Submitted by
Rick P
a Downhiller
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Keystone MTn. DH
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
MTBR. com
Strengths:
Tough, looks cool, plush with the right rear shock spring, Handles well
Weaknesses:
Not the best peddler, but recent changes I've made has improved this. Swing arms has some side to side flex but nothing too bad.
Similar Products Used:
First DH bike
Bike Setup:
Super 8, Shiver DC, Fox RC, Double wides, Maxxis Minon front, Arrow Prime rear, Thompson stem, Azonic riser bars, Hayes disc breaks.
Bottom Line:
This has been a great first DH bike for me. It's strong, fast and handles very well in all conditions. I've crashed it quite a few times and it's held up very well. It's not the best peddling DH bike out there but it makes up for it when you point it down. I'd reccomend this frame to anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dimitry k
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver Date Reviewed: January 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
somewhere on larch
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
a person (look below)
Strengths:
You can see when i just bought this bike...i posted on here when i first got it pretty much. same holds as it did before....the swing arm is a bit flexy but nothing thats out of hand. it has ballbearing pivot the thing never can wear anything major out.(bb are easy replacment...never had to do it)
Weaknesses:
swingarm clearance.
The previous guy did something incredibly weird where it destroyed the front triangle and punctured his liver. So the frame has replacment front triangle and i can prove it because the swingarm and frame have different years in their serial numbers. (yeah the swing arm has a serial number
Similar Products Used:
lotso stuff look below at my older reviews
Bike Setup:
hmm kind of like what i had before except now i have a shorty azonic stem with that fat ass bar that is doublewalled and dosnt fit normal stems (ya its specific). hays discs xt shifter pod truvativ dh cranks with chain guide old xtr rapid rise thomson elite seat post cheapo seat from redline double wide on a hays dh hub in front with intense 2.7 and tioga 2.3 in rear on intense m30...(whatever its called) on xt disk rear hub with 36 spoke..(36 spoke rim and hub)
Bottom Line:
bike is great still runs a lot of people i used to ride with have changed bikes dozens of times while kept the same one....this thing is tougher than h#ll. I am abot 160-170 pounds and the frame is pretty small ...17" frame and iv done lots of weird and stupid things some that worked some that havnt 6 foot drops are just fine 8 foot and i needed a heavier spring on the fox rc. so its been through a bit of abuse but its come out in better shape then me. The frame will be going up for sale soon since i havnt rode on the bike since last december. Iv been on my skies more since then !!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
david
a Weekend Warrior
from pinole Date Reviewed: October 30, 2003
Favorite Trail:
solstice
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
friend
Strengths:
solid
Weaknesses:
swing arm very thin, flex at rear wheel. ya gots ta push it hard though.
Similar Products Used:
nothin to brag about
Bike Setup:
race face, boxxer black box, xt f & r, hays, fox vanila, galfer rotors & pads
Bottom Line:
this frame is awsome as long as your not an agressive rider by todays standards, if ya are stay up to date, if not, worth looking into for riding trails that are rough like downiville/northstar type stuff.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Long
a Downhiller
from SF CA USA Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
northstar mountain
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
guy at dirt jumping place
Strengths:
plush suspension, nice ride,
Weaknesses:
broke the head tube off in 3 days (but that wasn't the bikes fault)
Similar Products Used:
none yet
Bike Setup:
frame, boxxer pro, hayes hydros, xtr kit
Bottom Line:
great bike, i loved it. took it off a 8.5 footer to flat and didn't feel a thing. don't buy this bike if all you do is urban assault, it belongs on the hills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene, Oregon Date Reviewed: January 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ridgeline
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Personal
Strengths:
heck of a deal, nice components. bob is considerably low for a single pivot with the chain below the swingarm
Weaknesses:
single pivot is decent but reliable. tire clearence could be a little better.
