Strengths: It's a fantastic allrounder as good on decents as the climbs. It has great mud clearence and the frame is stiff. Looks great and easy to maintain.
Weaknesses: Yet to find one
Bottom Line:
If you were to only have one bike I'd recomend this. Low maintenance frame with well thought out geometry.
Bike Setup: Fox 36 Talas, Hope pro3 hubs laced to Stan's ZTR flow rims, Tubeless Torro's, Avid code brakes,SLX kranks dual and bash, Black Spire dual ring chain tensioneer, Gravity Dropper Turbo seat post, Easton EA70 bars, PZ Racing AM stem, Scram x9 shifters, Scran X9 rear derailuer Shimano XT front.
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Submitted by
Wheelsmith
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Town
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2009
Strengths: This bike is simple, it delivers it's goods far beyond how it looks, which is simple. The frame is strong and light (for this type of product) and is stiff enough for any kind of riding. The cable routing is clean and is continuous(which is a a smart choice for a bike that most likely will be ridden in sloppy weather and all) it has ample tyre clearance for a 2.3inch. It's headangle is spot on for the type of riding it's meant for which is slackish! This bike will reward a rider willing to push it in the corners with exceptional grip. The frame has a "tuned" in flex which kicks in 3/4 way through a corner which springs spits u out the other side like a lightning bolt.
Weaknesses: The front derailleur is mounted low clamp/top pull, which is prone to having small stones flung into it from the back wheel. Sometimes this causes it to stop the down shifts because a small stone wedges it "open" . This is easily overcome by manufacturing an old tube into a kind of a cover for it using 2 zipties! Easy! On a personal note, the headangle is not my pick, i could ride it slightly steeper for the trails i ride, but bar going custom i can't change that.....if i rode a Rock Shox u-turn i could dial that in to get that. My personal preference is not the bike weekness, i am!
Bottom Line:
The Morewood bike has a soul, and seems to encompass what mountain bikes should be. I had a bike 18 years ago, which was my DH,XC, trials and jump bike! The Shova is like that, it is your MTB! Each bike, i swear, is blessed by a Sangoma (Zulu witch doctor). The frames are exceedingly well made, the welds are perfect, some are slower passed(beads are close) and some are faster passed (beads are further apart) and it takes an artisan to know to do that in the right places! The frames are bespoke! Patricks team will re-powder coat, face and ream your frame too, for a mere R800 odds including new decals! This my friend makes this product great because a 5 year old model will get the current ones decals and spray job, which will have your friends thinking you've bought the new one! NICE!
Similar Products Used: Treks ABP Fuel EX, Santa Crus Blur LT (not mine), Intense Spider (also only tested) Orange 5(again only tested).
Bike Setup: Fox Float 32RLC 15QR, RP23 rear. Hope Pro2 hubs, Hope Mono M4 up front-Mono Mini rear. XT Crankset-Race Face Team BB(enduro Bearings) DT 5.1 Rims- Wheelsmith XL14/DB15 spokes BRASS nipples! Onza IBEX tyres, Thompson Seatpost, Time Atac pedals. XO triggers and Rear der.
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Submitted by
Pieter W
a Cross Country Rider
from Klerksdorp
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2009
Strengths: Great great great ride....from XC to mild downhill. Very responsive. Easy to do maintenance on rear suspension. I had enough time spend servicing rear suspensions for hours at an end.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
The best bike ever ridden. Will buy one tomorrow again. THANKS PATRICK AND THE TEAM AT MOREWOOD.
