Bike Setup: alexrims dx32, dj3 130mm, el north2 gruop, raceface krank
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Submitted by
Sid Slotegraaf
a
from Listowel, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2004
Strengths: Excellent components, good rims, sweet handlebar and stem, etc.
Weaknesses: Definately the frame. I'm on my third flow frame, true story. I broke my Flow 24 grey frame after 3 months, got a custom painted yellow Flow frame (had to wait over 5 weeks for it to get to Ontario from B.C.) it broke after almost 2 months, and now they sent me a white Flow 3.0 frame which is supposed to be stronger. This frame only took a week and a half though. (both frames broke where the head tube meets the downtube, right on the weld!) I don't understand why Rocky Mountain would design such a crappy "freeride hardtail" and still not have a gusset plate upfront. I don't even ride my bike all that hard, I don't understand why it keeps breaking. I also cracked the front quick release axle.
Bottom Line:
Flow handles really nice but it needs a little more beef and it should have a 20mm axle upfront. Rocky Mountain really needs to improve its construction of this frame, there must be a lot of guys out there breaking these frames. (I'm 15 and I weigh about 135 lbs.)
Bike Setup: drop off II, nokian gazza lodi jr. 2.6", sram chain, gears.
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Submitted by
Sid Slotegraaf
a Downhiller
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004
Strengths: Sturdy Bike, gives you confidence. Tires forgiving, and it is not as heavy as it looks. It is an easy bike to handle, short wheel base and, well, it is a small 15" frame. It is excellently spec'd - good handlebars, stem, rims, cranks, drivetrain, brakes, etc.
Weaknesses: Disk brakes didn't work for first few weeks, but I brought it to the bike store and they said someone put lube on them so I got them rotors cleaned and new pads, but this has nothing to do with the bike.
Went downhilling for an afternoon at Blue Mountain and I got lost so I took a ski hill down. It was all washed out from the rain and it was very steep. I lost control on the first few washed out ditches and I bombed it down the hill. It scared the crap out of me but I didn't crash. I got home and I noticed a crack on the frame where the head tube meets the down tube, and the crack spread so now I am getting a new frame for free.
Bottom Line:
This is a good hardtail. It is good for me for dirt jumping, trials, drops and freeride, but then again I have never owned a trials bike or a full suspension freeride bike. Everyday I ride this bike to work, (15 km of road, but I love it because I take my time and I hit everthing I can in town.) I'll give this bike 5 flamin' chili's because I really enjoy riding it, it is excellently spec'd, and there is a brand new frame coming for me in the mail.
(If I had my bike I'd be riding, not typing this thing out.)
Similar Products Used: Brother's flow, friend's sasquatch, friend's devinci hucker.
Bike Setup: I Switched the fork from DJIII to Drop off II and the tires to Nokian Gazza Loddi Jr. before I bought the bike. Have Deore derailler on it now because I landed on my LX too much and it had too much play in it to function properly.
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Submitted by
Ian Brown
a Downhiller
from Sacramento, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2004
Strengths: Strong as hell! Well speced for a off the shelf bike, and you can get a deal on the 24" because not too many folks are too hot to it.
Weaknesses: Something's goofy with my DJIII, lots of stick. The guy at the Sea Otter from Marzocchi was "too busy" to deal with customers, so I am not too stoked with them right now. The 24" Mobsters don't hold a corner for crap on the DS, and they are a might bit soft for 'round town too.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I ride it all over town, and it handles like a tank, which is good for a guy pushing 240lbs. It would be nice if it came with a chain guide (it needs it), better hubs and a 20mm front end, but for the price that's too much to ask.
Its a good all around bike. It commutes well in the city, lays down big drops on the way home from school and work, and bounces back like a champ from bad drops.
Submitted by
Joey Conlon
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississagi
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004
Strengths: Excellent, I was a bit sketchy with the Dj3's but they turned out teh perfect match
Weaknesses: I havent found any yet
Bottom Line:
Awsome bike for the price, You can whip it around like a rag doll and it's very light considering the size of the tubing on teh frame. Components are top of the line in my standard. Hydraulic Hayes Alex Rims Titec Bars FsA headset awsome bike. If ur into Urban and DJ take a look at the Flow 24 awsome bike
