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Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Jack Brooks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1385.00 | | Purchased At: | Deanusa.com auction | | Strengths: | Everything! The Price compaired to other Soft Tail Ti bikes is unbeatable. The workmanship if increadable. The welds compaired to a Seven show no difference in quality. The ride is super, and it's Ti! | | Weaknesses: | Decals are a little easy to come off, but I expected that on a raw metal frame. Production and delivery were a little delayed. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Aluminum frame, Not simular, just the last bike. | | Bike Setup: | Chris King nothreadset, Chris King ISO Disc on Rhyno Lite XL rims, Avid Mech. Disc, Fox Float 100 RLC, Monkey Lite bar, XTR front/rear/and shifter with intergrated BL, FSA Platnium Pro BB, Race Face Turbine Crank, Thomson post and stem, Sella Italia Flite Ti, Rock Shox SID race rear shock with 1 1/8" travel, Salsa Ti flips offs and lip lock, and a PC-99 chain. | | Bottom Line: | Don't let someone tell you that another Ti bike is better because it cost twice as much. I have looked at a lot of different brands of Ti bikes and they are mostly so simular that maybe a Pro could tell the difference blind folded. This is one of the best bikes you can get, and for Ti, not priced out of the reach of the determined bike nut. The ride is great even for me at 6' 210. The SID is so adjustable you should be able to make it work for any build person. The head tube angle makes for quick and responsive steering. Just be mindfull of the top tube length when ordering, It was 3/4 inch longer than my previous bike. This is a small compainy with only about 7-8 people working there, and this is what makes dealing with them so nice. The customer service was outstanding, being very informative about the process of my build till the last day, no matter how many times I had called in previouse weeks. And the bike was worth every minute of the wait. Before you waste a ton of money on a Seven, Merlin, Moots, etc. check these guys out, They can do custom Geo just like Seven only they don't rape your wallet for it. Keep riding and enjoy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ethan
a Cross Country Rider
from Trabuco Canyon
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hermosa Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1330.00 | | Purchased At: | Dean Direct | | Strengths: | Its Ti, its a Softtail, the ride is insane good. | | Weaknesses: | The bead-blasted finish is not exactly what you would call "durable" | | Similar Products Used: | KHS Team ST | | Bike Setup: | XTR drivetrain, Thompson Stem/Post, SDG saddle, King HS, Easton bar, Mavic UST hubs/rims shod with Hutchinson Pythons, Time pedals, ODI lock on grips. (what I forget?) | | Bottom Line: | Just finished a quick jaunt around Colorado and Arizona for some of my favorite trails with it and could not be happier. It replaced a very tired Klein Mantra. The guys at Dean cut me a sweet deal and helped me with making additions of disc tabs. Bottom Line: If you can get a deal, do it! Titanium is the best way to go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Essick
a
from Landstuhl, Germany
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rodalben, "F" trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Dean direct | | Strengths: | Superb workmanship. The "soft tail" takes enough edge off the trail to make hard tails a thing of the past. Customer service is perhaps the best on the planet!! | | Weaknesses: | Rear triangle is a little flexy laterally. Breezer style drop-outs have probably fixed this small problem. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Hard-tails aren't in the same catagory. | | Bike Setup: | American classic wheels, Sid XC, XTR, Magura, Easton, Chris King, 'nuff said. Bike weight, 23lbs! | | Bottom Line: | The frame does what it is supposed to. It may not be the lightest frame set available, but for the cost versus quality, it can't be beat. I'm set up for XC racing here in Germany, so the rear travel is about 1 inch. But it is 1 inch of very much appreciated, and felt, travel. Dean has been one of the few companies I've enjoyed dealing with. They even answer emails and John is extremely helpful. The frame attracts much attention here in Europe, it more or less is a one of a kind. One word of Caution though, if you get this frameset, you'll never want to ride a hard-tail again!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Star Wars | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Direct from Dean | | Strengths: | Smooth; excellent handling; light; strong; excellent climbing; ti | | Weaknesses: | Shipped with steel water bottle bolts that rusted | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Atom Bomb, XT, risers and (gasp) suspension post | | Bottom Line: | This frame is just outstanding. Climbing and single track handling are superb. It's light (about 4 lbs), although I've managed to put enough crap on it to get it up to 27 lbs. It's agile in the twisty & with the suspension post, I don't dodge anything my Heckler-riding partners will take. I don't worry about damaging this thing (or its paint) at all, which allows me to concentrate on the ride itself. The Stratos pro shock is very adjustable & unobtrusive. The lockout seems unnecessary. It's hard to imagine that the mega-expensive softies of Moots, Merlin, & Seven are twice as good as the Duke, tho' that's what they cost. Be sure to swap out the stock water bootle bolts for stainless or ti. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | www.deanusa.com | | Strengths: | Better than my brother's Litespeed (worth more than anything)! Read the review for more. | | Weaknesses: | Weak that brother didn't buy one. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd a Trek 400 (didn't like CF frame), Unicoi; the older ones w/ good geometry lack a real rear shock, the 2001 model w/ a rear shock are too long in the toptube and the standover height is scary for anyone without a 33+ inseam. | | Bike Setup: | Dean Duke TI, CT2 Low Riser, RF Headset, Kore Lite Stem, Mars Carbon Fork, Stratos XC-Pro Shock, Sella Flite, Dean TI Seatpost, XT 9 Speed, Black Spire Cranks & Rings, XT V Rear, Hayes Disc Mechanical Front, Mavics, XT Hubs, Michelin 2.1’s | | Bottom Line: | The Company: Dean was a great company to work with while getting the bike. John was extremely helpful and got the frame to me in exactly one week. He also was very informative in giving me suggestions and specs so my LBS could start ordering a couple of parts. The only thing he missed on was the headtube length (see next paragraph).
