Lahar DHV M9 First Look

[Bodin]

Did they declare this in the review?

Discretion when discussing potential bias? I'm sure MORE WOULD be wise... ;)

[S.]

Did they declare this in the review?

Yeah they put a disclaimer at the bottom of it... but really, why the hell would you put yourself in that position?

[Ryan]

I refuse to spend my money on AMB, but would like to gain some of their knowledge second hand, so someone clue me in...what are the negatives of say, a Morewood Izumu as a downhill bike?

[No Skid Marks]

I refuse to spend my money on AMB, but would like to gain some of their knowledge second hand, so someone clue me in...what are the negatives of say, a Morewood Izumu as a downhill bike?

AMB talking about the Moorwood
"pedal kickback over rough terain is eveident,and it takes a little getting used to."
and
"as a single pivot it is definately a more accentuated choppy ride than some of the other bikes and staying off the anchores as is vital as the suspension stiffens under brakes."
So compared to the Lahar with a floating brake that will let you brake wherever,a totally rearward axle path absorbing all square edge hits better,and a virtually non pedalling induced affect on the suspension allowing pedalling at alot more times,no rear deraileur,shifting whenever(as many gears as you like)and while not peddaling,having less unsprung weight on the suspension so it's much more responsive,having most of the weight between your legs and lower than the shock on the Moorwood,having only aprox anual drive train maintanence,more frame durability,and a Rohloff hub that costs about $2000 and a rear hub and Saint cranks,and a headset so arguably a better deal than the Moowood considering you get the drive train,and yet it scored a point less in performance and was nowhere near the Moorwood on the value scale,Plus many more benefits that you can see for yourself over the last pages of this thread.

[Bodin]

and was nowhere near the Moorwood on the value scale

They're idiots for using "frame only" and "complete bikes" in the same scale. WTF are they thinking when making a diagrammatic, comparative analysis of two things that should not be compared in the same diagram? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Some typically amateur stuff there, AMB...

[j5ive]

Why shouldn't they be compared? 5-6k for a complete bike, or 3-4k+ for a frame? The article should be attacking the question: Does a boutique brand ride better than a stocko complete?

But yes, take everything from the magazine with a grain of salt. The worst thing is that the youngsters take it as gospel.

[daddyrat]

the ozzie mags cant even publish negative reviews about big brands for fear of not getting products to test in the future.

[S.]

I refuse to spend my money on AMB, but would like to gain some of their knowledge second hand, so someone clue me in...what are the negatives of say, a Morewood Izumu as a downhill bike?

"It is a real "wheels off the ground" kind of ride and we found it easy to jump and bunnyhop sections rather than ploughing through as switching lines felt intuitive"
Potential translation: crap bump absorption.

"As a singlepivot it is definitely a more accentuated choppy ride than some of the other bikes and staying off the anchors as is [sic] vital as the suspension stiffens under brakes."
Rewritten from: The suspension is harsh and doesn't take up bumps very well, and it's particularly crap under brakes.

"Pedal kickback over rough terrain is evident and it takes a little getting used to."
Potential translation: rider has to compensate for a bad characteristic of the bike that we don't want to criticise harshly for some strange reason.

They're idiots for using "frame only" and "complete bikes" in the same scale. WTF are they thinking when making a diagrammatic, comparative analysis of two things that should not be compared in the same diagram? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Some typically amateur stuff there, AMB...

Yeah that is pretty retarded. I like how they just draw an arbitrary straight line starting at 5 on the performance scale and $3000, and not going up to 10 at $6000, or any kind of mathematically viable relationship whatsoever.

Why shouldn't they be compared? 5-6k for a complete bike, or 3-4k+ for a frame? The article should be attacking the question: Does a boutique brand ride better than a stocko complete?

But yes, take everything from the magazine with a grain of salt. The worst thing is that the youngsters take it as gospel.

Yeah, or $6000 frames (303) against $4900 completes (EC-D) against $9500 completes (C'dale Judge).

Also because they take the price of the bike/frame into account when giving it the rating out of ten... then compare that rating (remembering it's already accounted for price) AGAINST PRICE to try and show what's better value.

[Bodin]

Simple question:

Does a boutique brand ride better than a stocko complete?

Simple answer:

Not unless you put a groupset on it.

Therefore, the groupset on it must be taken in to account in any value judgement.

