Submitted by
Gavin Reynolds
a Weekend Warrior
from Duluth MN USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003
Strengths: Light, it flies over all in its way. Best single track bike I have ridden. Haven't done any DH with it yet. Possible 12 hour race coming up. See whats up after that...
Weaknesses: Probably myself right now. First time on, header, got stuck between two roots. Also the Marathon S. I hopped a downed tree and bottomed out the shock. Man. suggests 35-45psi. went up to 50. Will see...
Bottom Line:
Expensive yes. So far the bike has been great. Haven't really had much time on it yet. I do recommend it to all single track riders looking for the best. Still stretching cables, breaking in shocks. Its paint is top notch, I dreed putting that first huge dinger on it.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic,(demo only)
Bike Setup: Stock right now, lizard skin on chain stay, probably replace tires, it gets muddy in MN.
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Submitted by
Stephen Voss
a Cross Country Rider
from Ayl, Trier, Germany, Europe
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002
Strengths: I have ridden the bike now for roughly 350 km, the setup is as pictured on their website, or check my photo at pinkbike.com http://www.pinkbike.com/php/pod.php3?image=37398 So far a few points to mention: The frame: very light, excellent damping, virtually no bobs, I was extremly impressed how smooth the ride actually was, good climbing with the 80mm fork. Superb finish of the frame, the look is unbeatable. For the fox float RL, I realy like the lockout, it's easy to handle and fast. The fork (marzocchi marathon S) Yes it's true, it takes a while until it's broken in properly, and I guess mine still needs some time, but so far my experience is good. Very smooth and fast, and a big difference to my votec AirPlus (which is better for the big hits)on my other bike votec C9 (see picture: http://www.pinkbike.com/php/pod.php3?image=31989) ECC with the lockout is a big improvement, and to be honest, you don't need a remote to switch on the lock, it's easy to change it while you ride. The wheelset Spinergy Xyclone Disc Very light, super finish, smooth riding Brakes magura marta: You won't need anything bigger, I weigh 80 kilos, and it's more than enough, I could still go with less. Other components: Very light handlebar, easton ct2, such as the seatpost easton ct 2, RaceFace Next LP Cranks are very nice, as is the Stem Deus, Gore ride on cables, rest shimano XTR.
Weaknesses: Frame: Not as stiff as my Votec C9, also the cranks together with the Frame are more flexible. I weigh 80kg, I guess if are bigger and heavier, that might be a problem. Easton Seatpost CT2 is going to be replaced as the given size (26,8) is not true, it's actually 26,6 -poor production standards.
Bottom Line:
Although there are some weaknesses, I will give full points as the Frame is build light & right for CC race, and therefore it can't be as stiff as the Votec, nor can you expect the frame to take up the big hits, it's not built for that, so I am glad to have kept the votec, which is not as smooth with small hits but takes the big ones very well. If you are looking for a allrounder, weigh more than 100kg it's NOT your bike, if you are going to run fast and technical, there is no better bike around. Please ask questions if you wish! Parts to be tested: Stan's tubeless System, Aluminium Rotors for the Magura Marta, Tune srews and bolts.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR Team, Votec C9; Marin Titanium FRS, see pictures: http://www.pinkbike.com/php/pod.php3?image=31989 http://www.pinkbike.com/php/pod.php3?image=32086
Bike Setup: o Frame: 19”RM ElementTeam SC o Headset: Race Face Thermo SP o Fork: Marzocchi Marathon S 80mm o Stem: Race Face SYStem o Handlebar: Easton CT-2 Carbon o Grips: BBB Kevlar o Brakes: Magura Marta XC o Shifters: Shimano XTR o Front/Rear Dr.: Shimano XTR/Shimano XTR o Cranks: Race Face Next LP ISIS 22-32-44 o Bottom Bracket: Race Face ISIS Splined o Pedals: Shimano 959 XTR o Wheelset: Spinergy CYCLONE DISC white spokes o Cogset: Shimano XTR 12-34 Titan o Chain: Shimano XTR o Bar Ends: Scott to be replaced by Tune o Seatpost: Easton CT-2 Carbon o Saddle: Flite TT
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Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002
Strengths: Light, strong full suspension bike!
