This is predominantly a review for the frame only. All the components were upgraded anyway, so there's no point in a bike review. The frame served me reasonably well for a couple of years until it cracked at the top tube/seat tube junction. Up until then, it was a reasonably stiff, reasonably plush (particularly with the DNM ST-12RC rear shock) but frighteningly easily dented frame (monster dents in the downtube from accidents and rocks being thrown up from the trail). It was the catalyst for the mountain biking bug biting, but I've now realised that there are many better designs out there...hence my NRS purchase. BTW - fit downtube protection (a section of 60mm diameter plastic pipe will do) to prevent chips & dents...I suspect any of the new-breed super-thin-wall frames are exposed to damage.
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Submitted by
John Kollar
a Racer
from Fairfield Ct Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002
Nasty Xc bike weighs 24 pounds. If you are a Xc racer and need full suspension this is the bike for you. I love this bike for Xc but not for free ride or Urban
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Submitted by
cody hildebrand
a Weekend Warrior
from ventura ca Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any goat trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Rays Bikes
Strengths:
The bike is great, light as ever, most of the components are great, sharp looking. The stock race ready bike for just about anyone under 200lbs.
Weaknesses:
The SX-E absolutly sucked, and the no rebound vanilla float sticks the bike to the ground. The breaks are sucide on the downhill.
Similar Products Used:
XTC DS2
Bike Setup:
Marzochi bombers 2.5, avids, Zac 19, Selle seat
Bottom Line:
The bike is great after a few upgrades, paid $600 used, and love the bike. the real weakness is the high center of gravity hinders the cornering. I would recommend this bike for anyone that would like to just ride or race, I raced it once, stock and it was great. The rear shock cant take much of a beating, you kinda got to baby it
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Submitted by
Peter Benifer
a Downhiller
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: July 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Yarran Dheran
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Strengths:
This is the lightest bike I have had the joy of owning. I goes like a rocket. Brakes are great at stopping.
Weaknesses:
Brakes squeel like a virgin on a Saturday night with my mate, Big John. Rear suspension diff to set up.
Bike Setup:
standard
Bottom Line:
Almost the best ride Ive ever had.(well) Great setup, good looks (vanity counts).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alan Templeton
a Cross Country Rider
from Lawrenceville GA USA Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Roswell Bikes
Strengths:
Previous review
Weaknesses:
Thin walled frame. Be Careful!
Similar Products Used:
Previous review
Bike Setup:
Previous review
Bottom Line:
After enjoying the bike for 2 years, our relationship came to an end last weekend. The top tube and the down tube snapped in two about three inches away from the steering tube. I didn't even crash. It just happened. Thanks to Giant and Roswell Bicycles, they are replacing the frame under warranty. Note that they have changed their policy from lifetime to five years on their aluminum frames. The frame is reeeally thin. This will be my last aluminum bike purchase. It was a great value, but I was always worried about the strength of the frame. I am looking forward to trying out the NRS Technology, I have read good things about it.
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Submitted by
jimmy bunts
a Weekend Warrior
from ct Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
all of 'em
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
giant. sid. price. weight.
Weaknesses:
the derailuer hits against the drop-out anytime the bike hits a bump, thus chipping paint hardcore. damn engineers... i'm not much of a gearhead, so i don't know if the derailers' angle can be changed(in relation to the present d. hangers placement.) not so adjustable manitou & mad flexy. gave me a front tire on the rear. rapid fires slow and inaccurate- constant annoyance- not as much as the brakes- what a waste of time/money/materials. other than that: excellent.
Similar Products Used:
none- everything else sucks worse
Bike Setup:
presently stock- soon a shorter stem, team master rear tire, lighter seat post, hayes or magura, grip shift, race face b.b., chris king headset, i think that's it.
Bottom Line:
good value. solid so far. climbs like a hardtail. it floats. i love it- even if i complain.
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Submitted by
Tim Ochoa
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, California Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Siera Azul, Mount Hamilton.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The frame is very light.
Weaknesses:
The color.
Similar Products Used:
Diamondback, GT.
Bike Setup:
Forks:RockShox Judy-XC dual crown, Brackes:Magura Hidro Brakes soon will install Hayes Disk Brakes.
Bottom Line:
This bike is defenetly an upgrade from my diamondback. I have shaved 6 pounds off my last rig with this bike. That is six pounds I don't have to push up those mountains. Tha bike also climes like a hard tail, and that is less energy wasted. I also like the price it did not put a big dent on my wallet. I recomend this bike to any hard core rider and weekend worrior.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barry Morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio,Texas USA Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Weaknesses:
I buckled the top tube and down tube hitting a nasty hole going downhill without even bottoming out the front fork. Itsnow a wall decoration along with my other busted parts. Tires need to be beefier.Brakes are no good.
Similar Products Used:
Giant Team 990
Bike Setup:
All stock
Bottom Line:
Would not recommend this frame, its just too thin and easy for anyone to bend especially if you have any dings in the down tube.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gerald
a Cross-Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: September 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anything technical
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light (for a dualie) Very little suspension bob Excellent value
Weaknesses:
Cheapo brakes (replace ASAP if you value your life!!!)
