Submitted by
ikki831
a Weekend Warrior
from Monterey, CA, US
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2012
Strengths: Strong and solid bike. Lawill suspension soaks up the bumps and descends great. And of course that awesome Bass boat paint job
Weaknesses: The Rock Shox that came with the bike. Replaced the Rock Shox tripple crown Judy XL forks and Super Deluxe rear due to blowing them out too many times and bike shops unable to find someone that can repair them over the years
Bottom Line:
Bottom line, I'm still riding this bike since 99. Enough said.
Bike Setup: Fox RLC Float front forks, Fox Vanilla shock, Kenda Nevegal tires, Ritchey pedals
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Submitted by
Roy Lopez
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2010
Strengths: Strong and stiff frame, very plush suspension, less than 30 lbs, quick handling, great riding bike for cheap
Weaknesses: Parts are no longer available for the frame and suspension. I will have to keep an eye on Ebay and Craigslist for spares. It took a lot of experimentaion to get the suspension figured out.
Bottom Line:
With times being the way they are, I was looking for a cheap mountain bike just to get me by until my economy improves. I thought that all I had cash for was a hardtail with disc brakes. Got really lucky and found a 4-Banger HG XL in excellent condition at a price I could afford. The bike has seen a lot of miles with the previous owner but it still funtions beautifully. Susupension bearings are still nice and tight and the shock/forks do not leak. The suspension is by far the best that I have ever ridden. Very supple and smooth but does not bob unless I'm really hammering the pedals while standing. It took some pretty big hits without bottoming out. Too bad the Lawill suspension is no longer available, its a very good design.
Similar Products Used: 2002 Specialized Enduro, 1999 Rocky Mountain Element
Bike Setup: All Vintage Shimano XTR, everything else is stock
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Submitted by
Pete Maiman
a Downhiller
from Keystone CO USA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2003
Strengths: Stong, carbon fiber swingarm tones down the bumps, rear swingarm set up pulls the tire down when climbing, very good design. Bass boat paint job
Weaknesses: The rear sid was kinda weak, front sid sucked, mavic crosslinks are nice, but not nearly stong enough for what this bike can handle.
Bottom Line:
After you dial in the suspenion of this bike, it is one of the best riding machines money can buy. I have seen these bikes being used for strickly DH with Super T's on the front(I don't suggest this), but it shows how much beating this bike can take. Climbing is efficent if you have good cadence and a smooth pedel stroke. Replacing the suspension has really helped.The lawwill design is still I think one of the best out there. I love this bike.
Bike Setup: 02' psylo Race, fox coil spring on rear, rhino lites, dh tires, the rest is pretty stock
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff Az. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2003
Bottom Line:
I have to update my first review. I just got a 03 Z1 to replace the Judy race fork I have been using for almost 3 years. I was getting so fed up with the way my bike was handling I did not even want to ride this bike anymore. So I went for it and got a new fork. WOW!!! What a diference a good fork makes for the way this bike handles. I never should hve run that Judy in the first place. These bikes deserve at least a good 5" travel fork to realize thier full potential.
Submitted by
Roger
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, WA USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2002
Strengths: Plush ride. Disc brakes. Dropped top tube frame design. This is my third full suspension bike and I love it. The frame doesn't squeak like my 2 GT LTS and STS bikes did. I don't race and I use it for single track and fire roads. I have it set up pretty soft in the front so I have fine-tuned my pedaling to reduce bobbing. I have gotten so use to it that I actually prefer the small amount of bobbing to the front shock lock-out on climbs. I love the Rapid-Ride derailleur. I almost removed it before I even went for my first ride but decided to give it a try. I like it so well I bought a spare on eBay just in case I break it.
Weaknesses: I replaced the front shocks with Marzocchi Z.1 Bombers the day I brought the bike home. The frame did start squeaking after a year but it was easily fixed by replacing the bearings ($100 at a bike shop). It sounded like creaking and I did not believe it could be a bearing problem but it was. The Schwinn "Tech Support" line and 2 dealers told me the squeak could not be repaired but they were wrong. The rear RockShox Super Deluxe has needed a rebuild once but performs very well.
