Submitted by
Marco Pelliccia
a Cross Country Rider
from Mass
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2007
Strengths: Inexpensive, fast, and nimble. I swear in handles better than my Trek Fuel. It eats bumps easily and climbs very well. For the price the SP is still pretty light (6.7 lbs with rear shock)
Weaknesses: None yet....minimal Bling factor
Bottom Line:
After reading the reviews I found a deal on ebay where I received the frame, fork, stem, headset, and handle bars for $300. The frame came with the QRL shock, but I quickly swapped it out for a new swinger.
I built it up with all XT stuff and BANG, I had a great bike for under around $500.
So far so good, I must say it is very fast, and it does handle better than my old fuel (maybe it is just a better fit). No matter what, I saved a bunch of money and I am as happy as a pig in Sh%t.
Weaknesses: Can't say enough good things about the build quality. Manitou QRL ramps up very quickly and has few adjustments.
Bottom Line:
Purchased as frame only and built up for aggressive cross country. For the money, you can't even come close with anything else. As good as a Santa Cruz Superlite but a FRACTION of the cost. Single pivot is rigid and simple, but you need a really nice tunable shock to get the most out of your travel. If you set it soft to get a supple ride you blow through all your travel and if you set it stiffer, you get a bumpy ride. Perhaps with an RP3 or Swinger it could get 5 for overall rating if the ride quality were improved.
Strengths: Price! This bike came loaded with Fox RL front and back. XT everything. Juicy 7 brakes.
Weaknesses: Nothing yet. Still beating on it
Bottom Line:
Right off the bat, I was going to change out the frame. How good could a "Weyless" be? It was a component purchase So far, I have been rather surprised. Handling is good, and I found I can accelerate very well and attack with relative ease. Love the Fox suspension, adn the Juciy's grab well. Looks like I'm going to save the $$$ on the new frame
Submitted by
Russ Parker
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2005
Strengths: Solid feel, good paint, quality shock, maintenance free and EXCELLENT PRICE.
Weaknesses: Slight squeak.
Bottom Line:
Was about to drop 2k into a new Specialized Epic or Santa Cruz Blur. Instead decided to rebuild my bike with the Weyless Sp since I liked many of my components. Turned out to be the best $350.00 I had ever spent.
Bike is very well balanced and quite stable with a 100mm fork. Read other reviews that said it was not laterally stiff, perhaps they should ride a few others. This bike does it all, climbs well, decends well and carves singletrack without effort. Make a mistake, no problem, bike is forgiving too. Love this bike!!
Bike Setup: 18" frame w/ Manitou QRL; Duke 100mm front; Mavic Crossride's, XT everthing else.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
James Stout
a
from Black Diamond, WA USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2005
Strengths: Strong, tight, not too heavy. Great balance: cost vs componets
Weaknesses: Paint chips easly, but not bad.
Bottom Line:
I got this GREAT DEAL off E-bay. One of my sons (who does crazy/scary stuff) directed dad (me) to by is bike. I'm having lots of fun, but not scary/crazy!! The son has done a-few scary/crazy things and said that this bike is a good all around bike.
Bike Setup: Stock, I don't need to up-grade anything.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Mark B.
a Cross Country Rider
from NE Indiana
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2005
Strengths: Sturdy, simple design
Weaknesses: Small flex laterally
Bottom Line:
I'm more than pleased with this bike! As big as I am, I only get a small bit of lateral flex (less than the Truvativ CRANKARMS on the X4B!!), and the QRL shock works like a dream. SRAM is my drivetrain of choice from now on, and I only wish I could get Avids sooner, a bit better than the Hayes. A Note -- MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST 100mm OF FORK TRAVEL, OR THE FRONT END WILL BE TOO STEEP.
Similar Products Used: Motobecane X4B, Mongoose FS piece
Bike Setup: Black Sport, X.7 combo/Deore front, RF SYStem, Specialized XC riser, Hayes HMX f/r, Deore disc/Sun DS-2 wheelset, Hutch tires, BG saddle
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Submitted by
Rob Diehl
a Cross Country Rider
from Whidbey Island WA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2005
Strengths: For the Price, nothing else comes close. Lightweight, Simple, Good Looking, and the suspension works. The Manitou QL-Air shock has also worked flawlessly for 2 years.
Weaknesses: Swing arm side flex is noticable when pedeling hard uphill.
