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Submitted by
Henrik B
a Date Reviewed: May 19, 2012
Strengths: Good for the beginner. Good stiff frame.Weaknesses: If you use it for XC, components will wear out sooner than you know.Bottom Line: Not much to ad. Have rebuild it with complete XT an Reba. That helped.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a Weekend Warrior
from canadaDate Reviewed: August 23, 2011
Strengths: light weight for the price...good frame for the price... comparable components to other bikes such as trek / gary fisher for the same price... mine is a 2011 xtc 2....i can imagine i will need to get a new front gear set and front derailer and chain soon once these break... i will not get getting the same one as stockWeaknesses: crappy front derailer has busted 3 times and the shifting has only worked properly on the front for 15mins max...tons of 5mm metal shavings on the chain which is prolly from the gears...rear derailer stopped shifting once but i think the real problem was the front with really weird sizing...i would never use the smallest of the 3 front gears even on hill climbs... this will be my 5th time taking it back to get fixed and i've only used if for 1 hour total in about 2-3 months... besides the front derailer comming unhinged and the front and rear shifters in need of constant adjustment... the disc brakes have been warped and because there's only one caliper on the brakes you need to constantly adjust the side of the brake pad that doesn't move to prevent warping and to stop... like others say it's a good frame for the price but you better be ready to constantly bring it to the bike shop or fix and make adjustments everytime you rideBottom Line: if you can get this frame only and add reliable components i'd say your in good hands... i haven't had it long enough to say if the shocks seat or other components that others have complained about are gonna bust....i have never taken this bike off road...only gentle riding on dry clean flat pavement except one time i went up hill on pavement for 2 mins... so i have baby'd it and have treated it like a road bike and still the gear problems persist...i'll be sure to add more info if more stuff breaks
Favorite Trail: trans canada
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: grand river cycle
Similar Products Used: other giants
Bike Setup: 100% stock
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Conrad
a Racer
from Honolulu,Hawaii USADate Reviewed: July 14, 2011
Strengths: frame,handle bars,stem,derailleurs,Weaknesses: seatpost,chainring main,frame creaking in BB and seat tubeBottom Line: great starter bike its, fast,light,and upgradeable.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At: friend of friend
Bike Setup: rock shox psylo fork,raceface deus chainring set,XT cassette,XTR derailleur rear and deore front,XT dual combo brake shifters
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Danville, CA,USDate Reviewed: July 1, 2011
Strengths: Great at uphill. Gets speed and keeps it well. Easy to control. Brakes work great if contiously maintianed. Great for XC and beginner racing. Amazing starter bike.Weaknesses: Rattles slot downhill. Chain rings wear and bend quickly. After a while it doesn't shift well. Dart 3's don't work to well and the lock-out broke after about 6 months.Bottom Line: This bike is basically the best hardtial for the price. This bike works great for XC ridersI'm not a full suspension person so the XTC 2 is perfect for me. Everyone who rides it loves it!
Favorite Trail: Bathrooms
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At: Danville Bikes
Similar Products Used: Nothing like it.
Bike Setup: SRAM x5 shifters and rear derialluer. Shimano deore front derialluer.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
dhart
a Cross Country Rider
from laguna niguel, caDate Reviewed: March 13, 2011
Strengths: Good all around bike that can also be used to do some mountain biking. light weight, shifts well, and has great geometry. Climbs like a goatWeaknesses: Might as well be riding a bmx bike on technical sections.Bottom Line: As a all around bike that can also be used as a mountain bike this is a good purchase. As a straight mountain bike it nothing special. It rattles and shakes likes its coming apart on downhills sections with any bump. Pay the extra $400 and get a full suspension they are just as light now and the difference on the trail is unmeasurable.
Favorite Trail: aliso woods
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At: Derby bicycles
Similar Products Used: Trek 4500, KHS XC team
Bike Setup: Sram, wtb accesories, dart 3 fork
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
matthew rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM, USADate Reviewed: July 13, 2010
Strengths: EverythingWeaknesses: NothingBottom Line: I had been crusing around on a K2 from REI for a couple years and decided I wanted something I bit nicer. I am by no means an expert rider but I enjoy hitting the single track for 20-30 miles on the weekends and for this, this bike is awesome. Just fast single track; well probably not that fast but I still enjoy it and this bike makes it easy. Shifts on the fly, stops on a dime, climbs like a goat...This bike is everything I wanted it to be. Not expensive but not walmart cheap, easy to maintain, everything just works. I don't think this bike would work for everyone but for the casual weekend warrior I think it would be hard to beat.
