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Dean USA
Colonel Ti Frame
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Submitted by
adinpapa
a Weekend Warrior
from Northampton
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | DAR Goshen | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist in Cali | | Strengths: | geometry, climbing, | | Weaknesses: | hardtail- no surprises, no weaknesses | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kileaua- a steel goat | | Bike Setup: | full xtr, chris king, Zokes Marathon S, .75" riser for more aggresive set up | | Bottom Line: | Purchased on Craigslist complete bike for 1700 in like new condition.
Bought this after considering full suspension models. Tired of the buzz of a squishy rear. On this ti bike I will never end developing my ability. Climbing is impeccable, love the geometry and the quality of construction. Nothing better in my view- A classic that will be always be in style.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Dean usa | | Strengths: | SINGLE SPEED!!!!!! Simple, perfect welds, rides like a dream, stiff laterally, great geometry, improved rear tire clearence!!! | | Weaknesses: | Took 10 weeks to get it, they said 4-6, not too bad! | | Similar Products Used: | '97 Dean Colonel, '97 Dean Duke XC, 2000 Dean Duke XC (Love it!), | | Bike Setup: | X-vert super, XTR Hubs with SS sold nutted axel, XT 180mm cranks, Hellion Ti bar, Tompson post, trusty Titec BKTi saddle, and other crap | | Bottom Line: | Get one, it's worth the wait, Dean Customer service is really good and you get what you pay for. I like that your Visa doesn;t get charged until the frame ships. The will tell you 2 weeks for a few months but it's worth it - top notch quality USA made. Support the USA guys!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from pomeroy,wa. usa
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | B&L Bikes, Pullman, Wa. | | Strengths: | 29"wheels, Ti frame, climbs like a scared cat, workmanship,feels so balanced,light weight. | | Weaknesses: | none. | | Similar Products Used: | GAry Fisher Supercal 29, Mt Tam 29, Bontrager. | | Bike Setup: | XTR, WTB tires, Marzocchi fork, Profile Carbon bar, Bontrager Lite stem, wheels, cranks, seat post. | | Bottom Line: | This is a hot bike. Lots of hills where i live, this bike is the best climbing machine i've ever ridden. If you like Mt. biking, you have to try ti. Yes, you have to wait for your bike to arrive, so just order it 6 to 8 weeks before you would have. The guys at Dean know how to build bikes and build them beautiful, who cares if they don't own a calender. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a Cross Country Rider
from Sitka ,Alaska
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1280.00 | | Purchased At: | Dean | | Strengths: | Price, Lightweight, The Ride, Weld Quality | | Weaknesses: | Waiting for them to biuld it 14 weeks they said 4 | | Similar Products Used: | Other steel and aluminum frames | | Bike Setup: | Kona Prgect 2 fork rigid
XTR V-Brakes
Gripshift Rules
Ti bar
Rhyno-Lite rims w/ XT hubs
Gore Tex Lite cables The best
Suspension seatpost since I passed 45 years U.S.E. | | Bottom Line: | Exellent quality, finish, fit, ride. Once you finally get the frame there is no downside. The welds are stunning. It went together like a dream and is my daily rider. I don't use motorized transportation. I use it w/ a B.O.B. trailer for weekend camp trips. Awesome Bike. I don't downhill ride but spend a lot of time on rough backcountry foot trails with stairsteps and singlelog bridges. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerry Butler
a Racer
from Neenah, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Alpine Valley | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Atomic number 22 = Ti = Product Strength | | Weaknesses: | Don't know yet | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Chameleon | | Bike Setup: | XTR groupo and a Marzocchi | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to read the referenced 1 Flamin' Chili rating review by some numbnut who hadn't ridden the bike, but couldn't find it, so I thought I would submit a review of my bike that I haven't ridden yet (too bad I can't give it 10 Flamin' Chilis). I race cross country and raced four different bikes last season - none of which contributed to my success or should I say lack of success. I bought(stole) a used Dean Colonel on eBay and it has not arrived yet, but when it does, I anticipate that it will provide exactly what I have been looking for in a race bike. The aluminum hardtails leave you hurtin' after just a short race. The full suspension bikes are plush and fun and all, but who needs to push all that extra stuff uphill. I can't wait for the stiff yet compliant ride I have read about on mtbr and the mad light "climbs like a goat" thing y'all speak about. If it doesn't get here soon, I'm gonna start having withdrawlkhj; lskjawh s;dkja ]0ygqhwktgh aaarrrrgh! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curt
a Cross Country Rider
from Honolulu
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | DEAN | | Strengths: | Nice workmanship, price, Ti frame stout enough for my weight, people at DEAN and frame has just the right amount of "give". | | Weaknesses: | The wait | | Similar Products Used: | Owned, NOT TEST RIDE:Ellsworth truth, Intense Tracer,GT LTS DS, GT Avalanche, Trek Y, GT Pantera, even a raleigh (a long time ago when Tomac rode for them). | | Bike Setup: | Atom race, XTR, hugi 240, hayes disc | | Bottom Line: | My experince with this frame has been very good so far. It has a little give in the rear when hitting bumps, but I do not notice lateral flex (with my 200 pound butt) like I did when I had my Truth (also a nice bike).
Assembly of the bike went well exept for having to clean the frame of some metal dust (from making the satin finish?). In the past some of the bikes I assembled have had little quirks that made you think "what were they thinking?", but the DEAN just came together (headtube was faced, bottom bracket threads were fine and cable paths ok).
The weakness is the wait. It took about 8 weeks from order till I got it. This would not have been a problem if I knew when I ordered it, as you have to wait for the production run and they are not done overnight. BUT...when I called the friendly people (and they are very friendly and helpful!!!!) kept telling me it was almost ready and it started off with next week and then it turned into a couple of days, and on and on. Then about 4 or 5 weeks later I got it.
Overall a great bike. And to answer what I was wondering about...tire clearance on a Ti hardtail with big stays...No PROBLEM!!! I got my mythos 2.1 with mud room to spare!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$959.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | See previous review | | Weaknesses: | Ditto | | Similar Products Used: | Likewise | | Bike Setup: | As above | | Bottom Line: | Just a quick follow-up from my previous review:
On the weaknesses, on the disc rotor clearance issue, it should have read "doesn't RUB," not run. Besides, your wheel flexes more at the rim than the hub/rotor area (duh!).
It's funny, but prior to this bike and my positive experiences I described in the longer review, I probably wouldn't have considered Dean...however, now, I'm looking at getting a Dean El Diente road bike (if my wife would let me pull the trigger).
Easily one of the best values in the bike biz, especially for Ti. Certainly not a cookie cutter. Plus, not everyone's got one, so there's an exclusivity to them as well. Kind of like being "in-the-know" on a "best kept secret."
I'm only rating the Overall with 4 stars this time to average out the 5 stars on my other review. Though there's no doubt it rates 5 stars for value, there are darn few products out there that are overall 5 stars...but it's easily a 4.5 star product. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$959.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Fine construction
Light
Strong
Not flexy (even for a light Clydesdale like me at 203); Inspires confidence
Fast
Flingable
Helluva bargain
A real, 24.2 lb (11kg) bike, with real-world reliable parts, nothing stupid light | | Weaknesses: | Okay, admittedly, I’m picking nits here. Nothing earth-shattering or show-stopping, but good to know going in:
Minimal clearance on disc rotor and the chainstay…about 2mm. Doesn’t run unless I’m hammering. Perhaps less of an issue with smaller (160mm) rotors (165mm were the only option for Avids when I got them. Not sure if they’ve resolved this…John said they could crimp it if need be, but I haven’t felt the need to take him up on it. Not an issue if you’re going to run V-brakes;
Check on sizing, as they used to tend to run small… they seem to have fixed this on the ’02 models;
Breezer dropouts—though stiff and cool looking—are tough with Salsa skewers;
Headset and bottom bracket threads were chased but not faced (or were they faced but not chased?) Didn’t call to confirm this, but folks have said DEAN would do this before they ship them if you ask. My LBS had to borrow tools from another shop to do mine. D’oh!
And these aren’t weaknesses of the bike as much as my own:
Can’t ride as much as I’d like to;
Inspires too much confidence? Gets me in trouble from over-confidence;
New Bike Adrenaline doesn’t last forever;
Can no longer blame bad riding on my equipment, only on my lack of riding skills, endurance, coordination, etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Actually ridden:
Litespeed Unicoi, Obed
Kona King Kahuna
Considered but never ridden:
Moots YBB, Rigor Moots
Merlin Fat Beat, Fat Ti, Echo
Airborne Lucky Strike
Sandvik/TST/Mongoose Ti hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Atom 80 fork (well worth the weight)
Race Face Turbine Crankset, BB, XY Seatpost, Prodigy Stem
XT Derailleurs
King NoThreadSet
Avid Ultimate Levers, CPS Mechanical Discs
Titec FlatTracker bar (great wide flat bar)
OnZa ProCut bar ends (yes, I still use bar ends)
Selle Italia Flite Kevlar saddle
Time ATAC Carbon pedals
SRAM Rocket Half-Pipe shifters (don’t always play well w/Shimano)
Kovachi Elite Disc wheelset (incredible wheels; see my other review)
Salsa Flip-Off skewers
Hutchinson Mosquito (wet) /Python (dry) tires | | Bottom Line: | Okay, be warned, I’m liable to ramble here. I’ve had over a year on the bike, so, this isn’t just the aforementioned New Bike Adrenaline. But first a bit of history (go ahead and skip this if you want…I won’t be offended).
I was looking at a new bike back in the early '90s, while living in Atlanta. Through vast amounts of research, I found a small, independent builder in the NC mountains named Neville Cork, who built a sweet steel hardtail called the Nevil Devil. He did Manitou/Genesis design before Gary Fisher “discovered” it: the long sloping top tube, the short chainstays. We chatted several times, and met at a race in Brevard, NC, where I got to ride his personal steed. What a beauty to behold and ride!
But I already had a steel hardtail, and full suspension was the “next big thing,” though as yet unproven. Neville said he wanted to try out Ti, which might have been the holy grail: a Ti Nevil Devil! Be still my heart…
But Nevil turned to building FS bikes, at least two of which were panned by Mountain Bike Action. I’ve long suspected that that may be why he seems to have dropped out of the mountain bike business. If you’re out there, Neville, God bless you, man. You made some sweet bikes. Sorry I never bought one from you.
When I finally upgraded, it was a Manitou FS, which my wife bought me as a wedding present. A great bike while it lasted, though pretty archaic by today’s standards. I still have that same great wife, so you can’t have her!
When we moved back to Florida and soon after the Manitou cracked—and Answer/Manitou was out of warranty replacement framesets (D’OH!)—I decided to look at a Ti hardtail, which several of my riding partners were on. As an aside, I was almost swayed into a v1.0 Trek Fuel, but came to my senses, thankfully, looking to simplify (and let others be beta-testers).
I really liked the Moots YBB and Rigor Mootis, though the price was hard to justify, especially when I’m so often bringing up the rear (though I would have looked cool on my Ti Wunderbike, or a complete dumb arse). Tried my friend’s Unicoi, and another’s Obed, as well as King Kahuna. Considered the Merlin Echo, Fat Beat and Fat Ti, but never saw any in person. Also considered the Airborne (didn’t care about the Huffy thing, though didn’t like some of the aesthetics, even if they had a function…darn good price, though) and some Sandvik/TST/Mongoose framesets, though I’d heard they were a bit noodly (cheapest by far at ~$600).
So I was skimming JensonUSA.com, from whom I bought a Barracuda A2R frameset as my singlespeed, when I came upon the Dean Colonel. My familiarity with Dean in the past was that they were basically a boutique brand that bought frames made elsewhere and painted and labeled them. That seems to have changed, as they are building in-house now, and have been for a few years. I had neither a bad nor good impression of them, just never particularly interested. Saw the Colonel on the Jenson web page for $900 at the time, so I started to do some research.
Went back through all my old Mountain Bike and Dirt Rag issues, read online reviews, digested the Dean web site, talked to Lee Baldwin at Jenson (thanks, Lee!), John at Dean (thanks, John!). The Colonel was looking better and better. It was even cheaper than what my buddy at the LBS who’s a Kona dealer could get me on a two-year-old frameset.
So I pulled the trigger and haven’t been the least bit disappointed. Again, I picked nits in the weakness section, but hey, no product is perfect.
Actually, despite the sizing issue, this bike fits me better than any of my previous bikes. I got an XL, despite being a vocal proponent of smaller MTB frames. Previously, my 19” ’89 Diamond Back Apex was too small (long seat post, long Syncros stem, hunched over worse than most road bikes), 18.5” ’94 Answer/Manitou FS (getting better, probably could have gone a size higher), 19.5” ’96 Barracuda A2R singlespeed (almost there; purchased ’00), XL ’01 Dean Colonel (at last, it fits!).
And you know what? It’s like I finally got that Titanium Nevil Devil after all, only it’s really a Dean Colonel. The circle—and search—is complete!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott h
a Racer
from dalton, ga
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Light weight, TI, Craftsmanship of frame is excellent, Rides really well, seat stays chain stays and drop outs are all 1st rate, shaped down tube, the list goes on .... | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Moots ybb - still have it. it is a great ti bike too. | | Bike Setup: | White Bros XC4, Race Face, XTR, AVID, TI stem, TI post, TI Bars, TI Flight Saddle | | Bottom Line: | Prior to the Dean, the moots had been the best mtb I had owned or even ridden. I liked it so much I bought a moots road bike. I am sure the moots hardtail is at least equal to the dean but it costs twice as much. I really can't see it being any better. Bottom line, if you want a TI hardtail that is as good as anything out there but won't break the bank, get a DEAN! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Strife
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Titanium!
Good Price
Stable Geometry
| | Weaknesses: | Decals comes off easily | | Similar Products Used: | Steel, aluminium frames | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR drivetrain, LX/X517s wheels, RockShox SID SL 02 | | Bottom Line: | Great frame for the price. Dean makes awesome frames that cost significantly less than the other 'branded' Ti Frame Makers. Sure, you dun see Dean advertised all over the place, in mags, websites, etc. But the truth is, a good ride needs no advertising. Why pay for publicity if it does not improve the ride?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trent
a Cross Country Rider
from Leadville, CO
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Turquoise Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Very good welds, excellent tubing manipulation, geometry sport on. | | Weaknesses: | Head tube length not in spec with manufacturers numbers. | | Similar Products Used: | Zaskar team, Litespeed Pisgah, older Dean Colonel | | Bike Setup: | XT, XTR, AVID, Mars Elite | | Bottom Line: | Ride quality is wonderful. Very comfortable but not as flexy as other Ti bikes. Unique frame characteristics: monostay, dropouts, larger crimped downtube. Dean is a very friendly, helpful company. Dean is small enough to still give good customer service, talk with you on the phone and answer emails. This frame would be an excellent racer or a wonderful ride for a non-racer enthusiast like myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jase
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the one not closed because of dumb riders | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonUSA | | Strengths: | It's ti for God's sake!
Absorbs shock of trail (1st ride felt like a soft tail)
A light (not super light, but light enough) ride weighed in
at 3.7 lbs for the 19.5"
Won't corrode! Brushed frame looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Orderd a brushed finish, got a satin (looks dull and grey)
but I got it brushed (no thanks to Jensons) and it looks phat!
I had to have a buddy reem the seat tube it was not done at all and I was just lucky to have talented friends helping me build it. In talking to friend with Deans they have experience tube diameters etc. that were not the advetised specs and one frame was out of alignment, but Dean will take care of you if you have an issue such as that. But it's something you probaly won't encounter with a bigger (more expensive co.) | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Stumpjumper M2 comp | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Sid xc fork
8 speed xt/xtr drive train/race face turbine lp crank set
Selle Italia flite gel saddle
race face seat post/bar
control tech bar ends (cut down to stubbys)
Mavic rims/XT Hubs/WTB Velociraptors
Shimano 747 Pedals
Avid brakes/XT levers
WTB grips | | Bottom Line: | For the price this is an awesome ti frame
The ride and feel of ti is just what I thought (awesome!)
it would be. Dampens trail vibrations especially coming
from an harsh aluminum ride. I am thrilled to be riding ti
and am very lucky to have a frame like this.
I'm only giving four flamers because of the seat tube
and some other probs that friends have had.
But I do recomend this ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Racer
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | direct from Dean | | Strengths: | light, compliant yet stiff, pretty | | Weaknesses: | Don't care for the finish too much, it always looks dirty...not that that is really a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Lobster, Ibis Ti, Indy Fab, Gunnar, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Singlespeed specific frame with a Marzocchi Z2, the rest is irrelevant... | | Bottom Line: | This frame is very nice. My first Ti frame and I really like it. I thought it may be a little flexy, but with the thick tubing design and the monostay, it is as laterally stiff or maybe even more laterally stiff than my steel SS frame. The frame is compliant, but not as compliant as other Ti frames, like the Ibis Ti, who does more butting to their tubes. If you got the cash and want a light Ti frame, bang for your buck, this is the best thing I could find at the time. Now, the frame was promised to me within 4-5 weeks. It took eight. Still, that isn't bad for a custom frame. However, if I had it to do all over again, I would probably get a Matt Chester, simply because I think they have more "SOUL". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deanmachine
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Strength
Weight
Indestructibility | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Merlin | | Bike Setup: | Dean Colonel + Full XTR | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike and has been reliable all the time for some 2 years I've had it. Don't listen to that lonely voice below that rated it only 1 star - how can you rate a bike you've never ridden? That "review" should be removed, we're rating the FRAME not the service!
Even IF a company's service was poor - if the frame never has any trouble, then it doesn't deserve a 1 star.
Every other Ti frame that has over 20 reviews has had some problems - except the Dean. Nuff' said. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Y-neveryoumind!
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the one I just finished riding! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Hup Leong (Singapore) | | Strengths: | Good Geometry (not too hot, not too sweet... but just right)
Soaks up terrain
Indestructible
Great welds
It's titanium! | | Weaknesses: | Decals easy to come off
Should have a 'badge' on frame head, rather than just a sticker (hey - you don't have stickers on a Mercedes do you?)
Being Titanium, you have to contend with titanium grease - but it's a small price to pay for greatness! | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Obed | | Bike Setup: | Deore XT everything (XTR front derailleur), Mavic 217 "rainbow" rims, Panaracer Trailblaster 26x1.8 tires, Litespeed Stem+Handlebar, Thomson Elite seatpost, Rock Shox SID Long travel forks. | | Bottom Line: | The perfect hard-tail. What more can be said?
If you're looking for a hard-tail with the magic-ride, go Dean. There're just too many fantastic properties of Titanium that you cannot ignore. Why sacrifice strength for weight? You can have your cake and eat it with a Dean Ti - great price too! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
flyinryan
a Racer
from Ames, IA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | The Bike Co. | | Strengths: | This review is for the 2001 Colonel TI: Light. Oh my god is this a wicked light bike. I ride a 19" and weigh about 175 lbs and this bike weighs bout 22.5 lbs with a 4" shock on it and it soaks up small bumps through the frame beautifully. I like to climb and this bike climbs like a billy goat, nice and stiff, but smooth. The curved chain stays and seat stays work very well. Descends great.
I had to custom order my frame because I wanted to put a Z1 XFly 100 mm shock on it to take bigger hits. So I asked John at DEAN to adjust the head angle to accomodate the taller shock. This way you don't have that "chopper effect" going on like some other guys are complaining about. It's not the shocks fault, it's the head tube angle guys. Anyway, initially this setup felt weird because I'm used being leaned way over, but that kills your back after awhile. I also discovered you get more power and efficiency sitting a little more upright, but not too far. I set my h-bar height about 1 inche below the seat height and that works perfect. I can throw this bike around on the trails, it's a BLAST to ride, and it's faster than my GT Zaskar.
This is probably one of the best Ti frames you can get for the dollar. I've done piles of research and asked numerous people and they all agree, this is a good buy.
The welds look awesome and the drop outs are 6/4 ti and way cool to look at and super rigid. The 3/2.5 biaxially shaped downtube really helps stiffen things up on the front triangle and teh bottom bracket area, which I was very leary of, but didn't need to be because it's really stiff as well. The frame offers enough flex to make for a lively ride and the ti is so plush you won't want to stop riding.
I thought about getting F/S but I think they take some of the real fun out of riding sometimes. For XC racing you can't beat a hardtail, just watch the pros.
| | Weaknesses: | Ok, here's my complaints. I ordered the frame and it took over 11 weeks to get it. I was so a little concerned to say the least. It also arrived with red graphics and I wanted blue ones and so I called and John sent new decals right away. That was nice of them.
The decals are a little thin I would say and I already have numerous rock chips showing up on them, but it doesn't really bother me cause they're just decals and it's a mtn bike, they're gonna get banged up eventually. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar LE, Cannondale, plus I've ridden quite a few other types. | | Bike Setup: | Race Face, Chris King, Thomson, ceramic Mavics, XT/XTR, Answer, Selle Italia, Shimano 858, Avid | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike that I have already competed on ridden in some tight technical as well as rocky areas and it performs awesome. It's smooth feeling going over little bumps is what really impressed me. I would recommend adjusting the head angle to accomodate 100 mm shocks because almost all hardtails are designed for 63/80 mm shocks. This is sort of a freeride hardtail that I think works great for XC racing.
If you're thinking of getting a new frame consider the DEAN Colonel. It has a stiff rear end and it's light, supple and it won't cost as much as some high quality steel frames. Plus it will last a lifetime if you take care of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryl
a Racer
from Webster, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Technical | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | DEAN Bikes | | Strengths: | Light weight, great alignment, clean BB, head-tube alignment right-on, big & beefy tubing, breezer dropouts, forgiving ride, no paint to worry about......... | | Weaknesses: | Breezer dropouts a little bit large for closure of skewer to be towards the lower chainstay. | | Similar Products Used: | DEAN Jester | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR 8-speed, Manitou Mars 1 w/antibob (2000 1/2), Mavic Crossmax (non-tubeless), Titec Carbon post, Thomson Stem, Easton Carbon Bar, Hutchinson Python Air-Lites, Avid Cables, Performance Pro SL saddle | | Bottom Line: | I bought this hardtail to get away from the suspension movement. I do not ever think I will ride suspension again. I use this bike to race and although I have not raced this frame yet, I feel confident on it from the riding I have put in.
I must mention that the sole reason I went to this hardtail is for racing. I dropped my chain twice with the softtail that I used to ride. Also the weight of this frame is the class that I need for racing.
I highly recommend buying a DEAN Ti frame because this is my second DEAN frame and both experiences have been positive. Although the first was steel, I have no real complaints about either frame. Steel is harder to take care of with it needing a certain coating though.
With the comparison of the two DEAN's I have owned. This one is not near as flexy in the BB area or the rear seatstays. I have so far really enjoyed this frame and all of its characteristics. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RandyA
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit, MI USA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | If the bike goes there... I'm there | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Deanusa.com | | Strengths: | Light, Tough & Solid - yet Forgiving | | Weaknesses: | Wasn't "exactly" what was described... see below. Also I had a little trouble setting up my rear brakes to compensate for the flex of the seat stay. | | Similar Products Used: | As far as Ti... none | | Bike Setup: | Changes from original setup:
Seatpost: Moots lay-back
Brakes: Avid SD7
Wheelset: Rhyno Lites w/ Hope Ti glide hubs
Stem: Thomson 100mm/15deg
Handlebar: Answer Hyperlite
Fork: Marz Z4 Flylight Air
Tires: WTB Racing Raptors | | Bottom Line: | After FINALLY getting a chance to ride the Dean last weekend, I can FINALLY understand what everyone is talking about when they mention the ride quality of Ti. The Dean has this great solid/smooth/light feel that is just a joy to ride. My GF Sugar is plush, but my Dean is just smooooooth.
I made changes to the setup (see my original post) to help lighten it up more and correct some geometry issues. The top-tube on my large is just a tad bit shorter than my Med Sugar. Now, it's dialed in... Very Cool!
The only problems I encountered:
1. I didn't notice this at first, so I recently sent a message to John @ Dean about the tubing. Their website says that the down-tube is 1.75" and top-tupe is 1.375". It's actually; down-tube=1.5" and top-tube=1.25". I originally bought the Colonel for the bigger tubes, so this was a little disappointing. But, the ride is still very solid so I'm not too concerned right now. If I do have to replace it, maybe I'll order custom next time.
2. Setting up the rear brakes caused me some trouble. The drive side seatstay had more space btw the wheel and the brake boss. Also, I had to learn how to setup the brakes to compensate for the seat stay flex. It took me some time to get the brakes setup right (w/ spacers and all). I also found out that my SRAM 7.0 brakes weren't all that good too, thus the switch to Avid's.
On the whole, the positives outweigh the negatives. The bike rides great and still looks awesome (... and that what we're all concerned about isn't it ;-)...)
Still a 5 overall & 4 value | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Davinder
a Weekend Warrior
from Potomac, MD
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Super Strong Frame, extremely light | | Weaknesses: | Only one color | | Similar Products Used: | Yo Eddie | | Bike Setup: | XT, Dean, Specialized | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great, took a while to get used to short top tube, still getting used to it. The ride does not compare to my previous Yo Eddie, (should have never sold it), but nothing can compare to the YO. If I never had the Yo this would be the greatest bike I have ever purchased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Sommer
a
from Tinley Park,IL
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos Forest Preserves | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa | | Strengths: | Super light, super strong. My first ti bike, I just came off breaking two custom non-pivot steel "softtails" and found that this thing rides almost as comfortably as the suspension did. Much more compliant than aluminum, lighter than 853 steel. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any. | | Similar Products Used: | ProCraft custom-built Reynolds 853 "softtail"
Kona Kilauea | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox SID SL
Grafton cranks
Race Face rings
Full SRAM 9.0 sl
Cane Creek WAM wheelset, brakes, headset, and seat
Thompson seatpost
Profile bar and stem
Time ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | I've been racing for a couple years now, started with aluminum but a back injury made for a really harsh ride, so I went to steel, then the softtail steel to protect my back. When I broke the softtail for the second time, I went for a new frame, found a great deal on the Dean even though I was leary of buying a bike I hadn't ridden yet. It has a shorter top tube than anything I've ever ridden, so I'm just getting used to it, but what a ride! I only hope the trails dry up soon so I can go offroad every day.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Racer
from Pelham
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Brook State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Dean USA | | Strengths: | Price, quality of construction, quality of ride | | Weaknesses: | Cable guides sloppily drilled out for hydraulic lines | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8900, Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Disk specific frame, '00 XTR, SID XC, Hayes, Easton CT2/EA70, Rolf Dolomite Disk | | Bottom Line: | Only got two rides in before the snow flew. I was at first skeptical buying a frame without test riding, but my skepticism quickly turned to smiles only a mile into the first ride. The Colonel frame is stiffer at the BB than my superlight Trek 8900 (which broke), but yet takes some edge off New England tree-root infested trails. Frame fit was right on with parts I bought from several sources. I liked the fact that even though I ordered a "stock" frame, I was able to order some semi-custom options such as a disk-specific frame. Dean left off the canti posts, drilled out the cable quides for Hayes lines, and added the IS disk mount. Half the price of a Merlin or Seven, but almost all of the quality. Hope to win even more races on this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Arellano
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit, MI USA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any & all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Deanusa.com | | Strengths: | Light, straight as arrow, looks beautiful! | | Weaknesses: | Ummm, none... yet | | Similar Products Used: | Well, if you count my other bikes then... '99 C-dale M500 & '00 GF Sugar4 | | Bike Setup: | '01 Dean Colonel Frame
'00 SRAM 9.0 RR Der. 9-sp
'00 SRAM 7.0 Shifters (9-sp), Brakes & levers
'00 XTR Ft. Der.
'00 RaceFace turbine LP crankset
SRAM PC-59 Chain
Bontrager 90mm stem
Easton EA50 1.5" riser bar
'00 Manitou SX-LE (w/ Englund internals)
Chris King Headset
Titec Carbon seatpost
Selle Italia Flite saddle
Mavic Crossride wheelset w/ LX 11-32 cassette
Maxxis Wormdrive tires
Delta teflon cables
Performance Topo MC-7 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Just received my frame yesterday from Dean. It took a while to get, but now that I have it here's my first impressions:
1) AWESOME!!!
2) I remeber reading about a few points in MTBR.com reader posts about BB chasing/threading, etc. I let Dean know about my concerns, and they took care of it.
3) As far as welds go... I'm no expert, but I think the whole frame and the welding looks beautiful. My only question is that on the inside of the BB shell there looks to be some light charring where they welded the chain stays and seat tube. I suppose time will tell if that translates into a material failure.
4) The Colonel looks straight as an arrow and feels light as a feather.
5) All-n-all a beautiful job.
Kudos to John @ Dean for keeping me informed throughout my purchase experience w/ Dean. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a
from knoxville,tn 37909
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | replaced | | Strengths: | the dean colonel is great. i had one with the straight tubeset and it rode like a dream. i am a big guy (210 lbs) and ride hard. the frame cracked, but dean was wonderful about replacing it. the bike was replaced with a biaxailly ovalized tubeset, and rides even better than before. if you want quality, talk to dean. | | Weaknesses: | i had to rebuilt the bike myself. i had a problem with the bb threads needing to be chased also. there frames are sized differently too, but this is not a big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | novara steel frame
novara alu frame
| | Bike Setup: | judy sl, xt wheels, azonic rizer bars (more comfortable), 50mm stem, | | Bottom Line: | DEAN BIKES ARE GREAT. THEY BUILD QUALITY FRAMES AND STAND BEHIND THEIR WARRENTY. I WAS PLEASED WITH THEIR TURNAROUND TIME AS WELL. THIER FRAMES ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT TWO THINGS ARE TRUE. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, AND PRICES DROP IN THE OFF SEASON, JUST WAIT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Urbana, Illinois
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Waldo Canyon Colorado Springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Ti, light, rides like nothing else. | | Weaknesses: | Huhh!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Dean Oscar, Giant ATX 1.75 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Atm Bomb, Lots of XTR, Raceface cranks, Thompson seatpost and Flight saddl. | | Bottom Line: | I really liked my Dean Oscar. I could tell a big differnce until I rode today. I was takng some big hits when I noticed that I wasn't feeling them. The bike was just absorbing the shock. I guess the myth about the ride of ti is true. I'm another ti Disciple. 10 stars!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Cross Country Rider
from cincinnati
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ceasars Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Softens the bumps!!!! climbs like a billy goat | | Weaknesses: | Decals chip and peal off easily. Bottom Bracket threads were not chased at the factory. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | mars carbon, xt brakes and drivetrain, mavic 517 wheels,kore stem, USE xcr suspension seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Other than having to hunt for a shop to chase my bottom bracket threads the frame looked great. My only complaint would be the decals. I've only riden it a few times and they are already chipping off. The frame is stiff enough that it doesn't flex too much, yet it soaks up bumps beautifully!!! It wants to climb. Smooths out the downhill. All around, a great bike. I'm giving it four stars only for the decals and the problem with the bottom bracket. Other than that, it deserves 5 stars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun2000
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very smooth and agile. Climbs anything. This frame is awesome. For me (size small) it beats any other small frame out there. Complete control and extremely light. My setup ran $2400. Nothing else comes close. Get a Dean. You won't be let down. | | Weaknesses: | Too much flex from the rear brake. I'm getting a brake booster to fix that. | | Similar Products Used: | Last bike was a Specialized M2 S-Works (stolen). Similar bikes but the Ti makes it no comparison. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Mars 1, XTR Hubs on Mavic 517, Thompson Elite post and stem, King headset, XT brakes and drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | I hesitated getting a frame sight unseen. Needing a small frame, I didn't have a lot of room for error. I had problems with my dealer but Dean has been 100% helpful. This bike is great for anyone who appreciates a nice ride. If it got stolen today, I'd buy another tomorrow. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
luiscypher
a
from albuquerque,new mexico,usa
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | the frame was made with great workmanship, fast turn around in my case too. very beautiful frame, make sure yo ubuy insurance and a good lock!! this bike will get stolen quick. | | Weaknesses: | i've had to mill the head tube twice so that my king headset works without improper alignment. | | Similar Products Used: | merlin ti(stolen!!!) | | Bike Setup: | its a sweet bike baby.... | | Bottom Line: | worth the value, the ride is so soft and nice, and yet it is fast and nimble. the bike climbs, goes fast downhill and looks pretty doing it. of course the bike only performs as well as the rider allows. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, quick handling, great climber, stiff yet compliant, likes to run fast. | | Weaknesses: | raw looking Breezer style dropouts, only average attention to detail | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Obed, Stumpjumper M2, steel Mojo | | Bike Setup: | straight up XT, Z2 Atom 80s, Mavic 517s, Dean Ti bar, Cane Creek headset, Kore stem and seatpost, Flite | | Bottom Line: | This is a sweet frame. Super light and responsive, this thing floats up hils. The fatty stays and large downtube seem to do a thourough job of keeping lateral flex at the bottom bracket in check, at least for a rider of my weight(150lbs). Despite this, the ride is very compliant, amazing really, and it seems to get smoother the fasster you go. And it likes to go fast. You could race on this bike.
Although there are no types of riding where this frame does not excel, it feels most at home on singletrack, where the quick handling and weight are most noticeable. This is a singletrack demon.
The only nit picks I have with the frame are aesthetic. The Breezer style dropouts are crude looking, although perfectly functional. The rear derailleur hanger is welded onto the dropout rather sloppily. The brake posts were welded onto the stays slightly askew as well, although not enough to impair the operation of the brakes in any way. All of this adds up to a lack of attention to detail that you get with an Ibis, for example. This is all superficial, though, and has not affeced the ride in any way. Because of this I would not pay the full retail price for this frame, but for around $800 it can't be beat.
I favor singletrack above all else, and if you do too, this frame deserves consideration. This bike gets sweeter each time I ride it, and the quality of the ride never fails to impress me. I give it four chilis for value, but five overall, 'cause it kicks ass.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Burke
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardrock, Ocala, FL | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stiff-yet-supple ride, excellent weld quality, great geometry, indestructible finish. | | Weaknesses: | Older-style "guitar string" cable routing on right side of top tube; cables have a tendency to slice up inside of leg when worn. Clearance between chainstay and chainring (w/standard rings) could be better. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale frames | | Bike Setup: | Zoke Z2 Bam, XTR rear d and brakes, XT front d, Sweetwings cranks (no bb), Raceface rings, ceramic 517s laced to White Industries hubs, Thompson post, WTB SST saddle, Dean al stem, Easton EA70 bars, Onza bar ends, Syncros headset, 1.95 IRC Mythos kevlars | | Bottom Line: | Terrific bike. I've always been a bit skeptical of bike manufacturer hyperbole, but I've found this ti frame really lives up to the hype. It retains most of the stiffness of my spine-crushing C-Dales, but provide a much more supple, comfortable ride. I'm fairly heavy for a ti-rider (185), but I've found this frame to be surprisingly beefy, with very little lateral flex and a solid bottom bracket. The vertical compliance is quite something; the frame feels almost... alive, it's as if it gives back more energy that you put into it. It's kind of weird, but quite nice. I've got the older 3/2 Colonel/Scout, and I like the geometry quite a bit; it's quite stable, but is still quick enough to be agile in the technical stuff. (It looks like the new frames are a bit more upright, though, so this may no longer be the case.) Finally, the brushed finish is indestructible. No matter what happens, a hose-down and once-over with a Scotch Brite pad will have it as good as new. And it looks GOOD.
There a few things I'd chance. The older, right-side cable routing looks cool, but I find it digs into the side of my knee if I wreck, or when the cables start to wear -- it's sliced me up pretty good a few times. The clearance between my chainrings and the chainstay isn't good, and the chain occasionally gets hung up. This probably has more to do with my weird-ass cranks, though. Finally, the Z2 is a great fork, but it leaves the bike a bit front heavy, which gets a tad wacky on steep drops. By-and-large, though, the bike works and handles great.
