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Submitted by
el bikobandito
a Cross Country Rider
from Penna
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Bottom Line: | Alright, heres the deal, I'm at home sick in bed and bored out of my mind so I'm reviewing all my bikes (Cuz what else am I gonna do).
I bought this bike (XTC1) as my backup bike. Giant makes great frames and they stand behind their warranties (unlike others...eh Trek?!?). For the money the bike came with a really nice parts spec; X7,Hayes hyd disc, WTB rims...not great but really nice for the money. Anyhow I use it mostly to commute to work but it is ready to ride should my other MT bikes take a crap (and I have 4 mtn bikes...so you wouldn't think it would ever see the dirt but such is not the case. I'm tough on stuff so it has had considerable trail time.)
For the rocks and roots and logs in eastern PA, it is not the most comfortable choice but it gets the job done. I switched out the fork (to a Marz AM II and addded some high volume treads and that helped alot). It is nice and light (25 lbs) and very responsive. Accelleration is quick and it lost some of its twitchy feel with the longer fork. Oh, and as I said earlier, I am tough on stuff, I broke the frame and no questions asked, Giant replaced it...hear that Trek. If you're looking for an affordable HT Giant is the way to go! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
heartland
a Weekend Warrior
from Bloomington, In USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Hesitation Point, Brown Co. State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesmiths | | Strengths: | Frame is stiff, stiff, and more stiff. Quick acceleration. Quality components for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Stiff frame can beat you up on the downhill and technical sections, but what hardtail doesn't? Stock tires are only good for dry, hardpacked trails. | | Similar Products Used: | older Trek 6000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for wheelset (Mavic rims laced to WTB hubs), Shimano deore LX shifters and derailleurs, shimano PD-M540 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike after cracking the frame on a used Trek Fuel 90. Trek's warranty fell through since I wasn't the original owner, and not able to afford a decent full suspension bike, I went shopping for a solid hardtail and wound up with this guy.
Did my first long ride on it last weekend - it's a light, fast bike, quick on climbs, but a bit rough going downhill, especially through rocky and rooty sections of trail. I'm running fat 2.5 inch tires, though, and these help take the edge off on descents. The frame itself is really nimble and responsive; you step on the gas and it goes. The Marzocchi fork does its job. It's a touch squashy, but the lockout works well and helps out with climbs.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with this new ride. I'm hopping all the logs and rolling through all the rock gardens that I did on my full suspension rig, and I think being on a hardtail again will help me get better at picking my lines.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
santone53
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Joe Johnson (Government Canyon) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | RideAway Bike- San A | | Strengths: | Frame is great... beefy... stiff... light Marzocchi Bomber front shocks are responsive | | Weaknesses: | Brake levers (Shimano BR M486) are fragile... bend/break easily... brakes are OK, but 'grabby'... SRAM X.7 rear derailleur is sluggish | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized StumpJumper | | Bike Setup: | Replaced brakes with Shimano XT (BR M775) and derailleur with Shimano XT (RD M772)... will replace TruVativ crank with XT (FC M770) | | Bottom Line: | Good solid bike, even on some of the steep, rocky trails here in central Texas. Giant should equip their US XTC1 with Shimano XT (Giant equips their UK/Britain XTC1 full XT... and they add an XTC3 and XTC4 to their hardtail lineup... which is brilliant, since the vast majority of bikes used here are hardtails) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zippinveedub
a Weekend Warrior
from Roanoke, Va US
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Carvins Cove Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Cardinal (LBS) | | Strengths: | Stiff Frame, Light, Decent Stock Components, Bang for your buck | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires(Small Block 8's) are fast on dry hard pack but fail at anything else | | Similar Products Used: | 05 Schwinn Mesa, 08 Rockhopper Disc(Test ride) | | Bike Setup: | 08 Giant XTC1, Oury Lock On grips, Specialized Saddle, Raceface Bashguard | | Bottom Line: | I really started riding a lot last summer after a few months I realized a 17 inch frame was a little small for my 6'4" frame. So I began searching for a new bike. I knew I wanted a simple fast hardtail. I narrowed it down to the XTC1 and the Rockhopper Disc. After several test rides I picked the Giant. I have began riding much more since then, I've thrown quite a bit at the bike and it keeps begging for more. I did