Submitted by
Rootfreak
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2009
Strengths: Lightweight
Stiff
Extremely maneuverable for the Extra-Large frame size
this thing is a tank
Weaknesses: A few select creaks and groans
the steerer tube was cut too short - not a worry on the trails but on the road to the trails, it sucks (not a fault of the bike though)
The specialized cranks suck
Bottom Line:
I know I'm 9 years after the fact, but this bike is so much better than the crap I've ridden on from recent years. The XTR and XT components function marvelously. The XTR V-Brakes are powerful enough to flex my frame. The frame itself is super-light and rock-solid. It just keeps climbing. You point it where you want to go and turn the pedals. This has proved great on rocky trails that I probably would have fallen on from loss of momentum. The light weight combined with stiffness makes this bike unstoppable.
Similar Products Used: Upgraded 2005 Marin Bolinas Ridge
Bike Setup: Stock with Titec Ti saddle, Time Atac pedals, Easton MonkeyLite CF bars, Kenda Karma Tires
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Submitted by
Ben Howard
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001
Strengths: Light! under 22 lbs. I bought just the 2001 frame (mine was in black) then added raceface cranks-bottom bracket, king headset, easton monkeylite bar, thompson elite seatpost, etc.... Also I used some XTR off of a 2001 m4 pro to get the total cast below $3,000 after tax. This bike is amazing! I couldn't be happier. I use it primarily for cross country, but it can do Downieville downhill with ease also. I wanted a hardtail because I don't like full suspension.
Weaknesses: none if you part out, you can get rid of all the crappy parts ie: the cranks, tubeless tires, etc. and get down to the good stuff, the frame, SID shocks,and XTR.
Bottom Line:
In my opinion this bike is the best hardtail on the trail. i can pass full suspension redes all day long, and if I don't mind the abuse the downhill without rear suspension seems more fun.
Bike Setup: Raceface cranks, bottombracket. Easton Monkeylite bar. Thompson Elite seatpost. Specialized computer.
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Submitted by
Duncan O'Reilly
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001
Strengths: Gotta agree with everyone else. Stiffness, light, componentry, colour (fast), climbing ability and the fact that chick crowd me everytime I pull it off the car in the parking lot..
Weaknesses: Crank (uhhh), grips, fork is a little sensitive to 8ft dropoff crashes, seat, tyres.
Bottom Line:
Gotta race this beby. Switch the cranks, bars, saddle, tires and throw the reflectors as far as you can and start getting blue ribbons. I've ridden every mecca (except Crested Butte and Bryan Head) in N America on my m4 and it sings as it flies. I have to keep my HAWG full or I take off sometimes. Expensive, but monkeys pay peanuts for mountain bikes. I got a great deal and invite all M4 owners to Australia to sample some MTB action abroad.
Favorite Trail: Porcupine Rim -Moab, Walnut Creek-Charlottesville VA and The Pipeline- Bemboka NSW Aust
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: HTO Fairfax Circle VA
Similar Products Used: None. There's nothin aroung like this..
Bike Setup: Icon risers, Ouray clear grips, Fire xc 2.1(shouldda got 1.8), velocoraptor front, WTB SST saddle (get one), Gorilla brake booster (pointless- I dont use em' much) and me on top pedalling like there's no tomorrow!
GREAT bike, top of the line stuff. strongarms a little flexy, replace them with XTR or race face ISIS. its the coolest frame, love the m4. BUY THIS BIKE!!!!!!! fi u want a light bike that that will last a long time and go really really fast... BUY IT! if u want to go urban assault riding the fork will last as long as u dont go off any 15 ft ledges. everyone complains about the fork but its really awesome. it works so much beter than the mars.
Bike Setup: sworks m4 with XTR crankarms, profile bars. sworks saddle, salsa grips(dont by them no matter how cool they look, they wear away the next day u use them)
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Submitted by
Leo
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001
Strengths: Light (sub 22lbs.!) Amazing climbing ablility Looks to match the price Mars CL works great
Weaknesses: non so far, lots of people have been complaining about the fork but I ride extremely hard and have had no problems with it.
Bottom Line:
Although I've only had this bike for 3 months, I am very impressed with it. It's by far the most resposive, light, and fastest bike I've tried--and that's comparing to the top treks and cannondales. Overall a very cool bike...
Similar Products Used: trek 8500, cannondale f1000
Bike Setup: stock + time carbons
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Submitted by
TSTEW
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham, CT
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001
Strengths: This frame, IMHO, is the holy mecca of frames! The welds are superb and the geo is done up awesome. It accelerates like there's no tomorrow and climbs like a mountain lion. Fast & super light. Set up to race out of the box or to kick your friends arses on any given Sunday. There is nothing wrong with the crankset - period! I'm 190lbs and have put these cranks through their paces with no flex what so ever.
Weaknesses: So far, no major complaints. Crank bolts all decided to loosen up at once during a techy ride. Ended up losing one and limped home in the dark. Headset is creaking a bit. Not a big fan of being a riding bill board for Specialized.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. Sure there are others out there that are as good/better, but I don't own them. For the price, you cannot get a lighter bike (sub-22lbs) set up with a solid xtr/xt group. Don't listen to the cry baby soup wimps who down play the cranks and other components this bike comes with. They're all a bunch of wannabies anyway!
