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Submitted by
Travis Scheefer
a Racer
from Gunnison, CO
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | bought as a new frame from a friend | | Strengths: | weight, great climbing for a 4" travel bike, fast downhill for a cross country machine | | Weaknesses: | bushings on main shock connection, develops play(but fox replaced them for free) | | Similar Products Used: | only hardtails up until I got this bike, aluminum trek, specialized stumpjumper, custom steel hardtail | | Bike Setup: | full XT, dt swiss 240 wheels, fox talas(80-125mm), avid discs, truvative cranks | | Bottom Line: | Bought the frame new mid-summer 04 and built up from scratch. Have ridden it hard every summer with a fair amount of racing and hard riding. Frame has held up great, must have got a good one, I think it was one of the last made. Climbs like a hardtail and lockout works great. Goes downhill fast too and can be pushed hard for a xc bike. Pretty light for its day, mine is just under 27 lbs. Would recommend a light rider for this bike as well(under 180), not designed for clydesdales.
Great frame design, would recommend if they were still around. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gene Frial
a Cross Country Rider
from Mission Viejo,Ca.USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan trail, Silverado Motorway | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo, Laguna Hills | | Strengths: | geometry, balance, weight(for a full suspension), price, climbs great, nice balance on descent, fairly good components for out of the shop bike. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Black front shock(nothing but problems), paint job chips easy(not into blue), stock stem & bars, stock headset | | Similar Products Used: | Specialize FSR, Specialize Ground Control Aim Comp. | | Bike Setup: | Rockshox Revelation U-turn, complete XTR drivetrain, Thomson Elite stem and seatpost, FSA carbon cranks and carbon riser bars, raceface headset, Crank Bro eggbeaters, Magura Louise hyd. brakes w/8" V cut disc in front and 7" in the back. Mavic 717 rims | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Aside from upgrading the pedals to eggbeaters and Salsa QR seatclamp right from the start, I road it stock for about a year and half. I finally started to upgrade starting with the front shock and bars(I didn't like the the stock Manitou fork-leaked all the time and fairly flat handle bars). With my new setup, the bike climbs BETTER because I can lockout the fork. I haven't had any problems with the Magura Louise hyd. brakes. I have gone to 8" disc in front and 7" in the back and now it stops on a dime(no rubs). You can purchase the frame adapter from Magura. I feel for those who have cracked their frames. I'm only 140 lbs and maybe this bike suits lighter riders better, no cracks so far. The latest thing I've done was powdercoat the frame "desert sand" and now the bike looks as great as it rides. I'm 100% satisfied with my purchase. I've spent more $ on upgrades than the original cost of the bike. I built a hardtail with all of the spare parts so I consider it a wash. Happy trails! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilton, CT... USA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Balanced and reasonably light (as set up). | | Weaknesses: | Bent rear derailleur dropout on first ride. (These things happen!) Bent back, finished ride. Ordered and mounted replacement and now carry original as spare. No problems in over 2 years of riding. Finicky Magura brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F700 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Colorado Cyclist WTB/Mavic wheels, Fizik seat, Ritchey Pro flat bars, Ritchey Excavader 2.1. | | Bottom Line: | Tuned and ridden by 200 lb XC rider over the local rocks, roots and rivers. Very different ride vs. F700. Where the hardtail required very precise line in technical sections, the Tomac is far more forgiving - allowing more speed. Stock bike a little on heavy side. Colorado Cyclist wheel special WTB/Mavic Disc was just the ticket. Seems to have rider in very high position. Been a great bike for me - I'm not into big air or drops, just fast long and hard riding.
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Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, CA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | hole in the ground | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | The top tube/head tube weld snapped during a ride. Almost sent me into a serious header. What a pain replacing the frame. Warranty dept. sucks. Made me dish out $$ for another frame. The second frame snapped at the rear chain stay weld point...now i'm goin through it again with the warranty dept. We'll see what happens this time? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren Ennis
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Palmer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Loved the travel and comfort of suspension. Bike handled uphill and down a comfortable and predictable pace. Always had minor issues, but nothing major on the trail. | | Weaknesses: | Frame, Frame | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Avid Disk, Manitou Black, XT front and rear. | | Bottom Line: | This was my second frame, my first was a Tomac Special 98 which I broke in the first year at the bottom bracket on the weld on the seat tube going up. Warranty department was very good and Colorado Cyclist was great in putting me back on the trail in less than a month. Last week went to Fruita and had a great time, noticed the bike had a vibration coming from the pivot point from the rear suspension connecting to the rear shock, tried to fix and found the threaded side of the main bolt thru the shock was broken, and when I tried to tighten it back up it stripped. I am getting much stronger as a rider and do not feel this frame can hold up to 180lb of 50+ miles a week on tough single track Colorado rides. Will keep ya posted on the outcome of the Warranty | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl-Arnold Wilke
a Cross Country Rider
from Waiblingen, Germany
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Garda | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1690.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo (Santa Monica) | | Strengths: | Smooth rear susupension. Laterally stiff. Fairly light. Climbs well, descends well, partly good components. Frame design. | | Weaknesses: | Damageably paint. Some cheap components. | | Similar Products Used: | AMP B5 | | Bike Setup: | Grimeca System 12 brakes | | Bottom Line: | I have to replace my conclusion about this bike "After all I can say this bike is durable!!" Last week the frame cracked at the welding seam of the seatpost tube!!!!
But the warranty department of American Bicycle Group works very well. I got yesterday a new Litespeed Niota frame (2005). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl-Arnold Wilke
a Cross Country Rider
from Stuttgart
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Garda | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1690.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Smooth rear susupension. Laterally stiff. Fairly light. Climbs well, descends well, partly good components. Frame design. | | Weaknesses: | Damageably paint. Some cheap components. | | Similar Products Used: | AMP B5 | | Bike Setup: | Grimeca System 12 brakes | | Bottom Line: | Concerning to my terrible experiences I've made with this bike until May of this year I am now satisfied with it. After round about 4000 km riding on rough single trails the bike is in good condition. None of the bearings are weared out, fork and rear damper don't loose air pressure and work well.
After all I can say this bike is durable!! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from petaluma, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo santa monica | | Strengths: | geometry, suspension, handling, value | | Weaknesses: | magura louise brakes, politically incorrect paint job, stock bars, stem & seat | | Similar Products Used: | schwinn string ray with a banana seat and a krappy plastic big wheel | | Bike Setup: | xt/xtr, mavic 317's, manitou black air, fox float rl, truvativ team cranks, stem, bars, wtb laser seat, shimano 545 pedals | | Bottom Line: | i love this bike. i was looking for a $1200 full suspension bike and you all know what that means (spend at least 25% more than budget). i feel lucky to have gotten away with alot of bike for the price....a great deal.
i switched out the stock handlebars & stem to the truvativ team stuff (7050 aluminum) with a little longer straight stem & straight bars, it now handles beautifully. the brakes are annoying, but when tuned right, they are o.k. now if only they would stay that way. i will switch out to some hayes or something proven this winter at discount price.
it climbs great, with no bob. i've adjusted the air pressure in both front and rear shocks, and now it knows to give just the absorbtion that i need without losing efficiency. it tracks very well on single track and downhill runs. once i got myself fitted correctly, everything about riding it now seems effortless. just think and it goes.
i'm 40 y.o. and 175 lbs., i just want a comfortable ride to get me to the top of the mountain and back down. i occasionally ride in tahoe and downieville and i still appreciate a good handling bike on technical stuff, but i'm no pro. i also don't like to abuse my body, thus i don't abuse my bike. this bike is therfore great for me.
as for those who drop the one or no chili reviews, that just seems a bit immature and vindictive. do us a favor and just give a mesured assesment, not a reactionary one, please. one test ride around the block will expose a one chili bike, don't ya think? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl-Arnold Wilke
a Cross Country Rider
from Stuttgart, Germany
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Garda | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1690.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Smooth rear susupension. Laterally stiff. Fairly light. Climbs well, descends well, partly good components. Frame design. | | Weaknesses: | Bad quality of manufacturing and components, poor paint | | Similar Products Used: | AMP B5 | | Bike Setup: | Grimeca System 12 brakes | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike at the end of september 2003 at Supergo for 1690.- bucks than I've paid beside normal customs fees a german anti-dumping fee because this bike is not manufactured in the US, it ist built in Taiwan. At least this bike costs me nearly 3000.- After a few rides I recognized that my fork lost air pressure because the right fork leg has had a big crack. Manitou Germany wasn't able to repiar it so I got after 4 month struggle a new one, a Black Super 120 cm. Now my tomac began to make dreadful noises coming from the frame because all bearings of rear suspension are dry, after filling up with grease, they worked well. My last torture with this bike was pops were coming from the crank area. The reason was the washed-out Truvativ bottom bracket Giga Pipe SL. Now I've replaced it against a FSA product with 3 ball-baerings. Overall this bike was a expensive and nerve-racking experience.
