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Submitted by
Ben Moore
a Downhiller
from Black mountain NC
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | kitsuma | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Epic cycles Black. Mountain NC | | Strengths: | bomb proof still love the 8 inch discs great hard tail downhill setup | | Weaknesses: | NOT! i repeat NOT! for all mountain climbing | | Similar Products Used: | i have ridden many other bikes but nothing compares to the yakuza | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi shiver (yes i know it sounds crazy but it works like a dream), mavic 20mm through axle, clip in mallet pedals, i took off the smaller front chain ring for simplicity, Michelin all mountain tires w/ dh tubs | | Bottom Line: | with the shiver and clip in Downhill pedals it is a good dh set up i try to avoid too high of drops becuase its not a full suspenion (follow up review) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Semus
a Racer
from US Made
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$666.00 | | Purchased At: | Chuck'Bikes Morrisville VT | | Strengths: | Fast, firm, tractable. | | Weaknesses: | Discontinued.
With KENDA Kevlar tire at times is unpredictable. MAXXIS has a neat tire for this year 2008; steel bead and a thicker sidewall for sure will keep straight out of fast corners.
KENDA makes a great product, but IHBC chooses MAXXIS for a reason. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | ODI Ruffian, AZONIC UltraCross, HAYES HFX-9 Carbon w/ V7/V6 f/r, FSA DH300, FSA The Pig, 5.1" Hot Rod Marzocchi, NEVEGALS 2.35", Tubes, AXIOM Platform, FSA Team Issue Carbon Pro 175mm, FSA MegaEXO BB, e.thirteen SRS, e.thirteen GuideRing 38T, SUN RINGLE S-Type w/ Loose Ball Hub, XT Shadow RD w/ LX Deore shifter, XT 11-34 & 12-26 Cassette, FSA SLK saddle, OE post, OE clamp. | | Bottom Line: | With MAXXIS Ardent tire availible htis year 2008, I have my best bike.
This setup started with a frame swap from Chuck's Bikes.
I am not sanctioned yet to race, and am more of an advocate when I am not preparing to re-enter racing.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edward
a Downhiller
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any i have made... | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Trademe- frame only | | Strengths: | Super strong welds & clean tidy tubing. 1.5" Headtube | | Weaknesses: | Any Bakuto fully built up is heavy. 17.5 kg to be exact. The paint seems to scratch easily | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock, DMR Trailstar | | Bike Setup: | Modded Manitou Stances, Hayes 9, Alex Supra BH Wheelset, truvativ stem & bars, Race Face Ride Dh Cranks, sram X9 | | Bottom Line: | When built up with a decent spec the bike is great. Its not the street type, because the angles are all wrong for street. Freeriding nd Dhing is completely different, the bike feels smooth though the air, lands nicely and is stiff with its 1.5" headtube and oversize bars.
The paint seems to fleck, and the full build always seems to be heavy. But thats what you pay for a strong frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Turner
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Djs, Arkansas downhill and freeride stuff | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR classifieds | | Strengths: | Unbreakable frame!!!!
Good geometry for freeride, downhill and even xc from time to time. E2 crankguard works great.
| | Weaknesses: | Manitue Splice fork sucks. Put a Maz Dirtjumper 3 fork with 20mm threw axle.
A little on the heavy side but takes that for strength am guessing.
Little sloppy and skipping gears but have lots of hard miles on the bike.
Wellgo platform pedal fell aprat today. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300 discs
Friends bikes | | Bike Setup: | Dirtjumper III front fork. Rhino lite 20mm threw axle wheel. Crankbrothers 5050 x. | | Bottom Line: | A great freeride bike! Little on the heavy side but I love it!! Has taken alot of abuse.
If you can still find one would jump on it!!
