Strengths: Prefect half flange. Comfy, never suffered from tired hands while using them.
Weaknesses: Once found them twisted 180o after a very bumpy downhill once. But that was just once!
Overall: The half flange version is great for running rapid-fire shifters, gives you the security of flanges with the ability to use thumb shifters. Love them!
Strengths: Flexibility, however you like your frame to feel you can change it on this frame. Slack freeride angles - done, steep XC angles - done, somewhere in the middle - done...
Weaknesses: Slighty heavy, but not bad for the adjustability. Very expensive, but I picked mine up ex-demo for £600!
Overall: Put some light wheels on it and it goes like a whippet over pretty much anything. I've got mine fitted with triple crown SID's and the whole thing is amazingly stiff.
Strengths: Very light - 30lbs 4inch front and 2.5-4 inch adj. rear travel Excellent quality components Superb Hayes Brakes
Weaknesses: LX shifters can be unreliable Heavy Fox Vanilla R shock
Overall: An amazing bike that has converted a hardtail purist to a full-sus junkie. Because of the quality of the bike and it's stealthy weight it can make this amateur rider look like a pro...I love speeding past other cyclist on this speed demon!
Strengths: Good smooth rolling ability, great tread for scuffing even in the wet!
Weaknesses: Normal terrors of high pressure tyres, I almost bust my knee when I first got them just riding over an electrical cable in the road and slipped on it!
Overall: Great for smooth flatland rolling, but these are a tough ride with no give, so watch yourself on grit or loose road surfaces.
Weaknesses: Pedals, chain has a habit of coming off, forks are kinda heavy
Overall: A great bike for the money, but I did need to change the slippery pedals and put a chaindog on to stop the chain coming off. I'll change the fork next, but only 'cos I want a lighter rigid fork, otherwise it's a fine buy, shame you've got to put up with Halfords staff to get one!
