Submitted by
rob kuhn
a Weekend Warrior
from southern california
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2007
Strengths: Strong and lightweight frame
Weaknesses: Rather tall head tube
Bottom Line:
I wanted to get back to my roots (hard tail) so I thought about rebuilding my old Myata frame but we're talking 1994 circa which didn't have disc brake mounts and the headtube was setup for the 1-1/4 fork; I eventually installed a 1-1/8 reducer.
While looking for parts on eBay I stumbled on this frame for $69.00. It was new and never been built! The owner had bought it with plans to build it up but it just never happened.
I love this bike! I have the large 20" frame which is pretty large for me (I'm 5' 11") and that was a concern since my past XC bikes were in the 17 and 18 inch size.
Because it has a rather tall head tube, none of the steerer tubes on my forks were long enough. The cost to have have new steerer tubes installed averaged between $125 and $200. So I decided to just purchase a new fork (seeing as I got the frame for $69 it was rather easy for me to justify the cost to myself).
Once I got the bike built and I straddle it is when I realized at how big of bike it really was! I was concerned that it may be too big a bike for some of the technical rides.
The the other thing I noticed was how "fast" the bike accelerated as well as its excellent climbing speed! This thing takes off like a rocket and climbs like a goat! Because the frame is large (and its matched with a 130mm fork) it can take hits rather well. Thought it is large it's very nimble in the technicals. The frame is well balanced so techy areas that I used to do on my 17 inch frame I can do just as easy with this 20 incher.
As mentioned, this bike is fast. Much faster than any of my previous bikes. Long single track rides are awesome with this bike!
Similar Products Used: The rest were junk compared to this one
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Garden Hill, Ontaio, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2005
Strengths: It goes and goes, and never gives up, until the shoddy cranks give out, but they can be replaced. Frame is invicible, which is good for me because I use it for things it wasn't intended for.
Weaknesses: Cranks. Truvative 5D suck monkey nuts. Change them as soon as possible....broke mine three times and still didn't bother to change em for something else....good thing I was still on warranty. The Judy TT are a little soft as well, and I only weight in at 130.
Bottom Line:
Love this bike to no end....three years runnin' and still going strong. Been abused, neglected at one point, "restored", and it still keeps going. Rims are tough as hell, pedals are great, shifting is smooth, but its starting to skip (think that's due to the bent chain though, hehe). I've used this thing for 5ft drops, which could have also aided in the crank problems, but thats beside the point, which is this bike for the price, and quality of components is a tank, bomb proof, whatever you want to call it. Used it for XC racing for a while. Did surprisingly well, as I managed to beat out most of the competition on their lightweight XC race bikes.....ha, take that. Bottom line: Yummy to the tummy Bigfoot meat is.
Strengths: good solid frame, great rims and shocks, comfortable bike to ride, solid tires, discs are very very handy
Weaknesses: front derailer is a bit cheap and dodgy, shifters are much the same
Bottom Line:
all up solid bike for the dollar. the discs and frame and shocks are awsome but i recomend replacing the front derailer it just pisses you off. great lower to mid range bike. great for eginner to mids. can take a beating.
Strengths: Its a pretty sweet bike for the price. The 1000$ is Canadain plus I upgraded to a BomberEXR fork. I like to take drops, ride downhill and cross country on this bike. I don't find alot of time to ride, so this is a perfect bike for the price
Weaknesses: JudyTT fork. Is a piece of sh*t so I, put on a bomber. Cranks fell off, but they gave me free new ones.
Submitted by
Jared
a Weekend Warrior
from Red Deer, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2002
Strengths: This bike has great components. Nice derailure and the new cranks and pedals work great. Real strong and light frame and rims are tough. Shimano V's have awesome stopping power. Hubs are also ready to go.
Weaknesses: Tires pick up lots of mud but thats hard to fix. Rock Shox Judy TT are fine if you land back tire first and don't take drops on the nose.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike to start out on. If your more advanced and getting into the big stuff I suggest a better bike, but it's a perfect all around bike to start getting into anykind of riding. Handles big drops, 5ft to flat easy. For $800 Canadian. Get it.
Strengths: Shout out to all other bigfoot owners- has any one else felt that the top tube on the 2002 model is way too short? i have a 20" , but when you try to hop curbs, wheelie, or do drops it seems that another 3 inches of length would make a huge difference. the cockpit feels cramped, just in general. So has anyone upgraded to a longer stem, wider bars or taller shocks and found this problem cured? Im 5'10 with a longish back and aarms, so this could be just a personal issue.
Bottom Line:
other than the above, the bike is great. Anyone considering it though i would say go find a similar bike from brodie. Hardtail pride!
Strengths: Agile Strong frame, shifters, tires, rear derealure, got a chunk of wood jammed between the freewheel and the derealure, the dreralure is still fine
Weaknesses: cranks, I put a shimano carterage in it and haven't had any problems since, fork bottoms out easily
Bottom Line:
great bike but needs new carterage and fork is too soft. should have gotten the Sasquatch
Strengths: Super strong, light weight and agile even at 22" frame, smooth quick shift,
Weaknesses: CRANKS! broke the first week,
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet ride, I'm 6'5 250 and she takes the lumps like it was made from solid steel. Nice fat stock tires (26x240) and to the stability in the thick stuff. MUST upgrade the crank set (race face prodigy DH) the stock truitiv is a piece of crap, I hope norco just got a bad batch of cranks cause they really suck!
The Judy TT's are pretty soft but my bike shop upgraded the internal springs pro bono (thanks guys)
Overall...there aren't enough "flamin chillies" for this bike and value.
