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Ibex Bicycles
Asta Comp X7
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Average Rating
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4.88/5
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# of Reviews
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8
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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Description:
- Frame: Triple-Butted 6069 Aluminum
- Fork: Rock Shox Tora 318 Air 100mm Travel
- Rear Shock: Rock Shox Ario 2.2 Air
- Shifters: SRAM X7 Trigger
- Crankset: TruVativ Firex 3.1
- Chain: KMC Z9200
- Rims: Sun DS2-XC Rims
- Hubs: Novatec 4/2 Sealed Bearing Hubs
- Headset: Cane Creek S-3
- Saddle: WTB Pure V Race
- Pedals: SPD Clipless
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Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Cambridge, MA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | Price, great component set, solid frame, smooth fast suspension, good geometry | | Weaknesses: | Tires, weak seatpost, somewhat heavy, no test ride | | Similar Products Used: | Spec FSR XC, Spec Hardrock, old Trek 930 SS | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Panaracer Fire XC tires, Spec Comp saddle | | Bottom Line: | This is an amazing bike for the price, and is a total blast to ride. Assembly was very simple with all the tools needed for assembly provided, although the cables were crossed (a quick fix) and the front dérailleur was out of whack when it first arrived. The 18" fit me surprisingly well at my height of 6'11", and I prefer the longer cockpit this bike has over some other FS bikes I tried. Plus, this is one sweet looking bike!
The suspension works well after a bit of fine-tuning, and is buttery-smooth, although the front fork is really noisy on a low rebound setting. There is slightly noticeable bob - especially on hills - but the lockout fixes this (although a platform shock would be nice).
As far as ride handling goes, it it quick and responsive. I quickly realized its no featherweight - a big transition from my 24lb singlespeed. Hills are a bit tougher, but it really shines on the descent where it instills tons of confidence. Shifting is super smooth once you get used to the push-push style shifting which really frustrated me at first. The BB7 brakes hardly needed any adjustment, and worked flawlessly.
The only other niggle I have is the weak seatpost. It creaks, it slips, the collar doesn't hold it in place. I am just waiting for a good excuse to replace it. I also quickly realized that the tires were terrible for my loamy and rocky terrain and quickly swapped them.
Overall this is a great bike at an amazing price. While it is a bit of a risk ordering sight-unseen, the customer service is great and the components are all top-notch, nothing skimped on here (except maybe the seatpost and tires...). If you want a lot of bike for little cash, go for the Asta! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Aviano, Italy
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | Ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | Easy to assemble, great components, and lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any problems yet. | | Similar Products Used: | First bike so i really wouldn't know. | | Bike Setup: | Took a couple of hours to set-up but bike comes with easy instructions. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is the bike is incredble for the price. Being in the military it is really hard to find anyone who can actually ship a bike. Not only did that ship the bike but it arrived in 7 DAYS! I recommend this bike to anyone who wants a great bike for a great price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BW
a Racer
from Arkansas
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ibex.com | | Strengths: | Great part mix. Love the Sram X7 stuff. Even came with pedals. Price. | | Weaknesses: | Other than having to break-in the air fork and shock, none I have found. I wouldnt say that was really a weakness, just a waiting game. Rear wheel a little heavy. The Maxxis ignitors had to go. | | Similar Products Used: | First FS owned. I have ridden may different brands though. I picked this bike up because a SS is tough going beyond 30 miles. | | Bike Setup: | Stock other than the Michelin tires I added. | | Bottom Line: | It seemed sluggish at low speeds at first, but a tire change and it came alive. I havent figured that one out yet but it seemed to lose momentum easily. Different tires.....whole new beast. I dropped the bars down the stem an inch or two and it put me right where I needed to be. Levels rough trail with almost no bob in the saddle or out, even without the latest stable platform shock. Had to wait for the fork and shock to break-in but after that found my air pressure settings and I was off. LOVE the SRAM shifting. Glad it came with this brand or I may have never known what I was missing. LOVE the BB7 Avid discs as well. Bought a air pump with the bike for 20 bucks (from Ibex) It even comes with pedals and a decent pedal wrench. Oh yeah, a cool little multi-tool also. I ordered it online, and in just a few days it was on my front porch. Took me just about 30 minutes to put it together. If I do upgrade something in the future it will probably be the hub set. The rear wheel feels a little heavy. Other than that its a blast to ride and will keep you out on the trail for extended rides. Great bike. Great price.
BW | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Gahanna, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Alum Creek Phase 1 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | IBEX.COM | | Strengths: | Light weight and very nimble. Climbs very good for a FS bike. Amazing components for the price. The overall workmanship seems very good. The frame design and geometry fit what I use the bike for. I'm not a fan of red but this actually looks pretty nice. | | Weaknesses: | I would like to see more color options but that isn't really much different with most bike companies. I wouldn't want to see the pricing impacted as a result either.
