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Submitted by
robriw3
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight, stiff and flex free (I weigh 200 lbs), great climber, excellent marathon or long ride racer. Builds up light. The aluminum rear and carbon front are a good combination. The shiney black carbon front with the gracefull arcs and carbon weave under clearcoat just doesn't get any sexier. | | Weaknesses: | Rear has a tiny bit of bob when seated, but barely noticable. Not suited for drops or heavy rocky sections. May benefit from a more modern shock now that the frame is a few years old and rear shocks have gotten better. Can get a little unsettled with wild hair decending - as you replace with lighter parts it feels "less planted". The front shock you chose will determine the ride quality. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Cannondale Scalpel, Giant MCM. | | Bike Setup: | Mavic ST, Raceface, Velocirator, SID, etc. Without speding a ton on light weight parts it came in at 24.90 lbs. for a large. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike that is best suited for ultra endurance rides, long XC, adventure racing, and any standard trail. You can ride for hours and your back and butt don't hurt. A great transitional bike between a hardtail and a true full suspension 120mm+ travel bike. Not made for hucking, downhilling, or big hit rocks. I feel that Giants run a little tight in the cockpit, so a large feels more like a medium / large. Still a great design (thanks Specialized) that still keeps up with todays modern bikes. For what this bike is it gets 5/5. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ad3101
a Racer
from utah
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Taylors Bike SHop | | Strengths: | Hartail performance but with full suspension comfort. | | Weaknesses: | The rear suspension tends to stiffen under hard braking | | Similar Products Used: | Ever NRS model since 2002 | | Bottom Line: | One of the best. Te carbon version with the fox shox on the front and rear, make this the best NRS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob bowers
a Cross Country Rider
from Mount Tamo Qld Australia
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Nerang | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Has the combination of anti bob and active suspension that I like. Great ride quality | | Weaknesses: | not sure it is any lighter than the alloy verson | | Similar Products Used: | Blur, Spyder, Epic, Rocky Mtn Element Team, Alloy NRS, Scapel, and have now tried an Anthem | | Bike Setup: | AVA, f100x (both run plush enough to get max travel at my fav trails, this means the fork sits 20mm into its travel and follows the ground well), xtr rapidfire, easton ec stuff, american classic hubs, Stans Olympic rims, alloy discs and sealant, Conti Explorer Supersonic, Atacs | | Bottom Line: | Great cross country bike. Fast enough to cut it with the elite guys I ride with. Easy to set up. Good value compared to other things I tried. Suspension active, without pedal induced feedback. AVA does the job and balances its action with the fork to give a fraction of cush when pedaled hard, not bob but cush. Much better than the Anthem that has replaced it. And getting it for 50% of what they were going for retail I'm all smiles. It is the ultimate for me and I coudn't even begin to think what I'd replace it with. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave lynch
a Cross Country Rider
from blue mts australia
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | oaks fire trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$695.00 | | Purchased At: | pathom cycles | | Strengths: | very light strong and good looking | | Weaknesses: | not as light as a hardtail | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale rush | | Bike Setup: | xc xt cranks xtr rest.ec70 post and ec90 bars chris king headset,SLR seat,fox F80X fork | | Bottom Line: | great so far.coming from a hardtail the same weight [23.1 lb] and handling but better on hill have not race yet but so far so good will let you know. all the products above work well with the NRS AIR much better bike then the rider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Victor Primacio
a Racer
from Dededo, Guam,USA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Hornet's Sport | | Strengths: | Carbon frame, suspensions and top of the line components | | Weaknesses: | Can't go smaller than 16.5 | | Similar Products Used: | My first DS bike but former hardtail XTC and Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with NRS rear susp., Full XTR and disc, crossmax SL and Sid Team fork | | Bottom Line: | Nrs Air is giving me a natural high for speed and comfort in every ride so far that made me wish all the time to buy my 5 sisters and 4 brother each nrs air as soon as I can afford. I can't wait for shorter stem I special ordered from the dealer to correct the weakness. The carbon frame and suspensions took all the beatings that I don't have to take a nap post ride as compared to my hardtails. It has become my passion to ride a bike and get high in each ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sebastian Rodriguez
a Racer
from venezuela
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, nicely finished great overall performace. | | Weaknesses: | price | | Bottom Line: | Great crosscountry bike. Good climber, geometry is well balanced and thought out. This is a beautiful bike for a hardtail lover that needs just the right amount of suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Crites connect | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Strengths: | Geometry, weight, responsivness, componets.... everything about it so far.
