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Submitted by
pulidof4i
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Box | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor | | Strengths: | Very good frame, easy to handle, strong XC/All mount. bike. | | Weaknesses: | All the components:
Fork, brakes, cranks, derailleur, shifters, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Azonic 50mm Shorty Stem, Marz Z5, Shimano carbon rear brake booster, Panaracer fire FR 26 x 2.4 frt and bck. | | Bottom Line: | I like the bike. It's a very good beginner bike. I've had it for 7 years and it has done me very well. I've taken it to Tahoe (North Star), Mammoth, and the local San Gabriel mountains. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sal
a Weekend Warrior
from Banff, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | I live in a National Park... can't pick just one! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | my pal | | Strengths: | Handles really well. I feel safe jumping because of the beefy body and fat tires. | | Weaknesses: | Being a female rider, I find the bike a little on the heavy side. Wouldn't mind getting some discs on as well. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Got a good deal and I'm pleased with every dollar I spent on it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Snohomish, Washington, USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Lord hill xc | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Woodinville Bicycle | | Strengths: | Tough as hell! | | Weaknesses: | Stock tread sucks. | | Bike Setup: | Just had drive train redone (Cranks, chain, sprokets, bottom bracket, derailers) changed tires and tread. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike my first mountain bike, has already outlasted all my others by years!!! definatly worth the money. i like to bike alot of XC, and downhill, the bike has lasted me through everything, definatly would suggest to anyone who finds it and is a beginer or interediate, IT IS WORTH THE MONEY! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Dupont | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | $550.00 | | Strengths: | Inexpensive and bomb-proof! | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bike Setup: | 18 inch frame w/ Duke SL fork. Only other upgrades are Sun Rhyno Lite wheels with disc hubs and Kenda Nevegal tires. New LX crank/ SRAM chain and rear cassette. Looking to upgrade to some inexpensive disc brakes and new fork. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a blast! By far the most fun you can have with $550.00. It is a little on the heavy side. Well, let's face it, it is heavy. But with a good fork up front and properly set-up, this bike can hang with machines that cost MUCH more. If you can get a hold of one, do it! You can't beat the dollar to fun ratio with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Kas
a Downhiller
from Byron center, MI, US
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Neihbors house | | Strengths: | great bike | | Weaknesses: | Handlebars are to far ahead. My back kills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose mountain bike. my friend broke it. | | Bottom Line: | good bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Pipeline and lots of others | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | BSP | | Strengths: | Price, good parts spec, solid feel, single pivot=little maintenance, strong nice looking frame...no dumb Y design, very upgradeable, perfect bike to learn to freeride and DH on. Hardly scratched after a whole lot of abuse. | | Weaknesses: | uncomfortable...well mine was a size small because it was the last one left on sale. Lots of pedal bobbing on climbs, shocks weren't great but better than the previous models...and anything else in that price range. | | Similar Products Used: | Previous Warp models,Warp DS3, Kona Scrap, some departament store fs pieces of crap... | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to Avid mechanical 8" disks (well worth it...way better than hayes mechs)Nokian 2.6 inch tires | | Bottom Line: | One of the best bikes I ever had. It was an amazingly capable, cheap fs bike I could do almost anything with. I had some issues with the front RS Pilot xc fork a few times but it was on warrenty so got it fixed for free. Other than that it held up really well through lots of abuse on the shore and even in whistler!. I rode it in all weather conditions, through mud and snow, down insanely rocky sections at full speed and almost never cleaned it after rides, but it was ready for more day after day. I finally had to get rid of it as my skills progressed and I concentrated more on DH. The frame was also too small for me to upgrade. I got a Bighit 2 and after a few months riding the new rig (which rides like a bucket of bolts compared to the Warp) I'm actually starting to miss the DS2. Sure I can go big with the Bighit and my skills have progressed more than ever, but it doesn't feel as sturdy as the Warp did...and cost three times as much! All in all if you are a bigginer or even intermediate and can get your hands on any Warp ds models...then do!...just make sure you get disks on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justin
