Submitted by
Scooter Endo
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003
Strengths: Elegant, adjustable, bombproof, simple to maintain. It's artistry with a torch. Check out those beads.
Weaknesses: Front der adj, stock coil shock, nothing major. STAY AWAY FROM THE PROSTOP DISC BRAKES! They started the disc revolution, but fell way behind. Buddies are always whimpering "Hey...wait up!" Makes me think "How hurt could I get?" Wife keeps asking "Teach me how to ride it."
Bottom Line:
Great all around cross-ride/free-mountain bike. Hardcore DHers looks elsewhere, but you know that already. All the rest of you, buy this bike! You'll be happy. It's hard to believe that this basic frame has been around for 12 years. Adjustability makes it suitable for a variety of riders. I'm 6' and running a 110mm stem w/ standard subframe it fits me perfect. Haven't had as much time in the saddle as I'd like due to nugget injury in 2001. Neck surgery forces sale?...Don't think so! Just more physical therapy. I'm not giving it up, doctors or no doctors. This bike inspires me to be in better shape. Sure, it's a little heavy, but so's your old lady. You don't whine about that every day, do you? I didn't think so. If you want it to pedal uphill like a 23 pound bike, shave 5 pounds off of that fat arse of yers. BTW...50 cent metal paint can lid remover works great for the front der adjustment. It's like a screwdriver with a 90 degree bend. Let's hope the Kenesis bailout doesn't take away the small builder feel. At least they've kept designer/creator Robert Reisinger and some of the S.L.O. gang in the picture so far. RIDE ON!
Similar Products Used: Had a trek Y-33, but that's not really similar. Single pivot is about the only similarity.
Bike Setup: Y2K S.A., Y2K Zoke Z1CR, XTR 8spd shifters/levers/der, Mavic 521s w/WTB 2.4 Mutanos, Avid discs, RaceFace North Shores, RF stem, bars, bb, Thomson post, blahblahblah.
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Submitted by
donn escario
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003
Strengths: strength, anti-bobbing, can be set up for lighter weight, beefy, headturner
Weaknesses: monocoque frame can be a little noisy if not maintained properly
Bottom Line:
I LOVE my bike. I know this review's for the 2000 model, but I've got the '97 model, and it's been the best. I don't have the lightest setup, but it's still at 28.5lbs, which isn't bad at all, considering how beefy this bike is. it's a great bike for enduro or aggressive cross-country/trail riding.
Strengths: Got the raw finish and I like the raw look. I built it up to do trail riding and the frame is strong enough for that application. Frame is stiff and strong and is able to handle more aggressive riding.
Excellent pivot location that makes bobbing unnoticable. Great climber. Full cable housing setup.
Weaknesses: At ~6lbs, the frame is on the heavy side. Monocoque construction and raw aluminium. makes the bike very noisy. Everything from cable movement to rock hitting the downtube makes lots of noise. Not a big deal but you need to be get used to it.
Weld quality looks average at best. The junctions are beefy and strong though.
Bottom Line:
It is a great frame that has been forgotten by many. I have only ran into one other SA rider during the two years I've had the frame. Excellent climber for its heavy weight. Feels solid on rough stuff and managable on rough stuff.
Rear suspension stiffens up under braking but that's true for all single pivot bikes. The lack of complex linkage makes it very easy to maintain.
It's a very unique frame that always get people's attention. This is especially true in an area where everybody and his brother owns either a Cannondale, Specialized or Santa Cruz.
Bike Setup: Psylo SL, XT drivetrain, Hayes Hydro. Bike setup for trail riding.
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Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from South Pasadena, California
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2001
Strengths: Rugged frame and swingarm, no maintenance rear suspension, works great with long travel forks.
Weaknesses: The Mountain Cycle rear shock and disk brakes.
Bottom Line:
Mine is a 1999 model. The MC rear shock did not work out for me. The ride quality was not good. It hit the seat tower and broke the damping knob. I replaced it with a Sid rear shock. The Sid works very well, weighs 250 grams, and is reasonably priced. If you get a Sid get the one with the rebound damping adjuster rather than the lockout. This bike does not need a lockout. The MC disk brakes did not work out for me either. I could not keep air out of the lines. I finally reverted to V-brakes. I now love this bike and look forward to riding it. I like the high bottom bracket. My feet rarely hit anything and I can see the trail better. The bike handles very well. It is very easy to get behind the saddle. It steers very quickly around trail obstacles. It is very stable on high speed descents. It rides very well through sand. The front wheel does not come up on steep technical ascents. It climbs very well because of the plushness of the suspension and the excellent traction. I have a lockout on the rear shock but I don't use it. I find that locking out the rear makes the fork bob more and you loose comfort and traction.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Raven, a toy compared to the San Andreas.
