East Fork Mountain Biking Forge Sawback 5xx

I just got this bike and went to East Fork state park near Cincinnati, Ohio. The bike is great. It's a size smaller than recommended but I used to ride BMX so I like it. It's easy to maneuver. The Trail conditions were awesome! I want to say thank you to C.O.R.A. and whoever else built these. Very fun! I had never mountain biked like this before and the trails were not too much but still a great workout and somewhat challenging. I'll take more video of the actual trails. Thanks!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• East
• Fork
• Mountain
• Bike
• Biking
• Forge
• Sawback
• 5xx
• CORA
• C.O.R.A.

[benottomex]

I love my Forge 5xx too! (19" frame in Blue), bought back in 2008. So far so good, I've had issues with a defective fork leg and Forge took care of replacing the whole suspension.

Mine has Hayes Brakes, stopping power is great. Great bike if you're on a budget.

[ThWind81]

Oh yeah it's great for the price. I should probably have gotten the 19 inch but hell, I've had a ton of great rides on mine! Maybe I'll upgrade in a year.

[mentalarmory]

hey man how are you liking your forge? I see it's been about a month. contemplating getting one vs. a motobecane 600ht. any thoughts?

[ThWind81]

Ok so a few quick things I notice. Both bikes have tektro brake levers but the forge has Avid bb5 which I like. Nice to adjust. Motobecane comes in more frame sizes. Forge is 27 speeds vs motobecane's 24 speeds. (9spd rear cassette vs 8 spd.) Pretty similar bikes. I like Forge's geometry, larger tube. Let me know what happens!

[mentalarmory]

hey thanks a lot for the reply! glad the forge is working out for you. I'm actually deciding to go with the less expensive Specialized Hardrock (2010) after a visit to the local shop. Parts not as good as those two but I'm just getting into the sport so I think it'll hold up until I decide to upgrade. I am still torn between those two if I decide to get a second bike anytime soon though..but I do see the advantage with the forge. Thanks again!

[ThWind81]

Specialized is great. If you want to learn how to ride moderately fun trails with some climbs and fast sections and of course roots and rocks, you will want more. More gears, more fork, more tire, not sure about the crank that come on the specialized.... brakes... etc... Reconsider the Forge for the price. It will keep up with you for a good while. If you aren't going to explore some of the awesome trails out there... then go with less bike.

Let me know. Best.

[andrewmccomb76]

@miked1583 Loose the reflectors!

[miked1583]

The only feature that still remains is the log pile. Everything else has been removed due to lack of maintenance.

[Snaab92]

Thanks for sharing. I love my 5XX too - a great bike especially for the price. Love the red but they didn't have it in my size. I did bend my chainring really bad and replaced the big one with a rock ring. Rear tire is also wearing out quickly and have a new one order (WTB Wolverine) but other than that it has been bullet proof and I am hard on it.