Replace the front fork and take it anywhere.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sam jimmy
a Downhiller
from newzealand
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | peeks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | r nd r | | Strengths: | its da strongest and best frame i have ever had....o even no the brakes are cable the stop better than hlyrolic,its boom proof even all the wheels ,shocks ect arnt cheap..they take big stuff easy. | | Weaknesses: | well ive only snaped the chain once!. | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose hardtail,hydrolics...
kona scrap...
giant...
bmx z | | Bike Setup: | stock part from tyres nd that | | Bottom Line: | its a great downhill ,jump bike it TAKES ANYFINK. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Katz
a Downhiller
from Bend, OR.
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirty Sanchez @ Willamette Pass | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet | | Strengths: | Super sweet, ultra strong, Free-Ride oriented hardtail with gobs of mistake forgiving travel up front, confidence inspiring geometry, great componet package, and a sexy paint job/graphics. | | Weaknesses: | Piss-poor prone to scratching/flaking paint job, Oh-my-God heavy (It weighs a little less than my DH bike...), Inspires you to go far bigger than what you should (Both good and bad!), prone to mechanical mishaps (Sram shifters/derailers.), Hella-rigid and will make your spine ache (Yeah, I'm old, but I rip!). Oh, did I mention heavy?... | | Similar Products Used: | I used to drive Armored Vehicles in the Army... I guess that is fairly similar (Except for the color). | | Bike Setup: | Avid Mech 8" front and back, Sram drive train, ODI Ruffian grips, SDG I-Beam saddle, WTB rubber (Very sweet!), DH bars, and a Marzochi Drop Off III fork. | | Bottom Line: | Essentially, the bike rips! BUT, it is prone to mechanical issues due to it's rigidity (Screws will back out while riding the trail, clearing doubles, or DH sessions.) It will inspire you to clear the gap, ride the skinny, lean the berm, and flow the DH portion of any single track, but you had better have ALL day to pedal the rig there! 5 pounds are all that separate this bike from my DH bike. Also: You WILL break body parts on this bike as it makes/inspires you ride like an idiot (7 broken ribs, 1 dislocated left shoulder, 1 concussion, gobs-o-trail rash, and low back pasin galore!). In summary, I would recommend this bike to a young guy who has little money do work with but a big drive to ride like an idiot! He should also have good medical insurance and preferr the company of shuttle riders or lift-serviced riding as the bike is just too heavy for epic legnth single trackin'. The bike is great for what it is intended for, but I would not recommend it for those who want to primarily single track as it is inapropiate for this application. If you session the park, shuttle up, buy a season pass at the local hill during the summer, and ride like an idiot (Yes, I'm included it this!) then the bike will suit you just fine. If not, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. P.S. the rear drop out is off center due to a botched landing and the rear brake now rubs when pedaling making the bike seem heavier and the factory derailer hangar is crap. It broke on the first month I had it 7 miles into a 27 mile ride. This made for a looooonnnngggg walk out! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Lyons
a Downhiller
from Hillsboro OR. USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bonzi Downhill, Black Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$680.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo.com | | Strengths: | Good frame strong and nimble. Light enough for all mountain but strong enough for a pounding. Handle bars are perfect width and rise. Stem perfect length. Brakes are durable. | | Weaknesses: | FORK SUCKS!!! just after my second month i jumped off the top of a hill lost control and hit a rock going only about 20. The fork broke at the steerer tube. It had only 130 MM. Also the bike should have nicer wheels, And 20 mm TA. Also the drealers and brakes SUCK! should have Avid juciys and SRAM x5's at least. | | Similar Products Used: | Speacalised P3, Haro, Novara, diamond back topanga, iron horse yakuza bakuto(2006),iron horse yakuza chimpara | | Bike Setup: | Stock everything but sram attack thumb shifters, new brake levers, new tires (tioga factory downhill front maxxis highroler 3C back) Transition 36 spoke rims, Marizocchi 66 FV fork. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a good entry level free ride bike, really needs stock 20 mm TA, the fork on it is my 3rd, first broke within two months the 2nd was a manitou sherman, but i upgraded to 20 mm when i broke the axil, and got 66. This is my second review after 2 years, good bike if buy as frame and build but dont buy complete. keep a shorter fork on it (120-160) 170 and up is too long, also get a DRS chain guide. It is also very hard to use on all mountain XC but possible. Good over all frame. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Moore
a Weekend Warrior
from Black Mountain N.C.
