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On-One
Sliding DropOut Inbred
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Average Rating
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4.78/5
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# of Reviews
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18
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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Description:The on-one Inbred is designed as a bike for riding. No fancy clever bits, just engineering plain and simple to do the job. It excels in grotty conditions where it's no-nonsense construction lets the rider get on with riding. We've used our custom picked blend of DN6 aerospace 4130 chromoly to give a great ride with our unique rear triangle design to maximise lateral drivetrain stiffness, but not at the expense of vertical compliance and frame comfort. It's a different way to do it, it's not suspension, but it works.
DN6 tubing throughout. Track dropouts, mudguard and carrier mounts, bottle bosses.
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Submitted by
olderigetbetteriwas
a Cross Country Rider
from brisbane, queensland, australia Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | awesome geometry
solid chuckable frame
astounding value for money | | Weaknesses: | finishing of the head tube (to seat the headset) & BB threads could be better | | Similar Products Used: | merlin, trek, giant | | Bike Setup: | on one 2004 slotted frame
on one rigid forks
xtr v-brakeset
surly hubs with sun rhyno lite rims
raceface cranks 2:1 ratio
terry fly saddle | | Bottom Line: | got an earlier frame (2004?) with the non-suspension-specific front fork which really lowers the whole top tube without compromising frame angles. set up with a short high stem & riser bars so super capable for all riding terrain assuming legs can push the gear. ya don't need suspension and ya don't need gears. buy it | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paps
a Cross Country Rider
from Heraklion, Crete, Greece Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | chainreactioncycles | | Strengths: | Geometry, clean lines, tire clearance, cheap | | Weaknesses: | cable housing(not much of a prob though esp if u ride ss) | | Similar Products Used: | none similar | | Bike Setup: | Vertical dropout version converted to ss this season, On-One rigid fork, hope/mavic wheels, schwalbe marathon supremes(great tires!), mech discs, 38/14 gear ratio | | Bottom Line: | Great ride, i really like the longish tt that with the short stem gives the bike super responsiveness, steel frames much sweeter than alu. overall well thought bike with a fun element injected somewhere in the tubes | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rockinrod35
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | PPoint | | Strengths: | Good quality, neat welds and quality finish, nice riding frame for the money. Longish top tube for 18". Smooth riding, stable bike with nice bit of spring and shock absorption feel to frame. Slot drop-outs and brake caliper mount design does not give any problems with wheel slippage. Loads of room for fat tyres. | | Weaknesses: | No probs so far...maybe some more color options? | | Similar Products Used: | Two Alu xc hard tails and a few xc full sussers. | | Bike Setup: | 18" slot drop out frame, Fox 100RLC, Juicy 5 brakes, Salsa pro-moto 17 deg carbon bar,120 mm stem, Hope/DT Swiss wheels with spacer kit and 32/18 Blackspire/kickass rings, Crossmark/Python. | | Bottom Line: | Really like this frame. It surprised me with its ability to soak up trail chatter (much better than my old aluminum hardtails) and is a good xc all-rounder. Climbs and descends well. I am 5'10" and I chose this bike for the longish top tube, 23.7". Real fun bike, love the steel frame. My other bike has sat in the corner since I got this frame. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nathan gould
a Cross Country Rider
from cambridge Date Reviewed: February 12, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | thetford | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | on one | | Strengths: | lush ride, long tt, fast and stable, abilaty to take gears and be a ss | | Weaknesses: | mech hanger.... ya cant get rid of it. the bb shel had weld init so had to cleen and tap it the hedset was a total s@!t to get in all small things that ae esaly sorted tbh | | Similar Products Used: | trek 69 ss thing surly etc | | Bike Setup: | thomson stem,post hope hubs on mavic freride rims r.s. pikes wound dowen to 130mm estern ec 70 bars xt chainset sram lightwate chain conty tyer and spuds | | Bottom Line: | this is a bike for the single track lover and phyco daytriper however i have done a race cors with it alredy and its totaly fine for that.. its stable fast forgivin but with pin handling and mental pikup. iv had a fue good bike like gary fishers, oringe even dmr frames and its safe to say this is without a dowet the best bike iv ever had to ride. i comute on it aswell and love it on the road its just the tits of a bike tbh
a breth of fresh air comperd to the whipets im ust to and its beter than them in evryway
after sales is ok there is a big comunaty on onones site and flickr aswell with help and for rums should i need it.
the mager shame of this brand in the man who runs it is a bisy chap so you get a propa inpersanal service wich anoyed me tho i understand he is run off his feet somwhat.
