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Submitted by
shanleyds1
a Downhiller
from Horsham
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | leith hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | got it for a days wo | | Strengths: | very light and stiff nice short wheelbase crome looks the nuts too | | Weaknesses: | none found | | Similar Products Used: | sidekick (dmr) | | Bike Setup: | ds1 kore dsfr speed rims on dmr revolver hubbs hope momo mini back break shimano hydralic front break truavity husselfelt crankset rock shox pike 454 air u turn forks full sram x9 gearing | | Bottom Line: | get one of thease if you want an all rounder with looks to kill can be used for ni on anything, plus it just looks the buisness. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Weekend Warrior
from warwickshire
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | john atkins leamington | | Strengths: | Light,strong | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | giant, felt, gt | | Bike Setup: | 97 judy dh, xt v brakes,mavic 517,xt hubs,shifters, fsa cranks. New set up, rock shok revelation 130mm, bontranger racelite, magura disc brakes, | | Bottom Line: | This has been a great bike for the last 8 years no problems whatever you throw at it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Weekend Warrior
from warwickshire
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | john atkins leamington | | Strengths: | Light,strong | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | giant, felt, gt | | Bike Setup: | 97 judy dh, xt v brakes,mavic 517,xt hubs,shifters, fsa cranks. New set up, rock shok revelation 130mm, bontranger racelite, magura disc brakes, | | Bottom Line: | This has been a great bike for the last 8 years no problems whatever you throw at it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason smith
a
from england
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | verry light comfotable bike | | Weaknesses: | none found | | Bottom Line: | i like this bike because it is verry light and moneverable i went straight from bmx to this bike so its a bit of a change but it is a easy bike to ride | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james isaacs
a Downhiller
from dorset
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | canyons | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle world | | Strengths: | this is one sturdy frame, its taken alot of crap from me and stil rides like a bute. | | Weaknesses: | i dont think there is a weekness 4 this frame, its mint. | | Similar Products Used: | azonic skid lid | | Bike Setup: | azonic ds1 frame, race face dh crankset, e13 bash guard, dmr conrod stem, race face dh bars, hayes hmx disk breaks, mavic ex 721 rims with reinforced sokes, a lush gel tech seat. | | Bottom Line: | its one lush frame and for how long iv had it, its bin a great ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sjoerd Blaauwgeers
a Downhiller
from Zoetermeer
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand | | Strengths: | Has no problems with anything i throw at it, looks ok, horizontal pads, light.
Allround geometry | | Weaknesses: | my weirwolfs 2.5 just fit in the back, there is 0.7mm clearance left at both sides.
If you ride with discs you have to take the caliper of everytime you want your wheel out.
No 24' brake bosses (not that i ride with v's or m33' but if someone does..)
| | Similar Products Used: | Planet x pitbull, specialized bighit 99'. | | Bike Setup: | Azonic DS1, mavic 321 rims with point racing hubs, Hayes Hfx9, WTB Weirwols 2.5, Bombshell Wicked Wendy fork, single speed setup. | | Bottom Line: | I really abused my slut but i gues she likes it. never failed on me!
Drops of 1.5 feet to flat without grumming, i think she will never leave me.
Started to ride street with her, after that some agressice xc and she is good for moth, next summer i'l take her out to winterberg, germany. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a
from berkeley
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Dual Slalom as the name implies, Heavy Duty XC or aggressive XC. Not really a huckster. | | Weaknesses: | If you judge it on intended desing it's quite good. | | Similar Products Used: | Chameleon, Rumble | | Bottom Line: | Some one made a comment about it being made in Taiwan and frames made in Taiwan are not designed for people who weigh more than 150lbs.
First of all this is patently false. If some one at a bike shop tells you this, leave the store immediately. If a friend tells you this laugh in their face.
The notion that Taiwanese frames are inferior is that for a long time cheap bikes were made there. But the rear end for your Specialized Enduro, Iron Horse, KHS FXT, GT I drive, all made in Taiwan. Most quality XC frames are made there and are designed for a 180lb rider with 20lbs of gear added.
Scott has frames made in Taiwan!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin
a Weekend Warrior
from Kitchener, Ontario
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeroom.com in CDN dollars | | Strengths: | Light solid frame. stiff box chain stays, not over built. Great price. Good all round geometry, stable at speed, tight enough for street. Stickers come off real easy(they're not paying me, im not advertising) | | Weaknesses: | couldn't fit much larger then a 2.3x26" gazz in the rear, 73mm bb shell would be better then the 68mm for more tire clearance. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 ds1, 03 sasquatch, px jackflash and zebbi, morphine | | Bike Setup: | 2003 ds1 16", 03 Sherman Firefly, MX 22 on Deore, OEM Norco Bar & stem, FSA PIG, 8" quad xt front, 6" twin xt rear, gazzas and arrow launchs, lx rear der. crap drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet all round frame. Especially the price(although i got a really really good deal, normally 400 USD). I have had no problems with the frame and i am a hack (sorry rhyno lites, too many deore axles, and my poor poor judy). Bike is only 32 lbs and i wasn't trying to save weight. I ride street, downhill, dirt jumps, even a little agressive trail and this frame feels at home in every type of riding. cause im poor it even doubles as my commuter bike. Although they don't make the ds1 anymore the Evolution II is the same geo but stronger. i would recommend this frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nik
a Downhiller
from portland, or
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | QBP | | Strengths: | inexpensive, hardy, light, nimble geometry | | Weaknesses: | stickers, paint quality = yuck | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized P2 | | Bike Setup: | 2003 LIGHTWEIGHT URBAN = Psylo SL, XTR, King, DeeMax+ Hookworms TUBELESS, Thomson, Raceface, Avid Discs, EVIL bash ...29lbs | | Bottom Line: | This frame is a great buy. I got the 2003 which is the only one worth it in my opinion because of the vertical drops and box stays. this frame is quick and agile enough to play in skate parks with, and strong enough to take some big ass drops to concrete. Anyone that breaks this should have gotten an Evolution II instead.
You WON'T be disappointed. Every time i get on this bike it feels like it was built just for me. It is a joy to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rory Danger
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Tough light, responsive | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | DMR trialster, zaskar, | | Bike Setup: | Z1s, Hope 521s, LX stuff. | | Bottom Line: | Good alround bike at a good price, best for hard riding jumping, street etc. Suits a 130mm fork best really chuckable, fun ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
graeme
a Downhiller
from christchurch
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | off camber | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand | | Strengths: | cool looking, light, good angles rides well | | Weaknesses: | only having 4mm thick alloy where the derillar hanger mounts on, this is weak and can bend when derillar hanger bends also there is fine threads cut into this which strip when derillar hanger bends. weak tubeing cracks after a while | | Similar Products Used: | wheeler 990 czx | | Bike Setup: | dirt jumper 3, d521s, yd open front brake, dmr handlebars | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding this this 2nd hand alloy frame for a year it has fatuged as all aluminum alloy frames do sometime. There is a small crack next to the weld on the downtube and head tube gusset there is also a stress mark on the gusset. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Ann, Arbor Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Beefy Frame
Amazing at Dirt Jumping
Easy to control
Light enough | | Weaknesses: | Horizontal Dropouts
Stickers (not a big deal) | | Similar Products Used: | None that compare | | Bike Setup: | Azonic DS-1 frame, manitou x-vert 01, old wore out Giant Rainier Parts | | Bottom Line: | What a great frame. I absolutely love it. I do everything on this bike. Since the bike has a rather long down tube, you peak late on jumps. This alows you to clear those doubles you never thought possible before. When your in the air the bike is soooooooo easy to whip around. You can completely control if you go up or out of both. This bike takes a little getting used to for street riding but its fantasic. All you have to do is get used to the down tube. This frame has gone through all sorts of ab(use) and is holding up just fine. I even take it free riding. It take 7 - 8 footers to flat with no problem. This is the best buy on a frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skip
a Cross Country Rider
from Acworth
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Horizontal dropouts make for a great singlespeed, yet capable of running gears also. Light enough for cross country, strong enough to ride urban. | | Weaknesses: | Only weakness is that they discontinued the horizontal dropout for 2003. =( | | Similar Products Used: | too many... | | Bike Setup: | OEM Trek wheels (Bontrager Corvairs I think), XT Cranks, Thomson post, X-Vert Air fork, and a big fat BMX chain after I broke my second 8 speed chain. | | Bottom Line: | I have only had this bike set up as a singlespeed. It is great for cross country and also for urban rides. The geometry feels great with a 4 or 5 inch fork. I am sure that I will break a bone before I break this frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kai
a Racer
from Tiburon
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Sand HIll Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | Incredibly Strong
New Box Chainstays Dont Bend
Manualing Heaven
14.5 Frame Fits Perfectly
Awesome Price On Sale At WheelWorld For Like $70 More And Its 70 Percent Better | | Weaknesses: | W-e-a-k-n-e-s-s-e-s?
