Frame: Alpha Red Aluminum w/Aluminum Armor, ABP, Full Floater, alloy EVO Link, E2 tapered head tube, oversized pivot bearings, ISCG03 mounts, 142x12mm or 135x12mm rear axle adaptors, replaceable derailleur hanger, adjustable geometry, 170mm travel
Front Suspension: Fox 36 Van FIT RC 2 w/coil spring, rebound, alloy E2 tapered steerer, 20QR, 180mm travel
Rear Suspension: Fox DHX RC-4, custom "freeride tuned" w/externally adjustable velocity sensitive damping, bottom out force adjust and bottom out progressiveness, external rebound; 8.5x2.5"
Firstly I'll say that I have found a full on DH rig too much for most of the UK DH trails. I bought this bike for FR, natural big mountain descents and DH.
Whats good:
This bike took a few runs to get used to as the cockpit is a lot smaller than what I was used to (changed to a 65mm stem just for a tad more room), but when you get it right and you will, this is the most fun bike I've ridden. I think the Fox 36 180mm fork feels better than the 2008 Fox 40 I owned, plus its lighter. It just tracks beautifully, has masses of adjustment and begs for big hits! The DHX RC4 its just as impressive! This bike can shred as fast as the full 8 inchers but is way more fun & chuck-able. Brakes are immensely powerful and have great modulation, lots of control without locking up.
As for pedalling it pedals great, however with the single ring at the front and the added weight, you have to be strong and fit to ride it. But there is no noticeable pedal bob when in the seat. I would recommend a dual ring setup if you are going to be doing lots of climbing.
Sram X0 is as smooth as always with a great quality feel when shifting.
And not so good: The most uncomfortable seat I have ever sat on, might as well screw a bit of 2x4" to your post! The MRP chain guide is poor quality, the lower guide broke on a rock impact (debatable as to whether others would have smashed off) The upper guide cracked with no impact so its obviously naff! The "tubeless ready wheels" are not quite ready and you have to buy rim strips and valves to get you going. I had to change the springs front and back to suit my weight.
These bad points are quite annoying when you have paid top dollar for the bike, I think the LBS's should offer you spring weights, and if things say there ready then that means ready!
Bottom line:
Mega chuffed with the bike overall and now I have got rid of the initial niggles its endless fun! I have a Remedy 9 as well and between the two bikes I can ride anything!
This is the type of bike the industry has been waiting for. A bike with plenty of travel that will climb. I can take this bike downhill one day, then keep up with the xc guys the next. Everything is ridable on this bike. I haven't met a climb too steep or a decent too technical. I think the new Fox Talas 180 will make this true all-mountain machine.
Similar Products Used: spec. big hit, spec. enduro, trek remedy, fisher roscoe, ellsworth epiphany
Bike Setup: stock scratch 9 build with higher rise bars and time pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
katoom250
a Downhiller
from Colorado US
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2010
Strengths: Stiff, good spec, abp works, versatile
Weaknesses: Square edge bumps suck, wheel path does not allow this bike to hold speed.
Bottom Line:
This bike has been great in almost every situation except holding speed on square edge hits. The new valving in the 2011 bikes may help out with the square edge compliance. Just hit the mushroom drop at moab, felt perfect. Climbs well, and descends even better. Extremely fun bike!
Similar Products Used: transistion bottlerocket, sx trail, kona stinky
Bike Setup: stock except for a different seatpost
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jibro
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2010
Strengths: Pedals Well, Light Weight, Stiff Frame, Great Suspension, can be ridden in any terrain. Easy build once correct parts were found.
Weaknesses: Cable Routing (Front derailleur cable runs under top tube), all else is solid. Spendy but worth it.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! I have a Heckler that has 5.75 inches travel and a DHR that gets 8.5 inches of travel. I would ride the heckler for all day riding and break out the DHR for the shuttle and lift action. This bike pedals better than my heckler going up and plows like my DHR on the way down. Living in Phoenix, I ended up setting the suspension a bit far off from Trek's recommendations, also I felt the down tube needed some added protection from the rocky desert mountains. A call to Lizard Skins for a sheet of their carbon leather covered the underside of the down tube nicely. Both the shock and fork were easy to set up and adjust on the trail, every click of adjustment made a difference in trail feel. I might sell my other two bikes and keep this little gem as "The One". Time will tell.
Jump, Drop, Climb, DH the Scratch will do it all. (180mm Talas is friggin' awesome!...but that's another review)