and the ather mager thing that hakt me off was the state of the frame wen i got it bb shel hedset i had to sraten the dic mounts and all sorts nun of it a mager isue but y did i have to do it?!
ill buy anuther one tho and one for my girlfrend and the ti inbred wen it arives there cos i love em so yeh buy one boys n girls its the best frame by farrr | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Tinley
a Cross Country Rider
from Lymington, Hampshire, UK Date Reviewed: December 14, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Afan Skyline | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | Price, Well thought out, Mary Bars, Ladybird bell! | | Weaknesses: | Chain Tugs/Rear skewer | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, etc., etc. | | Bike Setup: | Factory except Panaracer Razor Tyres and Stans No Tubes, Mavic rear skewer, modified chain tugs, Surley rear sprocket, KMC 1/2 link chain. | | Bottom Line: | The bike has a great springy frame with good geometry. The Carbon forks have taken some serious abuse and take the worst out of rough terrain. The bike handles well, is fairly light and great fun to ride. The handlebars are a fantastic idea. I was very skeptical at first, but thought I would give them a go. They are brilliant for single speed use, when you have to really stomp up hills, the raked back angle really helps you to efficiently use the strength of your arms. The Avid brakes are a bonus. On the downside, the rear wheel adjustment is a slight pain. Only a tiny amount of error and the disk brake rubs. The supplied skewer is not strong enough, so I replaced it with a Mavic skewer. The chain tugs supplied have not got long enough bolts, allowing less than a half link of adjustment! This is a bargain bike that makes a good single speed starting point... but don't expect good after sales support at this price!!! And expect to tinker with the rear wheel alignment/chain tension before every ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Price
a Racer
from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada Date Reviewed: November 3, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | French Cove | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bikeroom.com | | Strengths: | Steel. Little inbred fellow on seat tube. | | Weaknesses: | No disc tab, but I have an older model. | | Similar Products Used: | Soul Cycles Rufus. Frame failed on 5th ride. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Marithon xc, King headset, thomson stem and post, Easton monkey lite bar, white SLR saddle, XTR cranks, avid bb7 front, SD7 rear v, paul love levers, DMR hubs, rhyno lites. | | Bottom Line: | So awsome. When i get on it, i get a big smile and just want to rip. I have 12 years or so of racing and riding behind me. Of the 20 or more bikes I have had, this is on my top two list, next to the Klein Attitude. Its nice and laid back. Climbs awsome, smooth ride, eats rock guardens for lunch. My only beef is my own fault, and that is i am running a 100mm thomson stem. 80mm would be more ideal, but i had the stem before the frame, and i am in no hurry to go spend that kind of money on another one right yet. I have raced it in quite a few races in the last two years, and it rocked the trails all the way. Two 8 hour solo races, a 4 hour solo, and 8 or 9 ragular xc races. Even raced a short track series last spring. Aside from racing, you can go out on the sunday morning ride, and have a blast just screwing around in the woods, or head out some fire roads and get lost for the day. Like a true Inbred this bike belongs way out in the woods. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
christopher
a Cross Country Rider
from flagstaffrica, AZ Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | dingleberry | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Strengths: | STEEL! What a ride compared to my old s-works HT. This frame feels alive, and it is much lighter than Surly's beefcake SS frame. The TT is long enough that I chose the 18" frame, even though I stand 6'2. I bought the frame only and built it as a heavy-duty XC bike with 120mm of travel and a bit of a set-back riding position. | | Similar Products Used: | Surly SS, old Gary Fisher aluminum HT converted to SS... | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi 120mm XC fork, Mavic Crossmax XL ceramic front wheel, King SS/ M717 rear wheel, carbon riser bar, Truvativ SS crank, sub-23 pound steel bike with 2.1 tires! | | Bottom Line: | My favorite bike, period. I can commute, bomb down some free-ridey-type trails, blast over open XC, jump, climb with ease, and even keep up with my friends on dually AM bikes on most downhill sections around here. I am confident enough on this rig to take on most log crossings and other stunts, this is my do-it-all-go-to-bike for everything. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian parsley
a Weekend Warrior
