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Spooky
Cycles Darkside Frame
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Submitted by
mike clyne
a Weekend Warrior
from scotland
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | still lost 50 (even after canada) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | smell the adrenalin uk | | Strengths: | AS BEFORER TAUGHT ME ALOT ABOUT M.BIKING...LEARNT HOW TO JUMP PROPERLY ON IT, got me podium place at the xc races | | Weaknesses: | as before and it finally broke on me, but at the head tube weld, albeit i crashed pretty severly and on a worldcup dh course. aslo the seat tube was machined to the wrong dia/ meaning lots of faffing about with filing shims and the like, plus the chainstay were squffy...my wheel had to be built with zero dish and it was still too close to the non drive side | | Similar Products Used: | on-one inbred, and zasker le | | Bike Setup: | when broke i hada 120 mm manitou blacks
northshore cranks with36 th single chainring plus 9sbd rear
mavic 521 rims with irc tyres (kujo is the best tyre ever for the rear) | | Bottom Line: | crap company , crap paint ,crap stickers, crap build, build rode like the gods...and i was very upset when i it died...
if you can get one...get it cheap and be nice to it | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIke Clyne
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingskettle, Fife, Scotland
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The 3hr one I made. "Lost 50" | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Smell the adrenaline..LONDON (frame only) | | Strengths: | Out the box it looks amzing. and is as light as a feather.. one of those bikes that you just don't want to buld up due to its beauty... a piece of art. it rides like a dream.. my whole riding style has doubled in skill, aggression and speed. I don't know much technical stuff... but this ride is the best I've had...although I can't hop up to the heights I used to be able to do on my Zaskar LE ..2ft+.OH and I'm not a weekend warrior.. I ride every day.. jump DH,5hr Epics, XC and V.hardcore trails and bit of trials. | | Weaknesses: | ok I'm worried know.. I thought I was getting a bombproof bike..but having read all these other reviews. things look different. I have to agree the durability of the paint job is guff, the decals again just aren't up to standard.
Now the company is defunct, I don't have a leg to stand on if anything goes wrong.... eek!... and I ride very hardcore trails 5ft acid drops and 15 ft sloped drops aren't unheard of... oh and i weigh 85kg ... I think I shall check these welds again | | Similar Products Used: | Zaskar LE... V,V,Very tough | | Bike Setup: | 90mm paces F;lat pedals | | Bottom Line: | need more time | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Gambill
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Nice Ride / Bad Company | | Weaknesses: | Simply put, Spooky doesn't stand behind their products. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz, Brooklyn Machine Works, Kona, Hutch | | Bike Setup: | DS / Urban | | Bottom Line: | Bottom Line: Spooky points the finger instead of sucking it up and taking care of their customers. They perfected the East Coast geometry, but never learned CS. E-mail me if you'ld like the whole story. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richie Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Spooky | | Strengths: | The geometry is light-years ahead of any bike I have ever ridden.Simply incredible ride,climbed fast,and was at home on technical singletrack.You don't steer the bike--it practically reads your mind.Light as titanium at 3 lbs.I loved the geometry so much I custom-ordered a Seven Sola with the same geometry,drawn in titanium. | | Weaknesses: | Frame cracked at the drive-side dropout.I was surprised to see this.I don't catch much air(if at all)and take good lines.I didn't abuse this bike.Spooky claimed that it had to be done by "a high-speed impact."Not hardly!I was on a fairly smooth trail.
Speaking of Spooky,they refused to refund my frame or even deduct the price of a future frame,claiming that Easton didn't warranty the tubing.Well,it had Spooky's name on it,they should be responsible for defective frames.
Other issues were with the shoddy workmanship:The paint is terrible and is scratched everywhere,the welds are sloppier than expected for a $1500 frame,and the decals are poor quality.For $3300 complete(and hand-made in US),you'd expect much better workmanship. | | Similar Products Used: | Seven Sola Ti with identical geometry,'95 Fat Chance Wicked,'98 Klein Adroit Race | | Bike Setup: | Currently residing on my wall.The XTR components,wheels,Time Atacs,and Marzocchi Z-2 Atom 80 all made it onto the Seven. | | Bottom Line: | I was very disappointed when my Darkside broke.I have yet to ride a bike that impressed me as much as this one did(barring the sloppy workmanship).I was willing to overlook the bike's faults because it rode and handled so well,but when the frame suddenly broke,Spooky would not cover their product or their customer.To me,good service is everything(I had messy dealings with AMP's customer service 3 years prior to this),and dealing with Spooky was a nightmare.They did not return my calls or attempt to make any sort of follow-up.When I finally got ahold of them,they refused to warrantee my frame.Spooky won't ever see my business again.A real shame,because the Darkside is a fabulous bike(while it lasts).3 chilies for the bike itself,0 for the company,rounds out to a 2. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad T
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | FRICK PARK | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Fast. Nimble. | | Weaknesses: | Spooky sux. They have poor customer service. This is my second spooky. I broke the first one like it was a pencil. They blamed it on Easton. They gave me my second frame at cost (I think). They did not even put decals on the second frame Gee, thanx spooky. | | Similar Products Used: | You name it | | Bike Setup: | Manitou X vert
ALL XT | | Bottom Line: | STAY AWAY FROM SPOOKY. VERY RINKY DINK COMPANY. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX USA
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | JB's | | Strengths: | Lightweight 3 lb Easton Elite frame; excellent handling and climbing characteristics. High bottom bracket, short chainstay, and long top-tube. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | M2 Stumpjumper (no comparison) and various other hard-tails | | Bike Setup: | Z2 X-Fly; Arch Supremes; XTR; most everything else Raceface | | Bottom Line: | Extremely lightweight (3 lb) and very quick handling bike for tight singletrack. Geometry well suited for climbing due to long top-tube combined with short chainstays. High bottom bracket definitely helps to prevent grinding the chainrings over rocks, logs, etc. Overall, excellent hard-tail frame that definitely gets noticed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregory Ooley
a Racer
from Bloomington, Indiana
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesmiths | | Strengths: | I actually own a '98 Junebug, but since there are no Junebug reviews on this page... I've ridden this bike for three seasons and have always loved the geometry. Very responsive steering and unbeatable on tight singletrack. | | Weaknesses: | Weak paint job. Did they use fingernail polish? This bike looks like it's been through a war. I was warned about the paint job, but was assured by Spooky prior to my purchase that their paint problems had been solved and were nothing to worry about on my particular bike. The decals are cool, but unfortunately very cheap, which is my impression of Spooky as a whole... all image and no substance to back it up. Case in point, check out this e-mail I got from them:
"Greg,
It is not looking good to find that derailleur hanger. We didn't make those ones- we bought them from our Easton supplier- Nova Cycle Supply in Cal. Sorry- we're moving so I don't have their number... The main problem was that they wouldn't let us just buy the hanger itself- but wanted us to buy a full drop out set for $25, so we didn't keep too many extras... Maybe you can try them. Sorry man."
This is very typical of their customer service.
The welds are nasty, too. Other than these disappointing cosmetic flaws and total disregard for their customers, I've never been able to get my chainline dialed in like I would like. The front der. shifts badly and drops the chain occasionally no matter what bottom bracket, crank or fr. der. I've installed. (I am a bicycle mechanic by profession.)
| | Similar Products Used: | Outside of this bike, I've always ridden Cannondales, but any major framebuilder can make a bike like Spooky's bikes with a real paint job and decals without bending you over. The trick is finding a bike with the same great geometry. | | Bike Setup: | XT cranks, shifters, derailleurs, bottom bracket. SID SL 2000. Rock Shox post. Chris King hubs. Avid 40. | | Bottom Line: | Beware of Spooky. I spent two years defending my boutique, high-dollar frameset to people who thought I could've gotten more bike for much less money. They said I paid for Spooky's punk rock image. I hate to say it, but as time went by and my paint flaked off with even the slightest touch, my decals peeled and my single-bolt derailleur hanger rotated around no matter how tight the bolt was, I began to think they may be right. This situation with not being able to get a replacement derailleur hanger (and seeing that Spooky wouldn't even go out of their way to at least find the phone number of the company who MAY have one) has shown their true colors. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | direct from spooky | | Strengths: | I love the way the bike handles in tight singletrack. There is not a better handling bike in the tight woods. The bike is light and people love the bike. The extra bb height. | | Weaknesses: | The frame lasted 1 1/2 seasons before bending. For the amount of money I spent I thought I was getting a special bike. As it turns out I was, for about a year and a half. The trails this bike is designed for are tough, so should the bike. Spooky says I had a high speed impact with something to cause the damage. I hit nothing that my friends don't hit and nothing I have not hit on every bike I have owned. Spooky also told me they could not replace the frame because Easton does not warranty their tubing. I bought a Spooky, it has Spooky's name on it so Spooky should take responsibility and not blame it on Easton's decision not to back their tubing. I don't believe that Spooky is the company that it makes itself out to be. If I was you I would steer clear of this company. Oh yeah they did offer me reduced price on the two lower models if I was willing to wait 2 months. Thanks Spooky. | | Similar Products Used: | A couple GT's, and a specialized m2 s-works, | | Bike Setup: | xtr, marzochhi, ricthey wheel set, blah, blah, blah
All this is in my basement on a shelf because I have no bike | | Bottom Line: | If a company could use the Darkside Geometry in a strong bike that would last let me know I would stand in line to buy it. The bike is the best woods bike in the world until you use it up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Mahopac NY USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Unbelievable handling manners. Climbs like a champ. Tapered stays take off just enough of the edge. Who needs F.S.? | | Weaknesses: | Weaknesses? | | Bike Setup: | 21" Darkside, Zoke Bomber, Answer DH bars, XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | Spooky customer service is top notch! Bent the derailler hanger, fixed it while I waited. Committed to making great bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Racer
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellow River, Stn Mtn GA | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | The frame tears up tight single track. I ride eastcoast stuff and when it comes to the typical off camber decent in loss dirt(or mud) going over roots and rocks, nothing does it better...the bike feels like its on rails | | Weaknesses: | Decals are cool, (mine are holographic) but i wish they were clearcoated for durabilities sake. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Big sur | | Bike Setup: | Raceface, XTR, XT, w/abomb fork | | Bottom Line: | If you ride east coast, and want a top of the line alu hardtail...very few beat it, if even come close | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Ellensburg, WA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | North/South Fork, Taneum | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Exellent geometry, standover height vs. tt length, craftsmanship, paint, decals etc. | | Weaknesses: | For me there are none. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Attitude/Adroit
Bonty Racelite
Trek 8900
Bonty Ti Lite
Bonty Race
Shwinn Factory Homegrown
GT Zaskar
| | Bike Setup: | Fork: White Brothers
Crank: Syncros Revolution
Wheels: XTR ceramic
etc. 22# | | Bottom Line: | I have owned over 20 different bicycles, and I have never met a quality cycle that I didn't like. I love the Spooky.
