Strengths: Extremly light weight for a DH race bike Well built and strong New pivot placement is more snappy British!
Weaknesses: Single pivot doesn't pedal quite as well as some multi pitot machines (such as v10, M3)
Overall: This bike is plush! Very much faster than it's older brothers. More stable and quicker through corners. Even with the single pivot it pedals well and is surprisingly snappy. Its light weight makes it really easy to handle and helps it get up to speed quickly.
Weaknesses: Back plate smaller than Dianese or Pressure suit Pro (could also be a plus!)
Overall: My wife bought this for me for Christmas as a suprise. Needless to say, I was very suprised (nice one love!).
The 06 version (SP02) is loads better than the SP1 in several ways: 661 have developed a new mesh, quite like that of the Dianese, but combined it with parts using their original lycra based mesh in areas needing more strength. The armpits and elbowpits are now cut out to stop chafing, help aid cooling and increase movement.
661 have done a great job with this. It costs much much less than a Dianese offering and does an excellent job of rivaling it. For DH, Freeride and even XC it's ideal. 661 have left off the thumb gaiters again for this new version, so it's great for anyone who wants to wear it for more than 2 runs! (I don't know anyone who uses those things!).
I've already used the SP2 for DH and XC (just to see what it was like) and I almost forgot I was wearing armour. It was so comfortable and it breathed well. It didn't limmit breathing on the way up and it felt secure on the way down with no slipage all morning.
Weaknesses: Fit Removable, but irreplaceable cheek padding QR buckle
Overall: A really nice helmet for not very much moeny. I managed to find a 2005 model (no change over 2004 version) for £93. Bargain I thought! But 661 have a bit of a sizing problem with the Bravo's and they just don't offer enough support around the face. This is great for ventelation, but when you're using the helmet for more than just XC it shakes, rattles and slips all over your forehead! I even called up 661 in the US to see if they could send me a more padded Flight inner to help me get a more secure fit. But no... even though the liner is replaceable, you can't buy them!
Needless to say, the Bravo Full Carbon has been replaced by a TLD D2
Strengths: Weight (or lack of it) Components - Boxxer World Cup Air, Fox DH5.0 British bike.
Weaknesses: Price, although what do you expect for a bike like this. Boxxer Airs are expensive! - Could go for Ti spring and after market rebound fit and save £350 I don't actually own it yet!
Overall: Had this bike out on demo for a few days. It goes like stink. The ride is really smooth and isn't hard to set up. Everything is built to last which gives some reassurance that you shouldn't need to take advantage of the crappy Orange warranty (shame on you Halifax boys, only 1 year?!).
Needless to say I'm in love. The 224, although a little noisy at times is a real peach. It handled roots, rocks, drops, stair jumps, road gaps and a few other things I won't mention with ease.
I think it will look great next to my 46 when I take delivery.
Strengths: Excellent cornering and breaking. Perfect winter front tyre for hardcore XC / FR.
Weaknesses: Tall knobs slow things down on the back. Stick a Conti Vert or Minion on the back.
Overall: I actually have the Race version wich is slightly lighter and uses the DNA compound. It's a fantastic tyre massivly under rated and often overlooked because it's not a cool brand. I run it up front with a Conti Vertical 2.3 on the back for hardcore winter trail riding. It's better than my Maxxis Swampthings that I use for DH, although not as tough.
Overall: Took a pair of these (2.3 on back 2.5 on front) on a really muddy clay downhill course that is being built. The grip was better than anything I have used although they still clogged. As soon as I got up to speed on the hard stuff they cleard and riding through thorns didn't bother them in the slightest.
Overall: Took a pair of these on a really muddy clay downhill course that is being built. The grip was better than anything I have used although they still clogged. As soon as I got up to speed on the hard stuff they cleard and riding through thorns didn't bother them in the slightest.
Overall: I bought a pair but going to take one back. I thought I'd test one out to see how good it was on the front. Sad thing is it's only good and not worth the shame of having bright red tyres.
Weaknesses: Could use a little more bite on the front.
Overall: I've run these tyres for 7 months now and they are still going strong. They offer superb traction on climbs and seem to roll better than anything my mates are running. I've just bought a Vertical Pro Protection for the front to see if I can sling myself into soft corners a little faster.
Strengths: Possibly the best rear suspension design currently avaliable for an XC / Freeride light frame. Shocks Groupset Hayes 9s
Weaknesses: Nothing for the price. Saddle and pedals worth upgrading when required.
Overall: A superb bike for yer money, there is nothing around that even comes close performance wise in that price range. Probably one of the best value FS bikes on the market at the moment.