[No Skid Marks]

I would like to note that I don't actually think the Moorwood is a bad bike,in the right hands as prooven by Steve Pete(Orange but very similer)and Ricky Boyer the design is a fast and competitive bike,I think this is from it's lack of performance though in that they don't need the bennefits of plush suspension. i also think for a do it all bike the Moorwood would be a great nice bike,not that it would out do the Lahar in that feild either though. I was mearly just drawing comparisons in regard to the test. Personally I would like to ride the Yeti most out of the other bikes but only for the experience,not to own(and maintain),on a Budget it would be the Giant(but I'd love to ride the Goose also,or race it as a sponsored rider so I'd get fresh bits).The Lahar should have won on every level though.
Points that could be mentioned on the Lahar would be the long wheelbase although it should be noted that all the weight is centered between the legs making it very manouvorable,also the low link is worth mentioning only for a cosmetic reason,it may get scratched after repeditive hits but it is overbuilt to take it and will not cause catastrophic failure,and it does move backward.The Grrip shift also could be mentioned but after a days riding I doubt it would be evn thought of again and can be set up with a nice long grip.

[the F.H.B]

I had the chance to take the Lahar for a spin for a few minutes at the nationals which was cool, big thanks to the owner for letting me have a play.
I wanted to feel for myself this apparent drivetrain drag after reading the AMB test and also feel out the geometry as it seems to look long in photo's.

My observations were that the drag was minimal, very similar to how young S described it. To me the noise in the lower 7 gears (funky whirring noise) was a bit off putting but didnt affect the transmision of power to the wheels much at all, I felt the bike accelerated very well which I doubt a bike with a flat tire in sand would:rolleyes:

the other thing that surprised me was that the bike felt quite a bit more compact than I expected, the chainstays were nice and short, and without so much weight hanging out behind you it felt nice and responsive. Also the head angle felt comfortable, I believe from what I've read this may be as a result of Arran steepening the head angle by a degree or so from bike S tested.

[moritzdh]

http://si6.mtb-news.de/fotos/data/2/IMG_6084.jpg

here my bike :) ... 18,5 kg

greetz from germany...

thanks to aaron again ;)

Moritz

[BJ-]

here my bike :) ... 18,5 kg

greetz from germany...

thanks to aaron again ;)

Moritz

Nice bike mate...

[cdfeto]

WTF is with your steerer tube, are you just missing spacers?

[Mr Sheen]

They have press in bearings rather than a normal head set , so no need for spacers as the stem is not used to tension the bearings.

[No Skid Marks]

I think he's just slapped it together for a pic.The bottom bearing has not yet been compressed down on the steerer.

[moritzdh]

the steertube will be shortend. i only wait for a answer of aaron because i did not know how i can do things with the headset/steertube!

the brake line i'll put through the frame.

greetz moritz

[No Skid Marks]

Check your PMs buddy,I've sent you a couple about set up.

[MrCove]

They have press in bearings rather than a normal head set , so no need for spacers as the stem is not used to tension the bearings.

have you been drinking?

[Vegemites]

from what ive read this bikes pretty sweet, except for the pedalling efficiency..

[No Skid Marks]

Don't believe everything you read.
If you're interested in getting a Lahar and you'd like to ride one and know for yourself how well they pedal,then shoot me a PM and I'll happily get you on one.

[top_dog]

Yeah AMB reviewed the Lahar so badly it wasn't funny.

[dazz]

Yeah AMB reviewed the Lahar so badly it wasn't funny.

Yeah, my bike sucks :rolleyes:

[haydn]

Its ugly as! Hey i think it was in that amb with darren barecloth doing that sweet line down that rock face in turkey that they did a reveiw on this bike and it hade i think it was brooklyen forks on it which look very much like fox 40's. can anyone explain this? Sorry about my spelling and grammer its late and no good at the best of times.
Haydn

[daddyrat]

Its ugly as! Hey i think it was in that amb with darren barecloth doing that sweet line down that rock face in turkey that they did a reveiw on this bike and it hade i think it was brooklyen forks on it which look very much like fox 40's. can anyone explain this? Sorry about my spelling and grammer its late and no good at the best of times.
Haydn

the explanation would be a brooklyn sticker on fox 40's????? maybe???? perhaps???

[ryan_morris8.3]

WTF is with the chain stays, paper thin carbon:eek:, i wouldnt ride that thing off a gutter

[the F.H.B]

Nice grave dig, full of pertinant new information on the topic from a well educated source:rolleyes:
(God I hate the school holiday onslaught:mad:)

[pinned--->]

WTF is with the chain stays, paper thin carbon:eek:, i wouldnt ride that thing off a gutter

Fucking read the whole review on the bike before you go posting shit like this. Mr I have a haro avatar:rolleyes:.

[xc_machine]

Does anyone know how it hndles and how much it weighs?

I've searched.

[dazz]

Does anyone know how it hndles and how much it weighs?

.................

