bike tests

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="044005a0dvldtc.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC00" FACE="Arial" ><B>zooboobikes</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FF3300" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="zooboobikes"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News and Events"><U>News and Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="skateparks"><U>skatepark's</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Products and Services"><U>Our Products and Services</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="interviesws"><U>interviesws</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" HOW 2 BUILD RAMPS"><U>      HOW 2 BUILD RAMPS</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="how two"><U>how two</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="fix it"><U>fix it</U></A>   |   <B>bike tests</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#FFCC00" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFCC00" TEXT="#080000"> <div> bike tests</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="501" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="497"><div> Diamondback Mr. Lucky--Jan'00</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="074e6a90.gif" border=0 width="230" height="169" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The ‘98 Diamondback Mr. Lucky impressed us, the ‘99 model further impressed us, but the 2000 Diamondback Mr. Lucky didn’t fare quite as well with the BMX Plus! Test Force. Here is the story.</div> <bR> <div> BULLET POINTS</div> <div> • Diamondback went with a new frame for the 2000 Mr. Lucky. Now available in pro-size only with a 20-inch top tube length, Mr. Lucky still has the basic Franko-design short/stout design. Check the monostay design at the seat mast. Trick. The back end is beefed up thanks to rectangular tubing as seen on DB’s race bikes, plus "double thick dropouts." There is a head tube gusset between the top and down tubes.</div> <div> The built-in tabs on the sides of the head tube for the lower part of the SST Oryg are a nice touch. Double-thick reinforcement rings on the head tube and bottom bracket are another nice touch. "Black and Tan" finish only. </div> <div> • The "Stout" forks are crazy looking this year with a unique crown design where the 1-1/4-inch fork blades intersect with the crown tube. Made out of 4130 chromoly, the forks feature a reinforced steer tube. To our surprise, the steer tube on our test bike started to slightly bend.</div> <div> • We cracked both the top and bottom headset cups (Tioga OS alloy, 1-1/8-inch). "They should have put a Pig [chromoly] headset on this," one of our testers said. We agreed.</div> <div> • The DB Solid three-piece cranks, made out of 4130 chromoly, also started to bend—another surprise. Our test riders were lofting major air, but these cranks have a 4130 chromoly axle DB says.</div> <div> • No problems arose with the DB 48-spoked wheelset with double wall alloy rims and high-flange hubs with 3/8-inch axle in the front; 14mm in the rear. Made out of a hard rubber compound, the DB MX tires (2.125-inch front and rear) nonetheless provided good traction. Blackwall. </div> <div> • Bonus points for the genuine Dia-Compe 990 rear brake and MX-99 lever. </div> <div> • No matter how much we tightened the DB alloy seatpost clamp, the chromoly DB micro-adjust seatpost slipped inside the frame’s seat mast. </div> <div> • The 2000 Diamondback Mr. Lucky, at 34 lb. 2 oz., felt heavy to get going. Even with the Slam Bar knock-off handlebars (7-inch rise), the front end felt a tad high. Once we got used to it, the Mr. Lucky handled responsively. For the price of $369.99, this would be a good bike for riders new to the art of dirt jumping. As the rider progresses, a few parts changes will be needed. </div> <bR> <div> THE JUDGES’ SCORES</div> <div> Category Average (1 to 10)</div> <div> Overall Design/Dirt Jumping 6</div> <div> Weight 6.5</div> <div> Acceleration 3.5</div> <div> Overall Traction 6.5</div> <div> Handling in Air 7</div> <div> Sturdiness on Landings 5.5</div> <div> Looks 3.5</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="501" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 4240 WIDTH="497"><div> 2002 Bully HotRod--Nov'01</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="075e6a90.gif" border=0 width="230" height="169" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Bully is a name that may sound familiar to your ears, but not be familiar to your eyes. The Florida- based company has been in the business of street and dirt frames since dirt was dirty and bikes had bash guards. They have since refined their bikes with the times, but have always been a name that is associated with quality. They’re always making use of the input and knowledge from their long list of big named riders who have at one time or currently bless their team, so we decided to do a test and see how this has affected their new line of jumpers.