XTR, XO, Avid Ultimates (203 rotors), King hubs, etc etc
Bottom Line:
This is just a follow up review after last year's. I learned how to really climb technical stuff this year by riding with fellows who don't put in miles, they just session sections. That has helped my riding immensely.
The pump tracks in Austin rule. At least 3 times a week I work out at the pump track. It's so different from my DJ bike, but makes me 17 times a better rider -- keeps the core so super strong.
Maintenance has been a dream once I invested in the right tools (not inexpensive: use only Park, Mac, Craftsman, Pedros, or Snap-On).
2 years of hard riding later and my bike feels brand new again.
-- f9a
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Submitted by
burgundy snake
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, California Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Downieville: Butcher, 3rd-1st divides; Demo Forest:Tractor, Sawpit; Mr. Toads; Northstar
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Passion Trail Bikes
Strengths:
Climbing – Unrivaled! I can clean sections easily now that I’ve never been able to do in 15 years of riding and on a heavier bike! It climbs like a mountain goat. The DURANCE has excellent tracking and sticky traction with no pedal feedback. The rear tire stays firmly planted. It still gives me that giddy feeling after climbing and surviving a knarly section of loose single track, like Toad’s!
Descending – Magic carpet ride! Smooth descent with no brake jack. Hang on and enjoy the ride! When it's all over, pinch yourself to ensure you're not dreaming!
Weaknesses:
$$$ Although you get what you pay for. With that being said, it is well worth it! So it is not really a weakness, but rather an investment.
I wanted something that would outperform my Truth in every way. I was fed up with all the marketing hype, and shops pushing what they carried. I wanted to know the true performance and the engineering behind the design. So I spent a 6-months researching, sketching free-body diagrams, and performing dynamic analyses on suspension designs. I wrote my own fit calculator after a ton of research on cycling fit theory and measuring bikes. And I demo’d everything I could find including an IF custom build for a rider my height. I convinced myself that the mono-link was the way to go due to it’s simplicity and performance. Although it was humbling to concede that I may have to go custom. I started a dialogue with SEVEN, then the DURANCE was released in XXL! I Jumped on it. I chose the Specialized E150 XL fork (with upgraded internals) for its size, weight, and performance. (Sorry, you can’t buy the fork separately). When available, the
DUC-36 will be a nice match for this bike.
My DURANCE makes my Truth feel like a fish out of water! Blows away the Remedy and Enduro as well. Demo one to experience the difference. There is a reason SEVEN uses the mono-link. Note: To get the full benefit you must ensure that your front and rear suspension work in unison for your weight. A good shop makes all the difference!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Highlands Ranch, CO, USA Date Reviewed: April 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
401 in Crested Butte
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3900.00
Purchased At:
built it up myself
Strengths:
Active and efficient Monolink suspension. Climbs extremely well. Long travel makes downhill a pleasure.
Weaknesses:
Price. Some Maverick-only parts required.
Similar Products Used:
Test rode a Klein and Seven with the Monolink suspension. Nothing else can be considered as similar.
Bike Setup:
DUC32 fork. Mavic 819 wheels with Maverick front hub and DT Swiss 240 rear hub. Basically the SL70 build (all X.0 and XTR components).
Bottom Line:
After test riding the Klein Palomino and Seven Duo 5, I knew I wanted a Maverick. I came off of a Specialized Epic and was tired of not having an active rear suspension. My bike before the Epic had a very active rear suspension but was very energy draining. The main selling point for me is the Monolink suspension. Since the bottom bracket travels with the rear wheel, the geometry stays the same and there is no (or no perceived) loss of energy while pedaling. I stay in the saddle and let the suspension keep the wheels firmly planted.
Overall, the bike is a pleasure to ride; uphill, downhill, flats, doesn't matter. I highly recommend checking out any model Maverick builds.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamie Alackness
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle Colorado Date Reviewed: January 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
gooseberry mesa
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Mountain Pedaler in Eagle
Strengths:
Climbing out of the saddle in big gears, if you like to mash away at the pedals the same way you can on a hardtail look no further. I found myself climbing 2-3 gears higher on the Durance than my Moto-Lite. The DUC fork really suprised me very stiff and smooth.
