Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Culver City, Ca
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2001
Strengths: Beautiful craftsmanship, strong, light and a little bit esoteric.
Weaknesses: A little bit pricey??? But again, if you’re looking for something from a great little company that’s making good stuff…
Bottom Line:
UPDATE
Well I’ve been riding this frame for a year now and upgraded the frame suspension from the FOX Vanilla Coil R to a Float RC. The adjustment that the air spring allows is fantastic. And I really like the lockout feature. Great on the climbs. No complaints, after a year I’m just as jazzed as when it was new!
Here is the build: 19" frame, White Bros. AT-3, XTR drive train and braking system, Answer Hyperlight bar, Raceface stem, King headset, avid flack jacket cables, Thompson seatpost, Flight Ti saddle and Mavic X-MAX wheel set.
I understand that Ventana is coming out with some new stuff, check them out on the web.
This past spring I’ve built another YETI ARC (see my first post), so I’ve got a hardtail in my stable again too.
Submitted by
Raymond G
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbell, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000
Strengths: great downhill bike great climbing bike beautiful bike well made bike strong as hell bike
Weaknesses: some coin
Bottom Line:
what can i say. i expected nothing less from ventana after riding the marble peak fs, i knew what i was in for. an awesome riding experience. on the downhill, the el salt is like a cradle. hugging turns, bombing singletrack, rocky drop offs, and fast on rolling slopes. solid construction and design really makes this bike the best out there. the el salt is also an awesome climber. it performs on hard-pedalling rolling slopes, and even the steep terrains. as a cross country bike, i couldn't be happier. well done ventana!
btw, the electric super dust color is breathtaking. it's a looker especially when equipped with the raceface system (submarine yellow) i feel proud when driving with my bike up on the racks.
Similar Products Used: mcmahon moonshot, santa cruz heckler/superlight, specialized stumpjumper, ventana marble peak fs
Bike Setup: raceface next lp cranks/stem/headset, marzocchi z1 cr, xtr front and rear derailleurs, xt disc brakes, easton monkey lite handlebars, fox float air shock on the rear, xt hubs, mavicx317 rims, richey zed tire on the rear, and wtb enduroraptor in the front
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Culver City, CA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000
Strengths: Full on sweet!
Weaknesses: A bit $$$, BUT worth it if you like quality!
Bottom Line:
Electric blue Salt! I've had my eye on the great stuff coming out of Ventana for years now and finally saved enough to build what I wanted. I have been riding a Yeti ARC / XTR / etc. for a few years now (great bike!) but finally put a crack in the head tube! This helped me expedite my move to the Ventana!
Well lets see... I've been riding light weight hardtails for nearly 14 years now so a full suspension rig is a change to say the least! As I said, I've been keeping my eye on the great stuff from Ventana for some time now, this isn't an easy thing to do, the hardest part about getting into one of their frames is the fact that I couldn't find anyone (no more St. Henri's) down here in S. Cal / Los Angeles that even has one to look at let alone test ride. A great name to remember is Charley, he's the guy at Ventana I had been talking too, he invited me up (Ventana is located near Sacramento, CA) to the shop for a test ride, a ride out on the local trails! Well unfortunately (I will take him up on his offer to see the shop next time in in N. Cal) I couldn't get away and couldn't make the 6 hour drive. But I did do my research and was able to at least see a El Salt. Anyway long story short, I'm now the proud owner of an Electric Blue Ventana El Saltmontes. I had to order the frame and fork from a shop in N. Cal, this is a story, not a great one, in its self. Here is the build: 19" frame, White Bros. AT-3, XTR drive train and braking system, Answer Hyperlight bar, Raceface stem, King headset, avid flack jacket cables, Thompson seatpost, Flight Ti saddle and Mavic X-MAX wheel set.
I got the frame and built / tested it a week and a half before a week long trip to Utah, needless to say I brought an full shop tool kit just incase. I was able to get in a few short test rides before the trip too… Well everything went great on the trip and the bike was GREAT.
If your looking for quality hand made, small company, not something everyone else has, full suspension x-country bike then do yourself a favor and check out the stuff at Ventana!
Favorite Trail: Anything your have to ride UP as well as down!
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Similar Products Used: S-Works FSR, etc.
Bike Setup: See below
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000
Strengths: finish, suspension design, strength
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
This review is premature since I haven't built the bike yet. The finish (electric super dust) is the coolest bike I have seen. The welds and metal-work are a work of art. It is sitting in my living room driving me crazy as I wait for the parts. The frame weighs 5 3/4 pounds (postal scale). I will report back later on how it rides.
