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Submitted by
rodolphe
a
from Denver
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$990.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bicycle | | Strengths: | the frame. the price is unbelievable.
great brake and great suspension. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Ironhorse yakuza kumicho | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | a little bit heavy.
bike is really great for XCountry or downhill. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick chat
a Downhiller
from lake hughes ca us
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | i guess lake hughes trails thr nice | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist | | Strengths: | execelent bike nothing beats it great on jumps and on trail damn good disk breaks for the price its a good bike and its only 21.5 or somethin.A- | | Weaknesses: | The back shock could be better but its ok | | Similar Products Used: | warp ds2 | | Bike Setup: | stock frame rock shox judy upgraded shock 5in travel | | Bottom Line: | great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Griffin Herbst
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | kickinghorse mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | The front shock kicks and the back is not bad. Disk brakes are OK and has good rims | | Weaknesses: | not many weaknesses exept the weight of the bike(wish it were heavyer | | Similar Products Used: | the xr rocky mountain and the kona stinky 2001 | | Bike Setup: | same as the picture exept has wider wheels | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for a starting downhiller and good for medium jumps (anywhere from 1 to 7 feet). Takes pretty much anything that gets thrown at it and has a good price.Woulden't buy it if you have a high price range and would buy it if you are starting out and are a medium jumper or just a daredevil speed demon | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Salem, Oregon
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$995.00 | | Purchased At: | Bob's, in Portland | | Strengths: | handling, balance, TIRES (i love them), brakes, ride-very plush, even for me bein 130lbs | | Weaknesses: | i wasnt happy with the Z5 forks, that weak rear hanger-i've replaced it 5 times, not bad though, its just $10 | | Similar Products Used: | FSR, kona bear, fisher joshua | | Bike Setup: | first thing i did was cut 2 inches off the seat post and put on a spec. BG comp seat, next out was the sticky, noisy Z5 forks, ROCK SHOX judys w/4 inches travel and 5wt. oil, they work great anywhere. just passed 3000 miles (according to my top peak panoram comp) and had to switch out the SR cranks for deore hollotech (very nice crankset i might add) | | Bottom Line: | GREAT value, strong frame, decent components... takes everything i throw at it, but because of its age, and the way i ride it, an upgrade will come very soon (AC2 in mind). its been a very fun, reliable, plush ride... i reccomend it to anyone who is lookin for a good FS bike on a budget. the only problem area bein the hanger and bolts loosenin on the front and rear discs. the bike jumps very well, takes 4ft drops easily, 5ft not so easy, but do-able | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, On, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Shoppe | | Strengths: | Price(for a 15 yr old, its not bad)
Performance
Looks
Marzocchi fork
Rear shock adjustability (4-5in of travel)
Pretty good components for price
Avid mechanical discs RULE! It doesn't squeal like the Hayes and both the inside and outside pads are adjustable
| | Weaknesses: | The front derailleur sucks! Change them right away!
Cranks are really heavy
The rims are pretty heavy
The springs in the Marzocchi fork are too soft
Nothing much other than that | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC 3, Mongoose Hilltopper, Nishiki Crossfire | | Bike Setup: | Titec Ringleader handlebar, Shimano XT/LX components, heavier springs in the Marzocchi, Sun Rhyno Lite Rims, WTB Rocket V saddle, and Shimano Deore cranks | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike! When i took it out for the first time with out any upgrades, i was already like "Whoa! This bike is sooooooo amazing!" Now with upgrades..its just undescribable! Its a really good bike for beginners who are just starting out on the trails to people who are on a budget but is looking for a high performance mountain bike. Get it and you'll love it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Downhiller
from burlington ct usa
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all at omplic pack calgrey cn | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | country mountian sports ct | | Strengths: | i think the whole bike is streanths and price | | Weaknesses: | just the back shock could be beeter at least a fox
| | Similar Products Used: | fist full and damn proud of it | | Bike Setup: | bommer z 5 all stock | | Bottom Line: | kick @$$ bike this is lest then half the price of the santa cruse buillet and i can cx good free ride is the streanth and downhill rocks youe cant beat the performence for that great price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sean theripper
a Downhiller
from vernon b.c. Canada eh!
