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Psycle Werks
2001 Wild Hare XC
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Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, CO
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hall Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | KaloMTB (Frame only) | | Strengths: | Adjustable travel; hayes disc mounts; suspension design | | Weaknesses: | Pedal bob when hammering out of the saddle; disc brake hose routing | | Similar Products Used: | Tested the RM Instinct | | Bike Setup: | '02 Psylo XC; hayes; hayes elite with WTB speed discs; SRAM 9.0SL; Race Face cranks; Thomson post/stem | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a light-weight bike that could handle the rigors of CO riding but not be a boat anchor when climbing. The above spec'ed bike weighs about 27.5 lbs and is a dream to ride uphill as well as down. I have the Psylo set at ~100mm to keep the front end low and the rear is set at 4.5". Climbing is effortless as the suspension keeps the rear wheel weighted and on the ground. The only negative is that out of the saddle hammering is inefficient with the pedal bob. However, climbing with a SRAM 9.0 11-34 helps get you up even the most severe slope. Plus, I rarely find the need to get out of the saddle and hammer.
Descending is a blast. I went with the Fox Vanilla coil to better balance the Psylo up-front . The 4.5” soak up ALL of the harsh terrain. It floats over obstacles but never gives me a feeling of fear when I want to rail a turn.
But don’t be fooled into thinking this could be an XC racer or an ultimate freerider. This is a great compromise between the XC race-worthy crop of bikes and the all-out freeride bikes. You can keep the weight down and also have a bike you can have fun with.
The disc hose routing could be a bit more refined. I have the boss-less rear triangle but the cable mounts on the frame's top-tube are traditional sized for cables and not disc hoses. I would think that on a disc-specific bike there would be disc friendly mounts. Currently I have two Hayes routing guides on the top tube and one on the left seat stay. These work well but detract from the lines of the frame. This is purely aesthetic, as the performance of the rear brake is not hindered. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Hanover, MA, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wompatuck State Park or Lions Loop in Mack, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Kalo Mountain Bikes (frame only) | | Strengths: | Durability, agility, weight,looks, and versatility. Motivates and excilarates. | | Weaknesses: | Decals peel easier than a banana. | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex 856, Ells truth, trek fuel, rocky mountain slayer, Santa Cruz bullit. I looked around. A lot and a long time!! | | Bike Setup: | Hayes disc, White Brothers AT<3(awesome for big Guys), chris King Headset, race face cranks, XT front and rear, Shimano clipless, thompson stem, and Easton bar. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line. I was looking for a bike that brings a freeride feel to the east coast. This bike gets me off my rear and on the trail. I'm 6'1 and 230. I ride hard. I love big drops, speed, and air. Up hill, downhill, cross country, I take it there. I don't have a lot of finness. Slamming it into rocks, logs, whatever is how I get by. The bike takes it. The bottom line is I love my bike. It takes me on a new adventure every time. It carves the trails nicely. I climb with it. Yeah all my 230lbs make it up hill. Going down, well I watch my Kranked 3 video, get psyched up and risk putting my health insurance card to use need i say more. It burns through it all. I HAVE A BIKE THAT'S GREAT TO RIDE IN ANY CONDITION, OVER ANY TERRAIN, STRONG,FUN, AND RELIABLE!!! I have no regrets with my choice. I have a blast every ride, that's the point and thats my bottom line. What's yours? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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