Submitted by
tontonuy5
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasant Hill, CA USA Date Reviewed: February 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Skyline
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
great bike for the money (got it for a ridiculous sale price) weighs less than 30 lbs. good shimano and specialized components, climbs decently, devours technical downhill sections for brunch. looks nice.
Weaknesses:
marzocchi exr race fork, rear deore hub
Similar Products Used:
cannondale jekyll, jamis dakar xlt, iron horse warrior
Bike Setup:
replaced marzocchi fork with fox vanilla, crank bros candy c pedals, specialized-brand seatpost
Bottom Line:
wanted this bike since 2006, and through some sort of serendipity, i accidentally found it at a bike shop in sonoma last year. ON SALE FOR $750! i LOVE this bike. it's a do-it-all ride capable of almost anything. my new fox vanilla fork made it a tad heavier, but i'm not a weight freak anyways. avid bb7 mech brakes did the job for me, but i just bought juicy 5's though have yet to install them. this bike made me do things i never thought i was capable of. the frame design is a few years old but still looks sweet. i'm glad i got this model before they put steroids on the new enduros. just a great bike for this price level (even for the original price)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ben
a Downhiller
from new zealand Date Reviewed: January 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
main line, king of down ,esk dh
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
pedal power
Strengths:
strong frame rides realy nice wheather you are cruzing or desending on a down hill section. climbs like a cross country bike. i have used an abused this bike from the day i have brought it an had no problems with it
Weaknesses:
no weakness
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
this bike can take alot of abuse i basicly use it for down hill an a bit of cross county when im out with ma mates. i do 15 foot jumps an have done some prety big drops. if you are an agressive rider this bike takes it. easy to whele an manual suspension feels good nothing to realy complain about.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andres
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Washington, USA Date Reviewed: June 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
MegaCycle
Strengths:
Very strong. Great for both doing anything and the frame can take all the abuse you want. Great amount of travel for an all mountain bike.
Weaknesses:
Front fork could be thicker and stronger.
Bike Setup:
Stock.
Bottom Line:
BIke is great. I have never owned a fancy bike, and never thought of spending all this money on a bike but after riding this bike, man was the money worth. It definetly pays to dig into your pokets. I lived in FL and it was awesome for the few trails you can find over there. I still have to fully tested here in WA. My first impression here in WA is that it could use a beafier fork, at least for going downhill. But over all an awesome bike. Is veru versatile so you can do pretty much everything with it, from XC to some light freeriding. If you have to buy 1 bike that does it all this is a great bike, the whole Enduro line is awesome.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jake
a Weekend Warrior
from Groton, CT, USA Date Reviewed: May 17, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
from a guy at the shop
Strengths:
pedals great, plush suspention, stiff frame
Weaknesses:
could use a beefier head tube, but then again they did that for 05
Similar Products Used:
haro extreme 3
Bike Setup:
totally custom...sheman slider plus fork
Bottom Line:
So far, it feels great. I haven't dropped it over three feet yet, but the Float seems to eat everything. I never wanted to ride dual suspention, but after hurting my back hucking my hartail it was time to do D.S. This bike was a pleasant surprise! It pedals better than any other D.S. bike I've ridden...fox's propedal paired with the shermans SPV means next to no pedal bob, even when sprinting! It is a great bike...pick up a frame and build it yourself for best results!!!
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Submitted by
brian h
a Downhiller
from los gatos Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
northstar
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
wheel away cyclery
Strengths:
strong frame, great geometry of the bike
Weaknesses:
the fork if you are going to ride downhill
Similar Products Used:
bighits
Bike Setup:
fox vanilla r in the rear, and drop off triples up front
Bottom Line:
bike is built for the ascent and then lower your seat for the decent. bike is great for all levels of riding, from beginer to advaced. this is a tough bike that will get to the bottom of the hill one way or another.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jm
a Cross Country Rider
from newhapshire Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
a shop
Strengths:
the suspention is good but not great. i think the seat is awosme. its stiff
Weaknesses:
the wheels suck. they weigh a ton. i trashed my free hub just riding it hard. i dont like the brakes to much, the rotars bend wicked easily and thats a pain. stock specilized tires side walls are thin. i do some endurence races and the travel is good but the bike weighs to much. i think its around 32 pounds
Similar Products Used:
cannonale super V 3000
Bike Setup:
stock exept for tires. i would change the brakes if i had enough money
Bottom Line:
this is a good bike for hacking around. its to heavy for racing and not strong enough for freeride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC Date Reviewed: July 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1370.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Elegant design, pretty light for average components.
Weaknesses:
Average components, saddle was uncomfortable, front Marzocchi EXR is average.
