Submitted by
breezy
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethesda, MD Date Reviewed: August 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Schaeffer Farms
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Frame is bulletproof, descends fast and eats up what I throw at it, very little bob on the climbs, responds like an all-mountain, love the rear suspension adjustability
Weaknesses:
Tires, wheels
Similar Products Used:
First FS, also ride a Trek 6000 series hard tail
Bike Setup:
Stock suspension and gearing- upgraded ODI's, WTB Shadow V Pro saddle, Wellgo platforms, Token skewers, 2.35" Kenda Nevegals
Bottom Line:
I'm 190, 6'2- I ride hard, heavy, and fast. This thing rips through whatever I throw at it. I'm a wheels off the ground kind of rider so if I can get hurt doing it, most likely that's the line I'm going to take. 5" of travel for this "XC" is great, although I want to step up to a Fox 32 Float 150 RL font fork. I did buy this used- I had to replace the crank from it being stripped by the previous owner and have my rear wheel trued. All things said, this thing is worth it just for the beast of a frame. The front fork- Marzocchi AM3 isn't the best fork in the world, but is a good starter fork, and like everything else, can be upgraded. All the upgrades are a preference thing- next to go are the wheels for something a bit stronger. For my first full suspension, it more than impresses me. I feel very confident going big on it, and it can tackle technical singletrack just like any true cross country bike- even my hard tail for that matter. I wasn't a fan of the tires at all and opted for a better roller with a higher sidewall- the Nevegals, and it completely changed the ride. You get a ton more than what you pay for with the ETSX- if you see one for sale, snag it up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lukester
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: June 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hydro Cut
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
brauns bicycle
Strengths:
The frame quality is superior, chain stay design, high bottom bracket rolls over stuff well.
Weaknesses:
Wheel set, awkward bottom bracket position if you need to fall then you will do it from a higher position
Bike Setup:
Factory equipment
Bottom Line:
If you need a full suspension bike that can do anything but nothing well, then this bike is for you! As tested this bike is quite heavy, I think the wheels are the biggest culprit. The suspension is very smooth over bumps and you can dial as you like it. The 3 position rear adjustment (4",4.5" and 5") is kinda tricky, allthough simple to use the 3 positions completely alter the dynamic of the bike and you have to re tune the rear shock other wise you get a bouncy feel. The thing that I like about the bike is the rear chainstays, or the lack of. This makes bumpy riding much less noisy and i think prolongs the life of the chain and frame. probably due to the weight, this bike is a terrible climber but a super descender. The actual ETS (Energy Transfer System) probably doesn't work. For the money i paid this bike is actually very good, if you swap out some of these beginner parts this bike will perform very well. The frame looks bullet proof and will make a good home for better components.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stumpy
a
from Herndon, VA Date Reviewed: August 8, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
HTO
Strengths:
this is a well-rounded bike, a quality frame, at an affordable price.
Weaknesses:
the component set isn't the greatest, but you get what you pay for.
Bike Setup:
components added: fox vanilla rlc, juicy 7s, azonic outlaws, king headset, maxxis high rollers, crankbrothers 50/50x
Bottom Line:
i was looking for a bike that was affordable, could be used in different environments, and could be modified as needed. this bike fits the bill. the stock marzocchi fork was weak, the hayes so1e brakes weren't very adjustable, the irc tires too wimpy, and i managed to taco the stock alex17 front rim. so they all had to go. if you like the etsx platform, but don't have the cash for the 30, 50, or Team (or don't like the component set), this is a good purchase - just for the frame.
i'm not a little guy (220lbs.) and i feel confident that this bike will hold up to any abuse i can throw at it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Mt. Hope, WV Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Marathon Cycles
Strengths:
ETSX 30. Frame, frame, frame. Fox TALAS & RP3 are fluid & work sweetly together. High bottom bracket I have yet to smack a pedal. I actually like the RMB seat and the grips. Shifts great I like the triggers (switching from twisties.) I really don't consider this an XC bike with 5 and 5 its an AM bike.
