Submitted by
ddstuntjump
a Downhiller
from Issaquah, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2009
Strengths: This is the craziest bike ever. unbelievable suspension, soaks up rock gardens, motocross size whoops, and whatever jump you point it at without blinking an eye. Looks badass to.
Weaknesses: It weighs as much as an anvil, or a ton of bricks, building, car, you get the idea. ITS A FREAKIN TANK!
Bottom Line:
This bike is crazy. It takes whatever drop, jump, rock garden, downhill situation i throw at it, chews it up, spits it out, then looks down the trail for the next victim. The suspension is amazing, it builds tons of confidence and is awesome while hammering through the whoops at mach 1. It is also tons of fun, cause its like riding a lazyboy. The 11inches of travel makes for a really difficult time pedaling though. I raced it at Mnt. Hood last summer, and small section of the course was flat with an uphill ladder, and this probably took at least 10-15 seconds off my time, because this bike isnt meant to go up hill. At all. Under any circumstances. If you race on courses that are super gnarly, bomb the whole way down rock gardens, there isn't a better bike on the planet to ride. Its also a blast on freeride stuff as well.
Strengths: Lots of butter smooth travel, tons of adjustments (ride height, headangle, bottom-bracket height), stong as hell
Weaknesses: no replaceable dropouts, standard rear quick reliese (not 150mm),
Bottom Line:
This is actually my 3rd Army I've owned and I currently have 2. One is set up for full on DH (bashing rockgardens) and Big drops and pretty heavy on the 55 lbs side. The other is set up more DH race style weighing in at a rather light 41 lbs as listed on my bike setup list. The bike handles like a dream and can get through all that it approaches from techy tight stuff to more aggresive DH rockgarden/drop type stuff. It really gave me a lot of confidence to do the BIG stuff that most riders only dream about. To all the Haters out there ripping apart Yon and Karpiel, get over yourself. That said "This Bike Rocks/ Long Live Karpiel"
Bike Setup: Fox 40RC, DHX 5.0 coil, Saint cranks, Diablos bars and stem, Hayes brakes, D517 rims, Azonic petals, XT, Maxis & Michelin Comp32
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Glen
a Downhiller
from San Mateo Ca U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
Strengths: 11" of travel ! eats up ever thing in my way
Weaknesses: none!
Bottom Line:
The bike is stronger than ever thing I have rode, so if you are looking for A super strong frame, the armageddon is for you!!! Downhill & Freeride only! No light wight here!
This is a follow up review from the last one based on more experience. 2 Thumbs way up, handles as a dual purpose bike from DH to FR, Thrashing courses (brundige) to big drops and technical stuff like Tamarack. It is built to take abuse and laugh at it, this is a must buy frame if you are looking to ride and want 1 bike to do it. (as long as it's not x/c.)
Strengths: crazy totally insane can huck this bike off anything. i would take this bike off jaw drop.to bad i dont have as big of balls as josh bender. but hell one day.
Weaknesses: little on the heavy side but no worries lighter than my last set up 2003 norco aline with monsters
Bottom Line:
killer deal if you got some muscle to man handle this beast.
Bike Setup: Karpiel Armageddon with Risse Jupiter 5 rear shock, stratos superstar s8, Pro Tapar bars, Tiogo factory Dh tires 2.60 with red walls, and gold hubs!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Erick
a Downhiller
from San Mateo, CA ,USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006
Strengths: STRONG AS HELL, Ton of adjustments, 11" of VPP travel
Weaknesses: No Longer available to the public. Slow uphill (that's why we have shuttle vehicles, RIGHT?)
Bottom Line:
This is the sickest Big Drop/DH bike PERIOD. Makes you do things you only thought posible in you wildest wet dreams. It doesn't go uphill real well but goes down real fast.
Strengths: Incredible, absolutely hammers out the worst terrain and overcomes alot of rider flaws in it's travel and geometry. A little tricky to set up at first but after that it's all common. Drops big hucks and sticks landings as well as rides the toughest DH courses beatifull. Makes rock gardens seem like pebbles.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This is a do it all bike, I looked for a frame sturdy enough for me to ride urban fr and typical fr as well as huck and race. This design and frame is the one.
Strengths: EVERYTHING!!! THIS BIKE IS BOMB PROOF, This bike seems to be un breakable, it pedals almost aswell as my hardtail and feels tight enough to get through the smallest switchbacks on and DH traks but still has the power to do drops well in excess of what ive tried doing on it, The biggest ive done on it is 21 foot and it didnt flinch, i managed a drop of about 10 foot to flat tarmac landing and the travel just soaked it up!
Weaknesses: NONE,
Bottom Line:
This is the greatest frame ever manufactured, The high price tag is nothing when you think about the quality and how many frames this one will out live. This is a Hardcore riders must own bit of kit!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Bike Setup: Shiver DC, 8" hayes rear disc,8" hope front disc, MRP, AZONIC 454, Hope big un on Double wide (f+R), Xt mech, Dx pedals e.t.c
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Crazyfoot
a Downhiller
from London England
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004
Strengths: rock solid, very plush, handle like a dream, great hucking machine,
Weaknesses: You must be on drug this bike you can`t fault.
Bottom Line:
What can I write about this bike? I had Kona,Specialized.Intense M1,Azonic,Santa cruz each one had be good in one respect, but this is the best taking big huck,rocky terrians,road gaps, urban riding. I could say what you what to read, in order to make your decision but unfortunity there a price to pay. If you what the best then you have to pay the price or if your lucky your sponsors will pay. Ride hard to be successful there are no room for mistake.
This bike flat out destroys anything in its path, yeah it's expensive but if you want the best ever made you have to pay for it. This bike takes ten foot flat drops to concrete like its nothing, goes through boulder fields like a cloud and begs for more at every turn. I can race it in the morning and my 12 year old brother can race it in the afternoon with just a few simple adjustments. This bike is truly unbelievable and i will never ride anything else.
Strengths: All the minute adjustments, solid construction, easy to replace cartridge bearings,detailing
Weaknesses: Shock options. Not all shocks will fit. Some shocks that do limit the adjustments. As far as the ride goes its flawless
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is im impressed! I came off a foes dhs tube and i had figured nothing was going to top it. I didnt expect all that i have recieved from this frame. What a surprise. The numerous adjustments are incredible but leave me frustrated as id like to try all the positions. Paid alot of money for this frame but cant say i regret it.
Strengths: Where do I start? This machine is worlds apart from anything I have ever ridden. Solid?...hell, it's bullet-proof. Adjustable?...from Mini-Me to Shaq & back. Confidence Inspiring?...it makes you do silly, dangerous things.Well Engineered?...Karpiel is a friggin rocket surgeon, or is that brain scientist?
Weaknesses: Jan, I must say that some of the welds are a bit sloppy...of course I am comparing this to an Ellsworth frame which has, arguably, the best welds to ever grace an aluminum frame...on this planet.
Bottom Line:
*PLEASE READ* If you like to push the limits (gravity, pain, sanity...you choose) and you have the means (like 2 Big-Hits)...look no further (i.e. sell the cheap,limp-wristed, cracked frame on a 10-footer, 8" of sandy travel XC trike you are currently riding and buy an Armaggedon).
Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Dare,Intense M1,KHS Dominatrix, Norco Team DH, Dirtworks Piranha, Specialized Big Hit and a Rocky Mountain RM9
Bike Setup: Monster-T, Race Face, Answer, Hayes, Intense Mag 30/Hadley, Mr Dirt, Shinburgers and oh yes... the Stratos El Jefe...and to think I used to a ride 5th element.
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I know there's a few people out there shitting their pants thinking that this thing will hit.
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With the end of the world near, I figured I'd best get after it. Getting after it requires salsa.
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