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Submitted by
tridium107
a Weekend Warrior
from oregon
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | private | | Strengths: | Light, durable, good looking, price | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic, KHS softail | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2005 NRS1 Carbon | | Bottom Line: | Excellent cross country bike - enough suspension but only marginally more weight than an equivalently spec'd hardtail, at 12kg. You can get lighter but not for significantly more money. Simple single pivot rear suspension works efficiently.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EMDEEZEE
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Bug Springs/Molino Basin Combo | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Efficient as a hardtail and tracks better than one on climbs all while providing comfort for extended time in the saddle. | | Weaknesses: | The graphics aren't the sickest, but that's a small price to pay for the amazing performance. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush, Trek ES 9 | | Bike Setup: | Setup is still stock except for pedals, tires, and grips. I don't ride with enough precission to corner with the original Hutchenson Pythons so went with a more beefy tread pattern. | | Bottom Line: | If serious about XC riding this bike should be strongly considered. It is stiff enough to be used as a commuter bike and still shred trails for the weekend warriors. I've ridden mine for almost five years and have no complaints. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
VOIGT
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Great Frame (04), fast bike. This is the closest full suspension bike that has the benefits of a hardtail that I have ridden. The bike can take abuse. | | Weaknesses: | After building custom frames I am disappointed with the alignment and tolerances in the frame (but what can you expect). Head tube was reamed crooked so it eats up headsets (one every year). Giant acknowledged the problem but wanted me to buy a new frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 1 2001, Trek Fuel, Specialized FSR XC Pro, Ellsworth Truth, Giant Trance, and many others. | | Bike Setup: | Frame Size: Large
Handlebar: Titec Ti bars
Grips: Cane Creek Lock-on
Bar ends: Cane Creek
Stem: Thomson 120mm, 5 degree rise
Headset: Cane Creek (once this one fails I am going to ream the headtube for Chris King)
Fork: Manitou Skarab Platinum (customized)
Brakes: Hope M4 mono 183mm fr, 160 rr (I know they are overkill but they rock)
Shifters: Shimano XTR '08 shifters
Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR '08
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR '08
Crankset: RaceFace Deus XC '06 46T/34T/26T
Pedals: Time Atac Carbon TI
Wheelset: Handbuilt Shimano XT Hub, DT Swiss XR4.2 Rim, DT Swiss Supercomp Spokes
Skewers: Salsa
Rear shock: Fox Float (Customized)
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Seatpost clamp: Salsa (soon to be Crank Brothers)
Saddle: Fi'zi:k Aliante Ti
Computer: Garmin 305 GPS
Tyres: IRC Mythos XC Kevlar | | Bottom Line: | This is my second NRS 1 The first one was a great bike, I sold it to my brother and got a new one. I have slowly upgraded every part on my bike except the frame. I love this frame and as long as it is still in one piece, or until someone gives me an Ellsworth Truth, I will be riding this bike. I have raced many different races on this bike winning many of them, including 12hr Kranky Monkey for my class. This is a fast, twitchy bike, not for big air. It really rides like a hardtail taking the edge of the bumps. I will say the one component that I couldn't wait to get rid of were the brakes, Hayes HFX 9 suck, they rub continually and are not as powerful. The old Hayes Mag's that came on the 01 NRS were way better. To bad they don't make this bike anymore. If you are looking at getting one I don't think you will be disappointed. I will still give the max amount of chillies even with my few problems because I have not found a bike (I should say frame) that I like as much for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Junaid
a Cross Country Rider
from Clarksville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco trail system | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Broadway Bicycles in Baltimore City | | Strengths: | Stiffness in the rear triangle, parts spec (the WTB seat is SO comfortable!), flickiness of the bicycle (with an 80mm fork) | | Weaknesses: | not made anymore, parts spec (hutchinson python tires and Manitou Skareb fork) | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra Race, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | OEM XT hubs/Mavic X223 rims, ultegra 12-27 cassette, XTR RD, XT FD, Noleen Mega Air fork set to 100mm, Thomson stem, Easton EA70 flat bar and EA70 seatpost, WTB Rocket V saddle, Hayes HFX-9 brakes, FOX AVA-R shock, Raceface forged XC crankset, hutchinson tire in back, specialized tire in front | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike as a gift back in '04. I swapped out the main triangle for a larger main triangle as I am 6'2" vs the original bike's 16.5" frame...omg the bike fits like a glove now. make sure the rear shock is set correctly for you otherwise the ride will be too plush or stiff.
I enjoyed the parts spec for about the first 10 rides, but the flexy-as-heck Manitou Skareb Super (80mm SPV) was swapped for a much stiffer Noleen Mega Air (100 mm) by spring '05. The XT RD was swapped for an XTR, and replaced the 11-32 XT cassette with an Ultegra 12-27. The hayes HFX9 brakes were a bit finicky but eventually settled in and have been trouble-free
My only real gripes are: the front tire choice (hutchinson python), the crank (Raceface forged XC) and fork (Manitou Skareb). These 3 items are 'XC-racing' oriented, but that means you also need to be riding in dry, hardpack conditions, weight 160lbs, and not have big, torquey legs. I am none of those, and 75% of the riders I've met aren't that either. Anyway, the fork flexed a lot, the 44T chainring flexed against the derailleur cage if I used that ring while riding (due to a flexy crankarms), and the front tire CONSTANTLY washed out on anything marginally wet or pebbley, which greatly reduced my riding confidence.
