Submitted by
Poder
a Cross Country Rider
from Alberta/BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2004
Strengths: Good brakes (I haven't had any problems with my Avid front disc, though I've heard of issues from others). Rims stand up well. Haven't had any signifigant breakage issues.
Weaknesses: RST fork is truely lame. I'm not a heavy guy, but on any trail for which you would need a fork, this one craps out way too easily. Very reminiscent of a pogo-stick. The stock saddle is for masochists only.
Bottom Line:
I've easily had my money's worth out of this bike. During my high-use times it sees 100-150 km/wk of trail riding and it has priven reliable. Given what was on the market at the time, I think this was an excellent bike for it's price. Nowadays, you should really go for something with a full disc brake system, and a shock that utilises air/oil.
Favorite Trail: ...lots of good single track in Jasper...
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At: Jasper
Bike Setup: Mostly stock. New grips (ripped one off in a crash). Replaced saddle after one day. I am now running Maxis Calibos/Minitoaur tires (came with WTB Velociraptors...they weren't bad, but not exactly inspiring either).
Strengths: Great frame. Super bike for beginners. For the money its one of the best. If you wanna go all out i wouldnt suggest this bike but I have before and it stood up.
Weaknesses: Alivio derailure isnt the best but you gotta deal with it I havent had any major problems with it so far. Gotta get a new bike soon though.
Bottom Line:
Good bike. Solid. Everything a beginner wants. If your looking for a bike today. I'd go with the GIANT IGUANA Disc. Its about the same. Or go with a Norco Storm.
Submitted by
Mike Herbert
a
from Margate, Qld., Australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Strengths: Mine is also the Australian 2001 version. I purchased it for every day road use as a means of getting to and from work. ( I'm a diabetic and need a strict daily exercise regime - and believe me the Giant fits the bill.) I particularly like the Avid disk brakes front & rear - terrific in any weather conditions. This is my first MTB frame, bike purchased after wearing out 2 previous hybrid bikes. Personally I don't mind the RST Gamma Front shocks, but to be fair, road use is not a severe test. My needs are for a bike to be a heavy duty performer, relatively bulletproof as far as maintenance bills are concerned, and the Giant fits the slot perfectly. Probably would have preferred a more robust derailleur than the Alivio but you can't have everything. I've done some 2500 kms now and haven't experienced any difficulties at all. Love the Rigida Zac 2000 rims. Fitted Continental Town & Country road tyres when orig purchased - also great for my particular needs. No troubles with front crank at all so far.
Weaknesses: None displayed so far.
Bottom Line:
Actually saw the 2001, 2002, & 2003 Giant hardtail MTB's side by side in the bike shop & preferred the 2001 ATX 840 introductory version over the newer models. (And decision wasn't only based on price. The 2001 model just looks good.
Bike Setup: Road use - Aver 25-30 klm each day. Stock plus hduty lights/rechargeable lead acid battery system.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Herbert
a
from Margate, Qld., Australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Strengths: Mine is also the Australian 2001 version. I purchased it for every day road use as a means of getting to and from work. ( I'm a diabetic and need a strict daily exercise regime - and believe me the Giant fits the bill.) I particularly like the Avid disk brakes front & rear - terrific in any weather conditions. This is my first MTB frame, bike purchased after wearing out 2 previous hybrid bikes. Personally I don't mind the RST Gamma Front shocks, but to be fair, road use is not a severe test. My needs are for a bike to be a heavy duty performer, relatively bulletproof as far as maintenance bills are concerned, and the Giant fits the slot perfectly. Probably would have preferred a more robust derailleur than the Alivio but you can't have everything. I've done some 2500 kms now and haven't experienced any difficulties at all. Love the Rigida Zac 2000 rims. Fitted Continental Town & Country road tyres when orig purchased - also great for my particular needs. No troubles with front crank at all so far.
Weaknesses: None displayed so far.
Bottom Line:
Actually saw the 2001, 2002, & 2003 Giant hardtail MTB's side by side in the bike shop & preferred the 2001 ATX 840 introductory version over the newer models. (And decision wasn't only based on price. The 2001 model just looks good.
