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Submitted by
Drew
a Downhiller
from C-burg, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | weeeeee! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | Bomb proof. Really plush suspension that can take a beating. 24" rear is nice because I don't have to worry about bending/breaking/truing it all the time. | | Weaknesses: | WEIGHT! It really sucks if you live somewhere where you have to push it up the hill... | | Similar Products Used: | - | | Bike Setup: | 02' Monster T, sram X7, e13 chain retention system, saint cranks... it's been around the block so it has almost no stock parts. | | Bottom Line: | Great inexpensive bike that can keep up with some of the newer stuff coming out for a fraction of the cost. It's heavy (in large part due to the monster t) but it will really take a beating without letting you down. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ALEX ORME
a Downhiller
from leeds
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | dh | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1074.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand | | Strengths: | good at jumpping | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | all new products on the bike | | Bottom Line: | good bike | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
davo brown
a Downhiller
from geelong australia
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | the you yangs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | De Grande cycle and sport | | Strengths: | Awesome for jumping and good cornering its also prety light | | Weaknesses: | "The damn 24' back wheel,just not fast enough" | | Similar Products Used: | One of my mates Giant faith1 | | Bike Setup: | 06 rear so i can run 26', 06 fox 3 way rear shock,05 juicy five f/b, atomlab hubs, race face bars and stem, white mtx rims, 05 bomber 66rch2, sram x9 short cage, maxxis minion front and back, front part of frame is painted bronze pearl mattelic the rear is black | | Bottom Line: | Will never buy a different brand bike again...AWESOME! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
davo brown
a Downhiller
from geelong australia
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | the you yangs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | De Grande cycle and sport | | Strengths: | Awesome for jumping and good cornering its also prety light | | Weaknesses: | "The damn 24' back wheel,just not fast enough" | | Similar Products Used: | One of my mates Giant faith1 | | Bike Setup: | 06 rear so i can run 26', 06 fox 3 way rear shock,05 juicy five f/b, atomlab hubs, race face bars and stem, white mtx rims, 05 bomber 66rch2, sram x9 short cage, maxxis minion front and back, front part of frame is painted bronze pearl mattelic the rear is black | | Bottom Line: | Will never buy a different brand bike again...AWESOME! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Edwards
a Downhiller
from Perth Australia
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Goatfarm | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | JT Cycles | | Strengths: | Great bike. I love it. Handles anything. I put a 3 ring as i like to ride around. Bit heavy but not too bad. | | Weaknesses: | Derallieur hanger. I have broken 4 of them.. once had to weld one back together as so hard to get. | | Bike Setup: | Boxxer forks. Standard except for 3 rings. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for gravity. A real head turner | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Tremblay
a
from Dorchester
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | it's very good to go off drops | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | I was first looking at a norco buzz and i thought wow this is a pretty good bike but as i saved my mony for it i decided to just take another look at another store i was thinking no way anything can beat norco so as im looking i see all thease specialized bike and im like wow these thease bike are way better. Thats when i starter riding specialized i would highly recomend them they can eat up anything! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh hatton
a Downhiller
from oxford
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | aston hill cwmcarn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | mate | | Strengths: | bike is really good. whole set up just goes really well looks a beast not going 2 brake it weighs a good amount to nicest bike i riding apart from demo 8 | | Weaknesses: | 24' back wheel, colour!!!!! o well it not what it loks like what is rides like ! | | Similar Products Used: | demo 8 9. orange 222, scot high octane | | Bike Setup: | 02 frame 05 888s e13 srs shimano saints, crank bro 5050s, deare set up, rce face , fox rc, maxxis high rollers, hayes hfx 9, | | Bottom Line: | brill bike very cheap will NOT BRAKE buy it nuva gd produt form specialized | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Downhiller
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Redline | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Some guys house | | Strengths: | Geometry is amazing, so many variations for headtube angle. Its super awsome on the drops, and its quite forgiving when you case the bigone. | | Weaknesses: | At 50 pounds its brutal on the hill climbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo 8, SanaCruz VP free | | Bike Setup: | Monster Ts, Mpr Chain guide, 04 double tracks, xtr-Lx didnt last very long, Maxis High roller in the rear and Intense Super tacky Dh in the front, Monkey light bars, ruffian lock-ons, Avid Jucy 5s-Best two piston brake in the world. | | Bottom Line: | im speach less | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Si
a Weekend Warrior
from Devon
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Swansea | | Strengths: | big travel strong DH freeride frame for a super cheap price!! ideal for a poor student! rides really well accross pretty much any terrain munching over anything in its path. quite light considering what its designed for! | | Weaknesses: | few weaknesses. first bloody awkward rear brake hose mounts and a lack of a front mech mount. 24 inch wheel works well but can prove difficult to find good replacement tyres for the good old british winters!high roller works real well in the dry though. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin b17 | | Bike Setup: | 02 jr T, sun + mavic rims, hope c2 brakes, hope hubs. | | Bottom Line: | this bike looks and is the bollox especially when you consider the price and look at the rivals at this price. tried and tested suspension design that works and strength to weight is good.
