|
|
 |
| SUCCESSFULLY BRIBED BY |  |
|
|
Chocolate LogSpecialized FSR XC Pro
4 May
Specialized FSR XC Pro, outside the pie shop
Here's a review by The Prawn of the new Specialized FSR XC Pro test bike that Marshalls Cycles foolishly lent him for a weekend so he didn't have to ride his 50lb Demo 8 around the North Downs: I got lent a Specialized XC Pro for the weekend while I was waiting for a shock to be sorted on a proper bike so I thought I'd review it for you, not that you care.
Not sure if the graphics on the test bike are on the production models, if they are it's as good a reason as any not to buy one. Some out of Ten. There's more to it of course, but if you wanted a quick summary, that's the gems you need right there. The first thing I noticed was that it's light. It's kitted out with RockShox Recons, Avid Juicy 5's, Hollowtech cranks, XT and a bit of Deore, the wheels and tyres are Specialized own brand thingys.
The blue one. Look at the blue one. Oh, okay then. That's my S-Works Enduro that is.
I'm not used to long wheelbases and stems and found it difficult to get used to at first. The first ride was a nice sunny one on the downs, where I found it better than expected. Easy to ride up hills but to be honest coming back down them it was flexy and the fox triad shock decided to lock out whenever you hit a particularly bumpy section. In the end, that didn't matter as I locked it out permanently as the bike seemed to ride better.
Tiny rear shock, with wobbly lockout.
The second ride was a very wet muddy one at Epping Forest. The tyres were next to useless, although everyone was struggling, I tried the shock again and gave up with it again, the length of the bike started to annoy me in the end, it just wasn't very maouverable for something so light.
Drooling onlookers are an unfortunate hazard when you look as cool as Jon and ride a bike like this.
My honest opinion is anyone thinking of buying one would be better off with an xc hardtail, you'd get a lot more for your money. Post a comment |
| A Designcrimes website |
Comments
i was being kind, it's a shit heap.
buy a hardtail instead.
Posted by: prawn at May 4, 2006 01:20 PM
cant argue with that
Posted by: thenorth at May 4, 2006 01:21 PM
It did look pretty noodly, especially with that tiny shock on it.
If I was in the market for an XC bike for putting in some big miles on, I'd go for the slightly burlier Stumpjumper.
Posted by: wa at May 4, 2006 01:50 PM
They remind me a lot of the old specialized bikes. Those stickers look like the speccy ones and it has a similar design to the specializeds. Quite a specialist bike though, maybe a Specialized SX trail might have been a better bet. Or a Demo
Posted by: Flan eater at May 5, 2006 01:42 PM
lol, a true jurno legend in the making
Posted by: Monkey at May 8, 2006 09:33 AM
What an insightful review. The fact that you dont like it suggests to me that its probably worth buying
Posted by: geffeltafish at June 12, 2006 01:10 PM
that is because you stink of piss and your face is covered in bee sperm.
Posted by: prawn at June 15, 2006 11:34 AM
My wife bought an Spec XC Pro last year 2005 ver. (Black Ver disc looks great, don't like the blue colour)
Changed the fork to a Fox Van R (better than the crap oem Manitou)
Changed the tyres to Mich Xtrems (oems are crap for anything except hardpack), seatpost to EA50 (with set back)
Raceface 32/22 rings and bash.
Kept the Triad (she likes it). Climbs like a mountain goat and strong enough for Wharncliffe woods' XC black route and some of the DH!
Weighs bugger all
Posted by: Dave at August 6, 2006 04:32 PM
these are shit fast bikes going up hill, sturdy frame for drop offs, sharp handling.
Suggestion - set the bike up properly, and get a girlfriend
Posted by: steve peat at October 9, 2006 07:29 PM
well ive just orderd one and the only negative comments i can find on the net are here will pop back when ive tested her out
Posted by: swoarg at November 2, 2006 09:35 PM
i rode one too,it was crap,only buy one if u iz gay
Posted by: the kraken wakes at November 8, 2006 04:20 PM
well its an old coment but latest review? - maybe I'm old and intolerant - liked the site but this comment is offensive and should be deleted -
i rode one too,it was crap,only buy one if u iz gay
Posted by: the kraken wakes at November 8, 2006 04:20 PM
Posted by: Ed Jones at February 9, 2007 01:01 PM
that bike was really crap.
Posted by: prawn at May 7, 2007 08:29 AM
Ya'll that posted it's crap, can you build a better bike? I bet you don't even know simple tune up.
Posted by: kraken at August 24, 2007 06:57 PM
I own the 07 fsr xc pro. set it up right and its one of the best bikes out there. Its shit fast light and nimble and can manouver round any crap heavy demo anyday. and considering that he was riding the bike because his rear shock had gone says one thing and if you know anything about bikes or can ride one then you will know that this bike pisses rings round any downhill bikes and your gay if u dont own one.
Posted by: Tom at October 24, 2007 12:59 PM
U R gay if you don't own one, not that I have a problem with that.
Posted by: Bart Simpson at December 29, 2007 11:23 PM
Wow, is this a forum for homophobics or about the bike.
Ive got the 07 fsr xc pro, its great, i work in spec dealership and so test riding all the big downhill rigs the hardtail rockhoppers and stumpys are a must, blates! Depending on the riding your looking to do, which in this case is just good fun mountainbiking, no hucks or backflips but for £1300 its not going to fall apart is it!!
So if you want a bike thats a good xc bike but can be taken to the next level then this is the bike as it can the shocks can be locked up and damn fast like a rigid or lovely and plush and take the big hits.
And your gay if you want sex with people of the same sex, duh!
Posted by: Tom at January 17, 2008 10:14 PM
I have the the 06 pro version which is black. Looks pretty cool aesthetically, unlike the one in the picture above.
I still ride the bike with no problems to date. handles great and has taken some beatings on some trails like afan forest, coed y brenin including the black trail and soaked up everything i threw at it. my companions have some much more expensive, tougher and better spec'd bikes and im glad to say that this bike keeps its own in theyre company.
looking at the picture you are sitting outside peaslake cafe so hardly demo country anyway.
Posted by: Ryan at February 24, 2008 08:08 PM
i am that i bike! xc pro rules!
Posted by: god at March 10, 2008 09:58 PM
I own a 2007 fsr xc pro and really like it.
Good and fast uphills and as good down hill as my limited ability and low bravery threshold allows.
One problem I have is I always feel my weight is too far forward and that I'm going to end up over the handlebars on steep downhills.
Is this normal or can the bike be adjusted in some way?
Anyone got any suggestions?
By the way I'm more bi curious than gay.
Posted by: ant nagle at March 31, 2008 07:21 PM
I own a 2007 fsr xc pro and really like it.
Good and fast uphills and as good down hill as my limited ability and low bravery threshold allows.
One problem I have is I always feel my weight is too far forward and that I'm going to end up over the handlebars on steep downhills.
Is this normal or can the bike be adjusted in some way?
Anyone got any suggestions?
By the way I'm more bi curious than gay.
Posted by: ant nagle at March 31, 2008 07:21 PM
Hi there, well I was looking a FSR XC Pro 2007 on my bike shop and look kind cool the bike but I'm not sure if going to be a good thing to buy it, let me know if the bike it's ok or just a suck ride. I don't care about the gay thing, I just want to know if work or not the bike for the price. I'm a all mountain, so this bike work for that or not?
Posted by: Pochy Rabia at May 1, 2008 03:45 AM