Bottom Line:
I built this bike 2 years ago with the Weyless SP-4 frame. I ride mostly technical singletrack, and this bike handled everything I asked of it. I even took it up to Whistler MB Park last summer, and the bike performed admirably for an XC platform. Last month, I was on a ride and I began to notice more than usual swing-arm flex. It turns out the lateral stiffener tube had cracked on both ends at the welds. I called SuperGo and they said to send in the frame for repair/replacement. I did and they credited me for the full cost of the frame, plus my shipping cost! After 2 years of use/abuse. Would I buy it again? I just placed my order for the new XP frame. Same price as the SP 2 years ago. Way to go, SuperGo.
Bike Setup: Custom Built: Rock Shox Psylo SL 80/125 Forks, FSA Orbit DL Headset, Kore Lite 3 Stem & Riserbars, SRAM 9.0 Grip-shifters & 9.0 Derailer, SRAM 7.0 Rim Brakes, RaceFace Prodigy Crankset & BB, RaceFace Bashguard, Sun Rhino-Lite Wheelset & Panaracer Fire FR 2.4 Tires.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2005
Strengths: Inexpensive, 2005 Frame is Light Weight, 5-Year No Hassel Warranty.
Weaknesses: None if used for intended purpose and not Clydesdale Riders!
Bottom Line:
Truth be told...I finally cracked the 2003 18 inch Weyless Frame. I beat the hell out of it and after a recent XC race that was more like Urban Assault meets Dirt I discovered 3 tiny stress cracks at the rear swingsarm. Considering that when I first bought the bike I weighed close to 200 lbs and was trying to debunk the Weyless was weak by taking 3 foot jumps and sometimes bigger, I WOULD STILL BUY IT AGAIN!!!
The frame geometry is excellent very similar to a SC Superlight. The new frame is lighter and I will post actual frame weights including the shock for a 16 and 18 inch frame soon. I will be using a digital calibrated scale. I just bought the 16 inch frame with Manitou 3-Way for my girl friend and will be building it up for her.
Supergo replace my cracked frame without problem and it only took 2 days to get it back. I live by a Supergo and dropped it off myself.
I now weigh 177 lbs and race the bike. The bike handles with quick response. With a 4 inch fork it tames the darty handling. I will eventual add a Manitou Skarab or SID which should get the weight down to about 22.8 lbs. I'm not embarrassed at all riding the bike at XC races. I placed 4th in my first race with drive train problems. My XTR rear cogs granny gear was bent and thru the chain. I have since fixed it and doing even better! I did not have $4000 or $5000 dollars to blow on a "pro" bike. I can always upgrade this frame as time goes on and add my excellent components to another frame.
The frame is an absolute bargain. I have known people who cracked name brand frames, Intense, Specialized Enduro's, and others...so whats the point? The Turner Nitrous is a insane light bike and intended for XC racing. Well I put the Weyless in a similar class...maybe not as light but close and probably tougher than the Turner Nitrous.
Still happy with my purchase and would do it again!
Similar Products Used: many name brands...Cannondale, GT...etc..
Bike Setup: Custom built, Weyless carbon handlebars shortend 1 inch, Weyless Pro Carbon Seatpost with Ti Screw, 5th Element Air with Ti Screws, nut and alloy spacers, Speedplay Frog Ti pedals, American Classic CrMo ISIS BB with replaceable bearings, Truvativ Stylo Team 170mm Cranks and Specialites TA Chainrings, SRAM X.O GripShift, X.O Rear Der and SRAM 0.5 Front Der, SRAM PC99 Hollowpin Chain, Zette Ti Skewers, WTB Laserdisc Lite Rims with 15/17 Double butted spokes and Alloy nipples, Maxxis Flyweight Tubes and Kenda Karma 2.0 DTC tyres. Weight 24.7 lbs with 3.67 lbs Reba Race Air with Pop-Loc.
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Submitted by
andrew lux
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2005
Strengths: Its light and is very stable. It also is easy to ride and nice for the price.
Weaknesses: none really.
Bottom Line:
great bike and is easy for beginners and expierienced riders the people that should buy this bike are people who dont look at spending a bunch of money on a bike. people who are looking for a light ride should check this bike out. I ride every weekend and this bike holds to the standard
Similar Products Used: the weyless xp for free riding and downhill
Bike Setup: manituo skareb elite and manitou q rear shock wtb seat xt rear and front derailler
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Submitted by
D
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Co, USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2004
Strengths: Looks good (sleek black) Ridiculously inexpensive. Solid frame, good geometry for average height people. Single Pivot desgin is simple, and works great. No BS 'technological breaktrough' marketing garbage. It is a sturdy, strong, simple frame.
Weaknesses: None, so far? It's not the lightest thing out there. But give me a break, dude. For $350, can you expect an ultra-light ride???
