Strengths: Superb frame geometry with loads and loads of standover height (my knees don't go below the top-tube when riding!), gives Kona Hardtail-like handling in the twisty stuff, but with great down and uphill stability. Bushed read-end is extremely stiff lateraly but the suspension is fully active, without being noticed until the ride is finished. The grease ports and the shock mounting give great relability in the tempremantle english climate.
Weaknesses: The top-tube guides aren't compatible with hydraulic lines.Hmmm, nothing else.
Overall: Possibly the best bike for all-day/xc work. It's not flash, it's just good solid engineering that allows you to get on with riding.
Overall: Very well built forks, with all metal finishing. Nice touches include stainless steel fittings to the dropouts and the disc fittings, which protects the paint. Good smooth travel, with no noticeable flex.
Overall: The action is more positive than rapidfire, but the big difference is the position of the levers, the release lever is perfect to just flick with the thumb, and still be able to hit the brakes. Going back to my other bike with shimano, it just feels wrong. The only problem I've had is that the gear indicator bar on the rhs has disapeared.
Strengths: Small frame gives superb clearance and allows for brilliant handling, very similar to my Kona Cinder Cone, particularly when carving singletrack. Rear end is very stiff, but the best bit is the fact you never feel the suspension working. The sensible design puts the shock out of muds way, but still allows a bottle cage to be fitted and still give shouldering room. The bushes used in the pivots don't effect the suppleness, and so far I've not had to touch the grease ports that are fitted to each pivot point.
Weaknesses: The only snag is the fact that the top mounted cable guides aren't compatible with hydraulic hoses.
Overall: It seems expensive, but its light, strong and simple. Possibly the perfect all day/XC full-sus.
Strengths: Superb handling frame, seems to push you faster through twisty singletrack, but is still stable going downhill. Disc only rear end looks really good and the electric blue colour is stunning!
Weaknesses: The componentry is a little poor in some areas, particularly the crankset which is a sub-Deore shimano one.
Overall: A great handling bike, with a really good frame, which is worth upgrading.
