Submitted by
John Arbogast
a Cross Country Rider
from Hanau, Germany
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002
Strengths: The price was a big plus. Very comfortable ride. Light weight frame.
Weaknesses: Have yet to find one but still waiting.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. A few years back I had a Cannondale. But it broke. So I waited a year or two and found this bike on E-Bay. Thank God! I don't think I could have made a better purchase. It rides great. It handles great. And it has opened my eyes to a new biking world. Maybe not for Racers but get real how many of us are really in it for the racing. Great bike for a great price. I would suggest you buy this bike if you can find one. Anyone could use this bike to better themselves and the sport.
Submitted by
Nick Havik
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2001
Strengths: Strong,Great intro to F/s
Weaknesses: Apart from having a way to light rebound damping on the rear shock there's not to many weaknesses
Bottom Line:
The FXT sport is a great trail bike,Dont buy one if you intend to race.It can handle jumps and drops just not ultra smoothly,I have done some big drops(6ft,Keeping in mind its definetly not designed for this)and it did not break it just bottomed out the rear shock.Buy one if you want more comfort to explore trails.Durability is great just maintain it and it will service you for many years to come.
Weaknesses: Rear shock (has a little bit of pogo in it if you're a little heavy)
Bottom Line:
I am thoroghly pleased with my bike. In a tad less than 6 mos it's racked up a little over 500 miles and absolutely no mechanical failures yet. My club took a trip to Land Between the Lakes for a kind of rough 40 mi ride and it performed very well. I am extremely pleased with its climbing ability and it actualy takes off under pedaling. I have experienced no bobbing and the "in-house" Power Tool brakes are great.
My only complaint is the I am only 5'10" and I have the 15" frame but the seat post was too long even in its lowest position. I had to trim a bit off, but its a small price to pay for $500.
Serious break in period, rode it alot in wet wether and more down hills than i should have, lots of tune ups to get it right. Can't beat the price, great frame, OK parts, but hey the price makes you want to try and destroy it, which makes the riding even sweeter. The bike rolls great much faster than my friends GT (sorry Ron had to tell them), also very easy to leep frog the handle bars :)Great FS for the money and great to learn on with no fears that it will get you home.
Bike Setup: Put on bear trap pedals, carbon riser bars, ritchey grips, avocet computer, Panaracer fire XC's, and custom fitted and designed RESOL front and back fenders (Contact RON at ECT in RI for your own set).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2000
Strengths: I can't say enough about this bike. I got it from Bike Nashbar for under 500 clams, and it was a rockin' deal. FULL SUSPENSION KICK ASS! I'm tellin ya it's a whole new world. I can go sooo much faster over the same trails (and new ones I wouldn't have tried before!) than I could with just front suspension. This bike is better than I could have hoped, and made me a rabid MTB fan again.
Weaknesses: (total nitpicking, this did not effect the fun/functionality factor AT ALL, but) ---somewhat heavier than bikes that cost more than twice what you'll pay for it ---I did get that squeak from the rear suspension pivot, but the fix described in another entry for this bike worked. ---People with more expensive bikes will look down upon you when you pass them. Chumps paid too much!!! har har!!
Bottom Line:
This bike is not for poseurs who want to go out and impress others with how much dough they can drop on a two wheeled conveyance with no motor. It's a durable, well built good looking bike for people that want to ride, and have the luxury and supreme advantage of dual suspension. It's heavier than bikes that cost way more, but really, gimme a break, you can still race (for fun) and ride (all the time) on this puppy with tons o' smiles about how clever you are for not having spent s--tloads on a bike. Spend your money on a camelback h20 system, clipless pedals and cleats, and a cyclocomputer like I did to keep track of all those happy miles!!! I can't say it enough. This bike is cheap, tough, and tons of fun. It's also orange, which is cool. I'd say more good things, but hell, I'm goin' for another ride!!
Similar Products Used: other, more expensive dual suspension bikes that I'm SO glad I didn't shell out my hard earned cash for. I've been out of MTB for a while, used to run a Haro Impulse with Rock Shox MAG21 shocks. My KHS makes riding way more fun.
Bike Setup: Added some ritchey clipless pedals, which you MUST do. Clipless makes bunnyhopping a breeze, and gives you way more power and control the rest of the time. C'mon, you can get pedals and shoes for well under 100 clams at Bike Nashbar.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jesse
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000
Strengths: Great price! This bike has sweet front shocks, and an OK rear suspension set-up. Good components.
Weaknesses: The pedals, chain, definately need to upgrade on pedals and chain. Also the must of riser bars and a new neck.
Bottom Line:
A great bike for the money. If you would like full-suspension this a starter bike for you!