</div> <bR> <div> <B>FORK OVER YOUR LUNCH MONEY</B></div> <div> The Hotrod that we tested was built to be a top-of-the-line jumper that is ready to go right off the showroom floor, so before you let the price frighten you on to the next page, read a bit more. The Bully is made from 100 percent of that chromoly stuff with a simple tried and true frame design and 14mm axle slots. The 4130 Thermal forks and 9mm railed seat are provided by Odyssey, as is the black Hazard 48-hole wheel set with sealed 14mm axle hubs. Stopping power is provided through Dia-Tech by way of the Hombre brakes and Dirty Harry lever. Snafu got in the mix providing the seat post, pedals, tires and front clamping stem as did Profile with their DJ cranks, SS sprocket and seat post clamp. With a parts list such as that you may expect a winning ride regardless, but the Hotrod got the run through nonetheless.</div> <bR> <div> <B>STAND YOUR GROUND</B></div> <div> While building and test riding the bike, we noticed that the seat post was going to give us trouble from the start, when the seat would break free of its grip and flop freely at random no matter how tight it was. We also never got around to trimming the bars down but they weren’t too bad as they sat so we went with it. The Hotrod felt super dialed and the tires worked really well through the hard pack and the loose stuff. We were also stoked with the attention to detail in using the slightly more built Profile DJ cranks, mid thickness KMC chain and real ODI grips. The only thing that we weren’t happy with on the Bully is that the Dia-Tech brake setup has so much potential, yet had no stopping power on the black rims. Softer brake pads are a must. We were really happy with the grip on the pedals and aside from it not staying tight, the seat felt good for pinching and seat grab tricks. The overall feel and build of the bike was perfect for the intended use and it handled really well through both tech sections and bigger sets. The top tube is a 20.5-inch, which can sometimes feel a bit cramped on the dirt, but on the Hotrod we still found plenty of room to move about the cabin.</div> <bR> <div> <B>TELL YOUR PARENTS</B></div> <div> Listen, if you are old enough to be reading this, then you are old enough to hear the truth. Here we go. "This bike is a bit on the pricey side." There, we said it. Once again, this bike is intended to be a top-of-the-line ride which means no expense spared. To build a bike like this you would no doubt expect to drop a pretty penny more than the given price, but still it is a lot of money to be dropping all at once. If you are looking for a bike that is dialed and ready to go, and you have the money to back it up, then look no further. The Hotrod wasn’t built to be flashy, and they didn’t go out and just load the bike up with the most expensive parts they could find; they did their research and they built the bike with the parts that riders choose and use for their own rides. So before you go running from the price tag, try pricing out your dream bike, take note of the fact that it is probably a hair more expensive then the Bully, and tell your parents that it is not just a bike, it is an investment. </div> <bR> <div> <B>SPECS</B></div> <div> HEAD TUBE: 74.5°</div> <div> SEAT TUBE: 72°</div> <div> TOP TUBE: 20.5"</div> <div> CHAIN STAY: 14.75"</div> <div> BOTTOM BRACKET HEIGHT: 11.5"</div> <div> WEIGHT: 29 lbs.</div> <div> PRICE: $985</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="501" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="497"><div> Profile Junk Yard Dog--May '01</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="076e6a90.gif" border=0 width="230" height="169" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Profile is a company that has long been known for its precision parts and craftsmanship. With a reputation like that you can be sure that they are not going to sell you short in the frame department. Profile has long had a full line of race frames made from some of the finest quality chromoly and aluminum. To meet the growing demand in all aspects of the sport, they’ve come out with the SS frame to appease the Freestyle/street scene. The Junk Yard Dog is Profile’s new complete dirt jumper that is made to be dirt and trail tough, without all the extra girth of the SS.</div> <bR> <div> <B>NICE DOGGIE</B></div> <div> Addressing all the matters that need be on a dirt jumper, the Junk Yard Dog is made from the best of the best. Full 4130 tubing from bow to stern along with 1/4-inch dropouts at both ends make this jumper a true beast of burden. The 2.25-inch down tube is huge and helps to eliminate every bit of flex you could dish out. It’s ovalized at the head tube and this adds strength but not weight. The machined steer tube on the fork makes for strength and the tapered 1-1/4 inch legs make for reduced weight and plenty of peg room for off-dirt thrashing. Profile took the no holds barred approach to the parts package. The Profile cassette hubs, Sun BFR rims and Comp IIIs are all part of the all-black theme along with the Profile SS cranks and pedals that provide the go power. On a style cat like this you’ll need the Profile Bars just to hold on. One of the coolest things about this bike is the fact that it just downright looks cool. It’s all black but with a lot of style.