Manitou 2003 Six Comp

Advantages: genesis geometry, Good components
Disadvantages: rather heavy forks, Fairl expensive

...This is an excellent bike either for upgrading or for the occasional off road rider. I mean the components are good but they will soon become worn and need changing, for example...the pedals. I had the bike 8 months and i had to change them for some DMR V8's, But i Had used the bike every day, so fairs fair. The best bit about this bike is the genesis geometry it means that at every point of riding (descending, climbing etc) the bike puts you in the right position. Your weight back for descending and forward for climbing. And It actually works!! Wherever you point it, it will take you. I am only slightly dissapointed about the forks (manitou sixs) though theyre pretty heavy and they dont really do much for soaking up small bumps. But they can be internally changed from 80mm to 100mm pretty easily. Oh and it is a great looking bike black... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: good all round performance
Disadvantages: slighly heavy

...I purchased this bike as my first "proper" bike for general cross country and single track riding. I was originally going for a hard tail, but this bike was discounted so I went for this! (I've checked and the bike is still available at www.paulscycles.co.uk) With 4" of travel front and back, supplied by the Manitou Splice Comp forks and the RockShox BAR 2.1, I have found it more then enough for my riding - I'm glad I did not go for anything with more travel as I still rate myself as a beginner (having not been on a bkie for 15 years) - anything more would hide my faults enough for me not to learn from my mistakes. The Splice Comp allows you to vary the rebound to the extent of locking it completely which I have found useful, but as you have to lean down to turn the adjuster which is situated on the top of the right hand leg, I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Steel frame gives a compliant ride with plenty of feel
Disadvantages: not the lightest.

...As I'm an existing owner of a P7 already, many people might think the decision to buy a new one was more than a little strange. And I suppose they might be right. Why spend £1,000 on a new bike, when I could upgrade my existing one? Well, for starters, although my existing bike had some nice kit on it, it was getting a little long in the tooth at six years old. The one thing I did like (or rather LOVE) about it though, was the steel frame. While my existing bike was fully rigid, it still flexed enough to make it comfortable and not at all harsh off road. However, I still felt it was time to get front suspension. And so the quest for a new, steel, front susser began. I looked at many other bikes in the price range, but to be honest, there wasn't a lot of choice. Most other manufacturers are using aluminium at this price range... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful