Submitted by
Bouncin Bob Hagerty
a Racer
from Ocala, Fl. Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Santos
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Bikes
Strengths:
Good Frame, nice price, smoothes out the roughest trails
Weaknesses:
shifters, and brakes
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Klein, Gary Fisher, Cannondale
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Excellent purchase for the weekend rider up to novice racer. Would recommend strongly to anyone considering making the switch to full suspension. Would recommend replacing the shifers and brakes with upgraded components when the stock parts wear out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian Bergevin
a
from Newman LK WA USA Date Reviewed: March 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Bike works
Strengths:
head tube
Weaknesses:
factory weels
Similar Products Used:
gt's
Bike Setup:
99 z5 bomers
Bottom Line:
ive had the bike for a wile and the frame itself has not given me any problems but i do recomend that you get the frame seperate and build onto it. The stors u buy them from gip u with the wheels and front suspention. I've pu the bike under DH conditions and no serious problems (normal wear)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon Donovan
a Weekend Warrior
from Lubbock, TX Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
MLK park trails
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Lewis Ashby's Cycle Hut
Strengths:
Looks cool
Weaknesses:
Really heavy, suspension sucks, rims are fragile, sram 5.0
Similar Products Used:
pogo stick
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike because I trusted a friend that I thought knew a lot about bikes. He didn't and I feel like I got screwed by buying this bike. I will never buy another full suspension bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from ct Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Creek 187
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great Ghost rider and cliff diver
Weaknesses:
riding
Similar Products Used:
garbage can
Bike Setup:
Stock except for rims
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE SUCKS! i BENT THE RIMS IN 1MONTH. i TRYED A 2FT WHEELIE DROP AND IT THREW ME OFF THE BIKE. THE REAR SHOCK IS LIKE A PO-GO STICK. ITS A SPRING BASICLY THAT WHEN COMPRESSED JUST RELEASES AND LAUNCHES THINGS. NOW I CANT RIDE MY TRAILS I BUILT IN FEAR OF SERIOUS INJURY FROM THE BIKE. If ur a begginer and want a full suspension. PLEASE DONT BUY THIS BIKE. YA U MAY HATE UR BIKE U HAVE NOW FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS BUT IT WILL BE WORTH GETTING A 1000 DOLLAR BIKE. BELIVE ME.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bike Master Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Island Lake
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Full Suspension Good Riding position for street riding
Weaknesses:
VERY HEAVY! Cheap Taiwanese components
Bike Setup:
All stock, except for a lycra/gell/spring seat, 2" rise bars, Kenda slick tires
Bottom Line:
OK, I work at a shop and got this bike for my girlfriend. Right from the start, she liked her Raleigh SC30 rigid bike better. I rode this bike home from her house a few times, since I was drunk and didnt have one of my bikes with me. This bike is perfect for street riding. There are some quality issues with the components though.
One minor one was that the numbers on the shifter rubbed off after 2 months. The rear shock developed a major squeeking problem after a few rides. I took off the rear shock and found that rotating the shaft 180 degrees eliminated the squeek and a lot of friction. The rear shock has no damping whatsoever and it shows. The rear of this bike bobs up and down like crazy. Thats not a problem for the geezers this bike is intended for.
The front shock was very surprising. It worked well on 1-2" tall bumps and the sections of concrete that stick up on the street. It must use a cheap elastomer for spring/damping. The damping qualities are very good. Thats great for this fork since it has so little travel. MCU springs dont have as much damping effect.
