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Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

Small company = Attention to detail Low, Slack, spot on weight, predictable in the air and on the ground Killer Looks Innovative "Single Pivot" design Loves to go sideways in the air Will rail corners like a slot car Can hug the ground in the snotty stuff like a cop holding his donut (with the...

The Bad

Weak stickers (more durable custom stickers being made to replicate originals) Seat Clamp design - not a fan Getting the right shock tune can be a little tricky not enough dealers in Oz

Overall Review
For someone who has not raced a DH bike in nearly a decade and a half, I brought mine "newish"in mid 2012 and is a 2012 model. The guy who brought it initially and built it up only owned the bike for a month, he wasn't a fan nd decided to sell it on. The price was almost criminal for the build spec he had on it. All reasonably high end parts, he just wanted a quick sale. Score for me. I have only had the pleasure of 1 race meet and a shuttle day on the bike, but the bike is super stable in the air, isnt afraid of being thrown sideways, is predicatable in corners and loves to hug the ground...
Posted by crooksy on 6/30/2013 3:40am
Morewood Bicycles Kalula Frame
The Good

Agility, Cornering, Jumping, Fun-factor, Suspension design, Stiffness and longevity

The Bad

Cable routing, Shock spring rub, Rear axle requires both 10mm and 12mm alan key

Overall Review
I have owned this bike for around a year now. It has been taken to the Alps, many local DH trails in my home country of Scotland and has been raced. In fact, I even took it on a number of xc rides before getting a dedicated XC/AM bike. Here are my thoughts of the kalula so far: Background: When I first bought this bike, I decided it was going to be with me for a long time and that I didn't really want to go changing parts often. So I built it up with a pretty dream spec and intend to leave it that way until parts wear out/break. Initially expensive but I hope it pays in the long run.To give...
Posted by Nic Cotton on 6/28/2012 4:32am
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

neutral handling, excellent feed back from suspension, plush, stiff, inspiring

The Bad

Only goes as fast as I can but begs to go faster

Overall Review
This bike hauls! I've never ridden a bike that instantly felt so comfortable going fast on. The suspension is plush but still gives you enough feedback to let you change direction and launch off of anything you see fit. At 220 pounds I can feel the flex in just about any frame and there is none to report out of this. The CCDB is a marvel! It does take some time to set up but is 100% worth it. With a Ti spring on it next year it'll be even better. If you can afford one of these don't bother looking anywhere else because this is it!
Posted by steamboatgravity on 11/18/2011 6:48pm
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

Slack HA Comes in varied lengths (S,M,Long) Perfect leverage ratio STIFF Jumps amazingly Tracks tracks and tracks some more Low leverage advantage etc...

The Bad

It doesn't come in carbon...yet

Overall Review
I have ridden Commencials, Gamblers, M9's, V10's, Glory's, Kona's, Demo's...allot of bikes and the first 10m I rode on a Makulu was when I diced to get one. It was probably the easiest and best decision I have ever made. Hand made in South Africa. O and BTW it was a choice between a Makulu and a Car!...cant say much more
Posted by Manchillz on 7/24/2011 7:49am
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

-Low Leverage Ratio -Slack Head Angle -Supple Suspension -Tracks like a dream. -Flickable -Super Stiff -Looks Sick

The Bad

-Doesn't come in Purple?

Overall Review
I was loaned a Makulu for a Gravity East race. The bike I rode was a custom sized frame, with a full degree slacker HA than stock. The first thing I noticed was how confidence inspiring the bike was. I could immediately put the bike where I wanted and it tracked like a dream. Pedal feedback was virtually non-existent. It was extremely stable through the air and and really stuck to the ground. Fast, fast, and faster. It carries speed so effortlessly that you find yourself coming into sections a lot faster than normal. The 2.1:1 leverage ratio is fantastic, coming off a Commencal Supreme DH with...
Posted by scott.punt on 7/13/2011 8:20am
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

Perfect for race and aggressive downhill applications Lives in the stable of long low slack downhill geometry bikes MSRP of $3199 is ballpark and competitive for a high end race bike with Double Barrel shock, axle, rear fender, and seatpost clamp Natural well balanced ride No significant suspension...

