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Submitted by
Gianfranco
a Weekend Warrior
from Encinitas, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | Handling is great. The rear shock performs fantastic | | Weaknesses: | The fork | | Bike Setup: | Factory | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for all mountain. However, the frame broke right above the deraileur and it all happened on a relatively smooth trail . I read some reviews about this problem before I bought the bike but I thought that it was not endemic to this model. I was wrong! Too bad. Trek however honored their lifetime warranty on just send me a brand new 2007 Remedy 66 frame. Thanks Trek! Hope this one will not have the same problem. I give this bike 2 chilis overall because just because the frame cracked. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jonathan yoo
a Downhiller
from ridgewood NJ
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | ridgewood cycle | | Strengths: | the rear suspension works the best has grear travel for the big jumps. The fork is the best and works great and the frame is very sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | the pedals are very small and bend if leaned to a ledge.
the weight is a little heavier then the fuel 100. | | Similar Products Used: | fuel 100 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | It is a great bike and if you like to ride downhill on mountains or just down a local trail or even up it is great very smooth and it takes the jumps very great. The suspension was great and for those trails with mud, rocks, uphill, steep falls and sharp turns this is a perfect bike.
just try it for yourself and if u dont like it which u wont just return it. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Ryles
a Cross Country Rider
from Destin, Fl USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in W. NC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Built by me | | Strengths: | Beautiful, stong frame. Smoothe suspension. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. Only half dozen rides so far. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive. Early model with no provision for discs. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Marathon, Mavis 317's laced to Kings, Hayes disc brakes, XTR shifters and derailleurs, Race Face bars and crank, King head set, Thompson stem and post, 540's, Selle Gel Titanium, Odi LockJaw, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I built this bike to replace my 6yo I-Drive using some parts off it, some used parts and some new. The frame I bought off the classifieds here. The suspension is plush and takes the roots/rocks much better than the GT. In the tight, twisty stuff, it does not handle as sharp as the GT. The GT must have a steeper crown angle. The Trek is a little longer due to the long travel fork. It's a trade off. I am in the process of rebuilding the GT so I will have both and my old Bronco is large enough to carry both. I will give it 5 flamers as I was able to build this ride with top drawer components at a reasonable cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian
a Cross Country Rider
from Lima, Peru
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Strong frame, Fox fork & rear suspension | | Weaknesses: | Noises from stock seat post and saddle. Needs to be lubed. Heavy from stock (could be lighter?). 6" Hayes Rear disc break. Stock pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh RAM | | Bike Setup: | selle italia flite gelflow saddle, shimano xtr chain, 8" hayes rear disc brake, easton ec70 monkeylite xc riser bar, crank bros eggbeater pedals, thomson elite seatpost, panaracer fire xc pro tire (front & rear) | | Bottom Line: | I am 5'8" and weight about 160. My bike size is 17.5 and it weights about 30. The suspension is good. It cames with Fox Talas RL air spring (80/125mm on-the-fly adjustable travel). You have to set it up for your weight and style of riding. Also you can setup rebound/compression damping, lockout. With 5" of travel the roughest trails are smoothed out. Is a high performance do anything bike. It's too expensive for a beginner. Not for racing. Performs very well on the trails. Climbs very well and goes down at high speeds. If you like hitting small jumps, ledges, and bombing down hills, but you also like going up hill, this is your bike. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from North Yorkshire UK
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Descends beautifully, will ride over pretty much anything that gets in the way, rocks, roots, drop offs. TALAS shock is very easy to set up and super smooth, lockout is good for the road and the climbs too. Handles well on the technical stuff, and through woods and single track. The bike climbs very well, it digs in and responds well to pedal input. I have Marzocchi freerides on the front with ECC5 lockdown, which is great for climbing as it enables the front to be lowered to just the right angle.
The finish of the frame is excellent with an attractive black paint job. | | Weaknesses: | The frame is heavyish, which is most noticeable when shouldering over gates, stiles etc. Doesn't ride heavy though. | | Similar Products Used: | Orange Sub5, Marin TARA, Specialized FSR. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1FR SL forks, XT Transmission, Hope Mini disc Brakes, Mavic X317 rims on WTB hubs with WTB Motoraptor 2.24 tyres. Easton EA50 bars, stem and seatpost, Hope quickrelease seatpost clamp. | | Bottom Line: | Very pleased with the Frame, I'm riding over stuff I wouldn't have done before on my old Specialized FSR, but still climbing just as well. The extra travel is well worth having, the travel adjustment I'm not sure about, as I have used it a lot but now tend to leave the bike in the max setting. The suspension is fully active, but I like that because of the comfort factor. The Bike really accelerates, with a very direct response to pedalling. For road sections the lockout is a bonus which I do use a lot. It is heavier than some other similar products, but I haven't found that to be an issue, its not the sort of bike you'd go racing on anyway.
Overall it does everything I want it to, and you can't ask for more than that. I've only given it 4 for value, because I have spent a lot of money on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Green
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Epping Forest/Bracknell | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Cycles, Hemel Hempstead | | Strengths: | Versatility. Most of my riding is done in my local forest where i use the bike predominantly in short travel mode. However I have made a few trips to Bracknel and Wales where the terrain is more rough and the bike just eats up the lumps and bumps. It climbs fairly quick locked out. Plus you can stand up and give it some up the hills. | | Weaknesses: | You notice the weight when your trawling through great British mud in the winter. My headset seized up within 6 months. My bottom bracket went within 9 months. The bars are the next on my list..going to fit some Easton carbon risers. The bike was advertised with a TALAS FLC but came fitted with a FL i.e. no compression damping or remote lockout. Also no quickrelease seatpost clamp. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Hope headset, Hope seatpost QR and FSA platinum BB. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent alrounder. Excellent spec. Fox front and back say no more. More fun downhill than up but then that's biking fullstop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | Update to previous review:
The headset finally gave out on the bike. LBS gave me $30 credit towards a Kris King and installed it for $15 (I guess I have to eat crow on the KK headset comments previously:-)
The Front Shock gave out not 15min. after I got the bike back. During the first part of the compression cycle it makes a loud "klunk" and the travel adjustment knob on the left stanchion just turns and turns with no resulting adjustment. Sounds like something has come loose internally. Sending back to Fox via LBS.
The Rear Shock no longer 3 adjustment settings. Only fully compressed or fully extended. The middle setting does nothing. LBS stated that FOX says that cycling the shock without air in it will cause this failure. I did this exact thing while packing the bike for a trip to Moab, UT. DO NOT CYCLE THE SHOCK WITHOUT AIR IN IT! Sending back to Foax via LBS. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Z
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago IL USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Racine Cyclery | | Strengths: | Great Bike. Climbs very well for the suspension that it has. Bakes are just fine. XT/XTR setup is great. Fox front shock is the best ever!!! | | Weaknesses: | rear lockout just sucks, you really have to put a lot of air in it to keep it locked out for climbing | | Similar Products Used: | S-Works, Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | stock but for Chris King headset, ProFires front tire, will be getting new seat this year | | Bottom Line: | For the price the bike is just great. A little too much travel for city riding seeing that I live downtown chi-town. but for trails the bike is great. Took it out to Colorado last year and had the best time jumping and racing around corners, keeping with the locals with there DH bikes! My only conern is that the rear lockout pretty much sucks, front shock is just great, everything from loking out to extending it in a hurry and the look and feel of this bike is just great!!! Everyone always asks me about it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh,NC USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Suspension is the best. Fox Talas makes a wonderful product. I should have upgraded to a bike of this grade earlier. Truly allowing me to do jumps and things I never believed I could do. Great product if you want to XC and do some jumps. | | Weaknesses: | Price point puts to out of most price ranges. I was VERY lucky to get this on Ebay. The stop putting the FOX Talas front fork on the 2004 | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Joshua. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | This IS the best dual sport mountain bike for cross country and some jumps/downhill. Or if you are >190 pounds. I you can find a 2003 model... GET IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee,WI
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Exreme Ski and Bike, Theinsville, WI | | Strengths: | Looks, plush suspension, geometry | | Weaknesses: | P.O.S--- headset on an expensive bike. Its not really a headset at all, but a dirt storage compartment.
Typical Trek seat-tube creak.
| | Similar Products Used: | Intense Uzzi SL, Trek Fuel and Sugar | | Bike Setup: | Chris King Headset, Thompson seat post and stem. Super-X Tires. | | Bottom Line: | After sixs months of racing xc and endurance races I want to update my previous review. My overall view of this bike is unchanged. IT ROCKS ! Absolutely hands down my favoite bike of all.
Only two small issues have crept up in six months. First is the leaky seals on the otherwise fabulous Fox suspension that Fox has fixed under warranty. Second is what I suspect to be the chronic problem Trek bikes have of seatposts creaking. I have had two other hardtail aluminum Trek bikes that had the same sounds emanating from that area. In both cases the culprit was a 4" shim inside the top of the seat-tube of the frame that works loose. Warranty work did not solve my problem either time. I fixed it myself by clamping an old front derailleur (clamp only) aroound the seat tube about 2" down from the seatpost clamp. problem permantly solved! Now my liquid is acting up and I don't think my old remedy will work on this new frame since the seat tube is tapered and much larger at the top than any derailleur clamp I know of. Anybody have a solution ?? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean Moss
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | New Light | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | Franklin Street Cycles | | Strengths: | Fox fork, beefy stanchions, no flex like in my old Rock Shox SID; TALAS fork/shock, really works nice switching to 4" travel on steep downhills (changing geometry), same for switching to 3" travel on the fork if you have a long climb (otherwise the front fork adjustment is too much trouble) | | Weaknesses: | Headset: I am not one of those riders that critiques every component based on name (it doesn't have to be a KING headset to work fine IMHO). I expect very few things from a headset but this one fails the most basic right out the box. There is no bottom seal on the headset! I thought that it must be an installation error so I looked at a buddies bike, exact same bike, purchased at a different place. Same problem. You can actually see the ball bearings and the grease if you turn the bike upside down and look down where the fork crown and the headtube meet. Must be a manufacturing defect. Anyone else seen this? | | Bike Setup: | More importantly, my setup: 205lb. rider w/o gear. Ride pretty aggressively 2-3 times a week. Like technical trails. Don't like climbing unless there is some downhill payback on the other side. However, must admit that short technical climbs are fun. | | Bottom Line: | Haven't had the bike long enough to tell yet. Can make one statement on this bike though. I hit my first honest 5' drop this weekend (actually did it a couple of times) and the bike never complained. Not one creak! The landings felt vey smooth even though the "dirt ring" on the front shock showed that I must have bottomed it out. Never felt it. Don't know if it was too much adrenaline or what.
2 chili's for the headset. 5 chilis for the bike because I haven't found a reason to give it any less yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gregor
a
from san jose,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | tractor | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | hyland family bicycles | | Strengths: | the frame and rear shock. I weigh 240lbs and I have no worries with this bike under me. | | Weaknesses: | none that I can think of. | | Similar Products Used: | trek fuel 98, trek fuel 100, trek Y 50, | | Bike Setup: | psylo xc, xt discs, Phil Wood disc hubs the best in the world. sun rhyno lite hoops , Phil Wood spokes, Chris king hedset,Time pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I've ridden this bike all over the place from Demo & skeggs to long cross country rides at Henery coe. This might actually be the last full suspension bike I buy. This bike can do it all. If your thinking about buying A new bike this is the one!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | strong frame, plush ride, beautiful bike to look at and ride. rear hub supposedly made by Hugi? comparable to chris king (lets hope so) and feels light when riding. suspension has saved my privates many a time! | | Weaknesses: | cant think of any? actually, it would be nice to have a remote lockout for the rear as well. its hard to reach down there and flick it off before a climb.. | | Similar Products Used: | my first full suspension bike. peugot and specialized hardtails before this.. | | Bike Setup: | stock for now except for wellgo mg-1 platform pedals (huge difference btw) | | Bottom Line: | for someone that lives in a flat city such as houston, the only available trails are at parks and such. we have a few singletrack trails and this bike eats it up easy. i'm a noob but this bike (after a few weeks) makes me feel like a champ. i rip through roots and drops like butter. suspension is plush and smooth. leave the back at 5" and keep it there. you may want to lock out the rear when climbing, its hard to reach down there while you are riding. some say they dont feel much pedal bob when climbing, but i feel some. maybe i should try to ride a little differently. for people wanting big air, this bike *can* handle it up to an extent, but go for a DH bike if you want to do 10 + ft. drops. the suspension only has 5" front and 5" rear which is plenty for XC and light urban (not trials obviously, get a trails specific hardtail for that) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Flanagan
a Weekend Warrior
from Salem, OR USA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | McKenzie River trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Scott's Cycle | | Strengths: | Stout feel, bottomless feeling travel, adjustable travel,handling, BLACK!!!! | | Weaknesses: | No tubeless tires to go with tubeless wheelset, a touch heavy for an all-purpose trailbike. Pedals clip rocks on lowest travel setting (3") rides great @ 5" | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar Expert, Gary Fischer Katai | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XT/XTR mix with Bontrager cranks, Thomson stem and seatpost, Easton monkey lite carbon bars, Hayes Hyd. Discs,Time carbon pedals (the best!)Fox TALAS RLC fork and shock, Michelin tubeless tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a great all mountain bike, if you can only have one mountain bike, this is a great choice. The handling is excellent down hill and it climbs fairly well for a 28lb bike-and look at my parts kit, it won't get much lighter. On the lowest travel setting I tend do bang my pedals on rocky trails. The Fox fork is like butter, and I came from a Manitou XVert that I loved, this fork is vastly superior. The rear shock is also great feeling and much smoother than most air shocks I have ridden. I absolutely love this bike and my only regret is not waiting for the stable platform version that arrived in '04-no travel adjust but who needs it with stable platform. This bike has very minimal bob, and a fox propedal shock would most likely fix the bit it has. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | desert | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Landis Cyclery, Scottsdale | | Strengths: | Great bike if you are well under 210lbs. | | Weaknesses: | Increasingly dangerous if you are a Clydesdale over 215lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Entire Fuel Line. | | Bike Setup: | wheels, brakes, cranks, and chain. And a seat w/ post. | | Bottom Line: | This a followup to my Liquid Fuel30 and Fuel90 reviews in recent years. I have broken (4) fuel ZR9000 frames, (1) fuel98 OCLV carbon rear triangle, and (1) Fuel30 all-mountain frame. The latest catastrophic break occured while pulling a wheelie on my front street, no warning with creaks and such that I've experienced with Fuels. No visible cracks until the seat tube (not post) and cross bard severed and left me on the street. Trek again honored their lifetime warranty, but no frame credit to save me from a future accident. I will be back on this review in 3 months if my past history breaking Trek proves correct. I am 6'5" 235lbs and a solid XC rider, no FS, crazy jumps. Occassional rock field is most I do. Do not buy if you are/plan to be over 210lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore,MD, USA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Joe's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great all around ride. Decends very fast on steep rocky down hills with lots of confidence and control. Feels very tight on single track and gobbles up roots, rocks and just about anything in its way. Climbs like a mountain goat. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 9.8, Specialized Stump Jumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | Components are stock. Hayes Mag hydraulic disc brakes, XTR/XT drive train and rapid fire shifters. Fox Talas RL fork(125mm) and Fox Talas RL rear shock(5" travel),Bontrager Race Lite Disc Tubless wheels. | | Bottom Line: | The best ride I've ever had. After riding XC hardtails for years this is a major upgrade for me and I am glad I made the move to this long travel bike. Its heavier than I am used to but the efficiency and comfort gained from the longer travel and stability of the bike is worth the trade off in weight.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Sin City NV USA
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All at Bootleg Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop Henderson | | Strengths: | This a very strong frame. I am a clydesdale rider and I need a strong frame. 6'1 250 I am having an awesome time riding this bike. I like it a lot better than the Kona I had. It climbs like a beast and freerides with the best of them. | | Weaknesses: | Finicky shifting until it is dialed in. Other than that none. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kikapu, Redline Monocog, Gary Fisher Level Betty | | Bike Setup: | Deore Discs, XT cranks, Easton EA50 bar, XT shifters at both ends, Thomson Elite seatpost, Maxxis Minion 2.35 at both ends, Fox Vanilla 125 RL fork, Fox Talas rear,etc. | | Bottom Line: | The best ride I have ridden. Light and stout for a freeride bike. It can climb superbly and fly down the trails fast an in control. I was looking for a bike I can ride hard and not have any problems. I would definately buy a Trek product again. Also made in the US, a plus!
Thanks to Terry, Ray, Joey, Zubi, at the Bike Shop in Henderson for dialing me in so well. I would recommend his shop to everyone! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Weekend Warrior
from Front Range, Colorado
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | too many | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame only on eBay | | Strengths: | Good dimensions for a clydesdale like me. Fox Talus! Can handle anything uphill or down as long as you don't get totally crazy on the hucks! (don't TRY to break it). Weight is very reasonable. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | first full-suspension. Kona hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Rear Shock: Fox TALUS RL, Front: '04 Marzocchi MX Pro ETA -120mm, Brakes: Hayes Hydralic Disc, Components: XT/XTR/LX Deore Cranks. Wheels/Tires: Mavic/Continental | | Bottom Line: | If you want a super smooth FS bike that can handle any XC trail and reasonable DH (no 10' hucks) look no further. It may be able to handle more extreme DH but I don't want to risk breaking this sweet of a bike. I've broken a few at 6'4" and 200lb.
It took a lot a tweeking to build the bike up with my components off my Kona hardtail. The front derailer adjustment is especially tricky with non-stock components since the main bottom hinge sorta gets in the way.
The ride is amazing once you have it set up correctly. I love the rear geometry and the Fox TALUS system. Even in full travel mode, there is no pedal bob. Although if you think you need it you can adjust the TALUS down to 1/2, 1/4, and full lockout by flicking the switches. The Marz MX Pro ETA front shock is a much better choice than the Rockshox that comes stock. Flip a switch and your down in climbing mode; at the top flip it back and you've got your instant 5" of travel for bombing.
Big thanks to Tim and the boys at Balanced Rock in Monument (http://www.balancedbike.com) for building it up for me.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockwall, TX
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Fox suspension, XT/XTR shifting, Hayes Disk Brakes, Trek quality | | Weaknesses: | Cheap seat and pedals on an expensive bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Only the second bke I have owned... first was a Trek 4900 hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but I plan to change the crank to XT and pedals to Crank Bros Candies later this month. | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding for 3 years and upgraded to the Liquid 30 about 6 months ago. It is a great ride. The bike goes everywhere and it makes me a much better rider. The Fox suspension is smooth and takes everything you hit. I leave the back suspension at 5" nearly all the time and experience very little pedal bob. The bike climbs good.
I spent a lot of money on this bike, but after 6 months riding... I have no regrets... love to ride this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TomasZ
a Weekend Warrior
from Prague, CZE
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Suspension, geometry, design | | Weaknesses: | Bit heavy for pure XC riders (not me), price | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90Disc, Specialized Enduro FSR | | Bike Setup: | stock frame, Psylo SL, XT/LX, Hayes MAG, Rolf wheelset, WTB mutanoraptor 2.24, bontrager components, Easton EA50 mid-rizers | | Bottom Line: | I got this frame as a replacement (and I paid the difference between stock frames) for my old poor broken Fuel. First ride was a BIG surprise - I was faster than my friend who got Enduro FSR a no brain in descents! Suspension is comparable with FSR. However it is bit lazy when I go uphill, but than is really minor problem. Bottom line is: When you got good deal on this bike, go for it. It is worth your money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock-it / Whitting Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | local seller | | Strengths: | The Fox Talas front and rear suspension, Shimano XT/XTR components, and the Hayes disk breaks. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager components, except the rims they are great. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y22, test ridden a friend's Specialized stumpjumper/Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | Totally stock for now. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best damn MTB bike I have ever ridden and it's an under statement. Although I just got the bike recently but I have tried other bikes through the same trail. This bike just rocket through whereas my other bike fails. The Fox TALAS forks/rear suspension is in a tatally diffrent league compares to the rest of the the suspension, not that the others are bad but the Fox's are better. The bikes geometry is impeccable, especially on the climb. Even set at 5" in the rear when climbing you can bearly feel the "bob". Through the quick tight turns uphill and downhill this bike just shines through it all. In my opinion this got to be one of the best bike on the market. A little expensive when purchase new at full price but I got it for a steal at $1450 from the local ad. Partially used but still in excellent condition. Highly recommend this bike for future upgraders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big&Heavy
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarksville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | LBL | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Adaptable, light enough to race on weekends. Great over rough terrain. | | Weaknesses: | Seat sucks. Stock tires are too big. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 98, Raleigh M80 | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR 2003, Hutchison Python 2.0 tubeless. Selle Italia Flite Ti Gel saddle. Easton carbon seatpost. Fox Talas RLC fork and shock. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. It is light enough to use on races. Lockouts for when you don't need suspension. The new XTR shifters work great and quick to get used to. The FOX fork and rear shock are the best I have ridden. The stock tires are too big but changing to the 2.0 made it ride very similar to the Fuel 98. It climbs great even out of the saddle. I am about 220 lbs. and have no complaints with the overall ride of this bike. It really soaks up rough terrain and makes an all day ride enjoyable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Beast
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, CA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | South Berma | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Rincon Cyclery | | Strengths: | Sweet frame. ZR 9000 Aluminum is strong and light. Fox suspension is second to none. Fast and light (relativly) and perfect geometry. Fits my style perfectly | | Weaknesses: | Headset... CRAP! Have to run a very short chain so the rear deraileur doesn't rub against the casset... If you know how to shift properly this doesn't matter. Grips sucked. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel, Specialized FSR (My old bike), Santa Cruz line, Intense Spider, Marin Mt. Vision | | Bike Setup: | Stock but for new grips | | Bottom Line: | I work at a shop and could get just about any bike at a great price but this was the one for me. It really does kick ass. I'm 6' 1" and about 195 pounds and this thing can take anything I throw at it. Big jumps, big drops, tight single track and ruts and rocks till the cows come home. Beautiful to look at and even better to ride. The adjustability makes it work in ANY situation. I just can't think of a better bike for my aggressive riding style. I try to get other people to buy 'em but every one wants the Santa Cruz bikes.... they are great bikes but these people have no idea what their missing out on in not getting the Liquid. In a word... it flows! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HUGO JACINTO
a Weekend Warrior
from LISBOA-PORTUGAL
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | SINTRA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1660.00 | | Purchased At: | CICLOVIAS-best bikeshop Lisbon Portugal | | Strengths: | rear shock,aluminium ZR9000 | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | LIQUID 20 WHITHOUT LOCKOUT | | Bike Setup: | STEM AND SEATPOST THOMSON,ANDLEBAR PROTAPER,CONTINENTAL VERTICAL PRO UST | | Bottom Line: | Its the best bike i ever had and i tried | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Graupp
a Racer
from Milwaukee, WI USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Technical | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Extreme Ski and Bike Theinsville, WI | | Strengths: | Plush, yet efficient suspension. Damn nice to look at! | | Weaknesses: | When used for it's intended purpose, none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized fsr, Fisher Sugar, Intense Uzzi Sl, Trek fuel | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with Bontrager Super-X Tires | | Bottom Line: | Most fun bike I've ever ridden. Mostly due to the fox suspension, but the geometry is just more fun to ride than "pro race" XC geometry in almost all situations. I think my Trek STP-400 will spend much more time on the bench.
Like to ride long wheelies and do some jumping? The Liquid does it all better. When I ride now I don't worry about things like bending or breaking a frame or stressing the wheels, I just ride the way I WANT TO. Since I don't notice the extra beef while riding, I will use it for my next xc race and see if my lap time suffers any. If not, who do know wants to buy an stp 400 ?
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$ 3079.99