My girlfriend sold this bike after riding my 22 pound single speed and decided to get a lighter bike. The DS600 weighed in at 36 pounds, for the small 16" frame. Her new bike weighs 26 lbs, 10 oz. Its a cro-moly KHS Team frame that I built up with a 1999/2000 LX component group and a 98 Rock Shox Judy T2. Spent $850 to build it up, but performane went way up and weight went way down. More than 9 pounds! No rear suspension, but she only rides on the street.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bryan
a Downhiller
from ny Date Reviewed: December 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
steamboat springs,co
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
nothing
Weaknesses:
welding/frame
Similar Products Used:
schwinn 4banger
Bike Setup:
juddy100
Bottom Line:
this bike is crap. the welding and frame bent where the shock bracket attaches to frame. highly recommended that this bike be put to death
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Biker22286@aol.com Date Reviewed: December 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
My trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
umm nottin i could fine
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best bike for its money as a entry full suspension bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sal Kulkarni
a Cross-Country Rider
from NY, NY Date Reviewed: August 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Central Park offroad
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Design, strength, durability, weight not bad. Wheels, brakes.
Weaknesses:
Shifters, saddle saddle SADDLE!!!
Similar Products Used:
Giant Warp DS1, 2.
Bike Setup:
Factory installed.
Bottom Line:
This is a wonderful bike for the money. As one other reviewer has stated, you don't have to win the lotto to get a good bike. But I must warn you, please buy this bike from a reputable dealer (as with any investment). The only thing that I can say is that shifting may have to take some getting used to. It's not as smooth as the other bikes I Have tried, but that's a drawback that I can live with. I'm a beginner, and I guarantee you that you won't be disappointed with this investment as a first investment. Go for it, put some miles on this thing, and I guarantee you you'll soon upgrade, which is a good thing. This bike will make you love the sport and exercise of cycling. This frame kicks major butt.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Walker
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond,VA Date Reviewed: June 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Poor Farm
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Price, A great first Full suspension bike for the money. This is a good bike for someone who is not quite sure if they are going to really injoy the sport of downhill.If you have ridden a full suspension bike this is not for you. If you are a full suspension rookie it will work great. This bike is easily tailored to ones on preference by doing small upgrades.
Weaknesses:
Soft front fork.Rims won't take alot of abuse.Bike made as is for a rider not over 175lbs.
Bike Setup:
Rst 260, Shram 5.0
Bottom Line:
Look, this is a great bike for the money. Do not let a commissioned salesperson tell you any different they just want you to spend 3 times as much for your first full suspension bike. If they are smart, this is a great full suspension bike for a first timer. This bike made me realize what a great sport mountain biking is, and I am already looking at buying a more expensive bike in the next few months. The bootom line is it is a great bang for the buck. Don't let the economy of this bike trick you into feeling like a poser, get on it, ride it,enjoy it. If you are like me this bike will turn you on to mountain biking 100% and eventually you will buy a more expensive bike. Salespeople take heed, encourage your begining riders to consider this bike. If they are really serious they will very quickly,and very eagerly upgrade to a better bike and you will be the hero. Change the tunnel vision approach of get it all now. Do what is best for your consumer, and you will end up selling two bikes not just the one. If I had listened to reviews and salespeople I would not have purchased this bike, would have had to spend $1000.00+ just to find out if I liked the sport.Sell the spirit of ridding, not just the bike. I am now a 5 day a week rider and loving it. Thanks to the bike, not the salesperson
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
travis good
a Weekend Warrior
from argos indiana Date Reviewed: April 2, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
low price. looks sharp. nice componets.best bike you could get for the money.handles nice
Weaknesses:
heavy.suspention sucks.
Bike Setup:
rst
Bottom Line:
it is a realy nice bik it has not disapointed me yet.could use a new fork and rear shock. besides that i cant complain.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Henry
a Weekend Warrior
from Higley, AZ Date Reviewed: March 23, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great looks, Suspension works good, like the adjustability of the rear. Good price for a full suspesion bike. Without having to win the lotto.
Weaknesses:
SRAM components, Front suspension to light for anyone over 160lbs.
Bottom Line:
Good bike the entry level to middle level rider
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Leist
a weekend warrior
from Tampa, Florida Date Reviewed: March 5, 1999
Bottom Line:
Enjoying the bike every weekend. The dual suspension is a definite plus as well as the new brakes. A super buy for the money. After riding only department store bikes, this bike became a major improvement.
Overall Rating:
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