ivo22
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Posts: 15
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Post by ivo22 on Dec 6, 2007 13:17:37 GMT -5
Hey, As i stated in the introductions section, im about to be new to the sport ( as soon as i buy a bike ). Since I get free lift tickets to Tahoe in the summer I want to do a lot of DH but there are also a lot of good single track trails arond here that i would probably use more often than the DH. So what i plan on doing is buying 2 separate bikes, one all mountain (Yeti 575) and one less expensive but greatly reviewed DH (Ibex ZONE). I know that the Yeti could probably handle the DH but why not have a bike made for it right? Just looking for some input on the whole situation.
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Post by JayMoney on Dec 6, 2007 14:55:14 GMT -5
I actually have an Ibex Zone and can attest that it is a beautiful bike that does way more than it should for the price. We tested both bikes you are considering. Here are the links: Yeti 575: www.mountainbiketales.com/reviews/575.htmIbex Zone: www.mountainbiketales.com/reviews/ibexz.htmThe only snag is I believe Ibex stopped producing the Zone, is that correct? Are you looking into a used one? I can't speak highly enough about the bike.
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ivo22
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Posts: 15
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Post by ivo22 on Dec 6, 2007 16:06:06 GMT -5
I looked at their website and seems that they are still selling them for 899. Maybe its an old page but you can have a look for yourself here: www.ibexbikes.com/Stacks/Series_Zone.htmlGlad to hear someone actually rides one. I read the review and it sounds great for the price. ( it sounds great even if it were much more actually )
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ivo22
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Posts: 15
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Post by ivo22 on Dec 6, 2007 16:09:11 GMT -5
I looked at their website and seems that they are still selling them for 899. Maybe its an old page but you can have a look for yourself here: www.ibexbikes.com/Stacks/Series_Zone.htmlGlad to hear someone actually rides one. I read the review and it sounds great for the price. ( it sounds great even if it were much more actually ) you were right. even know that page says they are on sale when you try to add one to your cart it says that they are out of stock. What a bummer i was looking forward to owning one. Maybe i could find one used. who knows.
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Post by JayMoney on Dec 6, 2007 21:34:55 GMT -5
Yeah I was afraid of as much. I remember Ibex announcing that they were going to stop producing them just after I had ordered mine. All of the attention had been on the (then) new Asta model.
Check eBay, once in a while a Zone appears on there. I feel for ya though. Have you looked into brands like Jamis and Iron Horse? They have some pretty sweet deals going on this time of year.
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Post by Tamer on Dec 6, 2007 21:47:19 GMT -5
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ivo22
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Posts: 15
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Post by ivo22 on Dec 7, 2007 16:58:45 GMT -5
Hey i took a look at that bike and it seems like a great deal. Have any of you ever ridden or ownone of these bikes? Just looking for some first hand reviews. mtbr.com gave it a 4.2 out of 5 and some of the people liked liked it and some not so much. Either way i will most likely shoot for this bike unless anyone else has any other suggestions i should take into consideration. Pricewise im looking to spend no more than 3k.
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Post by SlickBic on Dec 7, 2007 19:31:24 GMT -5
Yeah I had a 7 Point 3- Really nice bike. The only reason I got rid of it was I got a great deal on a Hallowpoint Mark III and couldn't afford to keep both of them. The MK III is a bit less beefy than the 7.3 and I was interested in the dw-link because I do a lot of single track.
If however you are going to be doing shuttle runs and more downhill than pedaling uphill, you will be really happy with the 7.3. Its really stable though rocks and handles big hits and drops with no twicthing whatsoever.
I paid $1599 for mine a few months ago (from Randall Scott) so $1299 - $26 (discount) is really a good deal. Plus you'll have some money in your bank leftover in case you smash a component or want to get some new gear. ;D
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Post by Mgoose on Dec 7, 2007 19:37:36 GMT -5
Actually Slick, the 7 Point 3 is also dw-link equipped. For those of you who don't know what that means, it's the link Dave Weagle developed to combat pedal bob while remaining active to trail junk. It's also used on the Ibis Mojo and it has been very well received. Anyway, the 7 Point 3 has 7 inches of travel and the DW-Link which means it'll pedal about as well as a long travel bike can pedal. Randall Scott has the full spec listed here: www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id.14384/.f?CAWELAID=63652461And like SlickBic's, it's still $1599 so it sounds like Performance is offering a great price.
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ivo22
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Posts: 15
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Post by ivo22 on Dec 10, 2007 15:56:45 GMT -5
Ok, I was thinking the 7 point 5 or the 6 poit 6 ( both 2007) i can get either for the same price. I will most likely bo doing more trail but would like somehting that can take the downhill maybe 10-15 long trips to the slopes durring the summer. Will the 6.6 hold up or should i just go on the safe side and suck up the weight of the 7.5 on the trails?
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Post by IHFanBoy on Dec 10, 2007 19:40:20 GMT -5
That's actually a really good question. I believe the answer has most to do with what kind kind of riding you're going to do most. It sounds to me like you're going to be doing a lot of big hit riding. If that's the case get as much travel as you possibly can. You'll appreciate it when your blasting down the mountain.
