Submitted by
L14M
a Weekend Warrior
from Cairns, Queensland, Australia Date Reviewed: June 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Palmers
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$860.00
Purchased At:
Bikeman
Strengths:
This bike is really good at changing terrains, its good for the road because the shocks have lockout, and can hold its own on the dirt trails. price isnt bad either - $860 AUSTRALIAN dollars, so US would be like $600 or something
Weaknesses:
A gasket or something broke on mine after about 2 weeks. I got it replaced under warenty and havent had a problem since
Similar Products Used:
Jamis ranger 2.0
Bottom Line:
good stuff mate, lockout is great, good on road and dirt
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ElNino
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM, USA Date Reviewed: June 4, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$390.00
Purchased At:
Performance Cycle
Strengths:
Great price, remote lockout is really nice, Sram Components are nice for the price.
Weaknesses:
Front Shocks are a little too mushy. A little heavy.
Similar Products Used:
Avalanche 1.0
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
You can't beat it for the price. It is a quality bike for the casual rider, and the price difference between this bike, and the next step up doesn't warrant the performance increase.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rodster
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Nice fork and hydraulic brakes on a budget bike
Weaknesses:
A bit stout - grips are rubbish, beefy platform pedals
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Bought in carton - mail order - one hour for assy - another hour of personal fit tweaks (stem height, bar position, lever position)
Bottom Line:
I bought an equiv model (same components, different paint scheme) on a closeout (XXL frame) and zero shipping charges. Performance has now dropped the price to $350 but you'll have to pay shipping. The value of the individual components is far more than that.
I needed a bike to stash at relatives in the Sierra's that fits my 6'6" frame. The XXL frame fits it . . . and then some. I could be 6'10" and I'd still fit. If you'e 6'4' or under, go no bigger than XL.
Fit and finish are good. Shifters, hi-low limits etc are all set correctly - minimal tweaking required when assembling.
The SRAM shifters and deraillers work on par with same price point Shimano equipment. The tires seem adequate although something with more side bite up front would be an improvement. The removed front can be recycled when the stock rear is toast.
The lockout for the fork works super and the handlebar remote is a nicety unexpected. The hydraulic brakes, although an off-brand seem well built and function well enough that I'm stealing them and using them on my daily rider that has cable operated discs.
Very pleased with the purchase
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
buzz-lightyear
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: May 25, 2009
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Internet
Strengths:
Tyax Pro 2006. Bombproof, stiff frame with easy handling geometry. Cheap and an easy ride for what you get so an ideal starter bike or one for the kids who will throw it down anything.
Weaknesses:
Weighty for serious XC, but under equipped considering the burly frame build. Narrow rear stays make fitting a wide rear tyre a problem with clearances. Terrible paint that rubs off easily - typical Pacific Cycles rubbish.
Similar Products Used:
Chameleon.
Bike Setup:
Ran with original equipment for six months then upgraded almost everything over the next 18 months when I realised that it's really a hardcore hardtail in disguise:
5" Rockshox fork
DH stem and wide bars
WTB wheels (broke the wheels it came with)
Maxxis Advantage tyres (the komodos are "towpath" tyres)
Burly ISIS cranks and BB (broke the truvative stuff quite quickly)
Rear derailler + mech hnager replaced (smashed the originals)
Bash guard instead of big ring
Bottom Line:
It's an easy handling bike that well equipped for the low price. So that makes it a good starter MTB. But after a bit you realise that it's heavy, too heavy for XC. Look at the frame: it's a hardcore hardtail in disguise! So ride it like one and as you destroy the components, replace them with more hardcore bits and a stiffer, bigger travel fork and you end up with an indestructible tank that you can still ride uphill. Comparing with the chameleon (the hardcore benchmark): it's a much easier/stable ride being longer but not as mental/fun.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wilfrenep
a Cross Country Rider
from plymouth,devon,uk Date Reviewed: April 5, 2009
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
cogs bikes plymouth,
Strengths:
good frame,light & easy to handle,went to dartmoor off road,could keep up with the full suspension bikes.
Weaknesses:
disc brakes pads wear off quickly
Bike Setup:
xcr suntour 100mm travel fork,shimano deore shifters,shimano deore xt 2009 front derailluer,shimano deore xt 2009 derailluer,shimano deore xt hallowtech 2 triple chainset,sdg racing saddle,shimano deore xt chain,9 speed shimano deore xt sprocket.shimano clip pedal.ritchey oversize handle bar with shimano grip.
