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Submitted by
Davo
a
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Snow, VT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Soft tail rear triangle is great for climbing, tracking and accelerating. Enough rear suspension for agressive x-c without the maintenance and added cost of a bike with 4 bar linkage, which I consider to be the only linkage that truly works well. Rides very well for the money. Panaracer tires are better than expected; no complaints for 2.1"'s. Even the Alivio/Acera 8speed deraileurs and low end shimano chain work well. | | Weaknesses: | The Pilot fork is the only real downfall of the bike. The stantions are a bit flexy for faster riding and down right flimsy with far too much rebound speed (not adjustable)for rock croppings. Wheels are kinda' cheap too, power tools hubs in particular. A bit stout but can't complain for a $600ish retail bike. | | Similar Products Used: | KHS Comp ST with full XT group including xt hydraulic disc brakes and Rock Shox Sid. KHS Comp ST, Tora fork with heavy springs. Various others | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is it is a shame KHS doesn't make this bike any more. I have owned some pretty nice bikes in the past including two KHS Comp ST's with much better components and a Turner Afterburner. The crest ST is a (excuse me,was a) killer deal, that with upgrades that many people would generally make over time anyway, makes a great, versatile bike that inspires confidence with smooth, energy conserving and forgiving handling. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | White Mountains of NH | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Strong and light frame, cool pivotless suspension that works!!, R/S pilot fork, kore stem is nice, has disk mounts fromt and rear, steel frame has 25 year warranty!!! aluminum version has 3 year (wah-wah, most components decent quality but... | | Weaknesses: | wheelset needs lots of help, headset is crap, wish the crank was isis version | | Similar Products Used: | haro, klein, kona, cannondale, custom gary littlejohn MTB, and many more | | Bike Setup: | stock except for hutchinson python kevlars (oh my god!), and added a Koobi si seat | | Bottom Line: | This thing rocks (especially for what I paid) I fully expect to be holding on to this thing for a WHILE... I am a 34 yr. old x-racer who is 6'2" and between 195-230 lbs. I got this to ride in early fall when I am heavy and then I switch to my road bike after, and for commuting... its perefect for my needs and has been damn handy on the trails!! it could be lighter but as I swap out the original kit with lighter and better it should reach the 24 lb. mark
I love the way steel feels at speed no jitters no uncontrollabe aluminum bouce just steel and 3/4 of an inch in travel... its a keeper for me...oh and for you clydesdales out there...when I stand and hammer I have snapped cranks, chains, hubs, bb's ...so I definitely feel any "give" in the frame...this thing is nice and stiff for a steel frame the only thing I ever feel is the rear susp.I love it. I am giving lots of chilis because of the price I got it for ...my overall rating is another matter | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Heath
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Enoch's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | LIGHT ~29lbs. Above average componets. Soft-tail shock - pivotless is kinda like the pricey Litespeed machines ive seen. Last years model (2003) so price was dropped even more. | | Weaknesses: | Was supposed to come with Rock Shox and Kore but dealer switched those out with rather crappy Insync Exceed 266's and PowerTools neck. | | Similar Products Used: | KHS ALite 300. | | Bike Setup: | See weaknesses. I changed the Panaracer 2.1's, to Tioga City Slickers 1.5's because of my speedy work comute. SPeed is key for me - and with this machine I can still nail curbs and fly down moderate trails. Next tire test Im doing with this is with some 1.75 tractor grips. | | Bottom Line: | I've gotten to like the bike alot even tho still sometimes wish i had bought the much cheaper(but slightly heavier with junk componets) '04 Alite 300 which was aluminum as opposed to the Crest ST chromoly. I actually look forward to riding to work on this thing.
Heh. I'd like to further test the soft-tail config on a rougher trail. I mainly use this as a daily driver on a bike path to work. It was a good purchase. Although I wonder if the chromoly gives is that "spegehtti" feel - and wonder if the Alite 300 aluminium would be stiffer. [?] | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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