I purchased this bike as my 1st bike purchase. I brought it home and loved it every time I rode it. It endured ten years worth of riding mostly XC trails. It out climbed any bike I have ever ridden. Coming with full XT components helped a lot too. I would still be riding this bike if someone hadn't taken the time to an involuntary relieving. It was stolen off my car rack, even though I had it locked and secured. That is when I learned that if someone wants your bike bad enough, they will get it.)
The bike I got came with the old cantilever brakes, so the first thing I did was buy some XT brakes to put on. Unfortunately, the bike did not have the proper stays to fit the XT V-brakes. I ended up having to use some zip ties around the frame to hold the brake cable on. It didn't look pretty, but it did function perfectly and man did I love those V-brakes. However, with the brakes I couldn't get the tire out of the fork unless I aired down. The shock that came with the bike (an old Manitou) had t-bone that got in the way of the brakes when you released them. It was annoying but not much to complain about.
The only other problem I had was I was on a trail and a rock was thrown into the screw that held on my rear brake, which happened to snap. I tried going to a couple of bike shops to replace it, but they had trouble finding a screw that would fit. After about 2o minutes in the last shop, they found a proper one.
I am very sad that this company is out of business and doesn't make bikes anymore. I haven't been able to find one that I love as much as that bike.
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