Crashin and Bashin the Streak'X Mute II
Mountain biking is expensive, no question. Hell, just a frameset from many custom and mainstream builders alike can top well over $3000US - and that's just the frameset! Thankfully, there are some companies looking out for those of us without trust funds or six figure salaries. Companies building bikes worthy of pro-level abuse at mac and cheese prices. Complete bikes available for a fraction of what those high zoot framesets will set you back. Till now a virtual unknown in the North American market, Streak'X Bikes is one such company.![photo]()
Started 10 years ago, Streak'X MTB is a mail order company based in Paris, France. They have been producing "house" branded bikes since 2001 and just this summer have begun selling internationally, exclusively via mail order. Like much of their high zoot competition, Streak'X bikes are made in Taiwan but all design and testing is done in France by a crew with over 15 years experience in the industry. According to their company profile, they believe "parts are often extra-expensive, and sometimes easy to make... we are motivated by passion, passion of riding every day, every mountain, every singletrack... we try to make you love riding your bike more than ever". Hmmmm, a bike company run by riders, not exactly unique in the industry, but a definite plus in my books.
![photo]()
Built from double butted 7005 aluminum, the Streak'X MuteII features all the usual gussets, details and geometry expected on the industry's best burly hardtail frames. Starting with a heavily gussetted headtube junction, the 5.3 pound Mute II frameset is dual crown friendly and features a 71 degree headangle (with a 100mm fork). The gussets don't stop there though, as the 73 degree seattube gets top and bottom gussets and the seat and chainstay on the disc side also gets a stiffening gusset for good measure. Top tube length is 21.8 inches and the chainstays come in at 16.4 inches long. Also of note is the sweet machine work given the chainstay yoke and dropouts with replaceable derailleur hanger. The s-bend stays offer up ample clearance for at least 2.7 inch rubber in 24 and 26 inch guise. These are some nice details usually saved for the high end market.
![photo]()
So what do all these numbers add up to anyway? Well, the ride part of the equation obviously follows, but according to the boys at Streak'X, it definitely adds up to a 3 year, no questions asked warranty. Not bad for the paltry sum of just $265 Canadian. That's right, just $265!!! The bike as tested comes in well under $1300 Canadian all tolled. That includes the Marzocchi DJIII, Hayes hydros, Race Face post, cranks and BB, a full Shimano drivetrain with XT rear derailleur, Mavic rims, FSA Pig DH headset, Maxxis tires, Wellgo pedals and Streak'X seat, 31.8mm bar and stem! All goods I'd be proud to run on the most chi frameset. Not the most awe-inspiring build imaginable, but certainly functional components. In fact, during our 3.5 month test period, not one single component needed replacement! I'd even used the bike as a "loaner" when taking out some neophyte MTB friends in town over the summer. Around here, any lack of breakage is no small feat, especially when you consider who I let ride her, trust me!
![photo]()
Coming my way built up with the DJIII, 26 inch wheels and a corresponding 71 degree head angle, the Mute II was most at home in the rhythm sections of our local dirt jumps and on the street sweets between there and home. While the 16.4 inch chainstays were noticeably longer than the 15.5's I've become accustomed to on my daily ride, the bike is easily manualled, and the 21.8 inch top tube and decent standover make body english an intuitive affair. As one would expect from an aluminum hardtail, ride quality is harsh and far from plush, the burly stays transferring every missed transition or landing directly into your lower back. Yeah, like that's a surprise.
![photo]()
If I possessed any real street skills, I'm sure I would have left the bike built up as I got it... But, since I don't, I swapped the DJIII for a BoXXer, left the 26 inch rear wheel in place and added an e13 DRS chainguide. As a general rule, Nelson's trails lean towards the steep, technical and rocky end of the spectrum. Even with the 7 inch BoXXer, the head angle was a little steeper than I was used to initially. However, once the bike and I became a little more familiar with one another, we were riding every stunt, drop and tech section we happened upon.
