Submitted by
Mark Weso
a Cross Country Rider
from Deerfield Beach, Fl., USA Date Reviewed: October 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Boyette, Alafia, Markum, Santos, Oleta
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Bell Bycycles
Strengths:
Well designed & stiff carbon frame , fast take off with no peddle-bob, climbs like a plane and the 120mm Fox shocks and MP-23 takes downhill hits with ease , an excellent cross country race bike, great head angle for steering and fast shifters XTR shifters & derailers.
Weaknesses:
It came with lightweight Kenda Karma tires but I prefer a beefer tire for my riding style. Also it did not come with peddles but since I have Shimano clip-ons that was no problem.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Rush
Bike Setup:
The carbon fiber frame has a part aluminum matrix and the I-Drive system by the bottom bracket. This I-Drive is revolutionary technology for eliminating peddle-bob which really allows for hammering this machine.Fox F-120mm fork is a dream along with the RP-23 Fox rear shock with 3 positions. The Shimano XTR shifters and derailers make for fast shifting when needed. Tubeless wheels. Thompson Post,
a solid Fizik saddle, Richey Stem & FSA carbon headset.
Bottom Line:
This is a champion cross-country races this bike. It really hammers for super fast take-offs, power sprints and handles great. It climbs like an airplane and descends with confidence. Steering is accurate due to 70 degree head angle. It has been the fastest cross-country racer that I've ever owned.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leyland
a Weekend Warrior
from USA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Lake Michael
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bicycle
Strengths:
Well-selected components compose this smooth rideing, precise handling, gravity-defying fun bike
Weaknesses:
Spin Doctor at the shop can't diagnose a persistent dog-attracting squeak that developed after mile 5. Fizik Gobi XM mountain bike saddle is ergonomically unrideable.
Similar Products Used:
My first, and hopefully last, of this type at this price point.
Bike Setup:
Cassette: SRAM X.0 - Brakes: Avid Juicy Ultimate, 140mm rear and 160mm front - Fork: FOX 32 RL 120 mm travel, rebound adjust and remote lockout (is nice) - Brakes: Avid Juicy Ultimate, F:160mm R:140mm - Frame: i-Drive 4 monocoque carbon fiber front triangle and rear triangle with 4" travel, integrated headset and main pivot bearings, internal cable routing - Handlebar: Ritchey Carbon WCS Lo Rizer - REAR SHOCK: Fox Float RP23 with rebound adjust lockout and adjustable ProPedal - SADDLE: Fizik Gobi XM - SEATPOST: Thomson Elite - SHIFTERS: SRAM X.0 - STEM: Ritchey WCS 4 Axis - TIRES: Kenda Karma 2.0 - WHEELSET: Mavic Crossmax SLR Disc - CRANKSET: TruVativ Noir XC 3.3, 44/32/22T
Bottom Line:
Currently hospitalized shortly after factory delivery under its "full medical" plan, my GT Marathon Carbon Team SRAM X.O Cross Country Full Suspension Mountain Bike - Platinum Series is currently a squeaky treat after swaping the Fizik seat on the way to eBay. Prognosis: Good. A frame adapter will be required to carry this non-standard frame style on a rear bike rack.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ajriding
a Racer
from Stone Mtn, GA / usa Date Reviewed: August 23, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
pedals well. pretty. easy to ride. handles well in tight singletrack. easy to work on the main pivots.
Weaknesses:
I am guessing the frame to be in the mid 5 lbs range, little overweight for the price, but still light. the downtube is way overbuilt as the shock mounts to the middle of it, where most frames use a more robust mount location.
bottle cage mount seems an after thought. hard to route internal cables.
Similar Products Used:
khs full sus bike.
Bike Setup:
Large frame. used frame and Fox 120mm fork only from original build, Middleburn cranks, xtr ders, twist shifters, Thomson post stem, Nokon housing, flat bars.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike! I love it. It was an easy transition to this bike, on the first ride I had no problem getting used to it. The linkage system works wonderful, I have had no problems out of it at all. I rebuilt it after a dirty muddy race and it was actually very clean inside.
The bike built up around 23.5 lbs, and with not a ton of super light parts either.
I gave it 4 for value, just b/c it is so expensive compared to others, but guess carbon always is.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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