The Maverick ML7/5 brings the best in all-around riding performance. With 5” of travel and a welded integrated rear shock body, the ML7/5 soaks up the roughest terrain while still being light and rigid enough to climb with and usually ahead of anyone or anything else. The formed downtube keeps the front triangle very stiff.
Submitted by
piers
a Cross Country Rider
from Wakefield
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2010
Strengths: I love mine!.
Climbs fantastically well over rocky / stoney trails. Very comfortable and stable on technical stuff and descents. It tracks really well. It is simple and it looks good in ultra tough hard anodized warm grey.
Weaknesses: Very minor things.
The seatpost q/r loosens slightly every time it is used, so after half of a technical ride the seatpost creaks in the seat tube and the saddle drops gradually.
The seat post q/r clamp acts as a trap for dirt that runs down the seat post. This would not normally be a problem, but the Maverick clamp holds enough dirt (3 or 4 mm depth) against the seat post sso that when you lower it, the dirt is forced down into the seat tube effectively increasnig the diameter of the seat post and, eventually, preventing the q/r from closing unless you back-off the bolt.
The rear rebound adjuster is exposed to rear wheel spray and can disappear under a layer of filth. I made a plastic guard to solve these two problems.
Bottom Line:
It is a lovely bike. It climbs so well that I'll probable have a heart attack cause there's almost nothing that it can't get up if I dig deep enough. Winding the forks down to minimal travel really helps keep the handling sharp and the front wheel planted on steep climbs.
On the level and on descents it is brilliant; limited only by my lack of bottle! I have now trashed a rear wheel and ripped a rear tyre by picking the roughest lines to try to find the limits of its up hill and level performance.
Out of the saddle there is no noticable frame bob and it even pedals comfortably with the saddle dropped 100mm.
In addition, I've had prompt responses to my enquiries (re Gravity Dropper compatibility) from Chris at Maverick.
I'd buy another one.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Heckler (pre Superlight)
Bike Setup: Fox Talas 85 to 125 mm forks, Hope wheels and Tech2 brakes, XT, Thomson, 2.35 rubber, Intake Ti saddle (narrow but comfortable).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Devin Vinnicombe
a Cross Country Rider
from Durban South Africa
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2008
Strengths: Intelligent front and rear shock design and protection. Swing arm design and operation fantastic both in ease of maintenance and performance. This bike climbs like nothing I've ever ridden. Not sure how they achieve this with the amount of travel, but climbs like a dream.
Weaknesses: I'd prefer the head angle to be a bit slacker, but that's just my personal preference, not really a weakness. The front derailer is difficult to set up perfectly - will get easier with familiarity I'm sure. Front shock is very basic in design wich is a good thing, but this makes it very time consuming to fettle. Once it's set up though, performs well.
Bottom Line:
We ride in tough conditions along the coastal hills. Sand is very abrasive - so shock design and general frame design is perfect for these conditions. Suspension performance is fantastic, the rear doesn't bob at all and even with max pressure, it never feels bouncy over fast bumps. The front shock is great, but doesn't perform as well as my old Fox Vanilla coil and oil. The bike is very easy to maintain and clean. I love this bike.
Similar Products Used: GT i-Drive 5.0, Fuji & other...
Bike Setup: Set up for hard trail riding and jumps (approx 1m high) . Front fork is a double crown Maverick DUC32. I'm over 1,9m at 100kgs. XT bb and derailers and rear hub, X9 shifters, 180mm avid brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
D Arnow
a Cross Country Rider
from Belmont, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2007
Strengths: Climbing and decending.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Makes me a better rider. I was very hesitant to add a few pounds to my ride just to decend a little faster; what I find is that I not only decend a LOT faster but that I can clear roots/rocks uphill all day everyday.
Traction uphill is unbelievable. The plush DUC32 soaks up obstacles while the rear wheel stays in contact. I can clear entire sections that were previously unrideable for me. I feel like a big cheater.
Despite the review below, I've only experienced (and heard) top-notch quality from Maverick products.
Bike Setup: DUC32 fork, SpeedDream wheels (ZTR 355 rims + Chris King hubs, X.0, XTR cranks, Speedball-R seatpost, Candy pedals, ergo grips, Monkey Lite bars
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Hall
a Cross Country Rider
from Breckenridge, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2007
Strengths: Excellent suspension design.
Weaknesses: Very poor QA for such an expensive hand built frame. The headbadge fell of on the first ride. The mono-link pivot creaks like the floor of a 150 year old house. The chain has worn a groove in the rear triangle from a poorly aligned rear triangle.
Bottom Line:
This bike has been problem after problem. Now I have to wait 4 months for a new rear triangle. Maverick knows about the problem and the lead time is 4 months. They shipped me the bushings to loctite in the monolink but why was that a problem after 1 month of riding.
The headbadge fell off on the first ride. It took 2 months to get the new rivits and now I cant find where I put the badge.
All in all the folks seem nice at Maverick but problems and waiting 4 months for a rear triangle is a joke. The bike is brand new.