Bike Setup:
Swapped saddle, replaced rear shock with Fox Vanilla R coil, Aircorp pedals
Bottom Line:
Rode it a couple of outings with default setup but ended up swapping out the Float for the coil Vanilla R which makes the bike much more responsive and 'springy'. This bike is great for all-mountain and agressive XC. Not so much for freeriding (read somewhere the rear triangle isn't built for hucking). I'm glad I snagged one of the last few of the '05 models and with the coil shock this one's a keeper.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BEN DUDEY
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hampshire Date Reviewed: June 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
dragons tail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Exeter Cycles
Strengths:
suspention, suspention doesn't stiffen up when on brakes, stong frame, ajustable head tube angle
Weaknesses:
tires suck, i broke me derailer off, brakes arnt awsome
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
awsome bike for the money dont get this if you want to win races its to heavy and there is to much travel
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a
from Holli-Rock Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Vietnam
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Landry's
Strengths:
Phenomenal All Mountain bike. This is my first FSR. Great Handling. Exceptional climbing ability. Durable.
Weaknesses:
Tires must go. Bobs a bit when getting after it on smooth trail or when I get out off my seat to climb.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized XC, Trek Feul, Prophet
Bike Setup:
Stock. Changed stem to 110mm.
Bottom Line:
So much bike for the money. This is my first FSR. Rocky trails that I once worked with caution to find a line, I now devour. It makes me giddy. Very agile for such a solid ride. A natural high. I might change the rear shock to a smart shox to get rid of bobs, but having so much fun I am in no rush.
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Submitted by
don
a
from cuy falls oh Date Reviewed: April 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
this is to correct the web address below. The correct address is betd.co.uk . they also have links and swingarms for other bikes. the six inch travel enduro link looks good. I read a magazine review that said it worked real good. they have a link that gives stumpjumpers 120mm.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
don
a
from cuy falls oh Date Reviewed: April 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
lakeside bicycles
Strengths:
good weight for a trail bike, some stock components descent
Weaknesses:
tires suck real bad, bar too wide bottom bracket too wide, needs 113mm, seat sucks, changed to wtb pure v race, best seat out of eight seats i've owned, and most important, check to see if your shock is side loaded. The tolerance between the upper shock mount and the upper shock reducer is not excact, there is some play between them and when you tighten the upper shock mount bolt the mount tightens on the shock from one side or the other, not evenly, which puts the shock at an angle to the lower mount. When the shock is placed in the lower mount at this angle the shaft operates in the shock body in a way that will prematurely wear the seals. Fox says even a slight amount of side loading is not acceptable. remove the shock from the lower mount and look at it. if it's at an angle remove the upper mount bolt and look for play at that mount. If there is play, you can use a couple of thin silver disc brake spacers, I used three, to take up the space. Work them in place then put the bolt back an don't torque it down, just snug. On my frame this lined the shock up perfectly with the lower mount. My frame is a warranty replacement when the first frame had this problem, so if two frames were bad there are probably more.
Similar Products Used:
Also, a company called BTI in england makes a nice looking replacement flip link that gives enduros' either 5.25 or 6 inches of travel and a taller bottom bracket height. google BTI components in the uk and check it out.
Bike Setup:
TALAS, wtb, kinetics, 60mm stem, lock on grips, short cage rear d, 32 ring with rock guard, etc...
Bottom Line:
No bike is perfect, but this one is really good. handles awesome, pedal bob is an issue when hammering, but other than that a great do it all trail bike. Get one if you can cause the new enduro is longer and alot heavier.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spangky Rigor
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendora, California Date Reviewed: February 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Red Box Station - Ken Burton Trail - El Prieto - JPL / Marshall - Cobalt - Burbank - Webb Canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Incycle, San Dimas
Strengths:
Great all around bike especially aggressive XC. Stiff frame with good components.. Climbs very well also very stable going downhill... Easy to maintain.. And most of all "Life Time Warranty" on the frame. Specialized really backs up their product..
Weaknesses:
First "rear shock" I wish I could change my rear shock travel to at least 6 inches / Second "chain-stuck". Fixed the problem when I changed my cassette / Third "mechanical brakes" a juicy five would probably enhance its stopping capability. Well it stops but not as good compared to hydraulic system. / Fourth "rear hub" very weak. broke it after 3 rides at El Prieto trail in Pasadena. / other than that this bike is good to go..
