Submitted by
Joe H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Bonney Lake Wa. USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004
Strengths: Frame has maintained the pounding of a 220lb dude with no finesse. When I bought it the price was still too high but I just couldn't wait any longer. My first trail bike so it means alot to me..gush.
Weaknesses: I took my components off and put it on a medium Enduro Expert frame I bought for the wife. She'll be easy on it so no worries. There is too much of me for the stock components especially the wheels and cranks. I kept the Hays breaks though he he.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a rocket. 26lbs and it just flys on single track. I go down hill fast on it but it does get a little bucky on the rougher stuff. Its a Ht. The bigger tires really help suspend it little. I don't go any smaller(tires) than what I have on even at the cost of weight. I don't give a sheet about that anyways. The Hays fade on long dwn hill runs. My Avid mechs have been better on all counts on my dually and it is heavier. I haven't ridden it for a few months because I have been riding my dually with 6/7 in. of travel. Man when I got the Enduro on the trail again and turned it on it flew. The only thing I don't like is I hit the cranks alot. Low BB height. I ain't no racer. I prefer a higher BB on all my bikes. I can still roll and twist n turn with a high BB. 3yrs now and it is holding up frame and all. It is still a pleasure to ride it being a HT and all. These things are dirt cheap now. Go ahead and do it if ya see one.
Similar Products Used: First trail bike. I also have a dually and another HT.
Bike Setup: Monkey bars cut to 25in. Fox Vanillas with lock out, LX cranks haven't broke em' yet. Had some down hill rims on from Velocity but I changed the rear(had troubles with velocity hub) to Rhyno lite/XT hub built by Jenson. Been awesome for me. King headset, short interloc enduro stem, 2.4 motor raptor on back and 2.3 Gaz Dual on FT. Post moderne Bracer susp st post. Dragon fly seat or Azonic love seat depending on mood. Still have the Hays on.
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Submitted by
Tilly
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Weaknesses: BB, the frame isnt the strongest, fork to plush
Bottom Line:
This is an awsome bike i would reccomend putting new springs in the fork and a new BB. The bike wont handle huge drops, and downhill abuse, but for cross-country hardtail you wont find a better bike.
Submitted by
Broc Addis
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Collins
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2004
Strengths: Light, easy to throw around.
Weaknesses: none so far.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. The XT drivetrain is so nice, and the bike feels really nice altogether. I dirt jump and cross country and do some light freeride, and it works for everything. Plus, i got it all for really cheap.
Bike Setup: 2001 Marzocchi Z1 MCR, XT drivetrain, Race Face everything else
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Lawrence Dillin
a Downhiller
from Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2003
Strengths: Sharp looking bike Strong AND Light (26lbs) Good Components Awesome Geometry Nice Shocks
Weaknesses: Cut 1" off handle bars Rock Shox Seat Post Kinda Heavy
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike with awesome components. If there are any of these bikes still out there, grab them. I love this bike and for the price nothing beats it. Need to upgrade rear tire if you are hard on the bike. Rides smooth.
Bike Setup: XT Rear, LF Front Hayes Hydrolic Disks Wellgo Clipless UST Tubless Rear
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Submitted by
P@!
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2003
Strengths: Very sweet, light & stiff frame. Awesome geometry which makes for very nimble slow technical stuff and also delivers the lines on the knarlier stuff!
Weaknesses: Umm...not many, apart from a slightly bent frame due to excessive abuse/stackage! (Don't let that stop you buying one!) I used to get pinch flats every ride, as it's not a FS. Got rid of the IRC Mythos's (grrrr) and no problems! If you're breaking this one, get a FR/DH bike!
