I absolutely LOVED my Moda. It was light and with the ovalised tubing, extremely stiff against my hard torque pedal hammering.
The almost road-bike geometry was nimble yet climed like a mountain goat.
I'm not a downhiller, so I can't speak to the stability in hair-raising descents.
All-in-all, I LOVE my Moda!
Favorite Trail: Old Nike Missile site north of Brea, CA
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At: Bud's Bike Shop in C
Similar Products Used: Rockhopper, StumpJumper
Bike Setup: Shimano Deore XT
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Submitted by
JoblessDave
a Racer
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008
Strengths: It's beauty and design put the Moda ahead of anything the was produced contemporaneously. It handled great, and could withstand a beating - as long as it wasn't in the form of a stick against the frame. My old clubmates will remember me coming to form on a orange Moda, and making the winter training a particularly painful memory.
Weaknesses: I've heard the Moda was easily dented. By the one I sold had no dents, even thought it was heavily used. Perhaps I got lucky. The other weakness is that the paint chips off too easily. Perhaps that is the nature of such spended neon hues.
Bottom Line:
The Moda is one of my favorite bikes. As such I'd suggest everyone get one. But it's probably only good for lighter riders that want to re-live an excellent bit of history. Kind of like listening to the Beatles on vinyl.
I'm new to MTBR, so I'm not sure if I can post a picture. But I will if I can.
Similar Products Used: I have a Serotta made from Tange Prestiege. I like that a lot too. The Moda is similar in weight, and the way it is so responsive under your feet.
Bike Setup: I had Modas. I bought the first from a BDS or Interbike show in New Jersey. I rode that one off road extensively, and it came with Deore XT. The one I still have belonged to my best friend, and it was with him when he died in an automoble crash. That one has been totally resored, and even has period correct carbon fiber bars (NukeProof) and seat post.
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Submitted by
Brad Bacon
a Cross Country Rider
from Hyattsville,Md.USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2005
Strengths: mine is the Demo, the firstvof its kind. I don'timagine many people review thie entry, other than the 500 undred and shrinking owners of the Moda. can only hope they (Santana) have the good sense to produce anothe rline of these excepcional frames. I've never encontered another bicycle like this . The flexability of the strond=gest, most durable aluminum cyclecross, combined with the stolidness of an old school downhill bomber, like Marin or Fischer- I'm talking 80's here, I'm old. This is the original dream. It rolls with the punches of a rough terrain, like a suspension frame may, but is maneuverable, like an elbow or knee or any extention of the body. No suspension required. You kids just wouldn't understand. This bike is pure. Thank you Santana for getting it right. I'll never ask for more, and be happy.
Weaknesses: the bike just wasn't produced for the masses , so no one really understands the greatness. Dents easily. Mistaken for a beater... (not nessecarily a bd thing)
Bottom Line:
You either have one, or you gave it/sold it to you best friend. so you know. If you don't know, I suggest drawing up the best frame design you can muster, welding that sh*t together and enjoying what you got. Or take a friend, and bomb the Santana tandem, the next best thing .
Bike Setup: Originally Campanolo equipped, groupos get tired after many hits and miles. Suntour friction shifters and deraileurs- the stuff refuses to quit- Bulls eyes or White Industries for cranking. Whatever Mavic Rims and Suntour Hubs from the basement. Something to steer and something to brake. y'know. It goes and will go for 100 years. Peace
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Submitted by
George Jahant
a Racer
from San Antonio, Tx
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2005
Strengths: strong, smooth, I call it "the couch", I have it set up with slicks and geared for in town "Urban Assaults" look it up at Sem Custom Paint, under Jorge's Santana. Absolutely beautifully put together.
Weaknesses: Little heavy by todays standards, but it was made about 15 years ago so go figure
The wonderful characteristics of Columbus Nivacrom MAX tubes yields a magical ride. The oval tubes keep the frame extremely stiff side to side but allow it to soak up bumps like it had some form of rear suspension. This is a rare frame, as Santana makes tamdems almost exclusivly, but well worth searching around for as a race ready, collectors piece. Gotta give four stars 'cause it's kinda heavy as far as todays standards are. It weighs in at just over four pounds. But being 30% stronger than the best cro-moly, I can't complain !
Submitted by
David Tong
a cross-country rider
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: April 23, 1996
Bottom Line:
Have you thought about Trying a Santa Cruz? Both the Tazmon and the Heckler are excellent bikes. The Heckler is reviewed in the June issue of Mountain Bike, and they really rave about it.
Presently, I have 2 Santa Cruz Tazmons. They are extremely light, overbuilt (they'll never break), and super stiff. It is an excellent single track bike that does equally well in the downhills. Futhermore, it feels like one bike, not like an overbuilt front triangle with a wispy ass end bolted on.
The suspension is excellent, fairly supple over the little debris, but it eats the big hits like you wouldn't believe. Simply incredible! The faster you go the better the suspension.
Also, the thing will climb walls. The bike allows me to climb grades that stronger riders cannot (although I must confess I'm one of those stupid bastards that likes to climb as much as descend.) So test ride one at your local dealer.
Simply put, the design is excellent, the fabrication top notch, the flex nonexistent. Ride this bike
If you are serious about purchasing one, a friend of mine owns a local bike shop and has excellent prices on them. (email: bikes4sale@aol.com) or phone (513) 871-5990. The shop is called Going Mobile; talk to Dave Thies (pronounceced Theez)
I've got an XL (20") Santana Moda (single) MTB frame from about 1992 that's been in my garage for a while. This is the second generation Moda that was tig welded (not fillet brazed Read More »