Bottom Line:
excellent mtb.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
skaterasf
a Weekend Warrior
from riverside Date Reviewed: January 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
California Cyclery a
Strengths:
Great setup for the price
Weaknesses:
WTB speed v sport did not fit me well so i put on a speed v pro gel. But saddles are diff for everbody
Similar Products Used:
diamondback sorrento(POS)
Bike Setup:
stock except for WTB speed v pro gel saddle, and ravX front and rear lights
Bottom Line:
I think that for the price, it'll be hard to find a bike with this good componentry. SRAM, Shimano, FSA cranks, alex double walled rims, promax hydraulic disc brakes, and suntour xcr forks... you cant go wrong. I chose this bike because of the good parts setup and if i want at a later time i can just upgrade and put the other parts on my hybrid. i dont do too much hardcore riding but some light trails and some downhill.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ash
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: January 7, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Hargroves Cycles
Strengths:
Very good all rounder for the money, forks are ok and so are the brakes, i wouldnt keep them on there for long if you were serious about taking mtb further, but are good for beginners
Weaknesses:
The gears are okay on road but be careful off road as it skips you should change them
Similar Products Used:
-
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox, Pike Forks
Hayes Nine brakes
Shimano diore gears
Mavic rims & hope hubs
Mongoose frame
*all this was upgraded by me
Bottom Line:
my bike was very good before i upgraded it BUT NOW! its awsome i spent £300.00 (stirling) on used parts of ebay doing this up and its amazing and can handle anything the frame is a bit heaVY overall but when u upgrade parts it is simular to the others
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wutty3
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Tx Date Reviewed: December 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ho Chi Minh Trail (Memorial Park)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$459.00
Purchased At:
Performance Cycle
Strengths:
This is a review of the Tyax Pro (an exclusive model). The Tyax Comp, Super, and Elite are the others in this line.
I like the Kenda Komodo tires. They shed mud quite well. The Remote Lockout on the SR/Suntour XCR RL fork is an added bonus for a bike in this price range. The fork also has adjustable rebound. SRAM X-5 rear deraileur gives a good bit of bang for the buck. Shifts nicely. WTB Speed V seat is comfortable to me. Looks Great. Well assembled frame (welds and gusseting). Wide handlebars make for easier handling for me.
Weaknesses:
Bike came with an Altus front deraileur. Would rather have had the SRAM X-5 to match the rear. Was raised on grip shifters. SRAM X-5 triggers seem a little busy to me but I guess I'll get used to them. ProMax Q3 Hydraulic disk brakes a little fussy but good after break in. Bike is kinda heavy. Cheesey grips. Jury is still out on the platform pedals.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose XR250, Mongoose FireBall, GT Avalanche.
Bike Setup:
Stock...Added Cat Eye Wireless Computer, Two Blackburn Fleas in front and one in back.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent bike for the cash. For beginners up to more experienced riders. The frame seems like its indestructable; excellent welds all around. If I change anything it's going to be the front deraileur from the Altus to the SRAM X-5 just to appease my pet peeve. Other than that I feel like I got more than my money's worth I would definitly recommend to a friend.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brad
a Downhiller
from woodford Date Reviewed: December 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
woodford to glenbrook
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$895.00
Purchased At:
lifecycles
Strengths:
has a good strong rear derailer and gears
Weaknesses:
the rear derailers hanger and the forks could use a bit more trave in sted of 100mm of trave have 180mm
Similar Products Used:
mongoose teocali super
Bike Setup:
dual suspension good for drops and heavy cross country
Bottom Line:
the tyax super is a much beter bike then the teocali super because i have taken my tyax super down the woodford to glenbrook with out beaking it un like the teocali.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Martin Slabb
a Weekend Warrior
from South Africa Date Reviewed: November 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Sabie
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Cycle zene SA
Strengths:
Very good this far. Recently took a heavy beating at a 4.5km downhill! No problems
Weaknesses:
Looks, but that doesn't really matter to me...
Bottom Line:
Great bike for beginners who consider taking it a bit more serious. Overall Great for me...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rey Protski
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: July 4, 2007
Favorite Trail:
anywhere with fresh air
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Ted's Cycle
Strengths:
Good componentry for its price, remote lock our very handy, frame is gussetted and very strong, oversized handle bars and seat post makes it a bit heavier.
Weaknesses:
Joytech hubs poor quality, rear hub freewheel starts to skip especially when you stand on the pedals for uphill climbing.