SO, I swapped out the problematic parts and have been happy ever since...one of the most affordable, raceable XC full-suspension bicycles ever made. Few come close, seriously! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
simon
a Cross Country Rider
from huddersfield west yorkshire UK
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | ye old track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay plus other sources | | Strengths: | no bob resonable weight | | Weaknesses: | havent found any as yet | | Similar Products Used: | 02 mount visin pro 03 rift zone 03 GT i drive loads of H tails | | Bike Setup: | 04 nrs 1 EA70 bars stem seat post sram x.9 gears mavic 717xc on hope hubs with mono mini disc brakes maniout skareb spv,s truativ cranck arms with TA chinook rings | | Bottom Line: | a great bike if you want a bike that rides like an hard tail but porforms like a full susser.abslute stella Acceleration. i have 80mm travel fork on mine at some point i would like to try 100mm on to see what it rides like | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from australia, victoria
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | murrays 2 in bendigo | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | bendigo bicycle centre | | Strengths: | This bike is fitted with a range of great products,and is well backed by Giant. | | Weaknesses: | Mostly wear and tear. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant hard tails | | Bike Setup: | Fairly stock,changed middle ring to truvative steel instead of raceface alloy,for a little extra weight i get twice the life and half the expense,also use LX rear cluster instead of expensive xt a few grams difference. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awsome i ride it most days for at least an hour or more training, i live in the country with forest at my back door.Last year i broke the frame on this bike where the top tube meets the seat tube above the shock,this was on my 2003 frame (black) went to my dealer who sent it to Giant Australia who replaced it with a 2004 frame(blue)rebuilt the bike put a new LX front derailer on at no cost, the whole lot back in a week and a bit, and stood by their lifetime frame guarantee. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Parman
a Racer
from Oshkosh
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Fond du Lac Cyclery | | Strengths: | Frame, Sid Fork, XT/3.1 Wheels, Hayes Disc Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Race Face Prodigy crank, LX Shifters, LX front Derailleur, LX Cassette, Titec stem, seatpost, and handlebars, WTB Saddle, Hutchinson Python tires, | | Similar Products Used: | Hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for SDG Bel-Air Saddle, XT Cranks and XT Cassette. | | Bottom Line: | I have raced this rig for a year now and I love how it handles. It took a while for me to find out optimal adjustment of the air pressures in the shocks, at 160, I use 130+/115- in the front, and 170+/50- in the rear. I run a hutchinson python as a rear tire and a bontrager superX as the front tire... 32.lbs each. Seems to work out well all around for me.
The Titec stuff is weighty, and the saddle was uncomfortable. The RaceFace cranks are weighty and the have proved to be problematic when it comes to chain suck and shifting. The LX shifters are not nearly as quick or precise as XT however they do get the job done. The Python tires are just plain heavy.
This bike is sooo middle of the road. Their really is not a single thing that is bad-aweful, however their is not one upgrade that you could do to it to make it much better. You want better, look at replacing the wheels, drivetrain and cockpit as a whole. I guess I would have rather sacrificed a couple of things for more jewel like components than have to want to upgrade every little thing. But then again, it gets the job done.
The brakes... first time with discs.... never looking back.
It is not about the bike.
It is however, all about the engine.
Stop reading this, find something that fits, that you like and that is within your means, and go riding....
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cooch Boman
a Racer
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Roger's, Gap Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike & Cycle Obsession | | Strengths: | Awesome package and bang for the buck. Carbon frame is super strong with great attention to detail and finish. Component selection matches the bike's dynamics perfectly, except for front shock/forks which I upgraded at time of purchase to Marzocchi AM1's with 150mm travel. The 16.5" frame gobbles up a 2.5" downhill tyre!! | | Weaknesses: | If you're not careful, the lovely gloss finish over the carbon wears off very quickly from cable rub, pants-rub, sitting on top tube and washing with too heavy a brush. I covered with 3M clear straight away. Finish inside of rear arms quickly becomes pitted from stone chips. Water bottle mounts under down tube are just plain useless - why bother? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialised FSR's, Kona Kikapu's & Dawg's. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 model with Marzocchi AM1's (150mm travel with ETA) and Maxxis Minion 2.5" downhill tyres. 16.5" frame for a 70kg rider, 178cms. | | Bottom Line: | I've created a bit of a Frankenstein with the forks and tyres, but have to say this is an awesome cross-country / all mountain ride. The ETA on the forks allows you to drop the geometry back to stock for super steep climbs, while the 150mm travel and 2.5" minions allow you to bomb everything. I've raced this bike with this spec and just blew the lycra-cross-country boys away on the descents and kept up with them on the climbs.
The bike comes stock with a pretty good spec except for forks (as mentioned) and the Hayes 9 brakes (try bleeding these babies! Argh). Overall a super-sweet package, that for me has become a bike you can take on epic all dayers, bomb the downhills and even play in a bmx park. A do it all bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from West Texas
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | XC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Light. Very good suspension. Handles well. | | Weaknesses: | Hayes brakes. See brake review. | | Similar Products Used: | Hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | 2004 NRS1. Stan's notubes. Egg beaters. | | Bottom Line: | Both ends of the suspension work well even for a 210 lb. rider. Once dialed in, the bike handles very well and the ride is supple without being mushy. The Skareb fork works well on just about any surface. Very little, if any, bob if set up correctly. Good climber. The only dark cloud is the Hayes brakes, both of which failed after one year. The Anthem must be one fine ride if it is replacing this machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tio Sancho
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | No too bobby | | Weaknesses: | Wasn't mine | | Bottom Line: | I rented one of these from Slickrock Cycles out in Moab and LOVED it! I've never been a huge fan of Giants, but can't say enough good things about this bike. Let's just say I was pleasantly surprised. It was very comfortable to ride on the Slickrock Trail. The only thing I would have changed was the front shock (Duke), but other than that it was very nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronald van Rijn
a Cross Country Rider
from Krimpen a.d. IJssel
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Zeddam Netherlands | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2295.00 | | Purchased At: | Boode BikeTotaal Zevenhuizen | | Strengths: | Geen gebober, rijd super strak voor een fully. (No bobing, firm ride for a fully.)
Wil je comfort, contrlle en XC rijeigenschappen dan is dit de fiets. (Do you want comfort, control and XC driving, than this is the bike you need) Pay less, get more. | | Weaknesses: | MPH remmen kunnen warm worden bij lange afdalingen. Olie vervangen helpt. (MPH breaks turn hot in long down hills. Change oil will help.) | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex 757 and a Proflex/K2 Animal | | Bike Setup: | Original setup. Road tyres, Vredestein S-lick 1,3¨, Off road tyres Python 2,1¨ | | Bottom Line: | Just ride it, it fantastico.
