Submitted by
Heybeerman04
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, RI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2011
Strengths: Great fork with Marzocchi 100mm Air. Awesome frame. Forget the mountain goat, they are slow. You ever seen a bear climb a hill, they fly.
Weaknesses: Tires, but I wanted more off than on road. Painful seat.
Bottom Line:
I bought this as my first MTB. I hadn't rode in over a decade and took this thing out on the trail. At 190lbs and lacking much needed skill, I would have destroyed a lesser bike. I have continuously scared the crap out of myself with what I have been doing and the bike couldn't respond better. When I'm climbing a hill, It almost feels like the bike is doing most of the work. I got the bike on sale but after riding it I would have paid full price. From beginner to advanced, you will not be disappointed.
Submitted by
Mungo
a Cross Country Rider
from Austria
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2011
Strengths: Wonderful frame: Supberb combination of aliminium and carbon and a perfect geometry.
Weaknesses: Nothing in particular.
Bottom Line:
Bike is a brilliant climber with a very sturdy frame. Perfect weekend racer. Have been riding various other more expensive bikes from friends and wouldn't trade it for any of those.
Bike Setup: Stock except:
Lizard Skins Lock on grip, SPD-520 clipless, X9 R.D., SRAM 971 chain, Jagwire shifting cable housing(red), new WTB seat
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Submitted by
gecko4wd
a Cross Country Rider
from Santiago
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2010
Strengths: the frame is amazing very good geometry and balance and great looking bike, carbon fiber it's an eye catcher :)
Weaknesses: some stock components are not the best and need to be replaced to get an optimus configuration.
Bottom Line:
really fun bike to ride, it climbs like a gecko also it's super fast, has an oustanding acceleration and cornering. i'm really happy with the bike, the only problem that i had was the brakes, the avid juicy three that came in the stock setup was a problem, always with vibration and strange sounds from the rear end, tried everything, new rotors, new pads (metallic, organic) and doesn't stop, finally i decided to change and get a pair of elixir's 5 and problem solved, much more modulation and stop power also no vibrations or annoying sounds. i give it 4 chillis just for the annoying brake problem. i will recommend it with no doubt, go for it all the way.
Bike Setup: i got the 2009 model and i change the tyres,handlebar,steem and seatpost for the following: maxxis crossmark 2,1 F&R, elixir 5 brakes, race face ride steem, seatpost and handlebar
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Submitted by
Giant beast
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisabne
Submitted by
bjagger
a Weekend Warrior
from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2009
Strengths: Part carbon frame is amazing. Perfectly balanced bike. Execellent components for the price.
Weaknesses: I had some trouble with one of the hayes brakes leaking. Brought it back to the shop and Hayes replaced the brake in a couple of days. Side-walls on the tires may be a bit thin as I blew one out on a routine jump, but that's bound to happen.
Bottom Line:
I thoroughly enjoy riding this bike. I pretty much park the car because I take the bike everywhere. Roads, trails, it doesn't with this bike. As others have said, it climbs like a mountain goat. You can confidently hit slopes that you may not on another bike. It's extremely fast in all scenarios and very smooth. I would recommend this bike to anyone. If your looking at bikes under $1,000, consider spending a bit more on this bike - you will not be dissapointed.
Similar Products Used: Giant Iguana, Norco Wolverine
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
hurddog
a Cross Country Rider
from port orange Fl
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2009
Strengths: Climbs like a mountain goat! Shifts are spot on. Puts the power down like crazy. comfortable ride.
Weaknesses: Chain suck if you let your stuff go dry. Rear brake can vibrate. Try organic pads in rear.
Bottom Line:
If you want to climb past all your friends this is the bike!
Feels like a bike should. Light and fast. I gave up a $3000 fully for this bike with no regrets. Love it!
Submitted by
kminton
a Racer
from Fort Smith, AR, US
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2009
Strengths: Half aluminum half carbon fram, Rock Shox Recon SL fork are both awesome!
Weaknesses: tires goop up easily, but that is not the bikes fault, just put different tires!
Bottom Line:
GREAT bike. this bike just absolutly flies down the trails and climbes like an animal. The only thing that can hold back this bike is the rider panicing from going so fast, and even then the avid juicy 3's are plenty of brake to reign it in. great bike and i definatly recomend it to anyone looking to upgrade to a competition level hardtail.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rock Hopper Disc
Bike Setup: Stock. but going to add a set of kenda nevegals.
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Submitted by
KRG
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2009
Strengths: For the price the components are great. It came with XT brakes, XT shifters, XT front & rear derailleur, XT hubs and rims and Fox 32's, RaceFace Evolve for the rest. Don't have alot to compare it to but it flies on the the hilly roads for daily commute. On the trail it seems really balanced in the tight stuff.
Weaknesses: The splash of carbon makes you want more and more. No real weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
It does the job just fine for me, very light and stiff for the hills. The price is way, way less than the Giant XTC Advanced SL but mine came with exactly the same components (minus XTR rear derailleur). So for the bit of alloy in the frame I can afford to XTR it up way beyond the rear derailleur. XTR cranks here we come. Would recommend especially if you are going to do some road riding too, with the right tyres it simply flies. A great all-rounder if you want one bike to be able to take on everything.
