Submitted by
hanser102
a Weekend Warrior
from washington
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2009
Strengths: strong frame/fairly lite
Weaknesses: stock back shock does not hold up and overal back shock setup does not hold up to 30 ft gaps
bent rear shock twice and broke both bolts atleast 3 times
recommend aftermarket rear shock/hard to find
Bottom Line:
good for cross country but doesnt hold up for big gaps or drops,especialy back suspension
Strengths: Bullet proof frame. Haven't changed the bushings or noticed play and I've been riding it sine 2002. Seated climbing is efficient. Point and shoot on roots and rocks, no problems. Enough clearnace for DH tires.
Weaknesses: Had to cut the left swingarm to fit a Marzocchi Roco Air shock. Wasn't using less than 5" setting so it wasn't a big deal. No other weakness
Bottom Line:
This is far and away the best bike I've ever owned. I work at a shop that deals Giant, Felt, Iron Horse and K2 and I can't figure out why Giant ever went away from this bike. Although,the new shock position of the Trance X reminds me a bit of the AC. Mt. Snow, Kingdom Trails, Ninja Woods, Wendell St. Forest, Batchelor St., Hawley, Northfield Mt., this bike does it all.
Bike Setup: Pike 454, Roco Air, Nevegals, XTR 8spd, Xt cranks/BB, Avid BB7's, Alex rims/XT-Redline hubs, Rocket-V saddle, Thomson post, Monkey-Lite bars, Race Face stem. Bike is set up to hang with the XC hammerheads on the flats and climbs and drop them when the trail points down or gets nasty. Oh yeah, I painted it flat black last year too.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Downhiller
from Tolland, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2007
Strengths: Very good price for a full suspension bike with the components that are on it. It has a great rear shock that includes a lockout and isn't a pain in the ass climbing. Great color I must say, I have the Orange/Silver color. Oh lifetime warranty on the frame is great, if you tend to crack the frame.
Weaknesses: Weak frame...at least for the riding style I am into. Broke the frame three times before finally realizing I need a stronger bike. (Bought the bike for cross country, while increasingly becoming more and more interested in Freeride/Downhill, therefore I kept the bike for that riding style..hucking this bike off 20 footers{bad idea})
Bottom Line:
If you are into Cross Country, and only cross country, this bike is perfect for you..its top notch. It has withstood everything I threw at it in terms of using it as a freeride and downhill bike, so it is basically a tank for cross country. Great buy, I no longer ride it, and i can def tell yawl i miss it for sure.
Similar Products Used: Kona Coiler Garbanzo, Kona Stinky Deluxe, Iron Horse Yakuza Kamicho, and finally Specialized Big Hit 2. (I go through bikes like nothing) This was only after I used the Giant by the way..after freeride became my thing.
Bike Setup: Barely stock..Manitou Black Fork, Race Face Prodigy DH Cranks, Yeti Lock-On Grips, Hayes Sole Hydraulic w/ V8 rotor Brakes, Sun MTX-S Rims, and Maxxis Minion 26x2.5 Tires.
Strengths: Super beefy frame with gussets in all the right place, time proven suspension design, sealed bearings on all pivots, fairly light (31 lbs), adjustable travel on rear
Weaknesses: Crappy race-face chain rings and low end BB failed quickly, hated the stock Manitou Black Elite fork (maybe just me, but it left me on my face after a double at Plattekill...ow)
Bottom Line:
I took this bike downhilling in Plattekill the day after I bought it in '03 (yup...bad idea) and it took a beating with no complaints. Also been abused at Killington, Diablo FR Park in Mountain Creek, NJ, and Snowshoe, WV, with many Pennsylvania XC miles on it. Still like this bike alot and the suspension design is one of the few that is finding it's way onto alot of other bikes these days. Can downhill one day and go for a 22 mile XC ride the next. I started shopping for a new bike last month and decided to just fix up this one... it's that good.
Bike Setup: Now has Rock Shox Ario rear shock, Zoke's Z1-FR SL front fork, Conti Diesels, LX/XT, Sun Rynolites/XT hubs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Perry Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2004
Strengths: The frame is tough as nails, the stock component set was great. Very little tweaking.
Weaknesses: Avid Mech brakes...not good enough, and the shop I purchased the bike from swapped out a couple of parts before shipping. Lastly, handlebars with a little rise would have been nice.
Bottom Line:
When I bought this bike, I looked high and low. Gary Fisher, Trek, I even considered another KHS. But then, I found the Giant AC Air. This bike had very impressive specs, and the paintjob, PHAT! I finally figured, screw it, I'm going for it. Thank God I did! I've been riding the hell outta this rig. I live in the city, so I have to deal with concrete drops and quick cab dodging maneuvering. I feel comfortable and confident when I'm riding. And when I get out of the city and into the trails, the bike really kicks ass. I'm 195 lbs, and I've put a hurtin' on every bike I've ever ridden. But once again, this bike can take it. Not to mention, it climbs suprisingly well. Have three travel settings is gold. 4.5 in for the city 5.25 for XC riding, and 6 for descents. Nothin' but love. Giant's made me very happy, and when it's time for a new rig, it will probably be a Giant again. This bike is for anyone who needs high quality and mid-range pricing. It's perfect for XC, and it can take the abuse of a serious freeride adventure, and I'd consider racing it even though people say it's too heavy at 29 lbs. You just gotta pick the right kind of race.
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003
Strengths: VERY comfortable ride. Good frame, nice components for the money.
Weaknesses: Looks.
Bottom Line:
This is a great riding bike, but I couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a bike that was so ugly. I know looks aren't the reason to buy a bike, but this was truly the worst looking paint job of any bike in the shop.
Strengths: Great Value, Very versatile performer, great geometry
Weaknesses: Limited seat adjustment range
Bottom Line:
The is a great all round performing bike. I leave the rear at 6" of travel and love the comfort. As far as the seatpost clamp complaints, Titec will send you a free new & improved replacement so I'm not sure why so many are complaining about that. Also the seatpost shims just needs a good coat of lubriplate to keep it quiet. This bike feels like a real motocrosser and inspires confidence.
Weaknesses: Mutano Raptors dont grip enogh. Spokes.
Bottom Line:
I found this bike very cheap, and even though some of the components seemed a little more cross country oriented then i wanted, i decided to buy it anyway and replace them as they broke. Much to my surprise, a year later and the bike is still mostly stock. I expected to have a new fork, rear shock, wheelset by now, but not so. This bike is super beefy. Even after two serious crashes involving fork on tree impacts, the fork still feels as nice as the day i bought it. I did, however blow both of the seals in the fork over the summer. I love the feel of this bike. It makes me want to ride all the time. The travel change in back makes a huge difference. In 4.5 inches it really does climb like an XC bike, and in 6 it feels like a free-ride bike on the descents. I'm not sure if this is the fault of giant or my bike shop, but the bike was built with 15 guage spokes. After a year of riding, the front wheel was so flexy that the tread rubs on the brake arch of the fork, and the rear wheel is equally flexy, though there is so much clearance it isnt much of a problem, just doesnt track terribly well anymore.
This bike is truly an all mountian bike.
This bike is good for anyone who needs to climb, but also wants to have a plush, long travel feel on the downhill.
Similar Products Used: Specialized enduro, kona stinky.
Bike Setup: Stock AC Air except WTB 2.5LaserDH Weirwolf tires, Azonic shorty stem, Front wheel, bash ring, flat pedals.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rafael Ertel
a Cross Country Rider
from Amherst, Ma. USA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003
Strengths: The AC Air is a good climber. I was pleasantly suprised the the first time I hit a real climb, this is in comparison to my old hardtail which was light and fast, and RED! The suspension system in general works. Feels great over roots, and fast rocky descents. The brakes are powerful and the rims seem to be holding up.
Weaknesses: Like many have stated the seatpost just won't stot its insistant creekinging, I also, like many swapped out the tires.
Bottom Line:
I am very happy with this bike. I do not race so I do not worry to much about the weight. I ride primarily to stay in shape so the weight just makes me work harder:) If you can still find an AC Air and are looking for a go anywhere ride, this is the one.
Bike Setup: stock with the exception of the tires and the good old Shimano 747's.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Neil
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Stevens, WA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003
Strengths: Parts mix and value for price paid.
Weaknesses: Seatpost creak and Avids require mucho adjusting.