Strengths: Great tyres. Unfortunately little else.
Weaknesses: I purchased the bike 3 years ago from a catalogue and since then have done around 4500km on road (with slicks) and around 100km X-country. Has been cleaned and oiled regularly. Since purchase have replaced both shifters, front shifter has failed again, front disc brake has never worked properly and now cannot get parts, rear dia-compe brake is cheap and has broken, top-bar too short for someone my size (6'4"). Front shock (RST 381EL) suits someone 65-75kg. I enquired about stiffer springs 1 month after buying the bike and was told that parts were no longer available. Aluminium frame is very heavy and comparable to steel frames.
Bottom Line:
I have not been happy with the bike I bought intending not to need an upgrade for many years. After three years I do not feel I have got my moneys worth.
Strengths: Good frame and welds, handlebars could be better but are good enough. Gears are ok.
Weaknesses: Wheel hubs could be better and so could rims that came with the bike. Front suspension could also be better, maybe bomber or rock shox...
Bottom Line:
To keep this bike going hard, you have to take it beyond its limits. I have ridden on my atx all over the snowy mountains, Perisher and Thredbo, on a few dowhill tracks as well. The frame would creak every now and then, but would stay strong and not crack. This bike is really meant for instant improving, maybe with rock shox, a second disc brake on the back, new handle bars and headset. you should look out for the front disc brake, it can sometimes scrape rocks and other objects on a trail. Overall the bike is great for a thrasher for going around pretty difficult tracks. It can take a lot of strain and I advise not to drop off more than about 4-5 feet, the rear rim dents and bickles easily. I bought a new double walled rim to suit my riding better. It can be taken almost anywhere compared to what you think it can do. Always good as a beginner mountain bike as well to be kept for a few years and got used to.
Similar Products Used: Jamis Komodo, also rode the avanti downhill AD8 in comp. Good bike...
Bike Setup: All stock except for new disk brakes (front and back) new hand grips, new front and rear derailleur. Got a NICAD light on the front, always good, replaced all cables and small parts after about 6 months... just to be sure.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jonathan Brookes
a Weekend Warrior
from Cardiff, U.K
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Strengths: Strong frame, reliable, handles well & looks allright.
Weaknesses: Cheap brakes & standard Wildgrippers perhaps.
Bottom Line:
Excellent, durable XC bike that's given lots of joy & taken loads of abuse over 4 years. I'll keep upgrading and should get another 4 years of fun!
Bike Setup: Original Suntours, wheels etc & new LX everything else.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Beaghley
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002
Strengths: One of the best frames available. Very light and solid.
Weaknesses: Shifters. My bike came with grip shifters which needed to be upgraded.
Bottom Line:
Great Bike! I have owned my ATX840 since 1996. I have taken it on every type of terrain in four different countries (USA, Japan, Mexico, Canada). It is solid.
Bike Setup: 1997 Rock Shox Jett..upgrade from stock rigid fork. Not the greatest fork, but does the job.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jean
a Weekend Warrior
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002
Strengths: Frame work is very light and seems rather strong aswell, great value for money. Rapidfire (I'm definitely not a grip shift fan!). Brake Disk at the Front (whoopiieee!). Worth upgrading
Weaknesses: Front fork (way too flexible, heavy, no rebout damping, and damping cannot be set firm enough). Crank set rather lousy. Very lousy set of V-brakes in the back (lucky I prefer using alot of front brake). Shame alivio shifters where used instead of STX or higher. Brake levers suck big-time. Al together rather heave (compared to my steel Muddy Fox, which is a full 2k lighter!!!)
Bottom Line:
One of the best frames money can buy, but that's probably why Giant used such cheap parts... needs upgrading, but hey! that's part of the fun.
Similar Products Used: Imperial Muddy Fox Courier Mega Muddy Fox Courier Comp Bottechia
Bike Setup: Flipped the a-head stem up side down (great looks! and nice position for on-road racing). Pro titanium handlebar. Deore rear derallieur. Onza Tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002
Strengths: Strong Light Frame
Weaknesses: Low level components
Bottom Line:
This bike has seen me complete sprint triathlons, 50Km off road, Single track downhill, inner-city riding, etc.
