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RockShox
Lobster Team 853
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Submitted by
Juan
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | South Downs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | Cheap, resilient | | Weaknesses: | Spring/weavey rear, dropout alignment poor | | Similar Products Used: | Univega, Giant | | Bike Setup: | LX Groupset, 517 Mavic, Ritchey bar & stem, Easton EA50 seatpost, Z4 Marzocchi, 2001/2002 stuff | | Bottom Line: | The main triangle is Reynolds 853 according to the sticker. The stays are springy so the rear jumps about when going fast over bumps especially descents. The back also 'slides' when weaving left and right even on a totally dry road which is disconcerting because if it is actually slippery it is difficult to tell that you are sliding until you fall off. The twitchyness is enhanced by the narrow (22") Ritchey bars - the bar quality is fine but I'd go for 25-26"
The front is light going up hills so maybe the geometry is not set-up for the longer travel forks.
The main problem is the alignment of the dropouts which is slightly off so that the rear wheel rim is not centred on the stays. I noticed this on a medium and small frame I tried - initially thinking my rear wheel was off centre (it wasn't). I corrected the problem by sticking a small sliver of metal into one dropout - its been there 2 years so I guess its worked. The alignment of the rest of the frame seems fine.
I have the small (17" c-t) frame and am 5' 9". Overall the frame is basic (in line with the price) if you can get one with correctly aligned dropouts its probably then a good first steel bike - its turned me onto steel so I'll be looking for a DeKerf for my next purchase. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Chester
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Marin | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Light and cheap, Reynolds 853 is strong and good | | Weaknesses: | Very twitchy and scuffs easily | | Bike Setup: | Middleburn, XT, Kore, Crossrides, | | Bottom Line: | I bought the frame second hand so I didn't know that much about it. The frame is not the best made Reynolds I have seen, the welds look rushed but I got it cheap. What I don't like about it is its so twitchy on techy stuff. I don't feel confident at all. On tough downhill sections the rear kicks up badly and I feel all the time that I will go over the bars at any minute. This is not your classic 853 frame at all, more for gentle X-country. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Leeds
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skiddaw | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles | | Strengths: | Lite and compliant, Cheap and reasonably strong. | | Weaknesses: | Poor paint job, very bouncy not sure about the geometry and the disc mount. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, M-Trax, Dekerf. | | Bike Setup: | Bomber Marathons, Raceface with XTR. | | Bottom Line: | The frame is cheap and therefore its O.K value for money. I also find the back is like a pogo stick on tricky descents. At least at any kind of speed it gets hard to control....wheel is in the air more than on the ground. The paint cimes off way too easy. This is a problem. My disc mount is an afterthought it looks like one and its shim city to get the caliper lined up. Haven't had too much of a problem with the size although I agree the sizing of the frames is a bit dubious.....top tube length versus seat tube height? But like I say its cheap for Reynolds steel so you can't complain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Gisburn Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | cheap and strong | | Bike Setup: | Pace RC36: Truvative: Sram 9: 737 pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from my last review which I submitted on 4/2/02.
