Submitted by
Robert Chapman
a Weekend Warrior
from Andros Island, Bahamas Date Reviewed: February 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Blue Hole
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$360.00
Purchased At:
IBEX on line catalogue
Strengths:
Over all very well made bike, with great components. Came almost completely assembled. I was riding my bike in less then 30 minutes after receiving it in the mail.
Weaknesses:
I really could not find a weekness. Ok maybe the shoe straps on the pedles were a little excessive...I took mine off, but probly a nice touch for someone else who is more competitive then I am.
Similar Products Used:
Truely the best bike I have ever owned. I ride over some very rough trails on Andros's mountain non-paved coral granit lava rodes. The roads her are very rough and unpaved. I used to have a huffy mountain bike, there is just no comparison to the comfort of the ride between the IBEX 350 and the last two Huffy's I have owned.
Bike Setup:
Bike Setup is as advertiesed, Shimono parts all the way around, well made well put together.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line, a great bike at a great price. I live outside the United States for the military under private contract, and I love the fact that this company supports our military by shipping over seas via USPS. Lots of cudo's to you guys at IBEX for lending all of us your support.
Thanks Again,
Robert.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Lewisville tx usa Date Reviewed: January 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
north shore
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$269.00
Purchased At:
ibexbikes.com
Strengths:
The value. Good parts and light frame.
Weaknesses:
Cheap plastic toe clips that come with the bike.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4300 and 4500.
Bike Setup:
Alivo front and rear derailleurs RST Gila T5.
Bottom Line:
The bike is sold I have had no problems with it. It rides just as good as the Trek bikes in the same price range and I saved a ton of money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Aspen, CO Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$295.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Good mix of values and components
Weaknesses:
Cheap frame...but it's a $300 bike!
Bike Setup:
The bike seat is thin...the dumba** who thinks bike shorts are the remedy obviously wears pampers.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, great price. I'll continue bashing it for many months to come.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam Crowder
a Weekend Warrior
from Carthage, Mo, USA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
It's all good...
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At:
Online from Ibex
Strengths:
Excellent components (for the price), immediately felt great to ride.
Weaknesses:
None, really. You don't get what you don't pay for. I expect to break stuff when I crash, and that's what has happened.
Similar Products Used:
Looked at and rode Trek, GT before purchase.
Bike Setup:
Clipless pedals, cyclocomputer added for my benefit. Front rim, seat, and seatpost replaced after nasty crashes. New seat is same as old, BTW... To those who don't like the seat, try wearing bike shorts!
Bottom Line:
Excellent bang for your buck. The only way to build a $300 bike is to use low-cost components, but these guys didn't skimp on the important ones: derailleurs and brakes... The others get replaced as needed. So far the frame's held up to some significant abuse. I thought I might need to beef up the front shocks since I weigh almost 200 pounds, but the RST shocks feel great with the preload set full on--I don't think I've ever bottomed out. Ibex is good to work with too--I received the bike with a bent brake pad and they had a replacment shipped out to me the next day. Also, the multi-tool and the touch-up paint that came with the bike were nice touches (tho I'd recommend a drop or 2 of Loc-tite on the multi-tool before you throw it in your seat pack). I say if you can't shell out $450 for a comparable bike from a bike shop get an Ibex. The 5 flaming turds I gave this bike are in comparison to other bikes in the price range.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aram Gerstein
a Cross Country Rider
from SanFrancisco Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Still looking
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Value. Aesthetics. Adventure. An excellent entry level bike. Excellent components.
Weaknesses:
No Local Bike Shop to obssess over little issues with. "Unknown" Brand Name (Not really a weakness, just not trendy)
Similar Products Used:
Other bikes.
Bike Setup:
Rear rack, Saddlebags, Ritchie Comp3 clipless pedals, Continental "Town&Country" Tires, Alex Rims from the Ibex Alpine 450. Blinkey lights.
