Submitted by
lovemtb
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: September 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
50 year trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$370.00
Purchased At:
bikes direct az
Strengths:
yes i paid 370 but i have free life time tune up so it was well worth it. Light frame, light fork, stem,,etc..very agile and nimble..bike loves to banged up on the rocky trail with a wild downhill ride with jumps and all and it has responded well so far. this bike is my first upgrade from Walmart brand.
Weaknesses:
tires suck 5 flats so far..went to walmart and got the super thick inner tube but i need new tires ill wait until i've got too many holes to count. Front derailluer shifts to slow i have to hold down the trigger until it catches. I've already bent derailluer and hanger but bike shopped fixed for free. I'm not getting good reviews on the rst omni but we'll see how long it lasts.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose efx( Walmart) full suspension or fools suspension.
Bike Setup:
truvativ iso flow cranks, tektro v brales, cane creek neck, weinmann double walled rims, crappy kenda tires, shimano altus derailluer. skye stem, riser bars, hubs, seat post, wtb seat. rst omni 191 80mm fork and my super duper walmart inner tube that is so thick and trustworthy.
Bottom Line:
Love the bike I want to ride it like I stole it and get the MTB training in then once it's broken ( 1-2.5) years then i'll spend 699-1500 on next bike. Please don't complain about this bike overall decent components at price point although i wish derailluer was better and better then bottom line kenda tires put on..Was told by bike shop the first and best upgrade will be wheel set.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle Murp
a Racer
from Overland Park, KS, USA Date Reviewed: May 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Shawnee Mission Park- Horse Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
Everything about this bike is awesome. I have owned Klein, Gary Fisher, Cannondale, ETC. And this bike stands up to these, for much less money. I am thouroughly impressed with all Motobecane products that I have ridden.
Weaknesses:
No weaknesses. For the price, this is the bike to get!!!
Similar Products Used:
Klein, Cannondale, trek, etc
Bike Setup:
Standard.
Bottom Line:
Get this bike!!! You will not regret it. And Bikesdirect was the place to get it. Cheapest prices!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Baton Rouge, LA Date Reviewed: March 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Comite River Trail System
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
Excellent bike for a beginner or weekend rider. I am a large person, 250 lbs and have crashed this bike multiple times, hit ramps/jumps going 3, 5 and 6 feet in the air, flipped it, broken my collar bone and the worst damage the bike has incured is the wheels getting warped (trued up by l.b.s. for $15/wheel) broke the derailleur hanger and the rear derailleur when debris got in the chain and rear wheel. Not a manfufacturer defect.
Weaknesses:
Wheels do not hold up to my weight and aggressive riding. Bike is an entry level and I knew this when buying so not a fault of the bike, just the rider. Not fond of the bear trap pedals. Would advise replacing them with something else to avoid scratched calves.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4300
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Overall this is bike is a great value for getting involved in Mountain Biking. As you begin to advance and demand more from your bike you will need to upgrade. Until this this bike can take the abuse you throw at it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
E A
a Downhiller
from Atlanta,GA N .Fulton Date Reviewed: February 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Death wish trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$275.00
Purchased At:
Online store
Strengths:
This bike is amazing the price is even better. Frame and all the components are great and I love the way it looks too...
Weaknesses:
So..far none!
Similar Products Used:
Giant Yukon
Bottom Line:
It's a great performance bike that looks great and perform as well.I would recommend it and I give this bike proudly ***** rating 5 out of 5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
garrett frye
a Weekend Warrior
from houston tx Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
trails w/ jumps
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
cycle spectrum
Strengths:
none at all
Weaknesses:
everything. and im correcting what i said before, now my handle bars got bent down from taking one or two jumps and they now are approaching the shape of a c
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
stock with a wtb velociraptor front tire on the back b/c the shop is so stupid they put it there, and specialized sidewinder grips
Bottom Line:
do not buy. look at a gt avalanche 3 about the same price for a pretty nice bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luke Heller
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC Date Reviewed: May 31, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Greens Lick (Bent Creek)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
ebay-sprtymama
Strengths:
This was my first bike purchase. Very pleased to begin with. Now I wished I had spent another $500 and gotten a better fork and components. Great frame, had a bad crash that caused the chainrings to cut into the frame but it has still held up after a year.
Weaknesses:
Grips wear fast. Fork wears fast. Replaced rear wheel for another low-end wheel because the shop said it was cheaper then truing it. Cheap shifters and derailers. Shifters have locked up twice and i replaced rear derailer.
Bike Setup:
replaced Altus rear derailer with XT derailer.
Bottom Line:
GREAT DEAL! Great for entry level and it's not a common bike on the trail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garrett Frye
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA Date Reviewed: January 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
cypress creek trails... all of them
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Spectrum
Strengths:
i haven't had any problems with the frame. or the handle bars. back brakes r pretty good
Weaknesses:
front fork is cheap as crap! looses travel gradually until u have a no suspension bike. grips wear out quickly. the seat is a little uncomfortable if u arent on the trails. stock tires were crappy- horrible tread. brake and shift cables wear out constantly and have to be replaced. front brakes arent that great.
