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Submitted by
Jeff Redding
a Cross Country Rider
from Warrenton, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Missouri singletrack... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Reasonably lightweight, one of the most agile and nimble handling bikes I have owned to date. This frame really absorbs the trail irregularities while remaining really stiff which results in unbelievable climbing prowess. This bike is also nicely constructed. Did I mention rare and great looking? Those things too! | | Weaknesses: | No rear frame disc tabs, but this could be remedied through a particular frame builder that builds his own beautiful ti frames. The other issue is a lack of 1" steerer suspension forks that are short travel, lightweight, and still perform well. The Marz 70MM superfly is "the" ticket for this bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Race Lite, Fat city Wicked Fat Chance, Fat City Yo Eddy, Specialized S-Works hardtails, and early 90's Klein adroit. Just a few I have owned and ridden, but noe as good as the ti-lite. | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Cross Max ceramic v-brake rims w/XTR cassette, Syncros ti seatpost, NOS vintage Bontrager ti-railed saddle, Syncros quill stem with hinged front, Easton Monkey Light riser bar w/salsa grips, XTR brakes & levers, XTR rapidfire shifters, XTR front der, XTR rear der, XT mega9 hollowtech crank and xt BB, shimano 535 pedals and last but not least a 70mm Marzocchi SuperFly air/oil fork. Nice new decals on the bike, and extras on the shelf | | Bottom Line: | I kept my eye open for one of these bikes for years, and finally fell upon one which I promptly bought with no hesitation. No regrets on this one thats for sure. For me the Ti-Lite, Fat city Fat Ti, or Ibis ti-mojo all three represent vintage excellence at its best. Rideable unobtanium. Not necessarily a mainstream vintage classic, but to those that know, its truly a special bike.
I have had lots of great mountain bikes over the past 22 years, but this Bontrager ti hardatil has to be one of, if not "the" best bike I have ever ridden and owned. If you can find one for sale, buy it and you won't regret it, the ride is as close to perfect as I have found to date. Expensive? Yep! Worth it? You bet!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Sinclair
a
from Vernon Vt
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Pond loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Neighbors home | | Strengths: | This bike is Amazing! Light and responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Little outdated with no disc mounts but that can be fixed with a brake therapy stuff but still it works perfectly | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XT, syncros seat post and stem, King head set, Mavic X rims, and easton carbon bars, and Bomber | | Bottom Line: | For the Price i got it at its unbeatable climes like a mountian goat and is very agile. I was thinking about buying a new bike but this is just so great and fits so well. Deffintly not a bike for a XC/Freeride bike, this is strictly a XC with 80mm of travel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl Lucas
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Im Not Telling | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | $1000US | | Strengths: | The definition of strong and light. Beautiful welds. Head and shoulders above bikes that are mass produced | | Weaknesses: | The only drag is the 1" head tube, it would also be nice if it was possible to upgrade to full hydraulics | | Similar Products Used: | Dean, Moots, Hei Hei | | Bike Setup: | Syncros Stem &Post Cross Max wheels Avid brakes, etc | | Bottom Line: | The holy grail of hard tails, it climbs like its being pulled and puts every ounce of your energy into the rear wheel, get one if you can find one, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anything I get to ride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | mtbr.com classifieds | | Strengths: | Extremely responsive, light weight, superb climbing bike | | Weaknesses: | None (possibly the 1 inch steerer although White Brothers still makes all their XC forks in 1 inch. They are awesome forks.) | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager race lite, Giant, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | 8 speed XT/XTR drivetrain, Bombers, Chris King headset, Sun RPM tubeless wheelset, WTB Weirwolf tires, Thomson seatpost, Trans X Zanzi stem, Avid Ultimate levers, Sram shifters and Eggbeater SL pedals | | Bottom Line: | I cannot say enough good things about this frame. I have a Race Lite and there are some things that are similar about the two frames but there is no question that the Ti Lite is the better frame. The biggest difference between the two is that the Ti Lite seems to be a little stiffer in the rear than the Race Lite. In my oppinion that only makes it a better climbing bike. The extra weight savings is about a half pound and helps a little but not as much as the stiffness in the frame. Overall this is the best handling, strongest climbing and quickest frame that I have ever ridden. If you ever have the chance get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Financier
a Downhiller
from Switzerland
