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Submitted by
black cog
a Racer
from Petaluma, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | super stiff, compact geometry, really fast in the turns, I can fit a 2.3-2.4 tire. wheelies like a champ. | | Weaknesses: | only the components i used to have on it. | | Similar Products Used: | various trek, various specialized, mtn cycle san andraes, kona explosif, santa cruz blur, | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi fork 140mm, single speed for simplicity, wtb wheelset, | | Bottom Line: | uber strong, this bike has made me a better rider, i can take lines i never dreamed of before, just think and the bike reacts, its great for railing turns, blasting through rock gardens, snaking through boulders, but it really excels in the air. this bike makes me want to hit jumps, its a great ride. I've started exploring the trail in a whole new mindset, "where can i land that to transition into the next one." I ride it as a ss trail bike, bomb proof and resilient. Ive raced it on some short tracks a few times, but it was rather exhausting, compared to my xc race bike, but then again i can't constantly train on my xc bike like i can on this one. i haven't raced any 4cross, but i imagine it would rock it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jaybel
a Downhiller
from Whitehorse, Yukon!
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Grey Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | pinkbike.com | | Strengths: | Super versatile
great looks
fast in corners
great geometry for dh, freeride and dj | | Weaknesses: | uhmmm....
nope | | Similar Products Used: | kona shred | | Bike Setup: | bombers, single tracks, hayes nine, truvativ crank set and bars, blue dragon tyres. | | Bottom Line: | The 05 version of this bike is amazingly versatile. Its great for climbing and smooth for going down. Its great for slopestyle trails and its easy to catch air with it.
During summertime, I pretty much live on this beauty.
I recommend this frame to any kind of rider that is willing to have some serious fun.
the price is on this frame is CRAZY LOW!!!! Its yhe best deal I have ever made.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian Wadsworth
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheffield UK
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything steep and technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | Where to start ! Super tough, easy to set up as an all mountain rig. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Shred, Specialized P1, Merlin | | Bike Setup: | Rumble large in green, NC-17 stem n seat post, HFX-9 Carbons, Manitou black super airs 120mm, Strip bars, Crossrides, race face cranks 24 + 36 rings with bash, azonic tyres 2.5 front 2.3 rear Azonic love seat ! | | Bottom Line: | Im 6 feet 2, 18 stone and hard on my bikes. I was fed up of having different bikes for different types of riding ! Merlin winter set up, Kona Explosif pro trail set up, Specialised P1 dirt jumper. I wanted a do anything hard tail and the Rumble rises to it ! I do not drive so if I want to go n play I have to ride to get there n the rumble does it ! I can ride the trans-pennine trail nice flat and easy to get to the dirt jumps and steeps I used to ride BMX on as a kid in the 80's, just drop the seat post and your off ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeremy rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | marks shop | | Strengths: | the fram is mad strong super light | | Weaknesses: | hard to find a single crank to fit it | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | rims rims fox v fork | | Bottom Line: | the best hard tail free ride bike i rode | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seb
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay / cambria | | Strengths: | -Made in USA (Kinesis fabrication facility in Portland Oregon)
-Comes in a good range of sizes, unlike many FR hardtails
-Cantilever brake mounts, there if yah need them
-Geometry makes good balance between FR, XC, and DJ
-Black ano color, embossed logo, well done cable routing, other details | | Weaknesses: | '04 version and older (mine is) lacks chain guide tabs.
Fat head gusset may limit steering lock with some triple-clamp forks. But hey, if you run a triple clamp, are gonna try to do bar spins? | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Chameleon (friend owned one)
Gary Fisher GED | | Bike Setup: | 135 MM fork (Marz Z1 MCR)
Magura HS 33 rear brake
2x9 drivetrain
Titek El Norte Seatpost (gotta mention it, its stronger than Thompson)
90mm stem and flat bars (yup)
| | Bottom Line: | Very well made frame for a good price (easy to find a close out). MC uses some of the best materials and fabrication techniques in the business, and the design is top notch. The 2005 and later version is probably gonna cost you more, but is worth the investment if you want the (very nice) swapable single speed / multi-gear rear end, or plan to run a chainguide.