Since then I have had 3 bad crashes and the bike has taken it badly. The chain stay on the drive side has bent and I can't get it properly straight. But I'm surprised that it bent and dented the way it did. It's made me look closer at the whole frame and I'm beggining to think that the rear is made of softer metal than the main frame, also there is almost no paint left on the thing. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Coulthard
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles | | Strengths: | A light frame for steel and cheap | | Weaknesses: | Welding is a bit scrapy, the paint job is poor, the top tube is too short and it bounces around like a pogo stick. Also it's obvious the disc mount was an afterthought. | | Similar Products Used: | Orange C16 and P3, Kona Lava Dome and Explosive. | | Bike Setup: | Pace rc36, full XT, Thompson post, 517 Ceramics,Kore stem and Bars, X-lite bar ends,Panaracer Fire Xc and Ritchey Ti SPDs. | | Bottom Line: | With hindsight I should have bought a bike already built up because it has cost me far more to build it myself. I'm a little disappointed with the frame, it is a bit cramped with the top tube being a little too short on the 17" version. It is difficult to know until the bike is built up how it will fit. I've had to fit a longer stem than I like. There is a disc mount on the frame that has obviously been welded on as an afterthought and it really shows because it spoils the looks of the frame. The paint comes of much too easily and I am forever going over scratches. The bike is very good on forest tracks, great at twists and turns and a descent climber. It can be like a pogo stick in rocky ground and it makes me have to run my tyres at lower pressures than I like. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.Brooks
a Cross Country Rider
from Cardiff
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cwmcarn Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles | | Strengths: | Good value for money package, light and strong frame, good components. | | Weaknesses: | Frame sizing is too small and the bike is very springy. | | Similar Products Used: | Kone Explosive 853, Orange Clockwork, Orange P7, Diamondback Topanga. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z2 BAM Lite, Full Shimano LX, Mavic X517 wheelset, Ritchey finishing kit. | | Bottom Line: | Until I read some of these reviews I thought it was just me that had problems keeping the back of the bike in a straight line on a demanding technical descents. The Tig team 853 can be hard to cope with on very rocky and steep descents. It really shines on smooth descents and fast single track. And the business about the frame sizes being a little small is true. My 17" is smaller than a corresponding 17" frame from contemporary manufacturers. But the price and package is good and like the man said you get what you pay for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C.A
a Racer
from Bristol, U.K
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | slough way | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Mail Order | | Strengths: | Pretty light and responsive also cheap | | Weaknesses: | Weak rear end and very springy also scratches easy | | Similar Products Used: | Absolutely loads | | Bike Setup: | Pace RC36 . Full XTR .Thompso post Selle Flite . 858s . | | Bottom Line: | This is an O.K frame. At first it seems real good but after a few crashes tha back end bent. Its not as strong as the main frame. Ive been reading some of the reviews and I think theyre right and the rear end isnt Reynolds 853 like the rest of the frame. It does bounce like mad. At first I thought I had to change my riding style to adjust but its so hard to get a grip of the back on fast hard downhills. It springs about to much for me . My back is bent after a crash but although theres a lifetime guarantee I fed up with the ride so Im getting a full susses instead. This frame is good on singletrack but not for rocky stuff in my eyes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from York
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rivington Pike | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | Strong Frame. Also a light frame and easily repaired. Good value for money | | Weaknesses: | steering is twitchy and the frame is very bouncy | | Similar Products Used: | Marin. Kona. Raleigh 853. Saracen Kilicomp | | Bike Setup: | Full XT with Xtr rear mech. Marzocchi Z2 Atom.(did have Rockshox SID but the Z2s control the bike better. | | Bottom Line: | A nice frame for the price. Can be ridden hard and fast on single track with great fun. Its a bit twitchy and gets hard to control on rocky stuff if its steep. The Z2 help a lot and give good control on the front but that sometimes makes the back feel springier. I know the idea is the back bounces and pushes you forward over bumps but when it gets real technical it gets a handful. Fast on turns but you need a long stem to slow the steering to stop twitchyness espacially at slow speed. But light and good value for money. It does scratch a bit but it doesnt rust, not so far. If you can get it cheap enough its O.K but I wouldnt get another its dated and the full sussers out there are so good now. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Cannon
a Racer
from Wolverhampton
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hopton Wood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Mail Order | | Strengths: | Strong light and cheap......especially for a Reynolds 853 Frame | | Weaknesses: | Poor paint job, very small sizing and a bit lively | | Similar Products Used: | All sorts of quality Hardtails including Kona Explosive and DeKerf 853. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z2 Fly-Lites, LX/XT and 517s on XT discs. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is fast on windy single track where it comes into its own. I'm 5ft 9inchs and the right frame size for me for standover height is 15". But this size is way too small so be careful to get the size right as I think the sizing is on the small side. I'm always lifting the front on climbs, even with a long stem and the back lifts too easy on descents sending me over the front. The back is very lively as well not what I expected from an 853 frame and I have to scrub off speed on rocky descents to keep the back end down and get braking control. I think what somebody said in one of these reviews is probably right about the back end being made of Fuji stout lite as the frame is too bouncy at the back for a full 853.......compare it with a De Kerf. Other than that and the paint being thin as it comes off every I have a crash the frame is good and strong. But at the end of the day you gets what you pays for and the frame is cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G.Y
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester.U.K
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Peak District | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | Cheap.light.strong. first class on singletrack | | Weaknesses: | hard to control on rocky surface | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Lava Dome. GT Zaskar. Genesis 853. Saracen Killicomp | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z2 Atom. Full Shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | A great Cross-country race bike , very at home on fast single track. I agree with what's been said ......can be a problem to hold down on fast rocky downhills. Feels like a bucking Bronco. You have to slow down to hold the back end down enough to get any braking, whilst the front is good and smooth with the Z2s. But good for the money as it is cheap. No substitute for full suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
manley
a Weekend Warrior
from Chester
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Coed-y-brenin's M.B.R | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles | | Strengths: | Reasonably cheap and good value for money. Strong frame | | Weaknesses: | Sizes are on the small side with short top tube.Only the mainframe is 853 the back is Fuji stoutlite and it's hard to hold down on fast rocky stretches. | | Similar Products Used: | Loads | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi fly-lite, full XT | | Bottom Line: | A good value for money bike with an incredably strong frame.
