Submitted by
timwalden5
a Weekend Warrior
from Conyers, Ga, USA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2008
Strengths: light, stiff, very nimble handling, climbs really well, good looking bike
Weaknesses: not the lightest out there (3.25lbs for 18" frame), paint chips easily
Bottom Line:
Good, solid ride. Not built so light I'd be afraid to jump it, ride is pleasant despite being such a stiff platform. I've raced it a couple times and it is my first choice for sprint laps.
Similar Products Used: old Mongoose ('95) chromoly HT, Nashbar 853 HT
Bike Setup: RaceFace Deus crank and cockpit, Shimano XT deraileurs, SRAM Attack shifters, Rockshox Duke XC fork, Mavic Crossmax wheelset with ceramic braking surfaces, Avid 7 v-brakes and levers, Thomson layback seatpost.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Duluth, MN
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2008
Strengths: Very stiff frame while maintaining light weight. Full XTR drivetrain works awesome. Anodized silver finish looks really nice and stays that way with years of use. Didn't think I would like the Sid fork, but it is better than I expected.
Weaknesses: I hate the Thomson lay-back post. Please start specing all new models with straight posts. V-Brakes just don't work as well as discs.
Bottom Line:
This hard-tail is anodized, and spec'ed with the minimum goods to get the job done. It ends up being light, stiff, and cool with its white Sid fork. I keep thinking I'll sell it because my suspension bikes work better, but I end up keeping it due to the excess weight, spongy suspension, and flexible frames of other designs. Is a hard-tail better than full suspension? Not really, but it sure is more fun to ride in certain situations, such as when its dry and you don't need discs, and when your fitness is peaking and your body can soak up the abuse dished out by the lack of suspension. Riding a 22lb hardtail climbing machine vs a 31lb 5" travel can make you feel like a guided trail missle in certain situations. It feels super fast and very responsive. If you don't like the characteristics of your full suspension bike, keep a hardtail in your collection of bikes to ride when the conditions are right. A really light hardtail is really fun to ride.
Similar Products Used: 1997 Trek Y33. 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1. 2006 Iron Horse MK III Expert.
Bike Setup: Changed to a straight Thomson post. Changed to Mavic Crossmax SL's with ceramic braking surface, put Stan's sealant in the tires. Changed to a generic carbon riser bar. Changed to a WTB Rocket V SLT saddle.
Strengths: Armonia total en su geometría, rigidez torsional extraordinaria, super ligera, alta maniobrabilidad.
Weaknesses: Ninguna
Bottom Line:
Una maravilla tecnológica, es super ligera sin los inconvenientes de las bicicletas hechas de carbon. Proporciona una alta maniobrabilidad, extraordinaria para aquellos que disfrutan de los ascensos prolongados ya que no se desaprovecha en ningún momento el esfuerzo que se transmite al eje pedalier, los cambios duales proporcionan rapidez y presición en cada una de las marchas lo que es indispensable al momento de la competición, los frenos V-Brake ligeros y poderosos proporcionan la seguridad que se requiere en el XC Country, dinámica en su bajada sin problemas en pendientes de hasta 60%. Una bicicleta de sueño para todos los amantes del XC Country.
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, TX
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2006
Strengths: Everything. Mine isnt completely stock but stock is still pretty much bomb proof. Power is a direct transfer, you even flinch like you want to go and it takes off. Dual air lock out fork is awesone too. Lots of folks really love the FOX forks (me included) but I have to say I really love this one. On the go compression adjustment is so cool for me because I have some trails that get really hairy and then totally flat and then hairy again. Rock Shox has been around forever, they know how to build a fork.
Weaknesses: None. Its an s-works people, enough said.
Bottom Line:
Get one. You will want to make a spot next to you in bed for it at night, i am considering asking my girlfriend to sleep on the couch.
The bike rips. I've got over 600 miles on it and 10 races within the past 4 months. It climbs amazingly well, its an XL-21" and I've got it at 21.7 lbs (with the suspension post). Its been deadly reliable and I can ride it all day. I don't believe I'll ever go back to FS.
Bike Setup: SRAM x.o, Easton CNT, Speeddream wheels, Stans, Karma DTCs, Selle Italia SLR, Nitro Pro susp post, XT cranks, Eggbeater SLs, Avid mechanical discs.
Strengths: Lightweight package tipped in at 22.8 lbs with pedals.. superb componentry especially xtr and fox shock.. super fast climbing and shifting.
