Submitted by
krad_two
a Weekend Warrior
from The Sea Ranch, CA Date Reviewed: October 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Timber Ridge
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
Somewhat of a deal for those of us with no local bike shop.
Weaknesses:
Cheap chain, cheap cranks, cheap chain rings. They did send me a new chain to replace the one that broke on the bikes second ride.
Bottom Line:
Would be a good deal if they didn't skimp on chain and chain rings.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jimmygunka
a Cross Country Rider
from Thunder Bay Date Reviewed: June 11, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$995.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
Great component spec with xtr in the back and xt shifters/FD and the Avid Juicy 5's. Also the fork (Recon 351) is really nice and dealing with bikesdirect.com is very easy. This bike for under $1000?!? unbelievable.
Weaknesses:
None yet.... don't think there will be any.
Similar Products Used:
Motobecane Fly Team
Bike Setup:
All stock.
Bottom Line:
Buy from bikesdirect.com, it's easy buying, shippings good and the bike you get for the money is really good. Have fun riding your Moto!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marek
a Cross Country Rider
from bay shore, ny Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
bikes direct
Strengths:
awesome components, light and durable
Weaknesses:
none
Bike Setup:
base
Bottom Line:
purchased Fantom Comp first but was replaced twice due to damaged fork, Elite has better fork for not much more money and better brakes. Love the flat black.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Beaverdam - South loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
barely used from craiglist
Strengths:
component set, price, light weight, so far so good. I have given this bike a real pounding. im 5'10" 220 lbs so i give the bike hell when im riding. i am agressive and hard on my bikes. i have ridin this bike at least 50 miles so far on some pretty tough terrain and I really like it. make sure you pump up the shock to your weight, that makes a big difference.
Weaknesses:
i don't like the saddle and I also replaced the handle grips to Ergon's and also replaced peddals.
Similar Products Used:
96 GT Timberline
Bike Setup:
I have only replaced the pedals and handle grips from the original spec. I will most likely replace the saddle as well.
Bottom Line:
i am very happy with the purchase i have made with this bike, after dialing it in perfectly, it will be a great bike for years to come!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from underhill ctr Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
any i'm on
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
*review of '08 phantom pro awsome component spec; xtr front & rear deraileur & shifters, avid juicey 7 brakes, passible forks [i'm a clyde 6'2 235lbs], great xc geometry,frame is beautiful with flawless welds and finish, low $$ allows you to make upgrades in other components. relatively light, follows a great line and moves smoothly across terrain.
Weaknesses:
chain is first thing to go; it is sh*t, replaced w/sram 971, seat is garbage,panaracer tires leave much to be desired, i'll reserve judgement on wheel set to see how they hold up, replaced pedals w/crank bros mallets
Similar Products Used:
older stumpy ['96] now my faithful commuter, '08 stumpy, scott, giant xc hardtails, not even close to the specs on this bike for $$
Bike Setup:
no problems, all set up
Bottom Line:
classic geometry, awsome frame & components this alum.hardtail is hard to beat for the$$. look around and compare what you'll get at the lbs for the same $$. not even close. big hitters may want to evaluate the fork and the componentry I listed above as needing replacement but this bike so far rocks. Bikesdirect was easy to deal with. The front rotor was missing when I received bike and they had one to me in 2 days. bottom line: if you want a great value and be willing to do some small upgrades, this bike is for you. 5 hotties all the way around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: December 26, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Bikes Direct
Strengths:
Nice XT and XTR equipment. Bike rides and handles great. Mine weighed in at 28 lbs. I consider that to be pretty light for under a grand.
Weaknesses:
Frame feels a little larger than it really is.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Rockhopper
Bike Setup:
Go to the Bikes Direct website to see a full list of this bike's equipment(I'm too lazy). Mine has BB7 disc brakes instead of the stock BB5's.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for less than a grand. Make sure your getting the right size for you. I found a Bikes Direct store and took it for a test ride. I love the bike. I use it for XC Adventure races and love it. I rode a Worcycle Sick carbon hardtail and actually like this better, for what it's worth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston Date Reviewed: September 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
blue hills, prospect hill, Boston
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
a well-adjusted combination of high-end parts, no vibrations on the frame, pretty light for a 21' bike
Weaknesses:
some vibrations on the Rock Shox fork by braking, is not yet clear whether it is because of the pads or surface roughness of the brake disk. The bike came with Avid BB5 mechanical disk brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Focus (German MFG)
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Revelation 409 Dual Air fork with lockout function and 100-130 mm adjastable travel Truvative crank set Shimano XTR rear derailier, LX on the front Bontager tire on the front wheel and Panaracer on the rear Ritchey seatpost and handlebar Avid BB5 mechanical disk brakes
Bottom Line:
I owned the bike for three months and used it mostly for cross-country biking. It behaves pretty well on mountain trails as well, sturdy and stable, the poplock button is quite handy, especially if one switches often from smooth trails to those with rocks and boulders and even hiking steps. Make sure that the shock is properly pumped, I am a 200 lb guy and consider 200pps as the right air chamber pressure. Didn't have reasons for complains so far, except may be little vibrations caused by the front disk brakes. Highly recommended.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, WA, 99011 Date Reviewed: April 29, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Light. paint is tough. Good XC geometry.
Weaknesses:
Rear derailleur hanger
Similar Products Used:
GT Avalanche LE.
Bike Setup:
Motobecane Fantom Elite. XT exerything. Fire XC pros.
Bottom Line:
Note: this reveiw is for the frameset only, since I bought the frame and built it up.
This is a solid frameset. I has great XC geometry, especially for climbing. The paint is really tough. The decals are sealed so they won't peel. The only problem I have had with it is the derailleur hanger came off shortly after I got it. When the hanger waws put on at the factory, they didn't tighten the bolt down, and I didn't bother to check it. I got a new bolt and made sure it was tight. Have not has another problem with it.
I would recommend this frame to anyone who is looking to get a replacement frame, or want to build a bike for cheap.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins Date Reviewed: April 8, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$795.00
Purchased At:
bikesdirect.com
Strengths:
Great component set for the $$$ Highly adjustable fork, Good brakes
Weaknesses:
Chain!
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Mesa GS Giant Trance 1
Bike Setup:
Stock, for the most part.
Bottom Line:
Excellent hardtail for the money. Climbs like a mountain goat and descends almost as well. Would recommend to anyone who knows what they want in a hardtail and wants to get a sweet deal on it, and isn't afraid to buy sight unseen.
One thing, replace the chain asap! It will break on you with hard pedaling.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Burns
a
from West Palm Beach, Fl, us Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
J. Dickinson Sate Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Shop Jax Beach
Strengths:
Weight, quickness and price
Weaknesses:
Hubs and rims
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Specialized
Bike Setup:
Initial set up with Nitro seatpost and Speedplay Frogs
Bottom Line:
Light, quick and more than a steal at the price. Throw a nitro seatpost on the thing and save all the dough from a full suspension MTB. Check out the rim tape and get new hubs with the money saved. For who? I got the bike to take advantage of trails when traveling and stay off the road late in the afternoon, I got hit last year road riding. A great first bike or one at this price range. I've mostly ridden road bikes since 1984, however, I am 100% pleased with the performance of this ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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