As you might suspect from the canti-tabs and geometry, this isn't as specific-purpose a bike as, say, the Morphine, but its still hugely stout and capable "extreme hardtail". I run a fairly traditional XC stem / bar combo, and it still wheelies / manuals / slaloms great, and is just enough reach to keep climbing bearable. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Preston
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Lewis River | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | www.greenfishsports.com | | Strengths: | Nice welds and reinforced headtube and seatube junctions make the bike look stout. Tight geometry, solid feel. Can be used for XC, freeride, or street. Love the powdercoat white or red. Pretty clean cable routing | | Weaknesses: | Dropout developed a crack but this issue is solved with replacable dropouts for the new models. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Schwinn, Gary Fisher, Sinister | | Bike Setup: | Hookworm tires on DeeMax's, Sherman firefly plus, Magura Louise FR brakes, RaceFace evolve XC crank, FSA Pig DH pro | | Bottom Line: | I don't think there is a better value out there for a burly hardtail. Compare to Cannondale, Banshee, Devinci, SantaCruz all those bikes will set you back twice as much as the MC. And besides the price, the bike handles beautifully and looks just as good. The short chainstays allow for manuals that last all day long and the tight geometry makes it feel like the bike is an extension of your body. When you get on the pedals hard, the bike accelerates with no flex. It just feels solid. Just one look at the thick yoke, reinforced headtube and seatube junctions, and thick square chainstays and you figure out why. The best part about this frame is its versatility. When I take the bike out to the trails I throw on a set of grippy tires and keep up with all those spandex boys on the climbs. Then I get to the top of the trail, lower the seat, and just rip the downhill sections. Powdercoat red is still gorgeous after 2 years 8 mo despite some hard falls. I would subtract 1 chilli because a part of the drive side dropout cracked all the way through, but this will not be an issue in the new models, just check out a picture of the new replaceble dropouts.
I highly recommend this frame for those of you who split their time between aggressive street riding during the week and abusive trail riding on the weekend. If you're just into XC, this bike is overbuilt and probably just a bit overweight for your needs. BUT that slight weight handicap is probably well worth the money you'll save. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Downhiller
from Kihei,HI/Bay Area,CA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | boyscout/ deadcampers | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | light and sumwut cool looking | | Weaknesses: | not as strong as everyone says...2 of my friends snapped them. I always feel mine flexing and it handles like a shopping cart. | | Similar Products Used: | way to many | | Bike Setup: | '03 rumble, reba race, e13, truvative cranks, protaper bars, (cheap) forte loco wheelset | | Bottom Line: | i ride mostly street and some dirt jumps but this bike handles like poo. doesnt hold manuals and wheelies. if you want a aluminum frame its alright but if u want a nice street/ dirt jumper HT then get a good cromo frame. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Cross Country Rider
from bend, oregon
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | dechutes river trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | greenfishadventuresports | | Strengths: | Well balanced, corners well, jumps well, sprints well and feels responsive on trails out here in bend. | | Weaknesses: | They do not make a 21" seat tube x 25"TT for larger riders because this would make an awesome trail frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Gt Aggressor 1.0. | | Bike Setup: | Pike Race (2005), King headset, Thomson front and rear, Wtb saddle, hope seat collar, kenda nevegal tires(2.3), singletrack wheels, avid 6" mech discs, odi grips, avid cables and shimano/sram drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | Love this frame just wish it was larger for my 6ft 6" frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Dunoon, Scotland
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Glenbranter, Argyll, Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin cycle | | Strengths: | Where do I start, flickable, very strong, the new dropout system for 2005 is the nuts VERY sturdy.. this bike looks like nothing would break it.
Thick paint.. no sign of wear through several mild off's
In the UK its very rare to see another one so it is kinda special n all.
