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Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Ventura, Ca
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Gridley | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ray's Bikes in Ventu | | Strengths: | This bike made good on it's promise of rear suspension that did not bob. The value for your money at the time could not be beat. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou SX Fork | | Similar Products Used: | None. This was my first full suspension MTB. | | Bike Setup: | Currently in pieces in a big plastic box, but before she died, she was stock except for IRC 2.1 Mythos tires, Avid Speedial brake levers and and Easton Stem. | | Bottom Line: | This is more or less a fond farewell and tribute to my first full suspension MTB. I bought my Giant NRS DS/2 in 2001. She was a left-over 2000 model.
I went from a hardtail GT Karakoram (a very sweet cromoly steel frame, with an upgraded RS Judy front fork) to the NRS. At just under 4" of travel, the NRS made the rough trails I normally rode feel like smooth pavement in comparison. I put a lot of research into full suspension at the time; I knew I wanted full suspension, disc breaks and the pedaling efficiency (or close to it) of my hardtail. Giant promised this in the NRS, and in my opinion, delivered it.
I put thousands of miles on my NRS over the 8 years I owned it, replacing the chain a few times, the tires numerous times and a few odds and ends like the stem (stripped one of the bolts on the Titec it came with) and the brake levers (the Diacomps it came with worked ok, but Avids were sexier). Rebuilt the front hub once, replaced the Hayes MX1 disc brake pads a few times and maybe a couple of other minor maintenance items.
The only major component that had a flaw was the Manitou SX front fork. It failed after about a year and never really felt all that great, even compared to the RS Judy from my GT. I replaced the Manitou with a Rock Shox Psylo and never looked back.
As for the components let me break it down: The WTB Laserdisc wheelset was strong, not super heavy and rarely needed any attention at all. The Formula disc rear hub has worked flawlessly for 8 years. The the front hub - also a Formula disc - had a bearing issue within the first few weeks of me buying the bike, but Ray's Bikes repaired it under warranty and it never had a problem after that.
The Hayes MX1 mechanical disc brakes, while not as exciting as hydraulics, work pretty darn good. Took 'em apart a few times to clean 'em and relube them, but other than that and a few pad replacements over the years, zero problems, good feel at the levers and the stopped the bike (with me on it) down everything from Sycamore to Hummingbird.
The Race Face Prodigy cranks, bottom bracket and chainrings never bent, never ticked, never squeeked. Strong, maybe not so light, but strong.
Shimano Deore shifters: Yeah, not as sexy or crisp as XT, but they shifted the gears. In fact, with the LX rear derrailer and the Deore front, I really never had any trouble shifting, even under loads. The rear especially worked well, even after thousands (maybe millions) of shifts. I just could not break the stock Shimano parts, thus could not justify buying upgrades.
The rest of the parts, like the Titec Hellbent handlebar, seat post and and saddle hung in there as well. I did replace the saddle. They tend to get a little torn up after all those off road miles...
Last year (2008), I was rebuilding the Rock Shox SID rear shock every other ride. The Psylo was binding and the stanchion bushings had a lot of play in them. The pivot bushings in the frame's suspension components were worn, cracked and creaking. She was getting old.
I did a complete dissassemble of the rear suspension frame members. The bushings were wasted. The frame itself is sound: no dings, no visible cracks and no rubbed to the metal scoring. But, considering all the hard miles I have put on the aluminum frame, the need to replace both the front fork and the rear shock, plus the bushings and bearings for the rear, plus replacing some of the out-dated and well-used parts on the drive-train, plus a few parts just because...well, the dollar amount started to add up to "new-bike-range."
So, she has been retired. Not gloriously, with all her parts in a plastic tub; but her frame, her heart, is hanging on the wall like the piece of art she is. Rest in peace, my friend, and thanks for all those great years of service!
In the mean time, I've got a brand new 2009 Giant Trance X2 waiting for me to pick up down at Newbury Park Bikeshop. I suspect I will get at least as many years, miles and enjoyment out of my new Giant as I did my trusty NRS.
Do I recommend an NRS to anyone? Hell yes! But only if you have limited cash and can only afford a used bike. If you can score an NRS with low miles it will be a good bike. Not as plush or sophisticated as Giant's subsequent designs, but adequate, and compared to brand new, "inexpensive" lower-range full suspension bikes on the market today, a used NRS is a strong competitor. Just beware: worn out shocks and forks are very expensive to replace, and if the rear suspension bushings are worn at all, they need replaced. Do your homework.
