Submitted by
trail ripper
a Cross Country Rider
from Lost Angeles
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2005
Strengths: strong frame for whats it's worth
Weaknesses: stupid, BUT cool looking shark fin rear disc brake Freaking Bolt-On adapter
Bottom Line:
i saw this incredible ad in pinkbike for a 99 fsr DH fsr frame. paid 160$ FREAKING DOLLARS!! got it in the mail and!!! tha bottom bracket outer threads were stripped and the link was totally smashed in. the link was nice though, it was the gold 5.5 inch link with a freakin over sized bolt through it after the owner broke the og bolt. The bb's inner threads were ok so i saved it by putting in a truvativ team DH gigapipe bb - that thing ROCKS!!- and bought a link from betd.uk that has needle bearings and gives 4,5,6, inches!!THAT LINK IS SOLID!! built up the bike and have been riding it since. I weigh 225 and rip up any terrain on my bike, i'm not totally freeride though-the frame is a perfect replacement to an INTENSE UZZI-LX for us not so rich people. farme 160-link 120- shock rebuild-40 equals 320 for a freaking good and cheap frame!
Strengths: Responsiveness, stiffness, lack of bob. Good standover height, excellent overall geometry and balance. Looks nice too.
Weaknesses: Short, springy rear travel (it is 3.5" not 4.5" as claimed), limited seatpost travel, hard to reach cable routing. Requires adaptor for disc brakes. Also don't turn it upside down if it's at all wet because you have to take off the front end to get the water back out.
Bottom Line:
I found it to be a very versatile bike. I bought the frame used and built it up as a pseudo-freerider. Its best feature is the responsiveness, this bike is very easy to manage through technical stuff. You can pick through technical climbs as well as float through steep rocky downhill. I think this bike does well as an early-model short-travel freerider/climber.
Unfortunately the limited seatpost travel does not allow the stock seatpost to go high enough for a true climbing position, and a longer seatpost does not drop far enough for steep descents. Apparantly this doesn't bother everyone judging from the number of quality freeride bikes with limited seatpost movement, but it bugged the sh*t out of me.
Overall I had a lot of fun on this bike and if it were 1999 still I would probably slap it with five red bananas. But times have changed yo. I recommend it if you want to transition from cross country into more aggressive riding and if you can find a good deal on a used one.
Similar Products Used: Jamis Dakar, Giant AC, GT I drive, Transition Dirtbag.
Bike Setup: Manitou Black 120, Rhyno Lites, XT components, Raceface Turbine crankset, Azonic Shorty stem, Easton 2" riser bar.
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Submitted by
Nathan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002
Strengths: Great suspension design (FSR) it stays active whether you're climbing or descending hard on the brakes. Extremly Durable and strong, Great Parts XT/XTR, Mavic Rimes, Hayes Discs, Even the Specialized parts are holding up after serious beatings
Weaknesses: Sealed Bearrings should be at ALL pivot points, not just the main botttom, consequently the frame is starting to creak. Seat posts lacks adjustability, only a few inches of movement, Manitou forks are heavy for the amount of travel they have compared to todays forks with just as much travel and strength without the triple clamp and weight.
Bottom Line:
Sweet bike for the intended purpose of single track riding with big hits or techincal spots. It's not a climber, too heavy in it's stock form. You could climb with it, but I could also drive with my feet on the steering wheel, it doesn't mean I should. It feels very nimble on the downhills and with the right tires it won't slide out easily. I'm about 6'0 and weigh 180. I have beaten this bike on some serious trails and it keeps on going. Oh yeah, if you do intend on climbing with this bike, pay attention to where your knees are relative to the top triple clamp when climbing steep hills. They might hit if the framesize is borderline. I would give it 5 flamers but the pivots need beefing up. So if you like big drops, techincal rocks, or lots of speed downhill on not so smooth trails, it's for you. If you climb alot and stay on fairly smooth trails, there are better bike choices out there for you, like an FSRxc or similiar
Strengths: Indestructable, great handling frame. Excellent all around, versatile bike.
Weaknesses: Broke the stock saddle on my 3rd ride. Huge 26" wingspan on the handlebars... quickly chopped to 24". Stock BB and Strongarm cranks wore out within a year. Still, the perfect bike after a few upgrades.
Bottom Line:
This bike has been the perfect bike for me. It's quick and tight on fast XC trails yet still inspires confidence on the rocky, technical decents of Moab. My 235 pounds and aggressive riding style have destroyed many a bike but this one's always ready for the next jump, drop or hill. The "Big Hit" rear is efficient enough to keep you up with the hardtails on the XC trails but plush enough to take down hills and drops that a hardtail would crumble under.
