Advantages: See text
Disadvantages: See text

...Shimano Deore is the main manufacturer of biking gear components. With them being the main manufacturer they will obviously more established and well known. Shimano Deore is the better part of Shimano's gearing. They have the SIS gearing which is lower quality. The models of the Deore range is; Deore, LX, XT and XTR. With the kit's getting better as you read them. I currently have a LX rear derailleur. You are probably thinking what is better in the different models. Some people don't really care and they just want the best model they can buy. All of the rear derailleur is covered to prevent and muck and sand to get into it and wreck it. The best part of the Deore range is that when you are going up hill's or you just need to change down a gear quickly, they don't jump, forcing you to not pedal really quickly, this is really... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent lever feel, stopping power, durability
Disadvantages: when they squeel, they REALLY squeel

...I've been mountain biking for many years now and over time I've tried a wide array of braking systems on my various bikes. I was always a huge fan of Avid's braking products and had test ridden a number of bikes with their Juicy discs on before deciding on the right bike for me and taking the plunge into speccing my own custom build. The bike was to be a Yeti 575 and the brake choice came down to the Hope Mono minis (as fitted to my Orange), Avid Juicys and the Shimano XT. I chose Shimano for various reasons and the following review will hopefully outline why I took this course of action over the much hyped Hope and Avids. Having tested various systems on demo bikes around the country, it seemed to me that there was little to choose between the braking characteristics of my shortlisted products. However, the Shimano just edged... Read review

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

...are a shimano XT rear mech, which will be reliable as its XT. You have Avid brake leavers,Deore shifters and a Deore frontmech and crankset. While the Deore stuff isn't the best in the world, it will be reliable and only really needs replacing when broken. In summery, I would heartly recommend a Kona Cinder Cone to anyone looking for a decent hardtail that is going to be upgradeable and will get you up and down any hill with relative ease. (Just buy a bloody big lock)... Read review

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

...and I found that upon even a short test ride, they may have had a more direct power to motion ratio, but they lacked the feel I had come to know and love from my old P7. The plus side of my dithering, meant that I missed out on getting a 1999 model p7 and for the year 2000, they were doing two versions. An LX equipped and an XT equipped. I went for the XT, which benefits from, obviously, upgraded Shimano components, but also Hope sport hubs front and rear as well as Manitou SX forks. Of course, when you're really looking to save weight, aluminium may be a major factor, but for someone like me who wanted a dependable, compliant ride combined with a good spec and a name I could trust, the P7 came out tops.... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, superb frame, superb wheels
Disadvantages: Wheelset spares less commonly available

...I have been a mountain bike enthusiast and have raced at National level for a number of years and this is by far the best bike that I have ridden, and the only one that I have been so happy with that I have 'refurbished' it rather than replaced the entire machine after a couple of years. The frame is about as light as they get, and gives a responsive but not punishing ride. The bike excels up and downhill, and is fun and flicky in the singletrack. The groupset, being predominantly Shimano XT as per usual, is flawless, and the supporting inhouse branded Icon chainset, seatpost, stem and handlebars are top notch. The only think I had to really upgrade with when it came out of the shop is a pair of bar ends. The SID forks are not the plushest out there, but they are reasonably light. The wheelset is a strong part of the spec: it is light... Read review

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Advantages: Fast wearing gears, good brakes
Disadvantages: average fron forks

...The 8000 comes stock with an all LX/XT mix, and a system 3 front hub. It also has a Judy (I admit to not knowing which one, because I swapped for a Manitou Pro-C immediatly after I got it). I also swithed the stock clipless peadals for Shimano M-747's, which have performed wonferfully. Over all this is the best hardtail bike I have ever owned, I had some troubles with the LX crank, the chainrigs seem to wear way to fast, but thats about it. It weighs around 24 pounds, does awesome on the climbs and the Avid brakes work really really well on the downhill. For me, this is hte ultimiate raceing bike. The manitou pro-c has worked really really well for me, being able to adjust the fork (tho not without tools!) exactly to my needs. In my humble opinion it is a good all around fork, the steel springs being a nice touch.... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, good quality components
Disadvantages: A lot of money