manage to break a chain and I've had several issues with pinch flats but I believe that can be attributed to the small tires I've been running on rather rooty terrain. Overall I've really like the bike its very fast on some nice up and down rolling single track and is great for what I use it for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Wonga park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, fast on the uphills and comes with good components for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Seems to have bad front grip on hard surfaces but thats probibly just the huchinson piranas | | Similar Products Used: | GT avalanche 2 | | Bike Setup: | stock except for some easton ea70 monkey bars | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for the price and must be as good as some $3000+ bikes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trapper
a Racer
from Wodonga, vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle superstore A | | Strengths: | Quick, light, responsive, great value for money, extrmely efficient ride with a great race geometry | | Weaknesses: | cracked bottom jockey in a muddy race but replaced by warranty and excessive chain wear in very short pediod ( the products that broke are both shimano so no surprise there ) | | Similar Products Used: | XTC 3, Jamis Dakar Sport, Raceline Enduro | | Bike Setup: | stock standard with time atac pedals and Maxis Larsen on front and Crossmax on back (which are awesome) | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike which is light (11.5kg) and very fast up hills very responsive bike on the downhills as well although pretty harsh ride on rocky terrain. not really suited to longer enduro style races but awesome for anything else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry Glasse
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Karapoti | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | VIC Cycles Lowe Hutt | | Strengths: | Very light (11.2 kg). Wickedly fast on the uphills. Took 11 minutes off my best time around Karapoti Classic course (22km with some serious uphills). | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Piranha tires are very light with very little rolling resistance. However the trade-off is that in the loose surface that I ride in the trial can resemble an ice skating rink. Not going to change the tyres yet as I'm in love with the speed!! | | Similar Products Used: | Avanti Montari. Avanti Barracuda. Solid bikes but heavy. | | Bike Setup: | Out of the box. XT/XTR components. Fox Reba Race fork. Avid Juicy 5 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I'm 46 years old. Weight 85kg. Height 1.76cm. This bike is light & fast on the flat & uphill. There are trade-offs however. Its twitchy, the tyres don't help. My wife on her Giant Trance X2 (FS) kicks my hardtails arse on the downhill's. However I have had a cup of tea waiting for her to catch up on the uphills. Bottom line is I'm glad I bought this bike. It has exceeded my expectations. If you want a fast, value for money hardtail, then buy this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sar
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Lysterfield commonwealth games single track | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Lygon St. Cycles, Melbourne, Australia | | Strengths: | Fantastically light and responsive frame, perfect race geometry allows you to chuck this bike around with ease. An 'Out of the Box' racing XC bike with great equipment supplied. Avid juicy 5's, Deore XT cranks, RockShox Reba race fork, m505 pedals XT running gear etc.....the list goes on and on. | | Weaknesses: | None thus far | | Similar Products Used: | Trek SLR 8000, Giant XTC 2, Trek SLR 6700, Scott Scale 40, Scott Scale 30, Specialized Stump Jumper | | Bike Setup: | Out of box equipment:
-Shimano m505 pedals
-Deore XT cranks and bottom bracket (external bearings)
-Deore XT running gear
-Avid Juicy 5's
-Easton aluminum
| | Bottom Line: | A fast light XC bike with a lifetime warranty on a great frame. Perfect race geometry with wide rise-bar span makes this bike agile and a joy to ride! Would be a good commuter bike with the aid of some "Conti" tires rather than the Hutchi-Piranhas supplied. The perfect bike for anyone who requires good quality equipment coupled with a high quality, light-weight frame and setup. Ride on people, Ride on!! :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Laurie
a Cross Country Rider
from Townsville, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Paluma | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Townsville | | Strengths: | Nice light bike with great gearing and equipment. | | Weaknesses: | Hydraulic disc brakes, I have had so many problems with this bike and the pads coming incontact and adding friction on the discs whilst riding. I had to have them adjusted so that so much to stop this that now when brakes are applied I don't get that instant stop it takes time. This can be hazardous to one's health when riding hills etc. | | Bottom Line: | Over all not a bad bike if you like your non competion off road riding. Suitable for any terrian you chose, i ride my on the road more than off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from austin texas
