Submitted by
Matthew Pells
a Racer
from Addlestone, Surrey, England
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004
Strengths: Quite alot, almost eveything. The A1 frame is very good and is quite light. All the shimano components are up to scratch and even the rockshock fork is good. The mavic rims look superb and specialized put some decent kit of their own on it.
Weaknesses: the body geometry seat is terrible and needs to be replaced, even though it looks good.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for cross-country or even mountain biking. It offers great value and it will not disappoint anyone who chooses to buy it, ride it or rent it.
Similar Products Used: kona lava dome Trek 830 cross country
Bike Setup: standard
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Submitted by
nick
a Weekend Warrior
from barrie ontario canada
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003
Strengths: good frame
Weaknesses: every other part on the bike, no back disk mount
Bottom Line:
bottom line is, this bike was my winter project i bought the bike just for the frame, i stripped it down and started rebuliding, im not done upgrading yet, but im only gona spend around 600-700 more then after that just the usual replacement parts, this bike works extreamly well for my first real good hard tail, all though it is hard to find a picture of the bike stock and in my color. i just wanna compare the b4 and after, this bike Rock's only if you invest some $$$ into it.
Bike Setup: manitou magnums, deore v-brakes, ryno lites with deore hubs, deore derailers, crow bars,deore shifters,hayes brake levers(mechanical), race face head set,and other stuff i for get.
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Submitted by
Sean Fay
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockwall, Tx
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2003
Strengths: There is no doubt that this bike takes a great deal of abuse and keeps asking for more! It's a great entry level bike, but its also a great hardtail to keep in your arsenal.
Weaknesses: The cockpit is a bit cramped if your an experienced rider. but if your new, that's usually what you want. I don't care for LX componets either. But they did keep the price down
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. Espescially if your new to the sport. If your a heavy rider, looking for quality and a hard tail, and better than entry level, then this is your bike. Also, if your looking to spend less than $1000.00 this is a great choice.
Submitted by
Brent
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend,Oregon,USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002
Strengths: Good frame to build on, Components are not bad for an entry level bike
Weaknesses: Grip shifters SUCK. The stem is a bit long for me.
Bottom Line:
Great entry level. Its a great frame to build on. Total bike weight is under 25 lbs. had some trouble getting the shifting dialed in w/ grip shifters. I bought this bike w/ plans to upgrade it but I have caught the fever as everyone warned me of. My focus is now on a FS. For the price I paid I have to give it 5 chilis. The crappy shifters that came stock on this bike bring the overall rating down a notch.
Similar Products Used: Test rides: Giant Iguana, Schwinn something? Stumpjumper
Bike Setup: Mostly stock w/ LX Rapid fire, Tektro V-brakes, Gel seat
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Submitted by
Josh Turpen
a Weekend Warrior
from Evansville, IN USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002
Strengths: The frame, decent shimano products, great fork, and solid construction.
Weaknesses: Kind of heavy, wheel frames could be a bit stronger.
Bottom Line:
This is my first serious mountian bike, and it has made me a Specialized fan. It takes tons of abuse and comes back for more. For the money it is the best bike you can get.
Bike Setup: Standard frame, Judy C, Shimano Deore and LX.
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Submitted by
Chris Andersen
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002
Strengths: Very solid feel, good on climbs, responsive. Unlike some others, I haven't had any problems with the brakes, but I'm in a hot, dry climate (Arizona).
Weaknesses: Seat (make sure you have bicycle shorts!), some sloppy shifting on the front der., my rear tire wore down very quickly.
Bottom Line:
I'm very pleased with the performance of this bike. I've put some hard miles on it, and entered my first race last month, and it's performed well through it all. I got a closeout price on a 2001 at the end of last year and saved a couple hundred bucks, which was nice. Overall, I'm glad I ended up with this bike--for me, it's been exactly what I was looking for in a weekend warrior/entry-level racing bike.
Similar Products Used: Tested Trek 6700; almost bought it, but this bike felt more comfortable for me.
Bike Setup: Stock.
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Submitted by
Trialsin Man
a Downhiller
from Kamloops B.C. CANADA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2001
Strengths: Once you change a few parts it is a pretty fly bike. But makesure to buy the 17" frame it is perfect for everything.The frame is pretty tough.it has good strong welds and a little gusset, that seems to keep my bike's head tube from ripping of.Alright for trials and drops.
Weaknesses: Not all that much room for big tires. It is chromoly.
Bottom Line:
This bike can withstand quite a bit off stuff like 5ft to flat landings, big bunnyhops,manuels,jumping stairs manueling stairs and tough downhill. This bike kicks for the price I paid for it. All it takes is changing some parts(like everything but the frame and stem) it is pretty good.
Similar Products Used: Diamondback Topanga, Brodie Tempest, a couple of odd friends bikes.
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Psylo SL, Bontrager Race lite front rim,WTB 2.4 inch tire, redline DH/Cruiser bars,specialized stem,truvativ crank,Magura brakes,deore derailor,SH*T pedals,Big Fat MamothNRG seat.
Strengths: The frame is strong and handles great. I have put a real beating on this bike since I bought it at the start of the summer and besides a few minor things it's great.
Weaknesses: The sattle takes some getting use to. I've also had some trouble with the rear rim, hub, and the front derailer. But these were minor.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great!! I have biked for quite a few years and have had several different types of bikes and this one has given me the most pleasure to switch to. I love the frame, it's very sharp and quite easy to skip through the woods on. I recommend this bike to anyone who wants a solid product without spending a ton of money.
Submitted by
Ron Cuthbert
a Weekend Warrior
from Mount Clemens, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2001
Strengths: Great frame, handles great on down hills and climbs like a goat.
Weaknesses: Haven’t found any yet
Bottom Line:
I began mountain biking this year, had a low end Fugi that I beat into the ground. Getting this bike has made all the difference. It’s like going from a Yugo to a Cadillac. For somebody just getting into biking you can't beat the value.
Submitted by
sam basile
a Cross Country Rider
from syracuse,ny
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001
Strengths: replaced bike was 10 year old italian. test roaded many many before settling on this one. smooth, powerful and sexy looking. easy on the pee pee.
Weaknesses: none,none and none
Bottom Line:
can't equal it for the money. i treat my bike like i treat my cars; they get beat to hell and have to perform. weekdays are just exercise rides; weekends are downhill and rock stompin'.
Similar Products Used: ducati purchased in argentina. had a fuji for about 2 months, broke frame. also a trex or trexx or whatever its name is, bent frame, and rear wheel.
Bike Setup: stock, eventually will replace specialized parts with upgrades.
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Submitted by
Jacob Carr
a Weekend Warrior
from grand Portage, MN., USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2001
Strengths: smooth, good shifting, good brakes, but as noted in an earlier review they sqeal when damp. Strong frame (puts up with all 240 pounds of my abuse)
Weaknesses: Just noisey brakes so far
Bottom Line:
Having not rode a bike of any kind for a long long long time I was very pleased with this bike. I bought it looking for a tough bike that could handle my abuse, but not so expensive that I wouldn feel bad if I couldnt get into riding again. It is a good light bike that handles very well by my standards, and hasnt blown apart from a good thrashing. Wish I would have stepped up to a fully suspended now ... ahh well. I would and all ready have recomended this bike to my friends, it is an excellent bike for larger people. I am very happy with the product and I am glad I choose this bike for my re-entry into the pedel pushing world.
Similar Products Used: old trek dunno the model, it was purchased in 92, run over, re-built many times (beat it to death) and stolen in 93
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Submitted by
kevin wilkinson
a Weekend Warrior
from abingdon
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2001
Strengths: i thought it was incredible light and handles superb
Weaknesses: none it great
Bottom Line:
this is my first real bike, i bought it for £529 ive been looking out for it for a while and am incredibly pleased. i'm planning on upgrading to shimano mini's soon then it'll be perfect for me. a brilliant first time bike, it goes like a belt driven wombat!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: GARY FISHER TASSAHARA,SPECIALIZED STUPMJUMPER FSR XC
Bike Setup: STANDARD
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Submitted by
Jon Dooner
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth ,Western Australia
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2001
Strengths: very light and responsive, I like the dual use pedals.
Weaknesses: the saddle,
Bottom Line:
This bike is great on twisting single track ,is light and steers well. It's light enough to float over most obstecles and climbs like a demon. I would replace the saddle if you are going to spend a lot of time in it. The braking performance was decreased when they only got slightly damp and became noisy.
