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Submitted by
digitalkreation
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Gibbons Singletrack (London, ON) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Online - Arizona | | Strengths: | 1. Killer paint scheme
2. Strong tubeset (with the teardrop top tube)
3. Product rarity | | Weaknesses: | If you're looking for one? See item #3 above.. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Hammer, Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | A2X Team Components (Ringle, XTR, etc) | | Bottom Line: | I was 21 and took a stroll through a new Bike Shop that opened in London Ontario called "The Spokes People", just off Richmond near Joe Kool's. They had the entire Barracuda product line hanging in the racks. I'd never seen the Barracuda line, and was immediately taken with the XX-Team bike. I asked for a test ride and was granted 15 minutes on the bike. Sold!!
Now, I only had enough money for a frame, but I sweet-talked one of the co-owners into stripping it down. The next day, I had the frame in my hands. I think I paid $600.00 plus taxes.
I was out of work soon after, and the frame sat in my basement for the winter. In the spring, I still hadn't found a great job and needed money, so I sold the frame back to the shop, expecting I'd be able to get it again once I had some cash. Unfortunately, the bike shop went under, and nobody else in town dealt in Barracuda. It's 1995 and the internet wasn't what it is now, so I had little means of locating another shop with access to them.
Fast forward to the present day. I'm searching for these bikes and am finding it hard to find any in decent shape. I'm reading this forum and picking up some history on the brand and everyone's experiences with their bikes, and I see one post stick out from a chap who (when he posted in 2003 or something) offered to part with his. On a whim, I email him to see if it went and for how much. He still has it!
After some negotiating, I purchase the bike and within a week, it's sitting here in my livingroom, stripped and cleaned. Unfortunately, the bike has been loved battlescars) and I will likely need to hire Spectrum Powder Works to refinish it. I'd have loved to keep the finish as it is, for historical purposes, but I'm fine with a new paintjob. They will even recreate the graphics by hand and seal them under the clear coat.
I plan on restoring this bike using the A2X Team Issue components, which included Ringle accessories and period correct XTR components. I will post some pics here in my profile and over at www.retrobike.co.uk (who has a great Barracuda section including some vintage ads and a 1995 catalogue.
Just wanted to share my story and experiences with anyone reading. You never know what you may find with a little digging. :) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Ehm
a Racer
from Windsor,Ontario
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Suicide Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | Solid as hell | | Weaknesses: | rear cantilever mount | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XTR rear derailleur,LX rapidfire shifters,Race Face stem,bars,seatpost,headset,crank.Bombers up front | | Bottom Line: | At first I thought my XX Team was to big for me(as I enjoy throwing around smaller bikes). After a year of riding this old-school beast, I have gotten totally attached.She handles awesome and she weighs next to nothing(unlike my wife)Anyhoo, my buddy sent me this frame from up north and it sat around for almost 2 years before I gave her an overhaul. I'll be riding this B*tch for a while!!
Not meant for the downhill scene but great for people who like speed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Packer
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Thunder Mountain, Wasatch Crest, Zippety Doo Dah | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Revolutions, OKC | | Strengths: | Old school! This was my first bike. My ex-wife has had it sitting around in her garage, and I just got it back from her. I replace the old marzoochi xcr fork and replaced it with a magura asgard fork. Brings back memories, this bike rides nice after all these years. It still has the original derailers, shifters, wheels. I get a lot compliments when I ride it. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | hardtail cannondale, yeti arc | | Bike Setup: | Panaracer xc pros, avid v brakes, Magura Asgard fork, easton monkeybars, ODI lock ons, everything else is stock! I kept all the old parts eventhough they are wore out. | | Bottom Line: | I have a brand new Yeti 575, Cannondale Gemini, GT idrive, but i still like to ride my Barracuda! It is light, climbs well, looks cool, and nobody else has one of these anymore. If you see kickass vintage USA made bikes like this, buy it and appreciate how far technology has come, eventhough I would put this up against most new hardtails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Tichatschke
a Cross Country Rider
from Munich, Germany
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilde Bande Steig | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1999.00 | | Purchased At: | Outdoorsman / Durango | | Strengths: | absolutely great paint job, frame geometry and material, uniqueness and style | | Weaknesses: | rear cable hanger, at leadt if you wanted to use cantis | | Bike Setup: | xtr ´94, ringlé, bontrager rims, onza porc´s, answer steerings | | Bottom Line: | In 1994 I bought the Barracuda team bike (Durango), which had commercially been called A2X but was completely similar to the XX, only lacking all the fancy red stuff, which came from the master Goeff himself. Well, I bought a ringlé stem instead to give that bike what it needed! I still got the old Tange Ultralight tubed frame, which was changed into an aluminium one in ´95, I think. It is a really nicely welded frame, absolutely light and the design is perfect. I fell in love with it from the first minute I saw it. The harder it was to see how the company went down, and the bikes build after ´96 shouldn´t carry the name Barracuda any more....