Two things to watch out for apart from the small sizing.
1. Only the main frame is Reynolds 853. The seat stays and chain stays are Fuji stoutlite..........i.e the whole of the back end. So when you are descending a rocky steep slope the bike reacts like Bambi on speed and you feel like a Rodeo rider. Other than that the bike is an excellent hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Wolverhampton
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mortimer Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | Strong Light Responsive Fast Forgiving | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Explosive (853) | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR with Marzocchi Fly-lite | | Bottom Line: | An outstanding Frame. Just first class in every way. Great fun to ride. Strong and well made. Highly recommendable to anyone. Get off those Armchair full-suspensions and ride a real bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Gisburn Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | Very strong, light, very responsive, in-expensive, very good geometry | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | All manner of hardtails and some full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Pace RC36, Truvative and Sram 9. 737 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The Rock Lobster 853 is an outstanding frame. It is made from Reynolds 853 steel which is complaint and strong. I have had some serious crashes and yet the frame is still in good condition. Even where the paint has come off there is still no rust and it is down to the bare metal. It is very fast and responsive and with its strength it just makes up an absolutely superb bike. I strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys serious mountain biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.W
a Racer
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | coed-y-brenin | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles | | Strengths: | Light and incredibly strong. Great geometry and very responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Can scratch easily | | Similar Products Used: | Roberts 853. Kona Explosive. Orange P7. | | Bike Setup: | Mainly XT and XTR with Marzocchi Z2 Fly-lite. | | Bottom Line: | This is a terrific frame and for the money is just unbelievable. I think it's the best Reynolds 853 frame that I have ridden and that's saying something. The feel is superb, so fast and responsive but forgiving at the back. It's light without being worryingly light and it's strong. I have completely thrashed this bike to death and it still comes back for more! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Styant
a Cross Country Rider
from Sutton,Surrey,England
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dorking area | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$920.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlincycles.co.uk | | Strengths: | Steel!, disc cable guides, stiff ride | | Weaknesses: | Too ain't cheap, Frame only - £575, but if you want quality...it's a fair price for the frame | | Similar Products Used: | Alu cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Mixture of XT and XTR | | Bottom Line: | Firstly merlin cycles were excellent, quick and professional - what more do you want, I'd recommend them - the courier they use(d) sucks.
High quailty (853) steel, light(yes light), great ride, very responsive, good geometry, welds are clean, colour is good (no range but).
I use mine for commuting and off-road and London winters are very harsh on bikes. I have no compliants in the last 2 years. Steel frames are great, only thing better is Ti | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M Clarke
a Cross Country Rider
from Merseyside
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | North Wales | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles, U.K | | Strengths: |
Outstanding material this 853, incredibly strong & light.
