Strengths: Brillant singletrack, inspiring riding, amazing food and all in a relaxed atomsphere, highly recommended and personally I will be going back.
Weaknesses: Some of the trails are not that beginner /novice friendly, which is something to bear in mind if you not that happy on technical trails.
Overall: I can't recommend them highly enough, you will not regret using this company to get the most out of your Alps holiday.
Strengths: Stiff as hell, super plush, looks smart.
Weaknesses: Paint lasts around 10 minutes of riding before its chipped to hell. High maintenance forks, read the manual or you WILL kill them in 12 months. V. expensive.
Overall: Excellant forks, and I can't fault the performance. However the reliability leaves a lot to be desired. I knackered mine in 2 years of riding due to heavy stanchion wear, and apparently (according to TFTunedShoxs) people have killed there's in under a year with similar stanchion damage. Not good for a 400 pound fork.
So if you NEED performance and low (for a coil/oil fork) weight get a Fox, if you want reliability and performance and not bothered by scales then get a Zocchi.
'IF YOU'VE AFTER A TOUGH HARDTAIL THAT RIDES WELL, YOU'VE FOU'
Strengths: Sorted geometry, tough as hell, rides like a dream.
Weaknesses: Paint work isn't very good for a 500 pound frame, and the decals (which are stickers) don't last long. While the frame can take 125mm forks, anything over 100-110mm seems to bugger up the geometry. No the best value ever at 500 pounds, as the finishing isn't great, but your paying for the ride not the looks
Overall: Had mine 2 years, and really can't see any reason yet to replace it (unless I get a Ti one), and even if I had to replace it I would more than likely just get another one ;)
Strengths: Look good, dry fairly quickly (compared to my old Rockhoppers). Comfy, and good grip.
Weaknesses: Broke after 6-8 months of use, sole isn't as stiff as I'd like and caused my toes to go numb of occassions.
Overall: Not a bad shoe, but not very hard wearing. As mine literally fell apart after 6-8 months of use where the stitching just rotted away around the sole, and the lace tabs.
Weaknesses: Undo by themselves. Have to be done up insanely tight to get them to work.
Overall: Buy them at your own risk, they have a nasty habit of undoing themselves. So if you do buy them check they every ride or you WILL hurt yourself.
'IF CARLSBERG MADE A MTB MAGAZINE THIS WOULD BE IT.'
Strengths: o Well written articles o Inspires you to ride new places. o Excellant website/online community o Mmmmmm glossy o All round high quality publication o Don't recycle old articles unlike some other MTB mags.
Weaknesses: o Quaterly ;( o Not very many product reviews yet (although the one they do seem to be done properly, ie: not around the car park) o Not enough routes, esp down south.
Overall: Buy it, read it, enjoy it!
Easily the highest quality mountain bike mag in the UK.
Strengths: o Looks good o Float RL on a 600 quid frame! o Good handling o Switchable between 3-5 inches of travel
Weaknesses: o Low bottom bracket (still) so get 170mm cranks o Frame snaps around the shock mount (not that uncommon apparently) o Specialized warranty not all that its made up to be.
Overall: Looks like a bargain frame from a major manufacturer, however the low BB means that you hit the cranks/pedals the rock rooty stuff, and when the frame cracks (not uncommon on 2002 frames apparently) you will have a nice walk back.
Also I had problems with the warranty (the frame was only 6 months old!), which means when the replacement snaps, it will be the last one I ever buy. (buy a cove, the warranty ain't so good, but at least it does what it says on the tin)
Strengths: o Looks good o strong frame o great handling o built-in hose guides o correctted for long travel forks o rides like a dream.
Weaknesses: o Crap stickers (makes it look cheap) o harsh rear end (esp when coming from a FS) o hose guides are on the wrong side so you have to use cable ties to prevent the hose popping out o would be nice to have clips to run continous cables for shifting rather than exposed cables o No disc only frame available
Overall: Best bike I have ever owned, would a buy another without hesistation (or may'be a planet-x compo or hummer ;), might mean that all the other bikes in your garage don't get used though.
