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Home | Product Reviews | XC Full Suspension | BMC Fourstroke 03 | ||||
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Submitted by
Dirk
a Cross Country Rider
from Nagoya, Japan
Date Reviewed: 12/25/2007 9:54:48 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Iwayadoo, aichi |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $2500 |
| Purchased At: | Kamihagi, Komaki |
| Strengths: | versatile, good looking , stiff, comfortable yet fast |
| Weaknesses: | difficult to dial in , agility at low speed . |
| Similar Products Tried: | Giant Anthem, Specialised epic fsr, Cannondale scalpel 2008 , GT i-drive, Giant Trance, Specialised Stumpjumper 2008 |
| Bike Setup: | brake : juicy 7 185mm rotors; cranks : XT , other drivetrain parts SRAM X-7 , 50 dollar wheels |
| Bottom Line: | I have been studying and testing for 6 months on which FS bike I was going to spend my hard earned money. The BMC was an easy choice after I test rode it. This bike can handle serious terrain obstacles . It is designed in Switserland, they have Alps there remember! It is fast but may not be the fastest bike in rolling terrain or the fireroad hillclimb. It is very good at steep , rocky and rooted stuff, the more the better . Downhill it stays nice and stable , may a bit light but I consider that a good thing for my reflexes and the occasional adrenalin shot you get from riding it. Even though generally I spin quite nicely I did put a platform Fox FP23 on it to increase its' efficiency when blasting away on rolling terrain. My buddy rides an Epic and even though the suspension is from a different world , the bikes stay nicely together on rollin g terrain . When the going' gets rough the BMC just takes over. The ground clearance is phenomenal, you also feel seated high , that limits the turning in slow and tight forest a bit. The good point is that I hardly ever hit stuff with the chainrings or pedals . With the propedal on, this bike flies over the small rough. The stock wheels are really bad IMHO ( Sun CR18 ) , may depend on export region. I am used to a basic Mavic crossride on my HT and these wheels just don't take forces they get. When braking I feel the spokes cringe . ( Xmas upgrade coming up ) But I wanted the frame. The Giant Anthem was in the same price range and I liked it too , but here was little to upgrade from without spending heaps of cash on really high end stuff componentry . The comfort was a bit less too on the Giant and I like to ride for at least 3 hours. Closest contender was the GT , but that bike was a bit too slow in rolling terrain. Overall the BMC has nice abilities and a pretty face. Engineers must love to look at the details . Why are we all bending those tubes suddenly? Don't get fooled by marketing... Back to the BMC: Set it up with little sag, a flat bar, flashy wheels: you got yourself a rolling terrain fast bike, put on the riser and some more sag, and you can almost go climb trees. It is bit difficult to find the right sus settings but I am not sure it that is me or the suspension . The fourstroke will perform well on most events except may be the fast short XC race on easy terrain. I ride about 5000 Km offroad per year and I truly believe this bike makes me a better rider . On my previous HT I have found the bikes'limits , this bike has found my limits. The FS03 is a versatile machine and where it really shines is on a marathon race in high mountain type technical and aggressive terrain. No fives because I want better/cheaper bikes 10 years from now . most important: do you know what kind of riding you want to do? Answer that, then choose a steed. |
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Submitted by
Julius
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: 10/16/2007 10:28:34 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Noble Canyon, Descanso, CA |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $1000 |
| Purchased At: | eBay |
| Strengths: | Extremely light frame, simple shock settings, beautiful paint job, simple yet sick ass geometry, APS suspension!!! |
| Weaknesses: | Paint chips easily, watch out for rocks!! Seatpost lock lever is awkward. |
| Similar Products Tried: | 2003 Giant NRS 3, 2001 Giant Rainier SE |
| Bike Setup: | 2007 BMC Fourstroke 03, RS Reba SL, RS Ario 2.2, Shimano XT (fd,cranks), SRAM X.9 (rd, shifters), Avid BB7, Thomson seatpost, Mavic Crossride |
