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Home | Product Reviews | Freeride Full Suspension | Banshee Bikes Scream | ||||
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Submitted by
Dustin Healey
a Downhiller
from AZ
Date Reviewed: 1/13/2008 6:11:57 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Spruce Mtn |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $1100 |
| Purchased At: | Craigslist |
| Strengths: | The frame is really good so far. It takes big hits when on the mountain and just riding around town when i find big drops to hit. The fork is great its a junior T and the welds are great on the bike. |
| Weaknesses: | Havn't found one yet. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Giant Faith 1, and Giant Glory |
| Bike Setup: | Junior T's up front, Fox 4.0 in rear, Hayes brakes, Azonic pedals, Azonic rims, Mazzis tires, Zip ties. |
| Bottom Line: | The bike perform's outstanding its a great bike for doing downhill riding or racing and a outstanding freeride bike if you like to do downhill this is the bike for you because it is a great bike for that sport its one of the most top of the line downhill bikes you can get, so get one. |
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Submitted by
devon west
a Weekend Warrior
from creston BC canada
Date Reviewed: 1/1/2008 2:55:19 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | anything with variety |
| Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only |
| Price Paid: | $1 |
| Purchased At: | sacred ride |
| Strengths: | super strong frame very solid not heavy at all...very ridgid in the corners and when landing off axes |
| Weaknesses: | one huge defect that i found for myself(a free rider) is that j hopping is near impossible due to what seems to be a short wheelbase.....maybe just not geometrically compatible with me |
| Similar Products Tried: | santa cruz bullit(perfect freeride bike) giant warp belfa bb7 norco(several series) etc |
| Bottom Line: | strong bike good buy...jsut not for me |
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Submitted by
ty nelson
a Weekend Warrior
from edmonton, alberta,canada
Date Reviewed: 12/8/2007 3:34:50 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | rabbit hill |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $5500 |
| Purchased At: | revolution cycle |
| Strengths: | crazy strength, great components, good price for what you get. |
| Weaknesses: | s-type rims are strong but not strong enough to match the rest of the bike. |
| Similar Products Tried: | demo 8, norco a-line park edition, norco team DH, canondale judge. |
| Bike Setup: | fox 40's, DHX 5.0, truvativ holzfeller setup, sram X9, easton vise headset and easton bars, s-type rims kenda nevergal tires. |
| Bottom Line: | this bike has the best price tag out of all of the seriouse freeride/downhill bikes. It is stonger, heavier , nicer and cheaper than all the others. i have owned many top of the line bikes from the demo 8 to the team DH canondale judge and park edition a-line and this one is better than the all. |
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Submitted by
Evan
a Downhiller
from Somerset, Pa
Date Reviewed: 8/14/2007 7:43:44 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: | $2000 |
| Purchased At: | ebay |
| Strengths: | Can't break it, and will run anything over. |
| Weaknesses: | it weighs as much as a house. mine is 60 lbs. and brake jack lots of it but once you get use to it it isnt bad. |
| Similar Products Tried: | any of the bigger konas |
| Bike Setup: | Big and Bad |
| Bottom Line: | If you want a big bike that will go down the mountain and over anything this is the bike for you, but if your looking for something to race or even thinking about climbing on then dont get it. |
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Submitted by
damo bortong
a Downhiller
from australia
Date Reviewed: 6/17/2007 4:49:03 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | dead mans trail |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $1000 |
| Purchased At: | net |
| Strengths: | it is crazy strong i hucked a 35ft step down and flat landed it only broke my ankel and stuffed the rear rim but the frame was fine |
| Weaknesses: | NO WEAKNESSES |
| Bike Setup: | it has fox 40s race face diabolus dt swiss ex 6.1d with dt swiss 440s front and rear |
| Bottom Line: | it is very good when it comes to the big stuff |
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Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: 6/8/2007 9:41:39 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | blood donor |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $1400 |
| Purchased At: | online |
| Strengths: | Strong, well grounded, very responsive. Pedals and ride skinnies unreal for a bike of its class. Feels very sturdy in the air. Looks Mean. |
| Weaknesses: | It's heavy. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Kona Stab. Norco A-Line. Rocky Mountain RMX |
