The Magura Durin Race fork is a durable, lightweight cross-country fork that positioned itself with the top of the class in 2008. For 2009, it carries over in the line. Magura elected to keep the Dual Arch Design (DAD) on the Durin, refusing to cut that down in the search for weight savings, arguing that the added stiffness will more than make up for the extra weight. Stiff lowers track better, which makes us faster more than a few fewer grams will help us climb better. Extra weight? Well, not really, all-said-and-done, the Durin tipped our scales better than 150g lighter than our beloved Fox 32 F100 RLC in our review last year. Likewise, the Safety Dropouts will better hold the front wheel in place while braking. Another plus when you think about it, though on the trail, it's a plus not to be thinking about it.

One of the ways the Magura Durin Fork is simplified and lightened is its platform system -- the Dynamic Lockout (DLO) system. It's simpler and calls for less mechanical complexity, which is good for those of us who'd rather use our brain cells for more productive pursuits, like reading food labels. And it maintains the sag that translates into better traction.

Magura intends this as a cross-country, marathon, epic fork. It's definitely great for cross-country, but whether or not you want something like this for an epic depends on your style. If you like an aggressive feel, the Durin is hard to beat.

The Magura Durin Race fork has either 80 or 100mm of air-sprung travel. The adjustment knobs are anodized aluminum - rebound and lockout. Dynamic Lockout or DLO is the lockout, which keeps the sag constant whether active or locked -- a handlebar-mounted remote is included with the fork for turning on and off the DLO. The wheel mounts via a Safety Drop Out (SD), a 45 degree angle, forward facing fork tips that accept quick release axle hubs. The steerer tube diameter is 1-1/8", and the stanchions are 32mm aluminum, wrapped in magnesium lowers with a 6" post disc brake mount. There is the option to run rim or disc brakes. Maximum recommended rotor size is 210mm (8.5"). The crown is forged and hollow 6086-T6 aluminum. The axle to crown length on the 100mm travel Durin is 473mm, with the 80mm, it's 453mm. The maximum tire size that will fit is 26x2.6". There is an integrated hose guide in the lowers. The fork comes with an air pump. Choose between Choose between Race White or Glossy Black. Weight is 1480g (3.26lbs) in 100mm size, 1450g (3.19lbs) in the 80mm.