Strengths: Fun Fast Beautifully made Compared to others - good value Light but tough - so far Versatile - you could race this or ride the 7 stanes... Rare - so far...
Weaknesses: erm...... I had to drive to Freeborn to buy it?
Overall: Right I've owned a lot of bikes, some good some not so good but still good - if you know what I mean - but this is the best, no doubts whatsoever..
Why ? Well I had a Nomad - a great bike but too much for me, I couldn't use even half of its potential so what was the point in dragging around 32 lbs ? I've now got a bike thats as much fun, is faster for 95% of the time and weighs a gnats whisker under 27 llbs - if you don't think 4/5 lbs makes much difference you wouldn't believe how wrong youo could be !
It climbs brilliantly, accelerates like poo of a shovel, its agile, corners like nothing else and yet can still handle the rough stuff.
Its also beautifully made, no stickers on this frame and lots of nice attention to detail. With an anodised frame at £1268 it puts the more expensive Nomad to shame...
I was worried a step down in travel would be a mistake - I had been going progressively longer, but its the best choice I've ever made. The spec suits it perfectly too, Pike 454 Dual Airs, Mavic 717's on Hope Pro II's, xo mech and shifters and Juicy Carbon brakes - everything is fast, efficient and a joy to use - just like the frame...
Had the bike for about a month and done 200 miles so obviously no reliabilty issues yet - even so the bearings are easily replaced and you can buy them from any bearing shop and fit them yourself, unlike the VPP system on the Nomad.
So as you can tell I'm loving this - the only downside was the 5 hr round trip down to Freeborn..
Strengths: Fun Fast Beautifully made Compared to others - good value Light but tough - so far Versatile - you could race this or ride the 7 stanes... Rare - so far...
Weaknesses: erm...... I had to drive to Freeborn to buy it?
Overall: Right I've owned a lot of bikes, some good some not so good but still good - if you know what I mean - but this is the best, no doubts whatsoever..
Why ? Well I had a Nomad - a great bike but too much for me, I couldn't use even half of its potential so what was the point in dragging around 32 lbs ? I've now got a bike thats as much fun, is faster for 95% of the time and weighs a gnats whisker under 27 llbs - if you don't think 4/5 lbs makes much difference you wouldn't believe how wrong youo could be !
It climbs brilliantly, accelerates like poo of a shovel, its agile, corners like nothing else and yet can still handle the rough stuff.
Its also beautifully made, no stickers on this frame and lots of nice attention to detail. With an anodised frame at £1268 it puts the more expensive Nomad to shame...
I was worried a step down in travel would be a mistake - I had been going progressively longer, but its the best choice I've ever made. The spec suits it perfectly too, Pike 454 Dual Airs, Mavic 717's on Hope Pro II's, xo mech and shifters and Juicy Carbon brakes - everything is fast, efficient and a joy to use - just like the frame...
Had the bike for about a month and done 200 miles so obviously no reliabilty issues yet - even so the bearings are easily replaced and you can buy them from any bearing shop and fit them yourself, unlike the VPP system on the Nomad.
So as you can tell I'm loving this - the only downside was the 5 hr round trip down to Freeborn..
Strengths: FUN, Confidence Inspiring, FUN, Great Handling, FUN, Goes DH so well but can still climb, Not too heavy... Gets lots of attention
Weaknesses: Not that light, Can catch pedals easily but trade off is great handling so... Bit expensive but its cheaper than an Intense 6.6 (and better) If you don't like attention don't get this bike !
Overall: So much fun - yes it swallows bumps easily and it rockets down hills but unlike some 6" bikes you still get feedback from the trail - the handling is amazing and its just so confidence inspiring, even I can do wheelies on this !
I haven't had as much fun on any other full susser, it rides like it looks - swoopy !
It is expensive but I built mine up with great kit for £2500 by getting things off the Internet and not going mad ! saying that its got 06 Z1 Lights, King Headset, Avid 5's, Thomson Stem and post, Hope Pro II's etc.
