Ideal for the weekend warrior or for the competitive NORBA veteran. Bomb-proof design and good old fashioned Leader Bike know-how brings you this elegant rock of a frame. Comparable to frames in typical $1000 retail bikes, we bring you a great frame at a great price. Many improvements using 6061 double butted tubing in recent years have allowed us to offer you this best buy.
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Vegas, NV Date Reviewed: September 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Cottonwood Valley
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$109.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Mine is the LD-510H which is supposed to have a few upgrades to the older model. Light frame but also very strong. You can't beat the price for the craftmanship, Good Job Leader.
Weaknesses:
Argggg, I hate the zero stack. Took me a little while to find one at my LBS.
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Ironhorse, Diamond Back....
Bike Setup:
Deore,SRAM, Tektro disc, Cheap Suntour crank, Cheap RST Fork. M424 pedals, No Name stem and bar. 29 lb.
Bottom Line:
Even with my bottom of the barrel components, this frame rides very nice with a little flex(which i like) Uphills are a breeze. Leader please dump the zero stack. I don't really nitpick but 7 Leader stickers on the frame is too much IMO. Ditch the two on the seat tube and maybe even the two on the rear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SKV
a
from Fair Lawn Date Reviewed: September 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Ramapo lake & cannon vall
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Light, durable, cheap
Weaknesses:
A little flex on the tail, knobs on front fork may touch the frame when you carry bike
Similar Products Used:
Fuji hardtail , iBex full suspension
Bike Setup:
Regular shimano XT/LX mixed. Avid disk brakes (life saver), Siguno 600DX crankset 26-36-46 (cheap,lite, give extra torque)
Bottom Line:
After 2 years and 1500 miles I can speek. The frame is rock. I can chase road bikes as well as take on Ringwood and Ramopo mountain trails. Seller provided good support over the phone and doesn't count time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio Date Reviewed: July 10, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Solid, good feel, good geometry, not heavy (though not featherweight), and CHEAP!
Weaknesses:
Has permanently hosed any major Bike company from getting my business again.
Similar Products Used:
heavily modified 98' Fisher Tassajara
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z1 X-fly, Raceface Diabolus headset(the 02 model didn't need the zero-stack), Truvativ Stylo SS (front deraileurs are for chumps!), XTR rear deraileur, XT Hubs w/ Sun Mammoth rims, 2.3 IRC Kujos, Avid SD-7's, Time ATACs. All the unimportant stuff that doesn't move is all cheapo Sette stuff off of pricepoint.
Bottom Line:
I originally bought this on ebay in fall of 02 to start a Single speed project. After a year and a half or so of gathering parts, finally started on the building phase of the project. Got the bike together and lo-and-behold the Single speed that I had thrown together felt better, rode straighter, climbed almost as well (slightly hampered by lack of gearing choice) and performed better down-the-hill than my "good" bike. Well that got me thinking. So after cannibalizing the right shifter, and Derailleur; picking up a SRAM cassette, and swapping a few other parts (SD-7s for SD-3s, etc); The Leader is a monster (climbs, descents, straight-and-level). Really, with the Fisher, I felt like the bike was the limiting factor in alot of my riding. With the Leader... I'll need to find another good excuse as to why I suck ;)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DAVID
a Weekend Warrior
from SAPULPA OK Date Reviewed: March 17, 2006
Favorite Trail:
TURKEY MT. TULSA OK
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
EBAY LEADER STORE
Strengths:
PRICE. GOOD SOLID FRAME. QUICK STEERING RESPONSE.
Weaknesses:
FUNKY HEAD TUBE REQUIRING A ZERO STACK HEADSET.
Similar Products Used:
SPECIALIZED STUMPJUMPER HARDTAIL
Bike Setup:
SID SL FORK. XTR DRIVE TRAIN. MAVIC WHEELS WITH SPECIALIZED HUBS. PARTS CAME FROM OLD STUMPERJUMPER. BIKE WEIGHS 24.5 LBS.