Bike Setup: xtr/xt group, strong arm II cranks, thompson elite post, sid 100, 858 peds, Specialized Pro Ti saddle, blah, blah, blah
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Submitted by
Douglas Holtz
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001
Strengths: Extremely fast frame....tight wheelbase perfect top tube length, great on singletrack, Climbs like a dog on speed!!!
Weaknesses: Weakness....mmm....the only thing I woudl say Is first ditch all the specialized crap that comes with it and you'll be set. Also I am a hardcore Answer Manitou fan....but...the Mars CL is not my favorite fork, nuf said
Bottom Line:
This is the fastest bike I have ever set ass on, it climbs like nothing accelerates great, and is just a damn fine example of why Specialized rocks (frames that is). Ideal buyer is a person who knows the quality of a great product and is not looking for that "deal" in other words just fess up and pay for it rather than telling your local shop to give you a deal and free accessories. You do not have to be a racer to enjoy this bike just someone who wants a fast and great riding bike!!!
Similar Products Used: S-Works FSR--------M2 Stumpjumpers
Bike Setup: Full Shimano XTR grouppo with Mavic 517 rims, speedplay frog pedals, Yeti Hyperlite bar, Race Face System stem, Thompson Elite Seatpin, Yeti Hardcore lock on grips, Selle Itallia Max Flite Saddle, Manitou SX Carbon fork, Tioga XC SL tyres
Strengths: Sweet-jizzy-pops, race ready hardtail, superlight, looks, excellent components (except crankset), mavic tubeless tires stock, much lighter yet just as strong as Ti frames, it's a porsche/hummer hybrid, best stock hardtail on the market without dropping $5000 for a Litespeed Tanasi.
Weaknesses: THE CRANKS ARE BLASPHEMY, do yourself a favor and throw on a XT set at least, XTR or Raceface if you got the $$$, saddle sucks fat doritos, throw on your favorite Selle Italia, Specialized top-of-the-line racer should come with some more XTR and better cranks for the price ($2700) brand new retail.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a "cum popsicle," once a few upgrades are slapped on you'll have a CHOICE hardtail racer-time to turn pro. I was lucky enough to have an uncle who's an exec. at Sun Microsystems (designs M4) got the bike brand new for $1000 ($4000 value). Not meant for weedend crusers, this is a serious bike for the super-avid rider, you better know how to take kare of it or it will buck you. For those of you with fork complaints, learn how to ride-this isn't a DH with 7" travel, don't expect to live long if you're spraying over 4'+ drops unless your tinkerbell. If you have the money get one, put any extra $$$ into upgrades, then it really rips!
Similar Products Used: Just about everything mid to high-end, currently own a 99 Trek 8000 and Litespeed Tsali along with this baby.
Bike Setup: Full XTR group (XTR 5-arm cranks), Selle Italia Ti Gel saddle, LP carbon/kevlar bar and seat post, Easton Mg stem, Time ATAC Ti/Carbon clipless, Currently weighs in at 20.4 lbs for a 19" frame (that's about as good as it gets folks). I have 01 SID SL's on my Litespeed and Manitou CL is just as nice-no need to upgrade right now.
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Submitted by
rob woods
a Downhiller
from Lowell, MA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001
Strengths: Light as a feather Nice wheel set Sweet frame - nice geometry, stiff and responsive Mars CL fork (I've heard the horror stories but have had no problems to date). Looks (sweet understated paint job)
Weaknesses: Strongarm crankset (too much flex in the crank arms and chain suck) Paint chips easily Pedals don't provide the same level of feedback as my Shimanos
Bottom Line:
I was reluctant to spend large on a XC bike but eventually took the plunge (actually, I nagged my wife for a month until she gave in, then placed a bid before she had time to change her mind)... anyway, I never looked back. This thing is a two wheeled porche - stiff, fast and responsive.
The bike weighs in at around 23lb (I was riding a 7 yr old, 40lb Marin) and no bull - the first few times I put my foot down, I thought the chain had slipped off! Talk about fast!
Sweet set up and a nice mix of componentry apart from the specialized crankset. Awesome value for money and a damn good reason to ride every day!
Similar Products Used: None - this thing is lighter and more responsive than anything I've ridden in the past.
Bike Setup: Stock except for middle chainring (I switched the specialized middle chainring for an XT to achieve better shifting and reduce chain suck )
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Submitted by
Mike Finger
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, Ca
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001
Strengths: Stiff, Light, great wheels. Great geometry... I'm glad someone out there is making a cross country bike. I test rose too many bikes that had "freeride" geometry. i.e. they felt like I was riding my mom 's beach cruise.
Weaknesses: Piece o' crud cranks. Chainsuck city! I can't believe how bad these cranks are. Specialized, you guys should be ashames. How much money did you save using these cranks over a pair of XT's? $40??? The pedals are okay, I just wish I got more feedback when you click in.
