you can feel the trail through the bike in a "good way". Feels efficient during climbing and is very comfortable and roomy. Lightwieght.

This is petty but the front wheel wants to fall to one side or the other when wheelied. Maybe the top tube length being longer that the early-1990's geometry I'm used to will take a little getting used to.

I wanted a steel mountain bike after having a few aluminum ones and I'm glad I bought this one. Handling seems balanced and the feel of the ride is excellent. There is a nice transmission of the terain through the bike to the rider that I've not been able to appreciate before while at the same time it feels like the bike really wants to squirt forward effieciently. Very comforatable as far as hardtails go. The bike weighs 23 pounds for a 17.5-inch frame. I also like not seeing the same bike when out on the trail. Buy this bike if you want a no nonssense quality bike that does everything it's supposed to, is comfortable and has a simple classic one color look,

Similar Products Used:

Aluminum framed Fischer and Specialized and Rocky Mountain hardtails with comparable components "tested" on pavement.