Bottom Line:
CAN'T BEAT IT FOR THE PRICE. I PAYED 90. DOLLARS FOR THE FRAME AND TWENTY DOLLARS SHIPPING. BUY THE HEADSET FROM LEADER WHEN YOU BUY THE FRAME, I COULDN'T BEAT THEIR PRICE. FAIRLY LIGHT WEIGH. GOOD RIDER INPUT. GREAT SERVICE FROM LEADER BIKES. LOCAL TREK BIKE SHOP COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. I PLAN ON RACING IT IN ARKANSAS AT THE OUCHITA CHALLENGE INSTEAD OF MY FULL SUSPENSION.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Baitis
a Cross Country Rider
from Centennial, CO USA Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
deer creek canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$135.00
Purchased At:
price point
Strengths:
Cool Homeade tube shapes. Different from the run of the mill. Uses Easton Tubing. Nice ride, comfortable geometry, confident handling.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy, but that doesn't matter as much as the ride. Needed to use special Crane zero stack headset.
Similar Products Used:
cannondale F600, Jamis Dakota AL
Bike Setup:
Leader 515H frame, new LX cranks, XT front and rear, XT rapid fire shifters, avid mechanical disc brakes, skareb elite fork, American Classic 350 disc wheelset.
Bottom Line:
More than worth the price. Just try it and you will like it. I had a cannondale F600 with the same components and it was lighter, but I am more confident in this bike uphill and down hill. Great deal on a great frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from Mentor, Ohio Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Actually, this is now the LD-516-HD, but I'm willing to bet they are nearly the same bike. Strengths; Super Light weight, and cheap money.
Weaknesses:
Unfortunately, yes, it IS a mass-produced Taiwanese made frame. Sal, at LEADER BIKE is solely a middle man, who has an exclusive distributorship with (whoever makes the frames) and employs a few helpers to assist him with shipping and logistics. Period. Regardless of what anyone else will tell you. But is mass-production really a weakness?
Similar Products Used:
Early model Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo hardtail.
Bike Setup:
Truvativ Crank and Bottom bracket, Shimano cog, SRAM X9 Shifters and derailuers, Avid brake perches/Shimano brakes, Mavic wheelsets/panaracer tires, Easton bars and stem, Cane Creek ZERO STACK headset, and Clarks cables all around.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this is a great frame and an excellent price. If you care less about the name on the bike and more about how it rides and what it costs, this is the bike for you. A lot of people are stuck thinking that for a product to be good, it has to be expensive and have a recognizable name.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a
from La Mesa, CA Date Reviewed: June 12, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Cuyamaca Loop/Cathedral Rock
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$135.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Price, weld quality, durable, solid. Telephone customer service is great.
Weaknesses:
Uses kooky zero stack headset, not very standard. E-mail tech support is horrible (they never reply to e-mails), so just call them on the phone.
I broke my Trek Fuel riding down the final downhill stretch of the Cuyama Loop. (Trek has since changed their design to eliminate a poorly placed joint). When I got the warranty replacement, I decided to sell it (as I couldn't trust it not to break again).
All I could afford was a hardtail frame. I didn't want a taiwanese mass produced frame, so I gave Leader a shot.
It arrived fast, and was well packed. I assembled the bike with no problems.
After putting it together I noticed that the top tube is a bit too short for my tastes (Tho the seat tube is the right height). So I bought a longer stem, not the best for steering performance. But everyone is sized differently, this frame may fit you PERFECTLY, I'm 6'1".
The tube shapes are a bit primitive and "home made" looking (not a lot of compound radius tubes, crazy bends, etc). But I think it gives it a more "boutique" hand-made look. Which is exactly what it is. For '05, the down tube is now all funky and multiple sizes/diameters, more like a "production" bike.
I have taken this bike to Sedona, AZ twice now and ridden it through most of Boynton Canyon, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. No problems at all! This frame is VERY sturdy, and I'm about 200 lbs. Granted, I don't huck it.
Rocks hitting the frame don't seem to damage the paint. The only major missing paint is from cable rub on the head tube, I forgot to put a patch there, and it wore through.
I like the fact that's it's made here in San Diego, and it's made REALLY well. I've had it for about 18 months with no complaints, and I ride about 4 or 5 days a week.
Leader's have a simpler look than mass produced bikes, no graphics other than the simple logo, and I like it that way.
If it had a longer top tube, and used standard headsets, it would be PERFECT.
Still, I plan to buy a Leader 626s 5" travel suspension frame (and swap out the cane creek shock).
But I'm definately keeping this frame as well. I love it.
4 Chilis because of the headset design, otherwise would have given it 5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: April 26, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Leader
Strengths:
For this price you can't go wrong. Good solid construction that appears will last a while.
Weaknesses:
Its not a weakness but just be aware. Get the Cane Creek headset and go to the Cane Creek website for the instructions on how to install it. Otherwise you could end up going back for a second frame!
Similar Products Used:
Trek iron bedstead that is now 9 years old 2001 Giant NRS 1 2004 Giant NRS 1 2004 Scott AFD Pro
Bike Setup:
All the parts from the 2001 NRS 1 after it got crunched last year.
Bottom Line:
I needed a replacement for the Trek that I use for commuting and had all the parts from the wrecked NRS 1 so I was looking for a suitable frame, at the right price. Unfortunately last year it would have cost US$250 to ship it to New Zealand but USPS have now changed their size restrictions to be in line with Europe it now cost $70. The guys at Leader couldn’t have been more helpful and it arrived within 5 days of placing the order.
Now I have a great commuter bike that I can keep up with the roadies on. It just needs the slicks replacing when I want to go off road. Highly recommended, don't hesitate.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Hollister, CA Date Reviewed: March 25, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Availability,price,geometry, not your standard run-of-the-mill frame. Frame is lite, appears to be faily well designed/manufactured (with the exception of the finer points...see product weakness). Snappy and responsive with very little noticable rear flex.
Weaknesses:
This model (LD 516H) according to Leader is designed to use a Zero stack headset. Although I had the zero stack installed it did not appear that it was machined for it. The BB theads had to be retapped and all surfaces refaced. My biggest peeve was their cable brackets (or whatever they're called) that are welded to the top tube. They're designed to accomodate only 2 of the 3 cables properly. The center cable has to be cable tied in place (designed for hydo type brakes?).
Leader LD 516H - 17" Mountain Frame - BLK, IS headset,Race Face Evolve XC ISIS Crankset Blk 108mm,04 Rock Shox Psylo XC w/ U-Turn-Disc, Sram X.7 Rear Derailleur & X.7 Trigger Shifter, SRAM X GENERATION FRONT DERAILLEUR,Avid Speed Dial 7 Levers, Avid Flak Jacket Cable Set, Avid Mechanical Disc Brake 185mm, XT DISC/SINGLETRACK WHEELSET,SRAM Powerglide II PG-970 9-Speed Cassette 11/34,SRAM PC-69 9 Speed Chain w/ Power Link, IRC Mythos XC Racing Tire Kevlar Blackwall and SHIMANO PD-M536 PEDALs.
Bottom Line:
Good bike to build up as a frame-up project. Whether your a newbie or an experienced rider this may be the frame for you. Light responsive, reasonabably priced and unique...not to mention well designed and built. My original plan was to build this bike for around $1K. After doing endless searches and investigating the + and - of "available" options and bling-bling, the bike ended up closer to $1.5K (don't tell my wife!!!). So far I'm pleased with my creation and hope to be riding the Leader well into the future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a
from Boynton Beach, FL Date Reviewed: February 27, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Oleta
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Light weight very well made frame. I hear complaints about the paint, but the paint job on my frame is excellent
Weaknesses:
Had a problem with the headset fitting the frame
Similar Products Used:
My other bike is a Jamis Dakar XC Comp full suspension
Bike Setup:
XTR front and rear derailuer, XTR cassette, XT shifters and V brakes, truvativ stylo team cranks, carbon handle bars, easton seat post, sette saddle. Weighs in at 23 lbs including pedals.
Bottom Line:
On the local trails in So Fl, I prefer this bike to my full suspension bike. I dont go hucking big drops etc. nothing more than 2-3 ft. This bike is light and climbs the hills here very well. The geometry is such that compared to my Jamis, you sit closer to the front of the bike so I had to be careful the first few times I rode that I didnt endo. With this bike I can keep up with my 2 sons again (15 and 18 yrs old).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bernard
a Cross Country Rider
from NH Date Reviewed: January 26, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Leader bike store on ebay
Strengths:
Price, stiff, strong, accepts discs, came fully prepared. Interesting paint scheme, accept two water bottles. hand welded.
