Submitted by
Lyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Barbados Date Reviewed: June 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any I can find
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
$350
Strengths:
Strong frame, great geometry, nice colours. Adequately outfitted bike for someone who is either cutting their teeth on the trails or are just satisfied to make their tracks on the paved surfaces. Lighter 7005 aluminum makes it easier to move and quick on the trot.
Weaknesses:
Semi-slicks issued with bike not too reliable either on light trails or wet surfaces. Suntour 42T crank inadequate. Pedals ... phoo.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Shimano Deore LX Mega 9 system upgrade. Clipless pedals, Maxxis Instinct tires, suspension seatpost.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, smooth runner. Ideal starter to build on. The solid, well put together frame offers a near perfect model for the new mountain biker to mould into his or her perfect riding machine. The standard issue parts - Shimano Acera shifters, derailleur and so on - are not bad for the uninitiated, but for the rider who has had experience with components from the higher end of the market an upgrade would be in order sooner than later. Since the frame alone is pretty near worth more than half the price paid for the bike at the outset, you can't lose even if you upgrade right off the bat anyway. It's a darn good investment however you look at it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jack Cameron
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia Falls, Montana, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Lion Lake trail head
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Bike Easy
Strengths:
Crank arms, Head tube (no annoying stress cracks), weight.
Weaknesses:
pedals, suspension, handle bars, CrMo Seat bars.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 2300,
Bike Setup:
WTB cross country seat, Haro big block pedals, Panaracer DH Fire Pros', Deore shifters
Bottom Line:
The perfect bike for a light weight beginner or a seasoned pro. Snatch one up quick because they're all gonna look the same in a few years. A light, affordable, go anywhere tank of a bike? What more could a person ask for! I usually destroy bikes and components and this bike has really held up, so far...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MC Yukkha
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Squaws leap
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
durability, control and all around ability of the bike. Not afraid to lay it into logs or trees when needed, which reminds me, rims tweek easier then others.
Weaknesses:
pedals, shocks, crankset(I tweaked mine)
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn-hate em all GT-soft tail-nice but someimes impractical
Bike Setup:
Cooks crankset, control tech bars
Bottom Line:
Good deal on a great bike, frame is worth it, durable, takes a beating and I have no regrets. Ideal for majority of the riders out there. Guys who only get out 3-5 times a month and want to get serious about riding. Try to swap shocks if at all possible though, if not, it's better then nothing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Jongsma
a Weekend Warrior
from Newmarket Ont Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:
?All of them
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Frame everything
Weaknesses:
only pedals
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
stock Except r/derailleur STX+rim tire upgrade
Bottom Line:
AWSOME Best bike out there for the cash Big difference from My coooool SUPERCYCLE I would give it 10/5 But I can't!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
peter
a Cross-Country Rider
from lisburn Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
great handling, i love the bikes geometry. who can bost RSTs and an alloy frame for £250 unbraded Vs are powerfull
Weaknesses:
acera r mech could be better stem s post bb hubs are pathetcly small and tyres are slicks.
Bike Setup:
origional spec
Bottom Line:
it looks so good, with the ballburnished frame
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross-Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
all pretty good
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great frame, Shimano acera setup is also good, brakes, grips not bad
Weaknesses:
NOTHIING THAT I CAN SEE FOR THE MONEY.
Similar Products Used:
My first real decent bike.
Bike Setup:
7005 alloy frame with RST suspension.
Bottom Line:
Absolute class, even though its my first real good bike I can still tell, as I have tried some other budget bikes and the kickes them all. The suspension could be better but is nat a weakness, it does the job well. Frame is brill and is easily upgradable. BUY IT NOW ITS ONLY £300!!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Parker
a Racer
from Washougal WA Date Reviewed: August 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Columbia dirt jumps
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
Aluminum frame, cheap way to get into mt. biking.
Weaknesses:
Bars, BB, seat, pedals, rims. Can't complain for the price. A normal rider should be happy.
Similar Products Used:
GT karokoram, many BMX. I have 24 yrs hard riding experience.
Bike Setup:
sun mammouth,profile maniac bars, short stem, race face bb, FSA cranks, new rings w 46t, small kev seat, mythos tires, BMX pedals
Bottom Line:
By far the best bike for the buck. Excellent frame, very stiff, handles great. Easily upgradable. I've downhill raced (2nd place) and busted 30' triples on my bike and love it. The RST 260 forks are cheap and will soon be replaced on my bike for some '98 Judy xl's.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Sugar Bottom (IA)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Frame Kenda Kwik Tires
Weaknesses:
Pedals
Similar Products Used:
Trek 830 AL Diamondback Sorrento SE Raleigh M55
Bike Setup:
Shimano Acera Components RST 260 Suspension
Bottom Line:
Bike has great feel & balance. Great bike to start with and as you progress it can be easily upgraded. Even though this bike can be considered a begining bike, it can handle technical single track rides without complaints. No matter how hard you look you can not beat the bang for the buck you will get out of this bike. Invest in different pedals with clips & straps immediately when you buy.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from California Date Reviewed: August 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Wooded area with roots and obsticals
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
7005 aluminum frame comfortable to ride rst260 shocks are good shimano components
Weaknesses:
Direct pull brakesno clips or straps
Similar Products Used:
None
Bottom Line:
You get a lot of bike for your money, It weighs about 28 lbs. but for a beginer thats good
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luis Rodríguez
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Juan, Puerto Rico Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Cambalache Rain Forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Exellent frame, feels comfortable when seated or standover. Easy to handle.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
GT Ricochett
Bike Setup:
Haro 7.0 (17.5) TX TXR components,mavic rims, Panaracer XC 2.1, Roch Shox XC Indy and suspension seat post, Avid brakes, FSA headset and Icon cockpit, logic clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
Haro 7.0 is an exellent bike for an upgrade. Is a lot of bike for the money.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Elmhurst, IL Date Reviewed: June 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light ,great acceleration, solid
Weaknesses:
Seat Pedals
Similar Products Used:
Trek Cannondale
Bottom Line:
Best value for the Weekend Warrior. Nice looking
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Billington
a Weekend Warrior
from Detroit, Michigan Date Reviewed: May 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
love em' all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This bike is realy light and has good components for the price.
Weaknesses:
The pedles are cheap and the suspention could be better.
Similar Products Used:
GT Backwoods
Bottom Line:
If u are looking for a light hard tail with reasonable components for a cheap price this is where it is at. If u realy want this bike to last though, I sujest upgradeing the shocks.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Landreville
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: May 7, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
The frame and componantry for the price.
Weaknesses:
Pedals, Seat
Similar Products Used:
GT Agressor Trek 830AL Gary Fisher Marlin
Bottom Line:
When you compare this bike to the Trek or Gary Fisher its a no-brainer. I paid 305.00 and the componants are at the same level as what you would get for 100.00 more with the other bikes I tried. The frame is incredible the fit and finish is excellent, it does not feel like a 300.00 bike. It rides well there really isn't anything bad I can say about it. To get a difference worth anything you would have to spend at least 200.00 more. I really wanted the 7.2, but there is a shortage on 15.5 inch frames, so I settled with the 7.0 and have no regrets. You can not go wrong with this bike.
Overall Rating:
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