Similar Products Used:
haro extreme x3, kona stinky, big hit comp
Bike Setup:
Boxxer, System 2 chainnguide, xt shifter, xtr deralillure, Mavic 517 rims (i think) Hayes hydraulic, fox vanilla rc
Bottom Line:
Get one, they are a great value for the price. quality comoponents.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy
a Downhiller
from Jackson, CA USA Date Reviewed: December 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
"Boondocks" Northstar at Tahoe
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Private Party
Strengths:
The frame is BULLET PROOF. All the welds, joints and the pivot are amazingly burly. The 7.75" of rear travel are extremely plush and soak up every hit. Weighs pretty light considering the frame size and magnitude. And since it is a SANTA CRUZ there is virtually no maintainence (other than the normal stuff) needed.
Weaknesses:
a tad bit of flex in the rear swingarm and a little narrow for anything larger than a 2.4" tire. Not able to run an 8" rear rotar without upgrading to the 2000 series dropouts/brake bracket.
Similar Products Used:
SANTA CRUZ V-10, Bullit, INTENSE M-1
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Super T Pro, Tru Vativ Husslefelt DH cranks, bash gaurd and chain guide, Azonic Shubby bars, Shimano XT rear deraillure and rear shifter, Sun MAG 30 wheels with WTB 2.4" Moto-raptor tires.
Bottom Line:
Whether you are a begining downhiller or advanced on a tight budget, this is deffinately a bread winner. Reasonabely light weight, easy to work on and upgrade, fast and PLENTY of plush travel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dimitry K
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouverWA Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
if it has jumps i guess and its fast
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
marketplace
Strengths:
its almost end of 2002 and i bout it in 2000 used.
Weaknesses:
uhm...i cant kill it yet. striped bolts on the brace in the back mainly my fault and previous owners !! if your local shop has a weird trueing stand your gonna need to dish your wheels unless you like you swingarm being cut in half slowly
Similar Products Used:
norco team dh prototype san andreas with 9 inches w/link suspension (weird bugger)orange 8(expensive but nice),rm 6, giant team dh(nice bike).special ed team dh
Bike Setup:
plasmas got killed doing dirt jumps so switch to xt...and i like it more with my old and worn out xtr rapid rise. this bike will behave horrible if your front fork is worn out my manitou carbon is on its last legs now
Bottom Line:
tough and cheap now they last forever if your 160-170 pound rider . cant say the same for a rm6 deserves its flaming chilis . old and proven
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dimitry k
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver WA Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
a person
Strengths:
well its alive and kicking and it has successfully outlived a fellow biker freinds rm6 and he payed more for the frame poor guy
Weaknesses:
stupid mud and tire clearence
Similar Products Used:
specialed dh bike giant downhill team bike and azonic something dh bike and a few other buggers
Bike Setup:
super 8 with extra stuff on it
Bottom Line:
its a damn sweet bike if u get it for 800 bux with a front replacement triangle.not much to say its a real killer bike....people keep confusing for the bullit now cuzz most of them havent seen this old bruiser and alwase wonder how i got that swingarm on it ...lol
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from asdfa Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1.00
Strengths:
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME OUT...I HAVE EITHER A 98 OR A 99 SUPER 8 AND IT HAS STARTED TO MAKE MANY "CREAKING" AND "SNAPPING" NOISES...HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? PLEASE EMAIL ME!! THANKS
Weaknesses:
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME OUT...I HAVE EITHER A 98 OR A 99 SUPER 8 AND IT HAS STARTED TO MAKE MANY "CREAKING" AND "SNAPPING" NOISES...HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? PLEASE EMAIL ME!! THANKS
Similar Products Used:
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME OUT...I HAVE EITHER A 98 OR A 99 SUPER 8 AND IT HAS STARTED TO MAKE MANY "CREAKING" AND "SNAPPING" NOISES...HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? PLEASE EMAIL ME!! THANKS
Bike Setup:
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME OUT...I HAVE EITHER A 98 OR A 99 SUPER 8 AND IT HAS STARTED TO MAKE MANY "CREAKING" AND "SNAPPING" NOISES...HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? PLEASE EMAIL ME!! THANKS
Bottom Line:
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME OUT...I HAVE EITHER A 98 OR A 99 SUPER 8 AND IT HAS STARTED TO MAKE MANY "CREAKING" AND "SNAPPING" NOISES...HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? PLEASE EMAIL ME!! THANKS
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J Lootavitz
a Weekend Warrior
from phoenix Date Reviewed: July 15, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mt Elden
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2300.00
Purchased At:
MTBR
Strengths:
Way strong swingarm, Awesome, plush travel with Romic T2 shock, burly frame and extra gussets, front derailer friendly
Weaknesses:
can't put a huge tire on the rear
Similar Products Used:
Uzzi DH, Shockwave, M1
Bike Setup:
White Bro.s DH-2, Romic T2 rear shock, Hayes, Race face cranks, xt front & rear der. Azonic bars, Thompson lay back post
Bottom Line:
This bike is bullet proof, low maint. Built with the parts listed above, this bike weighs about 43lbs. I can side all the same trails as the mid 20lb guys, and have a lot more fun coming down!The nice thing about the older Super-8 is that it comes with a front derailer cable mount. I highly recommend an older Super-8 to anybody looking to build a sweet freeride bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dimitry K
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver WA Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
secret !
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
mtbr marketplace
Strengths:
strong big swingarm ballbearings remove any need to for servicing except maybe checkups once every month Warranty is simple i think swingarm is a free replacement (correct me if im wrong)
Weaknesses:
limited mud clearance (unless u move brace forward and leave dropouts in the farthest position , only works if u have disc brakes) nothing else that i find wrong
Similar Products Used:
special ed dh bike , rm 6 k2 animal haro something oh yeah the new shwin straight 6 or 6 bangers or wtf
Bike Setup:
xvert carbon hayes front and rear that big fatass hayes hub front thomson seatpost truvative dh cranks and guide
Bottom Line:
this bike has changed alot since i last reviewed it. I upgraded it to rear hayes also got it a new rear wheel and overall just some parts changed about like a plasma shifter with xtr rear the truvative cranks...mostly a new drivetrain...the xvert carbon works pretty well...not as good as the new manitous which seem to have better bushings...i did upgrade the fork to tpc+ ...overall a kickass bike will last me a for a long time to come.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a Downhiller
from Fresno Date Reviewed: March 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
trade
Strengths:
-Burly frame -Nice on large drops -Excellent lateral stiffness -Seems to keep the wheel on the ground well
Weaknesses:
-Not all that plush -Noisy (could be the brakes though)
Similar Products Used:
DBR, Outland, Giant DH
Bike Setup:
White Bros. UD150 (soon to be WB DH3) Magura gustav brakes, Race Face cranks, IRC Kujo Tires...
Bottom Line:
The bike feels very comfortable and handles pretty good. Nice in corners and confidence inspiring at speed. Weight isn't too bad. The suspension isn't all that plush but I might just need a softer spring. It keeps the wheel on the ground well but doesn't have a super comfy ride like most linkage bikes. Excellent on big drops. Pedals alot better than I expected. Overall a pretty good bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Donny Vaillancourt
a Downhiller
from Cupertino,CA Date Reviewed: February 22, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Red Rock
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Stans Bikes
Strengths:
everything
Weaknesses:
Rear Shock to bouncy
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Bullit
Bike Setup:
Downhill kit from santa cruz
Bottom Line:
This bike is crazy! besides the rear suspension catapults, this bike is a monster, it destroys everythin gin its path and looks great as you cross the finish line! If you look for a great deal on a DH bike i recommend the Super 8. I also use the super 8 for gaps, stairs, and drop offs and it handles it handles great!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Braindamage Steve
a Downhiller
from Kamloops(birth place of freeriding) Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
King of the spill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$7500.00
Purchased At:
private sale
Strengths:
Industructible!adjustable!slack head angle yet agile steering!light!rolls fast!Supa plush!easy to manual!
Weaknesses:
Not jumpable!hard to climb on.seat hits tire when bottomed with a 26" wheel.......thats it!
Similar Products Used:
brodie 8 ball.marin pro custom Dh. giant atx team dh(99 and 2000).rockey mountain RM6.Intense m1.etc.