8.1 inches of travel is ideal for just about everything down but ok not so good for the ups as it does bounce a bit.
Would probably ride super nice with a shiver up front but unfortunatly too much cash for little me!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Downhiller
from Boulder CO
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Foothills eagle | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | Very nice bike, good pedleing for a downhill machine, great for sokeing up the big stuff, great bike | | Weaknesses: | The color isn't the best, but they changed it for 03, other than that(which is no big deal) nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruse Bullit, Intense M1 | | Bike Setup: | 03 boxxer team, sram 9.0, hayes with razer rock levers,MRP chain guild, Azonic cranks, Trucative stem | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, and loads chaper than the M1 and about as nice, you should get it for any type of downhill, pluse it a good uban bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Dannoff
a Downhiller
from Stockholm, Sweden
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Strengths: | Its quick, easy to "ride in", smooth travel, exellent working linkage. | | Weaknesses: | it cant run with 26" inch wheels, leaving my deemax useless for now... and the steering headtube is waaaay too long. almost made it impossible to use my shiver. its only clamped halfway trough the upper crown =/ | | Similar Products Used: | Lassbo, kuwahara. | | Bike Setup: | Shiver DC -01, Fox vanilla RC-02, MRP Worldcup 2 -02, Hayes hydraulic with 8" rotors, Halo combat 24" with 3.0 tires. azonic 3-piece chromoly cranks, XT derailleur, club roost stem and bar. | | Bottom Line: | it is great for freeride allthough it has too short chainstays, it would work better with 26" rear wheel, it does great cornering and good balance in bigjumps, i havent tried it in high speed downhill yet but i think it'll work great..
its absolutely worth its price.
NOTE: this is NOT a stock bike. i just bought the frame and moved all my stuff over from the old bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Boyle
a Downhiller
from peteboghorror
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | aston hillock/chicksands | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | terry wright (wrong) cycles | | Strengths: | cheap, strong as special brew, dang fast.the 24" wheel means you can run massive tires. | | Weaknesses: | don,t fancy the colour much, the 03 frames in black are smart as... | | Similar Products Used: | patriots, super8, raleigh activator. | | Bike Setup: | med 2002 big hit. 24" wheels f+r on intense 3" tyres. monster t's (what else?)azonic bars+stem. DMR pedals+cranks. xt drive train.hope m4 anchors. kickstand and bell. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rules, why buy an M1? i run 24" wheels at both endsand have had no probs with handling, in fact i prefer it for messing about on tight british trails. vary stable on jumps and drops (which is good cos i'm not).the spring and damping seem fine for my 14 stone and are perfectly balanced with the monsters on the front. i've had stacks of bikes over the years but this is the best handling, best looking, fastest yet. i'm moving to vancuver next month and i'm not going to change a thing on it. SEE YA | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
luke Jarmey
a Downhiller
from uk
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Aston hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | leisure-lakes | | Strengths: | Amazing value, good on jumps, damn good on the DH | | Weaknesses: | wierd seat tube measurment (hard to find replacement tube) also the frames quite hard to get hold of (i think mine was one of the last ones) | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz bullet, Giant ac ds-1, orange patriot | | Bike Setup: | shivers (better than boxers), hope m4,race face,anzonic,halo combat. | | Bottom Line: | This bike frame is amazing value and the on the debate of the 24inch rear i must say i could'nt really tell the difference.I would recomend shivers over boxers on this bike because the desighn suits this frame much more and the adustiable head angle is useful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Old Mc Donald had a farm with jumps
a Downhiller
from Big wooden house in the middle of know were.
