|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Chris Adams
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mark 2 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2650.00 | | Purchased At: | SHM | | Strengths: | I-drive system really helpful and amazing also fox forks give a clean ride | | Weaknesses: | Disc rotars are only 6 inch yet this is made up for the fact that the oil used in the brakes is really high quality!! | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose tecoli super, Rocky Mountain switch | | Bike Setup: | 04 Boxxer world cup dh triples, MRP chain device DMR zip grips, Fox vanilla rc | | Bottom Line: | A really good ride, great for donwhill, cross countrym street and dirtjumping. Amazing how rare they are in Aus seen only one other kid with a 03 ruckus at Mitcham station. This bike is absoloutley bomproof if you ever have the chance to get one take it!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan Winterling
a Downhiller
from Adelaide
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Brownhill 2 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2650.00 | | Purchased At: | SHM bikes | | Strengths: | A great bike, the unique I-Drive system really turns heads.
Good components, forks, wheels, coil. A VERY GOOD BIKE!! | | Weaknesses: | Disc rotars to small | | Similar Products Used: | all product i used were to lesser quality | | Bike Setup: | Standard ruckus setup | | Bottom Line: | Get one today, very good for value can take all styles of riding. However, the 04' model is crap. ( i have the 03') | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Reading
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | PORC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Style | | Strengths: | Excellent range of parts for the price. Good for doing almost anything. Really smooth and feels great to ride, great front and rear shocks. | | Weaknesses: | Rear Deore mech. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel. | | Bike Setup: | FOX Vanilla R125 front shock, FOX Vanilla RC rear shock, Truvativ cranks, Shimano Deore hydraulic discs; hubs; rear mech; front mech, Syncros Big Box rims, Tioga Factory DH 2.3 tyres; bars; stem, SDG Landing Strip seat. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent value bike, the shocks are really top notch. The bike really feels smooth and fast to ride, bar width feels really nice and controllable. Discs are reliable, and really strong.
There are a few bits that should be replaced first, this includes the pedals, changing them to a cheap DMR V8 is a good idea, although the slightly more expensive V12 might be prefeble. The rear mech isnt very reliable, and jumps all over the place, an XT replacement is good. Also, like with most bikes, get a chainstay guard, or the chain will take chunks out of the chain stay.
A fabulous bike which is perfect in its own class, great value. Rides like a dream. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doctor evil
a Weekend Warrior
from israel
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | shokef,hanita | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | "rosen&meents" | | Strengths: | vanilla rc, the frame, the i-drive, pretty much the works!! | | Weaknesses: | ball-braker saddle,heavy going up! | | Bike Setup: | rear xt der', super t, azonic a frame pedales, wtb saddle | | Bottom Line: | i wish i had this bike alwayes- it rocks!! i like the low center feeling it gives u a lot of confedence on strong turns.
all the parts are fine- changed the rear der. cause i broke mine , but cant agree with the guyes saing the deore sucks- its not the best but when it brakes it dosnt leave a hole in your pocket.
a word of advice: alwayes chek the strenght of the coil!!
i didnt chek and broke the bolts on my rear shock triangle!!
if u like a bike that will take away your breathing going up ( the r so heavy now iv'e changed the fork)and going down ( wwwoooossshhhhh!!!) go for it ! if your going to complain about it -get a diffrent bike-its not a trail bike ( or all-terrain) its just waiting for the upgrade to a triple crown fork and to become the fr animal it is!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cameron niven
a Downhiller
from Surrey
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Porc, warnham secret trails. Porc DH | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Pearsons cycles | | Strengths: | Strong sturdy frame, tioga over size bar + stem, fox suspenension set up front + rear, nice gripy tires, i drive. | | Weaknesses: | shimano deore deck out, deore hubs, rear mech hanger. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized big hit comp, kona stinky 2002 | | Bike Setup: | stock except, ex 729 (2004 d321) rims, dmr revolver hubs, xt rear mech and personalized hope mono minis to come. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has a really good feel over rocky terain thanks to the i drive as you can pedal efficiantly over rock beds which is harder on other linkage systems. stuck a 6 by 12ft gap with no trouble. Does not like stairs. Bike is quite hard to control on street and on dirt because of the weight. however high speed downhill jumps are amzing. If you are looking for a strong burly freeride bike that can be pedalled up the sloped shore style ladders but can huck off the drops on the other side this is the bike for you. If you like xc get a normal i drive cos they are lighter. However watch out for the gears get them set up by a pro mechanic cos if not you will go through 200 bucks on rear mechs like me... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Cycles UK | | Strengths: | Fantastic looks, great travel, amazing handling.
The bike seems very multi purpose, the bike works really well for downhill, cross country, and general messing around off-road on the weekend.
