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Submitted by
David Sanchez
a Racer
from Hollywood
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Private seller | | Strengths: | This bike is most beautiful bike I have ever seen and ridden. Anyone who says this bike is less than perfect is a moron. | | Weaknesses: | None at all, price is worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | None close to it | | Bike Setup: | Full Xtr, Chris King Hubs,Ceramic rims, Manitou carbon fork..... etc. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great. I saw another person put in this was a horrible bike, well your a noob rider. This bike is great, I love it. Theres nothing better and it was worth the money. If you can afford it, buy it. The welds and everything are perfect and this bike runs smooth. I race and this bike blows the competiton away, weighing 20lbs. Its a great bike and anyone who says it isnt does NOT know what they are talking about. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Perfection in construction and tailoring. Longevity. Factory dealings pre and post purchase. Annual xmas card (nice touch 7!). E-mails to Seven get immediate replies. | | Weaknesses: | I guess for some people the price would be its weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Custom True North 853. Kestrel CS-X. Bontrager Race Lite. | | Bike Setup: | Pace carbon fiber rigid fork, Formula B4SL disc brakes, Race Face cranks, King headset, Boone Ti chainrings, Moots Ti seatpost and stem, DT-Swiss 240 hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, Bontrager rims, SRAM shifting with XO derailer, Shimano Ti cassette, Eggbeater pedals. Conti Twister tires. | | Bottom Line: | I've now had this frame 5½ years so I think this entitles me to update my review way down below. I still have this frame because it can't be improved upon in any way. If I ordered a new one tomorrow I'd get it made exactly the same as this one. Apart from a dulling of the finish and a few scratches it still looks like new.
Seven Cycles promise to do a perfect tailoring job and here we are five years down the road and I still can't fault anything about this frame.
It rides so mellow (I asked specifically for a "mellow" ride) that I have no need or wish for suspension of any kind - my Pace rigid carbon fork compliments it perfectly. Oh sure it's not like a 4" travel FS bike but it pours itself through tennis ball sized rock gardens good enough to put a smile on my face.
I guess it's kind of boring in a way as I like to buy new stuff (none of the parts are original) but I can't think of one good reason to replace it. A factory re-furbish would make it look like new again.
This bike is so light and fast I prefer to take it than my (non Seven) road bike. It still holds the record for my 30 mile road ride.
This is the kind of frame that should be bought by anyone who has the means and the experience to appreciate the finest in riding tools. This is the Ferrari F150 of bikes.
Even if you're not experienced enough to specify exactly what you want or need Seven has the custom fit process down to a science. Just surrender to them.
Thanks Seven. Take a deep slow bow. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james crowe
a Cross Country Rider
from sf, ca
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | porcupine | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | i shouldnt have gone to a road store | | Strengths: | super customization, awesome bike art, bulletproof finish (sort of), unbeliveable stiffness and compliance | | Weaknesses: | dingable- a big rock bit my chainstay | | Bottom Line: | ok, i rode it hard the first two years, even crazy to abuse it in moab, but then i had some serious professional school to attend in another city. so i bought an aluminum trek 4100, which is a darn whole bike for so little cash. hey, im not a snob. I almost forgot about how the sola rode because I just needed the bike for commuting. the treks aluminum frame is actually pretty good and stiff, but not as harsh as I expected big diameter aluminum to be. funny thing is, the whole bike was stiff- with the handlebar against the wall, i could not flex the seatpost/frame toward the wall. I remember that I could easily flex it on my sola. well, i just got home on a break and took the sola out for a spin- funny thing, the ti sola is even stiffer than a big aluminum frame at the bottom bracked AND is more compliant in the rear. to tell the truth, while riding the sola, it is very hard to detect the rear compliance because you don't feel the small annoying bumps and you think it's not working, but it actually is. well, anyways, the sola is amazing- superlight and rides like a tuned instrument. these days, though, i must admit, even an entry level (but well designed) trek aluminum frame feels pretty decent. stuff is so much better now, but the sola has been bulletproof and supertuned from day 1- i can wait until later when im free to ride it more. its my hobby, money is no object as long as i have some left to pay the bills! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard LAI