Bike Setup:
01 hanebrink LT-9 fork.(huge travel)24"rear wheel.Short cokpit(65mm stem)really set back
Bottom Line:
Probbly the sweetest custom ride u can build....bottom line!It is indestructable and supa plush fast and light.9(rare find for Dh bikes) u can ride this thing urban,trail,freeride, Dh,dropping,and if your good u can try and jump it!this bike will take 8 footers to flat landing repeatedly and land lightly everytime!SWEET RIDE!it deserves 6 outta 5 flammin chilis!(great learning bike;solves mistakes that can kill you!)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tommy
a Racer
from Bellingham WA, USA Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
pro-deal, shop
Strengths:
RAD, RAD, RAD. I cannot get enough of this bike. I have never owned a full suspension bike before and this has got to be the nicest I have ever ridden. Super plush ride and very, very sturdy construction.
Weaknesses:
A bit on the VERY HEAVY side. Tips the scale at 34 lbs. Also, pedals a little slowly. It seems to absorb A LOT of pedal power.
Similar Products Used:
giant ds-1, klein mantra pro, other xc's too.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi shiver front triple-clamp, Hayes hydraulic discs, XTR rear der. and shifter, race face 110 cranks, etc.
Bottom Line:
So awesome. Landing six-footers is like rolling off a curb. I flew off a four foot drop totally off balance at about seven or eight degrees lean and landed easily (only smacked my knuckle on the brake lever)--try that next weekend! Unbelievable plushness and riding comfort. Very expenxive though, for not very versatile abilities. Impossible to ride uphill (don't even attempt to stand up and pedal) and is not easily lifted up ANYTHING. Low maintenance so far. The Shiver fork is awesome too, but obviously didn't come with the frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dimitry
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
whatever
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
drew cone (person)
Strengths:
uhm freaky huge rear swingarm my god i can run over little children with this thing! travel is great almost too much for urban assualts but i need that travel for those big stair cases .
Weaknesses:
uh rear tire clearance is OK but with 2.35 the mud and rocks make enough noise to make me stop and clean it out !
Similar Products Used:
uhm soon to try out a gt lobo k2 animal (not very similar) specialized DH bike
Bike Setup:
not worth mentioning sometimes i run 2.3 front and rear or a 2.1 in rear or a 2.7 intense front and 2.35 rear
Bottom Line:
mine came with a manitou xvert carbon very nice fork only i think it will be a b*tch to service..scary lookin thing damn the travel is big and single pivot simplicity makes for alot of BOB but who cares the k2 animal has a very similar bob to the super 8 except that uh the k2 is outclassed by this bike big time . One other complaint is that the bike sags madly which is cool but for urban assualts if u dont aim the bike right your gonna hurt your fork and yourself...(fork angle steep for urban)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ben casey
a Downhiller
from hull Date Reviewed: August 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
scoutt wood
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
stiff mountain bikes
Strengths:
You can use the hole in the swing arm to hold cans of coke in on long rides.VERY VERY plush travel, low maintenence frame. Ajustable geomity & frame lengh. you can buy it in a snot green couler!
Weaknesses:
rear tire clearence- and thats it!
Similar Products Used:
sintesi bazooka marin b-17 saracen dh
Bike Setup:
full XTR azonic bar tioga 2.3 hope dh 4-pots bullit bro's zzyzxz hope big uns l&m crank builet dust caps mavic ceramic d321
Bottom Line:
fast,plush,beefy,& snot green. a great, reasonably cheep dh bike that i use for xc fanx to it bein fairly lite(for a dh bike)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Downhiller
from Nepean Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:
All of them!!!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Everything,where should I start? -Plush -stiff as hell -adjustable geometry -fast,very very fast
Weaknesses:
rear tire clearence(but (I'm running a 2.5 Maxxis in the rear with no problem)so it's not that bad.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Straight 8(the greatest bike ever and soon to be my next)Intense M1,KHS,Marin DH,Foes DHS,RM9,VPS 1,Bullit
Bike Setup:
Nothin but the best DeeMax,Raceface,Boxxer,ESP 9.0sl,MRP,Easton Handlebars
Bottom Line:
This is a kick ass bike that is worth every penny(that not even that much!)It can rip it up anywhere anytime.It deserves 10 flammin chillies!!! Keep on Rippin'
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Melba Gibson
a Downhiller
from 12341 melba laney Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
mammoth downhill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very good suspension takes the bumps very well. I love to ride her and abuse her. She takes everything very well.
