Submitted by
andy hood
a Downhiller
from scotland Date Reviewed: June 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
ae forrest, innerleithen or glentress
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
paulscycles.com
Strengths:
really strong and sturdy build (as expected from giant.) pedals really well for a big 8' rig
Weaknesses:
a bit of a handfull to climb with but the descents are tottaly worth it
Similar Products Used:
demo8, bighitfsr1 stab deluxe
Bike Setup:
stock bar hope mono6 brakes, singletrack rims and a new set of v8's
Bottom Line:
its almost as if giant built this bike for riders like me (people who are likely to fall reguarly!)an absaloutely outstanding machine for any body wantin to push their skill level, no matter what level of rider!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris tyler
a Downhiller
from UK Date Reviewed: August 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
wharncliffe
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
JE James cycles
Strengths:
Good strong frame forks r ace along with the rear shock can do dirt jumps pretty well but obviously not as good as a hardtail.
Weaknesses:
Quite heavy for a freeride bike and the seat hurts when you sit on it other than that nothing
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
-
Bottom Line:
Brilliant freeride bike good at almost everything and you dont fell much over the rough stuff just generally a brilliant bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corstian Devos
a
from Philadelphia Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any trail is a good trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Sonic
Strengths:
6 months in and it is problem free. Having broken a frame a season for the last 6 years the prospect of a full season without a break claim is pretty exciting
Weaknesses:
So far none that I can find. The frame rocks and the groupo is solid. Any rider tends to have favorite brands and components they prefer, but the package is solid and holds up well. The chain, cassette, and likely one ring gear will need to be replaced soon but at 250 lbs and riding 3X + a week that is usual. A good riding season for me is 2 chains, 2 cassettes, and 1 ring gear long.
Similar Products Used:
Warp DS-1. AC-1. Looked at Ironhorse 7 point 7 and a number of Gary Fischer bikes.
Bike Setup:
Giant grips replaced with OURY DH. Seat replaced with Fizik Atlas. Pedals SH PD-M540 (My old SH 858s finally cracked and needed replacing). Tires - Conti Double Fighter frt and old faithful WTB Tyrannoraptor bk. Replaced stock Fox DHX 4.0 450 X 2.80 rear shock coil with 650 X 3.19 coil to get proper sag. ( As per Fox rep.) The rest of the bike is stock
Bottom Line:
This frameset is joy to ride. I ride hard and with my weight (250 lbs) any frameset takes a pounding. With a total combined riding weight of some 290 lbs the continued problem free operation of this bike is simply AWESOME!!! This frameset is hardy and robust. It is what I was looking for..... FINALLY!!
If you ride hard and have more weight than the "normal" rider or simply want a frame that you can punish this is it!!! Just remember if wieght is an issue for you this is not your bike, it weighs 40lbs. I am upgrading my ratings to max in all categories because 6 months problem free makes this bike a great value for me and makes my overall rating "sweet".
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corstian Devos
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA Date Reviewed: April 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any trail is a good trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Sonic
Strengths:
Sticking by my review below. More rides more happiness. Everything is holding up nicely under my large lumpiness. (6'3", 250)
Weaknesses:
None so far. Though the stock SH Saint frt derailleur rubs a little on the chain in my fav gearing and I haven't managed to get rid of it yet.
At 40lbs complete, some folks are not going to like the weight.
Similar Products Used:
Warp DS-1. AC-1. Looked at Ironhorse 7 point 7 and a number of Gary Fischer bikes.
Bike Setup:
Giant grips replaced with OURY DH. Seat replaced with Fizik Atlas. Pedals, my old much maligned SH 858s. (They have always worked well for me!) 2.5 Kenda tires (yes they are Kendas had brainfart when writing below) switched for Conti Double Fighter frt and old faithful WTB Tyrannoraptor bk. Replaced stock Fox DHX 4.0 450 X 2.80 rear shock coil with 650 X 3.19 coil to get proper sag. ( As per Fox rep.) The rest of the bike is stock
Bottom Line:
As said below:
OK lets face it, bike companies are not thinking of 6'3", 255 lbs guys when they manufacture bicycles. I have broken 4 Giant Warp DS-1 frames and 2.5 Giant AC-1 frames in the last 6 years. (I identified a frame flex issue and bought the Glory before the AC-1 could break a 3rd X.) All warrantied by Giant, thanks to some great rep by my two LBSs. I will keep y'all posted, but this seems to be "DA BOMB"!! Value is very good (Thank you Albert) and frameset is absolutely solid.
