Bike Setup: boxxers, easton bars/stem, hayes brakes, etc.
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Submitted by
---Matt---
a Downhiller
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003
Strengths: The bike is STRONG. That's it's biggest strength (no pun intended ;) It's designed for abuse and it seems like it will take it for ever. I've got mine setup for big hit freeriding and I haven't had any complaints about it since I got it
Weaknesses: The only weaknesses that I've found are the plastic bushings in the linkage pivots and there was some sort of clunking in the linkage when I got it but that has since dissapeared.
Bottom Line:
I really like this bike and can't get enough of it. If you're into anything downhill then you should give this bike a look. It's built by KeeWee and distributed under KeeWee as the Cromo Eight.
It is kind of expensive compared to the Giant and Specialized frames designed for the same purpose but you get what you pay for (as always) and I believe it's worth the extra $$$
Bike Setup: '02 Avanti D8 Frame '03 Marzocchi Monster T Profile cranks Mavic D321 rims Sun Ringle` hubs Da Bomb - Big Stick bars Funn - Serial Killa stem ODI - Lock on grips Nokian Gazzaloddi 3" front IRC Kujo DH 2.65" rear
Bike Setup: full xtr,white bros DH3 mavic rims and hayes
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Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003
Strengths: Price, Cro-Mo frame, Suspension.
Weaknesses: Chainguide, Weight, Rear-end Flex.
Bottom Line:
This is a really good first Downhill bike, but the lateral flex in the rear end will start to restrict you as you get better and faster through the rough stuff, making it difficult to keep the bike on line. The rear really needs a bolt-thru hub, but even the 2003 doesn't have one. The chainguide's suck but work alright after many hours of setting up. It'll last forever being cro-moly, so don't hesitate to buy a second-hand one (provided it's straight and the right price).
Similar Products Used: Orange 222, Norco VPS Team, RM7.
Bike Setup: 2001 Boxxer, Gustavs, Mavics, Sram.
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Submitted by
POPS
a Downhiller
from NORTH ISLAND , NEW ZEALAND
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002
Strengths: CROMOLY FRAME STIFF AND STRONG, BUILT TO LAST.VERY WELL MADE WITH EXCELLENT WELDING AND CONSTRUCTION.DESIGN GIVES SUPER PLUSH RIDE WITH EXCELLENT HANDLING IN THE CORNERS.THIS FRAME INSTALLS CONFIDENCE AND GIVES THE RIDER A SENSE OF FEELING THAT HE IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL,AND NOT VICE A VERSA.THIS IS THE PERFECT DOWNHILL/FREERIDE FRAME
Weaknesses: CROMOLY FRAME WEIGHS A BIT MORE THAN ALUMINIUM.THE BOTTOM CHAIN GUIDE WHICH IS SECURED BY THE BOTTOM BRACKET,CAN SOMETIMES WORK LOOSE.
Bottom Line:
A EXCELLENTLY CRAFTED FRAME WHICH CAN HANDLE ANYTHING THAT IS THROWN ITS WAY.THE BOTTOM LINE IS; IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FRAME WHICH INSTALLS CONFIDENCE,DOES EVERYTHING IT IS ASKED OF AND MORE AND WON'T FALL APART, THEN THIS IS THE FRAME FOR YOU.
Bike Setup: EASTON HANDLE BARS AND STEM,MARZOCCHI SHIVER FORK, SHIMANO XTR DRIVE-TRAIN,MAVIC D321 WHEELS WITH ROAX HUBS ,ROAX SEATPOST, TITEC SADDLE,RACEFACE HEADSET AND PRIMO PEDALS.
