Submitted by
Purt
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2010
Strengths: The frame is awesome! It flies, doesn't matter whether you're going up or down. Cruises up hills with ease. Decending is awesome almost feels as if I'm riding a 6inch trail bike.
Weaknesses: As everyone else says paint. The paint chips easily. Even in saying that I haven't had to many chips. But seriously, with a bike this good it doesn't matter what it looks like I'd buy it again and again.
Bottom Line:
Awesome! I thrash this bike, treat it like it's a 6inch trail bike on the downhills and I'm surprised by how well it has handled it. I don't come back and have sex with it, but I love it to bits. I wouldn't hesitate in buying another one if I had too. Handling is top of the line and is the best I've ridden.
Similar Products Used: Merida, Scott, Mongoose, Kona. Nothing compares though.
Bike Setup: Rocky Mountain Team SC, Full XTR inc wheels, Rock Shox Reba WC, Easton E70 carbon post, RaceFace next bars, Raceface Dues XC stem, Fizik Gobi, Crossmark LUST
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Submitted by
redbeardrider
a Cross Country Rider
from Grande Prairie,AB Canada
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2010
Strengths: Tight fast handling, one of the only XC race bikes I've ever had that I feel totally comfortable hammering corners and descents with my DH inspired XC racing style. I constant blow past people on the downhill end of things. And this bike climbs like no other. Extremely Efficient!
Weaknesses: Thin paint maybe. But not worse than I expected for a purpose build XC race machine.
Bottom Line:
Best bike I've ever owned. Fast, nimble, stiff, and strong.
Similar Products Used: Devinci Moonracer SL4, Giant Trance, Giant Anthem, Rocky Altitude, Santa Cruz Blur XC carbon.
Bike Setup: F-100 RLC w/ remote, Fox RPL shock, King 15mm front King QR w/ stainless drive Hand built to Mavic 717 disc, King BB Headset, XT cranks, X0 shifting X-9/x0 derailleurs, Juicy 7 brakes 185/185mm
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Submitted by
Ranger131
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2009
Strengths: Handling is superb! You can dive into corners on twisty single track with reckless abandon. The bike actually makes you feel like you can fly along rolling terrain. On a long climb that I am typically dropped by the pack on, I was able to blow by the lead rider - something I had never done until riding this bike. The front shock lock out is a superb feature and complements the overall flexibility of the bike. The rear shock allows you to select full suspension, pro pedal or 100% lock out. Note - this test applies to the 2009 Team Element so it has 100mm travel front and back.
The 2009 XTR group is superb.
The handle bar grips actually surprised me as they did not feel all that great in the shop and I had considered switching them out before going on my first ride. Fortunately, I did not switch them as they work extremely well. I have also found that the numb feeling I usually get in my hands and arms has disappeared - I almost feel like I need to make some adjustments so that the bike feels uncomfortable and causes me pain while riding. I have never had a bike that did not make me feel arm fatigue until this one.
I have tried the bike in the mountains by Jasper and also in the Edmonton river valley; through dry, wet and also light snow. It has excelled in all conditions.
This is a truly amazing bike!!!!
Weaknesses: The stock seat is very comfortable but for some reason sticks a bit to my cycle shorts - I am assuming that this will disappear as I ride and the saddle gets broken in more.
Bottom Line:
The bike makes you feel invincible!
This would be an amazing ride for Epic races, 24 hour races, recreational XC and just general riding around with the gang.
If you love to ride everywhere, anytime and like to go both up and down the mountain with ease and at times as fast as possible - then this is the ride for you.
After riding numerous bikes, I can't imagine a more perfect XC bike than this!
Similar Products Used: I have owned a DiamondBack Axis Team Pro for well over a decade. The DB climbs like a mountain goat and is just plain fast (assuming you can handle the rough ride of a fully rigid bike). The Team Element just blows the DB bike away though.
I owned a Santa Cruz Blur for a few years. The Blur had a plush ride and is a very good bike but doesn't climb like the Team Element and feels quite heavy compared. Also, the Blur has some chain kick back which the Team Element does not.
Compared to an Ellsworth Truth, which I raced, the Team Element feels like a rocket ship. The Truth had a very supple ride but compared to the Team Element is very slow.
