Strengths: Beautifully proportioned bike with the sort of stand over height and length of top tube that makes it guaranteed to be nimble and very easy to throw around. It's quite light even in the non pimpy build up I have and climbs pretty well especially if you have the advantage of an ETA style lock down on your forks. Feels very tough, well planted and dives into corners. Drop the seat for the descents and it'll fly (well as much as I allow it too!).
Weaknesses: Masses of chain slap even in the big ring so its a noisy bike to ride in the rough. Stickers are a bit naff and peel off. Its got a silly name.
Overall: Brilliant bike to ride - replaced my Rock Lobster 853 and there is no comparison between the two XC oriented steel frames. Where the Lobster was sedate the Handjob encourages you to ride hard and fast, jump every bump and seems to love the scent of the forest! At £350 it's great value, the only question is over longevity, I have had mine 6 months and hope to have it until it snaps - then I might try a Stiffee!
Strengths: Immediately feels lively and very controlled, its low slung frame gives plenty of breathing space for the crown jewels and is feels very flickable and controlled on descents. Feels neutral on climbs, not wanting to wheelie even with the lockout off on the MXC's fitted to my bike. Its not especially heavy despite the build on my bike and immediately felt more a quality bike compared to the Rock Lobster 853 it replaced. Tough paintwork, springy steel feel in the rear.
Weaknesses: I haven't found any as yet, its not the lightest frame but feels light enough in the saddle. The biggest weakness is its slightly MBUK name and the dodgy graphics that go with it. Nothing wrong with the Cove bike logo itself but the handjob xc bit is just a bit half arsed.
Overall: I love the bike. The frame looks great, very compact and purposeful but it feels a sensible size, not to short or compact with plenty of liveliness in the ride both in terms of handling and spring. On a climb it goes OK, its not a whippet on the hills encouraging you to speed to the tops but as you crest the rise and have singletrack flat or downhill ahead of you it does encourage you to apply a bit more poser than you might otherwise. I dont have especially lightweight kit on mine but I can only imagine that slight decreases in weight from the wheels, transmission and finishing kit woudl make it feel quicker and more lively still. The biggest downside is the desire to spend money on Raceface kit to finish it off better and make her feel more North Shore.
Strengths: build quality, detailing, airflow back, insulation from drink, well supported, sits well
Weaknesses: all the various pockets and straps are not quite as big as they could be - the main one holds some tubes and a waterproof but fills up so much the net bit doesnt hold jack. The bungee bits aren't quite long enough for another layer to tuck into. The LED strap is in a pointless position and the small front pocket fights me for ownership of anything I put in it if the rest of the bag is full.
Overall: Nice quality with just a few niggles that really stand out because it just looks like it should be perfect.
Strengths: The Parachute looks pretty good, has a multitude of vents and scoops to keep the head reasonably cool and features a sturdy plastic chin guard under a fairly standard looking helmet. The chin guard is attached to the helmet by four large screws which have slots large enough to be undone with a coin. The screws stay attached to the guard so cant be lost or misplaced. Detaching or reattaching the guard is the work of a minute. The guard can also be split down into the two side panels for packing into a camelback or similar for long rides where total protection isn't needed all the time. The helmet itself is equipped with a nice visor, a easily adjusted and comfortable retention system and looks good in the titanium colour I bought. I got it for £80 which at £20 less than RRP was a good buy. I've yet to test the impact resistance and although I doubt it'd match that of a 661 full facer it should serve its purpose for freeride light or just someone nervous of the trees.
Weaknesses: With the chin guard on it can be a very close fit to the ears and tends to be a bit hard to pull on and off for me. The close fit also makes for hot ears although the rest of the helmet gives good ventilation.
Overall: Its a good helmet which has a dual character. Without the chin guard you have a good standard look helmet with a decent retention system, visor and plenty of ventilation. Put the guard on and you have the added security and protection of a full face guard for rides where you might feel the need (unknown trails, close to trees, overhanging branches etc). Its a safety blanket for the nervous rider (I hit a tree face first hence the purchase!).
Strengths: hard wearing, good grip, comfortable, protective on a heavy off road section, easy to walk in
Weaknesses: fill with water easily and never empty, slow drying once wet, not as stiff soled as some for power transfer
Overall: A good compromise shoe for offroad use, not of much use on road as the sole doesn't provide the stiffness required. But if your riding style tends to involve a lot of walking up hills and heavy trashing back down again then they offer good protection to the foot and ankle, allow walking on broken surfaces with ease and provide enough feel of contact with the pedal to keep the bike on line.
Strengths: Very light for the kit on it - 28ilbs with loads of potential to lighten further (those Mech discs are heavy), solidly performing no frills kit thats cheap to replace, great fork, flickable and very quick reacting to steering inputs, quality wheel package
Weaknesses: Fear of buying by mail order, no free first service, heavy brakes and not the best performers by all accounts (I have no complaints as yet and nothing to compare to), grips are aren''t to comfortable, all niggles at this price and quality
Overall: I was unsure about ordering by Mail Order from Merlin but enough recomendations on the forum convinced me. The result was a two weekish wait and a top quality lookign bike. In the flesh it looks light and racey, on the ride from the off the suspension is plush, the gear change tight and the brakes effective. It feels quick to accelerate almost as though you're in too low a gear for the conditions. Well specced and a great first serious off roader
Strengths: Touring wise its the most comfortable place to be. No numbing, no post days ride ache (over 100km in a day with no complaints) and looks OK too.
Weaknesses: Mine broke after a minor fall with the saddle top coming away from the rails and rendering it irrepairable. Apparently its a bit heavy but it weighs the same as my old saddle and my bike ain't a featherweight neither so who cares
Overall: As comfortable as I could possibly have hoped, sensibly priced (compared to the overpriced and severely uncomfortable Lookin item I had to get when it broke), and nicely styled for my eyes.
