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Submitted by
Brook
a Downhiller
from Fenton MO
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | castle wood | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | mesa | | Strengths: | Duribility | | Weaknesses: | bit noisy and soft fork | | Similar Products Used: | random hard tails | | Bike Setup: | all stock but the fork springs where replaced with stiffer ones | | Bottom Line: | great all mountain bike hadles climbs down hills and jumps. the bike has lasted me eight years going on nine. the bike makes some noise at times but keeps on rollin. Im sad to say though she is on her way out. you can bet my next bike is going to be a specialized. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Lazarski
a Weekend Warrior
from North Kingstown, RI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Arcadia State Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1678.00 | | Purchased At: | Caster's Cycling | | Strengths: | Durability! | | Weaknesses: | Creaking noise in the crankset somewhere | | Similar Products Used: | Not so similar, but a 1992 Rockhopper and a 1989 Stumpjumper. 1988 Bianchi (cool looking and expensive for the time, but not better than my $499 Rockhopper) Tested out many competitors at the time...but I felt this was the leader for the price. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Specialized Wireless Computer, waterbottle cage...the random normal add-ons like bar-ends.... | | Bottom Line: | I don't ride with groups of people or know the lingo of other cyclists. I have simply riddent this bike since I purchased it back in November of 1997. I thought the color was hideous, but it came recommended back then and a great buy and I am glad I did so. While I may not be able to speak intelligently about the individual parts of the bike, I can speak about the whole. I have only replaced the chain, tires and brake pads on this bike and have been faithful in getting a full-service tune-up each spring. On average I ride about 700-950 miles per year on either roadways, trails or off the beaten path!
The first two years, I had some fun bringing it to a couple of skate parks and used it regularly on a half pipe and many jumps. I weighed about 160lbs back then and I estimate that it handled 3-4ft drops very well. Today I weight 250lbs and while I don't do the stunts I did back then, I still find the suspension maintains the ride and traction in most conditions comfortably. In addition to the regular upkeep, I do tend to avoid puddles, sand and mud as I feel this must kill the suspension and other mechanisms over time....so, in summary, I obviously feel this has helped keep the bike in good shape!
I am very happy with Specialized and this particular bike. I am looking at their road bikes and will not sell this one...when I get sick of it I will hang it up on my wall in my den as it is too ugly to depart with. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
colby
a Downhiller
from suffield, ct
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | jiminy peak | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | got it for free from a friend | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | frame started to crack after first ride of the season but i got it welded back together and it is a really gnarly bike. | | Similar Products Used: | iron horse sgs expert | | Bike Setup: | lime green fsr extreme with 5in psylo and 8in disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | its a sick ass bike, its good for downhill and it climbs really good because it is light and easy to throw around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from AK
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Still holding up fine after all these years! | | Weaknesses: | Those have already been addressed. I think my next mod will be BETD chain stays. | | Bottom Line: | I added SingleTrack disc wheels and Avid disc brakes over the winter. I had to drill out the lower non-drive side of the seat stay to make the Specialized disc brake mount work. It is made for '99 and up FSR models that already have a hole in the seatstay. The stock V brake mount had to be drilled & tapped since my brake post stripped out and didn't want to unscrew out of the seatstay boss.
The brakes are pretty nice but have required some set up time to get them right. I'm still working on it.
Why buy a new bike when this one can be modded so much? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Mills
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairchild AFB, WA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Little Vietnam, Riverside Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Ray's Cycle in Vacaville, CA | | Strengths: | Great all-mountain bike; good original parts spec; good suspension travel at the time; 4-bar suspension design the greatest; excellent bang-for-the-buck at the time | | Weaknesses: | Typical weaknesses for this bike - short top tube; heavy frame; stock rear suspension bushings; some Specialized house-brand parts pretty crappy | | Similar Products Used: | Bike history: Huffy 18-speed rigid (1988-1991); Miyata Elevation 400' rigid (1991-1993); Diamondback Axis Team front-suspension (1993-1998); Specialized FSR Extreme dual-suspension (1998-present) | | Bike Setup: | Original frame with over-the-time upgrades (see below) | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to the review I posted back in July 1998. This bike is definitely sweet with all the upgrades i've put into it. Bought it in 1998 for $1600 (thanks Ray's Cycle in Vacaville, CA - you guys rock), and it was definitely the most bang-for-the-buck bike at the time - 4" of travel front/rear and the 4-bar suspension design - still the way to go, to this day. Didn't like the Kermit-the-Frog green that much, but I was out for as much performance and fun as I could get for $1600. As for the stock components/suspension - definitely good for the time, but, obviously, as time goes on, so does better/lighter bike parts coming out. So, in the quest for a lighter/better performing bike, I have spent some cash over time (approx. $1782.00 in upgrades), and have customized it to the moon to my liking. The key is to find the stuff on sale - I was able to purchase all the upgrades with a savings of $577.00 over the original price. The way I see it, it comes out to $3382.00 total, which is just a little over the current 2003 Specialized Enduro Pro, which essentially the same as this bike is now. Anyway, here's the breakdown of the current bike:
Frame - 1998 FSR Extreme, med. frame, Mountainspeed 4-pivot
bearing kit
Shock - 2000 Fox Float RC ($199.00 - thanks, Supergo)
Fork - 2002 Rockshox Psylo SL w/soft-spring kit ($389)
Headset - FSA Orbit XL II ($45)
Stem - Specialized (switched from stock 135mm to 110mm)($15)
Handlebar - FSA XC190 riser ($59)
Grips - Yeti Hard-Core ($8)
Brake Levers/Shifters - Shimano XT, 9-speed ($69)
Cables - Shimano XTR sealed brake/gear teflon cableset ($36)
Saddle - SDG Bel-Air, kevlar sides, titanium rails ($79)
Seatpost - Thomson Elite, cut to 330mm ($69)
Seatpost Binder - Specialized alloy quick-release ($24)
Bottom Bracket - Shimano ES-70, octalink spindle ($23)
Crankset - Shimano XT, 9-speed, octalink, hollowtech ($89)
Pedals - Shimano 545 ($59)
Front Derailleur - Shimano XT, 9-speed ($21)
Rear Derailleur - Shimano XTR, 9-speed, medium-cage ($75)
Cassette - Shimano XT, 9-speed, 11-34 tooth ($38)
Chain - SRAM PC-99, 9-speed ($34)
Brakes - Hayes HMX-1, mechanical discs ($148)
Front Hub - Specialized Stout disc, cartridge bearings ($5)
Rear Hub - Specialized Stout disc, cartridge bearings ($8)
Front Skewer - Specialized alloy skraxle ($N/A)
Rear Skewer - Specialized chromoly ($N/A)
Spokes - DT Black Revolutions, 14/17/14 gauge ($77)
Nipples - DT alloy, red/green ($16)
Rims - Mavic X317 disc, black ($128)
Rim Strips - Velox Cloth ($5)
Tubes - Salsa Superlight presta ($10)
Tires - Panaracer Trailblaster K, 2.1, black/red ($54)
Headset Spacer - Winwood, 15mm, carbon fiber ($3)
Disc Adapter - Specialized FSR alloy disc adapter ($50)
Cable Guides - Problem Solvers, plastic, stick-on ($10)
Brake Boss Plugs - Problem Solvers, plastic, 8/10 mm ($8)
Chainstay Protector - Lizard Skins, neoprene ($7)
Bar Ends - Titec Micros ($19)
Computer - Specialized Speedzone Team, wireless ($60)
As you can see, the bike is nowhere close to the original I bought 5 years ago. The performance rivals the bikes today, to a degree. I'd have to spend about the same I did on this bike and upgrades to get a comparable machine today. I'd say the biggest upgrades to the bike in the order of importance in the performance area were: Mountainspeed bearing kit, Fox Float RC, Rockshox Psylo SL, conversion to disc brakes, the change-over to 9-speed, and a lighter wheelset. With all the upgrades, the bike went from 30.66 lbs to 29.47 lbs, despite the change-over to disc brakes - not bad for an all-mountain bike. My goal was achieved - when I initially started upgrading (discs and heavy disc wheelset), the bike jumped to 33 lbs - ouch. So, I lightened the wheelset, and put on lighter components here-and-there, and dropped 3.5 lbs - pretty good for and all-mountain bike. As for any future upgrades, I cannot think of any to increase the performance/weight factor, without switching the fork out to a Fox Float RLC - not willing to shell out 700 bucks to do that. Would be a nice upgrade, though. Definitely nice having the lockouts front/rear, although I only use them on the road. Greatest feature is the U-Turn on the Psylo SL - use that every ride I do with an extended climb or descent (lots of them here in the Spokane area). Nice having the adjustability of the head angle. Love the suspension performance of the Fox Float/Mountainspeed bearing kit combo in the back - added about an inch of travel, and performs loads better than the stock Rockshox Coupe Deluxe coil/plastic bushing combo. Will definitely have this bike for years to come. All-in-all, it would be hard to find a better bike at this pricepoint. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregory Cavanaugh
a Cross Country Rider
from Gallup, NM
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pete's Wicked | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Plush ride
Cool color scheme
Good suspension design
| | Weaknesses: | A bit heavey
Bearings creaky
high standover hieght | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Bought as a frameset. Converted my hardtail into a full-suspension! I have low end Shimano parts on it and cheap rims so it is heavey but I love to ride it! Once you go full suspension you will never go back! Swap the parts off your hartail onto a full suspension frame and see what everyone else is enjoying at a lower price!! | | Bottom Line: | This bike seems to climb well and it sucks up the bumbs. The rear-end does seem a little slopy when twisting down single tracks but I just came off of a hardtail! Overall I think this is a great frame if you can get it for a good price, there are lighter frames out there! Happy riding | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Lanham
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any where | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Swapped for a cfm 1 | | Strengths: | Very confidence boosting, comfortable | | Weaknesses: | linkages have a bit of flex | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Duke sl forks, deore components, v-brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is bike is awsome after riding a hardtail, it is an intermediate untill i can aford an enduro comp. Mmmmm, maybe i don't need the comp? this bike is very fun to ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | UPGRADEABLE! | | Weaknesses: | Judy XL fork, rear bushings, stock link, stock tires | | Bike Setup: | '02 Psylo SL. BETD link w/1050 lb Fox spring on a rebuilt Rock Shox Coupe Delux (how weird is that?) in 6" travel setting, BETD full bearing kit Mosh pedels, IRC back Country tires, new chain rings + chain, new front deraillure, bargain bin saddle, Profile bars, used parts shorty stem. | | Bottom Line: | Now into my 5th summer and I still like my bike. Teh new fork and link really made all the difference. These components made the old FSR feel lie a new bike. I read the previous reviews and can't really understand how people can say they enjoy the downhill geometery or never bottom out. I bottomed out everywhere and think the stock link is a worthless pile of crap. My bike now rolls over everything and is far more enjoyable to ride. To me it is a long travel cross country bike and nothing more. The suspension improvements allow me to take it into the local BMX jumping park and do small gap jumos but I plan to buy and build up a real Freeride bike in the future.
Presently with the upgrades the FSR Extreme lives more up to its name and now will stay with me for another 5 years. I still like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
W. Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Helena Mt.
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | cave gulch, amasa back trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | great ride, the suspension is good, although the judy xl has some feirce rebounding. an awsome frame aswell. for 550 bucks this was a great buy. | | Weaknesses: | hmmm. well the color is a bit odd, you would think this bike belongs to kermit the frog. the front fork pings of things like a pogo stick. could uses some dampaning | | Bike Setup: | When i got the bike i bought of a friend of mine for $550. it came with all the stock items on it. from there i have done away with the mavic 221 rims(which were kinda weird to find on a full suspension bike and being 200lbs, i have been knowen to demolish rims)and have put on a mavic d521 rim with a shimano xt front hub and a sun rhynolite rear downhill rim whit a shimano deore hub. i have also outfitted the bike with shimano xt disc brakes. i did have to purchase a rear adapter for the caliper mount. bontranger jones tires up front. and a 2.4 motorapter tire on the rear. xt drive train is great with xt shifters as well. | | Bottom Line: | it is a great full suspesion bike if you are on a budget and don't mind the kawasaki green. after putting about 400 more dollars into the bike the overall cost is about $950. Great price for the fsr suspension desighn which is one of the best there is. great value and a great bike. and as much as i get bucked off of the green machine, it takes a licking, and still works great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mhop
a
from jersey
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | Nice for downhill and XC riding. Rear shock provides enough travel for us that don't race them. I like the green paint. No creaks or problems with the frame at all. | | Weaknesses: | None. I built from the frame up the way I wanted it. | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose fs :-(
specialized rock hopper comp
schwinn homegrown | | Bike Setup: | XTR front and rear, Mavic 217 w/XTR hubs, Cook Bros crankset w/RaceFace Rings, Shimano 646 pedals, Yeti riser bar, XT brakes, XT shifter/levers, Marz bomber fork | | Bottom Line: | Feels nice jetting down the rocky and rooty trails here in jersey. It's awesome for this type of terrain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Graham
a Downhiller
from Greenville SC
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | awsome freeride geometry | | Weaknesses: | rims,seat | | Similar Products Used: | joshua,dbx2 | | Bike Setup: | 2.3 Tioga Factory DH,Coda competition dual piston disc brakes,titec berzerker dh seat,mavic x223 disc spec rims,shimano 535 platform spd,summit billet alum dh stem,gripshift plasma shifters,serfas grips,avid gritlock, xt f&r der,coda disc hubs | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the BOMB!! Had mine for 2 years and still love it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boomerbiker
a Weekend Warrior
from Sarasota, FL
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hard Rock Ocala | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Sweet Suspension Design
Hard to miss green w/red components
Unlimited Upgrade Potential | | Weaknesses: | Weak Derailer Hanger.
New model colors and graphics. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer Joshua, Cannondale Raven, GT-LTS | | Bike Setup: | Full Custom, bought as frame only. Manitou FS-Ti w/heavy springs, XT brakes, bottom bracket, front derailer, ESP 9.0 Shifters and Rear Derailer, Race Face cranks, rings, stem and riser-bar, Syncros seat post, Cane-Creek Headset, DT-Hugi Hubs on Velocity Rims. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks, I'm a big guy 240 lbs, and couldn't find another bike that could keep up with me for the price. I've set it up with all killer parts and heavy springs front and rear and never bottom out. I love the lime green with red and black components and always get comments on how well this looks, but looks don't matter if the performance isn't there. I've got the best of both. No wonder this is the most copied suspension design out there. Specialized got it right with this bike. I've cooked my rear derailer and had to replace the hanger, not a big deal but the little screws that hold it in place are weak and strip out easily. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dude
a Cross Country Rider
from new jersey
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | bomb proof, supple ride | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | diamondback X6 cannondale | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | great trail bike. minimal maintenence. plush travel. I weigh 175 and i never bottom out. i've had it 2 years and only replaced the rings, cassette and chain and she rides great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D'arcy Finlan
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg,Manitoba
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any one I'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Nice ride ,great at speed down the hill and a fairly agile climber but must be a good spinner! | | Weaknesses: | seat wore out easily, rims very flexy, stock grips bite! | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS 1000, Pro-Flex 856 | | Bike Setup: | Disc brake up front( need extra power this baby likes to go fast), DH tires , upgrade of hubs,rims,cranks,bottom bracket,rear derail, she rides nice . | | Bottom Line: | The color is a head turner (Kermit the frog would be proud) Not a race bike but a good all-around trail bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Esempio
a Racer
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Snowshoe, WV | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Goes down fast!, XT components, Avid Brakes | | Weaknesses: |
Climbing, Weight | | Similar Products Used: |
GT XCR 2000 ('99) | | Bike Setup: |
Stock with RaceRings | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike used in '99, and while it is a great bike for technical terrain (like West Virginia), it does not climb as well as a hardtail, or the GT i-drive bikes for that matter. The triple crown fork ('98 Judy XL) is nice and stiff going down, but impedes handling on tight single track. With the advent of some new stiff single crown long travel forks, I believe this maybe my next upgrade for this bike. Other than that, this is a great bike...in it's element, it is pretty much unstoppable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross-Country Rider
from La Mirada, CA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Weaknesses: |
Ultra Steep Seat Angle. Non Standard size post. Ugly green paint job. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to the review below. I just couldn't get used to the super steep seat angle and the ugly green paint. (Mostly the seat angle). Also, the standover height was a bit tall even on the small size frame. Bottom line: I sold the frame and picked up a Specialized FSR Comp with the MAX BACKBONE Frame, normal geometry, a better shock, a lower standover height, and a way cool paint job that turns from dark green to purple depending on how the light hits it. This is what the Extreme should have been!!!! Since I found I could not live with the Extreme, will down grade my rating to 4 flaming dead horses. (That's what they look like to me). I'd give my new ride a 5 plus! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Will
a Cross-Country Rider
from La Mirada, CA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Fullerton loop | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Price, suspension design, handeling, | | Weaknesses: |
75 degree seat tube sucks. 73 degree would be nice. | | Similar Products Used: |
fisher level betty, schwinn sweetspot. | | Bike Setup: |
All custom. Purchased as a frameset. Marzochii z-1 fork, GT hubs, Mavic 217s, xtr rear der and casset, xt brakes and front der, suntour 8 speed thumb shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Not real crazy about the lime green paint, but with over 20 years of mountainbiking experience one learns that the paint doesn't last that long anyway. Besides, at $299 for the frameset who's going to complain.I selected a Marzochii Z-1 bomber fork with 4 inches of travel. This is a much nicer fork than the stock fork, and sutes my riding style better. The wheels are GT hubs with Mavic 217 gold color rims and DT spokes. I selected a XTR rapid rise rear deraileur because I use one on my road bike and have gotten used to the reverse action shifting. I chose xt for the rest of the components (no expaination needed here). I found some 8 speed Suntour XC thumb shifters, and bought 2 pair (one for a spare). A wrist injury make using gripshift or rapid fire a real pain, literaly! My lowest gear combination is a 20 tooth up front with a 32 tooth cog in the rear. Yes, I can climb just about anything. So, how does the bike work? I swithced to the Specialized FSR Extreme from a Giant Team full Carbon Hardtail. This was a near perfect hard tail mountainbike. So, It is going to take a while to get an honest evaluation. My initial impresion is PLUSH! This is why I swithed to full suspension so I am very pleased. (I have numerous injuries from many years of extreme mountainbiking which has made riding my old hardtail less and less of an enjoyable experience). I was also pleased to notice very little unwanted suspension movement from the rear when sprinting. The bike feels almost like the most comfortable hard tail I ever road. This is much better than other designs I tried. While the bike is heavy, it is lighter than most other full suspension bikes I have looked at or tried.Over all this is an excellant bike for normal everyday mountainbiking. The average Joe or Jane could ride this puppy all day long in total comfort! I was afraid I would miss my old hardtail, but after one month I will never go back. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shaun
a Weekend Warrior
from portland, OR
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ski Bowl | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
great all around bike
sucks up all most anything | | Weaknesses: |
front shock | | Similar Products Used: |
gt
klein
cannondale | | Bike Setup: |
shimano 636 pedals
tomac brakes(magura)
xtr rapid rise rear derailler
tioga 2.1 dh tires
mrp cross speed chain tensioner | | Bottom Line: | this bike can be upgraded in all most any way you want. mrp makes a lot of great after market stuff for the fsr's. great handling and pretty good climbing.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
NorCal Express
a Cross-Country Rider
from Granite Bay, CA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Salmon Falls - Folsom Lake | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
- Handling
- Price / Value for $
- Weight not bad at 27lbs considering
- Lots of room to adj. | | Weaknesses: |
- Triple crown frnt Judy XL heavy (6lbs)
- Downhiller's dream, uphiller's headache
- Chain slap rear derailer | | Similar Products Used: |
- '99 FSR xc
- GT -several models
- Schwinn S-30
- Cannondale Super V's | | Bike Setup: |
Pretty Much Stock
-Judy XL front with downhill setup)
- All XT compo
- | | Bottom Line: | X-hard tailer turned wanna be FS junkie...
After test riding several FS bikes for about 4 months I decided on Spec. FSR as I felt they
offered great value for the $. The new models
were very nice, but pricey. I was trying to stay under 1000 by looking at used. I finally picked my first almost new '98 for $850. Good price!I now have put about 140 miles on it and can say
that I have a love/hate relationship with the
bike due to the downhill setup- which it came with. Bike fits good, excellent downhill action feels almost like floating- but uphill has been a drag compared to my old hardtail. I believe this is due to my not being used to the extended Judy' triple crown and downhill bar setup, as I can't believe the frame geometry is the problem... I don't blame the bike- when you buy used, you get what you get. I'm now on a mission to change out the front suspension/bars as I believe this will give me what I want for cross country terrain.
So far I have beat the hell out of this bike and it's holding up very well. BB probably will require replacement soon, but for the price It's still a great deal & a hell of a ride! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pup
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The Middle Fork!! | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Fits! Short enough top tube to fit a female!
Climbs well
Corners super
Sucks up EVERYTHING
Lightened up nicely | | Weaknesses: |
Sam-I-Am green
Rockshock rear is heavy | | Similar Products Used: |
Klein Pulse hardtail
various rigid bikes | | Bike Setup: |
Z-2 Bam
Valiant wheels
Panaracer Fire XC 2.1s
Salsa Moto 80mm stem
Easton flat bar w/ends
Serfas ARC Pro DD saddle
flat pedals | | Bottom Line: | Oh, Beautiful.. This bike and I, we get along. I keep her in the living room to watch TV with me when we're home.. I took off those horrible Judy XLs and put some real forks on, added a flat bar and lighter wheels, and a girl-friendly stem and seat, now she corners like a rabbit, soaks up everything there is, gets me down over the big rocks safe as mom's arms. Rides light in my hands on the trail, light under my feet up the climbs, light on my back when we get lost for the 47th time and have to walk up another cliff face. And best of all, at the end of every day, both of my kidneys are each still in one piece, and all the fillings still in my teeth. You cant pay me to get back on a hardtail. EVER.Five of the best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: July 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Performs well, great ride, doesn't noticeably bob. | | Weaknesses: |
Judy XL front fork, chainsuck | | Similar Products Used: |
'97 Trek Y-3, '97 Gary Fisher Joshua XO, '99 Trek VRX 300, '95 Cannondale Super V, '98 Cannondale Super V Active | | Bike Setup: |
Stock bike with Shimano 636 pedels | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my earlier reviews. I just sent my lower fork legs and cartridge off to Rock Shox for a warrenty claim. The bushings became sloppy after a year of use which I believe caused the 8 month old replacment cartridge to blow. The Judy XL has been the biggest problem with the bike. This is the second cartridge I've had go bad. I'm sure the sloppy bushings did it in but I noticed it was leaking during routine fork greasing maintenance I performed back in April. Other problems I've had is chainsuck which bends the teeth on the middle chainring, and my cables are starting to get gritty.
Overall I'm still happy with my bike but not the Judy fork. I've ridden the new Hydracoil Judy's and really like them. Unfortunitly there is no upgrade available for the old style Judy. Too bad, the cartridge system does not compair to the new Hydracoils in my opinion. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spidey
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Bottom Line: | update to previous review...bottom brackt ruined
after maybe 20 hours hard riding, rims warp way too easy.too much flex in the cranks, rings are wearing fast. aside from that, still a great ride.
4 chilis for now...5 after some purchases...anyone know where i can get some rhino lites in toronto? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arturo Navarro
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Las Llantas | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Great finish and look,nice on big hits,very silence on dh courses. | | Weaknesses: |
Hard to find seatpost on any brand,the rear brake flex a little even whit a brake booster,replaceable dropout to fragile,lot´s of mainteneance pivots,too narrow chainstain, sometimes the rear tire catch´s little rocks and scratchs the inerface of the chainstain | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized GC aim 97´ | | Bike Setup: |
ESPsl shifters,club roost xl handlebar,ESPsl brake levers,Chris King headset,Manitou x vert-r,Titec seat,Raceface crank. | | Bottom Line: | This bike exedes all my expectations. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TJM
a Weekend Warrior
from Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: May 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all of them | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
This bike is tough as hell. It climbs well and is even better at speed. | | Weaknesses: |
The BB sucks (bent in about a week) and the chain rings suck hard, literally. Pivots have also started to squeek after 1 year of riding despite all efforts to oil. | | Similar Products Used: |
Proflex 856, 857, specialized's '94 and '95 stumpjumper and S-works FSRs, a 1997 GC AIM, gary fishers ect... | | Bike Setup: |
Cut off a few inches from bars and changed to Yeti grips, put evil twin tires and XT/217 wheels, hydraulic maguara's in the mail. | | Bottom Line: | This bike hasn't let me down yet. Blew the fork once but that was because i rebuilt it wrong. DH tires kick ass. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dylan winkler
a Downhiller
from paredise valley, az
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
trail 100 and pima and dynainite | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
very fun to ride. takes lots of crap and keeps going. | | Weaknesses: |
battom bracket, specilized thought that they could make a bottom bracket and they cant os i reccomend that u repace it before u need to when your on the trail | | Bike Setup: |
frame: Specilized fsr extreame
shock: Rock Shock Judyxl
bars:titec hell bent
grips: yette wild gripper
pedles: free agent platforms
tires: contineltal premolars | | Bottom Line: | get rid of the bars. get rid of the bottom bracket and you got your self a nice bike. i jump a lot and this bike takes the landing in the saspension. ive had other problems like i needed a new cartage and a new front draulier but i dont blame that on the bike i blame that on me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: April 30, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Hillside | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Excellent performing rear suspension, good quality components, no major problems with the bike after a year of ownership. | | Weaknesses: |
The great rear suspension requires a great deal of maintenance. Not a big deal if you are into your bike but let it go for a while your next ride could be ruined by a squeaking pivot. I know! | | Similar Products Used: |
'99 Trek VRX 300, '97 Fisher Joshua, '97 Trek Y-3, '95 Cannondale Super V | | Bike Setup: |
'98 FSR Extreme | | Bottom Line: | Overall I am pretty pleased with my bike. The main things that bother me are the rear suspension pivots, require weekly maintenance, and the seat cannot be lowered down a significant amount when riding downhill trails. I have had my bottom bracket go out and the cartridge lost rebound dampening. All were replaced under warrenty. I truly like my bike but wish it were more friendly to regular maintenance chores. Great bike, especally at the prices I've seen it go for in some of the magazine. Makes me wish I would have waited before I purchased mine. :o( | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Angelo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: April 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow -up to my oringal review on March 19, I have been riding this bike 3-4 times a week for the last month on some pretty nasty trails I have been very impressed it has held up with no serious problems. A couple of hard crashes one hyperextened elbow but the bike never skipped a beat. The rims came out of true after about 4 rides but nothing major, the braking wall has developed some grooves but you try and stop my 230lb a**. The bike is in the shop right now getting a once over by a good friend who happens to own the shop. I am replacing the grips with odi because of some twisting that developed from white -knuckling it down hills. My oringal worry of the rims tacoing has not come true yet I don't think it wiil the suspension seems to take most of the abuse. I will keep you apprised PEACE! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chewbacca
a Cross-Country Rider
from bezerkley , killafornia
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
everything about the bike is nice. build, parts kit, suspension and fit. | | Weaknesses: |
fork brace digs into cable housing. hard to access front deraileur bolt. | | Bottom Line: | |
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