Comments on: 2009 Ventana El Terremoto 6.0 Quick Bike Review

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:08:54 +0000

Actually, the El Terremoto is a stellar climber for its class. I pounded out some great climbs on it. I wasn’t the first to the top, but it was surprisingly efficient.

By: Luciano

Luciano — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:05:23 +0000

Hey, I was just reading and have to say that this bike is not just perfect because of the weight. Reason: I ride an El Saltamontes w/ 6″ rocker option w/ Romic C rear shock and Fox 36 Talas up front and feel my bike isn’t enough in the rigidity/lightness/softier sphere, so anyone getting a 6″ travel frame should go for 1.5 headtubes and very stiff rears, so don’t expect going uphill very much w/ this Terremoto. My last word: any way is a very worthy bike! I’d get one..

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:56:56 +0000

UTDave… interesting find about the organic brake pads. Unfortunately both the Avid Juicy 5′s and 7′s seem to have real issues with vibration. Every set I’ve ridden this year has suffered from the same malady.

I’m hoping to get on a Ciclon this Spring, so maybe I’ll feel similarly about that ride. Sounds like a great bike!

By: UTdave

UTdave — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:21:12 +0000

Jason,

I got a Ciclon with Lyric last summer and feel the same way about it as you seem to feel about the Terremoto – the thing is sick. I also found the rear brake and rotor to be an issue. The vibration was actually loosening the bolt for my bolt-on rear axle. I can’t quite see what brake you had on your test bike (Avid Juicy, I think), but mine are Avid Juicy’s and a switch to the organic pad from the stock pad made that problem go away entirely.

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:21:55 +0000

JV… I fixed it for you. Nice ride!

By: JV

JV — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:11:00 +0000

Good write up!
The bike really is a blast, I ride mine as my only trail bike. Full build pic is linked as the website above.
I agree with you on the Wotan – I play with one on a buddy’s RFX and it is not up to par. I am running a Lyrik coil on my TM.

Having ridden and almost destroyed 3 other bikes, I don’t see any end in sight with this one!

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:39:26 +0000

I’m glad to hear you liked it. I know I LOVE mine!

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:13:13 +0000

Good question, Jeff. A 4-bar suspension is essentially a single-pivot when all is said and done. Though the suspension rates and stiffness can be managed via a 4-bar (Ventana, Kona, Rocky mountain, et. al), at heart, it's still just a single-pivot. Even Rocky Mountain uses both 4-bar and single-pivot interchangeably (see Slayer SXC w/LC2R and 3D Link). It is what it is, however, that point should not deter you. I've ridden bad single-pivots and stellar single-pivots and the El Terremoto is one of the best. You can't go wrong with it.

By: jeff

jeff — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:58:51 +0000

Jason,

Im shopping, so I was interested in your review – which was good, but I dont think this is a single pivot -? it looks like a 4 bar.

Jeff