So I bought this bike from a crackhead last night for 20 dollars.It rides pretty well although it takes wide turns cause I AM 6'1 230 pounds. Bike is in pretty good shape,say it has to be 10 years old. Bike is fast once you get goin,but a little hard to pedal at times..Maybe I'm a little out of shape.great deal for 20 bucks!
Submitted by
frdpd
a Weekend Warrior
from jacksonville
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2009
Strengths: Fast, fun, durable, stable. One of the best bikes I've ever had. The paintjob is so flashy & cool looking.
I actually crashed it going very fast, and got flipped off it. I feel like it could have very easily been disasterous on another bike, but I just flew through the air and landed on my feet, standing, & then touched the ground, with only a small scrape on my knee. I thought I woiuld be able to turn quickly to get onto the sidewalk, but the bike feels unstable with fast turns & I ended up running right in to the curb. This bike is SO much fun to ride, & the weight is not all that bad, when riding. I do not even notice it much when climbing hills. The handle-bars are great for hill climbing.
Weaknesses: Is it just me? Not sure, but the turning seems to be very broad. I have to slow down a lot if I need to make a sharp turn, more than normal, or so it seems to me, although, it could be that I'm just heavier 225 lbs than I used to be w/ my other bikes. It makes a click noise every rotation. I had to replace my rear wheel, then had to replace the "cassette", or free wheel, had to replace the pedals. The bike was wheels were broken when I bought the bike, & that is why I got such a great deal. I LOVE THIS BIKE!
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Murray, KY
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008
Strengths: Cheap. If you take care of it and fix it, it will last a long time, it just won't really perform that well.
Weaknesses: Breaks a lot. HEAVY!! Loud. Basically no suspension. Cheap parts.
Bottom Line:
I've had mine for many years, got it for Christmas when I was just a kid, like 14 maybe? I'm 20 now and I have to say, I guess it has held up okay, now that I think about how long it has been. I ride pretty serious, and this bike shows it. I have had to replace the whole rear gear set once, due to a broken axle, and it is making the same noise it did then, again now...so it will probably have to be placed again. I did some weight reduction mods, by either taking everything not essencial to the bike off, or cutting it off with a hack saw!! :D The thing still weighs like 45 lbs though. For the weight, it should really be stronger, but I guess I can't complain. I've never really tried much crazy stuff, because I have damaged the bike too much, and have gotten tired of fixing it. I was going to upgrade to a Kona, but I am getting into road cycling now. Basically, if you get it for really cheap, and take EXCELLENT care of it, (mine has always been cleaned, dried and parked in my ROOM after every ride) this bike will last a long time, assuming you don't do more than ride some easy trails and maybe RIDE down some stairs, other than that and you will be fixing it. It is also really noisy but I guess that's just the cheap-o parts. Bottom line, great cheap first mtb, nothing more.
Submitted by
Jamie
a Weekend Warrior
from Quincy, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006
Strengths: Very durable. Rides easy. Handles really good, it stays where you put it!
Weaknesses: A little on the heavy side. Kind of hard to get on if you are short (like me - 5 foot). A little on the expensive side if bought brand new.
Bottom Line:
My husband has owned his bike for more than 6 years and it is still in excellent condition. We both use it all the time. My little sister loves to ride it here and there. It's great for "off-roading" (especially in mud and water), if you just want to go riding on the street, or if you need to go somewhere. We have never replaced any parts. So I think for the money spent on it, it is very worth it.
Submitted by
M.D. Hargram
a Weekend Warrior
from All Over
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2005
Strengths: I have ridden/owned several different bikes thru my life (40 y/o)and this is the best bike I have ever owned. I can ride anywhere I want, and the added wt only adds strength. I have not had the misfortune others have stated, but MOTIV has to make money some how, and the parts are one way. AS for the wt of the bike, I have only strengthed my ride with the heavier bike.
Weaknesses: The only complaint is that the seat pole is too short and the stock pedals lost the reflectors the first week. If this is all that I could complain about... I am very fortunate.
Bottom Line:
Best bike for the money hands down!!! if you are into any competition, but a competition bike, not a off the rack discount bike.
Similar Products Used: MTB, Mongoose, Cannondale, many other lower end bikes
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003
Strengths: Durable frame (heavy as can be though).
Weaknesses: hrm, where to start. Shimano equiped, but with the cheapest shimano components available... Geometry sux, shocks are VERY short travel. Forks are very heavy (6+lbs). Stock rims are single walled and do not hold true. Seat post is short... Bearings are not sealed, BB is not sealed, cranks strip easy, pedals suck. Pretty much the whole bike....
Bottom Line:
This is not a real mountain bike. Yeah, it may have two wheels, gears, etc., but it is junk. I wouldn't recommend this bike to anyone for any type of off road use. I rode one for about a year and a half. Initially I was "pleased" with the $100.00 I spent and how good of a deal I got and how, "for the price you can't beat it"... However, that was due more to ignorance than anything. So many parts on this bike broke and had to be replaced. I know that Motiv will send out new parts, no questions asked, however, the new parts they send are still the same crappy parts that broke the first time. So you either spend several days at a time waiting for more crappy parts, or go ahead and upgrade. At first, I waited, after I got sick of that, I started upgrading. In the end, I spent over $400.00 upgrading parts on that beast, bringing my total cost of the bike to roughly $500.00! And the bottom line is that the bike was still crap. Yeah, it was crap with nice parts, but still crap.
