Strengths: Great deal, quality reynolds 7005 frame (the fusion is ALUMINUM i dont know what these other guys saying it is steel are thinking) durable powdercoat yellow,sloping top tube
Weaknesses: jett fork sucks,bottoms going off a curb(i way 210 lbs. though) cheap drivetrain,cr-18 rims are weak as hell.
Bottom Line:
This is definitely an under-rated, great deal,dynamic frame,fun geometry,replace stock crap.i dig this bike.
Bike Setup: marzocchi z3100 air,king headset,rhyno lites,blackspire ring god
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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2001
Strengths: Great frame! Good component group for the price.
Weaknesses: Rock Shox Jett
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike on a limited budget in 2000 based on test rides, and reviews posted here. I have had the pleasure of riding it for over a year now. I have abused it on many occasions, and it still keeps on going. I can't say enough positive things about this bike for the price. Ok, the RS Jetts bite (but hey, what do ya want for the price? :), but upgrading them to the Marzocchis when I could afford it (spring 2001) turned this from a great bike for the price to an awesome bike for the price. If you are on a limited budget and need a quality bike, this is for you. If you've got the big bucks, well, perhaps one of the higher end Rocky's is for you :) Again, for the price, you can't lose with this bike.
Similar Products Used: Raleigh, Schwinn and Specialized in the same price range
Bike Setup: Stock with the exception of an XT rear deraileur and Marzocchi Z3 BAM 80's to replace the Jett.
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Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Newport, Ky USA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001
Strengths: frame and overall component selection
Weaknesses: brakes and pedals
Bottom Line:
Please see my review under "1999 Fusion." I accidentally filed the review of my 2000 Fusion in the wrong place. I love the bike...LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! See the details under the 1999 heading.
Similar Products Used: Fishers (Tassajara, Marlin, KaiTai), Specialized (HardRock A1FS Comp, Rock Hopper A1FS y2k), Marin Palisades Trail
Bike Setup: Stock for now. Will upgrade brakes and add clipless pedals soon.
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Submitted by
Jonathon Markham
a Cross Country Rider
from St, Albert, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2001
Strengths: Frame is very responsive. It takes a lickin' and a half with no problems.
Weaknesses: Standard fork that comes with - Rock Shox Jett.
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks some serious arse. It is a very comfortable ride. The only thing I would consider is upgrading the fork, and buying clipless pedals. I recently did this and it has made the world of difference. My first year with it allowed me to get used to it, and now into my second I upgraded the fork to a Rock Shox Judy SL, and put clipless pedals on it. I will be riding my beast for a long time (that is unless I get hit by a semi, but there are not too many semi trucks on good trails)
Similar Products Used: My bro's crappy bike, (raleigh)
Bike Setup: Deore shifters,and derailers Ritchey Pro Mountain pedals Rock Shox Judy SL fork
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Submitted by
Alex
a
from Palo Alto, California, USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001
Strengths: light, good bike for the price
Weaknesses: hard seat
Bottom Line:
A good bike for the money, but the components could use a little upgrading. The Rock Shock JETT fork doesn't even have disc brake mounts, which seem standard on even bottom-line bikes, yet the frame comes with mounts for the rear wheel. Personally, I'd swith out the fork for a higher-quality Rock Shock, or a Manitou/Marsocci. Personally, I think I might soon. The Trek that I used to use had less pedal-to-wheel friction, but the prices for new Treks have jumped up considerably. The seat is too thin and hard, and starts to get painful on an easy 1.5 mile road ride with some gear, and isn't too kind to the crotch in a fall. Also, my shifters got pretty scratched up in a fall, which isn't too kind on my fingers, but no mechanical damage there. Overall, a good bike for the price.
Bike Setup: 2001 year Stock except for cruiser-stye "Cross Country" tires (switching out soon)
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Submitted by
Dean Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Edinboro, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000
Strengths: Frame-Reynolds double butted 520 CroMoly Tires-Michelin Wild Gripper Sport
Weaknesses: none that I have found!
Bottom Line:
IT'S THE FRAME: Steel recreational mountain frames at this price have gone the way of the dodo, but Rocky Mountain flies the ferrous flag with a tubeset from vaunted British Manufacturer Reynolds. The Fusion strikes just the right balance between liveliness and forgiveness over rough ground. Rocky Mountain may be harder to find than bigger brand, but it's worth the hunt. ITS A GREAT BIKE!
Strengths: The CroMoly frame, the brake levers and the Wildgripper Tires.
Weaknesses: The Saddle and the Rock Shox Jetts are a bit to jumpy but the do the job.
Bottom Line:
The Bike is a great bike for the average weekend warrior or even the novice racer. The CroMoly is great as long as your bike doesn't break in half. Although that has not happend to me it could to you... Eh? If you want a not-so-good bike get the Fisher Koo Koo E Koo. Be careful when going up 80 Degree angle hill because you the shocks will flip you over on your back resulting in a broken neck or spine which really hurts. I know this because it has happened to me 30 or 40 Time this month. So i would say go get this bike but don't challenege a semi because it will crush you like a anorexic racing pig. Peace Out racing people. Don't get crushed Ok... Good ok Bye Now.
PS This is more then 50 words with lots of detail. Copyright 2000 by Robert
Similar Products Used: GT Backwoods, Raleigh Ambush, Kona Lava Dome, Kona Fire Mountain, Giant Warp DS3, Giant Warp DS2, Giant Warp DS1. Gary Fisher Koo Koo E Koo & more
Bike Setup: I dunno the store did it. Probably easy.
Strengths: strong frame, light, nice set-up for the price,
Weaknesses: saddle - i bit hard for me . . .
Bottom Line:
it's good for what i'm mostly using my bike for - commuting and the occasional weekend-long trip. just started up biking again, but my old bike was just painful to use - it was heavy and there were many parts that i had to keep fixing . . . so far i'm extremely impressed with the bike and how it handles and rides good enough for me
Similar Products Used: demo'd a number of Brodies ('99 Brodie Omega, Energy and Torque, '00 Brodie Energy and Brat) Kona Lava Dome, Rocky Mountain Soul, Specialized
