Manitou 2004 Sherman FireFly

Advantages: nearly everything including the frame, forks, brakes, wheels and 1.5 big headset
Disadvantages: the shimano alivio front mech and the double chainrings on the front

...I had owned an older model of the cannondale chase 2, i think it was the 2004 one and it was excellent, only flaw being the avid cable disc brakes which i had to upgrade. I had had this for a while and thought of getting a new bike so i looked at the cannondale range as i liked my old one so much. I saw the chase 2 2007 model and fell in love with it. Among the strengths is the chase hardtail frame which is chunky, made from cnc machined 6061 aluminium which is mega strong and has nice simple graphics. Also the ISGC BB is great as it give you a better ability to keep the chain on when used with a suitable chain guide and single ring at the front. The forks are an upgrade from the 2004 model. The 100mm Marzochi dirt jump 3s are slightly better than the manitou stance 100mm which used to rock bottom if used for jumps. Although... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Inexpensive, Respected Brand, Cool
Disadvantages: Some components need upgrading (but thats the fun 'aint it)

...The 2004 Cinder kone by Canadian Northshore manufacture's is uphholding a long tradition of stiff, light(ish) hardtail xc bikes. Previous cinder cones were steel but this model makes the transaction to 7005 butted aluminium , which saves weight without losing any of the feedback and stiffness. The front suspention is provided by a marzzochi mz race fork which is excellent for the price range of this beast. The fork is oil and spring dampened and is plush and resposive ideal for cruising over small rocks and rooty singletrack.The other selling point of this particular model is the shimano cable disc brakes. To be honest I have never really been a fan of cable discs, I find them spongy and unresponsive and prone to cable stretch, so they are the first things to be replaced with a nice set of mono minis. Other componentry on this ride... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: nice weight to the rear of the bike allows for good climbing
Disadvantages: the bike is heavy overall

...in case I fell in love that day with a 2000 model year bike. Second of all, I knew I would be writing a review for Epinions. To make the comparison fair, I rode the exact same trail with all the bikes I tested, including my own. I have test-driven Gary Fisher soft-tails before and hated them. The “Joshua” frames were based on the Trek “Y” frames -- a disastrous design that lead to far too many people being launched over the handlebars. In 2000, they still make the “Joshua,” but have come out with a far superior design in the “Sugar” series. <B>The make-up of the Sugar 2</b> The Sugar 2 is the exact same frame as the Sugar 1. It is made from 6061 T6 double-butted aluminum. However, it lacks the carbon fiber stays the Sugar 1 carries. This bike is a somewhat light full-suspension bike. The Sugar 2 is outfitted with a Manitou... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful