Specialized Elite Cartridge Reviews

Specialized Elite Cartridge

Average Rating			1.35/5
# of Reviews			31
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Specialized Elite Cartridge

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Submitted by Bender Jr. a Weekend Warrior from New Mexico Date Reviewed: 7/3/2002 2:31:41 PM
FavoriteTrail:	anywhere where there is a cliff or jump
Duration Product Used:	Less than 1 month
Price Paid:	$1
Purchased At:	roswell shwinn
Strengths:	None
Weaknesses:	Everything,only lasted 8 days then it bent and started to creak.
Similar Products Tried:	BMX,UN-72
Bike Setup:	HARDROCK A1 FS with new bars , tires,bashring,and NEW BOTTOM BRACKET.
Bottom Line:	SPECIALIZED bikes are the best but i dunno why they would put that p.o.s on there bikes.
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Submitted by Jim K from Arlington,Texas, USA Date Reviewed: 9/10/2001 10:00:26 PM
Duration Product Used:	2 Years
Bike Setup:	'99 FSR Comp
Bottom Line:	Had about 1500 miles on the bike when it developed the creak. Push hard on either pedal and the BB would creak. Removed the bottom bracket and I could see fretting where the removable ring mates with the other part of the assembly. Cleaned everything up and reinstalled with Locktite where the two parts touch. Creak is now gone. While you're at it, you can also carefully remove the seals and re-grease the bearings. Hopefully, I'm good for another 1500.
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Submitted by Aiden Wrenn a Cross Country Rider from UK Date Reviewed: 8/18/2001 5:38:41 PM
FavoriteTrail:	havana
Duration Product Used:	Less than 1 month
Price Paid:	$1
Purchased At:	Hardisty cycles
Strengths:	Difficult to say.
Weaknesses:	Developed a squeak within 8 days of fairly enthusiastic riding
Similar Products Tried:	none
Bike Setup:	Specialized Hardrock A1 comp FS
Bottom Line:	Disappointed
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Submitted by mikw a Weekend Warrior from cerritos ca Date Reviewed: 3/18/2001 12:22:13 AM
FavoriteTrail:	lower rock creek
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Purchased At:	circle cycle
Strengths:	Strong shaft. I am a heavy rider and have had no problems the shaft is still straight, even though I have pole vaulted a few rocks on some single tracks.
Weaknesses:	Sealed bearings didn't last very long and they arn't servicable.
Bike Setup:	99FSR comp with suspension upgrades.
Bottom Line:	I use my bike for both off road and urban riding and have about 3200 mi on it. This is one of the components that I didn't think that I would have to replace this soon. I am sure that Specialized had other choices when it came to what BB they would put on their bicycles.
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Submitted by TheVulture from 12 ny Date Reviewed: 1/25/2001 11:04:06 AM
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Purchased At:	The Planet
Strengths:	It would make a good rust farm
Weaknesses:	It broke
Bike Setup:	98 fsr comp
Bottom Line:	The BB on my trek 820 was better. i am a jumper and this bottom bracket was creaking withn one month. Then f***ing thing broke in half. Otherwise the bike is bullet proof. i broke the seat off as well but that was my fault.
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Submitted by Penguin a Weekend Warrior from Buffalo,NYUSA Date Reviewed: 12/10/2000 7:20:19 PM
Duration Product Used:	Less than 1 month
Purchased At:	Precision Bike
Strengths:	None
Weaknesses:	Piece of Junk
Similar Products Tried:	UN-72
Bike Setup:	98 FSR comp
Bottom Line:	I too was unlucky enough to have one of these on my 98 Specialized FSR Comp. In less than a month the bearings were shot! LBS had no problem swapping out to a UN-72, as they already knew there was a ongoing problem. Kudos to Precision Bike- I was back riding in less than a day!Un-72 has been on for two years-no problems.
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Submitted by Dmitriy "Flip" a Downhiller from Bronx, NY, USA Date Reviewed: 11/11/2000 4:58:14 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Van Cortlant Park
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	It worked for a while
Weaknesses:	It didn't work good long enough.
Bike Setup:	Specialized FSR Sport
Bottom Line:	This was a great piece of SH!T people. After like 4 months or so, it was creaking, I figured needs some grease, nope...I just needed a new BB. Whoever said Specialized is crap is a complete IDIOT, they just put crap components on their otherwise AWSOME frames! It broke on me after I jumped an 11 set of stairs.
