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Submitted by
Forrest Arakawa
a Downhiller
from Pleasant Hill Ca
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Pedals better than any DH bike I've ever ridden. Stiff rear triangle. Fair weight for a DH frame. No noise. Adjustable head angle. Compact front triangle. Cool old English. Works great with the Romic that came with the frame. Uses all it's travel. No creaks or any other annoying noise. Everything on it is universal. Breaks well, no chatter. Great head angle with 7in fork. | | Weaknesses: | Non | | Similar Products Used: | Intense | | Bike Setup: | Hayes brakes, Tru Precision hubs, WTB DH rims, WTB Laserbeam Ti saddle, WTB Weirwolf Slow Rubber DH tires, King Headset, Easton Bar, Tru Vativ Cranks, 2002 Marzocchi Super T Pro, Thompson post and Stem, XTR Rear der, shifter and Chain. | | Bottom Line: | This bike really blew me away.. I had no idea it was going to descend as well as it does. Going from a 2001 M1 I wasn't sure if this was going to be enough bike for me... Well I was wrong. This bike takes anything you can throw at it... I've taken it on some of the most technical trails in California and it's performed just as well as my M1. I really was suprised.. I bought the bike for a Freeride/Trail bike since it pedals so well. It's really become my technical singletrack DH rig. It's great for the tight trails because it turns so well... I bought the small just for that reason, I wanted it to perform in the narrow nasty sections that we ride in the North Bay... The suspension is so plush it's really hard to notice that your going through the travel. I have yet to bottom it out but it's so soft that sometimes it feels like I'm going to. It really uses all it's travel well. Another great thing I noticed when I took it out to the local Slalom track is the fact that it "Springs" you out of corners... Really the suspension seems like it's pushing you out of turns... I've yet to notice this on my Slalom Bike... It may just be the amount of suspension compared to my little bike but many it feels great. If your looking for a DH/Freeride rig that pedals really well than look no further! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter john leeds
a Weekend Warrior
from north shore, bc
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all of grouse mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | on top bikes | | Strengths: | lifetime warranty, excellent pedaller, plush, progressive rate of travel, looks awesome, handles like you cannot believe | | Weaknesses: | you must be joking; except for price, but what price would you put on immortality and love? | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky mountain stratos, intense uzzi dh, 2000 model dare | | Bike Setup: | full raceface hope discs, razor rock hubs boxxer fork and
maxxis mobster tires | | Bottom Line: | I had last years model and couldn't believe it could get better. This years' stronger, better in the air and much more stable than last, and last years was awesome. It pedals unreal, yet is more plush than last year. Fox shock is spot on for me, and what is better? I cannot think of a better bike out there period, and the Shore willfind it if it exists. I agree price is a concern, but in the world of bikes you get what you pay for. ONly in this case far more. I am an inventor and mechanic and can say there is no better design out there. Lets talk about beefy. The rear end has no flex. If it does for you, loose some weight. My riding only gets better, and this is coming from someone with permanent injuries. The confidence is overwhelming. I am tired of bikes supposes to be tough but break--- I see it regularily. The uzzi was weak garbage. AS a rider and passionate about it, I can't be happier. What is there to improve? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harvey
a Downhiller
from Boulder Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cowboy Up | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Crash Replacement | | Strengths: | This bike tracks like a tank over everything I can throw at it. The travel is long and cushy. The new through axle rear end is a stiffy. This one pedals much better than my old lighter 6 inch Dare. The standover on the new frame inspires moves that felt dangerous to mine crotch afore. The new frameset is even more unique and seems to have a little more aggressive fork rake. | | Weaknesses: | The bike is now sold as either DH only or Freeride and a front derailleur cant be used on the DH. Very expensive toy. | | Similar Products Used: | I had a 6" travel 96 dare that was superb and lighter | | Bike Setup: | BoxxerPro,MRP,RazorRock,XT,Gustavs. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike more than any bike I've ever owned. It is sick. Pure and simply ILL! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Petro
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mingo | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Dales Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light weight, climbs like a hardtail | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | MC Shockwave | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Jr.T 29lbs | | Bottom Line: | If your looking for a Dare they are fantastic bikes. The original version weighs in at 6.75 lbs. The new version is 10lbs. I very sad to see this change. Ellsworth has had the largest travel to weight ratio ever{7.5" x6.75lbs}. I'm very glad that I got one of the last original versions left. It's a fun XC bike . I'm able to hang with all my XC buddies but have twice the travel. It freaks people out. Now that they have made these changes I hope that they haven't made a mistake.I'm afraid that the weight gain is going to lump them in with the rest of the DH crowd. I'm hope they know what they are doing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tyler hollenbach
a Downhiller
from snowmass village CO USA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any good downhill course | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | gene taylors sports | | Strengths: | the bike is very light for a long travel bike and it climes so much better than i thought it was possible. when i got on it going downhill i felt like i was on o santa cruz but it weighed ten times less | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | monster t in front fox vinilla rc in back xt/lx drive train | | Bottom Line: | if you are in the price range this is the bike to buy. when you get on this bike you can just feel the power between your lages and i would recoment it to anyone. i got a good deal on mine but for this bike i would have payed the full 5000 that it would have cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Flying Circus,any downhill type trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Airbomb.com | | Strengths: | Super plush 7+ inches of travel. It only weighs about 40 pounds. Awsome jumper. Good climber. Takes drops well.
