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Submitted by
Spencer Starks
a Cross Country Rider
from Glendale
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | All South Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Tempe Bike | | Strengths: | Stiffness, geometry, weight | | Weaknesses: | No rear Disc mount | | Similar Products Used: | Al450 | | Bike Setup: | XTR, XT, Marzocchi XC 700 | | Bottom Line: | This is the closest review I could find to the AL850, I really love this bike and untill now never thought of getting rid of it. Back in the day it was lighter than most every thing out there. This frame has seen many races and thousends of miles of trails. I worked in a bike shop or two bake in the day and have takien a brake from the bike thing for the last two years. In that time there have been many advances in bicycle tech. I will never let this frame out of my sight...... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeroen van den Brand
a Cross Country Rider
from The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Strenght, looks, controlability | | Similar Products Used: | Balance AL450, Specialized, Trek, VooDoo, the usual | | Bike Setup: | Look to my other reviews, below..... | | Bottom Line: | Still riding this rig. Like it still from day one. There are some scratches on the frame right now, but that is since I ride this bike a lot. Been virualy every were with it. Love the quick cornering and predictablility.
Last year had a second bike next to my AL750. It was a steel Specialized. Sold it after 1600 km, since almost everything about the bike sucked, except the frame. Since I loved the ride of that steel frame, I began looking around for nice other 'second' bikes. Ended up with ordering a VooDoo Bizango 2000. This bike never came to me, so after waiting for more than 6 months, and getting richer, decided to order a DeKerf Team SL. This bike was build for me in December 2000 and became my way in Januari. Still, saddly, in the process of building the rig.
I became a big fan of the steel-feel. Though, I will never turn down my good 'ol '97 Balance AL750. I am thinking of restoring it to an complete '97 bike with the original steel fork and oldschool XT parts.
Check my 750 and Team SL out at: http://communities.msn.nl/cruelcycles
See ya. This will be my last review on this bike, I think....
Balance is out of the scene and never will return, so it is useless to discuss the great ride it can be, if you aren't able to buy one.....
Jeroen van den Brand
The Netherlands | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeroen van den Brand
a Cross Country Rider
from Boxtel, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ardennen | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Frame, looks, riding caracteristics, everything | | Weaknesses: | Forged dropouts, I would like to see some CNC'ed things.... | | Similar Products Used: | AL450, Trek, Specialized, VooDoo, Cannondale, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Complete custombuild RockShox Judy SL LT, 1395gram!! New yellow (Judy SL '98) colored SID lower leg part and new crown, since my previous broke... King headset and hubs, Mavic, XT 9spd and ESP 9.0sl derrailleur and shifters, Magura brakes and Michelin Wildgripper | | Bottom Line: | Great bike and I still want nothing else for racing around!! Just upgraded my bike with own-made Chris King hubs with Sapim spokes and Mavic 517 rims. Now the bike does not only look good, it sounds even better with that King hub!!!! Please mail me, if you want to see some pic's!
I like to get in contact with other Balance bikers!!!
Ciao | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noriel
a
from Sugar Land, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Crown Ridge (San Antonio, TX) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Nice frame geometry, got it for a good deal at Sun & Ski.
Very agile and can climb. | | Weaknesses: | aluminum doesn't last forever, and I cant find a new frame without going on some quest. Mine didn't have a replaceable rear derr. dropout. I did find a small crack near the hole where the rear pannier attaches. | | Bike Setup: | Rigid fork, balance hubs, GS X-Rays, XT deraileurs, LX cranks, basically stock, and it's just fine that way. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Too bad I can't find it around the web. If any of you balance owners out there still have your catalogs, could you please email me? I accidently threw mine out while moving out, so I have no idea what my dimensions are. BTW, My AL 750 is the polished and Aqua blue color. I think I'll go with those Grip Shift betsy's and a red suspension for to complete my "All American" bike theme wish I could get it done by July 4... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeroen van den Brand
a Cross Country Rider
from Boxtel, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ardennen, Belgium | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Stiff frame that handle's like a dream. Not the lightest on the market, but one off the finest, YES! Looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing found yet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Balance AL450, Trek, the usual | | Bike Setup: | RockShox Judy SL '98 LT, Chris King headset, Chris King Classic hubset, DT spokes, Mavic 517, XT, ESP 9.0SL 9spd, Magura HS 33 Quicksilver.... | | Bottom Line: | I am going to upgrade this bike soon. I will put RaceFace cranks on my bike, and some Syncros parts... My fork cracks at the joints of the crown. I will get a new crown/upper legs soon. Then I will build the Judy to '00 SID SL. I think the weight will go down with appox. 300 grams at the front of the bike....