Similar Products Used: I rode a Klein Palamino Team for over 4 years without any problems. Now this. ;-(
Bike Setup: Full XTR with Talas RLC. Mavic crossmax slr.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mbC
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2007
Strengths: Climbs like a monkey on speed. Plusher than travel would suggest. Light. Hard Ano finish very hard. Easy to service (if needed). Unique
Weaknesses: Price. Some dedicated parts (front shifting workaround). Sizes run big. Makes most forks feel like junk by comparison
Bottom Line:
I don't really think of this bike as a "freeride" bike (which is where this review sits). The ML7/5 is easily the most capable all-around mountain bike that I've ridden. With an appropriate fork (5ish inches), it is the ultimate Moab bike: excellent technical climber and descender that really likes to be pushed. Excellent small-bump sensitivity- better than either the Intense or Ibis listed above (thought the Ibis comes fairly close).
This bike requires a bit more care in setup than most, but it pays off. Front shifting isn't perfect (even with Maverick's highest recommended ft. der), but isn't nearly as bad as some would have you believe. Mine has been a bit creaky now and then, but new bushings (free from Maverick) may have cured that. Mine also came with 137mm dropout spacing- again, cured by corrected bushings. And then, there's the fork problem: I've had 4 forks on this bike since building it 10 months/1400mi ago, and only the Marzocchi has come close to matching the rear suspension feel. The somewhat rearward weight bias and excellent rear suspension mean that a more progressive fork is really needed and platform forks will feel awful. It is possible to tune the DUC32 to feel that way, but it can take some tinkering with the shim stack and oil heights. Not hard, but not something that everyone is up for.
Overall, this bike is an excellent all-around technical XC bike- great climber, good descender. Add 5psi to the rear shock and it feels like my '03 ML7 did- just 1/2lb lighter. When I was looking to replace the ML7, I tried a number of high-end frames (Fat Tire demo's some awesome high-end bikes), and wanted to like the Intense, but it was just a bit too harsh and upright. The Mojo, which I rode after buying the Maverick, is a close second, and gives up some climbing ability for better descending, but I still prefer the Maverick. Perfect for technical East Coast singletrack, shuttle rides like Monarch Crest in CO, and if you're going to do any of the Moab classics, it's hard to beat. I've been very happy overall.
Strengths: Light, Stiff, soaks up whatever I throw at it, most tune-able fork and shock on the market. Cool white frame.
Weaknesses: brake squat! suspension locks up under hard braking
Bottom Line:
This is the fastest descending and best climbing FS bike that I've ridden. The bike is relatively light and super stiff. The suspension gets a little pedal feedback in the granny ring and a bit of brake squat... better than brake jack! Coming off of a Blur, I am used to the nagging little drawbacks.
It's only limitation climbing is me and I can keep up with longer travel bikes at Downieville. Thsi thing just rips downhill. Burly enough for a little bit of urban as well. Ths bike does it all!
Bike Setup: DUC fork, Sram XO, 2.3 tires All Mountain Baby!!!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Beardmore
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2006
Strengths: Climbing, especially rough technical very low gear, low frame weight, hard ano finish, simple design with open front triangle, finish of the frame in general. Hopefully Maverick customer service.
Weaknesses: The stick on chain protector on the chain stay is in the wrong place, the chain slaps on the front corner of the chain stay. The anodising has worn through after a week.
The absolutley superb frame finish and design is let down by some sharp edges around the main pivot on the frame. If this area had some nice radi then I couldnt fault the finish on the frame. (I am fussy especailly when it comes to potential stress raisers and considering the price, I expect perfection!)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike and so do my friends who have ridden it. It seems to do everything my Superlight did but better. It pedals fast, climbs well but has more bump absorption.
I have owned this bike for 3 weeks now but ridden it at least every other day. The main consideration for me was the way it pedalled on the flat tarmac and climbs, I knew most bikes would perform on the rough and downhill. The terrain I am now riding was a bit severe for my Superlight but I still wanted a light bike that I could push out lots of miles and big road climbs. The Maverick was the only bike available (I would have looked at the IF TE and Ibis Mojo if they were available and proven)
I went with the flat bars and Fox forks (with the stickers removed they colour match the frame perfectly) because I wished to retain an XC feel to the bike.
I am going to try a longer stem and a lay back (reversed) seat post, to get a bit further forward on the bike as the front feels a bit light, but this is fine tuning.
It was expensive but its all relative. If you compare the amount I spent on my car (very cheap) to most peoples the difference would easily buy this bike...........it comes down to priorities.
