Submitted by
Jackf40
a Downhiller
from Scotts Valley, California Date Reviewed: November 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Post Office
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Soooooooooo light!!! At 4.4 pounds it's the lightest dirt jump frame I've heard of. It still feels really stiff and solid, so you can always get a good pump out of the dirt jumps. The integrated headset is a sweet feature that allows for a nice and low front end. The geometry feels really natural and stable with a low center of gravity and low bottom bracket. The raw finish is awesome too! It has horizontal drop-outs with a removable derailleur hanger for easy set up of both single speed and geared set-ups, plus ISCG-05 mounts for ease of chain-guide installation.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
NS Suburban
Bike Setup:
Size: Short, Fox 32 Float, Kenda Small Block 8 tires, Gamut bashgaurd, Sunline 28.75" V-1 Bars, Atomlab rims
Bottom Line:
Hands down the best dirt jump frame I've had! Suchhh a fun bike! I can't get over how light it is, which helps with so many aspects of riding! From general flickablity to whipping around tailwhips and flips, the low weight makes it that much easier! Everything about the bike is ideal for tricking. The low toptube/seattube make no-foot-cans a breeze and the short wheelbase makes tailwhips and 360s effortless. The wheelbase is slightly longer than most cro-moly frames like my old NS Suburban, which makes such a difference in stability, as my old frame felt a bit awkward at times. The bike handles so well and feels so fast in berms and over rollers. It feels like it would be soooo fast for racing 4x and dual slalom. The frame is made out of aluminum, which makes it very stiff and rigid. This is great on jumps and over rollers where you can pump through as hard as you want. It also provides confidence when hitting a new set or big jump--knowing you're bike will handle it no problem. Overall an incredible frame! If you are looking for a solid yet lightweight hardtail, I would definitely recommend it! Awesome bike that can handle everything from the most technical pumptracks to the biggest dirt jumps!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DQ
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: October 6, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Lightweight, stiff and strong. Just a great jump bike that can take abuse and feels great.
Weaknesses:
Needs a bolt style rear axle, that is the only thing I ca fault it on.
Similar Products Used:
NS majesty (was ok, but cracked)
Bike Setup:
I've tried both geared and SS... both worked well once I got the bolt kit on my hope rear hub. I'm running single speed now as the gears have gone on to my bike bike.
Bottom Line:
I like everything about this bike from the looks to the ride. I've been more confident jumping on this bike than anything else, as it seems easy to throw around and point in. I'm sticking with the amp for my jump bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony Feizal
a Downhiller
from Singapore Date Reviewed: September 6, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
suhaimi-sportcoachin
Strengths:
Overall good...
Weaknesses:
Should have rear wheel tensioner...
Bike Setup:
Fox Talas travel are set to 130mm wit compensation height by integrated head tube for 4x (effective @ 110mm) & 100mm specific for parks & dirt.....(effective @ 80mm).....
Race Face Diabolus D2 & RaceFace Diabolus riser handlebars are selected in this set-up. Saint crank arm of 170mm with 32 ring for immediate effect on acceleration in sprinting.....
DMR guide & V8 pedals are selected to complete the drive train system.... Atomlab wheel sets
Bottom Line:
A good accelaration bike that responded to my need. After riding for less than an hrs, I get use to it with very minimal adjustment.Fast on pump-track & versatile on parks/street.Surprisingly climbing is no issue here due to the spec of the chain stay are abt 420-425 & seat tube angle are similar to an xc bike slack angle. Good for single tight & technical trails with off saddle climbing.....
Can get gear ratio(9-speed)without effecting the center chain line......
No room for flex on the rear triangle due to rib enforcement at the chain stay........ Overall very agile & the feel is mental!
Good job!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AngryAussie
a Racer
from Brisbane, QLD, Australia Date Reviewed: June 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anything with beer and mates
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Brisbane Boutique Bi
Strengths:
The bike has really good geometry making it stable in the air when doing big jumps but still nimble enough to do all the tech style skatepark tricks. The integrated headset was a really nice feature offering lower stack height and ease of installation. The bike felt really rigid through rough fast corners also. I really liked the look and effect on the big beefy tubing you feel like its a solid frame and won't crumble beneath you when your going big.