Bottom Line:
You can't find a sweeter spec'd bike for the money, and it "ain't all show, no go" either! I've only got about 2 seasons of "real" riding under my belt and this bike has done more to improve my skills than I could have reasonably expected. Haven't had any of the problems others have (except as noted above), but I ain't no mongo huckster either. This bike is more than capable of taking everything I can dish out and then some. Wanted a go anywhere, do anything ride that will be with me for the long haul and that's EXACTLY what I got. Ride in the 4" mostly and have no problems climbing, descending, etc. (except for ones I create myself . . . ). Put it in 6" for trails like Preston and just glide, glide, glide. As for the complaints on the paint, maybe I'm just crazy but - it's an aluminum framed MOUNTAIN bike!!!!! What possible harm can a few paint chips do????? If it's still shiny you ain't riding anywhere near hard enough folks.
Bike Setup: Completely stock except for the pedals. Replaced the nylon caged 424 SPD's w/ the metal caged 545's. May be heavier but I get much better clip in performance. Looking for a new seatpost too.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Racer
from Old Orchard Beach, ME, United States
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003
Strengths: This Thing is Kick ass the best bike. It is like you are on a coson of air the hole time no pedle bomb eather So nice for drops and jumps
Weaknesses: S*** Man Thats Not Cool
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks ass peroid..................................................
Strengths: front triangle stiffness, do-it-all-ness: very plush yet can still climb very well, components, price.
Weaknesses: Slight Rear Triangle flex, seatpost creak, seatpost shim BS, seatpost not really XC and DH friendly (I have 2 posts, 1 for XC [long] and 1 for DH/FR [short], Wheels are built with crappy spokes (its been 1 year and I have had to rebuild both wheels), brakes need frequent adjustment compared to Hayes or Shimano Hydrolics.
Bottom Line:
This is my last follow up, unless I break the thing. It has been over a year and this bike has been abused. Still working well, no play in pivots, rear shock still working surprisingly well (with routine lube and seal checks).
I totally fried the rear wheel, broke about half the spokes on the non drive side, and had to rebuild it. Giant should have used better spokes, all spokes broke at the threads, just inside the nipple.
The seatpost area developed a horrible creak (in the frame/post area not the saddle). I replaced the post with a Thompson and it seems to have stopped. maybe it was the post flexing and causing it to creak against the frame.
The rear Triangle flexes a tiny bit in high speed technical situations.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro, SC Bullit, and various high and low end FS XC rigs
Bike Setup: Giant AC Air w/ mods: Sun Rhyno Lite/DT spokes/REAL (rear), Sun DS-1/WS spokes/Real (front), Thompson seatpost, Continental Vertical (front), Continental Survival (rear), THE front fender, Bash Ring, Time Pedals.
Strengths: very plush in 6, while very stiff in 4.5. 5.15 is nice for ups and downs together. The sid is okay, but i want a coil, and no rock shox
Weaknesses: heavyish, and sorta slow on uphills (still works though)
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. It will soak up the big drops and keep your tires on the ground on the descents. The sid is really nice, but i need something stronger and a coil, and not rock shox. the psylo sucks, and i'm gonna get a shiver and helix pro. After that - this bike will be awesome. Even with rockshox, it still does handle good, although the suspension just really bugs the heck out of me. Its a good bike, but if you don't do a lot of hucking drops and going down hills, but want to go up more of them, get something lighter: a slayer or jekyll are both nice. This bike is great though for doing a little bit of uphill, with a lot of down.
As the title states, I'm trying to find a replacement for my old Giant AC Air. My riding is 90% "trail"... I live in the Midwest so we don't have extended climbs, but we do have ro Read More »
Going back a few years here...
I've got a 2002 AC Air Lite with the Sid XC and wanted to upgrade the rear shock to something more plush and better pedaling. I'm a bit out of touc Read More »
Im looking for an AC Air frame (copper and silver color)
in a size large or bigger. I know this is an older rig and they dont pop up as much any more. Anybody have one please LMK. Read More »
I have a 2001 XTC AC AIR frame I would like to build up and have a question on the headset. From what I have read, I need an integrated zero stack headset. I know Cane Creek make Read More »
I got a Giant AC Air frame coming and I just found a deal on forks for it. But I need to know what the length of the head tube. Can anyone help me with this?
Thanks. Read More »
