Submitted by
cheif
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2001
Strengths: Frame is ok weight. Tough. Cheap.
Weaknesses: Pivot bushing - has to be reguarly service to make it creak-free.
Bottom Line:
As you can see, I have upgraded this bike extensively over the time I owned it. My real regret is that I was not able to fit a rear air shox such as fox float rc or rs sid, since my budget would not allow it.
My only gripe it that you have to really take care of the pivot bushing especially when foul weather is around. But so far I only have to service the bushing 3 times only and it does not show any sign of wear or noticable flex. On my 3 - 4 times weekly ride, I favour this bike rather that my hardtail.
On the trail / singletrack, this bike can easily outclimb or descend much faster than most of my friends' bikes. They sometimes wants to swap bike with me on the trail since they notice me always looking comfortable and less tired on the rough stuff. Since it gone on a diet (from 34 lbs), I noticed that it is easier to tackle the singletrack and the climbs.
However as I learnt from my experience, it is not the lightest, the up-to-date bike that makes the difference, it's 99.99% of the time it's the rider. What does it matters if you have the best bike in the world when you are not fit or skill enough to ride a bike.
If you're on a budget, buy this bike or just the frame only, later you can upgrade. If you have the money, you would not be reading this.
Similar Products Used: Specialize fsr enduro. GT I-drive
Bike Setup: Manitou SXR fr shox, RS Deluxe rr shox, lx crankset, lx fd, xt rd, xt cassette, xt hubs, mavic 517 rims, dt swiss competition db spokes, hucthinson python airlights, lx shifter / lever combo, xtr seatpost, selle san marco arami seat, pmt straight bar, azonic stem, ritchey v-comp spd, etc. - 26.6 lbs.
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
james mccaan
a Cross Country Rider
from jamestown
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2001
Strengths: 1. Price 2. Durability 3. Components
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Excellent price - paid $499. I do not understand the comments of those who complain abt this bike. If you are looking for a state-of-the-art custom Klien, it would cost a lost more than the $500 -$700 range so stop kidding yourself. If you are such a serious rider (which many ppl tend to "be" on the internet) you should not be looking for a bike in this range anyway - maybe in the sub $1500 range would be more appopriate for you. This bike is an excellent bike in terms of ridability and performance. And no, I do not work for Univega.
Submitted by
mohd reza
a Cross Country Rider
from kuching, sarawak, malaysia
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001
Strengths: comfortable
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
I think my bike is a 98 model or previous year with a unified rear triangle, that is why is was cheap as compare to others aluminium full-sus. I use this bike for riding single tracks and training and that is why I don't really mind the weight. I am plesantly surprised last week when my bike can outclimbed much lighter hardtails and the downhills was a blast cause I can go much faster as compare with my hardtail. When I first bought this bike, it came with an rst 381 cl fork and some cheap rear shox but then I decide to upgrade the suspensions and made this bike perform much better. After that I made upgrades to the other parts of the bike.
I think this bike is a good value for your money and definitely upgradeble to make it perform better and much lighter. Anyone short of cash or doesn't want to spend so much on a full-sus should consider this bike.
Value 5 chilis because it is cheap and upgradeble.
Similar Products Used: cheap full-suspensions, specialize fsr enduro
Bike Setup: 2000 judy race shox, dnm rear shox, deore hollowtech cranks, bb, cassette & hubs, shifters, 2000 lx front & rear derailers, mavic x221 rims with black spokes, avid arch-rival brakes with dia-compe levers, titec hellbent riser bar, stem & berserker dh seat, vetta kaos theory tires, 31 lbs.
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Submitted by
Alex spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from ingland
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000
Strengths: cheap/effective good spec for the cash
Weaknesses: frame
Bottom Line:
good bike but weak frame (mine might be a defective one) it's snapped at the join between the top tube and the one that extends to the seat tube see my other reviews below for more info | \/ p.s. thats and arrow honest!
Similar Products Used: crap full sussers claud buttler hard tail cheap rigids
Bike Setup: stockish
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Submitted by
Thomas Tan
a Weekend Warrior
from Labuan, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000
Strengths: Value To Money. It is a good bike for beginner if you are not concern too much on the weight.
Weaknesses: Too Heavy.
Bottom Line:
This bike needed to be up-grade to reduce the weight and the better brake like XTR or XT and the Rock Shock rear suspension. just not happy with the bike set-up. TOO HEAVY!!!