Weaknesses:
Well, mine was clearcoated, many complained about it not being but mine waas indeed. THe paint still could be better, it easily chips off. Needs Zero stack headset
Bottom Line:
Well i was on a budjet when i got this frame and i wanted to finish up my XC build so i was looking on ebay and saw this, i was very suspicious. 99 dollars is not a lot for a frame. I decided to try it, not expecting super nice stuff but it would do the job. Well was i in for a surprise, this frames great! The paint colors are interesting, some like it and some dont. I asked for black and red if they dont have black so they sent me a combo. I like it personally. Anyways some might complain about the weight but still, it is not THAT heavy. THe frame is definantly burly, you can really see the connections have extra metal there to ensure a strong frame. The rear is also very stiff, which is good. To my surprise, the frame was already faced and threads for the BB chamber already present. I was confident i would have to have my lbs face things for me. It accepted the discs fine, though i run V brakes now. Also nice, it holds not one but TWO water bottle cages for those longer rides. One weakness however is the paint, though it was clearcoated like it said in the item description, and the decals are not pealing off anything, i find the paint is easily chipped off. Although i can't complain and wont mark them down for this, but i would not have minded paying 20 dollars more for high quality paint. The service of Leader bike was nice, my derailleur hanger was sent bent and they promptly sent a replacement no charge. The only con that i think is worth noting is that you must run the zero stack headset with this thing, leader bike will sell one for 35 dollars so i got that. Well we know cane creek will never be out of business now! I would have a classic headset instead, many more options. Overall i would recommend this frame to all. Its amazing for the price. Don't let the price steer you away either, i am very happy with this frame and would buy another any day.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
todd
a Weekend Warrior
from South-western CT Date Reviewed: November 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Great geometry, silly light, nice blend of triangular and round tubes, silly cheap, quality construction, great welds.
Weaknesses:
Rear disc brake tabs were slightly off, but a quick tweak on the vise took care of it. None other so far.
Similar Products Used:
Diamondback Apex SE
Bike Setup:
Raceface Prodigy DH crank/bashguard, Judy XC 100mm shock, SRAM X7 trigger shifter/r-d, Rhynolite/XT hubs, Ringle Evolution stem/handlebars, XT f-d, Panaracer Fire Pro XC 2.1 tires, Hayes 9 hydrolic disc brakes, Welgo platform pedals, FSA Pig headset, ODI lock on grips, Cloud 9 seat (the best!)
Bottom Line:
This is my first XC bike build, and being on a budget made my choices slim. For $99 everyone that I showed was impressed with it's weight and build quality. My only grips were a\the slightly tweaked back disc brake tabs the fact they sent me a frame with a non-oversized head tube by accident, so their suggested headset didn't fit. I guess it was a special order frame and I "lucked out" by getting it. I used a FSA Pig headset instead of the zero stack Crane Creek and it works fine.
I ride on average twice a week and have slowly worked my way up to 3-4 footers. I weigh 230lbs and the frame hasn't skipped a beat. It's taken a few digs and so far I couldn't have asked for a better frame. I get a few comments on "Follow the Leader" but it's all good because that's not a problem with this frame. I chose good components so if the frame does go I'll have a high end bike with a new frame, but not the case, I'm already there with the 515.
Buy this frame... it's 100% worth it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
elray
a
from the midwest Date Reviewed: October 3, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
light, stiff, responsive, comfortable, cheap (how can something be all 5?)
Weaknesses:
none - graphics and paint chipping is not a weakness in my book
Wow. There's no reason not to buy this frame. You get a light, responsive, comfortable bike that isn't available at the trek store down the street. You can't go wrong. I recommend it for anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Putman
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin Date Reviewed: July 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
NorthShore- Grapevine TX
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Leader bikes Ebay
Strengths:
Cheap Strong Light and all around exellent Great paint job..
