Submitted by
Steve
a
from Garden Grove CA USA Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
Very stiff frame. Good ground clearance. Quality workmanship except the BB eccentric was not threaded properly. It needed to be chased. Long top tubes, reasonably light, good handling.
Weaknesses:
Very poor rear tire clearance. A 2.3 tire rubs just a tad. Anything bigger just won't fit at all. Using the 2.3 it is difficult to R & R the rear wheel with air in the tire. God help you if you see any mud though. Only one size frame to choose from. You either fit or don't.
Similar Products Used:
Ventana El Testigo
Bike Setup:
XTR shifters and derailuers, Hope 4-pot disks 6" rear and 8" front, XT cassete, King hubs, King steelset, Atomic wheels, Marzocci Jr T fork, Race Face cranks and BB's
Bottom Line:
I will comment only on the frame as compents are well, just components. You pick the grade level you want. Nice bike. The tire clearance is the only real issue. I would have made the rear swingarm longer for better tire/derailuer clearance, which would have also allowed a narrower chain line. The derailuer will hit the tire if you try to move the chain line in to what you might be used to. Other than that it is a nice bike. The Romic shock seems to have enough adjustability and works very well so far. Got the frame at a reduced price so the value is good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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