Clydesdales and abusive, hard free riders should consider this frame, although the frame may be just a tad heavy for pure free riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corstian Devos
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA, USA Date Reviewed: February 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any trail is a good trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
So far this frameset kicks!! At 6' 3", 255 lbs I am not what most bicycle manufacturers and bike shops think of as a regular rider. Finally a frame that is everything I want. (I hope!) LBS set this thing up sweet. (Thanks Skip). First 6 rides have been excellent! No frame flex everything solid. Groupo is VERY good! Sram 7.0 shifters are tight and fast, an easy adjustment from my old XTs.
Weaknesses:
None found so far. (Maybe stock 2.5 Kona tires.) If you buy this to ride it as designed the weight is not your issue. I traded the stock fatty Kona tires for something with less rolling resistance.
Similar Products Used:
Warp DS-1. AC-1. Looked at Ironhorse 7 point 7 and Gary Fischer.
Bike Setup:
Giant grips replaced with OURY DH. Seat replaced with Fizik Atlas. Pedals, my old much maligned SH 858s. (They have always worked well for me!) 2.5 Kona tires switched for Conti Double Fighter frt and old faithful WTB Tyrannoraptor bk. Replaced stock Fox DHX 4.0 450 X 2.80 rear shock coil with 650 X 3.19 coil to get proper sag. ( As per Fox rep.) The rest of the bike is stock
Bottom Line:
OK lets face it, bike companies are not thinking of 6'3", 255 lbs guys when they manufacture bicycles. I have broken 4 Giant Warp DS-1 frames and 2.5 Giant AC-1 frames in the last 6 years. (I identified a frame flex issue and bought the Glory before the AC-1 could break a 3rd X.) All warrantied by Giant, thanks to some great rep by my two LBSs. I will keep y'all posted, but this seems to be "DA BOMB"!! Value is very good (Thank you Albert) and frameset is absolutely solid.
Clydesdales and abusive, hard free riders should consider this frame, although the frame may be just a tad heavy for pure free riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Grundy
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston , Tasmania ,Australia Date Reviewed: December 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Caveman Track
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
TREADLIES !
Strengths:
Plush , pedals very well ,great value for money ,confidence inspiring and tough!
Weaknesses:
Race Face B/B broken "T" washers (rough factory install)Poor bleed on brakes from factory. Yuck grips
Similar Products Used:
ATX 990 !! (long time ago) John Tomac edition considered a DH bike at the time!?
Bike Setup:
Stock - DMR V8 pedals. Bike Is Glory 8 - 1 Australian model retail $3495.00 Australian Dollars
Bottom Line:
I work at Treadlies Bike shop , our main brands are Kona and Giant (also some exotic brands) I can say this is the best bike I have felt straight out of the box.I get to test or demo many brands through repair or assembly and this bike is Killer!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
james raf
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney nsw australia Date Reviewed: October 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
manly dam
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
best mate
Strengths:
this bike is awsome , its all downhill , it can go down anything and fast its bombproof , its a forgiving bike in that mistakes are swallowed up in the suspension ,great for an average rider like me , what's it doing in the freeride section of this site ?
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
giant faith 1 specialized demo 8 , big hit fsr .
Bike Setup:
stock and perfect . Giant have it sorted just like the Faith 1
Bottom Line:
This bike brings back the honesty in value for money on hi end bikes , sick of big prices ! Especially when this monster is available . Crosscountry and freeriders need not apply this is for downhillers and big jumpers who have destroyed their previous pride and joy .
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