Value: 5 chilis in each catagory. I got my $1200 worth, and then some! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, OR. USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Mrazek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Hutch`s | | Strengths: | Great frame,strong wheels,love the Avid disc brakes and the Fox AVA shock. Shimano LX and XR,Raceface cranks are all good for the money. Climbs like my old Stumpy hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | First FS after years of riding hardtails and I`m ready for more suspension travel but I wouldn`t sell the NRS `cause it`s too much fun. No weaknessess if you ride it for what it was intended. Oh yeah, dumped the Pythons and have used Weirwolfs that past couple of years. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Kona, Stumpjumper hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock from the shop. Crunched the 80MM Manitou Elite and replaced it with a 100MM Rockshox Recon...much better! | | Bottom Line: | With the new Recon and more travel up front the ol` NRS2 is much better in the rock gardens and on the descents but it`s still a short-travel Cross-Country racer-type bike. It is what it is. That said, I`ve ridden mine hard for four years and it keeps on tickin`n with common-sense maintenence and for the money it`s been a really fun, fast bike. The Anthem is the new version but at this stage of the game I`d be looking at the Trance or Reign for the bigger hit performance but for railing the single-track my NRS is hard to beat....`nuff said! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jp
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Bayabas, Philippines | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | All Terra, Philippin | | Strengths: | Great bike for people who want hard tail performance on uphills and road, but a bit of added cushyness and traction on trails. Fast bike for racing. | | Weaknesses: | Was always that little bit harsh to ride, unless the pressure was dropped on the rear shock unit. But that made it a bit saggy, which is not the design intention of the bike. But it was still fun! | | Bike Setup: | 2003 NRS frame, X7 stuff, Avid BB7s, Manitou Black Super Air 100/120mm, Mavic 223s... | | Bottom Line: | This is another memorial for a stolen bike! People, locking a nice bike in Brisbane City is not a good idea.. Sadly, the bike survived for years in the Philippines without being stolen - even in a poor country. But weeks after it arrives in Brisbane (I lived in the Philippines for a while), it gets nicked by a selfish ba***rd! I'm a student, and I love biking - having a bike that I earned through a part-time job stolen is bad news! Anyway, it was a fun bike to have - my first full suspension.
Sadly I'm just riding a Merida TFS Alivio-clad hard tail at the moment, while I save some money for something else. Thinking about a Trance for a bit of all mountain-ish performance.
Happy biking everyone. Oh, by the way, I totally recommend a well-maintained second-hand NRS for people who want a fast dually :-) | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonnyfolds
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, Va, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Buttermilk/Northbank/Forest HIll | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Climbs like a billy goat. Handles well and looks fairly good, Aesthetically. | | Weaknesses: | Bushings are worn out on the shock mount so the bike clicks a little. Nothing else really weak I'd say. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic, Fuji something or another full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Only thing original is the frame...
X-9 all around with XT this or that. Race face XC bars, Clark's Clim8 Hydraulic disk brakes, Rock Shox Duke fork, Thompson post, San marco seat, Mavic 717 wheels with XT hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Extremely light frame in my imho. Or course for the money. Some bushings are going in the bike now, but I have beat the crap out of it and it just keeps ticking away miles. I am going to ride this frame into the ground as I see no need for a change unless I ride more aggressive terrain or get into full on racing. With swapping all the components I think this bike was meant to move and shift like a dream.
I would recommend this bike to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thorpe
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | T100 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Good frame with great components. | | Weaknesses: | ? | | Bottom Line: | Over 4 years since I posted my first review of this bike. I still ride this NRS all the time and don't even think they are made anymore. Bike has served well, only changed out tires. Regular maintenance. Still looks new (with exception of few scratches here/there.
Great bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
k2com
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | where the dirt is | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Strengths: | Solid, medium light, rear suspension does what it says, cushioning without sapping your pedaling action. Snappy paint job. People will inevitably say "Nice bike" if you own this - I sure got that often enough, from more than just fellow bikers. | | Weaknesses: | It's a mid range priced bike and you get what you pay for (not that it was cheap, in price or quality). | | Similar Products Used: | It was my first full suspension bike - it's a lot better than my last one, which was sans anything of a springy variety. | | Bike Setup: | Everything was stock expect the pedals, saddle, and tires, for reasons of my feet, sperm count (hah), and thorns (got a pair of kevlar tires - solved the problem). | | Bottom Line: | This is kinda memorial for my bike, as it got stolen recently. I had it for three years, put about 4500 miles on according to my odometer, had some good times. I don't have car, so this was my main mode of getting around, aside public transportation, and to that end it served me well. I didn't hit trails as much I had liked with it, though when I did it was certainly suited to such. The guy at the shop where I bought it from said he had raced with the same model (different year though) for several years.