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | colorado trail, greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | 1200 | | Strengths: | super fast, handles great, very light, great package for the money | | Weaknesses: | paint chips easily | | Bike Setup: | similar to stock, carbon bar, bar ends, wtb shadow team, avid SL levers | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for those looking for a fast XC race type ride. By far the nicest hardtail i've ever had, and i have been racing for years. Handles great in tight turns and acclerates out of corners. It also can hold its own on downhills. If you like the hardtail, go and get one if you can still find one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Fernandez
a Downhiller
from Richmond hill
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Don Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesports | | Strengths: | Very stiff, super manouverable ,great geometry, very forgiving ride | | Weaknesses: | Carbon bar would have been sweet.. easy upgrade, other then that nothing! great value | | Similar Products Used: | Epic, Stumpjumper HT, Kula primo , King Kikapu | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Giant produces the most frames in the world for over 20 other bike manufactuers, they have an edge over the whole market to meet price points amazingly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Bennett
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Hill Track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Melb Australia | | Strengths: | Lightwieght, stiff, responsive. SRAM XO and that lovely DT hub click. Great climber and trustworthy on a DH section | | Weaknesses: | high stem handle bar height | | Similar Products Used: | Giant 890 & NRS1, Avanti Hammer, YETI ASX | | Bike Setup: | Juicy 7's, Easton carbon riser, Schwalbe Black Jack 2.25 UST, Candy pedals | | Bottom Line: | For the money it is very hard to beat. Climbs like a Sherpa and decends like a rollercoaster. Great for as XC race bike without needing to sell your organs to the black market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
corey gammon
a Weekend Warrior
from US navy all over
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Climbs like a mountain goat on nodoze. Light Responsive Stiff. Ive done 3 to 4 ft drops without worry at 180lbs.
| | Weaknesses: | Very thin metal dents in rockgardens, but that is to be expected. I wish it was a little more sturdy when you lay it down. | | Similar Products Used: | Giants XC Cannondale f600 ect | | Bike Setup: | sun rhyno lite,xt,duke air | | Bottom Line: | Im putting the bike up until I get back to dirt single track
Big rocks on Italy are too much. My freinds can't wait | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin Texas USA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Muleshue | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 250.00 | | Strengths: | I got this frame as a crash replacement. I paid 250.00 for the frame. It is a 2001 XTCse1 frame and I must tell you this thing rocks. I built it up with LX XT, Thomson seat post and stem. 517's and roll x pros. And a SID SL. The bike is light fast and very responsive. I have ridden many trails on this bike I have to say that this bike refuses to quit!! The acceleration of the frame is really really nice. I keep trying to find reasons to get another frame but I just can't find any faults with this bike at all. Light, stiff, compliant, and an out right joy to ride. The name of the frame says it all. | | Weaknesses: | Can I get a new paint job. The paint is increadibly durable. In other words I can't find a fault with it at all | | Similar Products Used: | gt | | Bike Setup: | Thomson, Mavic 517's Roll X pros, Easton, LX, XT | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this. This frame is stiff, light, accelerates like a scallded a** ape, climbs like a billy goat on steroids and laughs the entire way. Decents are fast and very controlable and the bike just make you feel confident as all get out. SO GO GET ONE. 5 peppers all the way!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sandman
a Weekend Warrior
from Pompano, Florida
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | B&J Bikes | | Strengths: | Stiff yet comfortable (for a HT), Looks great, finish holds up well, Climbs like a Moutain Goat! All the other stuff thats already been said as well | | Weaknesses: | havent found any yet | | Similar Products Used: | Merlin Ti, Giant NRS, Specialized HT and FS, | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR mix, Fox up front, Mavic 219 disc rims, Monkey lite carbon bar, Thompson post, WTB lazer V Ti saddle & tires for whatever I'm riding on or in | | Bottom Line: | I only purchased the frame... I am 6'3" and 240# and I ride 3-4 times a week 25-50 miles per session so have the bike set up for perfomance/durability. I dont race anymore due to a back injury. That said, I have a history of twisting, bending and otherwise destroying frames and wheel sets. I went the FS route, dont get me started! I have torqued two diferent high end HT frames and 1 FS the past two years prior to getting my giant XTC. This thing is the BOMB! Its STRONG, lite, stiff, and it takes whatever I throw at it. At Tsali in NC it climbed like a MoFo! If you are a Clydsdale like me, buy this frame. It not only holds up, it works really well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Elwell