| Bike Setup: | 01 Monster T's. Hope brakes. Hedley Hubs. |
| Bottom Line: | If you want the ultimate freeride bike that can handle ANYTHING you throw at it get it. You can find used ones for a good bargain if you look hard enough. To buy new is pricey. I have nothing bad to say about this bike, I like the weight personally it gives the bike a huggy secure feeling. It's my baby, my girlfriend wishes I'd look at her like I look at my bike. |
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Submitted by
Pain
from Canada
Date Reviewed: 5/16/2007 1:04:28 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | This thing gives new meaning to the word strength. Handles well and pedals well for a monster like this. |
| Weaknesses: | Heavy but I like that about it. Expensive |
| Similar Products Tried: | Stinky |
| Bike Setup: | 07' 40rc2 & DHX 5.0 w/800lbs spring, Thomson stem and post, Chromag bars, Chris King, Mag30 rims on Ringle Hubs Shinburger pedals, Diabolus crank, MRP3 w/Party Crasher, Nevegals, Hope MotoV2 vented rotors. |
| Bottom Line: | If you want a reallll fun bike that won't break that can do just about anything and Money is no option...then get a Scream |
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Submitted by
harry potter
from london, england
Date Reviewed: 5/15/2007 3:36:26 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | A line, Whistler |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Bottom Line: | Really burly and and awsome shore bike. have 1 meself. |
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Submitted by
Aarpn
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC. Canada
Date Reviewed: 2/24/2007 6:51:10 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Snakes and Ladders |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $1500 |
| Purchased At: | private sale |
| Strengths: | Incredibly Agile for a beefy freeride bike. Pulls up and handles well. Comes off jumps like a hardtail and just takes abuse well. Good for jumping, hucks, bridges, downhilling whatever. |
| Weaknesses: | Nothing noticable. The ultimate bike. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Norco A-Line, RMX, Kona Stab. |
| Bike Setup: | 888's. Hedley wheels. Hope discs. |
| Bottom Line: | If you try it, you'll buy it. |
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Submitted by
Eddie Scream-Rider !
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakeland Fl. USA !
Date Reviewed: 2/12/2007 6:37:39 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | everywhere!!! |
| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: | $2100 |
| Purchased At: | Frickies cycles |
| Strengths: | The bike! |
| Weaknesses: | What weaknesses? |
| Similar Products Tried: | Military Gamma-Goat. |
| Bike Setup: | Heavy! 48lbs. Rock shox boxxer race. Fox Vanilla with 850lb spring. Azonic platforms. Intense Mag30 26"rear wheel. Kenda Kinetics front, Specialized roller rear. Hayes 9 hydros. Serial killa head set. WTB saddle. XT rear deraileur. Hussefelt cranks and splined downhill B.B. |
| Bottom Line: | Been bashin on this thing for over 4 yrs now. Lots of trail riding and even more climbs and drops in florida's phosphate pits. Mud, rain, dirt, palmetto's, gravel, logs, roots, weeds, holes, other bikes (hehehe). Took about 8 months to build up the strength and stamina to power this thing. But once your there, you can literally ride over and or through almost anything. 48lbs. I find the added weight a personal challenge! Tons of fun and a killer workout every ride! Have broken a few components,(and upgraded from there) and obtained some battle scaring on the frame, but the frame still functions like brand new!! One tough machine! A good SOLID bike. |
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Submitted by
brite
a Downhiller
from Utah
Date Reviewed: 2/10/2007 6:57:51 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | rampage/local stuff |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $2000 |
| Strengths: | Extremely stiff, geo is perfect for freeriding/hucking/scary dh. It jumps amazingly well, very stable in the air, and carries speed well through jumps. |
| Weaknesses: | little heavy, but the weight hasn't held me back at all, just inspired confidence. |
| Similar Products Tried: | kona stinky primo, cannondale gemini n judge, lightly tested others such as demos, iron horse 7 pt |
| Bike Setup: | marz 888, 3" gazz, mrp bones, hayes hfx 9s, crank bros 5050, 5th element |
| Bottom Line: | This is probably the best bike made for hardcore freeriding. it is incredible on/off the sketchiest of terrain. i have ridden alot of the rampage terrain and the scream truly feels at home no matter the size of the huck or craziness of the line. Also, this bike jumps amazingly well, it handles the big booters with ease and tricks surprising easy. All in all get this bike if you want to shred any hardcore freeride spot/trail or downhill with confidence. |