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | spankees | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | olympia cycle and ski | | Strengths: | suspention licage is sweet. Bearings are smooth. Stock rims and wtb tiresn are great | | Weaknesses: | Head tube and bottom bracket creaks a bit but everything else is top | | Similar Products Used: | none simmilar | | Bike Setup: | jr.T 7", envy ring thing rock guard, azonic d3 platform pedals, truvative hussafelt cranks, raceface 70mm DH stem, the rest stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is a sweet freeride bike. Giant rear shock is good but replacing it would improve the bikes feeling a lot. For the odd downhill race and a lot of freeriding this bike holds up well. It takes big drops with no complaint.10 to 15 foot drops are eaten up well by the suspention. all in all this bike is a great deal and you deffinetally get your moneys worth. This bike definetly diserves 5 flaming loafs of poo.
Lifes too short not to go big, Gotta go big!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris lee
a Downhiller
from ishpeming,MI
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | your mom | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$675.00 | | Purchased At: | Down Wind Sports | | Strengths: | hayes disc brakes price+++ forks frame shape i like my nuts right where they are! | | Weaknesses: | cranks suck seat oooo my ass back shock shifters peddles handlebars front derailer kneck rims,wait thats like half the bike o well its true. | | Similar Products Used: | proflex mongoose | | Bike Setup: | poverty sofa seat bomber z.1 hayes mechanical profile 170mm cranks azonic shorty stem kona downhill bars mbr chain guide primo meat tenderziers peddles the rest stock. | | Bottom Line: | well after you switch out all the crappy parts you might as well bye a high priced bike but all in all its not that bad ive done some crazy crap in this thing and it has held up SO FAR we shall see.enjoy the review in less you where spandex take it easy every one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Kasper
a Downhiller
from Henniker, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kingman's farm | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Garden State Bicycle. Upgrades done at Cyclesmith. | | Strengths: | Talk about a difference in about 6 months, it rocks even more. Brakes are amazing, the fork kicks ass, and there's a no fear mentality with the frame. The rear shock has gotten better as it broke in, outstanding climber. | | Weaknesses: | Now that I've done changes, none. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing like this. | | Bike Setup: | Maxxis MOFO DH's F&R, THE fenders, Time Attacs, Race Face North Shore cranks, Hayes Hydraulics. 8" on the front and 6" in the rear. Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1. | | Bottom Line: | What a change, I thought it was outstanding before the changes, but the bike's performance has completely blown me away now, change is good. This is a sweet bike which has made me ready for a second one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derrick Welsh
a Downhiller
from Victoria B.C. canada
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with single tack and hucks! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | West Shore Bicycles | | Strengths: | The stregths are the Frame and the avid disks! | | Weaknesses: | I have broke the forks twice and i have rounded off the cranks, And the rear shock blows! | | Similar Products Used: | none. | | Bike Setup: | Jr T's , Double Wides, Hussefelt dh cranks, avid disks, beefy tires and of course this wicked ass frame! | | Bottom Line: | I feel that this bike is very good for the price and the frame is very strong! Anyone that is willing to go fairly big on a budget should buy this bike and the frame is strong enough to build the frame in to a prietty sweet ass urban assualt or free riding rig! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | new york/new jersey | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | can't remember | | Strengths: | Price, Fork, Brakes, 2.4" Tires | | Weaknesses: | rear derailluer hanger...broke it twice, not sure how exactly. | | Bottom Line: | Very good freeride bike for the price...can't get any other bike with disc brakes, marzzochi bomber and 4.5" of rear travel for under $1000. Even though the entire Warp line is a recreational/comfort bike, after cutting down the seat tube and putting platform pedals on it, i have grown to love it as a freerider. Had my doubts with the suspension/rear triangle, but it has held up to 4.5 foot drops to asphalt quite well...very good bike to get as the next step towards downhilling/freeriding. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun
a Downhiller
from Pittsfield
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | the shocks ruled!But a better rear shock should be there | | Weaknesses: | none from me. I haven't rode it that much. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike ruled. I'm olny 5'10" 130lbs so it was good for me.This would be a great beginer bike for less weighted riders.Anyone who is really heavy should move to an upgrade bike,or better suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Kasper
a
