kick ass bike!!!!! i have abused this bike on so many rides i took it off a 12 foot drop last month no problem! never had any big problems with it but the judy shocks need an upgrade! other than that awesome bike! grat downhill/bigginer bike! my biggiest drop was on this bike 18 feet! GOOD JOB GIANT!!!!!!!
Bike Setup: kujo dh 2.35 tires radicol handlebars dh
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
David Shue
a Downhiller
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2002
Strengths: Value. decent bike to thrash good x country bike u can do jumps and drops on. Decent all rounder
Weaknesses: i go the 2000 model im 13, brakes unreliable, shocks need stiffer spring rate, snapped the rear deralia drop out, broke deralier. got an Lx. Ive got a very squeky headset and BB, i think its gona snap!! Does the warranty cover that:? Email me if u know
Bottom Line:
Im about 95 lbs, im 13 iv done 8 footers and bottem out the front and rear shock. I hate the squeky headset and BB. Good bike to ride. I race yes race cross country (as little as possible) Do lots of jumps, from 4 to 8 foot drops, do fitness training on it and ride it to school every day. NIce work giant
Weaknesses: Same old story,,,,,,frame snapped on swing arm just above weld and cracks developed on main frame.
Bottom Line:
The bike is a good for a freereide beginner but if you want to start doing a few 3 foot + drops than this thing is not going to last. The rear end flex's like a rubber band. Couldnt get warranty because I had to change components eg, front fork.
Bike Setup: Had to change everything within first year.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Manimal
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle WA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002
Strengths: Dead reliable-Soaks up punishment-!!PRICE!!
Weaknesses: Brakes and Shock
Bottom Line:
This is my 3rd straight summer of pounding on this bike and *FOR THE PRICE*, it simply can not be beat-The money I saved on the initial purchase let me upgrade the only two weaknesses that this bike has and I ended up with a ride that I can't fault-I let many people ride it and everyone has the exact same comment "SMOOTH"-Don't believe any of the people slagging this bike off bcz they ALL eventually do mention the awesome warranty service (5yr warranty on the frame alone) that they got from Giant when/if the bike failed (look at the prev review, the bike ddnt even fail and they replaced the guys frame!)-How many other bike manufacturers stand behind their products with 'no questions asked', complete replacements of frames, brakes and shocks?? NONE! Don't get me wrong, this bike IS built down to a price but it's a pretty attractive price (the DS2 and DS3 are even cheaper but have the same frame) and the components really are very good for the money that you're paying-Anyway, if you don't like what you've got, at least you aren't flat broke from the initial purchase and you can just get what you want when you upgrade-I spent $300 on replacing the brakes and shock and now it's only regular maint expenses left to deal with (tires/chain/etc)-It's a great bike for beginners or intermediates that do XC, urban or free riding and even some light DH-This bike is the swiss army knife of bikes-It does it all and hasn't let me down even once since I bought it-I still even have the OE wheels on it-My message to all of the 220+ pound riders on these sites that whine about product failures is to LOSE SOME WEIGHT and stop crying about all the equipment that you break-The answer to your problems is no further away than the digits on the scale in your bathroom-Quit blaming the equipment manufacturers and start noticing the garbage that you knowingly push into your pie hole every morning, noon and night-I can't help but wonder how cheap these bikes could really be if Giant didn't have to constantly be replacing stuff that wilted under your immense bulk??Giant bikes rule!! Five flamin chili's for value and over all performance, without a doubt.
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001
Strengths: Great looking bike, Smooth ride, weight,
Weaknesses: The judys could do with a higher rate spring, front disc a bit squealy, FRAME CRACKED AT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT ON MY 3rd RIDE.
Bottom Line:
Great bike execpt for the weak frame. I have only had the bike for about 2 or 3 months and it has never been bashed about. After my 3rd ride, on only mild XC the rear shock mount weld has started cracking. Hopefully Giant will follow through with the warranty. I will let you know. Great bike for the price, but really, really annoyed about the frame!!!!
The bike looks good at first and when you first experience it, it gets better. however, after a while the brakes start to squeek the wheels feel weak and the forks need a lot of servicing when the money just isn't worth spending. Upgrade on the frame and then finally upgrade the frame. After all this you've finally got a bike worth shouting about.
Submitted by
Andrew Sulu
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2001
Strengths: Loyal, dependable.
Weaknesses: Blind faith.
Bottom Line:
I am your Giant Warp DS1. You complain about my braking ability and my weak frame. Well, Let me tell you a few things. I am a relatively light bike- because thats what you want. I am very strong for my weight, however, when your chalupa scarfing, hefeweizen sucking, non exercising for days on end blobbiness gets on me- I get a little stressed. Then, to top it off you smash me around with very little or no technique. You get on me, run me down hills and lock the brake levers, I want to stop, really I do. It's just a little hard with all that mass you've loaded on me pushing against my best efforts. Then, when you careen me off a four foot drop onto a hard flat surface or when you make a mistake and overshoot a corner- ramming me into a tree, you complain that I break? What do you expect? Before you convict me of being inferior why don't you consider taking a few simple steps to help me help you. Learn to ride and lose some weight. Fatazz.
