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Specialized
1999 FSR Sport
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Submitted by
Morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from Palo Alto
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Baylands and skyline ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Garners | | Strengths: | Cheap performance, lots of travel, aluminum... | | Weaknesses: | Little heavy, can not adjust seat on the fly if a water bottle cage is attached | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Hilltopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ Ritchey pedals, specialized bar ends and shoes. | | Bottom Line: | Get it if you can, this bike is a steal. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob harris
a Weekend Warrior
from orlando,fl.usa
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | santos | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeworks[east] | | Strengths: | frames great | | Weaknesses: | lower end parts,paint job/stickers | | Similar Products Used: | scott | | Bike Setup: | mav 517,xtr rear der.xtr cranks. raceface risers.profile stem,spec.team master tires,new forks are next.. | | Bottom Line: | first full suspenion bike,i made a great choice,many ride
opition,alot of trails to ride.if your looking for and all
around ride to up grade this is it are ride it as is ,its a
winner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MR. T
a Cross Country Rider
from A-Town, Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the holey trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$524.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR | | Strengths: | FRAME is awesome. climbs like a hardtail. decends like the full suspension it is. supports a big tire. easily upgradeable. I love it. used all the cash i saved to buy cool stuff 4 it. | | Weaknesses: | most of the parts are crappy for serious riding. If you are just going to do two or three rides a year and ride on the road the rest of the time you could leave the stock stuff on. Brakes are the first to go. then get a new chain. then a fork (manitou sux), rear derailleur next. then get some cranks that don't flex. wheelset is Ok but has to be trued alot. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XTR brakes, race face air alloy bar (flat), Ringle CC stem, weinmann wheelset, XT rear der., same old piece of crap STX front der., LX cranks (getting some raceface), real rings, thomson elite seatpost, specialized sport cock rocket seat, coda grips ( stock ones get slippery), shimano747 clipless pedals, sachs chain, shimano BB, marzocchi Z3 air fork. I think that is all. I have some bar ends and a computer too. | | Bottom Line: | sweet bike for poor people. can upgrade over time. when stuff breaks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan M.
a Downhiller
from Petaluma
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | M & M (China Camp) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$729.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes | | Strengths: | Strong Frame | | Weaknesses: | Weak Stock Components | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Uzzi...(other 4 bar linkage bikes) | | Bike Setup: | I re-did all the parts but the frame to make it beefier...new risers, new Azonic Shorty Stem, Ac Cranks, Blackspire chain guide, Snafu Platform pedals, new seat, Sun Mammoth LX wheelset, Tioga DH 2.1's, and Manitou X-Vert T's*, and now this thing can take some hits.
* I'd recomend some single crown long travel forks, such as the Psylos or Manitou Supers/Supernovas | | Bottom Line: | This is a good freeride bike. I race it downhill, but it can't really take the beating. I has also lasted very long considering I have done 2 roof drops of 10+', 3 drops of 15+', and one drop equalling about 21' (this is all with my new parts). I roached the bike right away when the stock components were on it. My rating is of the stock bike, for me, it was a bad value because I had to build it up to better fit me, and overall it never performed well (when stock), but now, considering the beatings it takes, I'd give it a rating of 5 for a freeride bike. Also...if you wanna buy this bike from me, E-mail me @: MTBerBryan@Hotmail.com | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Mack
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Worth, Texas
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dinosaur Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$695.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes USA | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, Tough, Stable, Predictable. It is a Specialized. | | Weaknesses: | Slightly over weight, cheap seat, Stx front derailer, Not much adjustment for seat height. The tires grip too much for most of the hard pack trails around here. I am starting to have problems with the Stx front derailer. It does not shift into all the gears and the bike shop tells me they have done all they can do. From what I have been told the Stx is really an 8 speed derailer. It is also tough to find a bike rack that works well with this bike because of the frame design. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX 300, DiamondBack Voyager, | | Bike Setup: | Stock expect for seat, rims and hubs. I replaced the Specialized seat with a Giant stock seat. It is hard to belive that Giant's stock seat is so much better than a Specialized stock seat. I added a set of clipless pedals. I patato chipped the rear rim so I replaced the set with Bontrager mustangs with XT hubs and 14/15 gage double butted spokes. I am thinking about changing the stem to try to get a little more weight on the front wheel. I am also thinking about trying some Bontrager ST2's. | | Bottom Line: | Despite all the weeknesses that I pointed out I love this bike. Most of these are common and not very expensive to fix. This was my first mountain bike and I bought it mainly because of the reviews on this website. If I had the money and could do it over again the only thing I would do different is buy a Stumpjumper FSR.
The 1999 FSR Sport is a little heavy. Mine was 29 lbs when I first brought it home from the bike shop. But then again I have picked up a lot of hard tails that cost the same or more and feel like they weigh 29 lbs.
This bike is stable and predictable. It will do whatever you want it to do. It goes where you point it but it is not too twitchy. It has an extremely plush ride with very little pedal induce pogo. I am not at all worried about tearing up the frame.
If I could have found a better full suspension bike for the money I would have bought it. This was the best thing going for the money.
If you are looking for an inexpensive entry level full supension bike that can take just about any thing you dish out then this is the bike for you. I would really give this bike a 4.5 for an overall rating but because I think it is better than a 4 I will have to give it 5 flaming chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marty raming
a Racer
from salt lake city
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gaurdsman pass | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | spin cycle | | Strengths: | the frame is really strong. Lots of upgrades. And its really cheap. They come it really large siezs. Great rear travel. | | Weaknesses: | The components are low grade but they work. It is a bit heavy. The seat is hard. | | Bike Setup: | I upgraded to xtr brakes , 2.2 tires, new rims, boxxer fork, ans kore headset and handel bar. Planing on geting 6" rear suspension upgrade and disk brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This a way nice bike. It is great if you are a big person. I am 6'4" and it fits great. You save enough money to go out and buy better componets that you get to choose. I got this bike instead of the elite for example because then i could get the fork i wanted instead of spending more money on a fork i was going to toss any way. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dmitriy "FLIP" Kostjukov
a Downhiller
from Bronx, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Van Cortlandt Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Sid's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | FRAME,FRAME,FRAME, it's great, good entry and intermediate level bike. | | Weaknesses: | Components could have been better (STX-RC in front), and brakes aren't the best. Hard to adjust rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Full Suspension, GT Full Suspensions | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much still factory, WTB Veloceraptor 2.1 in the front, Tioga Phycho 2 size 1.95 in the rear + double thick rear tube. Will get bigger front and rear shocks, change cranks and derail's. better rims, disc brakes. I also put the body geometry seat (I would like to have kids one day). | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE THIS BIKE, the best buy I made yet. Although some changes are needed, it's ready for almost anything. I will never buy any other brand, FSR RULES!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from Strafford, PA USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Valley Forge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Frame will not quit. Good selection of entry level parts. Perfect platform for upgrading to your own taste. | | Weaknesses: | With the entry level parts it won't be long till your skill level reaches the limits of their performance potential. The stock fork and rear shock are crap. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab 2, an awsome hard tail. | | Bike Setup: | FSR Sport, LX brakes, XT front and rear derailure, Cane Creek AD-10 rear shock, Manitou SX-R with Englund total air cartridge upgrade, Chris King headset, Fizik Nisene saddle, XT hubs w/ Bontrager Mustange rims, Fire XC front, Pyro rear, Kore 3D stem, 545 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. As my skills grow and reach the limits of the parts, I can upgrade something else, and best of all they are the parts I choose. Now I won;t go overboard and put ultra high end parts on, this is not a frame quite worthy of that, but this frame does me very well for hanging good mid level parts from and getting the most from them. My latest upgrade to the fork, I installed Total Air Cartridges in the SX-R which was an upgrade to the Spyder, was the best one yet. Wish I had those in place on Mt. Snow. Replacing the Rock Shock DeLux with the AD-10 gave similar improvements in handling and ride. All that's left to replace are the crank and bottom bracket, and when spring rolls around it will be time for a left over 2000 XT bottom bracket and crank. I see no reson to replace the bar and seatpost, other than snob appeal. Both those parts are bulletproof. This bike can be had for for abotu $650 these days. Buy one, the frame alone is worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steelio
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | MTB SPORT | | Strengths: | It's a great bike. Very tough, i've given it plenty of chances to break, but so far (a year) i've only replaced minor things, chains...ect.. it's great on for free ridin' | | Weaknesses: | It's a tad heavy, and came stock with a manitou Spyder (which i'm gunna replace with a longer travel fork), and the dia comp brakes weren't the best | | Similar Products Used: | Heckler X | | Bike Setup: | the bike came stock with Dia comp v-brakes, but i put Avid arch rival 40's on (which kick major butt) and speed dial 2.0 levers (nice...easy to adjust on the fly) manitou spyder with 80mm, Shimano LX drive. rockshox deluxe in back (4" travel) | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is...for a starting bike...it's GREAT! heck...with the money you saved buyin it (about 700$ retail) you can upgrade the brakes...fork... seat... whatever... once you've done that..there's nothing wrong with this bike. it preforms really well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
george cote
a Downhiller
from bronx,ny usa
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | NYC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | sids bikes bronx new york | | Strengths: | the frame ,the frame, the frame
| | Weaknesses: | the parts the parts the parts
| | Similar Products Used: | frist full suspension
| | Bike Setup: | nokian tires, sun double wide rims, mrp upgrade,
hope diskbrakes , hope big um hubs, xtr dh crank, easton
pedals, thompson seat post, nuke proof neck, azonic bars
x-vert carbon fork 98,atomic front 26"rim, and about 2years
of dirt.
| | Bottom Line: | the frame is fantastic!!!!!, 7'0 drops in nyc to flat no
problem . I run at mt. creek aganist foes brooklyn intense
giant and santa cruz bikes . they cant believe i fly by
them at a blur.if you find this frame DO NOT GET RID OF
IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Benish
a
from Sultan, Washington, U.S.
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | good entry level bike. | | Weaknesses: | diacompe brakes | | Bottom Line: | I would suggest this bike to any entry level rider on a budget. The thing about it is that this a great frame. When it's time to start replacing things like, brakes etc. You can upgrade to better than what came stock and have 1 heck of a good ride on even the sickest of trails. I've had mine for nearly a year now and have started upgrading. It has been a good choice for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marcus aven
a Downhiller
from poway
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | snow summit | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | great price,good specialized frame good entry level shocks
| | Weaknesses: | seat, front durailer, tires and most other factory components | | Similar Products Used: | rockhopper,hardrock | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | the frame alone is worht the price for the bike. it needs to be upgraded as soon as possible. factory shocks arent good for downhill | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Hastings Minnesota
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Afton | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Cheap Cheap Cheap, A great deal for only $600. Better then bikes that retail for about $1000. Handels great. Great entry level bike for a begining racer or just a weekend warrior. FSR ROCKS!! the frame alone is worth the price of this bike. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes are marginal (dia comp) Fork is good but sometimes its unforgiving. STX-RC front is not too hot at shifting. Stock seat is cheap. All the compenents could be easily upgraded though. | | Similar Products Used: | BMX bikes (specialized, GT)
Huffy mountaing bikes
| | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock I replaced the seat with a bontrager FS Kevlar, Also a new seat post (Kore) I also replaced the skewers with kore titanium. And 636 Clipless pedals
| | Bottom Line: | 5 flaming turds for this thing. Great value bike. Highly recommend it to any novice rider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sidney Sirany
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, California
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cuyamaca | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Love the frame | | Weaknesses: | Replace front derailer for an LX. Thinking of a new front fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Some GT full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Spider front fork with the rear RockShox. Pretty much factory except for the front derailer replace it with the LX. | | Bottom Line: | Buy one if you can find one under $700. Great bike for entry level or intermediate. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl H
a Downhiller
from Gurnee, IL USA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any one that goes somewhere and returns | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Buy it for the frame and FSR alone! | | Weaknesses: | Upgrade fork and brakes as soon as budget permits! Front derailer replaced with LX | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension. | | Bike Setup: | Recently added 2000 Manitou SX-R fork, 850lb spring for Rock Shox (I weigh 230lbs), Easton black seatpost, Terry black saddle, Icon black Stem and Stripped off all decals. Next upgrade bought Avid 25 brakes & 1.9 levors (gray) looks great, Stealth if you wiil! | | Bottom Line: | Buy one if you can find one, got mine for $700, I've spent about $450 for upgrades, still better that most bikes out there for $1500. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ALE Drinksum
a Cross Country Rider
from Kantucky
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | local secret | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Bang for the buck,round 7 bills,stock. Pretty bad ass rig.
Use the cash you saved to build it costom for your self.
DUH!It's a SPECIALIZED (the best)
| | Weaknesses: | That fork really aint to bad it's cheap.Whatc yad expect
from it? Front der.is stx-rc(8speed)thats why it dont work
right.The brakes gotta go.P.S the bike is 9 speed. | | Similar Products Used: | First dullie. | | Bike Setup: | Dirt control&team master comp tires, 98 judy xc dbl. clamp,
Easton stem& post,LX front der. XT rear, cross bow seat. the rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | Get it, sup it up, beat it down!!!!It's a SPECIALIZED. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Deshuets River Trail (Bend, Or) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Specialized FSR frame & rear-end linkage for under $700.00
Is this real! | | Weaknesses: | Front shocks are o.k., adjusting them takes a miracle!, and the front derailleur could have been LX.All of these can be easily upgraded. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M7000, Trek Y-Frame, and Klein Mantra. | | Bike Setup: | S-works clipless pedals, grip, stem, and body geomtry saddle, and cactus master & control tires. | | Bottom Line: | If your beginning or intermediate rider, and price for the bike is a issue, then this is the bike for you! I've tested plenty of bikes and outside of the front fork, this bike really stands out. On decents this bike offers great control, even when I have the rear end stepping out sideways! I was also impressed with the way this bike climbs, and the overall stiffness of the frame. Get past the front shock and front derailleur and you have a fat suspension bike for a great price! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RYAN PAUL
a Weekend Warrior
from liberty lake, wa, Spokane
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | n/a | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great price, bought it new for $650, nice fork front and rear, takes whatever you can throw at it, looks more expensive than it is, beats out any other bike in the same price range, plus, it's SPECIALIZED! | | Weaknesses: | Fork was a little stiff first 3 weeks, the components could be nicer | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | factory, Manitou Spyder(front), Rock Shox Deluxe(rear), Shimano LX components | | Bottom Line: | A great steal for the money, beginners and novices should consider the bike, a great handling bike that could easily be upgraded for racing and other more demanding trails, this bike is a very good bike for the money and also could easily beat any bike that your neighbor bought at the local Wal-Mart for the same price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsfield -Ma
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | lets just say if you can get hurt... I like it | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Very strong frame, rims, Nice LX rear derailleur, looks nice clean or with a little of mud, Money-very good, got new for 500 bucks and also handles pretty nicely. Handles well in any kind of territory.
| | Weaknesses: | The tires dont shed mud that well, front shock is a nice fork but the mud covers come off too easily I need to have it upgraded. other wise a nice entry level fork. The toe clips fell off in 1 week. I put on Power grips. | | Similar Products Used: | Gt something or other Giant warp ds1 | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock judy 100 power grips easton handle bar/seat post | | Bottom Line: | I love it the 4 bar linkage holds up to everything so far. same frame as high quality Specializeds. An all around sweet bike for cash and performance | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted Radzwillowicz
a Weekend Warrior
from Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Several | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Rear derailer and shock worked great. Bike is very stable and comfortable. Climbed well. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailer not to hot. Front suspension bottomed out to often. | | Similar Products Used: | Firts rear suspension bike. | | Bike Setup: | Front suspension full hard, but I'm over 185lbs. Rear shock is at factory settings. | | Bottom Line: | I've been a serious cycling enthusiast since 18, I'm now 31 and I know a great deal when I see one. There are obvious improvements that can be made, but the cool thing is this the same frame and linkage as on the top of the line Specialised, so upgrades are easily justified. After four hours in the Nevada desert outside Red Rock Canyon I am very pleased with the overall performance of my new FSR Sport, and its only gonna get better.
Are there better bikes out there? Yes, but from the shopping I've done not for under $700, and any entry to mid level rider can appreciate that.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alonso
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anderson Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Price, frame | | Weaknesses: | Looks(decals and colors), chain, brakes | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great beginners bike. Good product for the money. You don't have to spend a lot of money and then you can upgrade suspension and components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Downhiller
from Wilton, CT, India
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cranbury | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Its got good suspension,i like it cause its easy to adjust the back suspension for x-c races, then in 2 minutes get the full deal on for some dH shat, its cheap and ive never ever had a prob with it, i wouldnt pay an extra hundred for a pound off this bike, like specialized offers up to 1500, but back to the subject, this can go downhill great, lets u get no air or alot of air off everything, i am able to do inclines in the rain on mud i didnt think possible on a full suspension on pavement | | Weaknesses: | Front shocks are a pill to swallow, the caps fall off easy so u dont know which is less pressur or more,and the front derailer is a peice of sh*t, its really annoying to have to bang my knee everyday transfering to a hill, then having to go back down or get off my bike to get the chain back, its a peice, the brakes some dont like but u refurbish once a month and u wont complain | | Bike Setup: | full suspension decked out, either full susp. turned off or really low up/down travel for X-c racing, and decked out for fun | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, it was worth every penny, i never get sick of it, this is kind of a begginer for me but its growing with me, im always getting better and i love biking so much more than with only front shox, i will never go back from a full suspension, just in the yard jumpin off shat its the bomb, its like landing on a trampoline, great value for under 800 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Pickens
a Weekend Warrior
from Mount Vernon WA US
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Bike is a good entry level for for full suspension, it eats up most all of bumps going down hill. handles preictably in coners. I t does not bob going uphill and its fast on the flats. The tire selection is good on hard pack as well as mud. | | Weaknesses: | Front wheel is set not as stout as I would like. The brakes need up help and should be up graded. Also the front deraler should at least be LX. | | Similar Products Used: | stumpjumper pro | | Bottom Line: | Good over all bike for the price. The frame does not flex and upgrades in some componnets would help. Brakes, front derailer, then front fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CSPU
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price/Value, Great ride | | Weaknesses: | Breaks... maybe | | Similar Products Used: | First F/S bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great... a good full suspension bike for under $800. The shocks are great, and the components are fine for me. If you want (and can tell the difference in)higher end components, then buy one of the pricier models... they all have the exact same frame! I ride this bike off road a LOT and it is more than adequate for the roughest trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Underwood
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham,AL
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price, frame | | Weaknesses: | paint scheme | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose (a real toys-r-us bike) | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for someone that wants full suspension without spending a ton of money. I take mine off road regularly, have put many miles on it without upgrading any of the components. If you want high end components, spend more on the higher end FSR. If you want a good full suspension bike cheap, get the sport. I love it. I took it for a tune up and had to ride my old 93 schwinn with no kind of suspension... that will make you appreciate your "low end" shocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from somewhere
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Is this really specialized? Bottom of the line components, manitou shox, the looks(black and yellow with a lil bit of white) | | Similar Products Used: | Gaint, GT, Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | I thought specailized was differant. Ok this is good begginers bike(inexpensive, okay shox)but only get this if its the only bike around(its a toys-r-us bike)all i can say is get this if you bike to school or do some bumpy trails every now and then. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Jackson, MS (USA)
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | value, value, value
Very good rear suspension behavior under power, climbing, etc. | | Weaknesses: | Front brakes are unforgiving of rim imperfections (grabs). | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Stock, w/ boner saver seat. | | Bottom Line: | Had to flip stem over to achieve better ride angles. Bike feels tall compared to comparable schwinns. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil Krauss
a Cross Country Rider
from memphis, tn USA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wolf river trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | super smooth and solid ride, hella clearance, tough as hell frame, good balance. rides real big. turns heads as it's a pretty bike. great price. | | Weaknesses: | stock brakes, stock chain, stock saddle, stock front tire (big bubballoon) | | Similar Products Used: | trek y22
c'dale super v | | Bike Setup: | Specialized A1 frame - aluminum
Rock Shox Deluxe
Manitou Spyder fork
softride suspension stem
upgraded Shimano components
Ritchey Rims
specialized body geometry pro comp saddle (prostate seat)
BOB yak 16 draggin wagon | | Bottom Line: | i go everywhere on this. and even after ~2000mi. everythings still slick. i expect this will be my favorite ride from now on. sure i had to upgrade the brakes and chain right off the bat but thats not uncommon. This is a great bike for riders who want a fine full suspension mount that goes anywhere dependably on and off road. And the money is right. If you're considering buying this one you won't be dissapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Russo
a Weekend Warrior
from Staten Island, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | hidden trails in Latourette Golf Course | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | frame built very solidly and components can take lots of abuse. Rear shock better then I expected for the $600 I spent on the bike. Rock Shox Deluxe - 4.3". Front shock also very good - Manitou Spyder - 80mm. | | Weaknesses: | Components durbale but not of the highest caliber but good for the money. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Specialized A1 welded frame premium aluminum
Rock Shox Deluxe 4.3
Manitou Spyder 80mm
Shimano components
Ritchey Rims | | Bottom Line: | Great bike overall and even better for the money. If u dont want a Toys 'R' Us bike and want something can be used on serious downhill trails but only have 600-700 dollars this may be the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin
a Weekend Warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Ok begineer bike, also good if you just want to slowly upgrade it. Good shocks | | Weaknesses: | Bottom line componets | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | Good bike if you just are starting to race and do serious riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 629.00