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Submitted by J B a Cross Country Rider from Alamogordo, NM Date Reviewed: 10/23/2000 7:58:16 AM
FavoriteTrail:	the one I'm going to ride next
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	It makes a great leg strengthening tool once it starts to "break in"
Weaknesses:	pure crap
Similar Products Tried:	Shimano UN72
Bike Setup:	FSR XC
Bottom Line:	Specialized is hurting its image by putting these on their otherwise fine bikes. I discovered mine was toast about 6 months after I bought my bike, while replacing the cheap Specialized crank that was fastened to it. It no doubt had been worn out for quite awhile, it was grinding badly when I turned it. I actually raced on it, the added friction from worn out races and bearings probably added minutes to my time. If your bike comes with one of these get rid of it ASAP before you hurt yourself or breakdown in the middle of nowhere. This product should listed in the Hall of Shame and Specialized needs to quit producing them.
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Submitted by Ian Brown a Cross Country Rider from Toronto, Ontario Date Reviewed: 9/1/2000 1:35:48 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Kolapore Highlands
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Price Paid:	$1000
Purchased At:	Sporting Life
Strengths:	Heavy enough to do some damage if you threw it at the Specialized product selector
Weaknesses:	Heavy, seals don't seal.
Similar Products Tried:	Shimano BBs
Bike Setup:	Specialized FSRxc (now with a UN72 bb!)
Bottom Line:	It only took three months for this piece of garbage to go: it was a grinding, creaking, squealing mess. When I took if off my bike, I peeled off the so-called "seals" to find rusty bearings reluctantly turning in a rusty race. After dropping that kind of cash on a new bike, I'd expected the drivetrain to last at least through the first season, especially the BB. The Specialized frame is great, but they should leave component design to the grown-ups. If I buy another Specialized bike, I'll make sure that any Big-S componenents stay in the showroom. If you're buying a Specialized bike, you should make sure that the Elite BB is swapped out, too.
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Submitted by Mike a Weekend Warrior from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: 8/26/2000 12:23:35 PM
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Strengths:	None
Weaknesses:	Creaks after 300 miles
Similar Products Tried:	Shimano XT / XTR
Bike Setup:	Specialized FSR '98 Comp / '98 Elite / '99 Elite
Bottom Line:	This bottom bracket was standard equipment on my '98 FSR Comp. After 300 miles of light riding started creaking, replaced it with a Shimano XT UN-72. A few months later I got a '98 FSR Elite (Max Backbone), a much more expensive bike with the same bottom bracket, same story after 300 miles. A few months ago I got a '99 FSR Elite, this time I didn't wait for the BB to fail, replaced it immediately (fool me once, fool me twice, but not three times).
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Submitted by Zach a Cross Country Rider from Fort Collins, CO, USA Date Reviewed: 8/17/2000 6:12:44 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Colorado!
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Price Paid:	$1800
Purchased At:	Colorado
Strengths:	Came on the bike
Weaknesses:	Shouldn't have ever been on the bike
Similar Products Tried:	LX/XT
Bike Setup:	XT/XTR
Bottom Line:	For the casual rider this might be sufficient. For a mountain biker who rides hard and rides long, this product is entirely insufficient. This creaks and carries on and it's been doing it since it was about three months old (believe me I feel fortunate to have made it this far). I plan on replacing everything with XT (crank set and BB). On a $1800 Stumpjumper Pro, Specialized could have at least spent the $20-$25 that it takes to put an XT BB on the bike.
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Submitted by Scott from Placentia, Ca Date Reviewed: 8/8/2000 2:54:13 PM
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	The pedals never fell off.
Weaknesses:	Waste of metal and man power.
Similar Products Tried:	XT es70
Bike Setup:	FSR Comp
Bottom Line:	The bottom bracket compliments the piece of junk cranks and rings that specialized puts on their rides. The bb came lose after 1 month of riding. The lbs tightened it but it didn't last long. Specialized would not do anything to rectify the bb or the crankset problem, nor would the lbs. I replaced it with the 2000 hollowtech crankset and es70 bb. Works great now. I love my bike but specialized deserves a drug test for putting this garbage on their product.
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Submitted by Mike a Weekend Warrior from Minneapolis Date Reviewed: 8/2/2000 9:33:32 AM
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Strengths:	It functions...
Weaknesses:	Creak, creak, creak, creak...
Bike Setup:	'98 Specialized FSR
Bottom Line:	Didn't take long to start making a lot of annoying noise. Not broken yet... It'd be a good thing to plan on replacing it soon after buying.
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Submitted by Billy Woodward a Cross Country Rider from San Diego Date Reviewed: 6/22/2000 5:09:07 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Any
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	it works, not very well, but it works
Weaknesses:	heavy, cheap feel, loss of effort in spin.
Similar Products Tried:	'00 XT BB
Bike Setup:	'99 FSR Comp
Bottom Line:	This is a piece. I never knew that such a cheap BB was on my bike. I decided to go with the '00 XT Crankset seeing how the Specialized that came with my Bike was flexing and the chainrings were wore out. When the shop handed me the my old BB, I was aghast. The bearing were already wore out and the thing weighed much more than the new XT BB that was going on. Specialized makes great bikes, but if I had known then what I know now, I would have bought a different brand bike just for the better parts. Cheap BB on a bike that retails at $1399 should be illegal.
