Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2004
Strengths: Frame, LX rear derailleur, paintwork, exceptional price from dealer
Weaknesses: Deore front derailleur flagrantly not up to the standard of the LX rear, brakes a little weak in the wet, gear shifting a tad stiff on the thumbs.
Bottom Line:
This is the first genuinely good bike I have owned and it really makes one appreciate the difference, especially when they leave a token turkey of a component on the bike (front derailleur) to make you appreciate the rest of it. I see a lot of complaints on the site about the headset and shock -- no trouble with mine so far, other than that the boots on the shock don't attach very well. And buying bikes in Northern Minnesota in February brings great things out of dealers. Even if it means you have to test ride them on packed snow.
Bike Setup: Stock pedals were cleats on both sides. Had the dealer substitute toe clips (I didn't see myself wanting to use anything other than street shoes with the bike). Now I know better. Shimano M540 cleats on both sides. Otherwise stock (LX rear, Deore front derailleur, Tektro brakes) except for less aggressive tires now that I'm in the city and more on paved surfaces than off them. The Deore front derailleur is next for the chop.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Norther California
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003
Strengths: Solid frame, nice color (blue/grey), good components for the price.
Weaknesses: No disc mounts on frame.
Bottom Line:
I like it, but I haven't ridden much else, so I can't say much else. The brakes work fine. I know a lot of people say V brakes are crap if they aren't Avid or Shimano, but the Tektro work fine for me and I ride a lot of steep terrain.
Bike Setup: Stock, except shifters went out so I upgraded to LX. And I put so slicker tires on (Worm Drive).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Dearborn, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003
Strengths: Price, Looks, Durable Frame
Weaknesses: Fork quality and seat comfort
Bottom Line:
I'm a heavy rider. I did not like the Manitou Fork. The fork was too soft. Fork started leaking fluid and no longer adjusted. Had it rebuilt. Fork did not last very long before same thing happened again. Going to replace my fork with a Marzocchi. Other than the fork, I beat the snot out the bike it and I'm a pretty heavy rider. It has taken a lot of abuse for this level of bike. Trade off is in the weight. I thought it to be a bit heavy.
Submitted by
Mike Cianci
a Cross Country Rider
from Prague, Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003
Strengths: The frame--it is solid and can stand up to just about anything. Handles really well in all conditions, and is great on tough uphills
Weaknesses: The seat and grips were useless. Minor issues. Brakes aren't great, but adequate.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike knowing I wanted to get more serious about biking, and this bike took me there without any problems. I am now always looking for bigger hills, steeper descents, and longer rides. One thing is certain--the bike will be able to handle it.
The frame is the thing on this bike--Other bikes I tried when I bought this one felt as if you are strangely perched atop the thing, whereas on this bike you feel as if you are one with the bike. It is solid, but still forgiving on the weight, and it handles great at all speeds and in all conditions.
My next bike is certain to be a signficant upgrade, but for someone who wants to get serious about the sport, likes to go hard but not that often, or for someone without a big budget but looking for great value, this bike is a hands-down winner!
Strengths: great, responsive frame. rear LX derailer has never been adjusted after 2000 miles of hard riding.
Weaknesses: front deore derailer seizes periodically. tektro brakes are crap. the wheelset is very strong, but super heavy.
Bottom Line:
i used to ride a $1500 khs team frame, but then it got stolen, and i got married (i.e. cost concious), and bought this bike because it looked to be a great deal. definitely a lot heavier than more expensive bikes, but i have been impressed with how the lx rear derailler has held up. i love the frame, the ride feels great, very responsive. need to upgrade the brakes and wheelset. otherwise its race ready... been tested a few times and had no problems at all. esp. good on the climbs! this is a good buy for an entry to mid level rider who plans to upgrade through the years. the frame is worthy of the upgrades.
Submitted by
Cook
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2002
Strengths: Color Scheme, Light for cost, Rims
Weaknesses: Chaingrings, Chainrings, Did I mention the Chainrings
Bottom Line:
Great bike for typical trail riding. If you like me and want to jump, go over stumps and everything else. Well you might want to go up a few models. The bike is great for the price. however those chain rings MUST GO. I broke the small and the middle rings. Shifting was sloppy and not to responsive. As far as feel and handling. I loved it. Loved it cause I got a Stump Jumper Comp now. I busted the chain on this bike in no time. But for its intentended purpouse its a great trail bike to have fun with. Just stay away from the hard stuff. Or if you do then dont do it everytime like I did. I tore this bike up in less than one year of riding. But I cant complain It held up through tome tuff stuff besides the Chain Rings....Isnt Sr Suntour supposed to be making bike parts for little kids. Cause I think they should stop making parts for Big Kids!!!!!