The handling of the bike is great. It took me for some thousand kilometers above various mountains throughout Europe and it still works great. Of course some of the old parts had to be removed, but the frame and even the Manitou III still are doing their jobs. I´m very proud of owning one of these fine bikes, which, if it comes to the Cuda team, had never been available in Germany.
This is a hell of a bike, I love it and will never change it into one of these faceless new ones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Collingwood | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | CyclePath | | Strengths: | The Bike looks GREAT!!! Rock Solid Frame that rides very well. It has a solid feel to it whether you're hitting the trails hard or blazing downhill. Even with the factory gear entact this machine performs. | | Weaknesses: | Attracts attention...which is not always a good thing | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing quite like the XX. | | Bike Setup: | Factory set-up, with an XT non-V brake set-up, and Manitou shoch | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent product and they are very rare to find (especially in decent shape) d.owens@excite.ca if you want to buy mine w/10hours on it for $600. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Dwinal
a Racer
from Gunnison CO
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The louge @ hartmans rock | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | This bike is awsome. I have been riding it for three years now and nothing can compare to it. I've put it through everything you can think of, and it just keeps on ticking.
I've been racing on it all of those years also and the frame is still mint. | | Weaknesses: | are you kiddding me? | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing even compares | | Bike Setup: | All XTR | | Bottom Line: | If you can still find one of these frames BUY IT. It will last you a lifetime. I contacted Ross bikes ( they bought Barracuda out) and bought a A2t they had in there warehouse. I'll have to see how this one rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Manlove
a Weekend Warrior
from Chapel Hill, N.C.
Date Reviewed: October 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
It's a great bike. It's good for down hill and even better for up hill | | Weaknesses: |
I don't like the shocks personaly but that's just me | | Similar Products Used: |
non to date | | Bike Setup: |
right now i don't use shocks i think it's just as good without them . I mean I have had them in bikes in the past but I would rather not have them if I have a choice. | | Bottom Line: | nice bike overall | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Susan
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston, ON
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Perfect frame geometry for smaller riders. Makes everyone look twice. | | Weaknesses: |
Adding V brakes meant zap-strapping the cables to the frame... an ugly solution. | | Similar Products Used: |
DiamondBack | | Bike Setup: |
Stock except for Shimano 737 pedals, Nexave V brakes and brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike, too bad you can't ride it. Heard that before. I can't live up to this bikes' flashy promise. But I'll keep trying, as it's just so much fun to ride!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross-Country Rider
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Frame is SOLID.
Big fan of the paint job -- it's DIFFERENT, and tha't refreshing nowadays. | | Weaknesses: |
Max size made was 19 I'm 6'4, so I really could have used a 20 | | Similar Products Used: |
Fisher
Cannondale
GT
Specialized | | Bike Setup: |
Working on all-XT transmission (not quite there yet).
