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Michael Painter

Latest Reviews

1 to 10 of 108 reviews.Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 | +10 | Last

Pace RC31

Posted: 27/04/07

'ULTRA LIGHT BUT COMPROMISED'

Strengths:
The lightest fork I've ever owned
Stiff
I'm no fan of the carbon weave look, but it does actually look rather good.

Weaknesses:
Price
Pace quality control
15st rider weight limit - what the hell's that all about, JUST MAKE IT STRONGER! FFS!

Overall:
Very limited choice in the rigid fork market, so saying that this is the best round is hardly a ringing endorsement. Quality control should improve now that DT have bought the Pace fork business, and not before time.
Still can't get over that rider weight limit - doesn't it simply imply that it's not strong enough?!?

Performance		100%
Reliability		40%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

60%

Whyte 19 frame

Posted: 27/04/07

'FANTASTIC LIGHTWEIGHT LONG TRAVEL NIRVANA'

Strengths:
Light
Suits 130mm forks
Adjustable geometry, singlespeed potential
Fantastic handling
Quality finish
Welcome alternative to cheap, overweight, flexy steel frames

Weaknesses:
Stupid Maverick fork and totally unjustifiable RRP are massive negatives - could maybe understand if it was UK-made, but it's Taiwanese!
Tyre clearance is tight for 2.3" rubber.
Rear brake mount is set too far inboard and only just accomodated my Avid BB7 at the limit of its adjustment - others won't be so fortunate.
Silver is a boring colour.

Overall:
I bought this to replace a DMR Switchback... what a world of difference! Where the Switchback was heavy, plodding and unable to hold lines the 19 is featherweight by comparision, nimble and remarkably precise for a long-travel bike. The reach is shorter, meaning the ride position is more upright which gives more control. Shame about the useless, fluttering Maverick fork - sell it and buy something decent with the proceeds would be my advice.
With a decent fork it's one of the best frames I've ever ridden - but then I didn't pay the RRP.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

80%

SRAM Single Cog PC-1

Posted: 16/10/06

'CHEAP & STRONG 1/8TH" SS CHAIN'

Strengths:
Very cheap
Very strong
Joining link is different to the excellent Powerlink - not so easy to use but probably stonger

Weaknesses:
None

Overall:
Can be had for a fiver from the Edinburgh Co-Op and Wades will price-match, and for that price you can't do better.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

SDG Bel-Air RL

Posted: 01/08/06

'THE MOST COMFORTABLE SADDLE I'VE USED'

Strengths:
Comfort, looks, high quality finish, kevlar scuff-resistant corners, Ti rails...

Weaknesses:
None - genuinely!

Overall:
I've lost count of the saddles I've tried, but the number of genuinely comfortable ones I can count on half a hand. This is the best, and it can be had for considerably less than £50 if you shop around, which is a true bargain.

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

100%

Airborne Liberator

Posted: 27/07/06

'EXCELLENT BARGAIN XC FRAME'

Strengths:
Well made, XC frame
Reasonably light
Nice finishing touches

Weaknesses:
Internal headset
Airborne no longer exist

Overall:
Since Airborne's EU operation packed up these frames have been available for less than half price - a tremendous bargain, as they're great-looking, highly competent frames.

Performance		80%
Reliability		80%
Value		100%

Overall Rating

87%

On-One XC Riser

Posted: 27/07/06

'NOT A PATCH ON EASTON'

Strengths:
It's strong and it won't let you down

Weaknesses:
Slightly floppy shape compared to Easton or Race Face
Anodising wears very easily
Poor value compared to high quality competition

Overall:
There's nothing really wrong with it, but when you can get an equivalent Easton EA50 (which is what I use) for £24, or the far superior EA70 for under £40, it's a no-brainer I'm afraid!

Performance		60%
Reliability		60%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

53%

USE Ring-Go-Star

Posted: 07/04/06

'UGLY AND POINTLESS'

Strengths:
Just about works

Weaknesses:
Looks horrible and untidy jutting out from under the tem clamp
Stupidly small grub screw rounds off in no time
Only just manages to apply enough force to pre-load the headset bearings, and you have to readjust it at least once.

Overall:
Star flanged nuts are not clever but they work unobtrusively and are cheap. This thing is too clever by half, barely works, looks ugly and is not cheap. A Hope Hed Dr is a better alternative (if you follow the instructions).

Performance		40%
Reliability		60%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

47%

DMR Jump Seat Elite - Mk2

Posted: 07/04/06

'LOOKS GOOD BUT...'

Strengths:
Looks good, leather and kevlar, etc...

Weaknesses:
Totally screwed up the way the bike felt.

Overall:
Tried loads of different reches, angles, etc and can't quite put my finger on it, but with this saddle on I hated it. Put my old Flite back on and the bike instantly felt more lively with better feedback.

Performance		40%
Reliability		80%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

60%

DMR Chain Tugs

Posted: 07/04/06

'THEY DON'T FIT!'

Strengths:
If they fitted, they'd properly hold the hub spindle so you can safely use quick-release skewers. Which as far as I know would be unique, and rather good.

Weaknesses:
Trouble is, the hole is too small to fit a 10mm QR spindle! I got the calipers out and measured them - one was 9.5mm, the other 9.8mm. Not a lot out, but as a result you won't get them over your rear hub spindle. And they're expensive too.

Overall:
I tried three pairs of these before I gave up. Some quality control issues to be ironed out here.

Performance		20%
Reliability		20%
Value		40%

Overall Rating

27%

DMR 10yr Ltd Mug

Posted: 07/04/06

'NICE MUGS'

Strengths:
Nothing like a double espresso to get your legs pumping...

Weaknesses:
Keeps falling out of the bottle cage

Overall:
;-)

Performance		100%
Reliability		100%
Value		60%

Overall Rating

87%

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