Submitted by
Max
a Weekend Warrior
from Northeast Pa. USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001
Strengths: Price, Hayes Mech. discs.
Weaknesses: Bottom Bracket, Frame is too Flexy, pedals.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the 2001. Am upgrading ASAP the pedals to clipless, the cranks/ chain rings and the BB. Giant is replacing the BB as it has been unfixable (LBS) noisy and clicking from day one. The front brake had to be adjusted with a few washers to get the whole unit to line up correctly. I love the brakes now. I weigh 210 and the bike is a joy to ride otherwise. I ride hard enough but not severe(no big drops)This is my first full suspension and I am generally pleased. The bike climbs better than anticipated and coming down is amazing. I recommend for those on a budget but jonesing for full suspension, I do plan to upgrade component by component as budget allows and skills require. I would not recommend for those that are severe riders. But for me it works well.
Submitted by
crazy Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Kamloops
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001
Strengths: somewhat ridable, red paint, fork feels great, doesnt cost as much as a car!
Weaknesses: the rear shock, those #%$@ fomula brakes!,
Bottom Line:
If you are at all a off road rider look else where I have broken two frames (one being a manufaters defect) and have blown 3 shocks ( a new shock comes with the frame)
Similar Products Used: tested a VPS-4 no comparison
Bike Setup: pretty much stock, put a envy rock ring on and took those stupid toe clips off!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
AL
a Weekend Warrior
from Chico, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001
Strengths: Good value. Decent components for the price. Hayes mech disk brakes, Marzocci z.5, 2.5 inch tires, comes with a pretty beefy rear spring. SRAM cassette and rear der. work good.
Weaknesses: weight, SRAM half-pipes.
Bottom Line:
This is the 2001 DS1. This bike is a lot of fun to ride. I ride most anywhere, dirt roads, trails and single tracks. I am just a beginner, but this bike has been problem free and easy to work on. The hayes brakes stick like glue once they break in. The rear shock has a lot of adjustability, I have it preloaded about 1/2 inch and it is plenty stiff. The dampener is not there for looks, it performs well.
Submitted by
Jason Williams
a Racer
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001
Strengths: Frame, Forks & Wheel Set.
Weaknesses: Cranks, Shifters & Shifter Cable's.
Bottom Line:
A great entry level bike that I cannot complain about for the price. The mechanical disks a OK and any disk is better than rim pinchers. Great dual compressor bike that I have crashed heavily several times with the only damage being the cheap suntour cranks that come with the bike.
Submitted by
scott
a Weekend Warrior
from cave creek
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001
Strengths: price, good entry level components, great warranty service by Giant
Weaknesses: original disc brakes were dangerous, cracked frame after a year and a half--but Giant was quick to replace with 2001 model--no questions asked...
Bottom Line:
i love my bike. The disc brakes should be replaced (by Giant, in my opinion) since they don't seem to work very well. The bike is a bit heavy, but so am I--still, I climb and descend with no problem. You could certainly upgrade some components to lose weight (or give up cheeseburgers--you decide). This is not a racing bike, but if you wnat something that's fast and fun, this is a good choice at a good price....
Bike Setup: replaced disc brakes with more reliable v-brakes (which also requires replacing the wheels :^(, added clipless pedals, beyond that everything is original equipment.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Steinmetz
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethlehem PA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001
Strengths: Price for what you get
Weaknesses: Frame
Bottom Line:
Ive only got 400 miles on this bike and the frame craked at the welds.A friend has the DS2 and is on his 2nd frame. I do only mild freestlye and downhill, so its not like im abusing the bike Giant is Awsome with their warranty and is giving me the xtc AC1 frame for only 400 more!! I cant wait to try out this frame. Hopefully the frame is strong enough.
Bike Setup: Xt cranks/bottom bracket,Titec stem,Monkeylite riser,Easton CT seatpost,Xt hubs on Mavic 223 rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brooks
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001
Strengths: This is the 2001 model. Price, fantastic! I was originally looking for a hardtail in this price range because of componentry, but decided to go for the full suspension as I already have a road bike, and this fit in my price range...
Weaknesses: Nothing so far, Ive only ridden it one day, Ill update this again in a week or so after Ive put some K on it... i ve also noticed that rear end slap that some other have said... Ill try to pad it with something...
Bottom Line:
Wicked pricing, I hit about every shop in town (about 10) with a friend, and looked at everything, specialized brodie, canondale, gary fisher, trek etc etc, and this was the best deal... I wanted a sturdy frame as I am around 235 lbs, and dont want to be messing with this bike for a few years... If you want a decent bike that will take you thorugh a couple seasons of riding, and survie a couple years of upgrades I think this is it. At, least thats what Im banking on... (shrug) :)
Similar Products Used: I rode a few bikes, just demo mind you, but Ive ridden a brodie quantum a few clicks, (Friend) and my current road bike is an old norco bush pilot frame with upgraded everything. I still prefer it for road use i think...
Bike Setup: Stock, follow the link -> http://www.giant-bicycle.com/cn/bikes/030.000.000.asp?bikes=cataloguestep4&bikeid=9507