Similar Products Used: I owned a Santa Cruz Superlight (top bike) for 5 years and test rode a Turner 5 (too heavy and didnt climb as well)
Bike Setup: Medium ano frame, Fox 130 RLC, Hope Pro 2 hubs, Mavic 717 rims, DT Spokes, Magura Marta 180mm and 160mm discs 2.1 Nevegal DTC rear, 2.1 Stick E Blue Groove front, Easton 100mm EA 70 stem, EC70 flat bars, Ritchey foam grips, Thomson seat post, SLR saddle and XT running gear. Weight just over 26 lbs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
bert
a Cross Country Rider
from kula, hi, usa
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2006
Strengths: ability to climb, decend, while weighing 27lbs and 6" front/5"rear travel. Great finish/construction.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Great bike!!! I met the owner of maverick in maui and rode his personal bike(ml/7) for a day. Great bike...then I rode the ml/8 and really liked that one also. Decided to get the one in between the two and bought the ml 7/5. Just got back from riding in Marin/Santa Cruz/Downieville and this ride performed incredibly. Stiff crisp precise on uphill...no bob, and the duc 32 fork with the travel adjustment from 150 to 100 mm comes in handy when the trail inclines up to very steep angles. When the fork is set @ 100mm the bike acts/feels like a xcountry racer and then flip the switch and your back to 150mm for great downhill performance!! All around, best bike I have ever ridden. I think the construction/finish and customer support/personal service are second to none. Hope brakes work great after getting seated in..Thanks maverick!!!
This is my second Maverick after the 7/2 build as a XC marathon bike. The 7/5 was selected as Enduro bike with the Duc 32 in complement to the 7/2. First really impressed by the quality of the frame, finishing in hard anodised version associated to the Duc 32 gives to the bike a very classy aspect. The stiffness of the rear arm really increased compared to the 7/2. The bike climb as a pure XC and make feel secure when you go down at high speed with many bumps. It's definitely one of the best bike existing for hard XC or Enduro. What can we said about Maverick service ? Perfect, always an answer, fast and serious, definitely Maverick addict and not close to change.
Submitted by
mcgrupp
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006
Strengths: Climbing Descending
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
Sold the Spider xvp. Noisy bad pivots, chain slap, lousy cable routing, rear shock problems...... Built a ML75 and not going to look back. The ride on the bike is so plush it helps you ride harder, longer. Hillclimbing seems easier. Descents are insanely fast, graceful, smooth, unbelievable control at speed.
Bike Setup: DUC 32,XTR,Avid Juicy,Sram XO,C.K. hubs,Easton,Thomson....
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Atkinson
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkshire
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2006
Strengths: Stable, agile, smooth as a virgins thighs, looks awsome
Weaknesses: Costs more wonga than a skip full of Jimmy Sho's shoes, but you pay for quality.
Bottom Line:
Unfortunately bike shipped with wrong front mech so gear shifting at the front has been a nightmare, the correct part however is now on order, and the US office have assured me it will work correctly after.
All I can say is that EVEN with gear issues, I get off this bike at the end of a ride grinning like a baby on acid.
Strengths: Climbing, weight, stability, smoothness - an excellent allrounder.
Weaknesses: erm - it hasn't got lightning quick reactions.
Bottom Line:
I had this, a Yeti 575 and an Intense 5.5 for 3 days each over the last 2 weeks.
The first ride was on woodsy swoopy trails with barely a bump. I came away a little underwhelmed as I think, basically this is what my Independent Fabrication Steel Deluxe is made for. I was carrying 4 lbs of extra weight for little gain.
One of the things I was previously worried about was the head angle - the specs say 69 and I don't know whether that is allowing for the DUCs or not. But it felt different to other slack bikes I've ridden - even though it was stable, it still felt fluid - not quick, but I didn't have to think about it like the Yeti 575 - the bike went where I wanted all the time.
Then I took the bike into the rocky peak districk trails - I found myself constantly fiddling with the shocks to get good small bump sensitivity, but ended up sagging a little more than recommended - talking to my dealer, the shock is one of the most adjustable around, and there's all sorts of tweaking that can be done.
Even with more sag than normal, the bike was easy to hop. It wasn't begging me to do it like the Intense 5.5, but it allowed me to do it at will.
Technical climbs are supposed to be the bike's strong point and were every bit as easy as they were on the Yeti 575 - the front end worked more in harmony though. I actually had the choice of whether to change line or steamroll - the Yeti steamrolled great but I had to wind the U-Turn Pikes right down to get any kind of steering choice.
I just didn't feel the need to use the 4" setting on the DUCs although it is much easier to flick between than the U-Turn models which require a stop and fiddle.
Descending was great - I was worried that it would stiffen too much when standing, but the bike flowed much easier than the Intense over the nightmare rocky Peaks bridleways. I was hopeful that with custom shock settings, that this would improve slightly too.
I was impressed - It seemed like a great allrounder with the added benefit of being the best climber that I've ridden.
After the demo, I've now ordered the Maverick - my dealer is hopefull of being able to make it a bit more springy with some tweaks while retaining the suppleness (basically I'm underweight for the stock settings), but even without that, I would happily choose this over the Intense because it's still fun and has superior comfort and climbing ability.
OK - I know that 28lbs is light for a long travel bike. However, I do feel the weight on long climbs. So what are some ways to take a little weight off? Read More »
Hi All,
I love my '05 ML75 but have been offered an '08 ML8 frame for a good price and think it will suit my current riding style a little better. I am 6' tall with a 32" inside l Read More »
