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Home | Product Reviews | Downhill Full Suspension | Mountain Cycle Shockwave 9point5 | ||||
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Submitted by
Monkey Boy
a Downhiller
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: 11/22/2007 1:36:49 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Taniwha Track |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $1200 |
| Purchased At: | Adrenaline Bikes |
| Strengths: | What can I say, 1 year of absolute abuse and it handles like a champ. Rock solid, high stand over, corners like it's on rails, accelerates like a couger on crack and hucks absolutely anything. Better looking and with nicer curves than the entire Miss America pagent with extra style points coz there's not too many of them around! Seat and standover height can be left really hight - much higher than other DH rigs) and still ride it like there's no seat at all, super nimble and responsive for a bike of its size and weight. Can't fault it. |
| Weaknesses: | As a few people have said, the bearings tend not to last. I've had mine a year and a half and the main swingarm bearings have just given up. Apart from that, it's faultless. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Stinky Deelux, Glory, VP Free, Stab |
| Bike Setup: | Boxxer WC, XTR, Hayes, Race Face, Scud, Mavic, Selle Italia, Funn |
| Bottom Line: | You can't go past it. This bike is the be all and end all. It's so damn sexy and rides like an absolute dream. Super aggressive but amazingly forgiving. People bag it coz they know they're not cool enough. Once you ride one or sit on it, everything else just feels like junk. So solid and burly it will eat anything you throw at it, anything. |
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Submitted by
Marco van der Wilk
a Racer
from Vernon, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: 10/9/2007 10:02:30 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Mystery |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Strengths: | This is a update from my last review. I beat the snot out of this frame all of this season racing and freeriding and have not had one problem with the frame yet. |
| Weaknesses: | Still the only real weakness is the bearings (as on most bikes). I've tried many different bearings companies and they still don't last. The seals on the bearings are one of the main problems, water still gets in. The stock floating brake also does'nt work as good as it could. I made a different one that works much better through the whole travel. |
| Similar Products Tried: | The list would be too big, but a few are Giant, Divinci, Kona, Rocky, and on and on...... |
| Bike Setup: | I got my race bike sitting a little under 36.5lbs. And the freerider around 42lbs. Hope Brakes, White Brother forks Groove Race,Groove200, Shimano Shifting, etc... |
| Bottom Line: | This bike is amazing. I have'nt ridden anything that comes close to it. MC has something good here and it just needs too be noticed. Ride one you won't be a changed person.... |
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Submitted by
Brad Reece
a Downhiller
from Mission Viejo, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: 10/24/2006 2:12:26 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | A-Line!!! |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $5000 |
| Purchased At: | eBay |
| Strengths: | All of the strengths from my previous review still stand, however, I must say the bike is even better with the changes I have made. With those changes, the weight of the bike is also a strength. This machine can be made very light with the right kit. |
| Weaknesses: | It's still a little noisy when it gets "dry", but that's not a biggy. I thought the weight was a weakness before, but now it is not. |
| Similar Products Tried: | San Andreas (classic and DNA), Giant Team DH, Iron Horse (SGS and Sunday), Azonic Eliminator, Foes DHS Tube, Turner DHR, Intense M3, Kona Stinky 9, GT IT1 (read my review on that) |
| Bike Setup: | Large Frame (custom powder coated in pearl white), Fox 40RC2, Fox DHX Air (9.5x3.0), SRAM X0 Black Box R. Der. and shifter pod (Gucci!), Truvativ Holzfeller Cranks (38t), MRP System 3 Fusion Guide, SRAM Road Cassette, SRAM Chain, Hayes Mag 9, Goodridge Brake Lines, Flak Jacket Cable Housing, Easton Carbon DH Bars, Azonic Stem, Intense Mag 30 Wheels (soon to be Urban Camo SingleTracks) on Hadley Hubs, SDG Stem and Saddle, Kenda Nevegal 2.35 (fr. & rr.) |
| Bottom Line: | This bike could not be more perfect [in my opinion]. I saw pictures of the SL from Interbike 2005 and that gave me the idea for the air shock. I used to run an MRP Bones crankset and that thing was so damn heavy (I just didn't realize). Those two changes alone had dramatic effects on the weight. When the changes in componentry and the fork are factored in, the bike is a radical departure from the previous build that I once had in terms of agility and quickness. I can flick the thing around and pedal it like crazy. I am extremely pleased with the performance thus far, but I am looking to make a few more mods: Ti hardware, lighter hoops (the Singles vs. the Mag 30), and perhaps upgraded bearings. Also, I have been running the Slime tubes so I think I can run a lighter tire (single ply, non-dh casing...the jury's out on that one though). If you already have one of these machines, then you are probably already stoked, but do bear in mind that you can make tremendous changes that can really transform its performance characteristics (for example you may try a shorter stroke shock if your style has become more smooth over time). If you are considering one of these, then my previous review stands in addition to this one. Place an order at Adrenaline Bikes (Mountain Cycle is NOT dead and looks to be coming back stronger than ever). Note: The $5000 takes into account the additional investments I made since I first purchased the bike (at $2500). |
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Submitted by
Dirt Merchant
a Downhiller
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: 10/24/2006 6:18:32 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Dirt Merchant to A-Line |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $2000 |
| Purchased At: | Trailblazer Cycles |
| Strengths: | Stiff frame, plush suspension, durability, handling |
| Weaknesses: | Bottom shock pivot bushings |
| Similar Products Tried: | Kona Stab, Balfa BB7 |
| Bike Setup: | Romic shock, Super T fork, Hayes, Sun rims, Saint cranks, eThirteen guide, XT drivetrain, floating rear brake upgrade |
| Bottom Line: | Excellent value, bombproof design and build, great handling for DH and freeride. Definitely get the floating rear brake kit. Romic shock also goes great with this frame. |
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Submitted by
T Diddy
a Downhiller
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: 7/5/2006 4:28:07 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | VeGUS |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $1200 |
| Purchased At: | Adrenaline Bikes |
| Strengths: | Looks HOT! Best looking bike out there in that product group, it's insane. |
| Weaknesses: | Haven't discovered any yet, don't expect to! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Stinky Dee |
| Bike Setup: | Boxxer World Cups, SRAM, 5th element, RaceFace |
| Bottom Line: | Super sick bike, haven't stopped smiling since I pulled it outta the box, can't go wrong... buy one. |
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Submitted by
Marco
a Downhiller
from Vernon BC Canada
Date Reviewed: 1/5/2006 9:24:22 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | any trail that goes down |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Strengths: | Super Strong, Takes any thing you can throw at it from high speed stuff to large drops etc. |
| Weaknesses: | First thing is the bloody Progressive 5th element shock, what a peice of junk it is. Also the stock type bearings (KAKO Bearings) on this frame don't last very long at all,I've replaced mine 3 times now. The floating rear brake needs to be redesigned: - The floater does'nt work as good like some other out there. - The floater linkrod needs to go on top of the swinger not below. Take a look at the new Haro DH at Interbike I think. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Lots of Mountain cycles and tons of other brands that don't even compare. |
| Bike Setup: | White Brothers dh 2.0 and dh3, Raceface cranks bb headset,Crank bros Mallets pedals, Sun Ringle Rhino lites MTX's and Mag 30s Wheelsets, Thompson post,Shimano xt, custom made stem,other parts, modified hayes brakes from Pure Adrenalin Industries Racing |
| Bottom Line: | The frame is wicked, strong and stiff but don't get it with the 5th element shock, there is better shocks out there for the same price. Put some really good Bearings in, not that Taiwan stuff check at a Bearing shop for some NTN's Or SKF's or even if they got some thing better. Mountain Cycle does know about these things and there is talk that there might be some changes. I am meeting with them and seeing what inprovements we can come up with to make it even better. As for the bike I love it. It is the first bike I havent destroyed yet. Bottom line: If you not riding one, you better get one for your next bike!!!! |
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Submitted by
Nathan Riddle
a Downhiller
from Ashland OR USA
Date Reviewed: 1/5/2006 12:00:58 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | lump o' coal |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Strengths: | Super strong, stiff, plush, dialed frame, makes for rail-like cornering and the most neutral feeling bike I've ever ridden for big gaps with weird take-offs and landings. Pedals Amazing!!! Hit Anything at any speed and it shrugs! Great price. Did I mention that it pedals as if there were a 50cc motor tucked away in that frame! Trouble free single pivot design. |
