Submitted by
nitzer
a Downhiller
from Cleveland / Portland
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2010
Strengths: Looks good, short chain stays, Chain Guide Mounts, Modular Drop outs, Easy to maneuver, and low stand over height. Can be set up for 4X, Freeride, DJ, trail, and they are making 29er drop outs for it now.
Weaknesses: Wish it had 1.5 head tube.
Bottom Line:
The small makes a good bike to fling around, and sweet to tear up the DS, X4 Tracks, The Long, makes and sweet freeride / Trail bike. Over all just a fun bike to ride!
Similar Products Used: P bike, Avent Jibbster, GT Moto, STP, Gary Fisher Bitter /Mullet.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi 4XWC, Pig DH Pro head set, X9 Shifter and Rear Derailleur, E.13 SRS Black on Black, Marzocchi Freride Seat, OutLaw wheels, Holy Rollers for street and hard pack, Kenda Excavators for dirt and freeride, Race Face DH cranks and BB, Deity bars and stem.
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Submitted by
black cog
a Racer
from Petaluma, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2009
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.
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.
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,
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Submitted by
jaybel
a Downhiller
from Whitehorse, Yukon!
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2009
Strengths: Super versatile
great looks
fast in corners
great geometry for dh, freeride and dj
Weaknesses: uhmmm....
nope
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.
Bike Setup: bombers, single tracks, hayes nine, truvativ crank set and bars, blue dragon tyres.
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Submitted by
Ian Wadsworth
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheffield UK
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2007
Strengths: Where to start ! Super tough, easy to set up as an all mountain rig.
Weaknesses: none so far
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 !
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 !
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Submitted by
jeremy rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany
Submitted by
Seb
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2007
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?
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.
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)
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Submitted by
Preston
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007
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.
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.
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
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Submitted by
Rob
a Downhiller
from Kihei,HI/Bay Area,CA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2007
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.
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.
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.
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Dunoon, Scotland
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2006
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.
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..
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..
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Submitted by
Jodey
a Weekend Warrior
from Palo Alto
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2006
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.
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.
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
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Submitted by
billbo baggins
a Downhiller
from middle earth, uh, uk
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006
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.
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Submitted by
Austin Olij
a Downhiller
from Langley BC
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2006
Strengths: Light Strong Versatile
Weaknesses: Dual crowns will wreck the front-end
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.
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...
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Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from farmington, mn, usa
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005
Strengths: great design, perfect combo of lightweight/stiffness/strength
Weaknesses: none
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.
Similar Products Used: vintage steel Stumpjumper, Giant aluminum
Bike Setup: Noleen ELT w/Smartshock, 8 spd XT build, v brakes, shimano cc rims
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Submitted by
Jude Mayne
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2005
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.
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.
