Just read the NSMB article : http://www.nsmb.com/shore_news/zap_01_06.php then i read Zap's response to all the mag reviews on espinoza's blog: http://www2.trekbikes.com/us/en/Mountain/Zaps_Rant/Index.php and what i just saw was depressing, no professional at all, and racist.And where are we now? Suddenly, long-travel, single-crown forks are all the rage thanks to Manitou taking the lead in pursuing new freeride technology and creating the over-oversized 1.5 head tube. And true to form, Manitou was initially ridiculed for the move by those who boasted of having real freeride credentials, only to see the industry eventually step in line. Double crown forks (not double-triple clamp please) are fine, but to me (just like tandems) they limit the riding experience. And as the tried and true freerider I am, my goal is to always maximize each & every off-road experience not limit it. I will happily celebrate the qualified freeride credentials of someone who only rides a hardtail at Rays indoor freeride park in Ohio as I will the Whistler bound hucker on a ten inch bike.
I've never disliked Zap, one of the reasons is that i think freeride not only involves hucking and doing crazy stunts, but also i believe freeride is about taking your bike wherever you want to, no boundaries or restrictions, but it seems like zap colapsed when so many negative comments "touched" his eyes.
Sorry to say it, some of the comments made by the NSMB reviewers may be true.