Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz heckler superlight.
Bike Setup: LX, Mavic rims, Rock Shox Judy SL o
forks.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Black Canyon city az.
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2010
Strengths: Does everything right! Will wheelie over speed bumps like nothing is there. Climbs like a hardtail. Go anywhere and other riders have to check out my ride. Timeless.
Weaknesses: I didnt get the Bowtie to match
Bottom Line:
I couldnt be happier if I were twins! I will never sell this one. If you get a chance to buy one, hang on to it!As for parts, call the boys and girls at Ibis, they will figure it out>>
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Strengths: The Bike is solid. The frame design really allows for great cross country riding (with style along the way)
Weaknesses: Since I started riding this bike, I forgot what that word means....
Bottom Line:
This bike is a work of art as well as an engineering marvel. I am about 160 lbs and this bike has held up to every 5' drop and 100 miler I have ever tossed at it. The bike has been EVERYWHERE with me and it has been turning heads because of the unusual frame design. I have not had to do anything with the bushings or deraileur hanger and that is the way it should be. I am going to retire the bike frame this year, but I am going to proudly hang it up in my room. I will build it up some day when I get the money to do so (I am in college). It was a pleasure to have this bike as my first full suspension bike. IBIS is back!!!!
Similar Products Used: Giant ranier, Gary Fisher tassajara
Bike Setup: Fox Talas RLC fork, Chris King headset, XT crank and BB, Chris King rear hub, avid mechanical brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Strengths: The Bike is solid. The frame design really allows for great cross country riding (with style along the way)
Weaknesses: Since I started riding this bike, I forgot what that word means....
Bottom Line:
This bike is a work of art as well as an engineering marvel. I am about 160 lbs and this bike has held up to every 5' drop and 100 miler I have ever tossed at it. The bike has been EVERYWHERE with me and it has been turning heads because of the unusual frame design. I have not had to do anything with the bushings or deraileur hanger and that is the way it should be. I am going to retire the bike frame this year, but I am going to proudly hang it up in my room. I will build it up some day when I get the money to do so (I am in college). It was a pleasure to have this bike as my first full suspension bike. IBIS is back!!!!
Similar Products Used: Giant ranier, Gary Fisher tassajara
Bike Setup: Fox Talas RLC fork, Chris King headset, XT crank and BB, Chris King rear hub, avid mechanical brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Strengths: The Bike is solid. The frame design really allows for great cross country riding (with style along the way)
Weaknesses: Since I started riding this bike, I forgot what that word means....
Bottom Line:
This bike is a work of art as well as an engineering marvel. I am about 160 lbs and this bike has held up to every 5' drop and 100 miler I have ever tossed at it. The bike has been EVERYWHERE with me and it has been turning heads because of the unusual frame design. I have not had to do anything with the bushings or deraileur hanger and that is the way it should be. I am going to retire the bike frame this year, but I am going to proudly hang it up in my room. I will build it up some day when I get the money to do so (I am in college). It was a pleasure to have this bike as my first full suspension bike. IBIS is back!!!!
Similar Products Used: Giant ranier, Gary Fisher tassajara
Bike Setup: Fox Talas RLC fork, Chris King headset, XT crank and BB, Chris King rear hub, avid mechanical brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Strengths: The Bike is solid. The frame design really allows for great cross country riding (with style along the way)
Weaknesses: Since I started riding this bike, I forgot what that word means....
Bottom Line:
This bike is a work of art as well as an engineering marvel. I am about 160 lbs and this bike has held up to every 5' drop and 100 miler I have ever tossed at it. The bike has been EVERYWHERE with me and it has been turning heads because of the unusual frame design. I have not had to do anything with the bushings or deraileur hanger and that is the way it should be. I am going to retire the bike frame this year, but I am going to proudly hang it up in my room. I will build it up some day when I get the money to do so (I am in college). It was a pleasure to have this bike as my first full suspension bike. IBIS is back!!!!
Similar Products Used: Giant ranier, Gary Fisher tassajara
Bike Setup: Fox Talas RLC fork, Chris King headset, XT crank and BB, Chris King rear hub, avid mechanical brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Strengths: The Bike is solid. The frame design really allows for great cross country riding (with style along the way)
Weaknesses: Since I started riding this bike, I forgot what that word means....
Bottom Line:
This bike is a work of art as well as an engineering marvel. I am about 160 lbs and this bike has held up to every 5' drop and 100 miler I have ever tossed at it. The bike has been EVERYWHERE with me and it has been turning heads because of the unusual frame design. I have not had to do anything with the bushings or deraileur hanger and that is the way it should be. I am going to retire the bike frame this year, but I am going to proudly hang it up in my room. I will build it up some day when I get the money to do so (I am in college). It was a pleasure to have this bike as my first full suspension bike. IBIS is back!!!!
Similar Products Used: Giant ranier, Gary Fisher tassajara
Bike Setup: Fox Talas RLC fork, Chris King headset, XT crank and BB, Chris King rear hub, avid mechanical brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007
Strengths: The Bike is solid. The frame design really allows for great cross country riding (with style along the way)
Weaknesses: Since I started riding this bike, I forgot what that word means....
Bottom Line:
This bike is a work of art as well as an engineering marvel. I am about 160 lbs and this bike has held up to every 5' drop and 100 miler I have ever tossed at it. The bike has been EVERYWHERE with me and it has been turning heads because of the unusual frame design. I have not had to do anything with the bushings or deraileur hanger and that is the way it should be. I am going to retire the bike frame this year, but I am going to proudly hang it up in my room. I will build it up some day when I get the money to do so (I am in college). It was a pleasure to have this bike as my first full suspension bike. IBIS is back!!!!