Weaknesses:
The dropout system wasn't the easiest thing to use. Trying to get the correct tension on your chain. If your running it single speed meant that you had to take the wheel out of the bike 3 times before it was good.
This is a super solid bike that can do it all from skatepark riding with the single speed. Chuck a derailer on and you have an awesome 4X beastie. If your looking for a good HT this should be the bike you buy. Abuse it all day casing that trick you just cant land and it will come back for more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cooch
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: June 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Abomb, Mt Buller
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Brisbane Boutique Bi
Strengths:
Super light frame, very strong and extremely stiff rear end. The integrated derailleur hanger is a great idea and works very well with the horizontal droupouts. Head tube and integrated headset housing leaves a super clean look. The brushed alloy finish just gleams and gives it a super unique look.
Weaknesses:
Absolutely none.
Similar Products Used:
Giant STP, Norco 125, Various street frames (chromo).
Bike Setup:
Small Amp with: Pikes, Hope hubs laced to DT Swiss 5.1s. Avid Juicy 5 brakes, Sram X9 Shifters. I used a Campagnolo Chorus headset, Deity stem, F.U.N.N. Bars. Race Face XC Crankset with 32 ring and Gamut Guide. 12kg build.
Bottom Line:
A super fast jump / four cross / trail bike, that's super stiff and very light. This bike is soooooo much fun to ride and feels fully dialled. The geometry is fantastic and it's super to jump, flick and manual. I've even downhilled on this frame (hardtail class) and was super impressed with how it took the rough stuff and just how fast you can ride this thing too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jim nuggets
a Weekend Warrior
from fengshan Taiwan Date Reviewed: June 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
san pi, over under, red line,
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
pretty
light
durable
great in the air
great through the corners
great on the pump track
spins and flips easy
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
speedsoon, specialized P3
Bike Setup:
straightline pedals, juicy sevens, velvet fork, some other stuff
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this bike is a great bike. It is great in the air and is really nice over the bumps and through the corners. It is light weight so it is easy to pull off tricks, spin and flip. It is also really nice to ride over rollers and you can fly through corners. And I am sure it would be a great 4X bike. (maybe brad bearacoff or adam graves should switch to an Amp.)
So if you are into the dirt jumps, 4x, or just like to fool around on the pump track then the Amp is for you. I
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rdunnet
a Weekend Warrior
from Kaohsiung, Taiwan Date Reviewed: June 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Dirt Jumps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
light
strong
looks good
Weaknesses:
costs money
Similar Products Used:
Specialized P3
Bear's Drag
Bike Setup:
X fusion Velvet
Deity Cranks, bars, stem, pedals, bars
Juicy 7 Rear Brake Only
Bottom Line:
From the first time I rode this bike I felt at home on it. The best hard tail I have ever ridden. If you are looking for a bike company that will not let you down ... buy a banshee.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
saheka
a Weekend Warrior
from jogjakarta Date Reviewed: February 23, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
www.bmtbonline.com
Strengths:
light...for dj frame, I try used to this frame for trials...with rigid fork. Very strong frame...and so clean..comfortable enough to play trials.
Very good frame, litle size and good for trials beginer rider like me...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darren
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: October 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Strong, light and beautiful. The geometry feels natural to me. I feel so at home on this bike. AND the frame is great value for money!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
DMR trailster, Black Market mob
Bike Setup:
Long size frame, single speed with fox 32s
Bottom Line:
An amazing little frame! I have never ridden a bike that feels as effortless to ride as this. It is a GREAT dirtjump bike, but it also rips the singletrack apart!
I plan to try building the frame up with gears soon using the adjustable hanger that comes with the frame as I think this will be an outstanding 4x racer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$
Overall Rating:
