Fomas MTBking 5.0 (26) (2016) : ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

The alloy frame on the Fomas MTB King 5.0 2016 is built according to standard MTB frame geometry patterns. The incline on the top tube form near the seat post to the head set is gradual but still has a high angle to it. This helps while riding off the saddle during the trail and bouncing off rocks or other obstacles. The top tube has a triangular joint patch on the bottom which further strengthens the frame, especially from hard hitting vibrations generated from steep drops.

The Zoom front suspension easily gives about 60-65mm of travel and this is good enough to ride on average trails with uneven terrains. The suspension lockout feature makes it useful for riding rigid on flatter surfaces, which in turn helps generate speeds.

The design of a bicycle has now a days become a bigger benchmark to achieve as sometimes that might be the decision making criteria. The MTB King 5.0 2016 which I test rode came in a full black primary colour and orange and blue shades visible in multiple parts of the bicycle. The matte finish paint job definitely enhances the look of the bicycle. The welds on the frame blend in seamlessly and was hardly visible until seen up close. The gear and brake cables seemed slightly lengthier than usual which created a messy environment on the front of the handlebar.

The gearing in this bicycle is taken care of by Shimano Tourney in the front and Shimano Altus at the rear as derailleurs. At this price, this combination of Shimano MTB components are common. During the test tide they performed well when I was quick shifting to generate some burst speeds on a rough surface. The shifting was quite noisy at the front but the reaction time was enough for the gear change and power transfer to happen. The derailleur components were fixed hard enough to avoid too much unwanted movements whilst going on trails. The Shimano Altus ST-EF51 shifters were in perfect hand position to engage both the thumb and index shifters comfortably.

The stopping power on the Fomas MTB King 5.0 2016 was managed by a pair of mechanical disc brakes at the front and rear. These disc brakes reacted well to smooth and easy stoppages during the test ride. Sudden brakes and interval braking unfortunately did not give out the best result. The brake lever component were easy to use with free movement of the levers.

An MTB experience can drastically change depending on the size, shape and quality of the handlebar. The Fomas alloy handlebar on the MTB King 5.0 2016 was straight and wide enough to give optimum control of the bicycle during the test ride. The middle of the handlebar on the front has a plus symbol to denote the exact center which will be useful for correcting alignment issues in the future. The handlebar grips lacked the minimal cushioning required to absorb vibrations of the surface.

An entry level MTB at an economical price does not always mean mediocre tires. Fomas have installed a pair of Kenda MTB 26êê x 1.95'' tires in the MTB King 5.0 2016. These tires are definitely a positive as they provide excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces and will roll over rough trails without much bounce and speed reductions. The evenly spaced out treads were strong enough to make sure the rubber grips on to the surface without losing balance even on tops speeds or turns. The Fomas stock saddle wasnêt ergonomical in shape. It had excess length and slightly narrower width which made my sit bones to be placed on almost the edge of the saddle. The overall ride quality was well balanced on both rough and flat surfaces.