Submitted by
Sean van der Veen
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose CA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2009
Strengths: Great gearing, components, light as hell, great design for rear shock absorbtion, high levels of and easy adjustment, i have been riding for years and have ridden lots of bikes and this is a great bike. One of my favorites. So much so that I think I will Keep this one. The frame is ultra strong and seems like it will last.
Weaknesses: This bike is so light the downhill is work for speed freak thrills, no disc brakes sucks!
Bottom Line:
Bad ass all around for the era i love this bike one of my faves worth the 600 bucks fer sure if your thinkin bout buyin you wont be dissapointed
Similar Products Used: Gary Fischer level betties, Ellsworths, Santa Cruz, Giants, White Brothers, Proflex (yes i'm that old) before they were K2 you name it
Bike Setup: hooked up judy T2's the whole nine yards
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Sparkybobh
a Weekend Warrior
from oldguybobh@comcast.net
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2009
Strengths: Great all-around performer. Jump-on and it is ready to go.
Weaknesses: Front Manitou fork is the weak link to this entire ride.
Bottom Line:
Love it and have been riding it for 10 years. Will now be treating it to a make-over. If you are looking for a great middle of the pack solid ride, you will love it. All of you with a desire to have the most trick ride will want to move on and add another couple of thousand bucks to the purchase price.
Bike Setup: Stock....getting ready to update the LX Shimano F & R derailleures with XTR stuff and go to 9 speed. Putting Avid Juicy disc brakes upgraded rims. Definitely losing the Manitou forks!
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Submitted by
Kick Ass
a Downhiller
from victoria b.c
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2006
Strengths: its so good even now you can do anything on it and it will handle it, pretty good looks and it can fit a 2.6 gazzalodi on back this bike rules
Weaknesses: the back shock is way to small but you can get the betd linkage thing which is nice and yeah thats about all the weaknesses
Bottom Line:
if this bike has good parts on it it rules so much its so niiice get this bike and fix it up if you can
Bike Setup: 99 fsr,8 inch hayes discs with avid bb7 calipers,03 boxxer races,gazzalodis 3.0 on front 2.6 on back,amoebea handle bars,blackspire stem,fsa the pig headset,deoere xt shifters and derailueres,race face cranks with bashgaurd and race face bottom bracket,double track rim on front and single track on back,and some other parts that are good only thing stock is the frame and rear linkage
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Submitted by
Matthew Thornburg
a Weekend Warrior
from vancuver, Washington, USA
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland NZ
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2004
Strengths: Great geometry, fully upgradable, still looks good out on the trail.
Weaknesses: Some components
Bottom Line:
Imported stuff over here is pretty expensive (depending on the exchange rate), so when i managed to pick up this bike off trademe, for the price, it was bargain. That said, i'm pretty stoked with the bike and have been riding it for well over a year now. Have already started to upgrade components, not because they've failed, but mainly to suit my riding style and utilise newer, more highly speced parts. The bike still gets a good look over by people i see riding the trails, so the design has'nt really aged :) The Dukes have transformed the front end, slightly altering the geometry, but making for a more comfotable and confident ride. The wheelset allows me to be more aggresive when going for it, the stock mavic 138's are for commuting bikes only and dont deserve to be on a trail and the original dia comps where just plain shocking. Initially upgraded to avid arch rival 5's, (best vees out there) but now have installed avid BB7 dic brake's with spd dial 7 levers. This setup rivals most of the hydros on the market, but cheaper and more maintenance free. If i do need to replace anything else, i will, but if it ain't broken, i don't need to fix it. Well done specialized for a great piece of kit, will buy another one for sure but not until this ones dead!!
Bike Setup: All stock except, duke xc's, avid discs, wtb dual duty wheels and minime stem.
