So i’ve just got my new Dawes XC 1.6 2011 mountain bike and i must say that i’m really impressed with it. the only things i’ve altered is the saddle which is now way more comfy and put some downhill handlebars on which have given the bike a wider stance which makes it handle better.
I’m really suprised how solid the bike feels even though some of the Shimano componants are at the lower range of the scale. whether this will hold up or not is yet to be seen.
The Shimano brakes all though not a branded level like Deore or XTR, still offer an amazing amount of stopping power and feel. Ok they aren’t as nice feel wise as my old Hope M4′s but they aren’t £120 brakes. The back rotor is taking slightly longer to bed in over the front, but after a week of riding its starting to get there.
I’ve never ridden with wide tyres like 2.1′s i’ve usually had 1.9′s. but in honesty i’m pretty suprised that they aren’t that hard to push round and are offering a good amount of grip on loose surfaces, also in the wet they didn’t seem to throw much standing water up at me.
I’m going to have to order a frame protector for below the chain as it does slap a bit when dropping of kerbs, but what bike doesnt.
The front forks are RST Gila with mechanical lockout. so i guess they aren’t going to be the worlds best fork but the abilitly to alter the amount of bounce on the go is pretty good, since i manjorly do road work then i’ve got them set pretty hard with just a bit of bounce to soak up kerb drops, over all they aren’t that bad.
I’m really please with my Dawes XC 1.6 2011 which is a 22″ frame the laergest they do
| Colour | Gloss black |
| Weight | 14.2kg |
| Sizes | 18,20,22 inch |
| Frame | Dawes Alloy 6061 |
| Fork | RST Gila with mechanical lockout (80mm travel) |
| Headset | Alloy 1″1/8 Ahead |
| Shifters | Shimano Acera 24 speed |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Acera 8 speed |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Altus triple |
| Chain | |
| Freewheel | Shimano |
| Front hub | Shimano alloy 32H QR |
| Rear hub | Shimano alloy 32H QR |
| Rims | Alex DH19 double wall |
| Spokes | Stainless steel |
| Tyres | Kenda 26×2.1 |
| Chainwheel | Truvativ Isoflow 42/32/22 |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed Cartridge |
| Brakes | Shimano hydraulic discs |
| Brake levers | Shimano |
| Handlebar | Dawes riser |
| Stem | Dawes Ahead |
| Seatpost | Dawes alloy micro-adjust |
| Saddle | Dawes special edition white |
| Grips | Kraton rubber |
| Pedals | Alloy platform |