Weaknesses:
0 stack headset that Leader said should be used does not give enough distance away from the frame ..Example the front fork uppers hit the frame when you turn the handle bars all the way around .. Not a big deal but the alluminuim cap the covers the schrader valve to add pressure to my fork hits the frame and so does the dapner adjuster. I had to place a lizard skin carbon chaffing patch to cution the blow if my forks tried to spin around... If any one has a question about this email me and I will email you a pic, Its kinda hard to exsplain.
Similar Products Used:
Spec Rockhopper, Motobcane 500HT
Bike Setup:
SRAM XO shifters,x-9 Rear derailer, LX frnt, Cane Creek aeroheat wheels,LX crank ,Rock Shox Duke race fork, Hutch tires,egg beaters candy....
Bottom Line:
Get one ..awsome bike onece built I weigh 250 and have not had one problem with it in a few hundred miles of trails I have put on it .. They have a new full suspention that looks awsome with I think I might get , So when I do I will let you know how it goes ....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Saunders
a Racer
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: June 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
North Shore (no stunts!)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Leader Bike USA on EBAY
Strengths:
This is a GREAT frame for the money. I'm an old-school weight weenie on a budget, and the frame is exactly 3.8lbs for my 17" model. I took a chance buying it, and just love it. It's not superlight, but very durable and stiff, yet not too rough. It tracks great, climbs like a goat, and when rocks fly into the downtube, no problems at all. NO frame flex that affects riding at all. I race locally here in BC, rough trails, it's just great. No stunts for me, the bike is 21.5lbs right now with avid discs. I just love it! Service and shipping was awesome, no trouble, bike was wrapped perfectly.
Weaknesses:
Nothing.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Rocket 88, Dean Scout Ti, Rocky Mountain Vertex.
Buy it if you're like me. A lot better looking and feeling than a similar priced frame from Supergo etc. No problems at all with clearances, headset install, etc. I still can't believe you can buy this bike at this price. It's also nice and smooth on the rough even though I run a 1.8 Trailblaster on the rear for weight. Super super bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz CA Date Reviewed: February 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Lock Um Ups
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Price was unbeatable for this kind of frame. Geometry and construction was what I was looking for.
Weaknesses:
Very slight frame flex in the rear, but I like my hardtails a touch soft, so I can't call that a weakness. Other than that, nothing.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rock Hopper
Bike Setup:
Deore XT coponents, Kore riser bars, Avid disk brakes, Psylo SL fork, Real wheel set, Wilderness 2.24 tires.
Bottom Line:
Outstanding bike for the price. Very comparable to bikes hundreds of dollars more. Very comfortable geometry, feels excelent climbing and bombing downhill. Gread frame for both the occational rider and the every day charger. Gotta give it a try.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G-man
a Weekend Warrior
from The Balcony of Southern Cal Date Reviewed: November 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$109.00
Purchased At:
leader bike usa/san diego
Strengths:
Price, price, price, price. A well-built frame without the markup of a famous nameplate.
Weaknesses:
None detected so far.
Similar Products Used:
Scott cro-mo frame, about 10 years old. Hard to call that similar, though.
Bike Setup:
Drivetrain: LX rear, XT front derailleur, LX crank and bb, LX mega9 shifters; Wheels: Sun-Ringle Zero-degree on deore hub, dt spokes, Hutch Python gold elite tires; Fork: Marzocchi Z2 Atombomb 80mm w/heavy duty springs Brakes; old Avid SD Magnesium v-brakes with cane creek levers; Etc: raceface post, Ironhorse saddle, ritchey headset and stem, bontrager bars, Pedros grips.
Bottom Line:
A simple, workingman's 6000-series aluminum frame, with quality welding, an interesting combination of triangular and rounded tubing, all on a relatively tight geometry, makes for a responsive, light, good-climbing xc ride. Face it, lots of bicycle companies use this Chinese factory's frames. Skip the middleman and stop paying for bikeporn ads! I built this up for about $750, all of it off eBay, with parts others were discarding after upgrades. I'd put it up against a lot of $1,500 hardtails, and plenty of the fancier suspension boing-boing bikes. Accelerates and climbs well, carves the corners, takes the bumps well. Much cooler looking in Johnny Cash black and jagged lettering than the Access by Supergo, and cheaper. For my riding - weekends mostly on steep SoCal fire roads - you can't beat it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Berto
a Cross Country Rider
from Kenmore,WA USofA Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
s**t,I don't know....
