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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2999.00 | | Purchased At: | STBikes | | Strengths: | The fram rides really well. Stiff triangles and nice geometry makes this bike a wonderful bike to toss around without getting too crazy. | | Weaknesses: | Wheels were a bit too flexy for me, but would stand up to most abuses. Rear shock makes an annoying "sucking" sound at every bump. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel ex series
Session 77 | | Bike Setup: | Stock but with new Mavic Crossmax SL wheels, a Manitou Minute 3 fork, and Speedplay Drillium pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike to replace my old bmx bike. I wanted something I could throw around relatively hard, but would still feel solid and ride like a hard tail. This bike filled these wishes wonderfully. I had some trouble dialing in the suspension at first because the rear shock's SPV valve is in a tight area, but once it's set it's a wonderful bike for just about everything. The rear shock isn't quite as smooth as I'd like, but it still does the trick. The wheels were flexing to the point that the disc would rub on the caliper under load. Once I installed the new wheels, that problem was solved. At 135 pounds 5'10" this bike can handle anything I can toss at it. Definitely a must have for anyone looking to hop into mountain biking, but doesn't know which route they want to take. People who want a crosscountry bike or a downhill bike should look to the more extreme models in the Trek lineup. Try it out, you'll have no regrets! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bopko Keith
a Downhiller
from Minden Nevda USA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Tahoe Rim,Big Meadow to Toads | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Daddy's Cycles, Gardnerville NV | | Strengths: | Strong frame, good all mountain capabilities, when the Minute 3.00 is properly dialed and broken in it's responds to small bumps and big hits relatively well. At 6'03" 200 lbs I didn't detect any flexing from the rear triangle. The bike swallows up two and three foot drops no problem and carves well after slight product replacement.Shock setup is easy. Although not a hucking bike it eats up 3 and four foot drops. | | Weaknesses: | For my size and riding style the Bontrager wheels didn't quite cut it. I replaced them with a set of Ausie made Velocity Cliff Hangers w/ Real Hubs and Maxxis 2.35 High Rollers. The rear SPV 3-way shock works fine but has an annoying sucking sound.
| | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS Team.GT I-drive 2.0. Ellsworth ID | | Bike Setup: | Replaced the Bontanger wheels with Velocitys, 86'd the Bontranger Carbon bars with Eastons. Replaced the factory Bontrager seat post for a Thomson layback. The front rotar is now 9 inch and the rear is 8 along with Maxxis 2.35 High Rollers. | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding hardcore since 94 and have owned several bikes. The 55 suprised me on it's all around performance. It's well made and fits my frame well. Medium size drops are not a problem and with the new wheel set up, it rips the corners. Pedal induced bobbing is minimal when seated, however increases when out of the saddle hammering is applied. After an all day epic on the Tahoe Rim Trail from Kingsbury to the Flume and back, I had no mechanical problems nor did I feel like I had taken a beating. About 9 hours saddle time overall.
Not a light weight XC racer or an all out Huckster, but definitely an all mountain, all day, do almost all bike. With a strong company and warranty backing it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Espinosa
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, California
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | treck bike superstore | | Strengths: | Tight turning on single tracks. Supports 210 LBS with no problem what so ever! Pumped up the suggested pressure on the front and rear shocks to my weight specks took rocks,water three foot jumps no problem. Powered up hills little or hardly any bouncing. | | Weaknesses: | Some noise on the frame no biggie. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 600 cracked frame 2 times (swing arm)ect. gave up on them! | | Bike Setup: | Xt cranks,hayes disk brakes, Sram x9 shifters, Carbon Bontrager Front bar, manitou Minute front shock. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for larger riders It took me by surprise! Very Impressed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noah
a Weekend Warrior
from Rome, Ga
