Northwave Freeride Extreme

Advantages: exelent value for money, very strong can take some abuse
Disadvantages: the overall bike is quite heavy, and has bad saddle

...I bought the 2005 model Fire Mountain in the beginning of last year. I rode it XC for a good 3 months after purchase. The bike performed well, has a good gear ratio (has capability to go extremely fast, and get up the steepest of hills). But the comfort was not great, especial on longer rides. I found myself having to stop not because I was tiered or out of breath, but because I was in so much pain I had no choice. In the summer I rode some slightly more aggressive terrain dropping of ledges, riding light DH freeride trails the bike seemed to handle it ok. The only part of my bike that didn't was my bars when I stacked it going to fast and bent them. I've gone back to Xcing now and all the components are still going strong. componaents: the fork make this a smooth ride for the price but the adjustability is not efective the disk brake... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Light, Strong, twice as strong as competitors, isis
Disadvantages: non

...to 4X. I have ridden with a race face BB on my pashley for 4 years with no slack or knocking from by BB in that time. It's still going strong, even though it has been smashed many times from going to the bash ring. The factory and Shimano BB have nothing on them as they are designed to have the least amount of friction but no strength for the more extreme ridding of street and DH. Most top range Bottom Brackets sit at around £80 so pick your self up a bargain and get an Evolve.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Control, power transfer, efficiency etc
Disadvantages: You might fall off once or twice....

...around / pushing you do you might want a more flexible sole; the more flexible the better for walking but the worse for power transfer to pedal) & fixing. Also style if you plan to walk around in them!! I have a set M535 (LX) shimano pedals as well as a set of cheap M646 platform copies from wellgo. On the shoe front I use Northwave arctics in the winter (the only shoe to have in the cold; Northwave use a shimano sole with their own upper), Specialized comp in summer & a set of Lake "skate stylee" shoes if I gotta walk anywhere in them!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful