Submitted by
robertcymbalski
a Downhiller
from Toronto Canada Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
eveywhere
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2300.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Path
Strengths:
Awsome bike! Good frame construction, good welds! Overall engineering on this frame is state of the art. Can handle any drop I throw at it! This bike climbs well too! I hear people complaining about it's weight! Screw you! If you can't handle the weight, stick to BMX, or better yet ride a tricycle! Any bike meant for massive drops and insane air won't be a little rinky dink bike frame, it will be a state of the art, well designed piece of engineering like this SUCKER!
Weaknesses:
None...... And I mean NONE!
Similar Products Used:
Just about everything under the sun!
Bike Setup:
Totaly stock... Just modified a few minor adjustments....
Bottom Line:
If you want a bike that will out last you on any day of the year, get this bike, you will not be let down! The price is good too. #$%@ the DEMO, get the BIG HIT!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Laun Kulbeth
a Weekend Warrior
from North Shore, Ma. Date Reviewed: May 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lynn
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2900.00
Purchased At:
North Shore Cycle-Lynn, MA.
Strengths:
Excellent product spec, Lifetime warranty on frame, Pretty much bomb-proof. The '08 paint and graphics scheme is done nicely. Just about the best set of OEM pedals I've ever seen on a bike. Specialized sealed hubs are of excellent quality.
Weaknesses:
Bike comes with white grips and seat(well, supposed to be white, but were filthy upon arrival). The grips were loose from the factory, tightened them, went home to ride around the driveway and realized why they were loose-stripped threads. Both the fork and shock are set up for 135lb. Cross-country racers. Even after installing the firmest springs, changing to 10wt. oil and filling to the max recommended height the fork is still too soft. Would rather pay an extra 2-300 to have a fork with more adjustments. The rebound damping knob does work, but not to an acceptable measure. Even with the heavier weight oil, the fork is still comparable to a pogo stick on the return stroke. Even more so since installing the firm springs.
Similar Products Used:
'03 BIGHIT DH. Ridden a few other Turners, Banshee's, Kona Stinkys and Stabs.
Bike Setup:
Stock except fork spring and oil upgrade. 32t e-thirteen DH ring.
Bottom Line:
Bang for the buck cannot be topped with this bike. Specialized wants $600 more for the SX Trail 1 with less travel, juicy 3's instead of the 5's, and a 55 instead of an 888. No brainer for me. The extra weight will only make me stronger and now the guys may keep up with me. A few years back my bighit was done to the 9's with the best of everything. Tell you the truth, I can't tell the difference. I actually think this is better, having the 26 out back instead of the 24. The DHX has so far been nice other than having a very soft spring(maybe I'm still in denial of being fat). Have done a couple of decent drops and no sign of bottoming yet. Perfect bike for anyone looking to get into freeriding without paying out the ear.
Have to Say Thanks to T.D. for helping me out this season, and also to Mark at North Shore Cycle for taking care of me like I still work there. WWW.NSCYCLES.COM
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Hawn
a Downhiller
from Fairfield, CT USA Date Reviewed: November 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Cycle Dynamics
Strengths:
Ultra stable, well balanced, great kit for the money
Weaknesses:
LONG and a bit heavy, (but hey, it's got 8.2" of travel)... haven't owned it long enough to have anything bad to say.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Coiler... If you're looking at this bike you know what to compare it to.
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock... swapped to firm fork springs and 650lb rear spring, also swapped out X7 trigger for X9 grip shift.
Bottom Line:
The large frame suits me and I typically like bikes a little on the small size. I am 6'2" and weigh 230. Still breaking the bike in so I haven't really put it through the paces yet. I can say that the bike is super balanced and stable, well made and has an admirable parts set on it for the money. The brakes are solid even though they havent bedded in yet and the bike just begs you to huck it. Even with the soft rear spring(500lb) there is little pedal induced bob out back. The front is a different story though. I have been a fan of Marzocchi for quite a while and even their OEM stuff is great, but on a big bike like this it would benifit you to upgrade to something with a little more adjustability. I dont see any reason you couldn't swap a few parts and have a blast racing this thing. You may not be the fastest guy out there but you'll have just as big a smile and quite a few more bucks to spend on beer and chicks than the guys riding $5000 plus bikes.
If you've been looking for a big bike to start doing bigger drops or to step up your gravity fed freeride game this is an awesome bike. If money is no object however your choices are as varied as they are limitless. If you're considering this bike you wont be disappointed. It encourages you to go a little further and doesnt penalize you if you go a bit too far.
If you plan on making this your only bike however, you may want to consider something a little more versitle with a single crown fork, this bike is what the name says... A BigHit bike.
I accidentally gave this bike 4 chilis in the preeceding review so I resubmitted with the more appripriate 5 ;-)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alexander Hawn
a Downhiller
from Fairfield, CT, USA Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Cycle Dynamics
Strengths:
Ultra stable, well balanced, great kit for the money
Weaknesses:
LONG and a bit heavy, (but hey, it's got 8.2" of travel)... haven't owned it long enough to have anything bad to say.
Similar Products Used:
If you're looking at this bike you know what to compare it to.
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock... swapped to firm fork springs and 650lb rear spring, also swapped out X7 trigger for X9 grip shift.
Bottom Line:
The large frame suits me and I typically like bikes a little on the small size. I am 6'2" and weigh 230. Still breaking the bike in so I haven't really put it through the paces yet. I can say that the bike is super balanced and stable, well made and has an admirable parts set on it for the money. The brakes are solid even though they havent bedded in yet and the bike just begs you to huck it. Even with the soft rear spring(500lb) there is little pedal induced bob out back. The front is a different story though. I have been a fan of Marzocchi for quite a while and even their OEM stuff is great, but on a big bike like this it would benifit you to upgrade to something with a little more adjustability. I dont see any reason you couldn't swap a few parts and have a blast racing this thing. You may not be the fastest guy out there but you'll have just as big a smile and quite a few more bucks to spend on beer and chicks than the guys riding $5000 plus bikes.
If you've been looking for a big bike to start doing bigger drops or to step up your gravity fed freeride game this is an awesome bike. If money is no object however your choices are as varied as they are limitless. If you're considering this bike you wont be disappointed. It encourages you to go a little further and doesnt penalize you if you go a bit too far.
If you plan on making this your only bike however, you may want to consider something a little more versitle with a single crown fork, this bike is what the name says... A BigHit
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Warren Olson
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
COP
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
the bike shop
Strengths:
indestructable
Weaknesses:
the pedels arnt very good
Similar Products Used:
demo 8
Bike Setup:
new stainless steel syncros pedels, syncors bar
Bottom Line:
this is the best overall bike i have ever ridden and had. the juicy 5's work amazingly well but they gobbel like a turky but i kinda think its cool
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mitchell moore
a Downhiller
from esco, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
nobel canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Performance bike
Strengths:
good solid bike for the price. also good components and a fun downhill ride.
Weaknesses:
MAXXIS tires is the only thing i needed, specialized needs to give up on tires.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Coiler, Kona Stinky Dee-lux, Devinci ollie, and a cannondale judge
Bike Setup:
2007 fairly stock, just new maxxis high rollers, crankbros 50/50xx, e.thirteen, and i swap out the 888 with a 66rc2x from time to time.
Bottom Line:
Its perfect for the relativly price concious downhiller, but if your a dh racer it is like trying to race a suburban against a corvette.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kym
a Downhiller
from Werribee Vic Australia Date Reviewed: June 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
ted's cycles
Strengths:
so strong i have had many crashes and it is still in one peace. it is a hucking machine. No other bike in this price bracket go huck like it
Weaknesses:
it is the worst pedaling dh bike i have rode. but it is a gravity bike not a xc bike
Similar Products Used:
Kona stab delux, iron hourse sunday, demo 8
Bike Setup:
factory except for a fox DHX 5.0 to try and fix that peddeling problem and a mag 30 rear rim i split the the join on the mavic(drops to flat rock)
Bottom Line:
it is a great bike i race all the time on it. When i am not racing i am sending the local gaps, drops and jumps. it just pedals OOOO so bad. for the price it is a great bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ronan
a Downhiller
from Dublin, Ireland Date Reviewed: May 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Piso, Italy
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
W heel World, Culver City California
Strengths:
Strong, good value for money, excellent brakes, amazing travel very comfortable.
Weaknesses:
Forks have lack of external adjustibility control, possibly bit heavy for racers.
Similar Products Used:
-
Bike Setup:
Stock, size Large 2006 version changed to 2" rise bars.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike it came with weird washers that pushed the chainring bashguard out too far, with the effect that the cain would slip off and get stuck between the bashguard and the chainring. This happened just before going over a fly jump the crank got stuck in position of left all the way down and right crank up, very dangerous as you cant control your weight, i had to bail and smashed my hip. I dont knkow if this was the shops fault or specialized,,,
Bu apart from that its a great bike its pretty heavy so if you into racing probably go for the demo 8.
the paint finish is a matt black, it loooks really cool when you buy the bike. but now (after being dumped in good irish mud) it has the effect of always looking dirty even when you clean it.
Im 6' 5" and about 230lbs I changed the bars to raise the front a bit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Downhiller
from Birmingham Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
chavannes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
www.bikescene.co.uk
Strengths:
Very good bike, can handle drops, suspension is very smooth (front and rear). Good brakes...all round good bike
Weaknesses:
Marzocchi 888VF's only have internal rebound adjust, brakes take a little while to bed in
Similar Products Used:
------
Bottom Line:
Very good bike, worth the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Downhiller
from UK Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Fort Bill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Strengths:
this bike is awsome, it handles everything that you can throw at it, from big gap jumps to drop offs. it handles like a x-country bike on the technical stuff aswell
Weaknesses:
its a specialized!!!! it doesnt have one
Similar Products Used:
demo 8
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
if your looking for a "do it all" bike then this is it! it handles big air and drops well, but also can be riden uphill as well. if your looking to get in to the sport or improve your riding then this is the bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Giles
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire UK Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Blazzing Saddles
Strengths:
Very good bike for its price with some good kit on it as standard. the bikes handling gets better the harder your ride it.
Weaknesses:
Not too much to cry about. Spec handle bars not wide enough, av noticed the 07 has wider one fitted. the tyres are not the best av rode on.
Similar Products Used:
Spec Demo 8, Spec Enduro sx
Bike Setup:
Freeride setting on the rear
Bottom Line:
As its name suggests, the bike comes into its own on the big stuff. Over rocky downhills, it handles very smooth and soaks up everything that gets in the way of it; rocks, tree roots, jumps, walkers! the bike seems to be ok on drop off, although I may be the weaklink here!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lorenzo
a Downhiller
from Zürich, Switzerland Date Reviewed: December 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Monte Tamaro (Ticino CH)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
Private 2 Hand
Strengths:
good Price/Quality. Good Handling, Good Tyres/ Brakes(Chunder Pro 2.3).
Weaknesses:
Original Chain seems weak, Pedals hasn't good grips, I don,t like telescopic seats.
Similar Products Used:
Demo 7
Bike Setup:
Original Fox 3.0, Marza 888 VF, Avid Juicy 5, Sdram x-9
Bottom Line:
i'm 178 cm- 71 kg, and the bike is Small Size. Really a good Handling, I had to change the Back Spring from 400 to 450 (pre load wasn't enough). For this Price it's a really good bike. The Steering angle is perfect!! Try a Toboga at 20% Down changing direction it's amazing!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
some person
a Weekend Warrior
from new zealand Date Reviewed: December 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
trig
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3800.00
Purchased At:
poo pushes in palmerston
Strengths:
nothing
Weaknesses:
where do i start the geomatry doesnt even work, the head angle on the front suspension isnt right.people have problems with front and back suspension blowing up and leaking all over the brake pads.
Similar Products Used:
demo 9
Bottom Line:
not a good bike!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lee stott
a Downhiller
from newton aycliffe, england Date Reviewed: June 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
hamsterley
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$5250.00
Purchased At:
bikesport (im the mechanic)
Strengths:
superb for downhill to just havin a blast with ya mates. handles just like an xc bike on the tight and twisty stuff but comes into its element on the rough vertical stuff
Weaknesses:
could do with a bolt through rear end. more room needed to get to the rear shock
Bike Setup:
2006 rc2x's, hope bulbs dt db spokes and mavic ex729 rims, hayes hfx9 8" brakes. shimano saints with 36 tooth ring
Bottom Line:
excellent buy, for those who want to go big as well as ride the local trails. sigle crowns are the way to go to keep the bike versatile.
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
