Weaknesses: Tread gets clogged in low speed mud, but quickly clears at higher speed
Overall: A really nice tyre. Climbs well, descends well and brakes well. Perhaps not the best if you get the bike horizontal, not too much grip on the side - but generally very good.
Strengths: Great shape with no gimmicky gel bits to go wrong. Light and looks like a race saddle, but its comforts arnt exclusive to only the sprightly racers among us.
Weaknesses: Price. I find it hard to give the SDG Bel Air a 5 star rating for value because its hardly a bargain at full RRP. However, it warrants a 4 because its better than anything else at the price and twice as good as something at half the price. If you pick up a Cromo railed one for 25 quid, that is defintely worth a 5 star.
Overall: The thing about good bike components is that you never notice they are there. With the SDG Bel Air you never notice that your actually on a saddle, you just get on and ride. And I certainly find that after a ride you don't notice anything itching or chafing or aching. When you shift onto the nose while your climbing you don't notice the padded end because its subtle, but there. You also don't notice the rear end of the saddle brushing your inner thigh when you slip over the back for a steep section, because its so thin. It's remarkably slim for such a comfortable saddle. And even more strangely, you dont have to be slim to use it. It looks like a race saddle, but its as comfortable as anothing out there.
The weakness of this saddle might be the price. The thing is, it's at least twice as good as any other saddle I have tried either at the same price of half of the SDG price. Also, if your lucky you can pick up a chromo railed version for 25 quid - a total bargain.
This saddle is the number one choice it seems on prestige rigs from the top manutfacturers and I really can see why, it's pretty faultless. The custom styling isn't a gimmicky way to sell the saddle, its just another reason to buy one.
Saddles are ultimately a personal thing but I can vouch for this one. If it fits you, every other aspect of the saddle in top drawer. My other bike is allready equipped with an SDG Comp, and I can safely say that I will probably not consider another model of saddle again if I am clumsy enough to break it.
Weaknesses: It's so good, I want to take it on weekend trips but it simply isnt designed for that. The bungees on the bottom are a bit lame for all but a light jacket.
Overall: I have owned this pack for over a year and it is phenomenal. I have never gotten a sweaty back in even the hottest weather and it fits like a glove. It has been used every week in all conditions, but i was amazed this winter when I came back from muddy rides. I literally hung this up in the garage and the mud fell off it.
The hydration system is a triumph of commson sense. It is easy to fill and clean becaue of the nice big hole in the top. The bit valve is also great,i have broken it apart several times in stacks and it has just clicked back together.
There is enough room for a jacket, more layers, food and all the tools you could possibly need. The tool section is lined with neon material that aids vision and its easy to orgaise all your tools so u can grab them quickly.
The best thing about this pack is that I hardly notice it. I spend hours servicing my bike, yet I can always grab my camelback and just go. When I am riding it just sits on my back, and is there when I need it - it never gets in the way.
It has increased my enjoyment and performance more than any other component, and that alone makes it well worth the asking price.
Strengths: Not really that heavy at all... Modulation Looks Price British
Weaknesses: Long bedding in
Overall: The shiznay... I was doubtful lat first but now they are fully bedded in I would recommend them to my friends whole heartedly. Much better than anything else I have ever ridden.
Strengths: Nice Platform Shimano cleatage is nice and versatile looks ok
Weaknesses: Not as good as the 646 Sticky unclipping
Overall: Some pro downhillers use these because they are lighter. I dont care, they conly cost me 40 quid and the platform helps alot both when climbing and descending. The only problem I have is clipping out. I think its a combination of using ritchey (shimano compatible) cleats and Specialised Body Geometry shoes. If you use specialised shoes, i advise you to pad out the cleat a little because the tread stickes a little too well to the side of the cage.
Strengths: Frame (Weight + Geometry) Money spent in right places Glows in the dark
Weaknesses: Forks Cranks
Overall: Quality bits all the way through. I appreciate the saddle and frame the most. To be honest, its great because you can customise it however u want. Whack a Judy on the front and go XC, What a Bomber on the front and go Big-Hits, or be like me and go fully rigid :) The forks died on mine after one muddy ride, so i put rigids on. My advice is to wait for bits to die before replacing and if you cant wait, replace the front mech and cranks to Deore Octalink level. Then the bike weighs in at a brilliant weight and hast cost an arm and leg. Buy the Y2000 bike, the 2001 has even worse forks and looks crap. The 2002 looks even worse than that. I honestly think that the Y2000 Kona Blast is/was the best compromise between fun and cost. And now they only cost 300 quid!!! Scratch one reliability point for the forks.
'Blows away the conception that GT only make cheap hardtails'
Strengths: I-drive Cheap, you can pick it up for half the retail price from many places Quality components throughout
Weaknesses: Lack of prestige with the brandname You need to be smooth Like all full sussers, a bit heavy
Overall: I picked up my baby for half the retail price from Bonthrone Bikes nd since posting a review on another site I have been emailed by several people who wonererde aboutt his bike. I encouraged them to buy it and all of them wrote back to say thanks.
I-drive is brilliant, the frame seems tougher than almost anything else I ever rode. Shocks are good (Judy Race, SID at the back) and match each other well. However, the best thing about this bike is the way it can be upgraded one way or the other. Core components are all excellent quailty from Syncros, Tioga, Shimano, Koski (although the saddle takes breaking in) and Mavic.
My pivots have held up. The ony thing I broke on my bike was the topcap on the forks because I'm retarded.
If you want to bounce on 700 quid, then buy this bike. I don't know if I'd have bought it full price though... For 1500 quid I could have bought a Bullit or a Patriot, which carry more weight but infintely more prestige...