| Bottom Line: | This bike absolutely rocks! I bought the frame from eBay ($750) and built it up. THE best bike I've ridden so far. It climbs just as quick as my hardtail. Setup your suspension (20% sag) just right and you have a rocket. This bike is just as quick as my NRS on singletrack but with better input from the Ario 2.2 going uphill. APS kicks butt! Do not put crap components on this bike or it won't look right. Highly recommend for any mid-level biker or entry level racer! My only gripe you will not sustain the pretty paint job because it chips but hey it's a mtb. |
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Submitted by
Lesley
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: 8/17/2007 12:05:57 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | The product itself looks awesome. Brought it to the local bike shop to have it fitted and it certainly turned everybody's heads. Handles the trails quite well and is very responsive... although I'm not sure whether its just because my setup on the bike is more XC oriented now. Mine is fitted with fox f80 rlt, its an excellent ride and I don't think I'll be changing bikes anytime soon. |
| Weaknesses: | The finish looks too flash to be ruined. I find myself thinking about the frame whenever I hit the trail. The suspension appears firmer than that of the ellsworth given the same shock settings. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail, Ellsworth Moment with fox RP3. Jamis Dakar. |
| Bike Setup: | Fourstroke 03 with Rock Shox Ario 2.2 Lockout. Fox F80 RLT. Juicy 7's, SRAM X-9. Truvative Stylo Carbon. Ritchey stem and bars and SPD pedals, SDG I-beam seatpost. |
| Bottom Line: | Pedalling is efficient and without bobbing. The bike is quite maneuverable and weaves great around the XC trails. My setup feels light and responsive. External appearance unrivaled... IF you can maintain the finish. |
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Submitted by
Ryan
from Cable, WI
Date Reviewed: 7/15/2007 3:14:24 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $1250 |
| Purchased At: | LBS |
| Strengths: | Smoothest, most efficient riding full suspension frame that I have owned. My last 3 bikes were an 05' Ellsworth Moment, 04' Ellsworth Truth, and an 02' Giant NRS, and this one delivers the best ride by far. It soaks up all of the bumps, and allows me to power up any hill without wasting energy. |
| Weaknesses: | Functionally, none. My only small gripe is that the top tube is a little short for me though - just personal preference, and it is easily resolved by a slightly setback seatpost. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Owned a Ellsworth Truth, and a Giant NRS. Demoed a Specialized Epic (Hated it). |
| Bike Setup: | Full XT, Crossmax Wheels, Fox 100 RLT front shock, and upgraded to a RP23 rear shock. |
| Bottom Line: | Awesome ride that looks and performs great - can't be beat by frames that cost twice as much. |
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Submitted by
Spider Monkey
a Cross Country Rider
from D-town, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: 6/6/2007 8:07:33 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Buff-creek, monarch crest, chasing my wife? |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Strengths: | FAAAST VPP design, stiff frame, quick geometry, more travel than advertised |
| Weaknesses: | Tall BB / standover height, seatpost clamp; pedal bob - I am a bit of a masher and still working out the sag?? Would like a RP23 shock!! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Blur, Fuel |
| Bike Setup: | Full XT, Marzochi Marathon XC with ~125mm travel, WTB laserdisc light Colorado Cyclist wheels |
| Bottom Line: | At first it felt a bit tall. I am 6'3" ~180 lbs and I felt like I was up reeel high. I don't have a huge inseam, but it is still hard to stand over the L frame with out smaking the boys around. Then I just started to ride it, dialed the fork up to ~125mm travel from 100mm... and did it get fast. I like the idea of VPP, but the Blur XC/LT/Classic was a little too upright. Then the BMC is a similar feel, but with a stiffer rear end (and who doesn't like that) and a more laid out cockpit. Now that I am used to it...it is amazing. Climbs waaay better than I could ever hope / dream. Descends better than cranked up spider monkey with his @ss on fire. I guess it could climb like that too. And no one else is riding them. Go git one and git 'er done on a BMC. Buy it- If you're a cross-country type person with aspirations of riding bigger stuff and like to go fast up and down. Don't buy it - If you want a Nomad or a hardtail. |
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Submitted by
Peter
a Racer
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: 3/5/2007 3:42:44 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Pantie line |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $3200 |
| Purchased At: | LBS |
| Strengths: | Solid smooth ride, looks good, Swiss engineering |
| Weaknesses: | paint chips but then again rocks will fly. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Giant NRS |
| Bike Setup: | Fox RLT100 fork, Fox Float R, SRAM 9, Avid Juicy 5, XT cranks, MAvic CrossMax SLs, Maxxis Crossmark UST w/ Stans |
| Bottom Line: | My riding went up a big notch w/ this bike. It soaks up the bumps but doesn't soak up your power. Climbs like a champ and goes down hill just as well. I'm comfortable on it for all day rides and I'm a lot more competitive racing on it too. It's been a big improvement for me on technical terrain making stuff that I used to not be able to. It also does well in the tight twisty trails esp. since I cut off 3" on the handlebar down to 24". Right now it's about 27lb but I plan on lightening it up some more over the next year. Get it, you won't regret it! |
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Submitted by
William Kolbe-Booysen
a Cross Country Rider
from Empangeni , Kwazulu Natal , South Africa
Date Reviewed: 1/30/2007 6:22:05 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Heatonville Classic |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $1000 |
| Purchased At: | Zululand Cycles (Paul van Zyl) |
| Strengths: | Cooler than cool design . Quality pivot on a quality frame . Myself weighing in at 220Lbs , it is a pleasure to ride . Takes the hits and handles like a hardtail . Lightweight and durable . Fast and very smooth to pedal , easy to jump and soaks up the bumps . |
| Weaknesses: | Paint chips too easy |
| Similar Products Tried: | Raleigh RDS 5.0 |
| Bike Setup: | Fizik seat , Full LX disc set up incl derraileurs and cranks ,Easton bars and seat post , Time atac pedals , manitou rear and rock shox front shocks both with lockout , Jones XC tyres on Alex rims |
| Bottom Line: | Must be contender for top design . Dont know a BMC rider who doesnt rate their bike .XC riders must buy |
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Submitted by
GUI
a Racer
from Winston Salem
Date Reviewed: 1/25/2007 9:23:52 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Dark Mountain |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $1000 |
| Purchased At: | Cycleworks. Thanks Robert |
| Strengths: | Update, Still rocking with style. Anyone who says this baby bobs while pedalling needs to consider a visit to their LBS to buy either(A) a roadbike or (B) a set of rollers and use one or both as needed to smooth out their pedal stroke. If you pedal squares or mash at the pedals it will bob like Monica on Bill in the Oval Office, but---- if you keep seated and pedal a full circle pulling on the upstroke and pushing on the downstroke-- you do that don't you??? You will be rewarded with not meeting Mr. Bob. |
| Weaknesses: | Yes, you could get an RP3 or RP23 and it will eliminate any or all unwanted pedal induced motion but technology cannot buy happiness. Zen is acheived thru understanding of yourself and your machine. |
| Similar Products Tried: | as said earlier, Trek Fuelie, Litespeed Sewannee (Demo) What a disappointment that was. C Dale Scalpel Kona King Junk a Pu |
| Bike Setup: | American Classic MTB 26 wheelset Juicy 7 Ultimate Brakes, Sid Team Fork, SRAM X(9 drivetrain Thomson stem and seatpost Truvativ bar FSA Carbon Pro Team Cranks and Egg Beater pedals and WTB Rocket V Stealth Ti rail saddle. Kenda Nevegal or Small block 8 set up tubeless. 24.2 pounds |