Pay less get more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1011.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Everything. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really, have only broken my derailluar hanger, which was my fault....this bike really is not made for freeriding! Its a cross country racer. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for an MX-5 carbon fiber bar, doesn't really need any modifications, in my opnion. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first really good bike, the last one I owned was a Giant Rincon. I have the '02 version so I've got the Rock Shox Sid SL fork, this fork is awesome. This is the first air fork I've ridden, I like it a lot more than the coil forks I've tried. When I first picked up my NRS I could not beleive how light it was, I knew it weighed around 26lbs but it still suprised me. I had an even bigger suprise when I started to ride it, the Rock Shox Sid XC rear shock absorbs both the large and small bumps really well, maybe I was just too much used to a hardtail but the suspension is still really great! Add to that the fact that there is ABSOLUTELY NO BOB! Infact, the rear suspension design causes the shock to be extended.
This bike is a great buy for the money, if you are moving up from a hardtail or looking for a serious XC bike, check out this one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Woodward
a Cross Country Rider
from Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tewantin State Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | spin City Mooloolaba | | Strengths: | When they say 'no bob' they mean 'no bob'. Having always had HT bikes I expected I would feel a big difference in climbing etc - nah ! No difference at all except the rear end doesn't float around now. | | Weaknesses: | Not so much a product weakness as much as an instruction booklet weakness. Setting up the front end to match the rear was made difficult by the insufficient booklet on the Skareb front fork. I've been on it 12 mths and only now realise fully what each setting makes the bike do. | | Similar Products Used: | My third GIANT and not my last - great value for money bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Replaced the wheel/tyres to full DT swiss set by wheelcraft and got rid of the pythons to spiders. Have since come by SRAM thumb shifters and rear deraileur (X9). | | Bottom Line: | Was originally sold on bike after trial weekend but was pretty sus on the skareb forks due to reviews on this website. After speaking at length to Marcus from manitou I was glad to find out the cracking forks was due to a packing box problem which had been sorted out - hence no worries with cracking. I had a couple of calls to Marcus re set up and slowly I got the jist of what and how to do it but since there is just so many fine tuning points I couldnt seem to sync them altogether often - until now. The bike rails in and out of corners and yes I sometimes think I should slow down. Uphill it climbs just like my old ATX890 but eats up any bumps/rocks etc. I swapped the narrow flat bars to wider one inch risers so now it handles even better over rough grounds and the odd waterbar lift off etc. To help anyone with set up - I'm 82.5kgs, 176cm and ride bikes like they should be - hard. I have the rear fox float shock with 175lbs and setting 2.5 on the AVA, the skareb is set at 140lbs compression, 65 SPV, one full turn in on the volume and rebound about one full turn so its not real quick or slow. Basically it eats any bump but is still firm enough rail without sinking into corners and feeling a bit too plush. buy this bike for the CHOICE award 2004 full suspension bike that won't let you down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Downhiller
from canberra australia
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | wouldnt u llike to know | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | everthing | | Similar Products Used: | u name it i have broken it | | Bike Setup: | stock as a rock | | Bottom Line: | i went off a curb and the inverted shock shot straigh up mr cotta i could taste it and still can today when i eat maccas i have the ass hole the size of a fox frl man its bigger than my girlfriend it wasnt a good experance | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Theo DR
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | BT | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2467.00 | | Purchased At: | HL | | Strengths: | Great bike, hasn't given me any problems at all over the past year of use. Frame is light enough for me and encourages me to train harder to bring out the full potential of the bike. Very comfortable to ride, and as I said in my earlier review, behaves like a hardtail, and can give roadies a run (well, temporarily) for their money when fitted with slicks. All in all a very good bang-for-buck bike! Friends whom I rode with noted that the rear suspension (when pumped up to rec settings) does not bob at all. | | Weaknesses: | None so far.. | | Similar Products Used: | '97 KHS FXT Sport and other friends' bikes | | Bike Setup: | Frame Size: Large
Handlebar: Race Face Next XC low-rise
Grips: ODI Lock-On Ruffian grips
Stem: Thomson 120mm, 5 degree rise
Fork: Fox F100RLT '05
Shifters: Shimano XT '04 rapidfire
Brake levers: Avid SD7
Brakes: Avid Ball Bearing Mechanical Disc Brakes
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT '04
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT '04
Crankset: Shimano XT '04 46T (Middleburn)/32T/22T
Wheelset: Shimano M765
Skewers: Shimano XT
Rear shock: Cane Creek Cloud 9
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Seatpost clamp: Hope
Saddle: Selle Italia Trans Am Gel Flow
Cyclometer: Cateye Cordless 7
Tyres, on road: WTB Slickasaurus 1.5"
Tyres, off road: WTB Exiwolf 2.1" | | Bottom Line: | One of the best bang-for-buck frames/bike one can get! I've even seen Ellsworth bikes bobbing (when they're not supposed to?), but the NRS doesn't.
Also, the money saved over getting much more expensive bikes can be used to upgrade your NRS parts to your liking and put a huge grin on your face.
No regrets about getting this baby! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G Field
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | fernie bc | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | FAE | | Strengths: | Accellerates and climbs better than my hardtail. Awsome in single track. Pretty light. | | Weaknesses: | Stock wheels are a bit heavy and the hutchinsons are no good where I ride. | | Similar Products Used: | scalpel, epic, fuel, idrive | | Bike Setup: | Stock except upgraded to XTR wheels and geax tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is an amazing bike for the money. Ready to race right out of the box. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zoltan
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sorrento | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Probike | | Strengths: | Accelerates like a hardtail, acceptable weight, sealed bearing pivots, perfect geometry for endurance racing, Team blue color | | Weaknesses: | The suspension is far not active, the stock shock is a joke (NRS Air Shock), the paint chips easily | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XCX (trailbike), ATX 900, XTC NRS Team 2001, GT LTS, Merida XC Mission, Corratec Airtech Quasar, countless hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS frame (european edition with Giant shock), Duke Race, XT, Sram X9, FRM CNC brakes, Syncros, Mavic, Michelin | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great for those who have never ridden anything else than hardtails, and don't like the feel of wasting energy. This bike accelerates like a hardtail, climbs like a hardtail, but still offers you comfort. Does it offer real full suspension performance? Well, you will feel the suspension work on rough terrain, will never feel that the frame has 95mm travel. I rode bikes with 70 mm of travel that felt twice as much as the travel of the NRS. You will never feel it supple, and it will never smooth the rocky and rooty terrain on a technical climb perfectly.