In conclusion I just love this hardtail and hope to keep on enjoying it in many years yet. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes a tad too sharp till you realise it needs around 130mm front fork to feel just right.
| | Similar Products Used: | Nothing I've ridden comapres to this bike ( but then again I'm not massivley experienced in this area ) | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Rockshox Tora 318 solo air with poploc, 2006 LX hollowtech chainset, 2000 LX rear mech, 2006 LX disc brakes, Mavic 717 rims on LX disc hubs, DMR v12 pedals, Easton EA50 post, bars and stem, STX shifters, ODI lock on grips.. | | Bottom Line: | Built this bike up at the start of the year as a means to get a bit fitter since giving up the ciggies and has been fantastic so far.. VERY impressed with the frame overall and copes with scottish trails just fine.
I'm around 220lbs and this bike shrugs it off as if I'm not there..
first class.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jodey
a Weekend Warrior
from Palo Alto
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Carlmont | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Woodside Bike Shop | | Strengths: | A great freeriding hardtail. The rumble is a very tough and durable frame. It handles very well, too. On the trail you feel very light in the saddle, because of the bike's quick response and maneuverability. An exceptional dirt jumping frame, and suprisingly it is a decent singletrack bike as well. It can handle small-to-medium sized drops, so freeriders who have the cojones for a hardtail will love this frame. I recommend riding a 100-130mm fork with the Rumble for the best performance on jumps and for control. | | Weaknesses: | The Rumble frame is a little heavy. A decent bike for urban riding, but not great, because of its weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Chase, DK Slugger, Kona Scrap, Kona Cowan, Specialized P.3 | | Bike Setup: | Rumble Frame, Fox Vanilla R (130mm), Mavic DeeTraks Wheelset (Get CrossMax wheels instead - they are much lighter and almost as strong), Maxxis Minion DH Tires, Truative Hussefelt handlebars/cranks, ODI lock on grips, Chris King headseat, Raceface Evolve stem, Juicy BB7 mechanical disk brakes, Crank Brothers 5050 pedals, Shimano XT front derailler, SRAM X.9 rear derailler, SRAM 9-speed chain, Bontrager Race X Lite seatpost, Bontrager Race X Lite Saddle, Bontrager Thorn-Proof MTB Tire Tubes | | Bottom Line: | The Mountain Cycle Rumble is a great frame for anyone interested in Heavy-Duty riding with a rigid rear wheel. I am impressed with the performance of this bike, especially from a small bike company like MC. The bike shines on dirt jumps, and is also a very nice trail rider as well. You Pedal. It Goes. Good Deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billbo baggins
a Downhiller
from middle earth, uh, uk
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | cave troll gully | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | gandalfs tower | | Strengths: | great for outrunning ogres, trolls, cave dwellers, whites, ghosts, gouls, vampires, nasty stirges and anything else that wants to eat you. | | Weaknesses: | no suspension.................especially when you are riding for you life. | | Similar Products Used: | wooly mammoth, riding lizard, zebra, horse and camel. | | Bike Setup: | fox 36 vanilla rc, singleator, maxxis hookworm tires, diabolus headset, diabolus stem, diabolus bar, avid juicy 7" brakes, holzfeller cranks, crank brothers 50/50 pedals and thomson seat post with sdg saddle. | | Bottom Line: | great frame with unyielding strength. awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin Olij
a Downhiller
from Langley BC
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Paper Route | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | warranty | | Strengths: | Light
Strong
Versatile | | Weaknesses: | Dual crowns will wreck the front-end | | Similar Products Used: | 04 Norco Sasquatch, 03 MC Rumble, 05 Norco Six | | Bike Setup: | 05 MC Rumble small, warrantied 04 DJ3's, Double Tracks, Hayes Nines, Hussefelt cranks+stem... | | Bottom Line: | This is my final update as I am selling this bike because I wanted a full suspension.
The MC Rumble is a truly magnificent hardtail. It can take pretty much everything, from Whistler, to the skatepark, to the local DJ's, to whatever you want to do with it. With the interchangeable dropout system, this frame becomes even more versatile than before! The Rumble is a killer frame at a killer value and it doesn't care how you ride it. You can put 8" Shiver DC's on it and it will feel BETTER than with a 5" single crown...I know!
