Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002
Strengths: Easton Elite taper wall tubing at a great value, quality where it counts, sweet cnc'd dropouts (some of the nicest I've seen) built-in disc tubing mounts, light weight, fit, handling.
Weaknesses: Paint chips easily, as with most bikes, and graphics are stickers rather than decals, but that's probably where the value come in. Recently shortening warranty period due to extreme abuse of their DH bikes as Freeriders gives you a 3 year warranty peroid.
Bottom Line:
No other bike has fit me so well. It feels like a natural extension of myself and redefines "natural feel". It performs and handles so well that you don't even think about it. My wife won't touch her similarly equipped Cannondale CAAD4 w/ Fatty Headshok after riding this bike out last trip to Moab.
I am 5'10.5" w/ a 31" inseem. I chose the 15" (16.2" seat tube) after test riding both the 15" & 17". Yes, by standard fitting this bike is small, but it fits me perfectly. Maybe I'm used to freeriding, maybe I'm ahead of my time (I think the latter is true). People too often do not properly fit the complete ergonomic package. I prefer wide XC (not DH) risers and a short wheel base. With the right stem and steer spacers the next size down can fit anyone perfectly.
This bike handles like a light weight cross between a freeride and a BMX. The short wheel base tends to under steer at high speeds, so you can be really agressive with rear oversteer in fast turns. The 100mm fork allows you to weight the front end as much as you need to lighten the rear end for such maneuvers, unexpected jitters and hard stops.
Good for the price. Good idea to upgrade the fork. Brakes are awesome for this price. Spent $405 on upgrades but it was worth it. The stock bike is wicked light and upgraded can be even lighter. Best for cross country or you can upgrade like me and change easily into dual slalom/urban assult/free ride bike.
Weaknesses: very narrow tires (1.85"). Supergo claimed the z4 was 100mm travel, but it is only 80mm. Leaky brake master cylinders.
Bottom Line:
The WTB tires that come on the bike make the bike look like it is for riding on the roads. Nashbar.com has tires on sale that will work better in muddy conditions.
I have noticed small air bubbles coming out from under the lids of the brake's master cyclinders. I just put a little gasket grease on the seals to stop the leaking, but I haven't tested them again in the wet weather. I am very happy with the performace and feel of the brakes. They are not effected in snow and wet conditions like "V" brakes.
Supergo.com advertises the bike in its fall catolog as coming with a long travel 100mm z4, but it is a 80mm travel z4. Supergo is sending me the bumpers to change the travel to 100mm.
Best deal in the $700 price range I was able to find.
