Submitted by
JEM
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2009
Strengths: I have been riding this bike over 10 years now and the durability has been amazing. I am just now having to buy new wheels, having cracked the rear rim. The componets(lx, xt, mavic, avid) for the price.
Weaknesses: The seat was bad(but I used it for 7 years before replacing it). Other than tires, chains, and brake pads I have not had to put anything major into it.
Bottom Line:
This bike owes me nothing. I still plan to use it as a winter commuter.
Bike Setup: upgraded to cartridge style brake pads
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
MARLIN MAN
a Weekend Warrior
from MTHome ID USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2008
Strengths: the shox are great and the frame is strong and it performs great at hi speeds off and on road
Weaknesses: im not sher if its stock but the crank(shimano STX)it is imposible to get off and breaks very easily.but that is the only suspected stock part(besides the fork whitch has an air ride system instaled)
Bottom Line:
the bike is an older bike and performs like it is brand new its a great bike. i will tell you when we got it in germany it was my step dads and when we moved we shiped it in a crate and it was mostly stock and it took forever to get here by that time i had gotten my own gary fisher marlin whitch i love and adore so i wasnt exsactly comfortable working on it i used to only take it to the local bike shop to get worked on so my step dad gave the ztec to work on and when it arrived i road it a total of 3 times noticer just minor damage and i rebuilt it for the next 4 months.BUT I RECOMEND THIS BIKE TO ANYBODY BEGINNER TO PRO ITS AN AWSOME ALL AROUND TRAIL BIKE I LOVE IT.
Bike Setup: when i got this bike we had moved from germany and it came with a box full of affter market componenents.as i looked through the box i relized it was all shimano stuff so i preatty utch rebuilt the bike from ground up i have a shimano rear derailer shimano brake and gear system.i also put a air ride system in the shox witch is absolutaly an awsome thing to have. i just got maxxis climbing tread tires whitch are just good all around tires for rock,mudd and dirt terrain.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2006
Strengths: Very ridged frame and solid during down hill events.
Weaknesses: The stock seat needs replacement if your going for long rides. NO padding!!!
Bottom Line:
Good bike over-all...just dont forget to lock it up real tight (goes for all bikes) or Mr. Pete$ells will take it and put it up for sale on eBay, like he did to my bike! DO NOT BUY FROM Pete$ells because it is probably stolen property...
Submitted by
Greg Guensch
a Cross Country Rider
from Richland, WA USA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001
Strengths: strong, stiff, good frame geometry (quick, light front end), light enough to race, high quality frame (design, machining and welds), very cheap
Weaknesses: trashed one rim, but a stick was involved so can't really blame the wheel. titec stem looked weak. suspension seatpost eventually broke.
Bottom Line:
this bike rocks, especially for the money. it is a good all around bike that i've done everything with including: expert class xc races, 6+ hour tours in mountains, stickin (and sometimes casing) doubles and triples at bmx races, and bombing down singletrack with dropoffs and rocks. the judy shock is starting to get loose, but it's held up well so far. this bike is very light and race worthy compared to other bikes this price. for 3 times the price you would get a bike 3 lbs lighter and 5 times more likely to break. ps. i like the handlebar width. with bar ends it's perfect.
I love this frame, particularly for the fit. The 20 inch frame fits my tall body perfectly. The bike climbs well and feels solid on fast descents. I love the handling at high speeds. I have upgraded significantly and, unfortunately, this is a must. With the upgrades, the bike weighs just under 24 pounds--decent for a 20 inch frame. I feel confident at the starting line and am impressed with the frame's durability. I would give the frame five stars but must give the overall package only four. The 1999 is twice the bike the 2000 model is--the result of big-business buyout. Stay away from the 2000 model.
Strengths: great frame, shock post saves my back, wide range 9spd,super smooth fork, avid brakes
Weaknesses: a bit heavy for racing, especially the fork.wheels are bad.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike on a semi-sponsorship deal, including uniform. If you don't like riser bars, put a flat one on. this makes it a very racy position. even with my handlebar position, this bike is a downhill machine, it climbs great too, once you learn how to ride the fork properly. theo suspension is great, but comes at the price of weight. I am considering upgrading to manitou. the wheels are the worst part. they kept coming loose until I rebuilt the whole thing with DT parts and locktited everything together. overall a great bike, raced to 2nd place in provence.
