Designed for the truly discriminating cross-country rider
One of the lightest pivotless full suspension frames available at just 4.3 lbs
Built with the finest U.S. 3/2.5 Vr seamless radial aerospace titanium - specially cold worked and stress relieved for increased stiffness and durability
Features an oversize extra stout tubing throughout
Submitted by
Thomas Peters
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Date Reviewed: March 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Concept Cycles, Kuala Lumpur
Strengths:
Seemless welds, a strong head minus gussets, the S-bend seat stays, beautiful drop-outs
Weaknesses:
Unexplained steering wobble only after a long XC haul.
Similar Products Used:
Bianci MUTT
Bike Setup:
White SID Team (with L/O), Bontrager Race Lite wheelset, Hutchison Python Gold, Easton CT2 handle, Easton stem, XTR Mega-9 groupset, Stratos XC Pro (softail rear-shock with L/O), Airborne laid-back seatpost, Gobi
Bottom Line:
The 22 lb advantage is felt on steep grades and long XC hauls and hiking this light bike is a breeze with the cabling on top of the frame. The Bontragers wheelsets will tolerate a bit of freeriding but not big-hits. This softail is definetly not a full-sus and I've learnt it the hard-way into a hospital early last month. The best place to experience the Duke's prowess is slicing and dicing roots and gravel on singletrack but on rough descents floating your bum rearward is imperative for control, although it does not prevent tail-swapping like a hardtail does. Recomended for anyone who wants to comfortably ride his MTB on asphalt; who wants to keep his bike forever and who wants his bike to look like a bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Tampa, FL Date Reviewed: December 6, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
From DEAN
Strengths:
Light, Fast, Well Built
Bike Setup:
29er Duke
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is DEAN makes an amazing bike for a very reasonable price. I wanted a 29er soft-tail (they didn't make one) so I called them up and they designed a frame for me. Yes, they can take a while to get your bike to you (I own 3 DEANs), but the end product is very worth the wait. And when was the last time you sat down and talked to the owner of (insert major bike company here) about the design of your frame?
So about the bike- the travel on the Duke is just enough to smooth out the ride, but it still accelerates and handles much like a hardtail. The bike is very responsive, but make no mistakes, this is not a full-boinger, you will feel the trail. The craftmanship is top-notch and the welds are beautiful. This was also my first 29er, so I am having a blast with the bigger wheels too.
I would definitely recommend this bike for someone who wants a soft-tail... it is an awesome machine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
Interbike 2008! Read news and info about new bikes and products from the upcoming show»
$ 1650.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