The stock shock is a joke, heavy, has too much sompression, and not enough rebound damping. I always had problems with the SID in the older version, but it worked much better. I changed for an X-Fusion O2 RC, it has less travel, but makes the bike more supple, and has tons of adjustement.
The main pivot is placed above the BB, this is a step back compared to the old design, because it generates a torque lockout that decreases the traction on technical granny gear climbs. This pivot location increased significantly the pedal kickback, that can result skidding over the edges.
It is simply a bike for those who want some more comfort and more traction, and the efficiency of a hardtail. If you have the Giant NRS Shock, replace it with a Fox or X-Fusion or a 5th Element Air. If you are a fully rider you will feel strange on this bike, because of the harsh suspension.
The old linkage worked better, but this bike has much better geometry. And a plus: the price is fair.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck
a Racer
from Paradise, CA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any fire road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | As fast as a hardtail on the climbs. Soaks up 6" to 12" ruts like a champ. | | Weaknesses: | Chain suck on lower swing arm....thin paint. | | Similar Products Used: | Heckler, Epic, Blur | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Converted over from hard-tail racing for 10 years. Absolutely a plush ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Prekel
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bunya Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Ausssie version gets tubeless tires (american does not, ha!), brakes are awesome, light, great bang for your bucks, rear suspension setup actually does what its supposed to. looks awesome, a great ride. | | Weaknesses: | POS tires (Hutchinson Python Tubless) keep on leaking air, i finally put soime tubes in but they are due for replacment | | Similar Products Used: | specialized epic | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is awesome. it deserves every word of praise it gets. i am 16 and i have it to race XC, train and to just have fun and it does everything perfect. hutchinson need to rethink their pythons, they dont grip when the going gets tough and they were leaking air within a month of purchase. i dont know why people criticise the front shock, i think its awesome if you set it up right. up till now very little has gone wrong with it and i still love it to bits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Amanda
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Dane's | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | from a friend of a friend | | Strengths: | The frame is built almost perfectly. The suspension absorbs the shocks pretty well. I like the color scheme of this bike. The brakes work well. This bike climbs like none other without any bobbing. I like the rapid fire shifting. XT works awesome. I've never road XTR before but I want to upgrade. This bike is a great bike to get started on and is definently worth more than I paid for it. | | Weaknesses: | I don't like the way the brake cables are set up. When the rear suspension is active, the cable to the back brake "bends". My cable started to crack so I had to replace it (no big deal, just time consuming). The paint on this bike isn't very durable. Hayes disc brakes are kind of a pain in the butt (seems like I'm always having to reset them). The Manitou fork is also kind of sucky. Whenever I go over bumps I hear this knocking noise inside the left shock. Also, the WTB saddle kind of junky (you would've thought they could have put a better saddle on a bike that retails for $2000). | | Similar Products Used: | The only other bike I've owned is a Trek 4300. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 959 pedals, Bontrager, Mavic 317 Disc rims, 2mm stainless steel DT spokes, XTR Chain with masterlink, XT cassette, Teflon coated housing, and a Trek fusion computer with cadence | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome. This is my first full suspension bike and I couldn't believe what I was missing out on. I like almost everything about this bike. I've mentioned my strengths and weaknesses of this bike and I'm still impressed with it. I don't regret purchasing this bike and you shouldn't either. Definently suitable for a beginner and probably even for a more experienced rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason clarke
a Racer
from Baltimore,MD. USA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Loch Raven Resv. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance bike shop | | Strengths: | The CLIMBING,no bob. All the power goes directly into the back tire. A very lite F/S bike. Great comp.package for a stocked bike right off the showroom floor. | | Weaknesses: | The paint did wear off at the points were the cable-housing touched the frame.Some "Ghost shifting" after a group of long rides. Bottom Bracket did loosen after one bad wipe out, but I did get it tightend 2 monthes ago and everything is still tight. | | Similar Products Used: | only my old Giant HD. | | Bike Setup: | Stocked, Changed tires for the winter (muddy/wet/sloppy conditions)to the IRC Mythos XC;Front and Rear(These are GREAT tires, highly recommend these.) | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. This was the first F/S bike that I was ever on. I bought it b/c I found a crack in the frame of my hardtrail and I had a Off-road tri. the following weekend, and I needed a bike fast. What a great choice. I've asked other NRS1 owners what they think and we shear the same opion. The Best purchase I've ever made. After realizing the differences between HT and F/S I'll never go back to HT again. It's all NRS1 all the time!!! This bike is extremely responsive & fast;very fast. I love to climb and this bike feeds my passion for the up hills. The only thing that would make climbing easier is a 4x4 ATV. Plus, with way my body feels after a ride is very relaxed.
NOW, stop reading is review and find out what size you are going to get. No kidding- you need this bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1630.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Great frame with excelent components. Fast, responsive, yet surprisingly solid. Looks great too. | | Weaknesses: | Skareb fork, it can't compare with almost anything out there. | | Similar Products Used: | NRS 1 (01), Santa Cruz Blur, Specialized FSR, Treck Fuel, GT iDrive. | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Deus X-Type cranks, carbon titanium Times, full XT components, Thompson elite seatpost, Mythos XC kevlar tires, and more. | | Bottom Line: | I have to honestly say that when this bike was stock I preferred my 2001 NRS 1 because of the shock setup. However, over the year I have chased creeks and weak points to try to perfect the bike, The bb and the seatpost had to go, because of creaking, problem solved. The tires had to go because of lack of traction, problem solved. The only problem I have now is that the brake lever on the rear has a leak, this has yet to be solved (the bikeshop is covering this under warranty), problem solved? Hopefully soon. Next on my list is to get rid of the terrible Skareb fork, and Chris King wheels. Bottom line, this is a great bike stock but if you want something wonderful it will take a little work. But you can't argue with results, MTBR picked this bike as their choice for a reason. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellevue, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Geometry of the frame. Rear shock soaks up the bumps pretty well. Brakes are the best thing on this bike by far. Race Face cranks are awesome. | | Weaknesses: | Front fork is a piece of junk. Manitou needs to seriously re-think this fork. It makes more noise than any other fork I have rode. Terrible rebound, the shock could not keep the front tire on the ground during quick decents on bumpy ground. Every hill I went down the bike felt like it was going to endo, even with me hanging back. This bike does not give me any confidence on the trail at all. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Palimono XV, Trek 98 Carbon, Trek 8000, Trek 80, Trek 90, Gary Fisher Sugar 293, and Giant NRS 2. | | Bike Setup: | Stock from factory. | | Bottom Line: | If you have the opportunity to ride this bike before purchasing it I would highly recommend it. Some people absolutely love the front fork and rear shock setup on this bike (NOT ME!!!), and some people don't like it (HATE IT!!!!). So before you purchase this bike ride it on a trail and see what you think. I only did a test ride on this bike, but I went on four different trails varying in length and difficulty and I did not like this bike at all.