Weaknesses:
The Mono-Link suspension does stiffen under breaking and through breaking bumps. I only did one ride on the Durance and I think with a few tweaks to the rear strut I could resolve these issues. The front deraileur rubbed slightly in low gears no shifting issues it's just annoying. Like all great bikes the price is high.
Similar Products Used:
Titus Moto-Lite current bike, Ellsworth Epiphany, Foes FXR, Yeti 575, Intense Spider29er, Intense 5.5Fro
Bike Setup:
The Durance I rode belonged to Charlie the onwer of Mountain Pedaler and it was built to the nines. It weighed just over 24lbs with pedals. This is stupid light for a bike with this much travel and yet it's still very stiff. Industry Nine wheels are soooo sweet!
Bottom Line:
I was really surprised by this bike. It gives you the sensation that someone is pushing you up the hill as you climb it's sureal. I spent a good amount of time talking to Charlie about tuning the Fork and Strut. The major issue I had with the bike was on the downhill thrugh rocky and rutted sections the rear suspension didn't suck up the bumps as well as My Moto or the Epiphany. That being said Charlie assured me that he could tune the strut to my liking. He had pages and pages of rider feedback and suspension settings depending on weight and riding style. The tuning options are endless and talk about simple. I really enjoyed riding the Durance and think it has great potental. I think it would make a great single speed do to it's climbing prowess. All an all it's a great bike and there aren't many bikes that I would consider better it definatly blows the doors off all the VPP bikes I've ridden and the Epiphany and the Stumpy with the brain shock are probably the only 5inch bikes that can match it's climbing ability. I would tell pretty much anyone to put the Durance on their must ride list. It may just surprise you as much as it did me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Benjamin Hartford
a Cross Country Rider
from Lyons,CO Date Reviewed: January 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
White Ranch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Maverick
Strengths:
Great climber and descender, this bike does it all. The suspension on the Duc 32 is 6" and is huge but still nimble and the rear monolink suspension is money as it is efficient and at 5" give you the ride your looking for. The frame is also ~5.5 lbs so it is among the lightest you will find. Finally, the geometry is solid and you will ride this bike with confidence. I can't tell you how many times I have come down a section of trail and gone off line and thought I was going to yard sale when despite my best efforts to wreck the bike pulls the section out and I just shake my head and thank god and my credit card I got this bike.
Weaknesses:
Well, you have to pay to play with this bike. Performance has its price and that price is expensive. Also, one of the bikes strengths is also a weakness the suspension being proprietary if you have any mechanical issues you may run into issues that require service from Maverick or a shop that stocks parts for repair which may be hard to find if you are on a biking trip.
Similar Products Used:
Ellesworth Epiphany
Bike Setup:
Front Susp: Duc 32, Easton Carbon Monkeylite bars, Hope Mono mini pros, Sram XO shifters and rear derailleur, XTR Crank, Shimano R773 Braze-on Triple Front derailleur, Sram 991 hollowpin chain, Crank Bros 4Ti pedals, Stans 349 ZTR rims, DT Swiss revolution spokes, DT Swiss 240 rear Hub, Maverick 24/7 Front Hub, Thompson Masterpiece seatpost, WTB Devo seat, FSA Orbit headset, Sram 990 rear cassette, Kenda tire. Total Weight- 24.5 lbs (I believe this is as light as this bike can get as there are no upgrades from this build) My bike cost more then my car until recently when I got a new one:)
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I have ever ridden and if you can swing the price tag you will have a permagrin when coming down the mountain
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Muzza
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Greenwood PArk / Anaconda
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Wrench Science
Strengths:
Swallows hills like they aren't there. Dialed in feel from Day One, the front and rear suspension work together really well especially on fast undulating terrain. Responsive on singletrack, goes where its pointed. Efficient pedaling.
Weaknesses:
Small bump compliance isn't great and that seem to be about it. Not a major problem in the scheme of things.