Avid V's w/ 2.0 levers
Marzocchi OCR -- Factory
Sun rims -- Factory | | Bottom Line: | Hooray for Old School! (I'm probably going to be a bit epic in this review, so skip it if you don't have the time.)I was searching for a bike earlier this year, so I started checking into MTBR to find some older, positively-reviewed rides. This was one of them. I wanted a UNIQUE, LEGITIMATE, non-new bike. (Basically, I hadn't ridden in a LONG time and didn't want to be the poser with the ultra-expensive, triked-out bike who didn't know how to use it. I can't stand those types.) And, since you don't see older Barracudas around much anymore, I jumped on the chance to buy one off E-Bay. Luckily, I was able to find the '95 model (the last year before the buyout by Ross, I think), so it's been 100% solid. I've heard some less-positive reviews about the newer XX Team models, but that's really all hearsay. My '95 is gold.Only setback I've seen so far is that the bike was designed pre-V-brakes, so I've had to deal with a few MINOR problems making my Avids work. Clearance in the fork is lacking, so I can't fully open the brakes and get the front wheet out without deflating a bit first. (Of course, I could go and buy a new shock, but why spend the $ when mine works fine?) And, one of the frame-mounted cable guides intended for the rear brake wasn't big enough to hold a cable (go figure), so I had to re-rig brake and shifter cables to make it all work out.That aside, this bike is great. It rides well, it's solid, and it gets the job done without complaints. If you ever come across one, nab it, and then enjoy it for all it's worth. That's the bottom line. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ruben
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Thanks for all the great reviews. I friend of mine just gave it me for fixxing his computer.... Now I just need to clean it up and get rid of all the stickers he has on it. I think it has all the original components... Any advice you guys could give me will help... PEACE | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kindica
a Downhiller
from San Antonio, Texas
Date Reviewed: April 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Black Hill - Initiation drop-'trail of tears...sends you home crying | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
The geometry of the frame. A + | | Weaknesses: |
Its weakness is the weak- ass rider behind it. | | Similar Products Used: |
Fat chance
| | Bike Setup: |
Wicked setup. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is ride what you got and tear it up....bottom line. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jun bartolome
a weekend warrior
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: March 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually I own a 12 Cuda Comp, best bike I've ever had. Very good for trashing around, its been with me for 4 years and not a single squeak from the frame. I spec'd it with Judy DH forks, full LX components, Club Roost riser bars, X-Ray shifters. Great for dual slalom and trials. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a weekend warrior
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought an A2E (cro-mo) with LX components, and a MAG21 fork a year and a half
ago. Couldn't have been happier!! This bike never ceases to get looks and compliments from posers on Cannondales everywhere. I'm shipping it out to Califronia next month to really give it the test. What's the story with this company anyhow? When did they go belly up? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a cross-country rider
from Ashtabula, Ohio
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually, looking for info. Is this company still in business?
Looking for touch up paint for a 95 Team XX. I just inherited one from a friend after I trashed my Scott. It sure is a pretty frame.If anyone can tell me how to get in touch with the manufacturer, please email me at ovi@interlaced.net | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William Woods
a weekend warrior
from Pullman, WA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a '94 'Cuda Competition. It was on sale for $1100. This bike is awesome! I've put thousands of miles on it. Every summer I ride it somewhere cool. It's been all over the northwest, Montana, Wyoming (Jackson Hole), And recently to MOAB! Awesome! My brother and I wupped everyone there. He has a Kona Cindercone. Kona is also a good bike. Everyone we saw on slickrock we caught in a hurry. We pretended it was a race. We kicked all the $3000 full suspension bikes butts! I think the hard tail is faster. This bike has flown off cliffs and into walls, through mud, rivers, everything! VERY tough and reliable. I ride it HARD all the time. Great handling and cornering. If you're in Washington check out Winthrop! That's the best. These bikes rule! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Logan
a cross-country rider
from Wyomissing, PA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased this bike last year an i is the BEST fron suspention bike that i have ever riden. I think that the shifters need a bit of tuning on mine. I've taken this bike to West Virginia and it was very muddy. I love riding in muddy conditions. In conclution this bike Kicks ASS! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danny Mayo
a cross-country rider
from Greensboro, North Carolina
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike kills. I put the Palmers on it, XT: Derailleurs, Vee Brakes and Levers; X-Ray Shifters; Kooka Cranks; ControlTech Seat Post; Conix Heaset Binder ; KORE G.A.S.S Pedals and it shoots up hills and is great down them. I will never but another bike untill I grow out of it. Five Chilis!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XX
a racer
from ny,ny
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
They were an excellent company when they were in Durango, but when they went belly up and Ross bought, it was the end. Now they are junks. it was better when Control Tech and Yeti were building their frames. 5 for their 1993-1995 frames but 1 for the 1996 and up | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Laura Turpijn
a cross-country rider