Bike Setup: Stock except lightweight tubes and diff tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from mobile,alabama
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2002
Strengths: this is a great bike it is light,fast,and very maneuverable on tight trails does well in wet conditions and night riding
Weaknesses: the stock grips tear up fairly easily,the seat is uncomfortable on some of the longer rides,and the stock rims are not strong enough for some jumps.not my bike of choice for jumps.also i have found that it does noy do well in sandy conditions
Bottom Line:
this is my fourth mountain bike and so far is the only bike that i have not managed to destroy within 6 months of getting it so far my trek 850 and specialized hardrock have not been able to compare to the rockhopper
Similar Products Used: trek 850, specilized hardrock
Bike Setup: eggbeater pedals,sigma computer,specialized bg grips otherwise it is stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chuck7
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002
Strengths: Light, fast, strong, love the way it rides, tough, fits me perfectly (I'm tall), REALLY does climb the rough stuff, and steers and handles well when the going gets tricky. Just a joy to ride from day 1, as far as I'm concerned. Decent price. Great paint job and colors/graphics.
Weaknesses: Brakes weak, stock tires weak, small chainring weak, bb weak, chain weak, shifts sloppily at times, also, get stronger bars if you're a big rider and like the rough stuff.
Bottom Line:
I do love this bike, and would describe it as a real hardtail, perfect for those who appreciate such things. It does really well on the Tucson area trails- rocky and steep and sandy and hotter that hell. And I'm happy riding back and forth to work, and on those rides where I choose to ride cross-city to get to the interesting stuff.
I had to put a few parts on it, e.g. the bb failed in 3 months, I'm fairly obsessed about having good tires and magic wheels, but the only limitation on this bike is me.
Fairwheel was happy to order the 23" inch frame (I'm 6'6") and put on a long stem so I could see if I liked it, while the Cannondale dealer told me I'd have to buy if they ordered it while simultaneously sniffing and looking down their nose at me. Another dealer laughed and said "you'll NEVER find a frame that fits you." So I'm pretty happy w/ Specialized and the dealer too. I dream about riding this bike, and really I have been on the coolest, roughest rides for almost 2 years and had a great deal fun and built my skills considerably.
Similar Products Used: Santa Fe Wolf- ca. 1990- my brother has it now.
Bike Setup: Wheels by Fairwheel's wheel guru, who made magic wheels tough enough for a big dude like me, long Icon stem, Michelin Wildgripper front, Conti Veritcal Pro rear, XT BB, stainless steel Raceface small chainring, Wellgo pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from Wakefield Ma
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002
Strengths: Solid entry-level hard tail, has held up pretty well so far, the wheels i couldnt keep true for at first but after having to do it 5 or 6 times they, contine to be spot on.
Weaknesses: The brakes were the first thing that needed to go. The headset was loose from day one and needed to be way too tight to eliminate the problem. The manitou fork wore out after a year. Shimano chains are evil, swich to sachs now!
Bottom Line:
A good beginner mountain bike if u dont know how serious you're gonna get. Its not that light, even after all the upgrades ive done its just below 26 lbs. Basically its stuck with me and taken eveything ive thrown at it. I started racing and its keep me out of last place, but the rest is up to me. The bike fills the gap between casual mountain biker and racer. If ya got the cash get somthing a little nicer but if ya dont this will suit you just fine.
Weaknesses: The seat was horrible, and the front derailer needed adjustment and now it works great!
Bottom Line:
My best purchase I ever made, bike works great and never had a problem, handles great off rode and downhill. I recently took it about 30 mph down and offrode hill with roots and rocks and the fork absorbed everthing. I love it and I will keep this bike forever!!!!!!!!! PS The Blue/Silver color is awesome, best paint job on a bike I've ever seen(stock).
Similar Products Used: This bike is one of a kind.
Bike Setup: Specialized Barends, Specialized Comfort Plus Saddle, Specialized Speed Zone Comp, Spec. bike pump,and I need to get one of those saddle bags.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusettes
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001
Strengths: The transmission, specialized pedals, is great and frame is supperb!
Weaknesses: Tektro brakes, must upgrade!
Bottom Line:
I'm still young rider and I think that it is a really great bike for getting statrted or just about any enthusiast whos into the sport. It is nice and light, climbs well and the fork gets the job done well.
Similar Products Used: Kona Cinder Cone, Trek 7000, Kona NuNu
Bike Setup: Manitou Magnum R, Deore - XT
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
add_rock
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001
Strengths: Strong, Light & Solid!
Weaknesses: None as of yet.
Bottom Line:
This bike rides strong and smooth. It climbs like crazy. The component setup is perfect (probably better)for my skill level. It was a steal for the closeout price I got on it. I picked a winner! If you're shopping for a used ride and come across this one, or can still find a closeout deal grab it quick!
This bike has a lot of potential. The frame is awesome , Manitou shocks are decent and the components are great. I bought the bike used for 300 dollars of a lady who bought it and then never used it. The bike can take a beating and never complains. The tire(kevlar) and rim setup are very decent for the price. I plan to keep it and continue to upgrade .
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher wahoo , Raleigh m50
Bike Setup: Completely stock except for Onza bar ends,cateye computer, and frame bag
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Strengths: Durable and orange/black combo looks great.
Weaknesses: back and front derailleur is constantly needing adjusting as does the head set. Extremely annoying (especially the head set) when your flying down hills.
Bottom Line:
This bike has its crappy parts, but I drive it hard without mercy and it holds up like it did on day 1. I've yet to change any parts in over a year (but am constantly adjusting things). This bike can take its fair share of abuse and is a great starter bike for the naturally aggressive riders.