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Either kitsuma or greens lick | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Epic Cycles Black Mountain N.C. | | Strengths: | Greastest bike ever. The frame is totally bomb proof, I have yet to spill with it but when I do I wont worry a whole lot bout it. i love the seat it is hard but any good seat is going to be hard, besides that is what padded bike shorts are for! the 8in. disks can stop on a dime and dont stretch out easily. the wheel set is heavy but strong, the tires have great traction for cornering and climbing. the 150mm. Splicecomp front fork is really plush and works well for what i do. the rear derailur shifts ten times better then my previous bike. the chain ring guard is ausome i dont have to worry about log pyramids. there are reinforcements all over the bike. | | Weaknesses: | the front derailur is solid but has trouble shifting between top and bottom (there are only two front rings) so i just keep it on top | | Similar Products Used: | K2 Zedd 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | all stock excepet for the pedals which are V8's. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this bike is just plain beefy, shifts like a dream, brakes like a dream and its BOMB PROOF! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from red Creek, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban college campus and trials | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | somewhere online | | Strengths: | Frame is really strong. Handlebars are nice. Strong Rims. The bash guard is worth a million bucks. Mine looks like hell, but my chain ring looks pristine. Derailures are ok. Strong brakes! | | Weaknesses: | The fork blew a seal and leaked oil after about a year. Weird creaking sounds from the bottom after 6 months. Other than that, a solid bang around bike. | | Similar Products Used: | none really | | Bike Setup: | Everything stock exceps Maxxis Hookworm tires and a new seat tube and Botrager seat. | | Bottom Line: | I really didn't use the bike for what it was meant for. I mainly cruised to classes at college and practiced trials riding. The frame is def. not a trials frame but it sure it strong. A great bike to get from point A to B. Took a lick or two and kept on ticking. No major break downs. I would recommend!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from ottawa
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | monkey trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | performancebike | | Strengths: | love the frame:its beefy and can take hard hits. the fork is okay...(but that might be because i'm only 13 years old, 116 pounds:)the bb5 are good enough for what i do and the rims haven't failed me yet.I also love the drivetrain, its good for he price. | | Weaknesses: | I Hate the seat!!!!!!! It sucks! ditch it at once. its rock hard! the tires wear out to easily(the compound is bad)and also a little to heavy. not too good for trails.(probably because I havent finished puberty:)oh yeah, the bb5/s are way too squeaky, though the stopping power for the price isn/t bad, but it squeaks every other second! | | Similar Products Used: | norco wolverine, yakuza chimpira, ironhorse sunday, aniki, sasquatch | | Bike Setup: | stock except for dt swiss freeride rims with hubs, maxxis minion dh 2.5 front and rear, formula extreme dh\fr 8 inch rotors, marzochi 55 ata2, wtb pure v sport, odi lock ons, sram x0 shifters, x0 rear derailer, x9 front derariler truavativ hozfeller crank set/36/24 tooths, crank bros 50/50 | | Bottom Line: | this is a great all around hardtail. if your looking for a trail based hardtail, then don/t go for this, but if you like to do north shore , some light freeride and dirtjumping and just showoing off around the streets, then this is the bike for you. Im loving mine:) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james kirby
a Weekend Warrior
from asheville, nc
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | kitsuma | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Epic cycles | | Strengths: | Strong everywhere but the fork. I go 260 lbs and ive tried breaking stuff and have only managed to get a good workout, i believe the splice fork would have gone without my efforts. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou splice fork. perhaps it was the casting, i dont know but when weight was shifted forward the wheel leaned to the left. the problem progressed till a 20 mm wheelset and a fork was upgraded now im a happy peddler | | Similar Products Used: | first bike in ten years so i cant compare | | Bike Setup: | sunrims s-type wheels,manitou stance 20 mm, rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | I veiwed and tested many bikes in my area and found this to be what looked like i couln't damage beyond repair. From progressively more airtime to faster and more techy terrain im not hindered by the yakuza( since the new fork). Im going to have to step it up to really give this bike a workout. value gets a 4 only cause of the fork. all other components really compliment what this bike is for which is for entry freeride/dh i give a 5 overall cause who else can compare at 600 bucks for a great bike that take it all and ask for more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gene Atalig
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Randall Scott <---- they suck! | | Strengths: | Very strong bike frame. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks and rear hub problems | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Roast, Cannondale Gemini | | Bike Setup: | Stock Iron Horse set up. | | Bottom Line: | This is a heavy hardtail which takes time to get used to. 8 inch disk brakes and an overall almost 35+ pound weight tells me that this bike is supposed to take a beating. I'm fair when it comes to reviews. If the bike comes from the factory or bike shop with problems, just fix it. It's not the bike's fault, unless it's an egregious thing like crappy welding.