from kendallvile,in.usa Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | direct from on-one | | Strengths: | great geometry, especially the long tt. exceptional quality at an affordable price. great on the tough climbs. | | Weaknesses: | color availability, only offered in white and possibly green. | | Similar Products Used: | i only have owned one other ss, it was a jamis dakota. it was actually a conversion. it doesn't compare to the handling of the inbred. | | Bike Setup: | kona project2 rigid fork, thomson post and stem, monkey lite bar, white industries 18t rear gear, hutchinson spider airlight tire's(they're awseome). | | Bottom Line: | this is only the second ss i have owned, if something happened that i had to replace it i would without hesitation. i haven't had the geared bike on the trails since taking a ss for a trial ride 4 years ago. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: May 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | zedsport | | Strengths: | sweet handling, inexpensive, looks good, long TT, lots of standover, sliding drops | | Weaknesses: | not your Ventana welds, it would be good in the sliders had a little more range, to eliminate the need for 1/2 links. | | Similar Products Used: | Dean converted to SS, SC chameleon SS. | | Bike Setup: | 18" Inbred, sliding drops, Minute 3:00 fork, BB7's, Nevegal 2.35's | | Bottom Line: | I used to think this SS stuff was ridiculous. The I tried a friend's SS Chameleon & thought 'hey, this is fun'. I converted my Dean Duke to SS & found that the geometry was not well suited to SS. The TT was too short. After much research, I settled on the Inbred, largely because of the long TT & low standover. Turned out to be an excellent decision. It's built up with a mismatched mix of parts. Big tires & a travel-adjustable fork. I run the fork in the middle for twisty ST & drop it to 5" for the gnar. Turned out to be too much fun - I broke my ankle on its maiden voyage. I prefer to think that it was because of the new Time Aliums rather than rider error. Nevertheless, the Aliums have been banished to the road bike & replaced with ATAC carbons. This baby rails the ST with a 4" setting, climbs nicely with a 1" setting, and handles stably at 5". My Dean, which is a really great bike, is back to geared & collecting dust. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reub
a
from Cardiff Date Reviewed: February 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | CRC | | Strengths: | Quality components at very reasonable price | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | various mtn and road bikes | | Bike Setup: | standard with slicks and mudguards (set up as commuter). New gel saddle. Spds. | | Bottom Line: | Beautifully compliant frame. Got a twang to the back end that launches you to speed when pedalling hard. Handling is spot on. Triple butted front fork is very forgiving. Excellent as a commuter (with Mary bars and slicks) but really comes to life on singletrack. The best part that still continues to impress me after two years of intensive riding is the quality of the components. Hubs and rims for example - bombproof and silky smooth. I found after a year that some spokes had worked loose, but amazingly the rim was still true! That's how strong the rims are. I've hit some horribly big pot holes at speed too - later checking the rims i have found again and again, no damage. Headset again is top quality, and hubs are 0 maintenance sealed units that still (after two years) have NO play whatsoever. Seat post is very high quality micro adjust design. Bottom line is, you really get your money's worth with on-one. Nice bikes, well designed, quality components. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from White Plains Date Reviewed: June 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | direct from On-One | | Strengths: | Compliant steel frame, great geometry, climbs really well | | Weaknesses: | Steel might rust some day | | Similar Products Used: | none too similar, Banshee Morphine | | Bike Setup: | SRAM X9, Fox TALAS, BB7 front brake, SD7 rear, single digit ultimate levers, Crossmax enduro front, 819 on XT rear hub, LX cranks, Easton Carbon handlebar | | Bottom Line: | I love the way this frame rides. I rode a friend's Chameleon the other day (a bike I have always liked) and I realized how nice the feel of the steel really is. It makes me wonder what a titanium hardtail feels like (I would love to try a Cove Hummer). I started with a 100mm fork, but recently switched to a Fox TALAS I had around. I am comfortable riding much more aggressively on this bike with the 130mm fork than I was with a 100 mm fork. I have three other bikes, (2FS, 1 HT)but I hardly ride any of them since I got this one. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Beck
a
from Toronto, Canada Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | On line from On One | | Strengths: | Solid spec, sliding dropouts, great handlebar design, very compliant frame | | Weaknesses: | Chain tugs are flexy, wheels are a little heavy, fork is not very compliant for light riders, bike is not cheap for Canadians (after currency conversion, taxes and duty) | | Similar Products Used: | KHS Solo One softtail | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | My bike is the rigid SS version, completely stock with a 16in frame size, 26in wheels and Mary bar.
At just under 24 lbs without pedals this is not a light bike, but it feels bomb proof. The wheels are heavy (especially when compared to the Bontrager Race Light wheels on my Trek Fuel 98). One could certainly save 1-2 lbs with different wheels and some other minor changes. The Avid V-brakes are more than adequate for XC riding and I would not dream of getting disk brakes and increase the weight of the bike.
The bike has a fairly aggressive build, but it certainly does not feel like a race bike. The super wide Mary bars are fun and provide a good measure of comfort, but I am still getting used to the width when going on tight single track. I feel very little flex in the Mary bar and the fork is less compliant than I expected. Perhaps I expected too much, after reading so many reviews of this fork. Perhaps you have to be heavy to make that fork bend a little more.
