Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Silicon Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2001
Strengths: Where to begin? Sleek welds and shapely tubing. Bulletproof and oh so lite!
Weaknesses: Haven't found any and likely will not find any!
Bottom Line:
Where to begin...Tested the competition for 2 long months before breaking the bank (read: $$$). The Echo was a little too soft and notto mentionthe welds weren't as clean IMO. And if I wanted a 'dale I would have bought one. The closest (read: long shot) was the Dean, but the craftmanship just wasn't there. This is THE most neutral handling ride I have thrown a leg over...just and point and go. The short rear wheel travel is perfect for the mid to long rides in the saddle and eats up the roots, rocks, washouts for breakfast. Important point: Ride the SL if your weight is at >/= 165lbs, if not, then the frame may flex a little to much for you. But don't fret, just get the YBB instead :) Just ride one, that is, if someone will let you, and then save up the $$$; you get what you pay for :)
Similar Products Used: Merlin Echo, Merlin Ti Fat, Dean Duke Ti
Bike Setup: XTR, Arch Supremes, Chris King Speed Dreams, Mars CL, Race Face, Moots stem/post/bar
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Smilkstein
a Racer
from Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2001
Strengths: I have raced on the Moots YBB for 7 years including 7 Leadville 100's, 2 Vail 100's, 1 White Rim 110, Moab 24 solo times 2 and never had a mechanical related to the bike.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I'm totally monogomous. I won't even look at another bike. For people who like to do long distance cross country it is outstanding. I even think it is a pretty good descending bike, but if you are a serious downhiller you would do better to get a full suspension (but then no one needs to tell you that). There has never been a broken frame on a moots.
Bike Setup: All XTR, Mavic tubeless, Moots stem and seatpost
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scooter
a Cross Country Rider
from S.F. Bay Area
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2000
Strengths: Where to start? The welds are a work of art by themselves. Ya gotta see 'em to believe how tiny and symmetrical they are. The ride is just supple enough to take the sting out of sharp bumps, particularly on seated climbs or fast big-ring power spins through chop (can you say Rocktoberfest??), without making full-on anaerobic charges out of the saddle a waste of energy. This bike really works well as a XC racer.
Weaknesses: None. None at all that I could find after riding and racing the bike for the last 11 months. Okay, there's one weekness (but also a blessing): the wait for a frame was excruciating for some friends who ordered theirs at the same time as did I. Fortunately, my size was in stock (18.5") and shipped within a few days. This is what happens with a small manufacturer that makes only so many frames at a time, but also cares enough about the quality to ensure each is done to perfection. Quality cannot be rushed.
Bottom Line:
Although certainly not the (gulp) cheapest high-end bike I have owned, it is by far, without doubt, the finest. I would buy another in a heartbeat.
Similar Products Used: None even come close, and I have an obsessively-full quiver of bikes with which to compare!
Bike Setup: Moots "Team Issue" specs: full XTR, 747 pedals, RockShox 63 mm SID, King HS, Mavic 517 Ceramic rims w/ DT Revo spokes, Moots Ti stem and post, Moots carbon bar, Serfas Moots logo saddle, etc.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Marin County
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1999
Strengths: Unquestionably the best designed, engineered and crafted product I've ridden. This bike is super-springy, efficient and wicked fast. The softness in the tail is just right (not too spongy) and makes for a super comfortable and controllable ride. Congratulations to the gang at Moots - they ought to be proud of their accomplishments.
Weaknesses: Soon you too will be sacrifice the bone to save the bike during your falls.
Bottom Line:
This is not just a bike, it is a feat of transportation genius. Should we supply the world with Moots, we'd see an end to the automobile.
Worth every penny I spent. This is the bike of all bikes. 21 pounds without even trying just solid xtr that works and a sid. The bike loves to climb. And tracks very well down hill. The workmanship is incredible the welding is amazing and the attention to detail is awesome. This is the bike to buy if you like to earn your down hills.