a Cross Country Rider
from niagara falls 0n canada
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | bruce trail NF to ham | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike shop | | Strengths: | a vary strong frame and back shock the bike is at a good price and it got replaced by the giant Ac it is hard to find one now | | Weaknesses: | gears brakes bb crank rims fork stem set post are no good | | Similar Products Used: | giant ac | | Bike Setup: | sram 7.0 27-speed, marzzochi bomber front forks Easton seatpost Sun Rims, Avid CPS disc brakes, Shimano XT cranx, Rear der., LX front der., Hutchinson Mosquito Air light tires (2.5 | | Bottom Line: | go get the bike and up grat it it is worth it | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Weekend Warrior
from virginia
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockies | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Local distributor | | Strengths: | Super bike. This bike can take abuse. I ride 2-3 times a week mainly local advance trails. I needed a fast bike that could handle rough terrain. This bike is very responsive once you adjust the suspension. You can mess with the rebound set on the fork and the rear shock to your liking. You can also set the travel possition from 4' to 5'. I got mine on 5' and it still climbs good. | | Weaknesses: | Factory breaks are not the best, I upgrated to disc and it's made a world of a difference. I recommend looking into discs for this bike. With a few changes you can have a top line mountain bike. Some one suggested getting better wheel sets, I also ordered some clips. | | Similar Products Used: | There is a few comparable bikes out there, but they are more expensive. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for the discs. | | Bottom Line: | If you can get one at a good price, get it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Neil
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | rio grande | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$780.00 | | Purchased At: | ross bikes | | Strengths: | extreme what a ride!!.. I purchased one a weak later one for my wife. Best of its class on this price range. The 2004 DS2 is one of giants best projects. A well bild and stable frame. | | Weaknesses: | The saddle came loose at first, I re tightened it and its been good since. | | Similar Products Used: | Speacialized FSR Enduro & Epic | | Bike Setup: | stock except for clips, thats all it needed. | | Bottom Line: | Best for the price. I strongly recomend it. I have'nt had any problems with eather bikes. These are good all mauntain bikes, they handle good in any terrain and trail. The stable suspencion add to the handeling. A+++ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Califronia
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | meadowbrook | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | RB Cyclery | | Strengths: | The bike is pobably great for a two year old who hasnt even taken off the training wheels. This bike is terrible for any more air than a curb. | | Weaknesses: | I snapped the front forks in half, i sanpped the derailer twice, i bent the back rim, and the brakes are terrible, they stopped working after about a week. I am really disapointed with this bike and my dealer. I thought i was buying something decent but i wasted $550 that could have gone towards a nicer bike. Dont get me wrong this bike is great for fartin around in the street but if like to push your limits and actually jump the beans out of a bike please pass this bike up! | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing because i invested all of my money into this pile. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I probably could have upgraded it but for the money that it would cost to get it up to speed i could have bought a decent bike. If you like jumping and downhilling then do not purchase this bike! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
troy
a
from new york
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | this bike all around is a decent bike it has a good frame, exelent handleing, smooth ride for the most part, and for the average weekend worrior is a great bike. | | Weaknesses: | the forks are to soft and theyt blow easily, recently snaped my swingarm. stock bottom bracket eats the cranks away after alot of riding, and i also snaped a crank off. by fault. | | Similar Products Used: | i dont really ride other bikes but for the price there are some nice specialized bikes | | Bike Setup: | i recently purchased marzacuchie bommers all mountain3 forks witch work like a chame but are a little to big. shamano cranks with a bash gaurd. a redline custum bmx neck and a brand new swingarm. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is great for a begganer or a weekend worrior or anyone who is all about cross-country. but for anyone one who wants to jump or do down hill this is not the bike for you unless u invest some money into making it stronger i dont recomend jumping this bike over 4-5 feet other wise u can cause damage. this bike is great for the buy but like i sais it is a cross country bike. if you are look to jump or do street go with the giant STP model or go to speacailized and pick up a P series their jumping bikes. but all around i would recamend this bike to the average rider expecail for this price you cant beat it. thanks and have fun | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan Yohn