The bike comes with some very nice parts, all freeride strength of course. | | Weaknesses: | Seat. | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-drive pro | | Bike Setup: | As bought. | | Bottom Line: | This bike had a fabulous line up of parts, you will find Fox Vanilla forx, Fox Vanilla rear shock, Truvativ cranks, lots of Shimano Deore and Tioga.
Some people might say that the bike should have better models than the Deore ones, but I think that the Deore parts do a fabulous job, and the whole bike packs some great parts altogether. The all round Fox suspension is fabulous and customisable.
The bike does look as well as it rides. GT have really picked some great value parts, which of course ride really well for their price.
The Deore hydraulic disc brakes are really powerful, and superbly problem free.
To top it all off you get the i-drive system too.
I got this bike recently, so it was on sale since 04 models will be in the shops soon. I got a fabulous deal with around $500 off.
(I am in the UK, so I may have got the £ to $ conversions slightly wrong). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dwight Holder
a Weekend Warrior
from Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1499.00 | | Purchased At: | RichardsBicycles.com | | Strengths: | Sofar, as compared to my 10 year old hard tail with Manitou II fork, everything is a strength. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to find any weakness yet. If forced to say something it would be the Tioga Factory DH tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Ironhorse (original) | | Bike Setup: | Stock right from Richardsbicycles.com. Oh, they did add an XT rear derailleur. | | Bottom Line: | Mike from Ricahrdsbicycles.com was great to work with. As for the bike it is everything I could have wanted. It climbs better than anything I have ever owned. Downhill I have yet to find out how fast it will go. I understand that energy is lost in the suspension moving while you pedal but it is gained back by allowing your tire to stay in contact with the ground through lose rocky climbs. If you don't have any intentions in racing and just want to have a good time this is a bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BJ
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Macedon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | SHM | | Strengths: | The fact that above everything else the bike is soo overbuilt and solid! also GT threw in the trendy i-Drive system & it comes with FOX vanilla shox! also u get a cumfy SDG landing strip to sit on! | | Weaknesses: | OK! well for the ammount of money i paid for, im dissapointed it came with the complete shimano deore deck-out. SO! the hubs are dirt and at hight speeds you think your axel is going to snap through! the rear derailuer bounces quite a bit when thightened to the max, the chain under pressure slips/bounces off and can end up jamed in-between your i-Drive system and ur small chain wheel at the front & the pedals are a bit slipery! BUT! this is easily fixed by buying and fitting some aireal industries hubs F & R, a SRANM 9.0 + or Shimano XT + rear derailuer, any chainguide for the front (Tru Vativ or MRP are good) & some grippy flat pedals or clip-ins. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC range, Iorn horse SDG Expert! | | Bike Setup: | FOX vanilla R front fork, Fox Vanilla RC Rear shox, Tioga stem, hanndelbars & pedals, DEORE hydraluic disc 6", SDG landing strip seat, Tru vativ cranks, bashplate & chainguide & SRAM 9.0 sl rear derailuer & shorty shifter. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is pretty much regarded as my child! It is the most solid thing ive ever ridden (not being compared to the NORCO a-line or KONA stinky nine!) and i would regard it as the 3rd best freeride bike on the market! if you dont like it and are looking for a great freeride bike look at the Giant AC 1-2 or 3 or the iorn horse SGD Expert! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
b nic
a Cross Country Rider
from upstate,ny
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | plattekill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | strong frame, i-drive | | Weaknesses: | could benefit from a Progressive shock | | Similar Products Used: | owned a SC bullit, Titus loco-moto and several i-drives in the past | | Bike Setup: | sherman firefly, mavic 219 wheelset, hayes hydros, tioga 2.3 tires, vanilla rc, and a mix of raceface, titec and easton components | | Bottom Line: | not a great climber, but a great bike for all else. It shuttles as good as any bike i've owned, and is a pretty good trail bike, despite its weight.I am fully aware of GT's owners(being a long time GT fan) and have no problems with build quality or parts spec. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sham
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuantan,Pahang,Malaysia
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | KSH Bicycles | | Strengths: | I-Drive!!! Vanilla 125R,Vanilla RC shocks,Syncros Big Box Rims,Task Force Stem,Tioga Handlebar,Tioga Factory DH tires | | Weaknesses: | Deore parts | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Mokomoko (xc bike),Giant AC1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except rear deraillieur,Truvativ Stylo Crank Triple ring ( for getting home alot quicker ) | | Bottom Line: | After looking for a frame as solid,tough,finally found it. With the specs that i wanted. THis is a EXCELLENT bike to play with. the bike really suit my style of riding. I don't want to have a double crown fork yet,so playing with this baby is sweet. Downhill section is more of a breeze but the climbing up there is the tough part. But hey, what you expect from a 35pound bike??? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deeez Nutz
