Strengths: - No bob (air shock version) - Decent weight - V brake mounts (becoming a rare thing nowadays) - Nice simple graphics - Price: $199 frame only Jensons! - Good standover clearance
Weaknesses: - Downtube cable routing for front der (dirt/mud prone) - Tight water bottle cage area - One more water bottle mount under downtube would be nice
Bottom Line:
I bought this frame only from Jensons for just $199. I paid $279 for it at first then saw an ad in a magazine for the lower price and called them up and they refunded me the difference with no questions asked. Kudos to Jensons' customer service. I bought this bike to get back into mtn biking after a hiatus. I rode a Santa Cruz Superlight prior to taking a break from mtn biking, so that's my comparison. To be honest, I didn't expect much from the 304. I was even contemplating cancelling my order before it shipped because I didn't want to waste my money. I figure since I only ride occasionally (1 or 2 times a month) it was worth the chance. Well, I am glad that I took order of the frame. The 304 frame is surprisingly bob free with the air shock version that I bought. Even when standing up and pounding, the suspensions moves very little from pedal forces. The suspension action is not as smooth as the Superlight, but that is more of a shock issue. I read a post or a previous review that suggested a squirt of TriFlow onto the shock stanchion would help and yes it did. The basic Bar shock then felt as smooth as a Fox, but I have to do this before each ride though. I only have three complaints about the frame (see Weakness section). In this age of disc brake only frames, it's nice to have V brake bosses because I still prefer Vees for my pretty easy fireroad riding.
Submitted by
C.J. Kelly
a Weekend Warrior
from Bullhead City, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2004
Strengths: Insane price! Tough bike (can take a fall), proven geometry, single pivot (SC Superlight design), Good components for price, Good all-around trail bike.
Weaknesses: No disk brakes, X-forge cranks aren't the best for aggressive riding.
Bottom Line:
I really have nothing to complain about. I bought this bike to get back into a sport that I wandered away from, and not having a lot of coin, chose this bike. It has been an excellent bike, and I daresay that I have taken this bike beyond what it was originally intended for, and it hasn't ever even flinched. Of course, I don't claim to be Red Bull rampage material, but I don't wear spandex, either. Basically, with a few upgrades, I think this bike makes a good all-around trail bike for the intermediate rider. If you're weight concious, it's a little heavy, but it does climb well. If you're into aggressive XC/Trail with the occasional foray into moderate DH, this bike will serve well. I think I basically depends on how you build it up. I guess we'll see how mine performs in Big Bear this spring, as I intend to take it up there and sample some of the mountain. Stay tuned....
Similar Products Used: Mongoose FS, Raleigh M80, Kona Stinky
Bike Setup: R.S. Bar rear shock, Pilot C 100mm front, Sun-Rhin-O-lyte rims laced to Deore disk hubs, Hayes MX1 disk brakes, XT front der., Alivio (for time being) rear der., Truvativ X-forge cranks, Koski 2" rise bar, Kore Lite stem, Velo seat, Kalloy seatpost, Shimano pedals (for XC), platforms (dh, freeride), Race Face lock-on grips,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Big Daddy
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2004
Strengths: Strong, stiff, cheap, simple
Weaknesses: Weight? Low qualuty rear shock.
Bottom Line:
I broke my SC Superlight and bought this frame to use while going through the warranty process. I didn't expect much, but I was suprised with the quality of the frame. It's a little heavy (7.4lbs with rear coil), but I don't really notice the extra weight while riding. As for the ride, I actually like it better than the Superlight. The pivot is higher which helps it climb better and the frame is stiffer--no more ghost shifting. In the end, SC sent me a Heckler and I've found that this bike is more like a 4" travel Heckler than a heavy Superlight. I'll stick with SC and keep this as a backup because SC has been great to me and I like their product. I wouldn't suggest it be used for XC racing, downhill, or freeride, but as an all around trail bike it's perfect at twice the price.
Bike Setup: 4" coil fork, 2.24 tires, lightweight wheels. 29lbs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Medford
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2004
Strengths: Inexpensive, nice welds, Bar shock works well, no pedal bob (unless you ride with the shock SUPER soft)
Weaknesses: none so far...maybe a little heavy. dont like the front derailer cable routing
Bottom Line:
As far as entry level full suspension bikes go, this frame is definantly an excellent starting point. Its hardly a big drop bike, but thats not what it was intended to be. As a XC bike it cant be beat. Plenty of travel if you decide to hit a jump or do a drop, but no pedal bob so climbs are super easy (almost as easy as a hardtail). All in all I HIGLY reccomend this frame to anyone to build a bike off of.