Bike Setup: As above but now with Ritchey WCS seat, WCS Carbon Rizer and WCS Carbon 4 Axis Stem, Shimano XTR M970 SPD's. Plus Specialized Fatboys for a bit of speed getting to and from work.
Bike Setup: RS Team Reba u-turn/ XC One wheelset/ Kenda Karma lite rear/Kenday Bluegroove lite front/ RF Dues cranks/ Next Sl seat post and bars/Avid Elixir bakes/ XTR shifter & derailuers/ 22.5 pounds
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Submitted by
Gordon04
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2009
Strengths: Geometry is perfect. Balanced, both up and down hill. Frame absorbs bumps well with the carbon top tube and seat stays. Extremely fast ridden on any singletrack.
Weaknesses: None that I can tell, I suppose the components could be better, but by not much (at least in the performance department).
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. The 1/2 carbon fibre frame is significantly noticable out on the trails and I can't stress how perfect the geometry is. Giant is one of the biggest for a reason and I think this bike exemplifies what they are capable of.
Similar Products Used: Steel Specialized Stumpjumper with Manitou 3's
Santacruz Heckler with Fox Vanilla 36
Bike Setup: Stock, added a layback seatpost with 1/2" setback and increased stem length to 110mm. Swapped to Candy C pedals.
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Submitted by
uncomplientspud
a Cross Country Rider
from Ajax
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2008
Strengths: part carbon fiber frame, good front fork, sm8's, relatively light,stroker brakes
Weaknesses: doesn't cook my meals for me. Once every 7 rides i would get chain stick, however i have not had it in about 3 months now, so keep your chain clean, just like any other bike.
Bottom Line:
bought this bike after using a friends for some time to trail ride. All i can say is wow, what a great bike. Compents it comes with are all good-great. Love the tires and brakes in particular. For me there is nothing like hammering an uphill on this bike and getting to top. Can't say anything bad about this bike, love it.
If you are looking at this bike, you should seriously consider it, great bike.
Submitted by
RWW2003
a Weekend Warrior
from Kalamazoo, MI
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2008
Strengths: Carbon/aluminum frame is very strong and very light. Sharp paint job (black, white and silver). Equally quick on pavement or the trail. Nice front fork, eats up vibrations and bumps.
Weaknesses: Giant doesn't give out stickers with the purchase of your new bike anymore. :(
Bottom Line:
Killer bike. Carbon/aluminum frame absorbs bumps. Lockout on the fork allows for excellent energy transfer when tearing around on campus. Kenda tires are equally quick on pavement as well as on the trails. Flashy paint job, colorful fork and powerful Hayes disc brake system are more than enough to turn heads anywhere you go. Oh, did I mention that this thing flies up hills?
Similar Products Used: Giant Iguana, Mongoose Threshold Sport
Bike Setup: Hayes Stroker Ryde (hydraulic) Brakes, Kenda Small Block Eights, Marzocchi Bomber, RaceFace RideXC Crank, Shimano Derailleurs, Sidi Clipless Shoes...
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Submitted by
dogger
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2008
Strengths: It's a hardtail, smooth, super light frame, eats up all vibrations before u feel them, decent components, climes like no other.
Weaknesses: Maybe.. Clearance between Race Face front chain ring and frame.
Bottom Line:
After riding mostly full suspension for the last two years I wanted to go fast again. Tested bikes for days. Jumped on the alliance and I was amazed how the carbon smoothed everything out. Thought I was on a dully at times! Its strong, light, and can be tossed around with ease. Weighs about 24.5 lbs stock. Mostly I ride single track on river trails or just bush wack my way threw the city. The Kenda small block eight's are good for dry dirt,small loose gravel and roll fast on tar. Don't take them in wet mud. When it comes time to stop the hayes stroker stop with excellent modulation and enought force for XC. The Marzocchi shock is quick to react and has enough adjustments to keep me happy. Love the lock out feature, Instant power to the ground baby! So if u are looking for a fast, light xc bike that is worth upgrading, the alliance is two steps ahead of the rest. Hands down.
Similar Products Used: Giant NRS,ds2,boulder. Norco. Devinci Desperado ect..
Bike Setup: Truativ team carbon seat post
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Submitted by
damon reynolds
a Weekend Warrior
from helen, ga, usa
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007
Strengths: this bike is super fast!! it rides alot like my litespeed pisgah. the carbon top takes the edge off and gives it an amazing ride while the aluminum lower makes this thing accelerate like no other. its got the comfort of my titanium hardtail and the snappy and controlled feel of my aluminum xtc.
Weaknesses: the stock component specs are.... well they are ok. no more no less. its enought to race with but i feel they should offer a higher end model. what i would suggest is with this bike being so cheap just sell off all the parts and build it up.
Bottom Line:
this frame is bangin. the bike i think is an excellent value. a starting racer can pick this thing up for sooooo cheap and upgrade later. a seasoned racer can buy the bike and sell off all the parts and build up this amazing frame.
