Last year's 515 frame benefited from Easton ultra light aluminum, but this year's 516H bears even more greatness with Leader's proprietary UAL aerospace wonder aluminum. No other MTB hardtail is so innovative in the way it handles the trail with its nearly independent hind legs ready to jump or sprint the ups and downs you feed it. This is the epitome of lightening the load while staying loaded.
Submitted by
stockegsix
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2011
Strengths: Frame feels solid and very well built. It is light weight, an extremely fast frame and an excellent climber as well. ZERO Complains. This is one good looking frame
Weaknesses: Paint easily chips, but can easily be tolerable.
Bottom Line:
This is my very first ever bike build and turned out to be the best MTB to date for me. I had a cannondale, K2, specialized, Giant and back to K2 and so far this Leader build beats all of them. I built this bike on a budget using some spare parts I had. Even though weight wasn't such a factor because of the components I was recycling, the bike still tip the scale at 27lbs. The wheels/tires/hub/rotors/cassette were 10lbs alone.
Bike Setup: Leader ld-516, Manitou black comp fork, shimano deore Lx components, Avid brakes.
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Submitted by
mattfromohio
a Weekend Warrior
from Crooked City, OH
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2011
Strengths: Light. Stiff. Excellent geometry. Good climbing and acceleration. Very stable at high speeds. Looks good despite being white.
Weaknesses: Not a product weakness, but a dealer weakness. People at BlueSky were not helpful. I ordered the black frame and 3 days later got an email that there was a "minor issue" with my order. I called them and they said they only had the white frames in stock. No discount offered, no free shipping, not even an apology. Even worse, they offered no information on the headset spec so I ended up with the wrong one, then the jerk on the phone blamed me. Went to the LBS and got what I needed- sent the other one back 3rd class mail.
Bottom Line:
This is a great frame. Too bad you can only get it from BlueSky Cycling, and maybe only in white. Overall rating 5 for the frame 1 for the service- averages out to a 3.
Similar Products Used: Giant XTC, GT XCR, some crappy K2
Bike Setup: Leader 516H, old Judy SL 115, Sram X7, BB5s, Sun Ringle Equalizers, Panaracer Fire XC Pros
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Submitted by
sharpe351
a Weekend Warrior
from Apopka, FL
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008
Strengths: Well built, flexes just a little. I love the rigidity of the frame and the light weight for offroad. Good starter for someone getting into it without alot of dough.
Weaknesses: Some weird flexing on blacktop going fast. Odd landing characteristics for a rigid.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, frame actually fits me (6'4"+ and 270 lbs). Durability is certainly a factor I consider when purchasing things like this, but I took a chance just seeing the price. The bike assembles easy, and noone seemed to mention that Leader gives you fresh "el cheapo" cables with their new frame. After I purchased the frame I had to order the FSA headset from them too, mainly 'cause I didn't have one laying around. I'm a big guy, and I abuse bikes by shear force alone. Heavy guys aren't supposed to jump bikes, but so far so good. I do like the semi-flat black. Graphics are ok too. GREAT price considering the used crap on ebay for $500. Bike is kinda like an old timex, take a licking and keeps on ticking. I'd like to ride alot more than I do, but weekends will have to do for now.
Favorite Trail: anything available, and relatively local
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At: Leader ebay store (c
Similar Products Used: ancient G.F. hardtail abused and broken repeatedly, Specialized Rockhopper, and a few cheapies here and there
Bike Setup: 7spd, husselfelt crankset 22/32, RockShox J4 w/ lockout. front cable-op disc. rear brakes are canti's scavenged from old parts, but work great.
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Submitted by
JesseHell
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo,NY
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008
Strengths: Light and cheap
Weaknesses: Frame strength, paint
Bottom Line:
Broke downtube at base of headtube gusset weld after 2 seasons of xc riding. Paint chips rather easily
Bike Setup: marzochi,truvativ, race face, hayes, azonic, wtb, maxxis
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Submitted by
Derick
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008
Strengths: Very light and strong frame. It is easier to handle and and makes it easier to climb hills.
Bottom Line:
This is a great frame for the cost and you can not go wrong with it. With the light weight of the frame, it is easier to handle and climb hills. Great for cross country riding and you will have a all around great ride.
Similar Products Used: Ironhorse warrior comp and K2
Bike Setup: M760 XT front der., M761 XT rear der., M760 hollowtech crankset, M760 XT cassette 11-32, M760 XT shifters 2 way release shifting, crankbrothers eggbeater peddals, J1 rockshox 100m forks, fsa carbon fiber handle bars, ditch witch sun rims with oem specialized hubs and dt swiss spokes, set of panaracer fire xc pro 2.1 tires and avid juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes.
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Submitted by
Sarcos
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2008
Strengths: +lightweight +cool graphics +race-inspired geometry +laterally stiff for uphills
Weaknesses: -zero stack headset limits your choices -comes only in black (would like to see Red & White like the 510H) -paint wears/chips very easily -cable routing is poor for front and rear der. -can collect water inside the tubing pretty easily -the threads for BB and waterbottles can be poorly aligned
Bottom Line:
I understand that overbuilt headtubes are for rigidity but the zerostack headset really limits your options when it come to buying a headset. I guess this wouldn't be such a bad thing if the gusset welds at the head tube were more even and cleaner...you get what you pay for though.