from Annandale,NJ,USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trails that I regularly run. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Garden State Bicycles | | Strengths: | The suspension on it can take all of the abuse the rider can give. The price opens up opportunities for modifications. In December, I'm fitting my Warp up with Shimano XT Hollowtech cranks, Time Atacks. Already put on a set of Maxxis MOFO Pro DH's, and fenders. The rear deraillers really work great with the bike. With the rear shock adjusted correctly, you can climb almost like a hardtail can climb. How many full suspension mountain bikes made for beginners, or not so rich college students have disc brakes? | | Weaknesses: | The front crank gives a somewhat mushy feel. Plus the water bottle mount is in the wuite the awkward place, but this can be corrected by getting a camelback. | | Similar Products Used: | Pacific Conquerer. | | Bike Setup: | As what I said before, I'm going to be getting a Shimano XT crankset, I have a pair of Maxxis MOFO Pro DH's, THE Fenders(Front and back.) Plus in the future a Fox Racing Float R rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | Basically, this is a really good bike for a person that is just starting out on a FS mountain bike. If you're an experienced rider, then this bike is not the bike for you. If you're into having some fun with a good full suspension bike, but don't have the money for most of them, this is the bike to get. I already have 3,000 miles on it, and never had any major problems with it. The 2001 Giant Warp DS1, is in my opinion one of the top ten beginners FS Bikes in the industry. Just think about this, how many good non expensive bikes out there have disc brakes? This is Giant's philosophy, good bikes, good components at a reasonable price! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from fullerton,ca
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | fullerton loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$830.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop, MSRP was $899 | | Strengths: | This review is for 2002 Warp DS1!
Super strong hydrolic disc brakes(see note below),4 or 5" of smooth rear travel, not super heavy, all sealed bearings, decent 4" bomber fork, beefy cranks, rear shock works suprisingly well considering it is not name brand, strong double wall rims, 5 yr frame warranty, sweet price and looks cool | | Weaknesses: | NOTE:I had to use washers to center the calipers on the discs front and rear so they would not rub but then they worked purfect!
I don't care for the grip shifters. The bomber exr fork has no rebound adjustment and you need a allen wrench for compression. Seat hurts my ass and squeaks(the seat squeaks not my ass) Pedals suck. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of bmx and road bikes but no mtb before. | | Bike Setup: | stock but added billet sealed cartridge bearing Crupi BMX pedals, and soon azonic shorty stem, different seat, and rapid fire shifters. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is freakin awesome for the price. The problems with it are very minor. The only thing the bike won't do is give you bragging rights with your buddies on who has the most expensive bike, but you will be able to stay up with them anywhere and have the extra $500 to $2000 they spent in your pocket! With the extra money I saved I can get the special upgrade goodies as I go. Get the 2002 Warp DS1 if you want a great all purpose xc/fr/dh bike with some expensive features but don't have a lot of cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oscar Serrano
a Downhiller
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Strengths: | Awesome brakes, very plush for (Z5). I have the 2002 model which has Mph giant hydrualic brakes. Very soft on 5-8 foot drops. Great bike for the money! | | Weaknesses: | Weak crank that creeks. Sram 7.0 suck. I upgraded to xt shifters and r. derailer | | Similar Products Used: | Gt hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Great buy for the money! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
richard harrington
a Weekend Warrior
from new york
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | forest park,green belt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | arc de triumph | | Strengths: | plush travel good entry level | | Weaknesses: | pedals,grips, | | Similar Products Used: | zero g3 | | Bike Setup: | race face chain gaurd,truvativ chain guide,s&m platform pedals,yeti grips,t.h.e. front fender, | | Bottom Line: | awsome drops 5-7 feet lots of noise.climbs great with no front derauler | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Vestal NY
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Downhills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Geneva Bike | | Strengths: | Disc Brakes, wow what took so long?
Plush Suspension ! | | Weaknesses: | Grip shifter's are way too long and will end up causing unintetional shifts in the rough until you cut them down to a useable size and put some decent grips in place. The total package is a little heavy but then the price is so light. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of the shifters. | | Bottom Line: | I think you get a lot for your money especially the disc brakes. There are few other dual suspension bike's out there at a $900 list. With a few minor mods this is a great weekend player. Along with the flexibility in the suspension adjustments including the rear lock out and the sticky tires, the handling is good for the 1K price.
