Strengths: The frame is just awsome! I use the bike for everything. The shocks eats up rocks, logs, and pot holes. The bike is just bomb proof!
Weaknesses: I'm not too crazy with the stock Race Face parts. I would eventually upgrade these. I'd probably change the fork to a Junior T. I think it's more suitable for the frame.
Bottom Line:
The bike is just fantastic! Good value for such a durable bike. I enjoy the bike even for xc rides. Not too bad on climbs. I can't wait to upgrade the frame and really test this beast!
Similar Products Used: Schwinn,Santa Cruz, Titus, Klein
Bike Setup: full XTR with a Marathon 100mm fork.
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Submitted by
Maverick
a Weekend Warrior
from Vacouver, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002
Strengths: Great frame, can't tell you enough how strong it is. Has taken a beating on the NS, and at Whistler. Really stiff. 4-6" URT is great for versatility -well balanced with little bob, especially in the 4" mode. This bike is not like any other URT. Rocky really did their homework and found the sweetspot. Now with the Jr-t it easily keeps up with the big DH boys. Great price and value. Orignal Z3 fork was bullit proof.
Weaknesses: Original RF Prodigy parts are not great. Swapped the cranks, bars, and planning to replace the stem in the near future. Rocky had to cut costs somewhere and it is much cheaper to upgrade parts then to be stuck with a poorly built/designed frame. Would have been nice to be able to accomodate a larger tire in the rear -issue addresed in 02 frame.
Bottom Line:
This is a great all around freeride bike. The jr-t made a difference, and now the front end matches the stiffness of the frame. I have a large size with a 900 spring -well balanced. This bike really flies on the Whistler DH. The frame is torsionally stiff -thx to the URT. I have no issues the way it climbs. It climbs much better then all my friends Bullits, Big Hits, and Konas. And on top of it, it easily keeps up on the technical downhill. Great value for the money and everyone that I know who rides a Pipeline, loves it!
Strengths: everything, it's canadian and it's a rocky...
Weaknesses: the thin tubing on the swingarm, but i doubt i'll break it
Bottom Line:
this is an early post, only ridden it on a few urban rides...it rocks. so plush and pedals great even in 6". the urt design scared me at first, i'm not worried anymore. damn this thing soaks up the big hits and pedals great, so manouverable.
Similar Products Used: rm6,element, devinci, norco, kona, etc.
Bike Setup: z1 4.5",v's for now...
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Submitted by
Brett Smit
a Downhiller
from Cant Remeber too many hits to head
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2002
Strengths: Great freeride bike. It also eats up the downhill. It has good components and will take good sized drops and hits without question. This bike has got to be one of the best full suspension freerides out there.
Weaknesses: The lack of a FOX RC is not cool. Also you cant fit any bigger then a 2.35 tire in the back which sucks. If your doing heavy downhill the bike skids a bit because its a little light.
Bottom Line:
The Pipeline is one of the best all round bikes I have ever riden. It eats everything and doesnt complain. This is a great ride! If your going to buy it it might be worth putttin some double crowned shocks on the front for more travel if your going to do simply downhill but if your doing freeride leave it how it is!
Strengths: bullet proof and proven Easton DH frame, adjustable suspension is awesome; set it in 4 in for XC, 5 in for dirt jumping and 6 in for all out DH, Hayes disc brakes are amazing, Marzocchi Z3 5 in fork is bombproof, geometry is perfect for any type of riding, stock Rhyno Lites can take a beating, reasonable price, best climbing freeride bike out there, great paint job
Weaknesses: stock bars, stem and cranks are a bit flexy, THE fender is kinda flimsy and dumb, stock tires are way too skinny, rear chainstays only allow a 2.35 tire
Bottom Line:
When I was buying this beast I looked at the Uzzi SLX, Bullit, and Stinky Delux. The Pipeline is just as good as these bikes but about $1000 less. This bike is the ultimate freeride rig. All you really have to do is swap out a few parts here and there and you're ready to go. This bike is a blast to ride anywhere; up, down, urban riding, cross country. Hell of a job Rocky Mountain.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z3 fork (soon to be a Super T QR20), Azonic Shorty stem, Easton Monkey Lite bar, 26" Rhyno Lite in front, 24" Atom Labs TrailPimp rear wheel, 2.35 Maxxis MoFo DH in front and 2.3 Nokian in the rear, XT/LX, Race Face post and crank
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Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from bc, canada
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001
Strengths: So far my impressions of the bike are good, it can more than handle anything that I need it to do not being a very aggressive rider. Out of the box it is a perfect urban ride, but for downhill it would be nice to have some fatter tires. The adjustable suspension is a good feature though I find myself always leaving it in the 6" setting.
Weaknesses: None that i have found yet
Bottom Line:
This bike is wicked. If your looking for a total free ride bike for a great price this is the bike. It's great for drops, downhill, and not bad for climbing.
Bike Setup: all stock so far but i plan to put on different bars and possibly a shorter stem. Also will be upgrading the tires and maybe the seat.
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Submitted by
Jess Santos
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Rita, Guam
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001
Strengths: Easton, need I say more. The bike itself is solid for it's somewhat slender frame. Hayes Discs, and the Bomber fork just add to the bombers already aggressive actions on the trail.