| Weaknesses: | Nothing really.....maybe a little loud like all monocoque frames. |
| Similar Products Tried: | GT DHi, Santa Cruz Super Eight, Intense M-1 |
| Bike Setup: | 888RCw/flat crown(Huge improvement in handling over standard crown(not a problem for the '06 models)), %th element coil, Thomson stem/post, Holzfellers w/E-13, XO rear der/shifter,ODI lock-ons, Arrow DHX rims W/Arrow double beadlock tires & Stan's no-tubes(best set-up I've ever used), Shimano Deore M525 Hyraulic w/avid 8" rotors(best brakes ever even though they're fairly cheap) |
| Bottom Line: | If you want to race... buy this bike. If you want to "go big" buy this bike. If you don't want to replace pivots every other month buy this bike. You can set it up for anything; it's got the travel & stiffness to take the biggest weirdest lines, and it's got the pedaling efficiency to let you sprint off the start gate. My style is mostly staying (trying to) low & fluid & most of the stuff I hit is about the size of the drops, gaps, & jumps you'll find on any good DH racecourse. I haven't even tapped into what this bike can do yet. Now I find myself looking at totally different, bigger, lines. The 9.5 likes to jump! |
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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: 11/14/2005 2:48:22 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Fifth Horseman |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $2000 |
| Purchased At: | private sale |
| Strengths: | Ultra plush suspension. Nimble handling for a big bike. Good standover clearance. Very solid feeling bike. It looks so good you can't avoid smiling while riding it. |
| Weaknesses: | Not a good choice for a 24 hour race or a local cyclocross event;)A bit more expensive than a Norco. A bit heavier than an Orange. |
| Similar Products Tried: | CR 250? But seriously, last bike was a 2002 Bullit, which is a fine machine but totally different from this. Like comparing a Bronco to a Range Rover. |
| Bike Setup: | 888R's (unreal!) Saint (ditto) Michelins (you know)Fifth Element, Diabolous post, lock on grips....all the good stuff. Middle age has it's rewards. And you'll need all the help you can buy. |
| Bottom Line: | Amazing combination of big travel and nimble handling. High bottom bracket/low center of gravity seems to keep it moving over flat root filled sections, which I always found more difficult than the steep stuff. Point it down steep ugly terrain and let it do it's job. This thing eats it up. It's almost too simple. You really notice that the suspension "ramps up" at the end of the stroke, so you can run it with a good amount of sag with no fear of bottoming. I cannot say that this is the best North Shore bike in the world, just the best one I have personally ridden. I'll re-post when I have more to add. |
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Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Killington Vermont
Date Reviewed: 10/12/2005 8:02:15 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Killington |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Strengths: | The bike is a beast. It goes anywhere. W/ the floating break it cant be beat. rides like moto... SOLID .. replaceable dropouts - fork stop - |
| Weaknesses: | NONE |
| Similar Products Tried: | Foes DHS mono, Balfa bb7, Kona stab Deluxe, Iron Horse sgs, azonic eliminator, V10 |
| Bike Setup: | 9.5 , scram xtr, super monster, raceface e13 - THE BEAST |
| Bottom Line: | Dont listen to that monkey who listed no flaming things.. this Bike is fantastic. You can set it up for quick dh racing , or hucking... its built with care and you can tell... Once you sit or see or ride the bike you know its solid and fast and sturdy and wont let you down. its a monster. do yourself a favor and get one. |
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Submitted by
bob boblet
a Cross Country Rider
from sydney
Date Reviewed: 10/9/2005 10:49:51 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | the nob chopper |
| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: | $6000 |
| Purchased At: | bob cycles |
| Strengths: | none this bike is an absolute joke i cant belive people buy it |
| Weaknesses: | frame it look like a fat thing and it tracks like a hardtail |
| Similar Products Tried: | intense m3,giant faith,foes DHS mono,yeti dh9,orange 223,santacruz v10,santacruz vp free |
| Bike Setup: | 888,saint groupset,fox dhx 5,easton bars. |
| Bottom Line: | a poor quality bike at a stupid price never buy this ever i prefer to ride a y frame |
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Submitted by
Brad Reece
a Downhiller
from Laguna Hills
Date Reviewed: 8/30/2005 2:17:27 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | The last one I rode |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $2500 |
| Purchased At: | eBay |