I have also raced on a Cannondale Scalpel. The Scalpel was pretty quick but not nearly as connected to the trail as the Team Element. Also, the Scalpel does not have nearly the same ability to soak up the rough terrain.
Bike Setup: Stock plus XTR pedals and a very slight riser bar.
The bike weighs just under 24 pounds soaking wet. It could easily be made lighter but I like the durability of the stock setup.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Grenoble, France
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2006
Strengths: Light, fast, stiff, little or no bobbing when rear shock is set properly, does what you want it to, goes where you want it to, and looks awesome.
Weaknesses: The metal is too tender and threads tend to wear if you overtighten the bolts, the teflon rings on the swingarm need replacing every 2000 miles or so to keep lateral stiffness and avoid wearing the pivot points. And the paint job is way too fragile.
Bottom Line:
A fabulous, versatile bike for the rider that loves going up and down technical trails and singletracks in the Alps, like I do !!! If you want it to last, it'll require you to look after it well, though ! Unless you're a real Rockefeller, try finding one really well looked after frame, and build it yourself ! Way too expensive if bought new...
Similar Products Used: Giant NRS, Decathlon RR9.3, Commencal Doctor
Bike Setup: Built by myself with Manitou Skareb Platinum, XTR/SRAM xo components etc...
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Submitted by
tomer
a Cross Country Rider
from israel
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2006
Strengths: quick, tight ride. accurate handling, very light, but can take big hits, high BB.
Weaknesses: paint suuuuucccckkkkkks!! my downtube is full with paint chippings from rocks and stuff. even the cables scratch the paint when turning the handlebar! i know that thin paint is supposed to save weight, but this is redicules! there seems to be bobing when i climb. i checked the rear FOX float RL shock at a shop (pressure, seals and so..) and thay say it's fine, so this seems to be a real problem, i have to make rear shock rebound slow before races, to climb efficiently. the swing arm pivots have to constantly be oiled to prevent squicking noises. and the chain sucks, ahaa the chain sucks.... i had to use a "dremel" to file down the the little nobs on my front middle (XTR!!!???) cassette to make them (partially) go away when i shift to granny gear ( and i won't even mention the paint on the chain stay...) and last but not least , cable routing sucks!!!
Bottom Line:
to say the least, i'm dissapointed. I've been riding for 12 years and this is my fourth ride. when a bought this bike i thought i was set for life (this is a 5K$ bike in israel). In retro, i'd buy the cake 2 DLX (new) for the same price, and i think i'd have been much happier (i was very pleased with my previous "sugar"). maybe a racer, who owns a bike shop, and wraps them up in nylon after each race, and does no recreational , rougher rides, would be much happier with them.
Similar Products Used: TREK 7000, TREK 8000, Fisher Sugar 3
Bike Setup: full XTR drivetrain and shifters, except SRAM rear cog, DT Swiss XR something wheels and spokes, DT swiss hugi 240's front and rear, marathon SL 2003 85mm fork, FOX float RL,time pedals, kore lite 2 seat post, selle italia saddle, easton monkeylite riser bar, easton stem avid ti v-brake (?!?? - the guy that sold them to me took the magura marta SL's off right before i bought them, and told me afterward's!)
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Submitted by
fritzn
a Cross Country Rider
from Nürnberg, Germany
Weaknesses: None so far. Well, Paint comes off easily because it´s made just for racing. I don´t care, it´s still beutiful.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! You can do a lot with it, it loves singletrails, highspeed tracks in the alps, can go down trial trails, as long they´re not too narrow, steep and have massive (over 2 ft.) drops in it - not exactly suitable for freeriding. I´m sure you could win a race on this machine, what I don´t do (yet). I use it for epic alpine riding and crossing (7 days on the bike), long long climbs and fast fast flowing downhills. Climbing is simply great, I love both lock-outs on road or tracks, you can push hard and will fly uphill. Descents are great also. If anything goes wrong, you´re not fast enough, or can´t stand it, it´s your own problem. Don´t blame that bike! ;-) No excuses, baby.
The Element is a precise ride, you have to learn riding it properly, it will improve your riding then. It´s best for long distance XC (Marathon) on alpine tracks.
