Submitted by
Damian Bradley
a Recreational Rider
from Kingston ON Canada
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2002
Strengths: The frame is a work of art. Stiff and beefy enough to take the punishment of some serious off-road riding. And the PRICE!
Weaknesses: Stiff is good, but it might be a little bit too harsh for some. Personally I like it, and with a good saddle / seatpost, I'm comfortable with the ride. Gearing, but that's my fault!
Bottom Line:
Amazing bike. I picked this up a frameset, that is the 2000 s-works CX frame and Kinesis Croslite fork for $350 usd. What a steal! I built it up with a mixture of new ('00) components and stuff from my '85 road bike. I also picked up a second (ultrgra) wheelset for quick switch to road riding. It takes less than 5 minutes to swap the wheels and adjust the brakes (different rims). Everything came in at around $900 USD including the second set of wheels. This bike is so versatile! I have ridden every trail that I have on my MTB (got rid of it BTW) with no complaints from the bike. Beefy wheels help out in the rough stuff, and the ritchey tires are absolutely fantastic, and as light as you could want. Swap the wheels and its an ultra efficient road ride, and somewhere in the vacinity of ~20lbs. I love the laterally solid frame. When cranking on the sprints it feels like all the power is hitting the pavement. Frame build is great, the colour scheme rocks (not trendy), and it can do everything you want it to. I keep up with the suckers on their dual suspension bikes on the trails, and that suits me just fine. This bike saved me so much money, since its the only one I need. I'm a strong climber, and I find the 42-30 combo is just a little too tall a gear for the MOST technical climbs.
I can't reccomend Cyclocross bikes enough. If you want an efficient, fast, fun, stiff, economical and totally versatile ride, check out a cross bike, and specifically, check out this beauty. It's a keeper.
Similar Products Used: My custom mountain bike that I slowly and sub-consciously tried to convert into road bike (light weight, minimalist tires, etc..)
Bike Setup: 2000 Specialized S-works CX frame, Kinesis Crosslite fork, dia-compe road levers, TTT bar, 1996 LX R
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Damian Bradley
a Recreational Rider
from Kingston ON Canada
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2002
Strengths: The frame is a work of art. Stiff and beefy enough to take the punishment of some serious off-road riding. And the PRICE!
Weaknesses: Stiff is good, but it might be a little bit too harsh for some. Personally I like it, and with a good saddle / seatpost, I'm comfortable with the ride. Gearing, but that's my fault!
Bottom Line:
Amazing bike. I picked this up a frameset, that is the 2000 s-works CX frame and Kinesis Croslite fork for $350 usd. What a steal! I built it up with a mixture of new ('00) components and stuff from my '85 road bike. I also picked up a second (ultrgra) wheelset for quick switch to road riding. It takes less than 5 minutes to swap the wheels and adjust the brakes (different rims). Everything came in at around $900 USD including the second set of wheels. This bike is so versatile! I have ridden every trail that I have on my MTB (got rid of it BTW) with no complaints from the bike. Beefy wheels help out in the rough stuff, and the ritchey tires are absolutely fantastic, and as light as you could want. Swap the wheels and its an ultra efficient road ride, and somewhere in the vacinity of ~20lbs. I love the laterally solid frame. When cranking on the sprints it feels like all the power is hitting the pavement. Frame build is great, the colour scheme rocks (not trendy), and it can do everything you want it to. I keep up with the suckers on their dual suspension bikes on the trails, and that suits me just fine. This bike saved me so much money, since its the only one I need. I'm a strong climber, and I find the 42-30 combo is just a little too tall a gear for the MOST technical climbs.
I can't reccomend Cyclocross bikes enough. If you want an efficient, fast, fun, stiff, economical and totally versatile ride, check out a cross bike, and specifically, check out this beauty. It's a keeper.
Similar Products Used: My custom mountain bike that I slowly and sub-consciously tried to convert into road bike (light weight, minimalist tires, etc..)
Bike Setup: 2000 Specialized S-works CX frame, Kinesis Crosslite fork, dia-compe road levers, TTT bar, 1996 LX R
Strengths: great frame, great grouppo, strong wheels, specialized quality
Weaknesses: canti brakes, shop build
Bottom Line:
strong, fast ride. realizing the limitations of a cross bike (it ain't a mtn bike, gotta be cool on descending) this is a great combo bike. on the road i pace toads and pass cruisers then freak em when i drop off on a fire road or other rough surface. hit the trails and go like hell although the rigidity takes getting used to. the brakes suck (canti just don't cut it) and the shop put on the wrong free hub but otherwise this is a fun, versatile ride. couple this with a nice mtn bike and you have covered every ride out there.
Submitted by
Johnny Blood
a
from Chandler, Arizona
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2001
Strengths: I have the 2001 CX A1 frame, which is almost the same as the S-Works, just not swagged and butted as much. Frame is lightweight but not harsh. Steering is quick, but still stable enough for rough downhill sections.
Weaknesses: Bike comes stock with Tiagra components, which is O.K. for most applications. If you wanna race, ya gotta upgrade. Hideous brown color ain't exactly Specialized colors. If you like to drink Black & Tans, you'll groove on this color scheme.
Bottom Line:
Have been riding cross bikes in the mountains of Arizona and commuting on them for about 5 years now. Anyone tells you it's a smooth ride is lying thru their teeth. Rigid bikes with 65-75 psi in the tires will loosen your teeth on rough trails, which is all there is in the phoenix area. It's a change of pace though, and it's a blast. This Specialized has great geometry for twisty stuff and climbing, but can also head straight downhill without too much fear. The bike built up at 21lbs. with normal parts, and could go lighter with pricier goods, which helps when portage time arrives. Don't ride the pavement as much as dirt, but it rolls quicker than MTB with slicks and still hops curbs and avoids angry motorist. If you want a bike that can go anywhere (if you don't mind a little hiking), and is race-ready all the time, a cross bike is for you. If you want great handling, workmanship, and attention to detail then the Specialized is for you.
Similar Products Used: Have rode Jake the Snake, 'Dale XR's, and some home-made versions that don't bear mention.
Bike Setup: Got the frame from a friend and built up with Ultegra & XT parts. Use a 34t chainring up front instead of the standard 39t so I can get into the mountains farther with minimal walking (mountain bike mentality).
Strengths: Woah, Momma what a fine bike. S-works and XTR!
Weaknesses: not a fan of the body geometry saddles, but whatever
Bottom Line:
S-works quality, light weight and XTR create a syre fire champ. Very good handeling. Like the 1 1/8" steerer tube, much easier to fine tune the stem size. Just a great bike w/great parts, even down to the ultralite tubes.
put on a pair of Spinergy Spox and you have the baddest thing on 2 wheels.
