Weaknesses: fork, and contact points are a little weak
Bottom Line:
this is a great bike for racing, its light nimble and fast. this is all a hardtail needs to be. i baught the bike used, and it came with a k2 smart shock, pos, the "brain" did not work and the fork was overall a piece. my new fork, a zoke z1, with130 mm of travle is a little tall, but i perfer a lazer handleing, its more stable at speed. also the 8 speed shifting is industructable, i have yet to snap the chain, while i did have some problems with the xtr rear shifter pod, it was easy to fix. the xtr crank is so stiff that the bike just leaps forward. the only problems i found with the frame is that it is almost a little too snappy for me. the bike requires lazer like concentration to ride smooth and fast, and with my adhd, i just cant focus like that, hence the addition of a taller fork. this frame is a beast, it can take any and all abuse, and still keep ticken. i baught the bike used and there are only a few chips in the paint, and i got the bike last summer. this is a steller performer, and i suggest it to ane racer/trail rider who wants a fast, nimble hardtail. try and find one used, its worth it. value rating is down because k2 put a bunk fork on the bike, other then that, its great
Similar Products Used: giant xtc se 2 crack n' fail f700
Bike Setup: 2004 marzocchi z1 fr sl ecc, full 8 speed xtr, soon to be disc wheels with avid mech discs, panaracer fire xc pro tires. stock contact points.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002
Strengths: I weigh in at 245 lbs and at 6' tall the 18" frame I purchased seems to hold up well to the flex issues. Not quite as stiff as the GT Zaskar I used to ride. Geometry is good for the to/from work rides and short trips with the kids. Frame paintjob is nice, it's the white/red/white fade job. Have noticed some chipping due to too thick a layer in some areas but overall a good quality frame. The newer frames at ediscountbike are now $199. Better deal for the money but am still happy with the purchase.
Weaknesses: No real problems with the frame other than some chipping in the paint.
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this frame to anyone who is looking for a decent, strong frame w/minimal flex. It handles my clydesdale weight well with no signs of stress cracks. I wish the price was 100 less than I paid at the time but I am very happy with the bike. It handles the 25 mile work ride and the lesser off road jaunts with my kids without a squeak. The Chuck CR-FS frame I got on a hand-me down from my brother was just built up with a JR T and Hayes discs and will handle the fun stuff. Hopefully my kids will work up to a Moab trip soon.
Similar Products Used: Diamondback Topanga (first bike in '89), Trek 8000, GT Zaskar, GT RTS-1, GT LTS-1, Mantis Pro-Floater, Chuck CR-FS.
Bike Setup: Azonic Butcher rims, Chris King rear hub, QR20 front hub, Marzocchi Z3 QR20, Sram 9.0 8spd, Raceface Turbine LP's w/Raceface Rings and BB, Thompson seatpost and stem, Raceface AirAlloy Riser, ODI grips, Sram 9.0 brakes and levers, Nightsun Team lights.
After having tried most major name $1000 hardtails, I thought I could build a better bike. Got a small frame from ediscount after measuring geometries from a bunch of different makes. Build it up with mostly LX parts without putting lower end parts where most major brands do (ie. BB, headset,etc.) and could'nt be happier with how it turned out. Though really still a newbie, the ride quality is leaps and bounds better than my old Marlin. Handling is excellent, perfect for tight twisty singletrack. If you're considering building up one of these frames and are reasonbly mechanically inclined I say go for it...
Strengths: tHE FRAME IS SOOO LIGHT AND IT HANDLES GREAT AROUND CORNERS, I HAD MY OLD BIKE FOR SO LONG I FORGOT WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO HAVE NEW TIRES AND REAL TREAD.
Weaknesses: i DONT KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHEN THEY SAY THE FRONT SHOCK SUCKS. sO FAR I DONT SEE ANY THING THAT NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED
Bottom Line:
A GREAT BIKE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO RACE BUT AREN'T PROS OR WHO DONT WANT TO TAKE OUT A LOAN TO GET A GOOD BIKE.
Weaknesses: -Noleen Fork. it is the worst suspention for i have ever used in my life, the entire cross linkage setup on a fork is a joke. I would rather ride a rigid fork, which i do anyway, as i have set up an extra-small version of this bike for trials. -Grips. They are foam and feel crappy in the first place, plus when you apply any torque to the handlebar they freaking spin around the handle bar! what pieces of trash...
