[Natedog]

Hi Guys, after a long absence I think I'm gonna make an appearence again and give you a review of what is to be one of the best bikes of '05!! Thanks to boards favorites DW and SkaTodd, I got my hands on an early version of the seven point to do some testing fopr those guys and give them some feedback in collaboration with progressive suspension.

First off the bike is soo clean looking, I think the curved downtube and toptube give the bike a nice clean look, while also being functional and giving you loads of standover clearance. I had it spec'd pretty much as the production complete is. It was fairly light for a seven inch bike at 38lbs with time pedals.

Okay lets get to the good stuff. This bike is a 7" travel "trail" bike. So i thought I would test it's trail capabilities. I went to a fairly infamous spot here in Socal called Suicide. Now there is no shuttle to this trail, you push or ride....I chose to ride. Those who may have been there know it's no easy ride. Anyways...the bike was incredible, with seven inches of travel it pedaled more efficiently than most competitors 4-5" travel bikes (cough specialized, giant cough cough). It was glued to the ground, had little to no bob when you stood up to hammer. I was really impressed. Climbing behind me I flipped the fork into 7" travel mode and time to pin it. It's amazing that a bike that just pedaled that well could also descend so well. This bike can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. It was suprisingly stiff in the rear end when hammering turns. It took big and small hit equally well, never feeling harsh or short on travel, and it mowed down everything in it's path. If your looking for a new freeride bike for '05 my recomendation goes here.

Thats Just the initial quick writeup, kinda basic but some firsthand insight none the less. I'll give you more detailed writeup after more time on it and after we get some shock testing dialed....


Nate
aka Dusty

 

[Acadian]

thanks for the nice review Nate!! So, are you finally gonna retire the Giant in favor of a new Sunday?

 

[thaflyinfatman]

Does any new bike ever NOT get such a good review, and pedal better than everything else ever invented? Not having a go at you personally Natedog, just wondering how much of this is hype.

 

[heikkihall]

Does any new bike ever NOT get such a good review, and pedal better than everything else ever invented? Not having a go at you personally Natedog, just wondering how much of this is hype.

I know it sounds crazy with all these people allways saying that this new bike is so great and bla bla bla.... But ive ridden the Sunday series and absolutely couldnt believe I was riding a DH bike. It seriously does what everyone says it does. Try one out if you have a chance.

 

[eastcoastzigzag]

YOU SUCK! nice write up bro.

 

[Greyhound]

Does any new bike ever NOT get such a good review, and pedal better than everything else ever invented? Not having a go at you personally Natedog, just wondering how much of this is hype.

I can see where you're coming from.....but you gotta think about it a bit though. Each new bike that comes out is based on principals learned through preceeding models and brands. Designers are taking advantage of the evolution in shock valving--- utilizing linkages and ideas that allow them to make a light speed jump in how our bikes react to pedal input. That's progression.

 

[Discostu]

How would the 7 point frame do for DH racing (compared to say my current big hit expert). I'm thinking of the 7 point because the 7 point frame is 1300 whereas the sunday frame is 2300 iirc. I would throw on a 888r, and all DH parts.

 

[biker3]

think the geometry is geared so much for racing. Im sure it could handle some racing but if your planning on getting serious shoot for the Sunday. The team has a KILLER build for like 3500 bucks I think. Itd be much cheaper then actually building a bike up.

 

[-BB-]

Does any new bike ever NOT get such a good review, and pedal better than everything else ever invented? Not having a go at you personally Natedog, just wondering how much of this is hype.

The bikes that don't live up to the hype end up getting NO review.
It is only when you are amazed at how well it rides that you actually take the time to sit down and type it out.
That, and bikes keep getting better.
Make sense?

 

[Pip3r]

I know it sounds crazy with all these people allways saying that this new bike is so great and bla bla bla.... But ive ridden the Sunday series and absolutely couldnt believe I was riding a DH bike. It seriously does what everyone says it does. Try one out if you have a chance.

seriously. I couldnt get over how unique of a feeling it was riding weagles. At that point i was riding an old sgs with a real soft spring and the sunday literally felt like a hard tail.
Interesting though, is i rode that same sunday frame later on as GR had it built up and it didnt feel as mind blowing, i think that says a bit about proper set up.

