Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Central NY Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$390.00
Strengths:
!!!!!!!!!!!THIS IS AN UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good brakes, great rims, indestructible frame.
Weaknesses:
Factory components could be better, but hey its less than 400$
Similar Products Used:
Fisher Marlin, Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup:
Original frame/brakes/rims/levers/shifters. Upgraded to XT rear, deore front, LX crank, Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 tires, Manitou SX LT 100mm fork.
Bottom Line:
This bike got me into mountain biking, and because of a lack of consistent large funds, I ended up upgrading it instead of buying new stuff. But that didn't turn out so bad. I love this bike. The weight isn't too bad, the frame is amazing, my only gripe is that it doesnt have disc mounts in the back, but that doesnt bother me 'cause I don't have the cash for discs anyway. I use it for cross country riding a lot, and it hasn't failed me yet, and the geometry of the frame is good for that type of stuff. I rarely crash 'n burn, and when I do, it's usually something stupid on my part. Upgrading componentry helps a lot. The stock derauler lasted me 2 years, and the $40 upgrade was worth it, even though the stock would still run fine.
As far as who should buy the bike, well... they don't even make it anymore so oh well. the equivalent now would probably be the M50 or M60, however, if you are thinking of getting serious about teh sport, it's wiser to pay more upfront and save on upgrades later.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Manlius, NY, USA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$390.00
Purchased At:
Ted's Bike Shop in Elmira, NY
Strengths:
Great Price, Great Frame. Better than most low priced entry-level suspension hardtails.
Weaknesses:
Factory components (acera and alivio aren't the best). Original (RST 381) fork will bottom out on large bumps.
Bike Setup:
Bar ends added, Manitou SX-LT fork (100mm travel +12 neg) Original Components. (thinking of replacing them)
Bottom Line:
Great bike for first time riders. I used it all summer in the adirondacks, and it was fine. Afterwards, I replaced the fork, and now its great. The only problem I've had is with the rear derauler. Great X-C bike for all around use. If you're a pro looking for a kick ass top of the line bike, then go for the M800 or M8000. But if you're just a normal person looking for a good value on 2 wheels, go for it. You won't regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from NJ Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tatum
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Solid frame, good components if you're getting started.
Weaknesses:
The Gears, shifters, and cables.
Bike Setup:
all stock except if replaced the grip shifters and tires.
Bottom Line:
If you're the occasional mountain biker, or need a bike to go on moderate off road conditions every once and a while, this is perfect. It has shocks, but they are so small that its almost like not having them at all. This summer however, I decided I wanted to do better at the annual race at a park near me. So on about mondays, wednesdays, and fridays for a course of 2 months I would ride to the park, about 5 miles, then bike 4 laps (15 miles), of uphill and downhill grades through sand, mud, and grass. The bike held up good for about the first few days, then I had trouble with the shifter and it just got worse and worse from there. This bike isn't designed for hard riding as I found out. During the race the chain came off 7 times! I wasn't shifting hard either. It came off the front and back at the top and bottom, and somehow managed to get stuck in between my gears. I still came in 23rd out of 200 something people, but I knew it was time for a new bike. Everything pretty much gets messed up and breaks and wears down except for the indestructable frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Blake
a Cross Country Rider
from Williamsburg, Va Date Reviewed: May 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
How can I choose?
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Good Frame for Upgrades
Weaknesses:
Factory Components Suck
Bike Setup:
M55 frame, Judy 100 fork, SPIN wheels, Sus. seat post, Time pedals, All XT components,
Bottom Line:
I didn't know that I would fall head on into XC riding when I bought it, so I went for economy. I have upgraded everything but the frame, and it has held up suprisingly well. Good frame, but serious bikers their eyes....as I blow past them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russell Roth
a Racer
from Albany, NY Date Reviewed: November 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
killington
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
durability and price
Weaknesses:
equipment
Similar Products Used:
trek 800, giant
Bike Setup:
various shimano
Bottom Line:
This bike is good for getting into racing. Yeah its heavy and the components suck, and as the last reviewer stated the shocks feel like teres nothing to them. However if you want to learn how to mb and race this bike is perfect. It took me 3 months to destroy the trek. This poor bike put up with twice the abuse and it never showed. Want to learn to ride get it, if you can already tackle the rough stuff you should already own something better.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Racer
from Molligan Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
lenepe trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
durability
Weaknesses:
components weight precision welds geometry
Similar Products Used:
none (no bike sucks this much)
Bike Setup:
alivio RD atlus cranks textro v-brakes RST 260 susp. 45 mm of travel (feels like 10 though)
Bottom Line:
This bike shames all true mountain bikes for serious off roaders. At the time I didn't know much about bike, but now I do and this bike sickens me. It sports a knee busting W21 speed transmission, crapy RD, THREADED headset (like 60 degrees), and the RST susp.The RST susp. is horrible. It says it sports 45 mm of travel, yet there is no adjustability, poor dappening, major lateral flex, some torsional flex,and it only feels like 10 mm of travel. The rest of the components are just horrible. The transmission has slow, unreliable shifting, the brakes are mushy and easily breakable, and the stem has such a high rise (60 degrees) I feel like I'm looking up to it. The only good thing about this bike is the durability, it will take a beating. Yet, besides that don't listen to what anyone else says good about this bike, beacuse if they say it's good they're mountain bike wannabes rookies, that don't know anything. So, in conclusion I have to give this bike 1 chili (if there were negative number, I would of been all over them).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexander
a Downhiller
from Wall, NJ Date Reviewed: March 14, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Strong, rustproof Aluminum frame. Great price, great components.
Weaknesses:
Bad tires
Similar Products Used:
Specilized HardRock-Not a great value
Bike Setup:
RST 260
Bottom Line:
This bike will give excelent results, and will last a lifetime.
Overall Rating:
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