Submitted by
fletch
a Downhiller
from nsw, australia
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002
Strengths: see previous review
Bottom Line:
this is to update my last review. after about two months of riding i broke the bottom bracket clean off the main frame of a drop. the drop was only small (about 4 feet) but there was already a stress fracture i could see comming through the powder coated paint job. i think that the area aroung the bottom braket was designed a little bit too weak. but i've just recently rebuilt it using some 6mm high grade aluminium and it is now built like a tank. i was pretty pissed off at first but it should be ok now. i still rekon this is an awsome bike to ride and well worth buying. if your into huge drops and jumps i'd think about gusseting the bottom bracket a bit and it should be sweet. overall a great bike
Hi, I have been contacting rotec recently, and they seem to be able to give me a great deal on a rotec, my only concern is that as far as i know i am the first customer from the UK, so i can't try one out beforehand, so i was wondering if you people could answer a few questions about the bike, just to get some truly independent info on the frame.
1. I am about 6ft and 75kg (not sure what that is in lb). some people i have asked say i might not be big enough to make the most of the frame. I am not heavly built, but i can hold my own when out on a crosser, so i guess i have the strength where its needed. Do you guys reckon i should go for a smaller, more chuckable frame, or am i going to be up to it?
2. I come from a BMX background, and am more used to the small bikes, however my riding style is still very aggressive. and as mentioned, i am used to riding motorbikes, just not downhill.
3. I live in the UK, and although I tend to only race the dragons, I still live in the UK so the courses are pedally in parts. what is the pedaling efficiency like, is there much bob, whilst using a spring that is still effective? this isn't really a big issue, but its still useful to know.
Sorry the posting is so long winded,
Any input onto this page, or my e-mail would be much appreciated. Cheers
Submitted by
fletcher
a Downhiller
from nsw, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2001
Strengths: pretty much everything
Weaknesses: nothing really if anything, i'd say mud clearance with big rear tyres dosen't matter if you dont use huge tyres though
Bottom Line:
frikkin awsome bike definately fast and strong i've only had it for 3 weeks and i've improved in speed and skill sooooo much. it is a different bike to ride compared to most, but different isn't always bad. this thing flys. a quality bike that is worth every dollar
Similar Products Used: GT lts downhill and raceline extreme
Bike Setup: shockworks forks, hayes, AC, chris king etc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Egil Borgne
a Downhiller
from Stockholm/Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2001
Bottom Line:
Ok First the reason why the bolts craced was NOT due to that I overthightend them If so was the reason ofcorse I would have to blame my self. But I'm a skilld meckanic and don't do such things. It was destroys before delevery to me. Now Mr. Thomas and I have comunicated trhugh e-mail and the problem has been solved In a very profesional way by him.
As I've said before The Bike rides like nothing else it's incredable! it was only the service from rotec I thougt was lousy but that seams only to have been the fault of faulty mail servers, out of both our hands. If youre in to buying a new bike take a god lock on the new rotec it's bulit stronger than this one so this is not so likly to hapen on it. Failures could occur on any design I was probably just unlucy.
Strengths: Long stable confidence inspiring bike. Progressive linkage really works.
Weaknesses: Takes time to adapt if background is BMX/MTB. the long feel is very natural for ridres from a motorcycle background.
Bottom Line:
I have owned my 1998 for just under a year now. I am still learning, and have fully adjusted to the longish bike. I replaced the rear spring with a stiffer one and can manual easier now:)
I am responding to this because I have used this product during the winter and feel with all these recent posts it deserves an update.
Also:
I have been in contact with Mr Thomas through email and via the telephone. Both when I first purchased the bike and at various times after. He has always been very helpfull and on multiple occassions has offered upgrades and deals on forks because he can. He made a point to warn me to maintain my bike properly to avoid such problems as the gentlman described with his linkage. I can spot a over tightened bolt when I see one. A torque wrench is a wonderfull thing. I am lucky to have a friend that has been riding Rotecs for a while. With his help and Bills assistance I have no problem with my bike or Rotec's service.
I can understand your anger, feeling that you have been wronged, but I think your problems are maybe a little inflated and over dramatized. I am a "LARGE" rider and put a lot of stress on the bike by shear load. I have not experienced the problems you have. I hope you and Bill can open a diologue off this review page and work out something.