from Emmen in The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Barracuda is the best bike ever,i've won a lot of races in Holland on this great bike.Some day a man cald me if i want to ride for his team (sponsor) so i did that and now i'm riding in the ladies class with Paula Pezzo.Greetings to all Barracuda riders,from Killer Loetie | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chunae Zoh
a cross-country rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike rules. I don't think there is anyone that can keep up with me on hills.... great price for the performance that you get from this bike. It surprises me that there are people who have no idea who Barracuda is/was to this day. I've also seen many many variants of this bike as far as components go, if you want a real good deal on a bike, this is it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ignacio Alfaro
a downhiller
from San Jose, CostaRica
Date Reviewed: December 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Barracuda XX Team Bike is the best bike I have ever owned.The looks of it are excellent and its frame, although a little heavy, is a very strong frame.For downhill racing its a fenomenal bike, I have raced it for 2 years and with great results.Overall this is a radical bike for radical people. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
caleb barry
a weekend warrior
from laurelville ohio usa
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
this is one bad ass bike i would take it any day
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phillip Reynolds
a racer
from tampa,florida
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just recently bought an a2m and put a judy sl and nahbar pedals on it. Its a killer bike.defenitly worth five stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony Margarit
a weekend warrior
from Thunder Bay,ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently bought a '96 Barracuda A2M, its the same frame as the XX team, and mainly XT components, front and rear derailers, impel cranks, X-Ray shifters, I bought it without a fork, and slapped on a Bommber Z2, as well as a Adam O suspension seatpost, Roox riser bar, Chris King headset, and Dia Comp VC747 V brakes, Ritchy clipless pedals. This bike rocks compared to the flexy wexy Marin Eldridge Grade I was riding before. Definitly worth the five chili's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dos Equisman
a cross-country rider
from Long Island
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have this bike and It rocks. Five chilis for it. But I also have an A2m, got it on clearance for 650, regularly 1,200 somptin. The bike is funkin incredible for the price. got smole /dart combo for it and the bike handels great. has very good components for the price(xt drive train GripshiftX-ray800s, manitou pro shock, lx hubs, awsomme frame, wiuth a beautiful paint job. Ten chilis for this bike I recomenend it formany one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Uncle
a cross-country rider
from Durango
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Man, you should have been in Durango when 'Cuda went belly up and they blew out all the remaining stock. LIke everyone in town got a new frame. These were going as low as $75, yes, read it and weep. And the ones they couldn't sell, they SAWED in HALF and dumped at the Metal Man recycling place (now defunct). Here's a tidbit: If you ever say the Missy Giove Reebok commercial where she's got her face painted silver, check out the flaming hoop of bikes in the background. That's where the 'Cuda frames went to die. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from Smyrna, GA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great bike! I bought the frame only, and built it up with Hugi hubs, Mavic 217 rims, Noleen Elite fork, Cooks cranks, Grip shifts, and XT drivetrain. Weighs 23 lbs. (14 frame)
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mary Riley
a cross-country rider
from Dallas Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Barracuda, the best bike on the market, or at least it was. I have put many o' miles on my cuda and have always enjoyed the PR I get when people see it. Since Barracuda is having some leagal problems this bike is hard to come by. If you see one, get it! Also xx is a beer company from Mexico which makes the bike even more cool | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gak
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: April 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This review is for the A2V.I have been riding this bike for 6 months and 400 miles and this is one great bike. The A2V has Tange Ultimate Super Light steel frame. The tear drop shaped top & down tube makes the Barracuda frame very unique. The frame is durable and light at 4.2 lbs.The frame has a longish top-tube and that makes it very comfortable and stable at high speed. It didn't feel as quick handling as a KHS or Kona but I like the overall handling and comfort. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LUKE
a cross-country rider
from GOLDEN, CO
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Ben's right | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Wilkins
a cross-country rider
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the best bike ever!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Barbuscia
a weekend warrior
from Kennewick WA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Barracuda Team XX.
This bike is well designed (Frame geometry and layout) and even has a cool
paint job, a real looker. The AL frame gives a firm ride and point a shoot
handling. High speed stability is excellent for a bike that turns so well.
The first few rides will be harsh until the forks break-in, and you learn
how to get the action dialed in. You'll need to replace the seat after your
first crash. I bought a Preformance Ti-kevlar ($34).
Stock mine came with a Mag21, STXRC derailleurs, LX hubs with Sun rims, DC
PC-7 brakes and gripshift 600, which seem to work fine dispite being on the
low-end of the usable component scale.
The bike has been rid'n in desert and mountain/forest trails and has met
the challenge well, should be competitive with any hardtail out there with
a few in-expensive mod's. Just add the long travel fork kit ($9.00 bikepro)
and a heavy duty rear derailleur spring ($7.00 bikepro).
Mod's I'll soon make are a V-brake for the front and clipless pedals.
Thats it! not bad for a $790 bike.
Rating: For the price, Five star
| | Overall Rating: |
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