Strengths: Robust, Reliable, ergonomically friendly, rear triangle holding up well without slop or play. Fox Triad has nice / simple 3 way design and is easy to get to.
Weaknesses: Needs better cable guides or protectors to stop or reduce frame damage from cable housings rubbing when frame compresses for bumbs. Fox Triad locked up on the first time out; had to be upgraded. A bit heavy at about 27 pounds.
Bottom Line:
I am a Cat2 road racer and I do my winter training on the MTB. I will go really slow or small ring for up to 6 hour rides. The bike is really comfortable for what I am doing. As the temp. rises or starts getting to the start of the road racing season, I'll start riding in the middle chain ring for the entire 6 hours. I like it and would recommend it.
Strengths: Light, excellent climber, fast in single track, good descender
Weaknesses: Stock tires didn't have enough traction when riding fast; SID internals broke after about 2000 hard km
Bottom Line:
If you love climbing like I do this bike is a winner. Of course it does not have the brain so it's a sit down climber. Mine came with a lockout on the shock but I never use it much because the shock works so well when active. I raced competitively on this bike when it was new and it will still hold it's own with the high priced bikes of today. The SID internals broke after about 2000 km and the stantion tubes were also worn despite regular cleaning and greasing. I've also had some difficulties with the front derrailer design. I like the active suspension so much I've chosen to upgrade it rather than buy a new specialized epic.
Bike Setup: Stock except for different seat and tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Hamish
a Cross Country Rider
from BNE,QLD,Australia
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007
Strengths: unbeleivably comfortable! very solid on the ground, brilliant suspension as stock. i replaced the solo airs only because i wanted more travel. the bike has seen some good offroad use but it gets an absolute hiding in the urban scene, gutters, steps, retaining walls etc....damn responsive...
Weaknesses: a bit heavy in the arse....my (former LBS) shafted me on the cassette and it made SO much difference. oh yeah, i'm afraid to scratch the st00pidly glossy finish (not that i haven't given it a good go) the stock mx117 rims are far too dodgy for hard urban scarfing let alone offroad use.
Bottom Line:
its damn expensive so MAKE SURE YOUR LBS doesn't rip you off before you take it out of the store... make sure you have decent rims, and check the cassette.
Similar Products Used: specialised rockhopper, norco nitro, an ancient GT, a bunch of roadies.
Bike Setup: revelation 429, fox triad, deore rapidfire, xt front and rear m970 cassette and some stock mavic crossRides
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
eric
a Weekend Warrior
from lakeland, FL usa
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007
Strengths: Climbs like a mountain goat. Light. Comfortable. Smooth, accurate shifting. Durable.
Weaknesses: Grips.
Bottom Line:
I got a deal on this bike, it's a 2006, the price tag (new)was $1,149, i paid 600 used. Some say specialized bikes are overpriced, but I think they just work better. This bike is extremely efficient. All of the energy I put in it transferred to momentum, as opposed to being lost in the suspension. The rear wheel sticks to the ground, even between roots. I ride this thing around downtown sometimes for fun and can actually go UP steps (like 5 at a time). I can't really afford a $1,200 bike but I think that this bike is worth it!
Similar Products Used: Giant Yukon. Cannondale, Jamis
Bike Setup: Avid rim brakes, sram x-9 shifters, sram deraileurs, mavic rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Prescott, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007
Strengths: The geometry is very comfortable for long rides. The adjustable front fork is great for quick adjustments on the fly, The rear horst link suspension is great, very smooth.
Weaknesses: The stock tires wear out quickly. The 3r brakes are so-so.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I am an Adventure Racer, so I never know what kind of course will be thrown at me until I am on it, and this bike does it all. I would love to eventually switch over to disc brakes and when my fork dies, add a little beefier one.
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 90, Gary Fisher Cake
Bike Setup: Basically stock, but with Velociraptor tires, and Nashbar Rodeo pedals.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
SkullTracer
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2007
Strengths: Full suspension and... Hey! It's a Specialized!!
Weaknesses: Saddle
Bottom Line:
I just buyed this bike. The brakes are great; it just take about 10 to 20 miles to get broken. For me this bike is awesome. If yoiu can find the 2007, buy it! I don't think that the 2008 is a big difference from 2007. You will love it.
Similar Products Used: Scott Reflex 40. I know, I know... That's not a full suspension bike.
Bike Setup: 2007 Pro
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff s
a Weekend Warrior
from chester Springs, pa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Strengths: Frame, weight, components, price
Weaknesses: pedals seem to hit even the smallest obstacles
Bottom Line:
Are you kidding! This ride is amazing. I took this bike out as a demo and never returned it. th XC pro comes loaded with Juicy 3 discs, fox triad 3 position rear, and Reba 100mm front sram x-9.....oh heck, the specs can be found online...Weighing in at exactly 29lbs it is light enough to not be a burden like some FS bikes can be. I did notice the pedals hitting even some smaller obstacles when riding, but this is the only down. At under 1.5K I doubt there is a better ride out there - at least a FS ride. I tested the Rush 5, prophet 5, caffeine, SJ FSR (excellent bike if not pricey), and the FSR XC pro just felt the best to me....(the SJ would have been my choice however it was nearly double in cost)
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2007
Strengths: components, frame, overall good-looking bike
Weaknesses: seatpost bent on me after about 10 rides so replaced that with a Thompson, stock pedals
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike! I love just about anything that comes from Specialized, Theres so much to love about this bike and also a lot to upgrade if you want absolute top-of-the-line components but it comes well endowed as it is. Mine was a last-years model and on sale at Spokes, and I got my employee discount so it bumped it down to around $400 haha sweet deal huh? Yeah but if youre into all sorts of riding, or you don't really know what you like you just want to go out and try many different varieties of trails, this bike is right for you.
