Submitted by
Carson
a Weekend Warrior
from PA Date Reviewed: October 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Eagle Rock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Shirk's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Has a very durable frame. Comes with good tires and a nice seat. Brakes aren't bad.
Weaknesses:
The seatpost bent within the first week. The rear derailleur doesn't take the slack out of the chain so it jumps off of the sprockets on the crank. The rear derauiller is weak as it broke in the second month.
Similar Products Used:
Diamondback coil ex, 2006 trek fuel ex 7, 2008 trek fuel ex 8
Bike Setup:
factory (without rear derailleur as is currently in pieces)
Bottom Line:
It is very nice going downhill. It would be nice if it had a better fork for going over obstacles. It is a very good bike for the price. Also is good for beginners.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
arielDB
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn NY Date Reviewed: September 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Cunningham Park, Queens, NY
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$575.00
Purchased At:
Roy's Brooklyn NY
Strengths:
I love the frame design & the looks. The gears and shifters are ok for now. Brakes can be better.
Weaknesses:
Fork & rear shock are heavy, & they give the bike a bad ride. If you can change them ASAP. go on ebay!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Right now I have a NEW Fox Fork Talas32 R, got on eBay for $380 & I got a NEW Fox Rear Shock Flot RP2 for $69 & now my bike rides so good & smooth, its grate!!!!
Soon ill get better brakes, rims & a crankset.
Bottom Line:
If you like the frame & the looks of the bike & at the moment you can’t pay more the $600 for a bike, then get it!!! But then go on eBay ( when you ahve some more $$$ ) & get an air fork & an air rear shock!!!!
That will make the bike a lot better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SundayRipper
a Weekend Warrior
from pyongtaek, korea Date Reviewed: May 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
off another guy
Strengths:
frame design
Weaknesses:
stock build, fork is like a used up sponge, drivetrain is terrible
Bike Setup:
so far running stock cranks, new Deore LX rear deraileur, Deore LX, shifters and brake levers, hayes disc brakes, 32 hole shimano deore hubs laced on mach 1 double wall rims, and 120 mm rst xcr
Bottom Line:
go for the recoil comp, this bike in stock form is pretty weak, i rode it that way for a week then started building it up the frame is pretty nice for a single pivot 4 inch frame i think, plus i still only have 400 bucks in the bike and i have already improved greatly on it. but if you are on a tight budget as am i its not a bad deal overall but if you have the money go the the step up from this or get the sortie
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Husky 1
a Racer
from Masontown, West Virginia, United States Date Reviewed: May 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Deckers Creek Rail Trail
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Dicks Sporting goods
Strengths:
Very sturdy bike, suspension feels awesome. Just an all around great Bike.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Diamondback Sorrento
Bike Setup:
factory
Bottom Line:
Very cool bike, very stylish, feels awesome. I love the bike so much, it makes my head spin just thinking about it. It sends you into a world of cotton candy and lolly pops just thinking about it. I have tested it and I love the bike so much I just want it so badly, oh my gosh. I have to quit thinking about it, oh my goodness.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Myke67
a Weekend Warrior
from So Cal, CA Date Reviewed: March 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Chumash
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Sport Chalet
Strengths:
Solid frame, decent brakes, the bike can take a hit, great tires, and good looks. a very sturdy feeling bike.
Weaknesses:
weight, fork.
Similar Products Used:
Giant Warp
Bike Setup:
Stock with Shimano clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
Got it on black friday for a steal, so for the price, it's just amazing value. The frame feels very solid, and although it's a bit on the heavy side, it will be worth it to upgrade parts in the future.
Although it's heavy, going up hills works quite well, the Kenda Klaw XT tires work with the surprisingly calm but active rear suspension that I climb much better on this than my old hardtail, assuming there are rocks and bumps on the ascent.
The fork leaves a bit to be desired, as it's travel (80mm) is shorter than the travel of the frame (100mm), and it's significantly noticeable when braking or hitting bumps during descents. I've had the fork bottom out on me on 3~4 foot drops; the rear shock spring is adjustable so that the rear end won't bottom out as well.
If you're looking for a decent first dual suspension bike at a really nice price, this is a great choice. Those with a bit more wallet room might want to think about upgrading the fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
WaterDamage
a Weekend Warrior
from Redondo Beach CA Date Reviewed: January 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Malibu creek State Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Sport Chalet
Strengths:
This bike picks up speed and runs very smoothly.
Weaknesses:
A bit on the heavy side. The disc brakes and the rear suspension could be better but I can't complain given the price of the bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a tremendous improvement vs the cheap bikes at Target, Kmart, etc. I'll never go back to those bikes again given the smooth performance of this bike. I can't rate it against pricier bikes since this is the first bike I've owned and tested in this class.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pablo
a
from Boca Raton, FL USA Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Olita River State Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Strengths:
Affordable mountain bike for the novice r
Weaknesses:
Rear shock could be better, heavy in weight
Bottom Line:
All the goodies of a good bike at an affordable price. If you are on a budget, or if you simply want to hit up some trails every so often then this bike will do the job.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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