People don't deserve things for free. When I break things, it is because I screwed up, and I buy new ones. Live and learn. Relax and try to contact Bill again. Leave this petty emotional junk outside your communications. It can't help things and only puts people on the defensive.
I wish the best of luck to the both of you.
Either one of you can contact me via my email, or anyone else with questions regarding my bike or this issue.
Strengths: Contact me @714-447-4611 and I will refer you to dozens of satisfied customers.
Bottom Line:
First of all Egil, you seem to be the only one of all the Rotec owners that has had this sort of problem. Read the posts. In fact, I can post and give you many phone numbers of satisfied customers. It just goes to show, you can't please everybody. Maybe its a misunderstanding (lingual problem) between us.
Secondly, It doesn't matter what was paid in Swedish money. The fact of the matter is you bought a used frame and not a new one (that is why it was $900 USD and not $2,000 USD). Understand? Used frames come with used shocks, used bottom brackets, used chainguides, etc; they are not new. However, as I stated before, the bike was in fine working condition when it was shipped. Go to your local Honda dealer and see if the used bikes they have are replaced with new shocks, new sprockets, etc;? Nope, and they do not come with warranties either.
Third, Did you not say that the suspension works well? Did you not say you rode it 10 times before the linkage pieces bent? By the way, the linkage pieces broke due to OVERTIGTHENING the nuts. Not a problem, we have increased the pins size by 33% this year and the drag links are now made from 4340 billet. We took note that most people just want to ride their bikes with minimal maintenance and updated the linkage because of it. The 1997-2000 linkage required a lot more maintenance requirements and if people wanted to just forget about it, failures could occur.
Fourth, I even scored you a super deal on the fork. I offered a brand new 2001 bike at our cost and never heard from you. I am sure others would like to save thousands of $$$ on a brand new Rotec. Before a post like this is done, I would expect you to contact me first. I received 1 e-mail to my old personal web address (to which I responded), 0 e-mails to the business e-mail address and 1 phone call to which you never left a phone number to reach you with. How come you never answered my e-mail?
Let me reitterate. Your frame was not new it was used. It was a 1998 race bike that was updated to 1999 specs. Yes the bottom bracket was repaired. This is something that we do for free for all Rotec customers who encounter this problem within the warranty period. Otherwise, we repair it for our cost or offer new frames at our cost. The latter was offered to you (since there was no warranty) and again we received no response.
By the way, I AM A DH RACER and I have a right to give my input on what I race/ride. I first started racing downhill 5 years ago on a GT LTS DH. Then an Intense M1-SL. Now and forever, a Rotec. Just because I work for a company does not mean I am a pencil pusher. I helped develop a suspension fork called the Pro-Forx in 1992 and also designed and manufactured White Brothers suspension from 1996-1999. I have been involved with Motocross racing since I was 5 and started on a little Honda MR-50. My Father did suspension work for Factory Honda up until 1991 and is still riding dirt bikes every weekend to this day (62 years old). He still has forgot more about suspension than I or most people will ever know.
Egil, we know that no backyard bicycle mechanic that designs a bike in his garage or just something that looks cool truly understands how 2 wheeled offroad suspension should work. This R&D has been performed by the wonderful people at Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki. They have spent millions and millions of dollars developing what they know works best. If it wasn't state of the art, you wouldn't see Jeremy McGrath riding it.
The offer still stands if you are interested (to fix your current frame or a new one at cost). Otherwise, Good Luck in your search in what you think is best.
Submitted by
Egil Borgne
a Downhiller
from Stockholm/Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001
Bottom Line:
*LOL*!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok Mr Bill Thomas Jr. General Manager Rotec Cycles is corect I did not pay $1600 for the complete bike but for the frame and some other crappy parts and that he knows because I bought it from him.. the complete bike costed me ca 52000 sek that's about $5200.
But isnt It a litle bit Pathetic of a producer to post here? So The only thing that's fishy aroud here is Rotec and Their Mr not telleing the Truth Bill Thommas Jr. This is NOT a place for an add but for reviews..... I'd give Zero chilis if it was posible. Not for the ride as it's one of the best bikes I've ridden but for the quality and the sevice. As I also said in my last Post I dont doubt that the new frame is better than this but still With this service Nope Buy something else!
Strengths: Shrunk down version of a KX-250. If you have ever ridden a motocross bike its the closest your gonna get.
Weaknesses: 1997-1999's needed gusseting due to frame being designed to look like motocross frame. Suspension needed retorqing often. Only 6.75" of travel Still wotked great.
However, 2000-2001 frames are a clean sheet design: 1. 40% stiffer frame 2. 8.5" of rear travel with a remote lockout 3. Swingarm come with an oversize 12mm Thru axle for even more rigidity and will fit the 26" x 3.0" tire! 4. New Moto Link 2 linkage system uses 4340 billet pull bars and larger diameter pivots for those banzai 50 foot jumps.
See Mountain Biker Decemeber 2000 issue for the full story.
Can't wait to get one!
Bottom Line:
When ridden like a motocross bike (not a BMX bike) there is nothing better.
I am getting hooked up with a 2001 with a Shiver fork and Grimeca System 12 Brakes complete for only $3,900!
Contact me at 714-447-4611 or e-mail me if you want to know the full details on this awesome ride.
Don't know what is this EGIL guys problem. Everyone I know loves their Rotec. $1,600 for his Rotec! Something sounds fishy?
Bike Setup: Comes with custom spring for rider weight.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Egil Borgne
a Downhiller
from Stockholm/Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Strengths: verry nice ride smooth and totaly independent drivetrain
Weaknesses: Lousy quality on the linkage ande Rotecs totaly nonservice..
Bottom Line:
I have a 99 rotec pro DH I must say that I'm VERY! disappointed in rotec's warranty department and the quality of their products. ok I’ve seen that for 00,01 the linkage has been redesigned due to that it was miserable in the old one, mine broke after only about 10 times of riding... and the guy at rotec tells me that there is no warranty on my bike as it was used. so the only conclusion you can draw from that is that they know that they are building lousy bikes. fortunately I always insure my bikes for anything so I'll get the spareparts on my insurance BUT it seams that rotec don’t care to bother about this because they don’t return my e-mails and Mr bill is never in when I call them and he don't even return my phonecalls. One other ting that they do wrong is to lie to there consumers 1. when I bought it I was told it were in mechanically perfect condition hmm why did I have to exchange all bearings? due to that they could not be turned.. 2. when I received the bike in October I noticed that it had some weldjob done on it I got a bit disturb by that but it seamed to be done correct so did not think about that again until it broke now I mentioned this to Bill and he replied and said "Let me explain about your frame. That frame you are talking about was originally made and powdercoated in 1998. Before it was raced/ridden, it was gusseted and updated to 1999 frame specs before it was ever ridden. This is the reason for the weld/paint on the bottom (It was powdercoated in1998, before the gusseting). It is not a fixed broken frame." Hmm quite odd that the new weld only was 2cm long and the gusset's welds was painted with the original paint? I've placed pictures of the broken parts at : http://members01.chello.se/egil/Rotecras/ one thing that's impossible to se at the pics and rather hard so se irl is that the link mount at the bottom of the frame is bent about 2 deg My guess is that rotec fixed this bike after a crash but never rode it after this. and therefor never realised that it was bent.
If I Was to buy a new frame I would go for a similar design because it rides very smooth BUT I’d never recommend anyone to buy anything from rotec. I'd go for ex: Lenzs sport (http://www.lenzsport.com/pro%20descender.html) Brooklyn Machine Works TMX (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/) Or that what will become mine next bike a NICOLI NUCLEON (http://www.nicolai.net/index_de.html)
Similar Products Used: About 50 diferent DH bikes and FS XC bikes.