I thought Tomac bikes are cult and John Tomac will be proud of his products but I think he will only make cash with his brand.
PS To protect the paint against cable rubbing and rockslides i'v used adhesive foil, it works !!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew
a Cross Country Rider
from Ocala, FL
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1740.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Components, price, ride | | Weaknesses: | Fork, brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Rocket 88, GT Zaskar LE | | Bike Setup: | Stock: King H.S., | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike over all. I had to send the forks in for warranty work immediately. First they would not hold pressure. When they replaced the cartridge the lock out would not release. Over a month and a half to get them back. The Magura louise brakes took some time to work in, they are super strong and very responsive and progressive. The are extremely hard to keep adjusted...I.E. rub and squeek often. Everything else works great. handling is on the loose side, the front end wanders at speed. I am going to try a longer stem with lower rise first. If that doesn't work a new fork is in order. No cracks yet...keeping my fingers crossed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Banks
a Cross Country Rider
from Provo, UT USA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr.com classifieds | | Strengths: | Smooth rear susupension. Laterally stiff. Fairly light. Climbs well, descends well. | | Weaknesses: | Laid back geometry makes it a handfull on technical sections. | | Similar Products Used: | Tomac 78 special. Specialized FSR. | | Bike Setup: | XT discs. XTR/XT drivetrain. Tuvative cranks. Thomson stem, monkeylight riser. Manitou Black Super Air fork. | | Bottom Line: | This bike climbs like crazy. I rarely lock it out. The only complaint I have is the bike seems to sit so high and the steering seems so slow I have had to put a foot down in technical areas I would breeze through on other bikes. Overall, for the price I paid, the performance is great. I love the XT disc brakes(I pulled the Magura's after one ride). I just hope this bike holds up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
drew
a Cross Country Rider
from staten island
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | bay ridge bikes | | Strengths: | price, build kit, and you dont see it all over. handles great and climbes even better | | Weaknesses: | some stock components are not so good | | Similar Products Used: | alot | | Bike Setup: | stock with time pedals | | Bottom Line: | i love the bike but the shock is pretty lame its way undersprung and developed play after 3 rides. i broke the chain on a moderate ride. the rear derailler hanger broke on my first real ride and destroyed the xtr derailer. gripes were the worst ever. brakes rub alot. this bike feels so good but it seem to be one headache after another. its my second tomac and it is definatly not built as well as my first one (scandium bucksot) but it is designed well so it handles and feels good. ill ride it till it breaks and if it dont break il ride it forever | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marco
a Cross Country Rider
from austin, texas
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Submarine Rock, Sedona Az | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1729.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo online | | Strengths: | Light, Drivetrain & Gear Components; Rear Shock has lockout; climbs well, feel very compact/solid if set up (shock/fork) is right. Hydraulic brakes are pretty powerful. | | Weaknesses: | Headset Cane Creek C2 is crap, Paint chips easily; Tomac components could be lighter; Cables rub frame. Discountinued for 2004. | | Similar Products Used: | Ironhorse HOllowpoint Sport -great frame design with poor excution (cheap paint, poor cable routing) | | Bike Setup: | Stock + SPD 536 pedals; Trade up from Ironhorse Hollowpoint -Supergo credit full price towards the Tomac98. Would buy from them anytime... | | Bottom Line: | I would not buy this bike at full price; for the price I paid, there's nothing comparable out there in terms of design and components. I'm sorry to hear about problems with frame cracks, I'm not sure what you are using this bike for; remember it is a just XC...
Noticed some bobbing, about half inch on small and middle gears and a fourth on big one, which obviously is not a problem with the lockout. Hydraulic brakes are impressive although hard to tune, squeak a lot but i can brake with one finger, which really helps on downhills. Climbs just like a hardtail with or without lockout.
Just went riding for a week to Sedona, Az and the bike gave me no problems.
For the price, I give it 5 chilis, 4 overall for the design and to sympathize with people that have had their frames cracked. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
s b
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Bottom Line: | Another update:
I was inspecting the frame and I found even more cracks. This time two underneath the top tube where it meets the weld for the head tube and one of the drilled pilot welding holes on the chainstay. Clearly poor workmanship that Tomac won't fess up to.
Total of five cracks, all by some type of work. Beware, American Bike's warranty has so many technicalities because they don't want to warranty anything. They're saying, in effect, that purchase affects how the bike was manufactured on a frame that was already made.
Should've bought a Turner Burner. Do yourself a favor. you'll find a bike with at least consistant welds on the rear triangle.
here's a thread:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=2776 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
s b
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | FOLLOW UP from below | | Bike Setup: | same as below, but now with formula b4's...the bike is even lighter now... | | Bottom Line: | this is a five month follow up to my original review. I just turned over 800 miles and the bike is still strong. I went through a chain, cassette, and a pair of shock bushings that Tomac replaced under warranty. Great service by them. I also got a new hangar and was happy with that service, too. Very courteous and really interested in keeping me happy with the purchase.
I built it right and do alot of riding and am not too easy on it, either. I weigh 195 and do some medium jumps on every ride and it's still running strong. The rear suspension is great and I can't imagine how much better with propedal, or stable platform... I don't even think it needs it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Domby
a Cross Country Rider
from Hermosa Beach, CA Good ole US
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many to decide | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Great Frame with reduced Bob due to "T" pivot. Overall, a good component group. Nice ride on the downhills and sharp corners. The thing climbs like a monkey. J | | Weaknesses: | Magura Louise Brakes suck and so does their customer service. Should have a nicer/lighter stem, headset, handlebar, and cheep az grips. Manitou Black doesn't completely lock out. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized "S Works"; Cannondale Killer V 900 (old) | | Bike Setup: | All stock so far, except: Easton Monkey Lite XC (high rise), Race Face Deus stem, and Oury Grips | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great ride and Doug Bradberry did a great job on the frame. I swear I think the bike senses when I'm about to eat it and self corrects. I can't count how many time I have taken the worng line and get that nervous feeling in my chest/throat only to ride it out. The thing sticks to the trail like glue!
Negatives explained: No matter what I or two mechanics have done, the Magura Louise always end up rubbing on both the front and back. Also, I have heard bad things about the Manitou black, but my only complaint is thatI still have about 1" of travel when it is locked out. The stock stem and handlebars are already fairly light, but I prefer lighter. The grips need to go!
The XT/XTR package is nice and I like the Truvative Crank, and Fox rear shock. A few upgrades in the bolt ons and you are ready to race.
Consider this: These bikes are engineered, welded, and built by most of the same folks in the great state of TN who are responsible for Litespeed etc. The bikes are literally built in the same factory. Additionally, Doug Bradberry and Johnny T are involoved. All in all a great pedigree and you can tell it the minute you hop on it.
Barring the brakes and necessary updgrades, I'm 100% satisfied with the purchase. It is a sweet ride and even looks it! Check out Supergo right now. You can get the bike around $1600 and spend a couple of hundred on a sweet composite bar and stem.
I'd give it 4.5 chilis, but I just gotta round up to five.
Oh Yeah, I have had questions about the bikes Specs and Chris Brown with Tomac was really cool and couldn't have been more helpful.
Latez
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Wales
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hamsterly Forest - Northumberland - England | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Super Go (Arizona) | | Strengths: | Excellent weight, excellent components, excellent quality and detailing, its a Tomac what more can I say other than fantastic........Excellent UK based support, new crankbolt sent within 2 days and also new u clip for holding brake cable to top tube sent within 1 week. Excellent... | | Weaknesses: | Truvativ crankset loosing its anondised colour so quickly. Wish the 03 model had the Race face on it same as the 02 98 Special Pro. Truvativ self extracting crank bolt snapped into two first time I tried to remove it. IRC Mythos tyres are great in normal to loose conditions but not really up to thick mud. Have changed for Panaracer Fire XC Pro's. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XTR, XT, Trvativ stylo team, Manitou Super Air, Fox Float RL, Mavic 317 rims, Magura Louise, hope quick release seat bolt. | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic bike I purchased in Arizona and brought home with me back to England. Excellent quality, very light stands up to all rides I throw at it and also all falls i have had in typical UK rain and thick muddy conditions. Throws it all back at me asking for more, excellent.. Hell of a bike and everywhere I go it gets admiring glances and comments. Half the guys I ride with get to ride it more than me because they love it as much as i do.
Definately well recommended, a rarity in England which makes a change from all the Specialised and Scott bikes flying around.
The name speaks for itself Tomac, fantastic, been a fan of JT since 93 and had to have one of his bikes.
Infact I like it so much I am going back this year to buy another Tomac, not sure which one yet.
I would recommend this to any racer or weekend rider, you can't go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Falmouth, MA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Corner Cycle | | Strengths: | Fairly light, suspension works good | | Weaknesses: | Frame broke on drive side chainstay becuase of poor welding. Horrible customer support and i work at a bike shop. New swingarms unavalible sent me a used one that was not just used but had the piss beat out of it. Meanwhile i had already waited 3 weeks for a new one becuase they said they would have them in 2 weeks. Thank you steve dunn at ABG | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher sugar | | Bike Setup: | Marzzochi Z2, Sram X0, Hugi 240 hubs, FSA XC115 stem, EC90 bar, Magura Martas, FSA Ti BB, Thompson post, Gipiemme Stealth Ti/Carbon saddle, King HS, Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | Bikes ride fine but if you break a derailuer hanger or the back end of your frame you are pretty much screwed and have to wait upwards of over a month to get the replacment stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dvaid Moss
a Cross Country Rider
from Pembroke Pines
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Farmer | | Strengths: | Great handling, climbs like a monkey, stiff , when rear shock is locked out it has great power transfer | | Weaknesses: | paint job could use some butching up....what'sup with the light blue and rainbow stuff??? | | Similar Products Used: | 00 Heckler and superlight | | Bike Setup: | stock from factory | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great!!! It takes everything that I do to it and asks for more. I highly recommend this bike to anyone that is not too weight conscious. It is stiff enough for racing and has 4" travel for some drops and jumps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from Northen Virginia
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gambrill Yellow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Handeling and Climbing, machined brackets in the rear-end are trick! Good component choices for Wheels, Fork, Float RL shock and drivetrain. Weight is impressive at about 27lbs on a bathroom scale. | | Weaknesses: | Louise brakes (breaks?) are unreliable, LBS has bled them 3 times. The cockpit of headset, stem, bar and cheesy grips are all low grade and will be replaced soon - but those are easy upgrade$. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far with Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | I was happy with my FSR and the 4 bar rear end for several years, I loved how active the suspension was uphill. In slow motion riding next to buddies on single-pivot I could see that an active rear end makes a big difference. The Tomac brings all this goodness in a lighter weight and a really smooth across technical terrain.
I ride mostly on technical singletrack with roots and rock gardens, no big hits or drops to speak of, with a few races a year. This bike is ideal for that riding - it is burly enough to take some pounding but still raceable. I was suspicious of an air fork - I didn't think it would be reliable or strong enough but it is holding up fine to the first month of riding. The Louis brakes are a disappointment - they need bled after most rides and are rubbing in the back without an easy adjustment. I have seen other poor reviews of the Loise under brakes so I am not alone here.
I have been very happy with the Stylo team crank - but after reading up on it here on MTBR I double checked it for loose chainring bolts and sure enough found 2.
If I were going to do heavier duty riding, I would have bought a hevier freeride bike - but this Tomac and Bradbury have hit a pretty sweet spot for a trailbike here. I'll ding them one chili for the cockpit complaints, but give full marks for Value . With the machined brackets in the rear end this feels and looks like a custom job and the whole package works great - I am riding farther up in the pack now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Humber Valley, High Park illegal trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | Nice geometry, fairly light (could be lighter), Fox Float RL (standard), great paint job, XTR rear. | | Weaknesses: | Cane Creek C2 headset, Tomac custom components are heavier than expected, cable rub on frame from day 1 | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler and Blur, Kona Dawg, Ellsworth Joker, Marin | | Bike Setup: | Stock as per www.tomac.com + eggbeaters | | Bottom Line: | This is a very preliminary review submitted after only 4 rides (abotu 1.5 hours each). I ended buying this bike mostly because of the amazingly low price from supergo.com's Tomac buyout - I managed to bring this into Canada for about $1500 less than local retailers were charging. Tried out other bikes which were beefier, heavier with more travel and all around probably more durable, but also much more expensive.
So here's the deal - like the other reviewers, and only after a few rides, the Cane Creek c2 is a hunk o' junk - no idea why this bike with the other great components was not set up with at least an S2.
On the other hand this bike does have some great benefits: great component mix (xt/xtr/truvative drivetrain - would only swap out chain for now), decent front fork (manitou black super air), fox float rl is a nice addition to this frameset and so far the Magura Louis are amazing but I'll have to report back in a month or so after I really put them through their paces. This bike compresses nice on downhills and really swell over roots and rocks, the highlight is the climbing power of this thing - holy sh*t was I suprised - you can actually tune the float so that the bob helps you on the uphills.
5 chili's for value - the supergo price is unbeatable
4 chili's for overall - wish for a better headset and would swap the tomac bars, stem, seatpost and saddle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from long island NEW YORK
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Light weight, quality construction, stiff, great geometry | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | DBR x2 marzocchi,FSR (test),GT LTS,Rocky Mountain Instinct,Santa Cruz superlight | | Bike Setup: | Marz Mx pro ETA,all xt except for prodigy cranks,thomson post,kore easton straight bar,magura louise disc,xt/317 db spokes,Fire XC pros | | Bottom Line: | I'm a heavier rider right now at 195 pounds (tough winter in the snowy northeast) and the frame still feels stiff. Geometry is great with 100mm forks and it takes off when you crank the pedals. Sails through turns as if it's on rails. I hardly use my brakes and I just let the bike turn. Never steps out from underneath me.Tomac came up with a great all arounder and I got it all online for practically nothing. My complete bike cost what the Racer x frame costs alone. I've been out riding everyday for the last month at 12 miles each ride. That's how much I like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vittorio mangano
a Weekend Warrior
from Trezzo sull' adda Milano Italy
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | not telling | | Strengths: | Thisbike is very light and has a feeling to do everything. Probaly best in uphill but work great even on downhill.It 's beauty, and has a tech plus, as a geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Painting, room for the rear wheel is not a lot. | | Similar Products Used: | Superlight,Kona. | | Bike Setup: | Black super air, xt,thomson,sun wheels set. | | Bottom Line: | This bike work very better.Is not heavy for going up.The way is build is generous. Is not expensive.Let make you sicure to go on downill...works fantastic, if you like a real trail biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Hobbie
a Cross Country Rider
from Tpa. Fla. USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Ride quality, looks, uniqueness | | Weaknesses: | racing specific build strength, too light for big riders. | | Similar Products Used: | 78 Special, Six Shooter, Turner XCE, I-drives, Fuels and Liquids | | Bike Setup: | Custom Build | | Bottom Line: | A great riding frame, fairly stiff rear-end, that is efficient on the climbs. Not a bike built for heavier riders (200 lbs. and up). XL frame weighs 5.1 Lbs. 4 inches of travel is really nice on the body and the fit and finish of the 2003 model is beautiful. A great alternative to the more common Trek's and Giants, and Kona's and Fishers, and all the prevailing frames found on the market. Do Not buy if you weigh more than 200 lbs, at least that has been the problem I encountered. The Aluminum is thin walled and does not hold up to day after day of pounding us big guys dish out. It will, however reward more moderately built riders with tons of fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango.CO USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All Durango & Cortez CO | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Kokopelli Bike Cortez | | Strengths: | Frame Geometry, Performance, Highly Versatile. Laterally stiff suspension allows quick and responsive on turns & fast tracks. NO BOB, I can stiffen adjust F&R of bike to ride & climb like hardtail. Or more flex adjustment, with 4" F&R travel, it will bust down rough trail decents and slick rock steps and securely hold the line. A shout for the Manitou 80-100 Black Elite Fork and Hays Disc. |
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$ 2595.00