Submitted by
Paul Fradale
a Weekend Warrior
from Fukuoka, Japan
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2005
Strengths: Light, smooth, rugged, unique: I smile every time I get on it.
Weaknesses: Ibis went under so replacement bits are custom-only; when doing downhill runs the seat can only be lowered a bit.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike as my first FS after riding Ti hardtails. I bought the frame for $400 and swapped over what I could from my Litespeed, then got the rest of the parts over time. I use it every day to go to work and then hit the trails after work and on the weekends. The guys I ride with run DH rigs which I have tried. Fun downhill but you pay going up. The Szazbo is a feather compared to them. My only gripe is that the seat can not be lowered much, so when on a downhill run I wind up resting my chest on the seat and hanging my butt as far over the rear wheel as I can. Works, but fatigue sets in earlier than if I had a DH barcolounger. Great bike, really stands out, a blast to ride in many conditions. Tough, too.
Bike Setup: Alps rear, Z1 front, Crossmax XL, Avid mech. disc (had boss welded to swingarm) with Full Metal Jacket lines, XTR drivetrain, Hope Ti BB, Thompson post, Bontrager Crowbar, Raceface stem, Chris King headset, Niterider Blowtorch
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
bud mauger
a Cross Country Rider
from west chester, pa usa
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004
Strengths: The ride is the Szazbo's greatest feature, makes easy work of rock gardens and log overs, tracks beautifully. Like me: "Just cause it's old does not mean it's ineffective."
Weaknesses: A bit extra weight, one review said his weighs in a 24.5 lbs. I question that, mine is around 28.5 lbs. The weight of this bike is above normal by today's standards but not a major issue.
Bottom Line:
Szazbos don't come along too often, keep watching on Ebay or MTBR, if someone is foolish enough to sell then take advantage and purchase. I paid $750.00 for entire bike but changed quite a bit and spent another $1,500 on upgrades. I am not disappointed in the least. The frame was in beautiful condition and the Manitou Skareb matched the rear suspension just fine. I cannot say enough about Chris King hubs.
Who should buy? I am 61 years old and have been riding for 12 years. I ride with much younger guys and have no trouble keeping up with "most of them!" If you are looking for comfort and performance and like me love cross country then you "will not be disappointed" with this bike!
Have fun looking, there are several out there collecting dust!
Similar Products Used: I have: 2004 Yeti 575, 2000 Ellsworth Truth, 2000 Ibis Ripley, 1996 Ibis Mojo, 1994 Bontrager Steel, 1996 Bontrager Ti, 2000 Airborne Black Widow and a 2001 Merlin Echo. I took the Ellsworth to CA. but could have easily taken the Szazbo, just did not want to risk doing any damage.
Bike Setup: Manitou Skareb, Gravey built wheels with Chris King Hubs, Avid Mechanical Discs(I had disc tabs welded to rear triangle)works perfectly, XTR shifters and XT cranks.
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Submitted by
Scott Alguire
a Cross Country Rider
from Lompoc, CA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2004
Strengths: Sweet Spot design is really sweet. Soft ride in the saddle and the bike indestructable.
Weaknesses: Yes, Ibis went backrupt but John Castellano still love us and is making the parts.
Bottom Line:
This is the bike everyone imitated but no one could afford. 10 years after its birth, the frame is still ahead of the rest of the world for simplicity, strength, and comfort. These bikes are a work of art. Watch the classified and garage sales, someone may be selling one because it is not this years cool, new model. I love mine as much now as the day I rode it home.
Similar Products Used: Nothing can compare but I have ridden many GT TREK Cannondale Yeti Rocky Mountain Specialized
Bike Setup: Shimano XT, Manitou SX-Ti, WTB Laser beam with Momentum hubs, Sachs shifters, the only thing I have replaced is tires, brake pads and cables in 6 years and 8000 miles
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Submitted by
clyde curry
a Weekend Warrior
from dallas ,texas
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2002
Strengths: the alps shock,cross max rims,xtr components, manitou mach 5 shock
Weaknesses: no longer made,the rear deraileur hanger is irreplaceable for this year model
Bottom Line:
its a piece of kinetic scupture that works well cross country or recreational use.although i ride out the saddle most of the time,i can appreciate the comfort when i am tired of standing.
Similar Products Used: santa cruz bullit,proflex,klein karma
Bike Setup: cross max rims,xtr components,thompson post,mach5 shock flite seat with titantium rails,monkey lite riser bars, and the beautiful red caramba crank arms
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Submitted by
John Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Menlo Park, CA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002
Strengths: Durability, smoothness, long travel, plush ride, sweetspot
Weaknesses: pivot can wear out causing sway in frame, weight
Bottom Line:
I have yet to find a bike with the all around durability and grace that this bike has! The sweetspot technology allows you to ride this bike for days...its like a lazyboy recliner! I bought this bike new back in 1995 and haven't had a single problem with it...upgrade the components every couple of years and this bike should last a lifetime!
I ride this bike religiously on the weekends around the bay area and have put this thing through some of the most extreme track you can find and it has never failed me. Handling is like a Ferrari but with the strength of a HUMMER.
Bike Setup: Judy SL long travel, XTR, Mavic Cross Max, frog pedals
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Submitted by
Gaz Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from Bielefeld Germany
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002
Strengths: Fast,Strong,Unusual looks, Lightweight for an old bike.
Weaknesses: No longer available.strange seat tube size.
Bottom Line:
This is the dogs bollox! Have just returned from a trip in the Pyrenees, This bike soaked up every bump without even skipping a beat. The climbs were just as simple as the downhills (thanx to that sweet spot)as I could climb without having to negotiate every little rock. The suspension takes the punishment not the rider . bottom line is, for the money that these can now be found for it is a serious amount of bike. SHAME THEY'VE GONE UNDER!
