Not really a freeride bike, more DH but whatever. Stable at speed but a bit of a handful in tight woods. The uniterrupted seattube is nice for pedalling up. The 1.5 headtube lets you use a zero stack headset which is stronger and which keeps the front end lower. Uhhhh, I dunno, it fun to ride but the '08 looks better.
Submitted by
mike
a Downhiller
from newmarket, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2006
Strengths: i actually own the devinci johnson, but i couldnt figure out how to write a review for a bike that wasnt allready on there, but the johnson is a very solid bike for an entry level to downhill, it handles great and has very plush suspension. hayes 9 work amazing.
Weaknesses: front marzocchi drop off triples arnt the greatest for big hucks, but they get the job done, im saving for some bombers.
Bottom Line:
great mtb for freeriders who dont want to spend over 3 grand , it will get the job done, but you have to maintain it well.
Similar Products Used: kona stinky, devinci lline up.(they all have very similar frames, just different components)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
murray
a Downhiller
from calgary, albeta, canada
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2005
Strengths: awsome geo., e.therteen is amasing. i cant speek for the deralure because i have an X.0. swinger 6-way shock is amasing. great on corners and berms. turns great. michlen 2.8 tyers are extreamly good and the hubs work so good it feels like your pushing a 30 pound bike and not a 50 pound bike.
Weaknesses: the cranks suck, gear ratio is more for downhill style. the rebound on the 6-way is weird but it is easy to fix.
Bottom Line:
this bike is more made for downhill than freeride so if you are a downhiller looking for a new bike that is fast in the corners and can still take the big hits, this is for you
the hubs i would never change they are absolutly the best hub i've ever had, hands down. the x.0 and the e-therteen makes no chain slap nosie even going down the roughest terrain.
Submitted by
Jamie Parrott
a Racer
from Oshawa Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2005
Strengths: It fully adjutable to any race course and is easy to set up. The set only takes about 5 mins and if you dont like it some of the change can be made on the course
Weaknesses: Mine is a 2005 with a 2004 boxxer team fork. And the top crown of the fork hits the frame before the stops do. Its not a big problem but i am getting a 2005 world cup for it to solve the problem
Bottom Line:
Mine is 2005 frame only but the complet bike would spec about the same it the DH for the $$$$$$$$
Similar Products Used: Devinci 8flat8, kona stab primo
Bike Setup: All stock except for the fox 40(203mm)!
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Submitted by
ca hoon
a Weekend Warrior
from scotland
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2005
Strengths: just sitting on this bike is dangerously confidence inspiring the bike just begs to be hucked and tanned over the roughest terrain i'v got the 17inch long version which can be chucked into the tightest of berms and come out standing proud its defintly the most stable bike i'v been on at speed nothing knocks it off line the slack head angle means its not twitchy and great for n.shore pedals really good for a 8.5inch 4bar linkage the frames super beefy and aint nothing gona break it
Weaknesses: its abit heavy for cycling up the hill but if your into that sorta g*y stuff you got the wrong bike paint chaffffffffs prety easy too
Bottom Line:
being the best seems a whole lot more possibly at the bars of this bike!!!!!!!!!!
Strengths: Awesome bike, takes all he big hits without making metal on metal contact noises, a lot of bike. Since I got it as a frame its custom, so i can't speak for the parts on the complete bike but the frme is very strong and the shock works well for th leverage ratio. A nice bonus is the ability to change the bb height when running a 24' as I am and the 1.5 headtube gives a better sense of strengh. Other then that its lived in the 8.5 inch travel setting. Devinci is a great company i was having issues with my banzai and got me the wison frame, great customer service
Weaknesses: it's really a lot of bike, but thats it
Bottom Line:
awesome bike, just make sure there ain't too many up hills. This bike is intended to go big, but anyone can ride it. Buy any devinci product as the company stands by it and you
Similar Products Used: khs fxt pro, kona roast, kona stinky, devinci banzai
Bike Setup: small frame, 05' 888rc, 2.8 mich, on mag30 with a seismic hub, all xt or xtr, swinger 6 way, 24' rear double tracks on 2.5 highrollers with dt swiss hub, holzfeller, and e13 srs, soon to come fox dhx5 and saint cranks and derailer
Strengths: The frame rides beautifully, the design is flawless. There is no brake-jack whatsoever on it at high speed. She corners great, it is super easy to whip her around the tightest turns. The frame is super solid, with no signs of weaknesses, but still light enough to manuver around. The shock adjustments are super convenient, as is regreasing the main pivot bolt (comes with grease port).
The shock combined with the 4 bar linkage makes pedalling as if I am on a 42lbs hardtail with an 888. There is no bob at all, and I have pedaled up local ski hills without problems.
The parts spec is sweet, the 888R is super adjustable with the adjusters on the outside for easy access. The Hayes brakes this year have a few issues with the lever backing out, and the Atom lab rims are not worth a whole lot. Other than that, I have not had any complaints. All in all, she is an amazing bike, love to jump, drop, stick to the ground whether it is super technical rock gardens or tight twisty corners.
Weaknesses: The rims are very weak, and the Hayes brake levers keep backing out.
Bottom Line:
Worth her weight in gold. A sweet ride for a beginner to learn on, and can handle a pro just as easy.