Is That a Word? | | Similar Products Used: | My Friends Have A Roast And Jamis Eureka | | Bike Setup: | Black Beauty....All Black 14.5 DS1..Psylo Sl's..Xt...Race Face Crank/BB..Azonic Bar/Stem/Pedals..Magura Julie Hydraulic Disks..Rhyno Lites Covered In WTB MotoRaptor 2.4 Rubber......Coming Soon MRP MiniMe ChainGuide | | Bottom Line: | Get It It's Awesome....Dual Dream....Great For Freeride/Urban Too | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from Grimsby
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | None | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | - super stiff
- very responsive
- good dimensions for all kinds of riding
- quite light
- strong | | Weaknesses: | - The chainstays bend.
- Stickers peel
I'd like to point out there is a BIG difference between slight bending (like the ds1 chain stays tend to) and breaking. The bending has not changed the strength or handling of the frame for me | | Bike Setup: | Ds1 with bomber z1's and 26" wheels. | | Bottom Line: | This older model of the Ds1 can now be picked up for around $300 - wich is good value for this frame.
Azonic have now launched the 2003 azonic ds1 - wich has new chainstays that don't bend, and new stickers. But this is allot more pricy - at around $460 (in the UK).
The ds1 is a good all round frame, with a few small problems, but nothing big enough to put me off! :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Reitzel
a Racer
from Evanston Wyoming USA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything and everything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | www.pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Everything. I love the geometry even with 5 inch forks. very nice for sprinting. fastest bike in town with me riding it. 10-12 foot drops easy | | Weaknesses: | the frame says what are weaknesses.. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant DS3, Schwinn Mesa | | Bike Setup: | 16.5 inch frame with mag 30 dh rims, deore hubs, easton handle bars, hayes mech disc brakes, shimano XTR chain, deore rear der. race face prodigy crank, primo pedals | | Bottom Line: | FAST, good, strong, light enough (33lbs with all parts), very nice I like lots | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justin dahl
a Weekend Warrior
from mount vernon wa usa
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | mike | | Strengths: | good dimmensions and stong for the weight
its a perfect intermediate downhill hardtail | | Weaknesses: | the welds look like they are crappy but i havent had any problems/ none | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized p3 | | Bike Setup: | ds1 marzocchi z1 hayes ryhno lites with intense tires and profiles | | Bottom Line: | i love this frame and i got it used for cheap so it make s it even better. its for the guys who have to ride up the hill before you can ride down it . buy one but get it used you wont regret it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cam
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Craigeburn Skifield | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | Frame stiffness
Light weight for it's intended purpose
Easily interchangeable from XC to DH to freeride
Great, snappy, geometry | | Weaknesses: | The person riding it :-) | | Similar Products Used: | Previous rides include, Balance Cr450, Marin Mt Vision, Marin Palisades Trail, GT Arrowhead, 16" kids bike, alloy mini scooter | | Bike Setup: | 100mm Z5 Bombers (not top of line, but functional), D521/XT wheelset, Avid Arch Rivals with SD7 levers, Hussefelt DH cranks with Gygapipe BB, Roox bars and seatpost, LX/XT drivetrain, Azonic Hot seat, 2.5" High Rollers, ODI lock-ons Azonic Shorty etc etc | | Bottom Line: | Awesome versatile bike. I can dirt jump, ride cross country, down hill, all with a simple change of tyres and attitude. I'm not riding it that much at the moment :-( but I've done 6 foot urban drops to flat, stair jumps, 15 foot doubles at the BMX track and wicked 4 hour enduro rides in summer. I built it up myself, and am a much better rider for it, because I've been able to fine tune stuff to my own needs. HINT 1: if possible, build up your own bike HINT: Use a 68/118mm bottom bracket if you want to avoid your chain picking up the largest chainring's shifting ramps when in a middle ring/small cogs combo. Anyone else had this problem?
Sweet sweet bike. BTW, I'm 5'6" and 140 pounds, so yeah I'm a bit of a lightweight but I ride hard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cam
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Craigeburn Skifield | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | Frame stiffness
Light weight for it's intended purpose
Easily interchangeable from XC to DH to freeride
Great, snappy, geometry | | Weaknesses: | The person riding it :-) | | Similar Products Used: | Previous rides include, Balance Cr450, Marin Mt Vision, Marin Palisades Trail, GT Arrowhead, 16" kids bike, alloy mini scooter | | Bike Setup: | 100mm Z5 Bombers (not top of line, but functional), D521/XT wheelset, Avid Arch Rivals with SD7 levers, Hussefelt DH cranks with Gygapipe BB, Roox bars and seatpost, LX/XT drivetrain, Azonic Hot seat, 2.5" High Rollers, ODI lock-ons Azonic Shorty etc etc | | Bottom Line: | Awesome versatile bike. I can dirt jump, ride cross country, down hill, all with a simple change of tyres and attitude. I'm not riding it that much at the moment :-( but I've done 6 foot urban drops to flat, stair jumps, 15 foot doubles at the BMX track and wicked 4 hour enduro rides in summer. I built it up myself, and am a much better rider for it, because I've been able to fine tune stuff to my own needs. HINT 1: if possible, build up your own bike HINT: Use a 68/118mm bottom bracket if you want to avoid your chain picking up the largest chainring's shifting ramps when in a middle ring/small cogs combo. Anyone else had this problem?
Sweet sweet bike. BTW, I'm 5'6" and 140 pounds, so yeah I'm a bit of a lightweight but I ride hard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
I Want One
a Racer
from Gillagans Island
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | I read a post below saying that the DS1 does not have the geometry to use a 5 inch fork. Can anyone verify this? I am very close to purchasing a 2002 DS1 frame and plan on using a 5 inch Z1 with it. I have looked at Azonics site and found nothing conerning reccommended fork lengths and also emailed them, however, I haven't received a response. If anyone could answer this, I'd appreciate it - thanks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
evil bob
a Racer
from littleton
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | wild thing in keystone, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | fast, turns quick, strong to a certain extent | | Weaknesses: | paint scratches with a fingernail/stress fractures a lot/stickers suck/ cant put a triple or mrp on it - i had to file my mrp down a lot to get it on there and it still hits the frame but i dont care -its gonna break soon | | Similar Products Used: | norco/ ds2/ haro dsr | | Bike Setup: | azonic ds1, mammothDH rims to alivio hubs,truvativ husslefelt cranks with mrp chainguide lx v brakes and levers, sram griftshift and old xt derrailuir,azonic double wall handle bar and shorty stem | | Bottom Line: | its a good bike for the money but it gonna break the next time i drop an 8 footer, ive raced it in a couple DH races and it handled well and survived-well sorta.ive cased 20 foot gaps and besides almost having my ankls and wrists snap off the bike survived. it has survived 6 foot drops to flat . sorta stiff. id buy another one if that was all i could afford. buy one if your poor and cant spend money on something better because its a good biek for the money. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Mills
a Downhiller
from Port Hardy, B.C.
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pipe line | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Air Bomb | | Strengths: | Big tubes, a Beefy frame, and horizontal dropouts make this hunk of metal vurtually indistructable; Very light and fast. | | Weaknesses: | Stickers instead of paint but, a minor weekness. | | Similar Products Used: | Peace oh crap Norco and GT Karakoram. | | Bike Setup: | Z3Qr20,(The perfect fork for the bike i might add) Sun Mamath/Ringle rims, Deore,xt components, Truvative Hussfelt crank. | | Bottom Line: | The best hard tail i've ridden. This bike can take whatever you can dish out. 8 foot drops and rough trails are no match for this bike. I'll never even think of a new hard tail as this bike is sure to last forever. Size 18 is perfect for the 6 footer's out there and polished metal is the way to go, Sweeet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Downhiller
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Awesome geometry, strong gussets, huge head tube, strong dropouts, sick bike all around | | Weaknesses: | Horizontal dropouts are annoying, but they're strong. Decals instead of paint - ugly | | Similar Products Used: | GT Backwoods | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adrian staines
a Weekend Warrior
from bath
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | westside | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | melksham cycles | | Strengths: | versatile, geometry, looks, | | Weaknesses: | tyre clearance, frame can bend before dropout, stickers, rear facing seat post clamp, top routed cables scratching it | | Bike Setup: | forks n' wheels n' all that gears n' stuff | | Bottom Line: | It's the Queens Jubilee and she deserves a good stiff ride at an affordable price. I run a triple chainset. My bike is still cool. I have replaced the stickers for spooky ones. Look out for me on the canal or going to the shops on my bike. I'm glad I choose this one. I can pull one handed wheelies on it. I ride 35 + miles a week on it seat up seat down whatever wherever and doing a fine job.
