Submitted by
aurs4grn
a Downhiller
from palmer lake co usa
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2010
Strengths: Actually not that heavy compared to other dh bikes ie rocky mountain, norco,Really easy to manual and wheely, lots of usable travel.
Weaknesses: Rear shock, bolts on rear linkage, dorado adjustabilty ( red locktite on the lower linkage bolts works great, or for something a little less permanent, blue locktite and a modified Allen wrench to fit behind the chain guide)
Bottom Line:
So far not a huge fan of the Manitou swinger 6 way, I was really excited about it at first, I've never really played around with a shock that has so many adjustments ( I had a 5th element on my m1 but I didn't really screw around with it much). So I got a shock pump so I could adjust everything. The shock had 50 Psi (the lowest) so I put the recommended starting point psi (50-70% of your weight) 90, half my weight. Didn't really notice a difference, so I messed with the spv ( my goal for these adjustments was to find a plush setting that wouldn't be harsh on the square bumps as manitou says but not bottom out on big hits) so I adjusted the spv. All the way in first, pretty harsh all around, adjusted all the way out thus maximizing the reservoir area and allowing more oil to flow which should have made it more plush, it didn't, still harsh. Next I adjusted the spring this helped a lot but it was still pretty hard about halfway through the travel. Messed with low speed, high speed compression, still nothing. So bottom line on the shock, not impressed, I think the rock shock on the 02 was actually almost as good, which from my experience and some of my buddies is pretty bad. The frame, bottom line is its one of the best for the money. At its most basic the linkage is a single pivot and even with the so called manitou anti Bob its pedaling efficiency isnt bad but its not that great. I rode a v10 in a parking lot one time and was blown away by the pedalling efficiency, it felt almost the same as a hardtale. I think there's a lot to be said about vpp and its variations (maestro) giant switched over completely and Santa Cruz and intense never looked back. Reguardless, this bike is awesome and if you get the chance to buy one at a decent price then go for it because you wont be disappointed, 5 flamin' chiles all around
Similar Products Used: Intense m1 (98, 2003) 02 giant dh team
Bike Setup: Factory
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
bertie woop woop
a Downhiller
from hassocks, england
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2008
Strengths: the frame is rock solid! sticks to the ground, although being big and hefty my chain has never fallen off with mrp
Weaknesses: with 200mm forks i think the geometry is just too slack, when linkage comes loose it starts to wear away the frame but only if u let it, very heavy!
Bottom Line:
amazing bike, especially as i only paid £650 when i bought it, love it to bits, but overall i probs spent close to a grand on it, really really nice bike, corners well, just simply love it.
Bike Setup: boxxer wc, mrp c device, race face stem and cranks, mavic rims on a burgtec front and a hope rear, bontrager bar, hope brakes, shram x.9 gearing, rockshox pro delux shoch with ti spring.
Strengths: awsome tool, does it all well and more, got the 05 frame in black. The bike's more capable than me to be honest. feels better than my 06 norco, fast.
Weaknesses: weak shock works ok. to much to play with so hard to set up.
Bike Setup: CUSTOM BUILD. 888'S UP FRONT, HOPE HUBS, MTX RIMS, 2.5DH KENDA'S, SRAM GEARS, TRIVUTIV HUSS ECT, MAGURA STOPERS.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Nicolas Wood
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2006
Strengths: frikin awesome bike, best handeling and shock absorption i have ever had, great for learning how to ride as it bassicly rides the trails all on its own. amazing bike, giant is my hero
Weaknesses: ......weakness?? dosnt seem to apear in this bikes vocab
Bottom Line:
great...if u got the cash to get one brand new then go for it but u can usually get it cheap off of ebay like i did
Submitted by
Michael Lopez
a Downhiller
from Phoenix AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2006
Strengths: Completely insane!
Weaknesses: None...
Bottom Line:
I can't even begin to describe how great this bike is, its by far superior to even the most up to date bike for 06. It is a legond...plain and simple.. the best DH bike I have ever riden...PERIOD!!!
Submitted by
John D
a Downhiller
from Enumclaw, WA, US
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2005
Strengths: Super plush in the back, sprints like a bat out of hell, sharp handling, very predictable in the air, great downhill bike
Weaknesses: Shock adjustment is a pain to get to but after it's dailed in it's good
Bottom Line:
overall it's a great bike meant for going downhill fast, and thats about it. it's super plush, super smooth, has laser sharp handling, sprints very well for a bike with this much travel, and feels very predictable in the air. don't get it for a freeride bike cos you'll be disapointed with it.