My college is notoriosly vertical and fraught with stairs, though I had no problem throwing my bike over my shoulder to scale the steps as needed - the thing's no carbon frame, but it's fairly light.
Looking at other reviews here, I'm a little annoyed I paid what I did for it, but as a bike by itself, it's a nice ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andre Malan
a Cross Country Rider
from Johannesburg
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Nice feel when climbing and going fast, but bike feels "distant." Brakes are good and provide fair modulation. Fox air shock at the back is always going to be good. | | Weaknesses: | The back comes up sharply when you brake. Disconcerting until you get used to it. Front shock got "stuck" more than once, when switching between lockout and free. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super V500 & Jekyll, Trek VRX 200. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but changes the tyres: Larsen TT at the back and Hutchinson Scorpion in front. | | Bottom Line: | Didn't get around to doing a race on it, just training runs and some cross-country on the weekends. Very good but didn't excite me like some other bikes can (Cannondale and Kona for instance.) I do not feel like one when riding the bike, so moving on to Giant Trance... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
reynolds
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | catawba, sherman | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | International - no longer around | | Strengths: | Great bike - see below | | Weaknesses: | seatpost, tires | | Bike Setup: | stock plus/minus | | Bottom Line: | Great bike value and it has exceeded expectations. Agree with strengths listed for others - climbing, suspension, disc brakes, etc. However, the Titec X-wing seatpost that came stock, busted on me recently. The saddle clamp bolt sheared off and the clamp cracked under fairly mild riding. Although I didn't see other NRS folks note this problem, check out the X-wing seatpost review and it is clear that this is a design issue. Luckily, I made it without injury - others may want to replace it or keep an eye on it. I had to replace the tires after about a year, but other than that, it has been a great purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from houston, tx
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | coworker | | Strengths: | no bob on rear suspension (which makes it quite handy on pavement if you want cardio), avid discs have saved my *ss a number of times on the trails. | | Weaknesses: | shifting is tweaky (LX Deore) and needs fine adjustments; little heavy; rear suspension is only active on 4" plus drops (but i think this is a strength too). skareb on front is pretty weak. so are hutchinson tires in the serious dirt. | | Bottom Line: | used, this bike is a great ride. strikes me as a great hard-core hybrid (where you could go on some fairly serious trails / jumps & then go for a cardio-type ride on pavement), but probably not the way to go for full time trail jumpers (though it'd do fine, theres likely better out there). lack of bob on rear end is a boon for those who want to take it on pavement or on hard inclines, but it will soften the blow on a decent drop (i've done 1' drops and it soaks it up beautifully).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from San Angelo, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco via Rockburn, Md | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Broadway Bicycles, Baltimore, MD | | Strengths: | Fairly light, sturdy, corners well... and it climbs like a mountain goat! | | Weaknesses: | could have better components and a bit more travel... but for its price, I can't complain. | | Similar Products Used: | Cake 3, Fuel 80... a sporting goods store mongoose, wait.. that isn't all that simular. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Super Axel forks, Fox Float R AVA shock, Deore
shifters, LX front and rear derailers, Time Attack Allium pedals, Mavic rims, Hutchinson Python tires, Avid V-brake | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely great bike for the price... if you are fairly new to mountain biking, and you plan to do more x-country than downhills... this bike is great. Too bad Giant stopped making it. Climbs very well for a FS bike, but it handles and brakes well on downhills. If you aren't riding a ski lift to get to the top, or expecting greater than a mile of straight downhill, you will not miss disc brakes. The perfect bike for hill country. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivar
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunny Brisbane
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedalhead, Edmonton | | Strengths: | Efficient, affordable. Climbs really well. I can commute on weekdays and MTB on weekends. | | Weaknesses: | Locks up under brakes, every bas...d has one - limited wank factor. Past its use by date. Squeaky undersized bearings and sloppiness in the rear. | | Similar Products Used: | Steel hardtails & KHS softtail (don't get me started - dirt jumpers and BMX riders know steel is real. The younger generation with their disposable aluminium and carbon frames will blow their minds when they 'discover' the durability and feel of steel in about 10 years time.)
Fooled around on 6 inch kona, plush, but not much terrain in Oz to justify that kind of steed. | | Bike Setup: | Coil bombers, thompson, XTR discs, XT ders and hubs. 959 spd's., new-fangled XT cranks, profile bar ends! | | Bottom Line: | The bike that brought full suspension to the masses.
I have gone full circle on this one - was amazed at first, then I got the sh.ts with the squeaky bearings and felt envious of the new bikes, but now I have come to grips with its handling limitations and have many fond memories.