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail as long as it is unpaved | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2595.00 | | Purchased At: | Flying Ball, Hong Kong | | Strengths: | Light weight, easy to handle, almost unique in the locality, looks really cool !!! | | Weaknesses: | Not yet detected apart from being too expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | TREK 930 Singletrack | | Bike Setup: | Seven stem and handlebar, a Ti seat-post from Tai Wan, Zona Tres saddle from Salsa Cycles,Chris King headset, Chris King disc hubs, Marvic D521+DT spokes & Michelin 2.2 DH tires, Shimano XT disc brakes, Marzocchi X-Fly 100 fork, and the rest are all Shimano XTRs. | | Bottom Line: | My Seven Sola Ti weighs almost 30 pounds!!! Yet it is very solid and is the best and sweetest bike I've ever ridden. No repair what so ever is needed during the whole year except replacing brake pads as I cover at least 20 KM almost every night and much more during weekends and public holidays. People used to call me Uncle TREK. Now they call me Uncle Seven. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Auckland
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Attention to detail. I own a 5 year old Axiom and the build quality hasn't suffered in the past 5 years. Fit and sizing. Seven's ability to interpret your requests. Not so much a review of the frame, the materials, the craftmanship or Seven themselves, but of the whole process. A truly integrated approach to building the bike. | | Weaknesses: | Costs so much, you do feel yourself holding back for fear of crashing and denting the frame or causing damage. Maybe this will pass with time. The disc brake mount is a little cheap looking. | | Similar Products Used: | Merlin XLM, Cannondale CAAD5, De Kerf Team SL | | Bike Setup: | Full 2003 XTR Disc, Seven Stem, Easton EC90 bar, PMP Ti Seat Post, Selle Italia SLR, Mavic 317 disc rims, DT Competition spokes, Continental Explorer Supersonic tyres. | | Bottom Line: | Inevitably at this price, some reviews are as much a justification for having spent what is really an obscene amount of money on a bike ratyer than a true reflection of the bike's characteristics. However, having ridden (and been disappointed by) a number of similarly priced bikes over the years, I can honestly say that the Seven is truly the ultimate bike. You need to have a pretty good idea of what you want from a bike before you start, but if like me you have a very clear idea, and want to take the best aspects of a number of different designs and feels of materials that you have tried, then the Sola is the way to go. No other bike offers this level of customisation. I put my trust entirely in Seven's interpretation of my measurements and the finished result is amazing. I thought that I had other bikes set up to my geometry pretty well until I rode the Sola. Having experienced Seven's customer service with my Axiom, I can honestly say that they were first rate after sale as well. The finish of the welds, the detail and the quality of materials used goes a long way to justifying the price, but the finishing touch is the customisation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Livermore, ME USA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Hype, Take this piece of crap to a race and you'll get a lot of attention. | | Weaknesses: | Very Poor quality, Bad Customer Service. Two year old bike:
1) Weld at BB to chain stay failed.
2) Frame bolts for water bottle cages loose
I'd expect better quality from a bike that costs a quarter the price. | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Ocoee | | Bike Setup: | XTR | | Bottom Line: | Do not buy anything from Seven, poor quality at outrageous prices, dosen't add up. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hank
a Cross Country Rider
from Hyattsville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Still looking | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeWorks | | Strengths: | Beautiful craftsmenship, strong, power transfers to the ground where it belongs. | | Weaknesses: | Envy - Now I want a Seven road frame too. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown, Klein Attitude, Fisher Sugar 1 | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Chris King Headset, Thomson Stem, Easton Carbon Seat post and flat bar, CaneCreek Chrono wheels, Continental Explorer Pro tires. Time ATAC Pedals, and RockShox Sid SL Fork. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is as close to perfect as a bike could be. Yes it is expensive, but it's the last frame you should ever have to buy. I have found that I can ride twice as long as I could on my aluminum hardtail. The bike climbs and accelerates smoothly and powerfully, and corners like it's on rails. If you want a premier hardtail, this is the bike for you.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Allendale, Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Highland Rec Area, Pontiac Lake Rec Area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3250.00 | | Purchased At: | Team Active Cycling & Fitness | | Strengths: | - Rear end compliance
- Nice craftsmanship | | Weaknesses: | - Flexy handling, expecially in turns
- Custom-sized frame felt too big for me | | Similar Products Used: | - Seven Sola Ti
- Multiple other hardtails | | Bike Setup: | HeadShok Fatty Ultra DL fork, RaceFace post, Easton bars, Mavic Cross-Ride wheels, XT/XTR/Coda components | | Bottom Line: | This was my second Seven (the first being a Sola Ti hardtail). The Sola fit me well, but I felt it was considerably stiffer in the back end than what it should have been. I initially switched to a ti frame to get a smoother ride than my hardtail Cannondale. Since the Sola was still too stiff, a Teres seemed like the logical choice based on the reviews and the construction/quality of my Sola.
