Submitted by
trawkins
a Downhiller
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2011
Strengths: strong frame (love the full suspension)
awesome fork (bomber - strong with smooth suspension)
good crankset, wheels, and gears
finger adjustable rear shock.
excellent brakes (some of the better cable disk brakes I have ever used)
Weaknesses: dynamic components:
rear shock is tough, but becomes stiff and not as smooth with age.
SRAM 7 twist shifters and original grips are junk in my opinion - replaced shifters with deore XL triggers and corresponding derailleur, new lock on grips.
terrible excuse for platform pedals (my preference), but the stock clipless are solid.
Bottom Line:
Overall, it is an awesome bike. It's a little heavy, but no part will budge or bend even in the worst crashes (experience talking here). It provides an excellent base for upgrades - all of the expensive core parts are solid and high quality, it is just a shame that they decided to put some lower quality hardware on it. Replace the pedals if you dont ride clipless, get rid of those awful twist shifters, and you have yourself an awesome ride. Mine is over 7 years old and still rides like I bought it.
Submitted by
GottaGo
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2011
Strengths: Very comfortable and handles like a champ. I have the white DS1 (I think its the 2003 w/disk brakes), which I happen to think is the classiest model of the different years.
Weaknesses: None to date.
Bottom Line:
This has been my first and so far only FS bike. I ride a lot. I don't do big drops, hucks, etc. But I weigh 195, and ride rough technical stuff regularly as fast as I can and this bike has taken everything without missing a beat. It has been reliable, fun and as I have become a better rider, it has met my needs in terms of refining how the bike is tuned, etc.
So far, the only component I have changed out it the bottom bracket, that started to creak something fierce. All else has been great.
Similar Products Used: Alubike Saint, specialized Big Hit
Bike Setup: UUUUFFFF!!!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jandls
a Weekend Warrior
from West Australia
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2010
Strengths: stable, strong, reliable, fast downhill off road.
Weaknesses: Slow on the road
Bottom Line:
I originally bought the DS3, but I cracked the frame doing bunny hops, and so Giant gave me the DS1 for free, 5 years after purchase date. Anyone who wants a good reliable bike should grab this one, but be aware with large off road tires, it is hard work on a sealed surface such as a road. Road racers will go whizzing past.
Similar Products Used: Raleigh, Trek, Specialized.
Bike Setup: hard shocks front and rear, 50 psi tyres. High seat pole.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Murphy
a Downhiller
from Livingston, MT
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2009
Strengths: over all very good, strong, stable design. This bike is a hardy, all mountain ride stong enough to last four , going on five hard years of rugged abuse on Montanas and Oregons most rugged back country mountain trails
Weaknesses: components that come with the bike are weak such as the Rockshox forks and the Hv rear shock, but over all excelent bike
Bike Setup: Manitou sherman 7' front, fox vanila R rear shock, avid mechanical dics, 8'
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
joseluisc80
a Downhiller
from San Salvador, El Salvador
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2009
Strengths: great frame, strong and conftable
Weaknesses: rear shock
Bottom Line:
great ride, i own a 2004 Giant warp DS1(the white),not the best but great bike for that price, i've used it 4 year now, and it still works great, i ride with guys that used santa Cruz, and other bigger and heavier bike to do downhill, and i've have never stayed behind. love this bike, besides i have a Kona,and i rather to used this one because of the weight. the components are really nice, by the way, i've hear than the posterior versions are not that good, i think it's because of the components. beside the white looks a lot better and the black and gray with yellows.
Submitted by
Ivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Anacortes, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2008
Weaknesses: Brakes wear out too fast and difficult to replace (even dealer did not do it). Just broke frame - rear fork in a weld. Possible manufacturer's fault - most of the pipe probably was not ever welded (fresh break only on two short lines)
Bottom Line:
Would not buy this Warp DS-1 again, or if I would, so with much better and tougher components.
Submitted by
motoxman.21
a Weekend Warrior
from Weaverville, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008
Strengths: Seemed great... at first.
Weaknesses: pretty much everything.
Bottom Line:
The bike was great for a few weeks. Started having minor problems. Within a year the forks were shot, the crank decided it didn't need to stick around, and the rims were bent. It also has a really annoying squeal and squeak. The crank is constantly loose but wont tighten. It's not worth the money. If you want a bike that will last more than a month dont buy this bike. otherwise i guess you'd be fine.
Similar Products Used: Giant Reign (wayyyyyyy better)
Bike Setup: stock with upgraded brake pads
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Heath
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Bay, FL
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2008
Strengths: Price paid, great ergos. The bike was bought off a friend with downgraded componets but thats not what broke. The weld at the pivot joint near the downtube completly snaped at the base of a jump at a local trail. The bike is 7 years old so I give it some credit to last as long as it did.
Weaknesses: None for the price. Frame broke but likely do to age and abuse.
Bottom Line:
These bikes are a bit heavy but I really got comfortable on mine and I found the ergonomics to be spot on when controling the bike threw the trails. The bike jumps well and with the right componets would make a great all mountain bike. Most people say the frame is strong and I think I may have just had a fluke experience with mine.
I did not get the bike new so I can not begin to imagine what it has been threw over the years. For the year I rode it before it took a dump I loved it.
Submitted by
jesse handy
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, idaho , USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2007
Strengths: Good on bumpy downhill
Weaknesses: Way to heavy
Bottom Line:
It was Ok at first, but then after about a year started having problems. I just got a Cannondale Rush and it is so much of an improvement there is no comparison.
Submitted by
Bob Eastman
a Weekend Warrior
from Brantford Ont Canada
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2007
Strengths: frame is great holds up to anything
Weaknesses: fork rst mag cheap feel nosie and crappy settings
Bottom Line:
for what your spending on this bike it's not a dream bike but it's a dam good start to build on.Every time you ride people stop to check it out. that's worth the money itself everyone I know with a warp loves it
Similar Products Used: proflex,khs,huffy,swork,brodie
Bike Setup: lx drivetrain alex rims titic hellbent bars egg beaters pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Mannheim
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2007
Strengths: Frame. Good tires and saddle. Rear shock has plenty of travel. When rear shock is set up right, frame feels nice and tight and well balanced.
Weaknesses: I bent the rims numerous times on rocky terrain and even warped the rotors. The front fork went out within 1 year. Also, I could hear a horrible creaking noise from stem/headset but it never broke.
Bottom Line:
This was my first bike for serious mountain biking, and I abused it. Rode around Altus OK in the most rocky and technical area. Rode it so hard I broke the pedals and really messed up the crank. Then I switch to a Trek Fuel which I love but a year later I pulled out the Giant, threw some new rims and rotors and set back out. This bike is great for average downhill, cross country and urban eviro.
Submitted by
LEE HOFFMAN
a Downhiller
from GRESHAM OREGON
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2006
Strengths: I have ridden the 2002 Model I loved the strength and durabily of the Warp.It has flashy good looks
Weaknesses: HEAVY!!!!
Bottom Line:
The Warp is a versatile xc rig which I use for urban commute .This bike generates conversation to all who see it,Man I get compliments by cyclist and nons alike Great Bike have ridden mutiple charity rides (Reach The Beach) 106 miles on this bike......Buy it youll love it
Looking for a bike I can ride a little bit around town and on x/c trails, but mainly take to the mountains and downhill. I am new to mtn biking, but have been renting for the last Read More »
Well, I'm looking at a 2001 Warp DS-1 with a chunk of Shimano XT stuff on it.
I was wondering if I should be wary of this frame. Supposedly this is before fluid forming and s Read More »
