Submitted by
ScottSparkman
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA Date Reviewed: March 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
there's a local trail, technically illegal, but been there for years - Rosie's Bumps
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Higher Gear
Strengths:
I was worried that it would be fragile ... but it is not. This bike is not only light, but very sturdy. Originally, we found a couple screws in the suspension that liked to loosen themselves every 4 hours or so. I little blue lock-tight and a torque wrench and I haven't heard a single noise since. This bike is light an solid.
Weaknesses:
I bought the Spark 30 so I could tailor some of the components to my tastes. I added the Ritchey WCS Carbon handlebars and a Ritchey WCS Carbon stem. The faceplate of my stem is carbon, better (cooler looking) than the one that comes on the OEM version. The wheels are a bit weak and I plan to replace them with some ZTR or Crossmax ST wheels. I also added the XTR front derailleur and I'm thinking about the X.O. rear derailleur. I guess I could have bought the Spark 20 instead of doing it myself. The Scott tires that came on it sucked. In one ride on a flat, rolling riverside trail I got three (3) flat tires! They were too thin for any regular use. It's tempting to become a weight weenie while owning one of these. Seriously, all of the weaknesses are pretty minor.
Similar Products Used:
This is the nicest of all my past bikes. Giant Warp DS1 with all upgraded components. Specialized FSR. Santa Cruz Superlight D, also with upgrades.
Bike Setup:
Spark 30. Ritchey WCS Carbon riser bars with a 100 mm Ritchey WCS Carbon stem. I also found the Ritchey carbon 34.9 seatpost. I've added Crank Bros Acid 2 pedals and Hutchinson Python Light tires.
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks rear. It's light. It's solid. It's fast. It's available at pretty good prices now that it's been around for a year. The general layout of the cockpit is good and probably won't need much adjustment for most riders. And ... it has a lot of wow-factor built in.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson Arizona USA Date Reviewed: February 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Scary lightweight, XC capable, full-suspension
Weaknesses:
Weren't we all here back in 1998?
Similar Products Used:
1998 AMP B-5 XC F/S
Bike Setup:
Factory
Bottom Line:
It's a great ride. Very light, about 23 pounds in the larger frame, with four-inches-plus of suspension travel. My AMP B-5 did all of this back in 1998, with aluminum and titanium instead of carbon fiber, but it's nice to see that light F/S XC bikes are back.
Ride is good, well damped but noticeably stiffer than the old AMP, which had coil/oil shocks front (RockShox) and rear (AMP). Most likely this is probably due to the air-damped rear shock and fork. No doubt the C/F frame as well. Feels a little stiff when braking or accelerating (could be the seatstay pivot), compared to the AMP. I'm used to plush, lightweight F/S bikes, and don't see the need for the short-travel adjustment.
Bottom line: The right way to build a bike. Why aren't there more bikes like these, who needs 32+ pounds to lug around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
boris alspaugh
a Cross Country Rider
from georgetown,co. Date Reviewed: November 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
twisted sister
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
the bike dr.
Strengths:
balanced and lively, excellent power transfer. l ikes to go forward. intergrated post.
Weaknesses:
needs fatter tires
Similar Products Used:
ransom-heckler-air9-scale10
Bike Setup:
stock large---xtr-reba sl -xtr wheels
Bottom Line:
fast and efficient-likes to be hammered-
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
william shott
a Cross Country Rider
from golden colorado Date Reviewed: November 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
all things single
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
it's mine.
Weaknesses:
Other people can buy it too...
Similar Products Used:
trek fuel, moots ybb, etc.
Bike Setup:
full xtr, 160 f and b rotore,rockshox reba WC fork, ritchey bar and stem, Reba WC fork, crank bros peds, and SI SLR saddle.
Bottom Line:
Don't get it- it climbs too much like a hard tail and then (if you choose to flip a lever) will scare you with how fast and smooth it descends. Ever since I got it I've been dissapointed with how much faster I am riding my usual loops. Don't know what to do while I wait at the trail head for everyone to catch up. Oh yeah, and it's HEAVY... for a roadbike. Seriously though- despite the travel it's not a free ride or traily, but if you know what your max wattage is... uh oh.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Texas Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Sponsor shop
Strengths:
Lightweight as advertised. 3-way rear shock has been very useful on different courses. Easy setup.
Weaknesses:
Bike arrived with a blown rear shock, DT Swiss replaced it immediately.
Similar Products Used:
Titus Racer X
Bike Setup:
Standard except for Eggbeater triple ti pedals and Maxxis Crossmark non-UST tires
Bottom Line:
Home run. Excellent full suspension platform that performs as well or better as my previous ride but 3 lbs lighter. Attracts lots of attention, attention to detail is supurb. Had to wait 4 months to get it, but worth it.
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
