Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004
Strengths: NRS rear suspension system works as advertised, climbs wonderful.
Weaknesses: Suntour crankset can be noisy and does not shift through the three chain rings well, will be my first upgrade
Bottom Line:
I have always wanted an NRS bike, and now finally have one. After owning other FS bikes and hardtails and a rigid single speed, I can say that this bike is the epitome of a good all around XC bike, comfortable, no bob rear suspension, quick handling and has room for alot of upgrades, although performs well in it's stock state. I was lucky to find this bike on Ebay, it had only been ridden a few times because of an injury. I am looking forward to many memorable rides on this bike.
Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia, WA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2003
Strengths: The NRS system is amazing at not bobbing during the climbs.
Weaknesses: The front fork (judy) is not as strong as I would like. I upgraded to a Manitou Black and it made all the difference in the world.
Bottom Line:
This is a great all-round bike that can climb with the best of them. I would recommend the NRS1 or NRS2 based on the components offered on the bikes. I love the Avid disk brakes and the Manitou Black forks. I just couldn't pass up the great price on this bike.
Similar Products Used: I rode hardtails before and this is the best of both worlds, it climbs like a hardtail and flies downhill like a full suspension.
Bike Setup: Manitou Black fork, Avid mechanical disk brakes, UST tubeless wheels.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Bikethrasher
a Racer
from QLD Australia
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003
Strengths: everything
Weaknesses: goddamb rear deralier hangers brken so many times, also the chainrings are pressed
Bottom Line:
well as my name says i thrash bikes. this is my first real mountain bike and i love it. its taken me of 2 meter flatland drops and only poped front tube (i knew it was to hard inflated!). just fineshed my first XC season and am going to DH the bike kicked ass, no bob sweet ride.
Similar Products Used: epic and many sweet XC bikes
Bike Setup: standard
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Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Pensacola, Florida
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003
Strengths: Stong, quick, climbs like a hard-tail but sticks to the trail like a FS.
Weaknesses: none found
Bottom Line:
I was a anti-FS until I rode this bike. I was suprised at the way the suspension seems to automatically "lock-out" on those standing climbs or hard sprints. My average speed has increased significantly. Excellent frame design.
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal QC
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003
Strengths: Components, NRS feature
Weaknesses: Thin frame tubing, ghost-shifts, and &)&#! dealers not knowing the bikes they sell. Can be time consuming to dial in. This is not a low maintenance rig.
Bottom Line:
Choose your dealer carefully as you want product knowledge and warranty support. My NRS has an ongoing "ghost-shifting" problem which makes repair shops really happy ($$$$$$$$$$$).
I have an outstanding warranty issue with Giant and will write more after judging their level of customer support. Getting the bike is only half of the service commitment.
Purchased At: Rather not give them free advertising !!
Similar Products Used: Sugar, iDrive, Trek Fuel 80
Bike Setup: Stock except, Avid Speed Dial 7's, Mavic 223's on Shimano Discs, HMX Disc Brakes, LX Crankset
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Blake
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003
Strengths: WOW...where should I start?! Almost everything on this bike is a strength...but the frame and the price (as compared to others).
Weaknesses: Very few weaknesses...but I would say the stock Judy front fork and the SID rear shock are the lowest points on this bike...EXCEPT for the tires. You MUST get new tires, because the stock Michelin tires won't corner well if your life depended on it!
Bottom Line:
If you have an opportunity to pick one of these up, DO NOT HESITATE. The only difference between the NRS 3,2,1 and AIR is the component group, and you can outfit this baby with whatever you like!
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z.1 front, Fox Van. Rear, XT drivetrain, XT shifters, XT brakes, SRAM 9.0 cassette, and a very comfortable, yet very cheap, CODA saddle.
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Merrick, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Strengths: Overall good quality. Smooth shifting. Rides like a hardtail - No BOB!!! Great feel to the suspension.
Weaknesses: Front fork Judy C a little noisy and preload adjuster knob made kind of crappy.
Bottom Line:
I LOVE this bike. Although not top of the line, all of the componentry works very well. The Rock Shox rear shock works a thousand times better than the coil shock on my Mongoose. Not only is there no bob, the way the shock absorbs a hit and the smooth rebound makes it sooooo much better than the Mongoose coil shock. The no bob is probably due mostly to the NRS frame design, which is both light, quality made, and very strong. Shifting and riding is incredibly smooth. My only problem is when the chain is on the middle chainring and the smallest sprocket it makes a little noise. I haven't had this looked at and probably wont even bother it's so minor. I also had a problem with the Rock shox fork. The preload adjuster knob on the right side broke. Whatever the knob is attached to inside the fork cracked and the knob just spins so the right side is stuck in the stiffest setting. This is fine because that's how I like it and would have left it that way for 95% of my riding. Also I must say excellent customer service at Rock Shox. One quick phone call and they are sending me a new fork so I don't have to be hassled(Excellent, now I have a free back up). Bottom line, in my opinion this is an excellent bike that I would highly recommend. I'm a beginner/intermediate rider who mainly rides XC. I would highly recommend buying a left over for any bike, as the savings on a left over appear to outweigh the upgrades on a new model. I based my value rating on this bike being a left over. At full price I would take away one Flamin Chili. Also, FYI there is no sales tax in NH which made this deal even sweeter.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose hardtail, Mongoose full suspension Zero-G, and Gary Fisher hardtail.
