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Submitted by
Natasha
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Hot Cherry-Green Ribbon, No Horses, Corkscrew-Pingu-Pangor | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Consignment + connections = incredible deal | | Strengths: | geometry - nicely balanced with unbelievable versatility (technical or fast swoopy downhill, tight corners, jumps - it rides like it was made for them all, and it climbs waaay better than it looks like it should), adjustable wheel base, strength | | Weaknesses: | having to track down brake adapters and derailleur hanger; paint job looks like it's standard army issue (I love it but can't see it appealing to everyone); chain rubs on my knobbies in granny gears, s/times results in chain suck from the top; fighting w/ the BB adapter (as soon as this BB blows up I'll bust out the adapter and move to a BMX BB and 3-piece cranks... dunno why i didn't think of that in the first place); it's not Canadian! | | Bike Setup: | All-mountain setup: Fox Vanilla 125 RL, XT rear + deore front derailleurs, single track rim w/ deore hydro 6" front, XTR V-brake rear (soon to be replaced with another deore hydro - great value), bluegroove and fire FR tires, hussefelt cranks, race face risers, stubby axiom stem, rogue lock-ons w/ dangerboy end caps, odyssey cielencki *glow in the dark* pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is my first bike that's really mine and not a hand-me-down from my husband, so I might be a bit biased... but I love my bike! This bike is all about fun - anywhere. The geometry is super responsive (which is good if you're a good rider and hard on you if you're not) and definitely confidence inspiring at speed and on the steeps. Not as fast but more finesse and interaction w/ the trail than your average big squishy on the downs, not as heavy as a 'Shore hardtail' so it can still climb, stronger and more playful than your average all-mountain rig, and jumps with the best. I ride seriously technical all-mountain most of the time with a bit of Shore and downhilling (and even attempts at urban) from time to time and I get to have fun everywhere. The better I get as a rider, the more I discover this bike can do (even XC if you keep the seat and the pace up and are in decent shape). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TONY
a Weekend Warrior
from MIDDX UK
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | WISLEY,WOBURN SANDS, | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | MOUNTAIN HIGH | | Strengths: | FOLLOW UP TO MY LAST REVIEW WHICH WAS LEFT 2 YEARS AGO, FRAME STILL GOING STRONG EVEN THOUGH THE WHITE BROS TRIPLE CLAMPS GOT BENT AND HAD TO GO AFTER A REBUILD, FRAME NOW SET UP WITH MARZOCCHI DIRTJUMPER 1'S AND RIDES AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER AS THEY DAY IT WAS BOUGHT.
PAINT JOB STILL EXCELLENT AND CONSIDERING THIS FRAME IS NOW 6 YEARS OLD I HAVE NO REASON TO CHANGE IT, RIDES GREAT FOR EVERYTHING, DIRTJUMPING, XC, STREET. | | Weaknesses: | THE REAR DROPOUTS SOMETIMES STILL A PAIN TO CHANGE THE WHEEL | | Similar Products Used: | GT ZASKAR LE, | | Bike Setup: | BLUE METALHEAD FRAME, MARZOCCHI DIRTJUMPER 1'S fORKS,MAVIC RIMS ON HOPE BULB HUBS,INTENSE 2.4 TYRES, AC 40MM STEM,24/7 STEEL BARS,MAGURA HS BRAKES,THE PIG HEADSET,SYNCROS TITANIUM S/POST,24/7 JUMP SADDLE,CHROMOLY 3 PIECE CRANKS, EASTON CULLY PEDALS, HOMEMADE MACHINED BULLET PROOF MRP STYLE CHAINDEVICE WITH BLACKSPIRE OUTER RING! | | Bottom Line: | NOT MANY COMPANYS GET A FRAME DESIGN THIS RIGHT, AN OUT AND OUT CLASSIC.....STILL!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan kenning
a
from london, uk
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | wisley, penshurst, london street | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | secondhand | | Strengths: | handling, stiffness, geometry, build quality (welding especially) and strength | | Weaknesses: | standard paintjobs not great | | Similar Products Used: | dmr trailstar, dmr rythm, rocket fab, spesh p3, curtis, le toy pornking, azonic evo, kona chute, pashley 26" | | Bike Setup: | singlespeed with on-one cranks, manitou xverts, avid 7.0s, d521s, 24/7 bars, on-one stem, snafu saddle | | Bottom Line: | best bike i've ever riden. handles more like a 24" bike than a 20". light enough for longer rides and stiff enough for jumps and street. very chuckable for spins and tricks (i can 180 off a curb on this) and handles 4x tracks and singletrack brilliantly. if you ride everything or anything above, this is the frame for you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gordon tarpley
a Racer
from gainesville, fl
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | top secret | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | factory | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | heavy, but not like it matters if you're using it right. | | Similar Products Used: | worked at a bike shop rode pretty much everything, but these are the closest.
