Strengths: Look great, except for the really round toe box. Very grippy sole
Weaknesses: The fit is very narrow contrary to what Steve says. The sizing is on the long side too so don't do what I did and buy them off the internet without trying them on first
Overall: Should have tried these on before buying them. So narrow, that after about 4 hours of riding, I couldn't stand up. I could have cried it hurt so much.
Strengths: Looks just like a SC Superlight. Proven design. Stiff rear triangle with very little waggle or flex from the rear end under power. Quality shock. Rockshox SID XC with lockout, although the later 2002 models and the 2003 spec have Fox Float RL's, which is a much better shock. Painted in a lovely matt XTR grey. Pivot placement means it drives the rear wheel into the ground when in the graany ring, so there is very little noticable bob when climbing. Price!!!!!!! It obviously isn't as well finished as a £1000 frame, but for the price it is excellent.
Weaknesses: The paint is very thin, and chips off if you even show it a stone. Gear cables rubbed all the way through paint to metal after 10 miles. But they do provide you with 2 bottles of touch up paint!! Can't help wondering how much more a couple of extra coats of paint would have cost them. The postion of the drive side chainstay means that it is very difficult to reach the high - low adjustment screws on the front mech. No hose guides. I have to use Hope hose clips, and even then had to file out the cable stops to get the screws through. The SID shock has adjustable rebound, but it is controlled by adjusting the positive and negative air pressures within the can. So if you want to adjust it out on the trail, you better make sure you've got a shock pump with you. Also the lockout doesn't seem to work all that well. Only the downtube appears to be butted.
Overall: For the price this is an excellent frame. I bought one more out of curiosity than anything else. I've built it up with 100mm Fox Float's, Hope Mini's, and an XT/XTR drivetrain, and it rides much better than my well abused I-Drive. It weights about 28lbs. There are some minor niggles, like the crap paint and lack of hose guides, but I can live with that. Although I do think it's going to need a respray this time next year. Overall it is an great tail riding frame at this price, but I would definately find one with a Fox shock if I was looking for one now.
Strengths: Fit RocLoc 4 Quality Venting Only paid £60 for it at Chain Reaction
Weaknesses: The wind tunnel venting keeps your head very cool in the summer, but in cold weather you really need to wear a hat underneath it
Overall: An excellent helmet. A quality finish, very stable due to RocLoc 4, covered by Giro's crash replacement policy, just remember to wear a hat under it in cold weather