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Strengths: | Great dual pivot frame design. The Manitou Swinger 3-Way rear shock eliminates most pedal bob out of the saddle while remaining plush through rock gardens. Very stiff and effecient power transfer for a 5" travel bike. | | Weaknesses: | The stock fork is manitou minute 2:00 130mm. It is very stiff an unresponsive over small bumps. I upgraded to Rock Shox Revelation which complements this bike nicely and greatly improved ride quality. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Cake 1 DLX, used the same manitou swinger 3-way rear shock but the single pivot design was still full of pedal bob. The Cake frame design was a few lbs lighter, but the liquid rides so much nicer. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Liquid 55 19.5"
+ Rock Shox Revelation
+ Cane Creek Solos Headset
+ Time Z Control pedals | | Bottom Line: | Great product. Do not hesitate to purchase. Consider a fork upgrade. Currently most Trek dealers have these on close-out, marked down from standard MSRP $3000 to Sale MSRP $1750. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a
from La Crosse, Wi
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very solid feeling, Gives you a confident feel. Able to ride most any mtn bike disapline (xcountry, free ride etc)
Trek warranty and service...Has been an A++ for me! | | Weaknesses: | great so far | | Similar Products Used: | Arrow F sixteen | | Bike Setup: | This was a warranty from my broken Arrow F sixteen. Mostly the same as it comes from Trek except Coil version of the Swinger 3 way. Look to upgrade to 8" disc for front. | | Bottom Line: | Solid bike! Cant complain. Great people at Trek who back their products! This bike wont diappoint if you are looking for an all mountain/light free ride bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim benesh
a Weekend Warrior
from nevada
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | gooseberry mesa, blow hard | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | great ride, very smooth, quicker than i thought it would be. | | Weaknesses: | this is the 2005 model, and it still has a horrible creak that my LBS and I cannot find! any suggestions would help. stock tires are terrible. tore them first time out. too narrow anyway, went tubeless which is the way the bike should have come stock. | | Similar Products Used: | fuel 90, fuel 100, cannondale jekyl | | Bike Setup: | stock except tubeless tioga DH tires. | | Bottom Line: | the bike is as advertised. not a downhill bike, but a great cross btw cross country and downhill. you won't be doing any 20 footers with this bike, but if you want a great all around freeride bike this is your bike. I ride southern utah brianhead/st. George area (and up around Park City when i can get up that far) and it handles everything I throw at it. i'm not into big gap jumps or dropping anything over 6 ft. BUT that being said i have a creak that I nor my LBS can seem to find. we've limited it to be somewhere where the rear shock is mounted or the actual rear shock. any help on this would be wonderful. this is the 2005 frame and i thought that was supposed to be taken care of? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Campbell, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demonstration Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Summit Bicycles | | Strengths: | Very plush ride, absorbs the trail, very little bob | | Weaknesses: | It's Aluminum and the wheelbase is longer than I'd like it to be. Feels more like a cruiser than a very agile quick bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 98, Ellsworth Truth | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/XTR rear derailleur and Shimano M959 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great all-around bike. Not a XC racer and not a downhill bomber. Like most pieces of equipment that try to be all things, it's not the best but it is a very nice ride. I only wish the shocks could lock out. The only reason I bought this over the Fuel 98 was the extra suspension; I didn't think 3" would be enough on the trails I like to ride on.
I broke the bike just above the bottom bracket where the seat tube is welded and I'm only 6' and 178 lbs. This seems to be a very common failure on Trek's Liquid line. But unlike many others- I'm not too surprised. Constructing a mountain bike out of Al is pretty much guaranteeing it will break (see stress/strain curves for Al). Going downhill on the bike, no matter how many linkages and shocks the bike is outfitted with, will eventiually fatigue the bike. I'm just surprised it happened so soon. I've only put on 550 miles. I guess I have to sit and wait for my new frame. Maybe someday I will upgrade to an all OCLV 2006 Trek Fuel EX9.5 frame.