The 16" is cool for riders up to 6ft really. If you have a 80mm plus stem it makes a goodish XC bike. I'm saying it's a very good all round bike. With little modification it can be used for most disciplines and much fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Jones
a Racer
from Santa Clara, Ca
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great light race frame. Really good geometry. Cheap. | | Weaknesses: | After racing, dirt jumping, trail riding, and more dirt jumping for a month and a half my top and down tubes look like a bananna. The gusseted top tube is a good idea, so now instead of the headtube bending the top and down tubes bend. You can't ride a five inch fork on it because it messes up the geometry. | | Bike Setup: | 16.5" DS-1 frame, Marzocci z-1 wedge, Mavic 321 on Hayes Hugi hubs front and rear, profile cranks, King Headset, Azonic double wall bars,and some other good stuff. | | Bottom Line: | This frame kicked ass for about a month, until it bent really bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Airbomb.com | | Strengths: | Tough. No worries about the frame breaking, ever. And it's not that heavy either. I "freeride" on singletrack, around town, down steep ravines, it handles it all. | | Weaknesses: | Stickers, which are for posers anyway. Peel 'em off. | | Similar Products Used: | My steel frame beach cruiser. | | Bike Setup: | Z3 Marzocchi Bomber, Shimano Mech. Disk Brakes (love 'em), Koski Riser bar, Grip Shift, Shimano 646 pedals, Tioga seat, Big fat gigantic rims (Alex) and tires - for that SUV feeling over rocks, ruts, roots, potholes, cliffs... | | Bottom Line: | Buy this Frame before they change the design or up the price. Thanks to the Airbomb guys up in Canada ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flowsta
a Downhiller
from TN,USA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Freeway | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bike Setup: | X-vert dc--Mammoth's --Intense 2.35"---Kona clump stem--- Avid V-brakes.... | | Bottom Line: | Use a QR skewer & a derailer.Use rear wheel up in the drops to solve slipping wheel problems-or bolt-on kit REALLY torqued down with tensioners;which is a pain to line up & tension by yourself -no doubt...Vertical dropouts would be best on this bike....Perfect geometry. Light, & strong enough for a non-superhero rider..Really i think you'll injure your ankles Before you kill the frame ! Good value.Dropouts will wear some & paint is little thin..dents pretty easy-but it's aluminum!It is what it is ! A fast rippin-fun bike for sure ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Tallahassee,FL,USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | After months of scientific studies at Harvard, the Physics professors stated that this bike and an equially agile rider would be the most powerful weapon for terrorizing the down town area of any city. | | Weaknesses: | The horozontal dropouts make removing the rear wheel impossible if you have Shimano XT disc brakes. The caliper has to be taken off. The positive side of this is that it will take a while for anyone to steal the rear wheel. | | Similar Products Used: | The only other similar products I tested was a CAT Bulldozer, and a Baja Truck. The DS-1 is the best of both worlds. | | Bike Setup: | DS-1, XT discs, Marzocchi, Spinergy DS wheels, everything else is Sram, Race Face, and Kore. | | Bottom Line: | This bike just turns me on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a
from Lynn MA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel world | | Strengths: | this frame is great. im about 5'9" 160lbs and the 16in frame fits me perfect. the geometry kicks. i use it for freeride'n in the woods and urban assalt.get on its a good deal | | Weaknesses: | nothin at all although im not sure about those horizontal dropouts, but so far no problems | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher | | Bike Setup: | xtr brakes lx rear derailer blah blah blah who cares?!? | | Bottom Line: | if you're a teenager like me and you like to hit big drops, do some dirt-jumpin, this is the perfect frame for you. oh yea and it wont break ur piggy bank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Janicik
a Weekend Warrior
from Fair Oaks, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | urban assult | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | super go | | Strengths: | horizontal dropouts for single speed setup, stong frame, with fun geometry, CHEAP price, but not a cheap frame | | Weaknesses: | limited frame color selection | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Quake 7.0, Trek 7000 (broke frame) | | Bike Setup: | single speed, Mavic 517 on Surly 1X1 hubs,Marazocchi Z1 MCR Truvativ isis SS cranks and BB, Race Face stem and real seal headset, Easton carbon riser bars, Avid 5.0 brakes | | Bottom Line: | this bike is the most fun you can have on two wheels, I ride it every where. The gear ratio is 32X16 which gets me going fast enough to do any urban assalt stunts, and is also a very easy gear ratio to wheelie for dropoffs or just ridin a wheelie. With the ECC control on my fork I can lower the 130mm of travel to imporve the geometry for climbing on the fly, then turn the travel back on enjoy the smooth travel for dirt jumping, urban assalt, trail ring, and what ever else comes to mind. If you don't own a single speed get one quick, it will put a smile on your face every time you even think about riding it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelworld | | Strengths: | Rock solid. Can take a helluva beating
Horizontal drops
Versatile
Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Cheap stickers and paint job - - nothin else really | | Similar Products Used: | GT Agressor
Specialized p.3
Specialized Rockhopper
| | Bike Setup: | Raceface cranks
Rigid fork
35 x 16t
Sun Rhyno lite / Shim. DX wheels
Shim. 424 pedals
Azonic riser
Thompson post
Kore 110 mm stem
| | Bottom Line: | Real ball-breaker of a ride. It's tough enuff to take my 225 lb weight with no probs at all doing some scary drops and stairs. Lots of fun. The finishing is a little cheep but I can stand it. PERFECT score. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from L.A.
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | This review is for the azonic EVOLUTION.great geometry and handles like a champ | | Weaknesses: | They tend to snap in half causing a very uncomfortable face plant in my case some broken bones and major gash in leg. | | Similar Products Used: | chameleon same result | | Bike Setup: | Z1, profiles all the heavy duty stuff | | Bottom Line: | I did really like the frame but it is just not safe remember these frames are made in taiwan and are cetainly not the "strongest frames on the planet" as they claim.I found out that frames made in taiwan are built for riders no heavier than 150lbs.If you dont plan to ride it hard and dont plan on jumping it you should be fine.Check out the norco line of hardtails. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip
a Cross Country Rider
from Kodiak
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelworld | | Strengths: | Beefy, oversized aluminum, gussets, nicely bent stays, very inexpensive. Makes a killer single speed with the horizontal dropouts! | | Weaknesses: | Cheap paint and pathetic stickers. Oh well. I peeled the stickers off immediately to save them the bother of doing it themselves. There is no seat collar clamp or rear brake boss studs (had to buy the clamp- get the Surly Constrictor, didn't care about the studs... using a disc brake), but that almost seems to go beyond the pale of cheap. | | Similar Products Used: | Homemade junk single speeds | | Bike Setup: | Dimension rigid disc-specific fork (cheap at Bikeman.com), cr@ppy headset and back-of-the-garage steerer parts, truvative stylo ss cranks and isis bb, some old WTB lazerbeam disc wheels, and Avid Mech Disc Brakes, baby! | | Bottom Line: | Single speeds are making a comeback for some reason... I set this one up as a ss for riding around town in the winter. The frame is burly and the black matches the fork, cranks and wheels, etc, nicely. Very stiff frame, huge downtube. Great tire clearance. Decent welds. Silly decals. I don't understand why they don't include a seat post collar clamp with the frame though, as if someone might ride the bike without a seat. Also, unless you are mounting a disc, you will need to find brake studs.
The rear disc brake setup can be very finicky unless you go with Avid's CPS mounting system. If you aren't using avid mechs, I would almost go so far as to advise against discs unless you really like to fuss with the things. Axle slippage could be a problem with a qr, so I am using Redline chain tensioners (had to trim the replaceable der hanger to do it). Otherwise, pretty darn cool little frame for the price and I agree with other posters, that it could make a good XC style frame with the rear wheel in the front of the dropout.
If you are looking for a single speed frame, however, this one deserves a long hard look. Stiff, classy (once those decals are gone), horizontal dropouts, say no more...
5 burning cats for value, but I had to douse one cat for Overall because of the lack of the seatpost collar. I don't care about the stickers- it's not like they looked good anyway. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Smith
a Racer
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Strengths: | strong, stiff, light | | Weaknesses: | none for the price | | Similar Products Used: | Caloi Team Frame | | Bike Setup: | X-Fly 100, XT/Race Face | | Bottom Line: | A quality ride at a cheap price. After I cracked my Caloi I wanted a light, strong frame, and the Azonic is it. I have the 18" set up for cross country, and it has worked like a dream. No problems thus far.
Another advantage is its extremely versatile, making it great for single speed or random acts of urban assault.