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike, although i have mine specifically set up for trials, i could see this being an awesome XC bike as well. It has incredible handing, and comes with a great parts spec- full XT for just over a grand. The only problem of course is that the fork is the worst piece of junk i have ever experienced in my life. If you wouldn't mind upgrading the fork, or have something else to put on, then this bike is worth every penny- at a very good price not to mention. I would not however recomend leaving the fork on this bike, for it will completely ruin your ride. I take off only 1 flaming chili in each catagory, of course for the fork on this bike, aside from that, this bike rules!
Similar Products Used: GT zaskar, other XC frames etc..
Bike Setup: xtra-long kore stem, club roost riser bar, velocity deep-v wheelset, bashring, platform pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2000
Strengths: I love everything about this bike so far.
Weaknesses: Everyone I've heard from complains about the saddle and I feel their pain but tough it out.
Bottom Line:
its got precise handling in the corners and feels like it wants to jump away it takes of so fast coming out of them. I love the fork and everything else about it but wish i could get my rims to stop squeaking. thats a problem ive heard is common with sun rims. If youre looking in the price range of 900 bucks or so where theres so many mediocre choices i suggest you jump up a little (or a lot) because this bike will make you want to get out on the trail twice as much.
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from Madison
Date Reviewed: September 11, 1999
Strengths: Climbs like a mountain goat. Very stable at speed. Handles singletrack like a champ. Lightweight, smooth ride.
Weaknesses: None so far...
Bottom Line:
Probably the nicest bike i've ever owned. This thing handles superbly in all conditions. Very light, very fast, very fun. My Klein is currently gathering dust since i got this bike together and started riding it almost exclusively. For the money this is an incredible bike.
the bike handles great, saddle and pedals are cheesy for this caliber of bike,seatpost clamp needs more refining, and fork*** although works great is too heavy for racing and after only 630 miles has developed a substantial amount of slop
Bike Setup: stock bike except saddle (wtb),seatpost (thomson),fork (rst xmo),pedals (speedplay)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vince
a Weekend Warrior
from Troy, Michigan
Date Reviewed: August 13, 1999
Strengths: Bump Absorption Climbing Front Fork
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I have ever ridden, I love the handling and I would recommend this bike to anyone who is looking for something in the $1400 Price range.Still Looking for some good trails in MI
Submitted by
msedlowsky
a Cross-Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999
Strengths: The fork, handling, and climbing.
Weaknesses: Only comes in four sizes, the saddle.
Bottom Line:
I'm in love with this bike! The Noleen Cross-Link Elite fork is amazing the way it absorbs bumps and ruts. The bike feels like it floats down steep bumpy single track. It's very responsive, and handles quit nice (especially in windy twisty single track).I had to upgrade the saddle; I found the one that came with the bike to hard and uncomfortable for long rides.
Submitted by
Clemente
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1999
Strengths: Ride, handling
Weaknesses: Seat, pedals
Bottom Line:
I didn't really expect this bike to be comfortable or plush - it's both. Handling is precise. Don't buy a bike in this price range ($1300 street) without trying this bike! I swapped the seat out for a Specialized Dr. Minsky (whoever) and the pedals (it came with Wellgo) will be swapped out soon.
I have heard many great things about this bike. It sounds like a dream come true for those of us who are not super rich. I am going to get this bike as soon as the RSL's are sent out(the whole fork thing!). CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!
THIS BIKE RULES!!!! For $1500 it's 24lbs, all XT 9spd & has my favorite fork; Noleen Cross Link, plus Easton double butted frame. I've raced an Ibis xtra Mojo with basically the same setup only with the Vector 2 fork & I totally love that bike. It was just that the parts are totally worn & I decided to just buy this bike. I hate to say it but it rides alot better than my Ibis. Probally due to the new fork & better parts. For $1500 this bike will last me a good season, probally two. The best part is that since it runs 42/32/22t x 11/32 this means that I can run the middle ring with the 32t cog as a bail out. My Ibis is using 36t x 32t & it's a bit steep but do-able for the most part. The NR2 shock is great. It's so nice to be able to adjust the rebound dampening easily. This bike is fast & it feels like it just floats. Awsome out of the box $1500 XC race bike. I can hardly believe it. I can only imagine what the Razor Back RS is like.