Bottom Line:
I mainly like to climb fire roads but I always hated the downhill ride home until I got this bike. I also ride a lot of single track and this bike is plush but still handles excellently. It carves turns with a well balanced feel. I think it handles better than my old Richey P23 hard tail. I'm sure that if I raced this would not be a fast bike but for the mix of riding I do I don't think I could find a better bike. The bike magazines have put such an emphasis on weight reduction that the suspension designs are drifting away from the plush sophisticated designs like this one. I can afford to buy any bike I want and if I knew of a better bike for the riding I do, I would buy it.
Similar Products Used: My other 2 FS bikes were GT's. I tried everything to fix the squeaks with the first bike, including sending the bike to GT. GT was worthless. So I purchased another GT (brain fade), got the same squeaks and the same rotten service. I kept the STS for less than 3 months and sold it.
Bike Setup: 98 frame with Marzocchi Z.1 Bomber MCR 130mm travel, Hayes Hydraulic disc brakes with EBC green pads, 12-32 Ti cassette, RockShox Super Deluxe, Titec flat bars with Onza CWA bar ends, WTB Veloci-Raptor Laser tires, SPD 747 pedals, XTR rapid-ride rear derailleur, rear suspension extended to maximize the head tube angle for cross-country riding.
Strengths: Extremely tough - I've thrashed this bike and haven't managed to break it. Awesome downhiller, not as bad as some say on uphills if you take the time to dial it in right and don't set the suspension too soft. excellent craftsmanship.
Weaknesses: heavy compared to hardtails but light for a squishy.
Bottom Line:
Great all around bike. set suspension stiff enough - it'll still suck up the jolts but climb well at the same time. very solid feel, and looks great too. if you can get the first year model, pre production, grab it!
Bike Setup: raceface headset,crank/carmichael ball bearing derailleur gears/Sram esp twist shifts/cane creek bar ends/
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Submitted by
another Bob
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001
Strengths: tough, handles well, and looks cool. the is my first bike with disk brakes, and i love them. i want to put an 8" disk on the front but i cant.
Weaknesses: really small head tube, rear sids suck! they have no travel and arent the least bit plush, front fork looks big but has no real travel
Bottom Line:
I love descending on the bike, uphill sucks. the rear shock scares me, im afraid it will burst on anydrop over 4 feet. but there is nothing real bad with the bike except the suspension.
Favorite Trail: a jeep trail neer my friends house
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1000000.00
Purchased At: a bikes shop somewhere else
Similar Products Used: none really but i know there are other ones around
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001
Strengths: +Very plush suspension +Climbs very well (better then my old giant) +Downhill is amazing +Carbon swingarm looks cool +Light (For what it is) +Nice beefy frame +Nice components
Weaknesses: -Can't lower seatpost much (carbon swingarm in the way) I have seen many with big holes in the carbon -Carbon creaks and squeeks a bit -Complicated looking suspension (but it is good)
Bottom Line:
This is an amazing bike, it climbs better then a hardtail in my opinion due to the suspension setup, it absorbs just enough bumps to keep your traction and yet not pogoing. The dual crown makes the front feel light and makes it a bit jumpy and wanting to wheely. However once you get to the top and start on the decent then the dual crown is very nice, and the rear suspension is just perfect. From XC to freeride to downhill this can do it all. The price is a bit high new but it is worth it, climbing and decending!
Similar Products Used: Tested: Specialized Enduro, GF Sugar 2, Santa Cruz Superlight, Cannondale Jekyll and Raven, GT I-Drive (very heavy)
Bike Setup: Judy XL, Super deLux, KORE, Mavic 317 disc w/ Hayes, Time pedals, IRC Mythos XC, Giro Nisene, XT Drive w/ XTR RapidRise Rear
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Submitted by
Robert Crowder
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2001
Strengths: Great bike, does anything i want, big step from my old bike (voodoo zobop). I dont worry about losing control around tight turns.
Weaknesses: needs more travel. And with big tires its somtimes is a bear climbing up stuff. but with stock tires its not to difficult.
