Strengths: Snappy steering - tracks the most amazing lines Rear suspension - the Maestro system is the best rear suspension that I've ever ridden. Ride comfort - Its just so comfotable all day rides day after day and no discomfort (astonishing).
Weaknesses: Headset angle is to steep for comfort. Ride is compromised on big drop offs and a tendency to stutter (not quite stall) in rock gardens. A slacker head ange would crack this problem.
Overall: A really well put together package not as light as you would imagine a carbon fibre bike to be but that means it runs more smoothly on the downs. Climbs really well particularly easy to lock out front and back. Really comfortable and totally dialed suspension.
Single track king at least when its not too technical. The reason its a single track king is that it steers snappily and tracks the line you want to take. The downside is that means you are physically over the front wheel which whilst not twitchy makes it far more difficult in rock gardens and big drop offs. A slacker head angle would solve this but would compromise the steering. Interestingly the 2009 Trance has a slacker head angle.
A real bargain bought a 2008 model over the web this year for £1,700 when it cost £2,750 new. Total VFM at this price.
'PLUSH, STIFF AND VERY LIGHT. ABUT AT A COST AND FUSSY. '
Strengths: They are a plush 5 inch fork which tracks exeptionally well because they are so stiff. They are really incredibly light. You do get the travel it says on the box.
Weaknesses: The price! £500 odd is pricey. They are also fussy - little niggles like the rebound adjuster getting knowcked as you ride - the launch control adjuster keeps shifting - they are costly to service.
Overall: I'e been running these since February 06. They are a truly great pair of forks but there have been niggles. Oil seepage - shop replaced seals. Full service after 9 months and are probably due another service now at 18 months. So these are a high maintenance fork. I just don't think you should pay £500 for a fork with niggles. Pace please please do something about the rebound adjuster being so easy to knock. Its a poor design which exposes the rider to a brush of bracken that turns the fork from a beautiful plush ride into a pog stick. Great engineering poor design.
But apart from Canondale Lefty's (which have their own niggles) I can't think what I would replace them with for cross country rides and all day epics in the Welsh hills.
Most of the time they work fantastically well is how I would summarise it.
Strengths: Light, smooth, stiff, really does have 150mm of travel. Totally sorted. Easy adjustment. Launch control for the roads and the climbs.
Weaknesses: Too easy to knock the rebound adjuster and only realise when your bike turns into a pogo stick. Other peoples reliability stories...
Overall: The best X country/all mountain fork out that I have tried (and I have tried a few!). So smooth you don't actually notice how much its working. Tracks very well indeed - up there with the Lefty's (but so much better on the stutter bumps).
'THE BEST LONG TRAVEL CROSS COUNTRY FRAME OUT THERE IN 2006'
Strengths: 1. You can sprint this bike 2. You can ride big hits fast 3. You can build a long travel bike for 26lbs 4. The build is phenomenal (welds and pivots are the best I've seen)
Weaknesses: Price The waiting (they are hand built and you have to wait months for one). Not as good as a downhill bike in the downhill (there is a Helius FR for that) but pretty close.
Overall: The best all mountain bike out there which doesn't compromise speed up hill or on the flats.
Having test ridden every bike going in the mid to long travel categories - I was deeply dissapointed in all the long travel bikes ability to be ridden quickly.
This bike allows you to sprint and have sufficient travel to simply glide over the biggest drops.
Strengths: Descends like the best down hiller. Climbs very well indeed. Very very fast on single track and you can pop wheelies easily.
Weaknesses: Its not for cross country - its too heavy. How often do you really need 6 inches of travel? £1550 for the frame is a lot of money. How do Santa Cruz justify the price rise for the UK? $1550 vs £1550. At 1.8$ to the £1 thats outrageous.
Overall: Far and away the best all mountain bike out there. However if you live your life in woods and trails with no mountain to be seen its OTT.
Strengths: Quick up and down dale. Little or no bob. Great frame Great shock - the lefty track like a dream
Weaknesses: SRAM X7 - yuch piano keys and very clunky. Though they do change gear accurately. Not as chuckable as you might think looking at it. A little bit skippy on the roots (but that could be down to me not setting the rear shock properly or running at too high a tyre pressure.
Overall: A very, very good bike with a slightly poor spec. on the drive train. Brilliant on single track. If you can afford the 3000 (Shimano XTR through out)go for it.
Strengths: Great riding. Good guiding. Variety of activities for the not quite so keen on mountain biking. Free bike hire with a sufficient number of full suspension bikes (all this years Specialized). Other activities include hiking, horse riding, paragliding, white water rafting, canyoning, climbing and via ferrata. All the delights of being in one of the worlds best mountain biking playgounds.
Weaknesses: Guiding is limited. A beginners and one intermediate tour is not sufficient.
Overall: Good value all mountain activity holiday with a mountain biking bias in Les Gets.