Weaknesses: Did some light DH to test the suspension, however I may change to a duel crown Jr-T, and a Fox Vanilla RC, just to add to the fun of trying to tame this Mutha.
Bottom Line:
This bike should not be taken for granted, it is one solid S.O.B so with all the other upgrades one would not be disappointed. defenitely a great buy for the budding trail head. but be careful it will kick your a** if your not willing to give it a good beating. Blame the Canadians for making something this good. buy one trust ME......
Similar Products Used: Trek 8500 Hardtail XC. with Hayes discs.
Bike Setup: I bought the bike stock with race face Prodigy cranks, Z3 bomber fork to include fox coil rear shock. not bad but could be better. the frame is just begging for upgrades, which will be done by 2002.
Love the bike!!! It climbs well for a full suspension(you just need to get aggresive in the climbs). Handles all that you throw at it. Loves the speed and technical downhills. Handles well for 18" frame. This is a bike that has found me and that I will keep for awhile. Great clearence in bottom bracket (unlike Enduro). Disk brakes are for life.
Bike Setup: Stock (Except Handlebars changed to Monkey-Lite, added flat pedals & Wider tires)
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Frederick, MD
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2001
Strengths: Handbuilt indestructability, Shock (plush), Forks (plush), Hayes hyd discs, Wheels, Pedals, Cranks, Rear suspension adjustability...simply everything
Weaknesses: Stock seat is kewl looking but hurts
Bottom Line:
This bike totally rocks! Was looking at Intense Uzzi SLX, Santa Cruz Bullit, Orange Patriot, Kona stinky...you get the idea. For the money, the Rocky had it all and cheaper than any of the others. One of the first rides was a trip to Snowshoe. Missed a trail and wound up on the pro downhill run. I was intimidated, the bike wasn't. This thing was chomping at the bit. My friends were a little dissapointed that I didn't crash all over the place like I'm prone to do on my FSR. This bike makes me a much better rider. Another kewl thing to find out from the rep was that only 77 of these made it to the US, so it's a rare one to have. Of the few times I have bailed, the powder coating simply laughed at rocks. Been working my way up to bigger and better jumps and drops and it just seems like this machine loves to be in the air. Climbs OK for a freeride in 4" mode (whaddya expect?). You could say it's a little chubby at 32lbs. but it's light considering how it's made and the fact that you'll never break it. I read other reviews about folks bending the seatpost and I have to ask, How fat are you guys or are you taking jumps sitting down ? No problem here. (I'm 5'8" 170) Bottom line is: You ain't gonna win races (downhill or XC) on this machine. But it works perfect for what it was designed for: serious freeride fun. I can't say enough good things about this bike. My old FSR was starting to wear out as I pushed it's limits, I doubt that I ever meet the expectations the pipeline has for me. At the end of each ride, I can't wait to get back on. My wife misses me.
Bike Setup: change of tires, stem, bars and seat for cushion...
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Submitted by
Vince Ferenczy
a Downhiller
from Sonora Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001
Strengths: VERY plush suspention. Hayes are the bomb! Marzocci and fox work great together.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This bike is an awsome bike. That is really all there is to say. (but I'll say more) A+ on the suspention. Shimono rocks, and Hayes Hydro's( Hydralic that is) give excellent stopping power. A little heavy for x/c, but perfect for freeride/downhill. A little pricy, but pay a little more now, or a lot more later. (P.S. Totally strong and durable frame!)
Similar Products Used: speciallized stumpjumper fsr x/c pro
Bike Setup: It was a test ride dude!
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Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Calgary, AB Canada
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001
Strengths: Solid frame - Bomb proof!! Love the Hayes disc brakes, great step up from regular calipers. Smooth rear triangle design, I am glad Rocky hasn't changed on this bike. JUST TRY IT
Weaknesses: Only problem so far is loose cranks. I do ride pretty hard, so I can handle that.. Could use a heavier spring on the rear shock.
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome bike. I went in to buy the RM6, and the salesman STRONGLY suggested the Pipeline. It's a tight, solid bike, and can handle whatever can be dished out. The only change I plan on doing is putting a Marzocchi Shiver on to replace the Z3. This bike is meant for riders who like riding out of bounds. I'm talkin' big drops!! This is not for the those pavement junkies, that is of course, unless you ride like you would on the trails!
Similar Products Used: Rocky RM6, Kona Stinky Deelux
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
Tom Houlton
a Racer
from Billingshurst
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001
Strengths: The frame is very good, and very strong, good design, very good ride. it socks up every thing.handles reely well! looks small but rides big.
Weaknesses: need stronger spring (800)
Bottom Line:
go out and by this bike. you will love it! i used to ride a hard tail but broke it, but this on is indestructable. good for Uk down hill. go and have fun on one in the street but then take it on a down hill corse and it belongs there. take it jumping and it's fine as well! all round good bike amazingly strong, and very weel built.
Strengths: smokin descender great fitting cockpit handles really well
Weaknesses: plastic cable stop that broke on derailler cable
Bottom Line:
First I rode a knarly XC trail loop in Downieville-- Halls Ranch to Fiddle Creek and back on the North Yuba and even though there were some tough climbs I thought it was fun as hell on this bike in the 4" travel mode.
Then the REAL fun began when we did the D-ville DH course!!! I put the bike in the 6" travel mode and off the mountian we went. Super plush smoking ride down the mountain is all I can say.