Since then, I've purchased a Gary Fisher Tassajara, and cannot believe the difference. It is absolutely amazing how much better my Tass handles and rides than the Motiv. It's truly a night to day comparison.
So, bottom line, don't buy this bike if you want a mountain bike. Save your money and buy an entry-level bike AT A BIKE SHOP. You will be MUCH happier.
Strengths: Strong durable-takes general abuse well
Weaknesses: heavy--dont try carring it too far
my main complaint is i was going down my ususal 1-2 downhill i do quite often when the rear gear assembly broke---all the ballbaring crushed and the whole thing fell apart---the compony was quick with a replacement part and appoligisedf for any harm that came too me
Bottom Line:
great bike----lasted me longer than my gary fisher takes abuse well and backed by a great company
Bike Setup: stock with new front shock assembly--not nessicary did for a long down hill near home ripped up by dirtbikes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris H
a Weekend Warrior
from Greer, SC, 29650
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2003
Strengths: Stiff frame and shock, everything except rims can take some abuse.
Weaknesses: componits, weight.
Bottom Line:
I am just borrowing this bike from my little brother while mine is in the shop. Its extreemly heavy, so you will have to do some work to get it up the hill. Its actually alot more fun on the downhill than my $1000 hardtail. (note: the hardtail wasnt designed to be a downhill bike) Ive done some pretty big jumps around campus (stairs) The biggest on i have done is 10 steps, so its a pretty sturdy frame. Due to the weight and center of gravity on the bike you have to pay attention to making sure you are set up perfectly for the jump otherwise you will go sideways or worse. Its a pretty good bike to "free ride" on if you dont want to spend alot of money.
Strengths: farly solid, farly good breaks, handles down hill trails that are tuff on other bikes
Weaknesses: dirt cheap parts rust way to easy, had to buy new sprokets after 1 day of riding, seat post is to short for a tall person like me have some trouble with the shifters, the roll pin keeping the handel bar and weel alighned has fallen out 6 times i have to keep extras in my back pack
Bottom Line:
good bike for the price i payed but the parts need to be stainless steel. it can handel some fairly harsh down hill conditions
Submitted by
Dave Robinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Ballston lake,NY,Saratoga
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002
Strengths: Solid performer for the price.With a few necessary upgrades you'll be on your way,to what I dont know.I have a $2000 canondale jekyl and I enjoy riding this thing just as much.
Weaknesses: The cockpit is a bit short,The bike is a bit heavy, and the components are cheap but for the price I paid, I have no complaints.
Bottom Line:
This bike was a steal for $100 however, it was a clearance price. Normally it was $300. I was able to upgrade the components because I bought it cheap.I have $350 in this thing now and I think I will stop there.If I go any further it will no longer be a bargain.The fork was the most necessary upgrade. The cheap chili fork weighs 6 pounds and has very limited travel. However like the rest of the bike it took everything I threw at it. If you are looking for a cheap off road performer and you can find one of these for what I paid then grab it fast and enjoy. You can get decent components at clearance prices at your online bike shops and before you know it you have a real mt bike. I've seen these bikes on Ebay almost new for next to nothing.Mine is a 18" frame,I am 5'10" and it fits. Don't know if motiv made different sizes.
Similar Products Used: there is nothing out there for $100 that can touch this thing.
Bike Setup: upgraded fork MANITOU SX..rear shock,rock shox SID DUAL AIR..also changed Seat post,stem,pedals and thinking about upgrading the drive components ect.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Downhiller
from Waynesboro PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002
Strengths: Good Brakes, shifters, good suspension, VERY GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Aluminum frame. Good buy for the money.
Weaknesses: Heavy, rims are easily bent on the trail.
Bottom Line:
I bought the bike for $100 and am very pleased with it. Good brakes, shifters/derailers, and shocks. The customer service is what impressed me most though. I trashed the rear cassette. Later that day I called the customer service # on the frame and "bingo-bango" a week later there was a whole new wheel on my doorstep no questions asked, no hassel.
For $100 I say go for it.. I does the job for me quite nicely.
Submitted by
Garrick Fredericks
a Weekend Warrior
from Rutland,Vt,U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002
Strengths: Great shocks, nice seat, not to light(not to heavy), looks nice, made of aluminum
Weaknesses: ugly welds
Bottom Line:
This bike is great and doesn't coast a lot this is worth the money and is my favorite bike ever. Even though this is not a popular brand it is still a great bike, just doen't judge bike by the out side or the brand name.
Similar Products Used: A Iron Horse non suspension
Bike Setup: Front Gordo chili works shocks, back shocks (do not no what brand), made of Aluminum, Shimano equiped
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
stefen
a Weekend Warrior
from stockton,ca. USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001
Strengths: i'm posting on a MOTIV STONEGRINDER. cheap basic componets,to make the bike cheep to buy.
Weaknesses: HEAVY!!!!, no quick realease on back rim
Bottom Line:
honestly the bike has been good for riding back and forth to work but don't really want to take on trail because its so heavy. i didn't realize it was so heavy untill i tried a TREK 4500, which is the bike i'm going to get. but, if you want a basic bike at a cheap price, you cant beat a MOTIV. COSTCO usually has a good selection on them if you want one.
OVERALL RATING : 2, only because its heavy and if you want to seriously go on trails with it you'll HAVE to do some work to it to go on the trails
