You know it's kind of funny that some people swear by a product and love it and others just hate it. Some of the negative reviews listed here are quite confusing to me. Everyone is certainly entitled to they're own opinion and perhaps these unhappy folks just have had problems that the vast majority of us have not.
In 1989, I visited Merlin Metalworks in Cambridge on a business trip. Took the fifty cent (3 hour) tour with Gweynn Jones and Ashley Korenblatt and pleaded with them to let me take one home (they were sold out for 6 months at that time) The pleading did not work and I went home empty handed and had to wait a few years and then bought the Merlin which I rode and loved for 4 years. Then Rob and the merry team founded Seven Cycles and I was due for a new ride anyway. I can honestly say that it has been an absolute delight to deal with everyone at Seven from the very start until today and 4 years and many component upgrades later the bike is still a dream to own and ride and the folks at Seven are without question one of the finest most dedicated group of people I have ever had the opportunity to deal with. I would recomend this bike and group of dedicated employees to anyone considering spending this much money on a bike. It's a big investment and one that should be thought through, but make no mistake about it. This IS the bike to own and these ARE the people to build yours for you.
What else can you buy that will still make you smile after four years?
Bike Setup: Shimano XTR, Crossmax SL, Avid Arch Supreme's and Maxxis Tubeless tires, a classic Ibis Ti bar, Race Face Next LP crankset
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Submitted by
John Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Livermore, ME
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003
Strengths: Only plus, people think you've got a high quality zooty bike.
Weaknesses: I reviewed this frame after owning it for 2 years, chain stay cracked $500, rear suspension elastomer shreds after riding {poor alignment}, bottle cage bolts became loose in frame. Year three: top tube is cracked in two, elastomer was still shreading prior to last frame failure.
Bottom Line:
As per my last review and the latest frame failure, the frame and company are more into image than making a quality product and standing behind their work.
Strangely enough, I do not know the reviewer below and have never corresponded with him, but he sure knows me, who I bought my bike from, and how the company bent me over on the first frame break.
I have a feeling some employee at Seven is very busy writing reviews instead of working on quality and control.
Similar Products Used: Litespeed {much better quality}.
Bike Setup: xc xtr all around, shimano parts are flawless.
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Submitted by
Anonymous Gerbil
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003
Strengths: Compliant ride, custom frame built exactly to my specifications
Weaknesses: None that I can think of. Price is for frame only, after taxes.
Bottom Line:
Ignore the review below. It does not represent the quality of the Seven frame you get. He purchased his Teres frame used, from Craig (the reviewer below him). Seven warrants the frame for its lifetime to the *ORIGINAL* owner only, not second owner. So a frame *CUSTOM* designed for one person will not suit another person - it can't! It was inevitable that the frame would have problems. And when it did, Seven tried to accomodate this guy as best it could, but he was not satisfied.
I have had my Teres for six months now. I wanted to post a review after the initial euphoria of getting a new bike wore off. But I still get a buzz when I get on my Seven. My previous bike was a mid-range steel hardtail that did not fit me well. Getting on the Seven Teres for the first time was a revelation! Amazingly smooth and comfortable ride, yet quick, responsive and agile at the same time. Seven built me a frame that rides precisely how I want it to ride. On my steel bike, my lower back would hurt after just one hour of riding - that was my biggest complaint - I could not ride for more than a couple hours in a week, the pain was that bad.
With the Teres, the softtail design basically means that the bike rides like a hardtail until I get to the big hits, where the 1.25" travel offers some cushioning. That is how I asked Seven to design that frame to behave, and that is how they delivered it. I also have not had any problems with flex in the chainstays that Craig below is complaining about - and I run disc brakes! I can now ride everyday without any pain. I feel fresh and energized after my rides, rather than feeling beatup.
Bottom line - getting tis bike is the best decision I ever made! Worth every penny. That is why I give a "5" for value. Sure, the initial investment is a little steep - the frame alone costs $3000 after taxes - but you get a custom frame. You no longer need to adjust, or keep looking for that "right" fit - it is tailored for you. This is the last MTB frame I will ever buy, so in the long run I come out ahead of someone who buys a new bike every 2-3 years.
The only caveat is that you have to know *precisely* how you want your frame to feel and how your bike to ride. A Ti frame is a set-in-stone type of commitment - once it is built, it is impossible to make changes/adjustments in ride feel. Decide how you want your bike to ride - like a Al frame, steel frame, carbon fiber frame, or a magical Ti ride? Seven can customised the tubing to suit your riding style and preferences. Also, make sure you work with an experience bike shop when you go through the order process. It took two months between my walking into the bike shop to place the order to when the bike was finally delivered. Sure I could have hurried through the process. But I wanted to be absolutely sure on how I wanted my bike to ride, BEFORE Seven started to make the frame. Now what you want and how you want your bike to ride, and Seven will deliver a frame that will serve you well for years, if not decades.
I will post another review in a year to update. Email me if you have anymore questions.
Bike Setup: Topline stuff only - King hubs and headset, XTR disc brakes, Race Face cranks, tubeless tires, Thomson stem and seatpost, custom Seven Ti handlebar
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Submitted by
JOHN MILLER
a Cross Country Rider
from LIVERMORE, ME USA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Weaknesses: the frame broke after two years plus the water bottle cage bolts became loose. not a good quality product and customer service people were less than helpfull.
Bottom Line:
Don't buy a seven. Don't believe the hype, Seven is not a good quality product and the service bites.
Bike cracked with in two years, service rep. gave me crape that it was the geometry and they wouldn't cover it.