The size of the bike that I was riding was 20.5 and I am 5"11 and weigh 165. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
S J Hassan
a Cross Country Rider
from Clarksville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco State Park, Avalon area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Broadway Bicycles | | Strengths: | EVERYTHING! The geometry, nimble acceleration, PARTS SPEC, looks, handling on any XC trails... | | Weaknesses: | None really, maybe the Skareb Super SPV fork, but read below | | Similar Products Used: | NONE EVEN COMPARE! | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2004 Giant NRS 1 | | Bottom Line: | Everything rocks on this bike, YES, even the Hayes HFX-9 brakes and the Manitou Skareb Super fork w/ SPV...I got a Giant NRS1 with a 2004.5 Skareb Super which is basically just like the Skareb Platinum because the TPC insert in the right leg has been replaced by the SPV insert, thus making it a platinum. The rebound both on the Skareb Super and the Fox AVA R can be adjusted so that the bike is perfectly dialed to the likes of almost any XC biker...I pumped the Super to about 75 psi in each leg and adjusted the SPV as per the directions and the fork is perfect on any terrain, compressing just enought to do its job and then rebounding back just so that I barely notice it hit anything...yada yada, you'll love this bike if you set it up right...I don't even need to do any upgrades on this baby, its ready to race right outta the bike shop door! BTW, its also very light for an all stock bike...I weight 200 lbs and lemme tell you, the Hayes HFX-9 brakes are quite adequate for stopping my large mass even as I zoom downhill...they'll get damn hot, but they'll do their job without you having to worry about them...besides, they don't fill up with air if you turn the bike upside down... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a Cross Country Rider
from Livingston, Scotland
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Cycles, USA | | Strengths: | Great climber & very fast on level | | Weaknesses: | Skareb forks, cable routing, tyres (tubes & outers). | | Similar Products Used: | Specialised Epic & Stumpjumper,Marin Eldridge,Canondale Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | Fox RLT80 Forks | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full suspension mtn bike. I tried loads of others but this fitted me better than the competition.
I have used it extensively in Utah & Colorado.
I replaced the original skareb forks under warranty as the SPV valves didn't work (on 2 sets!). Also the wrong length bolts had been used to attach the disk brake calipers to the forks, resulting in them comonig loose as the threads came out! The replacement Fox forks are slightly steeper angled giving more precise handling and better float over light bumps. Bit of a knocking sensation on rougher stuff.
The rear inner tube burst on outing #2...it was a 1.5"-1.75" superlight tube in a 2" outer tyre...again replaced under warranty.
The rear hydraulic brake cable wore badly (& chewed up the paintwork!)under the seating area. The replacement (warranty again) was fitted with a different attachment to the rear caliper. This seems to detatch the cable from its mountings (at the expense of yet more paint) loosing those nasty little plastic sleeves!
I have just replaced the stock tyres with some old nobbly specialised ??'s I had in the shed...enormous improvement for cornering & downhill performance(probably at the expense of uphill)
Other than those niggles, great ride!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtndog
a Weekend Warrior
from Buena Vista VA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Reservoir Hollow GW + Jeff | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1680.00 | | Purchased At: | Blackwater Bikes Davis WV | | Strengths: | Fast, smooth, handles great | | Weaknesses: | weight, easton aluminum tubing needs to be switched with carbon | | Similar Products Used: | giant 870 | | Bike Setup: | easton monkeylites with riser and wtb power v seat | | Bottom Line: | The bike climbs like a champ, and floats over rocks and roots. It is crazy fast, and almost has convinced me to slow down a little. Time will tell if it can take a beating, but if its componets and frame is anything like my Giant 870 hardtail it will tackle the challenge. Giant makes great bikes for the price, and I think the NRS is a fine example. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eladio
a Cross Country Rider
from El Paso, TX
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Redd Road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Crazy Cats | | Strengths: | This bike climbs like a goat, with almost no bounce from the back end. The component group is good for the price range.
Hayes hydrolic disks stop on a freakin dime.
| | Weaknesses: | Bottom braket is junk. It started creaking after 2 months, took it in for service. After 6 months the problem was back with a vengance. The shop said the BB was toast and needed to be replaced - luckily a warrenty item.
Also the stock tires aren't the best | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX 890 RS | | Bottom Line: | I really love this bike...I've riden tons of others and knew right away that this was the toy for me. I weigh about 175 and the shocks are perfect for my size with the stock configuration, and they handle all the abuse I throw at them. But best of all, the geometry of the bike reduces the bounce of the back end while climbing. This is definitely the best feature of the bike and it only takes one climb to realize that you're in love.
