Submitted by
Chris Schuele
a Weekend Warrior
from Florence, ky, usa
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2004
Strengths: The Frame is very light with a good feel,and everythings is very respectable for the price except what is listed below.
Weaknesses: Fork is very soft and isn't very good for trails with creek crossings and jumps/drops of any kind, wheels,and tire slip everywhere unless it is perfectly dry and hard.
Bottom Line:
This is a very good bike for XC and trail riding and is holding up very well in the trails I have taking it on. I ride hard and all it still working good except for the tires and fork. Great bike for anyone planning on trail riding. I would recommend this bike to anyone as long as you plan on upgrading tires. This is also a good bike to race.
Similar Products Used: Giants, Haros, leader, GTs(2001 and before), Treks
Bike Setup: Stock except for upgrading fork to Fox Float 100RLC and tires. Wheels will upgraded in near future to
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matts Thompson
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2004
Strengths: VALUE!!! Do not let the lower rating this bike recieved fool you (should be very close to a 5). Amazing frame, reasonable fork, very respectable components (KEEP IN MIND THE PRICE!!)
You cannot find a better beginner/intermediate bike. They dont exist period.
Weaknesses: The tires are absolute a$$. I ride in Eastern Canada where mud is ever present, these tires spin out like mad, are terrible in corners and will frustrate you when you try to get up hills you know you could make on a half decent set of tires. They are reasonably fast on hard stuff, so the good people in hot dry climates might not mind them so much.
Bottom Line:
Specialized makes a lot of bikes. They purchase components in bulk and pass the savings to you. Subsequantly you get a better bike for your dollar.
Rides brilliantly in everything, goes up and down smoothly, corners well. Do not leave the shop with the stock tires. Change them immediatly and sacrifice to the god(s) of your choice.
The best part about the bike is that it is so upgradeable. You can turn this bike into a super star over time without busting the bank. First things to go will be the stem, handle bars and cranks (remember the tires do not leave the store on the bike).
I might be wrong about a better valued bike for someone who wants to start getting serious. If you can find something better your homework deserves an A+.
Purchased At: Random Bike Store in a small small town
Similar Products Used: a couple of brodys, cannondales (not mine but friends)
Bike Setup: Stock with a tire upgrade.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ben knight
a Cross Country Rider
from chelteenham
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2004
Strengths: good sprinting due to the geomitry and frame
Weaknesses: weak fork, best upgrade to a stonger 80mm fork for best performance
Bottom Line:
good bike but upgrade to make sucha better bike. good hanling on single track and not to bad on decents.sprints perfectly with new cranks and forks and the rest of the groupset is textbook perfrmance great for people who would enjoy a crosscountry bike and dont have a lot to spend. the best for the money by far
Similar Products Used: hardrock and cannondale caad3
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Fullerton, CA, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2003
Strengths: when you turn the pedals with your feet the big moves forward. Great bike for beginner.
Weaknesses: cranks, front shock, tires, seat, and bright red paint job. Red is to flashy!
Bottom Line:
Great bike for beginner. My fork broke and it took 5 weeks to get it fixed. It was a nightmare! Also, my bike had to be constantly tuned or greased by the bike shop but that's probably any bike.
You better off spending a couple hundred more dollars for a cheap full suspension bike.
Similar Products Used: I tried a Trek in the same price range and liked the Specialized better.
Bike Setup: lx/deore stuff, mavic rims, and etc.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Worth, TX
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003
Strengths: Sweet strength-to-weight-to-price ratio, quick and responsive, climbs all day long, stops when you ask it to, shifts well while you're at it...
Weaknesses: For my 220lb weight, 95% of the stock componentry is a broken collarbone or missing front tooth just waiting to happen.
Bottom Line:
Except for the brakes, wheels, and derailleur, you should immediately remove every component and bury them in 6-foot deep hole. Do it near a local trail so that you get the pleasure of rolling over them ever time you start a ride... Actually, the bike is a great deal for anyone wanting to throw down a good ride straight from the showroom floor. Yes, I've upgraded mine, but I've ridden it hard WHILE upgrading (this is important). The only parts that are truly dangerous are the fork (Jell-O soft) and the “Forearm” cranks (surprisingly, also made of Jell-O). The forks were immediately removed and given to a buddy who thought he was getting a good deal. A year later, I've yet to see these things make it off the workbench. One of the oil fittings blew off during a low-intensity ride. I don't know how good Manitou’s customer service is, but it reflects poorly when you have to call them after your first ride. The cranks are embarrassing too. Nothing screams "trail dork" louder than a non-stop crank arm squeak, which is seriously magnified by your sweet oversized aluminum frame. Don't get me wrong. I like people to stare, just not out of annoyance or contempt... With the addition of a few select components (some people actually like the fork), you can make this bike a serious contender. If you take the time to shop around, you can get great deals on all of your favorite components. Building-up is the only way to go and this bike is an excellent place to start. Buy this bike if you want to rule the trail some day, but don't mind building it up as you go...
Similar Products Used: A lifetime's worth of cheap bikes with good frames, worthy of being transformed into backwoods bruisers.
Bike Setup: Uncle Jesse bars and RaceFace I-beam stem (yeah, it's ugly, but there's zero flex up front), Chris King headset, 'Zoke X-fly's, new Alpes de' frenchiesomthing saddle, XT-shifters and brakes (ask your wife if you really need XTR), and Profile cranks on the way. When the stock wheels finally explode, I'll build my own set.
Strengths: This bike is extremly light! Smooth shifting, ok forks. Good saddle.
Weaknesses: Tires slip all over the place, weak rims, my brakes buggered within 3 months but this may just be the way they where set up. Chainset bent but this was proably due to the front mech braking.
