Submitted by
Tom
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santa Clara Date Reviewed: November 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Wilder Ranch
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Fast, plush, quick
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Marble Peak Pro Flex Trek Y Fisher Y Other single suspensions
Bike Setup:
White Bros front Cane Creek rear Mostly xtr, Race Face, Chris King
Bottom Line:
Traded in my Marble Peak at the factory on a whim. Wasn't sure it was a good idea as I liked my MP and wasn't all that interested in a new frame. Little did I know how different the El Fuego would be from my MP (which had been my favorite bike prior to this). Am not sure what makes the difference (lighter weight, longer relative top-tube, lower BB height, different shock configuration) but the El Fuego felt like a rocket compared to the MP. Much quicker handling, clearly lighter, and way faster. Think, sports car vs. muscle car. The shock set up makes this bike much more plush than the MP, and I haven't even noticed the fact that there is less travel (2.8 inches vs. 3.4 inches). Might have something to do with the fact that the El Fuego requires less air pressure than the MP in the rear shock. All I know is this thing is plush. And, as I mentioned, quick. Other bikes I have ridden felt plodding compared to the El Fuego. Have yet to notice any significant degree of pedal induced bobbing, although it is so plush it is sometimes hard to tell if it is bobbing or soaking up the bumps. Have noticed no bobbing while climbing out of the saddle or climbing steep inclines. May bob some if I get lazy and spin too much. But then, I am bouncing around on the seat, so who knows. Will need more time on the bike to evaluate this completely.Overall, I am shocked at the degree I like this bike. It is clearly an improvement over the old MP and I would recommend it highly. To my way of thinking, this might be the perfect cross country bike (just the right combination of suspension and quick handling). I will write another review in a few months.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Knute Aberhanson
a Racer
from Folsom, CA Date Reviewed: November 11, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Extremely plush ride (the 2.8 of travel feels more like 3.5!) Great quality, light weight (4.95 lb on my 17) minimal peddal induced pogo. Tracks like a hard tail.
Weaknesses:
Price... $1850 retail??? Yeiks!
Similar Products Used:
Ventana Marble Peak Rocky Mt team element Older Cannondale (Clankondale) Super Vee
Awesome XC race... or even recreational bike... expensive, but if you can afford it what the hey??!!! This bike plain works! It tracks like a hard tail, but soaks up the bumps... VERY cushy, but doesn't pogo much at all. I run the rear shock as soft as possible without bottoming out, it tracks better in the corners!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a racer
from Podunk Ohio Date Reviewed: February 7, 1999
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike i and i have to talk for more than 30 words for it to get posted. Its home is on the Slopes of MT tam In marin county
Overall Rating:
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