If you ride hard and plan to abuse your bike, this is your ride. Buy the bike, find your toughest trail and the bike will take whatever you throw at it. If you are a serious racer, you may want something a bit lighter, not that the NS1 is that heavy but it's not really a high end race bike - go for the carbon version.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
signal
a Weekend Warrior
from austin, tx
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | city park, barton creek back trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | university cyclery | | Strengths: | Great component selection for the money. Time, Race Face, Easton, Hayes, WTB. This bike is dressed very well. I have ridden older NRS models and find the 2004 line to be much more supple. The new pivot point and fox rear shock work very well together. I have not noticed any "severe" brake jack as I did with previous models. This bike handles, brakes, and climbs with authority. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson tires do not work well on surfaces other than hard pack. I replaced them with Kenda blue grooves which are more suitable for the terrain around Austin, TX. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fsr xc, 2002 NRS, Hammer Head HH100 [best bike hands down]. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for riser bar and Kenda blue groves | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line: The 2004 NRS works very well, every ounce of energy goes to speed. It climbs like a goat, decends well, and stops on a dime. Overall I am very impressed with this package and after spending 6+ months looking for some thing that suited me without breaking the bank, nothing toppped the NRS 1... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Greenfield
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | ICS | | Strengths: | No Resonance System is all it is cracked up to be (no bobbing on climbs or while hammering out of the saddle). The Hayes disc brakes are awesome and the shifting is crisp and fast as long as the finnicky rear deraileur is dialed in perfectly. This bike is very nimble, light and responsive; a sweet xc bike. Its nice looking too. | | Weaknesses: | Ive had some trouble with the bottom bracket failing and coming loose. I am on the 3rd replacement and it seems to be holding up to the punishment this time. Chain suck can be a problem but if you shift properly (before loading up the chain) it wont be a problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel Trek HT
Mongoose HT
| | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a Specialized BG seat. | | Bottom Line: | The NRS is a great XC bike. For the price it is the best ride around. If you live near Indy check out ICS; great guys and super service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Nelson, NZ
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Village cycles | | Strengths: | Awesome cross country bike, good 4 long trail rides, downhill runs, going fast, primo single track and anything in between | | Weaknesses: | not made for 6 foot drop offs | | Similar Products Used: | XTC2 | | Bike Setup: | Skareb fork, fox float rl shock, hope Mono M4 200mm front, Mono Mini 180mm rear, raceface xc lowrisers, xpedo pedals, xt cassette and chain, Irc mythos xc | | Bottom Line: | good bike for first dualie, rides like a hardtail in the saddle and fully active on the pedals, super adjustable with air shock and fork, compression and rebound adjustments | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Theo DR
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | HL | | Strengths: | Light, feels racy, looks good | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips off easily? | | Similar Products Used: | '97 KHS FXT Sport | | Bike Setup: | "L" sized frame, weighs 28.7lbs with details below and saddle pouch containing minitools etc
Rock Shox SID Race fork
Avid SD7 levers
Avid CPS disc brakes
XT shifters and drivetrain
120mm 5 deg rise Thomson stem
Easton EA70 riser bar
XT hubs with Sun 0 degrees XC rim
Thomson seatpost 30.8mm diameter
Stock NRS rear air shock
Selle Italia Flite Trans Am Gel Flow saddle
Maxxis High Roller Type R 2.0 tyres | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike as a black NRS 3 and changed all the parts. Feels fast and rides like a hardtail. Rear suspension doesn't extend into potholes and feels a bit weird, but nothing to worry about since the shock will take away the bumps. Had to change my stem from 100mm (stock Giant stem) to 120mm since I installed the Thomson seatpost. Feels great!!! Quality frame, the weldings are done up so beautifully! Its not just a frame with the tubes tacked together. Droolsome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Pine Mtn./Giant Salamander | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Off Ramp Bikes | | Strengths: | Forgiveness, weight, stiff front shok (haven't bottomed out yet), no bob technology on climbs, best overall bang for the buck. | | Weaknesses: | Not a big fan of the EA50 handlebar. I'll be replacing this shortly with the Titec Hellbent XC riser bar. Fox Rear AVA Air isn't easy to change setting. Python tires blow on loose rock terrain (Pine Mtn). I'll be changing these out shortly for Velociraptors. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Backwoods, Cannondale F600, Weyless SP Pro. | | Bike Setup: | 18.5" stock for now, still trying to get my funds back in check. | | Bottom Line: | This bike gets five flamin' chilis for value and overall rating. It blows away the competition on the downhills and climbs very comparible to a hardtail. I've been conquering trails that I wouldn't even think twice about on my hardtail Cannondale.
Only regret I have is that I didn't buy this bike earlier. From the weekend warrior to the XC rider, this bike is a great fit. It handles fireroads, tight singletrack, switchbacks, damp or dry conditions like a champ. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
richard
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeegs Point | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike, also $170 in store credit | | Strengths: | Price, weight (25 lbs.), ride quality | | Weaknesses: | Fork spring too light (I'm 5' 10", 200 lbs.), brakes squeal when hot, I'll try organic pads once the originals wear out, chain sometimes gets sucked up chainstay during downhills by Lizard Skin; I think I'll try some electrical tape. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested: Stumpjumper Pro Disc, Epic Comp Disc, Fuel 95 | | Bike Setup: | Stock 18.5" except for XTR cassette, Stainless Eggbeaters, Stan's Notubes, Panaracer Trailblaster tires, and Lizard Skin chainstay protector | | Bottom Line: | It took a while to find a full suspension bike that climbs as well as my Marin Pine Mountain hardtail. New XT shifts as well as previous generation XTR. Best bang for the buck for XC racer or trail rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Juneau
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rougemont, Quebec | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Pimeau for $2900CDN +++ taxes | | Strengths: | No-bob geometry. Every ounce of your energy goes to move you ahead. This outweighs any flaw this bike may have.
The Manitou Scareb can be set very plush. (Mine came labeled as Super 80mm though it also has SVP. Its an OEM fork only. Only the top of the line Scareb Platinum has the SPV.)
Another cool detail is the cable housing end-caps have miniature brass flanges and to hold miniature rubber sealing grommets. No simple plastic here. | | Weaknesses: | The bike's weight is enough to bend the derailler hanger if you just lay the bike on the ground on it.
The seatpost is loose in the downtube. It takes some noodling to eliminate creaking.
Lightweight tires and tubes may be prone to tears in some terrains.
Possible long-term durability of bushings in chainstays.
Possible issues with occasional bottoming of front fork.
I dreamed of upgrading the Manitou Scareb to 100mm but the cost is $400CDN (!) parts and labor. It involves replacing the upper stantions. (To: AnswerProducts: Please send a price reduction!) | | Similar Products Used: | NRS-2 (2002) | | Bike Setup: | Stock.
| | Bottom Line: | This is my second NRS. I wore out my last one in 120 rides on quite technical/muddy terrain. The rear triangles had worn to the point that just changing bushing did not stop the (stock size) tire from rubbing on the chainstay.
This said, I still love the no-bob geometry enough to buy another one, despite the wear mentioned above.
Other things that wear on NRS's:
1) the rear wheel drop-outs get worn because they rest on a threaded portion of the hub's axle.
