Review Your Full Suspension bike here. or HT

[jakie]

Frame Make GT
Frame Model and year 2003 Ruckus I-Drive 2.0
Intended use Freeride, Hardcore Trail
Actual use Freeride, DH, Trail
Front fork & Travel Fox Vanilla 125R
Rear shock & Travel Fox Vanilla RC, 6.5 rear travel, Dual position chip

Geometry For trail it is OK, but for freeride and downhill it feels a little steep and twitchy, changed to slacker angles and feels a little better

Suspension Travel 6.5 Rear is fine, took a while to set up shock right but now its dialed and real good.

Suspension design I Drive design is awesome, no- hardly any pedal bob and is still active when pedaling, AWESOME

Braking Shimano Deore Hydros, on par with HFX 9s. Don't really need to be upgraded, nice levers too. Easy to bleed correctly.

Weight Reasonable for Freeride, 30ish pounds, feels lighter on bike

Looks Pretty damn sexy, love the 04 1.0 though

Durability issues None, Quite strong, linkage requires maintenance though

Driveline Shimano Deore rear, is quite dodgy, needs to be tuned though

Modifications done, or would like done to improve
None really, Ourys
Would like to put on some Shermans or Z150s to balance out the travel though and slacker angles too. Would like to put on chainguide but have to buy GT special one -$600

Final comments Great freeride bike, tough componentry, no bob, awesome travel.

 

[Joly Joe Rider]

Frame Make Iron Horse
Frame Model and year Hollow Point (ex madcatz team bike)
Intended use 4x
Actual use mostly 4x, BMX a bit of DH
Front fork & Travel 03 RS Psylo Tullio U-Turn with modded fox vanilla damper cart.
Rear shock & Travel 5th Element coil, 4" travel, 550bl spring
Comment on the following...
Geometry Awsome rides bermed corners really well.
69dg HA 42"WB perfect


Suspension Travel Perfect for this type of riding


Suspension design DW link


Braking HFX9


Weight about 13kgs


Looks Cool


Durability issues None really


Driveline Hussefelts, custom chain device, Shimano deore 9spd casseste, Blueprinted LX deore deraliure with custom short cage.


Modifications done, or would like done to improve ex717s and more carbon bits


Final comments Dream bike for me!

 

[DWNHLR01]

Frame Make Orange
Frame Model and year Patriot 02
Intended use Downhill
Actual use Downhill and DJ
Front fork & Travel Boxxers, 6in
Rear shock & Travel Fox Vanilla RC, 6in
Comment on the following...
Geometry 14in Frame, really small and chuckable. Perfect for riding here in Cairns


Suspension Travel 6in on the back does me well, I'm only a small fella. I'm stepping it up to a 4-way soon with 8in.


Suspension design Orange's single pivot, can't go wrong


Braking Armour hyrdos all round, 7in rotors, adeqate braking.


Weight Really light, I'd guess around the 30pound mark.


Looks......The shit


Durability issues None at all, This bike refuses to snap.


Driveline Shimano 105 roadie with roadie cassette.


Modifications done, or would like done to improve No mods at the moment, but 04 boxxers, Swinger 4-way and an E.13 are on their way soon hopefully. Thats if my sponsers (mum and dad) help me fund it.


Final comments Schweeeeet, light and chuckable. What more could you want?

 

[Harder Nox]

Frame Make Dorco
Frame Model and year Team Race 2003
Intended use DH Racing
Actual use Freeride, HUCKING, DH, Urban, DJ, Commuting
Front fork & Travel 2003 Monster T1 - 8"
Rear shock & Travel 2003 Fox Vannila RC - 8-ish inches


Geometry
The angles feel really good, with a size small frame everything is nice and compact which i like.


Suspension Travel
Norco website says 8" but i've been told it has more.


Suspension design
FSR, nice and reactive and plush


Braking
Hayes Mag, with 8" rotors


Weight
Heavy, but controllable.


Looks
...insane!! the monsters just top it off!!


Durability issues
None yet....


Driveline
ShiTmano 105 rear mech, XT casette and shifter, Half a blackspire chain device!


Modifications done, or would like done to improve
Need a new chain guide asap, an upgrade of the rear shock eventually, and some SRAM gear


Final comments
I Love it!!

