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Submitted by
jason gorto
a Weekend Warrior
from howell NJ
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | huber woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | good in all conditions. snow, sand mud, dirt and pavement. all components are nice and durable so far. | | Weaknesses: | brakes are a little weak | | Similar Products Used: | first full suspension used. i have a trek 6000 hardtail also. | | Bike Setup: | easton handlebars, ritchey comp seatpost, gel saeat but mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | the guy i bought it from barely used it so it is in mint condition. so far i really enjoy riding it a lot.. i have been riding just about every day and it is solid on hills, in the snow and is a lot of fun off road and on. i reccomend this bike to anyone who needs a fairly inexpensive full suspension bike w/ good components. I also really like the brushed aluminum frame it looks harp!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarksville, TN
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mongomery Bell State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Frame and Shock | | Weaknesses: | I have to agree with everyone else that the Fork is trash. It bottoms out on everything. The wheels are like tin foil. And the brakes suck. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F300 | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla 130R, Avid BB7 disk Brakes, Avid Levers. I replaced the wheels also but i'm not sure what brand they are. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. The fork had to go. I didnt think the brakes were that bad but the bike was set up for disk so i upgraded that also. This thing climbs really well. Its a little heavy but i wouldnt consider it a freeride bike. Its more of a do it all bike. The wheels are weak. I tacoed the front wheel within the first week and i don't go big at all. I would really recomend this bike to anyone who is looking for a do it all machine. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Schnepf
a Weekend Warrior
from Ankeny, iowa
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Barr bike | | Strengths: | I have the Raw finish and it is the best looking bike that I have seen. Adjustable geometry and suspenion. This bike is smooth. | | Weaknesses: | The fork does not match the rear in terms of rebound and adjustably. It does a good job at slower speeds, but can can't keep up with the rear when the going gets fast. Could use disc brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 830 Gary Fisher Marlin both hard tails | | Bike Setup: | stock w/clipless pedal | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. Will update the brakes and fork down the road. Probably will keep it forever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a
from Madrid,ia,usa
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | iowa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Frame, wheels, crank, handle bars
| | Weaknesses: | brakes, forks, deraillars are on the suckie side, cassette | | Bottom Line: | The bike is great for the value but with some modification it can be better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Weekend Warrior
from Athens, GA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Jekyll frame, 5" of travel, very little pedal bob, good overall bike | | Weaknesses: | manitou axel is a pretty weak fork
seatpost bent after 2 rides (I weigh 240lbs)
rear cassette bent when chain slipped as I was going over a logpile
stock pedals suck
stock brakes/levers suck | | Bottom Line: | This was my first full suspension bike and really the first bike I started riding alot. I love the way this bike looks and rides. Yes, there are a few things that need to be upgraded, such as disk brakes, a real front fork, and some better pedals...but hey I got the bike for $749+tax and I'm very happy with that pricetag. For $1000 more you can build this bike up to be pretty bad and for $1500 in upgrades this bike is bulletproof. I just bought a Marzocchi Marathon S for the front end, but have not put it on yet, I want to put a stiffer spring kit in 'em first. Next is Avid Mech's...once I can afford it I will put some nice mavic rims on it. Overall this bike rocks (for everyone, including big guys) if you can find one for cheap like I did.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Grubb
a Weekend Warrior
from Enterprise, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Parcours - Ft. Rucker | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Dothan Cycle and Fitness | | Strengths: | Light weight for full suspension at this price. Adjustable geometry rear suspension. Brushed aluminum finish - no paint to chip. | | Weaknesses: | Derailleurs are low end (Deore and LX). Sometimes does not seem to shift as smoothly as I would like. No lockout on front or rear. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Raleigh Technium hardtail; Cannondale F600 hardtail; Trek Liquid | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Eggbeater Candy S pedals. | | Bottom Line: | My first full suspension bike. Primarily used 3 times per week for some singletrack workouts. Great entry level full suspension bike for the money. Some have mentioned the brakes, but I've not had a problem locking them up (I'm 6' - 210 lbs), however I'm used to riding a 13 year old Raleigh mtn bike and the v-brakes are a great improvement. The large frame and stock stem fit me perfectly. Endoed it a few times, 3' drops, and no problems so far. Excellent first full suspension bike. Overall a 4 because of components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
randy jones
a Weekend Warrior
from lebanon virginia
