Submitted by
Lukem
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan Date Reviewed: August 16, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$650.00
Strengths:
Geometry, lightweight frame, good component package for the price
Weaknesses:
Shimano hydraulic brakes can be noisy if the bike sits for a while
Similar Products Used:
GF Marlin, Trek 4500
Bike Setup:
stock, except for pedals-swapped clipless pedals for a set of Wellgo flats
Bottom Line:
I am reviewing the 2008 model....Great bike. Aggressive geometry; short chainstays and a steepish headtube make this bike very agile. Even with the short wheelbase the bike handles exceptionally well at high speeds. I put a shorter stem on my bike and that made the slow speed steering is a bit twitchy, but when riding fast (that's what it was designed for) the steering is that much more precise. Rockshox Tora is a bit heavy, but it has excellent lateral stiffness and is pretty plush.
I got this for about the same price as a Trek 4500 or Fisher Marlin would have cost, and the specs on the Dakota blow those two bikes out of the water. Frame provides a good platform for XC racing as well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stas
a Cross Country Rider
from Russia Date Reviewed: April 5, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Trial-Sport
Strengths:
Looks nice, has a good fork and transmission, Wellgo pedals are pretty good if set up properly
Weaknesses:
Maxxis Mobster tires are heavy - they're really bad on tarmac, well on sand/dirt, I would use other tires though
Similar Products Used:
GT Timberline, GT Palomar
Bike Setup:
Stock + Vetta RT277
Bottom Line:
A good bicycle worth every dollar paid for it. Can be used in XC racing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: December 29, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
biycle works llc
Strengths:
good all around bike. well worth what i paid, handles alot of abuse, and just plain looks good.
Weaknesses:
the hayes so1e brakes. they just suck, front hub problems
Similar Products Used:
Giant boulder se
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
good bike, just brakes are a pain because of how much mainenance they require. otherwise this is a realy good xc bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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