The Rize is the Swiss Army knife of the trail bike world. It's a bike that brings all-new metalforming technology to the industry, and combines it with carbon-fiber fabrication techniques. It uses a dreamy-riding multi-pivot suspension with 130mm of balanced travel. The means that riders can use it as a do-it-all rig, whether you're riding notoriously gnarly rock gardens in the Northeast or the gently rolling foothills of the inter-mountain West.
Submitted by
gradstdnt_99
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA, USA Date Reviewed: November 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Wissahickon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
Downingtown Bicycle
Strengths:
Uphill or down, the bike loves them both. The 5" of travel is just a ton of fun and inspires a lot of confidence when blasting downhill. The Lefty Max 130 with RLC is extremely adjustable and works very nicely when dialed in.
Weaknesses:
My bike came with Avid Elixir CR brakes. Excellent modulation and power, but they are starting to squeak and groan. This is especially true after they warm up.
Similar Products Used:
Scalpel, Prophet, Super V.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Shimano XTR pedals.
Bottom Line:
I only have a few rides in on this bike and I'm already loving it. It really is a great all around bike. It works well biking on pavement from downtown Philly out to the local trails. I never used the lockout on previous suspensions simply because they did just that, turned off the suspension completely. The Rize has firmer setting to eliminate pedal bob but still responds to impacts making the system a value add in my book. Being able to dial in how firm I want the lockout on the front end goes a long way at customizing the ride I want out of it.
Turning the shocks back to their softer setting the bike eats up bumps both small and large keeping the bike well connected and under control. Downhills are so much more fun now with a new sense of control, comfort, and confidence.
After a long ride over all types of terrain my body doesn't feel beat up like it used to. It literally makes my old 2005 Team Scalpel feel like a hardtail.
If it wasn't for the noisy brakes, it would be five Flamin' Chilis across the board.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lessarde
a Racer
from Fort Collins, CO, USA Date Reviewed: August 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
Craigslist
Strengths:
Light, responsive, feels solid, climbs well
Weaknesses:
Lefty doesn't have quick release
Similar Products Used:
Titus FS, Niner, Gary Fisher Superfly
Bike Setup:
Rize 2 frame with Rize 1 components
Bottom Line:
This bike weighs about 22.5 lbs and has 5.5 inches of travel. That's remarkable and the frame and fork are very stiff. It climbs really well and really makes one feel in control. The lefty fork is a bit of a pain without a quick release mechanism but functions very well and hasn't had any repair issues despite a lot of abuse. I never use the lock-out and there probably is a bit of bob when really hammering but a smooth cadence makes it somewhat of a non-issue for me. Overall, this bike inspires confidence and is great for racing, trail riding or exploring.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
j-five
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Coast Fl. Date Reviewed: December 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Graham Swamp
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4800.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Doctor
Strengths:
Very light. Handles and jumps well..
Weaknesses:
So fare haven’t found any.
Similar Products Used:
Stump Jumper with s-works
Bike Setup:
These are just a few of the goodies on this awesome bike...
Frame Rize Carbon BB30, 130 mm
Fork Lefty Max Carbon w/Fox RLC, 130 mm
Rear Shock FOX Float RP23
Rims Mavic Crosstrail UST
Maxxis Rendez, 26 x 2.1" UST
Crank Shimano XT, 22/32/44
Front Derailleur Shimano LX
Rear Derailleur SRAM X-0
Shifters SRAM X-9 Trigger
Brakeset Avid Juicy Carbon, 160/160 mm
Brakelevers Avid Juicy Carbon
Bottom Line:
I had a Stumpjumper and still have a cannonade 29er lefty and love having the option of the two. But this Rise Carbon is the combo of the two with is great. The rise climes like the 29er but take the drops and jumps like champ. I will still ride the 29er as my back up...
$
Overall Rating:
