The Mezzer Pro and Expert cover a travel range of 140 to 170 millimeters and are aimed at riders looking for a suspension system that is as lightweight as possible yet still stiff. The stanchions measure 37 millimeters. Thanks to the characteristic rearward-facing crown, stiffness is said to remain on par with that of a 38-millimeter fork. The slightly reduced maximum travel compared to its predecessor is intended to improve performance in the frequently used range between 150 and 170 millimeters. Less lateral stress on the air tube and greater overlap of the bushings are designed to provide an easier breakaway torque and smoother response.

For tougher conditions, Manitou is introducing the Mezzer LT. This variant offers 150 to 190 millimeters of travel and is designed for aggressive riders, heavy loads, and e-mountain bikes. A reinforced crown and thicker-walled stanchions increase stiffness without unnecessarily adding weight. This makes the LT version ideal for riders seeking more reserves on steep lines, during big impacts, or when riding a heavier bike.

A key technical feature is the new Active Spring Piston. The air piston sits on a steel spring, which is designed to reduce delays at the seals and minimize the initial force required to compress the suspension in the first portion of the travel. Combined with optimized seals, bushings, and contact surfaces, the Mezzer is designed to respond particularly sensitively to small bumps while maintaining stability throughout the entire travel range. In addition, Manitou relies on more precisely machined bushing seats and individually tuned bushings for each fork.

Also new is the Micromanager Bushing Alignment. This component is designed to prevent the stanchions from twisting when the axle is tightened. As a result, the bushings remain better aligned, which reduces friction and allows the fork to operate more freely throughout the entire travel. Manitou combines this solution with additional production tests to ensure that every fork is delivered with as little friction as possible.

For the shock, the Mezzer features an air-assisted bladder system instead of an internal separator piston. This system is designed to prevent cavitation, maintain stable oil flow even during hard impacts, and eliminate the need for dynamic seals. The new MC2-Pro-X compression damper offers eight settings for fast compression and ten settings for slow compression. Both ranges can be adjusted independently of each other. For rebound, a new system with separate settings for fast and slow rebound movements has been added.

With the new Mezzer, Manitou aims to offer a suspension fork that impresses not with additional electronics, but with consistent suspension technology. The model lineup—including the Pro, Pro LT, Expert, and Comp LT—covers a wide range but remains true to the same core philosophy: plenty of travel, high stiffness, low weight, and maximum adjustability for riders who want to fine-tune their suspension precisely to the terrain and their riding style.

manitou.hayesbicycle.com/mezzer-gen-2