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Submitted by CJ a Cross Country Rider from Western NC Date Reviewed: 6/11/2000 6:08:48 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Laurel Mtn
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	The delight I had the day I got it replaced.
Weaknesses:	After loggin about 200 miles the thing sounded like an old lawnmower.
Similar Products Tried:	XT
Bike Setup:	Stumpjumper
Bottom Line:	I can't believe Specialized doesn't put quality parts on a quality bike. I guess if you're like me you don't see it at the time of purchase you'll never know.
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Submitted by Mark P. a Cross Country Rider from San Diego Date Reviewed: 6/4/2000 10:15:48 AM
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	None
Weaknesses:	Total garbage
Similar Products Tried:	Shimano XT
Bike Setup:	FSR-XC
Bottom Line:	After a whopping 525 miles, this piece of trash blew. I can't believe how similar the other posts on this product are to my experience. One question Specialized: why do you install this garbage on your otherwise great bikes? I still can't believe this part was so bad. Replaced it with a $24 shimano XT, which I expect will give me 2500 miles or so.
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Submitted by damon a Weekend Warrior from olympia, wa Date Reviewed: 4/26/2000 12:43:35 PM
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Strengths:	none
Weaknesses:	It loosened after 100 miles. Now it clicks and pops. Advised not to mess with it and just replace it.
Similar Products Tried:	what ever was in my last 2 bikes........
Bike Setup:	stock 99 stumpjumper comp
Bottom Line:	If you are considering a specialized bike have the shop upgrade the bb. Even the lowest quality shimano stuff is better than this piece of k-rap.
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Submitted by John a Cross Country Rider from Montreal Canada Date Reviewed: 4/23/2000 5:18:46 PM
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Strengths:	None
Weaknesses:	Extremely cheap
Bike Setup:	Stock Specialized FSR Comp
Bottom Line:	Am 42 and I've been riding bikes since I was a kid. I never had any problems with a bottom bracket. They put a good derailleur and other quality components where it shows, but a BB is completely hidden and they put a piece of crap there. For a BB to go after just one summer of casual riding is ridiculous. Specialized won't pay for the repair since it's past the one year warranty period. The local bike store is no help, they're on the company's side instead of on the customers. But it's the customer that keep the store in business not Specialized. Do yourself a favor get something else. DON'T BUY SPECIALIZED.
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Submitted by Davis Jones a Racer from Beverly Hills Date Reviewed: 3/16/2000 10:40:06 AM
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Strengths:	it worked okay when i first got my bike
Weaknesses:	everything
Similar Products Tried:	race face
Bike Setup:	specialized stumpjumper pro
Bottom Line:	The bottom line is that this thing sucks. I read the reviews earlier and thought they were all flukes. Being that this was a specialized part, I assumed it would be pretty good. But you know what they say about ASSUMING. Anyway, almost one year of riding, it died on me. I guess it was no surprise, considering how everyone was ripping on it. I've changed to Race Face. Haven't been riding long enough to give a review on that, but for Specialized on chili. And I don't even know why i'm giving it that. I guess a little bit of brand loyalty.
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Submitted by dwayne a Weekend Warrior from st. clair shores Date Reviewed: 3/7/2000 9:44:26 AM
FavoriteTrail:	poto
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Strengths:	none
Weaknesses:	peice of s**t
Similar Products Tried:	shimano
Bike Setup:	fsr-xc pro
Bottom Line:	come stock on my fsr, i would figger a 2 grand bike would have at least a bb that would last more than 2 months. just don't replace with raceface, theres no way to mount the front derailleur mounting bracket.
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Submitted by bikedude a Weekend Warrior from bay area, ca Date Reviewed: 2/5/2000 10:15:13 PM
Duration Product Used:	2 Years
Strengths:	polished finish
Weaknesses:	poor bearings
Similar Products Tried:	shimano
Bike Setup:	98 rockhopper comp fs
Bottom Line:	This bb was ridden for about two years before it died. After a rainy ride the bb felt like it had rocks instead of balls in the bearings! My guess is that the bearings are of poor quality and have inadequate sealing. I'd say change it out for a shimano if you have the chance. Two chillies because it lasted two years.
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Submitted by Bob a Cross Country Rider from San Ramon, CA Date Reviewed: 1/28/2000 1:51:23 PM
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	Sings to you while you ride.
Weaknesses:	Sings to you while you ride.
