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Submitted by
surfzombo
a Downhiller
from Smogtown, California
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Up 7th | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Hacienda Schwinn (RI | | Strengths: | Still a good strong frame after 11+ years. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Dedicated single speed for at least 10 years. Old '97 Marzocchi Z2 Bombers that have been rebuilt time and time again and are still (kinda) plush. I've a short stubby CNC'd stem to set me back on the bike because this Chameleon just loves STEEP. | | Bottom Line: | I've been running this frame fer a long, long time (her frame No. is 328). She's a great workhorse, but loves being set free and pointed down hill. Matter of fact, and not to pat myself on the back, just yesterday the bike and I smoked some guy on an Ibis Mojo on the local downhill. I don't know how the newer Chameleon's ride. I hear they're made in Taiwan. (mine was made in the USA). RIDE ON!!!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gager5000
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | North west MTB centr | | Strengths: | Sold ride, strong frame, looks gorgeous | | Weaknesses: | No rear disc brake mount, paint. | | Bike Setup: | SID 100's, LX groupset, Hope wheels | | Bottom Line: | I have this bike for 7 years now and I'm still not bored of it. It still gives me the same buzz now as when I first rode it. Granted, the paint works past its best but its seen off several groupsets, done many thousands of miles and I still get people talking to me about it on the trails. Its not the best XC bike in the world, or the best racer but it'll be very good at anything you try on it. Guess thats why the call it the do it all hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wardo
a Cross Country Rider
from calgary canada
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | ickysticky | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | local dumster | | Strengths: | well i just picked this frame up from beside my local dumpster lol! what kind of idiot throws out a perfectly good frame! so i stripped it down no cracks or dents anywhere! i was pretty stoked from there on in! painted it white with a chameleon stenciled on it (it really looks sweet) and am now starting to build it up im going to love this bike its super light and looks strong! | | Weaknesses: | i cant complain with a free frame! | | Similar Products Used: | stinkys norco 4x | | Bike Setup: | fox vanilla RLC, single track rims, bonerager cranks and bash guard, xt drivetrain, stroker trail brakes, | | Bottom Line: | i cant wait to ride it! im going to use it for my xc ripper and commuter because i allready have a stinky for everything else! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manuel Araica
a Cross Country Rider
from Rowland Heights
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | super strong | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | s-works | | Bike Setup: | thompson-kk set-single speed 34/18 white industries- | | Bottom Line: | I just finished building up this used frame from ebay and I cannot be happier. This a do it all bike. I love the horizontal drop out and my surly chain tensioner. I took for a ride and to my surprise and I was still passing all the geared boys in front of me. I have an s-works as single speed and it is more agile and faster than my lizard, but I got the lizard to do technical single tracks and take it to more uneven terrain. A+. I called Santa Cruz to complain about the fact thay they are not building more horizontal dropout and you will have to deal with EBB. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle Hewitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, England
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardsough | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes | | Strengths: | Handling, strength, durability. | | Weaknesses: | Will not accept larger than a 2.1 rear tire.
Disc adaptor is a bad design. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Sasquatch, Cannondale Chase2, Spooky MetalHead, Gt Zaskar. | | Bike Setup: | Series1 (1999) Large polished frame, 2002 Marzocchi DJ1's, 8speed cassette, DH wheelset, 2" riser bars, Avid Supreme Arch rear brake (possibly the best rim brake ever made), Hope Mini disk front. | | Bottom Line: | Im trading this bike in after 5 years of sterling service and will be sad to see it go. I have riden everything on it-BMX tracks, Welsh Forestry commission trails, dirt jump trails, XC, DH, commuting to work when snowing etc etc and its never let me down.
The handling was a revelation from the first time I built it up and rode it to the last ride.
