Submitted by
Morgan Biel
a Downhiller
from Colorado Date Reviewed: May 8, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Ebay.com
Strengths:
This bike is bomb proof! I wanted a bike for freeride and this bike has it all.
Weaknesses:
Riding up-hill is kind of a pain but the bike itself is flawless.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Enduro
Bottom Line:
If want an aggressive freeride bike and the most bang for your buck, this is the best bike out there hands down.
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Submitted by
John
a Downhiller
from Munich Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bikepark Leogang
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3300.00
Purchased At:
Alphabikes
Strengths:
Nearly everything, this bike is insane! (It's the new 2007 Model) Wanted a real Freeride bike as i thought all mountain is never my riding style (having owned a Scott ransom that was in repair the whole time) so i got this. I will never regret it. -Looks, i love the white 66 fork and cockpit + the red hubs -Suspension is a dream -Balances nicely on the rear wheel -no problem going really fast -DHX 4,0 -The bike is just Plusssh
Weaknesses:
-Nothing, they could have put better pedals on though...
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stinky, Kona Coiler, Scott Ransom it all felt kinda crap when compared to this
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi 66 RV, FOX DHX 4.0, Maxxis Minion DH F+R, SRAM X9... i am going to change the brakes to avid codes soon
Bottom Line:
Brilliant bike for freeride. Hits 14ft+ drops without problems. the Fox DHX 4.0 is fantastic as is the Marzocchi 66... GET THIS BIKE... i had absolutely no problems
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Submitted by
Kyle Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Pickering, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Seaton Downhill section
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1870.00
Purchased At:
Toronto Bike Show via Algonquin Outfiters
Strengths:
This is a great bike. I have the blue and black test bike will all the best components. Climbing and falling it does it all. The pedal power to climb is great. Can almost get the rear end to fully lock to make it a great climbing bike. Then when you reach the top, drop the rear and take all the bumps and hits.
Weaknesses:
The weight is a little heavy, but this is no trail bike. It is the ultimate freeride bike.
Similar Products Used:
Only been riding hard tails and BMX bikes. Its time for a real freeride change.
Bike Setup:
Black and Baby Blue test bike. Special colour combo. 06 Fox DHX 4.0 Coil, Marzocchi 66VF,Truvative Holzfeller,Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic, SRAM X-9 mid cage. Best bike ever.
Bottom Line:
This is such a all around great bike for all kinds a riding.
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Submitted by
Warren
a Downhiller
from San Diego Date Reviewed: January 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
ATT
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Strengths:
Perfect bike for just about any situation- climbing, downhill, technical stuff and jumps. It pedals very efficiently, looks great. Whoever spec'd this bike did a great job. I have mine stock and other than maybe changing very minor things it's a solid mix of components. The 66 is very buttery and the fact it's a long travel single crown fork is great- much, much lighter than my old Jr. T. I don't own a quiver of bikes so I really needed something that could do it all, especially aggressive freeride type stuff. The top tube is nice and low so the bike really rips around corners and has clearance for rock gardens, etc.
Weaknesses:
I don't know if I got a watered down version of the 66 fork- it's a 66 RV and it seems to only have a rebound speed adjustmnet and nothing else. I need to dig into the manual but the fork appears very simple- no adjustments on the top of the fork- only the rebound speed adjustment near the hub. But, I like riding the fork soft anyway and it's plush as hell so who cares, right? Marz is solid so I'm not complaining too much. Otherwise, no weaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Bullit, Trek Fuel (Ummm, not really similar)
Bike Setup:
Stock. 2007 w/ DHX 4.0 and all the goods.
Bottom Line:
You get a solid bike for the price. It's handles like a downhill bike, burly frame, great set up. Did I mention its eye candy?
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Submitted by
Griffin
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley, CA Date Reviewed: September 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Rollercoaster
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Secret Ninja Bike Camp Warehouse
Strengths:
A super-strong, stiff frame with just under 7 inches of travel makes the SX Trail 1 reliable for both climbing and descending (that is, once it loses a few pounds). The geometry has everything you could ask for: medium-length wheelbase, short chainstays, adjustable head angle (66.5 or 67.5), and low bb. The machined aluminum barends are the best feature of all!
Weaknesses:
The weight. And the weight. Did I mention the weight? It's pretty heavy. How does SBC expect it to be a "trailbike" at 40lbs? I changed out 75% of the components and got mine down to 36.5lbs, and it rides so much better now. Take my advice: switch out the wheels and cranks as soon as you can. Even Saint cranks are 0.5lbs lighter than the Holzfellers. Also, the "seat tube" is too short to allow the correct saddle height positions for both climbing and descending. This is easily fixed by purchasing a Titec Pyro 'Scoper dual-telescoping seatpost.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Bullit, Santa Cruz Heckler, Enduro FSR Max Backbone.
Bike Setup:
SX Trail 1 in medium (66.5 degree head angle, 150mm travel), 66VF fork (170mm travel), Chris King headset, Juicy 7s, X.O micro cage derailleur, X.O trigger shifter, ODI Lock On Ruffians, custom Chris King ISO wheelset with DT FR6.1D rims, WTB Pure V Race, Titec Pyro 'Scoper seatpost, Salsa clamp, Saint cranks, E.13 LG-1, DX flats, XTR cassette, Hussefelt stem, Demo bars, SRAM chain, WTB Prowler MX 2.3/2.5 tires.
Bottom Line:
After considerable upgrades with both weight and increased performance in mind, the SX Trail has become a trailbike force to be reckoned with. Stock weight was around 41 pounds; after about $2000 [retail] worth of upgrades, I have dropped nearly 6 pounds from the original weight. Losing weight really increases the performance of this bike regarding its trailbike monicer. Climbing is not so bad anymore since I changed the "granny" ratio to 34/32. The bike really takes on a different personality once you point it downhill. Buy this bike if you want a solid, responsive downhill bike without the overall cost.
$
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