specialized P3, jamis slalom bike, elsworth | | Bike Setup: | slalom setup, heavy duty everything. profile bmx crankset and chainring. azonic riser bars, thompson seat post, tioga down hill seat. tioga 2.3 tires, azonic triple wall rims. oury grips, hayes hydraulic disk brakes, king headset, junky rockshock judy. xt rear shifter | | Bottom Line: | the most fun bike i've had the opportunity to ride, more less own. if you can get your hands on one, it's well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
timmy p
a Downhiller
from bath
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | white bridge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | anthony cycles | | Strengths: | this frame rocks ,its geometry is perfect and the paintwork is somethin specail .big drop outs perfect. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | planet x jackflash,spooky bandwagon,on one gimp,azonic ds2+1. | | Bike Setup: | spooky metalhead,DJ3S,HALO COMBATS on hope big un ,m4 discs,xtr through out,azonic cranks,azonic bar+stem | | Bottom Line: | this frame is sweet so if u got the cash get the flash frame and show up evry one aimed at ppl who want fun and fun basically.perfect (sean mayne above sucks ass hole big time) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean (metalhead) Mayne
a Downhiller
from Bath
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | White Bridge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Anthony Cycles | | Strengths: | dropouts r nice, very strong, beautifal frame, good material T-6 M8. best frame iv ever had. its a totally HARDCORE frame. UNBREAKABLE | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic DS1, identiti DR jekyll, on-one gimp (my m8 miles goulds bike) | | Bike Setup: | Black metalhead frame, z1 wedge, 24 seven fat cranks, gusset 7mm thick chainring, big-uns halo sas rims, hope m4s, azonic chubby azonic shorty | | Bottom Line: | BUY 1 if you have the money, dont be without 1 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Clarke
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Heath jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand | | Strengths: | Strength
Geometry
Style/look | | Weaknesses: | paint,but i got sprayed so who cares | | Similar Products Used: | gt chucker,barracuda guetto,base?,DMR sidekick | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi z4,xtr r.mech,f.brake,avid r.brake,mrp copy chain device,tioga bar+stem,sun big mammoth rims on lx hubs,kenda tires,azonic headlock,scott saddle,fsa cranks,8spd,44t chainring,lizard skin | | Bottom Line: | Anyone who likes jumping or just riding would love this frame.Feels sweet to ride, to jump and to have fun on.I feel secure with this bike.And again the geometry feels perfect! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Stacey
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Local skatepark, Cannock Chase, Coed-y-Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Pashley, Stratford-upon-Avon | | Strengths: | SO strong!
Cracking geometry;
BMX BB;
Horizontal dropouts;
Sheer quality of the machining; | | Weaknesses: | Heavy;
Paintwork is crap;
| | Similar Products Used: | Pashley 24mhz, DMR Trailstar, Azonic DS1, and all manner of dodgy wannbe knock-off frames! | | Bike Setup: | D521 SUP's on Hope Bulbs, Z1 MCR QR20+, Profile 3pce cranks, 24/7 Bars and Stem and 38t Chainwheel, DMR V8 pedals, X-lite saddle, LX V's but with Deore levers, STX 8sp (out of choice - long live 8sp!), IRC Kujo 2.25's | | Bottom Line: | Superb bike, if a little heavy (although that's probably down to the cranks). It will climb; provided that you keep it moving it's great over technical XC stuff because of the really short stiff rear end.