Favorite Trail: Dragon's Back
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At: Bike World
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
welcometothegray
a Cross Country Rider
from ArizonaDate Reviewed: February 26, 2010
Strengths: Lightweight frame with perfect geometry, decent stock components, low price.Weaknesses: None to speak of.Bottom Line: First and foremost, this hardtail frame is the best you'll find for the price. The stock components aren't so great, but it gives you a place to start upgrading. I see a lot of reviews listing 'freeride' as a con to this bike and I agree, if you're looking for a bike that can handle the abuse of dirt jumping and freeride, this isn't the one. It's a Cross Country bicycle.
I've ridden on a XTC frame for over 4 years, daily and it has taken some abuse from the rocks in AZ as well as the urban zoo. Equipped with Bontrager Earl's this thing makes uphill climbs so easy that it's hard to keep the front wheel down. A quick change to slicks instantly converts this machine into a very efficient urban ride.
The Bottom Line: If you're in the market for a hardtail XC bike that's just as smooth on the trail as it is on the street and you're not looking to spend a fortune, this is the one. You'll need to upgrade the components as they break (and they will) but the frame is what makes this ride.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Similar Products Used: Giant STP, Specialized Stumpjumper, Giant OCR 2
Bike Setup: LX components, Marz 700 Alta XC Forks, Mavic Crossmax XC with freehub, Bontrager Race X riser bars.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
J. R.
a Weekend Warrior
from Kennewick, WADate Reviewed: February 1, 2010
Strengths: Good street bike.Weaknesses: Pedals, derailleur, tiresBottom Line: I was a beginner MTB rider and now feel it would be better for me to step it up to a Giant Reign 1. Other than that the bike is a good starter bike for street and light trail riding.
Be prepared to wreck a lot if you use the stock handlebars.
Favorite Trail: State patrol
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$740.00
Purchased At: Scotts Cycle and Spo
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: Upgraded to SRAM X9 derailleur, 700mm RaceFace handlebars,and SunRingle platform pedals.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nitrogenus
a Weekend Warrior
from TNDate Reviewed: November 4, 2009
Strengths: Fast, lightweight, Giant qualityWeaknesses: Not the greatest component set on the 1 or 2.Bottom Line: This is a great starter bike for anyone looking to get into mountain biking. I was not sure how serious I wanted to be when I first purchased this bike, but this bike has led me to learn a great deal of information. I have now invested INTO the bike nearly half of what I paid FOR the bike.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Hayseed Dixie
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, Georgia, USADate Reviewed: November 1, 2009
Strengths: Weight, decent components. Frame is as good as it gets in this category/price.Weaknesses: For the price and target user- none.Bottom Line: Very simple and well done hardtail XC. The welds are fantastic (I still can't believe this is a Chinese bike...)and the bike looks great.
You suspect it's great because of the straighforward appearance and component selection. Then you ride it and you're confirmed.
If you can find these used at sub 450, it's probably the best deal on a hard tail, period.
Favorite Trail: Power Lines, State Penitentiary
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Similar Products Used: Giant, Specialized
Bike Setup: Bone stock
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mammoth
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth WA AUSTRALIADate Reviewed: August 23, 2009
Strengths: Everything, seriously light. awesome components, if you buy second hand you get a seriously good deal. I got the 08 for 800 bucks its barely been ridden. I needed a bike to do everythng including the commute to work and this baby does it all.The remote lockout is a very nice feature, you come to an uphill section lock those forks and power up.And the shifting system.... F@CK yes, quick smooth and simple.Weaknesses: Havent had it long enough really. i can see it would be a handful on steep downhill sections i mean its stiff and light. But its not made for that so its not really a weakness is it.Bottom Line: Buy it now! value,performance and what about the looks? its sexier than jessica biel.
Favorite Trail: goatfarm
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$800.00
Similar Products Used: razor scooter?
Bike Setup: Stock as a rock.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
RobXC
a Cross Country Rider
from BaltimoreDate Reviewed: June 26, 2009
Strengths: Great intro bike, decent parts, nothing strong or awesome just...vanilla.Weaknesses: The BB is crap and expensive to replace. Powerspline sucks and nothing is compatiable with it so you have to upgrade the entire crank set. The hubs are also somewhat crappy and loosen easily. The Kenda tires also suck something fierce.Bottom Line: For the value, its a great way to get introduced to real mountain biking. Again, nothing great about it, but it works well with what you get. The basic parts also force you to upgrade and learn about everything if you want to upgrade. As one of tech's said...its good, not great, but not crap...it's just...
