Disclaimer: While we are the local distributors of White Brothers and MRP, this particular fork was purchased and used before the first batch of forks had been ordered/arrived. We at My Next Bike make it a point to test a product before bringing it in and making it available to the local market. Yes, we are your guinea pigs.

OK, now that the disclaimer's been, umm, proclaimed, let's start with the review.

White Brothers Cycling is part of MRP (Mountain Racing Products), a small company based in Colorado that specializes in what else - mountain bike products. MRP also designs chain guide systems, Tamer suspension seat posts and Power Grips pedal straps. But we digress! We're talking about forks here. Suspension forks.

The fork in question is the Magic29 110. Now, let's break the model name down. Magic because it has White Brothers' patented IMV (Intelligent Magnetic Valve) damping technology. As the tech speak states, the fork's threshold is controlled by magnets, which influence the amount of oil that flows through the system. Threshold is set by a dial atop the right fork leg. The dial has 30 audible clicks. At the bottom of the right leg is the rebound knob. Air spring rate is set at the top of the left leg.

So, setup was pretty straightforward. In my case (155+ lbs all geared up, singlespeed bike) it was the following:

Air: 70psi
IMV: 4 clicks from full negative (aka full open)
Rebound: halfway

Now, your typical "push down on the handlebars fork test" will not work with the Magic. The magnets need a force applied from the bottom of the fork in order to activate (told you the system was Intelligent). The true test was of course, riding it out on the trail. So expect to do a fair bit of tweaking to set your fork up to your tastes - bring along a shock pump on the first few rides, write down all your settings, and change just one parameter at a time.

The first thing I noticed on the trail was how the front end of the bike went where I pointed it to. The Magic has one stiff chassis. Next thing: zero bobbing. The IMV works as advertised, only opening up when I hit a root or rock. Finally: Once moving, the fork's action was smooth and controlled. It isn't was plush as some other forks out there, but in terms of efficiency, and "set and forget"-ability, the Magic surely does the trick.

After months of riding in various conditions (both trail and weather), the fork remains trouble free, and the stanchions clean. No leaks whatsoever.

It's a solid fork that's efficient in every aspect. Perfect for a singlespeed or for a cross-country bike.

NB: The great thing about working with a small company is how they keep on improving their products. Our first retail batch of forks have an improved fork crown, which helps reduce weight. The techs at WB also said that these forks are plusher out of the box. Nice. Who knows what the next improvement will be?

ADDENDUM (07/14/2010)
For the past two weeks I've been riding the latest revision of the White Brothers Magic 29 110. Compared to the older model, this one is a lot plusher out of the box. Small bump compliance is improved. Although the trade off is a bit more bob (which can be dialled out using the IMV). Incidentally, the IMV dial turns more easily now as well.

I've had to revise my setup as follows, which are actually the stock settings from WB HQ:

Air: 75psi
IMV: 15 clicks in (halfway)
Rebound: halfway



Travel is buttery-smooth. This fork just begs to be ridden more. If only the weather would cooperate!