Description:Introduced in 1995, El Toro, our famed one-speed frameset, started as a limited production fun bike for muddy winter training. It was such a hit that it rejuvenated Ventana’s hardtail program, inspired yearly hardtail design refinements and is now a full-blown racing thoroughbred with an underground cult-like following.
Demands too much of my time. My full suspension is wasting away in my garage because of this bike.
Bottom Line:
Wow. Seriously, I love this bike. It's fast. It's stable. It's fun. My prior bike, a converted single speed, converted me to single speed. Getting this single speed specific bike has been the best decision I've made since I decided to start biking in the first place. Only thing is that these bikes are not cheap. Considering the quality of Ventana bikes, I wouldn't hesistate to buy this used although nothing beats a new Ventana. Oh yeah, choose a custom paint job and stand out and look good while you're passing all the other riders on the trails.
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Submitted by
Jay Vegas
a Weekend Warrior
from Nevada Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Ernies Epic
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
This is a stiff yet flexible hardtail that has great headtube angle. It rides beautifully and cuts like a scalpel, and climbing? Man this baby climbs alright! Did I mention the bottle opener? Reminds me of my Heckler.
Weaknesses:
80mm fork capable design, I called Ventana and they were somewhat worried about running a longer travel fork. I run a 120mm anyhow.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Specialist
Bike Setup:
El Toro frame, mavic x3.1 rear with King SS hub, 819 front rim with Hadley bolt hub, Thomson stem 31.8, Carbon bars, Avid juicy carbons, White ind One crankset with Phil BB, Fox (pushed) forx, Answer oversized carbon bars, Cane creek Thudbuster and a whole bunch of Titanium bolts and fasterners, 23lbs of Desert fun!
Bottom Line:
Great SS specific hardtail, I love this bike. This is my first SS but I have ridden a few. This frame is plain sweet. Ventana may think about a better reinforced headtube gusset because here in Nevada 80mm just wont cut it. Their customer service has always been great. Abração Now go ride!
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Submitted by
ryan
a Racer
from Adelaide Date Reviewed: March 12, 2007
Frame stickers. Should have a clear coat over the top, one is already peeling!
Bike Setup:
I9 wheels, juicy ultimates, boone cog/ring, middleburn cranks, thomson masterpiece post, ritchey 4axis stem, esi grips, maxm bar, king headset
Bottom Line:
This is one awesome ride. So quick, up and down, it just makes you want to ride. My duallie doesnt get touched anymore, this is just fun!
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Submitted by
nate
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego Date Reviewed: February 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
ventana
Strengths:
Quality hand made frame. Very light. Great EBB. Fast. Tracks straight. Great climber...etc..Oh yeh, great paint too..
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Many other SS bikes..
Bike Setup:
"Blinglespeed" King SS wheeelset..AVID ultimates.. no corners cut
Bottom Line:
Get one and leave your pals in the dust..
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Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Orangevale, CA, USA Date Reviewed: September 6, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Direct
Strengths:
This frame is very stable and very, very fast. It is really, really fast. You just don't notice the frame at all until you realize how fast you are going. My riding partner thinks that I descend faster on this bike than my Blur.
Weaknesses:
Nothing important. My bike came with a fairly large paint blemish on the seat tube and the cable mounts for the rear brakes suck. The cable kept coming off, so I just zip tied it on. Who cares.
Similar Products Used:
Bianchi S.I.S.S, Surly 1x1.
Bike Setup:
80mm Fox RL, Chris King, Mavic, Hollowtech II cranks, Thomson, MonkeyLite bars.
Bottom Line:
Save your money. Get it.
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Submitted by
John Schulte
a Cross Country Rider
from Vallejo Date Reviewed: May 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs Pt.
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$525.00
Purchased At:
Mountain High Cyclery
Strengths:
These frames are sooooooo sweet.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
This is my second SS. My first was a mutt.
Bike Setup:
2003 Ventana ‘El Toro’ 17” (4.2 lbs), Race Face Turbine LP 180mm Cranks, Race Face Ti Square Taper BB, Vuelta 34t Chainring, SRAM PC99 Chain, WTB Pedals, 2004 Fox Float 80 RLT Forx, Chris King Headset, Kore Stem, Easton Monkeylite XC Handlebars, Avid Ti Levers, WTB Grips, Surly SS Disk Rear Hub & White Industries Disk Front Hub, Sun DS-XC-1 Rims, WTB Nanoraptor Tires, Avid BB Mechanical Disk Brakes w/Hayes 165mm Rotors, Thompson 330mm Layback Seatpost, WTB Lazer V Ti Saddle.
Total Weight: @ 21 lbs
Bottom Line:
Ventana bikes show their quality in design, build and finish. The paint is deep, the welds are sexy, and the EBB is a smart setup since there are no external bolts to strip. The ride is accurate, straight forward and fast!
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