Soon I will have pictures of my bike. Mail me! I would like to come in contact with other Balance riders!!! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Heisler
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Albert, AB. Canada
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Fast,Fast& Fast! Stiff as hell! | | Weaknesses: | Can not get a new one. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale sort of. | | Bike Setup: | Bomber Z4, Race Face cranks, Victor DH pedals, Syncros stem, XT transmision, Mavic rims, Specialized rubber, Ringle hubs. | | Bottom Line: | I ride an AL 650 a 93 with the high polish aluminum. I have thought about buying a new bike for a few years but nothing I ride can come close on single track. So I keep upgrading components and I will till I kill this frame which does not appear possible. I wish I could buy another Balance, too bad this company quit making frames. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Heisler
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Albert, AB. Canada
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Fast,Fast& Fast! Stiff as hell! | | Weaknesses: | Can not get a new one. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale sort of. | | Bike Setup: | Bomber Z4, Race Face cranks, Victor DH pedals, Syncros stem, XT transmision, Mavic rims, Specialized rubber, Ringle hubs. | | Bottom Line: | I ride an AL 650 a 93 with the high polish aluminum. I have thought about buying a new bike for a few years but nothing I ride can come close on single track. So I keep upgrading components and I will till I kill this frame which does not appear possible. I wish I could buy another Balance, too bad this company quit making frames. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris King
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: September 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Strong and light and has a very aggressive geometry. | | Weaknesses: |
none! | | Similar Products Used: |
Rocky Mountain, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: |
Mavic Cross Link, Race Face LP Turbine, Magura Harlequin, XT F&R Derailleur, Manitou M4 | | Bottom Line: | The AL-750 frame is controllable and very stiff. I won't switch frame before it breaks.http://zap.to/chrisking | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ralph huckable
a Weekend Warrior
from hon. hi
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
excellent bike!!
climbs and descends like a dream!
perfer it over my friends xc bikes. Zaskar's and a M2. great fade paint job. had it for over 2 years. | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
chris king headset. Z1 bomber,535 pedals,bontager riser bars and XT's all around. | | Bottom Line: | this is one kickass ride dudes!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeroen van den Brand Again!
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boxtel, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | Yo Balance-bikers! Some people say Balance isn't on this planet anymore! But how come I still find pictures from '98 and '99 models in a German market-review??? Complete powdercoated frames build out of Tange Premium Alu!!! German importeur:
B C GmbH....!!!! What's going on???? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeroen van den Brand
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boxtel, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | YO BALANCE DUDES!!!! Read my review on this page! What bothers me is that no one seems to know if Balance still excists, CAN ANYBODY TELL ME MORE ABOUT THEM???
AND BALANCE-COLLEGUE'S, ISN'T TIME TO SET UP AN BALANCE OWNERS CLUB, OR SOMETHING???? IF BALANCE IS BANKRUPT, CANT WE JUST RAIS MONEY OR SOMETHING??? CAN'T WE DO ANYTHING, .........ANYTHING???? PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR REACTION ON: CRUELCYCLES@HOTMAIL.COM (Jeroen van den Brand....) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeroen van den Brand
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boxtel, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Our training-trail...... | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Incredible strong and light frame! Ive riden a few other bikes, but non were as strong and well handeling as this 750! | | Weaknesses: |
The paintwork from my '97 AL-450 wasn't great, my 750 is painted better.... | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized, Trek, most great-brands, which I don't like!!! | | Bike Setup: |
Ultimate XC bike: Judy SL LT '98, ESP 9.0SL, Magura Quicksilver, XT parts, Mavic 217 with Michelin Wildgripper | | Bottom Line: | My '97 750 (which I bought in '98) rides very well. I agree with all the other comments, fast hadeling, stiff, stron, light and very well in climbing!!! My front wheel never leaves the ground!!! I would like do get in contact with some other Balance riders at the other side of the world, USA etc. Can anybody tell me if it's true Balance stopped building bikes??? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ramon Drake
a cross-country rider
from Northestern USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought this bike when it came out on the Summer of 1995. Everything on it is basically maintainance-free. My odometer reads 2322 miles and counting. I don't own a car. Thus I've been riding this bike for over three years now. Most of the original componentry have been replaced with XTRs, Suns, Kings and other after market items. Except for the Manitou 4 fork whick is stock except for the Sped Springs and SRP Ti boltings. The frame is rugged and very forgiving. I've riddden it through pot-hole-infested NYC, 5 foot jumps, and miles and miles of off-road. My friends have been pushing me to buy a Merlin but I refuse to. Merlins are just too snappy. The AL-750 frame is stiff and very controllable especially on climbs and downhills.
If the company were still around, I would have bought 2 more frames from them. Since they went out of business a years after they debut it seems that the chance of buying one is unlikely. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Hilow
a cross-country rider
from USA, CA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hi fellow Bikers.
bought AL-750 FS. Sure it is heavy but I love it. I guess this is sort of a cleansing of the soul. Balance originally a California company, was together with Answer/manitou which explains the rear shock arrangement. Back in 1994-1995 that meant something. Since the neigbors kid raced BMX and had a balance 150 almuminum BMXer I though hey cool this bike company must be like Mongoose or something. I shelled out $1499 for the FS and love the shit out of that bike, According to my odometer it now has 7500miles on it and the rear shocks/ end need a rebuild bad! so does the swing arm pivot. That thing sounds like my grandfather getting up in the morning snaps crackles and pops. I ride the shit out of that thing but it keeps hammering. I weigh about 205Lbs and do not take the easy route with that thing roots rocks anything I hammer it!! So the other riders laugh let them I take pride in knowing that since I am riding a heavier bike i am getting into better shape. People new to mountain biking think it looks high tech!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ADAM ROOTBERG
a weekend warrior
from ARLINGTON HTS.,IL.