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002
Strengths: Great Suspspension Design, Good overall COmponents for the Money, Light for class.
Weaknesses: Seat is a little un comfortable, Front fork (Judy C) is a lttle noisy.
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a good bike that can do EVERYTHING.... And Im pretty sure this is the only bike that will do it... It takes drops (not big... but rising) Take climbs effortlessly (i my be exadgerating) and ride beutifly (that im not)
Weaknesses: poor seat,could ride a little more plush over the rough stuff
Bottom Line:
switched from a cannondale hardtail and i couldn't be happier. this bike climbs like a hardtail but smooths out the rough stuff and provides a more comfortable ride. the stock components seem to work fine as long as you keep them adjusted properly. the judy c fork needs to be upgraded but is reliable. for the money this bike is an extremely good value for anyone looking for a good quality full suspension bike. buy one and give it a try!!!!!
Similar Products Used: NONE first full suspension bike
Bike Setup: great
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Submitted by
Jack Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from North Shore, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002
Strengths: Light, great climber, fast, great suspension
Weaknesses: I should have got disc brakes! But I am content with V
Bottom Line:
I'm in love! I almost bought a single pivot big North Shore downhill bike. For my weight 140#, that would have been stupid. I now fly by the big-bikes on my way up and the dual suspension takes all the North Shore downhill trails great. I avoid the big drops though, fear=wisdom!
Similar Products Used: Specialised (>$), Giant single pivot something (like a tank!)
Bike Setup: Changed clipless pedal for platforms, too scared to clip in for the North Shore
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rao
a Cross Country Rider
from Jersey City
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002
Strengths: Great looking frame. Not all that light but it gets the job done. Components are cheap but I'll soon replace them all with time.
Weaknesses: The bike is tough to a certain extend (if only I try not to abuse the poor thing) I broke the front derailleurs the first couple of weeks. The preplacement derailleurs (Shimano deore XL) really sucks. The gears change involunterily especicialy during hard climbs. some times they won't change at all -- that's when I curse the hell out of it-
Bottom Line:
The frame is great but the components are realy crapy. Over all, it's a great bike. It can handle all the abuse I have to offer-
Bike Setup: Giant XTC NRS 3 full suspension-it's a beauty-
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Submitted by
ANDREW BARTLETT
a Cross Country Rider
from ST.JONH'S, NEWFOUNDLAND,CANADA
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2002
Strengths: Top of the line frame. Good suspension (judy xc,sid rear shock). Brake levers
Weaknesses: seat is hard on the butt. SUNTOUR crank
Bottom Line:
Good bike for the money. Good frame for up grades. good suspension, good tires. You'll need to replace the Crank if you don't take care of it already bent the teeth in it once fixed it's self over time
Submitted by
Tommy (aka "Hack") T.
a Cross Country Rider
from Fayetteville(Fort Bragg), NC, USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2002
Strengths: Price for the product! NRS Frame, Shimano Mid-end components, Michelin Widegripper Comp tires, Rock Shox Sid XC (rear),a free shock-pump.
Weaknesses: Rock Shox Judy C Fork... good but could have been a step better. The Koski Contour saddle is great if your under 170lbs, otherwise... ouch on those long rides.
Bottom Line:
The NRS Frame is awesome! Hit the trails and watch the full-suspension take the pain for you! Climbs nice and XC downhill's super! The NRS gives you the cushion when ya hit stuff but also gives ZERO sag/bounce when pedaling like a mad-dog. Weighting 210 lbs. I've dropped in from 4' over and over, put it throught numerous miles of rough downhill XC, and crashed like a stuntman... thru it all NOT 1 prob! "An adventureous cross country bikers machine!" Built to take it and give performance!
Bike Setup: Factory except for the "Terry Men's Liberator" saddle.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
S K Gallaway
a Weekend Warrior
from Olympic Peninsula, WA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002
Strengths: Appearance; Weight; NRS
Weaknesses: Swingarm needed replacing; brakes
Bottom Line:
First and foremost, the dealer support was and is awesome. I bought the bike a year old, and it had some obvious use. After going for a few rides, the wheel started leaning towards the swingarm. I tried my LBS and they said the swingarm was slightly torqued. I tried it again and had the same effect. I contacted TWC in Moab, they called Giant, and I will be getting a 2002 NRS 3 frame in its entirity next week. I am very impressed with Giant and TWC for the support. For what little I have rode on the bike it is very light for the large frame, although I will upgrade the brake levers as they leave something to be desired for steep descents. I strongly recommend this bike as a step up from a hardtail, the suspension kicks a## - especially on the climbs.