Pity there now made in Taiwan. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Jewett
a Downhiller
from Hacienda Hgts., CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in the Puente Hills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Hacienda Schwinn | | Strengths: | Besides being a blast to ride, it's conversation starter. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing compares | | Bike Setup: | SS, Paul WORD hubs laced onto Rhyno lite rims, IRC Mythos 2.10 front tire on the rear,IRC Kujo 2.65 on the front hooked up to my old '97 Marzocchi Z-2's,XTR V's, Race Face cranks w/ platforms, Chris King head-set with wide ass Powertools handlebars, Thomson seatpost w/ Crossbow seat | | Bottom Line: | I've been beating this bike senseless for over 5 years now. She started out with gears but was soon converted to SS. She has been my car and recreation vehicle the whole time and takes what ever abuse that I can dish out. I'm proud to own such a great bike. I know this sounds like a lot of gushing clap-trap but it's how I feel about my Cal-Trans orange Chameleon. Sure, the paint jobs got some dings, but that's just a bikes way of showing age wrinkles. Good strong welds. NO cracking that I can see and I take good care of this bike maintenance wise. Be the first on yer block and buy one TODAY !!!!!! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Feels lighter than it is, Built like a tank, fun as heck-fire. Forces you to enjoy riding a bike again. It's a Santa Cruz. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmmm, if I really had to pick something, I'd say the chain stay sticks out to much/or is too wide/thick. Every once in a while the heel of my shoe will clip it. But, that usually only happens if I'm not clipped in, and no, I don't have big feet (9.5). But ironically, the beefy chain stay is what I love about this bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Skykomish! | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR, Thompson, CK hubs-n-head, Magura Free Ride disc, Psylo, Mavic F219. | | Bottom Line: | After being on full suspension (SC Heckler) for a while I was a little nervous about this purchase, but I needed a back-up bike. I was amazed at how fun this bike is, it’s so quick and stiff. Climbs much better then I expected. It tracks really well, jumps great, and I never have that fear that I’m going to break it.
After my Heckler, I never thought I could fall in love again, but the fact is the Chameleon is my new love (more stiff in the rear than my FS, but my Nokians take up the bumps nice). To show my complete obsession with this frame, I’m buying another one for single speeding. And holy crap, it’s only 500 bux! For that price why would I waste my time converting it back and forth every weekend?
After riding a hard tail again, I realized that I got lazy because of the FS. A lot of riders think hardtails are a thing of the past, Which just means they are old and lazy, and have lost the fun-factor in riding a bike.
Go get this Frame, and put the Fun-Factor back in riding.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hawes Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Bicycle Co. | | Strengths: | Stiff, stiff, stiff. But very smooth. Corners like crazy. I can bury the front tire in turns, it holds tight and I can launch out of the corner without hesitation. That's what I love most about this bike, it is so much fun on the slalom and fast, rolling downhills. It's strong. I can't imagine breaking the frame. It doesn't flex a bit, no matter how high I jump. | | Weaknesses: | It's stiff. My fatigue factor went way up with this bike. An hour and a half to two hours and I'm done (it's set up as a single speed - so I'm done anyway). There are no other weaknesses. It's geometry is perfect for me. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized M2 Pro, Titus Riddler, a couple FS's | | Bike Setup: | Easton Monkey Light, SLR Saddle, Syncros carbon fiber post, Fox Float 100 RLC (adjusted to 80mm), Chris King headset, Avid Single Digit 7 brakes, TruVativ Stylo cranks, White Industries hubs (Eric's Eno on the rear) laced to Mavic UST tubeless rims. | | Bottom Line: | What a great SS frame. Mine is an '03 model, before the extra gussets at the headtube. Mine seems plenty strong, but a little extra beef can't hurt. I can ride the crap out of this thing with no worries. It has nice tight geometry. You can throw it around and it responds instantly. It would be questionable as a geared hardtail. I think the long rides might beat me up too much. It's great for a quick - go out and beat yourself to death and then have a beer - type of ride. I wouldn't race it. I race locally at the beginner/sport level and my Titus Riddler is far more well suited for the task. I will, however, keep it as my dedicated SS. No frame does everything perfect, but this thing is just damn fun to ride. But maybe I just like SS too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
w.