Bottom Line:
I loved this bike. It was very light and made riding a pleasure. It was a nightmare when the brakes broke (!) and sat on the rim at all times. I had just upgraded to new gold lx drivetrain when my bike was stolen. I wish i had this bike back but im now lopoking for something a bit stronger as i would not trust this bike with jumps. I suppose it aint what is was designed for! An excellant xc bike!
Strengths: Very light bike for its price, extremely responsive to your every move, good starting components for price paid.
Weaknesses: tires have little or no traction, shifters are great for the price but need to be upgraded when you have the money.
Bottom Line:
A great bike for beggining and intermediate racers, with extremely good components for the price. I strongly reccomend as this is one of the best xc bikes in terms of value. The only part on this bike that really needs to be upgraded are the tires because unless you are riding on packed dirt they are energy consuming and useless
Strengths: This bike takes a beating...It can take take 6 foot drops easily (or as easily as the rider can take them), and the wheels ARE strong for the weight. Hey you Downhillers! If you're worried about bending the rims, then just replace them. This is a cross country bike that's meant to be light.
Weaknesses: Pedals...but I never like stock pedals...just get a pair of BMXer's. Also, the fork is too plush for jumping. You can bottom it out on a 3 foot drop pretty easy, yet most of the time it is perfect.
Bottom Line:
Hey...if this is your first bike, or if you just want a great hardtail for under $900, this is your bike. If I'm wrong, then show me a better bike?
Similar Products Used: Giant XtC 2- better bike, but also more expensive? Stumpjumper- Yeah, M4 alloy is better, but again $1200 compared to $870 list price?
Bike Setup: Like you really care what I've upgraded on the bike. Not much...just the tires, pedals, and crank set including rockguard.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Justin Boehm
a Cross Country Rider
from College Station, TX 77840
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003
Strengths: Only thing I found so far is the Frame. Im just waiting to see if I can break that too
Weaknesses: MY FORK BLEW UP!!!! I hopped up a curb and the fork exploded and the cap hit me in the shoulder, fluid spashed all over my face and eyes. THIS FORK IS UNSAFE! ....and Ive broken just about everything else but the frame. Good luck if you plan on buying this bike. Just get your face out of the way when it explodes.
Bottom Line:
I really like the bike, I just wish I didnt have to deal with all the broken componests all the time. Taking it to the shop to get warrenty repairs is a pain in the A$$. With a fork and wheel upgrade you have a good bike.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Tassajarha Kona Stuff Trek 6800
Bike Setup: XT derailer (LX broke) Race Face bashguard, platform petals, Rhynolite wheels Deore hubs (wheel bent). Mostly replacement upgrades.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jeremy Whittaker
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2003
Strengths: Great frame, good LX Shimano parts, awesome fork, can take punishment
Weaknesses: Tires and wheels are weak and need to be changed out.
Bottom Line:
I have been aggressivly riding this bike down since I got it. This was my first real XC mountain bike and I put allot of time into searching what I wanted and this badboy came out and caught my eye. I have taken the bike all over from Chico CA down to San Diego and have ridden it on all skill level trails from begginer hard fireroads to courses I shouldnt have been on like steep Down Hill trails with tons of drop offs and jumps. This bike has been able to stand up to some awesome bails and comes out without a hitch. The only issue that has come up about the bike is I tweaked my front wheel after about 4 months of hard riding. I dont think it should need truing this soon but none the less thats the only problems I have had since I have been abusing the hell out of it. Great bike over all and perfect for beginnging and Intermediate XC riders.
Strengths: sturdy frame, fork rocks, very stiff and responsive
Weaknesses: stock tires are pitiful in corners;
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money if you paid what i paid. The tires are horrible; replace them immediately. I really like Specialized frame geometry. Did i mention how great the fork is? Cuz it's really great. Good entry level racer.
Bike Setup: Two wheels, brakes, and 'quick release'
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Charlie
a Weekend Warrior
from Dunedin,FL
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002
Strengths: The bike is very light,and the components are reliable but not good enough for this frame. THE 515 SPD's are great and reliable as a stock pedal. The tires and Tubes are EXTREMELY light.I UPGRADED a WEEK After i got the BIKE.
Weaknesses: The Deore and LX Components and also handlebars.Upgrade as SOON as possible. And you will have the PERFECT bike. I USED THE OLD PARTS FOR MY GIRL'S HARDROCK AND NOW SHE LOVES THAT BIKE.
Bottom Line:
The bike is AWESOMELY LIGHT the price is a little HIGH but with spending more money you can make it better than a STUMPJUMPER in COMPONENT wise..I Paid the same for this one as i paid for my ROCKHOPPER , so i couln't go wrong With UPGRADES. MY NEXT BUY ARE XTR BRAKES.
Similar Products Used: 02' rockhopper.Basically the same except the fork and cranks.
Bike Setup: Had to upgrade Big time to get it the way i wanted it. Easton EC90 3Degree handlebars, XT Shifters ,XT Front Derailleur and XTR Chain and Rear Derailleur,LX CASSETTE NOW I LOVE IT!!!
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Submitted by
Jim Cim
a Cross Country Rider
from Macedon, NY
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002
Strengths: Nice Frame & Fork
Weaknesses: Cheesy Stem & Seatpost, Tires Suck
Bottom Line:
Nice looking frame, beefy yet light, fork is plush, 4 in. of travel, good bang for the buck on components. Replaced the cheesy looking house brand stem & post with a Profile Stiffy & Raceface XY0. The stock Rockster Pro tires look good and roll fast and that's about it. They suck in the corners and are whimpy even for semi-treads. 505 pedals are ok, too much release tension even after adj; I prefer my Ritchies. Geometry is right on the money for a 19". Nice Bike overall.
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