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Submitted by
nando & rocio
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | lots | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Geometry. Good Climber. Eye Candy. Gary Fisher quality. | | Weaknesses: | Original bottom bracket (wrong size), brake levers (Promax?), IRC Backcountry (monster-truck) tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS. Gary Fisher Big Sur. | | Bike Setup: | Rolf Satellite wheels. XT shifter, brake lever combo. Time ATAC pedals. XT cartridge brake pads. Everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | After reading these reviews we asked our seller if they had taken any measure to fix the chainsuck. They did and, sure enough, the right bottom bracket spindle will most likely take care of it (I don't know what the right size is, though). So will a clean drivetrain (clean it, and use wax lubricant instead of oil). My wife is still using the Bontrager crankset with no chainsuck issues at all. May upgrade to XT anyways.
Some may like the monster-truck, extra heavy, 2.3 IRC Backcountry tires. We didn't, too heavy.
The Bontrager wheelset is pretty good. She just likes the Rolf better. Keep the cassette, nice and light SRAM.
Time ATAC pedals rule, 'nuff said.
Avid brakes get the job done. Get better levers and put nice cartridge pads and they're even better.
The fork is soft. But it also is a long travel fork, so it's natural it feels softer (to allow more travel). We found that maxing out the damping and adjusting the rebound (to "less", not "more") solved the "springy" feel for my 130lb wife. This we did by recommendation of a local Manitou dealer (when he could have just sold us a stiffer spring kit).
Also, the rear shock setup instructions are all wrong. Find your own setting through trial and error.
Believe the hype, women's specific design made a big difference for my wife. Surprisingly, a heavier, full-suspension bike has helped her climb better. Wide, but not to wide riser bars offer great control. She also swears by the women-specific WTB saddle.
Not the perfect bike, but pretty good value, worth upgrading.
We'll post a follow up in Fall, see if it holds. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jensen
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath | | Strengths: | Light. Feels like a hardtail. Handles fairly well. | | Weaknesses: | Soft fork springs. Upgrade immediately. Would love to have a progressive front spring, but alas... | | Similar Products Used: | Test drove others in price range. Specialized Enduro, Rocky Instinct, Trek Fuel 80, Trek Fuel 90, Giant ATC. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except trimmed bars 2", added bar ends and replaced fork spring with Manitou firm ride kit. | | Bottom Line: | My first dual after years of Bridgestone MB-1 with rigid forks. This bike is just as light with all the shocks. Tricks are way easier with dual susp and spuds. I won't ever go back.
For some reason, the GS fits me better than the men's small so I bought it. Make sure you get the ride kit one grade heavier than your weight. The stock Diva should only be used by 80-lb kids. Still trying to figure out the fork pogo when hammering.
What chainsuck? None for me. Maybe I got a good one.
Love this bike. The ratings say it all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vicki
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynx | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Handles well on downhills and climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | Chainsuck and less than predictable shifting. | | Bike Setup: | Swapped Laser seat for Serfa. | | Bottom Line: | Bike had chainsuck from day one. Figured it was me and I'd learn to work around it or get used to it. However, after many long walks -- cause the chain jammed so deeply into the frame I couldn't get it out -- I began taking it back where I purchased it. They tried a myrad of things to eleviate the problem, i.e., two different chainrings and bottom brackets (XT and LX), none of which made it any better. The shifting improved with the XT, but the chainsuck occurred on the first ride. With the LX the chain wouldn't shift to the small chainring. So, on roughly the seventh or eighth trip back to the store, they agreed to comp me what I paid for the bike and I bought another bike (Specialized). With the FSR Comp I've had zero problems. The ride is noteably smoother on downhills and shifts are like butter. But when the GS was in the right gear, the climbs were easier. I would definitely avoid the 2002 genesister's and read some evals on the 2003's before slappin your money on the counter for one. Because other than the chainsuck on virtually every ride, it's hard to be fair with the rating. If that and the shifting problem were not present I'd give a rating of five flamin' chili peppers. But,,,,,since I walked soooooo much pushing it, I'm only gonna give it two flamin' chili peppers. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Riverside State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | North Division Bike | | Strengths: | Climbs and rides great, adjustable suspension, women specific design. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck problem, bottom bracket, chain rings, tires | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Excaliber | | Bike Setup: | Out of the box, except for changes noted below. | | Bottom Line: | My wife loves this bike. As with any new bike purchase, made some changes to make it a perfect fit. Changed the seat to a Bontrager women's FS, swapped the stem, changed the heavy slow Backcountry tires to the quicker Mythos XC, and beefed up the front Diva fork which is set up for some dainty little prissy thing, not my hard riding honey. Chain suck was a major problem, bike guys changed out the bottom bracket first, and most recently changed the middle chain ring to Shimano in an effort to solve the problem. We'll see if that takes care of it, otherwise the frame goes back to GF for a new one. I understand some Sugar fames just aren't straight. That's not good. Overall, the bike climbs and rides great and my honey loves riding it, so hope the kinks get worked out. Can only give it 3 chilis until they do. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neale
a
from NJ
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Bottom Line: | The chain line on this bike is off. You would hope that they would get this stuff right. It is bad enough that you immediately want to change the cranks and brakes.
The bike has some potential. I did some stairs on it (it is my girl friend's bike).
If you buy this you will need a smaller bottom bracket (shorter spindle).
I would suggest that you wait until next year to buy one of these. I'll change out the BB to get the proper chain line. We'll see what happens. I wonder if they speced the wrong BB for a reason. Maybe the chain rings will rub the frame with the shorter spindle.
I'll let you know how this works out. Don't let your girlfriend get all bent on this being a "girl's" frame then buy it. As with all new things, wait until next year when they work out the "problems" (like putting in the proper BB)
I'll rate it low for now. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe A
a Cross Country Rider
from Phila, PA USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon, Hartshorne | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | D&Q in Cheery Hill | | Strengths: | My first experience with a dual suspension MTB and I love it. the geometry and the air filled rear shock make downhilling some much fun that I almost enjoy the uphill rides in anticipation. The Balck front shock rocks but it can't lock out for long inclines. I also ride in all weather and the rear shock with a little less air than recommended can be great for snow riding. I dropped the air pressure down below 120 pounds ( I weigh 150) and the rear sags a little which gives you alot more traction in snow. In normal conditions, I pump the rear back up to 150. | | Weaknesses: | I had some serious shifting problems with the Bomtrager Chain Rings. The shop swapped them out for a Shimano HG chain and LX rings and i have't had any problems since. | | Similar Products Used: | Canondale F500, but I crapped out the head shok and youre stuck with a bike that can't be ridden | | Bike Setup: | Hayes front and rear mechanical Discs, Sram rear cassette, Shimano HG chain rings ( upgrade from the Bomtrader) | | Bottom Line: | For a first time dual rider, I love this bike. I have neck and lower back probs but with this bike I can ride much more with out the pain. I take hard downhills ( rocky ones) without hesitation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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