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | new from classifieds | | Strengths: | have the new design and really love it. the bike is as stiff and tough as other reviews state. it is made by santa cruz -- quality is better than a good warranty | | Weaknesses: | i am comming from a heckler so the stiff rear is taking some getting used to (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | I have owned a cannondale hardtail, sc heckler (new one) | | Bike Setup: | switch between psylo (for adjustment) and vanilla (for buttery smooth strength), balanced light vs strong components, disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | so far the bike has been great. i had to free up some $$ so I sold the heckler and picked up a chameleon. took it out for a trial and totaled my rear wheel on a fairly small drop (guess I showed my rider skill that day). the frame took the rider/ cheap rear wheel error without complaint. the bike is light and strong -- the gussets (esp the headtube) and disc mounts are enough to warrent selling your old on and buying the new one. I don't want to be a banner boy for sc, but they make the toughest bikes on the market for a trail rider not looking to take out a loan. get the newer versions -- the chameleon and heckler and almost different bikes than they were a few years back. If I have any problems or complaints, I'll let you know | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from West Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | www.richardsbicycles.com | | Strengths: | Tricked out tubing, aggressive geometry, awesome paint job, versatile uses. | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet...I'll post if anything surfaces | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specialized, Schwinn, Litespeed, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | TruVativ crankset and BB, XT, Hayes Disc, Ritchey bars/stem, Ritchey wheel set, Thompson Elite seat post, Crank Bros Candy peds, Rock Shok Psylo SL | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike, scuba yellow w/black components. So far the bike exceeds my expectations. Was turned on to the frame after talking to a wrencher at local bike shop. Great reviews on MTBReview pushed me to get one and I'm not disappointed. The frame is well built, beefy, yet light. Get the 2003.5 or later frame set for nice improvements. Bike handles very well on tight singletrack and climbs especially well (duh, compared to my 30 lb plus hardtail). Psylo fork is great, easy to set travel from 85-125 at the turn of the dial and the handlebar quick release lock-out is a nice feature. Purchased the bike from Richards Bicycles in Palos, (check 'em out on the web at www.richardsbicycles.com) Great group of guys and a ton of high end bikes...they'll ship anywhere and have killer prices! Look forward to the upcoming season so I can put it to the test! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a
from tx
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | direct from SC | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my previous post. After sending my frame to SC they charged me $200 for a replacement frame. I opted for the polish finish which put the total to $250. The redesigned frame looks great! 2003.5 and newer frames are now beefier than the 2002's newer design and the 2001's and older original design. Cool BMX style gussets where the toptube and downtube meet, beefier headtube, and ovalized downtube! They even changed the rear end from the previous 02' redesign. FINALLY some integrated disc mounts on top that work with the bike setup the way it should be, SS!! Also, SC changed the seat tube diameter from 27.2 to 30.9, hmmm wonder why!! I have to say that I still love the bike and will probably keep riding the SC Chameleon till the day I die. I still wish that SC had a better warranty but $250 isn't to bad for this sweet a$$ ride. 5 turds for the new design!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenland, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Hoback Sports | | Strengths: | Stiff, Strong, Light, Fast, Great geometry, attractive. | | Weaknesses: | none yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Dean Jester, Voodoo team ti, and various other late 80's, early 90's hardtails | | Bike Setup: | SS: Paul Hubs, Mavic X517, Hutch Python-Lite 2.1, Paul Brakes, Zokes MX-Comp, Easton Monkeylite bars, Thomson stem, King HS, Easton Carbon post, Raceface cranks & BB, Spot chainguard, 32T front with 16T Sun-Race clutchless freewheel, speedplay frogs. everything is black and NO Shimano parts to be found on this backwoods rig! | | Bottom Line: | tight bike! anyone looking for the best climbing singlespeed frame on the market should look no further than the Santa Cruz Chameleon. i've been riding this bike hard for over 2 years now, and have seen no frame faults or paint issues that have been listed in other reviews. i've never set it up with gears, so no comments on the issues with chainstay width and clearance issues. maybe i just got lucky? anyway, get one of these frames and build a SS or geared bike that will elevate your game. frame is definitely confidence inspiring, considering the super stout rear-end. long top-tube is good for descents, and wheelbase is still relatively short with tight chainstay length for sprinting. Probably the most agile Singletrack bike i have ever ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D-Money
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ant Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | West U Schwinn | | Strengths: | Light and strong, handles like a pi$$ed-off spider and stiff as a brick. Awesome bright apple-green color. | | Weaknesses: | little room for the rear tire and gears, had to one-off the fitting for the disc brakes | | Similar Products Used: | some overpriced trek from a chain store | | Bike Setup: | ritchey crank, deore/XT shifters/derailleurs, bontrager wheels, hutch tires, disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Great little rig and a value to boot. Could have used more room for the rear gearset and tires, plus disc mounts, but I understand they fixed that with the new redesign. Bike does not rattle or shimmy when it takes my 220 pounds over drops and declines, very tight handling | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Cross Country Rider
from tx
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (employee purchase) | | Strengths: | -stiff
-light
-horizontal drops
-looks cool!! | | Weaknesses: | -stupid attachment for rear disc doesn't allow you to use disc brakes on the rear when setup SS.