Similar Products Used:
GT-XCR-3000 i-Drive
Bike Setup:
Cassette = Sram 06 PG990 9 Spd. / Fork = Sherman Flick Plus 110-150 Travel With Firm Springs / Wheelset = Mavic Crossland UST Compatible / Tires = Kenda Nevegal Sticky-E Front 2.5 and Rear 2.35 /
Bottom Line:
I would definitely recommend this bike for someone who is looking for a good "all mountain" bike. not too light and not too heavy. Perfect for aggressive XC trail riding and some epic rides. Climbs impressively well and also very stable going downhill, mix it with rocks and roots and it will take you across and beyond. Just put the right components and you'll see how this bike raises your level of confidence.
My bike has had many upgrades already. Components that enhanced my riding style aggressive XC. I started to appreciate my bikes potential when I felt it doing its job soaking up bumps eating up rocks and roots that I thought are impossible for my skills. I was pushing my self too much that I basically ignore the possibility of getting seriously hurt. The bottom line is that this bike makes me smile whenever I see rocks and roots going downhill on a single track trail. "sweetness"
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dickie Westbrook
a Cross Country Rider
from Garner NC Date Reviewed: January 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Garner Rec Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Spin Cycle Cary NC
Strengths:
Great bike. Sturdy, takes what you give it.
Weaknesses:
Didn't like the EXR race shock. Replaced it with the Fox Float R. Now it is the perfect bike for me.
Similar Products Used:
Rode a Trek Fuel before this.
Bike Setup:
Replaced the shock, and the grips other than that it is just like I bought it.
Bottom Line:
I'm a little bit of each style of riding, cross country, freeride, weekend trail rider. This bike covers all of these. When I bought the bike I was looking for a ride that was in between a free-ride bike and a cross country bike. My Fuel was to light to handle the small drops and jumps. This bike handles all I do with ease, and still pedals up the steep hills as easy as my Fuel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason McCutcheon
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas Nevada Date Reviewed: December 31, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Bootleg Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1199.00
Purchased At:
All Mountian Cyclery (Boulder City)
Strengths:
Great all around bike. I do some 30 to 50 mile cross county rides and some down hill riding at bootleg. Good componet selection.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy I will end up shaving 2 to 3 lbs. of the bike with carbon fiber titanium products and a new wheelset. The stock pedals suck. I had the front shock completly loose air pressure off a 2-3 foot drop. It filled back up and I have not had any problems since but I am looking into a lighter fox fork to replace.
Similar Products Used:
None had a 15 year old Giant Iguana non-suspension bike.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for the specialized Lo Pro mag platform pedals. I got the XL and love the fit. I am 6'2" and 190 lbs.
Bottom Line:
The price I paid compared to the entertainment I am getting is great even on a Las Vegas rating scale.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from california Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Carlmont, or Montebello
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1360.00
Purchased At:
the off ramp (lbs)
Strengths:
Has great suspension. 5 inches is perfect. Doesn't climb badly, great downhill, feels like flying. parts are good for price. Brakes are very strong.
Weaknesses:
not anything major. Paint scratches easily. could be lighter, but then again, any mountain bike could be a little lighter.
Similar Products Used:
2000 rockhopper fsr with a psylo
Bike Setup:
stock. with diamondback pedals, i would recomend them.
Bottom Line:
As soon as you ride this bike you will love it. I wanted a blur, but it was too much $$, and i rode the enduro; it is very similar. The suspension feels so smooth, and it is a really fun bike to ride. the breaks are great, shifts great. i love this bike because i can use it for anything. I do cross country fireroads, singletrack, urban, dirtjumping, light freeride. the geometry is great, very comfy for any style riding. i give four chilis for value because i got it on sale and it is a super cool bike for what i paid, my only complaint is that it should have come with hydraulic disc brakes because that is what most bikes in this price range are coming with.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gavin Holmes
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA, USA Date Reviewed: September 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Solid frame; plush suspension; excellent on the downhills
Weaknesses:
chainsuck; cornering; weight
Similar Products Used:
first full suspension bike
Bike Setup:
Fox Vanilla 125 RLC XT rear derailleur and shifters LX front derailleur Avid mechanical disk brakes - BBD8's (1 six inch and 1 eight inch) Avid Speed Dial 7's brake triggers Race Face North Shore cranks Cane Creek S1 headset Race Face Air Allow - low rise - handlebar ODI lock on grips WTB Speed V Seat Sun Ryno Lite Rims - Shimano hubs Specialized Enduro Tires (2.2's)
Bottom Line:
I have only ridden hardtail to this point. This bike had the nicest full suspension "feel" I tested as it isn't too mushy in the crank, and takes bumps/drops great. The weight isn't bad, but heavier than I had thought (note: it was difficult to find weight specs on alot of the bikes I researched...). I am definately trying to find paths of most resistance these days to test the suspension. I find that it's heart and soul is definately in going down vs. up, tho it's uphill performance isn't that bad either.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: September 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Rio Grande Nature Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Centres of Everett
Strengths:
Price, Durability, Burly Frame, Comfortble layout, Ease of Use, Full Suspension works well, Avid brakes work well and are a snap to adjust.