But, my bike did have problems. Please read on and beware of this bike shop that deals heavily in Iron Horse bikes, which is why I am adding the following:
I would be careful when shopping online at Randall Scott. I bought a mountain bike which had crank problems. The customer service manager, Chris Delauro, was not very kind in attitude toward my situation.
There was back and forth phone calls, which I tried my best and never even raised my voice, to remedy the situation, but his harsh attitude was not conducive toward an end result; and this is the customer service manager of Randall Scott. He even talked to my local bike shop manager to get the facts straight about my problem. The first thing this manager said to me was, "That guy is not very friendly. He has a bad attitude, or something." He kept going on about his unfriendly attitude, which, I guess, is not just toward me, but to anyone who calls for warrently help. In the end, I just didn't want to deal with Chris.
So, I still have that crank problem and another problem, which I'll end up paying out of my own pocket even though my bike is only a month old. I'll never shop there again and I'll not recommend their business. If you by a bike online and it is not working properly, be prepared for an uphill and unfriendly customer service manager. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ash
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheff UK / Boston US
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Dark Peak UK | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Online - Scotts Outdoor ? | | Strengths: | Rock Solid. An absolute tank of a bike. Well impressed with the spec for the price, great forks, drive train & brakes. Tho it's a hardtail, it soaks up the rocks and anything you throw at it... as long as your ass can take it. The best bike by far for $600, it looks gorgeous, and i find the geometry very forgiving - it holds the line in fast turns, and the front-end is easy to flick up. | | Weaknesses: | It's heavier than any bike i've owned before, even heavier than decent full-sus bikes. But, i think that's a bonus for downhill. Sure, on road that means it's more effort to ride, but that don't bother me. The seat however is a dangerous piece of prastic crap. Bin it immediately, as an extra annoyance, you'll have to shop around for that 30mm seat post. Also the S-RAMx7 gears seem to start skipping after a couple hundred miles, but that can be fixed. The only other problem i have is the stupid dragon decals on the frame.. what's wrong with plain yellow? | | Similar Products Used: | Marin B-17 - absolute rubbish compared to the Iron Horse. | | Bike Setup: | Cross Country - Stiffer forks, High seat. | | Bottom Line: | Unfortunately, no longer made. Buy it if you can find it - the spec and price can't be beat. Tho it's heavier than most, it's a near unbreakable tank of a bike which see you fail before it does. Just get a new post / seat and save a visit to the proctologist. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
barry kid:-)
a Weekend Warrior
from kinsale,co.cork, ireland
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | all of south ireland | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | rs cycles | | Strengths: | bulletproof!!!!! seriously d strongest bike ive ever owned
great value for money | | Weaknesses: | i wouldnt call it a weakness but i would rather have bb7's than bb5's | | Similar Products Used: | nothing that i could compare to this | | Bike Setup: | iron horse bakuto 2006 stock | | Bottom Line: | this is the best bike you can possibly buy if your a 14 year old freerider like me!!!!! also rs cycles have a amazingly fast delivery | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TougeNoMikado
a Downhiller
from Cupertino,CA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | StevensCanyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | Bullet Proof Frame, Compoinents rock, Love the E-13 Bash gard. | | Weaknesses: | Some people say this is a light bike... but it feels Heavy for me.... well the slight weight combined with the Maxxis High Roller tires make it a pain to ride on any paved roads... but than agan thats not what this bike is ment for is it. | | Similar Products Used: | (never had any Hardcore Hardtails b4 only full susp and XC bikes) | | Bike Setup: | 2005 model all stock. | | Bottom Line: | For the price I paid... (and you can still find the 06's for a decent price) a wonderful purchase.
