Mountain Biking - Specialized P.1

I am planning on getting a new bike. It will probably be a P.1 because that is what is in my price range.

THE FEATURES
Same frame as big brother, P.2 - A1 Premium Aluminum, Centerfold top tube, butted and manipulated tubes all around, forged head tube, horizontal dropouts, ISCG compatible bottom bracket tabs and disc tabs only.
One speed is all you need! And we did it in style with a custom 4-sealed cartridge bearing single speed disc cassette (yeah, cassette!) hub with a 3/8" nutted Cr-Mo axle.
Marzocchi Bomber EXR fork boasts 100mm travel, preload adjust, Cr-Mo steerer and coil/MCU spring.
"Huckable" specs abound - nickel-plated Tank headset, TruVativ Hussafelt stem and cranks and SUN DitchWitch rims.
Hayes mechanical disc brake and lever (rear only) turn ugly situations into pure control.
Geometry (bike metrics)
MSRP - $530

Here's a pic
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/p1_blk_l.jpg


I was just wondering what everyone else thinks about this bike. I like riding around town but have an incredibly embarising renegade that i bent the rim off of a two and a half drop.

Nice looking bike man, can i ask you what site you are seeing the price from?

You just looking for something to use around town?

That was from the specialized website. I've seen lower prices, and heard of them from people who bought them. More like $450.

And Its not really for around town, more like urban riding. Like jumping steps, riding steps and doing drops. Maybe to the bmx track for fun and all.

What else should I buy when I get this? Like gator grips, knee pads, ect.

you might want to check the specs on the fork again, there is an EXR and an EXR Comp. The EXR has preload adjustments and coil spring - no MCU elastomers. THe EXR Comp has no preload adjustment and has elastomers. The EXR gets good reviews, the EXR Comp sucks, according to the reviews.

http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/2003_front_shocks/product_122140.shtml

The fork on the P1 has preload adjustments.

Im not a very big guy so i dont think it will be a big problem (im 13 and 105 lbs). My friend has a p2 and weighs 180 or so and has not had any problems. My other friend has a p3 but he made it himself so he has rock shox psyclo. Do you think it is possible at most places to switch them for some rock shox or something?

It is easy to change the fork at a later date. This bike can handle it...

I bought this bike and it kicks ass. I would definitley recomend it to others. The fork is actually a bomber exr comp. Does anyone know how to change the stiffness of it cause right now I think it is a little too stiff. It actually does have a front break, even thought it is not shown. Its a hayes mech too.

I do have a few problems with this bike though. It cost me more, because I live in Canada and the shipments are limited (i got the last p series bike in the city). Also for some reason I was slipping off the pedals and canning myself on my seat. I think this is eather my waffled shoes or the rain.

Ah heck, I'll review this bike.

Frame: I love the frame. Great geometry and angle. I can bunnyhop higher now (still low) but it helps. The top tube is just the right size for any rider. There are two sizes of this. I have the large, which is only a quater to a half an inch. It is made of almineum so It is lighter then chromoly. The tubes are larger so it wont break easily. If you put gears on it or get a p2 or p3 gator grips can go on but are sometimes tough. Oh, and look underneath your bottom tube, theres a chick on it.

Sprockets: The bike is set up in a nice 2 to 1 ratio. It is a challenge to climb big hills but I easily kept up with the others when going uphill, down or on flat.

Cranks: These cranks are strong mothers. They will definitley be able to take a beating. They are nice and solid.

Fork: Pretty good. Not soft enough for my small weight but I will get them adjusted.

Breaks: Even thought it is rear only I got front and back. They do not make a sound like people have said. They are not very touchy because it is plastic and bends more. You can adjust this too.

Rims: Strong, and big. Nothing more to say. Great design for urban.

Glad you like it. Those are fantstic bikes.

Hayes mechs don't represent the true control and power you get with disc brakes. If you have any problems dont let those brakes turn you off of discs ;)

At the top of each stanchion there should be a piece that looks like it can take a socket. In the centre of the socket is a rubber dust protector. Pop this off with a knife and there should be a screw (allen screw) in there. 'LOOSEN IT' this will relieve some of the stiffness. Ironically though the EXR is a stiff fork and not nearly as plush as the rest of the marzocchi line, so don't expect a miracle.

Isnt the exr comp air cause if so dont i need a compresser or something. Ill just ask them to do it when I'm in for the 20 hours of riding tune up. Also, I'm getting like under 50 mm of travel outof them.

If its the EXR Comp. don't think there is any preload adjustment, but if there is its under the small rubber cap on top of the stanaction like Maelstrom said. Your other option is to change springs and get softer ones. I have an EXR and Marzocchi recommends usung silicon spray on the uppers and breaking the fork in for about 50 hours. My fork was stiff, but its much plusher now after about 6 weeks riding.

I built a P2 a few days ago, and gave it a ride after I was done. I think it was the first time I had ridden one outside before. I was amazed about how dangerous that fork is, its a freaking pogo stick. It does kick you back with no effort for manuals and wheeling though:D

This is my next bike in a few.

this thread is awesome! I am going to be buying a p1 in close to a month from now. I need a bike that will handle a lot of dirt jumping and urban riding and i think it will be able to handle it. keep the reviews coming if you have it!

Originally posted by KleinMp99
I built a P2 a few days ago, and gave it a ride after I was done. I think it was the first time I had ridden one outside before. I was amazed about how dangerous that fork is, its a freaking pogo stick. It does kick you back with no effort for manuals and wheeling though:D

Seems I saw a DIY "Turn your marzi EXR into a pogo stick" webpage somewhere. Its good to see people using quality products for what they were intended.

The fork i got was really stiff. Yesterday I went off of a loading dock to flat (about 3 feet) and the landing was so rough because of the fork that i fell of my pedal and the little spike things on the pedal went into my knee. This was just my fork, others with the same fork have it looser. I will get the people at the store to adjust it.

PS: get shin pads

You can adjust the preload yourself. There are little plastic caps on top of each stanchion. Pop those off and you have allen keys in the whole. Turn them in to stiffen the suspension or turn them out to make it plusher.

Always getting a show to do the easy stuff will cost you money :)