Strengths: Plush, active, good spec. Reasonably lightweight. Always active so climbs better than my old hardtail ('Dale F700)! Much more comfortable on the rough stuff - Saves my back from any further agony. Good looker.
Weaknesses: Creaking from frame for first few rides - was steel insert for bottle bosses 'settling in'. Paint finish isn't world class. Annoying Seat post slippage - longer post sorted that out. Low BB - Can have ground/pedal strikes on the odd occasion, not caused any problems. Got LBS to put narrower bars on, the originals are WAY too wide!!Stock tires really suss.
Overall: Really pleased with this machine. Duke/Float combo is great, handles superbly. Excellent componentry for the money. Could do with discs, but I only paid a grand, so the change shall see those going on. A few niggles, but all sorted for minimal cash. Shame they're not available in the UK for '03, but they're still available in the US, so spares won't be an issue. Definately an XC machine, so don't go extreme DHing, get the Enduro instead.
Strengths: Lightweight; headshock is awesome; Julies are superb; excellent spec; climbs and goes like a rat up a drainpipe. Quite a head turner.
Weaknesses: Coda hubs are 4-hole pattern, possible upgradeability issues.
Overall: A really awesome bike that has only one speed, and that's flat out. Rides superbly, and has enough give in the rear end to make for a comfortable ride. Especially good since I only paid £899 for it, since '02 models are out soon/now. Looks the business in 'dale blue. Buy one now!
Weaknesses: Mine came with the 4-hole rotors/hubs, possibly hard to upgrade, should I want to, that is.
Overall: These brakes are superb. Much better than my old Grimeca System 7s, and so much more consistant than my old LX Vs. Mine came with the alloy lever, and have withstood some hard offs, already, so I'm impressed. These were fitted as standard, but for the 75 notes, they represent a top buy for the money.