Great also for street riding - it loves steps - and for the odd blast at the Skatepark on the hips. It's best though ragging down some sweet tight singletrack or catching some air off dirt jumps, or doing big drops. I suppose it is a great 'Freeride' bike (I hate that term!) - it'll do anything. I love it, five flaming turds! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TONY
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | mountain high | | Strengths: | A classic, great looks, nice responsive angles, strong, good tire clearance, bmx bottom bracket, horizontal dropouts.Maybe it's because I have an older model but I have had no complaints about the paintwork, still looking good after 3 years abuse!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Dropouts are a little fiddly until you get the knack of it,not a problem after all this time though, aluminium ( one day I'll have to say goodbye!!) Maybe a Brooklyn, Curtis or a Pashley beckons .FEEL THE STEEL!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar , another all time classic. | | Bike Setup: | White Bros 110mm triples, mavic 521's, hope big un's, magura hs33's,Ac 40mm stem, azonic pyramid bars, race face lp turbine cranks, easton flatboys, fsa pig, syncros ti post, tioga fat 66's 2.3" . | | Bottom Line: | This frame is a classic, I've broken forks on this frame and expected to rip the head tube off but it's still there and going strong, the angles on this frame are perfect for urban, dirt jumping, and even ( dare I say XC )with the post up to the max.I have run 80mm single crowns but I still prefer the feel of the triples and the reasurance that the headtube can take it. Pity it's not steel cos I reckon this would still be going strong when I'm not!!! Just love the look of this bike that just begs to be ridden hard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ross gill
a Racer
from uk
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | pigs vally | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | nw | | Strengths: | verry very strong i managed to snap a set of triple clamps of the front and it was still ok | | Weaknesses: | the only thing that i can find is that the drop outs are a bit fiddly and you calnt get a mrp on it | | Similar Products Used: | orange trials bike | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi dirt jumps .dmr cheftons hope c2 d321's lx deraliour | | Bottom Line: | although this bike is expensive it is like every one who has ever had one well worth it. if you want to do mainly down hill stuff this is probabaly not the bie for you because the aluminium is a bit skitish over roots it will serve you well whatever you do. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a
from NYC
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | spooky cycles | | Strengths: | same as before | | Weaknesses: | aluminum | | Bottom Line: | this is preety much a follow up to my intitial review. well, i like the frame as much if not more than when i got it. got it repainted so it looks new and it works as well as ever. after months of riding id say it would be ideal if the top tube was a half inch shorter, 22.5" and the headtube should be reinforced (FTW's is and it looks amazing). thumbs up for the ride and thumbs down for the frame material but whatever it is still strong although i am anticipated frame failure anyday now. the original eastcoast hardcore frame ! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris skolnick
a
from new york city
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | unfortunately,we don't have many trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | spooky cycles | | Strengths: | ~tire clearance(2.6 gazz)
~adjustable wheelbase(16.5-17.5)
~universal bb
~geometry is spot on
~very strong,solid and stiff yet...
~...not exceptionally heavy(a little over 4 pounds) | | Weaknesses: | ~you WILL have to ream/file down the headtube,bb, and rear dropouts due to thick paint
~relatively expensive for a frame meant to be thrashed. | | Similar Products Used: | 16" trek 990(by first real bike 2 seasons ago)
cove stiffee(i bought it too big,19". Doh!!)
brooklyn park bik(awesome bike but i prefer 26" in the rear on a hardtail)
a friends ds-1(he now has my park bike.hah!) | | Bike Setup: | forever changing...i do love my butcher rims though! | | Bottom Line: | bottom line?not much can be said by me that has'nt been said by others.there is a reason this frame is legendary and areason why every company now has a "hucking" bike in there line up(using the same geom the metal did for years).its versatile-i've used it with a 100mm fork, 65mm, and rigid and it works amzing with each.going downhilling and your dually has a blown shock?throw on a 2.6 and lenghten the wheelbase and your good to go.its looks great rides great and every one who has em loves em.the truth is its not a dual slaom bike or dirt jumping bike or a stock bike-its a FUN bike; and since bike riding should be fun, this is the bike you'll probably want to ride. However, keep in mind it is aluminum,and aluminum like all good things eventually come to an end.Then what?well i'll buy another:its that good..its better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all.ill be calling frank soon....:) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott earnest
a Racer
from somewhere, in, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | kickass super strong frame. looks fast, rides fast and confident. | | Weaknesses: | none, ive heard alot of complaints about spooky's paint, but mines custom painted. Ive had no problems | | Similar Products Used: | GT bmx bikes, monty trials | | Bike Setup: | z-1,xtr,profile,tioga kit,thompson,AC,azonic,brooklyn machine works brakes,avid ultimate levers,tioga 2.35 tires | | Bottom Line: | bike is sweet. Its fast on the trails, and its a great ride for urban assualt and sessions in the back yard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
simon
a
from new york
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | its a big boys bmx | | Weaknesses: | paint quality doesn't say dream machine
(if you've seen an ellsworth you know what i mean)
- 4 chilis for value because the paint should be better | | Similar Products Used: | yeti (old school steel)
brooklyn tmx
gt i-drives | | Bike Setup: | rockshox dho
mrp
avid arch rivals
xt gears
mavic wheels
tiogo cube stem and 2.1DH meats
under 27lb, not bad for a bike with downhill tires! | | Bottom Line: | i can ride this down plattekill and its fun! - now how many hardtails can you say that about?
i can jump more stuff
ride more stuff
generally have more fun in more places
on my metalhead
if you like moto then the slack angles and tough build of this bike are just what you are looking for...
very occasionally, i think about replacing it with a full suspension - slalom bikes from intense, foes or ventana - or maybe a motorhead...
but the spooky is such good clean fun, why bother?
the metalhead is the definitive dirt bike...
it carries on the downhill hardtail tradition from the repack clunkers, through the yeti steel bikes, to the modern dual/dirtjumping hardtails.
buy one, have fun, and cherish it - its a classic | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods / The Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Dedham Bike and Leather | | Strengths: | ...that's just it...it's freakin' strong. | | Weaknesses: | none dammit | | Similar Products Used: | Cove Stiffee, Stiffee SL, P3 | | Bike Setup: | BAM Z1, xtr, monkey bar, ryno lites, hugi hubs | | Bottom Line: | every damn thing I can drop on my Bullit I can drop on the Metalhead. It's freakin' solid. The horizontal drops are a pain but just too damn cool for my shoes. I have the small which is perfect for the BMX track but a little stubby for trail-riding. But it isn't for trail riding...It's for urban diturbin and hucking off cliffs. A perfect compliment to any sicko's quiver of bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cory slusher
a Weekend Warrior
from charlotte, nc
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | southpark dirt jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | my house | | Strengths: | great geometry for a mtb. fairly short chainstays. rear wheel adjustability. BMX bottom bracket for strength and universal crank compatibility. good strength with low weight. | | Weaknesses: | made of aluminum. very weak and flimsy dropouts. integrated tensioners are not compatible with all other BMX tensioners. requires very long spindle length. uses old style 22 mm disc brake mount not compatible with current 74 mm brakes. very low b.b height. top tube cable routing crimps cables during barspins and x-ups. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | profile cranks-single front chainring with custom spot chainguide system-mammoth rims-profile bars-primo stem-dk pedals-tioga tires-bolt on axles front and rear-yes it weighs 36 lbs | | Bottom Line: | All in all I really like this bike. Since making the switch from BMX to mtb, this is definitely the best bike I have ridden. The geometry is good enough to make most dirt jumpers happy, yet quick enough to satisfy true street riders. My only complaints are the flimsy dropouts, the cable routing, and the disc brake mounts. Make this bike out of steel, put on larger dropouts, and improve the cable routing and you have the best street/dirt mtb on the market.
Buy it if you want a durable trail bike with a slight bmx attitude. Forget it if you think this is a 26 inch BMX bike. In the end, the rear dropouts will let you down. (mine have almost deteriorated to the point where my bile is unrideable.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Al
a Weekend Warrior
from NYC
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This frame is strong and stiff. The geometry just works. Honestly i haven't ridden any other hard tail that jumps or moves the same way. | | Weaknesses: | the horizontal dropouts, though quite a nice feature make it a pain the change flats, though it is work the sacrifice. | | Similar Products Used: | brookly Machine Works trials/dual slalom
Specialized stumpjumper '95 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocci Z2 bam "98; hope hubs; mavic d521 rims; xt/xtr componentry; profile bmx cranks; | | Bottom Line: | So far this is the best bike i've ever had. It is very responsive, stiff, and strong. i do everything with this, ranging from trial, trail riding, dropoffs, and occasionally downhill. Though dualslalom specific, it works for alomost anything. Compaired to my old bike, i can jump much higher, and do everything with more control.
If you need the extra strength, and care little about the extra weight, i would go with the brooklyn, but in my opinion,and from what i've seen, this frame will not break. I talked to the welder of the company and he said that since the started production of this frame they have had 1 reported frame the broke.
the only thing i can see that bothers me a little is the horizontal dropouts. It makes it somewhat of a pain to take the rear wheel off.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Radwan
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very stiff frame and awesome geometry
kick ass street ride | | Weaknesses: | chain guide problem!! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | rear 24" Sun Mammoth on Hugi hub
front 26" D321 on Hugi hub
Stratos FR4
9.0 8 spd drivetrain
Hayes discs
XS bmx cearnkset with 39t Profile Imperial
Arrow & Nokian tires | | Bottom Line: | -Great all around bike
-can jump any and everything
-really stiff and nice | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks sooooo Sweet. . . my flat black metalhead looks stelthy. I'm sure it's as strong as it looks. | | Weaknesses: | The paint seems to kinda suck. From the moment I pressed in the HS the paint has chipped way to easily. | | Similar Products Used: | A small Kona. | | Bike Setup: | WB 110 fork.
Hayes brakes.
tioga rims.
hayes hub in back and WB in front.
AC stem and front chainguide
Profile BMX cranks
Azonic PDW bars and Azonic love seat.
FSA Pig headset.
Tioga tires.
And lots of other cool stuff. | | Bottom Line: | The bike looks like it rocks. Feels good to ride. I just finished building it. I will post a more extensive review in a few more months. It is a little pricy, but don't let that stop you from getting one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin
a Downhiller
from Boulder,CO & England
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | strength, looks, geometry | | Weaknesses: | expensive (so consider the Spooky Bandwaggon if you're on a budget) | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar, Azonic DS1, some Identi | | Bike Setup: | Z1s, Raceface cranks&stem, maguras, D521/Hope wheels, 2.35 IRC Kujo DH etc | | Bottom Line: | So you're after a DS bike, and you've got a fair bit of money and you want the best? Well the MetalHead delivers, it's insanely strong, its so tight handles like a dream, the 24" (!) top tube is perfect for me at 6'4" tall. If I could have any DS bike it'd be a toss-up between this and the Ellesworth Specialist. Build this up lightish and you can do anything on it, I use mine for DS mostly and some trials and a little bit of DH.
words cannot do this bike justice, one ride and you're hooked for life | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Doub
a Downhiller
from Lewisville, NC,
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Salem Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | ultramega strong
sweet geometry
| | Weaknesses: | this bike has no weaknesses it is the sweetest DS bike in the world.
NONE, ya hear me NONE | | Similar Products Used: | 14.5 Cannondale Killer V set up as a DS bike | | Bike Setup: | Z-1 BAM
profile cranks
ryno lites
king hubs
crupi pedels
mrp
protaper bars
titec stem
hayes
sram halpipe 7.0
king headset
| | Bottom Line: | This bike is very strong.
Jumps great.
GREAT SLALOM BIKE!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
smiffy -
a Weekend Warrior
from Durham
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Chicken farm - Durham | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Everything on this frame is awesome | | Weaknesses: | hmmmmmm, hmmmmmmm hmmmmmmm mmmmm hmmmmmmmmm
nope none | | Similar Products Used: | Caygill
Kona Chute | | Bike Setup: | Manitou x-vert super, Profile cranks, Hope 4-pots, Mavic wheels, spooky 3" bars, king h/set, Azonic stem | | Bottom Line: | BUY ONE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mick *
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Karrimor/ Red Bull/PORC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Beautifully made, brilliantly designed, virtually indestuctible, unique, high quality | | Weaknesses: | Quite heavy, slotted dropouts not really necessary for most people's needs, chain tensioners a hassle to rear wheel removal and set-up | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar | | Bike Setup: | Ultimate hardtail freeride bike. 3 front rings for all round riding. Azonic dh bars and x-lite fly stem for good control. Judy DH forks to handle the rough stuff. Mostly XTR and XT running gear. | | Bottom Line: | Without doubt, the Metalhead is a great frame. I use it for everything but mostly real-street, hardcore xc (Coed-Y-Brenin) and dirt jumping. Because of the weight, the geometry and my set-up, it doesn't go up hill very well but it wasn't designed to do that, so I can't really complain. And the way it handles the downhill sections more than makes up for having to push it to the top! Overall, I love the way it rides. The best way to describe it is like a big bmx!
I don't think there is a better hardcore hardtail out there. It obviously won't appeal to most xc riders because of the slalom geometry and above average weight (but if you're fit enough, it's more than capable of being an xc bike). But if like most of today's riders you like to do a bit of everything and just want one bike that is strong enough and handles really well, you should consider the Metalhead. The only reason it doesn't get 5 chillis is because of those chain tensioners. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RidgeRider
a Downhiller
from Peabody, MA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ridge Trail - Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
High quality welds, superior craftsmanship, super strong and high attention to details. Definitely a HARDCORE ride. | | Weaknesses: |
It's a little over the top for most riders (but who cares it's not made for MOST riders anyway.) | | Similar Products Used: |
Kona and a Ventana. | | Bike Setup: |
I've got a medium frame, with Profile SS cranks, Z1 BAM up front, Avid Arch Supreme Brakes with Ultimate L Levers, XTR drive train, 521 rims with Hugi hubs, 2.3 Tioga Factory DH tires, King Headset, Answer Pro Taper bars and a World Force Shorty Stem. The frame is in the new 2000 ARMY Green and has no water bottle mounts. | | Bottom Line: | I have finally found a frame that has all the benefits of a BMX and a mountain bike all rolled into one. Spooky has made the perfect bike for my style of riding and I can honestly say that I can't see this frame breaking any time soon. With it's massive gussets, BMX bottom bracket, and beefy tubing, this thing is totally over the top. Spooky really did there homework when they built the Metalhead, with it's (slotted) adjustable dropouts, adjustable bolt-on Hayes mount and chainstays that accept a 26 inch wheel with a 2.6 tire. This frame just begs to be riden hard. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Slalom Racer
a Downhiller
from NH
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mt. Snow finals DS | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
This bike is incredibly strong, and it has tons of innovation built into it. The BMX influence is evident bcuz of the BMX bottom bracket, horizontal drops, and the huge HT/DT/TT gussets. This thing is beefy, and will take anything you decide to ride off or jump. Run profile cranx for strength. The horizontal dropouts are nice bcuz you can adjust the wheelbase for tight, tech courses, or straigher, speedier courses. And everything came reemed and ready to be built up when i got my frame at Mt. Snow... there's a nice steep HT angle too and a super sloping TT for incredibly quick steering and lots of ball clearance. Big 2.7 tire clearance in the back, too! or you can run a 24/3, i think. It's got the Hayes mount in back too, and it's movable so you can move the brake and the wheel forwards or backwards. sweet.... | | Weaknesses: |
It's expensive, but I'm not complaining about anything because it's worth every cent. no weaknesses! | | Similar Products Used: |
My old Cdale Caad 3, but it's pretty much used up after one season. the lightweight aluminum started to scare me on the drops! | | Bike Setup: |
Marzocchi '00 CR fork (with 4 right now), Zoom 40 mm stem, Club Roost bars, ESP 9.0, Chris King DiscGoTech hubs, Rhyno Lite rims, Hayes discs, IRC Kujo front tire, Michelin Wild Gripper rear, Profile cranx, Primo pedals, Serfas seat | | Bottom Line: | I've never heard of it, but mine has a 21 top tube which is good for me cuz that's the same TT as my spooky brown hornet (bmx bike). I have both bikes set up with the same measurements, so i can ride the same way on both of em. The Spooky Metalhead is the original jumping/fun/DS/street bike, and none of the copies can compare. The Metalhead has more strength and innovation than you can shake your old broken frame at! Each frame has so much time put into it, and it shows. Thanx, Spooky 914. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
smiffy
a Downhiller
from sheep hills
Date Reviewed: November 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
sheep hills | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
The frame | | Weaknesses: |
The cranks | | Similar Products Used: |
Foes zig Zag
Foes DHS mono
Intense M1 | | Bike Setup: |
WELL i used a fox shock to start with but it couldn't handle the huge jumps so now its a HARDTAIL | | Bottom Line: | WELL you can take any line on this thing its so F***ing stiff. It makes you feel like you can do anything on it and in my case i can't do anything!!! Anyway, an absolutely mint frame and its worth all the pennies you spend on it (even though i only spent half of the price) EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST PANTS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Burkhardt
a Downhiller
from Seattle WA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Stiffness
Geometry
Strength (hopefully)
Details | | Weaknesses: |
Finish Quality
Weight (not a problem) | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Zaskar
Schwinn Homegrown (my friends)
Intense Tazer FS(a test ride)
Azonic DS1 (another friends) | | Bike Setup: |
'97 Z1
Profile Cranks
Single Speed
More or less as a BMX | | Bottom Line: | I set up the bike with reliabilty and strength in mind. Single speed, profile BMX cranks, Black Spire Ring God, bomber, strong wheels, cheap seat/post, azonic bar/stem. The geometry of the bike is like a cross between the Foes Slammer (minus all the travel) and a BMX bike. You feel low to the ground at the BB which makes you in it more than on it. It's nimble and easy to manuever despite it's weight. The torsional stiffness is amazing. I'm so huge that most bikes feel like a noodle when I torque on the pedals, but this feels far more solid. Landing off drops and riding down stairs feels much more solid than it did before, making me realize how much I was flexing my other bikes.
Jumping it was a joy, I never felt comfortable on BMX bikes 'cause of my size, but this feels sooo nice in the air and on landing. I don't have it geared right for trials, so I can't tell you how well it ratchets but I can get up some pretty big rock walls (3-4 feet) comfortably due to the massive crotch clearence and stiff feel. You feel like you can just loft it up or off of anything.So nice!The only flaw is the finish. The paint is really thick and the headtube and BB are not reemed and faced very well. But if someone else is building it up for you this is NO problem and it's only an irritation if you are building it yourself.
I'll chekc back in a little while to make sure everythings still good. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haoming
a Racer
from Troy, MI
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
the park next to my hous | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
the metalhead is unbelieveable strong, no need for a booster on my rear magura | | Weaknesses: |
could be considered heavy, but thats just bc my dean weighs nothing, and i race XC | | Similar Products Used: |
none :(
i set up my friend's homegrown factory for DS once, its not anythign like the spooky though- | | Bike Setup: |
z-1 bomber
canecreek HS
ringle 90mm stem
yeti dh bar
magura jonny t racelines
tioga DH tyres
xtr drivetrain
ionic cranks
racelite post
titec beserker dh saddle
pulstar/121 front wheel, spinergy rear wheel
xtr ti cass.
636 ped.
etc... | | Bottom Line: | right now im riding the thing for basic trials, i race xc and dont have any real skills so im trying to learn by doing bmx jumps and riding up picnic tables and stairs and urban stuff
im learning and the spooky is an amazing bike- ive ridden it XC @ the present 30+ lb weight and found it to be a rather enjoyable ride- cuts corners like ginszu, and accelerates like hell
the thing is just the bomb, frekin A-
ive ridden it slalom a few times, theres not much slalom to ride in MI, but im workign on it-
i dont think there's anythign out there that compares w/ the metalhead, mabye the intense tazer, but who the hell knows where to get one-
besides i dont think its nearly as strong as the spooky, although i have an immense amount of respect for intense.
botom line is that if u are looking for a bike to beat the poop out of, the metal head is the ticket
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mate
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: May 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
super strong, the welding, looks so cool | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
XTR, Profile cranks, Mamouth wheel w/ hope Big 'Un, hope pro disc, z1, MRP, azonic stem, Pro Taper bars | | Bottom Line: | this is the best bike (most fun) bike i've ever had. It handles damn well, and jumps super smooth. My mates are always taking it from me. Get your own damn Metahead! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Racer
from Providence RI
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Low stand over height while having ideal toptube lenght adjustable wheel base
sliding derail. hanger
axle tensioners
beefy gussets.
removable stickers so I don't have to be a corporate slave | | Weaknesses: |
paint | | Bike Setup: |
marzochi bomber
sun rhino lites
gripshift,sdg saddle,tioga dh tires | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line...Great frame, excellent for DS, jumping, urban assault any thing you can throw at this bike it can take it!Three top tube lenghts I have had a 24,23 and a 22 which I've decided works best for me. Tighter for the BMX track.
my suggestion is to check one out. Later | | Overall Rating: |
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