Bike Setup: The bike weighs 30 pounds. Sid rear shock with lockout, Marzocchi Z-1 fork 130mm, Avid Arch Supreme V-brakes, XT drive train, XT shifters and levers, XTR hubs, Mavic 517 rims, Velociraptor tires, Thomsen seat post, Kore stem, Titec Flat Tracker bar, Selle Italia Trans Am Max saddle.
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Submitted by
Neil
a Weekend Warrior
from Southern California Coast
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2001
Strengths: Solid, Solid, Solid, did I mention solid? Huge range of adjustment in the rider compartment, very balanced geometry. Simple "low upkeep" design. Surprisingly versatile.
Weaknesses: Front derailleur is tought to adjust, the hollow frame magnifies noise ( I've one rattle that is driving ne nuts and can't find it!)
Bottom Line:
At 28 lbs even it's not super light, but at 28 lbs there isn't a bike anywhere on the trail that is as well built and confidence inspiring, this bike can take a hit and motor right through. The bike rips on single track or fire road and climbs as well as it descends, and it is an AWESOME descender. With lock outs front and rear (The Z1 lockout lowers the suspension 2" and the Statos can lockout entirely or stiffen with a quick flip of a dial) the bike can climb anything, with the lowered Z1 giving the San Andreas perfect climbing geometry. It has gotten me through situations that were WAY over my head ( The bike is definitely better than me!)
Key points.
1.Easy to maintain. Single pivot is simple to remove and clean. There will be a new needle bearing pivot retrofit available for older models early in 2002 which will eliminate the initial stiction I sometimes get with the older nylon sleeves.
2. Ride quality is incredible, words like smooth, fast, nimble, quick and solid all seem to flow together to describe it. Some granny gear feedback but if you know how to spin through the stroke it disappears almost immediately.
3. Unique design aka LOOKS. The bike is a show stopper. I had it custom painted in bright yellow which, with the Black/Silver Z1 MCR, Dolomites, Azonic, RaceFace and Red/Black split seat always draws a crowd.
4.Customer service is excellent. They are always available to answer questions and give advice ensuring that the Mountain Cycle rider is very well taken care of.
5. AMERICAN! Designed, Manufactured, Assembled and shipped by LOCAL Mountain Bikers just like us in the USA!!
Bike Setup: 1998 Frame completely rebuilt in 2001: Marz Z1 MCR, Stratos Helix Pro AIR/OIL/COIL, King Headset, Rolf Dolomite Disk wheels, AVID disk brakes and levers, 2001 SRAM Rocket shifters, XTR derailleurs front & rear, XT crank & BB, Speedplay frogs, RaceFace XY Post, Azonic Shorty Stem, Azonic Riser Bar, Specialized seat, Fire Pro XC.
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Submitted by
Roland
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks,Ca
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Strengths: Piece of art. Fully adjustable. You can change from XC,FR, to DH geometry in seconds. Great modulation on the Pro stops. Heather Locklear never looked this nice.
Weaknesses: More mud clearance on the rear tire to swing arm. My friend Andrews jealousy, he bought a Specilized FSR. The only time he stops whining is when I let him ride the MACHINE.
Bottom Line:
I would highly recommend this bike. Forget four bar linkage. Dial your rear rebound knob and no bob or pedal feedback. Move one allen to change your frame setup. Lots of ground clearance. Most down hill rigs are pigs for any other kind of riding, not the San Andreas. In closing I would like to say that the people at Mountain Cycle have been great on any time I've had a question. Its a big contrast to the mass produced off shore rigs and impersonal service from its competition. The best things in life are simple. Simplicity at its best. Coming thru I'm on your left. Whoosh!!!!!!!!!
Strengths: Look, Strength, Maintenance, Adjustability (Travel and Geometry)
Weaknesses: TERRIBLE Pedal Feedback; High BB
Bottom Line:
An awesome bike of unsurpassable strength. Like Thomson stem, the difference of its strength from others is very significant and unbelievable. Handling is therefore a dream.
However, the over-high pivot location definitely makes you feel EVERY movement of the rear suspension (the chain pulls back the pedals). Verse vice, your pedaling makes the suspension push down to the ground and "lift" the BB. This is especially obvious and unacceptable when setting on the long travel mode (like 6" with a 2"-stroke shock, air or coil).
Only the short-version (165mm, 1.5" stroke) Fox air shock of an over-inflated pressure could cure the problem (eliminate the interference between pedals and suspension very "magically") and makes this beast not only ridiable but beautiful. Once dialed up, this beast pedals so confidence-inspiring that even most modern XC racers cannot compete.
The rocky solid frame descends unstoppably, only the noise caused by the monocoque frame annoys your ears.
