Submitted by
Brian Alexander
a Downhiller
from Buellton, CA, United States Date Reviewed: February 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Tunnel
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1950.00
Purchased At:
balfa.co.uk
Strengths:
*****2006 BB7*****insanely strong, incredibly lightweight, pedals better then any other downhill bike I have ever tried, integraded roller, looks siiiick
Weaknesses:
a lot of chainguides make it so you don't have very much tire clearance, but just get a different chainguide
Similar Products Used:
DHR, 2step DH, super 8, stinky
Bike Setup:
5th element, boxxer world cup, juicy carbons, saint cranks, full X.0 drivetrain, MAXXIS tires (nuttin but)
Bottom Line:
This bike is insane, if you have a chance to get one, do it. If you are in the market for a new frame, GET THIS BIKE. Don't waste your hard earned money on anything else. This frame with a 5th element and a titanium spring shipped to my door was only 1950!!! I was scetchy at first because this was a little cheap, but I am more then happy with it. I corners like it is on rails, and you can pedal over ANYTHING. No matter what I throw at this bike, it begs for more
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Submitted by
mike gaudet
a Downhiller
from abbotsford b.c canada Date Reviewed: January 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
woodlot platinum
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
second hand
Strengths:
STRONG!!!!!STRONG!!!!!STRONG!!!!!STRONG!!!!!STRONG!!!!!STRONG!!!!!STRONG!!!!!STRONG!!!!!absorbs everything pretty much perfect
Weaknesses:
if u can find any let me know because i don't know any
Submitted by
Tyler
a Downhiller
from Newburyport MA usa Date Reviewed: April 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
mt snow
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
used from pinkbike.com
Strengths:
the rear end is very strong with its Cro-mo construction. the whoel frame pretty much.
Weaknesses:
one thing, now dont get on my back quite yet. t was the rear shock blot, i kept on bending i dont know if i just put it on incorrectly or i hucked too much. well i sent it to balfa and they sent it back with a race bolt that was 3 times thicker! now thats customer service at its finist!
Similar Products Used:
kona stab,kona stinky (no comparison)
Bike Setup:
Balfa BB7, DNM USD-180, 8 inch XT hyros, double wide sun rims, all XT components, Husselfelts, blackspire CG, rest is Race Face Diobolus
Bottom Line:
a great bike for racers and freeriders alike. customer serive is the best. even thogh thier site is down. nothing beats a handmade in canada Balfa!
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Submitted by
Joel
a Downhiller
from ON, canada Date Reviewed: December 16, 2004
03 Frame, 05 Dorado, 05 deemax's, hayes, 5th element
Bottom Line:
The bike kicks ass...thats about it...i read other posts and the dumbass's said they bent things on 6 foot drops...honestly there's somthin wrong with their riding cause i've done a 24 by 27 foot road gap on this thing and it didn't even bottom out...so like i said the guy who said he bent sh*t is full of sh*t...bottom line this thing is an awesome race machine, good freerider and super smooth...don't listen to cojack and his horrible riding
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Submitted by
Dylan Morrow
a Downhiller
from Stratford, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: April 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Blue mountian
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
"Used
Strengths:
The Frame is Very Strong! Has a Steel rear end that is industructable, and an aluminum front end to be a bit lighter. So Plush! It is a Portable tranny as my friend says!
Weaknesses:
YOu have to make a tire guard where the chain hits the frame to stop chain slap ,it is very loud if you dont.........but thats no big deal
Similar Products Used:
Super 8 , Turner , Giant team dh..........
Bike Setup:
White brothers DH-3, 24" double wides, 3 inch gazzys, Funn 3-peice cranks,Protaper handles bars, Hayes 8" hydros,Azonic love seat,XT gearing
Bottom Line:
If you want a Bike that is going to have to be sent in for worrenty after 5 mounths, dont buy a Balfa! These things are built to last!! They are not mass produced , so every one made is made perfectly without a flaw, because they take the time to make them perfect, Unlike some bike companys.
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Submitted by
Tony DiMarco
a Weekend Warrior
from Mukilteo, Wa, USA Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Jap Gulch
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Tim's Bike and Hobby
Strengths:
Lots and Lots of smooth, plush, and buttery travel. Very strong and reliable. Haven't got to do any drops on it quite yet becuase I just bought the frame, but I know it will perform well. Balances well with other 7 inch travel forks for maximum fell and overall smoothness. Chain never falls off. Those Candian know how to make a good bike.
Weaknesses:
It is a very long bike and quite difficult to manual, wheelie, or street jib, but that goes away after you get used to it. But that is the only thing, nothing else!
Similar Products Used:
Norco Launch, Kona Stinky dee-lux
Bike Setup:
03' Jr. T. Hayes, Vueltas, MRP, Kona DH PRimo Bars and stem. XT.
Bottom Line:
This bike rules over them all! I have not rode a better 7 inch travel bike. I know that when I am on the bike that I am gonna get a good ride and that it can take a beating. I cant wait to get this thing up to Whistler and get where I can really get the bikes full potential. It is a little bit long but hey, wheelies arent that big of a deal, but I can still pull them off and I am a little guy. If your looking for a freeride/DH bike, then stop looking. I cant enforce enough that this bike is quality stuff! But man, I cant sit here and type, I have to ride it! Somebody that is looking for an Urban full suspension bike probably wont prefer this bike though if they are hard core about wheelies. So I suggest that anyone out there who is looking to get a great freeride bike, and doesn't want to pay all that green for a Kona, get the Balfa, trust me, you will glad you did.
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Submitted by
Todd Kerbs
a Downhiller
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
wouldnt you like to know
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4199.00
Purchased At:
Recycle Ski & Bike
Strengths:
this machine truely eats up bumps and increases speed. The steel rear triangle takes the worry off rocks and everything else and the highdrive pivot is unbelievable. NOT MASS PRODUCED!!!!!!!
Weaknesses:
I have not really found a weakness, the boys up North will fix any weakness that you have or find, It is a handmade bike
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz, Intense
Bike Setup:
Boxxer,Pig,XTR,Hayes MRP World Cup ISCG,Koobi saddle
Bottom Line:
If you want a truely finely produced hand made bike with precision welds, that is going to last for the number of years that your investment means to you, then I would look no further. I have seen too many of the other Mass Produced bikes get sent back because of defects. The real riders dont go for trends, they go for what works. All bandwagon lovers please buy something else and leave Balfa's to the purists of the sport.
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Submitted by
Jay
a Downhiller
from Thunder Bay,ON Date Reviewed: February 3, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
cyclepath
Strengths:
Works great, bottomless, plush, smooth, pulley system is great! Really strong until.......
Weaknesses:
.....bent 5, thats right...5 shock axles on brops no bigger than 8', linkage plate snapped in half ON AN XC RIDE!! causing my swingarm to twist and screw up the whole a$$ end of the bike. I have a friend with the same bike only a 2000 model and he had no problems with it, I guess there was a gremlin in mine....oh well, I sold it and bought a norco vps..... I am happy again.
ask the friendly boys at balfa if they worked out the bugs before you buy one.
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Submitted by
SlimJim
a Downhiller
from Chambly Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
19
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Strengths:
strong frame...good balance...stiff...mine is a 2000...
Weaknesses:
None so far...
Similar Products Used:
Marin Team DH 2001...blew the frame in pieces...
Bike Setup:
Manitou X vert Carbon, hayes, blackspyre...
Bottom Line:
this bike feels good, its not too heay and it handles really well...
it's made in Quebec so its easy for us to get technical help...but it doesnt matter where you're from 'cause the guys at Balfa are cool and always willing to help!
$
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