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$119.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
low price,disk compatible,weld quality typical of more expensive framesets-very good overall,lightweight,disk cable guide on L seatstay, good geometry-not too slack and not too aggressive.Solid platform for someone looking to build up a nice cross country hartail or lightweight "townie"
Weaknesses:
Paint thin in areas around BB,no rack mounts on mono stay,monostay design weird looking,inside of seat tube needs filing (like 99% of framesets)
Similar Products Used:
KHS Infinity Cr Mo frame,Norco Nitro,Team Issue,and Java frames,Cannondale M400,Proflex 855,856,4000,Giant AL1.75 and Rainer.
Bike Setup:
Just Frame,just got it.
Bottom Line:
Just a preliminary report...I plan to build this up into a rigid bike with a Disk specific Steel fork,XT/LX level shifting,riser bars and light wheels with slicks.The Avid disk brakes on the Giant Ranier have been great,so I will use them on this bike as well. The idea is a town bike weighing around 24-25 lbs to ride in the city or short dirt rides that can handle some pounding as well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christopher Molloy
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn, NY Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The Belt Parkway Bikepath
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Strong, Light & Inexpensive.
Weaknesses:
None...OK, well maybe the graphics & color selection (Red or Black). Don't expect to turn too many heads.
Similar Products Used:
Supergo Access XCL, Nashbar Aluminum ATB Frame
Bike Setup:
Leader LD-515 Double-Butted 6061-T6 Easton Aluminum Answer Manitou Axel Comp Sun Ryno-Lite Rims/Shimano Deore Disc Hubs (M525)/Continental Twister Pro Tires Shimano Deore Crank/Deraillers & Shifters/V-Brakes & Levers Shimano XT Cassette & Bottom Bracket (UN-73) Nashbar Big Masher Pedals, Stem, Handlebar & Seatpost, Selle San Marco Seat
Bottom Line:
This is the first bike I’ve ever built. I originally planed to just upgrade my 10 year-old Diamondback Apex (A beauty of a bike if I must say so myself, double-butted CR-MO/ Deore LX). But soon decided that it would be fun (Ha!) to build a new bike from the ground up.
In hindsight, I probably wouldn’t do it again, I could have gone out and bought a new Specialized Hardrock for $275. and been very happy. Instead, I’ve built quite good bike, probably too good of a bike for my needs, as this bike most likely never see a mountain, or even dirt.
I’ve been building this baby up throughout the summer, buying components as they went on sale online (Nashbar, Jenson, Supergo). Bought most of the components at Nashbar when they ran a Shimano sale & I had a 20%-off coupon code. The frame was a bit tricky to buy site-unseen. I actually bought a few frames, a 21” 2001 Specialized Rockhopper Comp on eBay (A hair too big & a stupid sized seatpost), an older 19.5” GT Pantera AL on eBay (I think I’m going to keep it, it was cheap, good looking & bomb proof…Maybe a single-speed), and a 20” Leader BikesUSA LD-515 on eBay which I finally settled on. I gave very serious consideration to the Supergo Access XCL, but decided that at $99. (vs. $149. for the Supergo) the Leader frame was too good a deal to pass by.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mount Hood and city streets
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
119
Strengths:
LD-515 is a very strong and light frame. Due to its elongated wheelbase, it's dead stable on the road. This frame has a perfect geometry (at least for me) which leads to noticeable acceleration momentum and good pedaling power transfer to the wheels. The TIG welded seams were done correctly. All frame curvatures and bends are within acceptable limits +/- 2mm. Verified with laser profiler. So far, I've never experienced any problems with this great frame. It's my faivorite bike at the present moment. This LD-515 frameset can be equally used for cyclocross, MTB, commuter or hybrid bikes.