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Submitted by
Peter Campbell
a Downhiller
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: 11/25/2006 9:23:13 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Neds? |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $3000 |
| Strengths: | Strengths? Look at the thing. It's the epitome of 'strength'. Super beefy and clean welds, lots of little details, like the engraved 'B's. Super sexy frame. Pedals well for a beefy bike, but if you're stupid enough to buy it for XC, like the reviewer below, don't expect to be happy with it (and who puts a 4inch DJ1 on a 7-8" frame any ways). For freeride and DH, the bike is stable at high speeds, and nimble on skinnies. |
| Weaknesses: | Minor brake jack in studder bumps at high-speeds - like any faux bar or single pivot without a floating caliper. Frame retails for 1900 USD with a DHX5 - not cheap. |
| Similar Products Tried: | too many to mention... BB7, Chappy, Norco Team DH, Bullit, ASX, Nomad, etc. |
| Bike Setup: | Shiver DC, Diabolus this and that, HAdley wheels, etc. |
| Bottom Line: | Awesome bike. Pedals like it weighs 10 pounds less. Descends like a demon. Buy one used though - new they're a bit too expensive. |
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Submitted by
Brad Wheeler
a Downhiller
from Newmarket,Ontario,Canada
Date Reviewed: 10/23/2006 2:38:12 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | any big hit |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $1500 |
| Purchased At: | does it really matter |
| Strengths: | eveything there is nothing this bike cant do it perfect for any kind of riding |
| Weaknesses: | it might be alittle heavy for cross country but thats it |
| Similar Products Tried: | rmx wade simmons edition, specialized bighit |
| Bike Setup: | manitou sherman breakout plus, raceface diabolus everything, avid juicy 7 front and back brakes |
| Bottom Line: | theres no better bike you can buy its like gods gift to biking thats how good it is |
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Submitted by
Stuart
a Downhiller
from Abbotsford, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: 7/24/2006 11:02:18 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Double Dog |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $1700 |
| Purchased At: | on top bike shop |
| Strengths: | Amazingly beefy. Crazy attention to detail. Clean welds. Quite adjustable geometry. Weight makes it stable. 10 year warranty!!!!! |
| Weaknesses: | Weak paint job. This has been a problem with every other banshee, but I don't have a problem with it. Travel is extremely odd-feeling in the long travel setting and long axle position. NOT compatible with magura brakes!!! (mine are louise fr and only work in the long axle position, and even then I had to hack at the caliper to make the disc not rub.) |
| Similar Products Tried: | 01 Balfa BB7, 04 Norce team dh, 04 Norce fuse, 04 norco 4by(not similar really), 06 norco team dh |
| Bike Setup: | 06 Banshee Scream frame with dhx5 and burly freeride spec---super t, doubletrack/ex729, louise freeride, block 8 cranks, shimano drivetrain, etc. |
| Bottom Line: | This is the stiffest, burliest and best-pedaling long travel bike I have ever owned. It's got an amazing pedaling platform with the fox dhx5 and it ramps up super nice due to the four-bar frame design. The travel adjustment is nice, and you can run from 7" to 9" depending on where you put the axle and shock bolt. It's a little on the heavy side if you put a decently strong build on it, so it's not the most flickable bike ever, but certainly makes for smooth landings. Great tire clearance and astonishing gussets all over the frame. Anyone who's short of a 400 pound rider would be hard-pressed to break this frame. No joke. I'm looking forward to beating on this frame for years to come. However, there are some downsides. Banshee obviously didn't intend for anyone to be using magura louise freeride brakes because they don't mount on the frame without being ground down and mounting in the long axle position. Also, the paint is weak, so don't expect for it to be looking pretty for long. There was a reason banshee includes touch-up paint on purchase. All in all, this is an amazingly versatile and solid frame that has been refined during the 5 years it has been produced. Only weight weenies would be disappointed with it. To all you other people out there, this frame is the $#!t and will last for years to come. One last comment- I've been a norco fan for years, as you can probably see and was blown away by the Banshee's performance. I'll never go back. Now GO RIDE YOUR BIKE |
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Submitted by
Melga Borscht
a Downhiller
from Chicago Illinois USA
Date Reviewed: 3/21/2006 8:01:16 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | The big boil |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $7799 |