Don't believe everything you read.
If you're interested in getting a Lahar and you'd like to ride one and know for yourself how well they pedal,then shoot me a PM and I'll happily get you on one.

[No Skid Marks]

It is a DH race bike,handling is somewhat docile when riden slow as any current DH rig is,the head angle is aprox 65 depending on fork choice and set up. The wheelbase is relatively long and lengthens when desired(as suspension bottoms)making the bike more stable in rough situations,big drops,gaps,rocks. The docile handling is quickly over come by the light rear end(light carbon construction,no cassette,no deraileur,no large freehub body,no extra chain),and the fact that most of the bikes weight(gearbox,rear shock)is between the riders calves.The Lahar does still respond best to an aggressive style but this provides faster times and encourages the rider to push and ride harder with stabillity to provide all the confidence needed.The rear suspension is active whilst pedalling and breaking.
Mine weighs under 39lbs,I'll get it lighter when I replace the Saint cranks.
You can't have searched well as there's a full test done on the Lahar on here.

[LaHaRider]

Just bought my Lahar from Liv Johnston. Spent one day on a wet and tight track and loved every minute! My only criticism after a days ride is based on a comparision to an Orange 224, basically the Lahar doesnt jump with the same ease. Overall, a far better bike than my 224 if you like the idea of riding a rock garden in silence,effortlessly and faster than the guy behind! Ill get some pics up after this weekend.

[xy9ine]

yeah, they don't 'pop' as easy as low pivot bikes, but suck up the chunder amazingly well. just takes a little bit to get used to the extending wheelbase of a high pivot bike. welcome to the fold; looking forward to pics.

[LaHaRider]

Well Ive got some pictures. Theyre not action shots I was too busy enjoying Innerleithen DH tracks to bother with pics, this is my build all Im going to do is add wider bars, Im thinking Easton. Oh and the bike rode so well it loved the rooty tracks and felt great through the technical stuff as well as when jumping!
Heres a link to the pics.
http://rmacewan.pinkbike.com/album/My-Lahar-DHV-M-9/

[xy9ine]

looks good. you might want to shorten the tensioner bungee; the chain is a bit slack.

[No Skid Marks]

The chain may need to loose a link,but the bungee may need shortening also,check both. Well spotted XY9INE.On new Lahars,I've found a link needs to be removed once the chain stretches a little bit,use the Rohloff joiner link for this.
you can run the brake line through the frame(I guess you know this),i run them out over the brake arm through the tiny hole above the arms pivot,be sure to rotate the copper washer thingy out of contact though. The Rohloff cables can be shortened also.
Do you like the bars high?
Nice set up. She's a rare shorty isn't it?

[LaHaRider]

Yeah its a very rare short frame(just one?). ive had noticable incresase in the chain length now that its been used out on the tracks, cant quite get a link out yet but will soon, ive had no problems with the chain coming off though. im gonna try that different cable routing. the bar is quite high at the moment but im going to adjust the controls when i fit a wider bar. gonna get some bar ends aswell. thanks for the feedback. cant believe how stable the bike feels at all speed and on differing tracks despite the narrow bars, ill see if it gets better after i change the bars but its pretty hard to beat.

[xy9ine]

is this dave? i'm familiar with one 'short' frame in particular.

[LaHaRider]

no im Ross. I got the bike off Mark and Olivia Johnston, shes stopped riding Lahar i think that she is looking for a bigger team although she did love the bike. I dont know what number the frame is i guess i should ask Aaron. I was riding in 'Dirtschool' with Chris Ball and he was impressed with the bike, i also met the bloke that started 'Descent World'(.com) at Innerleithan and i reckon the Lahar changed his opinion on gearbox bikes due to its low weight build. Inners sure makes a for a good weekend riding!:D

[xy9ine]

ah, cool. yeah, i imagine these are currently the lightest production gearbox bikes. the nicolai tst is still a bit porky despite shedding a few lbs from the earlier incarnations.

[moritzdh]

hey,

i have a question about the crank bearrings!!!!

i ride my m9 one year... now the crank bearrings are defect.
they are boned in with some araldite.... how can i do them out?

someone tells me that i can gently tapped them out! is this right?

thanks for answers

greetz out of germany

[xy9ine]

i'm in the process of changing my bearings as well.

yeah, you can just tap them out. didn't take too much force.

how's the bike been for you?

[moritzdh]

hey

thanks i think i try it!

the bike is the gratest what i ride i think.
it's realy soft! and the geometry is realy nice.

i will never ride an other bike, i think :D

- have anyone a spare axle nut and decals for me?
i will buy the spare axle nut for my security!

greetz