The Frame: After receiving the frame, I had it measured. The angles and measurements were right on; one chainstay was off by less than a ½ mm in length. Seeing that I was rebuilding the frame with the parts from my Stumpjumper, I thought the only thing I had to get was a new bottom bracket and top-pull front derailleur. The LBS (Pro Bikes of Asheville) called me half way through the rebuild to tell me my old fork won’t work. The headtube on the Dean is almost 6” in length. My Mars 1 steerer tube had been cut down too short to fit the extra inch, so I had to get a new fork. I have a brake booster in the back, so I had to turn the rear shock around 180 degrees so I could access the air valve. The frame is unpolished (which I prefer) and lacks butter pass welds like some other TI frames, but at half the price of a Moots or Seven, who cares? The bi-directional down tube is both cool looking and functional, preventing unwanted flex.
The Ride: After several various terrain rides, I can confidently say; this bike is awesome. It climbs better (with the rear lock-out on) than my Stumpjumper, and performs much better on the way down. Control is about the same, but much more nimble on technical singletrack with the addition of the softtail. I’ve noticed a lot of improvement on cornering too. The difference in TI vs. Aluminum and is VERY noticeable. The frame and softtail flexes enough to smooth out all but the harshest of bumps, but doesn’t soak up any energy. The difference between the softtail and a hardtail is noticeable, but its a long way from being a full suspension bike. If you want to take the edge of a rough ride and still have a bike that climbs great, it works. If you’re going to be jumping off cliffs and buildings it’s not the bike (I’m too old for that stuff anyway). The feel of the bike is great. You can feel every ounce of energy into the cranks transfer to the wheels. I have noticed some “spin out” going up and over wet logs, etc. Hopefully when I get the rear dialed in and the tire pressure set that will be cured. An added bonus is with the close proximity to Litespeed; that’s what most local TI rider have, so my Dean has attracted a lot of attention in the parking lot and trails where we ride.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Evansville, IN
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Youngs Creek/Hoosier Nat. Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | smoothness of a soft tail with the resposiveness of a hard tail. Fantastic looks and flawless craftsmanship pratically ooze from this frame. | | Weaknesses: | Only the fact that I can't have the only one in the world. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried the Litespeed unicoi, not in the same league. | | Bike Setup: | Raceface, Chris King, XTR, Modzilla, Thompson....ect,ect | | Bottom Line: | This review is worth reading if you are looking for a new frame. I went through a lot to get this frame, lost in shipping...twice. The FIRST frame I got in (finally) was flawed and had to go back after being lost in the mail. John at DEAN sent another, it got lost as well and it again was flawed. I got my THIRD frame after about 4 months of headaches. You may wonder why I'm giving the highest rating after all this...well, 50% of it is the frame.
John at DEAN and everyone else that I dealt with was sympathetic and helpful. This is a small shop run by PEOPLE who like you and I are not perfect...but they did not stop until I was satisfied. How may bike companies can you call and talk to the Pres. at anytime. Don't waste you time and money on one of the big name brands. If you are looking for a product in a class by itself with matching customer service you need look no further. Call and talk to John and see for yourself. RIDE ON! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Berman
a Cross Country Rider
from Acworth, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Alpine Loop/Spanish Fork Canyon, UT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1515.00 | | Purchased At: | Adrenaline Bike | | Strengths: | Stiff where it counts, plush where it counts, light weight, The ride of Titanium!!!!!!, and turns heads. | | Weaknesses: | seatpost size (26.8) but it's just for the 2000 model, I was so bummed my trusty 2 year old 27.2 Dean Ti post wouldn't fit. And the rear tire clearance at the chainstays might be a little tight but I run a large tire for my 200 lb body, a normal 2.0 tire will fit fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Have had a '97 Dean Duke XC, and 2 different Dean Colonel's. Have owned 2 different Litespeeds. Ridden Merlin softail and owned a Yeti ARC AS (much like todays softails but in Al). | | Bike Setup: | Palmer FS TI tricked out, King headset, Ti stem and White riser bar (low rise), Suntour XC Pro top mounts (still the best shifters), Avid V's, XTR and XT drivetrain, Ti bolts where ever I can, Titec Ti post until I can find a 26.8 Dean Ti Post (they have switched to 27.2 again and Dean offered to machine my frame to 27.2 at no charge but I can't let it go out of my sight long enough for them to do it) | | Bottom Line: | I did the first test of this frame on mtbr with my '97 Dean Duke XC, I loved that bike as stated. Had no problems with it other than the short top tube. I just got my 2000 Duke and man has it improved. Way beefyer dropouts (the '97 dropouts were too wimpy), the chainstays and seat stays are much improved (larger and s-shaped), longer top tube (My large is 23.5 effective), all of the tubes are shaped and crimped. This frame is so light, under 4 lbs. The welds are perfect.
It rides better than anything I've ridden out there. The Stratos rear shock works so much better than those Moots rear ends - No joke. I rode a 2000 Merlin softail and the rear end felt sticky and had some play when it topped out, the Duke moves through it's travel very smoothly and I get a full inch of travel. The rear shock is so adjustable it's crazy. It's prefect if you do a lot of riding because it's so adaptable, road, XC, anything. If you are going to get a softail, try the Duke if you can, you might get a Moots or Litespeed rear end softail but the rear shocks are so primitive and harsh you'll long for a real rear shock.
The frame is stiff, so stiff. Yet the rear end moves very well. The geometry is right where I like it too.
Check the other prices, it's an awesome value in comparison and maybe the best value in Ti softail out there.
This frame was made for me, I give it full honors. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Power
a Cross Country Rider
from Evansville, IN
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Land between the Lakes,KY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Welds, rear shock, everything! | | Weaknesses: | None, as of yet, this thing is the "bomb" | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed, Unicoi | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace, XTR, Superfly, Sun, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Wow, I waited a bit for this frame, but is it ever worth it! I don't think you can find a better soft-tail out there. Not sure how a Moots could be any better, in fact the rear shock is better on the Dean, so why would anyone spend the extra cash on a Moots? If you are considering a high dollar frame check out "The Duke" it's the best you can buy....period. And it's for LIFE! Ride on! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross-Country Rider
from Merrimack, NH
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light
Rear shock takes the edge off the trail
Effortless pedaling | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
Seven Sola
Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: |
Full XT, with Chris King headset, SID SL, Dolomite wheels | | Bottom Line: | This bike lives for the trail. The rear shock on this soft tail gives you the performance of a hardtail without the harshness of riding one. I have ridden this bike for 2 months, and have had it on some of the toughest trails in New England. I can easily say that Ti is better than aluminum(I have not ridden 853 yet). The welds are clean and the frame is well built.
I ordered the bike through the factory directly since no one sold DEAN in my area. They seem to be a very small shop based on my experience with them. John helped me, and he was very helpful in helping set up the bike. I found since they are small, they special order your build kit so as not to have any components sitting around. I was told this was easier since all riders wanted something different. No worries, I had the bike in about 3 weeks. When the bike showed up, I realized how small this manufacturer is. they shipped my new bike in an old Trek box! The bike is definenitely worth waiting for.
The rear shock eats up alot of the jarring and roots. It also helps in keeping the rear tire down on the ground when climbing. This is where the soft tail really works. The DEAN corners on a dime. Thats helpful when you're trying to dodge a tree. I had a Proflex 757 before this bike. Riding this bike is like moving to a Corvette from a big Caddy. I am going to give it 5 big ones!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PHAT ALBERT
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: February 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Yeah I was riding along and it spontaniously combusted under my body.
I think the ti is kinda jumpy. The flames were silvery. When it got done burnin I'll I had left was the handle bar.
I give it five chillis for great taste. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis
a cross-country rider
from Fredericksburg, VA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
AWESOME. I just bought the frame. Clean welds and the bike has an overall great look to it. The frame sucks up a bunch of the lower to mid size bumps and the geometry handles the trails very well. I am very impressed with its stability, handling and shock absorption. I have been able to create a comfortable ride at the 21.5 pound mark (no front shock used a suspension stem from Softride). The small frame fit my 5'7 body, so frame size was not an issue with me. I would definitely buy another one and would recommend it to others. Dean has put our a good product! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TB
a cross-country rider
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've owned this frame for almost a year and love it! It is very active, light, and suprisingly stiff. The Stratos shock is very smooth, I've never had to use the lockout feature but I've tried it just for fun and it is a total lock out.Dean welds are really nice, some of the best Ti welds I've seen. As far as geometry is concerned, the head tube is close to 72 degrees and makes for very quick steering, I think it's perfect for back country technical riding.I'm 5'11, 190lbs, and had to get the large to get a long enough top tube, it's a little short but I've heard that Dean is making the '99 longer,. I run a 135mm stem to make up for it's shortness. In the past 8 years I've had the best from GT, Ibis, Curtlo, Specialized, Yeti, Litespeed, Mantis, Cannondale, Answer, and more, I like this frame the best!Dean is a great company, I've emailed them several times with questions and they've gotten back to me the next day. Would I buy the Duke again, Oh yea! I give it 4 starts because I wish it had a longer to tube. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a cross-country rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: November 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Quality construction. Relatively stiff for a Ti bike. Handles east coast woods with ease. I really like being able to adjust the rear air shock rather than changing elastomers and springs as with similar designs. Limited rear travel makes more of a difference than you might believe. Only problem is Dean doesn't make enough sizes. | | Overall Rating: |
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