Weaknesses:
OEM pedals sucked, Some pedal-bob while standing, Paint scratches somewhat easy, it's not a light bike, took some time for me to adjust the suspension to my satisfaction.
Similar Products Used:
99 Specialized Hardrock FS
Bike Setup:
Stock, +Wellgo B-37 platform pedals, Specialized Milano seat (the Barco-lounger type)
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this bike for nearly 1 month. I have 215 miles and I weigh 225-230 lbs (240w/gear). Got this bike for $1200 and it's my 1st Full-Suspension bike. This bike rides like a tank. It is tough to pedal uphill (sometimes my heart feels like it's gonna pop), but this bike flies downhill. This bike is smooth on the trails and makes rocks and logs seem like little bumps. I am still learning how to mountain bike (i.e. jumping over 3 ft.), but I am confident this bike will be able to take a beating. At first, I regretted that another bike shop had the Enduro Comp 130 for $1700 two days after I bought the bike, but after riding the bike for a while, I am very pleased! In terms of value the only other bike that came close was the Giant VT 2 & 3, which I still might get. The only complaints were the lame-a## pedals that come w/ the bike and the paint seemed to scatch somewhat easily, but that pales in comparison to the amount of fun I am having with the bike. This is probably best for light freeride and hardcore trail-riders, but when I get more advanced I'll probably buy Giant Faith 1 or Specialized Demo 9. Until then, here's to one great bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
will
a Cross Country Rider
from jackson, wy Date Reviewed: September 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
the closest singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
hobacksports
Strengths:
Fast and plush downhill, nice riding uphill, excellent warranty policy, good frame to upgrade around, proven FSR/horst link suspension design
Weaknesses:
for the price, some specs could be better. i.e. all the other bikes I demoed had hydraulic brakes and better components. The enduro had a better frame, though.
Similar Products Used:
rode the piss out of a 2000 stumpjumper FSR for 5 years, also I have a Stumpjumper hardtail that doesn't see much use at all.
Bike Setup:
full-on stock. maybe I'll try to save up for a custom wheelset and hydraulic disks, but first I gotta wear out the ones Ive got.
Bottom Line:
A nice bike for the price I got it at. It's not too heavy for a 2 hour climb, and rips going downhill, small jumps and drops are no worries, nor are steep loose climbs. The frame is quality, I know I can thrash it for five years or so before the linkages start to get sloppy. I know from experience that specialized is generous with their warranty, should I crack a frame. I can upgrade the parts as they wear. very comfortable. Now that I've ridden it for a few months, I wish it had more travel, but I can live with five inches for a while. Lighter than the Norco Fluid I tried, more plush than the Trek Liquid, I dig it and would recommend it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from Cerritos Date Reviewed: February 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Whiting Ranch or Aliso Woods
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Specialized knows how to spec their stuff. The avids on this bike are the only cable brakes I would buy. Love the 8" rotor on the front.
Weaknesses:
Fork sounds like a disaster in the grease factory, lots of squishing sounds. But hey, can't argue with how well it worked. Nice and plush.
Similar Products Used:
Giant VT 2
Bike Setup:
stock, with crank bros candy sl's
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet bike. It's not a cross country rig. It's a true all mountain bike. Could hold up to light slalom or 4X racing. I give this bike 5 value chillis, hands down. 5 chillis overall, but I like my VT 2 better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Ramsdell
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, CT USA Date Reviewed: January 23, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Case Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Vernon Cycle, Vernon CT
Strengths:
This bike has a very plush feeling to the suspension. I weigh in at about 175 lbs and I feel that I am a fairly aggressive rider. It absorbs big hits without bottoming out thus far as well as cruises through rocky sections, making me a better rider.
Weaknesses:
It is a little on the heavy side. It is a great bike for cruising on rocky flat to downhill sections, however if you are looking for a fast cross country racing bike, this is not the bike for you. Additionally, the stock bottom bracket was too wide, which initially made shifting onto the small chainring difficult. Vernon Cycle changed out the bottom bracket, and shifting has been 100 times better.
Similar Products Used:
none. Previously rode a 1996 bianchi hardtail
Bike Setup:
stock with the exception of the narrower bottom bracket and the addition of Shimano M540 pedals
Bottom Line:
I have been extremely happy with the purchase thus far. I have been riding some rocky terrain in wintry conditions and can't wipe the smile off my face at the end of the ride. I would recommend this bike to any rider that is willing to sacrifice a couple of pounds of weight for the ability to cruise through downhill sections and occasionally go off of big hits.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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