Submitted by
Darren Pickering
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange, CA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2008
Strengths: Razor sharp handling,comfort,descends like a mother
Weaknesses: Small amount of flex means that it does'nt climb quite as well as an aluminum HT.
Bottom Line:
This bike originally was a '94 Procaliber, by '97 I had burned through 3 OCLV frames (all covered under warranty),and not one original component was left on the bike except the seatpost.
When the 4th frame arrived already cracked I traded it out
for a closeout deal on the Dean Scout HT frame.I have ridden this bike ever since and although I also own 2 Ventana FS bikes that have very high end componentry on them, this Dean bike is by far my favourite.It is simple,comfortable,reliable and very fast.My friends all try to convince me that I should buy a new, up-to-date bike but I have been riding this bike in one form or another for nearly 15 years and I LOVE IT!!!
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher OCLV ProCaliber
Bike Setup: Grip-Shift,Magura rim brakes,RaceFace cranks,stem,seatpost,& a Mavic/Hugi/DT/Chris King wheelset I built myself.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2000
Strengths: Light, nice feel(first Ti bike), responsive.
Weaknesses: not made any more
Bottom Line:
This as close to my Ventanna FS as I can get in a HT. Added the Dean Ti handle bar and seat post after a few months-made a world of difference. Light, 25 lbs., considering XL frame and slimed tubes. The ride is awesome, very flickable in corners and tight maneuvers. No fatigue like an Aluminum HT. Soaks up allot for a HT. Buy this one, if you can find the frame or the DEAN Colonel. Best Price and value for a Ti HT frame compared to other brands. A no-lose buy.
Bike Setup: Full XT, Race Face cranks/rings, King HS, Dean Ti handle bar & seat post, XT/517 wheels, 535 pedals, Z-2 fork,Gore cables, Avid Roll-A-Majig,Bontrager saddle and bar ends, Mythos Kevlar tires, Slimed tubes.
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Submitted by
parker
a Cross Country Rider
from overland park ks usa
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000
Strengths: its pretty, fairly light )a 20.75 in frame from center of cranks to top of collar is 3.7lbs) doesnt shift under power, really quick, good handling under high speed
Weaknesses: none, maby price
Bottom Line:
The geometry is awsome. The bike is quick. it handles excellent in every situation. The welds are perfect. I dont understand why ti bikes dont have a removeable dropout(i bought a breakaway post for the derailer). Total bike weight is 22lbs.
Similar Products Used: raleigh m60 mongoose iboc comp
Bike Setup: manitou sx ti 80mm, short stem 45degrees, dean thermoplast bar, dean ti post, xt cranks/cassette, xtr shifters/derailer, avid brakes, spox wheels, irc x country tires(changing soon), filte ti gel seat, bebops
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Submitted by
Craig Rydingsward
a Cross Country Rider
from Canton, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000
Strengths: awesome welds, lightness makes it the king of climbs, great handling
Weaknesses: bottom bracket is awkward for certain crank setups. easy to fix.
Bottom Line:
Switched back to a hardtail from my old Cannondale Superv 2000, for racing, and not regretting it one bit. The bike is climbing machine and handles well on the downhills. Races are won in the climbs. Dean Ti seatpost allows enough flex accompanied with the frame for good downhilling. Don't even need the suspension post yet. Can't have that extra weight. For those looking for a good climbing, maneuvering, and hot looking bike invest in the Dean Scout. Ridden the Litespeed and prefer the Dean over it. No problems yet, gonna have to give the Scout the five thumbs up...
Bike Setup: xt/xtr component groupo; kooka crank, brake levers, stem; cross link wheels w/ salsa skewers; Marzochi Z2 atom 80; hot bike that weighs in around 21lbs
Strengths: Way light, handles great, climbs like a rocket. Bombproof Ti construction, awsome welds, good ride for a hardtail. Very pretty bike, rare to see another on at the races. Impressive customer service. I got to talk to the guy who tacked my frame.
Weaknesses: Umm... costs money, and stickers are not indestructable.