Very impressive for the price! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from Dracut MA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods, Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Sale (complete bike) | | Strengths: | Beefy tubes, nice gussets. Beautiful rear disc mount, accepts 3" tires. No flex, but not too stiff with the right tire pressure. Not to heavy (4.5 lbs) for how strong it is. | | Weaknesses: | Had to switch from a hollow axle with a QR to a solid BMX axle with nuts, to prevent the rear wheel from moving when landing drops. Not really a weekness, small price to pay for adjustable wheelbase. Stickers fall off immediately. | | Similar Products Used: | GT zaskar, Balfa minuteman | | Bike Setup: | Z.1 MCR QR20, 24" Sun double widerims, ringle hubs, with 3" tires, hayes disk brakes, race face north shore cranks with MRP slalom chainguide, king headset, azonic double wall bars, race face dh stem | | Bottom Line: | Great frame at a great price. Can't seem to break it, go buy one. But, spend the extra money (about $100) for the evolution, it has sqare rear stays, even beffier gussests, and probably better resale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Les Steel
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunderland England
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Black trail Hamsterley Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | Halfords Bikehut | | Strengths: | Quick steering, strong, disc compatible, good looking | | Weaknesses: | Sticker set not stuck properly, could do with two bottle mounts | | Similar Products Used: | Merlin MALT 1 M.S. from merlin cycles Lancashire England | | Bike Setup: | Z1 X-Flys LX hubs mechs and cranks D521 rims XT v-brakes Azonic ors stem X-lite XC riser bars pss2 saddle Kore post | | Bottom Line: | Great handling bike on technical trails and Ok to jump and do a bit of xc as well. Far too good to keep as a slalom bike only. Price above is in English pounds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett Hanshew
a
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything steep and dirty | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | this frame is excellent so far. It is solid as a rock no matter what i go over. I was pleasantly surprised that this frame soaks up as much vibration as it does for being Al. geometry is really nice, no flex at all in the front end, Disc tabs. I happen to like the horizontal drop outs...the entire point of buying a bike wih horizontal drop outs is that you like being able to dial the wheelbase to fit your ride. Right now i am working on a system to keep the wheel in roughly the same place so i don't have to re adjust brakes constantly. | | Weaknesses: | scratches easily, decals did not come pressed on all the way. yeah its petty but i guess i have to nag about something. | | Bike Setup: | DS-1 w/ hugi disc hubs, vuelta excalibur rims, RS psylo xc, hayes front & rear, RF northshore ISIS cranks, azonic shorty, az. dub wall risers, full xt drivetrain, MRP slalom chainguide | | Bottom Line: | its a biiiiiitchin bike. if you want a set it and forget it bike its probly not for you, nor is any other bike with horizontal dropouts. strong, relatively light, precise, solid wrapped up into a manageable price tag. don't complain | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Azonic DS 1 Rider
a Downhiller
from Richmond BC Can
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | super strong..no flex..the smaller the frame it is,it feels better..well tubing | | Weaknesses: | not much...but scare that headtube will break
coz my frined broke one | | Similar Products Used: | none...first hardtail | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Z3 QR20, dual hayes, 24" doublewide, arrow 2.5 tires
azonic seat post | | Bottom Line: | ................!!!
u know what i mean | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justan umber
a Downhiller
from Washington DC
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | city streets | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | strong as sh!t this things kicks ass. I do anything I have a chance of landing (which is lot) and the only thing i did so far is break a derailer hanger which was my fault. disc tabs | | Weaknesses: | no so far | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | ds-1, girvin chubby, mammoth rims on LX hubs, bont. crowbar, ODI lock-on, sun ZuZu pedals everything else is what cam with 99 GT agressor | | Bottom Line: | I broke the derailer hanger and then broke off the headtube of my agressor. this frame is strong and pretty light if you care. if you go extreme get it. i have done 12 stairs and 5ft drops to flat concrete with out breaking it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a
from MN
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | All around solid. What more can you say? | | Weaknesses: | Horizontal dropouts....more on that later | | Similar Products Used: | P3 | | Bike Setup: | Marz z1 cr-THE stem-sun single wide rims W/real hubs-avid mech disc front and rear-ultimate levers-truvativ chain guide-race face bash guard..... | | Bottom Line: | The real point of this post is to inform you of a little trick to mount avid mech. disc brakes to the rear end. If
you have tried this you know it does not work, due to the adjustable mounts not being "tall" enough for the caliper to set up right on the rotor. All you have to do is get the spacers from most any v-brake pads and use the thicker adjustable spacers. You know....the ball and socket thingy.(I used 2 sets with washers in between.) It moves the caliper up and you still have the same great set up ablity. The only draw back is, if you move it too far up you may have to get new longer bolts that mount the caliper to the adapter. I have been running this set up for about 3 months and have not had any problems.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Ct
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | strong, disc tabs, decently light, not as harsh as other alm bikes i've ridden | | Weaknesses: | no clear coat over stickers paint scratches and gets ugly prety quick. | | Similar Products Used: | spec p3 | | Bike Setup: | zokes z3 100 up front, fsa dh headset, rf stem, profile bars, avid mag brake set, xt ders/shift, lx cranks. Salsa gordo rims on XTR hubs (sweet wheelset). Wtb moto raptors 2.4 | | Bottom Line: | Bad ass bike...i had used a cane creek thud buster for a while because i was coming off a "comfy" steel bike. Then one day the post broke and i've been using a nomal one and its fine (body geom comp saddle). Sweet on the drops and on the climbs. This bike is great (when built up right) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bayne
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ain't telling | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Belmont Wheelworks | | Strengths: | Good geometry, stiff and strong (check out the dropouts--cut from a 1/3 inch thick sheet of aluminum), Cool looking, fun to ride. You get a ton of bike for your dough. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | My other bike is a Specialized FSRxc pro. | | Bike Setup: | Full LX, Race Face bashguard (in place of a big ring), Mavic 521 rims, Continental Survival Pro tires, Cane Creek headset, Rock Shox Psylo XC fork, Salsa stem, Answer protaper riser bar, OURY grips.....I guess that just about covers it. | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike for really technical trails, big drops (around five feet so far), urban, dirt jumping, downhilling, and trials. Since I started riding it, I've started going a lot bigger and doing stuff I would never do on my xc bike. I know people here say that you can snap it, but I know someone (he sold me the bike) who rides off ten foot drops on it all the time. So I would recommend it for anyone who wants a bike to take scary risks on and have a good time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iiro Heikkila
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | pattila | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good geometry. Paint and stickers. Its light(snaps easily) | | Weaknesses: | I just snapped it after only 3 2 and half months of use.
horisontal dropouts are ******. | | Similar Products Used: | kona roast, cannondale, finnpeak du'al, trek bruiser, | | Bike Setup: | azonic ds1 frame, marzocchi z1 dual, gazzaloddi tires, azonic doublewall bar, shorty stem, hayes mechanic rear brake. 521 rims laced to xt disc hubs. | | Bottom Line: | O.k. compromise frame if you ride like your grandma.
I aint gonna buy azonic frame never again.
my Next frame will be strong cromoly frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AzonicKidd Kidd
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarksville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | a fun 1 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Got it in a trade | | Strengths: | Strong frame, rigid | | Weaknesses: | are u kidding?!?! the paint maybe, but thats the outside...the inside counts | | Similar Products Used: | P.3 | | Bike Setup: | Azonic shorty, Azonic double wall, Truvative Hussafelt crank (splined) XT rear derailer, Sun ryno rims, XTR rear hub, XT rear v brake, Hayes disc brake up front, IRC kojo tires, ODI grips, Gripshift, Thompson seatpost, Azonic seat, Marzocchie OR20 Z.3 | | Bottom Line: | Awsome bike, cept for maessing up the brake on a tree, and bending the rims, the frame will hold up to about any thing, takes drops with ease, great for dirtjumping, ds, and just plain hucking stuff | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Ct
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | strong, decently light (not realy one of my main objectives), cool looking | | Weaknesses: | no clear coat, paint wears quick | | Similar Products Used: | specialized p3 | | Bike Setup: | ds1 frm, zokes z1 xfly, xtr hubs on salsa gordo's, full xt drv, times, salsa post/ bar/ stem, avid mags, and a thud-buster post for arcadia | | Bottom Line: | strong, beefy. If you like jumping and or riding hard get this frame, you can beat it and it still comes back even if some of your drive train does not. and its prety cheap | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iylia Kamal
a Downhiller
from MALAYSIA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rover Track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop in K.L | | Strengths: | Strong and rigid frame. Good geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Decals come off easily. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano LX drivetrain and shifters, Truvativ cranks and Manitou SX-R 00' fork. | | Bottom Line: | This frame is ideal for freeriding and dual-slalom, very light weight and strong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Hardy
a Cross Country Rider
from rhyl, north wales, UK
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | MBR, Coed-y-brenin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Chainreactioncycles.com | | Strengths: | Strong,light, sprint's well (i like to sprint)
look's good, turn's sharp (last frame turned like a barge)
13" BB height | | Weaknesses: | low mud clearance unless the wheel is pulled back | | Similar Products Used: | DMR trailstar | | Bike Setup: | DS-1 16.5", Z4 100's, Hope XC ti hubs F519 rims, Enduro 4 185mm Front disk, XTR rear brake w/Carbon booster, XTR/XT drivetrain, Racface stem, seatpost and chainrings, Titec XC bars,Spesh BG comp saddle,PD-536 pedals, lock-on grips, total 28 LBS (approx) | | Bottom Line: | I love this thing. I ride hardcore XC (singletrack, rock's, root's, drops-off's, climbs) it does them all without complant. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ketchup
a Weekend Warrior
from the west country
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything muddy | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | price in pounds 2nd hand | | Strengths: | reading the reviews of these fames being snapped, below, hey, anyone can snap a frame if you haven't learnt to land properly..
