Submitted by
ritch
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003
Strengths: was great. enjoyed the softail on washboard. responsive, flexible
Weaknesses: the frame BROKE! fatigued down behind front chainrings... clean through. and the spec brakes SUCKed.
Bottom Line:
was a lovely bike til it broke. and cos im so far from the rest of the world, its months to wait for a new frame, so im settling on a 2003 Alite 4000 as replacement frame... bummer tho, cos i love steel. so, i'll get a DMR or something... jeez. such a shame cos it was a sweeet ride, cept for those crappo Grimeca brakes...
Bike Setup: All items listed here are upgrades I have done to my bike so far.Mavic x317 W/xt hubs..Avid BBDBrakes W/Avid leavers & Avid Flak Jacket cables for derailers and brakes. Syncros carbon seatpost. Selle Italia ProLink seat. EPX carbon handlebars. XT F + B derailers plus XT mega 9 shifters. Egg beater pedals. FSA headset & FSA xc120 stem. Lizardskins grips. Panaracer FireXcpro 2.1
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from South Lake Tahoe, CA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2003
Strengths: Exceptional value. Solid steel chromoly frame, good front fork that withstands lots of punishment, sturdy & reliable Shimano derailleurs, hydraulic brakes, climbing efficiency
Weaknesses: KHS padded saddle (uncomfortable), PowerTools pedals (although easy to release these are difficult to clip in to)
Bottom Line:
Excellent value if you're looking for a relatively light but durable softtail that will let you hammer hills yet absorb most of the shocks when coming down. I love this bike for what it was designed for: cross-country rides with some downhill descents and decent climbing ability. Comparable bikes are priced at $1500 minimum. Perfect bike for the weekend warrior who wants an attractive and reliable ride.
Submitted by
uri aroch
a Cross Country Rider
from jerusalem
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002
Strengths: bomber z4,frame,rear shok,sunrims,truvativ crank,pedals[power tools]and the best... grimeca disk braks
Weaknesses: tires,chair,shimano deore
Bottom Line:
I recommend buying the bike very highly. The bike is very quick in all kinds of ways. You ride quicker than you thought you could. If you buy them new, change the tires before it is too late.
Bike Setup: it's very comfertable bike.it's recommended to buy quick openning to the chair holder because when you lower the chair. you can ride technical ways like a free ride bikes. Sometimes the cranck collides when there are high steps.
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Submitted by
Dennis
a Weekend Warrior
from North Conway, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2002
Strengths: Did a lot of research on bikes under a grand, and this had the most bang for the buck by far. Fast, light, strong, nimble. Brakes have been great. Very happy with the components and the soft tail is nice to take the edge off roots & rocks.
Weaknesses: Not much so far. Peddles have been difficult getting dialed in has probably been my only isue other than having enough time to ride.
Bottom Line:
Very pleased with this purchase. Especially considering the price. You can't touch this set up for less than $1,000. KHS does not get enough credit for their bikes.
Bike Setup: Stock, but ordered new tires IRC Mythos XC Racing for a little better traction.
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Submitted by
Ritch
a Cross Country Rider
from Chch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Strengths: Steel frame. Front suspension, nice and light, with really plush action. Rear suspension, takes out just enough of the big knocks and the tight washboards.
Weaknesses: Grimeca Disc brakes in mud. Rear shock in mud seizes out, but put section of tire tube sleeve over it and now its sweeeet. The WTB velociraptor tires it came with were far too skittery in ANY form of loose stuff. easy enough to change...
Bottom Line:
Love it. Its my favourite bike so far. Plush ride performing like a steel hardtail should but with the inch travel soaking up the washboards and big hits. I ride it on all sorts of trails - fire roads, forested singletrack, farmtracks, rutted, muddy, rocky, gravelly, switchbacky, and the bike just squirrels through it all. Climbs beautifully, and descends nice too. Some might find the bike a bit flexy, but i like that - hee hee, it helps with cornering... Sweet ride.
Weaknesses: none for the price point..just upgrade components as they wear out.
Bottom Line:
Perhaps the best XC singletrack bike on the market for under $2000..Very smooth steel ride with 1 inch rear suspension. Not overweight...can be a couple pounds lighter with wheelset, etc.
