Strengths: Quick, Responsive, Predictable, Light, Lateral stiffness, Excellent Geometry for XC use
Weaknesses: low availability
Bottom Line:
When I finally got my hands on this bike, I only had 72 hours before a XC race at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, TX. Being a CAT 3 racer I am not flying through the trails but I do bomb the downhills and climb everything so I really wanted a ride that could inspire me to go faster. I was nervous at first to race the bike so soon after getting it, but after a short ride I fell in love with the bike. I raced with it and did better than I ever have before (running a 2009 26er scalpel). The rear triangle is not the flashy jointless tri on the 26er but now I prefer the joint because it is way more predictable and much more responsive on the ascents. If your worried about weight, or turning on a 29er this bike takes all of that away with great geometry and components package that make it ready to race right out of the box.
Some people have complained about the price of this bike, but considering that a carbon epic with similar parts msrps for near 6000, this bike is a steal with the msrp at 5300, but I have yet to meet anyone who even paid that for one of these rides.
I have seen a few people have problems with the front fork, and Lefty's can be needy forks, but mine has been perfect thus far. The remote lock out has come in handy for sure.
I look forward to getting some miles in and writing a more thorough review in the near future.
Weaknesses: schwalbe tires grips and super wide bar avid brakes
Bottom Line:
I changed the brakes to xtr with ashima air rotors, put my saddle on with cb 11 carbon post and cb 11 bars. Industry Nine black-i xx cassette with x kings tubeless and this bike is an absolute killer. So fast quiet and light.....feels lighter than the 24 lbs. The lefty is simply the best and the monarch in the rear is better than any fox i've owned. Set up at 20% sag and the bike handles so well. If you are considering a fs 29er you should look right here. Best bike I have ever owned by a longshot.
Strengths: As all previous reviews have stated....FAST, light, eyecatching and spec'd right.
Weaknesses: Crank loosened after 2nd ride, didn't get set up tubeless (but now fixed this issue), Carbon to Carbon Headset and frame tend to squeek or rub, should come with it's own torque wrench, limited turning radius to left with "Lefty Fork". Grips are minimalist
Bottom Line:
I consider myself barely above an intermediate riding level and only occassionally race but do it for comraderie and fun/challenge. First few things I noticed were very wide bars and minimalist seat. I couldn't miss how fast this bike was, or how well it climbed. Now with about 5 rides and 50 miles in, I'm settling into the set up and geometry well. It is definitely set up in a race geometry from my perspective and likely isn't your best epic ride, but my 25+ mile rides are rare, and the bike is absolutely perfect in the 15 mile range for comfort, speed, ability and fun. It tracks well, ascends well, has smaller bump compliance and takes small drops and table tops like it weighs nothing. The grips will likely get replaced soon, the tires have been converted and I took the bars down to 27 inches, which is more comfortable passing through tight areas on most of my rides.
Strengths: weight, geometry, stiffness, lefty, fun factor while being fast
Weaknesses: nope
Bottom Line:
yes, first 29er. I"ve ridden lots of 'em, and just never really bonded. my custom rize just treated me awfully well, but I decided the new race bred 29er fs could be a good fit for me.
while, I was right. so far, with 10hrs in saddle, a few different trails and some quality bonding time,
I can say this bike is hte best climbing bike I"ve ever owned, and still descends right in there with some of my 130/140mm slacker rides of the past
cornering is sweet, quick, slashy, not cumbersome like many 9ers I rode, short chainstays make lofty front wheel on climbs and descents easy, and 'xc air" is nuetral and natural.
I know fast xc/trail bikes, and have wins in my class in races like downieville all mtn, and I believe I'll be faster on this 9er then my longer travel/slacker bikes of hte past.
also, componet spec is great! lefty amazing, as I expected ( i wanted AL one, as I went through a few carbon ones on my last bike and settled on OPI AL in the end).
XTR shadow plus is so darn good. i've ridden 1x9 for 10 years after years on a SS, mainly to keep things quiet. while, this 2x10 drivetrain with this magic derailer is quieter then any drivetrain i've owned.
this is the first bike I'll run almost totally stock in my long mtb life. (I changed the stem to a 90mmx-15degree from the 110 it came with, 20mm rize 720mm wide bar, esi grips, and different seat,otherwise totally stock).
Strengths: Bike is 24 pounds with xtr pedals and is very fast. It will make a good rider better and a very good rider unbelievable.I can't say enough how mush I love this bike and the complements from people that I get.
Weaknesses: Crank loosened up after first ride and was tightened up. I never had a problem after that.Be careful how fast you go as I did and use good judgement. You will fly.
Bottom Line:
Fantastic bike for the money which is not cheap,but well worth it once you ride it.
I have been on 3 rides so far so I don't have a long term review yet... but I have been waiting for a 29" scalpel for some time. It is exactly what I expected...no less. Is lighter than my FS Trek/Fisher. I would totally recommend this bike based on my 3 rides!
Similar Products Used: Trek Hifi/Superfly; Flash Ultimate
Bike Setup: Stock beside switched to Stan's Crest wheels instead of Arch's with lighter DT Swiss rear hub, switched to X0 brakes, SRAM shifters and rear der (getting ready for 2x10 XX gripshift when released) with changes- dropped 1lb