Value is 2 chilis because the stock components should be better for the price they're asking and the frame shouldn't have broken so soon. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Racer
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills & Buckwallow | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Hardwood Hills | | Strengths: | Light for an "All Mountain" style bike. Awesome fork, good rear susp. | | Weaknesses: | Wheel are light but I like a square profile rather than a "V" profile on my "freeride-ish" bike. tires are skinny.The biek sacrifices some strength for weight reduction-I'm not sure if I'd rather just have a heavier bike for what I use this one for. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher, Moots, Turner | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | The tires are way too skinny and are folding kevlar for weight reduction- no good for aggressive stuff. Also, I'd go for a square profile rim to make the tire contact surface wider. I am a x-country racer and have a very done-up Moots YYB that fits me for that task-not to mention a nice road bike that I also race. So I bought the Trek 55 for going over bigger stuff, and occassionally trying to stay with my brother who lives on the North Shore Vancouver and is a true free rider. Overall, I like the bike, but plan to change at least the tires. I'm not an experienced "go big" guy- I'm just learning how to do stuff like jumps and bigger drops, so the bike is fine for me now. But I can see that a serious rider capable of doing more than me (and thats a lot of you reading this, no doubt) may want to look at either the Trek 65 which has a bigger fork and a better shock, or the Session. But if you are riding mid-level freeride stuff, and want to climb better than a freeride bike, it is an ideal bike. It climbs great, considering its not a x-country bike. And it goes over everything I can throw at it, which is more than most x-country bikes can take. Overall, nice bike for its purpose. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micky Frye
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Dry trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | NA | | Weaknesses: | NA | | Similar Products Used: | NA | | Bike Setup: | NA | | Bottom Line: | Trek replaced the frame but not with the 05 version. They replaced it with the 04 version with a new paint job. Im really dissapointed in Trek. I love the bike but spending the last 4 weeks off the bike to get it replaced with the same frame is bogus. I requested the 05 frame only to avoid breaking another one. I looks great though. Pewter and black! Sweet! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micky Frye
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Capt. Jacks. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | UPDATE SEE PREVIOUS REVIEW AND REMARKS | | Weaknesses: | UPDATE SEE PREVIOUS REVIEW AND REMARKS | | Similar Products Used: | UPDATE SEE PREVIOUS REVIEW AND REMARKS | | Bike Setup: | UPDATE SEE PREVIOUS REVIEW AND REMARKS | | Bottom Line: | I have to take back my 5 chilis. I broke the frame. About two inches above the crank where the rear triangle pivots on the seat tube. Theres a weld there right below the derailer. I snapped it on a mild rolling "hump" that is smoothe and plush. This "hump" doesnt require any air at all. Its not even a launch unless you make it a launch. I weigh 170 and stand 5 foot 6. Ive had the bike since September. I hope Trek lives up to their notoriously good Warranty. The Bike Shop has been very helpful so far. I still have to say I love the bike. I cant give it any chilis though. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
subjecting
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | home paddock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Clarence Street Cyclery | | Strengths: | Light weight, versatile, brilliant suspension, good climber, cross country and tracks well across rocks. State of the mountain biking art. | | Weaknesses: | Doubtful build quality given that my first 04 model frame cracked without any kind of help from me, just above the bottom bracket on the down tube. After an astonishing 3 months, Trek replaced the frame with the 05 model which creaked so badly that I insisted on the rear triangle beging replaced too. Even then, there are so many creaks that I decided to spray penetrating oil (inox) down the seat tube and all noises have, at last, disappeared. The Bontrager tyres are very puncture prone (new Race X Lites). All the noises were enough to make me take up road bike riding again and now that's my favourite cycling. If this is a high end MTB, give me a high end road bike any day! Trek USA service is totally apalling. 3 months to replace a frame is disgusting. The service from the Australian bike shop that sold me the bike was just as bad with the mechanic there giving me the impression all this trouble is somehow my own fault; his time, he told me, was too valuable to listen to the likes of me...The good news is that I have now discovered the glories of shopping locally and only for road bike stuff... | | Similar Products Used: | Canondale Delta V 2000 | | Bike Setup: | Standard except it is now an 05 Liquid 55 with 04 parts | | Bottom Line: | I recognise that this bike provides utterly superb performance and huge versatility. It is a wonder of technology and the suspension makes anything on a motorcycle or car blush. Serious stuff for sure. But, I spend more time maintining it than riding it and I can never trust it again after manufacturing defects led to the frame breaking and then all the traumas of creaking and squeeking frame noises (all solved by simply spraying Inox inside the tubes). it seems that this bike and the new 05 Specialized Enduro Pro are the only two that sit on the top of the genuine high end all mountain pile. Forgiving that warranty covered frame break, I still cannot ever forgive the obscenely bad service from Trek USA. Perhaps Trek is nice to US of A citizens but it needs to learn some manners when dealing with us foreigners. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Des Moines IA USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | greenwood park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World west side | | Strengths: | Very strong, great stable platform | | Weaknesses: | Dont like the stock parts group | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized stumpjumper pro 2001 | | Bike Setup: | Project 1 frame, Marzocci Z1 FR, XT pods xtr derailers, saint cranks, Atomlab trailpimp wheels, Crank bros mallet C pedals, Hayes 8" brakes, fsa stem , truvative riser bars | | Bottom Line: | What a great machine. Im a big guy and havent broken anything major yet. My setup is heavy ( around 40 pounds) but at 6'4" and 265 lbs I need a stout ride. Not the climber of an XC ride but way more comfortable to ride to and from the trails. Overall my next bike will probably be another Trek someday and whatever it may be it will come from the guys ay Bike World west. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micky
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Jones Park/Capt. Jacks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | Climbs better Than I thought it would, Great components, tunability. | | Weaknesses: | Havent found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | 97 Diamondback X6, 01 Sugar (not very similar) | | Bike Setup: | XT discs, XT levers and integrated shifters, XT Hollowtech Crank, XT front Der. XTR Rear Der. Manitou Swinger 3 way shock, Minute 2.00 Fork, Bontrager Race Lite tubeless wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | Best ride I,ve ever bought. I climb as well on it as I do my Sugar and go downhill better than I did on my Diamondback. The tunability of this bike makes it the all around best bike to buy for my money. I can make this bike XC for an hour and stop then within 3 minutes I can bomb back down with ease. I love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from NH
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any rocky nasty single track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | I tried the bike at a demo, really love the ride over the rocks and roots and small drops, until the frame broke in pieces. | | Weaknesses: | Frame welds and lack of reinforcement to those welds in critical areas. | | Similar Products Used: | Long list including: Specialized, Cannondle, Kona, Goatbike hardtails; Specialized, Gary Fisher full suspension. Demoed Santa Cruz, Rocky Mountains and GF Cake. | | Bottom Line: | I really loved it until the frame broke in pieces after only 20 of my aggressive “all mountain” rides, going through rock gardens, often in the saddle. I am 6'1”, 215 lbs, 50 years old, don't free ride, huck, nor do drops over 3 feet but I ride very aggressively always over very rocky rooty hilly terrain. It appears one weld in the frame fatigued (seat tube to BB). Recommend aggressive, bigger, strong riders not ride these frames over rocky terrain. Changes to reinforce the seat tube might save the frame. Like a gusset from seat tube to top tube, utilizing bottom and top shock mounts as additional seat tube support wedged and welded between the corners of bottom bracket, set tube, bottom tube and top tube. My replacement bike of another brand, has all those improvements. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Powell
a Downhiller
from Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Plus in Sandpoint Idaho | | Strengths: | Little bob if you stay in the saddle. Nice components free xtr upgrade on the rear derailleur when I bought it. Solid frame with good paint job. Cranks hold up with no flex and handlebars and stem are super durable. Disc brakes work well few problems with them. | | Weaknesses: | The biggest problem I have had with the Liquid is the suspension. If I take a five foot drop to a flat landing I can effortlessly bottom out the rear suspension. I can stand and bottom out the Minute, also only a 2.35 tire clearance; very dissapointed overall by the Minute. The bike still takes it though and the edge can be taken off with proper landing techniques. Even so I took a ten foot drop and made it although there were some metallic contorting sounds. However if jumping to a smooth transition you can hit some 10+ gaps no problem but 20+ gaps pushes the bike but can still be done without a problem. The tubless rims are a joke though you have to insert a strip to convert the standard rim into a tubeless system; it doesn't work. I also believe there should be stronger rims on the bike. I have dented and knocked the rim out of true on relatively small things. The last problem I had were the tires, they suck. I felt as if I was riding on road tires in the mud. Definitely switch them out first. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried lots of different freeride bikes. I was going to get a VP Free but I couln't get one until October and I bought my bike in June. Plus the VP Free is to big for the East coast unless you jump buildings and have a good lawyer. | | Bike Setup: | 2.5 tires with downhill tubes ran a 2.8 Michelin trying to help the suspension out but was rubbing the frame and over-kill SRAM PC-69 chain BMX platform pedals the rest is stock setup. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for small hits and smaller jumps. Not all that I was looking for but it still works. I may eventually change the rear shock to a coil over and to a marzocchi front. If you are looking for a true big hit bike though this is not it despite what they tell you. Go for something 6+, but if you are just begining or not looking to go real big then this is just right for you. It rides smooth and takes downhill with ease. But lay off the big stuff because the bike starts to suffer quickly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Enumclaw, Wa