I think if I ever wanted to build up another hardtail frame as my primary bike, or maybe even as a secondary bike I would seriously consider another Rumble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from farmington, mn, usa
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$230.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria | | Strengths: | great design, perfect combo of lightweight/stiffness/strength | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | vintage steel Stumpjumper, Giant aluminum | | Bike Setup: | Noleen ELT w/Smartshock, 8 spd XT build, v brakes, shimano cc rims | | Bottom Line: | This is a phenomenal frame from a truly high end builder that knows how to build bikes right. I've used a K2 4500 carbon fully for the last 5 yrs and, while that is the ultimate fully ever built for cross country in my mind, I just wanted to go back to the ride of a rigid and was looking for something that would serve as a starter stock trials bike too. My carbon fully is a work of art so I was also looking for something with cool visual appeal. I got it all with this frame. Gotta like picking up a frame for this price, putting some nice old parts on it and ending up with just what you were looking for with very little out of pocket. I don't have a scale, but it is plenty light with a basic build and I'm sure it will have all the strength I ever need. I've paired it with my zero-flex Noleen Crosslink fork, so this thing totally rides on rails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jude Mayne
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Hole In The Ground | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria.com | | Strengths: | Great geometry for "doing it all" This frame is awesome for the rider who who loves long rides and likes to hit everthing the trail has to offer. A very unique and neat looking frame. I sometimes catch myself just gazing at it's brilliance. If you are an experienced rider and you mount a quality fork on this thing you can absolutely fly on this bike. This is the type of frame that eats up flowing fast single track. It can handle the rock gardens, but you might want to think about finding the natural lines instead of just dropping off rocks.(which is just as fun) A low maintenance goto bike with great all around, all mountain characteristics. Jumps well if have BMX or DJ experience. Legs make great rear shocks if you can use them right. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can think of, unless you simply hate hardtails or you put a piece of junk fork on it. This Frame deserves a quality fork. Haven't tried a thudbuster yet, but I bet it would make this bike much more bareable on climbs or when hauling ass on the flats. | | Similar Products Used: | To many to list | | Bike Setup: | Light and tough and burly. Parts are constantly being replaced because I tear through them like oxygen. | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike and depend on it to take me far into the woods and back with a huge smile on my face the whole time. Depends on what your into and what kinds of trails you like to ride. If you have a favorite trail that flows well and is not too rocky, get this frame and your speed on this trail will dramatically increase. Strong as hell! I'm 6'2 215 lbs. and I can't hurt this frame unless I first hurt myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance Lowry
a Downhiller
from La Habra, CA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Santiago Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Greenfishadventuresports.com | | Strengths: | Strength! The frame is light(5lbs) but is built for punishment. Black Ano finish is stealth. Welds. | | Weaknesses: | ??? I've heard the head angle is a little steep but I have NO complaints. No 8" rotor compatibility. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Roast '01, Weyless 67 | | Bike Setup: | '04 Black Ano Med frame, '03 Sherman Firefly,WTB Dual Duty wheel w/2.4 tires,Hayes HFX hydros 8" front 6" rear,WTB seat,Truvativ Gigapipe BB,Truvativ Hossfeller cranks. | | Bottom Line: | Ahhhh...Now I know why I missed my old hardtail so much. I used to have so much fun on the old Kona Roast. Went to a 7 inch full susp. bike and just felt like I didn't have any control over the wandering rear wheel. Now comes the Rumble...
Steep headangle you say? I guess if you had a 4" fork on it. I have a 5" Sherman Firefly and this thing sits just fine. This is the hardtail I've been dreaming of.
NEGATIVES: No negative's I can find for this frame. Had problems with back ache after long rides on my previous hardtail. Got a Thudbuster Short Travel seatpost and now riding trails is great.
I like to stop and stop fast. I was bummed when I could only put a 6" rotor on the back, but as long as I have an 8" in the front I'm happy and I've notice the 6" does the job just fine.
POSITIVES: Where to start. The geometry I just love. It's perfect for riding aggresive trails. Coupled with the Firefly this thing just rips. I have a freeride/aggresive trail setup because I ride hard and don't want to be replacing components. Pretty sure this build is over 30 pounds. Uphill, the bike is a tad heavy, but it gets up pretty efficiently. When the trail points level or down this thing is pure unadulterated fun. I wanted a hardtail that could tear downhill and I got what I wanted. It's not going to soak up anything in the back obviously but for an aluminum HT it's not bad at all. Bunny hops/wheelies? Yes sir. It does it willingly.