Similar Products Used:
GTS M5 with shimano alivio group set, Scott generic with alivio group set
Bike Setup:
Factory setup
Bottom Line:
Decent enough for the price, handle bars too wide have to cut an 1.5 inches both ends, Sram sx5 needs a lot of getting used to. I have to replace my rear hub with shimano deore to get rid of annoying and quite dangerous skipping of the freewheel. The disk brake is good
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stewart Hall
a Weekend Warrior
from Somerset, UK Date Reviewed: May 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Quantock Hills, Somerset
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Online shop based in North Wales
Strengths:
Indestructable frame, pedals, bars and stem, Fork (got usable lockout, preload and damping ajustment), Ride handling is excellent if you get the right frame size. Low price.
Weaknesses:
Heavy; Tektro Mech Disk brakes are fiddly, lack power and fade; Kenda Komodo tyres too light for a tough bike like this; SRAM SX4 shifters a bit brittle. Very harsh rear triangle make it tough on long rides.
Similar Products Used:
Hand-built steel frame MTBs, Kona Kikapu Delux 20", Specialized Hardrock 20", Various Scott MTBs rented.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose Tyax Super 2006 19" (Black with red and white flash). Shimano SPD pedals, Panaracer XC pro 2.1 (front), Trailblaster 2.1 (rear)
Bottom Line:
It's the best tough MTB on a budget. It's really an aggro-hardtail for trail exploring rather than an XC (too heavy). Bottom bracket is quite low which helps with climbs but can catch crankset on rocks - skill required!
The confidence inspiring ride handling is wonderful at this price-point, so I can forgive all cheap components, except the brakes!
The Tectro, after hours of setup, are only slightly better than good Vs (in the dry). I regularly sand the pads to remove the glaze and get some braking power back. Adjustment is fiddly and required frequently. The calipers are heavy. I plan to replace them with Avids or Shimanos when I have some money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russell Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Durban, South Africa Date Reviewed: May 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Karkloof
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Melville Cycles Umhlanga
Strengths:
Great Paint job, strong frame, the Suntour XCR front shocks with 100mm travel and remote lockout on the 2007 bike, are excellent and can be subjected to tough trail riding. I have tested this bike on some harsh terrain and it has handled it with ease. The South African bikes come standard with Tektro V brakes which are far better than the mechanical disks supplied on the USA setup bikes.
Weaknesses:
A little on the heavy side and the pedals are a little too close to the ground at the lowest point.
A great bike if you are starting out and want to grow in skill as this bike will supply you with strength and reliability from beginner right up to a hard riding more experienced rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Cannock Date Reviewed: April 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
the insurance company
Strengths:
Looks mean, the front fork is great for your hard earned, as are the cranks and brakes, and the seat. Like the BMX and racer style internal headset
Weaknesses:
Just one as for some reason when i gave it to my dad he broke a gear changer, probably set up wrong though
Similar Products Used:
GT Agressor, Gt Avalanche (same bikes, one with and one without disk brakes)
Bike Setup:
By a professional
Bottom Line:
Find a 2006 version cheap and you will be stunned as mongoose obviously had a deal with Sram in making the bikes spec. It rides better than it should for the money and outclasses all competition. Wouldn't buy the 2007 version though as the suntour fork is likely to be pants. Speaking of the fork did anybody realise that it is actually a J4, not the J2. It has the same features and colour as the J4 but badged a J2 so as not to upset the other companies
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Hawkins
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney NSW Australia Date Reviewed: February 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Manly Dam
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
Dee Why Beach Cycles
Strengths:
Equipment levels for dollars spent, strong frame, lockout forks great for road commuting and climbing on trails
Weaknesses:
Front derailleur not strong enough, chain, both brake disks had high spots, SRAM SX4 shifters replaced under recall
It might be something to do with my 180lb (80kg) weight, but I had problems right from the start with this bike.
The brake disks had high spots and were both replaced.
The stock front derailleur (DR) was installed with too much gap to the chainring and had a habit of jumping the chain off and jamming around the bottom bracket when downshifting from the middle ring. The local bike shop moved it down without replacing the alloy crush pin meaning I couldn't stop the damn thing rotating on the seat tube and screwing up the front shifting.
After replacing the stock unit with a Shimano C050 under warranty, it stopped rotating and was OK for awhile. The front shifters were also replaced with SX5 units under warranty around this time.