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Verbier ski pass, Glion Pass | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | This bike is extremely light, goes effortlessly uphill, smooth on the DH. I ride on and off road and easily goes 50mph on road and 25mph off. Great on the bumps, hugs the pavement on hairpin turns at fast speeds. Welding job looks beautiful. I've thrown this bike a lot in the beggining when learning single track and the frame never suffered any damages. | | Weaknesses: | 2 things: the 1" steering column, and its known for suffering chain sucks. It would be also nice if a rear brake disk system can be fitted since the frame doesn't support it. | | Similar Products Used: | Bee One | | Bike Setup: | full XTR setup, Chris King headset, Bontrager bike post, Marzzocchi Bomber front shocks, on and off road tires | | Bottom Line: | I REALLY GOT LUCKY ON THIS ONE. A friend worked for a bike shop and this was his third bike so he gave it for a great price. I am really grateful to him. Anyway, this TiLite goes fast downhill without sacrificing stability and control. During summer, imaging going gung ho down a ski run..handles bumps and pebbles smoothly. Goes fast uphill too due to the frame's rigidity. Its good for an amateur/weekend rider to an experienced single track rider. A must keep 'cause I'm keeping mine until it breaks (means forever). Keith Bontrager really did a good job on this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Anderson
a Racer
from santa clara
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Cruz Mountains | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | $2200 @ Helens in Los Angeles | | Strengths: | A GREAT handling bicycle; (short story) Once I raced down a paved mountain road with "Scott". Scott was a road racer, had a fine road bike, and had trained "Roady" style with Lance Armstrong in Texas in the 80s. When we got to the bottom of the 5 mile downhill, he commented "Why have a road bike?!?"...(I had stayed with him the whole way down.) A great single-track bike. It's rustproof, bombproof, and the titanium will last three lifetimes. | | Weaknesses: | Can't get 'em anymore. They only made 800 or so, according to Keith Bontrager. 1 inch steering tube not common. | | Similar Products Used: | There aren't any! ...Perhaps a Moots Ti. | | Bike Setup: | XT (1996 vintage), with two different wheelsets; one with city tires, and one for offroad. Two bikes in one. | | Bottom Line: | Best ride-anywhere bicycle there is. A great bicycle for a serious single track mountain biker. I've owned 30+ bicycles in my day, and this is the one I ride 98% of the time. If you see one for sale, buy it! You'll never regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, CA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Los Altos Bikes | | Strengths: | It's a bombproof, rustproof, go anywhere, beast. Mine weighs 26.5 pounds dirty, with computer, bottle cages, pump, repair kit, Brooks (?!) saddle (for comparison my wife's Ritchey P22 weighs in at 24 pounds, but without the leather saddle). It goes uphill, it goes single track, it goes horse trails (but I get damaged), it goes down fire roads. | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't go gonzo downhill and the Jones tires stick to paved roads like glue. It gets real dirty. You can't get it anymore. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Everest | | Bike Setup: | Standard XT build package except I've changed out the saddle for my Brooks B17. | | Bottom Line: | I ride every other day. To start I have a 1500 foot vertical climb on unpaved forest roads before I get to the choseen single track stuff. Am I ever glad I've got a Ti Lite in my stable ! Now my wife wants something similar - Moots, Litespeed, Dean, Merlin. 4 chilis for value 'cause it is a multi $k bike after all (even though my wife's will end up costing more). But who cares. I've got one, and if you're really lucky you'll find one too. Sorry about posting this when they're so difficult to get. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Int'l Cycles | | Strengths: | Smooth ride, very comfortable and stable. | | Weaknesses: | Could be lighter. 1" headtube. | | Similar Products Used: | Fat Chance Monster Fat | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Ti SX, Full XT, Thudbuster, EA70 1.5" risers, Mavic 517s. | | Bottom Line: | This is a super smooth ride. Much stiffer than my old Fat, but much more comfortable. Definitely a very percise ride. Although it is a few years old, I picked it up brand new for a pretty good deal. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Max
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | somewhere in New Zealand | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | BicycleSportShop Austin TX | | Strengths: | Solid Bontrager design
Handling | | Weaknesses: | weight?
This pup is no light weight as goes for other Ti rigs. I have an X-large frame- LET ME KNOW YOUR WEIGH-INS OTHER TI-LITErs! But weight aint everything :) | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Ocoee 19" | | Bike Setup: | full XTR, SPD-737(yeah, the originals) Judy XC, Bontrager post, bar, b-ends, saddle, and Specialized Ti stem | | Bottom Line: | My dream bike, my ultimate purchase in 1996 as a bike shop employee, this bike really comes alive when ridden hard No fads, just a great ride
A little bit of MTN bike history(?). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie Vezzali
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Yuba River Trail, Nevada City | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Chico Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Handling! so nimble and responsive.
They dont make em anymore! very small select group of riders! | | Weaknesses: | Was hard to get a 1" Fork, and near impossible to get one wiht the raked crown now...but it's not necessary. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey, Bont. Race lite | | Bike Setup: | XTR derailers, brakes, cranks,seatpost, bottom bracket. Chris King Headset, Sid Fork, Syncros Stem, Titec Handlebars, Bontrager ASYM rim in rear and a Mavic 517 in front (XTR hubs)Selle Ti Seat, Bontrager Jones Tires. | | Bottom Line: | Keith Bontrager KICKS ASS! this is the smoothest bike I could hope for, who needs full suspension! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry
a Cross Country Rider
from Kazoo, Mi
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Custer's last stand | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Nimble, agile, hostile
eats fs for dinner
Welds are beautiful ( I am a welder, I know the difference) | | Weaknesses: | 1 inch steer tube is outdated... unfortunately | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond Back hardtail (steel) Schwinn S-10 Cannondales
GT
| | Bottom Line: | Just bought this bike as a frame, and I cannot believe how
quick the handling is! This bike floats over small ripples
easy to loft over logs, flies straight, it is very well balanced also. Needless to say I am very happy with my purchase so far. I look forward to many years of dance with
my new baby! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce Bontrager
a Cross-Country Rider
from Atlanta GA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Rich Mountain | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Great Climbing Bike Cant say anything against the bike | | Weaknesses: |
My bike weights 28lbs 521DH and heavy sarfas tires but handles like a babyDont Buy Tamier USa Seat Post they Suck!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
None that match | | Bike Setup: |
Z-2 Bam XTR 5231 DH Rims Chris King Headset, Race Face Cranks and Moxie Seat-Post | | Bottom Line: | Best bike I have ever ridden | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Manry
a Cross-Country Rider
from Monte Sereno, CA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
nimble, predictable handling
superb frame construction | | Weaknesses: |
almost impossible to find one now | | Similar Products Used: |
Bridgestone MB-2
older Bontrager Race Lite | | Bike Setup: |
Judy SL long (standard crown), King HS, Cronometro Mtn Attack wheels, Avid AR-50 brakes, SRAM levers, RaceFace cranks w/ Real rings (std), XTR ders, GripShift, Bontrager bar, bar ends, and pedals, Ringle stem, LP carbon fiber post, WTB saddle, Boone helix BB | | Bottom Line: | After several years of riding (and loving) an older Race Lite I had a chance to buy a Ti Lite and went for it. No regrets. This is my own build, mostly stuff from my Race Lite except new post and front der (bigger seat tube than the steel bike) and a longer-spindle BB to allow for the wider chainstays. So the bike feels familiar but it handles differently from the Race Lite. Stiffer, maybe a little more precise, definitely lighter weight. I foresee years of enjoyable riding--and never having to worry about rust ;-) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Racer
from Napa, CA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Stiff and strong frame
No BS componets
no rust
low matinence frame finish | | Weaknesses: |
Stiff frame
funky offset fork | | Similar Products Used: |
Gary Fisher bikes | | Bike Setup: |
All stock.
XT.
down to the tires. | | Bottom Line: | A gorgeous, hassle free bike. Rides great. A little on the stiff side, and the handling is too quick. I'm going to replace the shock with a standard crown one, this should slow the handling down. I haven't hurt the frame yet, and I race CC & DS. I do a little DH and trials too. Bike loves me, i love bike.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Handling!
Good old-fashioned (weldable) STEEL! (NOT Ti!!) | | Weaknesses: |
1 thingy - not much available out there for this.
Dreaded-threaded LX headset and the threaded Judy. | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek, Specialized, Bridgestone | | Bike Setup: |
mavic crossmax wheelset
michelin wildgrippers
xt software (Isn't Shimano the Microsoft of components? I mean, they upgrade their suite every year, it's never compatible with the old stuff, and nearly every bike on the market is spec'd with it. Monopoly, anyone?)wtb saddle
ritchie pedals | | Bottom Line: | WHERE ARE THE BONTRAGER RACE-LITE REVIEWS? (That's what I'm reviewing.)
Fast, tight-turning & responsive.