Bottom Line:
Bike is a sweet upgrade from hard tail. If you are price conscious, this is THE full suspension frame to get. Very responsive on chatter downhills, and small drops. Rides aggressive CC very well. I have not felt any flex at all riding corners, or in tight turns. Going up hills, the suspension works awesome. i never turn on the lock out, but the few times i have too try it, it works 100%. When i'm climbing, i find that having the suspension active helps me stay in the saddle more, and also helps me handle technical stuff better. Overall, the bike rides sweet as hell!!!! It is the best deal out there anywhere on the planet, that i have seen, anyway. Most people will see the price on the frame and instantly think CHEAP, but the only thing cheap on these frames is the price tag. The welds on my frame are beefy, everything is tight after @ 200 miles, no bushings have come loose, nothing to complain about with the frame at all. The only reason you would not want to buy this frame is if you are a dipsh$t brand snob. Santa Cruz' Superlight is basically the EXACT same frame, but costs over a grand more... WTF?!?!? Don't listen to the jaggoffs who say that SC metal is far superior, give me a break, that is a load of horse manure.
I would HIGHLY recommend this frame to anyone looking for a SOLID X-country FS frame. The only bad experience i have had with my Weyless SP is with lame ass Supergo. When i bought the frame initially, the Manitou QRL was leaking oil. The dude i bought the bike from took down my name/number and told me he'd call me soon when they got new shocks in, and replace the one i had. Its been six months, and NO CALL!!!! The shock is functioning well, so it's not a big deal, but it still friggin leaks. Supergo Customer service gets an F so far.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro, Santa Cruz over-hype B.S. machine, I MEAN... Superlight.
Bike Setup: RS Psylo SL up front, Manitou QRL in the rear, bonty riser bars, deore shifters, Avid SD 7 levers, and Arch-rival brakes. XT front and rear der. Xt cassette, Xtr hubs laced to Velocity Aeroheat rims. Sella Italia Flite Ti saddle. Bonty cranks, eggbeaters.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Big Popi
a Cross Country Rider
from Somewhere, MA
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2004
Strengths: Affordable Full Suspension, Solid Construction, Disk and V-Brake mounts, Supergo was INCREDIBLY helpful in recommending the proper frame size (18" - I am 5'11") and in suggesting a few parts.
Weaknesses: A little hefty, but what do you expect for $399? None of my LBS's had the front derailleur I needed for it - had to get online.
Bottom Line:
I wanted to take this bike to one of the more difficult cross country trails around me before I wrote a review. I went there yesterday for a ride and all's I can say is that this frame is a great deal for the money! I have been riding for probably 14 years and have been a skeptic when it comes to Full Suspension. I finally decided that I would shell out a couple hundred dollars to see what F/S was all about. I have been very pleased. This bike climbs much better than I had ever expected, even without the rear shock locked out. And for someone who has ridden an older Fisher hardtail for the last 8 years with the tight geometry that his older frames were known for , this frame feels surprisingly tight.
If you're looking for a bike to do 8 foot drops or "free ride", this frame probably isn't for you. But, if you are someone looking to get a great value on a nice F/S cross-coutry ride, pick one of these up.
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2004
Strengths: Price with 5th Element is like getting frame for free
Weaknesses: Flex in rear swingarm Paint quality Weight
Bottom Line:
I really like the bike, but I have a few reservations. The reviews (2003/2004) seem a bit overstated bith good and bad. I bought the frame with the 5th Element for $350 and thought well even if it turns out to be not so great, at least I got the shock for a decent price and they threw in a free frame.
When I unpacked it from the box, I thought it was great looking. They had all the pieces and FedEx took care of it. The looks of the bike were not long lasting. First ride out, about 1.5 hours of single track, and the cables rubbed the paint off the head tube and the rear brake cable scratched the seat tube paint pretty bad. Good thing they throw in some tough-up paint. I will probably strip the whole thing this winter and get it powder-coated. The paint job is very, very weak.
Second ride out I developed a horrible squeak. I checked out all the pivots, tightened them, and even removed the shock to find the squeak. Found it. It was the ferrel of the rear derailuer in the braze-on. Yep the metal on metal made the squeak. Fixed now.
The biggest issue I have with the bike is the flex from the rear swing arm. It does not flex up and down, but side to side about 1/4 to 3/8 inch. You could feel this immediately when goung into a slightly rutted turn. The rear would seem to take a minute to set, then it would catch and shoot you in the right direction. This never got me loose or out of control, but it was unexpected. Had a friend ride the biek and he too could feel the movement and set of the rear.
