Submitted by
Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver Co
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001
Strengths: The Frame is the best part of the package. Drivetrain is better than aveage.
Weaknesses: The brakes like everyone says, Going to go to XT Hydros or hope Mini. That means Changing the Wheelset, owell. The Judy XC is Ok, but at 4.5lbs, kinda heavy.
Bottom Line:
The Frame is so awsome, I bought a 2000sml frame for the gfrnd. Basicly took all my 1999 parts and built her a bike. With a better set of wheels, it would just break 21lbs. Out of the box it is a good ride. But I got the weight weenie sickness. If you are looking for a good frame to start with and want a light bike. Look no further than the XtC. I picked up my gfrnds frame for $275 used in the Mtbr Marketplace. See you on the trails...:)
Bike Setup: Nothing stock left, except the Frame. Xt shifters, easton monkeylite riser, ct2 post, raceface SYStem, Flite Ti Gel, XT hollowtech crank, XT Cassette, XTR RearD, XT FrntD, WTB Speed Disc Whl Set, Mars 1 fork...about 22.5lbs
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Submitted by
Winston
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001
Strengths: This is a great all around bike with many great components. The components themselves work well together and show a decent amount of product testing with one exception...
Weaknesses: The Formula disc brakes work almost as well as sticking your leg in the spokes. The hubs are only 4 bolt, so upgrading to better discs requires more than just a brake switch. So far I have replaced my rear disk with Avid mechanical discs, and I am more than pleased. The difference is huge. As a matter of fact, I didn't realize that my brakes were so bad until I got these great brakes.
Bottom Line:
This bike was a great deal, and is a stellar performer if the brakes are switched out.
Submitted by
frpax
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2001
Strengths: Frame! Very lightweight. Good component selection.
Weaknesses: All are rider weaknesses!!
Bottom Line:
Very lightweight and agile. I bought this used and after some initial teething problems, I have come to like it very much. Frame is very stiff due to oversized aluminum tubes. I think I got a pretty good deal after looking at what the new ones cost.
Bike Setup: XT throughout including V-Brakes (changing to XT discs); Profile Design stem & carbon bar; Flite Ti saddle; WTB Velociraptors; Bontrager RE-1 pedals.
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Submitted by
Robb Hampton
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2001
Strengths: The frame is light and very rigid for alum. It handles very well and is quite responsive also. The specs it came with we "ok" if i remember correctly but i had to do A LOT of upgrades to satisfy my needs.
Weaknesses: The frickin Formula Discs SUCK. They squeek, moan, come out of alignment, and fall apart. I had the rear come off during a ride, get in the spokes with the calipers griping the disc, and bend the hell out of the disc. bogus brakes in 99. Good upgrade with Hayes though. I did find that Formula was responsive in replacing defective parts though. I have several dings in my frame on the downtube. I'm a pretty ruff rider, but i don't expect dings. There are also no brake mounts for the rear in case you change your mind about disc brakes. i new that when i order it, but didn't know how lousy the brakes would be.
Bottom Line:
switch the brakes and you have a great, light, rigid, aluminum frame. i have talked to others with the same frame that have dents on the top and bottom tubes so that tells me that the tubing is THIN!!! however, the massive welds and heat treatment make these tubes pretty rigid which means fast! I changed most of the components to make the bike race ready and Giant has done a good job upgrading this last year also. Fun frame, good geometry, laid back race design. Great deal for what i paid (pro deal)
Favorite Trail: Mormon Trail, South Mountain, Phoenix
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At: Pro Deal
Similar Products Used: Performance M003 Aluminum (1996/7ish), Rocky Mountain (Steel), Scott Pro (Steel), Pro-Flex 755, Trek 8000, more....
Bike Setup: XTR Drivetrain, Control Teck seatpost, Mavic Disc Wheelset, XT shifter/brake pods
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Submitted by
Daniel
a Racer
from Knoxville, Tennessee
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000
Strengths: Light, fast, strong. Sweet bike for the price.
Weaknesses: Brakes died quick.
Bottom Line:
The Formula brakes were good new, but after 8 or 9 months the pad adjusters started backing themsleves out on long hills, temporary fix was to stuff a vine in to hold them. After a little over a year I took it in to my shop and they sent mine back to Formula for a replacement. I sold those to my friend along with my wheels and put on XT discs. He has LX levers and they work much better with those than with the stock Avids.
Strengths: The SE1-Very light, Good Looking frame. Great Price.
Weaknesses: BRAKES, they would work OK one day and not at all the next, that is not acceptable.Also the chain should be replaced asap.
Bottom Line:
This Bike is Awsome. It took me a couple of months to work the bugs out(brakes). But now this bike is 100% and I still paid less than half of any other bike of this quality.
Bike Setup: Easton Monkey Lite Bars, Chris King headset, XT Disc Brake system,Mavic wheels.
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Submitted by
David Morse
a Cross Country Rider
from Napa Valley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2000
Strengths: Light and fast frame...SID XC fork...Raceface cranks...XT rear derailer
Weaknesses: Well I dented the frame in the top tube and the down tube after a crash. Now I know how thin and soft the sidewalls are. Also...those damm Hayes Hydrolic brakes are NOISEY. They stop very well but after every ride I have to sand the pads and rotor to get the oil off that has leaked out of the calipers. I Know it's oil because on the back of the pad its-self, there is a ring of oil. Pain in the ass to do it every ride. I would change back to "V" brakes except there is no mount for them in the rear, BUMMER. The BB went out after 4 or 5 rides, replaced it to XT. The back hub is going out. It's sounds like it's grinding coffee back there.