I bought this before I could afford it (thanks, visa) cause they weren't going to hand-build them in SC anymore. Would have spec'd it out with more XTR myself, but it came with XT and I can't complain cause it works okay. Changed some stuff, though. The LX headset sucks - I replaced it with a Chris King. I also swapped out the stem for a Titec 0 degree, cause the rise on the Bonty stem didn't work for me when climbing the steeps. I also slapped on a crossmax wheelset to help shed weight where it counts.Bottom line: This bike is VERY fun to ride, especially on tight singletrack where it is The Master. Kinda gets scary on fast downhill, esp with that front wildgripper, but makes up for it on the climb back up. If you are a singletrack, cross-country fan, you'll want to try this bike. Don't know if they're still available, but I'm sure there are companies out there ripping off the basic geometry. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffrey Maron
a Cross-Country Rider
from New York New York
Date Reviewed: March 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Staten Island | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Incredible handling with no flex but cush ride.Climbs like a goat and is stable downhill | | Weaknesses: |
1 steertube for upgrades other than that none | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek, Klein, Diamondback, Bridgestone,Amp, Mongoose | | Bike Setup: |
Judy xc with englund aircartridges, speedplay pedals Toiga rear tire | | Bottom Line: | The best hardtail there is | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Hartberg
a cross-country rider
from Ft. Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Bontrager Ti Lite for over two years, and I love it. I had an unsuspended Specialized S-works steel, and had a hard time adjusting to the TI's quick handling characteristics, but I did, and I'm a better rider now. I was moving to Oregon at the time I bought it, and thats why I got the Ti Lite, NO RUST. I also called up Bontrager and asked about the aggressive geometries, and they said they designed the bike for the stuff they ride...tight singletrack, not alot of bombing downhills. Sweet I thought, and thats exactly what I rode, tight, wet , rocky, rooty singletrack. I ate it up! If you are a free ridding downhilling fool, this isn't the bike for you, but if you love singletrack, this bike devours it! Now I live in Colorado, damn its rocky here! Time for some bigger tires, but the bike loves it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Chaffin
a cross-country rider
from Louisville, Ky
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a Bontrager two years ago and its so damn cool. Spooky on the climbs like something scarry is chasin' it up the hills. I put a Bomber on it and some panaracer Fire XCs and it turned a great frame into a great ride. screw RockShox, get a manitou or a bomber. I had a chance to ride a TI Bontrager and it was really good. The bike was far better than me. Fast as hell. If I had the money I would gladly spend it on the TI, but I wouldn't get rid of my steel one because it kicks ass just as thoroughly. Buy one while you can or suffer for eternity. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from Los Gatos, CA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Bontrager Ti Lite is very sweet in every aspect-handling, feel, uphill sprints, catching air, downhill(this took a while to get used to because of the quick handling characteristics), construction and of coarse the looks. I was able to get the second one Bycycle Trip in Santa Cruz put together using my own parts. The key to handling with bike came when adding the Panaracer Smoke to the rear. There's nothing better so far! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Lima
a weekend warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the RaceLite in August 97 when the last of the Santa Cruz bikes went on sale here. I wish I had bought one much earlier. It accelerates and handles so well it is a joy to ride. I put Revolt SS tires on and now besides being great off road, it is a fun to ride to/from work. With about 1000 miles on it so far (half on/half off road) it appears to be durable as well. Definitely 5 peppers! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry Gonzales
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: May 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought a Racelite Bontrager , one the last racelite made in Santa Cruz. I was fortunate to buy one at a killer price. Anyway, Racelite Bontrager is a killer bike for singletrack. I know that the wave of the future lies in full-suspension and all this high-tech stuff. But for you single-track riders, a great mountain bike does not depend on high-tech parts alone , it depends on handling of the bike. I've riden dozen mtn. bikes , nothing compares to a Racelite Bontrager when it comes to single track. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K. Walecki
a cross-country rider
from Los Angeles CA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I came into a Bontrager Ti Lite through default. I had owned a Fisher OCLV before but it broke (i.e., verticle cracks) at the chainstays. Supergo in Santa Monica were great and gave me the option of any frame under the Trek umbrella. I luckily chose the Ti Lite, what a great bike. I have never seen so much attention to detail on any other Ti frame; ovalized tubing, externally butted head tube, gussets at head tube, and custom drop-outs. As far as the ride, I have spent some ass time on this thing and it handles telepathically. If you want a clean, crisp, climbing machine, that can carve on the descents this is my choice. Don't take it from me, try to get a ride on one yourself and see. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Egan Olanie
a racer
from Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
since there is no where to review the race lite I will do it here. the race lite is a really great bike. it weighs in at 23.5 pounds and has a cromo frame so it is very strong. the XT components are pretty light, and the judy XC works well. the bike climbs SO well it is unbelevable, and on the trails it has such good acceleration and speed. the cornering is perfict, if anyone is thinking abount buying a XC bike get the Bontrager race lite, or if you have the cash go for the Ti lite. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a cross-country rider
from ca
Date Reviewed: April 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
nice ti, nice, ti , no down boy , stay back ,no down, sit siiit good boy, weel it's nice to have such a lively bike for once. after many-a-broken mountain goat framesets I have come to appreciate the wonderful world of the Bontrager Ti-lite, great components, although I would have liked a thredless headset, This bike kicks ass!! four stars for now If it lasts longer then I'll attatch that nice liitle fifth star | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hai ho
a cross-country rider
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: April 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
To all you future Bonty owners,
Since the closing of the Santa Cruz factory last year, true Bontragers are somewhat difficult to get now. If you are in the process of buying a new bike, and have been deciding btwn. a Bontrager and the rest, buy the Bone. I have enjoyed mtn. biking for the last 6 yrs. Since my first Trek, to a Specialized CroMo, Gt alum, Spec M2, and even a C-dale, I have been lucky enough to finally own the real deal: a Ti lite. I have worked in several bikes shops over the last 3 years. As a shop employee, huge discounts are given to us by bike companies who want us to ride and try their products, some even sell their new rigs after a few months. This is called Turn and Burn. It allows us to be more informed about what we are selling. About 2 years ago, I began to work for a shop that sold Bonties. At first glance, no big deal. Small tubes, basic shape, it looked old school. Once I mounted the Privates, Race Lites, and even a Ti Jones, I knew I was going to buy one someday. I have been lucky enough to purchase a Ti jones a few months ago. Best bike I have ever riden and owned. Some may say, You're only saying that b/c you just blew lots of money on it! Remember yall, I could have purchased any bike on the open market, but I decided on the Bonty. One word: No regreets!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Tomac
a racer
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is the best hardtail i've ever ridden. It's light at under 24 pounds and very durable. Extremely well made and sweet handling.I've raced this bike xc and it is a dream. I've ridden all the suspension bikes and hardtails are still the best for all around riding, although bikes like the Santa Cruz Heckler are good.FS bikes are still too heavy for expert xc use but getting better.This Bontrager still kicks major ass.Titanium won't break like many of the beer can aluminum frames out their like Cannondale or Klein. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a downhiller
from NY,NY
Date Reviewed: December 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Although I'm a FS guy I can appreciate a sweet hardtail. I owne a Bontrager Priveteer and am a big fan of KB's work, I was thus very interested to try out the Bonty Ti when my LBS got one. Great bike. Proven geometry and a decent XT package make this a pretty good deal, let down only by the Judy fork. Weight penalties aside I would stick a Bomber on the front. This is the second best HT I've ridden, the best being the Trek 9900 that was spec'd w/ full XTR and a Manitou X-Vert. If I had to choose between the frames alone I would probably go with the Bontrager but would be more than happy w/ either one. Four chilies because of the fork and XT. Would be five w/ a Bomber & XTR. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
christopher
a downhiller
from nh/me
Date Reviewed: June 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
wow i mean wow trials anyone FOR sale monty trials bike hydralic fat tyres new 1000 ridden once 550 1.603.964.5445 christopher days | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Captain K
a racer
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Been riding this bike for 3 months now and think it's a great bike. I've been riding a C-dale SVA 2000, and all my friends thought that I would favor riding the SVA. In 3 months I have only taken the dualie out once, the rest of the time it's been the Bontrager. Comfortable ride, great climber, accelerates out of corners much better than the SVA. The other factor that impressed me was the stability on the downhills. I thought that this is where I would miss the dualie, but not so! This bike screams down hill and soaks up the rough stuff very nicely.
The only negative I have found is that the front end will wash out at walking speeds in tight turns. Keeping the weight back helps a bunch.No doubt, 5 chillies for this puppy! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Emrich
a cross-country rider
from Lafayette, CA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I love this bike!!
Beautiful, light frame. Good XT components.
The best standover clearance for my frame size of any diamond frame bike I've ridden. The short seat tube/long top tube
should fit a wide range of riders.The seatstays are far more rigid than on some Ti bikes, so the rear brakes
work very nicely - no booster required.
Comfortable ride, but plenty rigid.
Bontrager's custom low offset Judy fork crown (coupled with the industry standard 71 degree head angle) makes the
geometry unique. And it seems to
work - the handling is sweet.There have been recent reports that Bontrager is shutting down their frame factory. Apparently Bontrager hardtails will
continue to be build by Trek.
As far as I know Trek is doing a good job building Kleins (and making
them affordable - priced a Mantra lately?). So hopefully they will continue
to build these. And maybe they will reduce the price! | | Overall Rating: |
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