Weaknesses: the normal,all things brake after abuse
Bottom Line:
I have abused this bike and things break,the only things that have not broken is the frame.I had the bb cleaned and all the linkage cleaned (replaced ect).The mechanic said the bb and all the linkage was wasted and i never even knew.It is time to replace the bike;however i was not dissapointed with my purchase.I rode a trail that people were having a hard time on with 8" of travel,compared to the 4" on this bike and did very well.With that being said i did crash and cracked two ribs,the bike was ok.Bottom line the bike is out dated,but if you come across one in good shape and are new to mtb,buy it.
Favorite Trail: i give up,they all have diffrent traits
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: lots
Bike Setup: sram drive train,kenda nevegals,rhynolite rims,race face bars, blah,blah.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dan
a Weekend Warrior
from fullerton ca
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2005
Strengths: I have had very few problems with this bike.By the way this is an update from my last review.I have started riding alot more.I found a new trail that is steep and very rocky and this thing just flys.My confidence on this bike is 2x my other bike.Brakes are awesome (avid rim)i dont have the problems that disc brakes cause (or the weight) and i feel they stop just as well.Me waiting for my friends at the bottom of the hill says enough.The suspension is just awesome.I put 2.3 kenda nevegals on the bike and it corners like a dream.Very predictable wash out in the front,easy to correct for(best tire i have ever owned)so buy them.
Weaknesses: This is no bust on iron horse but more shimano,broke the derailuer hange three times with the xtr,swithced to xt been ok sense(im a littel tired of shimano,going to sram)Front shock adjustment gets stuck (manitou x vert problem,not iron horse)had a friend machine a new adjustment knob out of aluminum(wing nut style)no problems sense.Small crack in upper swing arm(not in critical area)gonna have it weleded and re-tempered .Other than that no problems.Well a little creaking but what do you expect for a 7 yr old bike.I have put 2352 on this bike since my last review.Not sure my dates are right but what ever.
Bike Setup: Kenda Nevegals (sticky) xt rear derailer, but all the same a 1st review.Oh woops Sram rear casset and chain rings,new cables.Cant even feel it shift now.
Strengths: Cush suspension,decent climber for bigger bike,stable at speed and very balanced.
Weaknesses: x-vert fork,rear derailler,paint chips eaisly(not a real big deal)
Bottom Line:
Great bike,very durable, i dont ride it for the longer rides due to weight.However on the downhills this bike is the best ive had so far.Looking into suspension and disc brake upgrades at this time.
Similar Products Used: stumpjumper,trek fuel,santa cruz superlite
Bike Setup: pretty much stock with alt xt components,xtr rear deraileur,tioga 2.3 dh tires,easton bars
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Hamish
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2002
Strengths: strong frame, good components, good geometry, turns really well at high speed.
Weaknesses: i have had lots of problems with the rear derailer, but they didn't start untill i put a chainguide on it.
Bottom Line:
its a sweet bike for the price, really durable frame. with a longer rear shock and fork it would make a nice dh bike or a sweet full sus dual bike. standard, it's a good bike for a beginner dh rider or freerider.
Bike Setup: mine is standard apart from chainguide, rims and tyres.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matthew McCarthy
a Cross Country Rider
from Laramie, WY Albany co.
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2001
Strengths: For the money is is a good frome platform to build from.
Weaknesses: Heavy, coming a tradational hardtail rider.
Bottom Line:
Although, this bike canno't perform with mid to high-enders that you frequently run into at Steamboat, it is a great bike for the money. It also has potential with a lot of upgrades. Don't buy this bike if you race cross-country or down hill but nonetheless you can have alot of fun in the backcountry and so far it has held up to some drops that are close to ten feet!!
Strengths: plush, soft rear shock stiff frame good geometry
Weaknesses: front deraileur cable routing is shoddy (just an aesthetic thing... no affect on performance) paint chips pretty easily bolts on rear suspension are made of soft alloy - strip easily bushings wear at a pretty good rate rear shock could use a replacing (preferably Stratos - longer stroke, adjustable, lockout, etc.)