Bottom Line:
After much hesitation, research and analysis of all the parts and pieces, I took the Plunge and bought this bike on-line. It was an excellent value. After about a year and Hundreds of miles I still think it was a fine Choice. I use it for commuting 16 miles in the the city just about every day as well as trail and back roads on weekends. No surprises, great service. The owner was always available to answer questions and service. I mangled my rear wheel in a crash the first week I got it and they sold me a new set at an incredible price that I could not have found anywhere. You cannot go wrong with this product. Unless you know why you need the most expensive "PRO" trendy thing out there, you probably don't. For any one who wants to get into moutain biking or just go anywhere biking, this is a great bike, Cheap enough so that you can have $ left over to spend on upgrades when you think you need'em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim C.
a Weekend Warrior
from Garner, NC Date Reviewed: February 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Umstead State Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Well, its been almost a year and I thought I'd do a follow up. The Alpine 350 has held up great! No trouble from any of the components. The frame has been awesome for the value.
Weaknesses:
The saddle continues to bust my ass. Easy to replace, I'm just lazy. I've also had a little trouble adjusting the rear brakes. They keep wanting to rub the wheel after the first squeeze. Annoying but not troublesome. I really should spend a few hours resetting them.
Bike Setup:
Stock.
Bottom Line:
This bike remains one of the best values out there. My bike probably has close to 500 miles on it now and it remains a bulletproof ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn, NY Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At:
Ibex's yahoo store
Strengths:
It is very well thought out, it has great components, and better shifters than most in this price range.
Weaknesses:
I havent found any yet.
Similar Products Used:
I had a KHS alite 500
Bike Setup:
Stock so far
Bottom Line:
I bought this to replace a KHS alite 500(about $300 online) and at $330 with shipping (from their website; MSRP is $445)it is hands down better. The primary differances seem to be better components, especially for me the Shimano shifters. (The KHS had a grip shift design) I don't know how it will handle true cross-country or downhill riding, but it can handle NYC. Next weekend I'm going trail riding I'm sure I'll have no problem. I'd recomend this to anyone who wants a great deal on a great bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik W
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, CA Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Hurkey Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Ibexbikes.com
Strengths:
This is actually a review for the 350K. A smaller version of the 350 with 24" tires. This is a great bike for my daughter who is 8 years old. The size is perfect. (Much better than an X-small frame with 26" tires) The bike is low weight making it easier to carry up more difficult hills. Her last bike (Toy-R-Us special) is half the size and about twice the weight. The brakes provide excellent stopping power. The shimano rapid fire shifters are much better than the grip shifters found on most bikes at this price point.
Weaknesses:
Although the customer service of IBEX has been great, this is an online purchase. You will need to spend about 30-60 minutes assembling the bike.
Bike Setup:
Standard set up
Bottom Line:
The majority of bikes that you will find for children between 7-10 years old at bike shops are BMX style bikes with only one speed. Or you could shop at the mass retailers like Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us. These mountain bikes are less expensive and look great in the store. But, if you take a closer look at the frame and components the IBEX 350K stands out as the best value.
The other kids in the neighborhood are a little jealous and their parents are looking at IBEX for their next bike purchase.
I did receive a lower price for puchasing two bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim C
a Cross Country Rider
from Garner, NC, USA Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Umstead State Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Ibexbikes.com
Strengths:
Excellent components...especially the Shimano shifters.
Weaknesses:
None as of yet...bike is probably the best I've seen in this general price of hardtails. The racing seats a little tough on the rear...but aren't they all?
Similar Products Used:
Iron Horse Desperado, KHS Alite 2000
Bike Setup:
Standard set up...see their website for full specs.
Bottom Line:
I really enjoy this bike. Only had it for three weeks or so, but it's more than competent urban commuter.
I've also just finished about 25 miles of trail riding with my buddies over the last two weekends. Given the cost of the bike, I wasn't expecting a true-blue trail rider capable of handling the real rough trails, but I was quite pleasantly surprised. The Alpine 350 has more than held its own with bikes two and three times its cost. I was really proud of it. The shifting was tight and consistent, the shocks were excellent, the frame felt great underneath me.
I now feel incredibly comfortable taking this bike out cross country or downhilling anytime.
Bottom line: this bike is more than capable of swinging with the big apes of the jungle. What you're getting for what you're paying is just unbelievable. I'll be sure to post a long term review in a few months and let you know if anything's changed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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