XDS Strike 4.0 - Green Heron

XDS STRIKE 4.0 - GREEN HERON

XDS’ latest Strike 4.0 recreational mountain-bike is designed for bike paths, rail trails, general fitness and family rides.

If you’re considering the Giant Talon 4 and Talon 3, the Strike 4.0 is absolutely worth placing on your short-list too.

That’s because the Strike 4.0 ticks a lot of boxes. And in this preview, we’ll cover what it is, who it’s for and its main components.

For a short period of time, we offering Free Shipping to metropolitan areas of the country. For more information, please see the Assembly and Shipping section at the bottom of the page. And please review our Terms and Conditions here before ordering.

WHAT IS IT?

The Strike is a recreational mountain bike designed for bike paths, rail trails, light off-road and 4WD tracks.

It’s definitely not entry-level but neither is the Strike 4.0 top-end. It’s a better-than-average upper mid-range mountain bike that will suit weekend enthusiasts and recreational riders.

Note:

For a short time, we’re offering Free Shipping to all metropolitan areas. See our complete Terms and Conditions here, or the Assembly and Shipping section at the bottom.

THE STRIKE FRAME

Background:

XDS are masters at producing some of the best aluminium frames in the industry.

They are not a marketing company. They don’t invest in advertising or marketing.

XDS is an engineering-focused company that puts a lot of effort into making sure the build quality of their frames (and bikes) are the best.

And that is why, you may not have heard of them (unless you’re in the industry).

So, what makes the Strike’s frame so special?

XDS partnered with the Central South University Aluminum Research Institute - a leading research centre in the field of metal science.

Together, they created an aluminium alloy called X6.

It’s the best aluminium frame XDS has ever made. And as the original manufacturer they can afford to build their recreational-level bikes from it.

Other brands tend to reserve their high-end frames for their performance range of bikes.

And by “best”, what we mean is that it’s actually very light and it’s strong - it’s so much better than the average alloy mountain bike we see.

GEARS

XDS have used a modern mid-range 8 speed gear system from S-Ride.

There are 8 back gears and 2 front gears, delivering 16 gears in total.

In the past, bikes would typically have 3 front gears. Reducing to 2 gears means there’s way more usable gears (less wasted gears) and it’s simpler.

Use Gear 1 (small chainring) for climbing up (very) steep hills. For everywhere else, keep it in Gear 2.

Riders then have 8 gears on the back to choose from.

Both the front and back gears are controlled via trigger shifters.

A derailleur guard covers the outside of the rear derailleur (the part that actually changes gears) so there’s less chance of damage if the Strike makes contact with the ground.

BRAKES

Unlike some bikes at this price point, the Strike 4.0 gets hydraulic disc brakes instead of mechanical disc.

Hydraulic disc brakes need less maintenance than mechanical brakes. Plus, they’ve got more stopping power and allow riders more control - especially on wet and steep surfaces.

Another important feature:

Hydraulic levers can be adjusted to sit closer to the handlebar for riders with short fingers. And the adjustment doesn’t affect the power (this is not the case with mechanical brakes).

SUSPENSION

There’s 100mm of travel supporting the front of the Strike 4.0. This simply means the suspension moves 100mm up and down.

A red dial at the top makes the suspension either Firm or Plush.

Keep it firm for riding in suburbia and streets. Basically anywhere that suspension isn’t required.

For rougher paths and trails, turn the red dial counter-clockwise and the suspension becomes plush.

The other benefit to having suspension is it lifts the front of the Strike. This creates a relaxed riding position because you’re not leaning over the bars as much.

SHIPPING AND ASSEMBLY

For a limited time, we’re offering free shipping to metropolitan areas across Australia.

This means that regardless of your location within these designated metro zones, your bike will be delivered to your doorstep at no additional cost.

Some assembly will be required. Assembling the XDS Strike is a crucial step in ensuring it performs as intended and your safety.

If you’re unsure about the assembly process or lack confidence in your mechanical skills, we highly recommend seeking assistance from a qualified mobile bike mechanic or bike store. Their expertise guarantees that your bike is assembled correctly, minimizing the risk of any potential issues and ensuring a safe riding experience.