a Weekend Warrior
from Darnestown, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, Rims, Cassete | | Weaknesses: | Front Shox, Front and Rear Derauiller | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | Nice Bike for the price.. I plan on adding new derauiilers, disc brakes, and rims. I have already added bar ends, wireless computer, new fire tires... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nitzan Manteka
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | some place in new york | | Strengths: | the frame is strong, for whoever cares, the paint comes off easily and makes the bike look bad. okay front fork, rather have something better. good back shock, easily adjusted. have the bike for 5 years anf the only things that i replaced where the wheels (1 time) and the chain( 1 time). | | Weaknesses: | front shocks are weak, they give a cracking sound when i land hard on them. everything else is ok. | | Bottom Line: | for users who want to get maximum 5 feet without ruining the bike. frame is strong, if the bike had better front shocks the frame would handle 15 feet. i enjoyed it for a really long time, i would recomend this bike to people who want a good bike for a low price and want to ride either in the city or medium terrain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reilly
a Cross Country Rider
from palmer lake, CO
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | lost creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike shop | | Strengths: | strong fluid-form frame, lifetime warrenty, company backed. good components for the money (shimano, wtb, alex, ect.) great value, fine-tuneable back coil over hv shock, strong brakes for v-brakes, structured rims | | Weaknesses: | rather have seen a better fork for the money. bottom bracket has bent slightly, barely noticable though. grips wear down fairly soon (2-4 months) along with tires (5-6 months) but is easily fixed with little cash loss | | Similar Products Used: | khs dh50, fetish (dont know the model), specialized 230, marin hawk hill, schwinn s30 | | Bike Setup: | stock except for kenda kenetics 2.35 mtb tires, oury sticky grips, and shimano replacement v-brake pads | | Bottom Line: | excelent bike for the money. can take 3-6ft drops easily. like i said, a better fork may become an esential, but an amazing bike for the value. X-country riders should definently atleast test this bike, you wont be disapointed | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from Zelie, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Dapper Bicycle | | Strengths: | Good price, people think it's a good bike when you ride past, strong frame, good tires, comfortable rear suspension. | | Weaknesses: | front fork and rims (I bent both of them doing a stair set but i hate the fork anyway), weight | | Similar Products Used: | Many other bikes | | Bike Setup: | Mavic disk specific wheels w/ Avid mechanical disk brakes (180mm in the back and 203mm in the front), Rock Shox Judy SL U-Turn fork (70-115mm), clipless pedals, cycling speedometer, everything else stock) | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price, it holds up to just about anything, although i wouldn't recommend it for any drops over 8 or 9 feet. The stock fork definetly needs replaced if you plan to do anything other than road riding, also go for the WTB Weirwolf 2.5 inch tires instead of the stock 2.1's. and get disk and clipless. Other than that this bike has held up to everything from stairsets to downhill race courses without too much problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete van der Lugt
a Weekend Warrior
from Lafayette, LA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Local roads | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Capital Cycles | | Strengths: | Reasonable cost, comfortable ride, recognized parts manufacturers, impressive looks. | | Weaknesses: | None noted yet | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 720 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I have suffered a broken neck and lower back injury. I bought this bike because of its comfortable suspension. The looks were an added bonus, it upgradeability was an added bonus as well. I'm looking forward to riding the bike for excersize. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Clark
a Weekend Warrior
from columbus,oh.
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | gmac1975@wowway.com | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Excellent frame, able to handle large riders, predictable, great price, very upgradeable, great geometry for me. | | Weaknesses: | although not really a weakness considering the value of the bike, the fork is spongy. | | Bike Setup: | stock...for now! | | Bottom Line: | a wonderful rig for a first delve into dual-suspension. though it sacrifices some in the component area the frame is excellent. I am 220 and 6'3" and the stance is perfect for me, the bike acts very consistently and reliably, even the stock hv rear shock holds up wonderfully after a few turns.