-paint doesn't stand up to much
-frame cracks where seat tube meets with the top tube
-crappy 2 year warranty and a$$hole customer service!!
| | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Chameleon SS, King headset/hubs, XTR levers, Truvativ Stylos, WTB 2.24s, Fox 125 RL | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike! However, after riding the bike for a little under 2 years the frame has cracked. The bad thing is my buddy's Chameleon cracked a few weeks ago and now mine's cracked in the same spot, (seat tube just over the top tube!) I think the enormous amount of seatpost you have to run may have contributed to this failure. Seems like it might be a design flaw. SC has a 2 year warranty on this year model and a 1 year for older frames. This SUCKS! Not to mention the customer service guys are real jerks. My buddy was treated badly and ended up having to pay $250 for a new frame since it was a 2000 and out of it's 1 year warranty. Mine is just now getting to SC and I'm sure that I'll end up getting screwed and have to pay $250 for a new one. I love the bike but it should have a better warranty. Warranty issues and crappy customer service keep me from giving it 5 flaming turds!!! When I find out what SC does with mine I'll update this review. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
claudio
a Weekend Warrior
from ITALY
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | technical | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Integrated disk mount
huge space for rear tyre
gusset bullit style | | Weaknesses: | maybe i will find in time? I think not | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale sm500, kona chute, chameleon 99-2k | | Bike Setup: | z1 drop-off 2k2 130mm, xt, dt onix hubs w. mavic f519 and michelin hot-s ( or nokian nbx rear, gazza core front ), formula b4 | | Bottom Line: | Just finished building the day before yesterday.
I have only had the time to familiarise with it yesterday, so i cannot be very precise with my impressions.
Anyway first riding impression is great. Feels like the old one,that i liked a lot, maybe a bit more stable, the same light handling.
It has solved the problems of the old model, that are disk adaptor and poor space for rear tyre. It is also more beautiful than the old one.
