This bike rides great. It takes the right amount of edge of the trail, but still responds on demand. It is light, and climbs anything.

I lost a bolt that held the frame to the shock at the 24 hour of snowshoe. The customer service at DEAN was very helpful. PROPS to all at Dean I was back on the bike in about two weeks. NO PROBLEMS since

Best Bike I've ridden. I'm sure there are better out there somewhere, I just haven't found them.

Similar Products Used:

Tried the DeKerf and Litespeed, NO Contest

Steel is real! my 2nd 853 bike and I love the responsive feel. The air/oil adj. shock on this bike is awesome. I can reach back and tune it to match the washboard on dirt roads or adjust it after pre-riding a race course. I almost never use the lock-out because it climbs so well with the susp. turned on, just like my old hardtail!

Not as light as Ti, but I can't decide if I'd rather have the DEAN Ti soft-tail on stay with 853 for the responsive feel.

Sweet bike, takes the edge off and keeps my lower back from hurting at the end of a 3+ hour Exp. XC race

Similar Products Used:

Merlin Echo, Litespeed Unicoy, Hard tail with suspension post

853 frame, soft tail, clean welds

none so far

An excellent bike for long XC rides. The 853 soft tail frames takes the edge of the brutal stuff, yet climbs as well as a hard tail. Decends nicely. I love it. John at Dean is a very cool person to deal with.

climbs like a classic steel hard tail, desends better

none found

This bike meets all requirements for a singletrack bike. Comfortable and quick, the best all around bike for the east coast.

Similar Products Used:

litespeed unicoi- suspension not as evident

weight-23.5lbshandling,takes the edge off

great bike climbs like a cat and is quite comfortable to ride not as cushy as my proflex but the leight weight and handling make this bike a blast.

Similar Products Used:

pro flex 956

Lightweight and agile! Reynolds 853 steel gives this bike a sweet ride.

none

This bike seems to read my mind on the trail. It's very agile, climbs well and descends nimbly. The soft tail takes the edge off rough trails with roots and rocks without bouncing out of control. It's the best bike I've owned and my friends have bike envy every time we hit the trail.

Similar Products Used:

Fisher, Giant, Mongoose

Climbs like a goat... By far, the overall bike I have ever had.

None that I can think of.

I've done Canaan with this bike... It was the best bike I could have ever used.
The lock out on the rear shock is a great option. I love the feel of 853, I'd take this over any of the like. Love the paint job too (school bus yellow).

Similar Products Used:

Litespeed, Moots & the Ti version (the Duke)