Price Paid:
$1000.00
at mtbr.com marketplace Favorite Ride:
Markham Park Bike Setup:
Votec fork, sachs components, formula disc brakes, Risse Astro-5, XT rear derailer after the plasma blew up. Summary:
Even though I got the bike for cheap, I can't wait to get rid of it. The riding experience of this bike is very weird. First thing you notice is that it feels like a tank. Steers slow and doesn't accelerate easily. Also the riding possition makes you feel like the seat is too low even when it is super high. Next thing you notice is that you are already tired, even though you have barely started the trail. The front fork is both lateraly stiff and buttery smooth without being overly pillowy. The rear end bobs very little, but remains very harsh a lot like a hardtail; but then you realized that it must be doing something otherwise it would not bottom out so much.
It should be noted that even if you are the best rider in your group by a good amount; you will be left behind. This is due to the horrible geometry, feels like a road bike. When you ride it cross country, it feels like it is more of a downhill bike. Then you ride in some of the more difficult trails that have decent drops and you realize that it can't handle anything more than an ordinary hardtail. This is not one of those dual suspension bikes that flies on the drops. When you come to one of those drops that have steps on it, do yourself a favor a walk the bike down. I have never ridden anything so willing to send you over the bars.
I am not going to rant too much about the components because those can be changed quite easily. However, you should know that my rear derailer blew up on my first ride. The pedals are awkward clipless on one side and platform on the other. The stock wheels are the heaviest I have seen by a good margin. This is probably the reason the bike is so slow.
I don't want to sound like an a-- that can say noting good about the bike. The truth is that I have been riding bikes for a long time, I have also been racing Porsche's road cars for a while. I had been waiting for a while to buy one of their mountain bikes to match my cars. When I finally got it I was dissapointed beyond belief. In all truth the bike rides exactly like my friends P.O.S. $250 WalMart Mongoose. Only buy the bike if you are not interested in the performance aspect of riding.
Value: 1 because it is expensive as f--- for what you get.
Overall: 2 because it looks awesome and will probably last forever. But you would be much better off with a Jekyll, Truth, Sugar, Rocket 88, FSR, or just about any other of the well established makes.
Strengths:
Bulletproof construction, formula disc brakes rock, gets a lot of attention. Votec front shock rivals best in industry. Weaknesses:
HEAVY at 29lbs but feels even heavier. Geometry not suited to any off road riding. Has the uncany ability to make you tired in very short periods of time. Rear suspension is not very active. PRICE Similar Products Used:
Everything from Cannondale; FSRxc; Ellsworth truth; K2; Just about everything.
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