Like every design it has its limitations. I dig the versatility and climbing ability. Theres better bikes out there, but none at this price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a
from Lutz
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Morris Bridge Trails; Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | No-bob suspension. Quality components. Relatively light. | | Weaknesses: | I am not aware of any that can't be adjusted away. Python tires are weak performers in sugar sand. | | Similar Products Used: | Only hardtails, Specialized Stumpjumper, Schwinn Homegrown, Kona Cinder Cone. | | Bike Setup: | All stock setup. | | Bottom Line: | For the first time on the rooty trails I must ride here in the Tampa Bay area I was able to fly. No more catapulting off the seat. At the same time, the bike was fast and climbed very well in my "work out" area (embankment by parking lot and hill up to the levee). The bike also descended wonderfully. I only wish I had this bike on my one trip to Alafia River and my last journey to Tsali. Buying this used put my in a price range I could afford, because my research told me I needed a cross country FS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a
from charlottesville
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | prefourmance | | Strengths: | could climb a tree i meen this thing is fast and it can go over anything like logs i havent found anything i cant get over. and it decends like a down hill bike i can hall ass and i am fasetr than peole with all mountain bikes with 5 in of travle i cant say enough good stuf about this bike | | Weaknesses: | kinda hurts my back i will get a shorter stem and the python tires are crap i riped them both in half and but some role-x's s-works on it and couldent be better | | Similar Products Used: | nothing like this out thare | | Bike Setup: | stock but wont be soon | | Bottom Line: | awosme bike for the money you should buy it if you like to go fast anaware you go and its real light and you can make it lighter | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Carlsbad Ca USA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything technical | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle warehouse San Diego | | Strengths: | The suspension. It rides just like a hardtail until you hit the rough stuff on the downhill, then it is smoooooth. The Rock Shox SID is fantastic! Lasted 4.5 yrs with no maintanance and probably had a few more left. | | Weaknesses: | Some rear end flex when high torque applied. Need to keep rear tire to a skinnier variety (some 2.25's OK others too wide). Learn to avoid high torque situations. This is only a problem during climbing. | | Bike Setup: | Purchased this as a frame, transferred components from old bike | | Bottom Line: | The NRS-2 just rocks. You no longer need to pick a curvy line, a straight line to the next curve is all you need. Rocks, ruts, roots: who cares? This bike makes them fun! Only because the flex keeps this bike from being perfect, I give it 5 by 4 chilis.
This is a post mortem report. I knew the bike was a little light duty for my riding, but I got it anyway. I didn't want to haul around a heavy bike and the suspension is as good as everyone says. I finally broke it in half, but I *hammered* it for over 4 years. I got the Trance for a replacement, it's stronger and doesn't have the flex issue. I'll have to get used to the extra pounds.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a
from hooksett,nh,usa
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | bear brook | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | naults bike shop | | Strengths: | fast,good components for the $$$.have 1000 miles on it so far and no major problems.just replaced the rear shifter cable,cassette and chain,due to normal upkeep.have the model with avid disc and skareb fork.i have ridden in super muddy conditions and no problems so far. | | Weaknesses: | changed the front tire to a kenda klaw 2.1. the pythons are sketchy on rough terrain.the shimano "rapid rise"rear derailuer is tough to get used to, since it shifts backwards to the regular xt.The skareb can be sketchy on tough terrain also,it feels like it needs more travel up front, the rear feels more like100mm 4-4/12inches than 3.7. will get a 100mm fork next year.seatpost squeeks a bit, have to clean and lube like every 4th ride or so. | | Similar Products Used: | giant vt 1,nrs 1,schwinn moab hardtail | | Bike Setup: | avid disc,manitou skareb elite,xt rear lx front der.hutchinson python rear(turned backwards,it works better) kenda klaw front tire. | | Bottom Line: | great for the $$$. can't beat the value ratio of $$ to specs.fast bike.can keep up with roadies for awhile on pavement, yet descend a rooty rocky trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | East side river | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1325.00 | | Purchased At: | Cory the Bike Fixer | | Strengths: | I took it for a test ride before I bought it because I was skeptical about the no pedal bob. I've had it for a year now, works great, I hardly use my old hardtail even on trails with less decents. | | Weaknesses: | Front fork, I'm on my 3rd Manitou Skerab. I don't know if its because I'm 6'1" and 200lbs or what. I broke the cross member on one, and blew out the SPV valve on another. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except different fork beause of problems mentioned above. | | Bottom Line: | Overall great bike, when my new Skerab brakes(and I'm sure it will) I'm going with a different brand. I love the suspension and mechanical discs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu
a Cross Country Rider
from Hard Hittin', CT
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Muddy | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain City Cycles | | Strengths: | Very solid bike for the money. Avid Mechanicals are great on the muddy trails. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Pythons not made for muddy, rocky trails. I've blown out the side walls more times that I can remember. Swithced over to Panaracer FireXCPros. GREAT New England tire.