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bought from guy who wrote review two slots down | | Strengths: | Considering the upgrades... everything! But more importantly, the frame is a work of art. Beautifuly active and strong as shhhht. | | Weaknesses: | Well, perhaps.... the.... awe hell, why look for something to bttch about. I love this bicycle. | | Similar Products Used: | Four-bar linkage design.... I'll never ride anything but I-drive again. Hardtails... blah. | | Bike Setup: | Wow, be jealous. | | Bottom Line: | I don't know where to start. I could never have imagined that I-drive would be so perfect. Sitting, standing, whatever, the shock is active but pedal stroke does not affect whatsoever. I never knew what was going on under my nose with the four-bar linkage... energy absorbed by shock instead of tire on dirt. ( Is anybody else tired, let's rest. Why does my bike bounce when I pedal??? ) Well now I know. I'm gonna sell that piece on ebay and somebody else can deal with it... haha. But back to the subject. The bike setup inspires confidence, not a weak spot on it. Mavic D521's... if I was a female rim, I would mate with the D521... sexiest rim I have ever seen. Tioga oversized handlebar clamp diameter.. super stiff and perfect for a guy like me, a little over 200 lbs. Overall, I am glad I did not go for the Cannondale Gemini. Probably would have been the same issue pedaling a monopivot design. I would just like to say thanks, Will. I'm forever grateful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warwick
a
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, great spec nothing that really needs replacing besides pedals and grips. Fox Forks are super plush. Cranks with bash guard are great | | Weaknesses: | Well partly my fault (well Ok mostly my fault) but I snapped two of the bolts that hold the shock mounting on. I had the shock set to almost full hard though so that probably didn't help, one lesson learnt on my behalf. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing full Suspension | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Exect for grips, and replaced spring in fork as stock spring was too light. | | Bottom Line: | Being my first full suspension bike I have no complaints about the way the bike pedals or the weight etc, when compared to my old hartail, so that must be a good thing. I think if you are overly concerned about those sort of traits you shouldn't be buying a freeride bike anyway. On the downhills this bike is pure fun takes all sorts of hits in its stride, and more than makes up for any walking you may have to do, (if you are as unfit as me!!)
I give it 4 Chilli's in overall as I have no doubt that there are better, more well rounded freeride bikes out there. But if you are looking for a bike that is just fun to ride, as a freerider/downhiller/whatever, I would fully recomend this bike. You can't really beat it for a cheap(ish) bulletproof bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
will peters
a Weekend Warrior
from flagstaff, az, usa
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | great price. very plush rear suspension. frame is extremly tuff. | | Weaknesses: | cranks, big box rims. no shims for other sized bars. seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz bullit | | Bike Setup: | mavic d521 rims. xt cranks. bashgaurd. thompson seatpost. xtr r. derailer | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicks ass. No drops to big. Great urban assalt strength. The frame is stout.
It gives you confidense to know what your riding can take the abuse. GT is still down for riders. Pacific? Whatever, GT can still hold its own. Gt has produced a bike that everyone can enjoy, the bike is just fun to ride and doesnt cost you a years rent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CrazyB
a Downhiller
from Fremont CA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Tri City | | Strengths: | Plush strong good geometry. cheap | | Weaknesses: | firex cranks cheap rims and seatpost | | Bottom Line: | This is a great Freeride bike for the money. The only problems I ever had was the cheap cranks and seatpost had broke but both got replaced. everything else is really nice on this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sandia Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | Albuquerque Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | i-drive, dhi rear triangle (almost), fox forx, fox vanilla rc rear, geometry chip and angles, burly frame. | | Weaknesses: | Pacific???? truvativ fire-x cranks on a freeride bike. | | Similar Products Used: | I had ridden an i-drive 5.0 for a year and blew three shocks, time for a freeride bike. | | Bike Setup: | Large ruckus i-drive 2.0 syncros BIG BOX rims w/ deore disc hubs, wtb 2.3 motoraptors, easton ea 50 seatpost, sdg grand prix saddle, tioga dh bars and cube stem. knucklebone grips, magura julie hydro brakes ( 8in fornt 6in rear), deore mega 9 triggers and front deraileur, lx rear. Fox forx 125 vanilla r, fox vanilla rc rear, truvativ fire-x cranks and rings w/ isis bb and gt platforms. | | Bottom Line: | I am living in the golden age with this bike. So it does'nt have the replacable dropouts and 150mm spacing of the 1.0 or dhi, if it breaks I'll buy the dhi rear, if not. All in all I love this bike the fox forx is amazing, I am a huge fan of the i-drive system, stout gray frame. I was lusting after an intense uzzi slx or an ellsworth joker and maybe even a specialized big hit but being the gt geek I am and having that amont of money to spend at that exact moment ( I took my i-drive 5.0 in to get my fourth rear shock and change out cables and walked out with this bike) and having seen this bike on the net, bought it . I have taken it dirt jumping, down some hills,,, urban and trails, so it does'nt climb well, neither did my old bike. I don't climb well either. ruckus is the sh!t. out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 1999.00