Bottom Line:
Overall a really awesome bike! Have abused the bike a year and other than the odd stack-damage, shes been very forgiving. Riding it like a FR, taking big hits, drops and the frame maintains. The 321's allow for bigger drops too...Frame has a slight bend (only a few mm's) to rear triangle, but no cracks. Geometry is great and allows the bike in places many dare to walk. Very stiff frame which corners exceptionally with very slight body weight shifting. Have heard bad things about the Specialized components, so for me it was logical then to upgrade them...duh! Its really does puzzle me why people write reviews after they have trashed their bikes? If you have half a brain you would check out a review before buying...yes? You will then know what the bike/components are good for and upgrade if necersary...yes? And if you are going to ride it like a DH bike with the dodgy components & without maintaining it, then expect it to die...It's not rocket science! Would you expect the family sedan to perfrom on a 4wd route? There you go! *NEWS FLASH* It's not a FR/DH bike! For what it is, it gets my 5/5! If you see one, buy it, do the minor upgrades, SERVICE IT REGULARLY and RIDE IT HARD! PS: Colour? If you worry about a colour, change your eye-shadow or nail varnish to suit!?
Bike Setup: XTR rd LX fd 9 speed shifters; Mavic 321D rims with XT dics hubs (bullet-proof); Tioga 2.3fr/Conti 2.3r; Hayes Hydros discs; Shimano SPD pedals, Race Face Prodigy DH cranks & BB; Rock Shox Psylo's; Rock Shox seat post; Richie headset; an inch off the the bar ends & one loopy pilot!
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Submitted by
Brad Conner
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2003
Strengths: Major components are great, bike is capable of handling well over almost any terrain. Great to ride, stable and surefooted
Weaknesses: Minor components were cheap and not particularly strong. Several bit's needed upgrading within first year of riding. Several creaks (headset & seatpost most noticeable)
Bottom Line:
Sick bike, rides great over long XC treks and rails the berms on DH tracks. Wind out the psylo's and drop the seat, and you have a DH HT weapon. Has been dropped over some pretty big cliffs and withstood most of the punishment (I'm 6'4" and 205lb). x223 Rims were weak, turned both into potato chips quite soon, likewise headset, BB, front derailler and chainrings. with some upgrades to components, awesome bike, awesome brakes, frame and forks. short stem sucks to climb with, but lends to great stablility over steep techinical tracks, jumps and drops. After 3000+ km and many hours on a variety of off road trails, final verdict is a big thumbs up.
Similar Products Used: many hardtails and some XC duallies
Bike Setup: Psylo XC with retrofit U-turn kit & heavy spring, mavic f219 rims, intense 2.25 tyres, fizik seat, XT 11-34 rear cassette, XT front derailler, XT front chainrings
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Submitted by
Nelson Santos
a Weekend Warrior
from Menlo Park CA
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2002
Strengths: sweet frame and great components for the money
Weaknesses: stem was too short for my taste,did not like the saddle,swapped it for serfas deep grovoe, stock psylo spring too plush, had to replace. bottom bracket creaks, easily fixable
Bottom Line:
having done all the parts swapping which was minimal,the bike feels great. cuts a line like a knife and now with the heavier spring (went with the heaviest one they had) I can really put the hammers on it on the streets, also climbs better with new spring, and still gobbles up the big bumps. I like the wide handlebars, very comfy and nimble.it's a badass bike. a real looker, all business and no posing. this bike is a great upgrade. For us heavy guys(200+) part-swapping is a way of life, so whats the big deal.
Bike Setup: xtr rd lx fd deore 9 speed shifters mavic 223 rims w/specialized stout hubs hayes hydros disc brakes shimano 515 pedals strongarm cranks rock shox psylo xc rock shox seat post
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Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002
Strengths: Cool frame, fork works ok, great brakes, and xtr rear der. Handling feels very nimble,
Weaknesses: seat that comes with it is a pain in the ass, bottom bracket at cranks got to go, so does that seat post, I keep the fenders around for the wet Seattle fall and winter but take them off at the first sign of sun. Orange stickers are under the clear coat so I can't peal them off!!
Bottom Line:
I mostly ride XC, and what I guess you could call light free riding, but I am a big guy and I put a lot of stress on my bikes, I've never broken any frame but wreak havoc on components. I got this bike knowing that I would want/have to replace some stuff, but given the price and the components it was too great a deal to pass up. For the most part it has held up really well, the rims that everyone else has complained about have been doing ok - maybe I need to jump off some bigger stuff!? Its a fun bike to ride, its fast, and nimble. I love it - especially now that I have done a little work on it. Adding the stiff RS spring made a HUGE difference for me.
