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Subaru getting into bicycle business
Subaru has decided to issue a 99-edition run of mountain bikes under its own corporate banner called the Subaru XB steel hardtail. If there's any automaker for which such a move fits, it is Subaru (has anyone even seen a Porsche or Mercedes mountain bike in the wild?). And it's not the first time a Japanese car concern has jumped into the bicycle biz: Bridgestone had a seriously good range of road and mountain bikes in the '80s and '90s. However, Subaru's effort will be outsourced, built-to-order, and expensive. The hardtail chromoly steel steeds will run you $3,880. For that price – even for a limited edition with decent kit – we aren't sure why anyone would opt for it over a fully-suspended Ellsworth or Ventana for the same money.
[Source: Bike Radar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
not_a_subaru_fan 3:01PM (12/24/2008)
Its not AWD? LOL I'm suprised it isnt uglier! This may be their best looking vehicle to date.
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Alex1217 3:00PM (12/24/2008)
It's missing an AWD chain system, that ain't a real Subaru bike!
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Colin 3:34PM (12/24/2008)
If you wanted an AWD bike you would have to settle with a JEEP. They made one a few years back, it was a joke, I heard they were terrible:
http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Rubicon-Classic-Adult-Mountain/dp/B0007W86IE
LaughingTooHard 12:11PM (12/25/2008)
When I saw Jeep had made a AWD mountain bike that was a bomb, I curious to find a bad review or even a professional review.
While I didn't find any conclusive evidence as to the bike being bad or good, I think this comment is pretty fair:
"In general, I think most riders will not benefit much from the AWD, it only really becomes an advantage when you get into some nasty conditions, which the majority of mtb uses don't do. And for those that do, it's often a challenge to clean certain technical sections, so the AWD feels like cheating. That being said, there is a certain local climb that has a crux that I had yet to clean, and the Christini rolled right up & over it. Also, there is a certain trail that is 5km of pretty continuous rock gardens - a dab-city type trail for hardcore riders, and the only reason that I dabbed with the Christini is that I ran out of legs. (actually, sometimes I just suck when I'm riding...)
Many of the locals have tried it out in the rock gardens and the response is very similar - 'keeps going if you keep pedaling' and 'feels like cheating...' "
One correction: Jeep, like Subaru, doesn't make the bikes that carry the Jeep/Subaru brand but in case of the AWD Rubicon, the company makes it for Jeep is still selling them: http://www.christinibicycles.com/bikes-fullsus.php
As for the $4000 Subaru hard tail...ah, yeah, I can't say anything nice but for a true Subaru fan with lots of disposable income, it must be a dream come true. At least Subaru has a sponsorship presence for Mountain Biking events plus Subaru gives a lot towards maintaining trails and access rights, so they get my "Thanks!"
few 3:07PM (12/24/2008)
if it aint got gold rims,it aint subaru.
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Kotse 4:01PM (12/24/2008)
Subaru blue...But it needs some yellow stickers.
Benfolio 5:57PM (12/24/2008)
No, not yellow stickers, pink STi stickers.
Eric Smith 3:18PM (12/24/2008)
I've seen a Porsche bike, I believe.
At the least, I've seen Renault and Lotus bikes before.
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AZZO45b 9:07PM (12/25/2008)
Subaru is already the title sponsor of the Gary Fisher Mountain Bike teams... GF brand is owned by USA based TREK Bicycle.
Ferrari also brands an Italian road bike Colongo (sp?)
jinsei888 3:24PM (12/24/2008)
the subaru fan-boys will buy 'em for their bike racks...
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dang 3:45PM (12/24/2008)
mercedes used to outsource their mountain bikes to amp research. interestingly weird rigs that were way over priced. but i believe they were aluminum/carbon fiber, so i guess that justified the pricing. ferrari went to colnago for their nifty little road bike stint, and i cant really think of others at the moment.
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rls 4:01PM (12/24/2008)
Doesn't look real comfortable to me, but then what do I know; I ride a recumbent bike!
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esteva03 4:04PM (12/24/2008)
this should be on the sweepstakes next year!!! it would be awesome
!!!!!
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AndyH 4:45PM (12/24/2008)
They should have contracted with Christini to make an AWD bicycle:
http://www.christinibicycles.com/
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Evotec 4:48PM (12/24/2008)
I heard the STI version is coming soon...
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2007RC46SP2 5:12PM (12/24/2008)
with full XTR! and SID worldcup
$6999
Bevill 5:11PM (12/24/2008)
Got news for you. The vast majority of bikes are outsourced. The three major players are Giant, Ideal and Merida. They all have factories in China and Tiawan and they make 90% of the worlds bikes. I could have a factory located in Italy that buys frames/components from one of them, assemble the bike and instantly I have a bike that I can advertise as being made in Italy.
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tkmedia 5:20PM (12/24/2008)
Subaru is making bikes again? They use to make the Rabbit motor bike.
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Chidfreegearhead 5:25PM (12/24/2008)
Just when I didn't think Subaru could be gayer...
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Andrew 5:25PM (12/24/2008)
I actually have seen a Mercedes mountain bike "in the wild". It was fairly light, but it sure as hell isn't $4000 better than a Huffy or Schwinn.
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