I like the bike a lot, almost as much of a value as my wife's DS-3. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William Lambert
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethlehem, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lehigh Gorge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Saucon Valley Bikes | | Strengths: | The full suspension really works. The Hayes mechanical disk brakes are a real plus. | | Weaknesses: | I have wide feet. The original pedals pinched the toe strap between my shoes and the cranks. After 100 miles, both straps were worn through. Replaced the pedals with VP 882's. No more strap problems. The frame design didn't leave a good place for the bottle cage. It is directly behind the back wheel. Unless you like to chew on grit, you won't use it much. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | All my riding is non-technical on canal tow paths and rail trails. Some portions are quite rough with stones and tree roots. I wanted a bike that would smooth out the rough spots. This bike is it!!! Between the Moto Raptors and the dual suspension, the ride of this bike is really terrific. Others have complained about the grip shift. For me, they have worked well. One unexpected shift in 300 miles. The Hayes mechanical disk brakes are terrific. Only two fingers will really slow you down plus removing and installing a wheel is a snap. For the way I use it, this bike is perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt McRae
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakewood, Co.
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fall Creek in California | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | The brakes rock.Rear shock does'nt seem to bottom out.
looks great.Z-5 is plush. | | Weaknesses: | Can't stand the half pipe shifters.Cranks and or bottom bracket seem sloppy.Z-5 is not very tuneable. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock except, vp flat pedals, club roost riser bars, Azonic
shorty stem, real brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | I'am 6'-0" and 200 lbs. and like to ride hard. This bike
has handled everything I can throw at it.The Z-5 is a little
soft for me but plan on getting a 6" fork in the future as well as cranks and bottom bracket. Also need to do something
about the shifters, They SUCK. This bike is an Awesome bike
for the price. And is good for beginner and intermediate riders that are'nt worried about the weight.
Can anybody give me some suggestions on what to do to shifters? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Blair Blair
a Downhiller
from Bonanza
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | back yard | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$899.00 | | Strengths: | pretty tough (a lot more than my Haro EX1 (I got a review on that as well)) sweet brakes, decent drive train, good value. | | Weaknesses: | no gussets (sad face), I'm a gusset fanatic, it HAS to have gussets or Easton RAD pipes. | | Similar Products Used: | Haro EX1 K2 proflex 5000 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | It's a good, sweet bike that's quite stiff, decent wheel stiffness (better than my Mavic 221's) and an OK drive train (I'm partial to Sram), and pretty good wheel trav. (4"fr, 4.5"rr)
Being only 15, I got no Mula for this bike or I'd buy it, but the drooler bike for me would have to be the Specialized Big Hit FSR comp (but the price....OUCH!)
So I'll give it 5 flamin' dog terds for value and 4 for overall | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Huntington | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Brookfield Cyclr Center | | Strengths: | I think the DS1 is a great freeride bike for beginner to intermediate riders. Good components for the money. The Bomber fork is by far the best component on this bike. It is by far superior over other mid-priced forks on the market. The Hayes mechanical brakes are flawless. The overall appearance of the bike is awesome. The silver and blue frame looks great. | | Weaknesses: | SRAM Grip Shift, Suntour Cranks, Plastic Chainring Guards, Pedals with Plastic Clips. | | Bike Setup: | The only thing I have replaced so far are the pedals. I changed them to Primo Meat Tenderizer Platforms. Replacement cranks and BB are in the near future. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom Line: Awesome bike for $900. I had looked for months previous to purchasing the Giant. I was riding BMX previously and wanted to try a mountain bike. I looked at freeride bikes between $1000-$1700 and could not make a decision. I came across the Giant and I was sold. I could save money and get the features I wanted. A full suspension freeride bike with disc brakes and decent components. I love the way this bike rides and it seems to handle all the abuse I can give it. I am unsure of why everyone seems to be having problems with the frame cracking, but I am 6'4" and 230 lbs and I ride the bike HARD. I have yet to see any sign of cracking on the welds. After changing the cranks, BB, Pedals, and Shifters, I think this bike will last me for some time. The best feeling is when your riding buddy goes out and spends almost twice as much on his bike, then gets on yours and doesnt want to give it back. I quote "YOUR FORK IS AWESOME...I WISH I HAD THAT FORK...I CANT RIDE THAT BECAUSE MY FORK SUCKS...YOU RIDE SMOOTHER THAN ME BECAUSE OF THAT FORK...WHEN I REPLACE MY FORK I AM GOING TO BUY A BOMBER...ETC" I want to clarify a couple things, Rock Shocks BLOW, Spandex is for Queers, and if you only do one thing, PLEASE, throw away those road bike clipless pedals, put on some platforms and be a MAN! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington Texas
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Breaks @ Bar-H | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Store (Oklahoma City) | | Strengths: | Price, Good (but not great) component mix, styling, handling, and Hayes mechanicals. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks (Suntour) and BB are true junk. A bit flexy over rock gardens, but not too bad for a single pivot design. Weight as delivered is a touch heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested: Gary Fisher Sugar 4, Specialized FSRs, GT I-drive. | | Bike Setup: | ISIS DH BB and Truvativ Hussefelt DH cranks, Ritchy Logic Pro pedals, KORE 100mm stem, Easton Riser Bar, Panaracer FireXC Pro tires, SRAM 9.0 Fr. Der., Koski Kevlar/Ti saddle, wireless CAT EYE cycle computer. | | Bottom Line: | This bike does everything an intermediate rider demands and doesn't break the bank. I replaced the BB and Crank and the difference was startling. The stock BB started complaining almost immediately. I strongly suggest replacing the tires with a lighter / faster rolling alternative.
The suspension components are lower end but somewhat tunable and have worked just fine for me. The Marzzochi fork works very well despite it's low cost. Better than any mid grade RockShox product. I needed to replace the shock spring with a stiffer one to retain the full travel, but for most riders the stock spring should work fine.
Giant sells so many bikes that they can leverage buy some nice components and put together an outstanding value for the money. If you're looking for the best FS bike under a grand, this is likely the one your seeking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wally Hinze
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland OR USA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Skull | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike-N-Hike | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, Z-5, Motoraptor 2.4's SRAM 7.0, Everything works really well from a beginers standpoint, have fallen in love with FS and wont go back to a hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | Halfpipe shifters, I have lost momentum more than I can count because of go shifting, finally cut them down and now they work great. | | Similar Products Used: | Hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock execpt for changing the shifter length. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome, I don't have the skills to say that if I spent another 2000 dollars I would be able to tell the difference, but I can honestly say that this bike performs better than I expected and I would glady recommend this bike to anyone, Way to go GIANT!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wanabe Conquistador
a Weekend Warrior
from Solana Beach CA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | S.A.R.T. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$899.00 | | Purchased At: | amazonbikes oceanside (service sucks!) | | Strengths: | Suspension works well. Between the fat tires and decent travel, it will suck up a lot of hits.
The brakes do work great! Although be careful adjusting the cable because you can easily break the cheap ass plastic.
It looks good! | | Weaknesses: | This bike has some issues if you have read the reviews.
For start, I couldn't ride another day with those SRAM Halfpipe shifters I dumped those and the deraileur for a rapid rise XTR and AVID shifter and brake combo.
The chain was crap and I broke it on my forth ride.
The Suntour cranks are Garbage and I need to replace them now! I also see many other DS1 owners have replaced their front deraileur, so I'll be replacing that as well.