Similar Products Used:
first real mountain bike
Bike Setup:
stock... except for a replacement rear tire cuz the last one blew out
Bottom Line:
ok bike, but has its flaws. dont expect to be able to really rip it up on the trails in this bike. buy it if ur a beginner... but if ur ANYTHING above that, look for a bike that costs a bit more, but that u get higher quality from.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester NY Date Reviewed: December 3, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$247.00
Purchased At:
ebay-sprtymama
Strengths:
Good value for the $$; priced out similar bikes that cost almost 2x as much. The rear dérailleur shifts flawlessly. the front dérailleur isn't as responsive. Both dérailleurs are mfg by Shimano
Frame is very light; comes with bosses to make for professsional installation of rear rack and water bottle cage.
The only thing I updated were the seat (replaced with spring leather-brooks) and the tires (atb road)
Bottom Line:
For the money and weekend road warrior-this bike is a real value
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick Duffy
a
from Houston Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$279.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Spectrum
Strengths:
Very smooth, strong, good crank set, like i said silky smooth shifting, good saddle and grips, and an awesome fork.
Weaknesses:
None at the moment
Similar Products Used:
None similar
Bottom Line:
A very good bike great for anyone wich means you dont have to pay 1500 for a good bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
William
a Weekend Warrior
from Florence, KY, USA Date Reviewed: July 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
England-Idlewilde Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$229.00
Purchased At:
ebay (Sprtymama bike shop)
Strengths:
Very good components, WTB Speed-V saddle, Tru-Vativ Isoflow crank, metal pedals give good grip, light weight, great rims, easy-shifting and smooth drivetrain.
Weaknesses:
Could use slightly wider tires. Advertised as having 2.1" width and came with 1.95".
Similar Products Used:
Diamondback Sorrento. Although have ridden everything from department store bikes with plastic parts to my brothers 2003 $2000 Trek Liquid with Bontrager components.
Bike Setup:
Stock.
Bottom Line:
The best bang for your buck if you're a beginner, on a budget or simply don't ride often enough to justify spending a lot. A lot of the issues apparently have been addressed since the other reviews. The only plastic parts on my bike are on the shifters and it came with the WTB Speed-V saddle which some people had to upgrade to. I paid less than half the price of other bikes with the same components and less than half the MSRP.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Date Reviewed: January 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
urban environments
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$279.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Spectrum Houston
Strengths:
(low)price + (good)performance = value. Click shift is nice and solid. Notably light weight for a bike in this price range. Good workmanship - welds are clean and consistent. Strong front brake mount.
Weaknesses:
A little too much plastic. Brake pads could be a little bigger. Rear brake mount could be stronger.
Similar Products Used:
Trek and Cannon at a much higher price.
Bike Setup:
Off the shelf. X2100 Alexrims, Duro tires, Shimano.
Bottom Line:
You could easily pay 3 times the price without seeing a significant improvement in handling, weight or durability. I usually shop on the internet, but found this bike at a local dealer for $40 less than the best price found on froogle. I wanted a bike that could handle the urban environment and the double rims stand up to a lot of abuse against curbs, potholes and concrete. The bike is solid in loose gravel. The silver frame with black accessories looks pretty cool.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lane Pollock
a Weekend Warrior
from Flower Mound, TX, USA Date Reviewed: November 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Northshore, Lake Grapevine
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
I echo the other review. Great frame and wheels. I'm on the heavy side and they hold up well. Good price.
Weaknesses:
Shocks and saddle. Bent the saddle rails on first trail ride. Bottom out the shocks on occassion.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Stock except for new saddle (WTB Speed-V) and pedals (Shimano 520).
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike as a beginner to see if I'd like mountain biking. After 2 years of riding it, I have found no need to upgrade. It's held up to everything I've thrown at it and never left me stranded. A good bike for beginner to intermediate riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony Bunt
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland, OH, USA Date Reviewed: September 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Vulture's Knob or Mohican St. Park
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
EBAY
Strengths:
Cheap. Solid frame and Excellent wheels
Weaknesses:
shock, crankset, brakes, seat, rear hub takes a freewheel not a cassette, which means its hard to upgrade derailleurs to Deore for example and it is not as effecient as the new hubs out there today.
Similar Products Used:
None at the time, now ride a Diamondback Topanga and ride this to class
Bike Setup:
Replaced crankset with a more MTB style one, mine came with a larger combination of front gears, like a hybrid bike would. Replaced shock with an old Rock Shox after I destroyed the RST Omni 191. Also added my favorite racing saddle to the setup as well as shimano 520? clipless pedals
Bottom Line:
Good bike for beginners, the frame and wheelset are good. Not sure I would upgrade to much on this bike, although I have fallen in love with the frame and wheels. I would ride this bike on moderate trails only and nothing too technical like I did. I managed to save enough of this bike to make it a sweet ride across my small town to college. Can handle just about anything most recreational bike path riders could throw at it. If you want something different than everyone else is riding, ride a motobecane, you won't be disappointed and the bikes major parts will last a long time. Give it 3 chillis for value because I spent much more than 300 dollars on it by the time I added all my upgrades and will give it 3 for overall rating, because its msrp is seriously overpriced.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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