Bike Setup: Rohloff speedhub 500/14, Sapim CX Ray spokes, Mavic 312, Nokian tyers, Risse Champ, Hope Enduro4 f&r, azonic chubby/shorty, ODI gripps. Roox spining MAX crasks (160mm), sachs PC91 cain.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Dahlen
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonds, WA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2000
Strengths: Stable feeling, solid rear end, and confidence inspiring
Weaknesses: Little to long to loft the front end easily. Rear brake control arm(hollow aluminum rod) bends, replace with solid rod from Rotec(or see "bottom line" below)
Bottom Line:
I entered my first MTB race with this bike after having it for 1 week. The brakes were bled at Mammoth, CA and I made two practice runs before racing the Kamakazie. My only previous riding time was around the parking lots of my home and the hotel at Mammoth lakes. The Rotec felt solid and stable and from the first corner of the kamakazie I new the only thing that would hold me back was my twitchy brake fingers:) I am not a jumper but the small jumps they had on the Kamakazie were not a concern after my first run through on Thursday. Even the Table Top jump(later removed) was a dream on the bike. The rear end never flexed or chattered on the high speed, off camber, corners. The rear end is stronger than my STS's!
It pedals great....it does bob some, but there is no feed back through the pedals. Proper spring rate will eliminate most of the bobbing other people have been experiencing. The swing arm design can best be described as the best comprimise between an URT and a std swing arm design. The BB is part of the swing arm(0 bio-pacing) and is close enough to the BB to not excessively stiffen when standing. It is very supple even with the extra heavy rear spring I was using.
I was able to hang it out(as much as I could) on race day. The fast sweeping corners and the hair pin corners were never a concern. I didn't place first but I made it down in 5 min 45 sec. I figure that is an average of 42 mph. I passed 5 people on the way down and came home in one piece. I couldn't ask for a more memorabel first race. I will eventually start to ride more technical downhills than the Kamakazie but I can't imagine I will be able to out ride my bike anytime soon.
I did bend the rod that alows the rear brake to float independent of the swing arm. It was replace by the guys down at the Mammoth ski area machine shop(thanks guys!) A solid stainless steal rod was substituted at the price of a dozen donuts for the work crew the next morning. This rod will only bend with the grace of God! The chain guide is idiot proof and makes ZERO noise(I heard diferently from a collection of MRP users. Their units made more noise than mine!?!?!?)
I would tell anyone to buy a Rotec. If you want a spread out riders area, or have short legs(I have short legs and this bikes stand over hieght is 2" less than my STS converted for freeride) The long bike takes some getting used to, but I believe the confidence it has given me will also be experienced by others who give this unique DH MTB a try. And when you think about it, how many Rotec's do you see in a weekend=)
Similar Products Used: there is nothing anywhere near this product
Bike Setup: stock with 9.0 shifters/rear der.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shane Husack
a Downhiller
from Troy, Michigan
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999
Strengths: NA
Weaknesses: NA
Bottom Line:
Well, ACtually, I have not tried a Rotec...but I am considering a Rotec DH purchase. How does the DH handle the death drops you find at the national races? You know, where the landscape simply disappears and you slide back on the bike as far as possible, and still seem to do a neat looking head dab. I know the Rotec has a long top tube and wheel base. How does it lend itself to the nasty drops? Any other personal info you may have about the Rotec DH would be great also.SHusack@aol.com Shusack01@aol.com
I purchased this bike hoping it would be as good as the reviews the swingare in the first week off a 6 foot drop to a transition it actally cracked at the drop out i dont really know alot about this bike mostly bought cause it felt good when i rode it but man thats alot of money well now im decided that im going to buy the esr vise grip i saw one at a race and the guy riding was sick he rod eoff the team trailer to see if his shock could handle his line throught the drop and man ive never seen a bike not bottom off a 10 footer and still feel so plush man this bike has 2.3 inches of sag and it feels like mush but it doesnt bootom well if anyone wants my mian fram off the rotec cheap leave a review with your phone number
Strengths: Just a quick updat enow that I've had my bike for a year.I wanted to mention a new Rotec option that I have added to my bike it is called the RCS (Rotec Control System), and what it is is a floating disc caliper mount. This eliminates all braking influence on the rear suspension, and allows the rear-end to stay completely active under braking
Weaknesses: Well, I did crush my sub-frame (seat pod), but it has been warrantied with a reinforced model that looks very tough. All the bikes started coming with this reinforced sub frame last fall.
Bottom Line:
I still could not be happier with this bike. The 2000 model is coming out soon, but as of now there is no other bike I'd rather have.
