Overall: Mavic rims on Deaore hubs, swiss ss spokes. A great combination you would think? Sadly not. Built by Dave Hinde's troupe of clowns so have been endless trouble. Hinde's were particularly unhelpful so I took them to a wheel builder. At least then the mystery of the loose spokes was solved - a pick'n'mix had been used and some were too long!!
Avoid this company for wheels. Mine were terribly built and they treated me like a palsied brained schoolboy when I complained.
Nice and long so that you can adjust your position.
Weaknesses: No corner protection
Overall: After only a few rides the edges of the back of the saddle were starting to shred. I'm still kicking myself for buying it - a really light body geometry saddle would have been cheaper and just as comfortable. The wingflex thing works as advertised.
Overall: I bought the shock for a Marin FSR frame (fed up with pedal bob from a Fox). The pedal bob has disappeared and the responsiveness is miles better. Damping is also much improved - the steep rough stuff no longer sends me airbourne.
Strengths: An amzingly effective climber, good downhill, good on the boring bits Upright riding position (as opposed to say a Mount Vision)
Weaknesses: Heavy components (but see below) Riding position will not suit all
Overall: Pauls Cycles sold me this bike very cheaply after the bike they promised was damaged. Given the price paid the equipment is good, but heavy for XC racing.
The iDrive seems to work very well but the bolts keep working loose - Threadlock will probably cure this.