2) the screw's treads (at the bottom of the rear shock) wear into the bracket on the frame. The shouldered portion of the screw is not long enough, so the threads rest on the frame.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport News
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Snowshoe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Northend, VB, VA (trade) | | Strengths: | Light, no bob, price (I know I traded for it but still you can't get close to it for the price), disk brakes, | | Weaknesses: | paint, stock front shock is crap.
| | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Nrs 1, rode it for 2 years | | Bike Setup: | Egg beaters, I haven't changed it yet but I will be swapping out the front shock. | | Bottom Line: | LOVE this bike, on my second one now. It feels to me on the 2004 that the rear travel is greater than that of the 2002. I think they changed some angles around a bit (much smoother). I'm 210/215 lbs and 6 foot, great bike for a big fellow like myself. One other thing is I haven't had the ghost shifting that I had with the 2002. Get yourself one, you'll love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross Country Rider
from Mallacoota Australia
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | shipwrecks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Riviera Cycles Bairnsdale | | Strengths: | lot of bike for the price,light so easy getting it over gates/fences ,point it and hang on | | Weaknesses: | Tubeless tyres ,paint does mark easy give the frame a coat of meguires. | | Similar Products Used: | epic , mid priced f/s, assorted hardtails | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for price,we have had 2 of them for just on 6 months, not 1 problem besides the normal flats, they have been ridden daily on a mix of firetails,rocky single tracks and black top and have taken all in their stride even sections that have given us heart flutters in the past just point them at it.The rear shock sits their solid once set up until needed then its smooth and even definately NO BOB once set up.
Bottom line best bike on the market in Australia for the price,not for those that want to launch of platforms,but for crosscountry expeditions couldnt ask for much better than this.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BM
a Weekend Warrior
from Issaquah, WA USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Most trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light, Disc brakes, Front and Rear shock, Pedals. Great components for the price. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Specialized Enduro, Jamis XLT 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I ride most week-ends and sometimes during the week. So far the Giant has been real good to me. It holds a line real well and the suspension feels just right for the type of riding I do. It's not made for extreme drops or thrashing but that's not what I'm in to. For riding up hill and technical trail riding this is where it excels. This is my first mtn bike with disc brakes and I can really appreciate the Hayes disc. brakes. For the price I paid, plus the in-store credit I received, this was the best deal out there. I am very happy with the performance so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from London, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | To Wheels London | | Strengths: | Everything! Light and fast. Great spec. | | Weaknesses: | Paint is a little wimpy.
Forks are a pain to set up but great when they finally are. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 3, Epic Pro, assorted hardtails | | Bike Setup: | 2004 XT crankset, Monkeylite riser, 515 SPDs, stock else | | Bottom Line: | I've been fighting myself from posting before this so I would have more time to really put this bike through its paces. I've been out for about 2 dozen rides and can honestly say that the NRS1 is the BEST!!!
This is my first FS and coming from a Racing HT the main difference is in my lower back. Even after 3 - 4 hour rides my back doesnt hurt. I stay fresh longer during the ride too! Picking lines?... na, just sit and pedal!
It decends like a champ. In sections where I would scrub speed before, now I just shift my weight over the back tire and giv'er. Holds a corner beautifully! Climbs better than my HT. No chatter over the roots (set up is very important here) and sucks up the landings perfectly!
Everything considered, price, spec and performance; this is the best bike on the market! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott M
a
from Raleigh, NC - USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | NewLight / Beaver Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Franks Cycles | | Strengths: | Climbs great. Light Weight (~25.4 lbs). Very good XC race bike! This bike is one of the best buys for the $$ (IMO). | | Weaknesses: | I did not get the bike completely stock, but the only thing that I have not been completely thrilled with is the Hayes 9 brakes. They work really well, but there is something I just don't care for compared to some others. | | Similar Products Used: | Scapel 2000, Epic, Stumpjumper, Fuel 98 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the following exceptions.
Fork: Fox F80RLT
Cranks: 04 XT
Rear derailure: 04 XTR
Shifters: XT Pods
Flat bar: MaxM Carbon | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that I love this bike. It climbs better than my hard tail. The AVA gives a fairly large number of setting and I have never felt the need for a rear lockout on climbs. From talking to people is sounds like Giant has addresses most of the issues from older designs. The only changes I plan on making are a carbon seatpost, lighter brakes and some race wheels (UST). I got GREAT service from Franks Cycles in Raleigh, so if you are looking and in the area I would highly recomend them.
I would not use this bike if you want to do drops bigger than ~18-24". If you want a fast climbing XC bike, or a short travel trail bike, it is perfect. I think it would be a great bike for someone who doen't want to race, but wants a light weight trailbike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Munising, MI U.S.A
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Brunos Run | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Complete raceable package from the box, although adjustments need to be made if you're picky, which I am. | | Weaknesses: | I have no major weaknesses in this bike. Just take the time to get everything dialed in so it's perfect. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode the Specialized Epic. It too is a nice bike but you get alot more for your money with the NRS1. | | Bike Setup: | Wellgo pedals, Easton Monkeylite carbon riser bars, XTR rear der. San Marco Arami Gel Around saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is extremely hard to beat, especially for the money. The Fox AVA rear shock is magical. The Manitou Skareb SPV up front is flawless as well. I have had no problems whatsoever with anything on this bike. I am 170lbs. Dial your rebound slow-fast (middle) on the rear. Pump it 5 to 10 lbs more than your weight . On the forks play with the SPV adjuster. I adjusted mine so the top of the hex head is flush with top of the tube and pump it to 55lbs. A sweet ride that is fast and is easy on your body at the same time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DaFrog
a Cross Country Rider
from Reston, VA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rivers to Rail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bicycle | | Strengths: | Fast - This bike is simply fast and nimble | | Weaknesses: | Came with flat handlebar and pedals I do not like | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F900SX | | Bike Setup: | Only two changes -> Easton MonkeyLite riser bar and Eggbeater pedals | | Bottom Line: | I go out a few times per week and have been able to shave 20 minutes of my usual 2 hours ride thru the Reston woods. Once correctly adjusted, this bike hugs the ground and climbs better than an hardtail | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel Temple
a Weekend Warrior
from Little Rock, AR
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Chainwheel | | Strengths: | Amazing suspension
solid components
feels like a hardtail
lotta bike for the money | | Weaknesses: | The paint rubbed off by the brake cables after the first ride. Occassional ghost shifting. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab, Specialized Stumpjumper and Rockhopper, Giant VT2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I'm a roadie at heart and have always ridden hardtails on the dirt, probably because they feel like a road bike. I had to go with FS due to back problems so decided to try a few out. My excellent LBS loaned me a VT2 and an NRS1 which I took to a local trail (advantage of buying from a LBS). I expected to like the VT better but found I was fighting it on the trail. The NRS was a revelation. I was immediately able to ride sections that gave me trouble before. I was pleasantly suprised that there was no perceptible difference climbing when compared to my Moab (HT). When barreling downhill, the suspension was there but not bouncy. It honestly made me a better rider. The first thing I noticed after the ride was my back was not hurting!