Overall I dont think I could have found better bang for the buck, I will ammend this review after I've had it a year and had the chance to add avid discs and a stouter fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Mammoth Lakes, Ca
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mammoth! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$890.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Bulletproof Frame, Meaty Stock WTB Weirwolf Tires. Supple Suspension. confidence inspiring handling. Fully adjustable front in rear suspension. Good stock component group. | | Weaknesses: | The fork isnt the greatest. Cranks are strong but heavy. The stock brakes were ok but had to go since I ride through water alot. Replaced with disc. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Bike is basically stock. I also added the hayes disc brakes but will switch to the avid mechanical. They seem alot more durable. I will be adding a beefier fork. Otherwise bone stock | | Bottom Line: | I think this bike goes beyond a begginers bike. This bike allows you to upgrade as you go. Since the frame is so good you dont feel bad hanging good components on it. Just because a bike costs $1800 dosnt make it any more advanced. Some of my friends have really expensive bikes $1800-$2500. and I can hang with them all day. Ive done hard drops of 6 -8 feet no problem. Upgrade the front fork and you are good to go. This bike is an all-around great bike, does everything well. And the value for the money cannot be beat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Downhiller
from Simsbury, conecticut, USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$830.00 | | Purchased At: | Bloomfield Bike | | Strengths: | Frame, cranks, brakes (i got the hayes disc brakes for it....6 inch rotors mechanical), tires are nice and beefy, rear shock, components....for the price | | Weaknesses: | front fork.....although this fork has handled 5 and a half foot drops it isnt a good fork. most definetly upgrade to a new one. i got the manitou sherman flick and its great | | Similar Products Used: | specialized p1, stinky | | Bike Setup: | stock...with a anitou sherman flick front fork | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike for the price. i got it when i first started riding about half a year ago and while i can see it has limits, if you upgrade you will blow those out of the water. the components on this bike are very good also. very good beginers bike. i recomend this to anyone who just started riding or who has been riding for a long time......(just as long as you donw plan to take it off of a 10 foot drop) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Gray
a Downhiller
from Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Chocolate Budda - Daisy Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Riders Cyclery | | Strengths: | Good beginner bike, Easy to handle, Cheap dual suspension, Good chunky tyres | | Weaknesses: | FRAME!!!!! 4 in just over 12 months. Also the componets have failed many times. 2 sets of brake pads front and rear, 2 8 speed clusters, 1 chain, 1 bottom braket, 1 rear derailer, 1 middle chain ring. Also suspension is soft. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Bigfoot, Speacialized FSR Enduro & Epic | | Bike Setup: | HTI peddels, Rav X grips, mongoose seat | | Bottom Line: | Great beginner bike to learn on. I first started with no confidence or skill but quickly gained it on the Warp. Once you have gained some skill, start to get fast, do big jumps and drops. Sell the bike and get something with a strong frame. When you crack the frame the down time is very depressing and you don,t want to ride the bike hard when you get a new frame for fear you'll break the frame again. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bryan
a
from pv, arizona
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | phoenix mountain perserve | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | landis cyclery | | Strengths: | gears n shifters tires pedals seat brakes are ok for shimano v's but i would get hayes or avids | | Weaknesses: | FORK! my fork doesnt move even on 5 to 7 foot drops it only uses like 2 inches n it has no rebound none! | | Similar Products Used: | haro extreme x1 specialized p1 | | Bike Setup: | stock but im gettin avid mech n dirt jummpers | | Bottom Line: | its a good bike for the money but you have to be willin to put alittle money into it, the fork n the brakes n possibly the crank. if ur into urban n dirt jummping then i wont recommed it for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tipsy
a Downhiller
from Pawcatuck CT
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Ray Willis | | Strengths: | Looks nice, pretty good for beginners, simple design, rather strong | | Weaknesses: | Most stock parts | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Dakar, NRS | | Bike Setup: | All stock with DS-2 wheels/XT hubs hayes brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to a review i did a while ago. I first bought it and i sucked-like any beginner-and anyone can tell you beginners put the most stress on their bikes. After a month or so, i cracked the frame on the bottom of the shock mount (or top of pivot) but i brought back the frame and it was warrantyd quick. Granted, while in the shop I took up trials/got some flow, when i got the bike back i went all out. 6' to flat, downhill riding, dirt jumping, it took it all. The fork blew out very fast, but everything else has stood up to it all-even my 18 foot ladder ramp. If you are a beginner, or even intermediate looking for a worthwile junker, this bike is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabriel Michaud
a Downhiller
from Paquetville N.-B.