Bike Setup: Build with X0, Next Cranks. Formula Oro Brakes and Chris King Wheelset
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Submitted by
Peter Dicks
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2009
Strengths: Simple frame which has evolved over a period of time. Single pivot design means good feedback from rear wheel movement. Back end stays planted like glue. No chain rattles as bottom tube of rear triangle slants upwards. Frame looks the part, especially in white.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Still have the grin on my face after tackling the downhill bits at Tokai Forest (Cape Town). This frame is so simple, yet has evolved over time to what it is today. A very versatile frame that can be beefed up to all mountain or detuned to cross country use and happy at both discipines. It makes me wonder if all the larger volume manufactures have not come up with all the complicated and elaborate syspension systems as a method of marketing new products each year without actually improving the performance. All I can say is ride a Morewood and you will understand what I mean.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose Teocali, Santa Cruz Superlight
Bike Setup: Basically built the Mongoose components over to Morewood frame. RockSox Pike fork, Fox RP23 rear shock (supplied with frame). Hayes 9 brakes, WTB rims and hubs with Kenda Nevegal rubber. Thompson seatpost, Time Z Control pedals, Easton stem, Truvative crank. Gonna upgrade these bits over time, although it all works well at this stage.
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Submitted by
E86
a Downhiller
from Huntington Beach,CA. USA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Strengths: Simple Design, Rigid, Great Ride, Strong
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
The Shova ST is normally a XC ride, but i built mine more All Mountain/Slopstyle/Urban bike. The bike handles like a dream. I can take it down most downhill trails, and up them. I would highly recommend the Shova ST for anyone that needs an all around bike.
Strengths: One of the best bike / frame I ever own, lite enough for all day ride (I built mine around 32lb with DH wheels, but they can be ease build around 27lb), and strong and stable enough to smoke the DH course in Fontana. this is a true AM bike.
Weaknesses: I like better the cable routing on the Izimu, not ease to sale used high end single pivot bike, some people are thinking that more pivots mean better frame.
Bottom Line:
The best frame for who ride a lot and like to stay away from service bearings every 3 months, like VPP / DW etc.
Similar Products Used: Every other trail / AM high end bike that available in the US.
Bike Setup: Single Track wheels, XTR / XT the rest, 4WAY Air / Nixon Platinum.
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Submitted by
LoveRider
a Weekend Warrior
from Regensburg, Germany
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2008
Strengths: great manufacturing quality, fair price, perfect handling, stiff, goes up and down equally nice
Weaknesses: hmm...may be more sophisticated supension designs work better? just don't feel the difference on the trail. could be lighter?
Bottom Line:
Wow. Great bike especially for the value. Handling is great up and down as a all mountain should be. suspension works really fine even on technical climbs, no bob or pedal feedback at least on the middle chainring (do you need more?...) Would buy it again. Thank you Phil!
Strengths: Handling is superb! Simplicity of the design, looks (I think ;-))
Weaknesses: Cable routing could be better (and has been changed for the 2008 model). Decals not under clearcoat.
Bottom Line:
Well, it's been about a year since I started riding the Shova and I still love it. The handling is the best I've ever seen, the bike reacts instantly to your input without being too nervous. Gives every ride that extra touch of fun! I noticed some serious cablerub when cleaning the bike, so I had to stick some extra protection on the frame. For 2008 MW has changed the cable routing so maybe that solved this little problem. After a year I can say I'm still very happy with the bike and would buy it again without a doubt.
Similar Products Used: See below (Cannondale SuperV, hardtails)
Bike Setup: See below, XC-ish setup for all day riding (no changes).
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2007
Strengths: Simple and durable design (single pivot), looks good, rare (in Holland that is)
Weaknesses: no clear coat over decals, no bottle cage possible in size S.
Bottom Line:
In one word: GREAT bike. Handles exactly like it should in any situation, feels very well balanced. The bike gives you confidence. When choosing a new frame I wanted a durable frame with 130-150mm travel, preferably a single pivot. Where I live it's not easy to test ride the frames I was choosing from (Heckler, Yeti 575) so I had to get my information from the internet and bikemagazines. All magazine tests said the same: a very well balanced bike and fun to ride. They were absolutely right. No regrets ;-)
Similar Products Used: hardtails, Cannondale SuperV
Bike Setup: Talas fork, RP23 shock (with frame), Hope pro2/mavic717 wheels, X0/X9/XT shifting, XT 4-piston brakes (203/160mm), RaceFace cranks, Hope stem, Syntace bar+seatpost, Nobby Nic 2.4 tyres. Total weight just under 13,5kg.