Finally, the bike has a lot of flex. High speed over stones will cause the rear end to have a mind of its own. I have deducted that the single pivot point on this bike is just not strong enough for a freeride or a quasi-downhill bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Have not tried anything else but I almost bought an FSR instead but it had too many stickers. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, besides shifters and deraileur and the chain. Many more upgrades are in order. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great value. I too was sucked in by the Hayes brakes and overall appearance of the bike. It looks like you could beat the hell out of it but the reality is that it is quite tempermental. With some significant upgrades I'll have a nice bike but I think the flex is here to stay. This bike is probably better for somebody who wants a nice plush ride with great stopping power but would like to avoid the rocky sections and most of the climbing. Maybe a poor middle aged beginner-downhiller is the ideal buyer for this bike. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
yo
a Cross Country Rider
from israel
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | ramat eshai | | Strengths: | very comfort bike to ride | | Weaknesses: | bracks, wieght | | Similar Products Used: | gaint warp 1999, gaint atx | | Bottom Line: | for the price paid it is a good bike for cross country ride and downhill a little heavy for climing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Foxracer
a
from Ironton, Ohio
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Beechfork WV | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Climbs well, descends incredible. The Avids rock, I bought the bike in Oct. of 2000 and whined about the Hayes until the LBS swapped them out, and the Z5 is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks,BB,Cranks, Yes the frame has started to crack. I weigh 230 and after 9 months of abuse it has begun. No problem, I get a new frame. It is cracking on the down tube along the weld that connects the top tube. | | Similar Products Used: | All hardtails, my first FS. | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Bar, Thompson seat post,American Classic hubs/Synergy rims, Panaracer Fire XC Pro's, XT front der., Truvativ Stylo Team crank, un72 BB, Cane Creek direct curve levers | | Bottom Line: | This was my first attempt at a FS bike. I wanted a cheap bike that would hold up well. I changed out a few parts and drop the weight from 35-28lb. It climbs well and is a blast to ride. Maybe I should have just bought a more expensive bike, yet I tend to break everything and didnt want to drop a bunch of jack on a frame.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fyrmandave
a Weekend Warrior
from las vegas, nv , usa
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | cottonwood valley and gooseberry mesa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | bike world - las vegas | | Strengths: | Hayes mechanical disc brakes are awesome
Good mix of components
Suspension works great | | Weaknesses: | Gripshift halfpipe shifters are too damn long
Suntour cranks are cheap
Really cheap plastic chainring guard gone after first ride
| | Similar Products Used: | GT I-drive, Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Slowly swapping out parts to fit my needs and the desert area better | | Bottom Line: | So far with 300 miles of rough, rocky, sandy trails, this bike has been awesome for me. No real problems, just a lot of pinch flats, which are my fault, but the rims are still as true as the day i got the bike, even with some big air and bigger rocks.
The marzocchi forks and rear spring work better than I expected, and the bike climbs very well for a f/s bike.
the Hayes disc brakes are incredible. I use some sandpaper on the discs about every 50 miles to keep them from squeeking and glazing over.
I cut the Gripshift halfpipe shifters down to 1/4 of their original length with a hacksaw, even shorter than the shorty version, and they still shift great using full size grips. Why Giant chose the halfpipes are beyond me, I wouldn't even use them for cruising on a sidewalk with all the unexpected shifts when holding on tight to the bars.
I have heard the Giant warp frames are prone to cracking and breaking, but I haven't seen anything yet, I will update if it does.
I plan on upgrading the cranks, and stem/bars to something more suitible to my riding style.
This is the best $900 I ever spent! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Amity Cycles | | Strengths: | Hayes brakes, Marzocchi Z.5, SRAM 7.0 rear and half-pipe shifters. motoraptor 2.4 tires. price | | Weaknesses: | Weinmann Rims suck, sun crank/bottom bracket sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XT front derailleur, Deore LX Crank and Bottom Bracket and stock stuff | | Bottom Line: | My friends call me big meaty. I'm 6'3" 250lbs and wanted a bombproof bike on a college student's meager budget. I had the alivio front derailleur swapped out for an XT when I bought the bike. I've had the bike since february, but have only ridden it for about 3 months because of the stuff on it that's broken. After about six hours the crank fell apart and it, along with the bottom bracket had to be replaced. The about 2 horus after getting the bike back with the new crank, I tacoed the front wheel. Now the seat post is bent and I have no idea how it got like that. Clydesdales and heffers beware. if you ride a lot or hard you'll wreck the weaker parts.