The problem came back 800km later due (I think) to the new DR's cage flexing under load, leading to the chain jamming around the BB one too many times and subsequently parting on a climb about 10miles from home. Upgrading the front DR with a Shimano Hone and the chain with a SRAM PG-58 (both purchased) solved it for the next 1700km, but the middle chainring teeth got bent over again and the chain would then consistently jump and jam on the middle-to-low front downshift. Perhaps this was the problem from the beginning - a soft middle chainring?
Replacing the middle Truvativ ring with a purchased Shimano unit has brought back the crisp and reliable shifting response. It's taken about 6 months, 3,000km and more than a few free parts to debug the thing, but it's now a very reliable commuter bike that I enjoy riding immensely.
Off-road riding has been limited due to a slow-to-heal wrist fracture and the technical nature of the trails in my area, but I'm looking forward to attempting the trails again now that I've sorted the kinks out of the bike.
My conclusions: With transmission components you do get what you pay for, and I'm NOT a fan of the habit of using down-spec front derailleurs (compared with the rest of the bike) to save a few pennies that seems to beset more than a few bike manufacturers.
Would I recommend it to another buyer? It depends. You would be unlikely to get another "Friday" bike like I did. Most others I speak to have only good things to say about Mongoose. However, if you are big like I am and put in a lot of miles (I do about 160km/100mi a week on a hilly route with sometimes very average pavement) my suggestion is not to underspend on componentry.
Be aware of the demands you are likely to put on the hardware and spend accordingly - going too cheap can be false economy.
For lighter and less demanding riders I think this would be a great bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: November 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Upton Heath and Forests
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$580.00
Purchased At:
Sunset MTB
Strengths:
Forks (RS J2) Brakes are awesome when tuned
Weaknesses:
The tyres Kenda Komodo are a bit thin for serious off-road action
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
As Standard
Bottom Line:
This bike is wicked for xc and trail riding. The forks are amazing when set right and the brakes wil cope with anything. overall a excellent bike for the price!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dogthomson
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheffield, UK Date Reviewed: October 26, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$520.00
Purchased At:
discountcyclesdirect.co.uk
Strengths:
Strong, good components (Sram, Truvativ) and forks (with hydraulic damping and lockout) for this price range.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy, fork requires maintainanc to keep it happy, low BB height, only mech discs.
For the record this is for the 2006 Tyax Super, with the black frame and the RS Judy J2 forks.
I'm a relative n00b to MTBing, and therefore didn't want to spend TOO much money on my first bike. I went for the Tyax after looking at various bikes in the £200-£500 price range. Though more expensive bikes (I managed to pick up the '06 Tyax Super for £270) did have better componentry and may have ridden slightly better, the Tyax certainly wins on more bang for your buck. The frame is SUPER strong (Look at that gusset! You try and break it I dare you!) and the spec is excellent for the money.
A few things to bear in mind though, the relative strength does mean it is rather heavy, though pounds can be saved by upgrading the finishing kit as you see fit. Also the bottom bracket height is quite low, which means the platform pedals Mongoose supply may 'ground out' on tight corners, so you may want to budget in a slimmer set of pedals, or SPDs.
If your a beginner, and want something that can take the abuse but is kind on the wallet, this is the bike for you!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dio roe
a Downhiller
from Rotorua - New Zealand Date Reviewed: October 14, 2006
Favorite Trail:
rock drop
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$849.00
Purchased At:
Rotorua cycle center
Strengths:
the tyax super comes with a pair of awsome rock shox (J2's), and some nice as TekTro disk brakes :)
Weaknesses:
the crank and cassete arent the best of quality so u have to watch out just in case you break them!!!!! :(
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
N/A
Bottom Line:
this bike is reallly good for ya poket and it allows you to have a really good time i also found that you can use this bike on just about any type of mountain biking track! :):):):)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonny
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Ireland Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$540.00
Purchased At:
On Your Bike
Strengths:
Great price for spec, quality build, WTB saddle is actually pretty comfy, Rock shox do the job and it looks cool!
Weaknesses:
Thin paint finish wore away when another bikes mud guard rubbed against it, my fault mind. Ground clearance isn't that great, bottom of the chain ring tends to ground out if Im taking it over a rocky local trail.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rockhopper
Bike Setup:
Large frame, seat high and shocks nice 'n hard
Bottom Line:
For the money this bike is great, its more than capable doing off road trails as long as you don't do any big drops but watch the terrain as it will deck out quite a bit. Expect the black pedals and chain set to turn gradually silver as the paint makes contact with the ground! Oh, and dont be like me and get too confident and try to jump off a wall resulting in a broken elbow, its not smart! On the road its great as the lockout keeps things nice and firm which means pedalling = progress.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Winmalee NSW Australia Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
All over the Blue Mountains
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Life Cycles, Penrith Australia
Strengths:
Mine is the 2006 model. SRAM componentry all round inclusing shifters, good strong Alum. frame which is gusetted and strenghtened at the right places, nice low gearing. RockSox J2 front fork with 100mmtravel has lock out, adjustable preload and rebound adjustment. Good WTB rims and Quando hubs. The Mongoose generic bars and stem are good chunky thick items that take a lot of beating. Good quality Truvactive cranks.
Weaknesses:
Tyres, tyres tyres!. The stock 1.95 Kendra tyres are too skinny to cope with any decent terrain, I swapped them straight away for 2.30 MAXXIS and transformed the bike. I have broken the seat post clamp bolt a couple of times, the 7mm thread is hard to find. Swaped it for easier to find 8mm sized bolt. Tektro cable disk brakes are a little iffy, I fried the rear disk on a steep down hill, dont't have much feel to them, fade easily. But then again they are cable brakes! Awfull WTB saddle, to wide for me, swapped it for a skinnier saddle off a road bike.
Similar Products Used:
Is only my second MTB, with my first being a 2000 Giant Boulder.
Bike Setup:
stock, except for MAXXIS tyres and Carbon seat off a Felt Road Bike.
Bottom Line:
Is a great strong bike with good componentry and some decent 'name' parts for a good bargain price! I use the bike about once a week on 30-40 k'm long rides on some pretty ruff trails and it has never let me down (apart from listed probs). It is a good stable bike, that rides up hill as well as it does down hill. A little slow on the flats though. Apart from this, the bike is recomended to the first time rider!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pagey
a
from Brisbane, Qld, Australia Date Reviewed: January 27, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Ma Ma Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Loagn Rd Cycles
Strengths:
Good price and dependable mount. Rasonable quality equipment list. The white looks great - the new 06 version is black and doesn't look the goods. Able to accept 2x water bottles - great for OZ.
Weaknesses:
I managed to break the seat twice in 2 months - but that was probably due to 100Kg falling heavilly on it - I replaced with a stronger CroM rail type and it is all good now. The brakes are Ok but not fantastic. The forks are a bit "iffy" - but what do you expect for the price. The breaking of spokes in the rear wheel has been and issue - I must be up to 10 now. It might be the way I ride the thing or it may be my weight - at least I'm proficient in the replacement of spokes and truing of wheels now. Hand grips lasted about 5 months and came apart. OEM tyres lasted 400klm - the new ones are still on it!!!
Similar Products Used:
Specialised Enduro (briefly)
Bike Setup:
Swapped to 1.25inch tyres for the road riding - it flys. New dirt tyres are Tioga Psycho TTs, which are long lasting and offer great grip. The newer, better, more road orientated seat with the CroM rails is choice & certainly worth the outlay.
Bottom Line:
This is my first mountain bike and it has seen me through 12 months of constant use. It sees me through as a commuter during the week (Approx 100Klm/week)and I get into the trails on the weekends (Approx 30-50klm/week). It was even got me through a 100+klm off road event - the Peppers Hiddenvale Cycle Epic 05 & a 100Klm + road ride. The lock-out forks are great for the road work. The forks aren't that flash in the dirt - but what should you expect at this price.
Overall I'd say this bike is great value for money at the entry end of the market and will offer a reliable ride over a number of years. Needless to say it has offered me the opportunity to try this sport and get hooked.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dale
a
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: August 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Strong frame, solid cranks, fells smooth to ride, nice brakes, seat is actually compfortable, i like to lock the shocks of for road riding
Weaknesses:
Front gears didnt change properly, all fixed after a minor adjustment, grips arent wide enough for me, also need to move gear levers over a bit for more grip room
Similar Products Used:
Giant Warp DS
Bike Setup:
Default
Bottom Line:
This bike is great from road riding and a bit offroad, but im going to change the tires something with a bit less grip
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kirt
a Weekend Warrior
from Tigard, OR USA Date Reviewed: July 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Tigard cycle & ski
Strengths:
The frame appears to be built very well. The components are of high quality, for the price. Its a very good looking bike that rides very well.