Bike Setup:	Slightly modified FSR XC Stumpjumper Pro
Bottom Line:	After 6 months of easy use, the BB is creaking like crazy. Requires frequent tightening. Its never even seen mud nor a water crossing (doesn�t rain here in Central CA during the summer). I can only imagine what bad things would happen to this BB if I went for a ride in the mud. Does not belong on a $2k bike
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Submitted by Dave Ebling a Weekend Warrior from London, UK Date Reviewed: 11/20/1999
FavoriteTrail:	South Downs
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	um.... what?
Weaknesses:	it gets loose way too quick.
Similar Products Tried:	Shimano BB
Bike Setup:	1999 FSR Comp, 1997 Hardrock A1
Bottom Line:	This sucks. Bottom brackets that get loose after less than 500 miles of riding. If they can't make decent bottom brackets themselves, they should buy in shimano ones. My previous bike (a 95 diamondback topanga) had a bottom bracket that has never shown signs of wear even after several thousand miles. Still running smooth and not loose now. If you're buying a specialized (I recommend them, I love mine apart from the BB) then get the shop to swap it for a shimano LX or something, It'll last much longer, and won't cost much.
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Submitted by CE a Cross-Country Rider from Granite Bay, CA Date Reviewed: 10/23/1999
FavoriteTrail:	Auburn Ravine
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Strengths:	Holds pedals on- That's about it.
Weaknesses:	Creeeak, Ping!, Pop*Monster.
Similar Products Tried:	XT, XTR, LX BB's
Bike Setup:	FSR XC, FSR Elite
Bottom Line:	What a peice. After two 20mi trail-rides and few VERY MINOR streams/puddles, the BB sounded blown! Creaking, popping and actually even kinda loose. Tore it apart (found a heavy-ass Specialized cassette with only 6903SR stamped on the bearing seal & some wacky aluminum ring on the chainring side...?). Cleaned, greased, etc. the beast and put it back in hoping that it just was not tighted at the factory, or something. The FSR was brand new... NOPE! found it is really just a piece of crap and not even worth dealing with. SPECIALIZED: Next time please scrimp on the paint color, grips, or other NON IMPORTANT component. Leave the BB's to others please.Thanks for over-engineered paperweight tho. Just what I wanted- after I payed $1500 on a new FSR!
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Submitted by Dave Montgomery a Cross-Country Rider from Abilene TX Date Reviewed: 10/7/1999
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	Works great for a few monthes
Weaknesses:	Heavy, First part of my new bike to go bad
Similar Products Tried:	Shimano BB's
Bike Setup:	Specialized FSR XC comp
Bottom Line:	Dear Specialized, I spent alot of money on a great bike that i love, but that BB has got to go,your other Specialized products are good (well maybe not the pedals) so please improve this product or just do like every other company and use Shimano. Thanks
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Submitted by Chris a Cross-Country Rider from UK Date Reviewed: 9/3/1999
FavoriteTrail:	Pentlands
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	OK....for a few miles weight for the price
Weaknesses:	doesn't last
Similar Products Tried:	UN 52 UN 72 LP 27
Bike Setup:	FSR
Bottom Line:	don't waste your money
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Submitted by Jared a Racer from Regina Date Reviewed: 8/15/1999
FavoriteTrail:	Milstream
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	seriously...... nothing except it came on the bike so I didn't need a new one right away
Weaknesses:	heavy super poor quality one wet ride and it startedcreaking and never stopped
Similar Products Tried:	un52 un72 race-face taperlock
Bike Setup:	99 Specialized M2-Pro with a new drivetrain and bottom bracket
Bottom Line:	I'd never buy one it just came in the bike. I owned the bike for about 15days then I went on a wet muddy ride with creek crossing and lots of fast run off water everywhere. ever since then it creaked badly. Every hammer it made noise. Every descent when there was weight on the pedals and I moved the pedals it would creak.
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Submitted by Peter a Cross-Country Rider from TO/ON Date Reviewed: 8/13/1999
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	?
Weaknesses:	heavy really really REALLY poor quality
Similar Products Tried:	Ritchey Shimano
Bike Setup:	Spec. FSR XC
Bottom Line:	Lasted three months. My Ritchey lasted three years. Not much else needs to be said.
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Submitted by Who a Weekend Warrior from CA Date Reviewed: 7/18/1999
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Strengths:	Cheap
Weaknesses:	Cheap
Similar Products Tried:	Shimano LX
Bike Setup:	Stumpjumper
Bottom Line:	The one thing you can normally count on being bombproof is your bottom bracket. Not this one. After 10 months of moderate use (1500 miles), this bottom bracket bombed out on me. 2 an 1/2 miles of climbing with a major creak about drove me NUTS! Specialized, you should be ashamed for putting out crappy products such as this one. I hope you spec your future bikes with better products (at least a Shimano LX).
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