Submitted by
skiier91094
a Racer
from Green Bay, WI Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bairds Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
JB Cycle & Sport
Strengths:
Lightweight. Alright Suspension, and nice components
Weaknesses:
Fork isnt plush enough, but it gets the job done
Similar Products Used:
first full suspension. But my previous bike was a specialized hardrock
Bike Setup:
FSRxc, clipless pedals, BB7s
Bottom Line:
Great bike for intermediate rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ray
a
from Mesa Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hawes
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Global Bike
Strengths:
Weight. Handling. Suspension. Tires. Brakes. Nice color.
Weaknesses:
Gears were a little finicky until the bike was broken in. Back wheel has been trued several times.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 820
Bike Setup:
Just your normal run-of-the-mill set up for an entry level Specialized FSR. Base components. V Brakes. No discs. No clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I'm an intermediate mountain biker who took up riding in the Phoenix Valley about 3 1/2 years ago. As my skills advanced, it became obvious that I needed to get a new bike or I was going to kill myself. At first, going from a Trek 820 to my FSR was like trading in a 1974 Dodge Ram for a Lexus - quite the transition. And, one worth making. For a bike around $1,000, I don't think you could ask much more from a full-suspension set up. I weigh 190 lbs and ride some pretty rough trails on a weekly basis, but this bike has taken everything I could dish out.
After 1 1/2 years, I'm on my second set of Specialized Resolution tires (which I love by the way), and just replaced my chain and my middle chainring. I've needed to replace the brake pads too. These changes were too be expected as normal maintenance, however. I have had a little trouble with the back wheel coming out of true (which makes the back brakes rub sometimes), but otherwise the bike as a whole has performed very well.
The bike rides very well. Suspension is very comfortable and the steering is quite responsive.
The only upgrade I'd like to make soon is adding some mechanical disc brakes (though the V's work well, on steep, long descents, it can start to make your hands feel pretty tired). Disc's would help with the brake rub/back wheel truing problem.
Purchased the bike at Global Bike, which has been great, as they give me free tune-ups (this was a Godsend when I was having gearing problems when breaking in the bike).
I fully recommend this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nelson
a Cross Country Rider
from Lubbock Date Reviewed: November 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Velocity
Strengths:
Price, sturdy, my first full suspension bike, has been used regularly for a year in a 6 mile mix trial, comfortable rides good, adjustable rear shock allows to hard tail if needed.
Weaknesses:
Rear wheel weak, broke spokes several times finally replaced under warranty no further issues. Chain keeps breaking up, but that maybe due to my gentle riding stile.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
FSR M4 butted frame w/ ORE downtube, sealed cartridge bearing pivots, replaceable derailleur hanger, two sets of water bottle bosses, 100mm travel X Fusion 02RLA, Specialized tuned shock, Rock Shox Tora 302 fork, Avid SD-3R, “V” brakes, Shimano FCM-442-8, Octalink Spline, 9-speed, replaceable rings w/ alloy outer, Specialized Resolution 26x2.0" tires
Bottom Line:
Good for the price you may need to replace some parts, I read about the same issue with spokes happening with other FSRs, not for the extreme rider, great for the beginner and intermediate raider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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