Bottom Line:
I got mine for dirt cheap compared to the retail price, if you can find one like this dont think about it, just buy it! its great for whatever you want to do. unless you like climbing alot.
Strengths: every thing about it, the swing arm is a monster, no flex
Weaknesses: head tube too small
Bottom Line:
this is the ultimate free ride bike, i have all dh dual slalom parts on mine and i was able to keep it under 34 lbs. wich makes it a little heavy for xc but it is possible. if you can afford to build a frame ground up i suggest it you will not be dissapointed.
this bike hooks up in lines like a porsche and rides like a caddy.
only downside is head tube makes me nervous on big drops but ohh well its worth it
Bike Setup: stratos fr-4/helix pro trunion, hayes, azonic, blackspire head and guide, wtb lasers, pro-taper
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Submitted by
Jeff Johannsen
a Cross Country Rider
from Grayslake, Il, USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000
Strengths: Easily rebuildable/replacable cartridge bearings; can easily run 2.3 tires with no mud problems; exceptional construction quality; performs as well as any free ride bike I have tried without the weight penalty
Weaknesses: A bit heavy for cross country racing but way lighter than any free ride pig out there. Expensive but if you want one of the best...
Bottom Line:
I have been riding mountain bikes for ten years. This is my forth full suspension bike and it is by far the best. I can go much faster on technical descents than I ever have before. If you have tried this bike and not liked it you did not have the shock dialed in. Take the time to experiment with shock settings and you will be rewarded with one of the best rides available. If you are looking for something with more travel rumor has it there maybe a 6 inch version for 2001. Let's hope!
Similar Products Used: Uzzi SL; Specialized FSR; Santa Cruz Bullit
Bike Setup: King headset, Hugi hubs, Mavic rims, Easton bars, Koski stem, Control Tech post, Hayes discs, Race Face crank & bb, WTB pedals, XTR drive
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Submitted by
timothy lanz
a Weekend Warrior
from irving,texas
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2000
Strengths: Light weight, capable of cross country or downhill. Inspires confidence at speed. Stable bike. 4 inches of travel front and rear. climbs well only weighs around 26 lbs.
Weaknesses: Hayes disc brakes suck. Cannot keep fluid in them. You can bleed them and they suck in air and become worthless. Would like to change out for mechanical disc brakes
Bottom Line:
If you find a new one that has been sitting around for 2 years it is worth $2000.00. I think the 2001 models that sell for $1800-2400 are the equal of this bike which retailed for $4000 in 1999
Submitted by
Steve Donlon
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff Az. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2000
Strengths: balanced suspension loves speed
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I got the frame from supergo so I set up the bike for my style of riding. The ability to handle big tires was very important to me. From super soft cinders to the nastiest rock gaedens, this bike does it all. I was suprised to find that my speed was faster on the 4 banger than my moab over the same trails. Not only was I faster, I was way less beat up at the end of the day. Climbing is no problem. Very stable at speed. I don't ride my hardtail much any more.
Strengths: it is the most fun bike that i have ever ridden, it is just really smoothe over everything i go over, and it takes all of the abuse that i can dish out to it. i just hose it down, and slap some oil on the chain, and its happy.
Bike Setup: stock with the fenders, and wtb moto raptor 2.4 tires
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Submitted by
Chris Wymore
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2000
Bottom Line:
I will do a more thourough review after more on the bike time. So far I have only had it for two weeks, but it's been a great two weeks! For it's intended purpose of being a good downhill and cross country bike, I think it succeeds. Yes there are lighter bikes, but none that can touch this on the downhills. Actually, it's lighter than my last bike which was a cheap hardtail. This was a major step up from my last bike that I got rid of two years ago, it's great to be riding again. Can't wait till I move up to Lake Tahoe, so many nice trails up there. The best part about this bike.....I got it for $1,500!!! Had maybe 10 miles on it, if that. Still had the nubs on the tires, not a scratch or mark anywhere, discs not even worn in yet. Pretty good deal I think. Look for another review after summer. I'm giving it four chilis for value(going buy retail price, at my price I'd give it 20 chilis!), and five overall for making a great bike that does what it's supposed too.