| Bottom Line: | Get it!!! Got it??? Good!!! Great combo of speed, strength, manueverability and value. Swiss bearings instead of bushings, gussets and a responsive frame. This frame and subsequent built up bike are perfection. Look at the frame, No goofy links, No goofy flexing frame members, no bent top tubes or welded on reinforcing links, no extended seat tubes. Just a normal frame. If you want something to set you apart or compensate for some design flaw then look elsewhere. I run about 120 pounds in the rear shock for my body weight of 160 in riding kit. Perfecto. How to ride this bike??? Charge into the downhills, let the bike do its job and then DO NOT brake into the corners, weight the outside pedal and then unweight bike coming out of the corner. When you unweight the bike it will want to right itself and when it does steer AND lean it in direction of travel, stay seated and pedal your butt off. Repeat as necessary to achive success. |
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Submitted by
Josh Clarno
a Cross Country Rider
from Roseburg,OR,USA
Date Reviewed: 1/21/2007 4:56:28 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Dread and Terror/ Deer leap |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $989 |
| Purchased At: | Fundamental Bike Roseburg |
| Strengths: | Sexy frame with innovative gussets. Comfortable and efficient feel when pedaling in the saddle. Very lively feel in the middle ring. when running 25% to 30% sag the suspension eats bumps big or small for breakfast while still peadling with athourity. When you run 10% to 20% sag this frame pedals as well as my racer X but with more active suspension. While sprinting at full effort on flat ruggged terrain the bike absolutely rips. While climbing the rear end creates the "Magic dig" traction of a good VPP linkage. All ball bearings no bushings, and very nice swiss bearings at that. Good looks great function. |
| Weaknesses: | Comes stock with a Fox Float R with no option for an upgrade at the time of purchase. But it still pedals very well. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Titus racer X, Specialized Epic, Giant trance 1, Giant VT1, |
| Bike Setup: | Easton monkey lite over-sized, titec carbon stem, Avid juicy 7, Manitou minute 4 IT, Mavic cross-max SL wheels,Raceface deus cranks, Time ATAC pedals, Thomson elite seat post, Bontrager ti carbon saddle SRAM and XT drive train. |
| Bottom Line: | I purchased this frame to be used as a fast XC trail bike. I am running the long travel kit giving the bike 4.7" of very effective and efficient travel. I recommend this bike for trail riding or even some XC racing depending on sag and component set up. The BMC in the middle ring has an energetic feel at the pedals and it inspires one to give 100% effort. While being a long travel trail bike I wouldn't recommend it for big jumps or drops as it is a XC bike. |
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Submitted by
GUI
a Racer
from Piedmont
Date Reviewed: 12/21/2006 11:09:04 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Dark Mountain |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $1000 |
| Purchased At: | Cycleworks |
| Strengths: | APP suspension design. Cartridge bearings. No bushings here folks. Lightweight frame, great handling bike. Well balanced bike front to back. Front end is not too light nor is it too heavy to wheelie or manual onto or off of something.Perfect in this respect.Neutral to semi fast handling saved my arse from a few high speed trail imperfections.Low feedback suspension design. Perfect marathon bike twelve or twenty four hour races are this bike's shining star. |
| Weaknesses: | as said before about the paint, but hey its black and its a MTB NO problemo. I do not think it is as fast side to side as a Trek Fuelly 100 or as flickable in tight singletrack as a Scalpel. I have found that this bike while a great handling bike in its own right requires a bit more Body English to zig and zag around or over obstacles. Longer wheelbase. This bike is a great bike for NORBA race courses and Marathon races due to its stable relatively neutral handling.Anything tight, fast and twisty and you is in for some work. |
| Similar Products Tried: | C-Dale Scalpel, Trek Fuelly 100, Kona King Kickapu |
| Bike Setup: | American Classic MTB 26 wheels, SRAM X9, FSA Carbon Team Pro cranks Thomson seatpost and stem, Manitou R7 shock |
