Similar Products Used: intense santa cruz kona trek sinister giant
Bike Setup: Marzoochi 888 vf2
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Submitted by
aquapasture
a Weekend Warrior
from yuma, az, usa
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2010
Strengths: Smooth over speed bumps, pot holes fear me
Weaknesses: In my quest to reduce my carbon footprint I decided to purchase a bike to commute to work. I live in a neighborhood with a lot of speed bumps and pot holes. I thought the Demo 9 would be a nice, light commuter bike for my bumpier than average commute. The ride is smooth, but by the time I get to work my quads burn like Kuwait in the early 90's. I've tried to explain to my boss my need to wear shorts. Since riding the Demo 9 to work, my quads have become so swoll they wont fit into my Dockers.
Bottom Line:
Bottom Line - Despite the fact my commute is less than speedy...it it very smooth!
Strengths: Very, very fast and forgiving. Surprisingly nimble for a big bike. Suspension has lots of adjustment but also has a pretty big "sweet spot" so getting setup right is fairly easy. Parts are strong but the whole bike isn't too heavy.
Weaknesses: Not many, this thing can win world cup DH races.
Bottom Line:
I rode Whistler for 3 days on this bike and loved it. I put in a day on the Demo 7 and while it was a lot of fun, Whistler was super dry and beat up so I was getting tired out and decided to go with something a bit more on the DH side for the next few days, I was very happy I did.
The Demo 9II is everything I want in a DH bike; flys downhill through rough, is very forgiving of mistakes but still carves the corners like it's on rails.
Handling is all out DH bike (it's definitely not a FR bike) and just blasts down trails. It is a very modern DH bike; low BB and low center of gravity, fairly long wheelbase so it flys through the rough. Considering this, I was very surprised how well it did on the tight stuff like Ninja Cougar and Karate Monkey. Put this bike on Freight Train and A-line and you'll hold so much speed you have to scrub too not clear your landings. Technical ladders and switchbacks aren't really what this bike is made for as it's a bit too long for that.
Jumps are true DH racer style as the bike sucks up take-offs keeping you low and fast. The bike is balanced really well so, with speed, drops and jumps are easy. But take it too slow and you'll have a tough time as this bike needs speed to be at it's best. It's certainly not impossible to pop off the lip but if getting air is your priority over speed, you probably want to stick with the Demo 7 or SX.
If I had lift accessed riding I'd definitely own one.
As for the value rating, I know it's an old argument but I still don't get why a bike costs more than a lightly used CRF 450?
Similar Products Used: specialized bighit fsr. giant glory 2009
Bike Setup: everything is stock except. mavic dee max wheel set, 2009 boxxer teams, avid juicy 7 (carbon) brakes. and shimano saint rear derailler and shifter.
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Submitted by
reno83
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego, CA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2010
Strengths: plush suspension, stiff, low center of gravity, rails corners, and it's the sexiest bike i ever laid eyes on.
Weaknesses: heavy, small-bump absorption
Bottom Line:
I'm a proud Santa Cruz Heckler owner, but wanted something a little sturdier for hard rides. Came accross a Demo 9 DH, couldn't pedal uphill to save my life. i installed a double chainring in the front and a new cassette with good granny gears. long story short, i may not need the Heckler anymore. This bike can do it all. it is heavy, but it's a DH/FR bike. the angles are a bit slack, but i used the higher shock mount and adjusted the headset on the stanchions, effectively making steeper angles and raising the bottom bracket. The center of gravity on this thing is low, i just rail through corners. the FSR feels solid, i can even stand up on the pedals and not worry about pedal bob. it eats up anything i throw at it, which is even an advantage going uphill. Whereas with the heckler i have to carefully pick out the right lines, i just run over obstacles on the demo, be it rock gardens, waterbars, or small children. with the granny gears, i can pedal this thing just as good as my trail bike, despite a 15-20 pound differece. it doesn't inspire confidence on loose, low-tracktion downhill (the kind you find on steep fireroads), but that may just be adjustment related (i.e. tires or rear shock sensitivity).
Submitted by
dcr1326
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, ohio
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2009
Strengths: STRONG, SOAKS UP EVERYTHING
Weaknesses: not really a true downhill bike, the bike is very heavy
Bottom Line:
Great bike, you can find some rather cheap rate now. If you wan to race may not be the best bike, but i will most definitely work. Ohh yeah and throw a Avalanche on it and it feels the BOMB
Submitted by
cannon 16
a Weekend Warrior
from northumberland uk
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2008
Strengths: bomb proof. stable. quality construction and engineering.
Weaknesses: confused geometry. weak cable guideing. heavy
Bottom Line:
I did enjoy my time on the big Demo. very well made for the money, even when compared to boutique kit. well engineered too, stuff like bearings and thru-axles all good. but a major negative for me was the geometry. on the low bb/slack head setting the bb was just too low for rocky stuff, though very stable and good for railing turns on A-line type trails and sending onto smooth trannies. But it felt like a bus on north shore/ tech trails (s'pose not surprising considering its more a dh bike - but not a competition bike, too heavy) and kept catching pedals and bashring.. On the high bb setting the head angle was way too steep. I think it would have been ideal with the high bb and the slack head angle. Also poor was the rear mech routing - kept pulling through no matter how many zip ties. All in all tho, a nice frame, maybe not a keeper - it is a spesh after all ;) but if you're on a budget, find a deal and like burly smooth trails and big hucks, its one of the best bikes out there. Also, remarkably pedalable. I fitted it out with a 34x11-34 and could winch it up anything.