The Bad

Double Barrel can be difficult to tune requiring patience, time and effort, but it gets the best from the low leverage suspension design Price, if you're on a budget

Overall Review
Rider Overview I'm an intermediate-aggressive DH rider coming into my fifth full season. The Makulu has been tested for flavour on 60,000 vertical feet of fast flowy and technical downhill riding in Kelowna, Kamloops and Vernon, British Columbia over 11 days. That amount of riding has been done in a very short space of time, allowing me little opportunity for suspension testing and tuning. That process will be the next step of my life with the Makulu. Fit for Purpose The Makulu is a downhill race bike. If you're looking for a cushy DH sled, this isn't it. It will work for more aggressive...
Posted by gnarbar on 5/31/2011 12:35pm
Morewood Bicycles Izimu with XPI Pivot Frame
The Good

handled better then i thought it would.love the paint job.like the axle works and the nut to deraller hanger mount.i like the rear adjustablity iv been in the "B'' Seting witch is slacked out and back witch i like

The Bad

let see bad? huh cant say too much.....il get back to you on that

Overall Review
i just got the bike less then a month and so far i love it.. i didnt try to make it light but i am @ 38.4 pounds i could probly shave another pound if i wanted too. other then that it works well over everything..
Posted by Danny_Mendoza on 5/16/2011 11:08am
Morewood Bicycles Zama Frame
The Good

Perfect all around geo - not too steep, not too slack. Fun bike! Versatility - run it with 2 chainrings and a singlecrown fork for FR/AM/DH, or with a straight up DH build for a playful mini-DH bike. Predictable suspension feel. Frame build quality (hugely improved for 2011)! Postmount brakemounts...

The Bad

150mm dropouts with 73mm BB - bit of a strange combo. Should ship with the XPi adjustable main pivot of the Izimu - what's the point of a $50 frame upgrade?

Overall Review
I built this bike up as a do-it-all, running 2 chainrings but also a Boxxer up front, the goal being one bike to pretty much do everything with, from trail riding to DH. The frame replaces the Zuza in the Morewood lineup, although it leans much more towards DH as opposed to the Zuza which was a pure FR frame. Out of the box the frame quality is amazing, with neat welds and stickers now under the clearcoat, it really feels classy. The build was pretty smooth, just the BB needed rethreading on one side. With pretty average components (Boxxer, Saint cranks, X7/X9, dual-ply DHF/DHS Minions), the...
Posted by iceman2058 on 4/22/2011 2:33pm
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

This bike is incredible. fast, stable, reactive, smooth, pedals well.

The Bad

sticker decals are sorta weak on a $3k frame

Overall Review
I have ridden a lot of downhill bikes as a manager of a high end mountain bike shop, from all the big players (trek, specialized, commencal, yeti etc). the makulu is legitimately the cream of the crop. It corners perfectly, pedals like a 6" trail bike, is totally smooth in the heavy chop yet super reactive when you need it. truly an incredible bike. it does everything as well as you could ever guess. so so much fun. folks always want the "latest and greatest" suspension designs, headtube angles, etc, and while the makulu does not re-invent the wheel with ultra progressive designs, its...
Posted by marshalolson on 3/7/2011 7:13pm
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

The bike tracks the ground better than anything else out there. It is great through berms, jumps, rock gardens, and corners. It absorbs small bumps and big drops with ease.

The Bad

Finding the proper spring can be a bit tough for lighter riders.

Overall Review
Before picking up the 2011 Morewood Makulu, I was previously riding a 2008 Morewood Izimu. Even though the Makulu is considered a single-pivot, it is quite a different beast than the Izimu. Out of the box, the frame looks amazing. The sleek decals are perfect for this downhill race steed. The BB and head tube come faced, something that has come to be expected with a frame of this caliber, but it's still nice to see. Setting the bike up is a breeze. It uses a 150mm rear axle and a 83mm bb which is standard for this type of frame. It also uses a tapered head tube. One issue I came across was the...
Posted by ieatdirt on 12/14/2010 8:36pm
Morewood Bicycles Zula Frame
The Good

It descends incredibly well! I have it set up with a single ring in the front and it is fast! I race XC and this is my race bike! It pedals well but really likes to go DH! great handling.

The Bad

The only bad thing I can think of is the weight. Its not the lightest bike.

Overall Review
This bike is a very good trail bike! you can race XC with it and even shred the downhills with a little fiddling with the rear shock. I race XC and Super-D/All Mountain. I like this bike because I can still pedal it really well and then I change the rebound nob like 2or 3 clicks and it has a squishy rear end that's really fun for the more DH courses. Its a great all around XC/ Trail Bike. It is a very well handling bike too. you can point it where you want to go and it will go right there!!
Posted by MorewoodRacer3 on 12/9/2010 4:12pm
Morewood Bicycles Kalula Frame
The Good

Suspension design, cornering, weight, finish

The Bad

nada, n/a, nothing

Overall Review
The suspension designs of Morewood are seriously sweet. I got a bit of time on a Makulu prior to the arrival of my Kalula (see review here: [url]http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Frames,7/Morewood-Bicycles/Makulu,1734[/url]) and was hoping the rear end of the Kalula would feel as incredible as the Mak...it does. The low leverage ratio makes the rear feel different than many other bikes...they feel super squishy in the parking lot, but you quickly realize on the trail that there is no mushy feeling and basically no pedal bob. The rear of the Kalula is very active feeling. I had to order a...
Posted by lucius on 8/22/2010 10:04pm
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

