Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Newburyport, MA, USA Date Reviewed: December 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Exeter fort rock trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Ibex web site
Strengths:
frame/build/components/. Paint finish is beautiful, has taken a few crashes without any noticable damage. Weight is comparable to much more expensive bikes/builds I looked at. Any bikes with comparable parts were about $800.00 more. Climbs like a champ, absolutely no rear shock bob, (has pro-pedal), no need to lock-out shock yet. Good standover height for size ordered (I am 5'7" and the 16" is perfect)
Weaknesses:
Nothing major. I am still adjusting to the geometry (put a Santa Cruz Heckler side by side and they look like twins). The front end feels a bit light on the climbs, but by staying seated with weight just a bit forward it responds nicely.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler, Giant Reign, Fischer Cake, Azonic
Bike Setup:
Go to Ibex Web site, stock components, did not change a thing. All mountain set-up
Bottom Line:
Ibex sells direct via the web. The bike was packaged and shipped with-in 1 week of ordering. Out of the box set-up required about 1/2 hour (although the headset was on backwards, no big deal). Just put the front wheel on, pedals, bar set, and checked the tightness of the various bolts etc. and your good to go. Easy (I'm no wrench either). They even include a peddle wrench and multi-tool with the order @ no additional cost! I've been on 7-8 rides (most at night/lights) on a variety of technical and single trac trails (In MA Exeter, Harold Parker, Vietnam) and the bike is surprising me with each outing. It handles both fast twisty single trac with ease and bombs the rocks and downhill sections. The bike is better than I am. Looking forward to spring/snowless trails to get back on it. This is a great bike for anyone who wants a quality all mountain bike that is not too expensive, too heavy and will do every thing but huck off of 8' drops (frame will probably take it, you'll need more than 5" of travel) If you like singletrac with a good dose of technical and fast up and downs, this is your ride for little $$> Also, if you call the company, you can actually speak to a person who knows bikes and wants to help. Nuff said.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bill
a Weekend Warrior
from wanaque, nj, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: November 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
indian rock, cannonball
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
ibex
Strengths:
price,geometry, components.
Weaknesses:
none found so far
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
stock, replaced pedals with platforms.
Bottom Line:
this is my first full suspension bike. wasn't sure i would fit on it or like geometry of it with out actually trying it, but decided to give it a try. glad i did. got about 10 hrs. on it and love it. if you don't mind putting together a few parts (piece of cake),retightening all connections, and fine tuning to save several hundred bucks this is the way to go. goes up, over, and down the mountain well. fun to jump, and the brakes rock. would recommend.
$
Overall Rating:
