Ventana 1999 El Fuego Full Suspension Bike

5/5 (3 Reviews)


Product Description

1999 Ventana El Fuego, mountain bike, front & rear suspension, Buyer's choice components, Buyer's choice fork


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Reviews 1 - 3 (3 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Submitted by Tom a Cross-Country Rider from Santa Clara

Date Reviewed: November 14, 1999

Strengths:    
Fast, plush, quick


Weaknesses:    
None yet


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.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Trail:   
Wilder Ranch

Duration Product Used:   
less than 1 month

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

Overall Rating:5
Submitted by Knute Aberhanson a Racer from Folsom, CA

Date Reviewed: November 11, 1999

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!


Bottom Line:   
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!

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   
3 months

Similar Products Used:   
Ventana Marble Peak
Rocky Mt team element
Older Cannondale (Clankondale) Super Vee


Bike Setup:   
Fuego w/ full XTR, 80mm SID, X-MAX's 23.5 lb cool man!

Overall Rating:5
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

Reviews 1 - 3 (3 Reviews Total)

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