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Skookum Flats | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$510.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Swinger shock rides like a hardtail when trails are smooth and is super plush when the going gets rough. Frame feels like a rock. | | Weaknesses: | It's heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized epic, GT I-drive, KHS FXT comp | | Bike Setup: | 2002 psylo race fork, Grimeca system 8 brakes, all xt running gear. | | Bottom Line: | Frame feels heavy when you lift it but you do not notice it when yor riding. I have been riding with my twin seventeen year old sons for years and I can keep up with them again. This bike will make you feel younger. It handles very well and will inspire confidence in things that you might have been leary about before. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clark Andelin
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | bobsled | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | The geometry is awesome, plain and simple. Superlight. Super plush (I love the Fox TALUS). Even dropoffs are comfortable. Stops on a dime. | | Weaknesses: | Pivot linkages and bushings wear out really fast. Makes a creak and even make some pinging sounds when in pivots. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky, K2 lithium, Gary Fisher Sugar | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Minute fork, Fox TALUS rear shock, shimano xt derailers and shifters, shimano deore hydraulic brakes. bontrager bar, stem, seatpost, chris king headset, truvativ crank/bb, bontrager wheels and hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike if you can get one for the price I did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Timothy
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO US
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | warranty upgrade | | Strengths: | waaay better than the Fuel it replaced, 5X5" travel with a better shock, anodized finish, real bearings. Climbs like a Fuel, descends with real travel | | Weaknesses: | main pivot bearing squeak, seatpost collar | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Lg Liquid, Fox Vanilla 125RLC, King Hdset/hubset, XT discs, XTR shifters/derailleur, Easton carbon Hbar and seatpost, totaling 30 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | My Fuel cracked in two places, one on drive-side chainstay, one on main pivot weld. Trek offered a frame upgrade for $250 and had the frame to me in a week. No regrets; complete bike for less than a boutique foo foo frame and a lifetime warranty. The Manitou Swinger 3 works great too, may take a bit of tweaking to get it right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ronald carkhuff
a Cross Country Rider
from tampa florida usa
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | alafia/toe | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | oliver's cycle sports | | Strengths: | 5 inch travel front and rear
overall weight of bike
selected components XT/XTR | | Weaknesses: | seat and seat post
pedals
grips
| | Similar Products Used: | cannondale jeckyl 1000
ellsworth truth
gary fisher cake 2 dlx
santa cuz heckler
kona coiler delux
stumpjumper fsr
liquid 25-30
| | Bike Setup: | stock as of july 2004 19.5" frame
set up for rider of 190lbs. | | Bottom Line: | History: Since coming off a 1999 specialized stumpjumper comp hardtail, this is my second full suspension since my gary fisher Y bike.
Initial thoughts: I did a ride around as soon as i was able to get the bike home and did a little urban assault. Sidewalks, steps and some small drops offs. Bike handles though quick transitions and corners very well with no suspension flexing. Tires were pretty good going from sidewalks to field/park dirt and grass, they grabbed okay but there was some slipping. My first time with disc brakes and they worked awesome, instant stopping control even through a sudden Florida rain shower. Climbs well over sidewalk steps with little bob from the rear ssupension. Obviously if you step up and pedal there is considerable bounce but not as bad as i was expecting.
Trail riding: Over the weekend i took the bike to two different trails. Alafia and Carter Road. The first, Alafia , is a great park which is also used in the Florida fall mountain bike series. Lots of switchback and then technical areas.High elevations with steep risersand steep drop offs. All around great riding park where you never get fully settled in with the different terrain changes. The bike climbs great and suspension doesnt throw me out of the saddle when it hits off line bumps, stumps or rocks or whatever. Going downhill was just finding a line and holding it true. Suspension was perfect again absorbed everything and even when i hit air (3-5ft) it settles back in real quick. If i went off line and needed the brakes they were there. The one problem with the bike lies within the tires. They roll okay but i dont feel like they grab and have good traction over sandy/ small rock terrain.