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Submitted by
George Mason
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg, MB
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2003
Strengths: Reliable, upgradable frame
Weaknesses: All of the stock components, except the frame. Can't run a rear tire that is bigger then 2.3 (2.1 Tioga)
Bottom Line:
This is my 5th year with the bike and I don't regret owning it one bit. The things that I didn't like I changed. The things that I have broke I replaced, and the bike just like the energizer bunny keeps going and going. This year I am beefing up the rear of the bike by replacing the rear suspension with pieces from BetD (link and swingarm), and Risse(seat stays and jupiter-5r shock) so I can fit a bigger tire, get more travel, and use a disc in the rear. I may also up-grade the fork to either a new Jr T or a MR T. The Crow Bar was susposed to be a tempory fix for the old stock bar but I like the way it feels and beleive it or not its actually lighter then the stock bar al it replaced and I cut 2" off the old bar to boot. Either way this bike will be in my stable till the frame brakes or I do. If the frame goes before I do I will move up to an Uzzi slx and hang the busted frame in a place of honour on the wall. I give this bike 5/5 in both value and overall because were else can you find a frame that going strong after 5 years of hard riding.
Similar Products Used: Tested an demo'd so many FS bikes its unreal, and the only thing that I have ridden that is beter is a intense.
Bike Setup: Starting at the front: Mavic D521 rim, Maxxis 2.5 High Roller tire, XT disc hub, XT disc brake, 2000 Bomber Jr T fork, Radical Ingot stem(cheap but works), Bontanger Crow Bar, FSA Pig head set, LX sift pods, Avid 1.9 rear brake lever, Intense lockon grips, stock seat post, Tioga Multi Control II seat, RaceFace Prodigy DH cranks, RaceFace ISSIS drive BB, Wellgo B-37 Flat pedels, Rhino Lite rear rim, Maxxis 2.35 Mofo DH rear tire, stock rear hub.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
SCUBAPRO
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Beach, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002
Strengths: Great Frame, Nice 4-bar linkage
Weaknesses: All the components on it suck specially the crank and the BB.
Bottom Line:
The frame is great, Climbs very well without too much bobing, Once you change the original components it works like an Intense, 5 flamin chilis for value...
Bike Setup: Fox Vanilla RLC FORX, King Headset, Avid Disc Brakes, Thomson Stem, MRP Springs-bearings-Bash Guard, XTR Drivetrain, XT-Sun Rhyno Wheelset.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
pitt53
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego CA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002
Strengths: great frame!!! killer 4 bar. that's abou it... forget the components.
Weaknesses: everything else lol
Bottom Line:
This bike has so much potential....you can really spend some money to build this bike and totally worth it. I just got my Big Hit which does everything way better than this FSR so I'm getting rid of it but still a great bike. The frame can take serious punishment going down. If you can find a frame and willing to build ... this is the bike.
Strengths: Good bike. Lasts long. Fun to ride, easy to control, reliable.
Weaknesses: Stock tires, No break mount, Can't fit more than a 2.4 tire in the rear
Bottom Line:
This bike is fun. I posted a review earlier, but I just wanted to follow up on my review. I think it's a pretty kick butt bike, because It goes through whatever I put it through, and gives me minimal problems. It's a fun bike to ride, and easy to control. Gotta love it. Tight color too.
Bike Setup: FSR with The MS extention, Sun Intense Mag 30 rims, XT Disc Breaks, DT Swiss Spokes, XT hubs, Kujo, Dirt Gizmo, Soon to have MRP Crank, 02 Jr T, or boxxers.
Strengths: aftre some upgrades in parts everything it is a sweet ride. the upgrades cost me about 700 but that it mostly just becoulse of the 600.00 dollar fork
Weaknesses: dont make me laugh. as for the upgrades what bike is there that doesnt need upgrades when you first get it.
Bottom Line:
this bike kix @$$, it handels everything iv thrown at it eavin 10 foot drops on to flat groundit is a sweet downhiller it lacks only in rear traver 4.5 isnt quite enuf but i made a new link for it and now it gets 5.5 inches of travel.
Strengths: PRICE was unbeatable. FRAME is nice to work with. Some components are usable.
Weaknesses: so far = The headset, chain, cranks, grips, shifters, seat, decals.
Bottom Line:
The bike was sold to me from some rich kid who road the bike like 3 times. Its brand new. Overall the bike is great. It has such a nice pop when jumping over large obstacles. As I am riding through rough terrain i am noticing that some parts are failing on me. I can tell that this bike will need to be upgraded to more worthy components. Other than that its a great bike and i know with some new parts i will be riding this piece for a long time.
