Submitted by
Dave Kraemer
a Weekend Warrior
from Liberty,MO. USA Date Reviewed: August 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Smithville Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$999.00
Purchased At:
IBEX Bikes
Strengths:
My first mountain bike, seems like a good quality bike, good components, packaged well, quick delivery, good customer service.
Weaknesses:
Had to exchange large frame for medium frame. This cost me an additional $150 in shipping plus original $35 shipping. $90 for Fedex to return large frame, $20 for additional packing material and $35 for return shipping of medium frame bike. UPS wanted $125. They exchanged quickly after they saw returned large frame bike was in like new condition, but wouldn't exchange till they saw it, of course. Not sure that I wouldn't have been better off buying from a local bike shop after spending $185 for shipping. Plus had to do some assembly and tuning on derailleurs and brakes myself, which a bike shop would have done already. Is a good deal, if you don't have to return anything. Hard to tell fit without trying it.
Similar Products Used:
First mountain bike
Bottom Line:
Seems like a good bike if you don't have to exchange it. Costs additional $150 to $200 if you do have to exchange it. Hard to tell fit without trying it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Poh Soon Teng
a Downhiller
from San Pablo, CA, USA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Chaparal, Cinderella
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Ibex Bikes
Strengths:
Strong frame. Light enough for XC and Burly enough for DJ,FR,DH and AM
Weaknesses:
Cant think of any
Bike Setup:
Single Chainring 40T, Manitou Black, Manitou Radium R, Sun Rhyn Lites, WTB Motoraptor, Shimano XT drivetrain, Avid BB5 Brakes. Built up from the frame and came out to be 28lbs with left over parts in the garage
Bottom Line:
really well built and good welds. Really impressed with how it held up with the abuse. I've been riding it on numerous occasions along with other guys who weigh betweem 115lbs to 180lbs... All AM/DH/FR/DJ riders... all abused it... It kept asking for more... Geometry was nice too with the tight cockpit. Nice with the tight sections are really nimble in the air. Awesome value... Awesome product...
Not sure how much i paid for it though. Was a friends spare bike...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Hampton, NH, USA Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Fort Rock
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
ibexbikes.com
Strengths:
The Asta's strengths are agility, climbing, and speed. Not to mention that this bike is just fun to ride.
Weaknesses:
The bike's only weakness at this level may be the fork. It is a Manitou Splice. Luckily it is upgradeable, and I have had no problems with mine so far.
Similar Products Used:
My first bike was a 2003 Giant Yukon. The Asta is my second bike.
Bike Setup:
I am running a stock Asta Comp right now. I have changed the rear tire to a Specialized Adrenaline, but nothing else has been done yet.
Bottom Line:
You know, for my first FS after riding a HT for three years, I couldn't be more happy with my purchase. This bike has slightly less than 4 inches of travel and is meant for XC and light all mountain riding. I have gone fast on this bike. I have cleared dangerous rock gardens. I have hit 3-4 foots drops with no problems at all. It won't bomb down a technical hill at speed like more expensive bikes with more suspension travel, but it will handle a lot of variety of terrains. If you are new to the Full Suspension world, I highly suggest this ride. It is a snap to put together out of the box if you have even the most remedial skills with your hands. It is easy to adjust if you spend a little time learning basic bike maintenance. Overall, it should provide years of enjoyment, and as the components wear out they can be replaced with better ones. Try one!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J Dunnman
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT,USA Date Reviewed: May 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Crest Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
ibexbikes.com
Strengths:
Value, frame geometry, easy assembly, and solid components.
Weaknesses:
Tires, fork, and stickers all over the rims
Similar Products Used:
Jamis dakar sport, Trek fuel 80
Bike Setup:
Stock from Ibex
Bottom Line:
This is a very early review of the Ibex, Asta Comp. I have only ridden this bike three times on trails and have not mastered the adjustments on the shock and fork.
To buy a bike sight unseen for $900 does take a small leap of faith. However, my co-worker has had an Apogee for a few years and was going to buy an Asta for his wife.
Out of the box the Ibex, Asta Comp was very well packaged and easy to assemble. The cable disc brakes are easy to adjust and stop the bike very well. The frame is pretty light and the shock mounts seem very solid.
I have been a bit concerned about the Manitou Splice Platnium air fork due to negative reviews of last years Splice on MTBR.com. The fork is very sticky still and I have been told to give it 20 hours of riding before complaining too much. But my goodness the fork rides like a ridged until it finally breaks loose.
The sucking air sound that the Manitou Radium R shock makes does get a bit of getting used to but it works pretty well and doesn’t produce any discernable peddle bob.
The Maxxis tires on this bike are kind of narrow and seem to be slipping out around gravely corners more than other tires I have ridden.
So far, I am very pleased with the Ibex, Asta Comp, but will hold my final say until I have ridden this bike a few months. At that time I will submit another review.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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