Strengths: Everything really, climbs brilliantly for a bike with so much travel and is amazing downhill. The spec is faultless although I changed the saddle to a WTB. The brakes are fantastic too. Value is good too.
Weaknesses: erm..... oh yes paint - it does chip to easily but it shouldn't put you off. Is it too good ? Some people might think it cushions the trails too well - although this can't really be a criticism
Overall: This bike goes uphill, downhill, straight and twisty amazingly. Oh and it stops on a six pence. Its brilliant, it isn't the best looking bike in the world but it certainly has a 'presence'. Some people like to knock them but I don't think they've ever ridden one. I know it seems silly when the bike retails for £2700 (i paid £2350)but its really good value compared with other things - try building a Santa Cruz up with that spec ! Oh and finally it helps me keep up with friends who are better riders than me !
Strengths: Amazing all round ability going downhill, uphill - anywhere really. Price, Spec, comfort - looks much better in real life than it does in photo's
Weaknesses: In house bar and stem not to my taste but got them swapped to some EA50's for nought. The hubs are also a bit nasty but i upgraded to hope xc's and mavic 717's for £60. Tyres not to hot but i changed them to some Conti Vapour Protections. Thats it and because the bike is a reasonable £1500 i had a bit left over to change these things.
Overall: This bike seems to be passing people by but i can't understand why ! I don't mind to much as its nice to have a fairly exclusive bike ! But if you want an all round trail bike with more travel you must try this bike - its incredible. Somehow, it manages to have almost 6 inches of plush hard hit travel that helps it go downhill like a downhill rig yet climb uphill better than most 4 inch full sus bikes - small bump sensitivity is also impressive - many manufacturers claim this but i've not ridden a bike thats actually achieved it before. Forget about getting an Enduro get one of these beauties! Seriously though if you are in the market for a bike that has a bit more travel but you don't want any of the compromises that are normally associated with this then you should try this bike. It is so versatile, it even copes with road rides better than it has any right too, climbs uphill in the big ring without any bob or wallow and then inspires you on the downhills. This is one seriously good bike - if you don't believe me then read last months MBUK or even better get a demo bike to see for yourself. Stunning.
Strengths: Good price - you can already get it below rrp. Its waterproof got an excellent fit and some nice features. Looks very good too.
Weaknesses: Sweat, sweat and more sweat - maybe its just me but i don't think so. There's no air holes under your arm pits so you can't unzip and cool down - this is a big drawback - my arms are wet through after half a bike ride which means you can start to get pretty chilly.
Overall: A nice jacket that looks good, doesn't cost a packet, fits very very nicely and has some very good features for the price but you will sweat !! I'm already thinking that i should have spent more or got a jacket with zips under your pits !!
Strengths: Just about everything i think ! Very bright as you'd expect from something thats basically the same as the tried and tested Lumi's - but and this is a big but they are so much better built, lovely cnc'd aluminium lamps and battery holders - make Lumis look very cheap - the connections are also much better, a bayonet connection is used to secure the fittings tightly. These lights really are quality the batteries even arrive charged and there made in Britain !! The only thing better made than these are Lupines.
The service too has been brilliant - i got them mail order which only took a couple of days - there also really helpful, Andrew @ Fireball has been particularly helpful in helping choose the right bulbs! Run times are basically the same as Lumi's and the accessories are cheaper - including a battery extension which means you can have two !
Can't comment on reliability just yet but i can't see that there will be any problems and anyway they come with a two year guarantee !
Weaknesses: Can't see any yet - Price ? But they are a quality piece of kit
Overall: Brilliant !! Glad i took the risk and went for these instead of the Lumicycles (although there good too!)
The extra £29 they cost over the equivalent Lumi's is worth it when you look at the quality and thought thats gone into them. Brilliant !!
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