 

[G30RG3ryan]

seriously. I couldnt get over how unique of a feeling it was riding weagles. At that point i was riding an old sgs with a real soft spring and the sunday literally felt like a hard tail.
Interesting though, is i rode that same sunday frame later on as GR had it built up and it didnt feel as mind blowing, i think that says a bit about proper set up.

i didn't touch a thing when I got it from Weagle. maybe you got slower??? Either way the bike rules. it's undefeated in the pro class at Plattekill.

 

[mottSquad]

I will chime in here as I was fortunate to take a couple runs on a 7point5 on Diablos (mtn creek) closing day. I had spent most of the day on my evil Imperial mixing up jump runs and the tight steep rocky trails. By mid afternoon I was pretty wrecked and about to call it a day. I was given the opportunity to take the 7point for a demo and so I took them up on it (I did have to break out the puppy dog eyes bit!)

All I can say was that I was pretty surprised. I didn't expect the bike to be so snappy and responsive. I ride exclusively hardtail and have had limited experience on FS bikes. I didn't do any long climbs but I did try some fairly short but steep climbs and didn't feel like I was giving up anything over my HT. In some ways it was easier as the tires track really well climbing over bumps.

Coming down the bike was a dream. I felt like I had just started the day, the ride was so comfortable. I stuck to the harder trails like Ripper and Exodus?? (I can't remember the names) It was so much fun, the bike effortlessly held the track I wanted and I could really navigate through the rock gardens like I do on a HT. Because I was so tired I got a little sloppy and hit a few drops with out pulling the front end up enough or just hitting a few big rocks that I didn't have time to navigate. The 7point just ate it up. The whole time the bike was incredibly forgiving, It really felt like it had more travel than it does. Honestly I was pretty amazed that I pulled off two clean runs that were quite a bit faster than my usual pace. Riding the 7 point felt kind of like riding my imperial, just really smooth and comfortable. All of the compenentry felt pretty solid as well, although that could be just because everything was new!!

This bike was on the top of my short list for a FS for next year along with the Sunday and a few other bikes I was hoping to ride like the El Cuervo. Since I don't race and prefer the technical trails, and this bike seems to be perfect for Mnt. Creek, I am pretty much sold. I hope to either pick up a 7.5 or possibly the frameset soon.

Thanks to Todd and the other guys at IronHorse who brought the bikes up that last day! Hurry up and get them out in the field so I can pick one up.

.Alex

 

[Hans]

Man, if only I had the dough! Has anyone had a ride on the Yakuza Kumicho? I tihnk that's more within the boundaries of my financial means (stupid danish taxes)

 

[heikkihall]

For all the people looking at a 7 point for dh use just because of finances should take a good look at the Yakuza DH bike. That thing is seriously one of the best dh bikes I have put my feet over, and the price is great.

 

[Hans]

For all the people looking at a 7 point for dh use just because of finances should take a good look at the Yakuza DH bike. That thing is seriously one of the best dh bikes I have put my feet over, and the price is great.

Sweet! Any opinion on The stance Kingpin?

 

[Natedog]

I know it sounds crazy with all these people allways saying that this new bike is so great and bla bla bla.... But ive ridden the Sunday series and absolutely couldnt believe I was riding a DH bike. It seriously does what everyone says it does. Try one out if you have a chance.

Sorry for the late reply.....Heikki Is exactly right, everyone does hype new stuff up all the time. But this bike is more than simply just hype, It actually performs amazing and can backk all of the hype up. Dave's linkage is an amazing addition to the bicycle world, with the way it handles pedal feedback and bump absorbtion...very impressive. But I guess your not going to believe it until you ride it, so I suggest you try to throw a leg over one and give it a rip. It'll be an eye opening experience....

more later

Nate
aka Dusty

 

[Castle]

Dave's linkage is an amazing addition to the bicycle world

that's big talk, I'm really looking forward to trying one of these out.

 

[Brad23]

any body know any shops around the SF bay that will be carrying these? I'd like to test ride...

 

[thaflyinfatman]

I know it sounds crazy with all these people allways saying that this new bike is so great and bla bla bla.... But ive ridden the Sunday series and absolutely couldnt believe I was riding a DH bike. It seriously does what everyone says it does. Try one out if you have a chance.

Everyone said much the same thing about the V10 when it came out too...

I'll definitely be trying one when I can, just to see for myself. I respect DW's ability to make stuff work extremely well, but I also realise that everyone has to make a profit, and you do that by selling bikes, which is done by people thinking they're *the shït*.

The "pedals like a hardtail" thing always irks me though, I've heard that line so many times and it's NEVER been true - the only thing that pedals like a hardtail is a freakin hardtail!

