Submitted by
Jeffrey Li
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: January 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Tai Mo Shan - Ho Pui
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Shun Lee Bicycles Co.
Strengths:
plush, strong.. no flex...
Weaknesses:
not much but more travel at the rear would be better
Similar Products Used:
None ! Da Bomb XLR8R Azonic DS 2
Bike Setup:
Psylo XC, D321, Kujo 2.25, Deore, XT, Disc Brakes
Bottom Line:
this is the best bike i have even ridden... it is stable in high speed and the suspension is active during downhill.. i will recommand this frame to anybody
p.s. i bought this frame used, with cyclery co. painted team colour
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy Hoyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne Australia Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Home trails
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
VICMTB, Melbourne
Strengths:
Light, low CofG, plush, very adjustable, stiff front end, looks unbelievable!
Weaknesses:
Some flex in rear (2001 model now uses M1 seat stays), BB is low- watch your pedals! Expensive...(duh!)
Similar Products Used:
None! Nothing like it. 4-bar linkage suspension: GT LTS, Specialized FSRs
Bike Setup:
Manitou X-Vert Super, Hope C2 Pro discs & Bulb hubs & Ti Skewers, RaceFace Turbine DH cranks & ring & XY0 seatpost, Mavic D521 rims, Kore Elite stem, Answer Taperlite bar, Tioga DH tyres, Shimano XTR shifting/chain/cluster, SDG saddle, King headset, MRP DS chainguide, DMR V12 pedals
Bottom Line:
Unbelievable handling - long and low. Jumps easily, corners like nothing else, looks amazing. Built perfectly. Slack head angle is confidence inspiring, combined with normal height front end and ultra-low rear. Very forgiving when you muck up.
Advice: Run short (165mm). Take the time to get the chainline right - BB axle width is crucial to avoid cranks clipping seatstays in some set-ups. Intense doesn't recommend using the 4"setting all the time (reduces frame life) and the Tazer is NOT wheelbase adjustable (head angle/BB height is). The shorter wheelbase set up will trap the tyre in the chainstay yoke. The Tazer can feel a bit 'spongy' in the 4" setting - better for really high speeds or rough terrain. 3" setting is better for sprinting & jumping.
Above all, it's just plain fun to bomb around on and the best bike I've ever owned. (Just don't bother to ride it up hill... seat angle is way laid back and low. You will never get the seat up high enough to pedal with proper leg extension). Built up to 30lbs, handles like a dream, looks killer. What more can I say?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Virginia Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Filzbuilt Bicycles
Strengths:
killer geometry light weight smooth suspension
Weaknesses:
swing arm is a little flexy- 2001 it gets the m-1 rear end
Similar Products Used:
ds-1 spooky metal head
Bike Setup:
z-1 cr hayes disc tomac wheels shimano shifting/cranks
Bottom Line:
this is the best slalom bike ever made. If you are serious about DS buy this bike if you still lose you can't blame the bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christiaan Van der Laan
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1675.00
Purchased At:
Bike Crew Landsberg
Strengths:
Super stiff, very low, great jumper, just feels perfect, super plush travel.
Weaknesses:
Expensive, but it is worth it. Cranks almost hit rear swingarm, very little rom, but it is stiff
Similar Products Used:
GT LTS, GT STS, GT Zaskar, BE-One Team Dual slalom
Bike Setup:
Manitou custom dual tripleclamp Supernova, king, XTR, MRP WC2, Hayes FH, 8" front, 6" rear, michelin tires, Azonic stem, Pro taper bars Rigida DH30 rims etc.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks, I got it at a discount because it was the last 2000 model, it just rides super!!!!!! Best bike ever, it is expensive, but beleave me, it is worth it, so ifyou can afford it, buy one, ride one, race one, be happy, you won't regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neslon
a
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Everywhere
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
stiff frame, adjustable geomerty, low standover and low centre of gravity
Weaknesses:
It is difficult to find fault for a new frame but the strong swingram is a little bit too big. It will cause you shoes and the rear derailleur hit the swingram in every ride.
Similar Products Used:
Trek VRX, GT LTS and Giant ATX 1000
Bike Setup:
Full XT, XT disc, ZI CR fork, D321 rim, Azonic stem, Easton monkey riser bar and IRC 2.25 DH tires.
Bottom Line:
Yes, the frame is supper strong but not too heavy. It's only 31 lbs. I never feel any flex in high speed turning and heavy jumping.
About the horst link swingram, it stays full active for all conditions. No matter peddling uphill or heavy breaking while downhilling, the back wheel still glued to the ground. I never feel this thing on my VRX, the shock will expand under heavy breaking and climbing. But the VRX semi-active design is good for climbing. Full active design cannot allow you to hammer it out of saddle otherwise it will keep bobbing.
In reference to another similar designed products LTS and ATX 1000. I feel Tazer is more plush, due to bearing pivot. Also more stable in turning, due to low center of gravity and stiff swingram.
Overall it is not only a true DS bike, I am also using it for free riding. This frame is really good but too expensive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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