Strengths: very plush soaks up bumps like nothing great for dh a great race machine, like a big bro to the dh comp which is rated a great dh racer. sprints like crazy, drops are smooth, doesnt bottom out easily just a great bike i would suggest buying it for anyone that is into dh racing from beginners to the pros.
Weaknesses: the shock is a pain in the but to get to but who caes, the pros use it. Also, you can get the external thingey now that extends onto the frame.
Bottom Line:
great DH racer bike, buy it if you are into downhilling, racing or riding for fun. If you dont downhill, dont get it.
Submitted by
Scott Masters
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay City Michigan USA!!
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2005
Strengths: Big burly frame perfect for DH and freeriding, Nice clearcoat, and paint scheme,Great Ringle hubs
Weaknesses: Accessibility of being able to make adjustments to the shock..but WTF who cares..It's a pro-race DH bike? Don't buy this bike if you are one of them XC weight weenies! I switched the original GiantPOS chainguide out for an E-13 38 tooth set-up, because it didn't justify bashing into concrete,rocks and other objects and had poor chainline compared to an E-13
Bottom Line:
If you are into serious freeride and downhill, buy this bike, it will own your ass.!!! I did a 13 foot drop onto a sweet tranny with the swinger ran soft as possible with the resistance knob all the way out..and it still never bottomed out. The shock can be a pain in the neck to get at..but all you have to do is take out both bolts that mount through the shock eyelets..let the swingarm drop all the way down..and pull it out carefully as not to scratch the sh#T out of the reservoir..then their ya go.! download the manual from Answer/Manitou's website and set it up according to your riding style and weight..and this bike will pedal almost as good as a hardtail on steroids, with the ability to take ' Josh Bender Size'drops 8-)
ohh and be sure to Keep all the bolts that are in the linkage, with lots of loctite.
Bike Setup: 04 super t pro fork. singletrack wheels. maxxis minions. full race face Diabolus components and Azonic parts, avid 203mm mechs. estimated around 48-50 pounds
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Submitted by
Peter Broz
a Downhiller
from Perth, WA, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004
Strengths: Sucks onto berms like a plunger on a sink
Weaknesses: Requires a Hi-Ab crane to lift it onto the back of a ute
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike as just a frame with the intention of building a pure DH race rig. Coming from a FreeRide back ground my first impression was that this wasn't the type of rig that could be easily thrown around. This original perception I had was met once I had assembled the bike and taken it for its first ride (up and down the street). Bunny hops and Mono’s were hard work. I feel that this was a combination of a tall gear set (44T Raceface up front and 9 speed Shimano XT cluster out back) and a heavy front rim and fork setup.
When the real test came the next day on one of my favourite trails I was pleasantly surprised. Although being a bit on the fat side once the DH Team got up to speed it really began to show its potential, through its ability to suck up hits and track really nicely through berms. The control of this bike was incredible its stability through technical sections and its forgivingness were unsurpassed by anything I had ridden before. In sections where my AC would skip the DH Team maintained full wheel to ground contact and traction. I felt that on this ride the limits of the DH Team were never met, or were they insight. I feel that once my abilities improve at high speed on this bike I should be able to comfortably throw this it around like the AC.
I don’t think this rig would be suitable for North Shore rides or mucking about on the weekend with the boys, but in saying this if you want a cheap entry level DH to get into racing this could be your bike…
Strengths: Corners really well because of low centre of gravity.Manitou Dorado's rides like a dream. No suspension bob and sprints like a hardtail. Simplely the best downhill bike I have ever ridden. Buy it!!!.
Weaknesses: The rear shock is a pain to get to, but who cares it's a professional Downhill bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike has given me so much confidence over the bighit and made me faster at races. I did 11ft pancake landing and didn't even bottom out. The frame is bombproof and I am really please with it.It's worth five flammim chilis.
Strengths: Bike rides like a rocket, super quick and responsive. Comes ready to go besides the break in period for the Dorado.
Weaknesses: The rear shock is hard to get to for adjustmens but its a downhill bike. Chain guide is loud will most likely change out.
Bottom Line:
Built to race and owns the trail. Corners on rails and jumps really good. The bike demands to be pushed further it will be a long time before I tap the potential of the bike. Looking forward to racing the bike after the 4 DH runs on the bike. :-)