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSr GT LTS Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup:
Stock, with the exception of Avid Arch rival 50 brakes
Bottom Line:
This is a very plush bike, feels like it has more than 3 inches of travel-mainly due to an awesome air shock and bearing pivots. The components are worthy for trail abuse, except the brakes. Delivers a solid and fun ride, so much so that I prefer this bike over my hardtail(Trek 8900).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Sanders
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Desert, CA Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Jedi, Loma Linda
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Frame, Lightness
Weaknesses:
None yet However some say that the shock leaks
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Trek Schwinn
Bike Setup:
Switched WTB rims and STX-RC hubs for MAvic rims and XT hubs Avocet 35 Computer Switched WTB seat with a WTB ti rails seat with kevlar
Bottom Line:
Just bought this bike. I love it. Good bike for the $$$ I got it for $1049.00 with upgrades and tax it was out the door for $1185.00. I think it was the best bike for me in my price range. It's step-sister hardtail is the Bike of the year. I know the componets frame, and front shock are awesome. Let's just hope the rear shock holds up. My first full-suspension. I will review later if needed.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neb Beldar
a Weekend Warrior
from Bala Cynwyd PA Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Valley Green
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
My camry My friends ATX860
Bottom Line:
This bike is way to extreme...I only like Conservative things (like my 2 camry's) The color is not chrome and it has outrageous parts. Who needs to ride fast when you can ride conservative?
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mustin Lestler
a Weekend Warrior
from PA Date Reviewed: June 10, 1999
Favorite Trail:
VG
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Everything..ummm TOO GOOD
Weaknesses:
absolutley none [tooo good]
Similar Products Used:
Fisher Joshua Jamis Giant
Bike Setup:
Too Good
Bottom Line:
This bike is toooooo gooooood and if i catch you on it i'll smash you. PB & J all the way!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mat
a Cross-Country Rider
from quebec Date Reviewed: May 14, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
i love this bike. it's my first FS and i researched them all in the price range (atx 970) and it wins in the balance. handles great and sokes it up just right with minimal biopace. this one comes with LX/STX-RC , judy c's and a DMR rear air shock. at first i thought it was overdamped but it came out perfect. and the frame is absolutly BEAUTIFUL (and the lightest production i think). best value in my opinion.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from Reynolds Date Reviewed: May 9, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This BIKE IS AMAZING!!!
Weaknesses:
nothing at all.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Y, X-Caliber
Bike Setup:
Stock (too good)
Bottom Line:
This bike is sooooo worth it for the money. I wish a had bought 2. I want to give it a 30 but i will stick with a 5!!!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alan Templeton
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lawrenceville,GA Date Reviewed: April 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Bull Mountain, Tatum Lead,Tsali
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
This bike is light for a dualie at 25.5 pounds! The frame has a lot of room for rear travel,and it climbs better than I expected.
Weaknesses:
Only weakness I can see is what is inherent with owning a full suspension bike, the extra weight and the energy lost in pedaling. I may not be enough rider for what this bike can do!
Similar Products Used:
GT LTS,Trek Y, Pro Flex
Bike Setup:
I bought the frame seperate. I still don't think disc brakes are necessary for XC, so I bought the DS2 frame.It came with an Air Vanilla Float, not an Air Vanilla like it said in the catalogue. Full XT package, '98 Judy XC up front, Kore stem,handlebar and seatpost, Selle San Marco Raceday saddle,Cane Creek headset,Mavic 517 rims and IRC Mythos tires.
Bottom Line:
I rode alot of bikes before I bought this one. After riding it for just a short time I know I made the right choice. This bike is set up well for XC and flies downhill! Getting air is what this sport is all about in my book (see chapter 1 paragraph 2) and this bike flies!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a cross-country rider
from SanDiego Date Reviewed: March 9, 1999
Bottom Line:
This bike is great. The suspension design is proven (Turner,Ellsworth,etc..) The frame is light, and down right sharp looking. I have it built up with a SID XC, race face cranks, rest XTR, and C.King 517 wheels. Weight 24lbs. There is no stiction in the rear due to 2 cartrige bearing pivots. It handles very good, quick and stable, and it climbs like a goat. It's a steal if you buy it complete, especially the DS1.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kamol
a weekend warrior
from Bangkok, Thailand Date Reviewed: March 2, 1999
Bottom Line:
I am a newbie on this sport, starting only 3 weeks, one with real mountain trail, while the other two are neighbourhood rides. This bike handles OK so far. I have yet to fall down while riding, but I did fall down twice due to unfamiliar with toe-clip straps. The bike's model for international market is ATX950 with the same kind of frame and rare suspension. However the front fork is Rockshock Jett II and other companents are from entry-grade Shimanou. It costs me around US$900 in local baht currency. The pedal needs re-greasing to get rid of click-click sounds of ball-bearing rubbing each other. The local vendor said, Giant's bikes usually have this problem of greasing in pedals. After re-greasing, the bike is quiet. It handles great for a newbie who is used to only single-speed old workhorse. Highly recommended for an entry bike for full-suspension. I give 4 stars for this bike to say that it is a good bike. Can't justify to give 5 stars as I am still new to this sport.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rohan Coghlan
a cross-country rider
from Canberra, Australia Date Reviewed: January 3, 1999
Bottom Line:
Well this isan't the same bike as mine but mine is quite similar. I own a 1999 giant ATX 950 which does not have the same forks or components as this because it is the Australian model. Back to the point ow it is an extremly nice bike to ride with not to much and not to little rear travel. It is just right.. I think it is a great purchase for someone that can't afford and expensive top of the line bike like me. Just one other thing. LIVE TO RIDE
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Collin Crotty
a weekend warrior
from Iowa Date Reviewed: December 9, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike for about one month and have little to complain about! The components are great for the money. I would recomend this bike to anyone for any riding purpose. Personally, my bike never sees the dirt, but gives an excellent ride on pavement. This on gets a thumbs up!!
Overall Rating:
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