| Strengths: | The looks - very exotic, turns a lot of heads. Reactive Link System - the suspension is fantastic. I was truly surprised at how well this bike pedals, especially when compared to my Giant Team DH which is known for its efficiency. Agility - In spite of its apparent burliness, this guy handles incredibly well. The shape of the frame works well when setting up steep lean angles on the race course. Stability - In spite of its agility, it does not give up much on the stability. This bike handles very well at high speeds, especially on the really rough stuff (rock gardens, roots, etc.). This bike feels great in the air, too. Floating brake option - looks killer and performs even better. Baby smooth feathering into the corners that allows you to come in really hot and drag a little bit without losing too much speed and traction. Robustness - This is a Mountain Cycle, man (or woman)! You can't break these things. |
| Weaknesses: | Noise - the monocoque frame is hollow and tends to reverberate a lot if things are loose or dry (okay, tighten $hit down and make sure it's lubed). Weight - It's a little heavy, but that might actually play into why the bike is so stable at speed (so don't change it). |
| Similar Products Tried: | San Andreas, Giant Team DH, Iron Horse (SGS and Sunday), Azonic Eliminator, Foes DHS Tube, Turner DHR... |
| Bike Setup: | Floating brake option, Manitou Sherman Slider in camo (switched from 888RC with flat crowns), MRP Bones, Shimano SPDs, Intense Mag 30 (now Bombshells), Duraace road mech, SRAM shifty, Diabolus stem and bars, Selle Italia road saddle, Grimeca brakes, Titec seat post, and so on... |
| Bottom Line: | This is a fantastic racing bike. Just look at these reviews. You will not find a better DH bike for the money. It won't happen. This bike also got a "9.5" in Mountain Bike Action. Mountain Cycle wasn't lying when they said this thing will get you on the podium. I did really well this season on this bike. I switched back to my Giant DH Team (that I modified to be very light) and I have not been on the podium since (bummer). So it's back to the Shocker and more victories. For what it's worth, I find this bike really suits my build and riding style. I am pretty tall at 6'4" and I find that the large offers the perfect cockpit. I favor strong pedalling and smooth handling to being crazy-aggro and this bike plays very well into that style for me. Finally, I found the original set up (with the 888RC) to be a bit tall (more of a free-ride stance) so I got flat crowns. This lowered the front end a little, but I still found it to be a bit front heavy and sluggish. I have since switched to the Slider and the bike feels so much better (more race oriented). The combination of SPV and good tuning makes for an extremely efficient ride. Coupled with the reduced weight and lowered stance makes for a very nimble racing bike that can still take on the gnarly stuff. Okay, go place your order now. |
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Submitted by
Tim Parker
a Downhiller
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: 8/24/2005 8:54:11 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Blackrock, Falls city |
| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Strengths: | Confidence inspiring, unbreakable, blasts through rock gardens yet also pedals and accelerates phenomenally, made in USA by people who ride, yet still priced lower than many Taiwan frames. I think it's the best looking bike too. |
| Weaknesses: | ? |
| Similar Products Tried: | Sin, San Andreas |
| Bike Setup: | MC '02 proto 9point5 frame with Fox DHX 5.0 and 450 lb spring, floating brake kit Marzocchi 66RC170 fork, Truvativ bars, stem, and cranks, MRP chainguide, Sun doubletrack wheels, Hayes mag 8" brakes, WTB timberwolf dna 2.5 tires, momentum headset, Race Face Diabolus seat post, Titec berzerkr seat, ODI ruffian loc-on grips, Shimano XT shifter, chain, cassette, XTR rear derailleur, Diamondback $15 platform pedals (work awesome) |
| Bottom Line: | I've been trying to break this frame since Sept. '02. Coming from a motocross background, this frame takes the hardest stuff I can throw at it and comes back for more. If Mountain Cycle had a bigger budget and could get these bikes under some top racers, everyone would realize what a spectacular bike this is. |
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Submitted by
Ilari Koivusalo
a Downhiller
from Salo, Finland
Date Reviewed: 8/22/2005 12:36:09 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Purchased At: | Local dealer: ET-sports |
| Strengths: | Very stiff, good to handle, verrrry active single pivot, takes big hits like nothing, fast to ride and good to accelerate - really! Good looking frame... I can continue this to the eternity. Once you try - you have to buy. Ooouuu... I almost forget, very own forkstopper is really good thing! |
| Weaknesses: | HA... good joke! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Santa Cruz Bullit, Iron Horse SGS WC, Cannondale Gemini DH, |
