Submitted by
David Belden
a Racer
from Palo Alto, CA Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Soquel Demonstration Forest
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Spectacular XC Racing bike! Light, fast on climbs, great traction (even with semi slicks), and just enough suspension to take the edge off of the bumps. It handles tight enough for technical New England trails, and is stable enough for 45mph California fire road descents.
Weaknesses:
It hurts my triathlon training since I'm always on my Dean instead of my tri-bike.
Similar Products Used:
GT Zaskar with a USE suspension post. Also test rode GT LTS, Specialized S-Works, Moots YBB, several Fat Chance bikes, a Ted Wojack (sp?) FS frame, and a Litespeed Obed.
Bike Setup:
Dean Duke XC, Marzocchi Z2 Bomer, stratos rear shock, full XTR, XTR/Mavic 217 rims, Ritchey semi-slicks or Mythos tires. Shimano 737 pedals.
Bottom Line:
Feels like an extension of my body. My Zaskar was trashing my lower back, and not only can I ride longer on the Dean due to the Ti & full suspension, but I ride better & faster. This bike is well worth the $$.
Awesome bike for a hard core weekend warrior or a full blown XC race weenie (like me!)
Thanks Dean!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Yates
a Racer
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Forest Ridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light weight, great handling, just enough give at the back to take the sting off the trail.
Weaknesses:
Can't think of any
Similar Products Used:
I have owned and raced Mtn Goat, FS Homegrown, Fisher Paragon.
Bike Setup:
Manitou carbon, Race Face cranks, XT, Grip Shift, Specialized tires
Bottom Line:
To me it's the best of both worlds. I had a full suspension homegrown and have ridden others, but they all feel too Cadillac-like. The Duke feels like a hard tail, is super light and climbs like a beast. I'm diggin' it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Martin
a cross-country rider
from Pennsylvania Date Reviewed: February 3, 1999
Bottom Line:
I read these reviews all the time but have never posted one. I finally feel I own a bike worth posting. I've been on a two year oddessy with full suspension designs. I live near Phila.PA. and ride mostly rocky single track with alot of short ups and downs. In the past two years I have OWNED the following frames. (2) Santa Cruz Hecklers,SC Tazmon, Klein Mantra, Yeti ARC-AS(great frame but it wasn't my size),UZZi SL, Rocky Mountain Pipeline,Rocky Mountain Element, and now my Duke. Some of the above frames have many positive attributes,but the Duke is the best compromise to efficency I have ridden. It is more hardtail than not. But it's so light and lively I can't help to think how I made climbs going so slow on the other rigs. This bike is a rocket and the geometry is well suited to my area. The quality of the frame is great, not quite Merlin or Moots but close, the Stratas shock on the rear however is better than Merlin or Moots because it is dampened travel and after several years of fullies I don't want to get too simple. I have a new manitou sx ti with hayes front,xtr v rear. The bike weighs under 24lbs. I don't go head long into objects like on other fullies but the nimble qualities put me around them quickly. I would recommend this frame highly,and would not hesitate to say its ride is the best for what I do. Thank god the search is over! By the way Will at DEAN is very helpful.
Overall Rating:
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