Strengths: the carbon forks and seatpost help a lot to reduce road chatter (especially the roads up near Glasgow), while the alu frame has a quick responding rear and builds into a lightweight bike (mine is 105 and about 19lb) the steering is quicker than I'm used to but without being unstable, and the forks track well despite the comment below. bit different from the crowd
Weaknesses: the carbon forks flex more (fore-aft) than say steel or alu forks would, which can be a bit off putting when climbing hard. frame has a little side to side flex when compared to my ultra stiff steel bike, not really a weakness, as it doesn't adversely effect the ride. bit different from the crowd very nickable
Overall: nice looking, well thought out bike. stiff in the right places and compliant in the others. good positioning encourages speed and delivers. point and go. steering can be a bit of a shock when moving from bike to bike, but only takes a short while to become acustomed to.
Weaknesses: not the best of the Pace stable, the RC35's were better. but they didn't have 90mm travel. air does leak if you leave them unused for a while
Overall: Mine only had to go back once, and Pace have a quick turnaround. I have had the pro class 1's which went back 4 times in total before being sorted properly. so these are better than those. the air spring will leak, but that's what you'd expect of a low pressure system, higher pressures tend to force the seals into their housings and seal moreso (up to a point) certainly better than rockshox, and lighter than most bombers. wouldn't want to see how long it would take to get any of those serviced and sorted. wouldn't choose anything else
Strengths: lightweight, flexy comfort, minimal padding does a very good job along with the hollow Ti rails makes trails less harsh than any flite I've ridden
Weaknesses: could take some getting used to after a lardy big padded seats.
Overall: one of the most comfy seats I've used. top
Strengths: Ride, ride and ride, climbs exceptionally well, rear tracks well, absorbes a lot of trail noise. strong as an ox, don't think it'll break in a hurry.
Weaknesses: heavier than most ti bikes, welds not as neat and tidy as, say a merlin ti, but it's half the price. top tube is a bit flexy, which takes a bit of time to get used to, but is an actual advantage in carving and pushing the bike into corners, just takes a while to get used to it.
Overall: copperslip any threads and go ride that baby, the money you save on this bike will mean you can afford those top notch wheels and the lighter bits of kit so the extra 1/2 lb won't make a difference. not noticable weight disadvantage coming from a 22.5lb alu HT to a 23.5lb airborne, I go faster for longer on the airborne
'functional trail fork, lightweight and shock absorbing'
Strengths: reduced trail vibration, a lot of 'give'. Lightwieght and unfussy. steer well
Weaknesses: Too much flex for some, no disc mounts, eyelets can be limited (depending on the age). probably not strong enough for trials, unless super smooth.
Overall: It's a rigid trail fork, the choice of many a hardcore ridgy, and singlespeeders. Top marks for standing the test of time!! The trail vibration soaking qualities of this fork are superbe. Not much else to say really, just a damn good fork for all you retro grouches.
Strengths: hooks up superbly in loose dirt, and on hardpacked trails. Lightweight, round carcass cusions well and rolls fantastically.
Weaknesses: doesn't do mud very well, the close knobs clog fairly easily in claggy mud, seems Ok in wet mud but as soon as it starts to dry out you're riding a slick.
Overall: Excellent XC summer/dry weather tyre, fast rolling, lightweight, just ster clear of the claggy stuff.
Strengths: lightweight, Probably the tightest tolerances to be found on the planet!! either Winter (red) or Summer (black) sealed bearings available. Lasts ages (I get through XT BB's in 3 months - I've had this one for over a year without having to change the bearings)
Weaknesses: Ti axles can snap, but not often. need royce tool, and the threads in your bb shell running through.
Overall: This is the best bit of kit I've bought ever. well worthwhile, saved me buying loads of bb's not sure why I get through so many, but the Royce fixed it. Bearings are super smooth and the manufacturing quality is second to none.
Strengths: Mint sauce. Keeps the Martins in the public eye?? adverts. Classifieds
Weaknesses: everything else.
Overall: A fine example of how media influences the masses. great if you are about 12, and know nothing else about mtbing but the exclusive hoppity hop, dooonhilly world. Mint sauce is the only thing that captures the true spirit of mountanbiking, long live Jo Burt
