This bike is relativly light for a steel frame and extemely flexible and absorbing. It is agile and can be used for all kinds of riding. It is so much fun through sigle tracks and also fast along the straights.
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Exmouth, Devon, England
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2003
Strengths: Steel frame that goes exactly where you point it every time, super smooth MX Pro fork and wheel strength
Weaknesses: Saddle could be better, seat post feels like its made from lead and grips make your hands go numb even with gloves
Bottom Line:
There is lots of choice in this price range,and lots of bikes that both weigh less and have sweet set ups, but trust me this is the one you want!Dont follow the crowd and buy any old machine made aluminium bike, by responsive, handmade, last forever artwork. After a break from proper riding for 8 years this is the first bike I have ridden, it feels like I never left the saddle! Bottom line is if you want the solid safe package that will last forever and turn you into the singletrack king of your neighbourhood BUY ONE! Forgot to say the paints indistructable, but bin the grips and super heavy post!
20 bikes I rode - Giant, Kona, Gary Fischer and Klein and this abay rocked. The handling is tight and the frame is way durable - I love the fork, and I would recommend this bike to any intermediate rider.
Similar Products Used: Kona NuNu, Cinder Cone and Attitude Comp
Bike Setup: Stock - will be switching saddles and going eggbeaters
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Kinley
a Racer
from San Marcos, CA, U.S.
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2003
Strengths: Geometry, Marzocchi MX Pro Air shock, Solidly spec'd, and of course the steel frame
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This bike's handling is unbelievable. I am making sections that I have never made in years of riding. The steel frame combined with the plush Marzocchi shock make for a very supple ride, yet the acceleration when you step on the cranks is impressive. I have owned much more expensive bikes but the Hammer by far is the best riding bike I have owned. Buy it!
Strengths: smoooooth ride, maz fork great components ... for me I like the RM geometry and chose the hammer over the stratos or elevation based on the smoother ride of the reynolds steel frame. xt derailer is the way to go and avid brakes stop on a dime.
Weaknesses: I would have paid more for a lighter frame..say if they still made the blizzard model. My 17.5" weighs in at 26lbs on the LBS scale. Two tone paint like the others would have been cooler.
Bottom Line:
Probably could find a cheaper and lighter hardtail with similar components, but not a steel frame with a lifetime warranty. My second choice would have been the Trek 8000 or the xtc2. I rode lots of different bikes and spent lots of time researching the benefits of each. When I picked up my bike,the service manager commented that lots of his guys ride the Hammer or the Blizzard. I've been all over on the bike now and I love riding it on the street and off road. You can throw it around and it is very stable when you land. Great bike, highly recommended for anyone looking for a hardtail in the $1000 range.
Similar Products Used: stumpy, trek 8000, giant xtc2, RM elevation and stratos ..all good bikes but teh Hammer was the comfortable ride for me.
Bike Setup: Traded the stock bar in for an Easton carbon monkeylite hi-rise bar, rest is stock. The Raceface bar was pretty light but I really wanted the carbon fiber bar. Sometimes the bike has a Burley trailer behind it.
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What would you guys use?
I want answers from people who have tried at least one for endurance races and long training rides.
if you have tried both, even better. I am not sur Read More »
I have to say that it is HIGHLY disappointing that Pivot really screwed the pooch with slathering green Loctite on the pressfit BBs. I do my own wrenching so all I need now is a $ Read More »
