Overall: A truly great route with enough climbing and descending to keep any rider entertained. Surfaces are sustainable and can be ridden all year round. Facilities are average, but the malteser traybake at "The Shed" with it's wood burner makes the trip and rides worthwhile.
Strengths: Remotely adjustable rear shock and dual control levers.
Weaknesses: None that I came across when I rode it.
Overall: I was expecting the saddle to be really uncomfortable, but it wasn't. I rode it around the black route at Thetford to give me a bit of all types of terrain, even with the wet and muddy conditions it coped really well. You can lockout the front and rear shocks really easily, no real fiddling. Once you get the hang of the dual control levers shifting is really accurate allowing you to change gear quicker and ride harder. In the corners, the bike feels really balanced and is very nimble through twisty tight singletrack amongst the trees. I am no lightweight rider, but even I can carry some speed across country on this bike. I would buy one
Strengths: Good all-weather surface. Has a bit of everything, twisty sections to get you moving around on the bike, climbs and of course descents.
Weaknesses: Signs, got lost after completing one section, found the next by mistake after some dodgy map reading and following another group of riders. I would have liked it to be a bit longer.
Overall: I managed to ride this about 5 weeks ago when I stayed at my in-laws(7 miles away)on a hired Giant Trance 3. I had just purchased one of these myself and riding it around here convinced me that I had made the right decision. It's a great set-up and I'm sure it will improve as time goes on, I just hope they get the signs sorted soon as it interrupts your flow. I wanted to find the freeride area but didn't get chance - maybe next time!!!
Strengths: Highly manoeuvrable through twisty sections.Precise shifting up and down. Stable under braking - no pedal bob. Rear shock provides a smooth ride.
Weaknesses: No lockout on the front forks, useful when climbing.
Overall: Very good bike for the money. I saved £400 on mine and rode a demo version over 13km of singletrack before I actually rode my own to re-inforce my decision to purchase. This is my first full-susser, moved up from hardtail with v-brakes - what a difference. I considered Specialized FSR XC Pro as well.
Strengths: Well constructed as you would expect from Shimano. Easily adjustable. Reasonably priced.
Weaknesses: None that I have discovered.
Overall: Very happy with these pedals,as these are my first pair of SPD's ever,and even better they were a present. Great pair to start out with and easy to adjust to your preffered resistance for entry and exit. I still have mine on the lowest(easiest) setting as I prefer it that way, and as yet I have only had 2 offs - plenty of time for more.
Strengths: Well constructed units with solid connections. Bottle cage battery and battery life. Handlebar switch.
Weaknesses: None as yet.
Overall: I got these to replace the Cateye RC230's that I originally bought and had to return after only one use, and I am glad I did. These are better constructed and less fiddly to put together on your handlebars, plus the battery sits neatly into a bottle cage. The light output is good, but I may upgrade the bulbs in the future as my rides become more challenging. I didn't even notice the battery when I rode, with the Cateye's it was always noticeable as it was quite heavy.
