Codeine - review

fizik

So not much of a build thread but after selling my mega tr in OZ (don't move to another country for a woman) I needed another Mtb fairly cheap. Being a tall chap I had always liked the idea of a 29er but never really seen any that excited me or were within my price bracket. I had heard alot about the codeine and the geometry seemed spot on. After a trip to Sheffield to see one I ordered the x9 model, which I now believe is retailing at 1499 GBP. At the time I paid 1850 including reverb and upgrade to a monarch plus rc3 debonair as I hadn't been too impressed by the rt3 on the mega tr (seemed to get harsher and harsher throughout a ride)

I changed grips for superstar items, fitted a hope t-rex range expander and converted to tubeless.

The below may seem to be negative in some respects but for me these days I am more concerned with a bike that rides well rather than looks etc, and ultimately on that the codeine delivers.

Impressions after a couple of months riding-

- Frame finish is similar in quality to the mega, not bad but not amazing, graphics a bit gash.
- Pacenti dl31 rims are bomb proof but not too heavy, destickered them, x9 hubs are 100% silent
- Guide R brakes are a sh1t tonne better than the old mono minis I used to ride
- Bike is a bit heavy but rides alot lighter than the numbers suggest
- On one tyres are very good all rounders and handled ice and snow just fine, went tubeless OK.
- Codeine seems more manoeuvrable than the mega was with its 160mm forks, better at tight switchbacks
- Bike pedals well
- Monarch plus shock seems to need loads of pressure (260psi for 30% sag - 90kg rider weight all up)
- Pike and monarch are perfectly matched, pikes not as stiff as my old 36's - to be expected.
- Bike steamrolls rock gardens but still feels agile and poppy.
- Top tube could do with being about 2cm longer so I could run a 35mm stem rather than a 50mm.
- Head tube is a bit long, but have slammed bars and trimmed steerer and now feels spot on with stock el ancho bars.

All in all the bike has transformed my riding giving me much more confidence and for the price I paid which would be even less now I don't think there is much to touch it for value. The bike is by no means perfect but everyone who rides it loves it and comments how light it rides, have also been very impressed with how it is so chuckable and manoeuvrable, seems to handle slow technical climbs with aplomb too. I was pretty relieved to find it actually fits in the back of my Volvo c30 too, bonus since the mega needed the driver seat moved forward from my normal driving position which it doesn't on the codeine.



(before lowering stem)



Camera back in pocket before flying down gatesgarth pass (I know green doesn't match) Garburn Gatesgarth and Nan Bield were excellent in the snow and ice, big snow drifts and sheets of ice were awesome!

dynebaruk

Interesting - good review, I really like the look of these and the spec is great for the money. I'm debating going for the 29er or waiting for the 650b version to come out... (but there seems to be little news from On-One over any expected release date)

fizik

Yeah I just figured coming from 26" I may as well go for something completely different, the way 29ers roll is fantastic and now they have learned how to design them properly they handle well too. Grip is amazing - only limitation is me. I also really liked the look of the Whyte t129 SCR works but budget couldn't stretch to that without finance. 29ers aren't for everyone but for me in the lakes it made sense, still handles steep twistes fine, looking forward to taking her to golf course.

dirkpitt74

Nice review - thanks for sharing.
They do seem to come out with a gem every now and again don't they.

Interesting to see when the 650B version materialises.

pilch

Its a top ride for sure, loving mine... agree with the weight thing, feels light to ride and climbs very well

dynebaruk

And I've just spotted that On-One have reduced the X1 spec Codeine by £200 down to £2200... I am really tempted!

fizik

Would of loved X1 and guide rsc's but I think the rims on the X9 are better and in terms of performance there is no difference between the RCT3 and the RC Pikes. Go for it whichever you choose but fit a chainstay protector ASAP.