Adjustable geometry is highly appreciated. But its original designation, DH, puts its BB too high (but still acceptable, thanksfully). With some adjustable guts (like Syntace stem+handlebar and Psylo fork), you could dial this beast to your style with ease.
A solid allround bike, but takes you a lot to dial into a great XC/Enduro bike.
Similar Products Used: ASTRO SEE-F, FSR Comp, GT LTS, GT i-Drive, FSRxc, XtC AC
Bike Setup: Psylo SL (set at 110mm), XT/LX, XT Disk, IRC Tires (Mythos 2.1"), Fox Float R, Raceface Stem, Syncros Post, and WTB Saddle
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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Bowling Green, KY
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001
Strengths: All around toughness, the look, adjustability, proven design, simplicity, ability to vary travel with different shocks.
Weaknesses: Clearance on FD for adjusting. Minor gripe to say the least. Adjust it and forget it.
Overall weight for a fully outfitted ride can be a turnoff for gram counters. Remember, this is a trail bike meant to be ridden in almost all conditions. If you want a racing full suspension, look at the FSR or Fuel.
Bottom Line:
Well, it is the best bike I have ever owned (Trek 930, Giant XTC, GT STS and San Andreas). I bought it direct from MC as a 2000 closeout and thought it was the best deal ever. I was looking for a unique frame with easy maintenance, at least 4" of travel and disc brake ready. I looked at the San Andreas, Cannondale Jekyll, Specialized FSR and Giant ATC. Based on the input from over 5 bike shops, I bought the San Andreas sight unseen. It was the best bike decision I have ever made. Things I love....
1. Adjustability in both ride geometry and rear wheel travel.
2. 6" of available rear wheel travel. I have another shock for the 4" travel mode, but after you ride with the longer travel, you never go back. I describe my style as "aggressive XC/freeride", and sometimes I leave the trail asking, "What bumps?"
3. Unique design is eye-candy. In this area of the country it is really different. Not many of these frames spinning around.
4. Easy to maintain. Single pivot has its own ride quality and quirks. No boing-boing in the granny either.
5. I am a bigger rider (6', 210 lbs.), and this bike takes everything I can throw at it. Instead of finesse, I just ride over things! The control it provides makes you ride beyond your talent (both a good and bad thing). I have a saying, "it carves like a steak knife".
6. Customer service is exceptional!!! Thumbs up to Rob and all the other fine people at Mountain Cycle. They are always available to help out and make sure the rider is taken care of. Why be a faceless consumer of a corporate giant when Mountain Cycle can welcome you to their family of completely satisfied owners. When you look at the ratings so far, you have to wonder why they all have given 5 screamers!!!!
7. Finally, the San Andreas is one bad ass ride which takes all you can throw at it and spits it right back asking for more. It looks cool, it rides SWEET, and it is built tough as nails. If you were like me searching for that one great bike, look no further than the San Andreas!
Similar Products Used: In my book, it stands alone. I have owned a GT STS 1000 DS
Bike Setup: Complete XT drive train and XT disc brakes. Race Face controls (seatpost, stem, handlebar), King headset, 646 pedals, FOX Vanilla shock (6" travel) and Bomber Z1 CR fork. Rhyno Lite XL rims, Flite saddle. I just bought a Shimano 959 wheetset which goes on this weekend, and I have a Helix Pro 4" travel shock when I want to go full XC. Red body with Gold swingarm and seat mast.
Strengths: everything! stiff,light,plush,adjustable,looks, DHS has 6"
Weaknesses: ft. derailleur is hard to adjust, just replace the adjuster screws with allens and the problem is solved
Bottom Line:
The best bike ever made! I ride really really hard, and the bike just takes the punishment. It can climb like a monkey and fly like a BMX bike in the same ride. I will never even consider a different bike. If I ever get a new frame, it will be the same as this one.
Submitted by
Nick Stephens
a Weekend Warrior
from San Luis Obispo, Ca.
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Strengths: stiff, single pivot, integrated geometrical adjustability (nice phrase huh?), customer support, beautiful ride, beautiful bike (it's in the damn smithsonian)
Weaknesses: Hmmmmm......no engine? no in flight drinks? I cant get the thing to be quiet, so I have to sing on my rides, too bad my playlist is so limited. I pretty much live in a massingail/irish spring/mentos commercial when I ride....
Bottom Line:
I love dis bike. Always wanted one. the pedal feedback due too the pivot placement took a little getting used to on some of the more technical climbs, but I am now able to use it to my advantage. this bike weighs about 30 pounds and I can haul this rig up a hill faster than most xc riders on their little girly bikes, then I can do a no-footer can-can knack-knack....360 backflip...(by accident of course) on the way down. this bike is impressive. I broke the rear disk tabs off once and I went into mtn cycle (I live near the company). the guys there hooked me up...welded it...heat treated the rear swing arm. Rob was the rep I met, really good guy. I also met george, one of the head engineers. Overall the company itself impressed me as much as the bike did.
