Bike Setup: fork boxxer 2006 axle 26-24 crank set race face diabolus hub ringle , mtx , hayes nine tee race face diabolus , shock fox vanilla rc 200 post thonson
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Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Moorpark, California, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2005
Strengths: -Fairly light -Strong main triangle -Ability to mount a front derailleur -Great price
Weaknesses: -Rear brake mount is not International Standard -Swingarm is FLEXY -Inability to get repalcement parts
Bottom Line:
I haven't had much time on this frame so far, but at the moment the frame seems like a good purchase. The rear swingarm is very flexy, and since Cheeta went out of buisness a few years ago, you cannot get replacement parts. The frame seems to soak up everything I can throw at it so far. Plus, it looks pretty slick.
Bike Setup: 2001 Cheeta Prowler, 2002 White Bros. DH2 with 7" travel upgrade kit, Magura Louise FR brakes, Azonic Outlaw wheels
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Submitted by
Rodrigo
a Downhiller
from Santiago, RM, Chile
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002
Strengths: i passed from a haro ex-2 to this frame, i think is a very good frame for downhill, no problems at all at the moment
Weaknesses: the swingarm it always gets floppy
Bottom Line:
really good bike for jumps, dh and freeride, with this bike you can get a lot better ( improve your movements and jumps, everything, the fox vanilla rc helps a lot!!! ) but you have to put a doble crown fork, cause a single crown is to little, if you put a psylo would be good, but if you can put a boxxer, shiver, monster or mx6 or lr1 it would be great, it will be much better, thats all i can say
Bike Setup: suntour disc brakes, azonic handlebar and stem ( dh both ), suntour mg91 fork ( hope now i can get a shiver or a boxxer )full shimano deore and xtr, haro hubs ( really good ones )
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Submitted by
Cheeta Killer
a Weekend Warrior
from CT
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2001
Strengths: This product's strengths is only as strong as it's weakest link. The swingarm.
Weaknesses: I found the swingarm to lack the durability and strength that was expected of a $1400 frame.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is the frame worked great for the first four rides.Then while pre-running the downhill course at Plattekill this fall the rear swingarm snapped in half on a four foot drop.I had three runs before it snapped. Needless to say I spent six hours in the car back and forth from home to spend an hour carrying a forty pound bike down the mountain.The following day I had to next day air it back to the company so they could take care of the swingarm quickly. This incident caused me to doubt the strength of the bike and now I am not riding to my full potential due to the fear of serious injury due to possible frame failure. Since the frame was under warranty I called the service department to see what my options were in getting the swing arm fixed or upgraded I didn't think it was going to be a problem.During my conversation with the warranty department they kept procrastinating on what they were going to do.Finally after two and half months of waiting (well past the riding season) they sent the frame scratched up, but with a new swingarm.In addition to the hassle I ended up paying $100 in shipping, and $50 for a new heavier spring. Oh! and by the way they refused to garantee the new swingarm and I'm sill waiting for my rear drop outs. To answer the question who should buy this product sorry but no one, not even a weekend warrior. Sorry to the Cheeta lovers out there but, this is my incident and dissatisfaction with the product and service I recieved through the company.
Bike Setup: 2002 Prowler with 2002 junior-T with new heavier rear spring-650
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Submitted by
pete
a Downhiller
from ontario canada
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2001
Strengths: pedaling versatility race worthiness
Weaknesses: 0
Bottom Line:
About 6 weeks ago I cracked my swingarm on my 99 Cheeta Prowler, man I was one sad MF. I decided to ask around the big forums (pinkbike,dropmachine,nsmb,ridemonkey,mtbr) for some help. Mike Ross MacKinnon (Demon/Cheetamike) and Mike King (KIng) with whom I'd spoken with before came to the rescue. Cheetamike called up Jeff at Cheeta and told him about my predicament. Jeff responded with "send it in and we'll see what we can do". Once received it they searched for a swingarm but had none left. They thought they might be able to make another but today said it couldn't be done and that they would send me a whole 2000 Prowler frame asap. Now thats what I call customer service, no BS, lies or stall tactics, straight up honesty. Cheeta has a customer for life now.
The bike was easy to build until it was time for the bottom bracket. I needed a chain guide to race down hill. I had an MRP worldcup II and the only way I could get it to fit was to use the standard square BB for old school LX cranks. The bottom bracket has to be ungodly long for the MRP to fit. No one makes a splinned bb in the necessary length. Everything else went on fine. The bike does ok for racing. On rough steep sections where you need to brake hard the bike wants to buck, making braking a chore. If it weren't for the plushness of the S7 on the front the ride would be worse. As for the Prowler being a "free ride bike" I doubt it. This bike will work you on the climbs. The bike has to be ridden farther forward than most bikes. I reduced the rake on the S7 to accomodate this sensation which helped. The bike corners very well once you find it's sweet spot and stay on top of it. It also handles very predictably in the air. I paid 800 bucks for this frame used and feel like I got a good deal for a nice frame. Moral of the story, if you want a downhill bike, don't skimp, buy a downhill specific frame.
Strengths: Pedals great for a DH, corners good. Great bike for small to medium drops, and easy dh. For anything bigger forget about it.
Weaknesses: Noticed some rear end flex on the big stuff. Major brake jack on steep drop ins. I had to replace shock bushing on a weekly basis.(extremely annoying) I would recomend using the Avalanche shock with this frame.
Bottom Line:
Good for beginners, or people affraid of big drops and ugly terrain. This frame really needs a floating disc. Extremely scetchy on steep terrain.
Weaknesses: Can't get a good chainline running a double upfront with a derailleur.
Bottom Line:
I built this bike for play(freeride, urban, whatever) I am not sure how well it would do set up strickly for downhill, but for me this thing rocks. So far I have only had a 32t ring on the front and this thing will climb well(slower but well). It flies on rolling terrain and takes the hits downhill without hesitation. Doing 4-5 ft drops are almost to easy. It's built up to 36lbs right now but I will probably beef up a few parts as I go bigger. If you want a bike for play I would recommend this bike.
Weaknesses: Where to begin...head tube ovalized, rear shock mashed twice, shock linkage mashed, hayes direct disc mount off center, weak paint job, horrible customer service, besides that it was great.
Bottom Line:
I would highly advise against the purchase of this or any Cheeta product . They definately can't hang hear on the east coast. Customer service was un-willing to help me with any of these problems. The Santa Cruz super 8 is much better suited for aggressive Dh.
Strengths: Solid construction, build quality, good design, simplicity.
Weaknesses: limited clearance for larger than a 26X2.5 tire on the rear. You need to run a 24 to fit anything bigger.
Bottom Line:
Makes a sick trial/FR bike. Can run with the big boys on the DH stuff, but leaves `em in the dust on the pedally bits. Can be built up fairly light for such a burly ride. Rides better than my `01 CR250! Bottom line: Lets me pedal myself to the top of the hill & makes me feel like a hero on the way down!
Strengths: pedals Great takes BIG hits and comes back for more love the design
Weaknesses: rear tire is set up for quick release Must go with Hadley hubs and tru axle ( i jerry rigged the rear drop out to make them fixed no problems now)
Bottom Line:
If your new to downhill or on a budget this bikes get you in the game now, with no downfalls. Cust. service is great,always a plesent voice on the other end ( the owner is the man you will talk to no lackys )I would recomend this bike to anyone that can dish out abuse and expects to ride later not fix s%$t - John
Strengths: This Proline DH has a plush 8" of rear travel, that works smooth, and it corners like no other, and can take hits like no other. It's price is another good part. I would say that this bike is just about as good as an Intense M-1.
Weaknesses: NONE AT ALL.
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. IF you haven't tried it, then make sure you do before you decide to buy a different bike. Although Cheeta is not really well known, their products are far superior to many other bike companies, they dont have much advertising because they aren't that big of a company yet. go to www.cheetacycles.com
Bike Setup: WB DH-2, Race Face North Shore Cranks, DoubleWides,Hayes 8" black, Hadley hubs, Chris King Headset, MRP Chainguide, Azonic Pedals and bars. Maxxis tires.
Strengths: light weight(8lbs8ozs). extremly rigid design,low maintance,tough as nails, does it all design,climbs,corners pedals and decends.
Weaknesses: odd size seat post(30.9mm),not well known enough yet so consumers are a little lery.(due to the fact that cheeta does not spend big bucks on adverts like a lot of the other bikes in its market )
Bottom Line:
with the new prowler able to accept a frt deraileur and 7" of rear travel and a retail cost of 1499ish this is a deadly do it all frame for those who can only afford one bike to race and free-ride on.
Strengths: Geometry, weight, strength, stiffness, adjustable, replacable derailer hanger, and very plush (7 inch travel)
Weaknesses: No rear through axle compadibility.
Bottom Line:
Perfect balance between weight & strenght. Beefy enough for large drops & light enogh for technical sections. Massive rear swingarm tracks very well with no torsional flex. This frame handles and accelerates like a freeride, but is twice as beefy. If your looking for a Dh rig for under 5/k, and under 50lbs., this is yo ride.
Does anyone have experience with the WTB Prowler MX 2.5 DH? I am thinking about these tires for downhill/park riding (Keystone, Winterpark, Angel fire). What do you guys think abou Read More »