My advice is: if you don't have the upper body strength and stamina to handle a rigid fork, get a suspension fork. An alternative to this is to get a big front tire and under-inflate it. I am not a fan of under-inflated tires. I keep my tires at 32-35 PSI and rarely get a flat. Over a long ride this can really test your ability to manage a somewhat harsh cockpit. Going fast over rough terrain, you quickly learn to relax and let the bike do its thing.
Regardless, the bike is still very compliant and the back end feels quite damp over rough stuff. Before I got the Trek Fuel 98 I had an aluminium HT bike (a Norco). That bike was so harsh and stiff on the back end that I made the decision to go full suspension to be able to ride longer and in more comfort. I probably would not have made that decision if the back end of that HT would behave like the Inbred. I am truly impressed with the construction and quality of the "DN6" steel of the Inbred.
What would I like to be different.
1) Lighter wheels would be nice. I am only 165lbs, so I don't need the heavy duty wheels that are stock. 2) A more compliant fork. Again, I am light, so IMHO, this fork has too much metal for me (it may however be just right for bigger riders). 3) Better chain tug design. While the Sliding Dropouts are great, the tugs flex easily - especially when the wheel is positioned for a longer chain stay length. This has not caused me any problems, but the flex in the tugs can easily be seen when you tighten the screws and it is not confidence inspiring.
Overall conclusion: I am super happy with the Inbred. It is a quality bike, ready for serious riding right out of the box. The Sliding Dropouts are pure genius for easy adjustment and wheel removal. The Mary bar remains a great idea for SS riding and the hand position also helps manage the rigid bike in the rough stuff. The frame is incredibly compliant and the fork is not bad either. I raced my Inbred this past weekend and although I come out a little bruised and battered from a fall (my fault), my wrists, arms, shoulder and back had no problem, other than the normal fatigue that comes from a rigid setup. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a
from England Date Reviewed: April 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light as, very strong and perfect for long day rides. Can stand up for V light freeride+dirt jumping but dented it eventualy. | | Weaknesses: | On the model I brought there were no disc mounts, made a massive dent in the downtube after casing a spine at my local skatepark but its not designed for that but there you go. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic DS1, Univega Ram of some sort,. | | Bike Setup: | On One Inbred 14", On One Inbred hubs on On One reetard rims, ASC Freewheel, Dirt Jumper One Forks, DMR Cheiftain crankss+BB, 24seven bar+ Funn Henchman Stem stem | | Bottom Line: | Lovely bike, pretty cheap, weighs hardly anything and strong as hell. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Weekend Warrior
from Westchester Date Reviewed: April 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | on line direct from on-one | | Strengths: | beautiful, rides like a dream, lightweight (compared to my usual), sliding dropouts work well | | Weaknesses: | One thing about steel, when you crash it and scratch the paint, you worry about rust, and it feels like when someone dings the door on your new convertible | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M40 (old steelframe model), Banshee Morphine (I actually set it up single speed for awhile), Kona Dawg?, Specialized Big Hit? (these are my other bikes) | | Bike Setup: | FSA orbit X-treme headset, Race Face Prodigy stem, Easton carbon handlebars, Race Good & Evil Grips, Avid speed dial levers and single digit brakes, White Bros Magic 100 fork (sweet), Shimano LX cranks, Race Face bash guard, Spot single speed conversion, Surly 18t rear cog (nice), SRAM 8-speed chain, Shimano XT hubs, Mavic 819 rims (rim brake version), WTB WeirWolf 2.1 tubeless tires, WTB SST seat, Ringle Moby stem, Crank Bros candy pedals | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It is so beautiful (especially with the White Bros fork). I love the way it rides. I set up my Banshee Morphine for single speed, and it was really fun, but it was pretty damned heavy (lots of freeride components). I haven't (and probably won't) taken the Inbred off any serious jumps, but it is really stable in the air off the small stuff. The first I rode it, I was riding with my usual riding partner. I frequently struggle to keep up with him. This time I had no problem, except on some really fast straight sections (you can only pedal so fast on a single speed), I made it up hills that I often end up walking on my other bikes(this bike is probably at least five pounds lighter than anything else I own).
Most of the components were stuff I had around from an old bike. The frame is very well priced (cheaper than Kona Explosif - which I was considering). If I hadn't gotten that White Bros fork, this bike would have been a real bargain. I just can't imagine putting any other fork instead. Fox 100 has had crappy reviews lately, Rock Shox Reba is disc only, Marzocchi forks are just too damned heavy. If you have the balls to risk putting a Manitou Minute or Black it might be pretty sweet, it just seems like so many people have problems with those.
I wish I could give it six flaming chilis. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Reading, Berkshire, England Date Reviewed: March 6, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere in Chilterns | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | on-one web site | | Strengths: | Ride, simplicity. | | Weaknesses: | Supplied BB failed in 4 months | | Bike Setup: | as supplied except Magura Vidar forks. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, great work-out. I have a couple of bikes but since I got this one have used no-other for day-rides. Brilliant on single track and good for winter mud - so little to go wrong.Liked it so muchI bought a geared on-one frame and now use this for epic rides. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blue Adder
a Cross Country Rider
from Antwerp,Belgium Date Reviewed: February 19, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | all trails are great on a SS | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 600 | | Strengths: | great long bike with a "steel is real" sensation; you can't beat a steel SS bike when you are pushing it up the hill | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Il pompino fixed rig running on 34*16 | | Bike Setup: | PILOT 100mm suspension, XT front hub on Mavic rims, On-one rear hub-shimano 16t freewheel,LX octalink 36t BBB chainring,SRAM PC1,Shimano 520 SPD, ABSOLUTE GREAT MARY BARS!!!!!, MAGURA HS33 front&rear,Flite Titanium, Michelin&Bontrager 2.1 rubbers | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks and you don't need anything elseto enjoy the trails & the mud; unprotected derailleur gearing SUCKS in the mud; the only upgrade worth mounting on this splendid frame is a SUPERB ROHLOFF HUB with LOW maintenance as a delicious result. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Penticton BC | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | On-One website | | Strengths: | Rides like a dream, no fuss, just plain fun. Won Beastway series in 2002 with 7 wins from 7 starts, no mechanicals no problems. Rarely serviced, even more rarely cleaned and still as good as the day it was bought. Highly recommended to anyone wanting a bike for anything at all. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Surly, Dawes, Kona | | Bike Setup: | Horizontal drop out frame, Kona P2 Jump rigid fork, XT Cro-Mo seat post, a stem and some bars, Magura hydraulic rim brakes, DMR revolver hubs on mavic 618 CD rims, very old battered Flite titanium saddle. Some rubber bits for my hands! | | Bottom Line: | It's the bike to have | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oliver
a Cross Country Rider
from NY, NY, USA Date Reviewed: February 2, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | BEST sub-$1000 single speed around! Good component group, excellent stand-over, very stable ride up and down hill, long alum bars provide good shock absorption, the ride is plush for a hard tail, excellent customer support @ Zedsport! | | Weaknesses: | Weld aesthetics could be improved... they're lumpy/sloppy. | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi BOSS ss, IF Deluxe ss | | Bike Setup: | stock as-is | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent overall ss bike. The long top tube provides lots of stability on descents. The compact geometry provides good stand-over clearance. You get alot of bang for the buck. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LittleBear
a Cross Country Rider
from Pecos, New Mexico Date Reviewed: January 20, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | South Boundary & The Borrego | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | New Mexico Bike N Sport | | Strengths: | Inexpensive. Frame design looks good. Excellent geometry with plenty of standover, stable when the trail goes down, glued to the trail on climbs and a long top tube for my freakishly long torso. Supple rear end that give the feel of a softail. Accepts up to a 2.7" in the rear. No Pivots. It's Steel! | | Weaknesses: | The paint job is globby in some places on the underside and the headtube needed to the reamed and faced before headset installation. The through housing guides are a bit of a hassle for hydraulic brake lines, and the total bike length necessitates extra long derraileur and brake lines. | | Similar Products Used: | Cube AL hardtail, Redline Moncog, Spez Epic, Rocky Mtn ETSX, Titus MotoLite | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla 130mm, Avid Juicy 5's, FSA V-Drive crank, One-On Mary Bar, 1994 Dean Ti Seatpost, WTB Laser V Saddle, Crank Bros. Candy SL's, Conti Diesel 2.5" | | Bottom Line: | I have never had a bike that I could surf singletrack with. The steel frame, mated to fat tires, gives a forgiving ride that takes the edge off while in the rough, but still allows me to feel the flow of the trail. Given the outboard bearings of the crankset, there is no unnecessary lateral flex. It climbs very well without a twitchy front end and handles slow technical situations with ease. The value is great, but I had to do some clean up in order to get it just right. This is the only bike I've owned that fit me perfectly without having to make compromises with seatposts and stems. I added a Mary Bar recently which changed the feel dramatically for the better. Now she's abel to be ridden all day without discomfort. Plus it's steel. Inbred can take a horrific beating and still get me home. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
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