| Bottom Line: | I will keep this bike for awhile. Anyone selling one of these on E Bay is really stoopid (sic) or stole it Bee-Ware. Nuff said. Nothing is as fast and flickable as my steel hardtail. Not even a Thai street girl. (Me love you long time..)But... everything has its place. This bike shines on the tough stuff. Can you say Pisgah?? 150 mm travel upgrade coming soon. I chose this frame over the Fourstroke 01 due to my avoidance of Scandium enriched alloys. Guys, Boeing tried it and found that the alloy had an inferior fatigue life over conventional 6000 and 7000 series alloys. This baby is a keeper.Save the clams and buy better components.OKay, I will say it... The handling is fast enough for 99% of us but it is not sketchy fast to get you in trouble. Perfect then I guess. |
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Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: 12/3/2006 8:58:57 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $600 |
| Purchased At: | Ebay |
| Strengths: | Amazing handling, reasonably light weight, suspension feedback |
| Weaknesses: | Thin tubes, weak paint, integrated headset |
| Similar Products Tried: | Single pivot, FSR, VPP |
| Bike Setup: | Vanilla 100RLC fork, Float RLC shock |
| Bottom Line: | Haven't enjoyed a frame this much since my first FS frame (SC Superlight). Riding buddies actually have commented on how I've 'been on my game handling-wise' since I've been riding this frame. Everyone I know that has ridden a BMC loves them, how many frames can you say that about? Way recommended. |
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Submitted by
gs
a Cross Country Rider
from brisbane
Date Reviewed: 9/2/2006 3:54:35 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $5000 |
| Strengths: | This bike is an extremely efficient peddler, it is a rocket uphill. Very fast in tight twisty sections. For a cross country bike, very good downhill; doesn't feel sketchy at all. |
| Weaknesses: | None. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Cannondale Scalpel. |
| Bike Setup: | XT grouptset. Fox RLT 100 mm front forks, Fox RP3 rear shock. Mavic Crossmax wheels. |
| Bottom Line: | This bike is exceptionally fast uphill and in twisty sections, yet can still be used for trail riding. No relability issues thus far. |
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Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: 8/30/2006 12:28:22 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Sherando Lakes |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $2400 |
| Purchased At: | Ebay - slightly used |
| Strengths: | The feel of the bike; light frame; great handling. |
| Weaknesses: | None |
| Similar Products Tried: | Specialized FCR; Giant AC Air |
| Bike Setup: | XT package; F100RLT; Fox R; Hayes El Camino Disk Brakes; Mavic Crossmax rims w/tubeless tires; Cane Creek headset; easton monkey light bars; |
| Bottom Line: | This bike is light and handles great. Loves to climb hills, go downhill and handles all types of terrain. I have been racing this bike for about 3 months and it has not let me down. I have taken several minutes of my lap times and have been riding longer and more often since the bike handles so well. I purchased this bike (slightly used) on Ebay from a person in Nevada. Expensive bike, however, there are several rewards with this bike. |
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnson City, TN
Date Reviewed: 7/19/2006 8:30:59 AM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | The one I'm riding |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $1100 |
| Purchased At: | Competitive Cyclist |
| Strengths: | Higher pivot point, plush suspension, integrated seatpost clamp, stupid light and most of all - svelte looks |
| Weaknesses: | Not made in the USA, cheesy integrated FSA headset (although it does add to the clean look of the headtube, I would rather have the option to install a Chris King), anodized paint would have been a nice option |
| Similar Products Tried: | Ventana Pantera, Ellsworth Truth (test ridden) |
| Bike Setup: | Fox F100, XTR cranks, XO rear, X-gen front, Crossmax Enduro wheels, Avid Juicy brakes |