Bike Setup: New POWER TOOLS riser bars. A TREK computer to do all the work. New chain, and looking to buy a new neck.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Craig DeAmbrose
a Cross Country Rider
from Peoria, IL
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000
Strengths: Rear suspension design. The one pivot point may seem stupid, but makes for stiffer and easier ascents than on any other rear suspension. Price, this bike kicks @!# for the price, also a good starter bike. Chromoly frame, steel is real. The Sun rims that come with it rock balls, after a few truings they're tougher than Rocky.
Weaknesses: Cheap pedals.No rebound on rear shock, (lots of "thunking") as well as a weak pivot, (I have a lot of play in the rear end, but it doesn't really bother me). I had chainsuck a couple of times, but then again i probably shouldn't have been riding those conditions. Nothing i didn't expect for the price i bought it for
Bottom Line:
It doesn't have the bells or whistles but I love this bike. It has always gotten me home in one piece. The cromoly frame has stood up where my friends' aluminum frame snapped like twig. It has taken alot of abuse from me in my learning-how-to-ride stage and is still truckin. Like i said earlier this is a great starter bike.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Heckler, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup: This has changed quit a bit in the year that i have owned it. I killed the stx-rc rear derailleur that came with it and a sram 9.0sl that i replaced it with. I'm now running an LX derailleur in the rear With a deore shifter, an LX hub and ryhno lite rim in the front,SX BMX flats and a Bontrager crow bar. Everything else is still the stuff that came with the bike.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jason
a Please Select
from edmonton alberta
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000
Strengths: cheap, takes alot of punishment for the price
Weaknesses: heavy, frame design is crappy and cheap
Bottom Line:
although its fairly rugged and inexpensive, its a heavy bastard that bobs all over the place and the pivoting joint loosened so now it bends when i pedal. its worth spending a little more and getting something that will last and would be worth upgrading
Submitted by
Optimus Prime
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville, Ky
Date Reviewed: December 11, 1999
Strengths: Value, Quality (in that order)
Weaknesses: Front shock could be better, weight
Bottom Line:
Considering the price (under 500), this bike is a steal. The rear shock works well, shifts well, handles great and looks great. Although not a competition bike, this bike is the best in the price range. Four flaming rubbers.
Submitted by
Mike S
a Weekend Warrior
from Holbrook NY
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1999
Strengths: Affordable dual suspension bike for $500.Decent mix of components.
Weaknesses: Handlebars and stem will be replaced in time, the seat is very hard.
Bottom Line:
For someone on a limited budget(house,wife,2kids)this bike rocks. The choice of components are OK and will last until the need to upgrade comes along. Good bike for the money.
Submitted by
Keao
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mililani, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1999
Strengths: Price, strength, good components.
Weaknesses: Limited seat hight adjustment.
Bottom Line:
Good dual suspension bike for under $1000. Not so great for downhilling stock. I added a Marzocchi Z3 LT Bomber, Rhino Lite Sunrims, Power Tools short stem, and a Azonic 2.5 inch rise riser bar. Now it really rocks for only $600 more. Yikes! Again, a solid bike for everyday use as well as weekend XC runs. Aloha, a hui hou malama pono!
Similar Products Used: Friend's Specialized FSR Sport
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Xero
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mililani, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: October 20, 1999
Strengths: Price, strength, good components great for cross-country, light.
Weaknesses: Not so great downhilling, can't replace rear shock, very limited seat hight adjustment.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price especially one with front and rear shocks. I don't advise for downhilling. Tried it and the foward positioning threw me off twice, resulting in a taco front rim, broken front brake cable, and loose fork. Decided to add a Marzocchi fork, heavy duty rims, and a riser bar. Tried it again and worked great, but I'm sure anything would after adding all that, But I'm still extremely happy with it. Aloha!
Similar Products Used: Friend's Specialized FSR Sport
Bike Setup: Stock, till added Marzocchi Z3 long travel, Rhino lite sun rims, Azonic 2.5 inch rise bar.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roger D
a Weekend Warrior
from Campbell, CA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1999
Strengths: strong 4130 cromo frame (stronger that my road frame, noticable at climbing), quick steering, mid level components, great clearance price.
Weaknesses: Weighty rear end, limited seat post adjustment, no indicator shifters, so-so assy quality (i had to adjust).
Bottom Line:
I liked it as soon as I got on it. I didn't feel any significant energy lose while riding on the 1-2 inch rough, no-trail ways. It's not like the cannondale in absorbing more shock, but this isn't a DH but a trail bike. The hardtails were good but I love Full suspension for all around tasks. It's great value and fun especially for a low mid-level bike and great low price.