Similar Products Used: litespeed {much better bike, good service}
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Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Allendale, Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002
Strengths: - Rear end compliance - Nice craftsmanship
Weaknesses: - Flexy handling, expecially in turns - Custom-sized frame felt too big for me - Price
Bottom Line:
This was my second Seven (the first being a Sola Ti hardtail). The Sola fit me well, but I felt it was considerably stiffer in the back end than what it should have been. I initially switched to a ti frame to get a smoother ride than my hardtail Cannondale. Since the Sola was still too stiff, a Teres seemed like the logical choice based on the reviews and the construction/quality of my Sola.
I decided to go with the same relative measurements as the Sola, except I decided to use a straight Thomson seatpost rather than the RaceFace XY post that I had on the Sola. The result was a slacker seat angle and longer top tube. The bike ended up feeling too big for me, even though the measurements told me that it matched up with my riding position on the Sola.
My biggest complaint, though, was that the handling in turns felt incredibly squirmy due to the flex of the bottom bracket (Note: I'm 178lbs...not a small rider, but not a clydesdale either). Granted, the vertical compliance was nice, but the trade-off for the handling wasn't worth it. I decided to sell the bike after riding it only a handful of times.
I now ride a factory-sized steel Soulcraft hardtail, and I am much more pleased (actually, elated) with the ride quality and fit of this bike than I was with either of my custom Sevens. Seven makes a really pretty bike, but IMHO, there are much better options at a much more reasonable price.
In all fairness, my riding partner (5'9" 165 lb.) also rides a Teres. His frame is considerably smaller than the one I had, and he doesn't notice the sideways flex I mentioned. I attribute this to the smaller triangles of the frame, but that's just speculation. As a frame of reference, I'm 6'0" 178lbs. My frame was had an 18" C-C seat tube and 24.4" top tube.
Favorite Trail: Highland Rec Area, Pontiac Lake Rec Area
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$3250.00
Purchased At: Team Active Cycling & Fitness
Similar Products Used: - Seven Sola Ti - Multiple other hardtails
Bike Setup: HeadShok Fatty Ultra DL fork, RaceFace post, Easton bars, Mavic Cross-Ride wheels, XT/XTR/Coda components
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Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000
Strengths: weight, fit, handling, ride, finish
Weaknesses: price
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike nearly three years (I believe it was the first production Teres), and it's still a thrill every time I clip in. The fit couldn't be better, the handling seems almost telepathic, even on the local trails (twisty east coast singletrack), and the rear suspension actually works. It's not full suspension by any means, but it's great for soaking up the shock from roots and such. Then there's the drool factor. Even after I'd thought the shine would have worn off on this bike it still turns heads. The workmanship is stunning.
I'm pretty big for this type of suspension (6'4"/240lb) and had some problems with it at first, but the folks at Seven are fanatics when it comes to making sure their customers are happy. We went through a few rear shock revisions, but they got it right. Highly recommended.
Bike Setup: XTR, Atom Bomb fork (custom painted to match frame), Speedplay
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Submitted by
Jeffrey
a Weekend Warrior
from Scottsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2000
Strengths: Simply put...It is the absolute best bike I have ever owned, period!
Weaknesses: Price..But it's worth every single penny.
Bottom Line:
If you have the money there is nothing else quite like it. If you don't start saving now. The company is unequaled in customer support and service. They "Really" care about making sure that the bike is built to your specific needs and desires. 5 stars ***** to everyone at Seven. They certainly have their act together. The bike is stiff where it needs to be, and compliant as well. Workmanship is first class all the way.
Bike Setup: XTR/Race Face Next LP,Avid Arch Supreme brakes
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Submitted by
Jeffrey
a Weekend Warrior
from Venice, Fl
Date Reviewed: April 30, 1999
Strengths: As before
Weaknesses: Cost
Bottom Line:
After a little more time and a lot more miles the only complaint I have is in BB rigidity. It could be more ridgid. I can cause chainring rub when I get on it. It's not the cranks. But since the frame is custom I'm sure this could have been made stiffer. I'm a large guy and I'm sure most folks wouldnt have this problem. Overall I'm still very satisfied and love the handleing and ride.
Submitted by
RGreen
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, OH
Date Reviewed: April 12, 1999
Strengths: Fit, lightweight, low maintenance
Bottom Line:
Finally had a chance to get off-road... had no adjustment period from my previous bike, just immediately felt right. Rear susp is soft - I imagine not actually like other soft-tails - more like a fs bike but with only 1.5 of travel. Rides like a hardtail, but rear wheel really sticks on the ground. Lightweight, climbs well, descends well... nice quick handling in tight singletrack. As an aside... love the 9-speed gear range (compact front drive - 11-34 rear), also love the fact that on very lengthy downhills, brakes required only the slightest effort... no tired hands. On the whole - totally psyched... worth every penny.
Similar Products Used: formerly owned a ti hardtail, have ridden proflex and cannondale fs bikes
Bike Setup: 99 Manitou SX-Ti XT drivetrain, Avid AR50 brakes Daves Wheels '99 raceface cranks and rings raceface stem and bar syncros ti post
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Venice, FL
Date Reviewed: April 2, 1999
Strengths: First Class Construction Perfect Fit Customer Service Quality, Quality
Weaknesses: Price Softails are not like full suspension so do not expect super plush
Bottom Line:
Great bike. If you can afford one buy one. The only reason I wouldnt buy a (any) Seven is if I wanted FS. They do not make a FS bike. Best fit, comfort, quality and ride I've ever owned.