Bike Setup: replaced v-brakes with a BB9 disc setup, Sun-Ringle pedals,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
hootch
a Downhiller
from all over the u.s.
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2007
Strengths: great frame- design and engineering. good componants. fun to ride.
Weaknesses: brakes suck. never did replace them though... got used to hanging on for dear life. wheelsets are really weak, but i guess that should be expected.
Bottom Line:
i beat the dog piss out of this bike and it held up well. problems with wheelsets and hubs but what are you going to do? i would recommend this bike to nearly anyone especially a beginner. frame has been great. if i could do it all over agian would i buy the same bike? hm.... part of me says "yes" but part of me says "there is too much out there to buy the same bike twice". for the price i got it at, it was a great buy. it didnt let me down and it wont let you down either.
Strengths: solid bike for the price, lightweight, climbs and corners well, SRAM shifts well (see below*), Fox Triad (RP3) is pretty sweet
Weaknesses: low end pedals & cranks will be replaced soon, already upgraded shifter pods (see above*)
Bottom Line:
Solid geometry and adequately spec'd for the price. Will upgrade as components wear. Happy with the purchase and enjoy using it for racing and faster rides.
Similar Products Used: none similar, moved from a hardtail; also have Giant VT1 for more enduro riding
Bike Setup: purchase bike for racing; SRAM X9 rear, Shimano LX front, Rock Shox Reba fork, Fox Triad shock, Avid Juicy 7 disc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Prescott, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2007
Weaknesses: If I have to name a weakness, it is probably the brakes, I wish they were disc. I did break a brake lever off on a hard assover.
Bottom Line:
This bike has held up very well considering that I am over 200 lbs. with my gear and pack on. I ride it 3 times a week on singletrack and use it for adventure racing one weekend a month.
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 90, Cannondale Prophet
Bike Setup: Mainly Stock, have only changed out the grips and tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
georges
a Cross Country Rider
from Brasschaat, Antwerpen, België
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006
Strengths: Stuurt zeer licht, klimt veel beter dan mijn XTC 2004. Vering zeer comfortabel en prima instelbaar. Zadel superieur voor maratons. Zeer stijf wat resulteert in een hoog rendement ( wat ook wel mag bij een nieuwe fiets)
Weaknesses: Avid Juicy 5 lopen in de modder direct dicht: Achteraan na 1 maand blokjes versleten, dat wordt een dure hobby: 16 Euro per setje. Originele banden (Adrenaline pro of zoiets)lopen ontzettend zwaar en zijn na 1 rit vervangen door mijn good old Z maxxen, 1.9: Voor mij nog steeds de allerbeste band voor alle condities. De trapas kraakt, demonteren en kopervet aansmeren. De uitrusting is over het algemeen goed, alleen de voorderailleur is een triestige Deore, wat niet zou mogen op een bike van deze prijsklasse.Ook de tandwielen en de cassette zijn minderwaardig.
Bottom Line:
Na een versleten XTC met Marzocchi en O2 veringen is deze fiets een openbaring qua comfort en rendement. En dat is niet tegenstrijdig: de vering is zo goed instelbaar dat zowel klimmen als dalen fantastisch gaat. Dus: vervang de banden en de voorderailleur en gaaan.
Bike Setup: Sram Recon Solo Air 351, Fox Triad lockout, Shimano Deore - XT, Avid Juicy 5,Stout en Deore naven, Mavic velgen, Trial 130 zadel.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jeremy P
a Weekend Warrior
from Litchfield, NH
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2006
Strengths: Performance & Value: Climbs like a hardtail with the front & rear lockout. FSR frame design is proven and it rocks. No bobbing when out of the saddle. Handles bumps extremely well and some drops too (2-3' is all I've done with it so far). Very good stock component spec for the $$. You won't find a better value than the 2006 FSR XC Pro. Very good out of the box. Just upgrade as your components wear out.
Weaknesses: None for the pricepoint.
Bottom Line:
***This is for the 2006 FSR XC Pro*** This bike is awesome! I've had it for a almost 3 months and it is such an upgrade over my '98 Schwinn S30 (which was a great bike in it's time. Still love it). The single best entry level FS XC bike on the market. Bar none. You get an extremely proven FSR frame, very good components for the $$, decent front fork & rear shock (both air!). This bike is absolutely awesome on fast single track and on climbs, holds it's own on the road w/ lock outs and can handle some all mountain and small drops when needed. I haven't done any downhill on it yet, but I will post back when I get a chance at some. I'm sure it wouldn't hold up if you were going to be doing 5' drops all the time or racing DH, but that's not what it was designed for. Get a different bike for that stuff. If you want a FS bike in the $1400-$1800 range then get the FSR XC Pro. You won't be dissapointed.
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006
Strengths: Was a good xc bike. Light.
Weaknesses: CRACK IN SWINGARM.
Bottom Line:
DO NOT BUY BIKES FROM SPECIALIZED. THEY SAY THEY HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON FRAMES, BUT DON'T. I discovered a crack in the swingarm of my bike and they can only offer a slightly discounted frame to replace it.
I *was* a lifetime Specialized customer. Not anymore.
x-post but need answers ....
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Has anyone else suffered problems with their 2010 FSR XC Pro - I've had the bike just on 6 months and whilst I love the bike and trail riding where it handles brilliantly, I have h Read More »
I have been searching the threads here about replacing the stock Fox Float Triad shock with the RP23. Everyone seems to love it which is a good thing. Most threads are talking abou Read More »
My '10 Rockhopper SL Expert was recently stolen and I'm looking to get a new bike and want to move into full suspension with a $1600 limit. Has anyone had any experience with eithe Read More »
