Strengths: well, this stuff is nice and light, very comfortable when you get into it and virtually disapears when on the bike. The articulated back plate is very comfortable allowing lots of movement, and provides that all important back protection via the new aluminium honeycomb structure. The arm armour is more comfortable than the individual stuff and stays in place better.
Basically this kit is the same as designed for the motorbikes, just with lots more venting.
Weaknesses: the price? well the list price has just dropped £20, and for £180 the increased chances of walking away from a big stack that you 'shouldnt' be walking away from make this a bargain in my books!
The only weakness is that it seems to help relieve some of that caution that stops me doing some of the sillier stuff, drop offs and jumps seem a little bit smaller wearing this kit!
Overall: Highly recomended, while not having had a big off wearing it yet, I cant say it's saved my life yet.
It is very comfortable and not too sweaty like some cheaper body armour. It almost dosent notice youre wearing it under a baggy jersey, you just look a bit more butch!
The twisty lycra material stretches to fit very comfortably and the position of the shoulder protection is easily adjusted too.
'sweet as a nut... and as strong as the man of steel !'
Strengths: 1" deep cups (that''s about 3 times deeper than a normal headset cup). Typical Chris King silky smoothness and 10 year warranty on the bearings. looks very pretty too :-)
what more can one say?
Weaknesses: price, although if you add up the cost of the number of headsets you''d go through in the ten years then it''s a steal :-)
don''t know if I''ll ever be able to get it out of the frame it fits so well!
Overall: Great headset, looks pretty on my Bullit.
The only disturbing thing was fitting it! reaming out a headtube to a depth of 1" on a frame thats worth over a grand is pretty scary - especially when you see how much frame material you cut away!
Strengths: well just look at em - quality construction to give beautifully plush travel, well behaved and easily adjusted damping, look loverly too :-) track superbly through the rocks - now if only I could find it in me too push em past their limits ...
Weaknesses: little plastic adjuster for the preload fell off in the alps.... apart from that cant think of any....
Overall: loverly forks, tad on the pricey side compared to the RS Boxxer Race, but well worth the money - an absolute dream for the front of a mid travel DH bike....
hopefully will be as reliable as the Z1's they replaced... they were the only part of the bike that DIDN'T need servicing on return from the alps!
Strengths: lovely smooth buttery action, stiff light and very reliable after a nearly a years worth of abuse. The ECC cartridge is great for locking out the forks for long fireroad climbs - all in all lovley
Weaknesses: a tad pricey although I got mine for £365, quite hard to set up at first until you work out the right pressures
Overall: lovley, totaly blow the old Manitou Mars forks that were previously on the bike out the water!
Weaknesses: no where near strong enough I have had two break on me when trying to remove cranks, sent the first one back to x-lite who blamed the shop mechanic for overtightening (even though they dont supply torque settings!) when the next one broke, i deided not to bother and go back to using the old steel bolts !
Overall: crap, a waste of 12 quid, buy your missus a present instead (it'll do your bike more good !)
Strengths: Great british DH bike - I have yet to find the balls to push it past it's limits - which my old Marin Rocksprings used to run into the bushes and cower at!
Weaknesses: Weighs a bit for use as a freeride bike compared to things like the Marin Attack Trail (on the ups anyway) but when it comes to facing downhill there is very little that stands in it's way (except rider skill of course!)
Overall: Fantastic bike, you pay that bit extra to get a little bit of exclusivity but quite frankly this bike kicks arse!