Everyone says it is heavy,but if you watch what you are doing while building it up you can get it in the lower 40's and it is a DH bike what do you want!!!
Submitted by
Hugh Wundke
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007
Strengths: great pedal and i love the relflectors
Weaknesses: the forks are crap so i put rst gila t6 on them and for the back suspension screw fox so i put mongoose coils on that snap.
Bottom Line:
great bike but the forks and the juicy brakes are way worse than the rst's and the k-mart brakes and the bottom line is the granny pushcart deluxe is far superior.
Strengths: The top tube looks sexy, damn the whole bike looks sexy as, gives you a whole new burst of confidence that no other bike i have ridden has given me. so far few crashes and has not flinched. saw someone above say you cant fit saint cranks, YES YOU CAN I MANAGED TO GET MINE ON WITH NO PROBS haha
Weaknesses: everyone says its heavy....i dont think so i can still table it east etc with no problems but hey...expencive? (worth it but ok)
Bottom Line:
This bike fookin rocks, advise anyone to get one, riding threw town on way to the tracks gets eyes turning! performs flawlessly on the track, bottom line? Specialized...Can't go wrong!
Similar Products Used: Iron Horse Sunday, Bighit 3, Norco A-Line
Bike Setup: Demo 9 DH frame (obviously) Marzocchi 888VF2 2006, Saint cranks, Spank Rims, Manitou 6-Way
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Submitted by
Zach
a Downhiller
from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2007
Strengths: The bike feels very strong. Rear suspension is really soft. Nice paint. Unbreakable.
Weaknesses: Heavy, Fork is cheap for such an expensive bike.
Bottom Line:
A really great bike if you have lifts but if you plan to walk this bike uphill it won't be too fun. Really great bike and the rear suspension is really soft which makes it also good for jumping. If you are going to use this bike to its full potentiol then buy it, if you are not then don't buy this bike.
Similar Products Used: iron horse warrior trail, Iron horse warrior expert, Kona scrap, sanat cruz v10, Santa crux vp free, Iron horse sunday and about a ton of wall mart bikes.
Bike Setup: Specialized demo 9 - all stock
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Submitted by
Zach
a Downhiller
from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2007
Strengths: The bike feels very strong. Rear suspension is really soft. Nice paint. Unbreakable.
Weaknesses: Heavy, Fork is cheap for such an expensive bike.
Bottom Line:
A really great bike if you have lifts but if you plan to walk this bike uphill it won't be too fun. Really great bike and the rear suspension is really soft which makes it also good for jumping. If you are going to use this bike to its full potentiol then buy it, if you are not then don't buy this bike.
Similar Products Used: iron horse warrior trail, Iron horse warrior expert, Kona scrap, sanat cruz v10, Santa crux vp free, Iron horse sunday and about a ton of wall mart bikes.
Strengths: the bike is totally solid, it took a 7 foot drop onto the packed stones of a beach like it was a kirb. I love it! i have had no trouble at all with any bushings on the frame they have lasted for ages.
Weaknesses: i can say there are no weaknesses
Bottom Line:
an excellent bike, one of the best, the only bike that can be said to be better is a kona stab supreme or a giant glory or yeti 303. i love the prices too. i would suggest you at least have a test ride once in your life you would buy 1 if you did.
Similar Products Used: kona stab supreme, i only test rode it but you could feel the quality. just like the demo 9
Bike Setup: manitou swinger 6-way shock, silver demo 9 pro frame marzocchi 888rc forks, husselfeller cranks, xt rear mech, specialized front hub hadley rear both 150mm through axles, on mavic rims, strongest wheelset ive ever had! xt rear mech. i wish you could see the pictures of mine it is a stunning example, mtbers would be proud!
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Submitted by
Nick Wolsink
a Downhiller
from Germany
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2006
Strengths: I absolutely love this bike, i've ridden it for a year now and I haven't found anything better yet. This bike just gives you a secure feelibg when riding it, and that is really important. (on a High Octane for example you are always wondering will it hold)
Weaknesses: Rear shock is hard to get to, but once setup correctly you don't need to get to it anymore
Bottom Line:
I totally love this bike, for 2007 I am addinng a Specialized SX Trail to the collection but I am definately keeping and will be riding the Demo9 as well
Strengths: Great handling. Beefy build. Great welds. Sucks up anything. Very forgiving for this begginer downhiller.
Weaknesses: Heavy. Price. Rear shock is hard to get to.
Bottom Line:
Got 9 days of riding up at keystone. This is the first truly downhill bike I have ridden. It tracks really well and sucks up the hits very well. It is very forgiving of my mistakes. I mess up a line or hit the rocks wrong and the suspension sucks it all up. The weight is hard to handle at first. At first it feels as if the bike is throwing you around when it should be vice versa. But after riding it for awhile you get used to the weight and learn how to handle the bike better, smoother, and more efficiently. Only thing I would change with this bike is to make it easier to adjust rear shock settings. I had to disassemble the rear shock linkage to take the shock out and change out the spring. The rebound adjustment knob is hard to get to too.
