|   Maverick American | MacGyver
Jan 14, 2002 7:46 PM | | Anyone riding a Maverick American? Is it worth the money? comments? |
| re: Maverick American | JimC
Jan 15, 2002 10:06 AM | | It might well be an excellent bike. thoughts: they make 1 bike; it's their first; no dealer network; proprietary rear shock; expen$ive, especially if you get the Seven one.
Personally, as many FS riders will I'm sure agree, I'd wait for year 2 issue and let the bugs get worked out of year #1.
Just my .02, Jim |
| re: Maverick American | Jim
Jan 15, 2002 10:35 AM | | If you wait until next year, you will find that the some of the CNC areas on the frames will be forged, to save manufacturing costs. The frames available now are really hand built jewels.
I have been researching and comparing for months. When looking at top end bikes, it's probably impossible to make a big mistake. I have been considering the Turner 02, Ellsworth Truth, and the Maverick. Of course I narrowed it down from a much larger field of most excellent choices.
In going for the very best, in rideability, durability, and suspension performance, it seems like the Maverick wins the contest. I had my heart set on the Truth for a long time, but for a few hundred more dollars, which won't matter in the long run, I have decided to go ahead and purchase a Maverick. I think the suspension design really makes other XC bikes old technology.
Ask me again in six months, after I've put some miles on |
| Agreed on most of what you say, buuuuuuttttt....... | fred³
Jan 15, 2002 10:49 AM | | the "durability" question hasn't been answered yet. That'll take a few more years. Sure is sweet looking though.
fred3 |
| Looks neat... | JBone
Jan 15, 2002 12:37 PM | | ...but I fail to see how a bottom bracket that moves on you (would drive me nuts) will make other suspension designs "old technology". How about the advent of position sensative shocks? |
| Looks neat... | mooty
Jan 16, 2002 11:22 AM | | moving bottom bracket, yes that sounds scary.
but i had an opportunity to ride it not long ago for about 50 miles (3 rides). you don't feel the bottom bracket moving. in fact it rides almost like a hardtail believe it or not, like my Racer X. the suspension becomes very plush when you hit stuff, otherwise it's not there. handling is slower than RX, but not by much. very nice bike, however, i am not sure about that integrated headset!!! and it's a bit too $$$ for me. |
| It's never the frame... | JimC
Jan 15, 2002 1:21 PM | | My GT RTS? No Pivot parts, no trained FS mechanics to help. shock knowledge on Noleen? zero. My LTS? same. Rock shox Deluxe rear shock? 3 months to fix. Santa Cruz/FOX Marzocchi replacement? No problem.
When a friend with a new Ellesworth ID showed up at Whistler ride park, the rear rocker caved in (design flaw) Did he get a replacement ride? Nope. Any dealer nearby? Nope. Did he drive 900+ miles to ride it? Yep. Was he p!ssed off? You bet.
As I said, maybe it's good, but I ain't gonna wait for someone to fix that big honkin' proprietary rear shock while I twiddle my thumbs. When it's as easy as FOX, I'll look at it seriously. When I blew mine last year, the LBS just bolted on a new one and I went riding.
I don't even want to think about bearing and bushing parts. Gives me a headache just thinking about it.
Don't get me wrong, I wish them great success, I just demand to be able to get it fixed if it breaks. Santa Cruz can do that for me on their new line of VPP bikes; Maverick cannot. Simple math. SC -1, Maverick - 0.
Just my .02, Jim |
| Old technology? Hardly!..... | Ventanarama
Jan 15, 2002 1:39 PM | | Well built 4-bar linkage suspension designs are not old technology and won't be for a long time (if ever). Don't get me wrong, I've ridden the Maverick and was impressed, nice bike. But, considering all the hype surrounding it and its price I expected to be blown away by it's performance, I wasn't. It's a very nice ride but in my opinion not any better than many other high-end full suspension bikes on the market that cost considerably less (Ventana, Titus, Turner, Intense etc.). If you can afford one, great, I'm sure you will probably be happy with it. I just don't think it's head & shoulders above the rest, which is what they like to think it is. Like Jim, the funky proprietary parts kinda bug me too. Just my $.02
Larry Mettler
www.mtnhighcyclery.com |
| I'd steer clear for now | BH
Jan 15, 2002 4:00 PM | | Personally, I would not consider buying this bike for at least a few years. You are taking an awful risk if you ever need a replacement shock if the bike design doesn't take off. At least with a Truth you have an established company to support you with replacement parts and you can get a replacement shock from any manufacturer. |
| BS! | SBG
Jan 15, 2002 8:09 PM | | What a load of BS! You're assuming that you will have warranty issues handled in a professional manner with Ellsworth.......JOKE! |
| maverick | MacGyver
Jan 15, 2002 8:46 PM | | Thanks for the input! Think I'll try to pick between a SC Superlight, turner 02, or wait for the Santa Cruz Blur vpp. My goal is 26# max F/S bike w/disks, Fox fork etc., that will climb like a billy goat, over rocks, roots or whatever. it must be very reliable and carve through single track like its part of me. Oh... and must handle a few small drop-offs, steep stuff, and be able to hang in there on the fast downhills in a pinch. Any other suggestions? |
| maverick | bp
Jan 15, 2002 10:21 PM | | I've just been through the same decision making process myself, and spoke at length with people from Maverick, along with several other high end brands. The guys at Maverick are awesome, and I've got total faith that they'll stand behind their product. As for the rear shock etc, although it looks very different, I've been told that the seals etc are all very standard Fox parts, and I had a guy down here in N.Z disassemble the shock and rebuild it no probs at all.
I bought it based on reviews from this site, and have no regrets. It's the most beautiful bike I've seen (biased of course!!) and rides like a dream. Another big factor was with such a large volume rear shock I need only run 55psi of pressure with my 220 pounds. in the Switchblade for instance I needed over 300psi!!
As for BB movement, a total non-issue I don't notice any at all. The only negative is that everyone here thinks I've got lmore money that sense to own such an expensive bike, and expect me to be some sort of super cyclist aboard this baby. |
| Did the rear shock fail already?... | D.F.L.
Jan 16, 2002 6:28 AM | | You said, "...and I had a guy down here in N.Z disassemble the shock and rebuild it no probs at all. " So, there could be a problem with the design?
The Maverick is the first design that (intentionally) puts side-loads on it's shock. (forgive me if I've forgotten another) The Ibis Bow-ti required a small universal-type link to reduce similar loads. I would imagine that they did that because there was a problem without it.
I would hope that there are internal differences with the bushing of the Maverick Fox shock (non-standard parts) to compensate for the additional, non-linear loading.
(Not bashing it. I wish I had one.) |
| All the Macpherson struts have side loading. nm | Steve from JH
Jan 16, 2002 7:14 AM | | nm |
| True, but... | D.F.L.
Jan 17, 2002 8:47 AM | | You're right.
But, the forces that the shocks will undergo (side loading) should be much different on the Maverick than on any MacPherson. The lateral loads are SUPPOSED to be handled by the chainstays on a Mac type. Maverick sends the VERTICAL loads from the rear axle, up the SSs and perpendicularly into the shock, near the point at which it telescopes. |
| Did the rear shock fail already?... | bp
Jan 16, 2002 9:27 PM | | No I haven't had any problems with it. I had just clocked up quite a few hours and wanted to check that everything was ok. And one of the local mechanics offered to do it for free out of curiousity. As for the side loading of the shock. How exactly does that occur? I'm no expert in suspension tech, but assume you're referring to the forward/backwards loads (relative to the frame) that come with the shock bewing a stressed member. I haven't heard anyone complain about the shock, but I guess time will tell. |
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