Bottom Line:
It was a toss up between the Kestral CSX (actually a better ride, but cost more and was not bombproof). I went with the Dean and I'm real happy. Ready to race (inc. toolbag with 2 CO2, tube and Richie tool, 2 dry waterbottles)= 22.4 lbs. Dump the toolbag and bottles and it's an honest 21.3 lbs. The brushed finish and great welds look much nicer than my Lightspeed. The guys at Dean were very helpful and were one of the reasons I bought the bike. I knocked 4 minutes off my time at a race. The bike gets better the harder I push it. Frame is just complient enough that I can race it without a suspension seatpost. But I'm gonna add a USE post since the the weight won't matter and the comfort will be nice. Bombproof Ti, great looks, great handling and a rocket up the hills, doesn't beat you up and still goes fast even when you're tired... I'll be racing this for the next few years at least. Go buy one. You'll really enjoy it plus get great pleasure from owning the product of a ture craftman. It really shows...
Similar Products Used: Lightspeed, Kestral, GT, Specialized, Trek
Bike Setup: Sid, SRAM, Cook Bros. cranks, a little XTR, Avid brakes w/ Altek levers, ti seatpost, BB and handlebars.
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Submitted by
Natureboy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999
Strengths: This bike handels like a dream through the tight stuff and over the hills. I can pick the front end and move it 90 degrees on a dime. Currently I have it weighing in at about 21lbs. The response of the Ti frame and seatpost to my 210lbs' is awesome. Great response time from Dean Customer Service.
Weaknesses: The one and only downfall that I run into is Bottom Bracket height. Occasionally I will catch a pedal in the oddest places because of height and crank arm length.
Bottom Line:
This is my baby and I plan on having her for awhile. She handles great and I think for what I was able to put her together for, you couldn't beat it.
Submitted by
Stu Aikawa
a Cross-Country Rider
from 7 Buckley Court
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1999
Strengths: Light, good welds, trick set-up
Weaknesses: Not riden very much. Looks very new
Bottom Line:
My bro's Dean is simply a work of art. My Nuke handles just as good, but my welds look a bit more rough. Both bikes dispell the flex myth. Race Face cranks are tough, but blue will scratch. Perhaps Taylor technology can be used to sandblast them down the line. The parking lot bunny hop test proves the Judy SL to be a bit undersprung and this causes the bike to veer left under heavy hopping. This bike will be ideal once the dirt breakin period is over (ie. 500 miles). Strongly suggest a light, say Night rider head trip.... Despite being overly clean, this bike get's five stars from the Bay Ridge Rider.
Bike Setup: My bike is littered with Synchros, Cooks, Nuke Hubs and XTR gear. Ops and a Salsa Stem for good karma.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cha aikawa
a Weekend Warrior
from santa rosa,ca
Date Reviewed: March 25, 1999
Strengths: cool welds, light frame,great customer service
Weaknesses: decals are weak
Bottom Line:
very cool looking bike. attention is paid to great welds. very light and responsive.quick climber.customer service is a plus @ dean. they sent me decals at n/c cuz mine were scratching off. so far i'm very pleased with my decision to go ti.
Submitted by
Darylk
a cross-country rider
from Huntington Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1999
Bottom Line:
Actually, this is my second review. This is actually a 98 Scout frame, built up with 99 XTR and 98 Crosslands and Judy SL.The bike is sweet. Climbs amazingly, descends controllably, is flickable, and oh so light. The bike cost less than the Lightspeed. Both the Dean and the Lightspeed appear built with high quality, and the welds on my Dean are symmetric and beautiful.If you want a good, durable hardtail you can enjoy on long cross country rides and also race-this is a good deal.Also, got this bike from Bike Source in Irvine, Ca. I've heard they had some bad rep-but they gave me top service and an excellent deal. They have a lot of technical knowledge and our enthusiastic riders as well. (no, I don't work there).Also, had a couple emails and phone calls to Dean. Will and there is another customer service person (forgive me, forgot his name) gave me outstanding service. They are really responsive and did everything to answer all my questions. You couldn't ask for better service from a frame design company.Get this bike!!! Five bright Stars!!!