You can't try it out before you buy it since it is an Internet only sales channel. This ended up not being an issue for me but it is something to consider.
You don't get the free tune-ups/adjustments like when you buy from a LBS but it is teaching me how to do the work myself. I am finding it isn't that difficult and I actually enjoy it. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Wing Elite - FS
Trek 430
Spec Rockhopper Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A great bike at a great value. The IBEX rider community is one of the things that really sold me on taking a chance on the brand/bike. I couldn't be happier with my decision. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vance Bowman
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenville, SC USA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Value. Components. Overall Quality | | Weaknesses: | Can't really think of any. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is my first mountain bike and I could not be more pleased with my purchase. Since it was ordered online, I did have to do some minor assembly. Specifically, I had to install the front wheel, handlebars, (which had all the components preinstalled), seat (which came preinstalled on the seatpost), and the pedals. The bike came with all the paperwork for each shock and the Avid brakes.
On my first ride, one of my friends commented on how well put together it was. He noticed that they even used teflon coated cables, instead of the standard uncoated. So, literally, down to the wires, Ibex has not cut any corners on this bike. Everything is up to par with everything else on it. The Avid Mechanical Disc brakes are solid, both shocks are air shocks, and therefore smooth and infinitely adjustable (both shocks can be locked out on the fly). It has SRAM shifters, which I love because it allows me to keep my index finger on the brakes.
As to the overall performance, I don't really have anything to compare it with, since I've never owned anything else and my skill as a mountain biker would be considered beginner. So my comments here will be based on observation rather than experience. I would definitely say that the bike is targeted for cross-country riders. It's seating position is somewhat relaxed for long rides. That is about the only non-relative-to-my-skill-level thing I say about its performance.
Overall, an excellent quality, solid bike for the money. I would definitely give it your serious consideration. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Tracy
a Weekend Warrior
from The Woodlands,TX,USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Memorial Park, Hunstville State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | ibex.com | | Strengths: | Great value!!! | | Weaknesses: | Tube tires, not sure if I like the shifters, & it a bit heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Gt I-drive, K2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I just use this bike for road and trail use only. It's more of a cross training thing as running is my main sport. Anyway, this bike serves my needs at a great price and the folks at Ibex couldn't be more helpful. BTW, I feel myself challenging myself to do more and more extreme jump and downhill and the bike handles very well. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from North KIngstown, Rhode Island, USA
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Breakheart | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1058.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.ibexbikes.com/ | | Strengths: | Great bike for the money. I like the SRAM 7 drive chain. Rock Shox suspensions front and back are splendid. Avid BB-7 Disc Brakes are fantastic. Maxxis Ignitor 26" x 2.10 tires grip well, but may be a little narrow for the sand I ride in. | | Weaknesses: | SRAM X7 Trigger shifters aren't as easy to use as Shimano's. Pedals aren't rugged but seem to be doing the job. I worried about the stitching on the WTB Pure V Race saddle cutting me- hasn't happened. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic bike. Great value. Solid XC performer. I had a minor issue- Ibex are great to deal with. If you know what you want and are eager to save money- go Ibex. I chose the Astra Comp X7 based on price point and outstanding components. I couldn't be happier. This is a fine, inexpensive mount that will delight a serious XC rider. Not for racers, but did you expect that at a $1,000? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RCook
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines, Ia, USA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Denmans Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1032.00 | | Purchased At: | Online ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | Price, components at this price level are excellent. Full SRAM X7 drivetrain is great. Great customer service, quick email/forum response. | | Weaknesses: | SRAM's dual thumb shifting is not Shimano's thumb and finger, duh. It's only a weakness because I'm not used to it. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode a Fisher Cake 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock as far as the bike is concerned. I added an under seat pack and water bottle/cage. | | Bottom Line: | For my first FS bike the Asta X7 is quite the ride. I knew I wanted a FS rig but after looking what I knew, Gary Fisher bikes, and then looking around in a similar price range I found Ibex. Simply what it comes down to is Ibex offers a much higher spec for similar money when compared to most other companies. For $1K I couldn't find another manufacturer that didn't cut corners on some part of the bike to satisfy a target price. If your looking to upgrade to a FS rig but don't want to break the bank take a look at Ibex.
Beyond money...
Having never ridden a FS before this has been quite the adjustment from hardtail. So far I'm very happy with how it rides, I still need to tweak it a bit to work with me better but all in all I'm quite pleased.
I need to put some miles on it before I can make a fully qualified report but initial impressions are good so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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