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Submitted by
Juergen Reichel
a Weekend Warrior
from Giessen, Germany
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2007
Strengths: tough, well-built, no flex, lovely colour, good geometry, the most fun bike I've ever ridden (and I also have a Nicolai, so that says a lot)
Weaknesses: chain bangs into elevated (!) chainstay, cables rub at frame, both issues are easily solved
Bottom Line:
This bikes is very confidence inspiring and makes me go faster on the downhills, sometimes beyond my limits. It helps me keep up with riders on heavier machines and it's still light enough to climb back to the top, just flip the ProPedal lever and lower the fork. It's also nice to have a bike not everybody rides around here. If you want a bike for serious trail riding, enduro/freeride and bike parks and can afford only one, the Shova ST is the one to get.
Bike Setup: I bought the Shova as a frameset with a Fox RP 23. Components: Avid Juicy 5 brakes, DT Swiss 5.1D rims w XT hubs, Schwalbe Fat Albert tyres, Marzocchi All Mtn 2, Shimano Deore/Sram X7, Race Face Prodigy cranks, Thomson post, Specialized BG saddle, Syntace Superforce 60 mm stem, Syntace Vector DH bars, Tioga DH pedals, total weight approx. 14,5 kg (~ 32 lbs)
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Submitted by
Louis Titshall
a Weekend Warrior
from PMB, South Africa
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2007
Strengths: Well built, bomb proof, great finish
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I got this bike for serious trail and light freeride. It has a reputation of being bombproof and will handle some really serious stuff. If kitted properly it will make a good marathon machine, but not the most ideal XC machine. So far I'm pleased. You can get cheaper from a bulk manufacturer, but they just don't come with the Morewood reputation... Will post again once I've abused it some more. Louis
Bike Setup: Full XT, Mach1 rims, Ringle hubs, FOX float RLC in front, RP23 outback, Geax Lobo Loco tyres, SDG seatpost and seat.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Gary Barnard
a Downhiller
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2006
Strengths: The Morewood Shova ST is the best All Round Mountain Bike I have ever ridden.
I have ridden and broken a lot of bikes in the last 15 years of Mountain Biking and the Morewood has changed the game for me. The bike is extremely versatile and is at home under most MTB conditions. The handling is great and the stiffness of the frame gives the rider a lot of confidence, this bike goes exactly where you point it.
Weaknesses: This is a Mountain Bike for Mountain biking, not road riding on gravel (Fire) roads that a lot of people try and pass-off as Mountain biking.
Bottom Line:
If you enjoy singletrack climbing and descending then Buy this bike. It is extremely versatile and can be setup to suit most MTB requirements. The suspension linkage is bullit proof (I have NEVER had a problem with the suspension on any of the Morewood's I have ridden, 4 bikes across DH and XC).
The technolgy is shocks today (SPV,Propedal etc) means that there is no bob (Pedal induced movement of the rear suspension) and this bike responds to every watt of energy that is pushed through the pedals.
2009 Med Shova
Manitou Minute Super Fork 20mm TA
DMR Wingbar Handlebar 710mm
DMR Swarm Stem 55mm
DMR Grips
Titec HellBend Seatpost (KS i900 on it's way)
Selle Italia Shiver T Read More »
I am currently torn between these two frames. I do a little of everything from XC to DH.
any comments on the frames?
edit: just a note. this coming frame will be my first ful Read More »
I'm about to get this bike that I found in craigslist. I'm kind of having doubts as to how much I'm paying.
First of all. Is this a good bike? The guy advertised it for 1200 bu Read More »
what do you guys think of this bike?
I haven't seen the bike yet, but from pictures it looks clean and from talking to the guy selling it, he tells me that he used to be sponsor Read More »