Everything on this bike is aftermarket excpt the rear hub. This bike seams like it was ment for going big and it hasent let me down yet. Although The gears are getting a little out of wak.. and Ive only put on 250 miles. Probly just needs some ajustment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
luke c
a Downhiller
from adelaide. S.A. Australia
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Blackwood | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mitcham cycles | | Strengths: | This bike is a PIMP machine for the price, the model i bought came with marzohcci forks 150mm travel, the phat as head tube, cranks, frame, basically everything | | Weaknesses: | Its a hard tail, 3m drops starts to push the limits of this bike | | Similar Products Used: | P3 | | Bike Setup: | Australian stock. I think the components on this bike a betterr than the american models i have seen, marzocci forks, truvative cranks, stem, bars, hayes 9 hydraulic 8 inch rotors. | | Bottom Line: | bang for your buck i thikn this is as close as you will find to a freeride/ Dh bike that can take more than almost any other hardtail | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Downhiller
from Mill Creek
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Schlayer->joyride | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance (then Supergo) | | Strengths: | Quality (if basic) components
lightweight
durable (original components are still going strong)
versitale | | Weaknesses: | its a hardtail | | Similar Products Used: | Trek POS, stp, 7.3, sunday, swd crazy 8 | | Bike Setup: | 17" originally stock, then with an 04 marz drop off triple, now single speed with a lowered stance flow and avid bb5 rear brake | | Bottom Line: | This is a quality bike if you have a budget. I got the yakuza to get into freeride/downhill. Its stock components inspire confidence and progression and are flexible. It is light enough where I would definitely consider this an all mountain bike, but it put up with tough freeride stuff and I even raced it once (downhill). Once I installed the drop off triple (6 inches as opposed to 5) the geometry became alot more freeridee friendly. As a 17" the goe isn't quite right for jumping, but I take it to the djs and it does alright (could be operator error too). I am planning on racing this in cruiser class at the local bmx track this season. You will have no regrets if you buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Downhiller
from West Linn, OR
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Schleyer, whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Blowout | | Strengths: | Extremely well built frame. all of the components are brand name ecept the grips and front hub. I can ride just about anything with it, from XC to Downhill. its a pretty large bike, making it comfortable to ride. good price, 1.5 allows for any fork to be installed. | | Weaknesses: | it did come with a Splice. if you do buy the bike, do realize the splice is an AM fork. why IH put a splice on one of their primo FR hardtails I'll never know. | | Similar Products Used: | 04 P.2, Evil Imperial, Transition Vagrant. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | amazing bike for its price, a little on the heavy side, but again, it can take DH and FR abuse. very versatile bike, can run my 120mm black on it for trail, then throw on a jr T when shuttle time comes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robert
a
from san diego
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | i love the parts package especially the e thirteen and truvativs. the maxxis high rollers are skid resistant. | | Weaknesses: | the splices onthe bike broke 2 months into it. (cant take small jumps). shortly after i got new ones they broke again. the sdg seat broke too. | | Similar Products Used: | this is my first mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | 2003, splice comps, e 13, truvativ cranks/bars/stem | | Bottom Line: | Ithink if you are going to use it for trails it would be ok, but for jumping you should look at changing the forks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan Stevens