| Bottom Line: | Given that I've only ridden this bike two times for a total of about 25 miles, this may be a premature posting, but I thought I would help spread the word. I'll try to follow up in another few months. After years of riding the Ventana single-point suspension, I decided to give the VPP design a shot. My first choice was the Intense Spider, but the price became an issue (just couldn't find a frame in my price range). I came across the Nov '05 Dirt Rag review on the BMC and found it interesting and helpful and decided to go with the Fourstroke 03. Not that tough of a decision considering it was about $800 cheaper than other comparable frames. At first, the suspension reminded me of the Ellsworth Truth I had test ridden years back and was unimpressed with (too spongy for my tastes). But after the first ride, I was convinced that the Swiss have really engineered a great design. (Perhaps I should have given the Ellsworth another chance?) The VPP, or APS as BMC has patented, is really a step up from the single pivot design. (I still love the Ventana -great company and great bikes- but I wanted to try something different.) I noticed right away that the suspension sucks up every little bump and still allows for efficient cranking on the hills. It does however seem to sag quite a bit under extreme torque when I'm out of the saddle, but that may be a setting issue with the rear shock. This bike flies on the downhill with extremely nimble handling - in other words, tight lines at top speed. Others have mentioned paint chipping and I too was a little concerned at first considering the "feel" of the paint surrounding the lightweight tubing, but have yet to have any issues. It has fallen over in the garage and had numerous rocks bounce off of it already and shows no signs of chipping/scratching. Only time will tell, but what the hell, it's a mountain bike and there should be signs of use. |
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Submitted by
Neil
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: 6/7/2006 12:04:40 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $3400 |
| Purchased At: | The Sports Garage |
| Strengths: | Exceptional climber, great value, very efficient design, Great looking bike, Flat black paint, they had a size that actually fit (6'5", 195lbs) |
| Weaknesses: | Won't clean itself |
| Similar Products Tried: | Test road (on trails) the Rocky Mountain ETSX 70, Santa Cruz Blur LT, Titus Motolite and Racer X, Yeti 575. |
| Bike Setup: | Fox Talus up front, Float R in the rear, Sram X9 components with the triggers, Mavic Tubeless with xt hubs,Python tires, Race Face Dues XC cranks, Easton Monkey Light XC bars, Hayes 9 Disc brakes w/ Carbon Levers. |
| Bottom Line: | This Bike is amazing, I have been able to climb more stuff on this than I could on my hardtail. I have owned it going on a month and a half and have had no complaints so far. I bought this bike to do some longer endurance rides, and I can honestly say that I couldn't be more satisfied with the ride. I trail rode a lot of high end bikes before selecting this one, which happened to be the least expensive of all. The BMC will pretty much handle anything you can throw at it, great bike, great value, and the chicks dig it (at least the guys at the shop told me that, I have yet to confirm, but I have gotten compliments from multiple roadies while riding to the trailhead). I think BMC got it right with their new advertising "Everything else is just a Blur." |
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Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver,BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: 6/3/2006 10:05:59 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | All over BC |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $1000 |
| Purchased At: | Mighty Riders via QBP |
| Strengths: | Frame is much lighter than my old GT XCR 3000 iDrive VPP design is so darn good on uphills! Got a lot of kudos from other riders on the trails |
| Weaknesses: | None really.. Downtube feels a little thin. |
| Similar Products Tried: | GT iDrive XCR 3000, Rocky Mountain Hammer Race, Giant ATX 780.. |
| Bike Setup: | BMC Fourstroke 3, Fox Forx Vanilla 100R, XT/XTR group, FSA XC 100 racing wheels and Avid V-brakes (for light weight) |
| Bottom Line: | When my GT iDrive frame finally bit the dust after close to 7 years of riding, I was out and about looking for a replacement bike. I was a little bit skeptical about the BMC brand even when the bike shop owner assured me that the frame is built for me and for my kind of ride. Still, I was very skeptical, but after doing a little of research and knowing that this is the most economical way of getting back into riding on the trails, I agreed to have one built for me with parts from my old GT. One my first ride, the bike pretty much erased all my skeptism. It performed so bloody well! In fact, I used to be creamed by hartail riders up a hill. Now, I can am creaming the