'LIGHT, STIFF, BRILLIANT SUSPENSION SYSTEM. REAL HEAD-TURNER.'
Strengths: I've built this bike up with Revalations, XTR cranks & pedals, XTR f mech & cassette, x9 rear, S-works bars, DT/Hope wheels. It's a very fast, light (26lbs)trail bike that can go as well uphill as it can down. The Brain shock is superb.
Weaknesses: Outer laquer coating prone to chip. People drooling over it at the bike wash.
Overall: Exotic, expensive but goes like an express train. Looks a million dollars. Paid £1200 for mine - 2006 130mm model.
Strengths: Night rides in daylight- well almost. It's as bright as the other Hid lights I ride with but doesn't have dangly cables or easy to knock off switches. Build quality is exceptional. Really neat system, looks good.
Weaknesses: If you don't stack your stem up the battery will damage the top tube in a round the bars incident.Beware.
Overall: I've used mine every Wednesday since September without issue. A really great spread of light with a great Halo too. My only problem is the burn time-it doesn't mach up to my mates' Lumis or Solstices of 5 hours. But then if it did I'd have the wacking great batteries that they lug around complete with all the dangly bits! Always carry a small LED for emergency rides home. And beware the top tube/battery coming into contact if your stem is too low.
Strengths: Padding, fit, looks, V.comfortable glove. BG padding is exactly where you need it.
Weaknesses: Finger print grips peel off after extended use.
Overall: I've just bought my second pair at a knockdown £14.99. Used & totally abused the first pair for three years in all manor of conditions & until recently the only problem was the fingerprint grip peeling off. Now the gel pad has started to come away on the left but considering the abuse it's had I wouldn't call it a problem.
Strengths: Stiff, plush, excellent tracking, do not deflect, adjustable lockout.
Weaknesses: Soft as shit anodizing. Just look at it and it flakes. Expensive but I suppose all that adjustment and performance comes at a price.
Overall: Replaced '03 Psylo SL on my Enduro. It has transformed it into a different bike. I never had a problem out of my Psylos but this fork is just different class. I am now cleaning sections both up and down that I just wouldn't have got near before. It inspires confidence. The adjustable lockout is superb. I have it set two stops from full so it remains locked for most of the time but kicks in over larger hits. The RLC is also good as you can fine tune this fork exactly how you want it.
The downside to all this is the price but as they say "quality costs". Oh, and that damn anodizing. I have included it in my score for reliability and value as I feel that at this price I would want it to look mint for many years. So come on Bob, do something about it.
Weaknesses: Uncomfortable. Fifty quid for a arse grater. Cuts me in two. Most uncomfortable saddle I've ever sat on.
Overall: Sorry but at fifty pounds I thought a small degree of comfort would be expected. I've now down-graded to the tatty blue thing i got on the rockhopper. Looks crap but at least I can stay in the saddle all day.
Performance mark says 1 is too many. Reliabiltity doesn't really come into it Value= sucks
Strengths: Grip - what more do you need from a tyre?
Weaknesses: None
Overall: Used in a variety of conditions & terrain this tyre has never stepped out once (hope I'm not tempting fate) & inspires confidence. Not one for the road but then it is not designed as such.
Strengths: Backlight, plenty of functions, easy to read display, programmable odometer. Looks better than the new style of "wristwatches".
Weaknesses: Stuck once at 15.7mph. Would not budge until I removed & replaced battery. This was the same battery so it was not flat. It has worked well ever since so maybe a one off.
Overall: Good computer - would recommend - but quite expensive. Says it is wireless but uses a cable for cadence - so it is not!