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I HAVE A AL550 ALL LX I WANT TO UPGRAD TO XTR. I DO NOT KNOW IF I WANT TO KEEP THE FRAM OR GET A NEW BIKE. I LOVE THE GEOMETRY AND CAN NOT FINED A FRAM I LIKE BETER. IF ANY ONE KNOWS A FRAM WITH THE SAME OR SIMALER GEOMETRY PLEASE LET ME KNOW, I ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHO IS ANERING THE GUARANTY. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregory Gallardo
a cross-country rider
from Orange, California
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Best bike I've ever owned. Nothing on the hills can out climb this bike. On quick
tight single tracks it carves a nice groove, though on slower single track action
it can be a bit sluggish, it's easy to adjust to; you just have to work it a little
harder in the corners. Very aggresive geometry. I don't know what happened
to the company. They seemed to fall off the face of the planet after Mike King
won on their bike and then switched to GT, (that's gratitude for you!). He's a
down-hill geek anyway. Get this bike and climb, climb, climb........ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Corbett
a downhiller
from Fallon, Nevada
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a full XT AL-750. I love it so much. I got a steal on it for $400. My sister is good friends with the guy and he owns a bike shop! It is one of the best bikes I have ever ridden. It is so Light and Fast, and just a great all around bike! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Gaines
a racer
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Tight, Light, and Fast. The AL-750 is a great frame. I've ridden full suspension, titanium hard-tails, and good ole' chromoly and still love this hardtail. If you are looking for something unique, a a great frame to build on this is the one. I've upgraded to Mavic 121, XT and XTR components, Selle Italia Flite saddle, and V-Brakes. As you can tell from the other reviews this bike is flat our fast with it's aggressive geometry and stiff frame. Not to mention you won't look like everyone else on a Trek, C'dale, etc. Long live Balance! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik Schmidt
a cross-country rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have one of the first ones of these. It has a high polish finish - totally silver I bought it because the company was trying to promote the frame and it was one of the best made aluminum frames at the time. I love this bike, super stiff and super fast, but now I am trying to sell it. If you are interested or know someone who is email me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from Dillon Colorado
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding my Al750 for 2 years now throughout Summit County. It is an excellent nimble ride and highly durable. The model I have is full XT (pre-XTR) with a Manitou 3 front shock. At about 24lbs, it's light and fast. I purchased it new for $1,200 which is now impossible to touch for all XT components. If they are still made (no one seems to know) I would highly recomend this bike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sean matsler
a cross-country rider
from berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
HELP!
I bought a balance full suspension used and it was stolen last week. in order to fill out the police report (and hopefully get an insurance settlement for a new ride) i need to know the model and retail value of my bike. since bought it used all the info had been painted over (wierd, i know). It was a 95 or 96 model with 7001 tubing, a mag 21 in front and an odd rear suspension that employed 2 air/oil shockes on the diagonal tube of the rear triangle. if anyone knows the model number, price or where i could get that info than PLEASE write me and let me know so that i can get out and ride! i would appreciate it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sofian Abdul Rahman
a cross-country rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
My AL750 frame has LX/XT components with a Q21 fork. This is one stiff frame and there's no worry about power not being transferred by the pedal stroke. The geometry allows a very aggressive riding position and quick steering response. A rather shortish top-tube induces a cramped feeling in the cockpit but not uncomfortable enough to cause problems. Quick, agile and fast. Not for beginners. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate Sockness
a racer
from MN
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Light fast bike!! Aluminum bike with an un-aluminum feel. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob gay
a weekend warrior
from springfield, VT
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Took this for a toot on the trails at Cottonwood Valley after a long night of casino hopping! One of the best rides I've had. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Macke
a cross-country rider
from St. Louis, Missouri
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The Balance AL-750 is truely a sweet ride. It has very aggresive geometry
and handles like a dream. It came with all the plush (but not too exotic)
chi-chis. It has Deore LX cranks and XT derailleurs front & rear. Not to
mention the XT M-System brakes and X-Ray GripShift that come standard.
Although, I opted for a Judy XC fork, it came with a Manitou 4. With all
this equipment the bike still weighs in at LESS THAN 23 POUNDS!
I bought the bike with Judy for $1,399.95 - now THAT'S VALUE!
I really enjoy this wild hard-tail. But, I still haven't been able to
confirm if they have been bought-out or bankrupt or what!? And no one
seems to know. No matter what - I recommend the AL-750. | | Overall Rating: |
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