One thing that no one is taking into consideration is the effect the fledgling economy has had on the industry. I'm hearing 15% reduction on average for the likes of SRAM and Shimano, so I would imagine that a smaller frame manufacturer would see a similar loss, if not more. As people's incomes decline (I personally saw a 20% decrease in my disposable income so far and I'm sure the bottom line is much worse) the last thing I can do is go into a retail shop and throw down X amount for a bike or frame at full retail, plus taxes. So people in the same situation are [I]probably[/I] not going to buy a new bike in 2010. Which in turn means neither the manufacturer nor the LBS is getting anything. However, if you compete or want to compete next year, and need a replacement bike, frame or component(s) and are not on par with the likes of Steve Peat and have your way paid, these programs really help out. At the very least, especially now in a depressed economy, at least Transition or whomever is selling product, making a bit of a profit and staying in business. I know from my personal situation, which is better than some, I will not be able to replace my current frame next year without a deal like this. If I'm forced to pay full retail for a new bike it will mean a year void of competition and in turn, fewer visits to the LBS to purchase parts/service not offered through a grassroots sponsorship program. And it will mean one less person supporting the local race scene-which is already in pretty bad shape. I wouldn't be surprised if more companies start offering this type of program as they struggle with getting their numbers back in order.

I think it's a great program as IMO bikes and bike parts are way overpriced. $60 for a DH tire that will only last one or two days of racing? That's almost as much as a truck tire that lasts 50K miles. Even within the same company, like the head of Marzocchi USA stated in a recent interview that although bike forks make up only 40% of Marzocchi sales, they offer a much higher margin than moto forks. Plus it's pretty rare for any shop where I live to even stock framesets let alone one in my size. And since there are no Transition dealers in town I'm looking at mail ordering one from out of state anyway. Putting this into perspective: currently Knolly and Transition offer this program directly. Evil should have the same program up and running soon according to their website. Canfield, Intense, Mongoose and Tomac offer the program through Sponsorhouse.com. Turner offered the program up through 2008 and my guess is offer it again once they sort out and get their full line up out. Not to mention MRP, GoPro, E.13, Hayes, 661, Sunline, Fox Racing Shox, Sock Guy, Maxxis, Kenda, etc, etc, etc....all offer similar programs. If you're going to bag on one company for putting shops out of business, you really need to bag on the entire industry. It's just that the 'smaller' companies are more accessible than say Giant, Trek or Specialized. I think it's a pretty great thing.

Problem with any review is that they're based on a certain rider's skills, abilities and experience: That of the reviewer. As well as the testing medium (location). I'm not saying that single pivot bikes are better than multipivots or virtual pivots, etc... but they can aide some riders. It's no secret that the DW Link helped out Sam Hill who is not a strong pedaller on courses that required a bit more pedalling, [I]than say Schladming[/I]. To state that many single pivots are better than linkage bikes and vice-versa is just opinion and personal preference.

Iron Horse was not taken over by Specialized, [I]although Sam Hill was[/I]. Dorel Industries purchased the brand off the auction block earlier this year and IH stopped making bikes in January after CIT Group dropped their funding. Dorel owns Cannondale, GT, Mongoose, Schwinn, Sugoi, Pacific Cycle and PTI. Don't expect any Sunday's or DW Link bikes other than those you can find left over from 2008/2009 on close out. Iron Horse has been slotted to be sold in department stores from here on out. Too bad. The Sunday was one of the best bikes I've owned.