What really made me happy with this frame is it's flickability. Could be that I cam from a 7" FS bike, but I can toss this thing around in the air with ease. The whole bike just feels right.
I haven't tried any big drops over 3 feet, but I'll repost when I do. The black ano is killer looking. So clean and stealth. Even makes the dirt easy to clean off too!
I've never been on a bike that I felt so immediately comfortable with. Actually with a lighter build this thing could be a great XC/All mountain rig that could climb for days. I would highly recommend picking one up. Urban, DJ, Freeride, XC even...this frame could potentially do them all. I'm so happy with this puppy and have always wanted a mountain cycle. Plus only $250!!! Wow!! Thinking of getting a SIN now for DH. This thing RIPS!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin Olij
a Downhiller
from Langley, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Berminator | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$219.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike Outfitters | | Strengths: | 5 Pounds
Good geometry
Slopey-wopey looks
Nice warranty guy | | Weaknesses: | 2003 model's dropouts crack for 165 pound rider..this problem was fixed for 04 with new dropouts and for 05 they have replaceable ones. | | Similar Products Used: | 04 Sasquatch | | Bike Setup: | 03 Rumble frame 15", 04 DJ3 5", Doubletrack rear, MX-22 front, hayes Nines front and rear 8", 26x2.5 Stout tires, Hussefelt cranks and stem, Wellgo B-66 pedals, Deore r/d, dual bashes blah blah | | Bottom Line: | It's a top-notch frame but the weak spot is the dropout system. The four little bars on each dropout are prone to cracking. I cracked the top one connecting to the chainstay on mine...but Mountain Cycle has an excellent warranty guy and they're hooking me up with a 2005 model for free! Yay for Mountain Cycle! The value rating is still 5/5 but I'm knocking down my original 5/5 Overall rating to 4.5...however there is no 4.5 so I'll have to make it 4. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | cambriabike.com | | Strengths: | The Guys @ Mountain Cycle were awesome & took care of me when i had warranty issues. | | Bottom Line: | I had warranty issues with this frame & the guys over at Mountain Cycle were very helpful, took care of my issues, and hooked me up with a new frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The-T
a
from Boston
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | i dunno price? decently strong, rides stable and like a champ | | Weaknesses: | cheesy name, almost UFO looking bulky, weird feeling | | Similar Products Used: | evil doc evil imperial sinister dna etc... | | Bike Setup: | sherman flick, doubletracks, full truvative hozefeller parts. nokian tires | | Bottom Line: | i had this bike for just over a year, and at the begging i was in love with it, but over time i started to progress and i found that the size and overall bulky feeling of the bike was slowing me down. I just sold the bike a month ago
It was a great bike, but it just couldnt handle were i was going. i would recomend this to any intermediate to semi advanced riders
i wish i could give it a 4.5 for overall rating but i cant so im gona have to go with a 4. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin Olij
a Downhiller
from Langley, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Berminator? | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | cambriabike.com | | Strengths: | A super light 5 pounds
Excellent standover
Astounding quality
Strong and pretty
Nimble
Multi-purpose
Corners on rails, even with 13 dollar Stout tires | | Weaknesses: | ummmmmmmmmmmm. Only thing I can think of is if you ride with a dual crown fork and you crash, you may dent the headtube gusset...that is what I have heard about the other Mountain Cycles but I don't know if that's true for this one. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Norco Sasquatch | | Bike Setup: | 03 Mountain Cycle Rumble 15" frame on a modified 04 Sasquatch parts spec. Only stock Sasquatch parts are: bars, cranks, BB (trashed), rims, rear axle, cogs, rear derailleur, and rear shifter. | | Bottom Line: | This frame is easily the best thing I have ever spent money on! Switching over from my Large (18") Sasquatch to this nimble machine has radically improved my biking skills. The Rumble is a truly versatile bike...it can conquer the mountains running a long travel fork, or shred the skate park with a rigid fork. It even ventures into cross country situations if you have the right setup. I love my Mountain Cycle and am totally happy with it. I would buy another Rumble in a heartbeat! At the price I paid for it...is there ANY way you could go wrong? absolutely not! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
johnnyb
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, Cali
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tamarancho | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$249.00 | | Purchased At: | Greenfish | | Strengths: | Strong, stiff frame. Anodized blackaliscous frame. Full-cable housing routing. And all at a great price. Gussets. Geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier frame for cross-country riding | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper Pro HT, Rainier, Redline Monocog | | Bike Setup: | Fox 100RLC, Avid discs, Raceface cranks, WTB headset, XT/LX everything else | | Bottom Line: | After riding a dualies for two years and breaking both frames and constantly pampering the pivots and bearings I've gone back to hardtails. Low maintenance--just buy a quality fork and bottom bracket. I'm too busy working and raising kids to be wrenching all the time. I'm also a big guy at 6'2" and 215 lbs.