Bottom line, buy this frame because you can't go wrong. It's priced so reasonably you be dumb not to throw one together, especially for SS riding and racing.
It climbs like a champ and has plenty of size options. Descending can be teeth-chattering as the low weight can really toss you around. I'd definitely go with beefier wheels and tires if you're gonna go SS to keep you on the right line and reduce how often you get deflected off obstacles. This bike really excels with a fork no longer than 105mm.
I just wish it was more durable as a frame. It gets rubbed and scratched pretty dang easily. I find myself having to baby it like it was a $1500 carbon frame. Whatever though, go kill it, it's a mtb.
Similar Products Used: Kona, specialized, norco, and azonic
Bike Setup: Mavic 223 rims laced to a woodman front hub and a forumla rear hub with '04 marzocchi bomber with ETA. Carbon flat bars with carbon bar tape as grips, ea70 stem, SDG seat post with carbon I-Fly saddle
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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint James, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2007
Strengths: Strong, stiff, responsive
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I built this bike up from parts I had. With the Kona P2 added as an experiment this bike is light and fast. It climbs better than my cannondales ever did. Best bike I ever had.
Similar Products Used: Specialized stumpjumper fsr
Bike Setup: XT front and rear deralliuor, 07 marzocchi xc bomber, weirwolfe tires, xtr cassette, act carbon handlebars, and sdg seat and seatpost
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Submitted by
John B
a Cross Country Rider
from Bellingham
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2007
Strengths: great response, comfortable ride and good overall climber
Weaknesses: getting product info on exact spec for future upgrades is a bit of a chore, just need some patience.
Bottom Line:
using this frame for an evolving cyclocross rig, it is a great frame for it, with the right rims, carbon fork, and gear set up it does great on the pavement and it responsiveness and handling come through on the dirt
Similar Products Used: specialized allez,redline conquest
Bike Setup: using this frame for an evolving cyclocross rig, it is a great frame for it, with the right rims, carbon fork, and gear set up it does great on the pavement and it responsiveness and handling come through on the dirt
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Submitted by
Jared
a Cross Country Rider
from Nipomo CA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2007
Strengths: Light, sturdy, and flexible rear fork that allows you to flex your way through trails
Weaknesses: Have yet to find one
Bottom Line:
This bike is not only light but is very maneuverable. Tracks well, and allows you to put together an extremely nice bike for an extremely good price. But the frame in the picture on mtbr isn't the current 516-H, the new one looks even better.
Bike Setup: XT/LX, Avid BB7 disks, Magura Asgard, Leader riser bar and FSA headset, IRC Mythos tires
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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2006
Strengths: Strong, stiff, light frame. Price! Well crafted. Like the geometry.
Weaknesses: This is a 2006 frame. Jet black. Haven't found any yet.
Bottom Line:
I "settled" for this frame after going through some serious FS lusting. Just couldn't spring for the Titus MotoLite frame and afford components, too. The price on this frame conviced me to built my own bike and still come under price for most of the good HTs from Trek, Kona, Gary Fisher, etc. The reviews here on MTBR gave me the confidence to proceed.
Now I've ridden it hard from July-Oct. We have some very technical XC here in York, ME on Mt Aggy and water district lands. I need to tweak the bike after every ride, which would be the case no matter what is underneath me - the trails are that rocky, muddy. The Leader frame takes it all in stride. I would put this HT up against any other out there. I cannot comment on service because I haven't had to use it and doubt I ever will. This is one tough frame.
I got the 19". I'm 6 foot, 170 lbs. It fits me like a glove. I had some initial concerns about how twitchy the steering was. The 120mm fork is a bit longer than what it's designed to take. The epiphany came after I switched from a 120mm stem to the 105mm FSA - it's a whole new bike now. The twitchyness is gone, replaced by really quick steering and excellent carving at speed.
It does bounce around a lot in the rock gardens, but wouldn't any HT? The great thing about the Leader is I can completely control the back end as it's deflected and get traction back. It's very light, nimble, and can be flicked around. I weigh in at about 27.5 lbs, but could definitely shave a few pounds from lighter tires, XTR cluster, lighter fork.
I completely recommend this frame, especially based on the value, but would suggest you also strongly consider Leader's 626 FS frame, based on your suspension needs. It is also a GREAT value. While I have not ridden it, it's geometry is nearly identical to the 516, so I believe it would have the same wonderful characteristics and 4 inches travel in the back to boot.
Similar Products Used: Yokota Yosemite Pro (an old bike with nice Columbus frame upgraded components, but couldn't run disks )-:)
Bike Setup: XT cranks, X9 and X-Gen derailleurs, Avid BB7 160mm disks, carbon post, WTB Laser V saddle, FSA XC115 stem (105mm), Hellbent bar, Marzocchi MX Pro 120mm fork, Deore hubs, SPD pedals, Rhyno Lite rims, WTB MotoRaptor 2.4 treads
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Submitted by
Mike Dominkowitz
a Weekend Warrior
from Hutto, TX 78634
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006
Strengths: The frame is amazing especially for the money. Light as can be at 3.5 lbs Great geometry. Bought the street sign yellow, Eye catcher. Great customer service at Leader. Talk to Sal
Weaknesses: What weaknesses? This bike is great.......
Bottom Line:
I can't say enough good things about this bike. WIth everything, including downhill cranks and a heavy wheelset, I am sub 28lbs. I can shve some lbs, with a new fork, wheelset, and lighter crank, but this bike is so smooth. I have several friends that are looking into a leader frame now. These are experianced riders, that know their stuff. I very highly recomend buying a leader frame. You can not go wrong. $89.00 Check your couch and buy one. If you are materialistic don't buy this bike not a household name YET
Similar Products Used: Haro V1 I know, I was talked into it, but turned out to be a good beginner bike.
Bike Setup: Leader carbon handlebars, FSA headset, Race face stem, grips, and cranks, (Evolve XC), Avid break levers, sram X-7 Shifters, Hayes disc brakes, Shimano XT front and rear derailer, Mavic 221 wheelset, with WTB Wearwolf 2.1 tires. Leader seatpost, Salsa quick release seat clamp, WTB chromoly saddle, and Rock Shox Judy xc fork, I know I need to change this.
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Submitted by
drew martin
a Weekend Warrior
from cape carteret north carolina
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2006
Strengths: -PRICE. -Strength. -Weight. -Geometry: very nice for my build and style of riding. (I am 6'3 but have short legs/height ratio) -Believe it or not at this price it is great quality- no need to re-face BB threads, and when strung the alignment is well within reasonable parameters (best I can tell using tape measure).. -Stiff, and I mean stiff seat stays (I'm 250lbs+)no noodling -I thought it would be a weakness, but the shorter top tube actually lends well to tracking and provides (at least to me) more fluid weight transition when I tackle even the tricky obstacles. -The geometry places my arse closer to the center of the rear wheel, and allows me a lot more responsive control "pickin up" and "skippin" the back end through technical sections (especialy those silly root fields, I can pick the high line at first, then "skip" transition to the low line half-way through without as much effort; this seems trivial I know but it sure was surprising and made hitting those areas quicker and more fun).. - Oh yeah. I stress PRICE again!
Weaknesses: -Can't remove the darn v-bosses from the seat stay -Can't run tires larger than 2.35 -160 or 180mm rear disc, had to lose the 203mm because of rub -Paint chips easily, but who cares? -Ordered the Blue which is closer to purple, hence the reason I could care less about chipping paint. BTW I tried to pressure wash (3500psi) the purple crap off, but it seems only to be vulnerable to rocks....imagine that?...damn it...
Bottom Line:
I thought I would take a chance on this frame- thinking $90 would in a worst case scenario provide me another back-up... Well I was wrong. I only have one hard ride on this thing so far but I am excited enough to rush to this review. I have frames that cost +/= 1k that do not hold a candle to this one (so sorry Jamis, C-dale, K2, Specialized, Kona, but it is true). I have built the thing up myself using pretty much top shelf components off of other bikes. I have about $1100 total in it at this point (most items bought at discount, msrp would place it around 2k). I now have a bike that scales out at under 27lbs and can challenge bikes in the elite hard tail catagory- no kidding at all. I run a loop of 5.6 miles under time regularly, and when I trailed this rig I shaved almost 4 minutes off of previous runs. FOUR MINUTES. I attribute this to the easy, crisp and sharp handling characteristics. I was a little worried at first because I thought the frame dimensions may create a learning curve (see strenghts)- within the first 1/2 mile and a couple logs, bridges, hills , rock gardens and root fields later I opened up the throttle with absolute (and new found) confidence. It is unbelievable how much difference a bike that fits makes...by the end of that first run I was touching scary speeds, and carving into banks almost latteraly (probably not, but it felt that way) I was absolutly shocked this was happening on such an unknown and seemingly bargain frame. I am still a little shocked. At the end of the ride my knees, back, and lungs felt like I was goofing off and not riding hard, but a look at the clock confirmed my flight time. I knew I was scootin'! BTW- I could easily drop it to 24lbs, but I don't see why. It is for Christ sake $90... You can build a class act bike in the 2-3k OEM catagory for less than 1k if you are clever about it. DO IT. And enjoy the fact you built your bike yourself while you pass the snooty bunch!
Similar Products Used: I am way too embarrased to say, Let it suffice to say too many and many bucks later.....
Bike Setup: Kenda 2.35, sunrims rhino, zokie mx pro air 120mm, avid bb7 (203mm front, 160mm rear) shimmy hollowtech cranks and BB, SRAMx7 front and rear with triggers, easton monkeybar and stem, cane creek z6 headset, thompson lay-back seat tube (intent here was to off-set the shorter top tube, but don't need it)