same dudes on hill climbs because the VPP design is so damn good -- something I can't do with my GT. The bike felt fast too for the first time. Accelerating from stop to go didn't feel as sluggish as other dualies do. But where it shines the best is on fast single tracks with a fair amount of obstacles to go through. It felt fast, carves sharp turns like it corners on rails and is stable even through a rock garden. It also has a lower center of gravity, much more than the GT so you don't feel seated too high. This baby got racing genes! I just love this bike. With my current setup, I can race it. I think it begs to be raced and I planned to use it on my first off-road duathlon race. This is how confident I feel with this bike. |
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Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacamento, Ca
Date Reviewed: 6/2/2006 7:30:11 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $1100 |
| Purchased At: | QBP |
| Strengths: | Suspension is perfectly set for absorbing bumps but not leg power. Very stiff strong frame. The bearings at the pivot points ensure this. |
| Weaknesses: | As the last review states, "paint chips just looking at it." |
| Similar Products Tried: | Trek Fuel, Giant Trance, Demoed Santa Cruz Blur |
| Bike Setup: | Vanilla R Fork, Float R shock, Hayes Hyd brakes, Hone cranks, sram X.9 rear der, XT up front, sram PG 990 cassette, Macic CrossMAX wheels with WTB Weirwolf in front and Exiwolf in back |
| Bottom Line: | I wanted to try something new and was not disappointed in the engineering of the frame. The only real drawback I have is that I bought the frame a little large. This frame is perfect for the ridder who rides XC hard. It handles blowing down rocky trails and jumps with ease and on the flip side goes up hills just as easily with the VPP suspension. The CG is a little high making cornering difficult at times. Which got a lot better when I reduced the fork from 125mm to 100mm. The cornering woulld have been better if I had the right size as well. Great frame for the money. |
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Submitted by
randy chavez
a Cross Country Rider
from albuquerque
Date Reviewed: 4/22/2006 7:07:48 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Portal trail,Moab,Utah |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $1125 |
| Purchased At: | adrenalinebikes.com |
| Strengths: | advanced pivot point is dialed in better then any bikes of similar/same tecnology that I've ridden, now don't get me wrong I'd definatly own a NOMAD, but I'd probably go with the SuperStroke, like the ride and feel of the BMC. |
| Weaknesses: | paint chips just looking at it. |
| Similar Products Tried: | owned 2 Outland VPP's,test ridden Intense and Santa Cruz versions of VPP technology |
| Bike Setup: | Vanilla RLC up front,RP3 in the rear, Hayes hydraulics,Specialized Adrenaline2.2 up front and Nevegal 2.35 stick*E in the rear. Sram attack triggers,with Shimano XT derailers and Hollowtech2 crank. White Syncros FLR DS23's laced up to Phil Woods,WTB seat |
| Bottom Line: | The BEST Bike I've ever ridden or owned. Loved the OUTLANDS as they could flat get it. But they had that inherent bushing.pivot problem, lateral flex until the suspension was loaded, great bikes as I still have em and hope to some day figure out a way to remedy that flimsy backend. Love the VPP design........... BMC has made a name for themselves with their road bikes. So if a company can take that kind of PASSION and Swiss PRESISION and apply it to mountain bikes, building and improving on a solid suspension design why not give em a go. Man they have found the Sweet Spot. I couldn't afford their top of the line bike with carbon fiber twistalegs and Scandium, so I went with the 03 Fourstroker. Plus I could get a whole bike for the cost of one them other VPP bikes. Got the frame for 1125 and bought the 1/2 price 599.00 build kit and upgraded fork and brakes from AdrenalineBikes. Had a complete bike for under 2k. Slowly upgraded wheels and recently installed the 5" retrofit conversion kit from BMC. As the Superstroke wasn't available yet. The bike is AWESOME. I believe BMC isn't well known for their mtn bikes yet but once people see the quality and ride one these baby's they will be a company to contend with as they have a great product! |
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