Strengths: Handles superbly, suspension linkage puts down a massive amount of traction and seems to ramp the shock movement nicely. Forks are plush and the finishing kit is great, especially the Raceface Evolve seatpost. Good comfy saddle is a bonus.
Sram shifters and rear derrailleur are great and shifting is crisp even under pressure(after you sort the cabling!).
Raceface cranks look the dogs and shift nicely, seem nice and stiff too.
Wheels are nice and strong and the rims are wide enough to take a bigger tyre without any problems.
Formula brakes are great performers...Good modulation and plenty of power, good to have 180mm on the front too. Noisy at first but a couple of rides soon sorts them.
Especially nice seeing as it was on sale at Merlin for £1699 and then 10% discount on top. Total £1530 - an absolute Bargain!
Weaknesses: Maxxis High rollers aren't great in the mud, swap 'em out for some 2.25 cinders. They are however great everywhere else, rocks, hardpack, grass...
Exposed cabling on the downtube soon clags up and causes some unpleasant moments with the shifting. Fit some XTR gear cables to stop the problem and bring back those nice crisp shifts.
Overall: 10/10 for value especially at the price I paid for it. Gets a 5 for value at this price point.
Reliability is only let down by the poor cable outer choice on the downtube (ferrules didn't seem to be sealed types) which caused me no end of messing around trying to sort the shifting until I realised the cables where to blame.
Strengths: Reasonably stiff, well behaved damping. ETA function is superb. Alloy steerer certainly cuts down on weight.
Weaknesses: I didn't get anywhere like 120mm of travel, more like 95mm, despite my best efforts 120mm of travel out of these forks seems like a pipe dream. Decals self destructed at or before the time of purchase (And they were brand new in box). At least I managed to get new ones under warranty. Internal rebound adjust is a royal pain in the ass. Not warrantied for use with rotors over 6". Too light weight for the way I descend the local rocky trails really. Why are they supposedly hardcore XC but Marzocchi say no jumps, or drops of any height on the warning sticker?
Overall: Considering these are really just a midges above entry level they aren't too bad. At the time I purchased these I bought the Recons first and returned them and aspired to the Revelations. I wish I'd stuck with the Recons or (I have since bought a set of Revelations) stumped up the extra £120 for the Revs.
For someone looking for entry level XC forks without hucks, jumps or drops these are fine. Any one else take your money and move along.
Strengths: Super light. Very well made piece of kit.
Weaknesses: None.
Overall: A super light adaptor which I think is even lighter than the rotor bolts it replaces. Very strong and looks the business. Haven't had it long enough to rate reliabilty but judging by the quality I can't see it doing anything silly. Makes it quick easy to swap out rotors - no more seized torx head bolts to chew out.
Strengths: Great positive clip action. Good "indexed" adjustment lets you get all the clips the same tension. Small size. Hard wearing and look great.
Weaknesses: None found so far. Even the price- they're constantly on Ebay for around £16 plus shipping.
Overall: A great introduction to SPD's, I don't see any need to upgrade from these unless you're a weight freak. Shed mud pretty well. Easy to care for (I do the same as Matthew :-).
Strengths: Superb frame, good all shimano drivetrain XT/LX deore hollowtech etc., Hayes HFX9 XC MKII disk brakes are excellent, Splice 130mm forks seem good so far and a good comfy saddle what more can I say.
Weaknesses: Crappy BMX style platform pedals self destructed after about 14hours of use.
Overall: A great bike for the money, built in the UK (frames taiwanese but who else does aluminium like them?) Looks the bizz with it's polished finish and really does get admiring glances.
The more you push it the better it gets this bike just loves flat out on single track.