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Penshurst | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Grips | | Strengths: | Great price, and is strong, could not believe my eyes when i saw how cheep this was. If the intense M1 had a baby bro. this frame would be it. 5 yr warranty. | | Weaknesses: | only 24" wheel option, the rear mech hanger is like a twig, you can break it with your hands. | | Similar Products Used: | nowt | | Bike Setup: | monster t, trailpimp, tioga, hope, 24seven, mrp, fsa, XTR. | | Bottom Line: | this a great frame, and for the money is even better. The 5 yr warrenty is good, and after that you can still get a new frame at trade price. Stiffness is good, and the rear shock soaks up drops excellent, as i've done 7 foot drops and not felt anything. BUY THIS FRAME! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Downhiller
from dundee, scotland
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Leisure lakes | | Strengths: | strong ,stiff, smooth travel and plenty of it and its a bloody bargin at only £600 for frame. | | Weaknesses: | dosnt fit a 3" gazzaloddi on the back and a weak rear mech hanger I've gone through 2 alredy but BETD will sort you out with a stronger one. | | Similar Products Used: | super 8, bullit, ATX 1 | | Bike Setup: | bighit DH,2002 monster T's Gusset pigmy 3 piece,halo combat wheel set, hope M4s, XT mech/shifter, azonic love seat, 24/7 bar & stem | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike. I dont know why people moan so much about the 24" rear wheel I havent noticed any difference pver the rough stuff and it take a hell of a lot more abuse.
This bike is equally at home on the downhills as it is on the big drops and its not that hevy so you can also ride it up the hills | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Surrey
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Les Gets Berm Course | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2925.00 | | Purchased At: | Off Beat Bikes/Thameside Cycles | | Strengths: | I haven't read any of the previous reviews in order to keep this one objective. First of all, the frame, at UK£600 must be one of mountain biking's best ever bargains! When I initially considered building a full-susser, the other frames I considered were the Santa Cruz Bullit and Intense Uzzi SLX, but the Bullit costs double the price of a Big Hit and the Uzzi SLX three times more. To put things in to perspective, my complete Big Hit cost me just more than the price of the Uzzi SLX frame alone! Anyway, I just got back from 4 days of riding Alpine trails and world cup courses in Morzine and Les Gets and the Big Hit rode great. I even rode it all the way up an 11km (800m rise in altitude) climb! It also jumps well and lands smoothly too. The fact that it is front mech compatible is also a plus. | | Weaknesses: | Weight (39lbs). It's probably no heavier than other similar bikes, but I'm used to riding a 23lb hardtail! Too scarce in the shops - I had a hell of a time trying to get one as Specialized UK told a bike shop who tried to get me one that they sold a year's supply in 3 months! | | Similar Products Used: | This is the first full-sus bike I have owned. | | Bike Setup: | I didn't just want this bike to be a full-on DH bike, more a heavy duty, do-it-all bike so I could at least try to ride up some of the hills instead of pushing. So I built it up with 2002 Boxxers, Race Face Prodigy DH cranks (3 rings), Atomlab Aircorp rims, Hope Hubs, Hope M4 disc brakes, Hope Enduro headset, Race Face steering and DMR V-12 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | For the price, I don't think I could've built a better heavy duty full-sus bike. It's more than capable of handling world cup DH courses (more capable than me!) and rides great. It inspired me and gave me confidence to ride down stuff in the Alps which I wouldn't normally have had the balls to ride and made me ride faster and smoother down the rest. There are probably better full-sus frames out there, but most will cost at least double or triple the price of a Big Hit and you have to question whether they will make you ride twice or three times better or whether you will enjoy riding them twice or three times more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Curry
a Downhiller
from Wales
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Off Beat Downhill, Glentress and Innerleithen | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Team Autovogue | | Strengths: | PRICE!! strength, design, ride quality, stiffness. All-round very nice bike. Also even with very muddy rides and a thrashing the rear pivots are still super smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Most say that the 24" rear wheel finds holes alot more than a 26" but to be honest i havnt noticed the difference. But the handling is different especially at speed and takes a little getting used to. So basically NONE! | | Similar Products Used: | Storm DH bike, Patriot, Coyote DH3, Kona full sussers | | Bike Setup: | Jr. T's, Hope M4 front - Mini rear, Halo 24" rear and Sun Rhyno lite front on XT disc hubs, World Force bar & stem, LX Shifter, Mr. Dirt c/d | | Bottom Line: | This bike is super sweet! Very little noticeable pedal feedback and rear suspension is more active under braking than a patriot - much easier to ride on steeper courses where brake needs to be dragged. The price just doesnt nearly cover the quality of build you get for your money - its the same rear sus design as the Intense M1!! Stable in the air although i found even with my 10 1/2 stone weight that the rear spring was slightly too soft for the bigger drops ie. it blew through its travel quickly unless you use a couple of clicks of compression damping. This frame allows you to make silly mistakes and get away with them! Doesnt really seem to matter if you hook up your back end on a jump. But beware - makes you a sloppy rider!! Buy this bike.......... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob cole
a Downhiller
from London, England
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sandy Heath or Aston Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Surgery, London | | Strengths: | Very tough construction, yet light for what it is.
