Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2006
Strengths: WOW did I ever get a deal on this. Ruggedness, excellent platform for upgrading, handling, frame,forks,rims,tires. This bike is strong
Weaknesses: The stock seat was way to hard, (ball buster)
Bottom Line:
This bike is solid, if you ever come across one and have a chance in buying. Take it, its worth every cent. Unbeatable component setup for the money. Thou mine was upgraded. If you want to have some fun on the trails this would be it. This is the last bike I'm going to buy in a lone time.
Bike Setup: XTR rear derailleur LX front derailleur XT Breaks XT shifters LX Hubs SPD Pedals
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Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2003
Strengths: strong frame to handle mild hucking (4-6 foot drops),no frame flex, quality workmanship, decent weight, water bottle mounts in the same place as hardtails, not as common as specialized FSR's or GT i-drives.
Weaknesses: weak bottom bracket (bent under normal use), skinny stock tires (maxxis mofo xc 26"x1.95"), stock grips are uncomfortable and flimsy.
Bottom Line:
i got a deal on mine because it was a closeout model, but other rocky mountain bikes are more expensive than their non-canadian counterparts. it is worth the price due to the craftsmanship, the handling, and the comparative rarity of rockys in southern california. if you want a superlight bike, look elsewhere. if you want a solid bike that won't leave you stranded (with a few component upgrades), look no further.
Similar Products Used: Kona ManoMano, Specialized FSR-Elite, Cannondale Jeykll 700
Bike Setup: shimano lx/xt derailieurs, xt 11/34 9-spd cassette, raceface prodigy xc cranks, raceface evolve bottom bracket, marzocchi z3 air fork, fox vanilla r coil rear shock, chris king headset, shimano xt v-brakes w/lx levers, panaracer fire XC 2.1" tires
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Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Canton, Oh. USA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2001
Strengths: frame and seat
Weaknesses: bottom bracket and headset
Bottom Line:
This is a great handling bike with outstanding workmanship. As this is my first full suspension bike I have nothing to compare it with but I am totally satisified with it.
Bike Setup: Race Face ISIS bottom bracket and crank, team SL headset, XY seatpost, Lo-rise bars, system stem, Gore ride-on cables, and Cannondale grips. otherwise stock
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Submitted by
Mark Burry
a Weekend Warrior
from Davis, CA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001
Strengths: Ruggedness, excellent platform for upgrading, handling
Weaknesses: None really, but I upgraded before I rode it much
Bottom Line:
This is my first FS, and considering my last bike had a steel frame that dated back to '89 (at least it was TrueTemper), I was obviously impressed with the Spice's performance. It handles great, holding a steady line even on loose downhill fireroads. It climbs just as well on technical/long uphills with no detectable energy loss. The FS works well and keeps me from getting beat up even on the more kidney-rattling trails. Overall, it's a great bike for weekenders that may want to get a little more serious about riding in the future. No buyer's remorse.
Bike Setup: Mavic 517/XTR wheels, Panaracer fire pro XC tires, SRAM 9.0 brakes, SRAM Rocket shifters, Ritchey pro riser bar, Time carbon pedals, Carmichael pulleys.
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Submitted by
Randy McGee
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001
Strengths: Frame,forks,rims,tires
Weaknesses: nothing so far
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike I test rode the sugar3 which is also a cool bike it was a tough decision both bikes felt great. But the rocky felt alittle more responsive. handled better also. beleve me I spent a hour riding both bikes. I'M glad I picked the Rocky man this is a sweet bike even though it's been a wet summer here. but when its dry this bike "ROCKS" .This bike holds a good line going downhill and climbs great.The last bike I bought was a hardtail boy was that a mistake.I can ride all day on this bike and not get beat up like on that hardtail. If you're loking to buy a xc bike you will not regret this one.
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001
Strengths: Awsome frame that can handle some serious abuse, especialy for a cross country bike. It handles perfectly in both uphill and downhill situations. Its perfect for fast technical stuff. It can even take dirt jumps, urban riding, and drop offs (nothing more than 5ft) once youve become comfortable on the bike. The z4 was just okay until i accidently took off the air cap and compressed the fork causing it too spew oil all over my shirt, but after that it started workn' perfectly. amazing climbing ability, i pass guys on long uphills that have high seat posts and clipless pedals, while i have my seat all the way down and with platforms.
Weaknesses: wheels- but they arnt that bad cranks- well they arnt bad either but the chanrings suck! the bigest one is all rusty! Headset- mine cracked after a few weeks Brakes- deore vee brakes suck Lots of CHAIN SUCK
Bottom Line:
Unbelivable value with an unbeatable component setup for the money... oh yeah, no parts would have ever broken on my bike if i stayed away from those drop offs! This is awsome bike... to bad rocky had to raise the price for 01, right?
Similar Products Used: rocky mountain edge and slayer
Bike Setup: stock except tioga dh 2.30 inch tires front and back, avid arch rivals front and back, rhino lite rear wheel, no name platform pedals, new seat,
Submitted by
Vid
a Weekend Warrior
from Collingwood, On
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001
Strengths: light solid frame, good parts
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
tested a Cannondale-no good, I have tried a couple of buddies bikes - no comparsion! this thing rocks, light easy to throw around on the trails. I ride on the road to work twice a week (20km 1 way), no problems. It feels like the perfect bike for me. Only bad part - I wish I bought it sooner!!!!!
Similar Products Used: Marin hardtail, gaint hardtail
Bike Setup: Mavic X-links, raceface, XTR, Time,Sram woodyderailer, SX Ti fork
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Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Strengths: Frame, functional suspension design, Marzocchi Z4 Air shock
Weaknesses: Crappy component spec
Bottom Line:
I've really been happy with the bike - except for a few nitpics, it's everything I want out of a bike. The frame is nice to look at, although not necessarily finished that well, and is disc-ready.