Bottom Line:
You cant buy a getter performance bike for less. Just make sure you buy it from a GOOD shop that will replace anything that goes out with no hassles. The shop I bought mine from has kids running it and don't know their heads from their bung holes. By the way that shop would be Pacific Bikes in Cotatti California. They SUCK, dont use them!!!!!!!!!
Bike Setup: Raceface cranks and 1" riser bar...Thomson seat post...XT rear and LX front derailers...Koski seat...Kore stem...Hayes hydrolic brakes...Hutchinson python gold tires...Deore mega 9 shifters
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Submitted by
Jonathan Royal
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000
Strengths: Very light Cant beat 21 pounds in a bike that costs so little no wonder its the bike of the year
Weaknesses: the disk brakes are terriable when used they sound like a dying cat, no name seat post
Bottom Line:
I have never in my life seen a cheiper bike for the money
Bike Setup: Put new disk brakes in upgraded to a SID race fork and Thomson seat post
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Submitted by
Eracer
a Weekend Warrior
from Westfield, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000
Strengths: Very light frame for the price, good set of cranks(XT)and great pedals(after you break them in!)
Weaknesses: Sh**ty brakes howl like a bit**, can't tuned them to work.
Bottom Line:
If you can find this bike...snag it. It's worth the price just for the frame alone. When you do take it home get rid of the crappy brakes that came w/ the bike ASAP!
Bike Setup: Replaced OEM fork for '00 SID, Easton CT2 handlebar, Kore stem, RaceFace NextLP cranks, back-ordered Avid mech. brakes
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Submitted by
Eric Chou
a Weekend Warrior
from Princeton Jct
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000
Strengths: Damn Light Frame, only Klein Lighter, very stiff $815!!! Very Fast, very cheap
Weaknesses: Mine has different componentry (but identical frame plus regular brake mounts) Magura HS33 somewhat of a pain to adjust Manitou SX-E fork too soft creaky Tange BB
Bottom Line:
Damn Fast, and for only $815! Checked with my friends before I bought it, this bike with componentry woulda cost me $1300 or more in the States, but I got it in Taiwan and I have Magura Hydraulic, and I don't have to fool with Formula POS like you suckers! Anywho, fast, light, fast, great shifting, light, I'd say pretty stiff crank, horrible Tange (who's heard of them?) BB, probably gonna change it to XT, I hate the noise(squeaking, creaking). Fork is decent enough, gets me to where I wanna go, but kinda soft on the road, it feels better on the trails. Magiura's hug the rim, so playing in deep mud and wet leaves gets me loud hissing untill it cleans up in there. Rims haven't bent yet, they look okay. Am I supposed to hear the freewheel clicking on the LX hub, anyone know? ESP shifts flawlessly, LX close. Saddle is kinda hard, but I can live with it as long as I don't go riding for a day and get numb. And the bike is just a tad over 24lbs for a 17.5 inch $815 bike. happy. Rides sweet. Bit stiff in back. If you can find this, it is awesome. Hayes on the 2000 is pretty damn awesome, too. One word of advice, from what I've read, this bike is more a race and XC machine, dual slolem, dh and heavy thrashing and you'll probably break the frame like those other suckers. First time I rode, blasted two suckers on Specialized M2 and FSR XC Comp.
I got this bike as 99 left over, couldn't pass on the price...I've read all the reviews. And yes the bottom bracket needs to be replaced. Road the bike for a few days, and upgraded to the xt bb. Big difference. I haven't had a peep out of the brakes as of yet. Just spent a weekend doing some heavy xc and not a sound out of the discs...will keep my fingers crossed. Will update my review as time passes.
Submitted by
Thomas DeAngelo
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar Grove, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000
Strengths: Nice Geometry
Weaknesses: Frame, manufacturer
Bottom Line:
The Frame failed after 1 year of easy cross country riding. Brakes are adequate at best. The manufacturer made me feel like they were doing me a favor replacing the frame. I am not a fan of GIANT bikes. A "fred" out riding on hardtop is a good canadate for this bike.
Submitted by
Shaun Murray
a Racer
from Spokane, WA USA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2000
Strengths: great frame, very light and indestructable. Love the shocks and rims.
Weaknesses: brakes are not good at all.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike, I just have to get rid of the brakes. If giant would have put a little more thought into the brakes they would sell these to everyone.
Similar Products Used: Pro/Flex Trek Y5 Gary Fisher Level Betty
Bike Setup: changed a few things pedals are now girvin mags thompson seat post, with serfas racing saddle. titec hellbent riser bars kore stubby stem,with ringle head set
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CJ Averett
a Cross-Country Rider
from Cincinnati, Ohio
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Strengths: Fantastic Frame, Can not ask for a better cockpit,ATAC pedals a great choice.
Weaknesses: No adjust ability in brakes they either work or the don't
Bottom Line:
After makeing a few modest changes and still not 100% satisfied I was made a great deal on a full set of Hydros that I could not pass up. Now this bike is a machine...it excelerates beyond belife, and don't listen to those fools that say it flexes I am 6'3 225 lbs and I don't flex it..plus if you want proof just look how close the disk run to the rear stay...and you will not see any marks there...It is a tight bike once you take care of the brake and BB problems.
Similar Products Used: Stumpjumper Comp Trek 8000 & 8500LT Klien Attitude Gary Fisher Paragon
Bike Setup: I have made only a few small changes...1. BB switched to XT 2. XT Cassette 3. Thompson seatost 4. Most important removed those Formula MD1 brakes for some full hydros
Strengths: All around great list of componentry, DISC BRAKES, mavic rims... and Judy XC Hydracoils
Weaknesses: Chain braking , after riding only 100 kilometres (road riding even..no stress on the chain, no hammering up hills jsut flatout road riding)
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the moeny, but hope the problems with the chain isn't going to be an ongoing problem without a wuick resolution