For anyone looking for "one bike" that can take them from their local XC trail to a mountain "epic", this is the bike to do it.
Bike Setup: Mountainspeed bushing kit, XT Hollowtech Cranks, XT 11-34 cassette, Hayes discs, XTR Shifters, RaceFace XY seatpost, XVert R forks, Fox Vanilla Float R rear, Mavic X317 rims, XT Hubs, Easton Stem.
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Submitted by
Rebel .
a Downhiller
from Marin County, CA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001
Strengths: Strong. The frame is the same as the non-production version of the FSR DH from 1998. I guarantee you that unless you are a bender wannabe you will not break this frame.
Weaknesses: Tire clearance. To be safe, you can only run a 26x2.25" tire in the rear (I haven't experimented with a 24" wheel yet). If you want a bigger tire, use a WTB Motoraptor 2.4 because the side knobs will not rub until you bend the wheel. You'll only have about 2mm of clearance, though.
Bottom Line:
This is a big-hit bike. It's not great for the downhill courses of today, but it can handle just about everything that you can throw at it for everyday riding: singletrack, slalom, uphill, downhill, rocky sections, urban riding, etc. While some people say that this is a way around getting a real DH bike, I think that a "real bike" is what you make of it.
Strengths: - Strong frame - High quality components - Versatile - Handles Well
Weaknesses: - Stock Manitou fork is okay, but not great - A little heavy (but okay for a downhill / freeride bike)
Bottom Line:
I bought the bike used and absolutely love it. I've been riding cross country for a while now and wanted to venture into downhill -- I wanted a bike that could take some bigger hits and let me do some more aggressive riding. I looked for a long time and seriously considered my options before selecting this bike. What is comes down to is that the FSR Elite has a strong frame that is built to take some hits. In the first few months I've had it, I've pushed it to the limits and it hasn't even flinched. The Manitou fork is nice, but I'd like to replace it with a Marzocchi when I get a chance. Other than that, all the components on the bike are excellent.
I couldn't possibly be happier with the bike. I seriously recommend it to anyone looking for a tough full suspension bike that will take big hits and keep going. Nothing about this bike has disappointed me and I can't imagine that anything will.
Favorite Trail: Mission Trails, Anderson Truck Trail
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: Used
Similar Products Used: I have a KHS Pro soft tail -- this is the first true full suspension bike I've ridden regularly
Bike Setup: FSR Elite Frame, Hayes Hydrolic Disc Brakes (Front and Rear), Stock Manitous X-Vert Fork (4 Inch Travel), MRP Fox Rx Rear Shock Upgrade (Adjustable 6 Inch Travel), XTR Rear Derauiler, XTR Rear Shifter, Raceface Cranks, MRP Chain Guide, Specialized 2.3 Team Downhill Tires, Thomposon Elite Stem and Seat Post, Mavic Wheels, Welgo Downhill Pedals, Specialized Body Geometry Seat
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Submitted by
tyson kaman
a Racer
from amherst mass
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001
Strengths: great design, easily upgradeable to full bearings, extruded frame should be strong. probably the best heavy duty freeride hit stuff bike available for less that $3000
Weaknesses: bb and crank get cheased out PRE Y2K even by 135lbs of me and the pivot mount for the swing linnk gould be stronger, as it is the frame hat the weaker end of the deal. intense did it right, so the link gets the rounded out holes, not the frame.
Bottom Line:
really cool bike for rampaging around the woods not a xc racer, though i have to admit i was beaten by a guy on one in an expert race on one last year(i WAS sick, but still...) i also thought that it climbed better thatn my 99 sworks m4 softie, not faster, but better. i think it is because of the better swing link, maybe thats why all the 01 sbi's have a link like this one.... i sold this bike, but just got the same thing(y2k sworks slolom frameset-shorter shock stroke). if you want a bike with decent travel that is overbuilt and can still climb ok this is it. good luck to the lunatic fringe niche market.
Similar Products Used: k2 animal/beast (if they count) the new enduroclass from sbi.
Bike Setup: stock- untill i swapped bb and crank for XT thompson post and shimano peadals
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Submitted by
Racin Rob
a Downhiller
from State College, Pa
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001
Strengths: Overall this bike performs great. Origional setup is 4" front and rear with Hayes Brakes. Great for slalom, beginner DH, and some enduro type XC rides. Geometry is so comfortable, and it handles great. Recently Upgraded to a BoXXer and the MS Rear kit,.... SO MUCH FUN!! Specialized made a great bike that handles well and has so many uses. --Great Strong Wheels and Hubs --Hayes Brakes --Excellent Geometry and suspension package
Weaknesses: Don't really like the stock cranks, Upgraded to Azonic 454's, much better now.
