I popped its cherry today

[Mustang85]

Just got home from the first ride on my new Free.
I need to eat and clean it, then I'll post a review of the bike/ride.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/mountain-bike-photos/data/500/8395Dirty_bike.jpg

[Sandwich]

I need to eat and clean it,

how the hell are you going to eat that? expect to have a tough time tomorrow.

[gmac]

DAMN ! More pics !

What size is it ?

I want a review on the fork too.

[freeridebiker21]

i want your brakes! :thumb: sweet bike

[Toshi]

how the hell are you going to eat that? expect to have a tough time tomorrow.
especially since he's cleaning it only after munching it down :eek: :dead:

[Mustang85]

Yeah it was rough going down...I had it with Mexican food and salsa.

Frame size is a Large. I'm 6'1 ~160(with no gear) and it fits me perfectly. It's kind of big but the laid back feel is nice.

This won’t be a very accurate review since nothing has broken in yet, not even the brakes, but I'll be riding it all weekend and feel free to ask me specific questions about it.

Ok so here are the basics about the bike:
Brakes: Hope Mono 6 Ti's Thank you Fulton
Fork: White Brothers DH 2.0 Thank you Fulton
Front Wheel: Abbah hub w/ Sun MTX rim
Rear Wheel: Hadley hub w/ Sun MTX rim

At its current state the bike is just over 42lbs so it’s no XC bike. This is partially because of the tires that are on it. The front is a 2.7 Kenda Nevagal DH casing tire 1460g. The rear is an Intense 2.7in DH FRO tire that weighs a massive 1680g. With these tires the bike rolls ghetto slow, but it does roll over anything and never looses traction

My other setup for it weighs just under 38lbs (but I haven’t ridden it yet). The only difference between the two are the tires and clipless on the light one and flats on the heavy one.

Alright so I'll get down to the reviewing.
The Fork:
Absolutely amazing. It complements the rear end perfectly.

EDIT: Stupid enter button

The fork is SO plush and it hasn’t even been broken in yet. SO SO SO stiff. I didn’t feel any flex at all, but it’s not a drop fork. I did one 6 foot to flat concrete huck and it still had a little over an inch of travel but I think that’s just because of the way I have it set up. Over all it’s a great fork, better than an 888.

The Brakes:
DAMN theses things are insane. They went ever worn in and they stopped on a dime. Going down the trail I noticed they steadily gained more braking power but kept all the modulation. At their current none broken in state the hopes have more power than Hayes and comparable modulation to XT’s or Saint’s.

Hadley rear hub is very cool. More then double the engagement points of shimano so you don’t get the knocking thing going on when you stat to pedal. Very smooth but the Hub gets annoying when you’re just cruising around.

The frame:
I have mine set up almost stock. The 5th is a great match for the frame. Only beef I have is that the rear tire kicks dirt and rocks on top of the VPP linkage thing, and also right into the front der so I’m going to have to get a fender.

If you want anymore specific info please feel free to ask. I love writing about my bike, it makes me feel at warm and fuzzy inside. :blah:

[Mustang85]

I'll have some action shots up after my utah trip, I get back the 13th

http://www.ridemonkey.com/mountain-bike-photos/data/500/8395My_Bike_Done_800x600.jpg
http://www.ridemonkey.com/mountain-bike-photos/data/500/8395Front_brake.jpg
http://www.ridemonkey.com/mountain-bike-photos/data/500/8395Rear_Brake.jpg

[ZJChaser]

very nice..that with a shiver or 888 and you have the bike I plan to build someday..when I'm making a lot more $$

[Curb Hucker]

You said that the WB is not a drop fork. Yes that is because how you have it set up. I have mine set up nice and plush, yet can take a 8ft to flat and have an inch or two to spare. Thats the great thing about the 2.0 it can be set up so many ways. :thumb:

[Curb Hucker]

oh ya, and take ALL stickers off of your fork guards, with nothing on the guards it really cleans up the look of the bike, and makes it look more stealthy. Im running mine blank, its the way to go

[DHblur]

have mine set up nice and plush, yet can take a 8ft to flat and have an inch or two to spare.

Yeah because 8ft drops to flat are what everyone should be wanting to do. :confused:

[Zark]

I have mine set up nice and plush, yet can take a 8ft to flat and have an inch or two to spare.

That's one big curb VV :D

Nice lookin ride Mustang

[seismic]

one nice bike !!

[Mustang85]

I have become a devout Hope lover...One day i HOPE to join the mafia.