Weaknesses:
None found yet.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Moab. Various others.
Bike Setup:
Original.
Bottom Line:
I just can't let this bike stay at a 3.5 rating. Its too nice for a 3.5. I traded in a Moab (that was too small for me) and added some money on top of that. We'll see how it does the more I ride it, but first impressions are very good. I ride 50/50 around town and off road, nothing death defying but I'll get it dirty for sure.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Bracebridge Canada Date Reviewed: July 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Buckwalla
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
bikestop
Strengths:
Low center of gravity(fast turns), great climber. Great components for this price range(Deore rear derailer, WTB dual duty rims,Truvative powerspline crankset, Tektro IO disc brakes, Alivio rapid fire shifters & Suntour XC202 front derailer(Work almost as well as Deore pairing on 2 other bikes.)
Weaknesses:
EXTREMLY low Bottom bracket, EXTRA short RST Gila Sl fork, Tektro brake levers, 6" Stem, Wide WTB Sport V Saddle & Super Thin low grip Hutchinson Mosquito 2.0 (web site lists 2.1 spiders)
Similar Products Used:
Test rode almost all GT, KHS, Haro, Rockymountain & Kona Cross country hard tail models in range of 500 to 900 Canadian.
Bottom Line:
Before bashing this product I have to say that there is a possibility that this bike was designed for a very specific purpose that I am un familiar with such as raceing on a dirt track. For a crosscountry bike to be riden on trails consisting of roots & rocks I would recomend another bike. The bottom bracket is EXTRMELY low (10" to ground) partialy due to the short length of the fork (17" to the crown) but mostly due to the frame design. My 2004 gt Avalanche 0.5 has 12" and the standard hard tail in this class and range has 11", which is plenty. I installed a longer fork (for every inch on the fork the bottom bracket moved .5 ") I also plan to replace the 175 crankarm with a 170 series. This will still make the bike just OK. If would have sold it if possible but after shipping tax and exchange I would loose money anyways. The tires are the worst I've ever ridden and need to be changed for anything other than pavement.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Ourimbah Date Reviewed: June 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Ourimbah national park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Central coast
Strengths:
Frame.All running components work well.Brakes work very good for what they are.
Weaknesses:
I find the bottom bracket is a bit low.When im hammering out of corners the peddles offen scrape along the ground.There is nothing weak on this bike for the price.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose,mongoose,mongoose
Bike Setup:
I put faster rolling tyres on this bike.
Bottom Line:
Ok what more could you ask for the money?The frame is as tough as nails.Also looks stunning in white.Wheels are tough and all the components work perfect.If you want a tough hardtail and can spend around $650au you will find a great bike here.Get one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Rookes
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane, Qld, Australia Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005
Favorite Trail:
choc budda
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$420.00
Strengths:
Best setup for the price.
Weaknesses:
Front derailler not the smoothest. Fitted tyres puncture very easily.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4100
Bike Setup:
Standard (so far)
Bottom Line:
At the budget end of bikes that can actually go off road, this one came up tops during my research. Comfortable ride which certainly does everything I require. Lock out forks are handy for cruising around town. Perfect for someone starting to venture onto trails and should last for a few years as the frame seems very sturdy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
I
a
from England Date Reviewed: May 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Quality of build and materials used very good, good selection of parts in general, great for first forays into all aspects of MTBing, whatever your age. Frame well engineered, and welcomes upgrades.
Weaknesses:
RST Gila SL Forks tend to weap grease badly onto the stanchions, new BB could be a good buy as standard one doesnt like being punished.
Bottom Line:
Sweet bike for getting into Mountain Biking and learning all those essential skills. Good all rounder, with the strong (but heavy) RST Gila SL forks, suitable for 'fairly' heavy XC use. Hard tail and Fork lockout (The lockout is a great feature) allows a bit of fun learning Trial riding.
The Frame quality is very good, and upgrading to more refined equipment is easy, and can turn this bike into an excelent learning machine, for whatever discipline you get into.
I have fitted Hydraulic Discs, but the standard Mech ones are ok. I will change the forks shortly as the oil seapage worries me, and their weight don't suit my riding.
Out on the trails, the bike is responsive, predictable and fairly easy handle. Some more experienced riders may say its a but loose, but thats not a bad thing when getting your teeth into learning skills.
All in all, a great bike worth the investment if you are serious about getting into MTB's, but not sure which discipline suits you most.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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