Description:Leader bike ups the ante on mountain frames with the performance enhanced 526H. Masterfully welded hydro formed aluminum ensures precise handling, quick acceleration and awesome durability. Ability to run a 160mm travel fork, fully disc brake ready, built with gussets galore. The LD526 gives a whole lot of bang for the dollar, resulting in a superior all around buy for 2006.
Submitted by
Bob Adams
a Weekend Warrior
from Delafield, WI Date Reviewed: April 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
John Muir
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
LeaderBikeUSA.com
Strengths:
-Geometry *This frame just FEELS right. I am 6'2", 215lbs and was looking for a TOUGH HT frame that could handle a long travel fork. The 526H fits the bill nicely. Slack enough to feel stable when bombing the descents, yet still has the tightness I am looking for when leaning into the handlebars during a brutal climb. Also, even with 160mm of front wheel travel I have yet to notice any low speed flop or sluggish steering.
-Looks * Flat Black, hydroformed tubing, and welds that look like a stack of dimes :) WHats not to like?
-Quality * The forming on the downtube and chainstays is pretty, and functional. The welds are equally impressive looking, and the oversized head-tube is a nice touch. ALso the ability to run a 2.5" is great.
-VALUE * For the price, this frame has the quality, features, and ridgidity you would expect from a frame costing twice as much. Plus, the guys at Leader are great guys to deal with and take tons of care in packing, shipping, and helping with any unforseeable problems. Not to mention a great no hassle replacement warranty.
Weaknesses:
-no ISCG mount -provided seat collar could have been QR :) (just nitpicking) - Oversized HT leaves limited headset options... Not a big deal to me, but for those King loving bling addicts, it may be an issue.
If you are looking for a high quality, no bullsh*t hardtail, then make sure to give the 526H a thought. It is a tough, light, and stiff frame that does wonderfully in blurring the line between XC and Freeride.
For $~250 shipped, I dare you to find a nicer AL hardtail.
5 chilis all around.
probably not the last leader frame I will buy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Terrell
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn, Washington Date Reviewed: April 10, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Absolutely no flex, Size (Plenty of space), Sharp looks
Weaknesses:
Aluminum Tubing, Tire clearance
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4500, Trek VRX300, Kona Shred, Schwinn Rocket 88
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi All Mountain 1 fork, Single Track rims, Panaracer Fire DH Pro 2.3, Blackspire chain guide, Cane Creek headset, Bontrager Race Lite stem w/FSA FR-270 bar (full length), FSA Carbon Seat Post, Selle Italia Flite saddle & Avid BB7 brakes (8" rotor front)
Bottom Line:
After 2 years of riding, I still stand by most of my original review. (See my other post below) However, I managed to snap the top tube on my LD-526H last week while wheelstanding. It didn't break at the weld but instead just in front of the weld connecting the seat tube to the top tube. Since the day I built the bike, I'd noticed a slight creaking sound when cranking up hills or reefing on the bike. I thought this was due to an old bottom bracket I'd installed, but I now suspect it was the frame all along. The noise went away now that I had the frame repaired. This is probably a one-off problem and it doesn't help that I tip the scales at 230 lbs and 6'-4" tall. I emailed Leader and they said I could ship the frame to them with my proof of purchase and they'd weld it up for free. However, after considering the cost of shipping and having to strip down the bike I had a local welder repair the frame as well as weld in a gusset under the top tube. I still say the LD-526H is an excellent frame for the price and it handles like a dream. I'm glad it's back under me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a Weekend Warrior
from Goose Creek Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
anything dirty
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
directly from Leader
Strengths:
stiffness, weight, acceleration and customer support
Weaknesses:
can't find one
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale, Gary Fisher, Mongoose (not the cheap ones) and Trek
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Tora, Sun Rims w/ Shimano hubs, XTR f/r dérailleurs, Truvativ blaze crank w/Ritchey SPD pedals, Sram 970 cassette, Deore dual hydraulic levers and Deore 6" disc brakes, FSA XC 140 stem w/ carbon bar, Leader seatpost w/ WTB pure v seat and WTB zero stack headset, ORI lock-on grips, Kenda Nevagul tires.
Bottom Line:
Outfriggenstanding bike, I originally bought a Mongoose bike with all the components that I liked off of ebay, didn't like the frame and after doing much research and talking to the guys at Leader I decided to give this frame a shot. It was only 200 so if I didn't like it I could buy another and make at least half of it back by selling the frame. I recieved the frame very quickly and the first thing I noticed was how light it was and the beautiful lines of this frame. I spent the next couple of hours ignoring my wife and putting the bike together then her and I went for a small ride. I immediately noticed the wonderful response the bike had, where ever I wanted the bike to go it went there. The next morning I went to Marington plantation which is a small 12.5 mile trail near my home, simply put, this is the best bike I have ever ridden. Everything is right, the angles, the stiffness and flex, everything. I can't say enough positive things about this bike. It has reduced my time on that 12.5 mile trail by about 5-7 minutes and I get all kinds of comments on it. My next bike will also be a Leader, but I will keep this one and build a FS. If any of the people from Leader read this, thanks for building a great, reasonably priced frame
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Terrell
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn, Washington Date Reviewed: February 22, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Single Track (Pick One)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Absolutely no flex, Size (Plenty of space), Sharp looks, Quality construction
Weaknesses:
2.35" tire max (I'd like to run Maxxis Hook Worms 2.5")
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4500, Trek VRX300, Kona Shred, Schwinn Rocket 88
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi 160mm All Mountain 1 fork, Single Track rims, Maxxis Holy Rollers, Blackspire DS-1 chain guide, Cane Creek headset, Bontrager Race Lite stem w/Bontrager 31.8mm bar (full length), Cane Creek Thudbuster post, Selle Italia Flite saddle & Avid BB7 brakes (8" rotor front)
Bottom Line:
You can't do any better for price v's ride. This is an excellent frame, both to look at and to ride. I use my LD-526H to commute to work (16 miles w/an 850' climb) during the week and to ride the local trails on the weekends. I was looking for a hardtail bike I could build to handle anything I would throw at it (Considering I'm 6'-4" & 232 lbs). On the open trail the bike handles great but ride some twisty singletrack with some elevation and this bike really shines. It's incredibly stable. I've made a few mistakes with this bike that my past bikes would have made me pay for, however it just sucks it up and asks for more.
Even though they state the bike will accept a 2.35" max, I've found that you can get away with a Maxxis Holy Roller which is a 2.4" tire. You might find, like I did, that the extra tire volume is nice to contrast the rigidity of the frame on your back.
Buy a Leader LD-526H. You won't be sorry.
B.Y.O.B. and Go ride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clay Spradlin
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenbrier, AR U.S.A. Date Reviewed: February 22, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Cadron Park Settlement
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
direct from Leader
Strengths:
Light, very stiff!! great looks
Weaknesses:
paint is a little thin, but I havn't had any problems there yet.
I was not sure about this frame when I was looking at it. There were no reviews of it at the time. It looked like a nice frame and for 200 bucks, you cant beat the price. I took a chance and ordered it and I'm so glad I did. This frame rocks!! I'm 6-4 235lbs. and this frame has no flex, I cant believe how stiff it is. I chose the 526-H rather than the 516 frame because of my size, granted I dont do any big jumps or drops, just trail riding, but this thing has held up great. Everywhere I go people ask me about this frame. Forget the "big name brand frames" get this one and save some coin! you wont be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Logan
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas Date Reviewed: February 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Hill Ranch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Leader Bikes
Strengths:
Great color and graphics. Hydroformed frame allows for strength where it's needed. Strong frame yet still on the light side. Customer service is great! This is still a small company so you get to know the people there like Sal.
Weaknesses:
Paint (who cares). Having trouble with the front derailleur set up. Seatpost.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 970 Steel. Cannondale M900.
Bike Setup:
Manitou Minute 1:00 fork (adjustabel travel rocks), XT hubs, mavic wheels, Shimano XT shifters and derailleurs, Avid Mechanical discs, Race Face Evolve Crank, FSA 110MM stem and Ritche bars, time ATAC pedals.
Bottom Line:
I am very please with this bike. It handles wonderfully on single track. It's not so damned nervous like the other XC bikes I've owned. I can run a long travel fork up front which helps smoot out the ride. I feel like the bike fits me better as I have a short inseam of 31" compared to my 5'11" height. This is because of the low top tube. I also noticed that my back does not hurt any more after an hour of riding. This is a great all around bike as I can run some jumps, rail the single track, accelerate out of the turns, and go uphill or down hill with gusto! I ride mostly XC and would not hesitate to race it if I felt like doing a race.
When I first got the bike and set it up, the seat post crown broke on me. I called Leader, sent them pictures and they sent me a new one with a free T-Shirt. During the build process they were extremely helpful as well and more than happy to answer any questions that I had.
Great Bike, Great Customer Service. Who cares if it's not a "sexy" brand name. If you can get the same quality and better service than the big names, for less money, why not go for it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CoDy McKibben
a Weekend Warrior
from Canaan,VT,USA Date Reviewed: September 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Just Gimmie a Place to Ride!
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
This Frame rides so smoothly. It is crazy light, and has a more aggressive geometry than a regular XC bike. To top it all off, it has super sweet looks.
Weaknesses:
This frame is the picture of perfection for me, but if you are getting one, make sure to get the correct size headset, because the tube on these frames is oversized.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Trailhead. Cannondale Chase 1
Bike Setup:
Leader LD-526H frame, Marzocchi MZ Race fork, Shimano Deore components, Marzocchi M saddle, Crank Brothers Mallet C pedals, Alex rims, Maxxis High Rollers.
Bottom Line:
This is an amazing frame, and is an amazing deal, for any price I could have paid. This frame is light, durable, responsive, smooth and damn good looking. It is perfect for the trials riding I have been doing, while still handling fantastically on the single track. If you are into any of this kind of riding, this is your bike. It may be a bit more aggressive than a casual rider may desire, but is perfect for anything else.
$
Overall Rating:
