Submitted by
Jimmy Harvey
a Cross Country Rider
from Hixson, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2002
Strengths: This is the first bike ive ever bought new and decided to buy it because im going to TN Tech this fall and there is a hellacious amount of trails i want to take advantage of...I had already decided that I wanted to spend between $500 and $600 and flat out couldnt find a bike with these components for the price. I really like the Tektro disc brakes, and the Judy TT forks.
Weaknesses: I havent really got the chance to take this one out for a real good ride yet and will be sure to post my thoughts after i throw some miles on it. the only problem i had so far was with the brake pads rubbing the rotors. I tried making some adjustments but couldnt solve the problem. I am new to disc brakes and it could just be because theyre not wore in...I just dont know.
Bottom Line:
I was kind of hesitant about this bike just because i had never heard the name before but since ive recieved the bike i realized that its a high quality bike...not to mention a great value. I am also very pleased with the service i recieved. The guy i talked to was very helpful and seemed really interested in my business. They shipped it the day i ordered it and i recieved it 2 days later. I think i will be very happy with this bike and look forward to putting some good XC miles on it. If anyone asks for my advice about buying a bike i will tell them to check out the IBEX line. All their bikes seem like a great value for a quality product.
Submitted by
Mike Diaz
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawrence, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002
Strengths: -The frame is a sturdy aluminum 7005 with a nice professional finish (the coating is pretty good).
-The Tektro Novella Disc Brakes are great specially in New England's muddy trails. You can stop on a dime with this things.
-The tires, Kenda Koyote's 26 X 2.10, are beefy and do the job in the type of trail i usually ride in (muddy). This tires also have a KEVLAR coating on the side, great if you have experienced, like must of us had, the rocks opening holes in the sides of the knobby's. The bike comes with two rear tire's, instead of a front and rear like the original application intended. It adds more grip.
-The Alex FD26 RIMS are extremely dependable. The will handle pretty much whatever you throw at them. This application is designed for disc brakes. A good thing is that they have the anti-snakebite design (avoiding that your iner-tube gets squashed by the rim.
-The Rock-Shox Juddy TT its a great entry level fork, with an 80 mm travel you can set the fork to whatever level of suspension you want.
-The Shimano Alivio and Deore Derailleur's like the Rock-Shox will do a good job in terms of shifting properly. The Shimano Alivio Rapidfire shifters are good for and entry level rider that is learning how to shift properly.
-The other quality of the Kalloy UNO handlebars and seatpost, Velo saddle and gel grips,Welgo pedals and Ritchey stem, complete the components in this application.
Weaknesses: -The overall rig is a little heavy, ill say 31-33 pounds. Not for the weight conscious. The frame, wheel and rims make a difference in terms of weight. As you could imagine not the greatest climber.
-The tires on this rig worked well in wet conditions, but they were not the best for going downhill. The problem is that the brakes and the wheel are not balance you could easily put 2.4 tires in this bike, like i did, and they will make a hell of a difference, but it will also ad to the weight.
-O do the Rock Shox Juddy TT fork is a good entry level fork they only have 80mm of travel. They are good not bouncing of rocks when your going downhill, but they tend to bomb a lot, like when your attacking a hill, even when the stiffness of the fork is set to max.
-In terms of the Derailleur's you will get phantom shifting from time to time. Proper tuning could improve this issue.
-I have not heard any seasoned rider telling me that they like really like the Shimano Alivio Rapidfire shifters. This are not for a hardcore rider. I banged my knees with the stem more than once. In my estimation is probably the first thing you'll have to upgrade in this bike, probably to Deore's.
-The saddle is not very comfortable.
-The Ritchey stem does the job, but it only has two screws instead of three like some other rigs have. Not a necessary weakness, but more as security issue
Bottom Line:
The best entry/mid level bike you can find. I was reluctant in purchasing this bike because of the "too good to be true" price. There are a lot of bikes out there that will give you greta components but a poor quality frame. Another issue was the warranty, will the manufacturer be around if a brake the frame under warranty.
Before i purchased it i contacted the manufacturer. I have to say that i got the direct and knowledgeable "small shop" treatment that some of the "bigger" manufacturer's lack. I was sold. I received my bike and it was more than i expected. The unit was properly shipped and assembled. Having a lot of experience tuning my own bikes, i have to say that the people that assembled mine were pro's.
This is not your Kmart or your Bike Shop rig. I took the gamble and i have to say i won. I've, in a short term, abused this rig, I've done everything from downhill to XC on it, and she just keep taking the abuse. I had a 900 budget to buy a bike and this one cost me 430 with shipping and handling. I spent 100 in new tires and a saddle. This is not my primary bike. But it is the one im ridding the most for the moment. For us, that love the sport it is always good to come across and purchase a bike from a brand new company and not being disappointed with the ride.