I can not recommend a better bike to get into biking with (sure, she broke my elbow once, but that happens). The frame is durable, and has lasted over 4 years with increasing demands being placed on it.
Shame that they're no longer in production - worth picking up second hand to upgrade components one at a time when you have the cash.
Bike Setup: Singlespeed,RS Judy Race, Truvative Husslefelt (32T) w/ rock ring, SRAM 8speed chain, XT veez, XT disk hub on Sun Rhyno Lites, Syncros hardcore bars, stem, and seat post, Avid SpeedDial 7, 1664 pedals and the rest is all OE.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
GARY
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002
Strengths: GREAT LOOKS, AVID DISCS FRONT AND REAR, GIANT GEOMENTRY SAME AS THE TOP OF THE RANGE 890 (FANTASTIC RIDING POSITION),RIGIDA ZAC 2000 DEEP SECTION RIMS
Weaknesses: FRONT CRANK SUNTOUR SR MR252
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE IS THE AUSTRALIAN GIANT ATX 840 2001 MODEL. IAM RELATIVELY NEW TO THE SPORT SO WHAT IT IS WORTH..... THE BIKE GOES AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS AND THE AVID DISCS STOPS IT EVEN BETTER IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.. RIDING POSITION 4 ME IS EXCELLENT IT FELT FAR MORE COMFORTABLE THEN ANY OTHER BIKE I TRIED. READING THE MTBREVIEWS ON THE RST GAMMA EL FRONT SUSPENSION IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS NOT THE BEST BUT SO FAR IT HAS PERFORMED OK. THE REAR OLIVA CASSETTE AND DERAILER CHANGES WELL. THE FRONT CRANK IS TERRIBLE AND I WAS TOLD AT THE BIKE SHOP (OF COURSE AFTER I BOUGHT THE BIKE THAT THIS CRANK IS NOT SO GOOD)I WILL PROBABLY UPGRADE TO A OLIVA CRANK WHICH GIANT MAYBE SHOULD OF DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE RIMS HAVE TAKEN SOME GOOD HITS AND ARE STILL TRUE.. BEING A 2001 MODEL (A NEW BIKE STILL) I GOT IT AT THE PRICE OF A 2002 YUKON SO IT WAS EXCELLENT VALUE FOR MONEY. A GOOD BIKE FOR NEW MTB RIDERS FEELS COMFORTABLE AND INSPIRES CONFIDENCE AND NOT A BIKE U R LIKELY TO GROW OUT OF TOO QUICKLY.
WOULD LOVE TO SEE OTHER REVIEWS FROM AUSSIES OUT THERE THAT OWN THIS BIKE.
Strengths: Stiff Frame Fairly light for price Tires (WTB Primal Raptors) Front Suspension Fork (Rock Shox Indy)
Weaknesses: Wheels always bend and need to be trued Rear derallieur is hard to adjust Cables always stretch To heavy for Cross country racing Way to Light for downhilling Front Suspension Fork (Rock Shox Indy)
Bottom Line:
A great bike for a younger and lighter person. If you replaced the wheels you would have quite a good trail bike for the price. The front fork is good to have, but if you have ever tried anything more expensive your gonna hate it for it's lack of rigidty and travel. It's also way to soft even for a person of 75 kg. The frame however is strong and regularly handels smaller drops (2-3 feet)so long as you don't hit them at nutter speed.
Submitted by
Alex ?
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Strengths: very good tyres(WTB vilociraptors) climbs well light for the price strong frame good brakes
Weaknesses: rear derailleur isn't very good you need to play with the suspention nobs before you get it how you want it the brakes rub on the back and both brakes squeal the cables never stop strechingthe rims get flat spots and always need to be trued
Bottom Line:
this is a good bike for the young rider learn about how to ajust everything first if your shifting up isn't up to stndard then shift down to 8 at the back and using an allen key and pliers lossen the bolt and tighten the cable put a fey drops of chain oil onto the suspention wipers every so often to make them slide
I bought this about 3 years ago when I wanted to get back cycling. This was owned by one of the guys in the shop I bought it. But since nearly killing myself in front of a car when Read More »