The only catch of course is that you are going to get more pedal bob and a lot more weight which makes your bike more single-purpose. If you are planning to do some flat trails and some tight singletrack, then go for the 6.6. It's always a compromise in this class of bike. The good news is 6.6 is really a lot of travel in it's own right. I've done some pretty hard core rides with 4 inches of travel, so I imagine the extra 2 .5 would really smooth things out.
My vote right now? The 6.6. Anyone else?
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ivo22
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Posts: 15
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Post by ivo22 on Dec 11, 2007 12:31:35 GMT -5
The 7.5 is only like 6 pounds heavier than the 6.6. Is the pedal bob that much worse on the 7.5? I know the coilover and lighter spring weight in the rear will cause it to be more plush but has anyone ridden both of these and compared the 2 pedaling wise? Im still leaning towards the 7.5 just wondering if the 6.6 is better. Its MSRP is a little more than the 7.5 but i dont know if it makes it any better or not.
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Post by Tamer on Dec 12, 2007 16:07:30 GMT -5
Ivo:
That's exactly what I recommended the 7.3 (it splits the difference between the 6.6 and 7.5). However, I'm thinking you must like the component spec of the other two better. I rode pretty much all of them. Not back to back mind you, but I do trade in and swap bikes a lot. There will be some noticible difference when mashing the pedals between the 6.6 and 7.5 (nearly a full inch of travel will do that).
However, any of the models listed will pretty much do what you are asking of them. Bottom line is this- are you gonna spend more time hammering the pedals on trails or ripping down the runs? If you are going to be 50/50 go for the 7.3
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ivo22
New Member
Posts: 15
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Post by ivo22 on Dec 12, 2007 18:24:22 GMT -5
The 7.5 is the same thing as the 7.3 with different componets is it not? So getting a 7.5 would be the same as getting a 7.3 with upgraded componts wouldnt it? This means that they both should ride very similar right? Either way, i like the way they 7.3 looks and what people have to say about it so as of now its my #1 choice.
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Post by Tamer on Dec 12, 2007 18:58:34 GMT -5
Yes, you are pretty much right on. Here is how the specs break down for each:
7.3: Frame: 7” Travel DW-link Freeride Frame Headset: FSA Big Fat Pig R Pedals: Funn Soljam Viper Platforms Brakes: Hayes HFX-9 Hydraulic Disc w/ V8 rotor Levers: Hayes HFX-9-HD Rear Shock: Manitou Metel R Coil, 8.75”x2.75” Fork: Marzocchi Dropoff III, 150mm travel Grips/Tape: NA Wheelset: Rims: WTB Dual Duty Freeride; Hubs: Alloy DH, Sealed bearing, Thru axle, 36H Seatpost: SDG 6061 I-Beam Saddle: SDG Bel Air ST I-Beam Cassette: SRAM PG-950, 11-34T, 9-speed Chain: SRAM PG-951 w/ PowerLink Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.7 Mid cage Shifters: SRAM X.7 Trigger Front Derailleur: SRAM X.GEN Bottom Bracket: TruVativ Howitzer Crankset: TruVativ Hussefelt, 170mm Handlebar: TruVativ Hussefelt, 31.8mm clamp Stem: TruVativ Hussefelt, 31.8mm clamp Tires: WTB Timberwolf Steel DNA 2.5
7.5: Frame: 7” Travel DW-link Freeride Frame Pedals: Crank Brothers 5050X Platform Crankset: FSA Gap MegaExo, 170mm Bottom Bracket: FSA MegaExo Headset: FSA Orbit IS-2 w/ E13 Reducer Cup Stem: Funn Direct Mount stem, 31.8mm clamp Handlebar: Funn Fatboy, 30mm rise, 31.8mm clamp Levers: Hayes HFX-9-HD w/ BFL lever Brakes: Hayes HFX-9-HD w/ V8 rotor Grips/Tape: Odi Ruffian MX Lock-On Rear Shock: Progressive 5th Element 3-Way Coil, 9”x2.75” Wheelset: Rims: DT Swiss FR6.1D; Hubs: Alloy DH, Sealed bearings, Thru axle, 32H Fork: Rock Shox Boxxer Ride, 130mm - 170mm travel Seatpost: SDG 6061 I-Beam Saddle: SDG Bel Air ST I-Beam Front Derailleur: Shimano Saint w/ E13 DRS Guide Chain: SRAM PG-951 w/ PowerLink Cassette: SRAM PG-970, 11-34T, 9-speed Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.9 Mid cage Shifters: SRAM X.9 Trigger Tires: WTB Timberwolf Steel DNA 2.5
They are nearly exact, except for a few spec changes. Most notable is that the 7.3 is rocking 150mm of travel and the 7.5 180mm. Not a big difference but since you seem torn between an all mountain and downhill bike, I would think that 150mm of DW-LINK travel is just what the doctor ordered.
But honestly, and I'm not just saying this, any one of the 3 models you have to choose from will fit right in on what it sounds like you plan to ride. You really can't go wrong.
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