Overall: highly recommended. If you are looking for a bike that does it all, I mean trails, maybe cross country(which i am gonna try this fall), urban assaults, this bike can do it. The bike actually works better than adverstised. I was a bit nervous about getting it with Trek coming out with a 7inch front and rear bike freeride in 2005. But the bike is really light only a couple pounds off of my hardtail. In another month after i hit some more trails and the suspension/brakes settle in i am gonna give another review and see how much it really weighs. I didnt give it 5 chilis because i havent had it that long, but it could see it getting 5 stars in another month of testing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This bike is just great. Every little spec about it is great (so far). | | Weaknesses: | Are you kidding me?? | | Similar Products Used: | dunno | | Bike Setup: | stock. Just make sure you change your tires if you planning on going on sandy/rocky trails. Thats what I did | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great bike. Its well worth the money. It climbs well and it comes downhill well. My dad has a trek 6700 and we sometimes go biking together. Now matter how hard he tries, he just cant catch up to me both on uphill and especially downhill. AWSOME BIKE MAN!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Ledbetter
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kentucky Lake Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Wood-N-Wave | | Strengths: | Esthetics:Anodized paint finish is excellent. Laser etched graphics on frame are a nice touch.
Laser etched Graphics on Manitou Front Fork are awesome.The overall bike fit and finish is excellent.
Performance: Front and rear suspesion soak up all the bumps. Disk Brakes are excellent. One finger on each brake is all you need. The bike climbs better than my hardtail on rough terrain. Front fork climbs over 5/6 inch obsticles with ease while the rear tire stays planted so you can keep pumping. Downhill cross country, how fast can you go? With 5" of travel the roughest trails are smoothed out, you can actually see where you are going. The rapid rise XTR rear derailleur works perfect for riding in hilly country. You can tap up on the flip shifter with one finger to find the gear you need every time.Front and rear shock set up has been easy. Follow the directions and use some common sense and you can dial in your ride. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't found any weaknesses. If I do, however; for what I paid for this bike, I will be the first to complain. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz, superlight.
Gary Fisher, cake deluxe. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been excellent thus far.I purchased the bike from Steve at Wood-N-Wave in Grand Rivers, KY. The bike was setup was right on and the customer service is excellent. Those visiting the Ky Lake area this summer should stop and visit Wood-N-Wave. If you are in the market for a bike, Steve will get to know you and your riding style and sell you a bike that fits your need.
Wood-N-Wave, LLC.
2109 Dover Road (HWY 453)
Grand Rivers, Kentucky USA 42045
Telephone: 270.362.2453
Store hours 10:00 am - 5:00 pm central Mon. - Sat. / 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sun | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j-unit
a Cross Country Rider
from leesburg, VA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | wolf ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | Shenandoah Bicycle Company | | Strengths: | -5" of super smooth travel front and rear- very well balanced
-weighs in between 26-27lbs stock
-nice anodized blue finish w/ laser etched graphics
-XT drivetrain has performed flawlessly so far
-SPV technology is no gimmick- this bike is fast yet smooth, pedals my 3" travel sugar
-nice choice for cable routing- especially how the rear der. cable goes through the composite seat stay
-wayyyy more ground clearance than any bike i've ever ridden
-love the bontrager wheels
-rides silently and just plain flows | | Weaknesses: | -so nice you have to prove yourself worthy
-manitou swinger rear shock freezes up and clanks in the extreme cold (only lasts for a few seconds, then loosens up)
-can be tricky to dial in to your weight/riding style
-shock pump that comes with bike can't inflate the main air chamber of the swinger- it only goes up to 175psi
| | Similar Products Used: | -2001 gary fisher sugar 2
-2003 trek liquid 10
-gary fisher cake 3 | | Bike Setup: | stock, but upgraded the following through my LBS:
-XTR rear der.
-time atac xs pedals
-geax blade 225 tires (HIGHLY recommend for this bike)
-thomson post
-wtb laser v ti saddle | | Bottom Line: | It seems like every mtb mag out there focuses on those boutique bikes like the turner 5 spot, ID, ect. With the exact same specs, you would save almost a thousand bones on a liquid 55 compared to one of these bikes- this isn't because the quality is any lower, it is simply because it is cheaper to buy a complete bike straight from the manufacturer.
My liquid has worked flawlessly for almost 3 months, and I plan on writing another review after i've had it for a year or so. My liquid weighs around 25-26 lbs after upgrades, and it just flies on the trails, while at the same time I do 4' drops and it feels like the suspension can handle 6' drops or more. The manitou minute is the best fork I have ever ridden, and so far, it, along with the swinger, hasn't lost any air or oil.
Bottom line: this truly is a fun high performance do anything bike. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, since a lot of people really don't need 5" of travel, and could get by with 3" in a lighter bike. If you like hitting small jumps, ledges, and bombing down hills, but you also like keeping up with your buddies going up hill, this is your bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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