I decided to go with the same relative measurements as the Sola, except I decided to use a straight Thomson seatpost rather than the RaceFace XY post that I had on the Sola. The result was a slacker seat angle and longer top tube. The bike ended up feeling too big for me, even though the measurements told me that it matched up with my riding position on the Sola.
My biggest complaint, though, was that the handling in turns felt incredibly squirmy due to the flex of the bottom bracket (Note: I'm 178lbs...not a small rider, but not a clydesdale either). Granted, the vertical compliance was nice, but the trade-off for the handling wasn't worth it. I decided to sell the bike after riding it only a handful of times.
I now ride a factory-sized steel Soulcraft hardtail, and I am much more pleased (actually, elated) with the ride quality and fit of this bike than I was with either of my custom Sevens. Seven makes a really pretty bike, but IMHO, there are much better options at a much more reasonable price.
In all fairness, my riding partner (5'9" 165 lb.) also rides a Teres. His frame is considerably smaller than the one I had, and he doesn't notice the sideways flex I mentioned. I attribute this to the smaller triangles of the frame, but that's just speculation. As a frame of reference, I'm 6'0" 178lbs. My frame was had an 18" C-C seat tube and 24.4" top tube. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Grimble
a Cross Country Rider
from Somerville, MA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dead Moose Alley (Kingdom Trails, VT) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Belmont Wheelworks | | Strengths: | Fantastic ride and quality craftsmanship. | | Weaknesses: | Paint job envy. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher, Trek, Specialized, Independant Fabrictions, Cannondale. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Superfly, SRAM ESP9.0, Thompson, Chris King, Mavic, XT V-Brakes, Merlin Ti Bars (this bugs the folks at Seven but a good friend gave them to me.) | | Bottom Line: | I waited a full year to post a review because I didn’t want my opinion to be tainted by newness.
I have met many other Seven Sola owners and know that each one of them has an entirely different bike from mine. The important thing is that you can get exactly what you want. If you want to experience the fun of working with a team of professionals to create a bike that does exactly what you want it to, then this bike is for you. No it is not cheap. Yes it takes at least 6 weeks to design and build (possibly longer) but where else are you going to get this kind of service. These bikes are very rare and most people do not recognize them by name. They are not outwardly flashy but are cherished by the people who know what they are. If you really enjoy riding and take pride in your bike then you will not be disappointed.
I specified my bike with two things in mind. I wanted it to climb like a mountain goat and I wanted it to soak up a little of the stutter on heavily rooted trails. Everything else on the bike is in line with Seven’s Signature fit which is a great setup for tight, technical singletrack. I expected that my first ride on the bike would be different in some way. In reality, I didn’t notice anything unusual at all. I did notice that my neck didn’t hurt after the ride and my wrists didn’t hurt during the ride. So I guess the lesson is that it is the things you don’t feel that make the customization worth while. The steering was very responsive because of the steep head angle I specified. Subtle movements are easily translated into a turn but not to the detriment of downhill stability. My bike is great on the tight New England singletrack. Unfortunately, I sacrificed some bottom bracket stiffness in the pursuit of vertical compliance but I take responsibility for that decision. As it is, the bottom bracket is stiffer than my old steel frame.
I spent some time discussing head tube angle with the folks at Seven. I am using a Marzocchi Superfly on the front of my bike which is like riding a rigid fork that happens to have 1” of travel when you really need it. Because this fork is short (63mm) they wanted me to know that any change would result in a less steep head angle. I decided to build my frame around the dimensions of this shorter fork. If I get a new fork in the future, the head tube angle may be a little less steep. (It seems to me that this is one thing that is constantly changing as the shock cycles anyways.)
Seven has a number of perks for owners. They have a great web site and a newsletter and have had an annual get together for everybody who owns a Seven. It seems to me that a support group for Seven spouses would be one thing they may want to consider adding.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from NH
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Strengths: | Immaculate craftsmanship, great interview fitting process, super cozy ride, straight and true, fits like a well worn glove, totally custom an NO extra charge, owner perks from Seven, light and strong. | | Weaknesses: | The bb area of the bike could be stiffer, but that's what ti is prone to. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale hardtail & giant hardtail | | Bike Setup: | XTR, raceface, manitou mars elite 2002, chris king, mavic, etc... | | Bottom Line: | I've have this bike for over 2 years and just upgraded the fork this fall. The ride, which was great before, is phenomenal now! Much more positive steering and response...wow, to think a fork could make that much difference! Anyway, back to the bike.
I had the bike fitted at my LBS and then Seven called for the phone interview/fitting, which lasted about 20 - 30 minutes. Totally awesome! I thought I knew what I wanted before that phone call, but after discussion, we changed a few things and man, did that help! A little shorter wheelbase, a little steeper headangle, a little longer top tube with a descent slope to it, a slightly shorter seat tube, stiffer seat stays and a head tube extension! Never would have thought to put a headtube extension on a mtb, but now I have my saddle 1.5 inches above my bars with only about a cm of stack! Tight switchbacks are not much concern with a shorter wheelbase and steeper headtube. I can run a 100mm stem with the longer toptube and I don't 'rack the boys' on the toptube as ofter because of the slope. I only wish that I opted for a little stiffer bb like they recommended, but I chose to save a few ounces without thinking of the ramifications to my shifting with my 2x9 setup. That was eventually cleared up with a shorter spindled bb, but it was a bit of an annoyance for a while until we figured out the cure. Other than that, which was totally my choice, the bike has been a dream to own and ride!
Handling is great with this bike! Twisty, rocky, rooty varied terrain is what this bike thrives on! Climbs well, or as well as you make it, and corners superb. Like all hardtails, technical fast downhill is a little jarring, but not as bad as my old cannondale. I would recommend tubeless wheels/tires with this setup because the extra traction and forgiveness works will with the ti!
If you are considering a seven custom hardtail, especially a ti, listen to the recommendations on the phone call and talk with your LBS about the final geometry. When they say "custom", they mean custom...not like other builders that may offer a longer version of the same geometry for their custom frame for a few hundred $$$ more. Everything within reason is up for discussion with these guys, so take full advantage of it. I have a custom ti Duo (Maverick designed suspension platform) on order with them now which should be built up around new years. THAT should be really really sweet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SANTIAGO FIGUEROA
a Cross Country Rider
from NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | STEWART'S, NY/ROUNDVALLEY, NJ | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | THE SPOKE, WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. | | Strengths: | INDESTRUCTIBLE FRAME MATERIAL-ARGEN TITANIUM. CUSTOM GEOMETRY AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. WEIGHT 2.98LBS.(CUSTOM FRAME ONLY) FLAWLESS WELDS-BEST FINISH IN THE INDUSTRY!!! IMPECABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE-ONE ON ONE THROUGHOUT CUSTOM FRAME FABRICATION. GOATS CAN'T CLIMB THIS WELL!!! | | Weaknesses: | SOME SAY PRICE. I SAY IF YOU DESIRE THE BEST CUSTOM MTB FRAME, THEN SPEND THE G'S MAN!!! NO WEAKNESSES!!! | | Similar Products Used: | 1994 KLEIN FERVOR. SIX YEARS OF KICKASS HARDTAIL ALUMINUM! | | Bike Setup: | 2001 MARZOCCHI X-FLY 100. MONKEYLITES 3/4" RISER BARS. 120 MM THOMSON STEM. CHRIS KING HEADSET. PAUL MOTOLITE BRAKESET. OURY GRIPS. 27.2MM THOMSON SEATPOST. KOOBI SL SADDLE. XT FRONT DERAILLEUR. SRAM 9.0 REAR DERAILLEUR. CARUMBA DOUBLE BARREL CRANKSET W/KOOKA RINGSET 46/36/24. RACEFACE TAPERLOCK BOTTOMBRACKET. WHITE INDUSTRIES HUBSET W/MAVIC 517. IRC'S 1.95 SERAC TIRES. PANARACER GREENLITE TUBES. | | Bottom Line: | AS A TRADITIONAL HARDTAIL ENTHUSIAST, I BELIEVE IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE TRAIL THROUGH THE BIKE. NO MOUNTAIN BIKE FRAME CAN CONNECT OR TEACH YOU THE TRAIL LIKE A HARDTAIL. IN TODAY'S MTB MARKET, WHERE FULL SUSPENSION XC STEEDS ARE SPROUTING UP WORLDWIDE LIKE SOME PLAGUE, I RECOMMEND THE FINEST, CUSTOM, HARDTAIL TITANIUM MOUNTAIN BIKE AVAILABLE-THE SOLA BY SEVEN CYCLES.