| Purchased At: | Melgas soup kitchen |
| Strengths: | its pretty narsty if you got some beef to slice through. Otherwise it's the zit on societies ass when it comes to climbing or flats. All in all, you don't buy a scream for xc. |
| Weaknesses: | The tire can hit the shock if you have rear 26's set up on nine inches of trael. Climbing and flats. Paint easily chips but w/e. |
| Similar Products Tried: | The big benny |
| Bike Setup: | scream w/t dj1, alex 20 rims, and some rst components |
| Bottom Line: | If you wanna take this big boy for a ride, then go ahead. Otherwise i'd go to Melga's soup kitchen for some alternative rides. |
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Submitted by
Kimmo Pajuluoma
a Weekend Warrior
from Oulu Finland
Date Reviewed: 2/9/2006 6:17:21 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Strengths: | Very stiff frame. Best what you can get. |
| Weaknesses: | Paint... |
| Similar Products Tried: | Scott high octane, Kona stinky, DaBomb projectile. |
| Bike Setup: | Med. frame, Avalanche fork, d729, hayes HFX-9... |
| Bottom Line: | What more do you need if you got Banshee Scream??? |
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Submitted by
Steffen Johnsen
a Downhiller
from Norway
Date Reviewed: 11/19/2005 12:05:41 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | The fast DH course |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | Extremely cool looks, looks killer! |
| Weaknesses: | Nothing so far...! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Mongoose Black Diamond Double, Intense M1 |
| Bike Setup: | Banshee Scream, Marzocchi 888 VF, Sun Double Track, Shimano XT, Hayes Mag |
| Bottom Line: | This bike is great! I like it so much. Takes every jump so good. Best freeride bike ever! If you need a bike that can take everything you put on it, this is the bike for you! |
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Submitted by
korey martinez
a Downhiller
from jamul, ca------USA
Date Reviewed: 10/24/2005 6:02:51 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | mammoth mountain and southridge |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $999 |
| Purchased At: | off craigslist.com |
| Strengths: | everything |
| Weaknesses: | other than weight there are none |
| Similar Products Tried: | giant ac series are like a really light smaller version of the scream |
| Bike Setup: | banshee scream, marzocchi monster T(200mm), hayes 8inch, truvativ bars and integrated stem, integrated headset, fox DHX rear shock,maxxis 2.7 tires, mrp series 2 chain guide, freeride wheels |
| Bottom Line: | this bike is one kickass mothgoose if I doo say so myself |
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Submitted by
JJ
a Downhiller
from Sngapore
Date Reviewed: 10/23/2005 12:11:32 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Strengths: | .durable .stiff .adjustable travel. either 6, 7 or 8 inch .adjustable wheelbase .short top tube |
| Weaknesses: | .weight, its darn heavy. .the main pivot comes loose after a sideways or bad landing. the problem is solved after i locktited it. so its not really a weakness actually. |
| Similar Products Tried: | SantaCruz v10, Kona stinky. |
| Bike Setup: | Banshee scream, 888rc, atomic labs trailpimp, hayes mag, raceface diablous, truvativ hussefelt and chrisking. |
| Bottom Line: | this is the ultimate bike if u love to go big! the scream has its best geometry with a 170mm travel fork. ive tried several forks on the scream and i think the serman fits best. the first ever fork ive tried on the fork was a super monster(way too heavy), then i switched to a sherman(best geometry), to a 66rc(second best), lastly to a 888rc. i personally prefer slacker bikes therefore i stick with the 888, besides the 888 is the best fork among those ive tried. some said that the bike setup is not righ with a 24inch wheel at the back. but i find that the bike is at its best with the 24inch wheel. therefore i have a very short wheelbase. so far ive done roof drops and huge stair gaps with the bike, it doesnt give me a problem at all. so bottom line, get the BANSHEE SCREAM! it rocks! |
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Submitted by
Kris
a Downhiller
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: 10/16/2005 8:27:02 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | The Huckstables |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $1300 |
| Purchased At: | Airbomb.com |
| Strengths: | what is not to like about this bike? The bike is extemely adjustable in that you can have the rear suspension between 6 & 8 inches. Secondly one can adjust the wheelbase to make the bike nice at tight to rail the berms. The welds are solid and the CNC'ing on this bike unreal. Banshee paid close attention to deal! |
| Weaknesses: | At first I had pivot points breaking left and right, but Banshee sent me a new patch. The ones that came on the bike were not heat treated to unsure strenght. |