![photo]()
From the long, winding skinnies of our own North Shore, to the steep, tech rock faces or Newtsack and Hitman, to the big drops and gap jumps of Castlegar's Dr Claw, to the 70km/hour high speed, sinewy doubletrack of Rossland's Oasis, the trail-built Mute II capably handled everything I had the nerve to try. With ease! Hell, with the DRS chainguide in place, I was even hitting some epic XC rides around town.
![photo]()
With the Boxxer in place, my crappy, elementary school protractor showed a 68.5 degree headangle (I usually ride a 66.5) but switching out the 26 inch rear wheel for a 24 would drop that at least one more degree. When it came time to drop in on the near vertical rock faces, or when crossing log jams and rock gardens, I did like the 13 inch BB the 26 inch rear and BoXXer combo brought to the table. Although I didn't race any 4X on the Mute, with the DJIII and a 24, the BB is a super low 12 inches making this one hell of a cornering machine when railing berms.
The part of this test sled I can't seem to get over is the price. How can someone justify spending thousands more on a bike that's no more capable? Streak'X mission statement is simple, "We try to make bikes affordable." They've hit this one square on the head.
If I had to make any improvements, what would I change? Well, I'm especially fond of horizontal dropouts so those would be on my list, and with that, I'd probably bring the stays down 3/4 of an inch or so. For an all-arounder though, the 16.4 inch stays are a great compromise. Oh yeah, when I received the bike, the derailleur hanger had been bent slightly in shipping. I could have easily replaced it; however, I was lucky enough to have a Hanger Banger from North Shore Billet in my possession and once mounted, it easily brought the derailleur back to spec.
Otherwise, the respectable seat angle and cockpit dimensions make this one hell of a versatile bike that needs no help. I've yet to break it or its associated parts and anyone in the market for a well built, well though out hardtail should give the Mute II a good, hard look. The boys at Streak'X have shot some top secret spy pics of their soon to be released full squish model, the Mute DH3. If the MuteII is any indicator, they just may have another winner on their hands! Like the old commercial says "You could pay more, but why?"
For more information on Streak'X or to order your very own Mute II directly, visit www.streakx-us.com
Who the $#%&is Streak'X?
Started 10 years ago, Streak'X MTB is a mail order company based in Paris, France. They have been producing "house" branded bikes since 2001 and just this summer have begun selling internationally, exclusively via mail order. Like much of their high zoot competition, Streak'X bikes are made in Taiwan but all design and testing is done in France by a crew with over 15 years experience in the industry. According to their company profile, they believe "parts are often extra-expensive, and sometimes easy to make... we are motivated by passion, passion of riding every day, every mountain, every singletrack... we try to make you love riding your bike more than ever". Hmmmm, a bike company run by riders, not exactly unique in the industry, but a definite plus in my books.
Numbers and Stuff
Built from double butted 7005 aluminum, the Streak'X MuteII features all the usual gussets, details and geometry expected on the industry's best burly hardtail frames. Starting with a heavily gussetted headtube junction, the 5.3 pound Mute II frameset is dual crown friendly and features a 71 degree headangle (with a 100mm fork). The gussets don't stop there though, as the 73 degree seattube gets top and bottom gussets and the seat and chainstay on the disc side also gets a stiffening gusset for good measure. Top tube length is 21.8 inches and the chainstays come in at 16.4 inches long. Also of note is the sweet machine work given the chainstay yoke and dropouts with replaceable derailleur hanger. The s-bend stays offer up ample clearance for at least 2.7 inch rubber in 24 and 26 inch guise. These are some nice details usually saved for the high end market.
