Strengths: A very compliant ride. The thin steel tubes take the edge off sharp bumps. Steering is fairly neutral. The weight is fairly low while not sacrificing strength. Looks good in white, and is easy to clean.
Weaknesses: Paint chips very easily.
Overall: A good frame. Not great at anything, but good at everything. Up, down and on the flat, it feels lively and responsive, yet comfortable and controlable at the same time. Good value.
Strengths: Long travel that feels short when you need it to. Handles climbs and descents with equal ease. Handles superbly on corners. Very stif laterally. Very plush travel.
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket threads aren't cut perfectly, and can easily cross thread if you're not careful, (I wasn't).
Overall: A brilliant all round bike that handles anything you can throw at it. I wouldn't change it for the world!
'Strong and virtually unbreakable rim for downhillers'
Strengths: Incredibly strong. Wide for a good tyre profile. Looks good (ok, not that important).
Weaknesses: Heavy. Wide proflie increases tyre drag.
Overall: An excellent rim for downhillers, tamdems and Clydesdales. Builds into almost indestructable wheels if built carefully. I've only seen one rim damaged in 2 years, (small dent in the sidewall). Not ideal for the weight conscious, but not as hefty as some downhill rims out there.
Strengths: Very strong and vell padded. Nothing gets through to your shins.
Weaknesses: Very bulky, Don't fit under tighter DH pants. Gets very sweaty very quickly. Velcro fastening can be a bit scratchy. Stitching not as strong as it could be.
Overall: These pads offer good protection, but can be a bit uncomfortable to wear. Also, they can squirm if your legs aren't quite the right shape for them. Stitching has come apart in places after a year's abuse.
Strengths: Very plush action, and a useful range of adjustability. Doesn't weigh much for a coil/oil fork. Looks amazing.
Weaknesses: A small amount of play in the pushings after bedding in. Non re-useable circlips.
Overall: A very good fork for the money, with an action that takes out everything from small pebbles to foot high rocks. Much stiffer than pervious versions i.e. RC36 EVO I. Although the troublesome tiny headed bolts have gone, they have been replaced by circlips, which Pace say you should not re-use. This isn't much of an issue though as you should only rarely need to take them apart, due to the grease ports. The range of damping adjustment is spot on, but without the extremes that can cause cartridges to blow, ie. even the slowest setting is still reasonably fast compared to some other manufacturers forks. The wide, sculpted crown and carbon legs give the fork the look of an engineering work of art. Overall, this is an excelent fork, let down only by the circlips, if you're a fettler!
