Submitted by
Zach
a Cross Country Rider
from Sandy
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004
Strengths: Durable, not too heavy, Full suspension!
Weaknesses: No lockout on the stock shock, but what do you want for this price?
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! You'll never find a better full suspension frame for the money, even if you pay retail price for it! I built it up and took it to Moab to ride Slickrock for it's inauguration. Smoothed out all the little bumps and jars that Slickrock can throw at you. Even with the 750 lb spring, it worked great. Of course, I am a bit of a clydesdale (6'1" 215 lbs). No complaints here. I'll build this sucker up with XT/XTR parts eventually, but this frame is a keeper!
Bike Setup: Hayes MX-1 disks, XT/LX drivetrain, Easton CT2 Carbon bar, Ritchey prologic headset, Manitou Six 100mm fork, Truvativ crankset, Koski stem, Kalloy seatpost, bar ends
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Hartley
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodstock, GA USA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004
Strengths: Pretty good paint, cool design, good welds, good rear shock(dv-22), good customer service
Weaknesses: rear shock came with a 750lb spring!- a little stiff for my taste, the rear disc is old school 22mm mount so compatibility is an issue, chain rubs the frame on the smallest ring of the cassette
Bottom Line:
Even with the weaknesses, this is a great frame for the money as long as you don't pay full price for it! My chain rubbed the inside of the dropout from day one and causes some ghost shifting and noise, but I am going to grind away some material to fix it. To be fair, IBEX said they would refund me the money for the frame but I said no since it was so cheap for a 4" travel frame. Aparrently this bike is built and sold as a 8-speed ride but that shouldn't matter since the overall width of 9spd and 8spd cassettes is the same right?? Anyway, this is a cool frame with good welds that feels rock-solid and gets looks from others on the trail since it is a relatively unknown brand. As far as the shock goes, I am 185lbs and I have to ride with the shock twisted all the way out to make it plush, but it is a smooth, linear feel. Wish the disc mounts were IS!!
Bike Setup: manitou black comp, bonterager/shimano LX mix, Mavic rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Cameron
a Downhiller
from Houma, LA USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2003
Strengths: good looks, very strong frame, dnm dv-22 rear shock (included) is stiff for that hard tail feel yet gives perfectly for the bumps.
Weaknesses: cable mounts a little too close to brake mounts, the cable has to make a tight bend to mount properly, but not enough to hurt braking
Bottom Line:
if you are looking for a xc, freeride, or intry level dh frame this it. it can be set up for just about whatever you want at a good price. i rode xc with the manitou six fork and the set up was perfect, i tried dh with it and it was a little slugish, i changed to the manitou black and it handles the hills perfect. this frame workes very well with just about any setup you put on it. i've pushed this bike to is limits and back. this frame is very sturdy, it handles 5' drops with no problems. i've done stairs, ramps, and small cliffs,(5' highest, a couple times) without a broken weld or bend anywhere. it is light enough to climb hills with ease, yet weighs enough to get good speed back down the hill. bottom line this is an awsome frame for the price whatever the setup. i've invested $1300 dollars into this bike and it just as good if not better than some of the $2000-$3000 bikes i've ridden with.i give it ten flamin' chilis.
Bike Setup: shimano xt front and rear derailer, xt mega 9 casset, xt rapid shifter pod and brake lever set, xt crankset,es 71 bb, alexrims disc w/formula disc hubs, wtb velociraptor tires, hayes hmx 1-1 mech disc brakes, aheadset c-4 headset, manitou six super 100mm disc fork switched to manitou black comp 120mm, weyless m4 stem, weyless xc20r handle bars.