I looked long, and far to find this bike or is big brother the pro model in the right size at the right price until I found it in my back yard at Greggs, and their price was the best I had seen, $999.99.
Similar Products Used: Stumpjumper, "other" mountain bikes that shall here go un-named
Bike Setup: Race Face seatpost, Shimano slined BB w/ lx cranks, heavy spring in fork, Kenda cheap ass 2.35" tires, and I trimmed off about a half inch off each end of the bar.
Weaknesses: frame broke at the rear triagle on non-drive side. front brakes leak oil, LBS replaced the seals, made me pay $40, hey still leak, LBS is now telling me it needs new seals. Creaks when I used to hit the front brakes hard when they worked.
Strengths: Got the frame (medium) for $200. Really agile bike...responsive to rider imput. Very cool looking hard tail.
Weaknesses: There are some reguarding what came originally on the bike. This bike will be ridden gentler though so it won't matter.
Bottom Line:
Even though I got the frame only I used the original parts off my other Enduro to put this together. Thats why I put this review here. This is my wifes bike and its way more than she will ever need for strength and durability. There are some obvious upgrades. All I needed were shifters, brakes(levers too), and headset. Bike shop slapped it together for me and away we go. It won't see the punishment my Enduro does so the 223's and Strongarm 2 cranks are going to be fine. I'm coming up on a years time for mine and no failures. Keep in mind my upgrades though. What the hell did Nasty from Ham do to break his frame?
Bike Setup: Lx shifters and derailers. Strongarm 2 cranks, UN 72 BB, Black Spire middle ring, Chainring guard(no big ring), Rock Shox x-country fork, King headset, Ringle' bars, Magura Gustav rear and formula Activa front brake, Mav 223's disk, Gaz 2.3 Dual back/WTB 2.4 motor raptor in front, bracer susp seatpost and a couch for a seat.
Strengths: not much...xtr rear dr. handlebar is nice
Weaknesses: cheap ass, weak frame. broke it last week. rims are weak too. not a big fan of the hayes hyros either. rock shox seatpost is a waste of money, seat sucks, tires are wussy, psylo fork is awful, chainrings create a lot of chainsuck. the bottom bracket is terrible too (un-52). oh yeah, the hubs, they are awful broke those too.
Bottom Line:
pretty much if you like to stay on the ground this bike will be alright. if you ride somewhat hard, you will destroy this bike. the frame is very poorly constructed. if you want a burly bike don't buy specialized, gary fisher, gt, etc... (even kona)...get an american bike or one built in europe. get a bike that has quality craftsmanship or you will be very disappointed. but hey the good thing about breaking this frame is that specialized is quite stupid and sent me a enduro fsr, which sells for about $800 online. Now I can go out and buy that planet x.
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Home:Renton, Wa, going to WWU in Bellingham....
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2002
Strengths: Wicked Geometry! I've never ridden such a stable, yet maneuverable bike. Only slightly sketchy weight transfer when sitting on the saddle, as the nose gets a little skittery. The tires grip loose trailbed with ease, this bike will take you just about anywhere.
Weaknesses: Frame creaks at head tube, seat tube, and I suspect the bottom bracket now too, though it might be cranks. Wheels needed truing on a weekly basis since new. The handle casings for the Hayes are cheap in the bad sense of the word. Made of pot metal, they WILL shatter if you hit anything like a rock, a tree, or anything else solid that you could come in contact with. I'm currently working on building some billet aluminum handle casings, I'll update if I ever get them done... KMC chain is garbage, it broke the third time I took the bike out. Shimano Deore LX Front Derailleur broke within the first month, broke at one of the pivots. Other than that, a pretty solid bike.
Bottom Line:
The bike's great for all around XC riding, commuters, urban assaulters, and even a little downhill. It can handle whatever your style is, and keep coming back for more. The bike itself is unbeatable for the price. Some of the components that Specialized chose might let you down, but for the money, buy one, make the modifications necessary to beef it up a bit, and go have fun.
Favorite Trail: Tapeworm at the Towers of Power, Renton, Wa.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1022.00
Purchased At: Center Cycle
Similar Products Used: Reynolds framed jalopy with old Zokes Fork
Bike Setup: stock with exception to Shimano Deore XT front Derailleur, Sachs 9spd chain and GT bmx platform pedals. I'm too poor for any other goodies, I pay tuition....
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Submitted by
Joe H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Buckley, Wa usa
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002
Strengths: The bike is fantastic. The price was right. I can ride it hard and have full confidence in its ability to withstand the stuff. To venture in new territory, new possibilities. I can fly on this thing!
Weaknesses: Headset went south. Could have repacked but replaced anyways. I also wouldn't push the mavic 223's. The psylo xc is too plush. I'm 200+ and it just dives on me. Rock shox seatpost and my other shimmed post creak on this bike. Cranks and BB are holding their own so far.
Bottom Line:
Now this is a stout Hard tail. I don't miss the suspension seatpost at all. The forks eat it all. Very impressed so far with them. You can see I got rid of the lg chain ring. Had to get rid of all that chain slap I had flying on the trails. I still have the mavs. I put s-slicks on em' and use it on the road too. Want to ride it everywhere! I wonder if anyone else had that creak'n with their shimmed Rock Shox? I could'nt get rid of it. No noise with 30.9 posts. This thing climbs like a goat with the 2.40's. As far as I care I have my dream bike. Besides, I ain't got no more money!!! These Enduros were getting blown out due to being last year made. I am really glad my Bike shop had one. I think this bike looks tough. A head turner. Pose'n aside, this thing is built for the wild. I'm go'n to go sit on it now...later!
Bike Setup: Monkeylite 70 2 inch rise. Thomson seatpost and stem. Chris King Headset, Terry fly saddle, Fox Vanilla RL, Velocity Psycho 36 hole rims, Motor Raptor 2.40's, Strong Arm 2 cranks, Black Spire Ring God and middle chain ring, Lrp chain guide, platform pedals, Hayes Hydros, xtr rd and lx f-derailer.
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Submitted by
Andrew Christianson
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2001
Strengths: This is a sweet bike for the price I paid. Wicked Frame, Hayes....nuf said.
Weaknesses: Some Sketchy components...Had to upgrade coils in shocks, cranks suck, rims suck, front chain rings suck.....
Bottom Line:
Well I ride this bike pretty hard, urban and trail, and once I upgraded it...ROCK SOLID. The Geometry is perfect, I can drop it 6 feet and it doesn't flinch. Throw it around the trails and it eats up everything, begging for more. It is a sweet all around bike, but if you are really looking for performance, you will have to upgrade a few things. I wanted a bike that was beefy enough to throw around, yet I could still take it on the trails....PERFECT
Strengths: This is just an update: The frame is excellent and the Psylo XC is awsome. The lx/xtr deraluers have worked flawless. The seat post is cool but heavy. I wish I would have changed it out with somthing else for weight. Rapid fire is nice and the riser bar and stem are pretty stiff. Very little flex.
Weaknesses: Mavic 223's are a peice of crap. Flex way to much and have to be trued on a weekly basis (rear). I upgraded the rear to a 521. The front I havent had any problems with. The cranks are bb are very weak also. Cranks flex and the alum. is to soft. I have had my pedals pop out and strip the crank. The front chain ring is also week. Bent very easly when shouldnt have. Other than that it has been an excellent bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike is still an excellent buy. I would highly recomend it. But if you ride very hard; a couple things will need to be swaped out: Cranks, rims, bb, and chainrings. But the over all setup is sweat.
Bike Setup: Mavic 223 up front and 521 in the rear. Swaped out the riser bar for a easton monkey bar. But Im slowly turning this bike into a freeride/duel salom. The rest is still stock.
Just picked one of these up, got a couple of questions? (I am pretty new to this scene, so bear with me please).
I currently have a 99 Cannondale Super V 500, the Specialized has Read More »
