Submitted by
trail killer
a Weekend Warrior
from Thun Switzerland
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2009
Strengths: Very strong frame
geometry for me is the best I have ridden
bontreger earl parts
hayes hydraulic brakes (a little loud but have had no prob)
Weaknesses: Manitou splice fork Is way to soft for someone my size and it flexes side to side I hate it. Trade it out if you can.Im going to ASAP.
Bottom Bracket Used it till it died after 1 year then replaced it with a down hill version .
The wellgo pedals died about the same time so upgraded to NS bikes leg eaters (NICE)
Bottom Line:
I have used the bitter every day for 1 and a half years to ride back and forth to work ( 10 mi round trip). I go for rides about every weekend including street and single track.
I have even hit up the dirt jump park a few times and even though the bitter is no Specialized P3 it still holds up And Im kind of a big guy 6 foot 220lbs. But don't think its gonna fly like a dirt jump bike ,it wont.But fun none the less.Im more into single track and that's where the bitter shines, it handles like a dream. It will take anything a trail can dish out ,high speed 4 foot drop offs no prob. weaving in and out of the trees no prob.
flying off the trail and tumbling down the hill about 30 ft painful for me but just scratched the paint on the bitter
So the bottom line is I love this bike. It loves trails and is also happy on the street jumping curbs riding wheelies bunny hopping over what ever. I would and have recommended it
When something goes out upgrade it! by the way i would have given it 5 points but the fork just sucks
Similar Products Used: Just your every day mountain bikes
but nothing SIMILAR to the bitter
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Submitted by
RTK
a Downhiller
from Williamsburg, VA US
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2009
Strengths: Strong frame!
Weaknesses: Forks bottom out easy. Tires, Rims & Cranks were the first to go.
I find the handlebars and the stem are weak and have some flex on hard landings.
Bottom Line:
I like the bike, but found when hitting the bowls the tail end is alittle on the heavy side. I will be changing out the gears to a single, and smaller rims for better agility on the bowls, splines, grinding, and ramps.
Overall, the frame is strong and will take a beating.
Strengths: Strong frame, grips, metal end caps, shifters, hubs
Weaknesses: Manitou Splice sucks balls. super soft new but felt good for the 2 weeks before it broke. Sent it back and got a new one which broke a month later. brakes suck for hydros, why even call them hydros, they feel like mx4s or some other wannabe hydros. rims have too much flex, tires lose tread fast. pedals have freakin huge pins that have killed my shins numerous times. bars are too long had them cut and are fine
Bottom Line:
get this bike for mild dj but not drops. i dh now but occasionally use it for dj when im bored. MUCH better if u upgrade the fork and brakes
Similar Products Used: gary fisher opie pretty much same thing but with crappier components and no disc brakes!
Bike Setup: pretty much custom!
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Submitted by
Rick Kania
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2008
Strengths: Its hard for me to find a bike that fits me, but the Bitter has the amazing G2 geometry and the cockpit is unbelievably roomy.
Weaknesses: Fork is HORRIBLE, It bottoms out all the time. This bike likes being pushed to the limits but the fork does not.
Bottom Line:
I've always appreciated the simplicity of hardtails and the Bitter is my favorite one since I've been riding for fun and competition (10 years). For the price you absolutely can not beat what it has to offer. Sure the fork sucks but after a fork swap this bike will take anything you throw at it. Put on some clipless pedals and raise the seat and it is ready for some serious XC. Throw on some platforms and lower the seat and its ready for some urban assault or a day at the dirt jumps, the bike REALLY is THAT versatile!
Bike Setup: Marzocchi All mountain 140mm, Avid 5's, Bontrager DH tubes, 2" Rise 690mm handlebar
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Submitted by
Peter B
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2008
Strengths: Awesome frame, awesome wheels and tires
Weaknesses: Front shocks. I had the 06 with the splice forks. They were way too soft. Poor climbing ability.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike. It would hold up to anything. I had a hard time climbing simple hills. The bike just wants to do wheelies. I have done xc riding a long time, and although this bike is a tremendous value for the money, I took it back and traded it in.
If you are a dh or dj rider, it is the bike for you. Wonderfully fun to ride. I am just too old now to do any drops.
Submitted by
John F.
a Downhiller
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2008
Strengths: Compontry, Strong Frame, Good turning response and great breakes 8 inch front disc and 6 inch back disc
Weaknesses: You have to open the fork to interchange springs because it isnt air
Bottom Line:
Great bike, has a really good feel to it and jumps very well, best bike for the money, although GF didnt make a 08 model so you have to try to get an 07. Its impossbile to break and is hard to damange
Submitted by
Stacy Langford
a Weekend Warrior
from Powell,Tn
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2007
Strengths: Frame,Wheels,Brakes
Weaknesses: Bars,Stem,Headset,Cranks,Fork belongs on a Walmart Bike
Bottom Line:
With a few upgrades this thing is pretty much bullet proof.It can take 2 to 6 foot drops all day.Love it more each time I ride it.Great for beginer or expierenced riders
Bike Setup: Diety 2"rise bars,Race Face Prodigy DH Cranks,CaneCreek Tank Hit headset,BlackSpire 34t front chainring,Truvativ BoxGuide,Manitou Nixon SuperPlus 145mm
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Submitted by
ryan preston
a Cross Country Rider
from ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2007
Strengths: it has good brakes and cranks and i like the handle bars .
Weaknesses: i don't really like the forks. the seat post is too high but u can get it cut down.