I am only surprised that i could'nt find any advertising about the re-design of a bike like the chameleon.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jumpy
a Downhiller
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | a hook-up | | Strengths: | Adaptable, calculated numbers, SS capability, stiff frame, very durable | | Weaknesses: | why would anyone put their caliper mount where these gus did? No more dropout grinds.... although I still use it for JUST that! | | Similar Products Used: | DB reactor, bruiser, homegrown, my bullit | | Bike Setup: | 03 DJ1 20mm, 8"/6" Deore hydro's, sovos cassette/disc R. hub, 26"x2.5" hookworms, northshore's/guard, azonic 1 /12 bar shorty deluxe stem. other various parts in rotation do to ongoing durability issues | | Bottom Line: | Best HT urban bike to date that I've had. Even my stupid friends like it! I like my bullet and all, but little chameleon is the street king. Coming off a lil' bigger bike was wierd, but this bike does very well for itself. 6.5' to flat can be pulled out of yer A$# easily. the SS drivetrain is very specific, but eliminates DT skip and excess parts to kill off. does great stoppies, manuals, and stupid bike tricks. It runs rings around my bruiser, which I thought was the way to go until now. the smaller TT (21.5" med) helps w/ lifting the front a ton. It looks really dumb sitting next to my bullit but only because it's the same frickin color and I look like some team jerk. It bunnyhops WAY over wheel high w/out even barely trying. No downhill use intended, but I could build it that way if I wanted to. der.'s DO fit, but SS and urban are the combo right now. I had an ultegra derailleur on there, but it was crazy lound and hit the frame too much for me to want to keep the bike that way. then gears went bye-bye. Had a fox 125RLC on there, but that thing flaked out nice and quick, so a new zokey was ordered up-problem solved. I like this bike and will probably not part with it easily. If you ride urban, get hookworms! no more slippy slip on the urban front! One thing: pease please please get the caliper mount ABOVE harm's way! It comes up, ok santa cruz? these guys are known for bikes without issues, and this one's just like it's big brothers. True versatility....Makes for one siiiiiiiick stealth fighter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Myers
a
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Deep Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Versatile, XC, DH, DS, FR, whatever you can throw at it... | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Built Strong | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. I owe it to this bike to write up a review after 2 years of great riding. I have ridden this bike all over WA... St. Helens, Capt Forest, Seattle area, North Sore, Squamish BC, Whister BC, Cascades, etc. It has performed excellent in all conditions. It has also made me a better rider. You watch your line and learn to choose the smoothest route. The tail end is stiff and very responsive. No complaints about pain because it's polished. Beautiful welds on the head tube with gorgeous square chain stays. You can pound up hills with ease and accelerate down hills with confidence. If you're concerned of it being too stiff then buy a full suspenseion bike. This is a brilliant hardtail. If you want to build skills and are looking for dependability I would grab one of these. Santa Cruz makes a bad boy product and this bike is just one example of that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a Weekend Warrior
from leeds england
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | stif sport | | Strengths: | unbreakable,cool colourlight weight for such a strong frame | | Weaknesses: | i'm told crap paint but iv'e not had it long enough to notice. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4500,club roost evo | | Bike Setup: | xt/deore transmission,cheap vuelta wheels,bontranger stem,bars,avid brakes,marzocchi mx comp | | Bottom Line: | having only just got back in to mtb and only riding a trek 4500i wasn't sure about the step up to a chameleon,i wasn't sure if it would make a difference to my riding,but as soon as i got to the bottom of the first hill i have to climb,wow it climbed,i knew from that point that i had made the right decision.riding single track it is begging to be hammered,just point and it goes,i wish i was fit enougth to do this bike justice,i haven't really given it much air yet as i'm not sure my wheels will hold up,but i will when i upgrade them.to sum up i have to say it has given me a lot more confidence,knowing that it will not break and it is a joy to ride and it certainly puts a smile on your face.....if you like x country and like to ride hard go buy one,you might even start to do a bit of freeride...price is in pounds not dollars.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sam
a
from downtown los angeles
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | JPL angeles forest san juan | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | helens | | Strengths: | its ability to be a all rounder bike up down it doesnt mater this even makes a great messenger bike with some semi slicks | | Weaknesses: | rear tire clearance very tight bt thats about it unless you care about the harsh ride hahahha i dont its just control to me | | Similar Products Used: | i took apart my stumpjumper and my zaskar to make this bike so the parts are off both i also have a gt 1.0 road bike and a 00 1500 i drive | | Bike Setup: | i took most of my 01,stumpjumper parts like 517 wheelset handlebars and the whole xt drivetrain and from my gt i took the 4" bombers raceface cranks and my contin vertical pro tires biachi green super soft seat and kore stem avid ti brakes | | Bottom Line: | i took apart my favorite bike for this one bike my gt is ready to rest its been through alot and will live on my stumpjumper is to delicate so its going to storage my chameleon is white with white bombers the it bascially has all my stumpumper parts o nit and is very light but i dont have to worry about it denting this bike is super strong i dont think ill ever need a nother hardtail unless i miss my gt zaskar i compare these 2 bikes all the time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North Shore | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | private | | Strengths: | A great bike for climbing and so quiet on the descents. Will take any terrain out there. | | Weaknesses: | Aboslutely none. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper M2 | | Bike Setup: | Manitou X-Vert Super | | Bottom Line: | The first time I rode this bike I knew I was on something special. The first climb felt like the trail was flat. The bike seems to be always right under you no matter what you throw at it. Unbelievable on the descents. Makes you a better rider each time out. Your confidence will soar riding this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
richard ponec
a Downhiller
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | cbc | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | flip cycles (fully built) | | Strengths: | strong, light, short wheelbase. awsome downhill,over drops,this bike can handle anything. great for trials and dirt jumping, this is a realy versetile bike. | | Weaknesses: | no weekness, except that its very popular with the shifty eyed man with the file in his pocket. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing yet. | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi z1, xtr v brakes rest xt | | Bottom Line: | totaly awsome. a must buy for any freestyle/trials/dirt jump rider. 10 flamin chilis for the best hardtail frame out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a
from uk
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | geometry fits perfect and it already feels like i been riding this bike for ever
accelerates like omg
strong
light
fast stable and confidence inspiring
looks sweeeeeeeeet
&c | | Weaknesses: | yawhat?
maybe it looks too nice | | Similar Products Used: | kona, zaskar, blah | | Bike Setup: | z1/xt | | Bottom Line: | omg
i am a better rider than i was last week
ok so i should wait longer to review this i guess but already i am so damn impressed
i go faster and glide several inches above the trail and take off from jumps like from an aircraft carrier
it's a shame that im gon break a lot of the components on the bike
buy one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
super duper
a Weekend Warrior
from the District
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | caney loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | small bike shop | | Strengths: | sooper kill construction, beautiful craftsmanship, very good handling. it's a four pound frame but it sure doesn't feel like it. stiff rear end- accelerates and climbs dooper good. | | Weaknesses: | crackhead magnets | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale f1000, fisher paragon | | Bike Setup: | lx hubs, xt everything else, avid sd 1.9L v's, b valiant rims, thomson post, hutch pythons, manitou mars c | | Bottom Line: | this bike is stunning in polished alu. out in dogpatch it kills. climbs hills like a quadraplegic tryin' to walk again. very comfortable in the jumps, the fast descents, the switchbacks, all that stuff. this bike also seems very safe at insane speed, as it is extremely easy to pull out of certain death type situations. have never really wiped out too bad on the trails, and i probably should have. only thing is crackheads love 'em. as in love to steal 'em. that means forget about riding them around campus. i love the bike. get it for the american non-robot-made craftsmanship. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PJ Paulson
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB Canada eh!
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pebble Beach | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Calgary Cycle | | Strengths: | Predictible, quick but not nervous, nice strength to weight ratio, beefy stays, top tube cable routing, short stays and long top tube. | | Weaknesses: | Slotted drop-outs are awkward for quick changes, disc brake mount should be above chainstays, tough to fit a decent size 24" tire on rear | | Similar Products Used: | American Comp light hartail, brodie climbax, trek 8900, Kona explosive, brodie evolution, FSR XC, San Andreas, Kona Roast. | | Bike Setup: | Easton Carbon Monkey light bar 1.5", thompson Elite stem, ahead-set, raceface prodigy splined cranks, Weyless pedals, avid mechanical discs, XTR with gripshift, Mavic 219 and Mavic 317 on Hugi 240 hubs | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, versatile, strong. I haven't ridden a better hartail yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c t
a Weekend Warrior
from dublin
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jauquin Miller in Oakland | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Best frame I have ever owned! Stable going downhill, corners very fast, nimble, easy to throw around. The way I have the bike set up it feels like a XC/BMX/Slalom/urban bike. Much more stable and confident going downhill than the dual suspension FSR XC I owned previously. Short and thick chainstays make the bike accelerate quick. Climbing is no problem even with a four inch fork. I have owned four bikes over the past 10 years and this is my favorite so far. | | Weaknesses: | No rear disc break attachment. Although I don't plan on switching to disc brakes this bike could use them. | |
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