Weaknesses: Bobs a little on the trails i ride...probably cos i don't have the rear sus. adjusted properly
Bottom Line:
REAlly good bike!!!!! rides well and handles well....no major complaints. it bobs a little but its just probably because i don't have the rear sus. adjusted properly. i have tried and rode the santa cruz superlight and those rock too...they don't bob as much but that's probably cos' i have them tuned to me for 2-3 yrs now...have to get this bike set up properly...but everything else on this bike beats the santa cruz flat!! it rocks...i wanted to give 4.5 chills...but since they don't have that...i just round off...:).nice bike...probably for weight freaks that don't want to compromise strenght for weight and just want something in between. i really like it.
Similar Products Used: santa cruz superlight 2000 and 2001.
Bike Setup: full XT, race face cranks, avid 5.0 arch rival, sun ringle 0 degrees xc rims, thompson seatpost, koobi seat, Xtr shifters.
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Submitted by
Colin Cookney
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2002
Strengths: The strength of this product lies in its ride adjustability, light weight (a whole 22lbs), and frame construction. Have only been riding this machine for three month (Approx 35 rides), but have taken it through everything without difficulty. The only thing that stands in its way is my technical ability.
Weaknesses: None noted to date!
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! Price was hard to swallow at first, but worth every penny. Would recommend this bike to anyone.
Bike Setup: XTR, SRAM ESP, Chris King, Maxxis, Easton, Race Face, Time, Sid Race
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Submitted by
John Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Newcastle upon Tyne, Uk
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Strengths: Excellent build quality. Great paint job. Rear arm is very well controlled, really does ride like a suspended hardtail - haven't taken my Bontrager Racelite out since purchace!? Very light.
Weaknesses: Nil so far
Bottom Line:
So far this bike is all I hoped it would be. Avaliable in UK as frame only - so build it how you like. It's a great bike for the hard-tail enthusiast who thinks he/she really ought to get a full suspension. Be prepared to kit it out well (cost high) to really justify the frame. Siutable for cross country with a bit of "freeriding", NOT downhilling.
Submitted by
Cody Davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002
Strengths: This bike eats up anything you point it at. Smooth ride with no bob. 3D link suspension offers awesome latt stifness.
Weaknesses: Minataur tires that come stock were devoured on the slick rock of Moab.
Bottom Line:
I enjoy the downhill scene, but you have to climb back up eventualy, this bike will allow you to do just that. If you want a light (23 pounds)smooth ride this is one thats worth the extra $. There are deals to be found on them, just dont wait too long or it will disapear.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Homegrown Full Suspension Downhill
Bike Setup: The day I bought this bike I had problems with the SDRAM 9.0 shifters. I traded them out for xtr along with the brakes. I replaced the tires after one trip to Moab, picking up a little weight over the light weight minataurs.
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Submitted by
Ryan Gallagher
a Cross Country Rider
from Somerset, UK
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002
Strengths: Frame (Scandium is the best material i've used) and the rear shock
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
If your going to spend this much on a bike then i think you really should just buy the frame because you want the bike for you and theres not a bike on the market with what i wanted and you just waste money by changing the setup to suit. But the bottom line is Rocky mountain have just released the best full susser frame i have ever ridden or seen. Go on buy the dream.
Bike Setup: Full XTR (including brakeset and STI), Crossmax tubeless, Raceface SYStem, Manitou black elite super air, Easton CT2, Chris King and X-LITE.
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Submitted by
matt
a Cross Country Rider
from portland
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2002
Strengths: great lock-out. Everything works awesome. Can ride it anywhere. It goes up hill like you're going down. Lock it out and you're up. Put the shocks on and it bombs.
Weaknesses: the damn tires. You can't do anything on them they slide. It's like riding road tires
Bottom Line:
This is the one of the best damn bikes ever! If I could rate it a six i would/
Similar Products Used: there ain't nothing like it
Bike Setup: the best of everything.
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Submitted by
jmtbkr
a Weekend Warrior
from right coast
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001
Bottom Line:
well they finally gave this bike its own catagory!
I've had mine over a year now. Bought the frame only. this bike rocks!!! does everything I can throw at it and works flawlessly. I've had 3 MAJOR crashes and the bike is in perfect alignment. can't say that about MY back!! I think the scandium is stonger than aluminum and definately lighter. I built it up not stupid light, i'm 210, and it weighs 24.75 lbs. you will like this ride!!!!
