Submitted by
Chris Hickey
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2002
Strengths: Frame, light-weight, geometry
Weaknesses: fork, BB, brakes, spokes
Bottom Line:
Chain broke
Suspension fork seal is stuffed, it still works if you give it some.
BB creaked like mad. Replaced with Shimano UN72 BB.
replaced chain with Wipperman Connex 900. Had shifting troubles in 27th Speed where it would jump off the cog. Had hub inspected and found a crack in the freehub. Had Freehub replaced and it still did it. Replaced chain with Z Super Narrow and the problem was resolved. I believe the Wipperman is too flexible, even though it is stainless, but if your chain starts to rust then you're not maintaining your bike well enough!
Brake Pads Tried numerous pairs of name brands but they all squeal. More warning for bushwalkers to get out of the way I guess.
Spokes Spokes keep breaking, are too flimsy and weak for any sort of jumping. Planning to get them all replaced with double-butted at some stage.
Seat - way too hard. Turf immediately.
Apart from these few minor things this rig still climbs like well, though on the downhills a shorter headstem would be better, but then you wouldn't be able to stretch out for those long climbs. Bar ends are a must on a 19 inch frame if you're over 6ft.
Overall this bike has brought me many hours of excellent riding with minimal complaint. Wouldn't swap it for anything. Ideal value for money with the option to upgrade later on. Great for those that like cross-country as opposed to downhill and free-riding.
Favorite Trail: Any around Bright, Myrtleford, Beechworth
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1860.00
Purchased At: Full Cycle, Albury
Bike Setup: XT rear mech and cassette, Z super narrow chain, deore/suntour mik front chainring, XT brake pads, WTB Speed saddle, Tioga Factory DH 2.1 Front Tyre, Ritchey HardDrave 1.9 Rear.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ross Aushficka
a Downhiller
from Grass valley
This frame is ok, the stock forks suck butt and break in half too easily since i rode off a three foot stump and they blew the seals, the ritchey wheels bend too easily, and are pretty much a joke. the breaks are ok,but the levers bend. i like the frame for DS, dirt jumping, trials(kinda) and freeriding but the stock stuff on it suck. if you get this bike stock, plan on spending about another 7000 dollars to make it ridable.
Strengths: it can definetely take whatever you can throw at it. Me and my friends do a lot of drop offs and it still works. good componentry. love the fork.
Weaknesses: the rear skewer is a definite minus, no matter ow tight it is it seems to always go croked. seat needs more padding too
Bottom Line:
a great bike for the money, besides some of the specialized componetnts its a well built bike and can be used for anything. If you get this bike buy a new seat with it.
Submitted by
Tim O'Malley
a Weekend Warrior
from SF
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000
Strengths: Setup, xt deralleurs
Weaknesses: Seat, rear dropouts
Bottom Line:
This bike is kiler for the money. It takes whatever you can give. Very responsive, and light. It handles like a charm. The main problem is that the rear wheel falls out of alignmnet regularly.
Submitted by
William Poston
a Weekend Warrior
from Florence ,S.C. USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000
Strengths: frame feels good-- fairly light --good turns -- good acceleration-- clipless pedals -- xt and lx derailers
Weaknesses: minor intial bugs
Bottom Line:
ridden the bike several times on moderate trails-- shifting pains and chain trouble at first--maybe just needs minor adjustments-- brakes locked up on the second ride. Hopefully after the initial bugs are worked out a smooth ride will follow.Good for a moderate to semi-hardcore trail rider.
Bike Setup: stock with changed seat -- stock seat way too hard
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Lawrence
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge, MA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000
Strengths: LIGHTWEIGHT, GOOD VALUE FOR YOUR BUCK, LOOKS SHARP, CLIMBES LIKE A MAN MAN.
Weaknesses: THE SADDLE, LIKE A FRICKIN ROCK
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE ROCKS, I HAD TO WAIT AND GET THE YELLOW AND BLACK, IT WAS BACK ORDERED FROM THE FACTORY, BUT WELL WORTH THE WAIT. THIS BIKE IS LIGHTWEIGHT, VERY RESPONSIVE, AND HAS COMPONENTS ON BIKE THAT YOU WONT FIND ON ANY OTHER BIKES IN ITS PRICE RANGE. THIS BIKE HAS TAKEN EVERYTHING I HAVE DISHED OUT AND BEGS FOR MORE.IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SWEET BIKE UNDER 900 BUCKS THIS IS IT !!
Similar Products Used: GARY FISHER 1999 HOO KOO E KOO
Bike Setup: STOCK, ADDED PROFILE BAR ENDS, AND RECENTLY UPGRADED THE WHEEL SETS FROM THE RITCHY ROCK OCR THAT CAME WITH THE BIKE TO MAVICK 517 WITH XT HUBS, THREW ON SOME NEW KEVALR BEAD TIRES FOR THE HELL OF IT.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from wyalusing
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000
Strengths: GOOD VALUE,FAST,GOOD HANDLING. TAKES A LICKING KEEPS ON TICKING.NOT TO HEAVY.
Weaknesses: SHOCK PRE LOAD ADJUSTMENT BROKE,MANITOU REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. FIRST CHOICE IN COLOR WAS YELLOW, WHICH WAS BACK ORDERED AT THE FACTORY,GOT RED INSTEAD,LIKE THE RED JUST AS WELL
Bottom Line:
FAST RESPONSIVE HANDLING, CAN REALLY POWER THRU THE CLIMBS. THIS BIKE WOULD BE GREAT FOR ANY ONE WHO WANTS TO START RACING. I HAVE BEAT THIS BIKE AND IT JUST BEGS FOR MORE. FOR $850 IT IMPRESSED ME MORE THAN OTHER $800-$900 BIKES. GOOD COMBINATION OF NAME-BRAND AND SPECIALIZED PARTS.
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawrence, KS
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2000
Strengths: light weight, great for climbing, good shock
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
awesome bike, light with good handling ability, holds the trail good. recommend you try this bike before you buy anything over $1000.00. I have had no problems with the bike so far it very tough.