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ashton Court's Pink Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles UK | | Strengths: | The bike is very strong, but not too heavy if you're a bit bigger yourself (I'm 6'4", weight about 110kg, I'm no cross country whippet). I moved from a 16" Orange Ms'Isle to the 17" Bakuto and it's a big bike. This means you can actually pedal the thing properly with the seat up. The Sram kit on it shifts neatly enough, although the up and up thumb shifters take a while to get used to from the usual Shimano system. That said, once you're used to just using your thumbs they are easily as good, just different. The brakes are strong, BB5's being the second best mechanical disc there is (BB7's win because they're shinier...), and the 8" wavey discs look good whilst they're stopping you. WTB wheels and tyres keep the bike moving along well enough, the Timberwolf tyres are great in everything except clay mud (you know the type, when it's been raining all week but just stops in time for the mud to get sticky before you ride on it, turns 99% of tyres out there into slicks and adds 5kg to the weight of the bike in crud). The fork takes the hits well, but needs a little time to bed in properly. People slate the Drop Off for its lack of adjustability or refinements, but once you've got the preload set it's a stiff sorted fork that will take a beating, especially with the 20mm hub. The Hussefelt and Howitzer finishing kit is strong, if a little common these days, but it does the job without problem. The SDG Belair saddle and I-Beam seatpost are adjustable and have yet to protest about my weight bouncing around on them, so they must be good. The post is also long enough to run at near XC heights, so nicely versatile. The bottom bracket height is nice and high, but doesn't make the bike feel unstable at slow speeds. At higher speeds the bike is a point and click weapon, momentum carrying it through things I'd usually want a full susser for at speed. The angles on the frame make it a comfortable bike for days in the saddle, although it will fire the saddle up your arse if you run out of talent on trickier sections, but what do you expect from a hardtail? | | Weaknesses: | The fork, not because it's bad, more because it's a compromise in my opinion. The bike has a massive 1.5" headtube, but they've fitted a 1 1/8" fork. In their defense the Big Fat Pig reducer headset is another piece of well priced kit that's taken a kicking without flinching so far. I'd just have prefered them to use the 1.5 frame to its full capability. The fork and 20mm hub are also a bit heavier than some other long travel single crown forks, but in Marzocchi's defence it is a beefy fork. I may also upgrade to hydraulics in the future, not because the BB5's are bad in any way, just for the lever feel on a hydro. I did snap the chain on it, but it was my own fault. | | Similar Products Used: | Orange Ms'Isle (lovely but tried to rape me on rougher trails), Saracen Havoc (decent 4 bar susser, but not at home in the rougher stuff), KHS FR1500 (super tough but not fun to pedal up hills), Claud Butler Rock (a fast XC bike, not really built for me or my style of riding), Scott FX30 (lovely, fast, agressive XC full susser, only got rid of it because I snapped two swingarms on it), Mongoose Black Diamond Double (my mates bike, stunningly beautiful to ride down hills, not so fun on the way back up though) | | Bike Setup: | 17" frame, Dual Duty Rims, 'zocchi Drop Off's with 150mm travel and 20mm hub, Avid BB5 discs with 8" rotors, Howitzer external BB, 2 rings and a bash guard, big bloke sat on top of it all (me). | | Bottom Line: | A surprisingly versatile bike. I ride mainly agressive XC and light FR. Easily capable of all but the fastest of DH riding (I've scared myself on this bike, but I've not hurt myself on it yet) whilst being good to pedal (I run clipless pedals for the more XC days and I've buried mates on much more 'conventional' hardtails). With the bash ring swapped for a third chainring it would make a very solid Clydesdale bike. For £600 it's also the bargain of the century. I can't really fault it and I've broken more bikes and bits of kit than me or my wallet care to remember. A stunning piece of metal, lighter than most of its competitors and I'd wager a fair bit stronger than some too. It has been dropped for 07, not sure why, but the All Mountain range they've just released has a hardtail in there that looks strangely familiar, just without the 1.5" headtube and with the AM fork. Funny that...
