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Submitted by
mck.brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Fit | | Strengths: | Not expensive, 4-5 inches travel, stylish, disc brake mounts, single pivot = simplicity. | | Weaknesses: | Odd frame shape doesn't work on conventional bike racks. | | Similar Products Used: | Minnelli Mt. Diablo hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Factory < Avid BB7, Kenda Nevegals | | Bottom Line: | I wasn't really in need of a new bike, I just wanted to try full suspension. I thought about just getting the frame and swapping parts, but after looking at the one I purchased, I couldn't resist. Mine is painted black, including the fork. It came with disc brake dropouts and disc hubs. I have upgraded the brakes to Avid BB7s, not because of brake quality, but I really wanted the look of discs. (Also, highly recommended. Discs add much more stopping power).
The bike isn't race light (approx 30lbs). So, don't buy this thinking of using it as a full blown race bike. I have been in an official race and it held up fine. No problems at all, just I finished further back than I would have liked.
Stock components are great. No need to upgrade any part of the transmission. Trigger shifters are awesome.
Bottom Line:
If you are thinking about full suspension, no nonsense ride that will hold up in all cross country type trail riding, then this is the bike for you.
Giant got this one right for an entry level FS ride :)
Highly recommended!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton,CO,USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | cowboy up | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | my friend | | Strengths: | strong frame, nice amount of travel in the back, not too bad of stock parts | | Weaknesses: | i threw away the judy it came with, it sucked. no other problems so far | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky, 99fsr, 2001 santa cruz bullit(frekin awesome) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for 2002 psylo xc, odessy pedals, new shimano brakes, wtb 2.4 tires, yeti grips | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike for crosscountry and beginning freeride. if you have under a grand and want a great bike get this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Clemmons NC
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hobby Park or Salem Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Pedals pretty good when adjusted right... Feels real responsive in the air... Good bike all around | | Weaknesses: | Some of the components, like the brakes. They don't work worth crap when wet and the pedals are not so great. I also had a small problem with the bike shifting by itself. The seat was pretty hard, but those kinds of problems are to be expected. | | Similar Products Used: | Used to BMX so nothing | | Bike Setup: | Selle Italia seat, gonna get Shimano clipless and Avid mechanicals, but hey, I'm 12 and my grass mowing budget is kinda tight with the drought and all. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for the money. Don't see many others that have 4.5 inches of travel for under a grand. Pedals could be better you know? At least put a nice set of platforms on there. The bike handles well, on any course, but doesn't do anything remarkable. When it gets wet or muddy you can kiss braking good by, so get a nice set of discs. It stands up to a lot, wheelie drops to flat for instance, and takes doubles better than my old P-Lite Falcon. It's kind of skittish on skinny North Shore type stunts but I think that is more of my inability to balance. With this bike you can ride right to the edge of oblivion and laugh in it's face. Its better to just plow through stuff than to pick your way slowly. If you replace the brakes and the pedals and tweak the shock and the drivetrain, which isn't hard, you'll have a raceworthy bike. See you at the Cane Creek Cup, or rather, you'll see me, getting the awards, by the time you finish. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zac
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | NS in friends bush | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$560.00 | | Purchased At: | dornellas | | Strengths: | rear derailer, and i guess the frame. | | Weaknesses: | everything else | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock with Judy SL | | Bottom Line: | I'm not really a weekend warrior, im a small hit freeder (like 5 foot drops and stuff) so this bike sucks, the guy that sold me the bike said it was made for that & that the hole drivetrain was deore(wich its not). If your a freerider, I dont recomend it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon Watts
a Weekend Warrior
from raymond
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | norms trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | my brother | | Strengths: | rear suspension, frame, rear brakes, stem, handling, tires | | Weaknesses: | cranks, front brakes, handle bars, forks, wheels, | | Similar Products Used: | cannodale raven, 98 ds 1 | | Bike Setup: | judy xl, titec hellbent handle bars, mammoth wheels with lx hubs, truvativ cranks, irc mudmad tires, | | Bottom Line: | this bike is handleing just about everything i can dish out to it. it is one tough bike for the price i got it for and is still hauling a$$ today | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Galmad
a Downhiller
from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Goldcross Cycles | | Strengths: | i like the shape of the frame, it makes it easy to get on when up on a steep hill. i also like the suspension, its good value for the price. | | Weaknesses: | brakes, for sure, they really suck. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | if ya gonna buy a cheap dh bike, this is the way to go. feels strong underneath ya and runs down the hill with reasonable ease. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Downhiller
from lake cowichan bc canada
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anaconda | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1012.00 | | Purchased At: | west shore cycles | | Strengths: | takes big drops to flat with out breaking. the rims dont look they could take i hit but they hold up surprisingly well. | | Weaknesses: | the rear suspension set up isnt that great but it works. the forks are WAY to small and are to stiff. the crank sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | - | | Bike Setup: | stock giant warp ds 2 | | Bottom Line: | for the money you pay it is a good bike. but if you only have around $1000 trust me on this... get a good hardtail instead of a full suspension. it'll pay off in the end. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Rees
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | rob roy range ride | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Onya Bike in Canberra | | Strengths: | chunky tyres are great.
forks soak it up well.
Can't beat the specs for the $$'s. | | Weaknesses: | Needed a lizard skin straight off (chain bangs).
Waterbottle placement is crap.
Can't mount pump and battery at the same time. | | Similar Products Used: | Upgraded from an old, tired, GT Avalanche (hardtail) which served me well - but now sits in the garage gathering dust. | | Bike Setup: | As purchased - won't upgrade unless something breaks. | | Bottom Line: | My first entry into the dual suspension market and I didn't want to fork out too much $$. I ride it to work twice a week (mostly firetrail & some road) and then hook up with friends for 15 - 25 km trail rides. Canberra has some awesome tracks including Stromlo forest and Blue Range. Mostly ride pine forest single trails and the bike has been solid. Happy as Larry so far - but it's early days. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chase
a Racer
from viaslia/california united states
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | vialia cyclery | | Strengths: | its an awsome bike it takes a beating it handles nice.i espeacialy like how the frame is dasigned | | Weaknesses: | ummm not any yet i hope non really | | Bottom Line: | its an awsome bike its for you if you want a good bike for a cheap price.i race and it handles very nice | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Eversole
a Weekend Warrior
from Elmendorf afb A
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | russian jack springs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | paramount | | Strengths: | great reaction time, tight in the turns and very responsive on the rough stuff. THIS BIKE ROCKS!! Great bike for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Chain rattle, hard seat, shoulda offered mechanical disk brakes other than that great bike. | | Similar Products Used: | GT idrive, K2 attack 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | stock with plans to upgrade speed and later disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | If you are on a tight budget, and want a superb fs bike, this is it. THIS BIKE ROCKS! I've ridden this bike every day since its purchase, and have not had any trouble with it. I am so pleased with this bike that I can't stop thinking about the next day of riding, and constantly go to the garage to admire it. I know my wife and friends think I'm nuts. Thanks Giant, and thanks glenda for giving me my kitchen passes!! ha | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Espinoza
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City, F.D., Mexico
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Amazing rear suspension great for average mountain bikers great construction and resistance 5 year garantee. | | Weaknesses: | For an extra 50 bucks they shoulda added 1 mechanical disk brake in the front. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing, Great, Fantastic for weekend warriors. Is great for downhill jumps anyhting u can think of its ready to meet your needs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Blake
a Weekend Warrior
from Galt, Ca
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Cyclery | | Strengths: | Nice bike for the price! | | Weaknesses: | Seat seems to hard, shocks are not stiff enough | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | For a first time monutain bike rider such as myself this is an excellent bike for the money.
A great investment for first timers!
Holds up really well...
A little on the heavy side but still a good bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shoon Wong
a Weekend Warrior
from St Charles
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Center, St Charles, MO | | Strengths: | For the price, everything | | Weaknesses: | For the price, none | | Similar Products Used: | Tested GT IDrive, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | as manufactured, except for pedals. Changed to clipless (Shimano) | | Bottom Line: | As a lighter-weight biker, this bike is awesome and excellent. OEM parts on the bike are not excellent, but you get what you pay for and they are fairly decent. Had slam the bike several times on trails but haven't had any problems with it. Very high recommendation for intermediate or expert bikers low on budget. Get one, upgrade slowly (for budget consious fellas) and you won't regret it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bayonne,NJ
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$620.00 | | Purchased At: | Union Cycle | | Strengths: | This is my second review on this bike I`ve had it for 2 + months now and I have not seen any problems. Bike handles nicely going down hills I never regreat buying her. | | Weaknesses: | At first I didnt like the saddle but now I do. I can say Im not crazy about the brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Not much diffrent from factory settings. I got a real small headlight and rear light. Removed the tire reflectors and the plastic front derailer. I think this improves the look of the bike. | | Bottom Line: | Money was a big issue with me buying this bike. I didnt want to go over $1,000. I did test ride a couple of bikes in the past. Unless your going to make a living on this bike you cant go wrong. Good price Better value.
