Submitted by
taxonomy
a Cross Country Rider
from Northampton, MA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2010
Strengths: unusual design, fun to ride, very quick in the woods, gets lots of compliments
Weaknesses: not great in very rough and fast conditions
Bottom Line:
I built this bike up using 9 speed XT and XTR components. I mainly got it to ride as a "classic". I am 43 years old and worked in bike shops when Slingshots were expensive hot ticket bikes and the idea of suspension was new, so I was nostalgic for them.
This bike climbs wonderfully and rides very tight single track beautiful. I enjoy riding New England's rocky and root covered terrain in it better than by full suspension Dakar.
I was truly shocked at how nice it is as a trail bike, making short work of very difficult sections. It seems "snappy" and quick compared to fast like a FS bike.
When faced with a sharp turn and a big pile of rocks the Slingshot comes off the line and develops enough speed to clear obstacles quickly. When riding fairly slow over really bumpy and difficult terrain the back does not squat and the front doesn't dive like any FS bike would. Strangely, it's just less work to ride in tight woods.
My Dakar will still be the go-to bike for fast downhills and open terrain but the Slingshot does OK there, just not as great.
Yo can pick them up cheap on eBay now. Get one and make a really fun bike out of it. I'm rating it 5 chilies because I paid about $200 for the frame and It's been so much fun.
It's a wonderful bike built in a strange and interesting way. It's really a pleasure to ride.
Similar Products Used: various hardtails, Jamis Dakar
Bike Setup: pretty much all XT with some XTR
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2006
Strengths: Fun, no nonsense trail bike. Lots of attention from curious onlookers even people who haven't pedaled a bicycle in years. Very comfortable, stable and a fun climber.
Weaknesses: Must have a very laterally stiff suspension fork in order to control frame flex.
Bottom Line:
An awesome classic. Not the greatest racing bike and not suggested for the hardcore downhiller, but if your an average trail rider who does't want the comlexity of full suspension nor the harshness of a hard tail, your in for wonderful surprise.
Similar Products Used: Litespeed, K2 Animal, Reflex, Trek, Klein
Bike Setup: XT with a old Girvin Vector Fork
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
E
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos, Ca.
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000
Strengths: No squishy full suspension feeling when out of saddle climbing. Smooths the harshness of trail. Great looking bike. A+ quality and customer service.
Weaknesses: A little heavy. Can only get bike factory direct.
Bottom Line:
I posted a review when I first bought the bike a year ago so this is a follow up. If you have any doubts about this bike...don't. Since my first one (a 98/99 black) I have purched a red 95 Slingshot and am in the process of buying a third yellow 95 slingshot. You can never have too many slingshots! Great product, you get a lot of attention from other people on the trail. Very few people have one let alone ever seen one. This bike is so unique and works better than any corporate giant Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, GT, bla bla bla. Just so you know, the black Slingshot is my race bike, the red is a retro XT thumbshifter bike and the yellow will be artwork to be placed on my wall.
Bike Setup: All XTR drivetrain. Control Tech stem, bar ends, handle bar, seat post. Cooks Bros. 'E' cranks. Rolf wheel set. Flight seat. Went from AMP to Slingshot rigid fork.
Weaknesses: rearend whips around corners when on pavement. but it only whips once into the turn then stops and is right on track... I guess you could say there is a bit of lateral flex right at the piece of scotch ply on the top tube. weight.. its kinda heavy.
Bottom Line:
This bike is still awsome... I have to say that it isnt a folding frame. I dont know about those.... The bike grabs nicely on the up hills in or out of the saddle and screams down hill... the midsuspention works like you wouldnt believe... I swaped bikes recently with a guy who was riding a canondale full susp. and he loved it.. felt just like his fullsusp. but quicker handling on the single track. But now its time for me to move on... Im buying a Santa Cruz superlite this week and going to build it myself. I hope to be riding it in a month or so...
Bike Setup: well the frame was bought around 1992 and I poured a ton of money into the parts.... all the top end stuff at that time..... so the bike is still choice. a suspention fork in front.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Lee Freeman
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000
Strengths: I was skeptical about (1) the "Slingshot" claim and (2) the general use of a folding bicycle. However, after I bought one for my wife and another for me and we rode them on trials we know well I was sold. I am convinced that you do get some advantage from the "slingshot" effect, especially on an uphill climb. As for the fact that it folds, no problem, it tracks well, is solid and great on the downhill.
Weaknesses: None that I have yet discovered.
Bottom Line:
The complete bike is rather expensive, however it is a good choice, especially if you intend to travel as the case will be accepted on airlines as just another suitcase. We intend to do some touring of Europe with it this summer. Customer service was good and the bike arrived in good shape with only minor adjustments needed.
I broke 3 of these. One per year but each was replaced with excellent customer service. I was averaging mid pack results in Expert on a national level. I went to DEAN and moved into the top 10 overnight.