anyway, strengths = nice beefy looks
| | Weaknesses: | peelly-wally stickers | | Similar Products Used: | kona blast
dmr sidekick | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi z3 100's, azonic bars / club roost stem, loads of stuff really!! | | Bottom Line: | these frames are good, and not tooooo heavy like the identi's of this world.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ky Hawes
a Downhiller
from Dartmouth, MA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | U Mass | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Westport bike | | Strengths: | It is a good freeride and the headtube angle is great. | | Weaknesses: | This bike cannot fit a duel slalam mrp. i dont get it, why make a ds bike that cannot fit a ds chain guide. drop outs are very weak, stickers are very poor, and again what is up with that mrp thing!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | ds2, planet x jackflash and zebdi, etc. | | Bike Setup: | z4 qr20, raceface crankes and stem, rhyno lites | | Bottom Line: | ok frame dont get it if you want to race!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason hansen
a
from washington
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Candy ass | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | wheelworld.com | | Strengths: | Stiffness, looks, price. | | Weaknesses: | Decals, low bb height, other than that its all good. | | Bike Setup: | ds-1, jr-t, shorty deluxe, world force risers, rhyno lights,avid brakes, soon to have some prodigey cranks,primo pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great frame for free riding, and for abusive riders. I am pretty abusive on it and it has held up great, i have done some big drops to flat landings and the frame is still good. the only problems are the decals, they are really crappy, and the low bb height suck for doin technical stuff, but overall its a really good frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BUMP ap Blaster -review
a Cross Country Rider
from C.A
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Steep willy.. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | www.wheelworld.com | | Strengths: | This is for the new BUMP ap Blaster...like Azonic ds-1 but horizontal dropouts.same 7005 aluminum & big gusseted headtube area.... | | Weaknesses: | doesn't ride like a steel {because it's aluminum} & you feel it when you stomp on the pedals...Very stiff .. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic DS-1 | | Bike Setup: | 18" Bump..polished ..5" QR20..>then rigid singlespeed.... | | Bottom Line: | A great deal for a freeride hardtail..Better than DS-1 because it has nice regular dropouts vs. horizontal ones..Also the geometryis slightly different,it's more XC & dropoff i guess & doesn't manual as easy as DS-1--.I love this frame & looks killer polished. Light & strong,handles excellent,welds are perfect as can be!! If Azonic makes this frame,why don't they just say it's an Azonic? Get this frame ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John anderson
a Downhiller
from spartanburg, SC ,USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | DS AT CLEMSON | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | wheelworld | | Strengths: | just an awesome frame, great geometry, great colors, not very heavy(who cares, its not an XC frame). great with a 5 inch fork, can take a triple clamp | | Weaknesses: | stickers?? you can't get custom paint jobs like with santa cruz's. the drop outs are a little annoying and pointless | | Similar Products Used: | none that compare to this | | Bike Setup: | psyloXC fork, icon 32 tooth with bashguard singlespeeds, rhynolites, magura hs-33, hellbents, yadda-yadda,yadda | | Bottom Line: | it is an awesome frame for dual slalom, jumping, and urban assualt, it handles like you wouldn't believe, it doesn't cost a whole lot, and its strong. i haven't gotten to test the strength that much because it i am only 5'5" 130 lbs. the 16" fits me perfect, i could ask for a better hardtail. it is the best frame you can get for 300 and one of the best anyway | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Downhiller
from Roseville, CA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | Roseville Cycle | | Strengths: | head angle, size, seems well built (we'll see...) | | Weaknesses: | lame stickers, poorly machined drop outs | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Reaper, Specalized P3 | | Bike Setup: | Marzochi Z1QR; Hayes hydros; Azonic bars, stem, cranks, bb, pedals, seat, seat post & clamp; Sram 9.0 shifters & rear derailer; XT front detrailer; Race Face triple chain rings & headset; Sun Rhyno Lites; IRC Kudo 2.35's | | Bottom Line: | After ordering & replacing 3 frames I got one with minimal drop out problems. The rear wheel won't line up properly!!! I love the ride though & still love their componants. I forgot how much fun hardtails can be! Seems a bit heavy (about 30lbs.) but hey I don't XC so screw it!!! Get freeride & mobs pretty good downhill. Too bad Azonic has crappy quality controls; originally ordered an 18" but the 3rd frame they sent was a 16.5" but with a 90mm stem it rides nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim johnason
a Weekend Warrior
from uk
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | street | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$230.00 | | Purchased At: | price in pounds | | Strengths: | Wicked front head angle, especially with rigids. Nice and light, head turner on the street, all over stiffness | | Weaknesses: | rear end slightly tweeked, possibly done by me!!?? could use a bmx bottom bracket option? horrible stickers. Hydrolic cable thingys would be really useful, as selotape looks cheaper then the stickers. | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale something or other | | Bike Setup: | ds2 (poliched) xt, bontrager wheels + hubs, funn and worlds end handle bars, magura moves. | | Bottom Line: | I,ve only recently got back into riding after breaking my back, and the first time I tock the final setup out I almost broke it again, cars should be more visable when you're drunk.
The bike is considerably faster feeling than anything I've riden before, even a nice cannondale I rode last week. I really can't praise the frame enough, although no I've sampled this bike my only problem is that I would like to up grade but to what????
I'm quite short 5"6, and the bike is perfect for my build, however even extending the seat tube, friends have had a nightmare trying to ride the bike, clashing knees etc..
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eReNeS Lukasz street rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Warsaw Poland
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | street | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Strengths: | i thought it's indestructible...but my ds2 12,5' with rigid fork for trial broke into 2 pcs. after 5 month periode ( i rode only about 2 month!!!!) my weight's 70kg...COOL geometry, l.bit much longer, 12,5' ds2 rulez. dropouts really 4 singlrspeed!!!! | | Weaknesses: | stickers, no-indestructible...DS1 -no 12,5' available | | Similar Products Used: | many moore small rigid bikes (CRO-MO) best! | | Bike Setup: | trial: Mavic521,roox bomber dh, old black lx cranks, v-breakes ( cheap ones)..2,45" Jumbo Hutchinson tires, singlespeed | | Bottom Line: | ??? I thought it's a best frame in world....but warantyy>>>>
...But i bought a new small alu bike 3 weeks ago & i broke it some days ago near head tube. 20days... azonic- 100days.OK! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Parrish
a Downhiller
from CT
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ? | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Cycle | | Strengths: | Its a great frame
Its also really stiff
I really recomend it for DS or urban | | Weaknesses: | So far no weakness | | Similar Products Used: | Cheeta DS
Specialized P.3 | | Bike Setup: | Bomber z1-Azonic crank,BB Pro Tapers Hays Hydros XT Yeti Grips Sun rims IRC cujos | | Bottom Line: | Sweet ride | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Felix
a Downhiller
from Oxford, England
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cherwell Jump and Dual | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | Big fat gusseted head tube, chainstays etc.(2001 model)very light and very well built! | | Weaknesses: | Bbit too short. | | Bike Setup: | Z1 Cr's, Race Face, D321, Hope DH4 open, Nokian Gazzaloddi, Tioga,Hope Big 'UN. | | Bottom Line: | Best bike that i've ever ridden. It kicks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy
a Downhiller
from AUsTralia
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Good Geometry, Light, Looks good, Small Frames | | Weaknesses: | Not the strongest frame for heavy people | | Bike Setup: | Z1's XT XTR | | Bottom Line: | Good for Urban / Trials. If you are heavy or psycho don't get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris White
a Weekend Warrior
from Exmouth, Devon, England
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Bombhole | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Everything! It rules! | | Weaknesses: | Nowt! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Chute (sucks!), Cannondale sommat. | | Bike Setup: | Rockshox Judy DHO's, DMR, Mavic, Shimano XT, F.U.N.N. | | Bottom Line: | This frame rules! I've had it for two years (7-8 ft drops, harsh street, BIG doubles etc.) and it is still going strong. My mate had a Kona Chute, and after a year's riding (nothing at all big) the head-tube went! Anyone after a hardcore DS/jump frame, look no further! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Necro
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere away from townies | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | nope | | Strengths: | I just read the reviews and everyone thinks that these bikes are bombproof but the arent i know 3 people theat have snapped these things, headtubes shear off, downtubes crack, welds split at bottom bracket | | Weaknesses: | snaps | | Similar Products Used: | jack flash, rocket fab stage 1 headtube sheared off aswell | | Bike Setup: | jump specific | | Bottom Line: | These bikes arent bombproof and they usually break after the guarantee has run out. If i were u i would get the best size available 14 inch. They are good for trials though dont mess with the trials boys. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alec Davies
a Weekend Warrior
from Saundersfoot
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tenby | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | Bierspool and my price in £ | | Strengths: | Looks nice, plenty of gussets | | Weaknesses: | Quite a few, The dropouts bend, replaceable hangers cost loads and it does tend to snap, it dents stupidly easy. | | Similar Products Used: | Coyote Duel | | Bike Setup: | Trials but with a sus fork now | | Bottom Line: | I had one of these a year ago and was fairly happy with it untill i put a rigid fork on it while my bombers were being fixed, it then hit auto destruct the dropouts bent together so the wheel would not come out,the replaceable hanger broke which pulled the threads out of the frame and the head tube snapped off, also it has no clearence. It is great to jump but if u want to do trials dont bother, get a planet x or somthing trials specific. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Racer
from virginia
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | clemson DS run | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | filzbuilt bicycles | | Strengths: | burly, relatively light handling, cheap | | Weaknesses: | back brake boss' flex slightly | | Similar Products Used: | intense Tazer fs OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH yeah! | | Bike Setup: | z-2 atom 80 fork, xt disc w/ rhno xl rims, race face dh cranks, truvative guide,xt/xtr, avid v brakes | | Bottom Line: | nice because it leaves you money to buy a fork wheels brakes and other stuff where a nicer frame leaves you with a six pounds lawn ornament. i like mine you will too! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jurek
a Downhiller
from Warsaw, Poland
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt & dual | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | none (mayby stickers, but I don t mind) | | Bike Setup: | ds1, bomber z1, lx, roox, sun ringle, azonic | | Bottom Line: | VERY good frame. the best there is for slalom... buy it now!!!! it has a lifetime warranty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darrell
a Downhiller
from BC,Canada
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | the strength of the bike is it's strength
(i own a Evolution,they are the same but way stiffer with boxed seat stay and ching stay) | | Weaknesses: | useless BMX style dropout.if you adjust it's wheel base,the disc and calipar does not have the most suface area....you know what i mean.... | | Similar Products Used: | RM Reper ,Ds 2 and 1,... | | Bike Setup: | All asonic stuff...chebby bar ,hummer stem,green sun rim doublewide 24 inch roll with goizzlodi 2.6,2001 Z1 QR20.hayes 6" King headset RaceFace BB and NS crank,double RingGard(works as good as MRP but 3X stronger) | | Bottom Line: | the bike has no bottom line!!