Submitted by
Greg McBride
a Cross Country Rider
from Fredericksburg VA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001
Strengths: Excellent Frame, very strong. Geometry is almost superb. Climbs very well for a fs bike and descends even better. LX/avid equipment. The Judy fork works well with the bike till the springs wear out.
Weaknesses: Some of the components just plain suck. Grips, Crank, BB, tires. After the first week of use my grips started to turn. I bent the crank(under light riding conditions)in under a month, and the bottom bracket lasted about 6 months. That just doesnt sit right with me. The rear bushings sieze up after awhile. They take alot of maintenance. Peeling decals. PEDALS WILL KILL YOU!
Bottom Line:
This has been a great bike for the time i have owned it. It has taken everything I've thrown at it including Killington VT. I actually raced it a few times set up stock with the judy fork. It handled very well. I then replaced the judy with the Psylo when the springs wore out in the judy. This bike handles like a dream now. As of now, my frame has developed a crack in the BB housing and Specialized has agreed to send me a Rockhopper FSR frame to replace it free of charge.(THANKYOU SPECIALIZED!!) I think i will truely miss this bike. I give it 4 flamin rats for value because I think specialized could have done a bit better with some of the little stuff but for overall rating this bike gets a very enthusiastic 5.
Strengths: bullett proof frame. they put good solid parts everywhere, where other companies overlook. came with clipless pedals. wonderful tires.
Weaknesses: fork is a little heavy, lots of suspension bob when it is set loose.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. Other bikes in this price range may sport nice products where many people look ( like in the fork and rear d.) but where people dont look ( headset,bb,front d,brakes) the parts are unreliable and fall apart.Specialized did a great job rounding this bike off with a great mix of suspension and components. Great bike.
Submitted by
riderx
a Cross Country Rider
from Leonardtown, MD
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Strengths: Frame is extra sturdy, dual suspension tears through trails, looks are good, and strong components (but need upgrades)
Weaknesses: components~front fork, cranks, chain, BB, sticker and paint job (that plastic sticker crap over the labels peels), and handle grips
Bottom Line:
This bike will run forever if you treat her right. As an east coast rider I've hit the trails of Baltimore, MD (rock and severe technicals), Tsali in NC (a heck of a beating on any bike), and every little trail I can find. This bike tore through every trail with confidence, took its crashes well, and held together. With the new fork I've seriously blown every trail by without beating myself to a pulp. I say get the bike and do whatever possibe to upgrade it to a dirt devil.
Bike Setup: 2000 Manitou X-Vert Dual Crown (100+ travel), Mr. Dirt Gizmo Crank setup, serpa grips, new Specialized tubes, new Specialized petals, new Specialized saddle,
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Submitted by
DoomRider
a Weekend Warrior
from Bensalem,Pa, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001
Strengths: Super frame..nice geometry..great initial package..and price!
Weaknesses: What can i say....overall...great as is, but i just wanted the frame!
Bottom Line:
Well...as ceo of the "Bikes of Doom",this is what i ride and i must say,with my own custom set-up, i am happy with the ride,the handling,the control,the weight,the stares and smiles i get,and the picture-perfect poised-n-ready stance that my piece reflects!...Yes, this is the "Doom Bike!"... At least get the frame and go wild with your own choice of components! See ya out there!..Bikes of Doom...AAHHHHHHH!!!
Just in case there are any FSR retro enthusiasts out there, I have posted in the VIntage Bike for sale section of MTBR my 1999 Specialized FSR Pro frame (large) and original SID fo Read More »
Is $450 a good price on this bike? Its a 1999 specialized fsr that looks to be in excellent condition. I am trying to find a full suspension bike for under $500. Read More »
Anyone knows what size rear shock is one my 1999 Specialized FSR Expert. I am measuring 6.25ìn but 6.5inX1.5in seems to be a standard shock.
Thanks Read More »
so i picked this thing up last week because mountain biking seems like something i could really get into and this bike was something i could afford as i didn't feel like spending 1 Read More »