 

[Fatman]

Ellsworth Moment

Love a gravedig!

Frame Make Ellsworth
Frame Model and year 04 Moment Large 19"
Intended use Trailbike and light freeride
Actual use Trailbike
Front fork & Travel Manitou Nixon Platinum (Air) SPV and Infinite travel adjust, variable 0- 145mm
Rear shock & Travel Custom Fox Float R, 5.5 inches
Comment on the following...
Geometry. Head angle can sometimes feel a little slack but most times it feels perfect. Everything else is just right.


Suspension Travel. 5.5 inches, 6 with Fox DHX. Feels much lighter and still very plush with 5.5.


Suspension design. Ellsworth ICT, nothing better. It is better than anything I have ever ridden before. It is fully active and just beautiful. Better than the VPP and DW link bikes I've ridden. No platform valve shock technology interferance. I rode practically everything available before I bought this.
The only time I've got it to bob is if there isn't enough pressure in the shock or really mashing on the pedals while standing.


Braking. Avid Juicy 7's on 6 inch rotors. Powerful and progressive braking, I love them. I originally had Hayes HFX-9's on it but they blew up after a long descent so I changed.


Weight. 13.6kgs but feels lighter. It has the air shock and fork to reduce a bit of weight, feels light as a feather when you hit the trail.


Looks Black, black and more black. I love the look of the frame, the machined link on the top is sweet. Anodised and shot peened finish with laser etched graphics, beautiful and hard wearing.


Durability issues None


Driveline. X.O rear derailleur with X.9 triggers, XT front. Race Face Cranks with Time ATAC SL pedals, Connex 909 Gold chain. Crossmax XL wheelset.
SIC bar and stem.


Modifications done, or would like done to improve. Came as a frame only so all the parts were my choice. Would like a SRAM front derailleur and carbon upgrades to the Juicies, possibly a change of forks. The rotors are ordinary so I'd like some different ones.


Final comments. This is the perfect 'one bike', it feels just right in most situations. The suspension is fantastic and the whole rig just feels quality. I could have saved alot of time and money buying one of these first, I probably wouldn't have bought anything else it is that good.

 

[Dim]

Frame Make NS
Frame Model and year Bitch 2006
Intended use 4x/Freeride HT
Actual use DJ/Street/Park
Front fork ; Travel 2004 Sherman Firefly's 130mm
Rear shock ; Travel none

Comment on the following...

Geometry Nice and short, pritty short chain stays, just feels spot on.


Suspension Travel none


Suspension design none


Braking XT 4 Pot Rear Brake (soon to be on a goodridge hose)


Weight 13kg


Looks Hot!

Durability issues Hell no, its meant to be an extreme freeride HT rig lol

Driveline 32tooth front, 16tooth rear. SS Hub

Modifications done, or would like done to improve Nothing as yet

Final comments Fricken awesome rig, geometry is great, and it a strong beast

 

[trevallynbikerdude]

I think only one word needs to be said: "stickify"

 

[Cameo]

Frame Make: Norco
Frame Model and year: 125, 2005
Intended use Super Cross (Dirt, Urban, 4X)
Actual use Dirt Jumping, Urban, Skatepark, and the very odd Downhill run.
Front fork and travel 2004 Marzocchi Dirt Jumper One, 130mm
Rear shock and travel None, Hardtail Pride.

Geometry: Feels good, I'm growing taller so the top tube seems to be shrinking. 130mm dosen't feel too out of place, short and high.

Suspension Travel: I have a hardtail.

Suspension design: Hardtail.

Braking: Hayes MX-2, rear only. Feels really bad, definetly time for an upgrade, and it sounds like 100 cattle dieing.

Weight: 15 Kilo's, give or take one.

Looks: Awesome, a beautiful combination of orange, gold and black. the dual 24" look sick!

Durability issues: The stock seat and seatpost that i'm currently running is pretty piss weak, managed to bend the seat and the post holt area.

Driveline: Singlespeed, no hassles here. Awesome ratio of 36:16.

Modifications done, or would like done to improve: Done; Wheelset, singlespeed, forks, bar and stem, cranks, headset, grips, and a few little bits here and there. Future; rear hub and maybe a new stem.