i think it can take up a 1 mile drop ! only you'll die and the bike is ok... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike-aka-{ds1}
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Mtn High Sports,-Morristown | | Strengths: | great paint & welds..nice ..... | | Weaknesses: | brake bosses still flex even with brake booster/?.. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Zero-G{180mm Kooka cranks} singulator /Mustang/Superfly wheels /Panarcr smoke tires | | Bike Setup: | 38 tooth Truvativ DH ring /20t freewheel /Spot rear hub on 221's/ Deore brakes/ Richey ZED rear2.1 /Mythos 2.1{really1.9}front./Marin 175mm cranks /platform or Time atac pedals /Azonic 1.5"*27" riser /SDG satellite seat /Kalloy UNO post /un72 bb //// | | Bottom Line: | Works great as a "Single-Speed" {i think the 18" frame weighs 4.5#} -& a Surly steel is 4.5# too..the ds1 handles killer & accelerates fast when you hammer >Just can't beat the price too!? I had a kona Kaboom & it's flexed more than this frame..could this B the ultimate frame ?
.....gooday | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Hebert
a Weekend Warrior
from Sammamish, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tapeworm | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$359.00 | | Purchased At: | QBP | | Strengths: | The thing is bombproof! I've taken my old bike off 6' drops and it died, but this thing has just begged for more. You can't beat it for urban assult. | | Weaknesses: | It's a hardtail. If that's a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler + Chamelion, Surly, RockHopper, Kona Scab | | Bike Setup: | DS-1 Frame, Z-3 QR20, Hayes 8"F, RaceFace Northshore XS, Hardcore XT bars, XT most everything else | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been one of the most durable bikes I've ever owned. I went through 5 seats in the first month (converting from FS to HT...ouch) But other than that, this bike has won me over with its attitude in the air, on the pavement, and on the dirt. It is an animal! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Norris- woops sec. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | my 2'nd review..Still rides excellent..jumps & does drops very easy...you can just do whatever with it.. | | Weaknesses: | ?? | | Similar Products Used: | Zero-G by Mongoose >Litespeed Unicoi > | | Bike Setup: | Azonic 1.5" riser >Rhino rear >Rhino-lite fr. >70mm stem >A/C upper guide >38 t Truvativ dh ring >12-30 cassette.[6 speed]>platforms >XT r der./brake shifter >Oury grips[safety wired] & Tioga fat66 2.1 DH tires & Rock Shock Judy Race 3.5 lb' 4" fork >Deore Vbrakes>low pro top tube pad & stem pad..... | | Bottom Line: | i still love this frame/bike..more fun than a conventional XC geometry frame!!i swear this bike is more fun to me than A 6" B-17 i had...Welds are good & stickers were too[took the ds1/dual slalom]off ...nice paint that doesn't scratch too easy -no B.bracket flex !...it rocks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian
a Weekend Warrior
from Warrenton VA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | my happy trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | CHEAP
VERY VERY STRONG - NICE WELDS, LOTS OF GUSSETING UP FRONT
BIG DROP OUTS
SEXY | | Weaknesses: | LOW QUALITY - IF YOU PUSH THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY IN IT DOESN'T SIT STR8. AND MY FRIEND GOT A FRAME WHERE THE REAR END WAS COMPLETELY TWEAKED OUT, THE REAR WHEEL WOULD NOT SIT STR8... BUT FOR THAT PRICE YOU CAN'T GET SOMETHING THAT BURELY AND GOOD QUALITY.... I GUESS SOMETHING HAD TO BE SACRIFICED TO KEEP IT CHEAPER THAN THE COMPETITION...SO THEY LOWERED THE QUALITY | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra comp, Klein Karma, Nukeproof, Cannondale, etc... I wouldn't say similar... More of a world of differences... | | Bike Setup: | BLACK DS1 14", POLISHED SILVER 99 BOMBER Z3 QR20 4", RHYNO LITES ON BOMBER SEALED CART. FRONT HUB XT REAR HUB, YELLOW RINGLE UNCLE JESSE BAR WITH YELLOW FSA PIG HEADSET, BLUE MAGURAS HS33s, LX CRANKS LX/XT DRIVE, RED HARO PLATFORMS, SRAM ATTACK SHIFTERS, SILVER THOMSON POST WITH BLACK SALSA QR, BONT FS+10 SADDLE WITH RED RAILS AND ONE BIG ASS POSER TO RIDE IT KNOWN AS MYSELF :) | | Bottom Line: | Well, the bottom line is tricky.... Yes this frame DOES RULE, it's a very burely frame while quite light (4.5lbs), very sexy look, extremely stiff. On the other hand, the frame could have used quite some extra attention at the factory... The stickers are a half a$$ job like someone said below, they're all crooked and hold air pockets in em, the rear ends are very iffy... (my friend's frame had a completely tweaked out rear end, seems the seat stays were welded on wrong... I know this happens sometimes, but then even my frame won't hold the rear wheel straight if I push it all the way into the horizontal dropouts....
Bottom line on the frame itself is it's very very nice but it's not perfect...Details SHOULD be an issue when buying an aftermarket -high end- product.
Now, abuot the handling of this frame so far... It handles really nice, a little tricky at first because of the steep head angle (4" (and over) suspension fork will slap it up a little tho), but when gotten used to, it rides very nice, corners really tight at high speeds with great ease and brings a lot of confidence in jumps and tricks... I haven't been on a XC ride on it yet tho (with a 410mm seatpost up it makes a good XC bike) so we'll see about that...
It's a great great frame but needs a little more attention at the production line to make it an excellent frame.
Excellent value for the money tho no question about that. I would recommend this frame to anyone, just check it thouroughly when you get it and make sure it's OK :)
If you have lots of cash then instead go for one of these:
Balfa(Minute Man cromo), Spooky, Cortina, Cheeta, Arrow, (maybe) Planet X .... (just beware of the made in taiwans like azonic and planet X... I have noticed from what i have seen that american made frames are of better quality, even tho foreign ones are starting to catch up pretty good) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Maurer.
a Racer
from Bury in Suffolk.
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | currys trails. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Armstrong Bikedock | | Strengths: | reaaly strong, really light.
perfect angles and sise (14").
horizontal dropouts are usefull.
PHAT down tube.
thick and strong head tube. | | Weaknesses: | The replaceable mech hanger should be made out of steel because I`v bent the drop out about 5 times! | | Similar Products Used: | DS2
Kona Roast
| | Bike Setup: | Z4 2001, D521 CD`s, Tioga 2.1, Cane Creek head set, FSA,
xtr v`s, xt/Deore shifters, azonic bar/stem, DMR, avid levers. | | Bottom Line: | This is a top quality frame with huge amounts of strength.
It`s very light and extremely responsive.