Bottom Line:
This bike is Excellent. Ride it hard and fast, it takes the abuse of DH and is great in the saddle for nice XC rides. Easily upgradable to a full DH rig. Hard to find a bike that is as loaded as this, comfortable, and maintainable as this bike. Great value for the money. If you are lookin into Downhillin,.. specialized makes good beginner bikes. Lookin to freeride,... long XC enduro rides,... This bike does it all.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Carbon URT w/ Judy XL
Bike Setup: Rock Shox BoXXer 6"; Mountain Speed kit with Stratos Helix Expert Shock; Sun/Ringle SUV Wheelset; Azonic Cranks, seat; RaceFace 44 tooth Ring, TruVativ Chainguide, KUJO DH tires
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Submitted by
Rebel .
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000
Strengths: Super strong frame, buttery-smooth rear travel (with the shock upgrade).
Weaknesses: Shock upgrade kills pedal power on the flats. Otherwise none.
Bottom Line:
Big deal on this frame if you get it used like I did. Mine came with the Mountainspeed rear suspension upgrade, so now I have 6.2 inches of rear wheel travel. My front fork (5") seems horribly inadequate compared to the rear now! GET THIS BIKE IF YOU WANT TO GO BIG! This frame if good for beginner, intermediate, or expert. Get this bike, trust me.
Similar Products Used: Kona Stab Dee Lux, Santa Cruz Bullit, Intense Uzzi DH.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z1 QR20, Stratos Helix Pro shock, Rhynolite wheels, Hope Big'un disc hubs, Hope disc brakes front and rear, RaceFace Turbine LP cranks, XTR rear derailleur, Azonic PDW bars, Primo flatty pedals, Tioga Team DH 2.3 tires.
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Submitted by
Trevor Bennett
a Downhiller
from Canada Ont.
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000
Strengths: The FSR is a very nice looking bike. I bought my FSR stock. This bike is solid. It is a silent, and can is so light. Great front shocks, great brakes, super ride.
I bent my frame the first ride. I hate the bike, I hate the company! I was riding at Mont Tremblanc Que, and at the end of my second run, I had bent the frame. I I did not hit anything hard, and I diden't even fall off the bike. Specilized would not give me a new frame on their "LIFE TIME FRAME GUARANTEE" After hours of giving the company crap, they finally covered 3/4th the cost of the frame. They did not believe that I was riding the bike. And accused my of lying. I will neaver buy another specialized product, and I encourage you to do the same.
Submitted by
Kevin Klobe
a Racer
from Warrensburg, Mo
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2000
Strengths: Everything. This is the only bike that I haven't broken the frame on. I love the four bar linkage. Four inches of silky smooth suspension.
Weaknesses: The patented Specialized squeak in the rear linkage. To avoid this, use your regular 15 to 20 hour tune-up. If your going to ride in the mud. I'm talking the nasty stuff. Don't take the FSR, you'll gum up the rear linkage due to the minimal clearance in the chain-stays and seat-stays.
Bottom Line:
If you want a bike that you can abuse, abuse, and abuse some more, then GO BUY A FSR. I have jumped off of 6' loading docks, car roofs, retaining walls...Did I mention that this bike is like someone who has no self esteem. It loves the abuse and it always come back for more. Keep in mind, the components will break. Just use your head when riding. You can't DDT a brick wall and expect everything to be alright. This bike also loves to climb. I race cross-country in Missouri and Kansas. This bike has been absolutely flawless. I have never had the bike go down in a race, never. Reviews say that this bike is not a climber. I think that the people doing the reviews were dropped on their head a time or two. I can climb, carve some nasty single track, and I can absolutely scream, scarry fast on the downhill! Like I said, If you want something that can take a licking and keeps on ticking, don't buy a Timex, GO BUY A FSR! I almost forgot the most important thing when riding a FSR(or anything for that matter). ALWAYS WEAR YOUR BRAIN BUCKET!
Similar Products Used: Only hardtails. Trek 8000, Which was another great bike until the rear triangle decided to go bye-bye.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z3 Lt with 105mm travel, Fox Vanilla with 100mm(have the X-Vert R as backup). Mavic crossride (rear) and Spin in the front. Everything else is XT, less the SRAM shifters. Will soon be acquiring the XT front disk and Magura in the rear.