Suspension, Stability, Cornering, Speed

The Bad

Nothing...n/a

Overall Review
Let me begin by stating that I have ridden/owned alot of bikes, always searching for the next best thing...the Makulu is it. The suspension is incredible. The super low leverage allows the rear to feel unlike anything else I've ridden. Although this is a full-on dh race sled with about 40% sag, it doesn't feel mushy as many bikes often do, but at the same time it eats up terrain with ease. My riding style tends to be more jibby and slopestyle-esque, so I generally to do not like dh rigs that feel like plows or monster trucks. While the Makulu has no problem running over anything in your path...
Posted by lucius on 7/21/2010 9:24am
Morewood Bicycles Enza Frame
The Good

The good thing about this frame is that for 4x hardtails, I don't think it can be beat! It's ridiculously stiff, sprints super fast, and is really stable in the air. Plus, the square tubing on the downtube and rear triangle make it look 250% beefier than any other hardtail out there.

The Bad

The bad thing is I get made fun of for riding a pink bike. But seriously... Nothing.

Overall Review
I guess my review is kind of in "The Good" section. If you are serious about 4x racing, buy a frame that's designed to do just that... The Enza.
Posted by allenjweston on 4/2/2010 10:51am
Morewood Bicycles Ndiza Frame
The Good

This bike rocks! It pedals like a hardtail, and is short and way flickable. It's also super stiff and stable. It's so fast, and it handles speed like a DH machine. Morewood makes top of the line bikes for kicking ass, and the Ndiza is no exception!

The Bad

The only bad thing is that I got rid of this bike, so I'm saving up for another one.

Overall Review
If you want a shorter-travel fully that is all-around amazing for freeride, mild-medium downhill, and 4x/DJ, this thing won't disappoint! It's a great race bike, as well as a bike that could easily be utilized on any trail you wish. Morewood is a great company to deal with.
Posted by allenjweston on 4/2/2010 10:41am
Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
The Good

Suspension, light yet durable

The Bad

None that comes to mind

Overall Review
The perspective of a Joe Bloggs rider: It's hard trying to give a unbiased review of the bike. I'm sure 99% of people who have spent a large amount of money will recommend what they bought to someone else, purely I guess to justify money spent. I'll try and give you as many facts as possible. After a year's worth of use, the bike is in absolute top notch condition. Linkages, bearings, pivots etc are all sweet. The stickers and decals are peeling here and there, but that's it. It's super low maintenance and do not need for a service at all yet. Given that I spent a few weeks in the Alps and...
Posted by supercow on 3/29/2010 6:13am
Morewood Bicycles Zuza Frame
The Good

Dialled geometry, sturdy build, will take a front deraileur and the straight, uninterrupted seat-tube helps get the saddle in the right position for pedalling, great with a Totem/66 for FR-applications, or run it with a DC (Boxxer, 40, 888) for a more DH-oriented build (that can still be pedalled...

The Bad

Quite short in the TT, so if you don't like that then stay away. Even the L is less than 600mm... It is not extra-ordinarily light either (but you get what you pay for - in this case it is STRENGTH...).

Overall Review
Fantastic choice for a do-it-all-in-one-bike scenario. With a light build it can deal with AM riding (although a bit too short for a good pedalling position), with a heavy build it is a full-on FR rig. Dialled geo, real fun to ride. Great jumper, can take lots of abuse. Deals with DH as well, although it is nor as slack nor as low as a full-on DH rig, so a bit more tiwtchy through the rough. Buy it if you have outgrown your enduro/AM bike, but still want something you can manage some pedalling/climbing with. Oh and did I mention the dialled Morewood geo? :-)
Posted by iceman2058 on 3/25/2010 4:49am
Morewood Bicycles Ndiza Frame
The Good

Ndiza ST is a great all around frame. I find it to handle great on he bmx track, single track, small downhill runs, even street. Like spankthewan said" the single pivot works flawlessly! Richard and Geritt are awesome. They always give great advice.

The Bad

Only thing i would like to see if a sorter chainstay.

Overall Review
Overall, i highly recommend this frame for anyone who wants a bike that can do just about anything.
Posted by EMC2 on 3/21/2010 8:39pm
Morewood Bicycles Ndiza Frame
The Good

It looks amazing. It rides like a champ. It can take hits like a freeride bike. Great geo and minimal servicing - thanks to the single pivot. Richard is the man, and he is on top of things. No need to remove masterlink to take the chain on and off.

The Bad

No lifetime warranty.

Overall Review
This bike has served me well....dirtjumping, 4x, and DS. Hopefully 4x tracks in the US start getting rougher, like the one at Sol Vista Nationals, because this bike offers a major advantage...Plus, it looks a lot better than the SX, and it is a lot stronger and more suited to dirtjumping than the Staats or Foes competition.
Posted by spankthewan on 3/21/2010 1:44am