Carbon_Kiwi:
upon spying one of the above [on a bike rack] yesterday, i started wondering just what the owners of these fine looking beasts actually think of them? i've got a 957, but i have to say after seeing one of the carbon models i'm pretty keen on perhaps looking at aquiring one at some stage [depending on people's opinions of course]. which leads me to my next question... where would i find one [just the frame preferably] in the medium size? and what sort of money would they fetch these days?
Oz-SUB:
I've got one and well it's a lifetime unit (unless you decide to go with 4 bar linkage).
Go read the posts for the 5500c and Oz M on mtbr.com never seen such positive unanimous review (apart from one plonker).
Nearly every week on my local trials a youth walker will say 'wow nice bike'. Bedsides looks the frame is bomb proof and you won't hear any tinny creaking that you can get from streesed alloy frames.
I'm sure since this new forum recently started someone either had for sale or had seen for sale a medium one. Go back and look.
Carbon_Kiwi:
yep - good reviews. had a look back through the forums to try and find one for sale, no luck as yet...
GET:
I have a '98 5500C. Best crosscountry bike I've ever ridden, IMHO. I ride aggressively, bumping over rocks and roots, and dropping over our modest 2+ foot ledges. The carbon frame has shown absolutely no signs of stress. It rides much smoother than any of my friends aluminum frames. The freeriders and downhillers can tell you more about the bigger hits, but, for the trails I have available, there is no bike more durable. ;)