No problems with front derailleur at all.
Similar Products Used:
Replaces on 98 Marin Rift Zone (Romic rear shock). No comparison really. Demoed a Ventana El Salty which wasn't as good up hill and not as stable on singletrack.
Bike Setup:
DUC32, SRAM X0 rear derallieur and shifters, Easton Monkey MX bar, Oro Puro 200 / 180, FSA Carbon cranks and ceramic bottom bracket, Mavic 819XM UST, Conti Gravity, Brooks Champion special Ti saddle, Ergon grips, Frogs, Jagwire cables.
26.5lbs all up
Bottom Line:
I can't believe the difference between this and my old bike.
When I demo'ed the Ventana it was far better than my trusty Marin up hills and on the flat but about the same downhill. The different frame angles and lighter weight were probably the major contributors here.
The Durance is a notch above again. I am faster uphill, faster on single track (5 minutes on a 50 minute loop due to better pedaling efficiency, lighter weight and better handling) and more comfortable downhill. It just feels right.
The only reservation I had before taking delivery (I bought it via the web, there are no NZ agents) was regarding the movement of the bottom bracket. I don't notice it at all.
Service from Leif at Wrench Science was fantastic.
The bike is a weapon. Buy one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Font Ninea
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin Date Reviewed: June 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dr. Park / 401 /403
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$6700.00
Purchased At:
wrench science
Strengths:
All-around great performer. 6 inches up front, 5+ in the rear. Exceptionally clean design that works efficiently and flawlessly. 2 adjustments on the DUC32, 1 adjustment on the rear strut. (AR-types can further tune the suspension by working with various oils and valves.)
Weaknesses:
Proprietary parts (front Hub, DUC32 fork, rear strut) may be a drawback for some -- although I find Maverick's parts second to none.
Similar Products Used:
Foes FXR, Specialized S-Workd FSR, Ibis Mojo, Santa Cruz Nomad.
Bike Setup:
Avid Juicy Ultimates (185s f/r), XTR crankset and cassette, King+Mavic 819 rear, Maverick 24/7+819 front, SRAM XO triggers and rer. derailleur, Shimano 993 (type-D) front D, crank bros. Candy 4Ti, nipples, grips, Brooks Swallowtail Ti saddle, carbon bars, thompson post, maverick stem, DUC32
Bottom Line:
well, at 25.6 lbs it's the lightest of the 6 inch bikes I've ever ridden. I like climbing, and the weight is certainly nice to get below 30 lbs (Nomad, FXR).
This is the first time I comitted to a full suspension design with 3 rings in front.... I come from the world of rigid and front-sprung singlespeeds. I've added gears from time to time to deal with the mountainous western states, and now my body demands the kind treatment only Maverick can provide.
It's taken me 8 weeks of riding this bike everyday to appreciate how different it is from other bikes. Picking the shortest line, not the smoothest... Pedaling over and though every obstacle, being able to ride twice as far for twice as long and only my legs getting tired...
I don't know if it's the best All Mountain bike out there or not, but it sure feels dialed in, responsive as my hardtail, and so much more forgiving. The weird limestones we have in Central Texas that are always sharp and always pointing the wrong direction really allow this bike to shine the "parallel path" technology. The faster you go, the better the bike handles. (Even though slow-speed handling is excellent.)
I've got it about as light as it can go with lots of lightweight parts and vanity stuff (e.g. pedals, saddle), but wow, what a great experience for 4,6,8 hours in the saddle at a time.
Also, I paid a premium getting it so parted out with custom stuff. The 3999 price is for the base model from Maverick direct with a nice parts kit, but certainly not the fanciest.
Also, I had to invest a bit of money in a lot of mew tools I didn't already own (like an indexed torque wrence, Torx sockets, Avid bleed kit, some Shimano XTR tools, a Mavic eyelet tool for the 819s, a campy bottom bracket tool for the FSA carbon headset, etc., etc.)
This bicycle makes mountain biking feel like cheating.
$
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