Submitted by
John Herrman
a Weekend Warrior
from Cary, N.C., USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2000
Strengths: Nearly everything. Overall value.
Weaknesses: Maybe the front suspension. (If you try to downhill or race{too soft})
Bottom Line:
Even though I am just twelve, I can tell the difference between crap hardware and decent hardware. The DS-900 Qualifies as decent hardware. Good components, easy and smooth ride. There can be problems with the front derailer but that is easily fixed (Or upgraded). You might want to think about replacing the forks with something like a Rock-Shox Judy Racing or a Manitou Magnum, but for the beginner this is ideal. Very upgradable as you get to be a better and more avid biker. Five Flamin' Chilisfor value, four for Rating.
Favorite Trail: Back by my friend's house. (Helps alot, huh?)
Duration Product Used: Tested or demo'ed only
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR
Bike Setup: Stock. Beautiful.
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Submitted by
Ely
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga.TN,USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000
Strengths: Price Duarbility
Weaknesses: Firex crank
Bottom Line:
this bike is worth every cent it is great very durable the only problem i've experianced is the TruVativ Crank i've bent both the first and second gear chainrings but the factory replaced the second gear ring thev'e got very good customer service, Alll components on this bike work great i would definitly buy it again, It is also a good bike to upgrade easily
Submitted by
Steve Mullen
a Weekend Warrior
from Chatfield, Minnesota
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000
Strengths: Price Great starter bike frame seems well built
Weaknesses: Weight, components cant complain too much considering the price
Bottom Line:
Its heavy, but at $650 you should know what you are getting.The fork is almost too soft for me and im only 150. The rear end bobbed alot when I first rode it, but if you concentrate on a smooth pedal stroke this problem dissapears.Absolutely no bobbing when climbing out of the saddle. The first upgrades I will be making are a new fork and shock. This should give it a very good ride, and shave about 2-3 pounds off the bike to boot. The rear derailleur works farily well, the front could be better.The brakes arent top of the line, but they do stop very well. All in all, a very good bike for the money. Stops well rides nicely, and for only $650, should leave plenty of cash for upgrading as you see fit. First time full suspension buyers will love this bike, as will those on a budget.If you are a serious rider or racer, look elsewhere.
Submitted by
Jode Ashburn
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah, Texas
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000
Weaknesses: Pedal induced bob poor componentry heavy Ugly Rear suspension only good for downhill (if even for that) Travel too small for downhill riding This suspension will only slow you down
Bottom Line:
Read Mikes rating down below and listen to every word he has to say....not some stupid dealer who is trying to sell bikes. That is some lowdown *&^&#%. I also work at a bikeshop that stocks Univega, but I'm not going to say one nice word about their full-suspension models. I love Univega and rode one of their hardtails all last season. They are a great value for the money, but Univega needs to reconglomerate. The Full susp. frame design has has to go. All the other bike cos dropped this design years ago. These bikes have all the pedal induced bobbing of a Wal-Mart huffy. Do yourself a favor and buy one of Univegas hardtails or spend some more on another brands FS. Anyone who tells you that their Univega full suspension rides good or even OK must not have ever ridden a real full suspension bike.
Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Dare Jamis El Diablo Diamondback X-Link
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Submitted by
Cliff Eaves
a Cross Country Rider
from White Salmon WA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2000
Strengths: All Frames in the 2000 Series are the same with color being the only differance
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
As a Shop Owner I Ride Every Day and Reluctant to try a full supension bike after the Cannondale Super V Faze and all the fuss about pogoing and such. As a person who likes to climb as well as desend it just seemed like I'd wait a few more years. aAs you see the bike I've Described is well equiped, but this bike as well as others are available to rent, so you can see where you are going if you plan to up grade. The DS700 thru the DS950 Have the same Frames with only the components being different. Our best suggestion is to start where you are If you own a bike with good components and want to get into Full Supension Bikes tranfer your components to the new frame, If entry level start with the DS700 ($429) This bike is the best bike I have ever ridden, climbs like a hard tell and desends like a pillow. Steep drops, technical sections no problem, Read mountian bikeing reviews Jan 98, June 98 and Nov 99 and then come ride one of ours
duel suspension for $600 pretty good front and rear shocks dont do to much unless your coming off a 2 or 3 foot drop ,front deraileur sucks,before you buy this bike check out the Royce Union 2000 sold at sports athority,save $200 and get better susp.