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | iron mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | adventure damascus | | Strengths: | this bike just has a great feel.front & rear suspension work great together.the brushed aluminum finish is just what i was looking for,no gloss paint on this bike. | | Weaknesses: | i,d have to say the pull brakes are not suited for this bike.the disc ready hubs are there & this bike needs disc brakes.probably xt/xtr rear derailleur would be a smart upgrade. | | Similar Products Used: | none this is my first bike | | Bike Setup: | added a set of wellgo m3 clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is a great deal for the money.i love the look the brushed aluminum finish gives.this bike is perfectly suited for cross country riding.we have a lot of uphill here & this bike climbs well,the jekyll also has enough front & rear travel to do light downhill.overall i would recommend this bike to anyone who wants a solid do it all entry level full suspension bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Medicine Hat, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Black Forest, Fernie Ski/MTB Resort | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$775.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike and Run | | Strengths: | I really like everything on this bike. The fork is great. It hasnt leaked so far, except for the grease tahts supposed to come out to oil the fork. I got the brushed aluminum and it looks great. It is very light and durable. | | Weaknesses: | The deuraller isnt tuned very well. | | Similar Products Used: | Miele UA 600 DS | | Bike Setup: | All Stock | | Bottom Line: | Definately worth it. I got it on a great sale, 990 CAD b/c the shop is goin out of business. If your a light rider, (150 pounds or less) you dont need to upgrade at all. Don't worry about upgrading except maybe the brakes. I am upgrading to hydros soon, cuz v-brakes are ok, but not even close to hydros. I agree tho, I wouldnt pay 1500 CAD for it cuz the components arent all top of the line, But if you can get it cheaper, go for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noxx
a Downhiller
from Broomfield, Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Great frame, priced right for a lower end full suspension bike. Came stock with some of the best tires I have ever owned. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap components, stock front shock is fussy and does not have enough travel. Horrible v-brakes and no lock out on rear shock | | Similar Products Used: | Jekell 600 disk, GT I-drive 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded front shock to a Manitou Sherman Breakout Plus, Avid Mechnical disk brakes, Forte Stomp pedals | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for the frame hands down. I have already put over $1000 into this bike. I would have bought the Jekell 600 disc but I did not like the glossy red or black frame choice. I also wanted more travel on my front shock so I got a Manitou Sherman Breakout with (170mm of travel).
I hate v-brakes but I did not want to deal with hydros so I went with the Avid mechanical brakes and they have been great and have given me no problems.
The components on this bike are ok but I am going to get XTR's as soon as I can afford it. I think this bike has great value and the frame and stock components are more than enough for the weekend warrior or cross country rider. I just made some upgrades to help get this amazing frame to work with my riding style.
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Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Potawatomi | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$990.00 | | Purchased At: | Great Lakes Cycle | | Strengths: | Price! If the frame said Intense, Foes, etc. it alone would cost more than the entire bike. Platform valving reduces an otherwise bouncy rear suspension. Disc ready. Low end components (mostly Deore) work surprisingly well. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Axel fork blows! The brakes couldn't lock a tire on glare ice. The seat initally feels good, but becomes uncomfortable after a while. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi MX Comp ETA, Avid Mag brakes and Speed Dial levers | | Bottom Line: | I think this bike is a sweet deal, I did a lot of looking around and even other 5" travel bikes with similar components cost a few hundred more. I did not want to spend a lot on an "all mountain" bike because I did not know how much I would ride it over all the other bikes in my stable, and I knew I would not be able to resist upgrading it. The Maintou Axel had to go right away as it froze up almost solid in cold temperatures (I bought the bike in early December and live in Michigan). The brakes also suck, but I think that is mostly poor levers. I would have tried just adding the Avid levers but I had a set of Avid Mag brakes sitting around that I could not resist putting on as well. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the rest of the components work; the shifting is not far behind the XT/XTR on my Ibis. With an upgrade to a Marzocchi fork the suspension is super plush now. Rough, frozen ground just disappears, and small drops (less than 3 feet) are effortless. Pretty much what one would expect with about 5" of travel.
Bottom line; as I mentioned there are a few faults with the specs, but most of the parts work well. That is to be expected when buying the bottom level bike. I still think the value is there because the same frame is used throughout the Jekyll line. $200 more will get you the 600, which has a Manitou Black amoung other upgrades. I don't regret not getting it, but if you don't want to upgrade the fork immediately I would recommend considering the 600. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | princeton | | Strengths: | Like the frame | | Weaknesses: | Crap components | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Full XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike for the frame. Throw the fork in the trash. With all the extra parts build yourself a single speed. The Fox shock is very adjustable and pedals great. Almost six inches of travel with a relativly low weight. This bike is a great trail bike for cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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