Strengths: cromolly frame keeps the back wheel on the ground over bumps works for me new zealand bike nice paint 8" smooth travel, rising rate
Weaknesses: built in chainguide could be better no ride height adjustability
Bottom Line:
if you are in new zealand this is a good bike to buy because its well priced and race proven. for me it handles/steers well, although i havnt had a chance to ride it on a DH track yet. my bike is the 2002 model; revised chainguide, better shock mounts, nicer paint, better graphics
Similar Products Used: mongoose DH new KEEWEE DH bike
Bike Setup: 1999 boxxers 6" 9spd XT. 6" hayes rear 8" hope M4 front (still waiting) truvativ cranks
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Submitted by
Jake Peterson
a Downhiller
from South Australia
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001
Strengths: This bike has quick cornering abilty with fast acceleration out of the corners, nice for racing! very nice to handle in tight tracks and eats big drops for breakfast. The MotoX linkage and swing arm is smooth off 12ft+ yet as smooth on rutted out corners, endless suspension settings thanxs Fox.
Weaknesses: chain guide was a bit of a pain when new, but fitted a handmade spacer to fix the rubbing now AOK.
Bottom Line:
Im now riding faster over all conditions and dropping off things that I would'nt of, 12ft is now just a start of things to come for a video we are working on, but on the Avanti ADX D8 U can ride hard and realy get some top times in any race plus the freeride factor is still there in a big way, mine weighs 20kg perfect! the ride is tweekable the rear moto linkage is great for wheel stands to the sharpest berms and the handling is so sharp, point and shoot... N.Z.Trev's made a top bike JT's S.A look after ya so buy this bike, U pay for what U get thanx Avanti... oh! the model I have is the new 2002 one...
Similar Products Used: Crawftworks dh205, KONA primo, Trek y33
Bike Setup: DEEMAX rims N hubs with evil twin 2.40 rubber,Purple Hayes 8" rotors front N rear,Boxxers,Azonic shorty,FSA the pig DH,Answers bars,intense lock grips,Karve saddle,DMR V8 pedals.
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Submitted by
Jake Peterson
a Downhiller
from Glenelg, S.A
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2001
Strengths: Set up and ride changes are easy and extreme...The frame is solid and heavy, yet with the right set up its quick and very sharp.
Weaknesses: Gusset on the rear shock mount, near the shocks top end could do with another support. 4 peace of mind!
Bottom Line:
Hard and fast bike, quick into and out of corners, solid on the ground and full MOTO style in the air!! Balanced really well even for long wheelies, drops 10 foot like it was only 3. THIS BIKE CAN MAKE YOU RIDE... BUT 4 THE PRICE IT SHOULD!
Strengths: Stiff rear end, supple over small bumbs but hard to bottom on large hits, due to variable rate suspension. Product suport. Handles awesome. Xtreamly strong, Cromoly frame. Bearings in all the pivot points.
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
This bike is on par with the intense M1, Foe slammer, or the Yeti stright 6/8/9 as my fravorite DH bike, due to the price in New Zealand, this is the only choice, half the price of the others here in NZ, made in NZ so suport is great, not that I have needed it yet, but the guys that make them come to races etc. I had problems braking other bikes but this bike is Bomb proof. Also I have finaly started getting in the placings at races since I got the bike, can't say if its the bike or I have got better, but it helps. For DH in New Zealand and Australia its probably the best bike around, great any where
Strengths: Super Plush travel Excellent bottom out resistance Great tuneability Super strong and very stiff frame Low centre of gravity - incredible handling and traction All CroMo with huge main bearings - built to last No pedal induced bob good standover clearance
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Excellent all round. Sturdy chassis with great handling. Looks great and performs even better. Hand made frame with good attention to detail. Made in New Zealand. Very competitive frame that is bound to be on the podium in near future. Great value and even better value in $US - check it out
Bike Setup: BoXXer XTR,Magura, Gustav, D321 (42 lb)
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Submitted by
Wade Simmons
a Downhiller
from LA, California, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2000
Strengths: Lots o' plush travel REAL unique look Love the monster T's
Weaknesses: Not very comfortable looks like a kangaroo
Bottom Line:
Weird bike. fun to ride and great to descend, try climbing with the monkey! Jeezuz. shock your mates at first but the surprise wears off and you'd probably be better with a normal frameset. Ne way, it's all about opinion. See you in Kranked III!