Final comments: Great bike, I couldn't be any happier with it. Get's me everywhere and can take a hefty beating.

 

[Fatman]

Yeti AS-X

I'm bored so I'm gonna put up some more of these


Frame Make Yeti
Frame Model and year AS-X Large 2003
Intended use Freeride
Actual use Freeride and Trailbike. Has been used for DH too.
Front fork & Travel Maverick DUC 32 air, 4-6". Light as hell and plush.
Rear shock & Travel Progressive 5th Element, 6-7" travel
Comment on the following...
Geometry. Head angle is a bit steep for downhill, gets very twitchy at speed. Rides very well in Freeride or trail applications, the angles feel spot on.

Suspension Travel 4-6" front and 6-7" rear

Suspension design Single pivot with a swing link up top.


Braking Navigator 6 pistons, very powerful but a little heavy. Too powerful for the fork, I will need to change because the forks twist under braking. They just get better as they get hot, seriously good brakes for the price.
A little brake jack is noticeable but nothing serious.

Weight When I had it set up for DH it weighed nearly 21kgs, now with super light forks and lighter components it's closer to 14.

Looks I love the 'Gravel' colour with black components and graphics. It looks tough. Yeti saddle and grips look good. I reckon the upside down Mavericks look sweet, I would like to have a better blacker rim on the front though.


Durability issues . I had the Yeti Hop up kit installed in the suspension links. Basically removed the bushes and replaced with sealed bearings, there was no problem with the old ones it was just a redesign so I upgraded. The frame is solid and have had no problems at all.


Driveline Saint 165mm Cranks with 2 rings and a bashie, LX front Derailleur and an X.9 rear, X.9 triggers and a Wipperman Connex 909 gold chain. Sram PG 970 cassette.

Modifications done, or would like done to improve Since it came as a frame only the components are a mix of leftovers and a few new bits.
SIC Race bars, A2Z bolt on rear hub, Maverick DUC 32 fork, Saint cranks, Navigator brakes, X.9 etc. It's a bitsa really, I didn't spend a huge amount on it, I probably should have bought the fully built up model.

I would like to put a single crown 7" fork with a 1.5 steerer on this thing and the tyres on it are Larsens, they need to go.

Final comments. This is one tough puppy, it has taken everything I've dished out and comes back for more. It is simple, reliable and very solid, it has never let me down but I was riding it when I had my worst ever crash.
It makes you want to ride more and get better.

 

[Ben-e]

MrPlow, Your A Bloody Legend!

Just wanted to say that this is one of the greatest threads ever - im finding it very useful indeed!

 

[Fatman]

Cannondale F600 CAAD4

Frame Make Cannondale
Frame Model and year F600 CAAD4, Large, 2003
Intended use Budget XC racer
Actual use General purpose hardtail
Front fork & Travel Lefty Jake 100mm
Rear shock & Travel N/A
Comment on the following...
Geometry Classic Cannondale XC geometry, comfortable and stable without being slow.

Suspension Travel. 100mm Lefty fork, Firm spring since I'm a fat bugger.


Suspension design. As far as the fork goes, Lefty's are just incredible. Stiffer and lighter than alot of regular forks, easy to maintain and buttery smooth travel on needle bearings.


Braking. Hayes HFX-9's on 6" wavy rotors, they perform adequately in XC and trail duties.


Weight. It's about 11kgs, the coil sprung fork is heavier than the standard Headshock that was on the bike before.


Looks. Black with white graphics, most of the components are black. I quite like it. The satin Black paint is a bitch to clean.


Durability issues. I chose the lower specced CAAD4 instead of the lighter CAAD5 and Dual Assault frames because I killed a CAAD5 in the past. The frame is stiff but not uncomfortable and it is my favourite model of Cannondale hardtail. I killed the rear wheel in a stack, replaced it with a Mavic Crossland.


Driveline. All SRAM, I wanted to build a bike with no Shimano just for a change. X.7 triggers, X-Gen front derailleur, X.9 rear, PG 970 cassette, Race face cranks, Wipperman Connex 909 Gold chain ( i love these chains)
I quite like the way it performs, I still prefer Shimano cassettes though.