It is perfect for dit jumping The bike is just so easy to ride. I feel totaly at ease clearing 12` doubles or hammering down a dual course at stupidly fast speeds...........nint! It also has a very BMX feel to it, if I look at other MTBs they look much slower than thhis which means that you can pull mad tricks like tables, can cans and 360s more easily
unt! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C-BALL
a Racer
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | this frame stomps. excellent welds. great finish, once you pull the stickers off. perfect body geometry for catching air. keeps you in total control down sick steeps, over dirt doubles, or climbing gravel. the horizontal dropouts are strong, the head tube is hugely burley. awesome. | | Weaknesses: | must unbolt the rear disc brake caliper to remove rear wheel | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Trek, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | White Bros DS>3, Azonic and SRAM components, Grimeca disc brakes, Geax rubber. | | Bottom Line: | dual slalom, single track, urban assault, freeride - this frame is THE frame to have for joy-filled performance-oriented riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel edwards
a Downhiller
from wales
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | rhyd-yr-onen | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | summit cycles | | Strengths: | strong, stiff, light, manouverable, good all rounder | | Weaknesses: | wheel can slip because of horizontal dropouts. | | Similar Products Used: | jack flash | | Bike Setup: | maguras, xt, xtr, d521, | | Bottom Line: | A strong responsive bike that will do anything from cross country to downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ghiddrah
a Weekend Warrior
from Ketchikan,Alaska,USA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | White River Road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Built well, nice welds, stiff, good value, great paintjob. Red finish was really well done. | | Weaknesses: | poor sticker placement on chainstays. Too much paint in the cable stops. These aren't big deals, just a little annoying. | | Bike Setup: | Sun Mammoth rims on XT hubs. Answer X-Vert Double crowns. Truvative Hussefelt cranks. Bontrager Crow Bar comp handlebars.T.H.E. fenders. | | Bottom Line: | Some of you guys have complained about welds being sloppy well if they are ,send the frame back and request another. My welds were great. Stiff and agile this bike makes a great urban assaulter and freeride hardtail. Need a killer frame for 300 bucks that will take the abuse, buy this one. If you aren't a real tall person stay away from the 18". The 16" is great for me and I'm 5'11". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Danville, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | dewey's | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Strengths: | Very good strength-to-weight ratio. It's nice to have adjustable chainstays. Disc mounts are beautiful, and work really well. Good steep head tube makes cornering feel like you're on a rollercoaster. Super strong frame and great looks. | | Weaknesses: | I had to re-thread the bb when i was installing my new one, but you should do that anyways. | | Similar Products Used: | marin pine mtn
trek 8500
team marin
| | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi z1cr's full xtr/sram 9.0. Xt disc brakes, race face, white industries, the perfect setup. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great all-around bike. I've never ridden anything this fun. It's light enough for XC, and strong enough for DH. I've raced both on it. IT lives for the downhill. It feels better than most dual suspensions. Really fast bike, and it handles well. Great for jumping and tricks. Awesome bike for the money! If you had to have one bike for all types of riding, this is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sherman
a Weekend Warrior
from British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Strong frame
Unique
Disc cable routing
Low cost | | Weaknesses: | Low quality
| | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed, GT | | Bike Setup: | 8 speed, XT components, gripshift, Titec seat, bars, Rhyno Lites, z1 BAM | | Bottom Line: | This is a beefy bike and for the price you are getting an awesome frame. My only complaint is that it is not small enough for me, I bought a 16 inch frame and I think I should have went with the smaller 14 inch frame. The 16 inch frame does not jump very well but it does handle quite nicely. It is great for XC and going down with it is so nice. I heard that the replacable derailleur hanger was an issue since in tends to bend the dropout when you bend the hanger. Great for urban and just goofing around with. The frame looks like it can take some serious abuse without damage but only time will tell.
Azonic has a new frame out but it costs more I personally think this is a great bike that will work for a pro racer to a weekend warrior like myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from southern ill usa
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | chicago | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$279.00 | | Strengths: | cheap, light, strong, dropouts | | Weaknesses: | ugly welds(splatter...ewww), stickers not on straight(noticable buy, verified by ruler) | | Similar Products Used: | all | | Bike Setup: | at-4, race face crank,stem magura h33s's, real ti bb | | Bottom Line: | good ride. don't bit¢h about the dropouts, they rule, get some bmx chain tensioners. attention to detail su¢ks, i pulled off all the stickes(id rather have a nameless ride than a half as$ sticker job). all in all, good cheap bike, ride it hard-it likes it :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Express | | Strengths: | Great layback. Massive welds on head tube. Dosen't show scratches. Extremely strong. Very light | | Weaknesses: | Hard to put wheel in quickly with the horizontal dropout. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized P3 Frame. CTR Boy Bike Co Frame. Craftworks Slalom Pro Frame. | | Bike Setup: | XTR components. Rock Shox Psylo suspension fork. Azonic bars/headstem/pedals. Sunn Ryno rims. Serfas ti rail saddle. Haussefelt kranks. | | Bottom Line: | Great slalom/downhill bike. Basically indestructable. Very light compared to other frames of similar strength. I have used this for just under a month in the school holidays, riding basically every day. Although I have suffered many injuries from stacks the bike is still not to have seen any weaknesses or cracks. The paint job (with a few coats of lacker) is very good and show no scratches. The horizontal dropout, if not done up very tight will slip when landing your bike vertical. Very quick to react to your movement when turning which is great for slalom/downhill as you can turn closer to the corner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Bennett
a Weekend Warrior
from Winchester, Hampshire, UK
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bar End Pits | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Stiff, light and responsive. | | Weaknesses: | I tried to fit a tioga 2.3 DH on the back but there wasn't enough tire clearance. | | Similar Products Used: | Jack flash, metalhead. | | Bike Setup: | Z1 bombers, LX/XT, magura HS33, D521 | | Bottom Line: | This bike stops at nothing and I can bust 360's on it and table top it so it's very chuckable.
Great for jumping, street and duel.
RESPECT and REALISE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike S
a Weekend Warrior
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dual Slalom courses | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Mtn High Sports,-Morristown | | Strengths: | STRONG Quality built frame..Looks and works great-Excellent geometry & stiffness--Accelerates Quickly/ bunnyhops nice.Price is good.. | | Weaknesses: | It wasn't Free!?/... | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kaboom SS /Mongoose Zero-G / | | Bike Setup: | 99 X-vert 4"/XTR ti cass./2.3 Panarcrs/Richey Asym R rim//Truvativ SS cranks 32ring/AZONIC 1.5 risers"red"/Avid2.5 ,with booster..{Platform pedals"of course"} | | Bottom Line: | I love this frame/bike..Handles perfect-wheelies good-builds nice--looks great--Rear disk mount is great--Bend at rear brake bosses really help braking power!-with booster=Rock solid--Great frame!!!I'm using it for Urban stuff/DS/XC too...I like it better than my heavy DH bike I had!! good work "AZONIC" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
g provost
a Downhiller
from phildelphia
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Weaknesses: | update to my review---if you use Hope 4 piston downhill disc brakes go with the 155mm (6inch) rear disc- the 165 (6 1/2 inch) wont fit . | | Bottom Line: | the best low cost frame for jumping | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremiah
a Downhiller
from Westminster, CO
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything fast | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, strong, killer geometry, unbelievable price, smoooooth. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Work at bike shop, too many to list | | Bike Setup: | DS-1, Judy XL, Race Face cranks | | Bottom Line: | The best all-around bike available. I love it for urban assault and trials. Practically bunny-hops its self. Best dirt jumping bike I have ever ridden. Very smooth in the air. When your bike is smooth you will be too, it really builds up your confidence. Going to the jump and in the air I have no worries. Does 8 ft drops like nothing. I love this bike everyone should have one! Maybe even two, you can use one for XC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott M
a Weekend Warrior
from Waxhaw, NC
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trails in Whistler, BC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great frame, pretty much unbreakable as far as I can tell, only costs around $300-(frame), comes in 3 colors!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Would have been nice to have square chainstays like the Cortina ds... | | Similar Products Used: | Cortina DS, Raleigh MCC9 | | Bike Setup: | XTR/XT/LX, X-Vert E, Titec | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the $. Anyone who tells you that you can't use it for trail riding is wrong, I rode a 24 mile XC trail on it, and hardly felt any different from my old XC bike. For sure one of the best hardtails in existence, if you haven't already, GET ONE!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ljunatich
a Weekend Warrior
from Pori, Finland
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | everything with drops... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good looks, strong, doesn`t really flex.. | | Weaknesses: | Too small dropouts, max. 2.35 tire fits it. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa cruz | | Bike Setup: | Azonic ds-1 16.5", white brothers fr-3, azonic shorty deluxe, fsa afterburner, real, hope gig un`s, hope 04 discs in front `n rear, maxxis helter & skelter, ac pro guide, ac rebel etc... | | Bottom Line: | Great frame for jumping or just shredding the concrete !
Absolutely dead funky value ! Buy one now ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
derek
a Weekend Warrior
from nc
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | gumstand gap | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | super stiff, affordable, horizontal drop-outs, great geometery! | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz, spooky, kona | | Bike Setup: | manitou sx-e, xt drive train, race face every thing else | | Bottom Line: | if you want a knew ds racer or a new jump bike this is the bike for you....its da bomb | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
iain
a Downhiller
from manchester
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | sligachan in scotland | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | solid
good sizes and geometry | | Weaknesses: | horizontal dropouts are a pain | | Similar Products Used: | aero, trailstar, nunu | | Bike Setup: | rc37 hopes chieftains etc | | Bottom Line: | this frame is top and its not too expensive
not too heavy and feels great for all sorts of riding such as jumping trails and stuff
buy one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Griffin
a Downhiller
from Marin County
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Telephone Pole | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stiff, light (about 3 lbs!), strong (beefy gussets!), quick. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing compares to the DS-1...well, except the DS-2, but it's no match!! | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 QR20 (5"), Azonic PDW bars, Mr Dirt Gizmo w/ a 36t chainring, Specialized flatties, LX M600 brakes, '97 XT derailleur, just got a new LX rear wheel with a Sun CR18 rim! already have a QR20 front hub w/ a Mavic 517 rim (sucky XC!! Evil!!!!) | | Bottom Line: | This bike ROCKS. Get it. Don't torture yourself any more with yout current bike. This bike could go uphill with a triple-chainring up front. It can do anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
g provost
a Downhiller
from philadelphia
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | bomb proof frame. Black frame and good graphics get a lot of attention | | Weaknesses: | warning- Hope 4-piston DH rear brake will not fit this bike unless you make a bracket. If you are a strong rider use at least a drive side BMX style chain tension device. | | Bike Setup: | Profile cro-mo cranks-Marzocchi Z1 QR20(reduced to 4"travel)-Hope DH 4 piston disc w/big un hubs- | | Bottom Line: | I own several bikes and this has to be my favorite bike for city thrash rides, it's bomb-proof.Go for the 16.5 if your around 5'11' it'll be more useable outside of the slalom | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SS
a Downhiller
from Nothern Cali
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Solid frame, disc brake ready, adjustable wheelbase, and of course, the great geometry for DS and dirt jumping. | | Weaknesses: | None Noticed | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown, Specialized P.3 (Demo Bike) | | Bike Setup: | 99' Marzocchi Z-1 BAM, Azonic cockpit, XT all around. | | Bottom Line: | Great value for the frame. The 5-inch Z1 BAM works perfect on the bike. I took the bike to a cross country riding once and it works great. It feels even better when going downhill or if you take it on to dirt jumping. I love the geometry and I think its great for bunnyhups. Oh, by the way, this bike has a great paint job. It draws people's attention out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a
from Manchester, England
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light (for a dual frame), DC fork compatible, very versatile, cool graphics, ever heard of anyone snapping one? | | Weaknesses: | Don't be stupid! | | Similar Products Used: | DMR trailstar, some crap old Kona which snapped. | | Bike Setup: | Hope discs,Z1s,DMR crank/pedal,X-lite rims,Tiogas - kick ass dual bike basically! | | Bottom Line: | It's cheap, it's strong, and it's stood up to 6 months of crashing at its very worst - it's one sound investment. If your looking for a budget frame that kicks ass this is the one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Bakker
a Cross Country Rider
from Alphen - The netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | It's unbreakable...(i'd think),
It's looking good,
It's light,
It's small(16"),
It's just great. | | Weaknesses: | NOPE ! | | Similar Products Used: | Mammoet frame set (21") (TOO BIGGIE..)
giant granite frame (don't laugh)
GT ZASKAR LE (Can't beat this one !) | | Bike Setup: | Bomber Z2 -63mm, ringle a-head
XT drivetrain, Plasma dirt shifters
XTR hubs, rigida rims, DT spokes, IRC Mythos XC 2.10 tyres
Magura HS22 raceline, customized
ROOX cranks, raceface rings, XT-bracket, DX pedals (spd)
KORE saddlepost and stem, NC-17 steer (trial)
| | Bottom Line: | It's an great product, light, small, just ridin' like HELL !!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex ward
a Racer
from liverpool/uk
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This thing is indistructable, i've used it for a while now and i've done some stuiped stuff on it and its not even flexed. | | Weaknesses: | Are u joking, u could through this thing off a cliff and then get on it at the bottom and ride off. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona cindercone,DMR trailstar,Kona Chute,Saracon e-xile | | Bike Setup: | loads off heavy duty stuff including Marzocchi, XT&LX, Raceface. | | Bottom Line: | This thing kicks ass!!!! it super strong yet quite light. The day i brake it will be the day i die from some cliff experiment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | price, strength, versatile | | Weaknesses: | horizontal dropouts | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Z3 100's, Rhyno Lite w/ LX, Azonic shorty stem and chubby bars, Profile chromoly cranks, bullet bros. chaingiude, ZTR deralleur | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. The frame is super strong and the geometry is spot on for jumping and bunny hopping. Haven't raced DS w/ it yet but my guess is that it'll shine. Another added bonus is the number of ways you can set it up. Cross country, DS, single speed, disc and canti mounts. My only complaint is that my rear wheel kept slipping in the dropouts nno matter what kind of skewer I used- quick release and bolt on skewer. Solved the problem by getting some dropout converters from Santa Cruz. The ones used on the Chameleon frame. After a little bit of filing and grinding it works. Overall this is a great bike and a killer value at less than $400 for the frame. Recommend it to anyone that wants a strong, versatile do anything bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Downhiller
from Norfolk
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anywere with jumps | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | good looks, preety strong, light | | Weaknesses: | feels wrong, but im 6ft 10inch so that might affect the decision, only available in one colour so you cant make it look diferent from others | | Similar Products Used: | Planet X jack flash, stinger, DS2 | | Bike Setup: | Z1 BAM's, LX throughout, hope discs | | Bottom Line: | Not bad, it has its good and bad points, i would rather have the Planet X because of the sheer amount of gusseting and colours. Still...........nice frame..........ish. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dartford Heath | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This bike looks great! Great handling, performance and most outrageous respect! It gets looks wherever I go whether it be pikeys or racers. Super duper strong. Kick ASS!!! | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to set up effectively. | | Similar Products Used: | Jack Flash. Orange Missile. | | Bike Setup: | XT groupset. Hope sport discs. Judy Race forks. Woodman headset. Middleburn crank, AC pro downhill device. | | Bottom Line: | Buy it! You will notice the difference - to the max! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn (SMA)
a
from Ptbo, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The City | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Every thing about this frame kicks ass!!! It does it all DS cross counrty and trials. Stronger than any other frame on the market. The whole Shop team hear has one after one of use got one because they are so durable. | | Weaknesses: | What? There shouldnt even be a section here for this frame. Not a thig wrong with this frame!!!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Haro 15" frame(Trials Set Up) | | Bike Setup: | 15" frame Chain wring protector. Magura Louise Disk brakes all Azonic components available(also very kick ass) Rhino lite wheel set nothing better for wieght and srength. Pretty much a trials bike right now but also a DS bike in the summer. | | Bottom Line: | Buy it now before they are all gone. Smartest purchase you will ever make. And logest lasting!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noah Bodman
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | antlers adams | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | -Even though it isn't, it feels really light.
-It doesn't break
-Replaceable R. Der. Hanger
-Its an Azonic
-It has cool stickers
-It turns like a son of a gun (73 degree head angle)
-Its cheap | | Weaknesses: | eh? | | Similar Products Used: | Little Fisher x-caliber
Zaskar
Homegrown factory
Giant Cadex | | Bike Setup: | 14" frame, Azonic Double Wall bars, Shorty, A-Frame pedals, Kooka Razor cranks, Judy 3", Sachs w/ 521's, ESP 9.0, SDG, XT V's w/ Altek levers, AC/ DCD guides. | | Bottom Line: | Haven't gotten to race this thing yet, but its real quick, it takes 6' urban jungle drops and likes it, It jumps like it was born in the air, and I like it a lot. Anyone who wants a slalom bike, or just an all around thrasher, this is it. And it costs half as much as the competition's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Liam Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from Taunton
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | cheddar goorge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | this frame as other people say is bombproof and
even the biggest dropoffs or the worst landings
this bike still held its form not even a crack | | Weaknesses: | are you kidding | | Similar Products Used: | ds2/rockhound/jack flash | | Bike Setup: | magura racelines/project 2s/ d521 rims | | Bottom Line: | this frame kicks its strong light and durable
not only that but cheap to (thinking of getting one then
DO IT) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Bissell
a Weekend Warrior
from Suffolk, England
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Devils Tothbrush | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Incredibly strong, rigid in every direction. The only frame i've had that doesn't flex when accelerating hard. My little Bro's got an Orange Airo, and i think the Azonic is stiffer at the rear end. The Airo wins up front though... | | Weaknesses: | None. Like I said, this thing is bomb proof! If u snap frames, buy one of these! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Chute, Roast, Caldera | | Bike Setup: | DS1, y2k Z1 CR's, Hope discs, XT. | | Bottom Line: | Superb frame for the money. I can't see it breaking in the near future, or ever for tht matter, unless it gets runover by a BIG lorry! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Downhiller
from uk
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
STREET | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
it will take the abuse | | Weaknesses: |
urhhh | | Similar Products Used: |
jack flash --> it cracked
dmr --> to heavy | | Bike Setup: |
rs judy 100's (amazingly they take 6ft drops to concreate reguarly, no cracks yet)
lx, xt, d521's, goldtec | | Bottom Line: | perfect geomatry, not too heavy yet is real strong | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Morris
a Downhiller
from USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Gussets everywhere
The best looks
Very light (lightest slalom bike available)
Black! | | Weaknesses: |
None at all. Seriously, this frame is just AMAZING | | Similar Products Used: |
Planet-X
Chute | | Bike Setup: |
Slalom.... Z1 Duel, Hope, the lot. | | Bottom Line: | This frame is totally wicked. Get one now! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Canterbury
Date Reviewed: December 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Canturbury | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light weight
Massive strength
The best paintjob and graphics out there | | Weaknesses: |
NONE | | Similar Products Used: |
Pashley 26Mhz (snapped)
DMR Trailstar | | Bike Setup: |
Fatty R's, Magura's | | Bottom Line: | This frame may be DS specific, but get a 12 and you have the best trials frame EVER! GET ONE | | Overall Rating: |
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