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Boger's international downhill track hof doom | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Vincent bicycle | | Strengths: | very strong frame and nice shox | | Weaknesses: | rims are not srong | | Similar Products Used: | zellers komodo | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Look, this bike is a mid-range/beginner's full suspension mountain bike. It has not claimed to be anything else. For what it is, it is an AWESOME value. Despite the whiners, the components are actually quite decent. No, they are not top-of-the-line, but they are hardly low-quality! Shimano Deore (or however you spell it) are very decent derailleurs. For my use, which is everyday commuting in the city, and occassional to frequent excursions off-road, this bike is wonderful. If I wanted a top-of-the-line bike to ride around cliffs and jump off of them and be a professional, then I would spend thousands. guess what? I would rather have a very decent, very good bike for a great price. If you want an uber-bike, then go spend the money. But, despite what some have said, this is NOT a low-quality bike. It is an INCREDIBLE value, and for anyone like me (and I suspect MOST of us), in my riding habits, it is the perfect bike. Come on guys, how many of you actually do professional-style riding on a daily basis? Be HONEST. and heck, this is a full suspension bike at the price of most single fsuspensions. I love this bike. If I desire to upgrade in the future to a bike that costs thousands, I will. Until then, this bike MORe than meets my needs. I give it a definite thumbs up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leonard
a Weekend Warrior
from Wahiawa,Hawaii
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Guava Jam/Babooze | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | McCully Bikeshop | | Strengths: | Solid entry level f/s bike. Able to handle Clydesdale +. This bike is able to go into the trail and come out without problems. | | Weaknesses: | Frame size only goes to 20 1/2". Seat is weak (rails self-destructed under my weight). Bike is heavier than most others I have seen. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Stock set-up with mid-low end Shimano components that work well enough. V-brakes. Rear shock set on 5" travel/front shock Rock shox Pilot. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that this bike is a good value for a first/entry level bike that will handle most novice to intermediate situations. Buy this bike if you're on a budget or just thinking about getting into riding. I've been riding 2x a week for three months and I'm stoked ! Bike can be easily up-graded if you want. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Capitol Cyclery | | Strengths: | Value for the money, dual suspension, frame, quality build, decent components. | | Weaknesses: | For what it is, there are few weaknesses if any. The components are not the best available. So what? Go spend $5,000 if you want the best. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized | | Bike Setup: | All DS2 stock. | | Bottom Line: | Look, this bike is a mid-range/beginner's full suspension mountain bike. It has not claimed to be anything else. For what it is, it is an AWESOME value. Despite the whiners, the components are actually quite decent. No, they are not top-of-the-line, but they are hardly low-quality! Shimano Deore (or however you spell it) are very decent derailleurs. For my use, which is everyday commuting in the city, and occassional to frequent excursions off-road, this bike is wonderful. If I wanted a top-of-the-line bike to ride around cliffs and jump off of them and be a professional, then I would spend thousands. guess what? I would rather have a very decent, very good bike for a great price. If you want an uber-bike, then go spend the money. But, despite what some have said, this is NOT a low-quality bike. It is an INCREDIBLE value, and for anyone like me (and I suspect MOST of us), in my riding habits, it is the perfect bike. Come on guys, how many of you actually do professional-style riding on a daily basis? Be HONEST. and heck, this is a full suspension bike at the price of most single fsuspensions. I love this bike. If I desire to upgrade in the future to a bike that costs thousands, I will. Until then, this bike MORe than meets my needs. I give it a definite thumbs up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Hauser
a Downhiller
