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Submitted by
Casey
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NY USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain, Peekskill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | affordable ($500 in 97); durable; upgradeable; came with Rockshox; | | Weaknesses: | "low end" components (shimano alivio) ; original wheels (weinmann) not that strong; frame made in china | | Similar Products Used: | previous bike was an L.L. Bean "Approach" which was too small for me | | Bottom Line: | they sell the topanga as a "recreational" type mountain bike, so it's not tricked out with all the higher end "race ready" components you read about in magazines; though i have to say everything held up fine except for the rims. this was the first brand-new bike i ever bought (at age 26, go figure) and i use it more now than i did the first two years i had it. this spring i got new wheels, brakes and drivetrain (wtb laserbeam wheels, xt hubs/crankset/8sp cassette/rear der., lx front der, sram plasma shifters, avid ar50 brakes). i'll probably get a new seatpost, saddle, and bar/stem later this year. i ride more trails than i used to and this thing is holding up pretty well. i commute a few miles a day and ride trails whenever i can. a good bike if you can't blow a lot of cash-- though you can make it even better if you upgrade it later on. i think the new topanga frames are aluminum. i've definitely gotten more than my $500 worth of fun out of it, so i'll go with a 5 for value. keep in mind the "weaknesses" stated above are also what made it lower-priced in the first place. overall, i'd be happier if it was made in usa, if it had threadless fork/headset, and if it didn't have that silly nameplate thing on the front of the head tube. i'd recommend it for someone who isn't in a position to plunk down a butt load of cash on a bike they're afraid they won't get enough use out of. then if you become a bike nut like i have, you can make it into a respectable xc machine while becoming a respectable bike mechanic yourself. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lewis
a Weekend Warrior
from perth western australia
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
great frame fairly even equipment on bike. | | Weaknesses: |
poor front standard fork only seven speed rear derailer and weak brakes. | | Similar Products Used: |
barrracuda a2fs,giant rincon se, | | Bike Setup: |
now marz z2 bam fork,lx levers, stx rc v brakes,azonic love seat. | | Bottom Line: | great hardtail but needs better equipment for hard riding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikey D
a Cross-Country Rider
from Highland Mills
Date Reviewed: July 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
WEST POINT | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Good Price, Strong Frame , Nice components for the price. | | Weaknesses: |
Crank set bottom bracket replaced twice | | Similar Products Used: |
trekj and Nishiki | | Bottom Line: | I like the Bike alot from when I was 14 I owned a Diamond Back Silver Streak and 16 years later still have it and still ride it!!!!!!!!!!!! | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Shannon
a Racer
from Ch'Town P.E.I
Date Reviewed: June 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
PolyMountain | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
NIce strong frame with dependable components.Rock shock. | | Weaknesses: |
Could use some lighter components and a more race ready fork. | | Similar Products Used: |
you nam it i tried it. | | Bike Setup: |
Iadded spd pedals And a more race style seat.I also upgraded the crank. | | Bottom Line: | Great for the young racers out there. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew
a Racer
from p.e.i
Date Reviewed: June 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
polly mountain | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
looks and rides great | | Weaknesses: |
not good for a racer | | Similar Products Used: |
all | | Bike Setup: |
stock added spd's & lighter and post | | Bottom Line: | WWOWW | | Overall Rating: |
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