| Bike Setup: | Manitou swinger 6way, WB DH 2.0 fork, XT DH discbrakes, Hope Bulb hubs, Sun MAG rims, SRAM gears/XT deraullier, Truvativ cranks/BB/chainguide Crankbrothers Mallet C pedals, On one reetard stem/handlebar, Thompson seatpost, Azonic hotseat/loveseat. |
| Bottom Line: | Bike rides higher than Santa Cruzes, Geminis, Oranges, Iron Horse ect. But it also has bigger ground clearance, so it is harder to hit the groud on rough terrain and jumps or drops. In DH it is very nice to handle, it goes like train but on corners it turns without any pushing. Accelerating is also awesome, you could think bike with 240mm travel won´t move anywere when it gets slow or stops, but your wrong !?! This thing moves and fast - really. I only wonder why these kind of bikes won´t be on Red Bull Rampage and DH World Cup. |
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Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver, B.C , Canada
Date Reviewed: 6/20/2005 2:40:03 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Air Supply |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $2500 |
| Purchased At: | used from some guy |
| Strengths: | Super strong, bighit bike! |
| Weaknesses: | Heavy |
| Similar Products Tried: | Kona Stinky dee-lux and Kona Roast |
| Bike Setup: | 2004 888R, 5th element rear shock, and all saint components |
| Bottom Line: | Sweet bike! Surprisingly easy to dirt jump with. Eats all the rough terrain and can absorb any drop with ease! I live in vancouver so it is a little hard biking up the hill but its worth it. This bike is awsome! |
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Submitted by
fox-ranger
a Downhiller
from swiss
Date Reviewed: 6/14/2005 2:40:00 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | wiriehorn |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $1690 |
| Purchased At: | adrenalinebikes |
| Strengths: | Verry stiff, turns good, efizient pedal out of corners |
| Weaknesses: | a little bit chain reaction on the big jumps |
| Similar Products Tried: | no |
| Bike Setup: | 9.5 withe, RS-B-WC-05, Sram, XT Disc 4Piston, Azonic Bar-Stem, Holzfeller, MRP,Thomson, Odi, SDG, Mavic, Maxxis, |
| Bottom Line: | best dh rig |
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Submitted by
Hubert
a Downhiller
from Portland, Or
Date Reviewed: 5/25/2005 10:31:28 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | Awsome shape, endless travel, cool cable routing, pedals great!!! |
| Weaknesses: | none yet, except everyone wants to ride it |
| Bike Setup: | shockwave 9.5, hayes, super t's, raceface, doublewides, abbah's, and arrows |
| Bottom Line: | this bike rocks so much!!! Its everything i could have hoped for in a downhill bike. ROCK ON MOUNTAIN CYCLE AND KEEP MAKING KICK-@SS BIKS!!!! |
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Submitted by
antonio joder
a Downhiller
from switzerland
Date Reviewed: 4/20/2005 4:29:31 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | le gets |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $1730 |
| Purchased At: | Adreneline bikes |
| Strengths: | ride like MX, best look,verry stiff evizient pedaling, the 9point5 its a hit!!! |
| Weaknesses: | on the verry big jumps you feel the pedal stroke a litle. |
| Similar Products Tried: | ??? not find |
| Bike Setup: | mc 9point5, 888R, avid7, answer, sdg, mavic, sram, thomson, truvativ, maxxis, time |
| Bottom Line: | after 3mt. hard downhilling and jumping i am find no bad things. verry fast this rig top cornering machine. |
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Submitted by
Brad Miller
a Downhiller
from Duluth,Minnesota
Date Reviewed: 3/27/2005 3:28:28 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $1200 |
| Purchased At: | Adreneline bikes |
| Strengths: | This bike simply rips down the hill and sucks up everything you point it at. Yet with the 5th element you can hammer and accellerate like a bat out of hell!! Absolutely one of the stiffest, toughest,and personally the best lookingdh frame out there. As good as any Foes,Intense,Turner,Santa cruz dh frame out there but costs alot less. Adrenaline bike outta socal hooked it up, and I got my dream frame for 1200buck now thats awsome. Mountain Cycle RULES!!!!!!!!! |
| Weaknesses: | None, |
| Similar Products Tried: | specialized demo, stinky nine, foes mono dh,santa cruz v10 |
| Bike Setup: | super t forks sun 24" dubs |
| Bottom Line: | This bike rules the slopes everyone wants one when they see it. You need one for dh!!! MOUNTAIN CYCLE RULES!!!! |
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Submitted by
^fox-ranger
a Downhiller
from switzerland
Date Reviewed: 1/19/2005 12:30:51 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | all |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $1790 |
| Purchased At: | adrenalinebikes |
| Strengths: | Its a miracle how efizient works this system. |
| Weaknesses: | today no. |
| Similar Products Tried: | ? |
| Bike Setup: | truvativ,hope ti6,mavic,maxxis,sram,thomson,odi,sdg. |
| Bottom Line: | its the best Dh Machine on Planet.by sure you hafe the floating brake! |