Weaknesses:
She is a little expensive for what you get and my friend nick can not afford to buy it which means he can't ride the awesome downhills with me.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn moab 1, k2 proflex 3000, cannondale v700
Bottom Line:
A little bit expensive but she is very fun. I take her on all of the hills. Once I bashed her into a huge rock and all it did was scuff the side of her. If you are crazy and have more money than my friend nick (who spends his money on multiple unresearched items)you will have an awesome time on this bike. ENJOY HER!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Casey
a Downhiller
from Hull,yorkshire,England Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Scout wood
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
you can buy it in SNOT GREEN !!!!!!! Its as strong as titainium flavord cheese. you can put a can of coke in the swing arm.and its very plush.
im usin: full XTR tioga 2.3 (just!) azonic realy beefy bar tioga (ridiculasly large) sadel bullet bro's ZZYZXZ forks (also ridiculasly large) mavic ceramic d523(or sumat like that) rims dudey bullet dust caps & a beefy L&M crank
Bottom Line:
This bike is better than a jolly good bit of cheese. im well sh#t but this bike makes me look OK. its an all-out ballsy/beefy monster!!!!!!!!(!)!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Leonard
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Canada Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Bromont
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very beefy and plush suspension... Really simple and nothing to worry about but ride...
Weaknesses:
It's very expensive bike... When you ad up everything, you end up with a bike that's worth 8000-9000$ (Canadian money
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR Elite... I'm turning it into a XC-Freeride bike cause it's just not a downhill bike...
Bike Setup:
BoXXer, Race Face Crank headset and stem, Mavic 321 wheels, Hugi hubs, MRP Chainguide and fender, XTR components, Hayes brakes, IRC Kujo DH 2.35 and many expensive things...
Bottom Line:
Get the bike, it's worth it. The design is simple and totally great! It handles great in almost every conditions... The bike is a little slow on sprints an not as active as a four bar linkage but as very less maintenance and that is simply better for those of us who don't wanna spend all nights after riding cleaning the bike! So buy it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Downhill Dawg
a Downhiller
from Adelaide Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
never you mind
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
plush travel
Weaknesses:
could do with a bit o extra beefing ie aftermarket brace
Similar Products Used:
every other serious dh bike (foes, intense, GT etc etc)
Bike Setup:
XTR, Hayes, Manitou X-vert Ti Raceface cranks, Rhyno Lites Medium size
Bottom Line:
A great bike ready to race in world cup or whatever. Not heavy as others, have won local DH races and placed well in Nationals on this bike. The only bikes I would ever replace it with would be the New Super 8 or maybe a Foes Slammer but there's really no point. Have seen some pretty wild home made reinforcing braces on them for doing stupid stuff. SC should redesign the rear brace for the swingarm to accept bigger tyres and give less flex. Overall though, few bikes come close to this one even two years on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
a Downhiller
from Mount Snow,Vermont Date Reviewed: March 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Deer Run
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
everything,Stiff, looks,rear shock.boxxer,plush travel,can handle the gnarliest of courses,very adjustable,built to take a lick'n and keep on tick'n.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
intense M1,Straight 8,Foes DHS,RM9 and Tomac 204
Bike Setup:
boxxer,deemax,hayes, XTR parts
Bottom Line:
This is a true World Cup bike and will exceed the talent of almost any rider.To anyone who has one feel proud because you've got one of the best.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Moxley
a Racer
from Santa Barbara, CA Date Reviewed: February 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tunnel, Cold Springs, Jesusita
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong frame, Works well with my bike setup, has a nice feel going down the trails, inexpensive for a downhill bike, frame Geometry is really good.
Weaknesses:
Heavy on those uphill sections of the trail.
Similar Products Used:
Cortina, Marin B-17, GT LTS, Specialized FSR DH.
Bike Setup:
Downhill package. Rock Shox BoXXer fork, Hayes discs on a mavic 321 dh rims, MRP , Chris King headset, Raceface Crank arms, Hayes hubs, Azonic stem and riser bar.
