Bike Setup: Juicy Sevens, Race Face forged cranks, S-type Sun rims, boxxer world cup, fox vanilla rear
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Submitted by
archie
a Cross Country Rider
from Victor, Idaho
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2005
Strengths: Beefy Construction, Great pedaling, no flex, plush
Weaknesses: Heavy, chain suck is bad but not to often
Bottom Line:
My first bike with the newer technology. I've always been a weight weenie kind of guy, but firgured I wanted some plush. I decided that if I was going to go for it I might as well get a beefy frame to start with and pick some components that were lightish but strong. I could probably get the bike lighter(~35# now), but would cost me. The bike is just what I was looking for: pedals well and soaks up the bumps great. The fork is flexy and the brakes howl occasionally. Love it. If your looking for bike to grow with this is great choice. Not a racer but definately a long trail ride kinda bike. On a side note I'll never go back to tubeless.
Weaknesses: Flex (though i may need to do a 3 month tighten up on all of the bolts)
Bottom Line:
My setup is guestimated at ~31 lbs (and I think i'm only a x-country wheelset away from being 30). I'm a clydesdale (215lbs) with an 80/20 split of x-country to urban. It may not be the lightest x-country setup, or ready for 10 foot to flat drops (it is ready for 5 foot to flat), but it does a decent job. Peddling up doubletrack my partner noticed I had less bob than he (Superlight w/fox float) and going downhill he knew he couldn't keep up. So, while nto being the best at anything, Cove has put out a functionally versatile project.
Even though its not supposed to be of concern, i get a lot of fingers pointed and talk about the bike, nto to mention i haven't seen another Cove in town.
Strengths: bomb proof, pedals up hill even though it weighs 39 lbs. best bang for your money. feels bottomless....
Weaknesses: where???????????
Bottom Line:
the bottom line is this. it's the only free ride bike i have ridden that climbs. it is a go anywhere do anything bike that is forgiving and makes you feel confident. you can ride it all day and it won't wear you out. 5th element shock for sure. Cove product support is the best. stop reading and go get one, you won't be sorry....
Similar Products Used: specialized, mountain cycle san andreas, gt sts, kona,
Bike Setup: shiver sc up front, mavic 321 rims, 5th element, race face cranks, xtr drive train, hayes brakes, maxis tires, 550lb spring in rear 210 lb rider.
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Submitted by
Glenn Kennedy
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003
Strengths: Engineering is A1, the frame is bullit proof. Seems like heavy bike tp pickup, but the weight isnt hardly noticable when riding it. Just point and shoot, the bike soaks it all up.
Weaknesses: Not available in australia. Was a mission to get it here, cost a bomb in shipping and taxes!
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. No matter wether its 20k bash on single trails, or down hill runs, its brilliant. I could never go back to my hard tail, ever. Its simply a matter of dialing the shocks for the big drops, then switchin back when on the single trails again. The engineering and design of the bike are superb. After i saw the G Spot for the first time, i knew I had to have one. The bikes lived up to all my expectations, and then some. Its definatley mroe capable then I.
This frame can put up with alot of abuse so if you ride hard or are a heavier rider than this should be one of your options. With the right components it can handle DH yet be agile enough for urban and trail riding. THis is the only bike I have/need.
Similar Products Used: Nothing that would compare.
Bike Setup: '02 Gspot '03 DJ2 Profile cranks 26/24 trailpimps wrapped with IRC Kujos 2.65/3.0. Hayes Mag HD 8" Azonic doublewall 2.5 riser Powertools 45mm stem. synchros seatpost tioga dh seat lx/deore drivetrain - shimano/sram chain.
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Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento,CA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2003
Strengths: Handcrafted work of art, super strong frame, plush 6" suspension travel with very little bob, this "is" the ultimate kick*ss freeride frameset!
Weaknesses: None!
Bottom Line:
if you looking for a freeride bike, this is the best out there "bar none"! One toll free call to Deep Cove and you'll be riding the most Awesome, Kick*ss freeride bike there is....to the crew at Deep Cove bikes " Thanks!..Kudos to you on a MOST EXCELLENT bike"
Strengths: AWESOME frame, very strong and beefy as hell. The head tube is oversized, gussetting between the head tube and top tube.....so much I can say. The main pivot is pure insanity! there is absolutely no pedal bob, and the chainline is always the same length. DAMN
Weaknesses: absolutly none
Bottom Line:
Cove is awesome. Customer service is great, Craig helped me alot...this is a true freeride beast with downhill capabilities. It can take what you throw at it - period. I've tried numerous high-end bikes, including many I did not mention. For a frame that cost me $1100, NOTHING compares. The suspension is plush yet firm, the bike feels great, there are just not enough good things I can say about the G-Spot except this....quite whining abouty calling Canada, and buying a Candian product, and BUY THIS DAMN BIKE!!!!! I promise, it'll be one of the best things you've ever done.
Strengths: Absolutely the best bike I have ever ridden. Descends better then anything out there. Ver very plush and no side-to-side flex in the rear. The around the BB shell pivot is amazing, no pedal feedback.
Weaknesses: The bolt to the pivot on the seat tube keeps coming loose. It's a small problem, but does get annoying. Also, this bike does have 6 inches or rear travel, so it doesn't fly uphill, but as long as you stay seated it isn't a problem.