| Similar Products Tried: | I would have to say a Kona, but I have never rode a bike such as this one. |
| Bike Setup: | 66rc, 5th, Mag 30's, Hayes HFX 9, Easton Cully Pedals, Race Face Diabulos stem, Chris King headset, Truvativ cranks. |
| Bottom Line: | Buy this bike |
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Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from Yelm WA USA
Date Reviewed: 7/13/2005 8:14:42 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Exit 87 |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $1500 |
| Purchased At: | Raging Isle |
| Strengths: | Everything, This bike is, by far, the stiffest, strongest and most fluid FR bike I have ridden |
| Weaknesses: | It is better suited for west coast FR than East coast downhill but I haven't reached it's potential and I go big. Paint job needs some lovin, it chips really easy |
| Similar Products Tried: | Giant AC1, SC V10 |
| Bike Setup: | Marzocchi, racefce, the usual |
| Bottom Line: | This bike is the all around best bike I have ever owned. I can hit the Dominion trail at Diablo on the weekends. Then jack the seat up and ride the singletrack with my wife on the weekdays. The 5th element complements this frame design tremendously. I have ridden the @^$& out of this bike for the last 2 years and I have yet to have a problem. It just contiues to take a beating from a 230 lb guy taking repeated 8-12footers. I love this bike. |
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Submitted by
Tim H.
a Downhiller
from EDMONTON ALBERTA CANADA
Date Reviewed: 4/7/2005 7:14:56 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | COP (My choices are limited) |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | super solid 8 inches of travel pedals well for a bike it size good geometry with 7 inch fork |
| Weaknesses: | Very heavy about 50 pounds suspension fells dead compared to other bikes pricey for what you get |
| Similar Products Tried: | Santa Cruz bullit, vp-free and v10, kona stab, norco team shore |
| Bike Setup: | 2002 monsterT, hayes, d321 with onyx hubs |
| Bottom Line: | Not really a bad bike, but there are better. If you really abuse frames, this is the bike for you. For everybody else, look elsewere. personally, i don't really like this bike. |
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Submitted by
Tim Denenberg
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Illinois USA
Date Reviewed: 1/17/2005 12:04:17 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Whistler |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $3400 |
| Purchased At: | www.Beyondbikes.com |
| Strengths: | Beefiest Frame Super Blush Extra Adjustable w/ 5th element and different postitions Climbs Decent Soaks everything Up like a mad man |
| Weaknesses: | People say the weight is bad but it truly rides 10 pounds lighter than it is |
| Similar Products Tried: | Big Hit |
| Bike Setup: | Super T, Small w/ 5th Element, Trailpimps, Saint, the shiz |
| Bottom Line: | The Best Freeride bike you can ever imagine, nothing about this is bad. If you are considereing buying it, dont' even have one doubt becaus ethis is the bike for you |
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Submitted by
Keith Scott
a Downhiller
from Glasgow, Scotland
Date Reviewed: 1/6/2005 10:00:51 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | No Joke |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Strengths: | Everything, it's just so strong and stiff... it's confidence inspiring to the max! Plush travel, pedals amazingly well.... and it's perty! :P also the 3 axel positions and 3 shock positions (6,7,8") alows the bike to be increadibly versitile! |
| Weaknesses: | Not a thing! Nothing! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Elsworth Joker, azonic eliminator, yeti DH9, norco team DH, specialised big hit, orange 222....the list goes on... |
| Bike Setup: | size large (I'm 6'2 or 3") 888's 26" front wheel 24" back wheel, 5th element, and lots of nice beefy kit... basically the scream gucci kit! |
| Bottom Line: | The best big travel suspension bike out there! It takes drops with ease, and is silent on landings!!!! It is amazingly stable while jumping, yet easy to whip about! The suspension is really plush, and loves going down steep rocky rooty sections! The rear linkage is the stiffest of any bike ever! you'll be amazed! It also pedals amazingly... I've riden to the top of grouse and seymour mountains in vancouver, plus rode about 18km a day in and out of work while living in Vancouver every day on it! thats both up and down hills! It just doesn't bob, and feels so much lighter than it is! you'll be so pleasently suprised! Plus you get a 10 year warrenty and the best customer service in the biking industry! Now go and buy this bike! You'll have no regrets at all, but a lot of fun! :D |
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