It fits like a glove for one, and there are no flaws anywhere that I have found, not even the paint. In fact it has the most durable paint of any bike I have ever seen or owned. The geometry is exellent for all around riding, and the tt length vs. standover height is exellent. If you are average height, but like a long tt with plenty of stand over height this is the bike to purchase. It is by a measurable margin the most agile technical bike I have ridden, and I plan on riding it until they come out with something better. Needless to say that will be a while. Ride the earth! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haoming
a Racer
from troy, MI
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
island lake | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
very easily aired
can steer easily at fast speed
cuts singletrack like magic | | Weaknesses: |
twitchey for unskilled tech riders | | Similar Products Used: |
dean team issue easton kestrel cs-x
schwinn factory homegrown
spooky metalhead
haro A-4
vodoo bizzango
bontrager racelite
jamis dakar alu
specialzed stumpjumper
etc... | | Bike Setup: |
z-2 atombomb
ionic cranks/realrings
xtr 2 by 8 drivesystem
syncros ti post/ hinged stem
raceface airalloy bar
xtr v's, proshift levers
shimano flight deck
sdg saddle
747 pedals
syncros ti double bearing bb
nuke carbon bombshell/217/WS db 14-15/ alloy nips wheels
xtr ti rear cass.
usually specialized team master/control tires, somtimes irc mythos slick, conti leader pro, double fighter, etc..... | | Bottom Line: | the bike rips stuff faster than hell, its hella
fast onthe downs, u gain alot of time on anything technical
-climbs quite well, holds its own on flats, the super steep head tube is spooky the first time u ride it, then u get used to it- awesome ride, i like it better than my custom dean oscar, which was a badass ride and faster than hell | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Rowell
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bedford, MA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Estabrook | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Geometry makes for a very agile technical bike (steep, short and high). Tubeset is superlight. | | Weaknesses: |
Poor tubing set for a technical bike (superlight and stiff but can't handle stress), flimsy dropouts. | | Similar Products Used: |
YETI ARC, Fat Yo Eddy, Serotta T-Max, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: |
X-C race setup, with XTR, SID, USE shock post (a must for this frame), 22# complete for a 21 frame. | | Bottom Line: | It doesn't make sense. Awesome for really technical stuff but handle that kind of abuse. Scary if ridden fast as its not really stable. Worst of both worlds? Mine is currently broken and sitting at Spooky where they are trying their best to ignore me in hopes that I will go away. I must admit it was fun to ride if you paid attention. Light and super nimble, but a life of 1.5 yrs for a supposed East Coast woods bike, that I didn't use for that purpose (X-C only, 1000 miles max), just doesn't cut it in my book. I say the only thing Spooky is how fast you and your money will be seperated ;) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Wahl
a cross-country rider
from New Haven, CT USA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THIS BIKE SIMPLY HAS A SOUL. No kidding. I bought a Darkside after the Dirtrag reviews (iss 49 I think) and then the article about the company (?64) and have ridden the bejeesus out of the thing. I ride with a group of pretty serious riders on pretty extreme terrain (all singletrack with drops, launches, etc.etc.) The first ride, I was frightened by the handling of the frame, the super-steep 71.5 head angle and teeny chainstays with 12.5 bottom bracket clearance give the bike a presence all its own. It didn't take long to be seduced by the force, however, and I found that I rode more and more aggressively and with far more confidence than ever before. Mountain biking has taken on a whole new meaning on this bike. I don't even think I'll consider buying a FS until SPOOKY unveils their MOTHERSHIP (due sometime in April, this bike is designed along the same angles as the Darkside, but only with more evil). One last thing. The company is top-notch. The folks at Spooky don't buy into any of the BS corporate hype. They keep the company small and the workmanship and customer service are a testament to this fact. No big glossy MTB action ads, no big mony auto-manufacturer package deals, no answering machines! With Spooky, you speak to real (cool) people who know and love riding and take pride in their product.DON'T BE AFRAID...If you do highly technical riding and love singletrack. You won't be disappointed on the darkside. | | Overall Rating: |
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