So what do all these numbers add up to anyway? Well, the ride part of the equation obviously follows, but according to the boys at Streak'X, it definitely adds up to a 3 year, no questions asked warranty. Not bad for the paltry sum of just $265 Canadian. That's right, just $265!!! The bike as tested comes in well under $1300 Canadian all tolled. That includes the Marzocchi DJIII, Hayes hydros, Race Face post, cranks and BB, a full Shimano drivetrain with XT rear derailleur, Mavic rims, FSA Pig DH headset, Maxxis tires, Wellgo pedals and Streak'X seat, 31.8mm bar and stem! All goods I'd be proud to run on the most chi frameset. Not the most awe-inspiring build imaginable, but certainly functional components. In fact, during our 3.5 month test period, not one single component needed replacement! I'd even used the bike as a "loaner" when taking out some neophyte MTB friends in town over the summer. Around here, any lack of breakage is no small feat, especially when you consider who I let ride her, trust me!
On the Street/Trail/Dirtjumps
Coming my way built up with the DJIII, 26 inch wheels and a corresponding 71 degree head angle, the Mute II was most at home in the rhythm sections of our local dirt jumps and on the street sweets between there and home. While the 16.4 inch chainstays were noticeably longer than the 15.5's I've become accustomed to on my daily ride, the bike is easily manualled, and the 21.8 inch top tube and decent standover make body english an intuitive affair. As one would expect from an aluminum hardtail, ride quality is harsh and far from plush, the burly stays transferring every missed transition or landing directly into your lower back. Yeah, like that's a surprise.
If I possessed any real street skills, I'm sure I would have left the bike built up as I got it... But, since I don't, I swapped the DJIII for a BoXXer, left the 26 inch rear wheel in place and added an e13 DRS chainguide. As a general rule, Nelson's trails lean towards the steep, technical and rocky end of the spectrum. Even with the 7 inch BoXXer, the head angle was a little steeper than I was used to initially. However, once the bike and I became a little more familiar with one another, we were riding every stunt, drop and tech section we happened upon.
From the long, winding skinnies of our own North Shore, to the steep, tech rock faces or Newtsack and Hitman, to the big drops and gap jumps of Castlegar's Dr Claw, to the 70km/hour high speed, sinewy doubletrack of Rossland's Oasis, the trail-built Mute II capably handled everything I had the nerve to try. With ease! Hell, with the DRS chainguide in place, I was even hitting some epic XC rides around town.
With the Boxxer in place, my crappy, elementary school protractor showed a 68.5 degree headangle (I usually ride a 66.5) but switching out the 26 inch rear wheel for a 24 would drop that at least one more degree. When it came time to drop in on the near vertical rock faces, or when crossing log jams and rock gardens, I did like the 13 inch BB the 26 inch rear and BoXXer combo brought to the table. Although I didn't race any 4X on the Mute, with the DJIII and a 24, the BB is a super low 12 inches making this one hell of a cornering machine when railing berms.
Final Thoughts
The part of this test sled I can't seem to get over is the price. How can someone justify spending thousands more on a bike that's no more capable? Streak'X mission statement is simple, "We try to make bikes affordable." They've hit this one square on the head.
If I had to make any improvements, what would I change? Well, I'm especially fond of horizontal dropouts so those would be on my list, and with that, I'd probably bring the stays down 3/4 of an inch or so. For an all-arounder though, the 16.4 inch stays are a great compromise. Oh yeah, when I received the bike, the derailleur hanger had been bent slightly in shipping. I could have easily replaced it; however, I was lucky enough to have a Hanger Banger from North Shore Billet in my possession and once mounted, it easily brought the derailleur back to spec.
Otherwise, the respectable seat angle and cockpit dimensions make this one hell of a versatile bike that needs no help. I've yet to break it or its associated parts and anyone in the market for a well built, well though out hardtail should give the Mute II a good, hard look. The boys at Streak'X have shot some top secret spy pics of their soon to be released full squish model, the Mute DH3. If the MuteII is any indicator, they just may have another winner on their hands! Like the old commercial says "You could pay more, but why?"
For more information on Streak'X or to order your very own Mute II directly, visit www.streakx-us.com
Author Info:
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Must Read This Week
0 Comments
Login or Sign Up