Strengths: Geometry, travel, weight, durability, does it all, the bike makes me a good rider
Weaknesses: No longer made
Bottom Line:
Haha...I love this bike!!
All the recent trail/all mountain bikes use this bikes geometry! With the wheels, tires, seat post and suspension upgrades this old bike smokes the competition, a true do it all bike that keeps me grinning from ear to ear. If you find a clean one, buy it!
Bike Setup: 2003 VT1, WTB weirwolf lt 2.55 team FR front and back...tubeless, rockshox Monarch RT3 shock, Rockshox Revelation Team U-turn fork, I9 wheelset with Mavic 819 hoops, Hayes 9 brakes, 180mm front, 160mm rear, Forte' carve spd pedals, All mountain dropper seat post.
Strengths: Geometry, travel, weight, durability, does it all, the bike makes me a good rider
Weaknesses: No longer made
Bottom Line:
Haha...I love this bike!!
All the recent trail/all mountain bikes use this bikes geometry! With the wheels, tires, seat post and suspension upgrades this old bike smokes the competition, a true do it all bike that keeps me grinning from ear to ear. If you find a clean one, buy it!
Bike Setup: 2003 VT1, WTB weirwolf lt 2.55 team FR front and back...tubeless, rockshox Monarch RT3 shock, Rockshox Revelation Team U-turn fork, I9 wheelset with Mavic 819 hoops, Hayes 9 brakes, 180mm front, 160mm rear, Forte' carve spd pedals, All mountain dropper seat post.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
maddog7
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2010
Strengths: Incredibly durable, Great geometry, Unusual looks, Great for humpin' brand snobs tho I have nothing against brands snobs, In fact I am one! Much better than I am at everything!
Weaknesses: Wank paint as mentioned in other reviews, the logo on the head tube corrodes, bearings susceptible to corrosion. No lock out on the shock.
Bottom Line:
I was wondering what/if to replace this with and thought about a Blur LT but doubt it would be any better since the VT is already much better than I am. I really love it to bits and feel it owes me nothing especially since I got it brand new for 240 quid with the shock! Massive talent is the only thing that makes a (very few) of my friends any better than me on the mountain despite some of them having much more expensive bikes.
In fact F"(K it Nick, I think I'll keep it!
Awesome
Bike Setup: Easton carbon bars with Easton stem to suit, XTR rapidfire shifters with XTR front and rear mechs. Thomson seatpost, specialized saddle, FSA afterburner crankset and expedo mountain force pedals, Avid Juicy 7 203mm brakes, Mavic 717 rims with Swiss spokes on Hope XC pro II hubs, XT cassette. Panaracer Fire XC pro tyres.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dangmtb
a Weekend Warrior
from Northridge, CA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2010
Strengths: versatile, fast, lots of travel
Weaknesses: squeaky rear suspension pivot point, a little on the heavy side
Bottom Line:
Climbs ok, bombs hills and single track sooooo well. This bike is so much fun and gets through sticky situations with ease. The 6.5 inches of travel leaves you with lots to work with and take off drops and boulders and such. I love this thing
Similar Products Used: GT i-drive 5.0 (not really similar but this is only my second F/S)
Bike Setup: Fox Vanilla 32, Fox DHX 5.0, XT drivetrain, RaceFace Prodigy XC crank, Panaracer Fire XC's, Crank Brothers Mallet pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
rob
a Cross Country Rider
from oak hill,florida
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2008
Strengths: Good looking and durable,Fairly low maintenance for full suspension
Weaknesses: Prone to corrosion from humidity and sweat in the suspension pivot area below the saddle
Bottom Line:
An awesome set-up for anything you may want to use it for,unless of course you are a weight weenie,just change the tires for use on the road,I use kenda kwest high pressure semi slicks,and have put about 12,000 miles on this bike using it to commute 33 miles to and from work for a good 3 years,and the occasional insane air antics when I go a bit crazy.I never have to slow down for anything...
Aside from the shock problems,and the fairly minor corrosion problems which cannot be avoided,it has served me flawlessly for about three years of constant use in all weather and terrain conditions.
Bike Setup: Halo SAS-w-spin doctor hubs,Grimeca system 8 disk brakes,magura mid-ego fork,rock shox custom deluxe-manitou swinger 3-way,and x-fusion 02-RC shock,swinger and rock shox blew up,x-fusion seems to be the ticket...SRAM X-7 der and shifters
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ted
a Weekend Warrior
from Castle Rock, C.O., usa
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007
Strengths: It can handle anything I throw at it
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
This bike has impressed me from day one. I purchased the frame new on-line and built the bike up. This bike does everything well and is a riot to ride. I have never felt a bike that is as balanced as the VT. It climbs well and the rear tire sticks over the nastiest rocks and roots. It loves to go down-hill, the faster the better and rips through the tight stuff as well. I have done some 4 or 5 foot drops and the bike does not flinch(keep in mind i'm a skinny fella at a whopping 155lbs.) This is my fifth mountain bike in the last in my last 16 years of riding and it is by far the most fun. It may not be as flashy as some of the other customs out there but I wouldn't trade it after throwing a leg over it. I have the bike weighing in at right about 28lbs and it rides lighter than my old 23 XC rig. This is the first stable platform that I have ridden for any amount of time and it is fantastic. Just stay seated and spin. The only thing that I had to get used to was staying seated over rougher terrain. You can flow over most everything and I think that is why even though this bike is heavier I end up less fatigued and can ride farther. If you are looking for a good all around bike that will make everything you ride more fun go for the VT. If all you want to do is the park or race look elsewhere.
Similar Products Used: Tested a lot before going to Giant
Bike Setup: Sram x.0 build kit, hayes carbon discs, Manitou nixon platinum fork, WTB dual duty wheels, easton monkey light bars, fsa stem, U.S.E. alien seat post. Race face cranks and b.b.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Schumacher
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Hill FL USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2007
Strengths: Medium weight but not quite heavy
Weaknesses: Medium weight but nearly heavy
Bottom Line:
I have had absolutely no prob with this bike aside from weight,but I built it for durability...,I weight 220# and have never bottomed it out,it didn't even bottom out when I landed so hard I bent the STEEL bars I was using,Bent em bad,Handling is a bit topsy,but 6" travel will explain that away,I ride really fast on all kinds of terrain,and have never really crashed it hard because of the good handling characteristics and suspension to absorb my flub-ups. I have not had the opportunity to use the bike for much serious trail riding,but with some lighter components it would kick azz I am sure. I ride 30 to 70 miles,five days a week,and even though it is a veritable TANK,I still get by...In short,this is one of the best bikes I have ever had the opportunity to use.I would recommend it to anyone who needs a trouble free,beatable steed,not so much for cross country because of the weight of the thing,but anything else,freeride,up to mid-level downhill or hucking,but one thing no bike makes up for is lack-of-finesse or lack of skill and common sense,or lack of maintenance.... Take care of it,and it will take care of you.
Submitted by
pat bell
a Weekend Warrior
from The peak district, England
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2006
Strengths: Superb all rounder, rides well even on long road ascents, descends better than me. Was hevily discounted as no longer produced
Weaknesses: A bit unpredictable on steep technical descents unless u drop seat
Bottom Line:
Replaced manitou minutes early on as didnt seem to be able to cope with plush rear end. Hutchinson tyres good in dry and fast but rubbish in wet. Probably best bike I have ever ridden, keeps up with friends Whyte 46
Similar Products Used: Marin rift zone, Club Roost XC4, lots of hardtails
Bike Setup: Pace rc40 fighter forks and few carbon bits but otherwise standard
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Euan Carr
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelmsford
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2006
Strengths: versatile, solid, cheap for what it is
Weaknesses: can't think of many
Bottom Line:
Got the shock & spv all set up, and this flies along now. I've even taken it racing where it's performed respectably. It does bob a little bit if you get out of the saddle, but most of the time its pretty solid, and I'm about 100kg and not too delicate.
What you lose in carrying the extra weight you gain in carrying more speed through dips and over rough stuff than you can on a hardtail.
Much as I love my old GT, it isn't getting ridden much any more.
If you can get one of these cheap (which you probably can 'cos its a Giant rather than a boutique make or an FSR) go for it
Weaknesses: Tyres wear out too soon ( 2 weeks) Put geax tubless 2.1's on and ran perfect still going hard
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks, hard pressed to find a better bike geared up like a Giant. Recommended to anyone whether beginner looking 4 value 4 money or the experienced Rider.
Submitted by
Tom Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from Cardiff
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006
Strengths: Gives you lots of confidence, great versatility if set up correctly.
Weaknesses: Thinking of changing the rear shock from air to coil.. guess this is not really a weakness more a preference!
Bottom Line:
Fun, fun, fun! This is my second bike and the thing that stands out the most for me is its versatility. If set up correctly this bike flys along and gives lots of confidence to the rider. I have used it for just over a year on and off and enjoy ridiing it as much as my Turner.
Similar Products Used: Turner 5 spot, Specialized Epic
Bike Setup: Stock apart from hope brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Euan Carr
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelmsford
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2006
Bottom Line:
Recently built this up from bits & bobs. Original idea was to build up a chunkier bike to take more abuse than my HT bike, but this has built up weighing about the same after going for top notch components wherever possible.
I've only been out for a couple of sessions messing round in the current slime on my own. I don't think I've fully bedded in or set up the shocks to get the most out of the bike yet, but all seems pretty good so far.
Felt fine for general trail riding and absolutely nails any DH. I found myself hurtling down steeper routes I usually take fairly steady on a HT, but feeling much more stable.
There was some bobbing and I felt the extra effort involved in getting it up hills, but think I had the shock & SPV set way to low initially. I borrowed a new FSR Pro recently which was probably better for platform stability, but not as plush or confidence inspiring on the descents or over roots & bumps. RRP on the FRSe is over £3000 though, and it didn't weigh any less!
I'll report back (maybe) when I've got it dialed in more and have: 1) compared it against my HT over some laps and 2) seen how I keep up with the boys on a fast 2 hour ride.
Until then I'll be sneaking out to hammer down rutted paths and jump ditches with a big grin on my face whenever the opportunity arises.
5* for value because I managed to build this up to decent FS bike with fancy bits on for well under £1000.
Overall rating is 4* so far. When & if I get the shock dialled in more, I'd hope to re-adjust this score upwards
Strengths: Inspiring to ride down rocky descents. Rear travel eats up everything i can ride and gives you great confidence to push it that little bit further. Climbs well on technical ascents. Struggles on fire road, but who wants to ride up that any way.
Weaknesses: Bob! If you set up the bike to get the most from the shock on the descent it feels it wallows through the travel when climbing or as soon as you get out of the saddle. On less technical climbs this bike feels like hard work to get to the top. Top tube on the medium is a little short for me personally even though i am only 5ft 10, but I have quite a long upper body!
Bottom Line:
Overall this is a great bike for the man made trails of cwmcarn and afan or for somewhere like the Alps. However if your riding is more mixed than that you need a different bike, hence me just getting a s-works hard tail.
Similar Products Used: Giant NRS, Schwinn Rocket 88
Bike Setup: Psylo forks, xt groupset with hayes discs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Richardson
a Weekend Warrior
from Durham, UK
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2005
Strengths: Value for money, specification, build quality, excellent fun to ride
Weaknesses: easily scratched paint, tyres, shock position acts as a mud catcher
Bottom Line:
This is an update on my post over 14 months ago. I havn't been out as much as I would like since the first post but when I have, this bike never fails to make me smile.
I have just come back from a week in the Scottish Borders riding some of the 7 Stanes trails and yet again this bike was outstanding. It eats rocky and technical trails for lunch. You simply can't beat Giant bikes for value for money. Having ridden this bike for some time i never fail to be amazed at how confident it makes me feel.
I rode one of the Merida 100 marathon events on this and was great - allowed me to keep going for longer.
It's not all smiles though. The Mavic Crossmax's have both bent with not a great deal of abuse - they're not as bombproof as they would like to make out. My local lbs quickly sorted them out and put loctite on the spokes - seems to have resolved that problem. Got sick of the tubeless tyres and replaced them with tubed tyres - even with latex in there were air retention problems, might try some other tubeless tyres after Christams when cash is more readily available.
Overall, I am still a very happy bunny and this is still one of the best trail bikes if you can find one. I have tried some of the new Maestro bikes by Giant and have to say they are also up there on the money.
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Slayer, Intense 5.5
Bike Setup: Fox 36 Vanilla RC2, Sram xo kit, truvativ holzfeller cranks, hope/mavic 823 wheelset, kenda nevegal tires (2.3) spv 4way shock but will be upgrading to a Fox DHX air next week. This bike rocks. Thanks Giant.
My friend has a vt1 frame and fork for sale and I'm thinking about picking it up, but I'm worried since I pedal out of the saddle I'm afraid it will bob. I come from a hardtail so Read More »
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I'll be in meetings in Montpelier wednesday and have Thursday to ride. I'll be heading south Thursday by 3pm. Any recommendations? I don't think I'll have time for a trip up to Bur Read More »
