Strengths: Very Light, stiff, thick tubing and color make it look fast. I turn a lot of heads where ever I am.
Weaknesses: paint scratches easy, but I suppose I could have been more carefull.
Bottom Line:
This is my only bike and I ride the heck out of it. Raced in the Wisconsin Off Road Series, Rain, snow, Mud, rocks, logs, and had no problems yet. Well... I am 155lbs if it matters. I get compliments all the time, especially little kids. No car, no full time girlfriend, just me, my bike, and the trails(the way it should be). I give it 5 and a half flaming turds or what are those?
Strengths: Super light, super fast, super rigid, looks great without being gaudi and scaring the critters, handling is the best of any HT and better than most FS bikes (note I'm only 145lbs).
Weaknesses: Perhaps the seat stays could have a bit more 'S-curve' to them, XTR brakes like to squeel-fxed with brake booster, not relly a big deal, just a personal preference.
Bottom Line:
The best HT racer frame out there., buy it if you like to race and you're in the shape/weight to do so; don't buy if you weigh 200+ lbs or want a comfy ride that everyone else will drool over.
Similar Products Used: All sorts of stuff from steel to ti frames in the last 10 years, currently own 2000 and 2001 HT models (18").
Bike Setup: The only stock items in the bike are the frame and the Thomson seat post, everything else is the best/lightest, total weight is around 5-10g under the 20lb mark.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
simon gilmore
a Weekend Warrior
from st.albans
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001
Strengths: light as a feather, it is unbelievable. I nearly went for the FSR version, but i am glad i went for the hardtail. It is one stiff bugger and it is so fast. I love it to bits
Weaknesses: lack of a disc mount, which i guess is down to the rear end being too feeble
Bottom Line:
Get this bike it rocks. I am about to start racing on it and i can tell it is going to be a long and meaningful relationship!!! My Kona was a very fast bike (those who have owned one will know what i mean) but the Specialized just blows it away. When i fist took it out i was amazed. The Rolf wheels are incredible (and worth every penny). Don't get the FSR it stinks. There are too many pivots and it weighs a tonne compared to the hardtail. If you are a skilled enough rider, u don't need the rear sus. In a nutshell it is the lightest, stiffest and not to mention best looking bike out there. This bike deserves 6 out of 5
Bike Setup: XT, SID XC, Rolf Dolomites, X-Lite, Easton
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jimmy feely
a Racer
from eagan,mn usa
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001
Strengths: very stiff light and fast!!!
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
bottom line is if your a cross country hard tail racer that wants a stiff and light yet fast bike, this is for you! this bike is great on the long steep climbs, extremley stiff, wouldn't recomend it to the person with a bad back or a person that doesn't ride much.
Strengths: Reasonably light. Laterally stiff up front, accelerates quickly Excellent suspension design - full 3" of travel with minimal bobbing effect. Perfect cross country geometry, quick and precise steering.
Weaknesses: A little heavier than other contenders in this category.
Bottom Line:
Specialized has really nailed the lightweight cross-country full suspension design. Before this bike, I rode a Klein hardtail that accelerated like a rocket. When I test-rode my friend's S-Works FSR-xc, I found that it took off and handled as fast and as quick as my hardtail, but also gave 3" of travel to take the edge off of things, with practically no pedal-induced bobbing. I was hooked.
I bought the frame and moved my parts over to it. My only disappointment is that it is not as light as I thought it would be. I have seen the weight for my large frame listed at close to six pounds and I believe it. I estimate the weight of my bike with an XT/XTR mix and a SID XC to be approximately 25.5 lbs. Not bad, but about a pound heavier than I'd like it to be.
On the trail, though, no complaints. The bike flat out hauls on windy, twisty flats and the suspension helps me power right through stuff that I would have picked my way through on my hardtail while I looked for the smooth line. It's relatively light weight and no-bob suspension make it a good climber and the suspension actually helps drive the rear wheel into the ground for added traction on steep, loose stuff. The suspension also helps going downhill, of course, although it does not feel as stiff laterally as I would like, especially in the rear. It stops somewhat short of providing that feeling of rock solid stability that inspires speed and confidence on descents.
On the whole, if you want a full-suspension bike that doesn't weigh a ton or bob excessively on climbs, this is it. It loses nothing to ultra-stiff hardtails except a few pounds. I am definitely faster on this bike than I ever was on a hardtail.
Strengths: Excellent frame. Very light and strong.
Weaknesses: Stock Strongarm II cranks blow!!! The chainrings cause crapy chain shifting. In other words lots of chain suck on stock XT shifters or the cranks/chainrings. Bottom bracket creaks a lot. Manitou Mars CL Forks really suck. Forks have too much rebound and flex too much in ruts and thick dirt.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price, $2400. But if you want the ultimate, better throw away those Manitou forks and Strongarm cranks/chainrings and go with Rockshox SIDs and FaceFace cranks/chainrings. I know I did. Now my bike is a lean mean race machine. Its plush and shifts on the dime. The only pit fall is it still creaks. Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep wippin out the TriFlo on the metal matrix.
Bike Setup: Rochshox SID Race, XTR, RaceFace NextLP cranks/chainrings.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
CRS
a Cross Country Rider
from Dicovery Bay,
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2000
Strengths: Lght stiff and fast
Weaknesses: Paints flaking,and the dreded Specialized "creak, creak, creak" in the bottom bracket. You Specialized riders know what I am talking about.
Bottom Line:
This frame is an awsome light weight climbing machine,until it starts creaking in the bottom bracket area. Then it will absolutley drive you crazy. This is my third frame from Specialized. I had the same problems with all of them. You ride them for a while and there great. Then they start to creak. Than the paint flakes off of them. I've had my new frame for 3 months and it looks like its been thrown off a cliff. Then you ride them a year or two and they break. Then when you try to warranty it the Rep tries to screw you by offering you a Crash Replacment deal which you have to pay for half the frame. I am tired of being screwed by Specialized and can't wait to break the frame I have so I can waranty it and sell it.
Weaknesses: Company customer service sucks.....My frame broke into two pieces and they will not warranty or fix it
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is I fell in love with this bike and 4 people I know bought the exact same bike as mine after riding mine and going on my recommendation. My frame snapped into two pieces, causing me to take a nasty crash at 24 mph during the last race of the season. I had won everyone up until this time, this was the 8th race I had ridden this bike in. The Specialized rep was a jerk and would not get my bike warrantied, would not even offer a crash replacement that I offered to pay for. Bike is great until it breaks, then company abandons you and won't help. My advice is stay away from this company.....buy a bike from a company that will stand behind their products and offer good customer service
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