Submitted by
Mikkel
a Weekend Warrior
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005
Strengths: Everything!!
Weaknesses: None!!
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks!! Im soo happy with this bike especially after thinking about quitting. Im all smiles now and can only tell good things about this bike to everyone that want to get the grin back. It goes up, it goes down and will never let u down.
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004
Strengths: No pedal bob from the rear end, Light, Climbs like a goat, Smooth on the drops,
Weaknesses: One chain link is different than the rest and has a tendancy to stick causing it to skip if the chain gets at all dry. I have to carry lube for long rides. Sh1tmano 9 speed hub gets out of tune easily.
Bottom Line:
This bike is awsome. The 5 inches rear travel eats bumps & drops like my 6" K2 did.
Similar Products Used: Spacialized enduro, Norco fluid,
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mountain Scooter
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004
Strengths: Frame/suspension. True point and shoot frame, inspires confidence. Plush smooth travel.
Weaknesses: Race Face cranks. Problems shifting from midring to small ring, required multiple front derailluer adjustments. Deore shifter pods, one indicator froze and stopped moving, replaced with new. Rear derailler cable housing too short, cracked and broke, replaced with new. Hutchinson Mosquito's pack with mud easily and don't offer the best traction. Added shims to Hayes disk brake mount to correct disk/brake rub on front.
Bottom Line:
Great all-mountain bike. Great fork and rear shock. Prefer the plush feel of the Fox Float compared to the Manitou SPV. Balance and handling are uncanny.
Weaknesses: lower end components, but i bought the bike for the frame, parts can be upgraded later if i feel the need to lighten it up or fine tune it.
Bottom Line:
I sold my GF Sugar to buy this bike, I was worried that I might have regrets but I really dont have a single one. The bike is fun fun fun to ride. It is an ideal trail bike with the higher than xc bottom bracket and 5" travel. The top tube is shorter than most and the bike sits high. I am on a 16.5" frame at 5'6" and ride in a pretty upright postition which is great for the type of riding I do. My one concern was that the bike wouldnt climb well (coming from the sugar) but i gotta say, I have not had any problems climbing on it, just move forward on the seat, crouch down and pedal. The front end stays down an the bike climbs. Decending is great, WAY better than my sugar, and rocks/roots/drops/logs come a hell of a lot easier. Bike was pretty expensive but the way I see it, I got a very high end frame on a rready to ride bike for less $$ than a Turner, Intense, or Santa Cruz frame alone. For me it's been worth it
Submitted by
James Russell
a Cross Country Rider
from Freeport
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004
Strengths: Silky smooth, efficient climber, gobbles up all in your way. I did not think this "all mountain" bike would fly, I was wrong. Being a bigger rider, I went for the slightly longer travel beefy slayer, being dissappointed by lighter XC FS bikes in the past. The thing is an absolute caddilac when you want it to be with the porsche hidden beneath it's skin. It just plain rocks
Weaknesses: None, maybe it's too damn pretty.
Bottom Line:
Decent parts pick for the dough, the thing is just perfect. Buy it if you REALLY want a "do it all" bike.
