Submitted by
Bob Affe
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Strengths: Superb CC racing machine. I ride a 18,5" (M) and is 187 cm tall. Easy to handle in rought terrain, nice acceleration, steady "downhill" and maybe the only FS mountainbike you could win a flat asphalt race on without using the lock-out.
Weaknesses: As long as the bike is used for CC racing: None.
Similar Products Used: Some other FS bikes (GT, Kat')
Bike Setup: XTR, UST, Hope, Time etc
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Submitted by
jacob
a Cross Country Rider
from hinton IA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002
Strengths: Goood Full Suspension ride light weight bobs less than some
Weaknesses: Like all full suspension bikes it still bobs some
Bottom Line:
I had this bike built for weight it weighs a little under 24 pounds. The full suspension is great, really helps on the rough stuff. Great all around bike.
Similar Products Used: Tried Jekyl have owned a Schwinn Moab for a few years
Bike Setup: XTR Drivetrain, Shimano Dura Ace cassette Sram Shorty shifters, Thompson Elite post and stem, Easton CT2 carbon bar, XT hydraulic brakes, Terry Fly Ti saddle, Maxxis Larson tt, hand built wheel set twisted spokes, Time ATAC CARBON,Chris King Hubs, Cane Creek Z2 headset, Sid SL Fork
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Bullit, Kona Stinky
Bike Setup: XTR DRIVETRAIN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A RACEFACE LP CRANK. MAVIC TUBELESS CROSSMAX DISC WITH A FRONT HAYES 8" INCH ROTOR AND 6" IN BACK. EASTON MONKEY BAR AND THOMPSON POST. SERFAS DUAL DENSITY PRO SADDLE.
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Submitted by
Brett Nelson
a Cross Country Rider
from Adrian, Michigan USA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2001
Strengths: Lightweight, fully STACKED with swank parts for your money... UST tubeless wheels, cutting edge looks, downhill/flat land performance
Weaknesses: CLIMBING/cornering/rear end sway
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike, as is the specialized S-works, don't get me wrong. The parts are all excellent, the value is atop the industry. If you weigh less than 210 lbs I would definately recommend buying this bike (if you are a serious racer/enthusiast). This bike's performance drops off for heavier riders and true clydesdales (not these 205 lb 6'4" pseudo clydesdales). I can say with confidence that I spin pretty cleanly. The problem is that this bike bobs like pornstar when climbing. The other problem that I had is that I felt the back end dancing around in turns and off-camber climbs. Again... if you're light this won't be a problem, as riders whom I know and trust loved the same bike. The Bottom line: Be sure to ride this bike hard if you're bigger to determine if you really like it, but don't buy into the "four bar linkage" myth. It is not the answer to all suspension short-comings.
Similar Products Used: Specialized S-Works FSR (same bike essentially), Santa Cruz Ultralight, Santa Cruz Blur, Rocky Mountain FS xc, Ellsworth, Yeti AS-R, Cannondale xc bike (forgot name)
Bike Setup: Stock, with time pedals. Set rear shock at recommended psi at first, then higher to attempt to eliminate bob/improve climbing. Tires at 45 lb
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Submitted by
Terminex
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001
Strengths: NO-BOB FS. Great frame, awesome components. The tubeless tires work incredibly well with low pressure. XTR components are the only thing that brought me back from the world of Grip-Shift. Hayes Hydraulic brakes are the best around.
Weaknesses: Price (but you do get what you pay for. And if you compare this rig to others it is actually a bargain)
Bottom Line:
I had to replace the saddle (the Koski's SUCK!!!!!!!!), the seatpost twice (Koski spec'd, Easton Carbon, then the Thompson), the Stem, and the Handlebar. Everything else was perfect. I went from an ATX 990 to this bike, and the difference was night and day. I cannot stress enough how the equipment DOES make as much of a difference as your riding ability. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for the ultimate FS. I considered several Ti bikes such as the Litespeed Tsali and many others costing over $6000, but nothing could compare.
Similar Products Used: Nothing, there are no other bikes like this, all other FS have BOB. GT i-Drive Race
Bike Setup: XTR, Flightdeck, Thompson seatpost, Specialized Body Geometry Race saddle, Time ATAC carbon pedals, Hayes Hydraulic discs, Mavic tubeless, Hutchinson Pythons, easton carbon Bar, LP composites carbon bar ends, Judy SL front fork, SID XC rear. Simply the best.
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Submitted by
Drew George
a Racer
from Riverdale, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001
Strengths: Compared to my last two Trek FSR's this bike rocks with the "no bob" climbing power and the rear chain stay's. All around it's just a very cool bike
Weaknesses: None, and if you do run into some it's not the frame it's the accessories that you put on it.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that if you buy this bike you will have a blast coming down any hill as fast or as slow as you want. You won't be afraid of going over any rock, with 3.75" rear wheel travel you will feel like you are sitting in a Luxury SUV. Climbing is cake and you will be able to climb just as or better then any HT bike out there. If you can get this bike I WOULD!
Bike Setup: XTR all around with Monkey lite bars and Tompson stem and seat post with an SLR TI Seat only 135 grams baby! and Mavic Cross Wheels
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Submitted by
Michael Brislin
a Weekend Warrior
from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2001
Strengths: Light, Climbs incredibly well for a dual suspension bike
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I was astonished by this ride. I usually ride a hardtail after nat liking the 4 banger for tight cross country riding. This bike had me easy over stuff I didn't know I was capable of. Now here is the amazing thing - this was a rental. Thanks and hats off to Dave and staff fron Berkshire Bike and Blade (Great Barrington MA) for accomodating a traveller with a real bike rental at the usual rate quoted for 500$ hybrids. They sent me off to Kennedy Park in Lennox for 4 hours of ppure fun. I think they did it just to see the smile on my face on returning.
Bike Setup: Hard at rear for my >90kg frame! Easton Monkeylite bars.
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Submitted by
Terry Baudoin
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: none, I spec'd a build I could live with. Though it would be nice to have more than one for the price. Geez, I could have had either one killer bike or two good bikes. Guess what I chose!
Bottom Line:
Best I have ridden, fun, light and quick. Climbs better than anything I have ridden (I use bar ends to really torque it. I tried climbing in the saddle on a really steep hill. It made it but was slow and steady. I did the same climb 3 times, 3 different ways. On the bar ends it was almost a sprint and no significant bob; I do not use the factory shock settings. I prefer a different feel, but I still don't get much if any power robbing bob.
If you have money to invest, you can do better buying the frame and building it out to YOUR specifications. I chose tops end components I had confidence in. I would say that mine is tuned for xc riding/racing (24.5 lbs, w/o peds).
The bike can probably handle more than I can test at this point. I have already cleaned sections on this bike that were undoable on my hardtail, and my other bike is no toy, however there are a lot of variables. Mainly the XTC air is confidence inspiring. be careful... you can really fly! I would say it is more for an intermediate to experienced rider, considering its quickness in both acceleration, braking, and turning. I can really whip the bike around or go with a smooth flow. I find the air tight and responsive.
Bike Setup: XTR drive & V-brakes, except cogs and ft derailleur-XT, Spinergy Xyclones, Michelin Wildgrippers xl-s's, EA70 bar, Salsa ends, profile grips..
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Submitted by
Eric Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2001
Strengths: Light, light, light. Tubeless tires. Hayes hydraulic brakes and XTR drivetrain.
Weaknesses: It's scary how thin-walled and fragile the frame sounds.
Bottom Line:
This bike makes me want to go riding! Not only that, it makes me a better rider. I can go full speed over technical terrain that I had to pick and dab through on my hardtail. I weigh 240lbs and this bike has taken my weight and abuse without failing. And it has seen many, many crashes! I'm still learning, but this bike makes it easier and funner. The nice thing about the Giant NRS line is you don't have to spend $3000 to get one. The NRS 3 starts at about $1100 or so and there are five total bikes in the line including the NRS 0.
Similar Products Used: It's my first full suspension bike.
Bike Setup: All stock except CT2 Monkeylite bar, Koobi saddle, Yeti lock on grips, and Time ATAC carbon pedals. Oh yeah, and a Marzocchi Bomber XFly 80 fork that came with the bike. What an awesome fork!! All the other parts are XTR or better so why upgrade.
Strengths: Value, Performance, Fastest Bike I've ever been on. Makes me feel like it deserves someone faster, so I'm currently training. Beautiful black anodized and incredibly light for a 20" FS bike at 24lbs.
Weaknesses: Too small, a little too light and XC oriented to be an all around fun bike, but makes a great race bike. Koski saddle might have Ti rails but is uncomfortable and cheap. Shimano Chains suck so I replaced it.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike and at the price I paid being a shop employee I have reason to complain. I'm a racer and this is my race bike. I'm only dissapointed that Tubeless can be a pain with punctures on a training ride and the fact that my seat is jacked way up make this bike a little slower in the tight stuff than I'm used to. Originally I never thought I'd ride a FS bike. As soon as I saw this bike 3 years ago I knew I wanted it. I couldn't afford it at first then for 2001 they put everything on it that I wanted, especially the super light UST wheelset. In all I'm happy with it, and plan on not changing race bikes again any time soon.
Similar Products Used: Klein Mantra, I-Drives, Karpiel Disco Volante, Rocky Mtn Element
Bike Setup: Stock (XTR, Hayes, Hugi hub UST Wheels, Sid SL) except for Ritchey WCS Stem, LP Composite Bars, Race Face Next Cranks and Ti BB, Jet S Tubeless, Single Track Solutions Bar Ends, and Giro Nisene Saddle
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Submitted by
Andy Shortt
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2001
Strengths: NO BOBBING!!! I mean none. Climbs like a goat on anphetamines and lets you rest on the descent. Plus, it's fairly light and has a very rigid frame. I'm over 200 lbs and experience no flex.
Weaknesses: I haven't found any.
Bottom Line:
I ride longer because this bike makes cross country riding more comfortable. I ride faster because suspension system works so well on fire roads and singletrack and lets me climb better. Once set up properly, this bike gives you a sense of confidence that makes you faster. The components are top notch. The only thing I swapped out was the front derailleir (XT for XTR) and Easton carbon fibre stuff. I also looked at a Trek Fuel 100. But for only a few hundred bucks more, the Giant delivers way moe value in the components. Not a bike for freeriders, but an awesome XC bike. This bike is esecially well suited for people who are hard core hardtail riders, because you don't notice the suspension at all.
Bike Setup: XTR front and rear derailleurs, Hayes Hydraulic brakes, Maxic UST with Hutchison Pyton tyres, Easton carbon fibre bar and seatpost, Time ATAC pedals.
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Submitted by
Kyle Maxwell
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001
Strengths: • Super light and superior construction • Smart suspension design: double-wishbone • Aggressive geometry: ready for racing • Climbs like a jeep, accelerates like a porsche • Looks tough
Weaknesses: Misleading sizing: Medium is 18.5 inches, measured to top of seat post. Seat post is 1.5 inches above top bar. Medium is really 17 inches.
Bottom Line:
Okay, I've put this bike through some solid rides and it just plain rocks! It is such a comfortable bike I feel like I've ridden it for years. It climbs exceptionally well and screams through singletrack. I noticed something amazing while flying through Soquel Demo: silence. This bike pours down the mountain like honey. The only semi-negative thing I could point out is that the SID fork needs regular attention to maintain proper air pressure. But along with high performance comes maintainance. Think sports car...
Similar Products Used: GT iDrive 1.0, Specialized FSR Enduro Pro
Bike Setup: Rock Shox SID SL front, XC rear; Hayes Disc Brakes; Hugi Hubs, Mavic Tubeless Rims, Monkeylite Bars, Race Face headset and seatpost, XTR rear derailleur, cranks, sprocket, brake levers, XT front derailleur
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Submitted by
Freddie Low
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001
Strengths: Very light, easy to manoeuver, good control both on track and off-road. Great for all cyclist and the pros will find this a killer.
Weaknesses: Have not find any yet.
Bottom Line:
This bike gives me the urge to look forward to ride whenever possible. It had also re-charge my interest back to the good old days of mountain biking. This is a real ROAD WARRIOR!!! I love it. If you are really into building a bike, you may consider this but remember to put the right parts for optimum result.
Bike Setup: XTC NRS Air Frame, XT gears, XT Crank and XT brake and shifters, Vivid Disc brake, Velocity wheelset, DT spokes, Continental tyres, RockShox SID 100 and SID Rear Race.
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Submitted by
Kyle Maxwell
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001
Bottom Line:
I just bought this bike on my lunch break. I was shopping for a Santa Cruz Superlite but this bike screamed at me. "Ride me!" "Love me!" So I did. Just from looks and styling alone it earns five chilis, but I'll put it through a test bombing tonight and give a better review.
Strengths: Light.Parts-full XTR Hayes disc sid sl NRS tubeless mavic. Overvall value for top of the line parts. Fast. black
Weaknesses: None! but sounds like a tin can when u tap it. kinda scarry.
Bottom Line:
For the 3 months I have been on it it has been awesome. Fast Light and superior value for what you get makes this a great choice. XC racing and rocky decents it does it all....no 10 foot drops! no bob after you get the set up right...worth every penny.