from Tamworth,NH,United States
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | tamowrth town trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | pretty good forks brakes are sick frame is pretty good ummmmmmm head set mint. | | Weaknesses: | derailer and sprokets could be better frame could be better sliding grips gears kinda dont resond and it skips a little not to much though | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | ummmm yeah i guess | | Bottom Line: | this bike is good for like drops but not to good i say like 7 foot is your max but this bike is deff. not the bike you want if you going cyco over 55 foot cliffs like Josh bender or any cliffs anything over 9 feet. If you want a bike thats good and ok with drops and durable for trails this is the bike you want. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Stalcup
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokosuka, Japan
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Zushi | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good product for the money, strong | | Weaknesses: | little heavy for a xc bike, but with the right upgrades can be a great bike | | Similar Products Used: | trek, gt, specialized | | Bike Setup: | stock drivetrain, manitou elite 80/100 fork, mavic 3.1 tubeless disc, michellin xl tires, easton stem, handlebar, and seatpost, hayes hmx-1 brakes, xt cassette, wtb speed v saddle | | Bottom Line: | For the price and some pretty hard cross country riding including some decent jumps and drops the bike has held up well so far. I bought this bike so I could upgrade the parts one at a time. some of the parts i've changed already have taken the bike to under 30lbs (which i'm quite happy with) are listed in the bike setup.
I bought mine in Japan so it came with some different components than the US model. I got mine in black with disc brakes and xt drivetrain stock.
after some of the minor upgrades to stronger and lighter parts this bike kicks ass.
If you're looking for a decently priced dual suspension xc bike that can take a beating once in a while this is it. I haven't been disappointed yet!!! Plus the frame just looks cool! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lau Vabis
a
from Macau
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | stairs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Guess, Macanese | | Strengths: | Solid frame, single pivot design, 5" rear travel from this good shock..........etc. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, and components are not very good so I sold the stock components, the frame inc. headset & seatpost costs $370 | | Similar Products Used: | Cliff Super Stiff DS (full Deore), Specialized Rockhopper Comp disc, MT racing DS1 (alivio, RSTs...) | | Bike Setup: | Warp frame, Marzocchi Z1 Drop-off, Sun Rhyno Lite/XT disc/DT comp/ specialized 2.2 tires, 9.0 mechs, Truvativ Firex SL chainset, UN 72 BB, XTR chain, XT cassette, Deore discs with Jagwire 8" rotor setting front, 1998 Amoeba stem, stock seat post, Tioga bar & Selle Italia ATX saddle, Tioga Pedals | | Bottom Line: | I wrote it...the bike needs to set better, I just ride for a mile, I haven't do any drops & XC on it, stock components are not very good so I sold it when I brought this bike, single pivot is easy to care. Do you think so??? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince
a Weekend Warrior
from Kauai
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | loop road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | lakeside bicycle center | | Strengths: | Solidly built. every part is namebrand ex. cranks. if you get this bike for what it's made for... light freeride and some xc you'll be happy. good bike for someone who rides for fun every once and a while, and wants a good quality bike for not too much money...if you get hooked it is easly upgraded. | | Weaknesses: | none, considering what it is built for. don't compare it to a $1200+ bike, like other reviewers do.
| | Similar Products Used: | jamis
marin | | Bike Setup: | easton riser bars and seatpost, raceface stem...xt chain. rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | if you want a good quality fs bike from a big name company, that is great for the weekend warrior who likes good equipment, then this is your bike. i checked out specialized, schwinn, fuji, and gt. they either aren't as hooked up or don't match the components. | |
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$ 770.00