Weaknesses:
Not stoked on the Mibros, they're a little slick for what I ride. I would've really liked to see 31.8 bars and stem and at least the raceface evolve XC crank. the chain slaps the crap out of the chainstay but it is a super easy fix.
Similar Products Used:
HiFi, Reign, Norco Fluid
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Evolve XC crank, & Answer Pro taper bars.
Bottom Line:
This is a super solid bike with a great fork and shock. The money you spend goes to the frame, fork & shock & is definately worth it. The tires are super fast but don't like mud. When you drop the suspension to 4" & 4" it feels like a race bike. The high bottom bracket (13.5" on my 19" frame) is super sweet & i'm not even used to riding over things and not clipping my pedals on it. I love this bike & would buy one again in a heartbeat. It's especially sweet b/c Adam & Wes from Marathon have such good service and knowledge & they know all the sweet trails in the area. I don't think you can go wrong with the ETSX-30
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, AK Date Reviewed: April 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lost Lake
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
The Bicycle Shop
Strengths:
High quality frame, great rear suspension design, balance, do-it-all capability. Paint is the best - refuses to chip.
Weaknesses:
cost vs level of componentry
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6700, Titus Moto-Lite
Bike Setup:
ETSX-50 with American Classic wheels, Avid Juicy 7 brakes, RF Deus crank, Kenda Nevegal 2.35 tires, etc.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It's balanced, reasonably light (sub 28 lbs) climbs well, descends well, and is great on long days. The only essential upgrade has been replacement of the skinny Hutchinson Mosquito tires with somthing beefier - both WTB Mutano Raptors and Kenda Nevegals have worked well. The light American Classic wheels have made a good climber into a great climber. This bike has single-handedly caused me to ride more ('cause it's so dang much fun) and improve skills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tj
a Weekend Warrior
from pacific palisades, ca Date Reviewed: March 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
lower rock creek, mammoth lakes
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
online retailer
Strengths:
Hand built in Canada. Paint job and welding are awesome. Variable rear travel, simple to adjust. Front and rear travel are tuned together working in unison for a comfortable ride. Tire clearance in both front and rear.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy for designated cross country. No travel adjust on the Marzocchi All Mountain 3. The components on the ETSX 10 don't match the frame they are mounted on.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Adept Pro, Specialized Enduro, Santa Cruz Blur
Bike Setup:
Race Face Deus Stem & Seatpost. Race Face Next LP carbon handlebars, Avid Juicy 7 brakes. WTB Rocket V race saddle and WTB Mutano 2.4 tires. Rest of the bike is factory stock.
Bottom Line:
This bike is amazing. It's heavy for cross country racing but with 5 inches of rear and front travel, I use it as an all mountain bike. I paid the price for the frame and will build it up as my wallet permits. First of all 90% of my riding is in the Santa Monica Mtns. From the westside, this means long uphill saddle time before you get to level/downhill sweet dry rocky singletrack. At just under 30lbs it climbs easier (not faster) than my 26lbs Klein Adept Pro. The bike feels extremely stable going up and down. The tuned FOX Float RP3 w/ Custom Valved ProPedal matches up well with the Marzocchi All Mountain 3 fork with 130mm travel. I wish the fork had a travel adjustment for the long climbs. The ETSX rear with the Fox RP3 is simple to adjust in 4, 4 1/2 or 5inches of travel. It would be best suited with a fork that could match the travel. When I ride with the full 5 inches front and back the travel sync is amazing, not front or rear heavy.
The tall bb makes it easy to get over rocks and logs. I'm running 2.4 tires and there's plenty of clearance for a wider mud tread if your conditions require that.
The wheels have been great so far. They were hand built at the Rocky factory. I will run these into the ground. Since this is considered a marathon bike according to Rocky, it would be great if they offered a tubeless wheelset.
Overall I am extremely happy with this bike and consider Rocky Mountain one of the best frame builders in the world. If your rides includes long ass climbs and you like to ride very aggressive on the downhill this is your next bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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