-Ventana’s renowned CNC machine work and legendary "Electric Sex" TIG welds
-6" of plush-active rear wheel travel
-Low 2.6:1 compression ratio for lighter springs & longer shock life
-Fox Vanilla RC Piggyback coil shock with compression & rebound adjustability
-Oversized sealed cartridge bearings
-Double bearing option for extreme riding, doubles bearing life & boosts lateral rear end stiffness
-Rebuildable 17-4 SS bearing spuds
-Replaceable dropouts with ¾" of wheelbase adjustability
-Standard quick release dropouts with optional 12mm through axles
-Generous tire clearance will accommodate 26" x 2.5" tires & up to 24" x 3.0" Gazzaloddi meats
-Oversized, ovalized, custom formed top, down, seat stay and chain stay tubing for unparalleled chassis stiffness
-Full wrap-around gusset for "BIG" double-triple clamp fork compatibility
-International standard disc brake mount
-Internally butted bottom bracket shell & head tube
Submitted by
John Entwistle
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington Date Reviewed: February 5, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Engineering, design, ride..........you name it, this has it all and more !
Weaknesses:
You gotta' be kidding. It's said that Ventana products are expensive - well, you get what you pay for. (and it's a US product people !)
Similar Products Used:
Fuego, Saltamontes, GT2000
Bike Setup:
'04 Super-T, Magura FR's, Hadley hubs, Race Face, Quad bearings, Romic, XTR drive plus the rest of the goodies. Oh yeah and the Electic Super Dust finish.
Bottom Line:
SERIOUS Competition for my Saltamontes, this thing rides like a dream ! (The Romic upgrade should be "no-brainer" for anyone considering this baby) Set up by Bike Works - Lake Stevens, WA (Scott is THE MAN - well, after Sherwood of course.....) Ventana's customer service is second to none, Teresa is worth her weight in gold and their committment to the product shows the rest of the industry 'the way'. The balance, lateral stiffness and all-round quality of these frames is awesome (legendary) Only problems I've had are raising my riding ability to the level demanded / deserved by the frame, and cleaning off the drool from the folks in the shop. (the awesome powder coat finish resists almost any 'pollution') If you're looking for a freeride frame, the Witch will more than satisfy you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ross M.H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia, WA USA Date Reviewed: July 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
MOAB--!!!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
WrenchScience
Strengths:
Quality. Quality. Quality!!! SHerwood Gibson, the kind owner, designer, welder at Ventana talked with me directly, despite many impatient, insistent, patience-trying e-mails. Ventana and Sherwood Gibson are the finest example of class act service and design. If the product was not a selling point, the Ventana EXPERIENCE must surely be the clincher--
The La Bruja features 6" of fully active travel. I am running a ROMIC, as opposed to a FOX, featuring a double bearing option for increased lateral precision and pedaling efficiency. The welding is astounding. The suspension design is better, more efficient, yet more responsive than anything I have used with over 5" of travel--this list includes Balfa's; Ellsworth Dares(2000-2003), Jokers; Santa Cruz Heckler/Bullit; Foes; ...countless lesser makes--countless.
THE WARRANTY. Lifetime trade-in discounts, etc.
Paint and finish is perfect. It resists most any rub, ticks, nicks, dings, etc.,
Cable routing options--captured/un-captured--
Adjustable wheelbase. Replace old dropouts. QUAD BEARING OPTON!!!!
E-mail and ask me.
Weaknesses:
The price. It pays for itself considering future discounts on future Ventana frames, regardless of current frame condition.
Similar Products Used:
Balda, Ellsworth, Foes, Santa Cruz, Kona, ---you name it.
Bike Setup:
Hand-picked parts for the stream-lined appeal and aesthetically surreal, la burja--the witch. Hugi FR 20mm front, Hadley rear; '03 Super T; Hope 4's F/R; ETC.,,,,,,It is not a pissing competition--though the desire to spend on parts is a virus-
Bottom Line:
SO, I waited impatiently for this frame--my very own Grinch Green, Ventana La Bruja. I poured over technical documents. I annoyed with relentless insistency Sherwood Gibson, Wrench Science, Dreambike.com, and so on and on ---
This began as a dream. Then I was struck by car---surgery, minor for a nose shattered---insurance $! I can replace my destroyed Balfa. I had never built a bike, and knew little about mechanics. I spent a month on the internet, learned mechanics, and built the La Bruja from scratch. I hand-picked all parts for visual, functional appeal.
Delay....Delay...
It arrives, and I apply and construct.
Now I ride. The wait has hightened the experience. The ride----, its custom nature works--flowride. It works, and is the greatest of all mountain bike, freeride, machines.
This has become more than a passion.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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