Bottom Line:
I set out last week to buy some new chainrings to get rid of the horrible specialized ones, but saw that Pricepoint has tapered TruVativ team stylo cranks for $89, and decided to try them out. Took about 15 minutes to stick 'em on the bike, went right on, no front der. adjustments or anything. I must say, these cranks are a huge improvement over the Strongarms. (the funny thing is the Strongarms look alot like they were made by Truvativ....) For the money not a bad upgrade
Bike Setup: Stock, except for a pair of TruVativ cranks
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Submitted by
Curt Beauregard
a Racer
from Gainesville, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Strengths: Outstanding frame geometry. Specialized does have some weaknesses, but not with the frame. M4 is light and stiff. Climbs like a monkey. Very stable platform, easy to force in turns and downhills. Light and fast. Nice light wheelset. I've heard lots of negatives about the Manitou Mars fork, but I have had no problems with it. It is easily adjustable, stiff, with good travel for a race fork. I think it is an asset on this bike.
Weaknesses: Piece of s*** Strongarm cranks. These are an embarassment on a bike of this caliber. Tremendous flex, and I am not a heavyweight (155lb). Spec. seat is like riding on a baseball bat. Curved seat stays may add some needed vertical compliance in the rear end
Bottom Line:
Great bike overall. Weaknesses are really just nuisances and easily and relatively cheaply corrected except crankset (250-$300). Why bike manufactures continue to spec their top line bikes with crappy in-house components is a mystery to me. Buy this bike if you want a first class hardtail that is fun to ride, and with a little work, ready for any race.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn homegrown, Trek 9.9, GT Zaskar
Bike Setup: Stock except XTR crank, New fizik Dolomiti saddle, time carbon pedals xt 11-45 rear cassette,.
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Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001
Strengths: Fairly light. Fork is nice.
Weaknesses: Saddle sucks.
Bottom Line:
The bike is light. Well, lighter than my old Hard Rock. And the fork is more plush and has more travel. The saddle is for morons--all style, no function--unless its purpose is to make you wanna stand. The brakes are more powerful and easier to modulate than my Hard Rock. Shifting is okay. Nothing special. People who say this bike is not for long rides....puzzle me. Maybe they have a saddle like mine. The bike is less tiring to ride because of the lower weight. What? We got a fork and squishy tires and these people say the stiff frame makes them so tired. We've got some sensitive people out there. It's okay. I wouldn't pay full price for one. But I would definitely buy another Specialized product. They seem to work. The lowly Trek I rode is kinda weird.
Bike Setup: Judy SL, Mavic X221, Specialized Body Geometry Comp saddle
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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol Rhode Island
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001
Strengths: I want to be like Dave, so I got a really light bike. It climbs like Dave does, and I really like that.The shock tracks well going downhill. I have not had the problems with the shock everyone else seems to have had.Dave has the same shock, so thats good enough for me. I want to be like Dave
Weaknesses: It is not the same bike Dave has. Paint chips easy, I had to miter out my shoes to get the pedals to work
Strengths: Stiff, lightweight, and very responsive.
Weaknesses: Nothing significant. Paint has worn off around BB a little. The water bottle mounts seem to be to close. I can't carry two large water bottles. I only use one cage.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that the bike is setup to race and it performs well, it's light, and very responsive. I say anyone looking for a hardtail to race can't go wrong with a M4. The bike is not for weekend trail rides for enjoyment.
Some have commented on the stiffness and how long rides the bike is not the best. The bike is stiff, but you know what you are getting up front, and it performs to expectations.
Fortunately for me I was able to get the frame and build it up to my satisfaction. I agree that the 2000 models are not as nice stock as my bike (proprietary parts and Mars shock). But after looking at the 2001 models I think you are getting what you are paying for with a Sid SL and Crossmax Tubeless.
Similar Products Used: Specialized S Works M2. I had an M2 and bent the frame. Specialized made me a good deal on a new M4 frame. These are the only two bikes that I have ridden extensively off road.
Bike Setup: Full XTR, with the exception of an XT Hollowtech crankset. Chris King headset, Profile stem, Anser riser bar, Sid SL, USE XCR suspension seat post, mavic 517 rims with XT hubs, and Time Atac Carbon pedals.
Strengths: Very light weight, stiff frame, 100% race bike, good looking bike, nice wheels.
Weaknesses: Mars CL is a piece of crap (check fork reviews). Thomson seatpost is nice, but needs rear offset. Seatpost fits a little loose in frame.
Bottom Line:
With the exception of the front suspension fork, this is a great bike. It has a good mix of high end components. Out of the box the bike weighs 21.75 lbs. If you want a light weight hardtail racer, this could be the bike for you. If you are looking for a weekend cruiser, look elsewhere. The stiffness of the frame can wear on the body on longer rides. The narrow 1.9 tires are great for racing, but don't do much to smooth out the bumps on those fun weekend rides. After a year of riding and racing (10 races), this bike has held up really well with the exception of the fork. Did I mention that a hate the front shock!!!