liftime warrenty!! looks | | Weaknesses: | Uhhh.... I let you know when I find one. | | Similar Products Used: | Rm6(junk),Intense M1,Bullet,Aeon Joker,Maren Team downhill,VPS2,PROFLEX!!!! | | Bike Setup: | BoXXers,DeeMax Wheel set, Hayes. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the do anyting bike. It eats the up crazy downhill. It doesn't ride fast it just flys low.Gives
Smooth feel to everyting I ride over. Its just the best bike I have ever ridden thats the bottom line. This bike gets 101 flamin'Chilis from me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Polser
a Downhiller
from Spokane,WA.,USA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | BEACON | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Bottomless suspension,lifetime warranty,climbing efficiency | | Weaknesses: | not important-any have been addressed by the folks at Ellsworth who will always take care of you. | | Similar Products Used: | I've either rode or been with people on everything
| | Bike Setup: | Sratos superstar-6 fork/Stratos helix pro with on the fly lockout shock,Sun double wide 24 inch wheels-Nokian gazzalodi tires,Hayes brakes,Raceface 20/32/46,XT,GOOD STUFF | | Bottom Line: | This frame is the best of both worlds. I have owned Ellsworth frames for 4 years now and they all have served me well. The lifetime warranty is for real. They will take care of any problem you ever have and that is the main reason I will always support this company(INTEGRITY!!)The Dare levels drop-offs up to whatever you can handle. Downhill's feel like smooth butter. The climbing is perfect,no lost power and mucho traction. Lockout only for long road sections. The finish is unscratchable as well as good looking. I think this is the best bike...PERIOD!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MATT MEDORE
a Downhiller
from HEMET, CALIFORNIA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | PACHIA DH RUN | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | SMALL FRAME CORNERS WELL, TAKES TRAMENDOUS BEATING FROM 20 FOOT JUMPS AND 8 FEET DROP OFFS. EXCELLENT PEDDLAR THROUGH WHOOPS AND RUTS. | | Weaknesses: | NOTHING BUT THE REAR SHOX | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR 3000 WORKED WELL FOR CROSS COUNRTY USE BUT WHEN DH FORKS AND WHEELS AND ALL PUT ON WEIGHED IT DOWN. CHAIN TENSONIER WORKED REAL CRAPPY. | | Bike Setup: | RED ANO FRAME, THOMSON SEATPOST, AZONIC- PEDALS, SEAT, STEM, BARS, HOPE SPORT DISCS, INTENSE TIRES, ROCK SHOX BOXXER, MAVIC SUP 521 RIMS WITH HOPE BIG UN'S HUBS, NINE SPEED XTR. | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE WORKS WELL ANY PLACE YOU BRING IT TO. FROM DROP OFFS TO STEEP DOWNHILL THIS BIKE SWALLOWS UP ANYTHING YOU PUT IT UP TO. A BUYER LOOKING TO LOOK COOL AROUND THE CITY AND ONE TO LOOK GOOD ON THE TRAILS OR CORSES IS ONE TO BUY THIS BIKE. IT PUTS ALL OTHER BIKES TO SHAME WITH ITS REAR END 7 INCH TRAVEL. ITS FRAME EVEN LOOKS GOOD AFTER A GOOD RIDE IN THE DUST AND MUD. I RECOMEND THIS BIKE HIGHLY TO ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO DO HARD CORE XC, DH, SLALOM, DIRT JUMPING, OR WHO WANTS TO BE THE MOST UNIQUE BIKE IN TOWN. THIS BIKE DEFENATLEY STICKS OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB OF ITS UNIQUENESS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Wisell
a Downhiller
from Winooski Vt
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything at Killington or Jay Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lightweight, aggressive handling, will exceed my limits on a bike. | | Weaknesses: | someone liked my Dare so much they stole it. Had to buy a new one. Not really a weakness is it? | | Similar Products Used: | 99 Dare, GT STSDH, Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Manitou X-Vert Carbon, Sun Ringle MODO wheels, Nokian Gazzaloddi 2.6 tires, MR Dirt chainguide, Race Face cranks, KORE stem, Easton Monkey bars, 9.0SL halfpipe shifter & deraillieur, Hayes brakes | | Bottom Line: | This bike likes to go fast, the faster the better, and the steeper the better. Built up, this bike weighs 39LBS. No lie, I was suprised myself. A lighter DH bike like this can be braked later, will accelerate faster, and just looks so damn cool. A little pricy as set up, but hey, once you ride a Dare, you are hooked for life.
I give it 300 flamming chilies. 5 is not enough | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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