Bottom Line:
This is a great downhill bike. It is a lot less inexpensive then the other dh bikes that get just as much travel. It is a overall good buy. You get a great dh bike for the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steve
a Downhiller
from califorina, United States Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The millunium trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
This bike is the strongest bike I ever rode, it stears well, and never fails. this bike is da' s#!t
Weaknesses:
try and find some. I bet my life on it.
Similar Products Used:
not a single one on earth.
Bike Setup:
Monster T, Profile crank, all the best stuff that you can put on a bike
Bottom Line:
This bike beats out any other bike. if you want a bike with similar proformane but a little weaker, go for the bullit. both good idea for slolem and downhill
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JP
a
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: January 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:
i've never used htis bike, i just wnat to know if it's any good...well, i'm sure it's good, i just wnat ot know if i'm better off with a bullit or the super eight. Come on!, somebody write a freakin' article allready, i need to know becasue my current bike is fallin' apart and i'm about to get a new one...so...what the hell should i get?
(i don't know what hell to rate this thing, it looks cool so i'll give five for vaue and overall)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Max Stanton=Racer X
a Racer
from Berkeley, CA Date Reviewed: December 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
SideO or Warm Springs (in Idaho)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Goddamn best bike. Nothing can beat this price, performance, stiffness, and plushness all in one package, for $1500?
Weaknesses:
rear tire clearence. Can't barely run an Intense 2.35. Mud Collector, BUT who cares
Similar Products Used:
Intense, Kona, Specialized, couple others
Bike Setup:
X-Vert Carbon, Mavic 321's with Hugi's, Intense 2.35 tires, RaceFace
Bottom Line:
If you want a DH bike, and you don't have $5000 to fork out, get this. I would almost say its better then an Intense because of the pure activeness. Set a finger on the rear, and the suspension moves, but doesn't bottom out. Soaks up everything you can through at it and corners like a freakin dream. Ingeniously simple design
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Mt. Shasta, CA Date Reviewed: November 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
evrywhere
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Everthing! As far as I'm consernd there's not a perfect DH bike out there, but this is the closest.
Weaknesses:
The only weakness is me. The faster you go the better this bike performs.
Similar Products Used:
Just about everything! No really, I was a bike mechanic for 15 years, at 5 different shops.
Bike Setup:
Bone stock, as it comes out of the box.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, It's the best I have ridden. And I do have one for SELL, just e-mail. I hurt my back on a ride and can't ride it anymore, BUMMER!!!!! This bike is like new.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
A.S.
a Downhiller
from NY Date Reviewed: July 27, 1999
So-far-so-good. I've been hitting the local Dirt Track with this baby. This bike is letting me clear HUGE dirt jumps I only dreamed of doing before. Awsome, awsome suspension action and adjustability. I did some DH runs, first week of July and was really impressed. I've riden DH for a little over 5 years and I gotta say, this is the best DH frame I have ever tried. I know it's only been a month but I'm VERY impressed. FOR $1500, YOU WON'T FIND A BETTER DH FRAME ON THE PLANET! The only (minor) drawback is the rear tire clearance, but you're supposed to run smaller tires in the back anyway. Intense 2.35's are perfect. BOTTOM LINE: If your looking for a good quality DH bike that performs as well as, if not better than most of your $5000 downhill bikes, BUY A SANTA CRUZ SUPER 8!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a Downhiller
from Manchester, England Date Reviewed: June 27, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Plush travel progressive action big hit ability adjustability
Weaknesses:
weight slow courses (that's Britain for you!) hard to clean paint not durable
Mr Dirt Forks (8) Hope 185mm discs front and rear MRP chain device Gazzaloddi 3 front and 2.7 rear tires
Bottom Line:
This bike is at it's best on fast BIG courses, just point and shoot! The faster you go the easier it gets as the bike does all of the work for you. When the going is muddy (we get a lot of that here) it can be quite a handfull due to the weight, and it's not as nimble as some lighter bikes. Hard to get up to speed on tight courses also, but worth it when it gets gnarly.
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Submitted by
Jeff Reckseidler
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
The Claimer
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
- adjustable geometry - reliability - strength - easy to dial in
Weaknesses:
- HARD TO CLEAN (must be an awesome bike when this is a weakness
Similar Products Used:
- Trek Pro Issue DH - Rotec Pro DH - GT Lobo
Bike Setup:
- Fox RX Vanilla shcok - RS Boxxer (6.5) - Hayes Disc (F&R) - Tioga 2.3 Factory DH tires - Mavic 321 Disc rims - Blackspire tensioner - Azonic Chubby bar - SRAM 9.0 SL with nine speed shifter
Bottom Line:
- this is my first full-on DH bike I have owned. I previously owned a Santa Cruz Heckler X. This bike rides very well. It is the first DH bike that I know of that doesn't feel too big. It is nimble and easy to manipulate and initiate turns. The bike is best ridden when you sit through the corners. The bike is fast, stable and loves to be ridden hard. The rear dropouts aren't awesome, but I haven't had big problems. If you are in the market for a DH bike to take on the circuit as a privateer, this should be your choice.
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Submitted by
John Pentecost
a Downhiller
from Portland, Maine Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999
Hanebrink DH Fork (8) Fox TC Rear Shock XT/XTR Drive train MRP Chain Guide Hayes brakes Gazzie 3.0 front tire on Hed Rim Intense 2.35 Rear Tire on Mammoth Rim SDG Big Boy Seat B-52 stem Thompson Seatpost 636 pedals
Bottom Line:
Sweet ride. I used to be a so-so downhiller, and then I got this bike. Now I routinely fly past my buddies in the nastiest stuff, never a worry. The bike is a porker at 43 lbs, but I imagine that's got more to do with my parts selection (especially the front wheel & tire) than the frame. I haven't noticed any major suspension feedback in the pedalling, either. I've got this thing dialed in so well, I stay seated for most of my runs, and I still get unbelievably good times. I'm not sure what all the fuss about linkage designs is either . . . I've ridden a few, and the only thing I can notice is that they're harder to maintain. I can't really imagine a rear end that is any plusher than this bike (except your girlfriend's). My words of advice: get a fork that can match the travel of the rear end (7.5). It makes a really big difference in ride quality. Also, run the fattest tires you can find . . . it makes the bike noticeably heavier, but it turns it into a carving machine that plows up, over and through any obstacle that gets in the way. The time you lose because of the greater pedalling effort associated with the heavier weight is more than made up for in the nasty sections when you can just point the bike straight down the fall line and let 'er rip. Don't plan on winning any bunny-hopping or big air competitions with this setup, but DO plan on standing on the podium after you blazed one of the fastest times of the day.
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Submitted by
bootes
a Downhiller
from brissy Date Reviewed: May 25, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
well most things were alrihgt, like it handles well around corners jumps nice overall it was a pretty good bike the time i had it.
Weaknesses:
well when it cracked on the weld i was not not a happy at first they didnt want ot know about it but after three months or so they replaced it but i had bought something else instead that is better a mc shockwave.
risse up front, fox coil on the back. pro stop discs mrp sun rims etc
Bottom Line:
dont ride hard and it may not not crack just keep an eye on the down tube up the tope where it is welded that is where it cracked for me.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Perry
a racer
from Abbotsford, b.c., Canada Date Reviewed: February 4, 1999
Bottom Line:
This is a killer sled. Suspension: simple, maintenance free, frictionless, supple, big-hit happy. Pedal feedback is noticable, but not detrimental. Geometry: typical slack angles, but a relatively low bb makes for a very stable chassis, a happy corner carver. Adustability/versatility: wheelbase is adustable (1/2), bb ht./angles are adjustable via movable shock mount. Frame can fit rim brakes or disks. Cable guides for a front deraileur are provided. (Yes,you can ride these things up hills; makes for a bomber freeride rig, and its good for your soul.) Bottom line: highly reccommended; ideal privateer bike; decent value.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Seery
a downhiller
from Fremont NH USA Date Reviewed: November 3, 1998
Bottom Line:
The Super 8 rips and shreds like a junkyard dawg. 7.5 in the rear and 6 up front (Boxxer). Wt. = 38lbs. with magura rim brakes. I like it in the forward rear dropout position, with the shock in the most slack position. Raced it at Sunday River, Maine and a Plattekill (Splattekill) New York. Gawd I love this bike!!!!
Overall Rating:
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