Aside from some of the crappy componentry, there are some definite hits. the brakes rock and stop even my fat a$$. teh marzoochi is sweet. the rear coil over can be fitted with one of 3 diferent weight-rated springs and with the middle of the 3 I still haven't bottomed out. The tires are fat like me which is comforting. i haven't flatted once. the rolling resistance is a pain but they grip everything(including lots and lots o mud)
I guess the ideal buyers would be beginners or broke fattys. Fattys beware, but if you're willing to upgraede the crank and rims, then you'll love it. I've had to spend close to $150 fixing/upgrading stuff, but the people at my local bike shop have been good about getting me credit for some of the stuff. don't know if i'd go the same route again because the dirt is always browner in some other manufacturers shop, but it's worth a look. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cajun Man
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin, OH
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vultures Knob | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$830.00 | | Purchased At: | Northland Schwinn | | Strengths: | The Brakes!! The Hayes mechanicals is what drew me in. They work great, and only get better as they are worn in more. Also the ride of the bike - I can go up and down any hills with ease. | | Weaknesses: | The SRAM shifting is not my favorite. The grip shifts are too large and you end up shifting accidentally while jumping. I switch the SRAM out for Deore stuff.
My bottom brack loosened up pretty quick - not sure if water got int here and ruined it, or it just loosened up. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose XR1100 | | Bike Setup: | Stock Giant Warp DS1. New XT rear derailluer, new bars, new shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Very good bike for the price - awesome. The brakes are the highlight, I would put them on any bike. The only down fall I saw was the SRAM shifters, the bottom bracket, and the cranks (not really a problem, just not quality). A great bike that rides awesome, climbs good, barrels down the hills, is relativley cheap, and looks cool. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon B
a Weekend Warrior
from A Place
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Marks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes bike shop | | Strengths: | Bombers, Avid disks, Frame geometry (feels lite when you drive it) | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy. Chain claings and brake cable holders are in bad places, which makes the brake cable bend alot. Seat post bends | | Similar Products Used: | Crapy Minellis | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike fo any intermediate people. Smooth ride on rough surfaces at high speeds and on drops. gtm rear shock is really adjustable. bombers arent to adjustable. Thing is the greatest bike I have ridin and its awsome on trails. The colors are a little hard to work with like diferrent shocks. Only blue white and grey looks good maybe black too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zack Bath
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond BC canada
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Un knowne | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1632.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bikes | | Strengths: | Disc Brakes, Shox, Wieght, Frame | | Weaknesses: | When Purchased Seat Post To Long. | | Similar Products Used: | Warp Ds two, Gt XCR 4000, | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Z5 Forks, Avid Mechanicle Disc Brakes, The GIANT rear susp, Suntour Cranks And Rings, zac 19 Rims, WTB Treads, Awesome North shore Approved Ring Gaurd. | | Bottom Line: | This Is The Best Beginers Bike Its Very Comfotable Thanks To Giants Rear Suspension And Marzocchi And The Braking..... I Love It, I recommend This Bike To Any Begginer.
And The Frame Is the best Its So light And Perfect Because You Know When U Have to Get Of fast And On Any Other Bike You Would SMACK your Balls To Bits And That is Very Painful But on The Warp Its Kinda Bent Down So Unless You Are A Midget (No Offence To Any Small people) So It Wont Hurt At All Your Balls May Live.
^The Bottom Line.....
..... THIS BIKE RULZ OH YEAH!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steimy
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethlehem PA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Curts Cyclery | | Strengths: | Disc Brakes, Marzocchi Bomber fork, nice rear suspension great price for overall package | | Weaknesses: | Frame, weight | | Similar Products Used: | marin muirwoods | | Bike Setup: | xt cranks and bottom bracket,shimano 646 pedals,xt hubs w/mavic 223,titec stem,Easton monkeylite carbon riser bar,CT2 seatpost | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent beginners bike. The low price tag gets you a mix of generic parts(which can be upgraded later), with awesome Hayes disc brakes and Marzocchi bomber 100mm forks. The GIANT rear susp is very tunable with a rebound adjuster and spring tension controll. The bike performs well downhill as well as uphill with only little suspension bob. The problem this bike has is with the frame. My frame craked at the welds after only 400 miles on the bike. A friend has the 2000 ds2 bike and has already craked 2 frames in under 400 total miles. GIANT is excellent with thier warranty. I suggested an upgraded frame and got a choice of the NRS frame for an xtra 300 or the AC1 frame for an xtra 400. I took the AC1 frame and now have been ridin that bike for a week now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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