The best rear suspension on market (hey, Intense license it from SBC so it must be good!)
Amazing ride quality - no brake jacking or pedal feedback
Balanced handling
Flies very well
Takes big drops no problems
Gives rider lots of confidence
The price -£600 for frame is the bike bargain of my lifetime! | | Weaknesses: | Poor rear cable routing
24 inch rear wheel not ideal for fast, open DH racing(26 inch option would be nice)
Horrible paint colour (they call it "scab red"!!)
No bolt-through axle | | Similar Products Used: | Scott World Cup DH, Oranges, Intense M1, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Junior T (02), Shimano 105 rear mech, Gripshift 8 speed shifter, 24 Seven Dark Angel cranks, Mr. Dirt Gizmo 02 chain device, Halo Combat 26" / 24" rims on Xt disc hubs, Tioga cube stem / 286 dH bars, Tioga XL seat, Nokian Gazzolodi Jnr tires | | Bottom Line: | I saw this frame at my local dealer, and fell in love with it,...then I saw the price (£600) and asked if they had put the trade price up there by mistake. The dealer said the reason for the low price is that GT/ Schwinn going bust left Giant with some spare capacity in their factory over the New Year, and they came to a deal to build a low-cost, high quality 4-bar linkage frame...
..whatever the reasons, it allowed to build the kind of bike I couldn't ever afford, all in my build cost £1800, these kind of bikes cost £3000-4000 so I was stoked.
I used to race DH back in the day (mid 90's) and the difference in quality between the Big Hit and those old bikes (3-4" travel) is incredible.
I think the strengths and weaknesses section already said what I need to say. The only issues I have are the poor cable routing for the rear mech, although this is compounded by using a Mr. Dirt Gizmo chain device, if I had used an MRP World Cup there would have more clearance between the chain device and the swingarm. With the Mr. Dirt (an amazing device, cheaper than MRP and much stronger)I have cut the rear cable through several times, which is getting annoying and expensive. I would like to see a better route for the rear cable, away from under the b/b and maybe along the top of the chainstay.
The 24" rear wheel is something that people judge this bike on, from my own expierience it is fine, a bit of a hassle to build up a zero-dish 24" back wheel but it was ok. There is a huge range of tires available in the UK for 24" wheels - you've got Intense, Nokian Gazzolodi, Tioga, Michelin, etc. so I don't think you need to worry about that issue. The 24" rear wheel is slower for all-out Kamikaze-type open DH courses, you tend to spin out your gears quicker, but it makes the Big Hit great for the technical, twisting woods-style DH course we get in the UK, and it makes the bike feel smaller, and much quicker for trails, jumping doubles, messing around.