Favorite Trail: anything you, or yo mamma, aren't on
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$969.00
Purchased At: my local bike shoppe
Similar Products Used: a few hardtails, sc superlight, dbr v6, fsr....70 vw bus
Bike Setup: white bros. sc 118, bontrager crowbars, xtr drivetrain (sachs chain tho, shim sux butt), truvativ isis drive, heavy A** dh wheelset
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Submitted by
Jeffrey
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001
Strengths: Strongest frame I have ever used. The short elevated chainstay makes climbing a breeze. Only had it for a few weeks and I have already pounded enough miles on it to know i love it. I picked the all bare aluminum model. Love the look. It gets head turning everywhere I go.
Weaknesses: The cheap logo stickers. But who cares about them stickers
Bottom Line:
This bike accelerates on the dime! Much more so than the Cannondales that I used to have. I had gained much more confidence doing jumps and going fast. It's a little on the heavy side, but then again, this is a freeride bike. Strong and Stiff and tons of adjustability including seat angle and rear swingarm. VERY good looking. I love to see fellow riders' blank stares as I ride by. The spring time's weather makes this bike extra building during the sun. Love it!
Similar Products Used: All fullsuspension cannondales. FSR. GT I-Drive
Bike Setup: 2000 MountainCycle San Andreas frame. Truvativ Team Stylo crank and Sealex BB. Thomson Stem. Easton MonkeyBar and EA70 Seatpost. Chris King Headset. Hayes hydra. XT all over. WTB Velociraptor.
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Submitted by
Rowena Atienza
a Weekend Warrior
from HongKong, China
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2001
Strengths: reasonable weight, easy climber, plush to ride, handles all the technical stuff, eye-catching
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Being a new Mountain Bike rider, I was having second thoughts on getting a freeride bike as I am used to my titanium hardtail. But due to the rocky technical trails around HongKong, I just went for it and spent a whole lot of fortune to keep up with the boys.
After just three rides, I have no regrets. This bike can handle anything and my climbing ability has in fact improved! NO REGRETS! Male or female rider regardless.....
Bike Setup: 2001 Jr. T, Hayes Disc Brakes, Azonic Shorty, Azonic Handlebar, All XTR, Thompson Seat Post, Specialized Body Geometry Saddle
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Submitted by
Todd Graves
a Cross Country Rider
from Germantown,Tn,USA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000
Strengths: Solid, good handling, plush.
Weaknesses: It makes me want to ride instead of work.
Bottom Line:
This bike exudes quality. I have never ridden a bike that felt so together and strong. I do want to post again after some major trail miles, but the first impression so far is incredible. The bike just screams "Ride me". The z1 fork matches very well with this frame. I believe this bike could be used for just about anything, but I have mine set up for twisty singletrack. Looking forward to some great rides with my new bike. I will post again in the future about new impressions.
Similar Products Used: Catamount(Great ride as well)
Bike Setup: z1,Fox Vanilla rx,xt components.
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Submitted by
Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Wausau, Wi. USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000
Strengths: Sharpe looks, simple bulet proof design and good customer service.
Weaknesses: Damper adjustment nob rubs on seat sub frame ( can be fixed with a small file) and yes the front derailer is a pain in the ass to adjust.
Bottom Line:
The faster you ride it the better you'll like it. Handles great at speed. If you need a tuff allround bike this is it! Customer sevice was very good, I cracked the 1999 frame on the front seat sub frame mount, but emailed the factory and it was replaced with an improved version in one week.
Bike Setup: Rockshox Judy dual crown ( lite but they must have been kidding when they put on the damper adustment knob, the damm thing doesn't do sh--!) All XT, Gremica Discs, Mavic 317 rims, ProTaper bars.
Strengths: Everything about it, having only one pivot , the geaometry feels really good,
Weaknesses: Thr front derailleur just like the others...moveing the rear shock one positon foward to change the geometry the barrel on the top of the shock hits the bottom of the seat subframe
Bottom Line:
coming from a family of hardtails and one part time full suspention bike..looking for a new ride and chooseing the san andreas for my full time full suspention...was probally the best decision i have made yet....allthough for myself i did not like it to much when it was set in the factory position.I move the rear shock foward on the frame to settle it a bit..and now i am in love ..amazing what a little adjustment can do As for the review...its rides smooth up here on the new england rocks....sprints great on the flats...i was so worried about the way people spoke about the bobing....there is none!!.what a relief...lite and nimble I am surprized i have not seen more of these out and about...
