Submitted by
PeterR
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2008
Strengths: Allround Use in the Dutch dunes, the Alps in Austria and the Ardennes in Begium.
Weaknesses: Front Suspension ( RS Jett TT) replaced for a Noleen XC multi-link carbon, Brakes replaced for Magura HS 33
Bottom Line:
Great bike after 10 years of use 8200 km. / 4.950 mile.
only the original Frame is there, havy bike but still going strong. If i can buy a new second hand bike like this I will replace the front suspension and go for a new 10 years
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008
Strengths: Sexy bike - decent components, decent suspension, in its day, it was a great all-round cross country bike for singletrack, etc.
Weaknesses: Spongy suspension - the Indy XC are OK for singletrack, but like any elastomer shock they have weaknesses with heavy duty terrain. The rear RST shock is adequate at best for regular cross-country. This is NOT a downhill bike!!
Bottom Line:
For a 1997 bike, this was a great cross-country rig for the beginner/intermediate level rider. I loved my ATX-970 and was sorry to sell it - but today's bikes offer better value for money and performance. Look what $900-$1200 buys you today? XT/XTR group sets and quality brakes and suspension. Still, in '97 this was a great rig!
Submitted by
Chris Stewart
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003
Strengths: The Fact that this FS is the second one I've ever bought,i'd have to say the Shimano XTR brakes I've put on are a big help on the long hauls or steep hills. And the fact that the 1.75 tires i've put on can rip around on gravel with no sliding.
Weaknesses: The weakness of this bike I have to say, is the Front and rear RST shocks it came with. I've had this bike for about 5 to 6 years now, and I've blowen both of them from constaint every day riding. Also the Lower Bottom Bracket could have been stronger, I've bent and broken too many to add up.
Bottom Line:
This Giant of a bike stands up to it's name. I've never been able to do some of the things this bike allows me to accomplish with ease. If anyone would like to purchase my Giant I will gladly sell it to you with all the upgrades I've given it for a low cost of $850.oo/CAN . Also a great bike for raceing as it is for jumping or railing.
Bike Setup: Mavic Rims, Shimano XTR V Brakes in the rear, and reg Shim V's in the front, I've got a Axiom handle bar which decreased weight, MegaBite Tires that are only 1.75's. Cateye speedometer.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle G
a Weekend Warrior
from Southlake
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002
Strengths: strong sterdy frame, easy shifting, and most of all a solid ride with very litte bounce (no matter what setting you have it on). Easyly took on "Devals Backbone" (harded trail in Texas).
Weaknesses: crank shaft does squeek during the summer. RockShock USA Indy C was good while it lasted but shockes are starting to go dead from long rides and contunious use.
Bottom Line:
This bike is good all around it could take whatever i could give it, It holds up in every condition, (even in the sand of Texas, where it is hard to find a bike to go throught it easily). A perfect overall bike for the experenced rider.
Bike Setup: Upgraded to 26' by 2.3', and clipless petals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy Powell
a Racer
from Nevada City, CA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001
Strengths: Fairly Light, its a Giant, durable, cheap
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This was a great bike. It was my first suspended bike, and served me well for 5 years. The last two years I raced on it and won quite a few with it. Never any problems with it, great price, and isnt too heavy. Good entry level race bike, even though it isnt made any more.
Weaknesses: Bushings at main and all pivot points. Why didn't they spec. bearings?
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I've upgraded pretty much everything except wheels and hubs. The SX 100 and Helix Expert are a huge step up from the Indy C-LT and RST 22 it came with. But... these were great to start riding with as a FS beginner.
I've measure a full 4" of front and rear travel (Helix eye- to-eye lenght is 185mm). Bottom bracket height is 13.7".
The geometry and new clearance are great for the type of riding I do, XC and "light free ride" (4-5 foot drops are all we have around here).
The bike weighs 27.5 lbs and feels really solid in every situation. Giant should have continued with this basic design, it works well and has held up great after three years of bashing and crashing. My ride weight is about 210 lbs.
Submitted by
Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000
Strengths: light for full suspension bike, frame
Weaknesses: Rock Shox Jet T2 fork - maybe I am to heavy (85 kg), when jumping higher than 30 cm it bottoms to quickly, for a ride on not to rough trail it performs quite nice.
Bottom Line:
I have bought 1999 model at sell out at local Giant dealer. Price was nice and I felt very comfortable riding it on a test drive. I have driven hardtails and front suspension bikes and I have found that this bike meets all my needs. I think that ATX 970 is perfect solution for XC bike rider. After replacement of front suspension (Judy XC) I have not found any need for further upgrading. Bike works just perfect.
Similar Products Used: GT karrakoram, GT xcr 2000, Giant mcm2
Bike Setup: SRAM 7.0 grip shift, Shimano Alivio V brakes, DNM AO-1 AR rear shock, Rock Shox Judy XC
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Trevor Z
a Downhiller
from White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2000
Strengths: Light light light
Weaknesses: weak downtube
Bottom Line:
this bike is cheap, light, and not designed for downhill at all. i think it would make an excellent bike for XC, because of the limited travel. the rear and front shocks are a little too stiff for me, as i am 15 and weigh only 120. I broke the downtube in 6 months, but i raced downhill twice during that period. it works for XC well, but if intend to freeride aggresivly DO NOT BUY THIS BIKE. instead buy something with a reinforced head tube. i give it 4 burning bar-ends.
Bike Setup: powertools risers, indy C, v-brakes, xt all around.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999
Strengths: Mine is a '98 model. As such, I was able to get it for $650.00 new! I have found the suspension to be highly configurable to suit all types of riding. The suspension can be adjusted without any tools. I have thrashed this bike and it has not given me any troubles at all.
Weaknesses: Some components are not as cool as they could possibly be but who cares. If you are that concerned with having the best of everything, get ready to tripple the price. I'll be satisfied with second best for a third of the price.
Bottom Line:
The 2000 and 1999 models are considerably different. They have added primo components at a primo price which is way out of my range. If you can find a '98, it shouldn't cost more than $700.00. At that price, this bike is a steal!
Similar Products Used: Raleigh $500 model- no suspension (can't remember the exact name) Performance $500 model- no suspension
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ashes
a Downhiller
from Perth, West Australia
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1999
Strengths: Durability - getting close to 3 years with no major problems ride - stable, climbs and descends well wheelset - bloody light for a production bike and has held up to downhill races, bmx track etc with no problems drivetrain - LX has held together well aprt from rear derialeur v-brakes
Weaknesses: Judy C - bushings knackered (acceptable after 2-3 years I guess) and too much compression and rebound damping RST rear shock - too much compression and rebound damping and generally unrefined action
Bottom Line:
This is an update of my earlier review bought the bike in 97 and still happy with it in the future an upgrade to the rear shock (vaniller RC or Pro Deluxe) is on the cards, a 2000 Judy XC is a definate future upgrade
Strengths: Stiff, good front fork, nice design, easy to handle, good value for money,
Weaknesses: BB shit me, LBS had to repair it RST22 to stiff, LBS managed to soften it, since than much better, that's what I need! Personlly I don't like much grip shifts
Bottom Line:
I shifted from old rigid to FS and what a improvement! With some changes this bike is what I need. Great bike for price and you can't go wrong,
Similar Products Used: Just hardtail and rigid bikes, no similar FS
Bike Setup: Moso comp front shock, RST 22 rear,diacompe 757 V brakes,STX RC front and SRAM 7,0 rear derailleurs, STX RC hubI changed cassettes to SACHS 12-32, easier to climb what I do a lot, changed pedals to SPD M 545 - this upgrade is very recommended!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
P Davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Sewell, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999
Strengths: Just bought last weekend . Outstanding brakes, stability at speed and rock crawling, crisp shifting and plush suspension!
Weaknesses: Toe clips suck, cranks creak alot and back tire was mounted in reverse. Only one water bottle mount- why did Giant bother to put mount screws under shock?! And what the heck is a BB? Someone tell me!
Bottom Line:
I am very impressed with this bike- I ride motocross ( real serious dirt riding!) and this is a good trainer !
Similar Products Used: Klein full suspensions and Klein hardtails.
Bike Setup: Still running stock :(
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian (ITY)
a Weekend Warrior
from Stourbridge (UK)
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999
Strengths: Awesome design, If you dream about Rocky Mountain Element, but can't afford one - TRY THIS - I've ridden BOTH. The ATX frame is unbreakable - my local LBS (Lee) did a five foot drop on mine - no problem. Chuckability - FIVE STAR. Get some good pedals (DMR V8 etc) and you will have all the confidence you'll need. I've done downhill on the southdowns (Devils Dyke) with this bike and it takes it (more than I can). Forget your fancy psuedo monocoques or fancy URT's, this is a classic double diamond design with plenty of scope. There is a mismatch between the RST Mozo Comps (Fr Forks) and the RST 22 rear. But it's not so bad. This bike can take IT. I have Tioga XC rubber all round (recommended). Want to get extreme technical? YES this frame does it! Go for those Mission-Impossible downhill low speed drops - IT WORKS. I paid 500 sterling - AWESOME. But, upgrade the bits you interface with (saddle, pedals (GO DMR V8-V12). Fully Recomended (for the money - lets be realistic). GO GIANT ATX (98 only). One last point - get the rear coil-over spring rate right. Mine shipped with a 450lb - too heavy for me - I'm now on a 400lb - much better. If your ramping-up your pre-load then sod-off and get a hard tail. USE the suspension - get a lower spring rate.
Weaknesses: RST 22 - Over rated rebound valving - too slow - maybe??? Replace it with something that can be adjusted. This bike needs less rebound damping (rear only). Too slow on the rear - unless you like it that way. The front? GREAT but I like low damping on the front - I love the Mozo Comps, but they do take on water so service regular. Oh yea, the BB is shit, replace with a good bearing set.
Bottom Line:
If your prepared to spend a little money on this bike, you'll get a great reward. It's not perfect, but the basic design is GOLD. The suspension layout is more than workable - get that rear spring rate sorted! It's essential. How does it feel? ALIVE (and confident). BEST BUDGET BUY - A Classic!!! Oh yea - It jumps REAL WELL! Two Wheels of Stourbridge, still have a couple in stock.
Strengths: - Price. $800 CDN - Good groupo for $ STX-RC all around, INDY C-Long Travel, WTB speedmasters & Primals mounted reversed (which seem to hook-up well in anything once reversed). Then again my last bike was a fat pig...
Weaknesses: A little heavy, but again for an $800.CDN full suspension it's not bad.
Bottom Line:
A great step up from a hard tail for a weekend warrior who wants to have a blast, but doesn't want to drop a few grand. There are better FS bikes, but I haven't seen one in this price range anywhere that could match the 970. Five!
I have decided to get one of these 2 bikes (I think)
GARY FISHER ZIGGURAT vs GIANT full suspension ATX 970
I don't want a crappy bike, I have done ALOT of biking with a reall Read More »