Modifications done, or would like done to improve.
The only stock parts on this bike are the frame, seatpost and stem, the rest are all parts I chose on a limited budget.
The Lefty was added because it's got 20mm more travel than the Super Headshock and doesn't slacken the head angle. EA 90 riser bar and lock on Rogues replaced the flat bar and cheap grips. The saddle is from my Gemini and the other components I got cheaply.

Final comments.
I really like this bike, it doesnt look a million dollars but it rides very well and great for most kinds of riding, I wouldn't like to jump it though as it's a little big. This was my second Cannondale and it has stayed in my stable because it's such a great bike. Aside form GT Zaskars, the F series Cannondales are my favourite hardtails.

 

[gibbo4]

Frame Make Trek

Frame Model and year Diesel 2002

Intended use DH/Freeride

Actual use DH

Front fork & Travel 2002 Boxxer World Cup, 7"

Rear shock & Travel 5th Element and Fox Vanilla RC (cant remember what travel)

Geometry: Everything is the right height, width,etc making it very comfortable to ride

Suspension Travel I think its got enough

Suspension design Single pivot

Braking The Hayes Mags 8" I put on it pull the bike up very well

Weight Haven't had a chance to weigh it yet but for the chunkiness of the frame it is very light

Looks Some people would argue that the chunkiness at the front of the bike near the head tube is ugly but I've got used to it.

Durability issues The frame definately doesnt look like its going to snap anytime soon. Weak point possibly might be how the rear wheel attaches to the frame. But its better to snap the things on there instead of the swing arm!

Driveline I love it! The Shimano XTR shifter and derialleur perform well on the SRAM cassette and chain. Chain Torque Eliminator is a good idea too!

Modifications done, or would like done to improve Not really much to improve... its basically top of the line component wise

Final comments Great bike and great value (well my deal was!). Will not break anytime soon and is strong as anything.

Full list of specs and pics here: Click Me!

 

[Fatman]

GT Zaskar Team

Frame Make GT
Frame Model and year Zaskar Team, Large 2001
Intended use XC racing
Actual use XC racing
Front fork & Travel Rock Shox SID 63mm
Rear shock & Travel N/A
Comment on the following...
Geometry Long and low, short chainstays and steep head angle. Steering is very quick. Very good race geometry.


Suspension Travel Only the fork. 63mm really very short travel.


Suspension design N/A


Braking XTR V brakes on Cross Max ceramic rims. The bike is very light and doesn't really need discs. I love the feel and power of these brakes.


Weight. It's a shade over 9kgs, feels insanely light but there are much lighter XC bikes out there.


Looks. To me this bike is pure porn. Blue and Yellow team graphics, carbon components and electric blue forks.


Durability issues.
It has very thin tubing, hence a dent in the top tube. The bike is irreplaceable so I rarely ride it. It's the last of the GT's made in the USA in Santa Ana with Easton tubing, the newer Kinesis ones aren't quite as nice though.


Driveline. Full XTR group, the older 9 speed. This is possibly the best groupset ever made (except for old 8spd XTR and X.O)


Modifications done, or would like done to improve.
This bike was raced by a pro rider before I got it but a few parts needed replacing. A low rise EC90 bar, lock on ruffians, new UST Pythons and a pair of eggbeaters. The components are showing their age now but they are still performing well. The bike cost about $8100 when new, I'm glad I didn't pay anywhere near that much for it.

Final comments.
I lusted after one of these for so long and took me ages to find one. The first ride on it was incredible, it's so fast and light, incredibly agile. The minimal travel forks are a little harsh but the tubeless tyres make up for it a little.
You can't just go for a casual ride on this thing, it just begs to go faster.
I really have no business on board one of these but I love it to death.

 

[Fatman]

GT DHi

Sill bored, still more bikes.

Frame Make GT
Frame Model and year DHi Race, Medium 2003
Intended use Downhill
Actual use Downhill / Freeride
Front fork & Travel Rock Shox Boxxer 7"
Rear shock & Travel Fox Vanilla RC, 9" (closer to 8.5)
Comment on the following...
Geometry The angles work well with my lack of style. The wheelbase is adjustable as is the head angle. I set mine up in the slackest position.


Suspension Travel 7 inches on the front, good enough but I wouldn't mind 8. GT says 9 inches on the rear but it's closer to 8.5.


