Submitted by
Eric B.
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001
Strengths: nice weight, cool paint, good component selection
Weaknesses: none that I've come across yet
Bottom Line:
This is a killer bike for the money (although I got it for $600 new) but I would still think that it's be hard to find a comparable ride for the retail price of $1100 that had as good of a frame and componetry. It rides lighter than it actually is, which is pretty light. Mine weighed 24.6 lbs at the shop when I bought it and I've cut that down to 23.5 already. The frame's ride is excellent. Red Panaracer XC's look killer with the red fork and my red Kore stem (but the stock stem is red too if you don't want to upgrade). If you can find a shop that still has one or a used one in good shape, I recommend it!
Bike Setup: Full XT and Selle Italia Trans Am. Conti tires and Easton carbon components ahh and CrossMax wheelset.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Henniker, NH.USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000
Strengths: I like the way it always works. Never given me problems like my Haro EX2. The brakes are exseptional the handling is great on the down hills. I also like the way the bike has confortable seats and grips.
Weaknesses: Well My Paint job is Cracking all over the place. Not the frame the the clear coat.
Bottom Line:
I think that the money I spent I got a great performing bike. That I recomend to other people to buy.
Similar Products Used: Haro EX2, Marin Quake, Voodoo Bantu.
Bike Setup: XT shifters and brake levers. And the rest is stock. My paint job is a Polished aluminuim they sent a bike in the wrong color.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alan Bryson
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2000
Strengths: Excellent overall value. Just like the double butted frame has more material where it counts, the designers placed the better components in the more critical spots. For example, XT is used on the crucial rear der' while the more affordable LX is placed at the more forgiving front end; both parts, however, are excellent IMO. At first glance I was not impressed with the cosmetics and red/white color scheme, but after removing the stock reflector's, installing the bar ends, and getting a little dust on it, the bike looks really sharp. I am an experienced, but nowadays casual/occasional rider, and this bike exceeds my needs- it has the ability to be a competitive racer, but the absence of the latest/greatest disc-brake, carbon-fork, etc. keeps the price competitive as well. This is my 1st day of testing, so a more detailed review is in order for the future. With the help of a trade-in and the fact that this is a '99, I was able to get a price of about $700. You may do better, but I definitely feel like I got more than my money's worth.
Weaknesses: I took a long look at the bike to try and find some weaknesses to list. I cannot find any, especially for the money. If you are used to disc brakes and other fancy stuff found on $2000 bikes, then you might consider the V-brakes a weakness I suppose. But I don't understand why anyone needs more stopping power than V-brakes....
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher SuperCaliber, 1992 model, built from the ground-up with custom components and a fair sprinkling of Ti. 1999 technology blows doors off that of 1992, however...
Bike Setup: Stock all the way. Bike shop is going to let me trade the bars back for my old Titanium ones.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyotea
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: July 29, 1999
Strengths: Frame, Components, Great climbing bike, Colour.
Weaknesses: No weaknesses so far.
Bottom Line:
Loved the bike when I first rode it. The colour scheme is fantastic and the frame is stiff and light. Not problems riding this bike so far (just me going to fast into some corners). This was the second bike I tried when I was looking for a new bike. I rode the others but this seemed good value for the money esp. with the cool looking XT shifters and levers. The bike looks fast and is fast. Really easy to ride uphill. Haven't tried any North Shore biking yet with this bike since I'm not at that level where I can ride there (or at least have the confidence to ride that nasty but wild stuff) but hey, practice makes perfect! So far, this bike kicks!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale (F700 I recall) Kona (Pahoehoe - spelled correctly? & another one - the next one down in the Kona range) Rocky Mountain (Oxygen Race) Giant (I forget the name) Norco (Rampage & Sasquatch)