</div> <bR> <div> <B>WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?</B></div> <div> It’s so good to see high-dollar bikes coming with quality 36-spoked wheels and you can’t beat the Profile cassette hubs either. We loved the wheels, but we had problems with the brakes due to the black braking surface. Black rims usually equal mediocre braking, but the solution is a super soft brake pad compound and a lever with a little more pull to it. The 21-inch top tube on the JYD felt great for our taller riders and many riders commented on how the bike felt like a beefed-up race bike. It’s light and accelerates super fast. Some riders may wish to change the tire setup a bit to meet their riding needs but for the dirt, the Comp IIIs can’t be beat. Out of the box the bars come super wide but a little cutting had them right where we wanted them. The ODI Vice Grips were a bit short and stiff for our tastes. One thing we do with Profile hubs is run Hoffman axle nuts, because the Profile nuts require a 22mm socket as opposed to the 17mm of Hoffman nuts. Aside from those little things the only thing that will really take a blow is your wallet. At over a thousand dollars the JYD is no cheap puppy, but if you were to price out the parts and really look at what you were riding, you could see where your money went. Just a set of Profile cassette hubs alone costs three hundred bucks, so take that into consideration when you look at the price tag. If you want the best parts package with a great frame, get your wad of cash and put it on black. </div> <bR> <div> <B>PROFILE JYD SPECS</B></div> <div> Head Angle: 74°</div> <div> Seat tube Angle: 72°</div> <div> Top Tube: 21.5"</div> <div> Chain stay: 14.25"</div> <div> Wheelbase: 38"</div> <div> Weight: 29-1/2 lb.</div> <div> Price: $1350.00</div> <bR> <div> DK Legacy--June '01</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="077e6a90.gif" border=0 width="230" height="169" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> It is hard to think about chromoly without thinking about DK. From day one, DK has been a strong supporter of chromoly in all walks of the BMX world. From trail-tough race rigs to full freestyle rides, they do it all and have a history of doing it well. The newest addition to the DK family is the Legacy. The Legacy is the signature frame of dirt jumper Chris Doyle. Being full chromoly and top of the line from head to toe, we just had to give it a try, here is what we found.</div> <bR> <div> <B>BEARING IT ALL</B></div> <div> What else would you expect from the long time chromoly enthusiasts besides 100 percent 4130. The frame has a gusseted head and seat tube as well as direct cable routing through the seat tube. The forks, like the frame, are also full chromoly, and both have 14mm dropouts to house the 14mm sealed 48-hole hubs and Sun BFR rims. The stopping power is provided by the Tektro FX20 brakes and lever, and the detangling is provided by the SST Oryg. A set of oversized three-piece cranks along with the DK Iron Cross pedals and sprocket make up the driveline. To round off the bike with a bang, DK added their bars, stem, seat and post. The Legacy comes in red or champagne as a complete bike, and the frame only comes in navy, tan, blue and black.</div> <bR> <div> <B>LEGACY vs. THE DIRT</B></div> <div> From the looks of it, the Legacy is a true dirt machine. We rode the 20.5-inch model which was perfect for riders 5'10" and under, whereas the taller riders may want to check out the 21-inch model. After getting used to the bars, which are set up a bit on the high side for our taste and have quite a bit of sweep, we got to testing. The bike was run through it all, from tight and tech to large and full throttle. The flat platform of the Iron Cross pedals felt odd under foot and after a few hard landings from wide open to dead stop, the spindles in the pedals had some noticeable bend. The wheels held up great under landings that were hard enough to bend the pedals. The brakes stopped on a dime even with black rims and stock pads, making tech sections a breeze. Although we never got the chance to put pegs on the Legacy, it had dropouts worthy of a set and the Iron Cross sprocket is a proven street thrasher. Overall the bike rode well and felt right at home in the dirt. The only things that we would change would be a set of pedals with a little more concave shape and maybe a new set of bars with less sweep. o</div> <bR> <div> <B>DK LEGACY SPECS</B></div> <div> Headtube: 74.5°</div> <div> Seat tube: 73°</div> <div> Top tube: 21"</div> <div> Chainstay: 14.375"</div> <div> Bottom Bracket height: 11.5"</div> <div> Wheel Base: 37"</div> <div> Weight: 32 lbs. </div> <div> Price: $599.99</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>