Unless you're one of those guys in the magazines hucking off the side of the Grand Canyon into oblivion, you don't need to measure your suspension with a yard stick. It seems that the new fad of Freeriding and Downhilling is to provide ungodly amounts of travel to supplement for their weak libidos. Where other frames try to take away the punishment of your mistakes, the Leader 636F is either helping you avoid them with steering accuracy or helping you smooth them out with a stiff suspension. Get what you need, not what you've been told you need.
Submitted by
Dieter Wolf
a Downhiller
from Debary, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2010
Strengths: SUPER STRONG AND VERY LIGHT WEIGHT
Weaknesses: NOT IN PRODUCTION ANYMORE
Bottom Line:
A MUST HAVE BICYCLE AT ANY COST. THEY ARE FEW AND FAR APART, BUT WELL WORTH THE HUNT. I FOUND MINE AS A TRADE IN AT CYCLE WORLD. IT IS THE BEST BIKE I'VE EVER OWNED!
Submitted by
max simpson
a Downhiller
from Jersey City, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2010
Strengths: THE STRONGEST 2005 FRAME THAT I'VE EVER OWNED. I HIT 10+ FOOT DROPS AND SURVIVE WITH NO DELAY.
Weaknesses: HARD TO FIND AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
Bottom Line:
THE 2005 LEADER LD-636F FRAME IS WELL WORTH $1,000+ BUCKS AND MAYBE MORE TO THE RIGHT PERSON WHO KNOWS QUALITY. IT'S A MUST HAVE FOR THE DH OR FREE RIDE PRO. NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS, THESE BIKES ARE EXTREMELY RARE AND VERY HARD TO FIND. SHOULD YOU FIND ONE FOR SALE, DON'T LET IT GET AWAY AT ANY PRICE! THE 2005 LEADER LD-636F FRAME IS VALUED AT $1,000+ IN FAIR CONDITION WITH ITS POLISHED SWINGARM. I WISH THAT EVERYONE COULD EXPERIENCE THE RIDE OF THIS EXCELLENT FRAME!
Strengths: Solid undestructable aluminium frame. Solid adjustable DNM rear shock with 950lb coil over spring travel. Designed for freeride and downhill. Build like a rock. Replacable derailleur hangers, a must for Aluminium frames. 7005/6061 AL
Bottom Line:
Like it so much that I bought two more of the exact frame as spare or backup. Not that I'll ever need it because it is so durable.
Submitted by
Erik
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2006
Strengths: Stiff, strong, lightweight frame considering its durable construction. It comes in at about 7 lbs w/o the rear shock I am told.
Weaknesses: It was diffucult to find a front derailleur that was compatible with the frame geometry. In the end I had to settle for a cheaper Shimano Deore LX because it was the only one I could find that had a top swing design. Water bottle mountain locations are akward.
Bottom Line:
This frame is virtually indestructable. I have been riding it for a little over a year now on nearly every kind of terrain from high speed desert single track to brutal, rocky downhill and it has taken it all without a single hiccup. I have yet to damage any component on this frame to date. The OEM rear shock has also held up surprisingly well. I love the feel of the DNM shock. Its soft enough to absorb the big hits, yet with its 950 lb coil rate you still retain some of the rigidity of a hardtail.
Bike Setup: Leader 636F, Rock Shox Psylo SL, Cane Creek S2 Headset, Truvativ XR bars, SRAM X-7 Shifters & rear derailleur, SRAM PG-970, Shimano Deore LX front derailleur, Avid BB7 185mm, Avid Speed Dial 7 levers, Truvativ Husselfelt DH crank, WTB Power V saddle, Sun Rhyno Lite wheelset w/ Powertools hubs, WTB Weirwolf 2.3"
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
s.J.s.
a Downhiller
from Shevegas, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005
Strengths: Built super strong and stiff. Climbs great, takes all the big bang out of drops, and very light for a bike with this design (30lb. fully tricked). Looks cool as hell!!!
Weaknesses: None. Well, maybe the fact I will never ride another frame.
Bottom Line:
I take this Urban Assualting (8 ft. drops, curb jumping-sometimes onto and over cars HAHA, launch ramps, bunnyhopping, long stair sets, riding over just about anything, etc.), Downhilling (270 degree short run, very rocky, very fast), and X-country (rocks, stumps, roots, climbs). It takes it all and this bike does everything I want it to. I'm a heavier rider, 6'1" 190lb., riding an 18" because it handles excellent and feels like I'm 16 again on a BMX. The DNM rear shock take all you need to out of big hits and is adjustable enough for many different rider weights and riding styles. Worth every penny, no matter what you pay for it.