After a solid year of super-technical local trails, an N.C. mountain roadtrip, and a few races, I'm convinced this is the last bike I'll need. And remember, ti lasts forever, so don't be afraid to buy one used -- I got this bike here in Marketplace for a song. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin County
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | usually an illegal one | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | comfort, stability | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | zaskar, stumpjumper m2 | | Bike Setup: | Z2 bam, king hubs/headset, sun rims, sram 9.0 shifter and r der., xtr brakes & f. der and bot. bracket, monkeylite riser bar, bontrager shorty stem 7 degree rise, old school flite ti rail saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Been avoiding an fs for years, ti is a great middle road... loved the feel of stumpy m2 material, zaskar aluminum beat the sh*#* out of me, Dean ti is flexy yet reponsive, fast and climbs great. Really does eat up the bumps when you hit em at speed. Very stable bike, perfect welds. Perfect material for a lighter (145lb) rider. Great frame geometry for me too, (5'7") good standover height.
Good investment for someone looking for a long term ride, build it w/ quality stuff and ride it for years. Being smaller, I like a light bike I can huck around, this bike can be built super light and the slight flex keeps ya from gettin' tossed toi a certain point. This bike wants to go fast, now I'm workin on getting bigger balls to let it go.
Absolutely love it. 5 chilis comin' at ya | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ginger
a Cross Country Rider
from Anywhere but SF,CA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | PINE MOUNTAIN, Marin County | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable. Great craftsmanship. Excellent material. Won't ever rust. | | Weaknesses: | Original single-clamp seatpost is hard to deal with. | | Similar Products Used: | Misc. steel bikes. | | Bike Setup: | White Brothers 70's; Precision V's; Mavic 117/217 w KING
HUBS (they RULE); mixed XT/XTR; Speedplays; Boone cogs (INDESRUCTO); TOP SHIFTERS (why???) | | Bottom Line: | Ten years later, I still love this bike. The gizmos change, the frame doesn't. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Ludwig
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Buffalo Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Bought the frame(Scout) built up mail order, my first time. Went to Dean factory, only 30 miles away, and bought the Dean Ti bar and seat post.Super smooth for a hard tail, as close as I can get to a FS. | | Weaknesses: | Rider,crashed and broke by leg from the top tube hitting it. Ti is tough!! | | Similar Products Used: | Had a cro-mo and alum ht's but this is the bomb!!! | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, Deat ti bar, seat post and frame, Marz. Z-2.... | | Bottom Line: | This bike kick butt, climbes better than my FS(maybe because it's 6 lbs lighter) and is the smoothest HT I have ever riden, and no suspenion seat post, just Ti. This bike is going to stay with me until it or I die. Dean has some great factory support,(tech. questions, product support and NICE people). For the money it beats out any higher priced Ti frame, only 3.25 lbs. and wipes out similar priced, or cheaper Ti frames. Go DEAN!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
askman
a weekend warrior
from Beaverton, OR
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Got older dean colonel(scout) slightly used for 500 bucks, and finished it with XTRs, crosslands, and Judy with Englunds. It came comfortably under 23lb with specialized tires and other light component. after riding 29lb proflex with dual clamp, it climbs like mad, and a joy to boot. The frame is still comfortably enough for most terrain(much more comfortable compared to 7000 AL frame Marin IFT and slightly better than my old Norco Team with Reynold 853 that I gave to my naphew. and I still have my Beast
for anything rougher. And the workmanship is perfect, and beyond compare. Definltely a great buy for the money.(even new at under 800 discounted, it is much better than Airborne chinese bike) The Watercut 6/4 Ti bottom bracket and derr hanger as compared to pure Ti for airborne, and much better looking welding. Why would anybody waste money on Airborne....I got a better bike for less... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DKing
a cross-country rider
from Huntington Beach, Ca
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got this Ti hardtail for about $799 with Dean alu seatpost. It was on the wall next to an $1100 Obed. Upon inspection, the quality of the workmanship is impeccable on both. The bike was built with full 99 XTR package and Mavic Crosslands. My first ride was a 21 miler first on bumpy fire road leading up to the single track, then single track climbing and descents with off-camber and bumpy downhill sections. The bike seems to handle very well-seems to hug the terrain on climbs and go up sure footed and smooth. More riding in more technical and fast terrain will be had before posting a follow up review for yas. I'll infer from the feel of this bike that it's going to make me a better climber. Dowhill, I do feel the diff from full suspension but was willing to give up a little for strong climbing. Also, on some sections of the singletrack I felt I couldn't put the front end where I wanted it without losing traction. I'm using 120mm 5 deg rise Kore with EAston Riser bar and may try a shorter stem-then again it may just be a matter of getting used to the bike or a matter of building more riding skill too. Overall so far so good. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a cross-country rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought the new Colonel frame because the oversized 6/4 down tube makes the bike a little less flexy for larger riders (around 195 lbs). Great deal from Cambria at $1250! Built it up with mostly XTR, Chris King aheadset/hubs, Mavic 517s, a USE shock seatpost (very excellent!) and a White Bros SC70. Absolute dream bike. The bike climbs like a demon, flashes any technical downhill and will do anything your skill level will take it to. As for me, it made my level of riding go up the minute I got on it. Nothing less than five stars will do for the Dean Colonel. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eddie
a cross-country rider
from euless, tx. (dall/ft.worth
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
just took my first ride on my dean ti scout yesterday. rode approximately 12 miles of terrain that goes from rocky climbs to open cross country to twisty
single track. i am very impressed with the feel and handling of this frame.choice of tires,trail conditions, etc. all affect your ride but i feel the
frame would still be lightning quick and responsive irregardless of component
choice for the build.i built mine with full xtr, marz.superfly shock and sun zero degree xc rims mated to geax blade and sedonna tires.for the cushioning i
chose the dean ti post mated to a wtb sstk saddle.23 lbs.isn't too shabby either.also, i called dean directly several times and spoke to both will and john who answered all my questions and worked hard to make sure i was happy and
knew all of my options pre/post to frame purchase. eddie. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
maTT
a racer
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got my Scout, (the bike formerly know as the Colonel) when i got hooked hup on the DEAN grassroots team for 1998. This bike is awesome. It climbs like it's it job, and is super smooth in the singletrack and on the rip roaring downhills. The faster the bike gets ridden, the more comfortable it gets. My bike built up super easy. the cockpit feels awesome; and everything is in the right place, right where you need it. My bike is very light (just as light as the pimped out aluminum hardtails) and I builit it with pretty standard parts. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Worley
a cross-country rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Dean Scout, previously the Colonel, has impressed me more everytime I ride.