SO, I looked for a burly bike that had similar geometry to my VT1 and handles quick and tight. The Rumble was my choice over a Chameleon or Komodo, it has a nice slack headtube and handles great on the downhills and singletrack, when I ride XC with it I don't even lower the seat! The gussets on the headtube and seatube junctions only inspire confidence to push the bike harder. I don't jump with it but I have gotten some nice 2-foot air opening it up on some downhill fireroads.
I also don't notice the weight of the bike since riding the dualies, but I do notice that its quiet, pedals great and I can ride faster than my previous bikes except for rockgardens where I have to pick a line as opposed to blasting over the top.
Building up the bike was a joy too, the quality of the threads and finish of the bike are first rate. The price I got it was awesome, I thoroughly recommend it for your hardtail trail bike that can take abuse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Vraets
a Downhiller
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$410.00 | | Purchased At: | Trailblazer Cycles | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, strong, unique geometry | | Weaknesses: | no iscg mount. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized P3, .243, Giant AC1 | | Bike Setup: | Sherman Slider Plus, XT disk brakes, hussifelts, 26" wheels, low-rise bar and stem (to compensate for tall fork) | | Bottom Line: | Though this bike was designed with urban riding and dirt jumping in mind, the steeper-than-average head angle and strong head tube gusset made it a great choice for a hardtail downhill racing rig with a tall dc fork. the steering is very responsive and the frame is very well balanced (as well as being nice and light). also, the 2005 list price has apparently come down (at least in canada) plus the 2005 frame has replacable drop-outs. makes it pretty hard to touch this frame for any type of riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bronson
a Weekend Warrior
from San Luis Obispo
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Many in Santa Cruz, Tahoe, B.C. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$290.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria bicycle outfitters | | Strengths: | sweet gusseting, weight/strength ratio, cornering, sprinting, etc. | | Weaknesses: | Tall head tube (not really ann issue), otherwise absolutely nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | heckler, bullit, enduro, haro extreme, cannondales, etc. | | Bike Setup: | fox vanilla 130R, thompson, king, raceface cranks w/ bash guard, azonic risers, singletrack rims, old xtr combo (better) | | Bottom Line: | With CBR's blowout sale, you can't get a better deal for the black anodized frame at $290.00. I wanted this build to be simple, reliable, indestructible yet lighter than my previous bikes. This is the best all around trail/freeride bike I've built so far. The headtube is tall (to accomidate gussetting I presume) so my sherman wouldn't fit, so I had to swap for a new 130R, the second best decision I have ever made. Like the others said, this thing is unexpectedly sweet. It sprints, descends and corners like no other. I can't think of one thing that I would change. The frame is stiff, super strong and with 2.35 tires it weighs in at 27 lbs. Not bad for a bullitproof, all purpose bike. I have been riding full suspension bikes the past 9 years and in no way regret switching to this hardtail. If you need a new frame and are short on cash look no further. This bike is well worth double what I paid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peter Disbury
a Downhiller
from 509 N. Civic Dr Walnut Creek, CA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | flume trail, lake tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Greenfish Adventure Sports | | Strengths: | Solid frame, fantastic center of balance, great paint job, great design, rails superbly. | | Weaknesses: | Too short for me but that's my issue. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Aggressor 1.0 (boring piece of rubbish) | | Bike Setup: | Z1 FR SL(04),king headset, X9/XT drivetrain, singletrack wheels, thomson front and rear, avid 7" discs, answer bar. | | Bottom Line: | My brother and I pieced two awesome trail hardtails together using the Mountain Cycle Rumble hardtail frames as the core component. Fantastic hardtails and with fabulous kit. This bike rules!! I have taken it on many epic 40+ mile rides around my area and it handles so very, very well. A joy to ride and it has been specced out to value around $1800...................worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rik Jacobs
a Racer
from Bournemouth!!!
