Submitted by
Irie Biker
a Cross Country Rider
from Lenoir, NC Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Poinsett
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Lightweight and agile! Reynolds 853 steel gives this bike a sweet ride.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Fisher, Giant, Mongoose
Bike Setup:
XT, Mavic X517 rims, Z.2 Bomber
Bottom Line:
This bike seems to read my mind on the trail. It's very agile, climbs well and descends nimbly. The soft tail takes the edge off rough trails with roots and rocks without bouncing out of control. It's the best bike I've owned and my friends have bike envy every time we hit the trail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a
from Nashville Tennessee Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tsali, but still exploring the southeast
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Purchased from Dean via their Auction
Strengths:
This bike rides great. It takes the right amount of edge of the trail, but still responds on demand. It is light, and climbs anything.
Weaknesses:
I lost a bolt that held the frame to the shock at the 24 hour of snowshoe. The customer service at DEAN was very helpful. PROPS to all at Dean I was back on the bike in about two weeks. NO PROBLEMS since
Similar Products Used:
Tried the DeKerf and Litespeed, NO Contest
Bike Setup:
Sid XC, full XTR, Syncros Revolution Cranks, And the New Thompson stem is dope.
Bottom Line:
Best Bike I've ridden. I'm sure there are better out there somewhere, I just haven't found them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Louisville, CO Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Walker Ranch, The side not recommended for bikes:)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Steel is real! my 2nd 853 bike and I love the responsive feel. The air/oil adj. shock on this bike is awesome. I can reach back and tune it to match the washboard on dirt roads or adjust it after pre-riding a race course. I almost never use the lock-out because it climbs so well with the susp. turned on, just like my old hardtail!
Weaknesses:
Not as light as Ti, but I can't decide if I'd rather have the DEAN Ti soft-tail on stay with 853 for the responsive feel.
Similar Products Used:
Merlin Echo, Litespeed Unicoy, Hard tail with suspension post
Bike Setup:
ESP 9.0 SL, WB 72-UL, Race Face crk, Dura Ace Ti cass. 12-27, Sun-Ringle RPM wheels, Avid Arch Rival brakes, Easton RISER Monkey lite RISER bar.
Bottom Line:
Sweet bike, takes the edge off and keeps my lower back from hurting at the end of a 3+ hour Exp. XC race
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steve
a Cross-Country Rider
from tucson, az Date Reviewed: December 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
always looking...
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
853 frame, soft tail, clean welds
Weaknesses:
none so far
Bike Setup:
xtr/gripshift/sid sl
Bottom Line:
An excellent bike for long XC rides. The 853 soft tail frames takes the edge of the brutal stuff, yet climbs as well as a hard tail. Decends nicely. I love it. John at Dean is a very cool person to deal with.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike the bike guy...
a Cross-Country Rider
from Leesburg Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Anything XC
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Climbs like a goat... By far, the overall bike I have ever had.
Weaknesses:
None that I can think of.
Similar Products Used:
Litespeed, Moots & the Ti version (the Duke)
Bike Setup:
I'm an XT kinda guy... keep it simple.
Bottom Line:
I've done Canaan with this bike... It was the best bike I could have ever used. The lock out on the rear shock is a great option. I love the feel of 853, I'd take this over any of the like. Love the paint job too (school bus yellow).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
greg thompson
a Weekend Warrior
from jackson, ms Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
tsali
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
climbs like a classic steel hard tail, desends better
Weaknesses:
none found
Similar Products Used:
litespeed unicoi- suspension not as evident
Bike Setup:
full xt, manitou sx ti, cross max, ti post, bar, gore cables, syncross bb
Bottom Line:
This bike meets all requirements for a singletrack bike. Comfortable and quick, the best all around bike for the east coast.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jim h
a Cross-Country Rider
from san francisco Date Reviewed: March 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
mount diablo
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
weight-23.5lbshandling,takes the edge off
Similar Products Used:
pro flex 956
Bike Setup:
sidxc,gripshift 9.0,race face crank,mavic cross lands
Bottom Line:
great bike climbs like a cat and is quite comfortable to ride not as cushy as my proflex but the leight weight and handling make this bike a blast.
Overall Rating:
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