Weaknesses:
It's not a weakness per say, but this frameset lacks of seat stay bosses to attach four point mount rear bike rack or a child seat. Also its seat clamp doesn't allow to mount cable hanger for the rear cantilever brakes. I've bought a speial seat tube clamp with the bosses to fix this problem.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn (Frontier,Moab), Trek
Bike Setup:
Rigid Surly fork, Pazzaz stem and handle bar, Aheadset (Cane Creek) headset, Shimano LX direct pull cantilever brakes, all Shimano XT drivetrain (crankset, both derailleurs, 9-sp. cassette, chain, BB), RAD sealed pedals, Bontrager 26" MTB wheelset with Shimano LX hubs, GT seat post, CD (Cycle Design) bike seat, Topeak Expedirion rear rack and clip-on bag, Planet Bike MTB carbon fenders.
Bottom Line:
I built rigid cummuter and occasionally MTB bike on this frame. So far, I put on this bike more than 2,400 miles. I commute to work and back home 20 miles a day and sometimes ride mountain non-technical trails on weekends. I really like this bike and its LD-515 frame of course. If you need inexpensive, reliable and dependable multi purpose bike, than this frameset is for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Courtenay BC Date Reviewed: November 27, 2002
Great value. Rides great, strong (certainly stronger than the fork). This is my commuter, and XC hardtail. Nice predictable ride. The rear end is stiff for snappy acceleration, but doesn't feel too harsh.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
?????
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
EBAY!
Strengths:
Takes a severe beatin' w/ no complaints! I took this thing all over Killington (including the downhill side) and it never flinched. Great geometry for riding, VERY light! Beautiful "toothpaste" welds.
Weaknesses:
Paint job is weak.I wish they gave it to me w/o paint. Rear geometry would work better w/disc brake than w/V's in rear...Wheel is hard to remove.
Bike Setup:
Avid Single-digit MAG V brakes, SRAM 9.0 Levers, Shimano 7-Spd Rapid-fire shifters, Deore F DeRail, XLT R Derail, Judy XLC 100mm forks.
Bottom Line:
This frame CANNOT be beaten for less than $200. Oh yeah...If anyone makes fun of the welds, understand that a good weld SHOULD have a quite visible yet consistent bead. People that make comments aren't appreciative of good workmanship.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from NoVA USA Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Hidden Valley USA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
-Price -lightweight -nice welds -good geometry
Weaknesses:
-paint (nitpicking here)
Similar Products Used:
couple Trek hardtails, ProFlex, some Schwinns
Bike Setup:
-Leader frame -RS Duke C 100, -XT derailleurs, BB, rear hub (Ringle front hub) -Sugino crank and rings -mavic 217 w/ DB spokes
Bottom Line:
I was pleasantly surprised with this frame. I built it with spares I had lying around, and it went together really nicely. It is light and stiff. I like the geometry for XC. The welds look good. I've ridden this frame really hard XC style (but no crazy drops or anything). It rides really well.
The only thing I might nitpick is the finish- the paint chips a LITTLE easily. Also, I'm curious as to the durability... I'd like to hear from others' experiences. I'll update here in several months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron Castia
a Cross Country Rider
from Livermore, CA USA Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Auction
Strengths:
Light and snappy, I really like the long wheel base.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Klien hard tail
Bike Setup:
Single Speed using 32 x 17 gearing and a Surley Singulator
Bottom Line:
The people at Leader are great, the customer service is outstanding. This bike makes a great single speed, it is extremely fast and light. I can clean any climb worth riding up thanks to this bike. I also take it to the BMX track for fun. I have seven bikes, two full suspension MT. bikes, two road bikes, a TT bike, and the Leader Single Speed, I am most excited about the Leader.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter Livolsi
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD, USA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
North Central RR - MD and PA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Light and strong frame, welds are exceptionally well done, great buy for the money, Leader are really good people to deal with.
Weaknesses:
None that i am aware of.
Bike Setup:
All components fitted very well on the Leader frame.
Bottom Line:
I am very, very pleased with the MTB frame and in fact I just ordered a carbon/aluminum Road frame from Leader. A great buy for people that like to build their own bikes! Highly recommend buying from Leader if you intend to build a quality bike without spending a fortune.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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