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Submitted by
emile
a
from Palo Alto, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$619.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | The breaks are incredible, smooth and powerful. The tyres are great for my style of riding. The e-13 bash saved my chaingrings many times. I feel invincible riding it. The air system in the fork. | | Weaknesses: | After a month of use, the fork started leeking out of the right arm.This was fixed quicklly. And I clean every time I go on a trail ride. No big problem but I am considering changing fork. The whole bike seem a bit heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized P.2 | | Bike Setup: | Shimano alivio, hayes 8", manitou splice , Stomp pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I was 14 and I bought this bike with my savings. I got for $ 619 straight, on a no tax day at supergo. The brakes are amazing. The fork again could be better. I got better pedals with replacable pins. I love this bike, i recommend it to anyone. Because it is the best bang for the buck out there. The haro thread 8 is allmost the same bike but it is sold at $ 880. I am considering getting a lighter, better fork, but the stock one is fine. I've drop 5 stairs and the bike didn't disapoint me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trenton
a Weekend Warrior
from Baton Rouge, LA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hooper/Comite for local trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Superego | | Strengths: | The bike can take a beating. Out the box it can (minus some assembly) it can do some damage. Highly recommended for those that ride aggressive. | | Weaknesses: | Rear derailer should be low rise. Bike is kinda heavy, but what the hey... it's a tank. | | Similar Products Used: | couple of bikes from bill at DRB and friends, but his personal bikes cost more than my car. | | Bike Setup: | Mantee 6inch front fork, WTB Rims with 20mm axle... waiting to upgrade to hydrolic brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Get this bike if you want a frame that will last,you can build on (pending your skills advance to those needs), and if you don't mind moving into the heavy weights. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Not Joey Krejci
a Downhiller
from Yorba Linda, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$619.00 | | Purchased At: | sUPERGO | | Strengths: | Everything besides the fork.. | | Weaknesses: | Forks mine broke after three months of use.. buy Sherman Fireflys way better | | Similar Products Used: | Loook below | | Bike Setup: | Sherman Fireflys, MX2, Race Face Diaboulous Stem, etc.. | | Bottom Line: | It rocks but buy a new fork if you ride with friends that downhill and freeride because theyll make you do alot of things you didnt think possible on a hardtail.... Trust me.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Lyons
a Downhiller
from Hillsboro, OR.
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Ski Bowl | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$680.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | I love this bike!! It is Awsome. The fork is very plush, and absorbs everything. It is very beefy, the e-thirteen bashgard has saved my chainring like 20 times already! The tiers stick like glue. | | Weaknesses: | I dont really like the brakes the 8" roters are cool but I dont really like the hayes and would much rather have Avid BB7. Also the seat and seat post arnt all that great. | | Similar Products Used: | The only other "real" mountain bike I have ever had was a 2003 Dimondback topanga Comp. Witch dosent compare at all!! | | Bike Setup: | It has a 130mm travil manituo splice comp, shamono alivo, hayes MX 2 mechs, Truvitiv Husfelt cockpit. | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE ROCKS!!!!!!! I love this bike it is perfect it jumps it flys downhill and it climbs. I can keep up and pass my down hilling friends on full suspenciopns. If you like going fast on a hardtail cheack out this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Not Joey Krejci
a
from Yorba Linda CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$619.00 | | Purchased At: | SUPERGO | | Strengths: | The frame is really beefy, espescially towards the front of the bike. Its forks are pretty good too theyre supposed to come with 120mm but my dealer messed it up and I ended up having an extra 10 mm.. YAY... Anywho rims are definitely strong though... could use some MAvics nonetheless Handlebars are pretty strong and e-thirteen bash guard is really helpful and chain hasnt flung of yet... | | Weaknesses: | CRANKS>>> GET RACEFACE CRANKS>>>> Ummm and a new derallieur or however u spell it most likely an XT | | Similar Products Used: | Um nope first hardtail... | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for trail, jumping and it can take drops like a champ.... Even some stairs heere and there.... Ive been doing everything that my freinds have been doing on 2000 $ bikes except for this huge set of stairs that I must have grabbed the rail 400 times..... still havent gone down .... but it still hangs with the downhill and dirtjumping bikes... SO id definitely get another one if it broke.. so ya its good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Goldman
a Weekend Warrior
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Too new to have one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$619.00 | |
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