I use a DMR Trailstar for hucking, playaround, trials and freeriding. This one does everything I wouldn´t do with the Element, and vice versa. It´s the difference between riding with brain on or off;-) I like both. The DMR is setup white and red also, I just love that colors in front of blue sky!
I rode a early 90´s Blizzard before the TSc, and it has just the same balanced, spot-on, direct racing geometry I loved so much on the rigid bike. I can lock-out for the "old" feeling. It´s a little beefier (5 lbs), plus I can ride endless due to suspension and do harder stuff faster and cleaner.
I´ll give 5 hotties, because it´s so perfectly trimmed for the job, but does it with soul and beauty and won´t let you down ever. It´s handcrafted, signed by a human, and has been developed over 10 years. I´ll give 4 for value, because they tend to break through the ceiling for this one.
Bike Setup: Magura Ronin 80mm Fork, Magura HS-33 Brakes, XTR Crankset&Casette&Hubs, XT Shifting, SRAM Rocket Shifters, Selle SLK. Built up for crossing the alps and having fun with it while being fast. Oh, and try Maxxis HardDrive DualCompound tires on it (which hasn´t earned good reviews here, but is so great in the alps, light but durable, rolls endless, steers and climbs just perfectly. Cleans itself instantly. Take the red/black ones, both for color and function (the red rubber is sticky on rock), not the all black. 27,5 durable lbs I could build it lighter, if I should race it. Under 22 is possible, but expensive!
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Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from West Hawk Lake, MB, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2005
Strengths: Very agile and light.
Fastest XC race bike on the planet
Unbelievable suspension allows you to pedal over roots instead of gliding.
Weaknesses: ...with a Rocky? NO WAY!
Bottom Line:
This bike is an awesome xc race bike. With all of the upgrades I made it weighs 21 lbs.
If you are a serious xc rider or rcer this is an unbelivable bike for you.
It accelerates and turns on a dime.
I ordered this bike in November and got it in May. I had to wait becasue the Carbon fiber seat stay was on backorder. It was well worth the wait. I had th option of puting an aluminum one on but the carbon is lighter and absorbs bumps.
It climbs unbeliveable well and decends like a 5 inch travel trail bike.
If you want un unbelievable xc race bike with amaizing attention to detail this is the bike for you!
Bike Setup: Element Team SC frame with Carbon Fiber seat stay.
XTR dual control levers, derailleurs, disc brakes, bb/crakset combo, cassette. Sram pc-99 hollow pin chain. Easton carbon handlebar and seat post. Race Face Deus stem. Sell Italia SLR saddle. Egg Beaters Titanium pedals. Rock Shox Sid Team Fork. Fox Float RP3 Rear shock. Maxxis Flyweight tubes and Flyweight 330 tires. Mavic XC 717 rims. DT Swiss Revolution spokes. Stans 6" aluminum rotors.
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Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2004
Strengths: Frame and suspension design, light-weight Scandium Alu, and NON intergrated headset.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.
Bottom Line:
I had the frame since the starting of June, and ride it about 8 times a week. I haven't really found anything as a weakness to the frame yet, although I'm sure I will, as nothing is perfect. So far I find that it does a really good job at tracking at high speeds, even over rough terrain. The frame is pretty strong, being able to take 4-foot drops on my rides. With the proper set up you can get this bike weighting in at just over 22 lbs. This bike is designed for an XC rider at mind, although it does well in aggressive xc riding as well. I'm about 200 lbs. so I'm not a light rider. If you were looking for a good, light, quick and snappy frame, this would be the one. Great for XC racing.
Similar Products Used: 2004 Devinci Moonracer and 2004 Norco Team FS
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Marathon SL (105mm travel), SRAM 9.0 trigger shifters, Race Face Deus Crank, XTR front derailleur, SRAM X.0 rear derailleur, SRAM PC-990 cassette, SRAM Hollow pin chain, Hayes HFX Mag XC Disc, Mavic CrossMax Wheels, Race Face Next Riser, Race Face Deus Stem, Race Face XYO Seatpost, Selle Italia Flite, Fox Float RL rear suspension, Hutchinson Python Light and Time ATAC Carbon.
