Anyone debating buying a strive? I feel i must write review of mine as i went through
mental anguish before gettin one, the stress of reviewing (if u can get one on strive!),
the risk of buying direct, sizing, which model etc
Here goes:
Climbing - Have never encountered anything as good. Heared they climb well
but absolutely amazed me. I loath climbing, but not now. The frame is well stiff
and coupled with rp23 and 120mm option it morphs into hardtail.
Downhill - Well balanced sturdy and confident, very much as surefooted as
my 07 sc nomad. Flew through rough s/track and mashed over rock gardens.
Looking forward to some biggish jumps too as it feels like it can take it all.
Puts my last bike, 916 float to shame. That now feels too saggy and puny.
Sizing: i got small, glad i did too cos its a big small. Im between 5'7 - 5'8 and
its perfect. It would be perfect for 5'9ers too.
Conclusion: For a risky buy, by not tryin n ltd reviews, i now feel sigh of reilef!
This is some bike. You have a feelin your riding something of top quality. Apart
from maybe slightly low bb, i cannot fault what germans have put together.
From climbin to downhillin to pedallin ability not to mention bling spec and low
cost this is a fantastic all round am bike. Initially i was set on nerve am 9x and
was bit shocked when chunky strive arrived, thought it was overkill,
but after just one trail ride i was hooked because of its agility and pedalling ability.
Glad i didnt get nerve now cos this will do it all, from singletrack to alps.
...forgot to mention i went for esx9 sl
I agree totally with all you have just said.
I went for a small ES8 (i'm 5' 8") and its perfect.
Just got back from Les arcs and it was awesome
120mm option? thought they were 160mm only?
do look nice though. only ever seen the nerve xc around these parts.
andytherocketeer - Member
120mm option? thought they were 160mm only?do look nice though. only ever seen the nerve xc around these parts.
I think the reference is to the TALAS fork (120mm option).
160-120mm. Had floats before but where i live id prefer option and def helps me.
Must say it climbs well on full travel though.
Like you I thought long and hard before getting one. Nearly ended up with a YT Wicked Ltd, but their lead times and very poor response to emails put me off.
I've had my Strive (ESX9.0SL 2011) a few weeks now and happy so far.
At the moment not fully singing on the way down but I've only had a couple of rides on a new rear shock, and not sure its broken in properly yet, and I'm hoping it will feel a bit plusher. Mine's a XV can, not the XXV on some 2012s.
Climbs really well for a 160 bike.
Build quality really good. Looks very good in the flesh.
I've made use of their UK Service Centre: I've had a few issues with mine (mainly because it was an 'ex-demo'). Helpful to have English speaking contact, and ability to phone. My issues sorted to my satisfaction, but did take a little while, and could have been a bit more 'customer focussed'.
I'm just shy of 5'9" and on a medium. Happy I did, but I tend to prefer slightly long bikes.
After months of research, which is quite had where canyon bikes are concerned I eventually plumped for the ES9.0....it arrived 4 weeks ago and the bike is immense! Been hammering it around the peaks and the thing just loves.......well everything to be honest, climbs amazing well with pro pedal and the forks at 120 locked out, then with the forks whacked up to 160 and pro pedal turned off the rocky descents taken at speed are unbelievable! This thing just glides over anything in its way.
Best thing I've bought for many a year!