| | Weaknesses: | Bike size is different. I'm six four, and the 22.5 inch frame size is way too big. Next down is a 20.5, which is borderline small.... would like to see more 'generic' sizing, ie: 21 inch frame size! | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Specialized S Works FSR. | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax discs, Magura Martas, Easton Monkeylight bar and easton seatpost/stem, Gripshift 9.0. | | Bottom Line: | Only have six rides, but what a stunning difference from my Specialized S Works with the brain shock. This carbon beauty is the smoothest riding thing I've ever been on, and after trying several, nothing else could compare. I'm approaching Clydsdale weight, and no unwanted frame flex noted! The VPP was a close second on types of suspension for me, but if you're looking, try them both, and you'll be amazed at the difference. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | In Israel the bike comes with full XTR setup and rock shox SID team front shock, as well as XTR hydrolic disc breaks. Although I am an amateur rider, the bike is light as a feather while still being strong and rugged. It climbs like a panther and is as fast as a chitah. The shocks when properly set are unbelievably smooth and protect my fifty year old joints and back. With no trouble I leave other bikers who once passed me in the dust, literally. In Israel there is lots of sand on the trails and this bike cuts through like the proverbial knife through butter. This is an experience that is so far from that which I felt on my old Haro Extreme and NRS 2. I would highly recommend this bike for a person who is willing to pay for the best and wants to have the ultimate experience on a crosscountry bike. The carbon fibre frame is so strong while being so unbelievably light. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have found. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 2, Haro Extreme 1 | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Rock Shox SID team, Welco platform pedals for off road with Time clipless as an option for tame trails and on road riding. | | Bottom Line: | A wet dream for all cross country bikers looking for the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rafael
a
from England
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Beautiful finish, great climber and stable on the dowm slope. CARBON!
Extremely light.Great geometry. | | Weaknesses: | none yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel | | Bike Setup: | Stock set as it comes. | | Bottom Line: | This is a beautiful full suspension bike for the XC rider who wants a bike that does everything like it should. A little costly, but what the ......it´s worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ghisallo
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hillside | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Proven rear suspension design | | Weaknesses: | Fork needs to be upgraded to a Fox IMO | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Older NRSs | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Speedplay Frogs and bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I didn't hold out a lot of hope that this bike would descend all that great but the rear end is like buttah. Maybe it's the new shock, new geometry and carbon fiber but it feels even better than the '03 Air I was riding. I like the Skareb better than the SID but it has some funky characteristics that make you feel like the headset's loose (it isn't) and it wobbles on descents around 30mph. If I had the cash it would have Fox F100x on it instead.
Racing has been a dream. The Crossmax power transfer is excellent of course. I don't get any ghost-shifting yet as NRSs of the past have done, but I do get some chain suck. To prevent this I spray a little PAM cooking spray in the strategic location and that seems to help--that and babying it on quick shifts.
The whole bike does seem to bob a bit out of the saddle so you have to adjust your sprinting style to not rob yourself of power.
Originally I wanted GripShift and Magura Martas on this bike but it didn't happen and I have to say the XT shift paddles are no big deal. They work much like my road bike's Ultegra and it's totally second nature. Brakes are strong and consistent but do take a little monkeying around with after remounting the front wheel--otherwise it rubs.