AS FAR AS MATERIAL IS CONCERNED, TITANIUM HAS SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS TEN-FOLD. THE SOLA ACCELERATES LIKE NO FRAME I HAVE EVER RIDDEN! IT'S VERTICAL COMPLIANCE COUPLED WITH AN AGILE LATERAL STIFFNESS EATS UP EVERY TIGHT SINGLE-TRACK SWITCHBACK I CAN HIT! IT'S SHORT CHAINSTAYS AND TIGHT HEADTUBE ANGLE YIELD A NIMBLE CLIMBER! IT SIMPLY SPRINGS UP THE MOUNTAIN LIKE A GOAT! ON DESCENTS, COUPLED WITH A MARZOCCHI AIR/OIL FORK, THE FRAME SOAKS UP EVERY STUTTER BUMP, ROCK LEDGE DROP OR LOG HOP LIKE A WET SPONGE! ON THE FLATS IT STICKS TO THE TRAIL LIKE A LEETCH! CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, TITANIUM DOESN'T FLEX AS SOME CRITICS STATE. IT IS MERELY A LIVELY MATERIAL.
SEVEN CYCLES WILL MANUFACTURE A CUSTOM FRAME FOR $2595.00. THE CUSTOMIZATION PROCESS IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR BODY MEASUREMENTS AND RIDING STYLE. WHAT BETTER FIT IS THERE ANYWAY? IT IS UNLIKE ANY BIKE PURCHASE YOU WILL EVER MAKE. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SECOND TO NONE AND AFTER YOU INITIATE THE PROCESS WITH YOUR LOCAL DEALER, YOU WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH ONE SALES PERSON FROM THE CUSTOM DIVISION. IT'S ONE ON ONE SERVICE THAT MAKES THIS COMPANY WORTH EVERY DOLLAR YOU WILL SPEND. THE TURN AROUND TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 4 WEEKS. ENOUGH SAID. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Cycles | | Strengths: | Beautiful, light and not aluminum. Climbs like a rocket. Bottom bracket is stiffer than I had expected. | | Weaknesses: | The front triangle is a little flexy, but no more than other Ti bikes. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale CAAD3 & CAAD4 | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Chris King, Avid and SID | | Bottom Line: | A sweet ride and mine isn't even custom - just a stock 17". If you want the ultimate hardtail, this is it. I got tired of my aluminum frames beating me up and I'm here to tell you you can have a light, compliant bike. They're just not cheap. And ten years from now I will still be riding it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Here's the URL for the review below:
htt:www.bikehash.freeservers.com/seven.html
| | Weaknesses: | $$$ | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. Read the comprehensive review of the Seven Sola at http://www.bikehash.freeservers.com/seven.html. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from KL, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Kiara | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Soon Watt, Singapore | | Strengths: | Traditional Ti strengths:
durability
vertical compliance
light weight
Additional Seven strengths:
fully custom geometry
custom fittings like 3rd bottle mount, etc
custom ride: handling and comfort
| | Weaknesses: | Expensive, but cheaper than similar custom Ti by other manufacturers. | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Obed | | Bike Setup: | S&S Couplings, XTR, Syncros drivetrain, Suntour XC Pro shifters etc.
Full set up can be seen here:
Seven review | | Bottom Line: | The last bike I'll ever buy. Check out the full review here:
Seven review
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richie Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$5300.00 | | Purchased At: | Directly from Seven | | Strengths: | Total custom ride.Everything,from ride compliance to frame geometry(I designed mine to emulate the Spooky Darkside)to sizing is up to you.The wizards at Seven aim to please.
This bike is a work of art,but unlike a Moots or Merlin it was not made to be hung up on a wall and admired,but to be ridden and ridden hard.I set my frame compliance at a 4 and got a bike that is stiff as steel laterally,but is vertically complaint enough to smooth out vibrations and small impacts.The tubing manipulation is more advanced than just about any other ti hardtail out there.It is a masterpiece and will last forever.I could go on,but you get the point by now.THIS IS A SEVEN,THERE ARE NO WEAKNESSES! | | Weaknesses: | Only one..the price.Paying $5300 for a bike may sound nuts,but hey why not?You could easily spend 4-10 times as much on a bassboat,a motorcycle,or a hot rod.Aren't you worth the indulgence?Live a little! | | Similar Products Used: | Prior bike was a Spooky Darkside XTR.It broke after 6 months and the workmanship was lousy,but I loved the geometry so much that I ordered my Seven with the same woods-oriented geometry.
I have sampled hartail bikes from Litespeed(subpar workmanship),Merlin(no custom geometry options),Moots(straight-wall tubing),and Ibis(loved the steel Mojo,but couldn't find a ti model).Seven was the only manufacturer that offered every option I was looking for.
| | Bike Setup: | Seven Sola Ti--custom geometry and size,all-XTR(recycled),Moots stem/custom handlebar/seatpost,Chris King headset,Marzocchi Z-2 Atom 80(recycled),Yeti Hardcore grips,XTR/Mustang wheelset(once again recycled from the Darkside),Time Atac pedals,water bottle holders,Continental Twister Pro tires--worth every penny | | Bottom Line: | The most beautiful,sweetest-riding,best-fitting bike that I have ever ridden.Kudos to the good people at Seven--their service was great and they were willing to create the ultimate,spare-no-expense(or performance) bike for me.I can't thank them enough.Seven and my Sola both get 500 chilies! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Count Morlock
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | DaFoe | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | custom fit, unparalleled tube manipulation,tuning the frame. | | Weaknesses: | hard to describe each quality, bike shops should have a soft,medium,hard version at the store- expensive setup, but may be good | | Bike Setup: | Shimano works and is cheap | | Bottom Line: | I have been on this steed for a few years now and must say that I just ride now and don't worry about the gear as much. This frame has very few faults. It is like riding a piece of art, but yet you can thrash it around a corner without worry. I have to admit, I ordered vertical compliance at a 3 and yet my old, much flexier lateratlly Merlin Mountain felt much smoother. I believe that my Sola flexes back faster and doesn't flex as much, but is probably as 'soft' vertically. For sure the Sola frame is much more performance oriented laterally- there is no wasted energy, especially if you get a stiff stem. I have taken the frame to most rides in the West and Midwest, plus, punishing the frame on Moab slickrock. I swear the frame got rockblasted and jackhammered, but after a sponge rinse and some buffing, it was as good as new (except for one chainstay ding). People thought I was crazy for bringing Ti onto slickrock- people would bring their steel sleds. For those people who complain about vertical compliance, use a Moots LaidBack. It has a gentle curve that does flex with small bumps. Rides over 1.5 hours are noticably smoother and I can ride longer than any hardtail out there. I still don't know if the XLM is a better performing bike (Robs old design). What a rider told me was that it was flexier in the middle of the frame and was more comfortable because of that- and somewhat better tracking in rockbeds, but that the Sola was a better racing, straight running performance frame that was stiff in the front triangle. Since I got the Moots post, I no longer complain about it not being as smooth as my old Mountain. I wish I could afford a road version, because the Sola on the road has the PERFECT amount of flex under BIG ring mashing that is pure pleasure- and a smooth road ride, too. A superb frame. Not the best value, unless you are a somewhat experienced rider to appreciate both art and a superlight, longlasting frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Mccorkle
a Cross Country Rider
from Ruckersville Va.
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Long Run | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Wheel Bikes | | Strengths: | Everything,Climbs like a billy goat.On the down hills it
feels like your floating through the woods.The crew at seven
are great to work with. | | Weaknesses: | I dont own a Seven road bike and Im typing this instead of
riding my Seven. | | Similar Products Used: | Serrotta MaxII,Trek | | Bike Setup: | XTR,XT,Sids XC,Cross Max. | | Bottom Line: | My friend owns a ti XTR bike.After 5 minutes on my Sola
he was sold.His frame is in production right now.
The whole custom concept is great.I dont think the price is out of line for what you get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garryck Hampton
a Cross Country Rider
from Seoul, Korea
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Strawberry loop (So. Cal.) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | You just can't get any better than this! | | Weaknesses: | None. If you can't afford one, get a loan. It's worth every penny. | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden lots of different frames | | Bike Setup: | Steel Sola w/ S&S couplings - WTB, Race Face, Manitou, XTR | | Bottom Line: | I chose steel cuz I like the feel of it for a mountain bike. The fit - perfect! The ride - a dream! The couplings - work great and saved me lots of cash cuz I like to travel. You've read the other reviews, they are not lying. Get one... NOW!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Allendale, Michigan
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ft. Custer Rec. Area | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2920.00 | | Purchased At: | Team Active Cycling & Fitness | | Strengths: | - Custom fit
- Dream-like handling
- Incredible craftsmanship (attention to detail)
- Compatibility w/HeadShok (option - $320 upcharge)
- Sexy s-bend seat/chainstays (asthetics count, too) | | Weaknesses: | - Stiffer ride than what I expected | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F700 (old bike) | | Bike Setup: | HeadShok Fatty Ultra DL fork, Coda Tarantula cranks w/2x9 drivetrain, XTR shifters/levers, XTR rear derailleur, LX front derailleur, XT V-brakes, Mavic CrossRide wheels, Speedplay Frog pedals, RaceFace XY post | | Bottom Line: | The people at Seven are incredible to work with. They have the ability to transform their "Custom Kit" (with the help of a phone interview) into a bike that fits & handles exactly like you want it to. Their level of customer service, in my experience, is unmatched.
It usually takes me a month or so to get a bike fine-tuned, so I'm not the type of guy who immediately felt "at home" on the first ride. Once I got these adjustments made, though, I knew that the fit of the frame was absolutely perfect. It handled exactly as I had anticipated, and I really appreciated the fact that I could outfit the frame with a HeadShok (I used to ride a Cannondale and swear by this fork).
The only downside to this frame probably lies more in my perception of what the ride quality should have been moreso than with the frame itself. Based on all of the research I had done before ordering this bike, I expected more of a "buttery" ride quality I had read so much about with ti hardtails. I spec'd a "4" on the Custom Kit for Vertical Compliance (1=lightweight/flexier, 10=stiffer). The frame dampens the trail considerable more than my Cannondale, especially when standing on downhills. However, in the saddle, the ride is still fairly harsh in my opinion. I tried a number of ti seatposts to help smooth out the ride, but had limited choices with the amount of setback that I had the frame designed around (the original post was a RaceFace XY). None gave me what I was looking for.
After a lot of consideration, and a test ride on a friend's Seven Teres (softtail), I decided to sell my Sola frame and order a Teres for myself. The limited-travel rear suspension provided a much more comfortable ride. All of the parts except for the seatpost will be carried over from my Sola (the Teres will use a Thomson post).
I rated the Sola with 4-flamin-chilis, as I prefer a smoother ride. For many people, it would easily earn 5 chilis. It's all a matter of personal preference.
One more note...if you're anywhere near Battle Creek, Michigan, Team Active is an excellent shop to deal with! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Frost
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, MA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bow Ridge, Lynn Woods, MA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | It fits it fits it fits. And it's light, too. | | Weaknesses: | Extremely expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Merlin XLM | | Bike Setup: | See http://jimf.ne.mediaone.net/~jimf/biking/seven | | Bottom Line: | I have a full review at the above URL, but here's a pocket summary.
If I wanted to sum up the entire Sola experience to date in one word, it would be telepathic. The bike just disappears underneath me. I can think of no higher praise.
The thing fits like a glove and is quick as lightning in the twisty stuff. It climbs like a goat, and I'm finding myself confidently descending things that scared the hell out of me previously (though that may be largely the result of the discs).
Even configured with discs and the bashed-for-being-porky Marzocchi fork (which weighs 30% more than the frame!) this thing comes in at under 22lbs on my bathroom scale. I still marvel at how light it is even though I chose durability over weight in almost every case.
Ok, downsides:
Cost, obviously. Justifying the bike's cost was hard when there were full custom steel frames (even from Seven) that would probably suit me as well for a lot less money. But Ti won't corrode, so hopefully this is the last frame I ever have to buy. Or so I keep telling myself :-).
You can't test ride it before you buy it. It's a lot of money to plunk down on the gamble that you're going to like what they come up with. I was scared to death that I'd hate it; my fears were not realized, but they already had my check....
There are a number of things you can specify about the frame, including agility, strength versus weight, and compliance. Compliance is split between vertical and lateral, and here is the only place where the results were not entirely satisfying. I wanted the bike to be quite stiff laterally for power, but fairly compliant for riding over rocks. Lateral stiffness I got in spades, but the bike feels less vertically compliant than my old steel GT (which is very similarly configured other than XT versus XTR). It's still way more compliant than a Cannondale. The salesguy at the bike shop said it'd be hard to get both, and they didn't quite do it. Maybe it'd be easier with a larger frame, mine is quite small, but I've ridden a similarly sized Merlin XLM that felt more compliant (though also not as stiff laterally). I'm really nitpicking here, but the bike is so good that that's all I have to complain about.
I have to knock off a chili in the "value" category because the thing costs a fortune, with the added comment that the craftsmanship is second to none and obviously I thought it was worth the money. In terms of overall rating independent of cost this thing is a knockout.
If you can't afford the Ti version, by all means consider their steel variant. You won't believe the fit, and in my opinion that's the number one reason you ought to be looking at this frame.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
the captain
a Racer
from ogden utah us
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wheelers/maples | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | CUSTOM FIT!!!! CUSTOM FIT!!! Oh yeah it's titanium! more than stiff enough to race forgiving enough to ride the epics. beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | seven makes 6 other ti models i don't own | | Similar Products Used: | diamondback axis tt, Fat chance ti, merlin xlm, litespeed owl hollow | | Bike Setup: | 00'xtr, rockshox sid, chris king, avid, ceramic 517's. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this. I've rode some incredible frames made of the same stuff and the thing that sets this one apart is the custom sizing. I thought it was kinda gimmicky at first then i rode the bike. WOW!! I absolutely don't notice my bike doing anything strange. Seated climbing is a breeze, standing the same, everything is just right where it belongs. I have more than enough bb stiffness and yet i don't take a beating on the 3+ hour rides. the guys and gals at seven have the skills, the system, and the capabilities to make anyone with a passion for cycling realize their dream ride. This bike is not for everyone and the parts are subject to the owner but if your passionate about the ride, the bike and have the love this is a no-brainer!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Donal Fitterer
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ithaca, NY
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Shindagin | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Custom fit
Ti ride | | Weaknesses: |
Price | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
XTR Package
Girven Noleen Fork
Time pedals
Power Post seat post
Mythos tires | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden and raced this bike all summer and have really enjoyed myself. Two 4th's in sport masters and I beat my riding buddy by 15 secs in the last race. I am concerned about previous reviews. Is there a time limit on reviews? I think it is important to see the history of a product. Why are previous reviews removed?
One note about Seven service. I had no complaints but I was not as critical as Ken. My bike rides great and tracks very well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike T.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Woodstock Ont Canada
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Every one ever ridden | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
It's built by Seven Cycles. Nuff said. | | Weaknesses: |
There are none | | Similar Products Used: |
Cannondale, Bontragers, True North custom 853. | | Bike Setup: |
Rond-Magura Air 65 fork, Magura Louise disc. SRAM Half Pipe. Nytex CF cranks. | | Bottom Line: | I've had this work |
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$ 2500.00