Bike Setup: Truvative stylo team cranks, XT-Derailers, XT-cassette, XT-shifters, XTR brakes, Sram levers, Truvative gigapipe team SL BB, Crank brothers mallet pedals, Mavic 221 rims & shimano XT hubs, XTR cables, manitou SX carbon fork, Rock Shox bar rear shock, SDG Belair saddle, titec hell bent seat post, Scott AT3 bars, yeti grips, WTB velociraptor tires.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Otak
a Cross Country Rider
from The O.C.
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2004
Strengths: - Suspension design has little to no bob with air shock version - Rear Rock Shox Bar Adjust shock has been a good performer - Nice neutral geometry
Weaknesses: - Downtube cable routing for front der gets dirty easily - Wish frame had second water bottle mount
Bottom Line:
This a review for the frame only. I bought this frame from Jensons for just $279 and didn't really expect much. Just wanted to build up a bike with some spare parts I had laying around. Truth be told, I am surprised by the nice ride this frame offers. With the rear air Bar Adjust shock, the bike does not bob. I can't speak for the coil version of this frame, but the air version pedals very well and is bob free on climbs. No joke. I have to admit though, that this frame may pedal so well because of the stiction probably has a psuedo SPV threshold point. Funny. The frame came with a seatpost shim to fit a 27.2, which was nice since I have so many post in this size laying around the garage. I built this frame up strictly for XC fireroad and singletrack riding. The bike's geometry feels neutral, which is what I personally like. It handle curvy singletracks very well with a 100mm fork. The rear single pivot end is very plush and I have yet to use up all 4" of travel. Overall, I am pretty happy the way this frame rides. A deal at $279. The only thing that is yet to be seen is the long term durability of this frame. Only time will tell. But for performance, this bike does deliver as a nice effiicient XC bike.
Submitted by
motomc
a Weekend Warrior
from North Bay Area
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
Strengths: SC Superlight clone. Single pivot with cartridge bearings. Great value. excellent climber and descender. Uniform welds.
Weaknesses: Frame is a little heavy. If it lost a pound it would be perfect. Some people have experienced cracked frames near the pivot. I'll keep an eye on this but I don't really do big drops. I also don't like the down tube routing of the front derailleur cable. I routed my front derailleur cable alont the top tube and used a clamp on cable stop on the seat tube so that I could use a top pull derailleur. You can get the frame to flex if you stand up and hammer but In a big gear, but I only do this on my single speed.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the frame only. These are a steal at $279 from Jenson. I built mine up with fairly light parts and it's right around 28 pounds. This bike rides great. Climbing is effortless and it goes down just as well. The Rock Shox BAR works fine. It holds air very well with no leakage. I'm really happy with this bike and will ride the hell out of it. 5 flaming monkey turds for value and 4 overall for their bad choice of down tube front derailleur cable routing.
Strengths: Proven Design/Great Geometry. Deluxe Rear shock is Awesome. The bike weighs 32 pounds but feels like 20.
Weaknesses: NONE!
Bottom Line:
The biggest drop onto a small, close to flat, transition was 14’ and the travel was fine. I regularly hit drops roughly 5-14 feet high. I jump as big as 5-7 foot high jumps and launch 15-18 feet. I hit above average downhill. The Black fork and the Rock Deluxe rear shock really work well. The bike always feels solid with almost no flex. I ride the bike 4-5 times a week since I bought it in August 03 and the bike is GREAT! I’m extremely satisfied with this bike and would recommend this bike to anyone looking to ride hard but not Red Bull hard. Although it could take some of the drops I saw this year. For less than $1,000 you wont find a bike better than this one.
Similar Products Used: Nothing as good all around as this bike.
Bike Setup: Avid Disks, Manitou Black Sport forks, Rock Shox Deluxe rear shock, Rhyno Lite wheels, Deore XT Shifter/Front and Rear Derailer/Hubs, Race Face Stem.
Weaknesses: weight, but not that bothered. Unproven frame. My forks.
Bottom Line:
Decent hardcore XC/enduro/light DH or FR bike
pretty happy with it so far, better both up and downhill than my old full sus. comfy, and rear travel feels like more than 100mm when things get messy.
I do a lot of DH runs in the Alps and haven't really noticed flexy rear end.
Same design as old Santa Cruz heckler, which is a classic, so can't go wrong really.
Some may scoff at the RS Deluxe rear shock but it does its job nicely and has damping adjust.
This is not a DH bike, but it does everything fairly sexily as long as you don't ride off your roof. It also helps if your not a fat heffer. Lose some weight and give it a try.