I don't like the paint colour, but that doesn't matter. Also the lack of a rear bolt-through hub is annoying, but explained by the low cost of the frame, obviously a bolt-thru would have added $$$. I got round this issue by using a Shimano XT disc freehub, stripping out the QR axle and replacing it with a solid cromoly 24 Seven axle and big locknuts. Rocky Mountain sell their RM7 bikes like this, and it works. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
"BS" DyLiBaH
a Downhiller
from BC Baby
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fromme, Seymour, Cypress | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Purchased At: | North Shore | | Strengths: | What he said. Agreed, a good bike. But, it does one thing. | | Weaknesses: | Weight ! 40lbs. It's a piggy. And not a very versatile bike at all. Go with the Enduro to keep your mind right. This bike with make you stupid. | | Similar Products Used: | The Enduro is not lame at all, sweet ride. Light and fast. You you have any, and I mean any trail riding skills at all you will respect a bike such as an Enduro ... While going down : BigHit BS DyLiBaH catch me if you can, do you feel lucky punk? | | Bike Setup: | Doug Koy is a geek. Let's get him off the air. | | Bottom Line: | Stopping while riding up Fromme, it's harder after popcorn chicken at KFC ... you sweat the stuff out ! Working 90 hours a week takes a little out of you. So some stopping may be required. I wish I could only work three !!!
You see the problem with most "Downhillers" is that they honestly think and believe that they are good riders, they aren't really good riders at all ... anyone can crash through. Where's the skill in that?
Whistler, yeah it's great fun !!! This review by DyLiBaH is why people hate mountain bikers. Downhillers own the A line at Whistler, because it's the only trail they can do. Check your brain at the door ... dum, da dum, dum ... up, down = repeat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daz
a
from newcastle uk
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | glentress, scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | skene's | | Strengths: | looks, stiffness, adjustabilty...this bike has it all! | | Weaknesses: | the frame won't take my roox chain animal (in others words ..NONE) | | Similar Products Used: | orange 222(tested) | | Bike Setup: | pace monsters, f.u.n.n henchman stem, 24/7 bars,shimano xt discs, truvativ cranks, ultegra mech and cassette, f.u.n.n chronic 24" rim on the rear with huru guru hub | | Bottom Line: | this is the first full suspsnsion frame i've had and i love it to bits! gives a lot of confidence into corners and flows over the trails. i've found that an ultregra rear mech gives you more ground clearance but it still smacks off the frame a little.
all in all this bike is fanatastic and it turns a few heads too.
if this is anything to go by, watch out for the 2003 bighit! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DyLiBaH
a Downhiller
from B.C. Baby
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All 3 Shore MTNs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Purchased At: | DIZZT Cycles, Best in the West | | Strengths: | This is a Big Hit Pro review.
Everything on this machine is a strength, it instills confidence and handles like a European sports car. For all those wimps who say it is to heavy for uphill or XC riding, i am going up Fromme faster than my buddyand stopping less than him and he is on a Enduro expert. UPHILLING IT IS EASY!! | | Weaknesses: | Only thing are the gay pedals it comes with, clips scare me.
Also i will be puting on a 2003 monster, only because it will handle the freeriding im going to be doing better than the JR T PROS, wich are SWEET | | Similar Products Used: | RM 7, Big Hit DH, Enduro (these are lame bikes) | | Bike Setup: | JR T Pros, mosh flat pedals, i havent swapped out the big ring, but an MRP will be installed with my 03 MONSTERS, fox rc out back, RCS rule!! | | Bottom Line: | This bike hauls ass. The weight you wont even notice when you are humping up a hill, but it will instill confidence on the way down. I have been mountain biking for a month now and can conquer everything at whistler with grace and style. Big air on the drops and biker X. This machine instills confidence and will take care of you in all situations, dont be afraid of the drops, hit em with this puppy and they will beg you to stop!! Climb it up mountains then light em up on the way down!! DROPs no prob, This bike feels like you get inside it not sit on it.
Ride HARD!! Ride fast!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cbranney
a Downhiller
from N. Ireland
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Moneyscalp | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2450.00 | | Purchased At: | McConveys Cycles | | Strengths: | Really Stiff frame, and not anywhere near as weighty as I first thought it would be. Rear wheel is welded to the ground thanks to the super smooth rear linkage. Fox RC shock is great. Bike is excellent under braking, and rear traction while leaned over and pedalling hard is unbelievable. Climbs much better than I thought it would too (not that this is a concern for most people...) 24" rear is great for acceleration and strength. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock gets covered with mud due to its location in front of the rear wheel - a shock boot or some form of guard is a very good idea. Cable routing under down tube leads to large build up of dirt in this area - again, a fender would be a good idea. Chain slaps chainstay over bumpy terrain. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing in this things league! | | Bike Setup: | Jr. T up front. 27 speed setup - deore cranks, XT bottom bracket, XT E-Type front der, Deore rear der, LX rear cassette, Deore disc hubs, XT front disc, Deore rear disc, LX shifters, Titec Helbent DH bars, Profile Design grips, Velo saddle, Michelin Wildgripper DH soft 2.3 on Mavic 521 up front, Specialized roller pro 2.5 on the back. Wellgo V8 replica peddles, Specialixed 100mm stem (cause Im soo lanky) | | Bottom Line: | I built up my 27 speed BigHit DH to give me an all round play bike - lots of travel and lots of fun. I got a lot of bike for my money. The build came out at £70 less than a Giant AC 1 and I think my bike is a lot more capable than the Giant. The triple rings up front run great, and climbing isnt the heart busting experience I thought it was gonna be.
All in all, a great bike for Downhilling or Freeriding (much as I hate to use that term)! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zark
a Downhiller
from SB, Ca
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | haven't found one yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Bobs | | Strengths: | Excellent design, quality construction, stiff chassis. The bike is an amazing pedaller, great under braking, very fun in the air and it wheelies great! | | Weaknesses: | The 24" wheel. Tire selection is bad, but getting better. 24" wheels don't flow as well across brutal terrain. The shock rubs the tire under full compression with a 3.0 tire. | | Similar Products Used: | '00 Giant DH team w/ S8 (owned 1.5 years)
'98 Specialized FSR Pro w/bearing kit, 6" upgrade 24" rear and an Xvert 6". (owned 2 years)Kona, Karpiel, Dirt Works, Intense, Rocky Mtn | | Bike Setup: | Stock pretty much:
Shiver DC 190mm
Doulbe Track rims
FSA cro mo cranks | | Bottom Line: | THe specialized Big Hit DH is not for everyone. The 24" wheel is different for sure and isn't great for some terrain and conditions. Its not a pro DH rig, but its great for privateers who need a more veratile bike. It jumps really good, pedals really good. Its a lot of fun on the trail I have to say. To improve my ride on choppy stuff I got a 3.0 to increse wheel diameter, and this helps a lot. I'd rather have an Intense M1, but I can't afford it. This is the next best thing for the money. Thats the key, for the price nothing else is as well specced and thought out. If Spec. stuck w/ 26" rear it'd probably be better for racing, but it'd take some of the fun out of jumping and playing around. I give it a 5 for value, 4 overall | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Henk Zwijgers
a Weekend Warrior
from klaaswaal Netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything whit an elivator | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Don Skene | | Strengths: | price . 24"rear wheel. manoeuvrability | | Weaknesses: | stock spring is a little bit to soft i think | | Similar Products Used: | no real DH bikes tested yet, | | Bike Setup: | shiver DC , atomic lab trailpimp/aircorp rims ,DT onyxDH hubs, 24/7 cranks, azonic shorty ,2.5"riserbar and love seat ,XT shifters, Nokian gazza's 2.6 | | Bottom Line: | very nice frame set, for a even better price. very smooth thanx to the fox shock. jumps really easy and is feels as light as my GT LTS. Makes fou feel like a carpet ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Giles
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wades Cycles/Brotherton Cycles | | Strengths: | Price
Plush
feels quite light | | Weaknesses: | Quite tall
Not the best climber | | Similar Products Used: | Orange 222 (carpark ride)
Giant AC | | Bike Setup: | Shivers, Halo combat rims on Hope bulbs, 2.6 Gazza's, Hope M4, 24 Seven Bar and stem DMR V 12 Pedals, raceface DH cranks, Sram 9.0 shifting system | | Bottom Line: | Bargain, By shopping around got what I wanted for relatively not much money. At first it looked huge but once aboard it is amazing. Rides like a dream, gives you heaps of confidence. I have no problem recommend this bike to anyone. I love the 24" wheel and it feels amazingly balanced. I haven't ridden in months and on the first ride was attempting and pulling off stuff never would have dreamed of on my old hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trond Olsen
a Weekend Warrior
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Øvre Skådalen | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | North West Mountainbikes | | Strengths: | Four bar, no brake jack, stiffness, stability, strength, good standover, adjustability, can take front derailleur, PRICE, 5 year warranty | | Weaknesses: | huh?
Seatpost clearance for us non DH'ers could be better...
| | Similar Products Used: | San Andreas, Uzzi, Bullit, RM7, Slayer | | Bike Setup: | JrT 6", XT DISC 8", truvativ cranks, MRP DS ISCG 38tooth, Deore drivetrain, Jumbo/Arrow tires, PlanetX/Deemax, Vanilla RC | | Bottom Line: | For the price, nothing rivals this bike. I use it primarily for freeriding and monkeying about and it flat out rules. Drops are easy schmeasy. Incredible balancing and it feels very nimble. Fantastic under hard braking. Climbs ok, not great but what to expect from an 8" travel bike? Take it slow, and it'll get you up eventually :)
To be honest, this bike should definitely be the benchmark other framemakers aim at, considering the incredible value for money.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Kelowna
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything at Crawford | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Gerick Cycle | | Strengths: | Super Strong, plush ride, All in all a great bike | | Weaknesses: | None that I have found | | Similar Products Used: | Traded 2000 FSR Enduro for it | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except installed DH version rear Fox shock and link for 8.1" of travel. Soon to be installed Race Face DH Cranks, Envy RR from my old FSR | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Big Hit Pro, International/Canadian version. I decided to trade my 2000 FSR Enduro for this bad boy. I ride up the hill with this tank of a bike and still love it. My old FSR weighed in at 33 lbs, this runs 40 lbs and to be honest I don't really notice much difference. Just makes me stronger.
It does pose some problems climbing with the Marzocchi up front but again I manage. The ride is so so plush and the bike instills so much confidence. Just started doing jumps and find the bike so balanced in comparison to the Enduro. The Enduro used to rattle my bones, not anymore.
I used to enjoy the downhill on my Enduro, now it is truly a blast just screaming down the hill.
I am very happy with this bike. And for those who wonder, you can ride this puppy up the hill. It ain't that bad.
BWT: Dealt with Pat as usual and the service is great.
Ben
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis Wolpin
a Downhiller
from San Jose, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Brail Trail in soquel demo forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | I work at a shop Trailhead Cyclery | | Strengths: | The stiffest bike on the market. The 24" rear wheel rules! and the travel and bbheight/head angle adjustments rule. | | Weaknesses: | At first tire selection was limited, but I saw a lot of new 24" tires by all different companys. Intense, maxis and nokian mainly. Now it's not really an problem. | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 s-works dh, turner dh, karpiel disco volante, intense uzzi sl and slx, Intense M-1, santa cruze super 8(crap) and the santa cruz v-10 prototype. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi shiver, full race face, full xtr, Chris king 20mm front hub ISO rear and king headset, Intense mag 30 hoops, Hayes 6"rear 8"front, Intense world cup front and dh 3.0 rear, mrp world cup system-2 | | Bottom Line: | this bike dominates Free ride and DH. You can go dual crown or single, either works great for different applications. I would recomend it to anyone who likes to ride and have fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Buckinghamshire, UK
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Aston hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes, cheltenham | | Strengths: | Ive had this baby not long, but it doesnt take a while to work out that its a super fast super strong bike. The shivers up front are great but easy to bottom out on their softest,( i think they are better than boxxers) .The hayes discs are exceptional,much better than Hope. The 24 inch rear wheel gives the rider quiker exceleration thruogh corners, but does not flow as well over rooty secions and rocks, but still gives an excellent ride. | | Weaknesses: | You have to make the head angle steaper and the bb height lower if u want the shock to become softer and plusher,I found with the bike on the shallower head the shock was stiffer and not too responsive.Due to the 24 inch rear wheel, the rear mech is quite low to the ground leaving it vunerable. the rear should be a 12mm bolt through system instead of a skewer | | Similar Products Used: | Intense m1, santa cruz super 8, Orange 222 | | Bike Setup: | hayes 8" front and rear, shiver 190mm forks, fox Vanilla rc shock, mr dirt gizmo changuide, xt groupset,dmr saturn ring, odi and much moreeeee | | Bottom Line: | For the money it is damm good, you shouldnt buy it if u like to ride back up to the top of the trail though, itll be like getting a 100 year old elephant to walk up everest.If you are serious about racing and want to be seen then get this bike.
BIG MONEY SPENDERS ALLERT! DONT BE FOOLED OF THE CHEAP PRICE OF THE FRAME, SPECIALIZED REALISED THE DEMAND FOR THESE BIKES WAS SO HIGH, THAT WOULD MAKE MORE DOSH , IF THEY DROPPED THE PRICE! THIS BIKE IS ON PAR WITH THE M1 AND OTHER BIG SHELL OUTS! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason metzler
a Racer
from ft. collins, co usa
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | sawmill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | specialized employee | | Strengths: | cable routing is great, Shiver is incredible, 8 inches in the rear is responsive and plush, 24' rear wheel accelerates good and improves riding position, double track rims are beefy, tires are great, hayes brakes, FSA cranks are super stiff, MRP is perfect and very quiet, 8 inch rotor in the front really helps, adjustability of head angles and bb heights, gussets and welding are incredible | | Weaknesses: | grips are poor, rides on flat and uphills like a tank ( not the intended purpose obviously, but you do have to get to the top of the trail if there is no lift), inverted forks scare me because of the potential for scratching the stanchions, Presta valve tubes????, paint job is ugly, Trigger shifters?? (prefrence), not a big fan of the Shive adjustment knobs. | | Similar Products Used: | schwinn straight 8, santa cruz super 8, tomac BFDHB, Road 34 SFDHB. | | Bike Setup: | stock.... nearly perfect..... | | Bottom Line: | kick @#$ DH bike, especially for the price, cant go wrong with specialized. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Rothwell
a Downhiller
from Rochdale
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Noel Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$875.00 | | Purchased At: | Don Skene,Teamskene.com | | Strengths: | Wicked Looks, Takes Drops with ease, Fast acceleration, Accepts 3inch Tyre. Really Smooth Shock. | | Weaknesses: | Gear Cable Routing, Should Have 26inch wheel version aswell | | Similar Products Used: | Super 8, Bullit, Scott Octane. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Boxxers, Azonic Stem and Bar, All XTR, Dmr Chiften, MRP,Hope Enduro,Chris King.Mavic 321 | | Bottom Line: | Awesome For the price at £600 or $875 really smooth the best at this sort of price E-mail me for any questions at jimmy_bo_bo_selecta@yahoo.co.uk | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Harris
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | mostly ski hills and mountains | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | i dident buy it yet | | Strengths: | this bike has a real good suspension setup and a real good price. | | Weaknesses: | specialized components, especialy the gay ass handelbar | | Similar Products Used: | rm7, brodie 8 ball, santa cruiz super 8 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is a real smooth ride.the 24" rear whele makes it easyer to go down steaper hills but is doesent flow as good in rocky sections, it is a real good value. it is also my futre bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy Straatman
a Downhiller
from Bellingham, WA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All North Shore, Snakeonia | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Fairhaven Bike and Mtn Sport | | Strengths: | Quick acceleration, tight turning as well as good high speed turning, can't go wrong with a shiver! | | Weaknesses: | The only(!) thing I would say is the 24" rear wheel dosn't carry as well as a 26" through large bouldery areas | | Similar Products Used: | Ventana-El Matador, Spec. Enduro FSR, Santa Cruz-Bulit, Kona Stab DEELUX | | Bike Setup: | Hayes Brake, Black Spire Chain Guid, Shiver, Red Line BMX cranks, Rhino Lite Wheelset, | | Bottom Line: | This bike will take you any where you want to go, and further! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boss Colin
a Downhiller
from CA
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Rideable | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Extremely strong, smooth suspension, jumps-oh yeah, Drops-woo baby | | Weaknesses: | Hard to string derailer cables
(in other words NOTHING) | | Similar Products Used: | Intense M-1, Santa Cruz Bullit, Storm H2, RM6 | | Bike Setup: | Hayes 8 in front 6 inch rear, jr.t pro, shimano xt groupo, azonic stem/handlebar | | Bottom Line: | If you want a good bike than get this one,
oh yes smooth travel great drops/jumps, performs awesome in the air I am mentally attatched to my bike already. I love you Specialized | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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