Strengths: Except for the wheels this thing is Bombproof. I've crashed and had to scrap tree bark off of it and the frame is still straight.
Weaknesses: The only thing I didn't like was the tioga tires, and the fact that my wheels are bent to hell. I blame my riding style for both of these.
Bottom Line:
This is an update of my previous review. I love this bike even more. I used the extra legnth on the handlebars to add bar ends and still have plenty of room. I now have green Michelin Lite S tires front and rear, and I should get my Spin Wheels soon. all I can say is that after beating the living shit out of this bike it still performes great.
P.S. for those of you who complain about the bars being too wide, You should try a hacksaw. It works wonders.
Bike Setup: I added bar ends, a Flite Gel Saddle, and new tires. I also have Spins on the way.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Downhiller
from Woodstock, GA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1999
Strengths: everything, especially when you add what i added
Weaknesses: flexy bottom braket area, very easily chipped/scratched paint
Bottom Line:
to: JASON a Cross-Country Rider from MINESOTA The Marzocchi Drop-Off has 130mm of travel, not sure if you want to throw off your geometry by a good 2-3 inches higher crown, try a Z1 Alloy instead, IT has 100mm of travel, and for all you who are wondering, i have the Zetec Comp, and it is being used for downhill use at tha moment (chain guides, 2.30 Nokians, Marzocchi Z1 Alloy, Intense DH risers and stem, hayes hydraulic disks with brake Therapy adapter, Sun Mammoth rims, King hubs, Tioga DH seat, and thats about it...)
Similar Products Used: over priced pretty companies that begin with a Gary and end with a Fisher, guess...
Bike Setup: MRP chain guide, 2.30 Nokian Gazzaloddis, Marzocchi Z1 Alloy 100m, Intense DH risers and stem, hayes hydraulic disks with brake Therapy adapter, Sun Mammoth rims, King hubs, Tioga DH seat, USE suspension post
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
spider
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond Va
Date Reviewed: November 29, 1999
Strengths: Big Strong Frame Components Shimano wide bars not ment for midgets
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Fast bike for a bigger guy it'll rip when you stand on it and suck up some of the edge out of the roots and rocks. I like the frame geometry alot and how well it responds to rider input, for the money a great rig plus I traded it in on the Mongoose and ripped them on the deal it was trashed so well worth the trade.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose Iboc Comp s/x Shwinn Homegrown Cannondale Hunk of junk
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
javier
a Weekend Warrior
from cincinnati
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999
Strengths: everybody saiys is a great bike for the price, and i'm agree, specially becauise i got it for 599 9 speed, pedals, stem and suspension
Weaknesses: i weight 120 pounds, so the shock post is a piece of shit for me.
Bottom Line:
I like the bike, i've been riding it for 3 months, with out any upgrade, i want to change some components, but is a great value. If you have the money go for it.
To further review my first impression 6 months ago, I've done a lot to this bike (upgrading). The weight is down around 24 pounds now, and it's awesome, and that's with the U.S.E. seatpost. Still working on different brakes, stem, and cranks to drop weight more. It rides awesomely. Took to Sugar Mountain and did cross-country course and downhill course in the same day. Handled everything well. Then can also be used for flat trails and long rides. I still love this bike!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: I work at a shop, so just about everything
Bike Setup: Manitou SX-ti fork XTR f/r derailleurs Race Face bottom bracket Easton EA70 handlebar Mavic Crossmax Wheelset
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Binky Boy
a Weekend Warrior
from Arkansas
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1999
Strengths: HUGE VALUE, I have seen these components on bikes costing upwards of $3000. I love every piece of this bike. And it doesnt break your ass.
Weaknesses: at 26.5 pounds one might say that is heavy, I disagree, one needs the stability from such weight. Very little weakness to an incredible bike.
Bottom Line:
If you want a great bike at the $900 price market you have to buy this one. I shopped around all state wide shops for months and concluded that the DBR Vetec Comp was the absolute best bike I could possibly get for less than $2000
Weaknesses: skinny little seat shock post has some major stiction
Bottom Line:
this is a great bike for a beginner to sport class racer. this is also one bike that you don't have to baby. it can be crashed horribly and still come out with just a few scratches. i don't know what else to say except this is a great bike and I look forward to riding it a lot.