The Dean was an obvious choice over the Litespeed Ocoee (all 3-2.5al Ti). The Dean is Sandivik 3-2.5al Ti with 6-4al Ti watercut bottom bracket shell and rear dropouts. The Dean is better material for $500 less. The frame climbs like a mountain goat, and is a single-track missle. Lifetime waranty...my last mountain frame! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aram Cipolini
a racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I was once riding this bike in the sun, and while i was riding, the bike started to melt. At first i thought it was my fork, but their was no rebound. It's a good bike, except it melts when you ride it in warm weather. be careful. YEp....a melting bike is not a good one. 50 words, there rge gfd | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill L
a racer
from Menlo Park, CA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great frame! Light, strong, and handles extremely well. It's an
extremely good singletrack bike (easy to flick around, quick, ...)
but it's still sufficiently stable for the high-speed fire road
descents.Definitely consider this frame, if you're looking for something fast
and affordable. For 99 this bike has been re-named the Scout, and
the price dropped to $1000! Of course, at 2 years old mine is about
10 years from needing a replacement...-B | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a cross-country rider
from Fl.
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I also got one of the Colonel frames through Supergo for $644 (delivered). For the money its unbeatable. I made the mistake of building it to light though. At 20lbps it was way to twitchy and unstable. slapping on some beefier wheels calmed it down a bit, but it still feels a little high strung. The quality is first rate and it has the most beautiful welds I've ever seen. It still holds a sweet spot in my heart. I would suggest the Jester hard tail over the Colonel if you want a DEAN. Its a more polished riding bike. 853 steel is the bomb! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GA Rider
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Stole this frame, DEAN ti seatpost and DEAN ti stem for a mere $600. Rides great. Always had alum HT's, and this bike rules. SX-Ti up front, Titec ti bars, and ti rail seat makes this a great singletrak bike. Very neutral, no bullshit habits.
DEAN support has been great as well, sending out frame stickers very promptly once contacted. Perfect East coast HT. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mac
a cross-country rider
from Pacifica, CA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Dean Scout TI:
-Overall this is a great cross country bike. Great on climbs. Great on singletrack. My first mountain bike was a steel Diamondback. It hadled very well. But after the ride I felt so fatigued. My next bike was a Trek Y-22. This bike was ?@#$%^&*. An OK bike going down a smooth hill or going to Starbucks.The Scout feels like you have a full suspension mountain bike. Yet on the climbs its staight as an arrow.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a weekend warrior
from Vancovuer wA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm just putting a 5 star rating in here because some idiot put a bunch of bull (@$( as a review and gave this bike a 1 star rating. I'd like to just deck some people...ok now I have to get to fifty words...happy riding everyone.... need 5 more words. ok | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sim
a racer
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I to ride the Dean bike being reviewed here (actually I ride for DEAN so I am biased). Just so there isn't any confusion the 1998 Colonel Ti Frame is now called the Scout. There is a new, just released June 1998, frame that takes the Colonel's place that has a 6/4 2 ti downtube but the same geometry as the old colonel now the scout. Both bikes have oversized s-bend seat and chainstays. The Scout retails for $1000 and the Colonel for $1650 I believe. I ride the scout frame and think it is an excellent bike. I would buy it and ride it if I was not sponsored by them, for real. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom M
a cross-country rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: May 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have my frame paired with a '98 SXti and couldn't be happier. I got no reduction in handling sharpness over my old Specialized M2, but gained amazing comfort. I'm no longer sore after every hard ride. Ride a good titanium frame like a Dean over big, fast stutter bumps and you'll notice the difference over any other material. It rips through everything accurately but smoothly. Keep in mind that Dean's Colonel seems to have changed spec's from year to year. My '97 has s-bend stays (Harvey Fujimoto's didn't), and even the '98 model's spec's and price have gone up-scale (bigger tubes for $1650). It looks like the new '98 Scout ($1000) may have replaced the older Colonel...but I could be wrong. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JamesC
a weekend warrior
from NY, NY
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I Got a great deal on the frame from Supergo last year. The ride is quick and agile. It takes some adjusting to if you have been riding a full suspension, but once you ride it you will know what I mean. I would have paid retail on the frame if I knew what type of ride it was. Try a USE seatpost to soften the rough stuff. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard C
a weekend warrior
from Calgary, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Stole this frame from Supergo for US$679. Swapped one day with my buddy who rides a Merlin. I liked mine better - seemed he did too, but he wouldn't come right out and admit it - easy to understand as he paid three times what I did. Bummer for him. A very sweet bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DEAN mtber
a cross-country rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: February 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Got this frame 8 months ago and I wont go let it go. From the first ride i was in love with it. It flys down the trails like a rocket while handling like a porsche! It has such a smooth ride, and at it's cost i think it is the ultimate choice for a great frame. The finish is beautifull but be carefull because it can rub down to a polish finish if left in a trunk mouned bike carrier. I would give it 1,000 flaming chillies but because of the duribility of the finish i have to give it 999 chillies! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a cross-country rider
from Edmonton, Alberta
Date Reviewed: February 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is one nice frame. It rides a little softer than my old Marin Tange ultimate superlight frame and handles more predictably in tight single track. It's stable without being twitchy making it more confidence inspiring in hairy situations. The bike corners well staying solid on its intended line. Don't get me wrong it's not a slug. You can change your line if you so desire and it goes where you look. The bottom bracket will sway a little more when cranking hard than aluminum or some steel frames but the Dean won't beat you-up as bad either; it's your choice. There are more ti frames out there with a higher zoot factor and price. But if you want a ti frame that you can moto and thrash regularly without going totally broke, this is a great choice. Remember: titanium is forever. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harvey Fujimoto
a weekend warrior
from Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Although the average asking price for this titanium frameset is around $1000.00, I shopped around and obtained this via mail order for around $800.00. What a bargain! Although this frameset doesn't have all the trick features such as s-shaped seat-and-chain-stays, it is a straight-forward, smooth-riding hardtail. The geometry seems responsive without being twitchy, and it climbs well. It is light (my 14.5 with a Q21R fork and '96 XTR group weighs 24 lbs) and looks good, too. I give it 5 stars! | | Overall Rating: |
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