Checked everything out and tightened up the pivots and shock mounts and this did make a slight difference. Then I found the second culprit. The tires. I mounted Spec. Roll-X S-Works tires with Stan's and noticed the the sidewall of the tire itself was VERY flexy. This double movement of the swingarm and the tires really meant that the rear would flex, take a set and then slingshot back. I think I am going to try a more narrow tire with a frim sidewall to see what this does to the back.
The bike does take both rolled over and hard edged bumps very well. The sharp edge bumps are still noticable but much better that my old Al hardtail. One I got the front and rear shocks working together, rather than fighting each other, the bike handles very well. I allows a significantly high speed through the rutted downhill sections as the tires follow the contour allowing the tires/brakes to work more efficiently. I was able to go uphill through rock gardens two gears highter than when I was riding my freinds hardtail. I also actually felt rested after a lap rather than winded like when I rode my freinds hardtail. He said the same thing when he rode it.
I bought the bike to go faster during our races and more comfort for the Solo 24hr races. I think the bike will meet my expectations. While I would have preffered a Superlight or Racer X I just did not have $1500 to spend.
Final word. Do I think I got a $1000 bike for $350. No. BUt I do think I got a very good bike that will suit my riding, races and wallet.
Bike Setup: Manitou Skareb Elite, All XT drivetrain, 317's with HopeXC hubs, Avid Mech Discs, Roll-X or Fire XC tires, Stans Tubeless conversion
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Galion, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2004
Strengths: Stiff frame & swing arm. Manitou QRL works great, lockout to. Great climber. Rear suspension very nice. Frame quality & details very nice.
Weaknesses: Name, but who cares.
Bottom Line:
Can't beat the price. Rear suspension firms during braking. Very little bob when not using rear lockout. Have not weighed yet, but should be around 27 lbs. Could be great XC racer if set up lighter. If you can't swing the Santa Cruz Superlight price, makes a great substatute. A great epic ride.
Favorite Trail: Lake Hope State Park- Athens, Ohio
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$299.00
Purchased At: Supergo
Similar Products Used: 96 Haro Extreme
Bike Setup: Manitou Scraeb platinum SPV. XT756 disc hubs/Sun O* xc. Avid mechanical disc. XT deraillers. LX crank/XT bottom bracket. LX shifters. Thomson post/WTB speed V team saddle. Ritchey pro stem/Titec flattraker bar. Time ATAC.
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Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Ana, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004
Strengths: This bike feels SOLID. The stiff frame, single pivot rear suspension and long wheelbase combine to make this bike confidence-inspiring on fast downhills. Not as plush as a multi-link design, it still maintains good control on the rocky California trails. The workmanship on the frame is really good with unfinished welds that look like a stack of coins. The Skareb Elite front shock is awesome and eliminates bob during climbs while feeling supple when needed. The Manitou rear shock has lock-out, but you won't need it. This bike climbs very efficiently, and the suspension keeps you hooked-up without bobbing. The components as a whole work perfectly together. I've had zero problems and only one tune-up. Most of all, this bike is a great value and stacks up well against other bikes twice the price.
Weaknesses: The long wheelbase is a bit sketchy during low-speed tight-radius turns. While the cockpit is roomy, the reach is a little long for me. I've had some brake re-alignment difficulties when reinstalling the front wheel. The cables up front rubbed through the paint in no time, but a sticker or two will take care of that.
Bottom Line:
This bike is totally set up for aggressive cross country with sufficient suspension for some fun downhills. The handling is solid and stable and it climbs really well. The value is unquestionnable. This is for price-conscious cross country riders who like to push it a bit on the downhills.
Favorite Trail: Buck Rock Lookout - Sequoia National Forest
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: Supergo, Fountain Valley
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Sugar 2+, Specialized Enduro Comp, Giant NRS, EPX Terra Shark Comp
Bike Setup: Bone stock (so far)
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Submitted by
howard mitchell
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
Strengths: light frame, light front end, good components, good price, Supergo bike shop is very good at supporting their products
Weaknesses: none found yet.
Bottom Line:
I can't say enough good things about Supergo bike shop. I purchase a KHS FXT Pro bike from them and the frame broke after one year. They gave me full credit and I purchased the Weyless SP about 3 months ago. The Weyless is a nice bike for the price. The bike eats up the rocks, log piles, etc. It climbs very well with little bob (I weigh 170 lbs.). I love the Skareb Elite fork. It is very light and plush. Hopefully the bike will hold up to the wear and tear of the woods.
I currently ride an Access hard-tail & want to go full-suspension. I was wondering if this is a decent frame for the money. I don't have much of a budget for bike upgrades, so I wa Read More »
I am looking for the mounting hardware that I need to replace my 2004 Weyless SP rear shock. I just purchased a 2009 Manitou S-Type shock with SPV. It appears that the monnting ha Read More »