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any decent freeriding tracks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | my halfrods store - too cheap to say how much!! | | Strengths: | everything. excellent when racing 4 cross, really solid frame, super stiff and the front end it fairly short so it is easy to corner and get the bike where yo want it. monocoque frameing rules, looks the bees knees!!! | | Weaknesses: | only thing i would say is that the zip tie cable routing idea is pretty cool, but i would prefer normal brake hose guides for disk brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | dmr trailstar, orange ms isle, ruckus, moto,stinky, stab, stuff too many to mention | | Bike Setup: | the best frame, rockshox pike sl's, atomlab aircorp rims on bigun hubs front and rear, mono 6 pot brakes, middleburn cranks, roox roller coaster, rade face titaium dh bb, road mech and cassette, best build ever!! | | Bottom Line: | excellent bike for free riding, racing, downhill, trails, jumping, street, you name it it can handle it. lovelly to manual and wheely, looks brilliant. if you have the money or have special ways of getting it cheap (like me) you have to get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Peterson
a Downhiller
from So. Cal
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Tight geometry, short rear end, light weight | | Weaknesses: | Tall head tube | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic DS-1 | | Bike Setup: | Brakes, tires, wheels, cranks... Pretty much everything needed to make a bike go.. | | Bottom Line: | I love the way this bike rides. Jumps great, rails the turns, manuals like my BMX bike... The tall headtube required some small set up changes (Just removed a couple of spacers from under the stem) so once I got that dialed, the bike is awesome. I plan on adding a E13 DRS, front derailure and a granny gear to make this bike a all purpose ride in the near future... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Street | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This is a great strong frame that is totally bomb proof and can take any amount of hammering. It also has a certain amount of compliancy so is great for balls out fast single track. The look and the quality of the frame is right up there and all the gussets and CNCing just looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Can be hard to get hold of. Expensive but then again you have to pay for quality | | Bottom Line: | This is a top frame with fast steering and a balance that you only seem to find on these types of high end frames. It looks the daddy and people are always asking me about it. You cant go wrong with this frame as it is totally bomb proof so will take anything that you can throw at it. I use it for street and dirt jumping at its just perfect. Easy to flick around and throw into bends jumps. The whole frame just feels right and fills you with confidence. Bottom line, if you can get one you won't go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Leimonis
a Downhiller
from Toronto,Ont,Canada
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rexdale | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Trail Blazer Cycles | | Strengths: | Everything, very stiff, sprints like a ba*tard, corners unlike anything i have ever ridden | | Weaknesses: | The front end is too high on it. | | Similar Products Used: | Chameleon, various Konas, DMR's, Identitys | | Bike Setup: | Z1 QR20 up front, XT XTR grouppo, Truvativ Holzfeller cranks with an E-13 guide, Ringle wheelset,Hayes, Protapers, Dangerboy stem, thompson, king, you know how it goes... | | Bottom Line: | DJ the bike and it will love it,the steepness of the HT makes it very nimble and easy to pull tricks out your A$S. Take it to the DS track and notice how the bike pulls away from the other guys on the track, it corners and with proper tires, is very hard to loose track, It is also a light frame, my bike weighs in at 30 pounds. Ont the street, no other bike manuals like this rig, it pulls over spines, wall rides like my BMX, and holds up to anything you can dish out at it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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