It took a bit of effort to get the front and rear balanced. The bike came with a stock spring that was far too light (or the stock rider was far too heavy). It took the LBS MONTHS to get the proper spring. As well, the Z4 Air was initially quite stiff, and ramps up quickly. A heavier spring on back, combined with dropping the pressure up front a bit and lubing the seals really improved things. Look ma, no more bobbing!
The components, on the other hand - ick. A criminally cheap BB (LP-26 or so). The Rocky house brand cranks have STEEL chainrings - on a bike that retails for $1900 Canadian! And I'm not sure that they can be replaced with aftermarket rings. Also had to ditch the Shimano chain for a SRAM after terminal chainsuck.
Bottom line, though, is that it's good bike that will get better as components are upgraded. But what's with these other reviewers doing 10 foot drops on it? This isn't a freeride bike, by any stretch of the imagination. No wonder the headtube broke, ya dink.
Bike Setup: Mostly stock - Marz Z4 air, Fox Vanilla coil over. Shimano 636 pedals.
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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Okotoks,AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: Seat
Bottom Line:
This bike is sweet. ive biffed, bailed, and crashed, and my baby still looks like brand new. Not a scratch on it thanks to the powdercoat finish. Rims are suprisingly strong. This climbs like an absolute goat! it may even be easier goin up than down... And on the downs she sreams, what a ride, what a ride!
Strengths: Looks good, for a cross country bike it can take a f*cking huge hit, can use it for anything, frame is just so much stronger than any infinity bike ive ever used.
Weaknesses: as soon as you drop about 4 feet the headset breaks, at 5 the rear rim goes, at 6 the crank goes and at 10 anything for a back rim thats under a mavic d521 silver including this rim starts to want to taco over.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the coolest best bike ive ever owned. It breaks alot in this order: headset, rear rim, cranks and im still looking for the next weakest part but i do know the seat sucks and hurts to sit on for along time. This is a follow up review from when i could only do 4 footers. Im now doing 10 and this thing is holding up well. i think the next thing that breaks is like the swingarm, hubs or frame. ill write a follow up review when i find out. if you are going to use this bike for free ride then dont buy it. ive payed 500 for repairs when i could have gotten a stinky or an edge or a buzz, but i hate norco so ide probably get an edge. This bike is good though. It takes to dirt jusps really well to. Ive gapped 15 feet and acoording to my friend i got like 7 feet of air above a 6 foot jump gapping it. But still its cross country and it gets 4 chilis because of the repair cost and its xc.
Similar Products Used: Turner xc / Cannondale lefty
Bike Setup: pretty much stock I have changed the Shifters to grip shift and the peddels to clippless plus you have to change the seat if you do any distance at all.
Strengths: cheap, looks good, strong frame, good value to durability ratio for the fork
Weaknesses: v-brakes, rims and headset all brake easily
Bottom Line:
This bike is strong i use it for free riding and take it over constant 6-10 foot drops and not much has broken on it. i wouldnt call it a cross country bike cause of its weight at about 30 pounds. I only dont like the rear brakes or the tires cause they both broke.
Bike Setup: bash gaurd, mavic d521 rear rim, FSA the pig DH headset
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Submitted by
supeman
a Weekend Warrior
from coquitlam B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001
Strengths: Fork, fox shock, frame, some times even the rims, brakes
Weaknesses: Not much exept every rocky mountain component on the bike, the derailers, the pedals, bottom bracket and when you ride hard for a while when you break the spring for the back shock in you make your rear suspension to soft and you bottom out over every thing.
Bottom Line:
This is the only good full suspension bike i have ever sat on. the only full suspension bikes i ever sat on are zellers cherokee and a xcs-2. This was better so i bought it. I only started serious mountain biking in september of 2000. before then id just go for a cheap ride on my infinity spyder once a month. i got it in january and the bike dealer said it can only take four foot drops. hah, i say 10. The shocks on this are so good. I always keep my air sprung fork pumped up to 70 psi and then i disconect the adaptor from the valve and it loses alot of presure then so i dont know what the actual pressure is. The only thing that broke was the head set on a little 4 foot drop. I'm just a newbie though, i only learned how to catwalk about 3 months ago and was afraid of jumping off a curb. this bike can be used as a less serious shore bike if u upgrade it. im gonna put hayes brakes on it xtr derailers chris king head set and a z1 drop off fork. Thatll make it do more. Its basically for any one who dosent do more than 10 foot drops. im gonna get an rm-6 soon any way.
Similar Products Used: cherokee from zellers(crap to heavy) norco xcs-2(good but heavy and clunky) some schwin with suntour shocks(really damn good for any drops 4 feet and under.
Bike Setup: Soon to be chris king headset, soon to bee xtr front and rear derailer, black spire ring god, pedals off my old bike, used to have a fender but it was chipping my brake arch.
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Submitted by
Rodney Mickey
a Weekend Warrior
from coquitlam B.C. canada
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001
Strengths: The spice has an incredibly strong frame and suspension. The rear 4 bar linkage gets the most out of the fox shck. I was surprised to see how strong the rims were.
Weaknesses: The only thing bad about this bike is the rear derailer really sucks. its a shimano lx worth 20 bucks. But thats not much of a problem if you just replace it with an xt.
Bottom Line:
this is probably the best bike you can get in the 1500- 2000 dollar price range. Its the most durable bike ive ever had and is really good free ride bike even though it was intended as a cross country. Rapid fire makes shifting easier than ever. its a bike good for a little of everything. i could have gotten an xcs-2 but i chose this spice. This bike is for any cross country rider, hardtrailer or free rider. The bike is only intended to take a 5 foot drop easy and an ocasional 10 foot.