The rear susp was easy to set up and worked well for me at the factory settings. The front has been a little more difficult. The SPV still bobs when mashing big gears, especially when standing, but it's at least as good as my old Judy SL even when set up improperly.
BL: For someone who likes a rigid ride but doesn't want to get beat up every time the trail gets rough, you should give this bike a test ride. It puts a smile on my face every time I ride it (which is way more than my road bike now). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tig
a Racer
from Webster, TX
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cameron Park, Waco, Texas | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1040.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Area Schwinn | | Strengths: | Incredible stable platform suspension. I can't believe it, but the Rapid Rise shifting is great... Quick and precise! (After wrenching at an LBS, I've learned that to never go with XTR shifters and derailleurs when XT performs better through mucky conditions. XTR's jewel like precision allows dirt to interfere with clean shifting. For the money, you shouldn't have to drop the rear derailleur in a solvent tank after eack dirty ride!) Excellent climbing, descending, and handles tight, technical single-track like a surgeon's knife. | | Weaknesses: | Cheezy cranks, stem, and seatpost. Wheels and Hayes brakes are a bit heavy. I wonder about the long term paint durability. Manitou fork flexes too much for bigger riders. | | Similar Products Used: | too many to list | | Bike Setup: | Eggbeaters, Bontrager X-lite carbon post, FSA carbon flat bar. Will replace cranks, stem, and wheels later. | | Bottom Line: | While some of the parts spec'ed could be nicer, it is still one of the best performance cross country bikes for the buck. Even out of the box you can race it and will fall in love with it. Sure, an Elsworth Truth, Trek Fuel 100, or Intense Spyder might perform ever so slightly better, but for twice the price! The rear triangle has less flex than the Specialized FSR's. Myself and other NRS 1 riders have lowered our lap times while feeling fresher afterward compared to our hardtails. I've been a confirmed hardtail rider since the mid 80's, and all it took was one ride on an NRS to make me go to "The Dark Side"!
The key is with proper suspension setup. Start with the recommendations in the manuals and you should be most of the way there. Tighten down the red stable platform adjusting nut on the right fork leg so that the top is just below the surrounding collar. Firm up the rear shock's preload just a little and run the air pressure just above your weight. From there, adjust everything to your desired ride and conditions.
I’ve raced this bike a few times this year and have placed much higher (with relatively poorer fitness) than on my hardtail last year.
I wouldn’t recommend it for riders over 200 pounds unless you replace the Manitou fork. The skinny stanchions flex too much. At under 140 pounds, this bike flies up climbs for me! Just point it and go right over rocks and roots like they aren’t there. Most of the time I don't even feel the suspension working... That is a sign of a perfect full-suspension cross country bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michel
a Cross Country Rider
from Ste Catherine Quebec Canada
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont et rougemont | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | desautels sport (la prairie) | | Strengths: | bon vélo bien monté, rigide, bonne fourche, probablement le meilleur achat pour le prix
| | Weaknesses: | je n'y est pas trouvé de défaut a part qu'il est fait a taiwan | | Similar Products Used: | giant atx860 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | je suis enchanté par la rigidité de ce velo
déssiné par les ingenieurs de Renault F1
je suis une personne de 6'3' pour 240lbs
la fourche m'a l'aire un peux molle mais un kit est disponible pour les 'big rider' comme moi
pour le prix......imbatable!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach Winn
a Racer
from Port Hope,On,Canada
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont Ski Resort | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Proform Cycle | | Strengths: | -it's a giant, good components, nice fork and shock, some nice easton stuff to | | Weaknesses: | wish it had a carbon bar and seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | 02 nrs 1
| | Bike Setup: | stock probaly change tires as the season goes on and put on carbon bars and seat post. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has a really good price for whats on it. The bike rides smooth, doesn't bob, for has stable platform valving, and the hayes disc brakes work nice. I reccomend this bike to any one who wants a good value full suspension bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cale Gondringer
a Cross Country Rider
from Missouri
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Crowder State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Everything, this bike climbs like a hardtail and decends like a full suspension. Is probably the best bike for your money. It also has the best suspension design, the four bar linkage. Absolutly no bob. | | Weaknesses: | Could use to come stock with a tubless wheelset. You can't ask for everything. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Tomac Revolver, Tomac Special 98, Gary Fisher Sugar 1, Cannondale Scapel | | Bike Setup: | Tompson seatpost and stem, Sram XO, pc99 hollowpen chain, Easton MonkeyLite Handlebars, Hutchinson Python Lites w/ Stans rimstrip, | | Bottom Line: | This is the best suspension design with the best componets for the best price. What more do you want. This bike has absolutly no bob. There are no lockouts on this bike because you don't need them. The suspension is always active, with a supple race bike feel. It is not by any means soft but exacally what you want with a race bike. It just takes the sting off the rough terrain. The four bar suspension design is copywrited by specialized and it's sooo good that several other companies use this design also. When you couple that with the new fox ava shock and the linkage that Giant came up with it is perfect. The manitou skareb fork also works great. With the new stable platform valving there is also very little bob. The people who should buy this bike are the serious cross country riders that want a bike that climbs better then a hardtail and decends like a full suspension should, fast. The bike comes out stock at about 26 1/2 pounds and with a few mods can even be lighter. Everyone should give this bike a try. It's even much improvement over last years great bike. If you live in Missouri you should go to Sunshine Bike Shop, where everyone is helpful and great and can get you hooked up fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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