-Weekend Warrior
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from South-west UK
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Nucleus | | Strengths: | Good rear shock for the price! Brilliant frame 2 start 2 upgrade from. Strong and heavy to take the beatings I give it! | | Weaknesses: | Front deraileur was a bit shocking but i have now upgraded to a 9 speed so i dont care! Bottom Bracket was also shoddy but i have had a new one. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi JuniorT 6inch travel triple crown forks, 9 speed with DMR speed guide, front and rear Hope Hydraulics, Big fat wheels!! | | Bottom Line: | A brilliant bike for the price, provides a great frame to be built apon like i have. Good for anything, its as happy on a long stroll as it is being thrown down a mountain side! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
erik
a
from fouth fla
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | many. cracked frame. bottom bracket failed. headset took a pooh. doesn't shift properly even with 4 attempts from mechanic. brakes rub can't adjust away. | | Bottom Line: | this bike worked great for 4 months. it is now 6 plus and bike is melting into a pile of crap.
I ride south fla trails markham and oleta which are moderately difficult and not filled with deep drops.
you would think a bike billed as a mountain bike would hold up to this challenge. I am just starting to build some fairly decent skills and fitness and am completely frustrated by this LOAD.
BEWARE. SADNESS.
I am hooked on this sport and feel like I have been screwed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Bassuk
a Cross Country Rider
from Ojai, CA usa
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gridley | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$625.00 | | Purchased At: | Ray's Cycles Ventura | | Strengths: | Great value, rear suspension, double butted tubes. | | Weaknesses: | Terrible saddle, no rear susp. lockout, poor front deraileur, chain slaps the chain stay requiring a guard. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for specialized body geometry saddle and lizard skin chain stay guard. I plan on changing the front deraileur ASAP. | | Bottom Line: | For the price, this is a great entry level full susp. bike. I had limited funds and researched it thoroughly and I don't think there is a serious f/s bike out there for this price. It handles my abuse without any serious problems. This is my first mountain bike and I'm pretty satisfied. If you have the cash and are a serious rider, spend the $ and get a better bike. If you're on a budget, this is a killer bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bayonne NJ USA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Next one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$620.00 | | Purchased At: | Union cycle (UNION) NJ | | Strengths: | The top shelf products are the strenths here.
I went down 6 stairs with no problem bike hadles very well. | | Weaknesses: | The saddle hurts my ass and it heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Factory Looking to upgrade the saddle | | Bottom Line: | For the price you cant beat it. Great for entry riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Kenner, LA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hooper Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bayou Bicycles | | Strengths: | Value, shock, comfort, frame | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Gt I drive 5.0, I drive 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Deore shrifters and levers, velociraptor 2.1 tires, 9 speed upgade, other wise stock | | Bottom Line: | This is my second review on this bike, this bike is an excelent value for the money. It has been through 6 months of riding and racing and I have had no problems except for the fork recall from rock shox.This bike is very comfortable climbing and on decents, it handles excellent. I like to jump and it handles great in the air. It turns on a dime and shifts well. I would recommend this bike to anyone intrested in an entry level FS bike. I doen't there is a better value in this price range. Excellent bike Giant, FS Rule! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from South Florida (yes we have trails)
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta/Mrkham | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bell's North Miami Beach | | Strengths: | Won't break under my 6'3 220 pound ass. | | Weaknesses: | HEAVY! | | Bike Setup: | Heavier coil spring (1000lb) Stiff kit for front shock.(probably voided warranty on shock but turned piece o' crap Judy TT into great shock | | Bottom Line: | Great value. This is my first mountain bike. If I had known I would get hooked on this sport I would have bought a giant nrs or trek fuel but this bike is less than half the price. This bike does what you ask it to do if your body can keep up with it.
If you are going to try this sport do not buy anything of less quality than this or you will be a sad camper. Find a good bike shop like Bell's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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