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Submitted by
casey hinkey
a Racer
from roseville, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: 12/5/2004 10:21:02 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Blow Hard, in Brianhead Utah |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $1899 |
| Strengths: | #1 - Excellent pedaling. This bike sprints like a BMX bike. #2 - Very stiff frame makes for cornering stability, especially in the rough. Definitely the stiffest frame I have ridden. #3 - 9.5" of travel = ability to pedal through rock gardens! CONFIDENCE INSPIRING. There are other frames that can equally soak up the bumps, but they do not pedal anywhere near the Mountain Cycle. I am stoked I got one! |
| Weaknesses: | I do not have the floating rear brake kit yet, so there is some chatter when braking over high-speed stutter bumps. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Specialized Demo-9, Giant DH, Chumba Wumba, Karpiel. |
| Bike Setup: | Marzocchi 888 up front, huge 5th element rear shock, Maxxis Minions to hook it up. |
| Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you are looking for a solid DH bike that will soak up the burliest of impacts yet still pedals well. Check the price - it is a great value. |
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Submitted by
Jeremy Schaab
a Downhiller
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: 9/16/2004 4:43:37 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Whistler National DH Course |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Purchased At: | Trail Blazer Cycles |
| Strengths: | Plush and efficient suspension. Beautiful welds and CNC work. Sexy curves. Excellent design, you can really lean it into corners and the curved monocoque frame makes it easy to steer and contol the bike with your knees. The complete bike comes very nicely equiped at a great price. There is no frame I'd rather race or shuttle DH with. |
| Weaknesses: | none (but make sure you get the floating brake) |
| Similar Products Tried: | GT DHi, BB7, Foes DHS |
| Bike Setup: | Boxxer, Hope DH4, Raceface cranks, Protapers, 5th Element, 521's on Hadley hubs, Michelin 2.5 Comp 16's, Mr. Dirt, XT drive |
| Bottom Line: | This is one of the best DH rigs on the market and it is such an amazing deal. I wold put it in the same class as the Foes DHS, Intense M3, V10, anything, but it costs a lot less. Go buy one! Check out the Rumble HT too! |
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Submitted by
Rob Lindberg
a Downhiller
from Portland
Date Reviewed: 7/21/2004 6:26:36 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | I can't choose just one... |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Strengths: | Super strong, stiff, efficient. |
| Weaknesses: | Ummm... I don't think there is one. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Super 8, Original Shockwave |
| Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Monster T / Truvativ holzfeller cranks, bb, chain guide, handlebars, stem / Hayes hydraulic 8" front, 6" rear / XTR shifter, derailleur, chain, cassette / Sun DoubleTrack wheelset with Tioga factory DH 2.3 rear, IRC Kujo DH 2.65 front / Giro Atlas saddle / Thomson post / ODI lock on grips |
| Bottom Line: | Bottom line is this bike rips. There is nothing holding you back with this machine, it's ready for anything. Pedals incredibly well, corners on rails, jumps like mad. If you're considering one of these, go for it, you won't be dissapointed! |
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Submitted by
Terry Leimonis
a Downhiller
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: 7/4/2004 8:09:03 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | whistler nationals course |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Purchased At: | Trail Blazer Cycles |
| Strengths: | Super Strong, Very Agile, Light, Fast |
| Weaknesses: | ISG tabs could be thicker |
| Similar Products Tried: | Santa Cruz super 8, Intense M1 |
| Bike Setup: | 888r, hopes, stock from catologue |
| Bottom Line: | A super strong bike with not many things needing to be changed on it to suit your style of riding. set the suspension and ride it. If you want a bike that rides identcal to a moto rig, (trust me.) buy a 9.5 you will never regret it. The floating caliper mount works flawlessly. Also at the full retail of the bike, (about 6000 canadian so about 10 dollars US ;)) you can't get a better deal out there. |
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Submitted by
Brian Peterson
a Downhiller
from Valencia
Date Reviewed: 6/29/2004 3:44:54 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | a-line |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Strengths: | Great build quality, excellent ride, hard to beat price. |
| Weaknesses: | Having to put air in the 5th element shock is a bit of a hassle.. But then again, this is the case with several other bikes on the market too.. |