The first thing you'll notice is this bike is absolutely beautiful. The craftsmanship, the unique custom paint.....it's a work of art and people comment on it often. The ride characteristics of this bike are superb. It is fairly lightweight and lively like a good steel frame should be.

Mine is an older Cyclocross 'Dirt Shark' built for 700c wheels and it doesn't have the bowed seat stays like the later ones but it still absorbs shock very nicely. It is stable yet very responsive. My Shark won't reward sloppy riding but an experienced cyclist can squeeze a great deal of performance out of this ride.

I call this a Mtn Cross bike because it's set up with disc brakes, carbon fork, 40mm tires, flat bars and a Softride stem. I know all you drop bar, canti brake purists will cringe but I use it for multi-terrain rides and can ride it like a mtn bike for the most part. I set this thing up to perform for me, not to be a purist weenie and I often zip past mtn bikers on the dirt and the pavement because this bike is so efficient. There is nothing like the fit and balance of a custom bicycle. Steel frames can be modified and repaired unlike aluminum or carbon.

The cost might be a negative for some but you really get-what-you-pay-for when you buy a custom frame. If you consider the ride quality, the longevity and the way you'll be more motivated to ride such a great bicycle then it really is worth the cost.

I'm 50 yrs old and have been riding bikes off road since I was 10. I've owned many fine bicycles over the years and this Shark is my all time favorite. A custom fillet brazed frame has 'soul' that production frames lack.

Landshark craftmanship. Full custom frameset, from the tube choice down to the paint scheme. Light weight, high-end steel frame and fork with snappy handling off road. The frame is also extremely well balanced from front to back, which provides confidence when riding at high speed on rough terrain. Landshark was even able to ovalize the top tube exactly where my hand grabs it when transitioning - fits like a glove and offers a no slip advantage when covered in wet mud. It is the little extra touches and considerations that make this frame and fork so suberb. The Landshark is made for those purists who love the ride characteristics of steel, and, beauty aside, it is an advanced enough frame to win over new fans who formerly rode carbon, aluminum or ti.

If you are in a rush to get your new cross bike, Landshark might not be the best choice. The time from custom measurement to final product can be a while, but the wait is well worth it. Also if you are concerned about beating the bike up, or need a second bike for heavy cross racing, the price of the Landshark can be an obstacle. If you are used to stiff road frames, and plan to use this bike on the road somewhat, be aware that the rear triangle is more pliant than a standard road frame. This is a pure cross bike, not an all-rounder.

The Landshark frameset is a conversation piece no matter where it goes. The filet brazing is impeccable, and unfortunately a dying art. John Slawta, the builder, stands by his craftmanship with a lifetime guarantee and the custom paint schemes are amazing. If you live in the North West of America, Landshark is a legendary name and these frames are coveted by all for good reason. I was quite shocked at the light weight of this steel bike. My frame measures roughly 59cm along the seat tube from center to top, which is relatively big. The entire bike with a steel frame and fork weighs in at 20 pounds. One could built it lighter still with a carbon fork, etc, but I have found this to be a perfect combination, weight-wise - it is light enough to portage and beefy enough to track well in rough terrain. All this with the riding quality of steel. After a few months of riding this bike, I have resigned myself to the reality of probably never riding my mountain bike again. The smile that comes over me when I pass by a mountainbiker on the flats, an ascent, and many descents as well, is just too priceless. I had been only riding on the road for many years and was at the point where I no longer felt confortable riding a mountain bike. A cross bike was the right idea to get me back in the woods. It will take me quite some time until I am at a point where this bike is being ridden at the full height of it''s ability.

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I have raced my Slingshot road bike, with thin cross tires a few times, but this is my first true cross bike that has the clearance to handle gunk and can be carried correctly. I have tested the Canno