Suspension design i-drive, easy to set up and very smooth pedaling bike.
You do get a little brake jack but that's as bad as it gets. I love it.


Braking Hayes Mag with 8" rotors. I don't particularly like these, I don't think they are up to the job even when freshly bled and set up correctly.


Weight About 19kgs


Looks I don't particularly like the Gunmetal paint, I think it looks cheap. I'd love to get it sandblasted and clearcoated. I always wanted the Blue and Yellow team bike, just like Steve Peat's old one. The old black one looked sweet too.


Durability issues I've seen quite a few of these in various states of disrepair. The swingarms were notorious for snapping. I've had no issues with mine because it's had a very easy life.


Driveline. 9spd old XTR, derailleur, cassette, cranks, chain. XT shifter and an MRP chain guide.


Modifications done, or would like done to improve
It's pretty stock except for; Azonic bar and stem, Mavic 521 rims, 800lb spring in rear shock, Ruffian grips. Maxxis and Michelin tyres.


Final comments.
If I was to spend the same amount of cash on a downhill bike again I don't think I'd buy a DHi. There are much better value bikes out there but I still reckon it handles better and pedals better than alot of DH bikes even now.

 

[Fatman]

Kona Unit

Frame Make Kona
Frame Model and year Unit 18" 04
Intended use XC Singlespeed
Actual use Pub bike
Front fork & Travel Marzocchi MZ comp, supposed to be 100mm
Rear shock & Travel None
Comment on the following...
Geometry Very good for a SS.

Suspension Travel Forks are ordinary, heavy and poor performing. I get about 50% of the advertised travel even when properly set up.

Suspension design N/A

Braking Avid V's, good enough for a pub bike

Weight Quite light really, not much to it and a light CroMo frame. About 10kgs ish?

Looks Not the prettiest bike in Battleship grey but it's not awful looking.

Durability issues Steel frame and singlespeed, not much to go wrong there.

Driveline Truvative Firex cranks, no idea of the ratios.

Modifications done, or would like done to improve
The frame is actually a bit small for me and is made up of all sorts of spares.
I don't really want to improve it much so I can use it for a pub bike. It cost me bugger all second hand, about the same as a Kmart bike but is heaps better quality.

Final comments.
I love steel mountain frames, it does handle quite well off road but I really haven't done it justice with the odds and ends I put on it. The way they come out of the factory is quite a good setup, rigid forks and all.

 

[Fatman]

Trek 6500

Frame Make Trek
Frame Model and year 6500 Large, 06
Intended use XC / General purpose hardtail
Actual use Commuter, Pub Bike
Front fork & Travel Manitou Axel Elite 80mm
Rear shock & Travel N/A
Comment on the following...
Geometry Reasonable figures, handles well but hasn't had much of a workout on real trails. 71 degree head angle.

Suspension Travel. 80mm, Entry level fork with preload, TPC and lockout. Actually feels quite decent for a cheap fork. Lockout is very useful given the amount of road use it gets.

Suspension design. N/A


Braking. Shimano M431 V's on Bontrager machined rims.


Weight. No idea, around the 12kg mark? Lots of heavy Bontrager components.


Looks. Orange and Yellow metallic fade, quite bright.


Durability issues. None so far, it hasn't been very long in service and has had a very easy life. Still looks brand new.


Driveline. 9spdXT rear mech, Shimano M440 cranks, Deore shifters


Modifications done, or would like done to improve
It'sbog standard at the moment. Maybe I'll put some spare disc brakes on it when I get it back to Australia, it's disc ready. A better fork like a Recon 327 U-turn would suit it nicely. I should put some Semi-slicks on it rather than wear out the Bontrager Jones ACX's.


Final comments
Not a bad general purpose hardtail, I really didn't want a Trek but I had limited choice of bike shops and this was the best brand available.
So far I'm quite happy with it purely because it does what I need it to do.
A few tweaks would make it better but it's quite alright as it is.

 

[Fatman]

Okay kids, allow me a little lattitude here, I know this is an old thread that I have dug up once before but I still think there's life left in the old girl yet. Beside's that I'm supposed to be at the RSL for $2 schooners and I'm stuck at home in a thunder storm. Mind you I do have a case of Moosehead keeping me company, well most of a case.

Frame Make: GT

Frame Model and year: '08 Peace 9'r

Intended use: General purpose singlespeed

Actual use Commuter, Pub bike, trailbike, loaner, very slow roadie.

Front fork & Travel: How ever much the rigid steel flexes, it's actually not that bad with 29" wheels, they roll very well and if you get tyre pressures right it's quite comfortable.

Rear shock & Travel N/A


Comment on the following...
Geometry: Classic GT hardtail with a 29" twist. The handling is a little ponderous at times, I'm not sure too many have got the 29'r thing just right yet, but this being my first venture into 29'r ownership I must say I am very comfortable on this thing. Its steering is a little slow.

Suspension Travel. Hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa.

Suspension design. I'm sure specialized have come up with a wanky name and tried to whack a patent on it. Direct Drive or some BS, it's a hardtail.

Braking. Tektro Aquila cable discs, 6" with Tektro Eclipse levers. These were going to be the first area of upgrade but these stoppers were a real suprise package. There is plenty of power and modulation to be had, the only real short coming is their weight and the fact you must manually adjust them for pad wear although this hasn't been an issue at all.


Weight. H'mmm, bear with me a sec while I get the scales.
About 13kg's but doesn't feel heavy. (Although that's about the same weight as my Ellsworth with 6" travel either end)


Looks. Metallic plum paint, looks great under light, simple and clean lines, the rear dropout is quite nice with some elegant curves in the chainstays. It's quite understated really and I guess that's the point.
A few sortcomings are the 4 spacers under the stem and some don't like the medium sized frame with such large wheels.


Durability issues. I haven't had her for long but it has been ridden almost every day. I would expect excellent service life with a rigid steel singlespeed. I keep an eye on the chain tension but the BB hasn't moved. Some of the components may have a shortish life but there are so few bits to go wrong that I can't see this being a pressing issue.

Driveline. TruVativ Blaze cranks with a 32 tooth front ring, no name 16 tooth on the rear attached to GT hubs. It pedals out pretty easily on the road but it can still be a real handfull when climbing, if I was doing more off road stuff I would consider an 18 tooth rear cog.

Modifications done, or would like done to improve:
None as yet, she is as original as the day I bought her besides a front and rear light for commuting. Everything seems to be well specced for a bike of this kind and pricepoint. Obviously there is room for upgrades, a set of forks would be great but they would defeat the purpose of buying this bike and also cost more than I paid for the bike itself.

Final comments:
This is my first 29'r and only my third singlespeed. I love this thing dearly as it constantly suprises me with what it is capable of. I am acutely aware of its shortcomings too and because I'm so soft I find myself reaching for an absent shift lever on the steep uphills.
I wanted to buy one of these a few years back but I missed the boat, I wanted a large frame but luckily the Medium is a perfect fit, luckily because it was the last one available.(so I was told) A large would have put me in an uncomfortable position. I would recommend this to someone wanting a bike that is simple and a little unusual as well as being quite cheap, it's definately not for everyone or your only bike. This is my ideal 10th bike but is a favourite already.

**EDIT**

Just got some second hand Reba Race 29'r forks for this thing and it has really changed the way this rig rides. Just a few mm of travel at the front has made it so much more comfortable and it seems to roll over things like a bulldozer. The weight has increased slightly but the performance makes up for that. Upgrading was definately worth the money.

 

[haydenmadder]

2008 Norco Atomic DH bike

Frame Make Norco Atomic
Frame Model and year Atomic 2008
Intended use DH
Actual use Freeride
Front fork & Travel 203mm boxxer races
Rear shock & Travel 9 inch fox DHX 3.0
rear lots of travel but if bottomed eats seat
Geometry DHish


Suspension Travel long very long does its job just!


Suspension design rear tyre eated back seat


Braking juciy threes do there job


Weight 20.0kg


Looks looks like a bike


Durability issues fork seal blown, buckald back rim, front brake didn't work, derailer wierd all gears except 7th dont know why, chain guide eatting itself, shifter broke 3 times, chain got flat spot from chain guide


Driveline does alright


Modifications done, or would like done to improve none, fix: forks, brakes, derailier, chain guide, chain, wheel


Final comments does job but would like to upgrade

 

[primo_DHFR]

Frame Make: Intense
Frame Model and year: M1 2003
Intended use: DH racing
Actual use: General DH duties and little bit light freeride
Front fork & Travel: 2002 Rock Shox Boxxer WC's 170mm (Custom internals)
Rear shock & Travel: Fox Vanilla RC (2003) unsure of the stroke?

Geometry: As the frame has adjsutable geometry i feel that it may be a bit complicated to explain:
The shock has three different mounting positions therefore increasing & decresing the headtube angle (im not entirly sure on the adjustable range). At the same time the three mounting positions change the hight of the bottombracket. My personal setting of the shock is on the lowest position so i have a nice slack feeling head angle, and my bottom bracket is nice and low (not too low though) so i have a nice low center or gravity

As with the adjustable wheelbase settings i run it at the shortest out of the two settings (the adjustment range is 1.5cm). the short wheelbase setting suits me as i am a not the largest rider and its easier to manuver on the trail and easier to manual etc.


Suspension Travel: 8" (203mm)


Suspension design: Specialized FRS design.


Braking: In the image it has Hayes Mag's but i have purchased a set of 8" Code 5's. these are the most powerful brakes i have ever used and owned.


Weight: Unsure or the weight, but a wild guess might say around 20kgs (the mag30's wouldnt help).


Looks: The frame at this point in time is down to its bare matal as im in the process of getting it powdercoated.

Durability issues: The only let down with the frame is that it does not have a replacable derailleur hanger.


Driveline: Sram x.9 shifter, derailleur, cassette and 991 chain. RaceFace cranks, blackspire chainring and an E13 lg1 chainguide.


Modifications done, or would like done to improve: as i said earlier my boxxers are custom: on the compression side all the internals and spiring have been removed and i have added a car valve instead. Reduces weight and makes them incredebly smooth.

Final comments: hope that helps

 

[Knight]

Frame Make: Specialized
Frame Model and year: Demo 8 (2007) - Medium
Intended use: Downhill race
Actual use: Everything. Sees downhill, freeride, dirt jumping and even a few XC type rides
Front fork & Travel: Fox 40 RC2 - 8 inch
Rear shock & Travel: Fox DHX 5.0 - 2.8 stroke giving 8 inch travel

Comment on the following...
Geometry:
Geo just works for me. Stable at speed and over rough but still agile enough in every situation I've been in. Short wheelbase - especially the chainstays - suits me as I'm not a very big rider and the cockpit feels comfortable.

Suspension Travel:
8' front and rear

Suspension design:
FSR

Braking:
It came with Juicy Carbons but I took them off immediately and swapped them for my Avid Codes from my last bike

Weight:
18 and a tiny little bit

Looks:
Ok...so the stickers...you either love them or hate them. I must say I thought they looked out of place on that bike but I kept them on as scratch protection and I've stopped paying attention to them. But even if you have the stickers on/off, the frame looks great. Not quite as aggressive looking as the older Demos (like my old Demo 9 Pro) but its nice.

Durability issues:
None so far. Only problems have been caused by idiots and not anything to do with the manufacturer.
I asked a bike shop that won't be named to replace a tube (just punctured, I had a patch kit but the bike shop was very close and I needed to buy stuff anyway). I was told it would be ready in 5 minutes...half an hour later they gave my bike back. Front tire was on backwards, they rounded the axle (hex bit) trying to get the wheel off to put the tire on properly, tried to hammer in a 5.5mm allen key but gave up. Shop manager said they couldn't help me with it, that they were sorry and gave me $200 for the price of the axle, trouble they caused and to cover getting the thing out.

Driveline:
Sram XO shifter and derailleur
MRP System 3 chainguide
Connex Wipperman chain (I think)
Sram PC980 cassette (I think)

Modifications done, or would like done to improve:
Modifications: MRP Chainguide, Avid Code, MRP V8 Pedals
Would like to improve: Want a wider range cassette, may put on a front derailleur occasionally depending on use (I only own 1 bike), Funn soljam vipers wanted as V8s feel quite narrow.

Final comments:
Awesome bike - thanks Chain Reaction Cronulla