Pivot point bearings are very testie when introduced to mud or H2O. | | Bottom Line: | Can't go wrong if you buy this bike. You get more bike than you pay for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Don
a Weekend Warrior
from The Pacific Northwest
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | yes | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1584725.00 | | Purchased At: | A bike store | | Strengths: | The "no bob" rear doesn't bob. The avid mechanicals are wonderful (do you guys know that we had mechanical disks in the 60's?). The rest of the running gear is holding up fine. The bike is plenty light for a blob like me. The Fox float holds air as does the Manitou Skareb front shock - nice feature. SRAMs inverted version of RapidFire works well - although I found reversing from Shimano took a little time to get used to. | | Weaknesses: | Well I replaced the stock SPD pedals with a set of cheap platforms (after riding longer than most posters have been alive I've come to realize that BMXers were right all along). The Hutchison tires don't inspire a lot of confidence. And I wish that Manitou would just give you an extra spring(s) just in case you weigh more than 100lbs - I need the X-firm kit for the Skareb. You need to be quick when disconnecting the shock pump from the Skareb to avoid losing a lot of air - but I don't have that problem with the Fox. The rebound adjustment range of the Skareb seems useless - too light an oil? | | Similar Products Used: | Gillete razors, Toyota cars, Folger's coffee, light things with spindly wheels. | | Bike Setup: | Paint, decals, wheels, air in tires, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Very good value. I bought mine on sale from Performance for $1099, joined Team Performance for $20 and promptly recieved $100 coupons for Performance-stuff (about the only way I would shop there). So I liked the deal.
My first run down a very fast fire road taught me that (a) setup is important and (b) I don't have it dialed in very well. There is a lot of tweaking you can do and might view that as either good or bad.
As the Skareb comes lightly sprung, and the user's manual doesn't tell you what the max air pressure is, I'd advise that you put a minimum of 75% of your body weight pressure and no less than 100lbs. Do that before you nail the front brake on a descent.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quincy Shanks
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno, Nevada, United States
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | keystone trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bycicle Wharehouse | | Strengths: | Great climber. light weight and very reliable sturdy and solid on downhills. very fast. Very good bike for the cost. handles great
| | Weaknesses: | I had to take it in to get the bottom bracket tightened.i have had a ton of flats from pinches (probably the rims becaus i am not to extreme of a rider) Solution: i tried specialized goo filled tires worked better. then bought thicker thorn resistant tire and have worked like a charm. | | Similar Products Used: | trek fuel 80(sucks) | | Bike Setup: | stock exept for hayes el camino disc brakes (great i highly recomend them) | | Bottom Line: | Great climber. fast. light. good stock parts. strudy and solid on downhills. great bike for the price. handles great.
BUY IT, ITS GREAT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnson City, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cherokee Mountain (you won't find it on a trail map!) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | The no-bob design for the rear suspension is great. It really works! I often ride 20 minutes on the road to get to a trail so it is really helpful. One of my rides involves a 45 minute climb, and this climbs like a hardtail. Going down it is very comfortable, and pretty stable. It handles well enough that the weak point is the tire/ground interface. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing major. The seatpost squeaks because they have a large diameter seat tube and a small diameter seat post, making up the difference with a shim. Greasing helps for awhile. If it comes back again I may buy a larger diameter seatpost that fits the seat tube so I can do away with the shim. The Python tires didn't grip well. The Avid disks squeak occasionally, but it is not a big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode a no suspension bike for 20 years, but I lived in flatter areas. Moving to the mountains I found that bike no longer did the job. | | Bike Setup: | I put on flat bars and some tires with real tread. The major change was to switch the front fork for one with no-bob technology (Skarab Platinum 100 with SPV). That really made the thing ride like a hardtail on roads or climbs. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. Go buy one and ride it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fanshawe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | TO WHEELS | | Strengths: | Light weight package
The price makes it hard to beat.... | | Weaknesses: | Stock Hutchinson tires, are not designed for type of riding that I do, more agressive XC/All mountain, they are pure XC race tires....switching to Panaracer XC pros | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain, Norco | | Bike Setup: | Stock, different comfy saddle, PanaRacer Tires | | Bottom Line: | -Sweeeeeet package for the price, the NRS continues to be produced by Giant b/c the suspension design works, and continues to work.
-This bike is a XC RACE bike, steep head tube, and relatively short travel, long stem, this baby climbs like nothing I've ever ridden.....
-Super efficient, no bob, great package for the price, a blast to ride | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, Texas
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | OP Schnable | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Ride Away Bicycles | | Strengths: | Handles Great, Climbs as promised. Feels like a hardtail on climbs. Time Atac Alium pedals are great. Its true, they shed mud like they claim to. Definite click and easy to get out of. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Axel fork isn't the greatest. I plan to upgrade. But, for the price, I'm fine with it for now. | | Similar Products Used: | Old GT Hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Thompsom seatpost. Stock setup is good to go. Avid rim brakes, Time Atac Alium Pedals, Easton handlebar and stem. WTB seat, Axel fork, Fox float R rear shock, Mavic rims, DeoreLX, RaceFace cranks and rings, Hutchinson Python tires. | | Bottom Line: | I've had to take the bike back to the shop for re-tightening of the bottom bracket twice. Rear stock hub has a grinding sound, but I've been told its fine. It feels smooth so I'll ride it that way until otherwise.
Other than that, I have been very pleased with this bike and with Ride Away Bicycles customer service. The full suspension does its job just fine. I'm 200lbs and this bike does what it promises to do. I feel I bought a great bike for what I paid. So far I can't see the reason to have paid more for some other more expensive frame and I like the look of the NRS frame.
Before I bought this bike, I read all that I could about the NRS frame design. I read the good and the bad. I will say that when climbing out of the saddle, I don't feel any bob coming from the rear. The frame perfoms as promised.
This is my first full suspension bike and I would recommend this NRS to anyone who is looking to go full suspension from a hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Rivera
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light frame, components, rear suspension and comfortable ride. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Bike Setup: | Note: My NRS 2 is the 2004.5 model (not the model shown above). This model comes with an Avid Mechanical Disc Brake. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is built for speed. I have tried this bike on uphill climbs and it does climb like a hardtail and it is very fast downhill. The rear suspension works great on rough terrain. This bike is highly recommended and for me is probably one of the best full suspension cross country bikes and most rock solid in its category. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Timah MTB trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Light, efficient, fast, a great frame design that works for me. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. Just feel the rear triangle(swing-arm), seems to look fragile with all those linkages, so I'm still going gentle on the bike. But I've bent hard-tails, and chromoly frames since early 90s. | | Similar Products Used: | None, changing from hard-tails. | | Bike Setup: | Marzzochi MX Comp(120mm) with TRS, the rest are stock entry level parts. | | Bottom Line: | It seems to float over the trail and climbs well.
Bought the bike because I think the frame design is efficient and reviews from friends that say that NRS feels like a hardtail when hammering down on the pedals (Quite true).
This bike is a refreshing change, and I can't, still can't believe I'm actually riding so much faster. Get it if you want to speed through the trails. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bernd Stoeckl
a
from Mitwitz - Germany
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | local dealer | | Strengths: | NRS System name is the game - rides like a hardtail - bur comfy enough -very fast bike - | | Weaknesses: | None that I discovered so far compared to price | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | Axel Manitou fork, Custom wheel set DT240S/Supercomp spokes/4.1d rim / Racing Ralph tires / | | Bottom Line: | Incredible good value for money. The set-up is clearly racing and single track. Acceleration is fantastic if not explosive, handling is superb, the components are good and I can't see a real bad one for this money (though I put a high end custom wheelset in to get an extra boost on the acceleration and now it's sonic boom) The original wheel set is fast and solid but less stiff in turns than my new custom ones of course. The original Python tires are perfect for the race setup light weight and low rolling resistance, though not too comfy. The Racing Ralphs are the same weight but boy rolling resistance and comfort are fantastic. Original brake pads may be a flaw, I switched to BBB blue and now the MPH is silent and bites more. As mentioned before it's a Race set-up the rear suspension proves it's name no resonance. However don't expect a too comfy ride, gravel for example is noticable but on the other hand you always have "contact" with the track which increases control and gives me a safe feeling.
I had some problems in the beginning with gear switching eventually the dealer found out it was the chain. We put on a XTR one, now it's smooth as silk.
The only improvement I can think of next is a new fork from Fox but boy.....that's real money to spend.
Summary: I love the bike, the frame is fantastic, the components are truly sufficient for an ambitous free time rider, and when you bike with friends I am sure you will be the one in the front.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Hobart, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Value for money, good quality components compared to other brands in price range. Brakes, rear suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Forks | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kikapu deluxe, Kona Dawg, Giant NRS1 | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | Very impressed with bike so far. Havnt had good chance to test bike in the bush yet. Paid $2000 AUS, saving of $600. Also considered NRS1 but couldnt justify extra $1000 for my riding abilities. Love the brakes and rear suspension, find the fork to be to soft, dives too much when climbing. Will be the first thing that i upgrade. Have trouble shifting to smallest chain wheel, should be adjusted out at first service. Would recommend this bike to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kent
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney,NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | SIC | | Strengths: | rear frame geometry
total package value even at RRP.. | | Weaknesses: | not happy with the raceface cranks so far.Axel forks are possibly a bit soft. Have found the Hayes Hydro's have a small bug in the leaver "reach" adjustment, and need to adjust after a solid days ride, as they seam to "creap in" over long day of riding and I'm starting to hit my fingers. A friend has a set on his VT2 and they do the same, even after using locktite to prevent it, but love the brakes otherwise. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose NX8.1, Various Hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Factory.. so far. | | Bottom Line: | I can't think of a better XC FS rig for the money, the bike feels sweet through winding single track and trail riding, I am stunned at how well this bike climbs, the rear geometry makes the rear shock feel like an automatic lockout. seams to be active when needed and solid when your really stomping on the pedals.
gets a 4 overall due to the Raceface cranks not convincing me so far.. pretty much my only gripe .. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Campus Cycles | | Strengths: | ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND HERE IS I HAVE THE 2004.5 NRS2 DISC, NOT THE ONE PICTURED ABOVE. Differences w/ the model I have are a Fox Float R rear shock, Avid mechanical disc brakes, and Manitou Skareb front fork. It has one of the best do-everything frames on the market, high quality componentry, awesome Fox Float R rear shock, not too heavy. | | Weaknesses: | Front fork seems a bit soft even after setting it to its stiffest setting for my 165 lb frame, entry-level Mavic wheelset, Hutchinson Python tires dart around at high speed on rough terrain. That's the big one. Other than that last point, this bike is awesome. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kikapu, Kona Coiler, Santa Cruz Blur (which was just too expensive), Tomac Revolver | | Bike Setup: | Stock except pedals, soon to put on Ritchey Z-Max Millenium tires (they rock), Mavic Crossmax XL wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | Everything I want in a bike at this point. I know the thing's not going to bust apart on the side of the trail. I push this thing to the max of my ability and it doesn't disappoint.
That I've found so far, you can't do any better for an out-of-the-box go anywhere bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Noosa, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Spin City Mooloolaba | | Strengths: | All brand name componants on the bike and brilliant rear suspension with the Fox Float and NRS setup performing exactly as advertised which is a rare thing nowdays. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Python Airlight tyres go off too quickly especially bad for the front end. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT2 | | Bike Setup: | Std except Heavy fork spring and Specialized Enduro Tyres | | Bottom Line: | A very good bike that is light weight and very well made. All the parts are name brand. Aussie spec differs from U.S spec in that mine is fitted with Hayes HFX 9 Hydraulic Disc Brakes, Fox Float rear shock, Axel Super 70-100mm rapid travel wind down fork, Shimano PD 520 pedals and Mavic rims. It all goes together to make this the best bike I have ridden on a dollar per dollar basis for what I have got. It does everthing well. I climbs like a stabbed rat and decends with ease and the suspension soaks up everthing I throw at it. It is a bike I ride for hours and still feel fresh (well nearly). The suspension works without you even knowing it is doing its job. The only giveaway is that everything happens oh so smooooth!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Single track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2750.00 | | Purchased At: | Supreme Cycles Narabeen | | Strengths: | Very efficent rear suspension, fantastic value, lightweight for price, great brakes my australian edition has Hayes Hydraulics and great components nothing is a no-name brand. | | Weaknesses: | The Forks, Manitou Excel Elites are very soft they should only be supplied with firm springs, not going to upgraded the springs as the wife has let me buy new forks next year, get some nice air Zocchi's. | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden a Gary Fisher Joshua for 7 years but not much else. | | Bike Setup: | Standard Australian spec except added XT rear mech. | | Bottom Line: | Bloody Marvelous, a big change from the Joshua such an effiecnt suspension setup no need for lockouts here. The ride is firm but as its a XC bike its just perfect for enduro races and those all day epics. The only downside is the fork but they had to a cost saving somewhere and they did it all with the fork because there are no cost cuttings with the other parts, so just a simple fork upgrade which is such a personal choice anyway and would probably be fixed with the upgrade to the firm springs anyway.
The rear suspension is just so good you never notice it working just brilliant, you know this is a good design when the top of the range bike has the same shock as this one unlike Kona, Specialized, Jamis, et al whose top of the range bikes all have lock outs on the shocks, trust me this bike just doesn't need them no bob at all uphill even standing.
The bottom line is buy this bike if your in the market for an efficent full suspened bike to race and ride all day as nothing comes close to the value and strength of the components(except the fork) of this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Campbell, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bikes | | Strengths: | -Great Starting Bike
-Very efficient Rear-End Suspention
-Nice Rear Shock
-Good for BMXers or Hardtailers
-Decent Components
-Disc Brakes
| | Weaknesses: | -Could come with better components
-Hubs
-The fork (the SKAREB SUCKS!!!!!)
-Cable rub on headset tube and seat post tube leaves a hard residue (looks like scratches)
-Better tires (Hutchitson's are for dry, paved conditions)
-Very Finicky Brakes(Always Rub!!!) | | Similar Products Used: | Test Rides:
-Trek Fuel 90
-Giant AC
-GT I-Drive 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except Wah, Wah pLatforms and big haro seat. | | Bottom Line: | Good Overall Bike for starters to MTBing or people from BMXing. A good base for a decent bike with decent components. The fork is the only thing that severely troubles me due to it being a very springy fork (feels like you on a trampoline). Mechanical Discs have the smoothness of a hydraulics but with out the brute force which is like the best of both world's of braking types (V and Disc). The only things that need to be changed in my opinion are the tires and front fork.I would recomend to My BMX Buddies!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thorpe
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | T100 and White Tanks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Strengths: | I'm a hardtail guy to the end but decided to get this NRS 2 as it had nice components and a tight ride. It really does ride like my HTs when pumping up hills and pouring it on in the flats. The Easton bars are a perfect fit. The Answer front fork does a great job. | | Weaknesses: | ??? No issues at this time. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Klein Hardtail - many a miles! | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike at a great price. I really like the looks of the bike (I know, weak premesis). Frame welds look flawless like bikes 3x the price. Components alone make this the best buy I could find in the Phoenix LBS showrooms. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Racer
from Durango, Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hermosa Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1495.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike Specialist | | Strengths: | The NSR has a strong group of stock components, the NRS suspension feels like a hard tail on climbs and is supple enough to soak up the bumps on fast decents. | | Weaknesses: | I find that when I'm putting the hammer down the chain rides up in between the cranks and the chainstays, this binds up the chain and stops all peddle movement. The seat post squeaks a little detracting from the overall ride enjoyment. I would like to see the option of a 100mm fork with more lateral stiffness for the bigger rocks and bumps we all encounter. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Dimondback SL, Trek liquid, Gt I-drive, Specialized fsr | | Bike Setup: | Stock
| | Bottom Line: | Great all around performance and value. The chain binding problem concerns me and could put you out of the race if you have to stop and fix it too often. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drake
a Cross Country Rider
from Napa, CA
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Merlot Coastal | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Avid brakes are (again) flawless; bike is literally draped with quality compenents from Race Face, Easton, Mavic, and Fox. The Fox is a fantasic, adjustable, component additon. Skareb front forks are flawless for the price of the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Every year NRS 2 made by Giant; Superlight, Ellsworth, test rode a Marin for 20 minutes. | | Bike Setup: | Lights and Computer added. | | Bottom Line: | Once again Giant did a good job on the NRS 2. Over the years the price has crept forward, much to my dismay; however it is still a fantastic value. I continue to give away my NRS 2's to friends and family as a next year model is introduced. The lucky recipients of my older NRS's ride quite frequently and they have continued to perform beyond reproach. Just can't say enough good stuff about this high performance and reasonbly priced ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Emilio Huerta
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterrey, N.L. México
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Chipinque | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World, McAllen TX | | Strengths: | Excellent bike for the money, a perfect choice to make the transition from hardtail to FS. No bob when pedaling, good climber, lighting fast on fire roads and single tracks. Ideal for XC riding. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy, soft fork with no preload adjust. Squeaky seat | | Similar Products Used: | None, only hardtails... Fisher Hoo-Koo-He-ko, Stumpjumper M2 & Jamis Dakota and a few tryouts on some crappy FS bikes. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This bikes is great, I only have a few months riding it and I very pleased. Maybe I'll switch for a firmer skareb fork with 80 mm of travel for XC racing, and a few lighter components, but for the price tag, the specs are awesome... Easton, Time pedals, Hutchinson, Race Face...
Final words: If you are looking for a good Full Suspension XC bike, but you're on a budget, this bike must be on the top of your list.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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