Similar Products Used: Stumpjumper, DEAN, Paramount, Cannondale, GT, TREK
Bike Setup: Full XTR, Manitou, AMP, Syncros, Race Face
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
E
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose/Los Gatos, USA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2000
Strengths: No jaring features like rigid bikes and no squishy features like soft tails. The perfect inbetween.
Weaknesses: Frame weighs more than the average hard tail. Fear of cable or 3M board breaking
Bottom Line:
Take a wild guess. This is a great bike. Using the Rolf wheel set, and the light (for suspention forks) Amp fork, it offsets the relative heavyness of the frame. It's a nimble bike and not the trendy Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, GT that EVERYBODY has. It does take some getting used to but that's not uncommon with a new bike. I don't recommend this bike to 200lb. riders although I've read reviews where heavy guys have had no probs. I have to thank MTBR because I purchased the frame from this web site. I'll give it a 5 when after I put more miles on it.
I'm better at going down singletrack than climbing up...but my Slingshot makes them both alot of fun! I rode a friend's bike with a Judy fork and hated it, but got a Softride stem for mine last year and it's just enough to smooth everything out in the front. I've had alot of curious riders approach me in the parking lot as I'm folding it in half to tuck in my trunk, too.
Submitted by
Thomas
a cross-country rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
I spoke to the relatively new president of Slingshot last night. His belief in grass roots and his willingness to solve my past bicycles problems has changed my stance on Slinghsot. The new management is consumer focused and stands very stongly behind their bicycle. I am believer, once again, in Slingshot and that which makes us all love this bike so much.Slingshot is back!
There are three of us whom own 1996 Slingshot mtb. and all have had problems since direct delivery from Slingshot. All three bikes came wheels whose spokes were not tightend (6 wheels total), the brakes came unadjusted and partially unassembled on the one of the bikes, and one bike was deliveered with a broken headset.Most recently, one of the bikes was returned because the frame broke and it has now taken over 8 weeks for the bike to be shipped back and we are still waiting. Slingshot said they spent $35 on shipping and we should not complain.The bike rides wonderful but the Customer Service we have all recieved in the past two years is awful. They doubted all our claims.I have spent allot of money in fixing what should have been perfect. The company should take the same appraoch with itself...
I have had 4 of these bikes, they ride really very well, if you do not account for the fact that I have had 4 because they all broke, I have finally given up with them and ride another brand, but if I knew they wouldn't break, I'd still be riding one today.
Submitted by
Chris Yack
a cross-country rider
from ny
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
Have had a Slingshot mtb for 2 years now. I run a Mach 5 up front. It climbs extremely well. I competed in last years 24 hours of Canaan and Allamuchy with the bike. The subtle suspension really helped in those races because you log so many miles. It's easier to get out of bed at 3:00 A.M. to turn a night lap when your not beaten up by a rigid hard tail. I liked the ride of this bike so much that I also bought one of there road bikes which I'm even happier with. It climbs and sprints very effectively. It's got Sling Power see there web site at (slingshotbikes.com) I have had very good luck with there customer service. I broke the cable on the mtb which was used. Slingshot said they had improved the mechanism which holds the cable to the frame. It was a $10.00 part.
Submitted by
Ryan Janecek
a cross-country rider
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: May 12, 1998
Bottom Line:
I bought my Slingshot from this very site, in the Marketplace section. I got a great deal on it although I feel that I cheated the guy with the way that it performs for me. The fiberglass board provides just enough give while my Softride stem does the rest. Climing is average and the frame is a tad heavy but the comfort and singletrack performance more than makes up for it. It is nimble and predictable yet forgiving and a singletrack rocket. I have only had the frame built up for a few weeks and am a bit concerned about the durability of the cable. So far, so good. The welds are pristine. If you think you need a suspension fork, hold off for a while and try it without. You'll thank me. If anything, get a $200 Softride stem that you can take on and off easily. Good frame, good company, great service, great ride. 4 chilis...
Submitted by
Cliff Hansen
a weekend warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1998
Bottom Line:
I had a '96 Slingshot bike and it lasted me no more than two months. It seemed to work fairly well for most of this time, but one day I was riding and the cable just snapped. It was under such high tension that when it broke it whipped my inner thigh, sending me to the hospital with a 10 inch gash and a bruised ego. I spent $2500 on this bike and Slingshot claimed that they could not replace the frame because I bought it through mail-order and not directly from them. Slingshot should not be manufacturing such a dangerous product (very poorly engineered).
I have had my slingshot for about four years. I love to ride this bike. I run a judy fork up front . The front suspension really balances out my ride. The frame absorbs the small stuff, and the fork takes care of the big hits.I feel that Slingshot needs to get its act together. their market stratigy is nfg. They need to market their frame as cross country specific. They need to lighten it up(Ti or carbon fiber), and they need to advertise.This frame can climb well, sticks to corners(back and front wheels track independly),and can bunny hop great(the best).This is a superior cross country frame.
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