a Racer
from Topeka, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | lawrence river trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | capps bike shop | | Strengths: | Super quick acceleration, great climber, decends as well as a hardtail can. Awesome paint job matched with the carbon rear triangle. | | Weaknesses: | Hate to get the awesome paint scratched. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode every bike imaginable. Especially looked at S-works hardtail & Epic. | | Bike Setup: | Bought the frame and built it with the best parts i could afford. All XTR/XT, Skareb Fork, Crossmax wheels, Truvativ cranks, Easton carbon bars and seatpost, eggbeaters. | | Bottom Line: | Could not be happier with the bike. Its the first bike I built from the ground up, which i would recommend to anyone who wants a truely personal fit bike. I decided againts the complete XTC 1 bike because the parts for this year were not as nice as last years. Great value as always with a Giant, was much cheaper than the SWorks hardtail frame. Gets tons of attention everywhere I go. Great bike for anyone who wants a race ready hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob Skipsey
a Cross Country Rider
from Alice springs, NT, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Masters track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclesolutions.com | | Strengths: | This is a great bike super light and as tough as nails (the tough ones) I have only had it less then a month but it has already proven its self, very riged and good Acceleration. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can think of! | | Similar Products Used: | Light felt epo xc (it cracked TWICE!) im over felt! | | Bike Setup: | I brought the frame on its own and built it up from there. It has an xt rear derailleur and a lx front. Pilot sl forks and lx break/Shifters. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that this is a great cross country bike and the lightness and rigedness (if thats a word) really works in its favor being that its is a great climber and has good Acceleration. This bike is good for anyone who likes to get country. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Keats
a Racer
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mud Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedalhead Bicycle Works | | Strengths: | Carbon seat post and rear end. It takes all the bit out of the hardtail. I just raced the bike for the first time today and I'll be very suprised if it doesn't turn out to be my favorite bike of all time. Also after years of riding a SID I was pleasently suprised by the manitou skareb, it worked as good if not better than my SID's ever did. | | Weaknesses: | Should have came stock with Cross Max wheels. That's my only complaint. This is the fourth XTC1 from giant, a couple of years ago they made a bike with full XTR and hope disc, the next year the discs disappeared in an attempt to make the race hardtail what is should be light and fast. With the carbon this year they seem to have tried to keep the price reasonable by droping the crossmax wheels | | Similar Products Used: | Previous XTC1 years, Specialized S-Works, Santa Cruz Chamelon | | Bike Setup: | Updraded the saddle, the bar to carbon, and lighter versions of the Time ATAC pedals, and SRAM XO shifting and rear derailleur (Personal Pref) | | Bottom Line: | The only way to describe this bike is liquidy. I've never really liked FS bikes and thus always ride the good old back breaker, this bike just takes all the sting out. I love it and the two other club members, both who had NRS Air bikes previously, say this is their favorite bike. I seriously doubt anyone will make a better hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordo
a Racer
from State College, Pa
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Michaux State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Breakaway Bikes | | Strengths: | Light Frame, reliable component package | | Weaknesses: | Not as high-end as other high-end hardtails offered. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Cannondale Scalpels, Cannondale Hardtails | | Bike Setup: | I stripped the XT off and have a full XTR drivetrain on. Put lighter Botrager wheels on and carbon bars. Time ATAC Carbon pedals, SLR TA saddle, and switched brakes to Black-Ops | | Bottom Line: | Very racey hardtail at a reasonable price. Very upgradeable and worth upgrading. Frame is the same as raced by Giant/Pearl Izumi Pros. Raced FS bikes last two seasons and got tired of hassle. Full time XC racing isn't nice to bikes, so I opted to go back to a hardtail and keep it simple. Carbon chain-stays make a little difference, but nothing phenominal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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