Weaknesses: Anodized finish is nice however the stickers on the top bar partially rubbed off on my second ride not a huge deal but aggrevating considering the price...
Bottom Line:
Super fast bike with the best componentry you can buy.. Not alot of $$$ if you consider whats on this bike XTR drivtrain, XTR shifters and brakes, Mavic rims etcc.. The fox f80x with intertia valve dampening is one of the nicest forks you can buy no playing with it just set it once and your on your way... I highly recommend this bike to anyone serious about getting in the woods and riding.. For a hardtail it is a great ride and likely faster, lighter and cheaper than anything comparable in a full suspension
Bike Setup: All Stock what could you possibly change? Speedplay frog pedals (titanium) which are also great
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Submitted by
Kevin Timmons
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane Wa USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004
Strengths: Stiff, fast, light. Climbs likes a goat. Good service, upgrade from M2 to M5 for $700!
Weaknesses: Paint chips easily. Don't know if I would have shelled out the $1400 for a non-replacement.
Bottom Line:
Love this bike! Set up as a XC racer. If you want all your energy going to the ground, this is the bike for you. This bike has had the #$*& beat out of it for 2 years. Has not failed me at all. Was worried about the metal matrix stuff having been a steel rider for years. But it has been very reliable and tough. Not afraid to knock this around the rocks. Although the paint looks a bit rough.
Weaknesses: Paint job chips easily & Welding is not Santa Cruz standard (i.t.o. smoothness and looks) (US built vs. Taiwan, ROC built?)
Bottom Line:
This is the best hardtail I have ever ridden. I've borrowed the bike to three other people for a few miles, and guess what? Two guys have already placed orders!
The most outstanding thing is the stiffness of the frame,do check the geometry (if you like the Kona feel - long top - you'll like this bike) before you buy.
Buy this bike if you are into racing or likes the efficiency of a hardtail. I also have a Santa Cruz Blur, which is much better at trail riding, but no match for what the S-works intend to be.
Strengths: SUH-WEEEEET!!! Man, this thing does everything extremely well. Highly recommend, I highly recomment any hard tail if you're racing and need instant "throttle response." The industry keeps pushing full suspension, which serve their place, but hard tails offer so much more. This bike climbs like one of Lance's boys, it descends with confidence and sprints like Super Mario!! It's really an amazing ride. I can't get over the climbing ability, out of the saddle at any moment and it's solid, try that with a FS and you'll quickly be sitting back down as people ride away from you.
Weaknesses: I'd say the paint job needs some additional love. It seems to chip, flake in the vulnerable areas, I guess to be expected, but then again after dropping $3,000 bones, maybe not. I can't complain about component choice, just sway out what you don't like, it's personal preferance anyway.
Bottom Line:
In this price range, you have a few quality choices. I never saw myself as a Specialized kind of dude, but after a test ride I was sold. I always went with the more "boutique" type builders but I see the upside to semi-mass produced bikes. It's truly a sweet, competent ride a few tweaks on the components and you're golden. Give it a shot before looking at the Litespeeds, Kleins, Ellsworths. Peace, Tom
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain, Klein, Trek high-end hardtails and full suspension.
Bike Setup: Swapped Race Face XY post, Race Face Deus Stem (lower and longer), Easton carbon bars, King headset, that's about it.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin County, California
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2004
Strengths: Best hardtail I've ever ridden, awesome looks (i have the anodized silver frame), very rigid but yet not too rough at all, perfect geometry
Weaknesses: NONE BEST BIKE EVER
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. This is the best hardtail I have ever ridden. Perfect handling, awesome looks, and incredibly light weight (22 lbs!!!). I am a cross country racer and this bike is the ultimate cross country racing bike with the sid world cup and its ultra lightweight. The XTR works flawlessly. This bike is very expensive but is in the same league of hardtails as other much more expensive ones. This is an awesome bike
Similar Products Used: Specialized stumpjumper pro HT, Tomac Taos, Trek 9.8
Bike Setup: Full XTR (v-brakes), easton carbon seatpost and handlebars, easton stem, mavic 517 rims, sid world cup
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Submitted by
biron keefer
a Racer
from indian harbour beach fl usa
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2004
Strengths: fantastic hardtail, super smoothe,30 years of building mountainbikes has paid off
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
a killer hardtail way more reponsive than my epic. yeah it beats you up a bit , but with stans tubeless wheels run at low pressure it works great. if your gonna go fast ride a hardtail...
