6061 Aluminum with butted Ovation Edge top and down tubes, anti-flex Tri-Burner seat and chain stays, Disk Mounts.*Rock Shox Duke C, 80mm of Travel Fork*WTB Momentum Comp AL Threadless 1 1/8" Headset
Submitted by
Al Stevenson
a Cross Country Rider
from Auckland, NZ
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002
Strengths: Nice and stiff frame that gives good fast handling feedback on the trails. I recently transferred from a Orange Prestige and it’s a certainly an improvement. Alu frame is not too harsh coming from a steel frame. Great on single track and a capable machine on downhill sections with the right front fork. Good riding position that manages to combine comfort as well as a good racing position. Very nice X-C bike.
Weaknesses: Experiencing a good deal of chain slap and therefore drive problems. Have reduced the chain length which seems at this stage to have sorted the problem. Grips are crap. Tyres are not so flash in the sand.
Bottom Line:
Great mid level X-C racer. Frame is about the right weight to prevent any unwanted frame mishaps. Nice component choice. Got rid of the Dukes in favor of some adjustability. Good move at this stage.
Only had the bike for a couple of weeks but at this stage would rate it highly. Will post more in the future.
Not in favor in giving 5 all round as there is always something to improve on!!!
Similar Products Used: Kona Cindercone and Caldera
Bike Setup: Stock. Avid disks. Manitou Comp Coil fork.
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Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Centreville, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002
Strengths: Avid Disc Brakes have incredible feel and power, pedals are easy to get in and out of, XT rear derailleur shifts smoothly and precisely, fun bike to ride.
Weaknesses: Deore front derailleur, could be lighter
Bottom Line:
Great bike, awesome on cross country, good for downhills, fun to ride around DC...everything I wanted in a bike. Plus the guys at the customer service are awesome, I ripped a rear derailleur hanger and they couldn't have handled it better.
Similar Products Used: Marin Palisades Trail, Giant Rainer
Bike Setup: Stock...see www.marinbikes.com
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Submitted by
Mike Hook
a Cross Country Rider
from Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2002
Strengths: Rock shock duke works great. Took a while to get the pressure right for my weight (215lbs). avid discs are nice, smooth action and good power with little finger straining. bike is nice and light, it handles well and shifts well. Long top tub is nice, makes the bike very stable on the rough stuff like roots and rocks.
Weaknesses: Tires are kinda weak in the sand, ok on the hard stuff though. grips are not great. That's about it.
Bottom Line:
Great bang for the buck, deore and XT work perfect, light and strong. for under 1000 bucks, you won't find much better out there. Would recommend it any time.
Similar Products Used: Kona munimula Specialized Hard rock.
Bike Setup: Stock, except for seat post shock and pedals.
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Submitted by
Everett Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002
Strengths: Strong Frame Good Stock Form
Weaknesses: Ovation Brakes (took them off after the test drive) Front derailleur Wheels
Bottom Line:
This bike has been the kindest of any I have owned. I will admit that I am primarily a city user, but even so, the trails I used it on last summer were no match to its handling. I took it out to the nearest national park and the suspension held up far better than I had expected. The frame is extremely strong, although maybe also a little heavy.
The one problem I had was that the front derailleur was forcing my chain to skip right off the crank at the top gear, and not hitting the bottom one at all. No amount of adjustment could fix it, so we had to put in a different crank rod.
Also, I didn't think of it until now, but the wheels are quite slow. I guess the hubs are sluggish, but I'll get that looked into. Not a big deal, I have strong legs.
Buying in Canada would be a recommendation to any near-borader American riders. Thh dollar conversion will be greatly to your benefit.
Favorite Trail: Monkey Trails, Riding Mountain Ntl Park
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$735.00
Purchased At: Sampson's Sportland
Similar Products Used: Marin Palisades Trail Kona Caldera
Bike Setup: Stock, but added clipless pedals, new seat, switched crappy Ovation brakes as part of original purchase, various city-travel accessories added.
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Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch NewZealand
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2002
Strengths: Very comfortable to ride. Had all i was looking for....RockShox Dukes, Disk Brakes....BUT
Weaknesses: maybe too soon to judge, but in the short while I had it, i crashed a couple of times, and although not major, each time, one of my brake handles bent. Now, if it happened once, ok, an accident....but when it happens in 2 crashes in a row, than it's too much of a coincidence. So, i think the brake handles are crap so far... also the rear disk brakes are starting to loosen and make funny noises. All this may be fixed after the first service soon, but please if you have a RR, let me know what you think !
Bottom Line:
too soon to tell maybe, but not good so far. if all things work properly, than a great bike for XC riders