Rating: I'm not sure anyone should be paying $4000 for a MTB but compared to others this spec is a pretty good value. Put a better fork on it and you've got 5 chilis. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deb
a Downhiller
from FT Collins, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3900.00 | | Purchased At: | Rock 'n Road Cyclery | | Strengths: | Very responsive! Better than my S-works Epic from last year! This bike is a very good climber, is quite plush when the suspension is needed and is still the most efficient full suspension I have been on. A good bike when I just want a XC break! | | Weaknesses: | Very hard to get. I was nervous at first, riding on a carbon bike because I tend to be very hard on equipment. It has held up like a champ. Weak: Comes spec'ed with a 110mm stem, also, the Skareb Super doesn't have a lockout, but the SPV is very effective. | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Specialized S-works FSR(Epic). | | Bottom Line: | Amazing! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Byrren
a Cross Country Rider
from Rocklin, CA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hole in the Ground, Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | SpinCity Bicycles | | Strengths: | Superlight, Great climber, Stable on XC singletrack, looks good, no bob NRS, but still plush on larger bumps | | Weaknesses: | None for its intended purpose, fast XC riding/racing on trails that aren't too technical. A little bit of ghost shifting, but its probably just time to recable it. | | Similar Products Used: | NRS 1, Trek Fuel, RM Instinct, Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for seat and swapped to Easton Monkeylite 1.5" risers | | Bottom Line: | One of the best "pure" XC riding / racing bike around. Climbs like a road bike (really fast), I can keep up with all the singlespeeders. Descends very well (stable and responsive, but not twitchy) on non-technical, fast, tight singletrack. I don't feel much brake-jack - I think that was fixed by the stable-platform Fox propedal rear shock. Looks really sick with the carbon-fiber patterns. Buyer would be someone that wants one of the best XC/racers around. Non-buyer would be someone that wants to do jumps, rough or technical trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Marietta , Ga USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Roswell Bikes | | Strengths: | Light weight, cool looks , great handling | | Weaknesses: | none really-comes with a crappy saddle and grips, thats all! | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Yeti ARC , Yeti FS | | Bike Setup: | stock except for SLR saddle, Yeti grips, Time ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike has renewed my faith in mountainbiking-I look forward to riding it every weekend and love to race it.This bike is set up for racing and all around cross country fun.Im 190 lbs and I feel no flex at all-you dont really feel any suspension at all!!It climbs great and carves through singletrack like a knife.If you are a hucker or jump off schoolbuildings stay away from this bike, otherwise it is a fun work of art. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from kokomo
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay; frame only | | Strengths: | stable platform works! ultra light frame. shock very adjustable. awesome carbon fiber look. absorbs a lot of high vibration, low amplitude bumps that would be felt by an aluminum frame. | | Weaknesses: | none. doesnt squeek or pop. just the right amount of flex too. this frame is perfect for XC folks | | Similar Products Used: | EPX Terrashark | | Bike Setup: | NRS Air frame, Crossmax wheels, XT/XTR derailleurs.Skareb fork, race face crank, easton components, mich. tubeless tires, crank bros. pedals | | Bottom Line: | if someone wants an XC rocket, this is it with the right components. granted it is expensive, but for bikers who are or are not competitive, this ride is for serious people. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from southeast michigan
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3800.00 | | Strengths: | Light, great looking, bearing pivots, update of nrs design better bumb absorbtion. | | Weaknesses: | very fexly, the power transfer is not lost in bob but the frame flex. the bb area feels like a wet noodle under hard power transfer or cranking up hills. i am scared of long term strength of this bike or someone who weighs more then me, 160lbs | | Similar Products Used: | trek 8500, epic, old school 9.9, stumpjumper fsr | | Bottom Line: | the bike is light but for how much flex it has be better off in a al version. looks good. i wish i would have tried the trek fuel to see if it feels better, i did not because the frame weighs alittle more then the nrs air. or had gotten the al verson and upgraded to new xt. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from NorthEast
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Parts can easily be switched onto a new frame/fork... | | Weaknesses: | -Price? What the helI are we paying for-XT and a Tawian frame????
-Frame breaks to easily
-Not matching up to rival Trek Fuel | | Similar Products Used: | Trek STP 400, Trek Fuel 100 ('01, '02, '03, '04), Specialized S-works FSR ('02, '03, '04), Giant NRS Air ('02, '03, '04), Cannondale Scalpel ('02/'03). | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but pedals. | | Bottom Line: | My frame broke within a month of recieving it. The rockerlink carbon molding is layed out horizontally, instead of vertically, which is the opposite way of the transferred stress.
It is a little expensive to be getting a bike with only XT components and a Tawian frame.
Once I get my warranty, I'm selling it on ebay and putting the parts onto a REAL bike (Merlin XLM with Cannondale Lefty Ti/Carbon). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Dawson
a Racer
from Peterborough, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Proform Cycle | | Strengths: | Light, fast, reliable, lots of great parts, very good looks, it's a Giant NRS!! | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Giant NRS-1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock.......waiting for my Shimano 959 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Ahhhh.....the first review.
For my style, this is the best XC race bike that money could possibly buy. Super agressive, plush, lots of travel, no-bob = no wasted energy. Also, man I'm glad I didnt buy the 2003, as the 2004 is soooo much nicer. I dont even mind the XT part spec, as it works the same as XTR, is practically the same weight, looks better, is half the price, and doesnt make you look like a cycling yuppie. I'm not changing a thing on this bike other than maybe the saddle (person preferance stuff), other than that the bike is perfect stock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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