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At: My Shop
Similar Products Used: None, but I have riden and literally thousands of bikes
Bike Setup: Full X-9, Speed Dial SL, BB-7, Atomlab P.i.m.p. (last time i checked not a bad word...and a real product too), Reba Fork,
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
hop
a Weekend Warrior
from north dakotaDate Reviewed: May 16, 2009
Strengths: nice frame, a versatile bikeWeaknesses: the rear derailleur.Bottom Line: a good all around bike for pretty much anything. it is good for pretty much anyone except for maybe downhill or dj obviously.
Favorite Trail: everything with dirt
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At: barrys bikes
Similar Products Used: specialized rockhopper, trek 7500
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
brett237
a Weekend Warrior
from Devonport, Tasmania, AustraliaDate Reviewed: April 20, 2009
Strengths: Light and on the surface well specified with brakes and running gear.Weaknesses: Poor quality spokes that failed under road riding. Replaced spokes at own cost as they were not covered by warranty according to third party bike shop.
Seat post that failed twice on road riding. Replaced at own cost with a Thompson one as feed-up waiting for replacements that failed within a month.
Gear changing that did not work well. Traced to the standard chain with deformed link. Replaced chain at own cost and now works well.
Not sure on the Mavic 117 rims. I am a Clydesdale so even when respoked the rear for ever going out of true.
Frame geometry is not brilliant on the XL (23") size frame with seat position being extremely close to rear axle hence departures over the rear wheel on hill climbs.
The standard tyres are only suitable for the road.
Bottom Line: As one reviewer said a good base to work from but do not be surprised that if you are Clydesdale that you will wind up replacing a fair bit due to necessity rather than just upgrading for upgrading sake. In standard trim it is dubious as even a road bike as everything mentioned failed in the first 500 kilometres on the road. As I am now heading bush everything that was changed has held up superbly with just a few things shaking off such as the Raceface crank extraction nut.
Total cost of ownership is extremely high so maybe I would have been better buying a stronger bike for this rider of 192CM and 105 kilograms. It has cost more to get to a standard for trial raiding than it cost to purchase new. Remarkably economical to buy but that is not the true cost so I have rated it on cost of ownership.
In all love its light weight but hate its compromises as originally specified. In a way the Giant is a collection of components rather than a bike. Just look how the specifications change every year. Giant's range is huge so no wonder that not much attention is paid to the complete package resulting in confusion on what is the goal, lightness or reliability. If I was lighter and smaller then it might be a better package but in the XL size it is just not up to the job in factory trim. With a large cheque book it does appear to be a good building block though.
I have a Bianchi road bike and that is a complete package and love it plus it has cost me nothing except sweat to ride. Ok I did replace the seat.
As for Giant Australia the best words are "all care and no responsibility" to summarise their approach. The bottom line would I buy again if stolen. No. In fact I would not buy any Giant again in Australia.
Do I want it stolen? Not now the way it is set up now but I still do not trust the frame geometry as it turns like a truck and stable as an ice cube on a bush fire. Might be a factor of XL frame size on 26" wheels but me think given that Bianchi manages a brilliant geometry on their size range I think it is lack of attention to detail rather than an intrinsic size issue.
Favorite Trail: Launceston
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At: Derrico Cycles Devon
Similar Products Used: Just a Bianchi road bike in recent history.
Bike Setup: Mine is a 2007 model running mainly SRAM gear.
Replacing the following.
Seat post with a Thompson one. Absolutely bullet proof.
Chain replaced with a SRAM one and just so much better plus with 2,500 kilometeres on it still looks new.
Seat with Fzik Aliante Sport. Why did I not do this earlier?
Wheelset with a DT Swiss E22000 and this appears to rock, or be rock solid.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jojo
a Weekend Warrior
from canadaDate Reviewed: March 17, 2009
Strengths: i like how they used wheels and that kind of stuffWeaknesses: should be heavierBottom Line: its a bike
Favorite Trail: nice ones
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At: joes houes
Similar Products Used: my trucks gps
Bike Setup: wheels, handle bars, all thos things
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