 

[dw]

People say a lot of things whrn some new bikes come out. A lot of it is regurgitated marketing crap really. The dw-link bikes are different. The suspension system is based on applied physics and accomplishes things that to date have never been accomplished before in the bicycle, motorcycle, and ATV world. The simple reality is that you yourself can get on the bike, set the shock up so that its is as compliant as possible on the small bumps and see what you think. The complex reality is that these bikes really pedal better than a hardtail when you start to factor transient tire loads/ traction into the big picture. Like I said though, dont listen to me, ride the bikes yourself and see what you think. Ride the DH bike down a hill, ride the trail bikes up a hill etc... I hope that you will be genuinely impressed.

Dave

 

[Brad23]

my worry if these are mainly going to be sold online, is where to we get to test ride them out?

 

[dw]

There are a lot of in the flesh dealers actually, and if you are in CA, Supergo stores will have them in stock. Also, guys, dont expect discount pricing from Supergo online on these bikes. Its not going to happen. This year was the completion of a transition for the IH brand in a LOT of ways. I imagine it will only get better from here because they have a lot of new and energized staff who are really working to make things better for riders. We will all see how it plays out together.

 

[Brad23]

whats the shock size on the seven?

 

[dw]

9X2.75 5th Element on all 7POINTs. Run the shocks with 50-70 lbs in the CVT chamber (minimum pressure) 1 turn in on the volume adjust, all the way out on the low speed compression screw, 1.5 turns on the high speed screw, spring preload and rebound knob adjust to taste. Should be dialed.

 

[Natedog]

People say a lot of things whrn some new bikes come out. A lot of it is regurgitated marketing crap really. The dw-link bikes are different. The suspension system is based on applied physics and accomplishes things that to date have never been accomplished before in the bicycle, motorcycle, and ATV world. The simple reality is that you yourself can get on the bike, set the shock up so that its is as compliant as possible on the small bumps and see what you think. The complex reality is that these bikes really pedal better than a hardtail when you start to factor transient tire loads/ traction into the big picture. Like I said though, dont listen to me, ride the bikes yourself and see what you think. Ride the DH bike down a hill, ride the trail bikes up a hill etc... I hope that you will be genuinely impressed.

Dave

Couldn't agree more, If you feel like your being fed another new bike review thats full of the same crap....then ride the bikes, they'll speak for themselves. I don't know all of the physics that went into the bike (dave has dumbed it down a little bit for me) but it is truly the first long travel bike that pedals amazingly well, I'm not gonna use the "hardtail" example.

So the bottom line is.....ride one. If you're close to ventura we'll meet up and you can ride this one, because if you haven't ridden one you really should....


Till next time, I'm out like the fat kid in dodgeball

Dusty

 

[thaflyinfatman]

Couldn't agree more, If you feel like your being fed another new bike review thats full of the same crap....then ride the bikes, they'll speak for themselves. I don't know all of the physics that went into the bike (dave has dumbed it down a little bit for me) but it is truly the first long travel bike that pedals amazingly well, I'm not gonna use the "hardtail" example.

So the bottom line is.....ride one. If you're close to ventura we'll meet up and you can ride this one, because if you haven't ridden one you really should....


Till next time, I'm out like the fat kid in dodgeball

Dusty

Is Ventura near Australia?

I'm pretty keen to give one a burl. Could I ask that in future, if you want to make something sound special, that you not use really clichèd terms to describe it? Rereading yours, it was better than most (and my initial impression of it, sorry I jumped the gun there), but "pedals with little to no bob" has gotta be in every single review I read.

 

[MikeD]

"pedals with little to no bob" has gotta be in every single review I read.

As is the, "No, really, guys...everyone always says this about their new bikes, but THIS TIME I mean it-this bike is IT!" disclaimer.

Not to take away from the bikes...just noticing what we all always say online. Personally, I can't wait to throw a leg over one and decide for myself. They look like awesome bikes. I'd actually like to try a Yakuza Kumicho, too.

MD

 

[Jm_]

9X2.75 5th Element on all 7POINTs. Run the shocks with 50-70 lbs in the CVT chamber (minimum pressure) 1 turn in on the volume adjust, all the way out on the low speed compression screw, 1.5 turns on the high speed screw, spring preload and rebound knob adjust to taste. Should be dialed.

For the sake of discussion; why spec a CV/T type shock when you are going to run it at the minimum pressure and pretty much backed out on volume adjust as well?