...on the familiar bike websites lets me know that they are a 4.5/5 and an excellent multi-condition performer. Not bad. -Derailleurs- Front – Shimano Deore Rear – Shimano Deore XT Derailleurs are the things that move the chain from gear to gear when you want to change them! Shimano are cracking and I can’t really fault these. They are perfect middle of the range and are great at what they do. They are also very simple to set up and maintain. -Grips- Kona Jackshit These grips are made from a relatively soft compound of rubber and have lasted me for a year of riding almost every day. Perfect. Parts list: Frame tubing - Kona All-Mountain Butted Aluminum Fork - Marzocchi MZ Race Braze-ons - 2 x bottles, rack, fenders, disc tabs Headset - TH Crankarms - FSA Alpha Drive ISIS Chainrings - 44/32/22 B/B - RPM ISIS Pedals - Shimano PD-M505... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Smooth, Well built, Lightweight
Disadvantages: Very loud when freewheeling, Difficulty fitting cassette

...rear hub who gets annoyed by the loudness of it. Unlike many freehubs, it's also surprisingly easy to service, requiring no tools the freehub just pulls straight off, revealing the ratchet mechanism, which is incredibly simple and easy to service. Fitting the cassette (cogs, for the non-cyclists!) takes a bit of gentle persuasion, however, in the form of a rubber mallet. Removing the cassette is even more difficult. Could do better there, I'm afraid. In use, the hubs are a dream. Despite riding in mud, through rivers and general neglect of the bike, the hubs have stood up to it all admirably. Let's hear it for British Engineering! Since I wrote this opinion, I've noticed two things: 1) Shimano XT cassettes seem to fit no problem, unlike cheaper stuff that just gets stuck. 2) Having lost the springs from the freehub and replaced them... Read review

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Advantages: Great sturdy all round XC mountain bike. Sheer exhilarating fun.
Disadvantages: Tyres.

...I bought the 2007 model at the end of 2007 - paid £730. I love this bike. It is so flexible. The frame is excellent, very strong and has great geometry. I'm 5'10" and I bought the medium frame. It is great for down hills and XC as the name suggests. It's well built, well balanced and comfortable to ride. The gears are well chosen, I have not found that I needed a wider range. Changing gear could be better, replace the LX with the Shimano XT and renew the cables when you smash the old deraillers. I would also change the tires. Traction is lacking on the ones provided and they clog with mud quite quickly. Watch the wheel bearings, they are individual bearings with cones, but are fine when kept clean and well greased. Brakes, steering and suspension are all good with no niggles at all. The 100mm travel is more than adequate. I have come... Read review

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Advantages: Top quality kit
Disadvantages: Nothing at all

..., disc only, forged dropouts w/ replaceable 98954020 derailleur hanger FORK RockShox Recon 335 SL, 100mm, 32mm alloy stanchions, alloy steerer, disc only, Turn Key damper, lockout w/ rebound adjust, coil spring HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless STEM Specialized 3D forged alloy, four bolt, 31.8mm, 7 degree rise HANDLEBARS Specialized Butted 31.8mm XC Rise, 640mm wide, 8 degree back/6deg upsweep GRIPS Specialized Enduro, dual density, Kraton FRONT BRAKE Avid Juicy 3, hydraulic disc, 6" G2 Clean Sweep rotor REAR BRAKE Avid Juicy 3, hydraulic disc, 6" G2 Clean Sweep rotor BRAKE LEVERS Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore M-530 REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano XT SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Deore SL M511 CASSETTE Shimano HG-50, 9-speed, 11-34t CHAIN Shimano HG-73, 1/2" x 3/32" w/ missing link CRANKSET Shimano FCM-540, Cobra Shape Hollowtech... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful