Submitted by
Veda
a Cross Country Rider
from Indonesia Date Reviewed: April 6, 2010
Favorite Trail:
Melimbra
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Super frame. Stiff with racing geometry and cheaper than Giant XTC Advanced frame. X9 shifter is awesome without the unnecessary cost of the X0. The Reba SL fork is sufficiently light. The stock Scott handlebar is also surprisingly just as light as some carbon bars.
Weaknesses:
Juicy 3.5 brakes while strong are problematic since the pad clearance is too narrow and there is no way to adjust the pad contact. Truvative crank is heavier than cheaper Shimanos. Wheels need replacing with something lighter but the overall weight of the full bike for stock is already amazing for the price.
Similar Products Used:
Many
Bike Setup:
Bought stock 2009 model then replaced everything except for the brakes with top parts.
Bottom Line:
Unbeatable carbon hardtail for the money. 4 stars because a 5 star would be the perfect bike which probably doesn't exist until you get to the $5000 range.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
frezdin
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: April 12, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Favourite Cyles, Man
Strengths:
Light weigh, stiff (and tough!) frame, good value.
Weaknesses:
Some of the components are not at quite the same standard as the frame could justify.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Cindercone
Bike Setup:
Standard 9009 model out of the box.
Bottom Line:
A really good value hardtail for someone that wants a really good value cross country hardtail. It's light and stiff giving a really responsive ride. Because of this I've found that it opened up new options on the trail, with the ability to just put the wheels where you want them, even if this is on the other side of the trail!!
Moving to a carbon frame seems to have improved comfort as a lot of the noise (such as road noise or drive train noise) is damped out by the frame. Comparing this back to aluminum dualies the difference is quite noticeable. That is, the carbon cuts out the high frequency end of the spectrum (such as road noise), which can get uncomfortable, but transmits the low frequency (associated with sizable bumps and obstacles) quite efficiently giving a stiff and responsive feeling. Aluminum dualies I've tries have felt like they gave exactly the opposite spectral behavior. The carbon frame seems at least as tough as aluminum equivalents, if not more so. The aversion that is out there to carbon frames does not seem justified.
The choice of components represents (including the forks) good value, as it is spec'ed at a level where you are getting a high level of performance, but avoiding the extra cost associated with the top of the line parts. For example, Avid Juicy 3s and X9 shifters are really most of what the Juicy 5s and X0 are, but also avoid that extra cost premium. Unless you really need that extra bit of performance that more expensive components provide, dropping down one or two levels as done on this bike is a good decision.
In terms of specific components, giving the front brake a 185 mm rotor is a much appreciated step up in performance! The forks seem plenty stiff enough to match the frame so certainly round out the package nicely.
Overall it is quite a specific cross country bike, and will suit anyone that wants a good cross county bike well. Sticking with a hard tail at this level give very good value for money, and for a lot of conditions the move to a carbon frame will give better comfort as compared to dual suspension. For example, over hardpack, in urban conditions or for out of the saddle riding this bike is particularly strong.
More aggressive racers will probably already be looking at something more expensive, less experienced riders probably wont be able to justify the extra cost, and some people will just be better suited to a dualie anyway. But if your looking at this bike I've found it does what is says is will and there's a good chance that it will suit you well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
holmi
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: July 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Gap Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
Cyclelogical
Strengths:
Value for money, top looks & quality components - I'm a Shimano fan!
Weaknesses:
Flat bar not my preference & LX 32T cassette (everyting else is XT?)
Similar Products Used:
I have a Giant Anthem 1 2007
Bike Setup:
Popped my Chris King / Mavic 819 UST wheelset on this sweet bike - the red hubs enhance the bling. Changed the flat bar for riser & short stem (same as set up as the Sparke) & changed the cassette to XT 34T.
Bottom Line:
When I first took this baby out I thought it had a motor compared to my Anthem. It really accellerates & climbs - I suppose like a hard tail should. I have had hard tails in the past, but this one feels more agile & has killer looks.
The new Fox fork does the job up front & the XT bits keep it all moving along & stopping. The riser bar increased my confidence on decents & the XT cassette provides a better range & a lower gear for middle ring climbing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SCT_62
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any hilly XC trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Lonsdale St Cyclery,
Strengths:
High quality components and frame.
Rapid acceleration.
Great hill climber.
Very stable on descents.
Weaknesses:
None as yet
Similar Products Used:
Norco nitro hardtail - good bike
Bike Setup:
Scott Scale 35 hardtail - standard set up
Bottom Line:
5 out of 5 for XC trail riding.
5 out of 5 for XC racing.
5+ out of 5 for hill climbing.
XT brakes are powerful, quiet and smooth.
Fox forks are strong and light.
Frame is very well made - it transfers all the power from the pedal strokes - probably explains the acceleration you feel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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