Bottom Line:
With the tall front fork, this makes a great DH/freeride bike since it slacks the geometry out a bit... makes for a very stable descender and a capable climber (just raise the seat and pop it into granny gear). Jumps, drops, turns, cruises... does it all like it's meant to. Pretty damn durable (I've been trying to get the best of it for a year... so far, no success)... people like to stare at you...
The only thing I'm going to do is get a rear disc and a Stratos shock... maybe replace the bushings and the bolts... that's it, after a year of riding.
Bike Setup: geez... G-Spot frame, RockShox Deluxe rear shock, Risse Trixxxy 7" forx, Sun Mammoth/Rhyno Lites, Risse/LX hubs, Azonic bars, Hayes front disc, rear Vees, Tioga DH 2.3's, Deore/LX/XTR drivetrain, BMX pedals...
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dane Scheepers
a Downhiller
from Ga, peachtree city, USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2000
Strengths: Is a strong bike, stuerdy ride, and handels well on the trails. As well as looking great.
Weaknesses: Seat post is wider than most I've seen so if you attach anything to the seat post you mite have some problems.
Bottom Line:
This is a great buy and is a great bike that is good for riding rough trails and downhill. I have rode this bike down to the ground and still comes though I gust keep it clean and oiled and it gives me almost no problems. This a great bike for the downhill or trail riders.
Bike Setup: Have not changed anything so faronly a drink cage tires and saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
James Warren
a Downhiller
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000
Strengths: Solid frame, Holds its path under pressure, Great freeride bike.
Weaknesses: Rear Shock, replaced with the Fox coil over RC. Fell in love all over again. Rear triangle won't accept 2.7 or 3.0 tires. Biggest I could use was intense 2.35 Headtube angle not the best for downhill cornering. "But that is getting real picky"
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money, I picked up the frame for about $400 which allowed me to get a nice fork/parts. It is a little heavy to be a Cross Country but not enough travel/bombproof to be a top end downhiller. So what you get is an excellent bike that works as both a downhiller and cross country rig. In my opinion it is more bike then 80% of the people out there need. That is unless you think you can Smoke Tomac, Lopez, or Missy on the track. I'm good but not that good.
Bike Setup: Bought the frame seperate, all XT, Monster T Fork, BMX Pedels, Azonic Shorty stem, Pro Taper risers, V brakes "not a disc brake fan" All the other little stuff isn't really important.
Similar Products Used: m-1 rotec pro dh mongosse 9,7
Bike Setup: zzyzx fox rx all xtr
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat
a Downhiller
from Ny, Farmingdale
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999
Strengths: Strong frame, good at tracking lines, descent descender.
Weaknesses: Handlebars, stem, rear shock, parts over all. shakey on death drops(head angle)
Bottom Line:
I like to add to bikes and play around, if u are not one for modifying and want a pro bike out of the box, don't get this. Other wise itis pretty good for the price, just a few things need changing out of the box.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale freeride Lts-2000ds
Bike Setup: g-spot, bomber fork, stratos rear shock, azonic shorty stem, pro taper bars
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Henderson
a Downhiller
from Australia Melbourne
Date Reviewed: July 5, 1999
Strengths: strength and stiffness
Weaknesses: falls apart after 2 months, cranks break forks blow and rear triangle starts to bend
Bottom Line:
I first wrote a review on this bike and said it was great but it sucks DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT BUYING simply falls appart and the suspension is so badly desined that sitting on it nearly bottoms out (i wigh 65kg) one star is more than generouse
Strengths: price light weight for free riding hill climbs pretty good
Weaknesses: braking (pads, rims or cable path) cheap cables cause friction and poor shifting.
Bottom Line:
a good bike for the money. have spent some extra bucks, replacing pads, all the cables. and may have to change the rims. if you really push a bike you will have to upspec some items. but a good ride.
Submitted by
John Henderson
a downhiller
from Australia Melbourne
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
This is truly one of the worlds best value and performing bikes, nothing beats it. I am the first person to have one in Australia and i can say from 1 week of hardcor riding that it is an aws,ome downhiller, i will update in one month