Weel designed Frame, good geometry, excellent price. | | Weaknesses: | Wet coat isn't as good as I would have liked, a powder coat would be more durable. | | Similar Products Used: | Countless hardtails & full suspensions. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z2,XTR,XT,517's,Flite,Bontrager,545's,U.S.E xcr,Conti's | | Bottom Line: | Astonishing value for money. An outstanding Frame. Reynolds 853 rides virtually as well as Titanium with the same strength to weight ratio. Lovely ride, tight compliant,responsive,& forgiving. Highly recommendable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Berning
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville,KY. 40206
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Riding for over 18 months, I have yet find any flaws. The paint has held up... The frame is rock solid and a hoot to ride. Handles narrow single track, slick rock, and everything very well. FUN,FUN,FUN... | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager RL FUN,FUN,FUN... | | Bottom Line: | FUN,FUN,FUN... Everyone has a frame material they like to ride and different riding styles. I would again recommend this frame to people who ride cc and enjoy steel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Turner
a Cross Country Rider
from Northampton (at Loughborough Uni)
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Chaple Brampton, Pitsford Reservoir and all in Loughborough | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles Ltd. England, UK | | Strengths: | Ride, Handling, quickness and above all strength!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | None so far. Fingers crossed!! | | Similar Products Used: | Saracen Killi pro | | Bike Setup: | Rockshox Psylo SL
Full Shimano 2001 XT Group
Mavic X517 XT Hubs
XLITE alto pro bar ends
Mythos XC tyres | | Bottom Line: | This bike is amazing. Had a killi Pro before but this bike is hot. Handles single track like a breeze and the overall feel of the bike is second to none. With the frame being made from Reynolds 853, it is incredibally strong and therefore you can absolutely thrash it. Merlin cycles UK are excellent to deal with. Everything i ordered came promptly and have no quibbles. If you are thinking of a cross-country racer but aluminium, think again, cus this steel monster moves!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Berning
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, KY. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Flagstaff SanFrancisco Peaks area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Custom built by Paul S. himself. He is great to do business with. The frame I have is a mixture of Reynolds 853 main tubes, Richey seat tubing and True Temper OX III for the wish-bone seatstays'. His attention to detail and the quality are AWSOME !!! The tig welds are butter smoooooth... the paint is perfect... I got silver powder coat w/ blue and yellow flames on the top-tube and down-tube. The frame he built is unbeatable. I will be dressing it later this month... The frame specs are the same as my current bike. | | Weaknesses: | NONE. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Race light ( Santa Cruz old school )... | | Bike Setup: | will be built w/ sid race 63mm, xtr group, mavic 517 cd ceramic, thompson post and stem. | | Bottom Line: | Should you be in the market for a custom steel frame I would give Paul S. @ Rocklobster a call or check out his web page...www.rocklobster.net He can also do repairs on steel bikes... Paul will build your frame and discuss options with you as it is being built, he is top notch and all class... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from Loughborough, UK
Date Reviewed: September 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Spec.
Price.
Quality of frame.
Flexibility (you can spec what you like). | | Weaknesses: |
None (so far). | | Similar Products Used: |
Kona Caldera.
Various other bikes in the £400-800 range. | | Bike Setup: |
Shimano 99 LX group apart from XT front and rear mech and shifters.
Marzocchi Z3 light forks.
Ritchey finishing parts.
Avocet o2 saddle.
Mavic 517 rims.
Michelin wildgripper tyres. | | Bottom Line: | This is my initial impression, I've only had it a few days. I'll post again when its had some action.This bke is an absolute bargain. £821 (GBP) or $1350 (USD) for the above spec on a very nicely finished Reynolds 853 frame. Most big manufacturers dont start offering 853 until you get to the £1200/$2000 mark. The frame os offered by Merlin cycles in the UK and is designed by Rock Lobster's Paul Sadoff but actually manufactured in Tiawan (hence the cost). Merlin cycles put everything together and you can spec more-or-less exactly what components you like. Dealing with them has so far been very good, and delivery was prompt and there were no problems between what I ordered and what I got. One final thing to note if your interested, is the sizing. Typically I'm a 21/22 frame size but that is center-to top and the rock lobster uses center-to-center so the 19 as actually 21. | | Overall Rating: |
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