Bottom Line:
I come from a cross country backround (my other bike is a Giant XtC) and this is amazing, I've ridden places where I used to get of and walk and I've ridden places that I used to have trouble walking down. And the best part is that I've yet to come to a place where I felt like I was going to endo. Great bike for anything, works wonderfully and does exactly what it was designed to do. Taken a couple 5-6footers and didn't bottom the suspension, but surprisingly it swallows all the small hits too. The best bike ever. You get what you pay for.
Similar Products Used: Tested a couple other freeride type full suspensions. Nothing compared
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z.1. Race Face Turbine cranks, XT drivetrain with Rocket shifters. Thompson stem/post. Onxy rear hub/Marzocchi front or Rhyno Lite XL rims. Hayes Hydros. Maxxis tires.
Strengths: This frame is highly functional with 6 inches of rear travel that feels endless. I feel completely confident and comfortable blasting downhill. The Fox Vanilla RC is the bomb and is fully adjustable, so I can tune it for big drops or long downhill runs. The frame is absolutely gorgeous and attracts all the ladies...I just tell them I know how to ride a G-spot. Seriously though, the frame turns heads like you wouldn't believe! It is tough, with all the right welds, beautifully machines, and well engineered!
Weaknesses: Some of the bolts in the rear swing arm set-up could have lock nuts on them...but the have not been a problem or come loose yet!
Similar Products Used: Intense M1, big hit, San Andreas
Bike Setup: Everything you've had wet dreams about is on my bike
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Submitted by
evan laudon
a Downhiller
from weston FL
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001
Strengths: i traded frames for my Planet X RAD and i sure think i made a good deal. this frame is top craftsmanship.. the rear travel is smootha nd contralled through the entire strock without and chian length variation. it pedals beter than any other Fs frame i have ever used. the FOX RC that it comes with has super tuneablily with compression, rebount and preload. the suspension also feels endless, like it has a foot or so of travel. this is a very strong frame with headtube gussets and manipulated tubes for rigidity.
Weaknesses: ablsoutley positively NONE
Bottom Line:
sweet frame for all around riding, Freeride or DH fun. endless travel and can be set up with big forks. pedaling is second to none. fairly expensive but you are paying for spot on craftsmanship and superb chracteeristics. GO GET ONE
Similar Products Used: Super V, RM7, GT lts, FSR, Norco VPS, Kona stinky, more
Bike Setup: black frame Bombshell BAd BEtty 6 w/ 20mm Planet x BMF wheels kooka DH crank IRC Kujo tires Azonic shorty Azonic PDW bars titec bezerkr seat
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Submitted by
james johnston
a Weekend Warrior
from oakland, Ca.
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001
Strengths: Design and materials. This bike is designed for abuse and it shows with extra attention to all the major stress points and extra thick materials where needed. Just check out the pivot around the bottom bracket and the beautifully machined shock pivots!
Weaknesses: I haven't found one yet, except that the 2000 frame set "international standard" disc mount wouldn't accept xt hydraulic discs. Not to worry, Yess productions swapped the chainstay for an updated model. Just beware, if you get a 2000, you better have Hayes!
Bottom Line:
This bike rides on rails downhill, and climbs impressively for a 33+lb., 5" travel Freeride bike. The bike accelerates quickly, feels firm through tight single track, and generally wants to be ridden as fast as you can possible push it. I took it to Downieville this year and rode like a moron. I still posted a good time at 50:30! Mainly because this bike doesn't seem to care what kind of line it's on, it just wants you to go faster!!! get one, go fast...
Submitted by
Small AXE
a Downhiller
from New England, USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001
Strengths: strong/BEEFY, no chain grow. fit 3.1" tire easily. uncommon in these parts. Excellent for a downhiller who wants a bike that can do it all. Big drops/bashing your way down loose rocky trails whatever, even some cross country rides for the hell of it!
Weaknesses: Cove is expensive to contact! forget calling Canada on my salary!
Bottom Line:
BAD ASS BIKE! maybe the only real all purpose bike out there. good for Big Wheely drops. Strudy constuction, gussets everywhere. Medium travel, can climb. PLUSH shock/fox TC. GOOD JOB guys! COVE BIKES RULE!
Similar Products Used: what's similar? jamis dakar pro w/fox TC Marin B-17(B stands for Broken rear swing arm and SH!TTY costomer service. maybe B stands for barry? KHS LT3 w/fox TC
Bike Setup: Z1 QR20/00' hayes/WTB laser DH wheels/Raceface bars,post,stem,XS crankset/XTR
Strengths: Light, strong, Sandvik construction and no 'namby-pamby meet you at Starbuck's with the bike on the roof rack cosmetics'. If you ride for real (Right car dropper's?- you know who you are) this is the bike for you.
Weaknesses: Sorry kids it's a hardtail...Older models don't have the disc brake mounts either.
Bottom Line:
Even the Samsonite suitcase gorilla's at the airport can't break this one. Probably only Dangerous Dan and his hucking crew could hurt this frame.
Come on........not [B]That one[/B] this is [B]G[/B] rated after all....
No not this one either........although thats a good [B]spot[/B]
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